The two sturdy servant women did their best, but still could not restrain Song Yiniang’s madness. She broke free from their grasp and desperately pleaded,
“My lord! I have managed the inner quarters for you, bore you Lan-jie’er, and labored tirelessly after childbirth—my health has never recovered since! How can you be so heartless?”
After giving birth to Gu Lan, Song Yiniang had suffered from recurring head pains. Whenever they flared up, it was always Gu Deshao who stayed by her side. He had long pitied her—once a noble legitimate daughter, now reduced to the bitter lot of a concubine.
Gu Deshao hesitated. Leaving her to fend for herself in Linyan Pavilion was one thing, but truly sending her to a convent to become a nun… She had always been proud of her looks—would she truly bear to shave her head and take the robe? He recalled how he had deliberated endlessly in Juyliu Pavilion before coming to Linyan Pavilion to “give the Ji clan an explanation.” But now, watching Song Yiniang throw herself at his feet in despair, a pang of guilt stirred within him.
Just then, Jinchao stepped forward with a composed smile.
“So it was you who managed the inner court, Yiniang? You managed so well that the entire household was entangled in your schemes. You even colluded with the household stewards to harm my mother. You bore Lan-jie’er, yet raised her into someone who dares spread gossip behind others’ backs, even going so far as to sow discord between me and Rong-ge’er. You speak of your hardships after childbirth—did you ever consider that when my mother was with child, she still had to prepare your wedding to Father? That illness that nearly took her life began from that very burden. Compared to what my mother suffered, what are your complaints worth?”
Song Yiniang had never known Gu Jinchao to be so sharp-tongued. She was struck speechless.
Jinchao called for Xiuqu and asked lightly,
“Do you remember her, Yiniang? The maid you had beaten half to death and thrown into the side courtyard simply for overhearing you and Gu Lan speaking? If I hadn’t discovered her in time, she wouldn’t be standing here today.”
Song Yiniang glared at Jinchao, her face deathly pale. She could not utter a word.
She had dared strike at her now of all times! On any ordinary day, such an incident could have been quietly buried. But now, Gu Deshao’s favor had already turned to disdain. One more accusation could bury her for good.
Gu Deshao turned to Song Yiniang in disbelief. The life of a servant might not have been significant, but this act—so vicious and petty—was far removed from the gentle and virtuous image she had always projected.
He looked to Xiuqu. “You truly served Song Yiniang before? What happened exactly?”
Xiuqu lifted her sleeve. A deep lash scar, long since healed but still horrifying to behold, marked her wrist.
She lowered her arm and said softly,
“In reply to Master, this servant indeed served in Song Yiniang’s quarters. I overheard her and Second Miss slandering the Eldest Miss, and for that I was dragged to the side courtyard and beaten near death. If not for Eldest Miss rescuing me, I wouldn’t be alive today.”
Gu Deshao’s face stiffened in shock. All sympathy for Song Yiniang vanished in that instant.
He had thought her a gentle woman—yet beneath that facade was a venomous viper.
Song Yiniang paled and cried out,
“You… You lie! You never heard us plot anything against Gu Jinchao! You’re colluding with her to take revenge!”
This wretch! she fumed inwardly. Even if she had overheard something, they’d never mentioned Jinchao directly! These words were clearly planted in her mouth by Gu Jinchao!
But Gu Deshao only grew colder.
“Revenge? So you’re admitting there was something to take revenge for?”
Xiuqu bowed deeply.
“Master, every word I speak is true. Had I not overheard such things, why would Song Yiniang treat me so viciously? I told the Eldest Miss, and she said to let it go, to give Yiniang a chance to mend her ways… but who would’ve known what followed after…”
Song Yiniang had always been the one to twist facts and malign others. She had never experienced being so thoroughly slandered in return. Fury surged up, and she lunged at Xiuqu, screaming,
“You vile wench! Did Gu Jinchao teach you these lies? You never heard anything of the sort! How dare you defame me!”
Seeing her charge forward, Old Madam Ji merely gave a look, and the maids behind her acted swiftly. The Ji family’s servant women were all trained—Song Yiniang was quickly subdued and pressed down onto the kang bed, unable to move.
Song Mama stepped forward then, pulling a gleaming pair of scissors from her sleeve. Smiling gently, she said,
“Perhaps this servant ought to shear Yiniang’s hair now, before she has time to hatch other schemes.”
Seeing the chill glint of those blades, Song Yiniang’s eyes filled with terror. Her body trembled as she struggled madly.
Gu Deshao remained silent, casting a look toward Xiuqu.
Jinchao, too, was surprised. She turned to glance at Xiuqu, who stood quietly behind her.
This maid, once quiet and careful, now spoke with clarity and poise.
Has she grown… or is it hate that gives her strength? Jinchao wondered.
Either way, this change was for the better.
On the other side of the room, snip—a sharp sound rang out as Song Mama severed a lock of hair. The strands drifted to the floor. Song Yiniang stared in horror, her lips trembling, her complexion ashen.
Could it be… that she truly would live out the rest of her days in a nunnery?
She didn’t want that fate. Not at all.
Suddenly, a wave of nausea surged up from her stomach. She bent over, dry heaving, but after several days without food, nothing came up.
Song Mama paused.
Song Yiniang continued retching violently, her face pale and drenched in cold sweat.
The two servant women watched for a long moment, then exchanged glances before one of them approached Gu Deshao hesitantly.
“Master, forgive this servant’s boldness, but this doesn’t look like ordinary sickness… It resembles the early signs of pregnancy…”
Pregnant?
Jinchao’s brows knitted. Could it truly be so coincidental?
She glanced toward her grandmother, who was now staring intently at Song Yiniang.
Gu Deshao was visibly shaken.
“Now, of all times… how could…”
Madam Ji exhaled softly.
“If there’s even a chance she’s with child, we should summon a physician for confirmation. Let us leave it at that for today. Song Mama, go invite Steward Duan to come.”
She turned to Gu Deshao and added,
“He is the steward of my pharmacy—well-versed in medicine.”
Gu Deshao’s heart jolted.
Why would she bring the steward of her own pharmacy? Could it be… she has suspected all along that Ji Shi’s death was not natural?
He dared not say a word. Bowing his head, he replied,
“I must trouble Mother with this matter.”
Song Yiniang, as though snatched from death, breathed heavily as she processed what had just happened. Tears welled in her eyes. She cast a glance down at her abdomen.
Her period had been delayed for over half a month, but she had been too consumed by anxiety to take notice.
If she were truly with child… then perhaps she would not have to enter a convent. Perhaps Gu Deshao would relent. Perhaps… one day… she could rise again from the ashes.
Seeing that Gu Deshao still refused to look her way, a sudden chill gripped Song Yiniang’s heart.
Not long after, Steward Duan arrived. He checked Song Yiniang’s pulse and reported to Madam Ji,
“…She is indeed with child. It’s still early—barely over half a month—so the pulse is faint. She’s likely been under great stress and anxiety lately, which has left the fetus unstable. She must be properly nourished and tended.”
Madam Ji gave a slight nod and turned her gaze toward Gu Deshao.
This was his decision to make.
Gu Deshao remained silent for a long while. That Song Yiniang would become pregnant at such a time… he truly had not anticipated it. And yet, even knowing she carried his child, he felt no joy—though he had long yearned for more offspring.
He could not forget the way Ji Shi had died—the pain of it still pulsed dully within him. Still… this was his child. No matter what, it would have to be born.
Without sparing Song Yiniang a glance, Gu Deshao finally addressed the two servant women,
“Since she’s with child, the matter of shaving her head can be set aside—for now.”
Then he added, “I’ll assign some maids to attend her. Lan-jie’er’s small kitchen can also be given over for her use.”
Yet he made no mention of restoring any of Song Yiniang’s former attendants. It was clear he had no intention of softening further.
A shadow passed over Song Yiniang’s face, but before long, a spark of hope flickered in her eyes.
If she could give birth to a son… everything could change.
She let out a quiet breath.
But Jinchao caught that breath and sneered inwardly. Song Yiniang truly thinks too simply. Even if she bore a son, what then? With her conduct and reputation, Father would never allow her to raise the child herself. And once the child was born… it would no longer belong to her.
She said nothing of this, simply followed her father and grandmother out of Linyan Pavilion.
Once they reached Xiexiao Courtyard, Madam Ji indeed asked lightly,
“…Have you decided who should raise the child? Song Yiniang may be spared the convent, but she absolutely cannot raise the child herself. With her character, we might see another Gu Lan brought up!”
Gu Deshao answered quickly this time,
“…Of course she won’t be allowed to raise it. I already regret letting her raise Lan-jie’er. As for taking another wife… now that Xiangjun is gone, I intend to observe a full year of mourning. I won’t be choosing a new main wife.”
Madam Ji seemed well pleased with this answer and added,
“Song Yiniang’s conduct is thoroughly disgraceful—she must not be allowed to raise the child. I can see she hasn’t given up yet. As soon as the child is born, it must be taken from her. Don’t waver.”
Gu Deshao thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Rest assured, Mother. I won’t be soft-hearted again. If it comes to it, I’ll raise the child myself. I certainly won’t let it be brought up by either of the concubines…”
Traditionally, raising a child was the duty of the main wife. But after what happened to Ji Shi, he had no desire to marry again. Still, that left the affairs of the inner residence ungoverned, and he wasn’t sure who could shoulder that burden.
Jinchao remained silent, but inwardly she disagreed. Her father was too easily swayed. He might sound resolute now, but what if Song Yiniang begged him later? Would he be able to refuse, or would he hand the child back into her hands?
If it were a daughter, perhaps it wouldn’t matter. But if it were a son… could Song Yiniang not use that as leverage to rise again?
And besides, her father had personally raised Gu Jinrong. Look how that turned out.
This child, no matter who its mother was, belonged to the Gu family. If raised well and kept distant from Song Yiniang, it would be all the more painful for her.
After a pause, Jinchao looked to her father and said,
“Once Song Yiniang gives birth, the child can be raised with me for the time being. I’ll help look after it. Now that she’s no longer managing household affairs, and the other concubines are of insufficient rank, perhaps you could assign Xu Mama from Mother’s courtyard to oversee the inner residence, under my name. The rest… can be discussed later.”
Madam Ji cast her a look of approval.
Raising the child herself—that was a wise suggestion. In any case, Chao’er was destined to marry Yao-ge’er. He wouldn’t mind such an arrangement. If the child became inconvenient in the future, it could always be raised in the Ji household for a time, then returned to the Gu family later.
Gu Deshao, hearing this, revealed a rare smile.
“You… If you’re willing, that would be ideal.”
Chao’er was now mature and thoughtful. If she were willing to care for the child, that would indeed be the best path forward. Assigning Xu Mama to manage the inner court under her authority also seemed a sound decision. As he intended to keep mourning, this arrangement suited him perfectly.
Jinchao, meanwhile, had her own plans.
Her mother was gone now—but Xu Mama was hers. With this move, the authority over the inner residence would fall firmly into her hands.
Let’s see if Gu Lan can stir up any waves now, relying only on herself.
As for Song Yiniang’s old loyal servants—if they dared defy her now, let them try.
She had once been too lenient. But now—now she was truly angered.