Concubine Du’s hands trembled. Only after a long while did she manage to ask, with difficulty, “Miss… what do you mean by this…?”

Jinchao drew out the jade pomegranate from the brocade box, her fingers brushing over the warm, polished surface. “If my mother can see from the afterlife that all of this was done by you, she would surely feel unbearable grief. She was kind to you for so many years, and she cared for Sister Yi diligently. Who would have thought that, at the very end, she would be framed by you and Concubine Song together? Even at death, she could never have imagined you would push the blame onto her. I truly grieve for my mother.”

Concubine Du said nothing. Her lips tightened, her eyes reddening.

Jinchao did not look at her as she continued, “I often heard Mother say one must keep kindness in one’s heart. She taught me so, and she taught Sister Yi the same. Yet who would have thought that such goodwill would lead to such an end… Sister Yi is gentle by nature. If she were to learn what you once did, she would never acknowledge you again.” Jinchao sighed, as though lamenting sincerely.

Concubine Du’s mind was in utter chaos. How does the young lady know about this…? At this point, it no longer mattered how the truth had surfaced—what mattered was that she could not allow Gu Jinchao to tell Gu Yi. Gu Yi already disliked her. If she discovered that Concubine Du had harmed Madam Ji, she would surely loathe her. Gu Yi was her only daughter… Even if that child never called her “mother,” she was still her flesh and blood.

The fact that Jinchao had come to speak to her privately, instead of going straight to Gu Deshao, meant she held no true evidence in hand. She simply wanted a confession—to clear Madam Ji’s name.
But… how could she confess such a thing?

She was trapped on all sides.

Concubine Du looked at Jinchao, her voice barely audible. “Miss… what is it that you truly want?”

Jinchao knew well the fears weighing on her. Without assurance, Concubine Du would never admit anything.

She exhaled slowly. “To be honest, a small maid came to me yesterday. Concubine Song told Sister Lan everything you did, using it to threaten you into helping her. How else would I know? Does Aunt Du wish to be at the mercy of Concubine Song and Gu Lan for the rest of her life?”

Concubine Du’s face turned pale. Song Miaohua… she had actually told Gu Lan!

“If she only forced you into minor tasks, that might still be tolerable. But what if, one day, Concubine Song commits a grave offense and demands that you take the blame? What will you do then? You are a clever woman, Aunt Du—you know I need not speak plainly.” Jinchao paused. “If you admit the truth, I will protect you before Father. And when Sister Yi marries in the future, I will gift her two shops in Baodi. Once she enters the Du household, she will have standing and confidence.”

Concubine Du faltered. Her resolve had already begun to waver.

Just as Jinchao said—she did not wish to remain trapped under Concubine Song’s threats. And day and night she was tormented with guilt over Madam Ji…

After all, Madam Ji had treated her well for many years. Yet she had repaid her like this.

Seeing her silence, Jinchao sighed softly. “Even if you never speak of it, living while bearing the weight of three lives… would you truly find peace?”

Yun Yiniang and the child in her womb, and Madam Ji—how was she not carrying the burden of all three?

Concubine Du collapsed weakly onto the embroidered stool, her voice hollow. “In truth… the matter back then was not as it seems…”

Tears streamed down her face as she cried uncontrollably. “I never thought… never thought I would become someone who harmed others… I truly never meant to hurt Yun Xiang. She stole my favor, and though I disliked her, I never intended to harm her…”

“That day, because of Yun Yiniang, Old Master punished Third Miss with confinement. When she was finally released, she had become so quiet… My heart ached for her, and I grew resentful toward Yun Yiniang… One day, when the little maid was absent, I went to the kitchen to check on her tonic. There were two medicine chests… In a moment of madness, I switched the medicines. I never imagined the maid would take the wrong one… Yun Xiang took it, gave birth early, and encountered a difficult labor. The child never came into this world…”

Concubine Du continued, “These years… I have lived with guilt. I often dream of Yun Yiniang returning with her child, coming for me…”

She stared blankly at the sunlight slipping through the window lattice, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. “I kept telling myself it was not my fault—that Yun Yiniang had no fate. But in truth, the guilt remains. Whenever I see Old Master, I feel ashamed… After all, she died because of me…”

Jinchao listened quietly. This could hardly be called an accident. Yet Concubine Du was pitiable in her own way. A woman usually so cautious had, in one moment of foolishness, committed a small wrong—only for it to erupt into disaster that changed her life entirely.

Concubine Du wiped her tears, then let out a bitter laugh. “Miss, I am not a monster. I despise myself for what I’ve done. For more than ten years I have not known a full night’s sleep… To speak of it now—perhaps it is a relief. I am willing to admit everything, so long as you promise to protect Third Miss. That alone will let me die content.”

Jinchao remained silent for a long time before nodding. “Rest assured. I will protect Sister Yi. But… I have one more question. How did Concubine Song learn of this?”

Concubine Du shook her head, dazed. “I… I don’t know… Before she framed Madam Ji, she came to speak to me. She warned me not to say anything, or she would ruin Third Miss’s marriage prospects. How could I dare defy her…”

“You do not know—Concubine Song is vicious beyond measure. She resents the fact that, though the daughter of a legitimate household, she must bow her head as a concubine. She has nursed that resentment for years… If you wish to see her fall, then ensure she never rises again…”

Jinchao nodded. “Do not worry, Aunt Du. I understand. When the time is right, I will tell you.”

It was not yet time to deliver the final blow.
But soon.

Walking back toward Qingtong Courtyard, she followed the moss-lined bluestone path, the paulownia trees casting broad shade over the walkway. Soft sunlight filtered through the leaves, and a gentle breeze stirred the quiet air.

She glanced toward the distant lake, where willow branches hung low over the water’s surface.

A sudden peacefulness settled in her heart.

Though her mother was gone, she still had to avenge her. After all, she had been reborn; and since Heaven had granted her a second chance, she intended to live well—she would not squander it.

Two days later, when Gu Lan returned from offering incense, her carriage had just reached the Drooping-Flower Gate when a young maid came running to Qingtong Courtyard.

“…Second Miss brought Madam Song back with her. They’re heading to Linyan Pavilion right now.” The little maid thought for a moment and added, “As soon as Madam Song stepped off the carriage, she rewarded the driver with two taels of silver. They were so delighted they nearly bowed the ground flat!”

Qingpu handed the girl a box of pea cakes, and the child left beaming.

Tong Mama smiled as she reported to Jinchao:
“Madam Song was originally the legitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant family in Nanjing. Song Shaoqing came from a fallen gentry household and passed the licentiate examination. To avoid being hindered by money or obligation in his studies, he married Madam Song. After entering the household, she bore two daughters… Old Madam Song could not tolerate it and secretly cut off the tonics meant for the concubines. Only then did the eldest concubine-son come about. Later, Madam Song became pregnant again and gave birth to Concubine Song.”

“Without a son, her position was naturally unstable. Over the years, Song Shaoqing’s little concubines have been brought into the Song household one after another, and Madam Song never dared to utter a complaint. People like her fear being looked down upon the most. No confidence in her heart—thus she must always put on airs.”

Jinchao nodded with a faint smile. The carriage drivers were Gu family servants to begin with; Madam Song’s actions were nothing more than a desperate attempt not to be despised.

She added, “Go and find out how Father reacted.”

Madam Song coming so ostentatiously—Father must have been informed.

Tong Mama quickly returned. “Old Master knows, but said nothing. He simply ordered that Madam Song be attended to properly.”

Jinchao understood her father’s temperament well. He disliked airing family matters, and he certainly would not speak of Madam Ji’s death to Madam Song. Better to maintain the façade of harmony. Gu Lan understood this perfectly too—knowing he would not interfere, she deliberately invited Madam Song to flaunt herself.

Tong Mama continued, “A little maid just came to say—once Madam Song arrived at Linyan Pavilion, she scolded every maid there, and even ordered Caoying to kneel outside for three hours. She said the screen in Concubine Guo and Concubine Du’s quarters was unsightly and demanded that the matrons replace it immediately. She caused quite the commotion!”

Jinchao laughed. “It seems Gu Lan told her nothing. She must think Concubine Song is still the same Concubine Song she remembers—daring to throw her weight around.”

Tong Mama hesitated, then asked softly, “Miss… what do you plan to do?”

Madam Song was merely Concubine Song’s mother, nothing more. To act so arrogantly in the Gu household was indeed excessive.

And regardless of her status as a guest, it was inappropriate of her to visit Concubine Song first. What was Concubine Song’s rank! When visiting a household’s womenfolk, especially when Old Master could not appear, her first stop should have been Jinchao. Yet Madam Song cared nothing for propriety.

If the mountain will not come to me, then I shall go to the mountain.

If she did not go meet Madam Song and remind her who truly ruled the Gu household, it would make little sense.

“She has traveled far—naturally, I must pay my respects,” Jinchao said with a smile.

Night had already fallen. The air was cold and heavy with dew; Caifu, fearing Jinchao might feel chilled, helped her change into a cinnabar-autumn satin cloak.

Qingpu lifted a horn-glass lantern, and with Caifu, Baiyun, and Xu Mama following behind, the group made their way toward Linyan Pavilion.

Xu Mama said, “Madam Song says she will rest in the east wing tonight. She also ordered me to change all the bedding and pillows for new ones. She claimed she cannot stand Hangzhou silk covers and told me to fetch green Luchou covers instead.”

Jinchao found this even more amusing. Did Madam Song truly think that with her mother gone, the Gu family no longer had a mistress in charge?

She smiled lightly. “We mustn’t appear stingy. If she makes further demands, tell her to search the storeroom herself. Whatever she finds, she may use. Let’s see whether she dares to act so shamelessly.”

Xu Mama answered at once, and the maids who overheard all pressed their lips together, laughing quietly.