Volume 1: The Hou Gate of Jinghua Chapter 20: Mother and Daughter

  Ever since Chen Jiu succeeded to the title of Marquis of Yangning, the two houses in front of and behind Zining Residence have been undergoing large-scale construction. Even if it were an old acquaintance who rarely came, standing in front of Zining Residence would find it hard to recognize that this grand mansion was once a humble and inconspicuous small courtyard.

  The main house of Zining Residence has five rooms, with two wing-rooms on each side that are connected to the main house. Behind the main house is a back house, and in total there are over twenty or thirty rooms of various styles. The number of servants who have specific duties is two less than those in Lianxiangyuan, but there are more miscellaneous servants. Mrs. Ma was born as an illegitimate daughter, so she feared that her social standing would be insufficient, and her daily life was strictly regulated. If any servant showed the slightest dissatisfaction, they would receive a beating with a board. Except for Chen Bing, no one else dared to speak loudly or laugh out loud; even breathing heavily was not allowed.

  It's even more so now. Since being carried back from the Water Mirror Hall, Mrs. Ma rested on her bed to catch her breath and immediately had people inquire about the situation inside and out. Upon learning that many things were stolen from her husband's study, and the old lady in the Lianxiang Courtyard quietly took away her power as the manager of the household, she was furious and gnashed her teeth. When Yu Xuan came to inform her and take the token, she suppressed herself again and again but still couldn't help but say a few sarcastic words. However, after Yu Xuan left, she regretted it.

  Nowadays her husband is in a precarious situation, how could she afford to offend that old lady?

  Her mind racing with anxiety and anger, Mrs. Ma saw Chen Huan serving her and, without warning, slapped her across the face. Chen Huan instinctively dodged, but still received a glancing blow to the chin. Enraged, Mrs. Ma berated her, pointing at her nose and scolding her severely. If it weren't for Zhu Mama intervening, saying that Old Lady had already instructed Fourth Miss to help with household chores the next day, she would have slapped Chen Huan several more times.

  Chen Bing, who was standing aside, was also grinding her teeth in anger after being scolded by Zhu Shi. Not only did she not stop them, but she even added fuel to the fire and helped with a few words. As a result, Chen Huo had no way to argue back and was eventually punished to kneel outside for two quarters of an hour. He was then chased away by his stepmother to the Jinxiu Pavilion and Cuiliu Residence to gather information. Only after he left, shrinking in fear, did Madam Ma finally calm down after drinking a cup of jasmine tea served by Zhu Shi's mother.

  Chen Bing had vented her anger on Chen Hu, and now felt a little better. She sat down at the edge of the bed and couldn't help but say in a low voice: "Isn't it just a small matter? Why did the imperial court make such a big fuss and even put Father in prison? Mother, aren't we on good terms with the East Changhou Mansion? Why don't I go to Madame Li's place to investigate? Or go to the other families in the capital who are related to us by marriage and ask them to plead for our family? If it weren't for that damned Luo Yiniang stirring up trouble, Eldest Aunt wouldn't have gotten so angry. Third Aunt is really useless, letting her run wild!"

  "Never mind!"

  Madam Ma felt her liver fire surging again, and she cut off Chen Bing's words with a single sentence. After taking a few deep breaths, she said in an ill-tempered tone: "When things come to a head, what's the use of saying these things? Those old friends and acquaintances will naturally send someone over, but since Old Lady has already ordered you to rest, that means house arrest. What's more, how can a noble lady like you go out and run around? Someone else will take care of this matter, you don't need to worry about it. You should focus on doing something to please Old Lady now. Your previous words were too foolish, if you hadn't misspoken, how could Fourth Miss have surpassed you?"

  "Who does she think she is?"

  Chen Bing originally listened with a bit of effort, but when Madam Ma mentioned Chen Hu, she suddenly stood up, and that beautiful golden thread embroidered peony jacket and the golden jade hairpin on her head shone brightly in the light. Seeing Madam Ma staring at her with her eyes, she sat down again, but still said with discontent: "She's just a maid's daughter, what qualifications does she have to be mentioned together with me? If it weren't for her fawning on Mother every day, I would have been softer on her, and she would have been the same as those illegitimate daughters in the third house! If she knows her place, that's fine, but if she doesn't know her place, Mother can find an excuse to deal with her at any time!"

  "Alright, alright, I'm not comparing her to you, just making you aware. Fourth Young Master is a useless thing, previously heard the news and was scared in that way in Lianxiang Courtyard, just now it's that kind of behavior again, plus the birth, indeed can't compare with you. But when doing things, you also need some measure, what's on your hand?"

  Jian Bing awkwardly pushed the jade bangle up her arm and then covered it with her sleeve. Mrs. Ma reminded her, "This is something your elder cousin gave you. If you like it, just take it off and put it away. Why wear it outside and show it off? Even if Old Lady doesn't say anything, she understands... Alright, let's not talk about this. Just focus on cultivating yourself these days, find two skilled needlework maids to make a pair of good shoes and a set of good clothes for Old Lady. As for your father's matter, it's likely that Old Lady will have to intervene."

  The mother wished to see Chen Bing, who reluctantly agreed and got up to send her off. When she returned again, she sat on the footstool in front of the bed and said softly: "Madam, this time the old lady suddenly chose the fourth young lady, it's really strange. I'm afraid it's not just that the second young lady misspoke earlier, but there may be a real intention to promote the eldest branch. You know, the second master's affair..."

  "Rest assured!" Madam Ma had just been completely calm in front of her daughter, but she hadn't really not thought of this possibility. At this moment, she forced herself to sit up straight, and her face turned bright red. "You are the most reliable person I brought out from my maiden home. These past few days, you must go out and think of a solution. Take all the private savings I've accumulated and see how they can be used. As for the main house... it's just a maid, an unskilled little brat who wants to stir up trouble but doesn't have the right timing. Don't bother with those household matters, they're new at this and everything they do is wrong. Fourth Maid is illegitimate, she won't lose face for us, but the main house and third house are different. And isn't that family traveling to the capital with Madame Luo of the Wei country? Go investigate and then..."

  Because she spoke too quickly, Mrs. Ma was choked by the cold wind and coughed for a while, and Zhu's mother hurried to serve her some tea to calm her down. The mistress and servant discussed something again, then Zhu's mother went to open a trunk in the corner of the room to check its contents. Before long, someone from outside reported that Fourth Miss had returned, and Mrs. Ma, who was originally reluctant to see her, changed her mind and called for her to come in.

  When Chen Huang came in, she knelt down timidly at the bedside. Madam Ma coldly said: "Since Old Lady chose you to assist with household chores, just do your part and don't harbor any improper thoughts. You were also raised by my side, now that Master has encountered such a predicament, you should know better about boundaries. If I find out you've said or done something you shouldn't have, don't blame me for being heartless!"

  Chen Huan was so frightened that she trembled all over, and hastily knocked her head on the ground: "Mother is wise and just, daughter will naturally listen to you in everything, and absolutely dare not have any idea of showing off, nor dare to speak or act wildly outside."

  "It's fine as long as you know." Mrs. Ma nodded in satisfaction, then nodded at Zhu's mother, and only when Chen Hu had taken a golden hairpin from her hand did she smile and say, "I know you gave your older cousin's jade bangle to your second sister before, this hairpin is a reward for your understanding. This is an item from my maternal family, it suits you."

  "Daughter... thank you, Mother!"

  Chen Huan hastily knocked his head again, and was so grateful that tears flowed down his face. Until she carefully took the things out of the main house, returned to her own east wing room, and dismissed several small maids, she wiped away her tears, casually tossing the red gold Fu Shou patterned golden hairpin onto the dresser, and then pulled out a pair of red gold bracelets from her pocket, letting the senior maid Dan Xin put them away.

  Danxin was Chen Hu's birth mother, Liu Yiniang, who had endured countless hardships to serve by her side. She was naturally loyal and devoted. At this moment, she weighed the bangle in her hand and couldn't help but be shocked: "Miss, this bangle weighs at least three or four liang, and it's even set with a ruby!"

  Chen Huan smiled and didn't answer, instead letting Dan Xin hide the things well, while he himself smoothed out his face in front of the dressing table.

  This time, it's still uncertain whether Father can escape the danger, and she can only make early arrangements for herself. After crying three times, Chen Lan from the main house just comforted her with no benefits at all, while Luo Niang from the third house gave her a heavy pure gold bracelet. Her own mother, however, just sent her away with a single golden hairpin. How much is a good water head jade bracelet worth? How much is this out-of-style golden hairpin worth? And how much is that golden bracelet inlaid with precious stones worth?

  Why didn't she give birth from Old Lady Luo's belly if they were both raised by their aunts?

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