There’s a clear shift in the power dynamic in the rear-court, hereon. Zhang shi holds legitimate authority and a lot of sway in the capital. She also seems to favour our MC, giving the latter a sturdier footing, placing her in an advantageous position. The difference between concubine and wife, di and shu start becoming more apparent.
Da taitai, Zhang shi, returned to the Songbai Courtyard looking utterly exhausted.
Laoyezi had been causing trouble every few days, and as a daughter-in-law, she had no choice but to endure it.
As soon as she sat down in her room, she asked her maid, Shaoyao, “Has the second nranch settled in?”
Shaoyao bowed and replied, “Taitai, the second branch has been settled. However, er guniang has lost a piece of her luggage.”
Zhang shi frowned. “Lost? How did that happen?”
Shaoyao explained, “One of the pozi delivering the luggage to Zhilan Yuan found that an item was missing. We’ve searched everywhere but haven’t found it. It might have been lost along the way.”
“What was inside? Was it valuable?”
Shaoyao replied, “Not particularly. Just some decorative items, nothing too expensive.”
Zhang shi’s brows furrowed slightly. “Did er taitai say anything?”
Shaoyao shook her head. “Er taitai didn’t say a word. Nubi observed that she doesn’t want to make a big fuss over this. The younger maids mentioned that she even sent someone to Zhilan Yuan to instruct the er guniang not to search for it publicly.”
Zhang shi chuckled. “How rare! That woman actually knows how to keep a low profile for once.”
Her tone was filled with disdain and contempt—clearly, she looked down on Xie shi.
No proper lady would be pleased to have a concubine-turned-wife as a dimei. It was disgraceful.
One had to wonder if er laoye Gu daren’s head was filled with water1 at that time. Even marrying a widow as a second wife would have been better than elevating a concubine.
Shaoyao asked, “Taitai, should we send someone to help find the luggage?”
“Of course,” Zhang shi replied. “Er taitai, as a stepmother, may not care about Xiao Jiu, but as her da bomu, I cannot ignore it.
“Poor Xiao Jiu lost her mother within months of being born and has had to live under her stepmother’s roof. Now, even her luggage is missing, and her stepmother won’t help find it. As her da bomu, I must not stand idly by.
“Go and arrange for people to search for the luggage—publicly and with great effort. I’d like to see how Xie shi plans to show her face after this.”
Shaoyao grinned. “Taitai is truly wise. Er taitai is bound to be humiliated.”
Zhang shi laughed. “It’s not her first time being embarrassed.”
After a brief pause, Zhang shi added, “If we don’t put her in her place now, she’ll think she can stand on equal footing with benfuren. Hmph! That woman, Xie shi, will stir up trouble sooner or later. She’s bound to challenge me over the household management.”
Shaoyao immediately asked, “What should we do? If er taitai really tries to seize power, it could be difficult to handle.”
Zhang shi sneered. “If Xie shi dares to reach for it, I’ll break her hand. Besides, it’s clear she wants to arrange an advantageous marriage for her precious daughter. Finding a good match for a girl can be both easy and difficult. Just wait—her troubles will come soon enough.”
Shaoyao smiled. “Taitai always plans ahead. Also, the hou fu has sent people over after hearing about the second branch’s return.”
Zhang shi replied, “Tell them that I will visit the hou fu tomorrow with the second branch to give our greetings.”
“Nubi obeys.”
Shaoyao left to carry out Zhang shi’s orders.
Zhilan Yuan was nearly tidied up, with only a few boxes of books left to be organised.
Gu Jiu was personally sorting the books with her maids, arranging them by category.
Wang Erya—no, she had now been renamed Wang Yi—had followed Gu Jiu to the capital.
Everything was new to her, but she diligently remembered the etiquette lessons taught by Gui mama and worked hard at her tasks.
Since Wang Yi was tall, Gu Jiu asked her to help arrange the books. Wang Yi remarked, “Guniang, you have so many books.”
Gu Jiu smiled. “Would you like to learn to read? I can teach you.”
Wang Yi hurriedly waved her hands. “How could nubi let guniang teach me? Nubi is not smart, and won’t learn well. Nubi will be satisfied with just learning a few words from Qing Mei jiejie.”
Gu Jiu twitched her lips.
Qing Mei, of all people, teaching someone to read? That scatterbrain? Who knew what kind of results that would yield?
Just then, Qing Zhu entered. “Guniang, Shaoyao jiejie from the da taitai’s courtyard is here.”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow. “Please invite Shaoyao jiejie in.”
Shaoyao entered the study and respectfully greeted Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu asked, “Shaoyao jiejie, is there a message from da bomu?”
Shaoyao smiled. “My taitai heard that er guniang lost a piece of luggage and was very concerned. She sent me to ask about its details. My taitai said that no matter what, the luggage must be found. A guniang’s belongings mustn’t fall into the wrong hands—it could harm your reputation.”
Oh?
Gu Jiu was surprised.
Earlier, Xie shi had specifically sent someone to tell her not to make a fuss over the lost luggage.
Yet now, her da bomu was doing the opposite—deliberately making a grand affair of searching for it.
Clearly, this was an open challenge to Xie shi, a move to disgrace her.
Gu Jiu thought for a moment before saying, “It’s just a small matter. I wouldn’t want to trouble da bomu.”
“Er guniang mustn’t say that. My taitai is kind-hearted, and this is no trivial matter.”
Gu Jiu quickly understood what was happening.
She had already sensed the tension between Zhang shi and Xie shi at the Flower Pavillion earlier. Now, it was evident that da bomu was using this as an opportunity to embarrass Xie shi.
Gu Jiu chuckled. She hadn’t expected to become a pawn in their battle so soon after arriving in the capital.
Would she play along?
She smirked. She had no issue with Xie shi losing face.
Besides, Shaoyao had a point—a guniang’s lost belongings could damage her reputation.
Since da bomu was so enthusiastic, why reject her kindness?
As for Xie shi, she wasn’t Gu Jiu’s concern.
If Xie shi wanted to fight, she could deal with da bomu herself.
Gu Jiu smiled. “Thank you for the trouble, Shaoyao jiejie. Please relay my gratitude to da bomu. Qing Mei, describe the missing luggage in detail.”
Qing Mei explained, “Guniang’s missing luggage is a dark red wooden chest. The top left corner is chipped, and there are two scratches in the shape of a character ‘人’ on the brass lock.”
Shaoyao nodded, memorising the details. “Rest assured, er guniang. My taitai will make sure it’s found.”
“I thank you da bomu. Thank you, Shaoyao jiejie.”
“Er guniang is too polite. Nubi will take my leave now.”
“Qing Mei, see Shaoyao jiejie out.”
Qing Mei escorted Shaoyao to the courtyard entrance and gave her a gift—a local speciality from the northwest.
Shaoyao happily accepted. Upon opening the package, she found not only the speciality goods but also a pouch containing two silver notes worth one tael each.
She grinned. Er guniang certainly knew how to handle people.
With such generosity, Shaoyao decided that as long as it wasn’t too troublesome, she would be willing to help in the future.
Although Xie shi had just arrived in the capital, Zhang shi’s movements couldn’t be hidden from her. In her courtyard, Xie shi was fuming.
Upon learning that Zhang shi had made a grand spectacle of searching for the missing luggage, Xie shi clenched her teeth in rage.
“She’s really a good dasao! What is she trying to do? Humiliate me? Challenge me? This is outrageous!”
She slammed her hand on the table.
Her maid Chun He cautiously asked, “Taitai, what should we do? Should we also send people to search for the luggage?”
Xie shi ground her teeth. “I didn’t want to stir trouble, but Zhang shi insists on stepping on my head. I won’t let this slide. Gather some people and join the search. Er yatou’s luggage must be found!”
“Nubi will take some servants along.” Chun He bowed and left.
Xie shi was not reconciled.
She had originally sent someone to inform Gu Jiu not to make a big fuss while searching for the luggage. But now, Zhang shi had put her on the spot, forcing her to go back on her own words and slap herself in the face.
Xie shi was so furious that her heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys all ached.
Zhang shi was utterly shameless.
The affairs of the second branch had nothing to do with her—who gave her the right to interfere?
Gritting her teeth, Xie shi knew she had to find a way to push Zhang shi’s meddling hand back where it belonged. She needed to make Zhang shi understand that she was not so easy to manipulate and that the second branch’s matters were not for her to decide.
In the end, with both factions searching, the luggage was found—still inside the carriage, never unloaded.
Shaoyao personally delivered it to Zhilan Yuan.
“Er guniang, is this your missing luggage?”
The upper left corner of the chest was chipped, and the bronze lock had a scratch in the shape of the character ‘人’.
Qing Mei excitedly confirmed, “Yes, that’s the one!”
Shaoyao smiled, “As long as the luggage was found, that’s what matters. My taitai has arranged a banquet, and er guniang must attend this evening.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “I will definitely be there. Thank you, Shaoyao jiejie, not only for helping me retrieve my luggage but also for delivering it personally.”
Shaoyao smiled and replied, “Nubi was only following my taitai‘s orders. If you wish to thank someone, thank my taitai.”
Gu Jiu said, “I must certainly thank da bomu. If not for her intervention, I might never have gotten my luggage back.”
After exchanging a few more words, Shaoyao excused herself.
As she stepped out of the courtyard, she happened to run into Chun He.
Chun He had been sent to see Gu Jiu.
Both Shaoyao and Chun He were the senior maids serving their respective taitai, their closest confidantes, and naturally had a competitive streak.
Shaoyao smiled and greeted, “Chun He meimei, you’ve arrived. I’ve already delivered the luggage to er guniang.”
Chun He let out a soft snort. “Shaoyao jiejie has worked hard. Shaoyao jiejie must be twenty this year, right? I wonder how da taitai plans to arrange your marriage.”
Shaoyao’s eyes flickered slightly, but she maintained her smile. “Chun He meimei is quite thoughtful. Could it be that er taitai has already arranged your marriage? Let me guess. With your looks, are you to become a concubine for er laoye? Or perhaps you will marry a steward and become a housekeeping pozi?”
Chun He’s expression changed slightly. She sneered at Shaoyao. “I won’t bother Shaoyao jiejie with my affairs.”
Shaoyao chuckled, covering her mouth. “That’s exactly what I was going to say. You must be busy, Chun He meimei, so I’ll take my leave.”
With that, Shaoyao walked away with the other maids, a smirk playing on her lips. Chun He was still too tender to challenge her.
The second branch truly had some nerve. They had only just returned to the capital, yet they were already trying to challenge the first branch. How ridiculous.
Shaoyao had full confidence in da taitai, Zhang shi. She believed that Zhang shi would completely crush er taitai Xie shi.
Chun He watched Shaoyao leave, her face darkening.
Hmph!
The first branch only had an advantage because they had been in the capital for years. What was so special about that?
Give it some time. Once Xie shi got familiar with the household affairs, the first branch would no longer have the last laugh.
Gu Jiu had just sent off Shaoyao when Chun He arrived.
“Chun He jieji, welcome. Please, have a seat.”
No matter how much Gu Jiu disliked Xie shi, she remained polite on the surface.
She was also courteous to Xie shi’s maid, ensuring no one could fault her behaviour.
Chun He bowed slightly and said, “Taitai was very worried when she heard that er guniang lost her luggage. Now that it has been found, she specially sent me to check on you. Taitai also said that although both branches are one family, it’s best that the second branch handles its own matters rather than troubling the first branch. If er guniang encounters any difficulties, she should come directly to taitai. Taitai will handle everything for you.”
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow and smiled. She had no doubt that Xie shi was furious right now.
Da bomu Zhang shi had used the excuse of finding the lost luggage to embarrass Xie shi—there was no way Xie shi would take that lying down.
Gu Jiu replied, “I thank taitai for her concern. Chun He jiejie, please let taitai know that I am fine and have no difficulties. I understand clearly that I belong to the second branch, and our matters should be handled by the second branch.”
Chun He smiled. “Hearing that puts taitai at ease. There will be a banquet tonight, and taitai asked me to remind er guniang to wear something festive.”
Gu Jiu smiled and nodded. “I understand.”
After sending Chun He off, Gu Jiu could finally rest.
Qing Mei and Qing Zhu opened her luggage and carefully checked the contents, placing each item in her study.
Qing Zhu said, “At least the luggage was found. Luckily, no one took it.”
Qing Mei, however, was more concerned about the bigger picture. “It looks like taitai and da taitai are already at odds. Guniang, what should we do?”
Today’s conflict between Xie shi and da taitai had started because of Zhilan Yuan. Qing Mei worried that Xie shi might take her anger out on Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu replied, “We don’t need to do anything. Just watch.”
The fight between the two taitai had nothing to do with her. She was happy to sit back and enjoy the show.
Qing Zhu sighed. “Nubi never expected the two taitai to be so hostile. They’ve only been back for a day, and they’re already at each other’s throats. What will it be like in the future?”
Gu Jiu nodded in agreement. These two women would probably fight until one of them was completely defeated.
After all, the first and second branches had not separated.
Who would manage the household? Who would be in charge? Who would control the finances? There was no way Xie shi would allow da bomu Zhang shi to have it all.
A fight was inevitable.
Gu Jiu asked, “Qing Mei, do you know what exactly happened between taitai and da bomu?”
Qing Mei thought for a moment and said, “Nubi heard a little from Gui mama. Because taitai was once a qie who was later promoted to the main wife, da taitai always looked down on her. She thought it was humiliating to be zhouli with someone like taitai.
“Nubi also heard that when laoye wanted to make taitai his main wife, da taitai openly opposed it. She even pointed at taitai’s nose and questioned laoye, saying, ‘What right does this woman have to be promoted? The Gu family’s face has been completely lost!’”
The situation had been that intense—practically a public falling-out. Gu Jiu clicked her tongue in surprise.
Da bomu was truly bold to have confronted her father like that.
Her father must have been furious. Being scolded by his sister-in-law in such a manner would have been incredibly humiliating.
That alone was enough to create an irreconcilable grudge between Xie shi and Zhang shi.
No wonder da bomu had openly challenged Xie shi the moment they returned to the capital. She wasn’t even trying to be subtle.
Da bomu wasn’t just suppressing Xie shi’s influence—she was reminding her that just because she was now the main wife didn’t mean she deserved any respect. A qie was still a qie, even if promoted.
Gu Jiu then asked, “How was da bomu’s relationship with my mother?”
She was referring to Su shi, her deceased mother.
Qing Mei hesitated before saying, “Nubi doesn’t know much about that. Gui mama only mentioned that when furen was still alive, she got along fairly well with da taitai. Furen was gentle and kind, so there weren’t many conflicts between them.”
Gu Jiu nodded. That made sense.
Da bomu’s hostility towards Xie shi wasn’t just personal—it was also because she felt it was unfair to Su shi.
As the main wife, Zhang shi had watched Su shi die and Xie shi take her place. It was only natural that she would be bitter.
A qie becoming the official wife?
Did that mean if she died, her husband’s concubines might also be promoted?
Xie shi’s promotion set a terrible precedent for all concubines in the household.
Of course, da bomu would not stand for it.
If Xie shi dared to make her uncomfortable, she would return the favour tenfold.
A mere concubine—did she really think she was worthy of being a proper dimei?
Ha!
Since Xie shi made her unhappy, she would make Xie shi even more unhappy—by tenfold.
- Being muddleheaded. ↩︎
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