DBB – Chapter 33: Testing the Waters

In front of Linyan Pavilion, where Concubine Song resided, there was a hot spring. Every winter, the steam rising from the water near the spring’s source created a misty veil over the lake, giving the place its name—Linyan Pavilion (Pavilion Overlooking the Mist).

The pavilion was surrounded by covered walkways and large stone vats filled with water lilies. Even in the dead of winter, delicate light purple lotus blossoms still bloomed.

Gu Lan walked through the covered corridors, her two maids trailing behind her. She spotted her mother standing quietly by the lake, staring at the rising steam on the water’s surface. Even when a maid approached to report something, Concubine Song didn’t turn her head.

Gu Lan glanced at the waning moon hanging faintly in the sky, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. Quickening her pace, she reached her mother’s side and took her hand, pulling her back slightly. The mist from the hot spring was warm, but once it soaked through clothing, the cold winter wind would make it unbearable.

“Mother…” Gu Lan sat down on the small stool the maid had brought and said urgently, “Are you not worried? I heard from the servants that Gu Jinchao is arranging for Father to take in a concubine—and he has already agreed!”

A thought suddenly struck her. “The girl she brought back that day… that must be the concubine!”

Concubine Song sighed. “I already know.”

She had known the moment Gu Deshao walked out of Jingan Courtyard. Later, the Household Administration Hall, the Servants’ Quarters, and the Stables all sent people to report to her—betrothal gifts, maids, a new residence—Gu Jinchao had already ordered everything to be arranged.

At first, she had been shocked. She had expected to see Gu Jinchao make a fool of herself, but instead… Gu Deshao had agreed to take in a concubine!

After the shock came unease. She had walked around the corridors several times, unable to calm herself, just as restless as Gu Lan.

After all, what she relied on most was Gu Deshao’s favor. Although she was the legitimate daughter of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, her family had four legitimate daughters—if she lost favor in the Gu household, she would fare no better in her natal home.

She had thought that, after more than a year of exclusive favor, she would finally conceive. Yet her womb remained silent—no matter how many medicinal remedies she tried.

She had nearly died giving birth to Gu Lan, and the complications had left her weakened, making it difficult for her to conceive again.

For the past three months, she had been taking a new remedy. She had hoped for a chance…

So why had the Master agreed to take in a concubine now?

She had paced back and forth, nearly rushing to Jingan Courtyard to see for herself what kind of beauty could make Gu Deshao take such a risk.

But there were guards stationed outside, and no one was allowed in.

These guards had been brought from the Ji family, and their loyalty lay with Ji Shi.

The more anxious she became, the more she forced herself to calm down.

At this point, there was nothing to be done—only waiting.

Waiting for the new concubine to enter the household.

Concubine Song stood before the lotus pond, her mind made up.

“Ji Shi fought with me for over ten years and never won—what makes her think a concubine from nowhere will be any different?”

For over ten years, Ji Shi had never been able to surpass Concubine Song in their struggle for influence. And now, just because of some concubine from nowhere, did they really think they could defeat her?

Gu Lan knew she had no place in this matter. Worrying wouldn’t help, so she stopped urging her mother and instead focused on warming her cold hands.

She suddenly recalled that whenever things became critical, her mother’s hands would turn ice-cold. But the colder they became, the calmer she was.

“I will go see your father myself,” Concubine Song finally said. “You don’t need to concern yourself with this—just look after your brother.”

Gu Lan was still worried. “Are you going now?”

Her mother’s voice was icy. “What’s the rush? I’ll sleep first. Morning is soon enough.”

The Next Morning, when Concubine Song looked in the bronze mirror, she noticed the faint dark circles beneath her eyes.

She instructed Qiao Wei to do her hair. “No rouge or powder—just a proper bun, pinned with jade hairpins.”

As she served Gu Deshao breakfast, she casually broached the topic of the new concubine.

“I heard from Mama Zhao that Master is planning to bring another lady into the household…” She smiled as she gracefully placed food in his bowl. “Why did you not mention it to me first? Eldest Miss has already arranged everything, but I only learned about it from the stewards.”

Gu Deshao took a sip of his porridge and said flatly, “It’s just a concubine. Let Chao’er handle it—she will have to manage household affairs once she marries anyway. I didn’t tell you because you already exhaust yourself managing the household. I didn’t want to burden you further.”

“That is true,” he added. “It has been eight years since a child was born in this household. The concubines bear some responsibility for that…”

As he looked up, he saw Concubine Song’s still-beautiful face. Time had passed, but it had been kind to her. However, the dark circles under her eyes caught his attention.

“Is she upset because of me? Or because she has worked too hard managing the household?”

Feeling a trace of guilt, he reached for Concubine Song’s hand, comforting her.

“You’ve worked hard these past years… Don’t worry. No concubine will ever compare to you.”

Concubine Song smiled faintly. “I am happy that Master is considering the family’s future. But… with your mentor, Lord Lin, about to be promoted, wouldn’t it be better to wait a little longer before taking in a concubine?”

Gu Deshao shook his head.

“The court is unpredictable. The emperor has been unwell and has not attended morning court for days. Grand Secretary Zhang and Chamberlain Chen are handling affairs. This matter is of little consequence—as long as we keep it discreet.”

Concubine Song’s heart tightened.

“So, he will not change his mind after all.”

Forcing a smile, she no longer pressed the matter. Instead, she asked, “Chamberlain Chen? But isn’t he supposed to be assisting the Crown Prince?”

Gu Deshao chuckled.

“The Crown Prince is only eleven, just around Jinrong’s age—and timid. How could he handle government affairs? While it is said that he supervises, all real power rests with Chamberlain Chen. He is truly a capable official, managing everything with efficiency. Grand Secretary Zhang values him greatly. If a seat in the Grand Secretariat opens, he is likely to become Deputy Grand Secretary.”

Since Concubine Song was an inner household woman, Gu Deshao felt comfortable speaking freely with her—knowing she would not meddle in politics.

Meanwhile, in Jingan Courtyard Gu Jinchao was surrounded by stewards and senior maids, overseeing renovations.

She carefully noted any damaged or outdated areas, ensuring they would be restored.

The withered lotus pond was filled in and replaced with evergreens, plum trees, and dianthus. Along the stone pathways, she had servants bring out potted cockscomb and poppies from the greenhouse, arranging the courtyard into a vibrant display of color.

The eaves and brackets were repainted in deep green, and the windows and pillars were polished with black lacquer. Inside, she replaced the old screen with an exquisite Japanese-gold painted partition.

Large Longquan vases and Song-dynasty-style porcelain were placed in the main hall, with red plum branches arranged inside them.

“To mark the twenty-fifth, cut red paper for festive window decorations and double happiness symbols, and paste them around Jingan Courtyard,” she instructed Xu Mama.

“Though there will be no formal concubine ceremony, it should still feel joyous.”

Tong Mama chuckled. “Miss, you are still thinking about Miss Luo. You have put so much effort into decorating Jingan Courtyard—you must feel sorry for her.”

Jinchao merely smiled.

She had always thought of herself as selfish.

She had never considered Luo Su’s feelings in all this.

Because Luo Su had no choice.

Even Jinchao herself had no choice.

But the girl was still only fifteen or sixteen—and this was her only chance at marriage.

Even if she couldn’t have a grand wedding, she should at least have a proper bridal chamber.

Ji Shi had been worried that Jinchao wouldn’t handle things properly, checking on her preparations every day and repeatedly asking whether Miss Luo was well taken care of.

Jinchao reassured her mother with a smile. It’s just a concubine. When Chen Qi Gongzi married, I personally handled all the wedding preparations. Everything was perfect. This will be no different.

On the Twenty-Fifth Day, a red soft sedan chair carried Luo Su from Qinglian Alley into the Gu residence.

A few banquet tables were set, inviting the concubines, young ladies, stewards, and senior maids of the household to celebrate.

Even Ji Shi had herself carried out to watch, and Jinchao remained by her side throughout.

Spring was approaching, and the weather had warmed slightly. The soft sunlight fell upon her mother’s frail face, making her look peaceful.

Gu Deshao, dressed in a dark red robe, strode toward them.

“…You are so unwell. Why come outside?” he frowned.

Ji Shi gave a gentle smile. “I just wanted to see. It’s rare to have a joyous occasion in our household.”

Gu Deshao’s brows furrowed, as if he wanted to say something.

But before he could, Jinchao quickly interjected, “Mother has spent so much time alone—she simply enjoys the liveliness.”

Then she lowered her voice and whispered, “Shall we go back inside?”

Ji Shi no longer looked at Gu Deshao. She simply nodded.

The plum blossoms in Xiexiao Courtyard had already withered, but the pagoda trees had begun sprouting new leaves.

The day was warm, and the icicles on the eaves were melting.

Ji Shi had a small embroidery hoop brought over and began personally guiding Jinchao’s stitching.

As she watched her daughter embroider a bird-of-paradise flower, her expression softened with joy.

“If you could stitch dark shades with silver thread, the effect would be even better…”

Jinchao smiled bitterly. Her embroidery skills surpassed even professional artisans. Yet she deliberately stitched poorly, just to let her mother teach her more.

Ji Shi suddenly said, “Your father loved the bird-of-paradise flower. He admired its purity and elegance. I used to embroider his shoes and socks with this design.”

A faint smile appeared on her lips. “Concubine Yun liked it as well, but she wasn’t skilled at embroidery. When she was expecting her child, she begged me to embroider several baby items for her—swaddling clothes, small pillows, little garments…”

It was rare for Ji Shi to speak of the past.

Jinchao seized the moment and asked, “Was Concubine Yun good to you?”

Ji Shi nodded. “She was gentle by nature. She loved children. When you were born, she couldn’t put you down, cradling you constantly. Whenever you cried at night, she was the first to wake and soothe you, while I simply lay in bed and refused to get up…”

A trace of sorrow flickered across her face. “Thinking back now… if it weren’t for that servant girl, how could she have died?”

Concubine Yun’s death?

This was the first time Jinchao had ever heard her mother mention it.

She lifted her head to look at Ji Shi, but her mother said no more about Concubine Yun. She simply continued guiding her embroidery.

When Concubine Yun had died, Jinchao had still been living at her maternal grandmother’s house, completely unaware of what had happened.

All she had ever heard was what Xu Mama once mentioned—that Concubine Yun had died in childbirth, unable to survive a difficult labor.