DBB – Chapter 31: Words of Caution

Time was of the essence. The next day, Jinchao bid farewell to Old Madam Ji, preparing to return home with Luo Su.

Old Madam Ji understood her intentions and did not ask her to stay. Jinchao had Luo Su disguise herself as an ordinary maid before boarding the carriage. Meanwhile, Gu Jinrong was too preoccupied to notice; he had loaded up his carriage with books and inkstones gifted by his uncles and rode ahead.

Upon arriving at the Gu residence, Jinchao took Luo Su to meet her mother.

Ji Shi examined Luo Su for a long while before nodding with her eyes closed. “She is decent enough. Have you arranged her accommodations?”

Jinchao smiled. “Mother, you need not worry. She is temporarily settled in Jingan Courtyard, next to Juyliu Pavilion. I plan to speak with Father about it tomorrow.”

Ji Shi pondered for a moment. “And what about her mother? Have you sent a proper gift?”

Jinchao replied, “I have already sent a thousand taels ahead. Once Father formally takes her in, we will send dozens of carts as a betrothal gift. Although she will be a concubine, she is still the niece of Concubine Yun, who has served you faithfully for over a decade. Her niece’s marriage should not be a simple affair.”

Ji Shi sighed. “Yun Xiang was loyal to me in her time.” She then instructed Xu Mama to go to Jingan Courtyard and teach Luo Su proper etiquette. Women from small households were never as well-versed in the refined manners of noble families.

Seeing that her mother had nothing more to say, Jinchao asked Moyu to bring over her medicine. Personally feeding her, she noticed that, in just a few days, her mother had grown even thinner—her chin now sharp enough to pierce paper. It was clear that life at home brought her only sorrow and hardship. Other than the two concubines, who else did she have to confide in?

Once the medicine was finished, Jinchao gently held her mother’s hand and carefully trimmed her nails, smoothing out any rough edges.

Ji Shi, watching her daughter lower her head in concentration, felt warmth fill her heart.

Her Jinchao had grown so considerate. She handled matters thoroughly, sparing her mother from worry.

Looking outside, Ji Shi gazed at the clear blue sky. The gentle sunlight reflected off the snow.

“…Your father, no matter whom he loved, always gave his whole heart, exhausting himself in that love. He once loved me, loved Yun Xiang, and loved Concubine Song—all with the same intensity. But such love always fades with time. The one who died early… is the one he remembers most deeply. She surely never expected that.”

Jinchao’s hand paused. Why was her mother telling her this?

“Yun Xiang was your father’s greatest love because he obtained her at the peak of his desire, and she died when his love for her was at its deepest, his liking for Yun Xiang will never change…” Ji Shi murmured. She turned her head and found Jinchao staring at her. She took her daughter’s hand and gripped it tightly. “Jinchao, be wary of Concubine Song. She may not meddle in everything, but this—this she will not allow.”

“She will never tolerate someone else stealing her favor…”

At the pavilion, Gu Lan was practicing embroidery with her mother, Concubine Song (Song Miaohua). She held her mother’s hand, recounting the events at her grandmother’s house.

After listening, Concubine Song shook her head with a smile. “I never thought our young lady would become so cunning. She has grown much smarter.”

Gu Lan frowned slightly and spoke in a hushed tone. “Mother, aren’t you worried? I can’t figure out Gu Jinchao anymore… What is she scheming? Is there someone advising her? That Qingpu, or perhaps Tong Mama?”

Concubine Song picked up a small embroidery hoop. It displayed a pair of golden carp, their heads and tails intertwined in an elegant pattern.

She continued stitching lotus buds beside the fish and said coolly, “Why concern yourself with her? People don’t remain foolish forever… Right now, the Madam has been ill for so long. If, by some misfortune, she passes away, I am the most likely to be elevated as the legal wife. When that happens, no matter how capable Gu Jinchao is, she will be powerless to change anything.”

With serene composure, Concubine Song traced the embroidered fish with her fingers, smiling. “When you were a child, I made you bellybands embroidered with carp because you loved the pattern. You never liked any other designs. Carp are symbols of good fortune. Make a few more of these patterns—you never know when they might come in handy.”

Gu Lan seemed deep in thought. After a long silence, she said, “I understand now, Mother. The current situation is already in our favor. All I need to do is wait.”

Concubine Song turned as if to say something else but suddenly noticed her head maid, Qiao Wei, hurrying toward them from the corridor.

“…Mistress, news from the inner court—Eldest Miss has returned from Tongzhou, bringing two unfamiliar maids with her. One appears to be around fifteen or sixteen, the other about twelve or thirteen.”

Gu Lan sneered. “Probably just some new servants from her grandmother’s household to replace Liuxiang.”

Concubine Song, however, furrowed her brows. “If Old Madam Ji wanted to send her maids, why would she send a twelve-year-old? That age still requires training!” She turned to Qiao Wei and asked, “Tell me—did they share a carriage?”

Qiao Wei thought for a moment. “The servant didn’t mention that, but she did say the older girl is exceptionally beautiful.”

Concubine Song’s expression changed instantly as she stood up.

Gu Lan looked at her mother in confusion. “What is it? What’s wrong with that girl?”

Concubine Song closed her eyes, deep in thought. After a moment, she instructed Qiao Wei, “Prepare a few plates of refreshments. We are going to welcome Eldest Miss back.”

Qiao Wei, realizing the urgency, quickly nodded and withdrew. Seeing her daughter still looking puzzled, Concubine Song said, “Your brother just returned from Tongzhou as well. Go speak with him. This is not something you need to concern yourself with for now.”

Gu Lan pouted. “There’s no need to worry about him. He despises Gu Jinchao now—he’d rather she didn’t exist at all!”

Concubine Song gazed coldly at the lake and said, “That’s not necessarily true. Your elder sister is trying to overturn the heavens.”

Without delay, Concubine Song and Qiao Wei made their way to Qingtong Courtyard.

Jinchao was on her way back from Ji Shi’s residence when Baiyun was already waiting for her on the road to inform her that Concubine Song had arrived.

Caifu was slightly surprised. “Concubine Song found out so quickly?”

Jinchao smiled. “Did you think she spent half a year managing the inner courtyard for nothing?”

The Gu residence’s inner courtyard was filled with maids and old servant women, many of whom had been won over by Concubine Song’s influence. At the moment, Jinchao had no spare energy to deal with her; after all, Concubine Song was still in her prime.

But Jinchao wasn’t in a hurry. Now that the person was here, Concubine Song’s efforts would be in vain.

When Jinchao entered the hall, Concubine Song rose to greet her with a smile. “I brought some pastries—Eldest Miss has just returned, and the journey must have been exhausting.”

She gestured for the maid to open the food box, displaying an assortment of delicate floral pastries, flaky pine nut cakes, and fragrant jackfruit crisps.

Jinchao instructed Yutong to serve tea to Concubine Song. The concubine sat leisurely, taking small sips before speaking in an unhurried tone.

“…Eldest Miss has returned at just the right time. The Master will soon resume his court duties, and the household has been quite busy. I haven’t even had the time to attend to the Madam daily. It would be best if you could help serve her… But Master’s mentor, Lord Lin, is likely to be promoted early next year. Master has been preoccupied with his career, cautious to avoid any missteps. Even this year, he didn’t contribute funds to the Shian Lantern Festival.¹”

Every year, the Lantern Festival in Shian was financed by several prominent families, with the Gu family traditionally donating three thousand taels.

Concubine Song was here to warn Jinchao—not to act rashly and risk disturbing her father.

But Jinchao knew better. Master Lin Xianzhong would not rise in rank.

By June this year, the current Emperor Muzong² would pass away. Chaos would follow in the court, with Grand Secretary Zhang Julian and the inner palace eunuch Feng Cheng seizing control of the government. The Minister of Revenue would be taken over by Chen Er Ye, a man with deep ties to Zhang Julian. Lin Xianzhong, on the other hand, would be transferred to Zhejiang as a provincial governor.

Although her father was not aligned with Zhang Julian, he also did not belong to the military or noble factions. In the coming political turmoil, he would struggle to maintain his position. He remained stagnant until Jinchao’s marriage into the Chen family, after which his status remained unchanged.

Jinchao smiled and replied slowly, “That is unfortunate. The Shian Lantern Festival is always the most festive event of the year.”

Concubine Song’s expression darkened slightly.

She had assumed that Jinchao would understand her warning. But did she truly not comprehend the situation, or was she playing dumb? Or was she unwilling to give up and insisting on presenting this girl to Master Gu?

Concubine Song was well aware that even if Jinchao brought back a stunning beauty as a concubine for Gu Deshao, he would be unlikely to accept her. She was merely trying to prevent the Eldest Miss from stirring unnecessary trouble for her father.

Was Ji Shi behind this? That woman had truly lost her senses the more ill she became!

Since Jinchao refused to listen, there was no point in continuing the conversation. At worst, she would have to clean up the mess afterward—had she not done so countless times before?

Concubine Song forced a smile and said, “That’s true. Speaking of which, Eldest Miss has already been of marriageable age for over six months now. It is time to consider matrimonial matters. You must be mindful of yourself.”

She stood up gracefully. “I have business to attend to in the household affairs department, so I shall take my leave.”

Jinchao lifted her tea cup and said calmly, “Yuzhu, see her out.”

A young maid standing behind the curtain responded quickly.

Concubine Song’s face stiffened—Jinchao had sent a mere third-rank maid to escort her out.

“There’s no need, Eldest Miss. I still remember the way.”

Forcing a smile, she gritted her teeth and left with Qiao Wei.

As soon as she was gone, Yuzhu cheerfully bounced into the room, prompting Baiyun to scold her in a hushed tone, “Behave properly…”

Yuzhu stuck out her tongue playfully. She had a round, bun-like face and big, bright eyes, making her look especially endearing.

“Miss…” Yuzhu sat near the brazier, adjusting the silver-threaded charcoal, and whispered, “I don’t know why, but Concubine Song’s smile gives me the chills. She doesn’t look like a good person at all…”

Her expression was exceptionally serious.

Baiyun was annoyed—she was responsible for training this little maid, yet here she was, speaking so carelessly in front of the Miss!

But Jinchao only smiled and asked, “Why do you think she doesn’t look like a good person?”

Yuzhu tilted her head and thought for a moment. “Her smile only reaches the surface—the rest of her face is seething with anger!”

Jinchao burst into laughter, while even Baiyun and Qingpu struggled to hold back their amusement.

This little maid certainly had an interesting way with words.

1. The Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese celebration that takes place on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) celebrations. It is known for lantern displays, festive gatherings, and cultural performances, including lion dances, riddle-solving, and feasting on sweet glutinous rice balls, which symbolize family unity and completeness. ↩︎
2. Taizu is a posthumous title given to the emperor after his death. While alive, he was known as Emperor Muzong. In previous chapters, Gu Jinchao referred to him using his posthumous title, Taizu. ↩︎