FBC – Chapter 210 Such Shamelessness

“Send a few capable women to keep watch over Gu Wanru day and night. Choose a secluded nunnery that we can fully control, arrange for her to have an independent Buddha hall, and forbid anyone from contacting her. She must not be allowed to seek death. Hire an experienced midwife to stay by her side and ensure the child is safely born.”

Zhou Zhilan nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the child is born healthy and sound.”

As someone trained in martial arts, her hearing was sharp. Earlier she had caught the words Gu Hua whispered into Gu Wanru’s ear and understood that Gu Hua wanted to preserve a bloodline for Ji Xuanyu.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhilan said, “But if she’s sent to a nunnery, she won’t be able to eat meat, which may affect the child’s health. Why not send her to our farmstead? It will also make monitoring her easier.”

Gu Hua quickly nodded. “Sister Zhilan is indeed thoughtful.”

She suddenly stopped in her tracks and tugged at Zhou Zhilan’s sleeve. “Sister… will you think me too softhearted toward Brother Ji?”

And would Mu Junyan mind?

Zhou Zhilan patted her hand. “No. Ji Xuanyu may now be a criminal, but once he was good. Think of it as leaving behind a child for the good Ji Xuanyu. Raise him into a worthy man who can serve the people, redeeming his father’s sins.”

Gu Hua’s eyes reddened, her voice choked. “Sister Zhilan, you truly understand me.”

Zhou Zhilan smiled softly. “Of course.”

Seeing the redness in Gu Hua’s eyes, she felt her heart ache and pulled her into an embrace. “Although our lord is gone, we are still here. The Old Madam is still here. We will protect you and your child well. Rest assured.”

Gu Hua: “…”

Mu Junyan… if you were to return, how would you ever face everyone?

When Gu Hua reached the courtyard gate, she saw the gatekeeper and a maid whispering while passing something between them.

“What’s going on?”

The gatekeeper quickly excused himself, while the maid stepped forward and unfolded her hands toward Gu Hua.

“Madam, Nanny Zhou from Marchioness Gu’s side just sent this over.”

So soon after she left, she sends something again?

Gu Hua glanced down. It was a narrow strip of paper, rolled tight.

Zhou Zhilan took it and unrolled it. “What does this mean?”

Gu Hua leaned over to read.

“‘Divorce is difficult, parents missing?’”

Gu Hua understood at once. “It must be that my mother’s parents are being held by the Wang family, so she doesn’t dare raise the matter of divorce.”

Suddenly she gave a cold laugh. “So she actually knows to seek help from me now.”

She turned her head and ordered, “Dong Hua, call Chi Yu to see me.”

Three days later, Mu Junyan’s grand funeral was held. The coffin was laid to rest in the Mu family cemetery, the tombstone inscribed by the Emperor himself.

The entire ceremony was conducted with the highest honors.

When Gu Hua returned from the cemetery, she went straight to Xiangrui Hall. As soon as she entered, she saw the Old Madam sitting on the soft couch, leisurely sipping tea.

“Mother.”

The Old Madam beckoned. “Come, sit with me.”

Gu Hua placed her hand in the Old Madam’s, sat down beside her, and leaned her head against her shoulder.

Suddenly, a pang of sorrow welled up inside. Watching the coffin being buried had made her think of her previous life.

In her past life, her corpse had probably been discarded into a mass grave, hadn’t it?

Her voice hoarse, she murmured softly, “Mother…”

The Old Madam’s heart clenched. She lowered her head in concern. “What is it?”

Gu Hua’s eyes grew moist, but not wanting to upset her, she quickly wiped at them. “It’s nothing. I just… miss Ziyuan.”

Her cheeks flushed as soon as the words left her lips.

The Old Madam chided gently, “What’s there to be shy about? He’s your husband—you ought to miss him.”

Gu Hua buried her blushing face into the Old Madam’s arm, embarrassed.

After some casual conversation, Gu Hua raised a serious matter.

“Mother, I would like to invite a Madam of rank, someone formerly from the palace, to instruct me in proper etiquette. Do you know of anyone?”

“You want to learn palace etiquette?”

“Not only that. Also the proper manners among noblewomen. I think many invitation cards will soon be arriving.”

She lowered her gaze, a little shy. “I was ill-taught by my stepmother as a child. My conduct lacks refinement. If I want to be a worthy wife to Ziyuan…”

She suddenly realized her slip and quickly corrected herself. “I mean, to be a good example for my child, I must first be learned and proper.”

The Old Madam nodded. “Good. There truly is such a person. She was once my close friend, later became the most trusted attendant of the late Empress Dowager. After the Empress Dowager’s passing, she left the palace.”

Gu Hua knew well: the current Empress Dowager was not the late Emperor’s principal consort. A woman who had been both the Old Madam’s close friend and the Empress Dowager’s chief attendant must indeed be capable.

Sure enough, the very next day, invitations began arriving one after another, inviting her to ladies’ banquets and gatherings. Gu Hua declined them all, citing her need to observe mourning.

The Old Madam soon wrote a letter to her old friend, who promptly agreed and immediately set out for Bianjing.

Five days later, her father’s newest favored concubine, Madam Huang, came calling.

Gu Hua raised a brow. “Just her alone?”

“Yes.”

“Then meet her at Lanyue Pavilion.”

Escorted by a crowd of maids and servants, Gu Hua arrived at Lanyue Pavilion. Inside, a richly dressed woman was admiring the furnishings.

Hearing footsteps, her eyes fell on Gu Hua. She scrutinized her up and down, lingering especially on the jade hairpin in her coiffure, and smiled with a hint of hidden meaning.

Gu Hua frowned slightly but kept her composure, walking to the main seat and sitting down.

Madam Huang stepped forward, curtseyed, and said with a smile, “This concubine greets Second Young Lady.”

Her tone was polite enough, but her demeanor carried an air of self-importance.

Gu Hua gave her a cold look. “Did Madam Huang come here to perform an opera?”

Madam Huang froze. “Of course not.”

Dong Hua presented a rough hemp cloak. “Madam Huang, the Duke’s household is in deep mourning. If you’re not here to perform, then appearing dressed like this is a grave breach of propriety.”

Madam Huang’s face blanched. She stammered, “It was thoughtless of me. I only wished to dress splendidly to honor Second Young Lady.”

The room erupted in derisive laughter.

The dignified wife of a Duke needs a concubine to ‘grant her honor’? What shamelessness.

Madam Huang quickly donned the coarse mourning cloak, her face dark and sullen.

Gu Hua asked coolly, “And what business brings Madam Huang to me?”

Madam Huang instantly beamed. “I have never had the chance to meet Second Young Lady before. Today is the first, so I brought a small gift for you.”

She gestured, and a maid opened a wooden box, revealing a complete set of jadeite hair ornaments.

Though not as fine as the Empress’s reward, they were still of excellent quality.

Concubine Pei had been from Jingling, a city thriving on river trade. But compared to Jiangning Prefecture, it was lesser.

Jiangning, situated on the coast, was far richer due to overseas commerce.

From there, Great Liang exported tea, silk, porcelain, and other goods to Silla, Goryeo, and beyond. In turn, precious foreign wares flowed into Great Liang.

Its porcelain and tea were especially renowned.

Most of the porcelain used in the imperial palace came from Jiangning.

Her wastrel Marquis father might have no other talent, but his ability to take concubines was considerable.

Gu Hua’s voice was cool. “I am to observe mourning for my husband for three years. Such items are of no use to me. Besides, I have no liking for such frivolous luxuries.”

Madam Huang’s face stiffened.

Gu Hua continued indifferently, “Madam Huang, you come from the imperial merchant Huang family of Jiangning. Might I ask, what exactly do you supply to the palace?”

At this, Madam Huang’s naturally proud expression became even more self-satisfied.

“In answer to Second Young Lady, our Huang family supplies porcelain and tea to the palace.”

She turned and gestured to two large vases standing at the sides of the main seat. “These two are from Jiangning, but compared to the official kilns of my Huang family, they’re far inferior. Tomorrow I’ll have my family send you some tribute pieces—now those are worthy of display.”

She then pointed at the tea that had been served earlier. “This tea is decent, but compared to the tribute tea of my family, it’s undrinkable.”

Zhou Zhilan and the others all rolled their eyes.

What a petty, small-minded woman.

It wasn’t that they lacked good things—on the contrary, the best treasures were kept in the storerooms. It was simply that their lord disliked ostentation.