When Xie shi saw Bai yiniang, she could not hide the smile on her face.
Ha… ha…
The once delicate and gentle Bai yiniang had turned into a pale, plump bun of a woman. No wonder laoye only stayed at Xiangsi Yuan for the time it takes to drink one cup of tea before leaving.
Bai yiniang knew all too well what Xie shi was laughing at.
She was laughing at her ugliness, gloating at her misfortune.
Bai yiniang gave a cold little humph to herself. Xie shi was not looking much better either.
After all, Xie shi was already of age. Since entering the capital, one incident after another had left her no rest.
The once well-maintained face now bore the marks of age, her eyes no longer lively, but tinged with weariness.
“Why has taitai come?” Bai yiniang’s voice was as gentle as ever.
Xie shi said, “I heard the Twelfth Young Master is ill. As his di mother, I must certainly come to see him. Have you summoned a physician?”
“Thank you for taitai’s concern. A physician has already been called.”
“And what did the physician say?”
Xie shi walked straight into the main hall of Xiangsi Yuan, asking about the boy as she went.
She sat down in the seat of honour. Bai yiniang bowed and stood before her.
“The physician said it’s an old weakness and must be carefully nurtured,” Bai yiniang answered.
Xie shi gave a slight hum. “Is the child awake?”
“Just now he fell asleep.”
Xie shi gave her a half-smile. “No matter. Where is he? I shall go and look in on him.”
Bai yiniang lowered her head, biting her lip. She wanted to refuse outright, but feared giving Xie shi leverage against her.
After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “The child is in the bedchamber.”
Xie shi immediately rose and went to see the boy.
The Twelfth Young Master was indeed asleep, a tiny little child.
At a glance, Xie shi frowned. “Bai shi, how are you raising him? He is past a hundred days old, yet not an ounce of flesh on him.”
“Taitai misunderstands.”
Cui Liu quickly explained for her mistress: “From the moment he was born, the young master has been weak. Yiniang, though still frail after childbirth, insisted on personally caring for him, just so he might put on more weight. She tends to him herself by day, and wakes in the night as well. She has collapsed from exhaustion more than once. No one cares for him more than yiniang does.”
Xie shi cast a glance at Bai yiniang. “Looking at your haggard face, it seems I did indeed misjudge you. But if you wear yourself out like this every day, when will your body recover enough to serve laoye?”
Bai yiniang bowed. “Thank you, taitai, for the reminder.”
Xie shi smiled faintly. “The boy’s weakness is only because he is still small. In a couple of years, as he grows, he’ll naturally grow stronger. Why, look at er yatou, sick every few days as a child, yet now she is perfectly fine.”
Bai yiniang replied, “Er guniang only fell ill again just days ago.”
“The physician said that was from shock.”
Xie shi reached out and lightly stroked the Twelfth Young Master’s cheek.
Seeing this, Bai yiniang grew extremely nervous.
She rushed forward and scooped the boy up in her arms, speaking anxiously: “Taitai, the young master is ill. Please be careful not to catch it.”
Xie shi waved a hand. “It doesn’t matter.”
Bai yiniang clutched the child tightly, saying, “He cannot leave me. I will hold him.”
Xie shi gave her a mocking half-smile. “So tense, are you afraid I would harm the child?”
Head bowed, Bai yiniang said, “I do not think that.”
Xie shi sneered. “Whether you think it or not, you know best in your own heart. But looking at this child, he seems to be of weak fortune. Bai shi, you must take greater care of him. It was not easy for you to bear him safely. And the physician has said you cannot bear any more. So treasure him well, your whole future depends on him.”
Bai yiniang lowered her head meekly. “Thank you, taitai, for the reminder.”
Xie shi smiled, rose, and left the chamber.
Bai yiniang let out a heavy sigh of relief, carefully laying the boy back on the bed before going out to attend to Xie shi again.
Xie shi looked around the furnishings of Xiangsi Yuan, and said meaningfully to her, “Bai shi, you mustn’t fail laoye’s affections for you.”
Bai yiniang’s brows tightened for an instant, but her expression quickly smoothed. “I dare not fail the laoye’s feelings, nor taitai’s.”
Xie shi smiled. “That is best. Take care of yourself. Raise the boy strong, and I will come again another day to see you both.”
“I respectfully send taitai off.”
Bai yiniang watched her leave with her maids and servants, then finally breathed deeply, relieved.
She hurried back into the bedchamber to check on the boy.
He was still fast asleep. The medicine prescribed was working.
Only then did she relax.
When Xie shi returned to Furong Yuan, she asked Chun He, “Tomorrow is the hou fu’s dowry display. Are the gifts we are adding prepared?”
“Taitai, they are ready. Here is the gift list for your inspection.”
Chun He presented a list. Xie shi opened it, her brow furrowing slightly.
Chun He grew nervous. “Is taitai dissatisfied?”
“Isn’t it too extravagant?” Xie shi frowned.
The maid hastily explained, “I prepared it according to the household’s regulations. If taitai feels it is too heavy, this servant can draw up a new list.”
“No need. Send the gifts according to this list. But send someone to ask the guniang whether they have prepared their own gifts for Gu Mei guniang. We mustn’t be embarrassed tomorrow at the hou fu.”
“Yes, taitai. I will send someone at once.”
In Zhilan Yuan, Gu Jiu was busy painting.
Qing Zhu came in from outside to report: “Guniang, Dong Mei jiejie is here.”
Gu Jiu set down her brush. “Quickly, invite her in.”
Soon, the maid Dong Mei entered the study.
Gu Jiu greeted her with a smile. “Dong Mei jiejie is a rare guest indeed. Please, sit.”
Qing Mei teased: “What wind has blown Dong Mei jiejie here today?”
Dong Mei smiled. “Tomorrow is the hou fu’s dowry display. Taitai fears the guniang may not have prepared their gifts for the hou fu’s eldest guniang, so she sent me to take a look.”
Gu Jiu gestured for her to sit, saying, “Taitai need not worry. The gift is already prepared.”
Dong Mei smiled. “That is good.”
“Have some tea, Dong Mei jiejie,” Gu Jiu offered.
Dong Mei was surprised. She had not expected to be served tea at Zhilan Yuan.
Smiling, she accepted the cup. “Er guniang is too courteous.”
Gu Jiu smiled back and casually asked, “The Xie family’s funeral is over?”
Dong Mei nodded. “It is finished.”
Gu Jiu asked offhandedly, “Has the yamen caught the murderer of Xie daren yet?”
Dong Mei sighed and shook her head. “The yamen says bandits entered the capital. But until now, not a trace of them has been seen.”
Gu Jiu said, “Perhaps the bandits have already left the capital.”
“Taitai thinks so too. It’s just a pity that Xie daren died such a meaningless death.”
Gu Jiu asked, “With Xie daren’s passing, taitai must be very sad, right?”
Dong Mei found the atmosphere in Zhilan Yuan very pleasant, comfortable, and relaxing, and so she spoke more than usual.
“Of course. Taitai cried for several nights in a row, and during the day, she still had to go to the Xie household to help with arrangements. She’s worn herself thin.”
Gu Jiu said, “It’s hard on taitai. I heard that the Xie family is arguing about dividing the family property.”
Dong Mei lowered her voice. “I’m only telling you this, er guniang. Please don’t repeat it.”
Gu Jiu nodded, promising not to spread it.
Dong Mei said, “Even before the funeral was finished, the Xie family was already quarrelling over the division. Now that the funeral is over, the eldest branch and the second branch are fighting even more fiercely over it.
“Da taitai, Ma shi – er guniang should remember her. She’s someone who knows how to make a scene. And Xie er laoye isn’t easy to deal with either.
“The two sides can argue endlessly over even a needle or a spool of thread. Taitai is stuck in the middle, in a very difficult position.”
Gu Jiu asked curiously, “Don’t the Xie family elders step in to mediate?”
“It’s useless.”
Dong Mei answered bluntly, “The Xie family’s fortune was built entirely by Xie da laoye and Xie er laoye together. The old master indeed wants to decide the division, but Ma shi and Xie er laoye refuse to accept his authority. They won’t listen.
“These days the Xie household is in chaos. Only taitai has the patience to go every day. But if you ask me, taitai shouldn’t be involving herself in that mess.”
Clearly, Dong Mei had been holding these words back for a long time, and today she finally found someone to talk to.
Gu Jiu smiled. “But after all, that’s her natal family. She can’t ignore them.”
Dong Mei nodded repeatedly. “Er guniang is right. That’s still her natal family. Taitai can’t bear to turn her back. But the weather is getting hotter and hotter. Taitai running back and forth every day, one of these days, she might collapse from exhaustion.”
Gu Jiu said, “Dong Mei jiejie should try to persuade taitai to at least take care of her health.”
“I don’t have that ability. Only Chun He can persuade taitai a little. She might actually listen.”
Gu Jiu set down her teacup. “I heard people say that as soon as taitai came back today, she went to visit Bai yiniang.”
Dong Mei didn’t hide it. “Yes, as soon as taitai returned, she went straight to Xiangsi Yuan. Wasn’t it because laoye went to the pleasure quarters… ah, I’ve misspoken! Talking nonsense in front of er guniang, please forgive me.”
“There’s no need, Dong Mei jiejie.”
After a pause, Gu Jiu added, “It seems the fu may soon welcome a newcomer.”
Dong Mei froze. “What does er guniang mean?”
Gu Jiu gave a soft laugh. “I heard that after giving birth, Bai yiniang grew plump, no longer as gentle and charming as before.”
Dong Mei nodded.
Gu Jiu went on, “Laoye always needs someone by his side. Bai yiniang is no longer suitable, and Hu yiniang and Wei yiniang are even less so. Tell me, shouldn’t the fu bring in someone new?”
“Ah?” Dong Mei was shocked. “Wouldn’t that mean taitai will…”
She quickly covered her mouth, leaving the rest unsaid.
Gu Jiu said softly, “It’s inevitable that taitai will be angry. But for others, this may be an opportunity. It just depends on whether anyone can seize it.”
Dong Mei’s heart thudded wildly.
Her mind was a mess. If laoye took in a new concubine, taitai would surely be displeased. Would taitai then promote one of her own maids to be a bedchamber maid, so that she could compete with the newcomer?
She was thrown into chaotic thoughts, unsettled by Gu Jiu’s words.
At that moment, Gu Jiu said, “I was only speaking casually, Dong Mei jiejie. Don’t take it seriously, and don’t repeat it. If it reaches taitai’s ears, she’ll find fault with me again.”
Dong Mei snapped back to her senses. “Rest assured, er guniang, I will never repeat your words to taitai.”
“Thank you, Dong Mei jiejie.”
“Er guniang is too polite. I must hurry back to report now, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Qing Mei, see Dong Mei jiejie out.”
Qing Mei escorted Dong Mei to the gate and then returned to Gu Jiu’s side.
She asked, “Is it true that laoye is really going to take a new concubine?”
Gu Jiu smiled. “I just said it offhand.”
“Whatever you say always comes true, even when you say it casually.”
Gu Jiu pinched Xiao Cui’s cheek. “So, you’ve learned to flatter.”
Xiao Cui giggled nonstop.
Qing Mei said, “If laoye really does take another concubine, laoye will make a huge fuss. When you hinted to Dong Mei jiejie just now, did you mean to suggest she might become laoye’s bedchamber maid?”
Gu Jiu lifted her teacup and took a sip. “It’s not that I want Dong Mei to serve laoye, but almost all the maids in Furong Yuan probably have that thought.
“They’re not young anymore, yet I’ve never heard of any of them being matched for marriage. I’d wager each one has her own ambitions.
“When laoye takes in a concubine, they’ll surely manoeuvre for advantage. The fu will become lively again.”
Gu Jiu’s words to Dong Mei were nothing more than seizing an opportunity to casually cause Xie shi some trouble and make her unhappy.
Whether it worked or not didn’t matter. It was just something done in passing.
But it was clear that Dong Mei had taken it to heart. Perhaps even Chun He and the other maids would start having similar thoughts.
Gu daren had enjoyed himself thoroughly at the pleasure house, drinking until late into the night before finally returning home.
Xie shi had not slept a wink. Hearing that Gu daren had come back, she suddenly sat up from bed.
Chun He hurriedly asked: “Taitai, what’s the matter?”
Xie shi clenched her teeth. “Was laoye drunk? Did he bring anyone back with him?”
“Laoye was half-drunk and didn’t bring anyone back. What is taitai worried about?”
Xie shi didn’t answer. She secretly let out a breath of relief. “Have people keep an eye on the outer courtyard. Report immediately if anything unusual happens.”
“Nubi obeys. Taitai should also rest early. Tomorrow morning, you still have to go to the hou fu. Taitai has lost quite a bit of weight these days.”
“Have I lost weight?” Xie shi touched her own cheeks.
Chun He nodded firmly.
Xie shi sighed. “I was born to a life of toil.”
After settling Xie shi to sleep, Chun He finally returned to her own room to rest.
Her thoughts were a little tangled. From taitai’s questions about whether laoye had brought someone home, Chun He had already guessed the hidden meaning.
Taitai was worried laoye might take a concubine.
Would laoye take a concubine? He certainly would.
A man like him could not be without women serving at his side.
Chun He bit her lip, her mind a jumbled mess, until at last she drifted off in a daze.
At dawn, the Gu residence, which had slumbered through the night, came to life again.
The kitchen was the busiest, preparing breakfast and boiling water to supply the masters of each courtyard.
Today, the hou fu was displaying the bridal dowry. As relatives of the bride, they naturally had to arrive early.
Qing Mei dragged Gu Jiu out of bed. “Guniang, hurry and get up, otherwise we’ll be late.”
Half-asleep, Gu Jiu’s mind was like a muddle of paste. Only after washing her face with cold water did her foggy head finally clear.
After washing, putting on makeup, changing clothes, and eating breakfast, she went to the second gate, boarded a carriage, and headed to the hou fu.
When they arrived, they saw all the servants of the hou fu rushing about, their feet barely touching the ground.
First, everyone went to Songhe Hall to greet the lao furen.
Wei lao furen was all smiles. “Good that you’ve come. Quickly, go call in Mei yatou.”
Gu Mei was invited out, her face flushed red with shyness.
It was often said that a bride is the most beautiful, and though Gu Mei was still a day away from becoming one, she was already stunning.
Who knew how much more beautiful she would be tomorrow in her wedding gown?
The dowry was carried out and displayed in the flower hall.
There were 160 chests of dowry, too many to fit in the flower hall, so the courtyard outside was crammed full as well.
Xie shi, seeing so much dowry, each chest filled to the brim, couldn’t help but click her tongue in amazement.
How much money must the hou fu have spent to prepare all this for Gu Mei?
She quietly whispered to Zhang shi, “At the very least five or six ten-thousand taels, right?”
Zhang shi shook her head. “More than that. I heard our tangsao even added another twenty thousand taels from her own pocket. Altogether, this dowry is probably no less than eighty thousand taels.”
Xie shi was stunned. “The hou fu is truly wealthy.”
But Zhang shi said, “You misunderstand. It’s not that the hou fu is simply rich, it’s because our tangsao manages so well. Over the years, she’s doubled the hou fu’s estates, and her own dowry has at least doubled too. Now you know why the fu has always been under her control, and why neither second nor third tangsao can get a foothold.”
Xie shi clicked her tongue in admiration. “Tangsao is truly remarkable.”
Zhang shi laughed. “We, following behind the huo fu, can at least catch a little of the overflow.”
Xie shi was immediately tempted.
Since returning to the capital, she had bought new estates and shops, but the business was mediocre.
If Wei shi was so skilled at management, perhaps she could catch a ride on her coattails and also sip a little of the soup.
But there was no rush. When there was a chance, she would speak with Wei shi about it.
Passing by the rows of dowry items, whether utensils, jewellery, fabrics, or beddings, everything was of the highest quality.
The hou fu had truly been generous.
Xie shi spotted a few pieces of jewellery she liked, thinking she could prepare something similar for Gu Yue and even for Gu Shan in advance.
She also noticed three scoops of earth, representing three estates.
Along with three deeds, representing three shops.
Xie shi was envious. How wonderful to have money.
When Gu Shan got married, she too would have to prepare a lavish dowry. If not eighty thousand taels, then at least forty thousand.
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