Chapitre 4: Chapter 4: The People in the House
Ding Jin had become the Chief Eunuch after the Second Prince ascended to the throne. He had the entire harem under his thumb; even her eldest sister, now the Empress, had to act carefully around him.
His actions were unpredictable, and no one knew of his origins or background, but everyone felt that he was deeply trusted by the Second Prince.
There lived a Miss Ling in the house next door, and Zuo Xiangning remembered Miss Ling telling her that she had been living here for over five years. So, what was her relationship with this Ding Jin?
The carriage stopped in front of the small courtyard that she had mentioned, and the coachman respectfully asked, "Miss, should this old servant call for the door to be opened?"
"No need," Zuo Xiangning replied, lifting the curtain to look at the familiar couplet carved above the doorframe. Her expression grew somber as she instructed, "Back to the Zuo Residence."
-
Upon arriving at the Zuo Residence, Zuo Xiangning's eyes nearly filled with tears at the sight of the words "Zuo Residence" above the door.
This had been her home for fifteen years. She never thought she would have the chance to return here.
She headed directly to Madame Jiang's Fanghua Courtyard.
"Fourth Miss is back!" Lv Ping said with a smile as she lifted the curtain for her.
Zuo Xiangning smiled back, stepped into the room, and saw Madame Jiang dressed in a treasure-blue porcelain patterned coat coming out from the inner chamber.
"Mother!" Zuo Xiangning's eyes reddened as she choked up and threw herself into Madame Jiang's arms.
"What has happened?" Madame Jiang was startled, wrapping her arms around Zuo Xiangning's shoulders, and asked urgently, "Who has bullied you? Why have you come back alone? Where is your third sister?"
Zuo Xiangning realized she was being overly emotional and quickly wiped her tears away before getting up from Madame Jiang's embrace with a smile, saying, "Mother, I have some great news to tell you."
"What great news?" Madame Jiang used a handkerchief to help Zuo Xiangning wipe away her tears.
Standing there with a beaming smile, Zuo Xiangning allowed Madame Jiang to tend to her face, "Mother, my eldest sister is pregnant!"
"What?" Madame Jiang's hand paused, and then her eyes teared up with joy, "Who told you?"
"My sister told me," Zuo Xiangning laughed, "Tomorrow, the Chu King's Mansion should send someone to announce the good news."
"That's wonderful!" Madame Jiang exclaimed joyfully and sent Cui Ping off in a hurry to prepare the Silver Kebos, "When they come tomorrow to announce the good news, give a generous reward. Each person in the residence gets two Silver Kebos. Also, have someone prepare more firecrackers to set off at the door!"
Zuo Xiangning quickly pulled at Madame Jiang's arm, "Mother, let's not prepare firecrackers. We don't know how the palace will react; it wouldn't be appropriate for our family to be too extravagant..."
"Right, you are correct," Madame Jiang hastily stopped Cui Ping, "No need for the firecrackers."
Nanny Cai brought over a bowl of silver fungus porridge, handing it to Zuo Xiangning with a smile, "Madame had it made especially for you, with Frosted Sugar added."
"Thank you, mother." Zuo Xiangning took it and drank a big gulp, remarking with a smile, "It's really delicious."
It had been so long since she'd had anything made by Nanny Cai.
"In the future, you should eat less sugar, you can't keep gaining weight," Madame Jiang commented as she sat nearby.
Zuo Xiangning just smiled at her.
Madame Jiang was always like this, saying she shouldn't eat too much sugar but unable to resist sweetening her food each time.
After she finished the silver fungus porridge, Madame Jiang said, "Come with me to the Old Madam's place."
"Alright," Zuo Xiangning lovingly linked arms with Madame Jiang.
Madame Jiang patted Zuo Xiangning's hand, "You're acting like such a child."
"A daughter loves to be close to her mother," Zuo Xiangning's eyes twinkled with irrepressible mirth.
Madame Jiang found Zuo Xiangning's affection somewhat peculiar, yet she didn't dwell on it too much.
She assumed her eldest daughter had said something to Zuo Xiangning, causing her attitude to change so suddenly.
They reached the entrance to Shian Hall before Zuo Xiangning finally let go of Madame Jiang's arm.
"I've come to report good news to the Old Madam!" Madame Jiang said with a laugh as she entered the room.
The Elder Lady Zuo, who was drinking tea, set down her cup with an unexpected look on her face, "As the matriarch, what is most important is to maintain decorum..."
Madame Jiang seamlessly interrupted the Old Madam's sharp words, "Old Madam, the Princess Consort of Chu is with child!"
The Elder Lady Zuo's usually stern face broke into surprise, and she eagerly asked, "Really? Has the mansion sent word of the news?"
"Xiangning just returned from the Chu King's Mansion; the messenger will come tomorrow," Madame Jiang said with a smile.
"Wasn't the Fourth Maid supposed to have gone to Prince Qi's Residence today?" The Elder Lady Zuo looked towards Zuo Xiangning, "How did you end up at the Chu King's Mansion? Why isn't your third sister with you?"
"My third sister should be back soon since she's with my second sister," Zuo Xiangning said with a smile.
Elder Lady Zuo furrowed her brows slightly.
Zuo Xiangning knew that Elder Lady Zuo had always disliked the children born to Madame Jiang and had a special fondness for those born to her cousin Auntie Liu.
Especially Auntie Liu's second daughter, Zuo Xiang Yun, who was not only delicately pretty but also had a sweet tongue and was particularly adept at currying favor, always being her favorite.
Yet, who would have thought that after Elder Lady Zuo had put in a great deal of effort to arrange a good marriage match for this granddaughter born of a concubine, she would insist on seeking life or death to become the concubine of the eldest imperial son.
Normally, having one's granddaughter marry the crown prince would be an utmost honor, and Elder Lady Zuo couldn't wait to dress up every day and bask in people's flattery.
However, her most beloved second granddaughter soon gave her a slap in the face.
Elder Lady Zuo was so angry that she dared not leave the Zuo Residence for a whole year, and from then on, her affection for Zuo Xiangyun, her granddaughter, faded considerably.
"The Princess Consort of Chu is with child, which is a great joy, so we must celebrate properly tomorrow," said Elder Lady Zuo to Madame Jiang, revealing a rare smile, "Everyone in the residence shall receive a reward tomorrow, and take two baskets of copper coins to scatter at the entrance so that the passersby can share in the joy!"
The reason Madame Jiang was in such a rush to tell Elder Lady Zuo the news was to add to her frustrations.
However, Madame Jiang hadn't expected Elder Lady Zuo to seem even happier than she was, making Madame Jiang feel somewhat ashamed in contrast.
"Old Madam, given that the Princess Consort of Chu carries the imperial grandchild, we should first see His Majesty's attitude," Madame Jiang advised the Old Madam.
"It's not suitable for us to be too ostentatious outwardly, but we still should delight in our own way. Tomorrow, we'll set up two banquet tables in the flower courtyard and invite the arts troupe to perform several operas," said the Old Madam, her smile undiminished on her face.
"As you wish, I'll go arrange it right now," Madame Jiang replied with a smile.
When Elder Lady Zuo looked at Zuo Xiangning, she frowned and asked, "Has the Fourth Miss gotten plumper again?"
Zuo Xiangning's face reddened involuntarily.
"Fourth Miss is growing, so naturally, she will slim down as she gets taller," Madame Jiang quickly stepped in to help Zuo Xiangning.
Elder Lady Zuo didn't say anything more and picked up her teacup.
Madame Jiang and Zuo Xiangning curtsied and left Shian Hall.
"Your grandmother has always been like this when she speaks," Madame Jiang complained, and then turned to Zuo Xiangning, "You're just fine now, only try not to gain any more weight."
Zuo Xiangning took Madame Jiang's arm, responding with a smile, "From tomorrow on, I'll eat a little less."
"Oh you! All talk and no action!" Madame Jiang laughed and said, "With your eldest sister not around, no one can manage you. Still, you really should cut back on the sweets a little."
"Hmm, I understand," said Zuo Xiangning.
After escorting Madame Jiang to the entrance of Fanghua Courtyard, Zuo Xiangning turned back towards her own Xianglan Residence.
Pan Xia and Pan Cui stood at the courtyard gate and rushed to greet her as they saw her coming.
Pan Cui was on the verge of tears, "When did Miss return? Why didn't you call for your maids?"
Zuo Xiangning gave them a deep look, her voice soft, "I'm a bit tired; I want to lie down for a while."
Pan Xia and Pan Cui quickly removed the hair ornaments from Zuo Xiangning's head and changed her into a home-worn lake-blue coat.
Leaning on the luohan bed, Zuo Xiangning took a sip of water before asking Pan Cui, "Tell me in detail what happened at Prince Qi's Residence."
"Third Miss sent me to fetch something, and when I got back, I saw Third Miss and Yu Tao yelling for help at the Moon Gate, saying you had fallen into the water and had been saved by Second Young Master Gu. When I ran to the lakeside, I saw Second Young Master Gu alone in the water, with no sight of you at all."
"Everyone gathered by the lake, and even when Prince Qi sent men to search, they couldn't find you. Then, Caixia came running, saying the Princess Consort of Chu had a headache and you had gone back to the Chu King's Mansion to accompany her. Prince Qi looked displeased and said the Third Miss was making baseless accusations..."
Zuo Xiangning confirmed again, "Third Miss said I was saved by Second Young Master Gu?"
"That's exactly what Third Miss said, and Prince Qi even questioned her, 'Where is the person who was saved?'" replied Pan Cui confidently.
Zuo Xiangning fell silent, only now realizing that her fall into the water was no accident, but rather someone had schemed against her.
But why would her half-sister, Zuo Xiangyu, do such a thing?
Zuo Xiangning felt a heaviness on her body and drifted off against the dark blue damask pillow in a daze.
In the quiet courtyard, Pan Xia's voice suddenly rose.
"Fourth Miss has just fallen asleep; Third Miss should come back later!"
Her concubine-born third sister, Zuo Xiangyu, had arrived!
Chapitre 5: Chapter 5: Became Friends
Zuo Xiangning raised her head and listened carefully to the noises outside.
"At this time of the day, why should she be sleeping?" Zuo Xiangyu's voice was crisp, tinged with a trace of sarcasm, "You worthless maids are really good at fooling people!"
Pan Xia and Pan Cui were maids who had grown up with her. She usually couldn't bear to speak a harsh word to them, so by what right did Zuo Xiangyu scold them?
Every time Zuo Xiangning thought about how in her past life she had foolishly treated Zuo Xiangyu as a dear sister, she wished she could slap herself.
Just as Zuo Xiangning was about to retort a few words to Zuo Xiangyu, she heard the sound of a hairpin clinking as it entered the room.
Zuo Xiangyu, wearing a water-red long gown embroidered with peach blossom petals and with her slender waist swaying, walked in gracefully.
"Younger sister, what exactly happened today?" Zuo Xiangyu quickly walked to the bedside, took Zuo Xiangning's hand affectionately, and asked with a furrowed brow, "I clearly saw you fall into the lake; how come you ended up going to the King of Chu's mansion with elder sister soon after?"
Zuo Xiangning withdrew her hand and replied indifferently, "If I didn't go with elder sister, was I supposed to drown in second sister's residence at Prince Qi's?"
"What kind of talk is that, little sister? It sounds as if someone is trying to harm you." Zuo Xiangyu was taken aback and said mockingly, "What did elder sister confide to you again?"
"It doesn't matter what elder sister said, but why doesn't third sister seem to be worried about little sister's health, and instead, appear to be worried about something else?" Zuo Xiangning stared into Zuo Xiangyu's eyes and smiled, "Third sister wouldn't be worried that I wasn't rescued by Eldest Young Master Gu and thus have difficulty explaining to him, would she? Or is she worried about not being able to explain to someone else?"
Startled by this jab at the truth, Zuo Xiangyu stood up with an ugly expression, pointed at Zuo Xiangning, and said, "What do you mean by that? I'm worried sick about you, and instead of comforting me, you're making these insinuations and biting remarks. Who has been stirring you up?"
"Little sister just cracked a joke, why is third sister getting so angry over it?" Zuo Xiangning leaned on the headrest, her smile blooming beautifully as she looked at her, "Little sister has returned safe and sound, sister should be overjoyed and treating me to a celebration, that would be proper, so why are you getting so furiously angry?"
Seeing the usually obedient and docile Zuo Xiangning suddenly become so sharp-tongued, Zuo Xiangyu felt something was amiss in her heart.
She had already found today's events somewhat strange. Now seeing Zuo Xiangning's composed demeanor, she feared that everything would come to light, grew tired of pretending with Zuo Xiangning, and left after dropping a remark.
"Since little sister is fine, you should rest early."
Zuo Xiangning watched Zuo Xiangyu's flustered departure and pursed her lips slightly.
That thoughtless Zuo Xiangyu, was she in such a hurry to go back and seek advice from Auntie Liu, or was she eager to send a message to her second sister, Zuo Xiangyun?
Zuo Xiangning couldn't understand for the life of her; she had always treated Auntie Liu and her daughter quite well, but why had they turned around and tried to harm her?
She was of a different mother than Zuo Xiangyun and Zuo Xiangyu, but they still shared the same father. Broken bones were still joined by tendons; how could they bring themselves to harm her?
It wasn't long before another set of hurried and heavy footsteps could be heard in the courtyard.
Zuo Xiangning's face brightened, and she quickly slipped on her shoes to greet him.
Her brother, Zuo Zimo, had arrived!
Zuo Zimo was sweating profusely as he ran inside.
"How did you end up in the water again?" Zuo Zimo asked in a panicked tone as he looked at Zuo Xiangning, whose eyes were slightly red, "How are you feeling now? Why does your face look so pale?"
At that moment, tears instantly welled up in Zuo Xiangning's eyes.
Her brother Zuo Zimo was two years her senior; he was just seventeen this year, a head taller and both broad and sturdy, like a small mountain.
But the thought of how Zuo Zimo later became thin and wizened like an old man with worry carved into his face, running errands for her sake... it pained her, causing her eyes to sting and her tears to flow irresistibly.
Zuo Zimo's brows were knotted into a "Chuan" character as he asked repeatedly, "Stop crying and tell me where it hurts. Have you seen a doctor yet? What did the doctor say?"
"Third Brother, I'm fine." Zuo Xiangning used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her eyes, then handed a new handkerchief to Zuo Zimo, smiling reproachfully, "Why did you run over here? Your head is covered in sweat."
Zuo Zimo looked at Zuo Xiangning with suspicion as he took the handkerchief and wiped his face, "Why do you ask why I ran? I just heard that you fell into the lake and it almost scared me to death!"
"It's my fault, sister apologizes to you."
Zuo Xiangning smiled and bent her knees to perform a curtsy for him, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her up, "Get back to bed right now and tell me what really happened."
Zuo Xiangning poured Zuo Zimo a cup of tea and laughed, "I did fall into the lake today, but big sister saved me, and I wasn't hurt. I haven't even told mother about this."
"Don't tell Third Brother either, I don't want to worry Mother."
"Do you think you can keep it from Mother?" Zuo Zimo drank a cup of tea and said, "I'll let the people at the second gate know in a bit. If you feel unwell, send someone to find me."
"What for? Can you treat illnesses?" Zuo Xiangning teased with a smile, "I'll be fine after I sleep, don't worry about me."
"I'll be in the front yard, I can find a doctor faster." Zuo Zimo instructed anxiously, "If you feel unwell, don't tolerate it."
Zuo Zimo was in a hurry to leave when Zuo Xiangning called out to him, "Third Brother—"
"What's the matter?" Zuo Zimo turned his head.
Zuo Xiangning had many things to say, but looking at Zuo Zimo's childish, youthful face, she pressed them back down into her heart.
"I just feel that Third Brother is extremely kind to me, but I'm not good to you at all." Zuo Xiangning's eyes reddened again.
"Realizing mistakes and making amends is the greatest virtue," Zuo Zimo said with a laugh as he ruffled her hair.
"Third Brother!" Zuo Xiangning playfully swatted his hand away, her lips slightly curving, and her watery big eyes slowly formed crescent moons, "I'll ask Nanny Cai to make some Sanxian dumplings in a while. Would you like to dine here with me?"
"I still have friends waiting for me over there. Have someone bring the dumplings to the front yard, I will go back to eat," Zuo Zimo said, observing that Zuo Xiangning's complexion still wasn't good, and spoke gently, "You should rest early too, I'll come check on you tomorrow morning."
"Which friend of yours came over? I wasn't aware. Since when did you have friends?"
"You really underestimate me, how can I not have friends?" Zuo Zimo said with a hint of pride, "That friend of mine is the Tanhuang Lang of the previous session, Eldest Young Master Gu, Gu Zhiqing..."
Gu Zhiqing?
Zuo Xiangning's jaw almost dropped in shock.
When had her Third Brother become friends with Gu Zhiqing?
How come she didn't know about it?
After leaving Prince Qi's Residence, Gu Zhiqing went to inform Zuo Zimo about her falling into the water. What was he plotting?
Had she ever met him in this life? Why was he focusing on her?
All of a sudden, Zuo Xiangning's mind became a tangled mess, without a clue to unravel it...
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
200+ Classement
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30 Power
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