Four Seasons Brocade – CH 127

Chapter 127 ☆、

Ah Wu was stunned. She had not expected Chu Mao to refuse so decisively, without even considering her feelings. This truly made Ah Wu feel a sharp pain in her heart. She had poured her heart and soul into these pieces, staying up all night to finish them, drawing patterns, and matching thread colors—everything was done with utmost care. Even her fingers were not as soft as they used to be, yet she could not get a single warm word from him in return. Besides, she had not been perfunctory. The embroidery patterns were all her favorite and best-practiced designs, and they were unique to her, not from any other shop. She had not used any cheap flowers or grass to appease him. Was she not sincere enough?

Ah Wu, fearing Chu Mao genuinely disliked it, had her maid take the pattern to many people in the garden. Everyone who saw it praised its beauty, vying to borrow the design to copy. However, seeing Chu Mao’s current state, Ah Wu roughly knew he probably did not like her embroidery.

But Chu Mao would not give Ah Wu a way out, so she had to find one for herself; otherwise, it would be too embarrassing. Therefore, she forced a smile and said, “Your Highness is young and healthy now; naturally, you do not need knee pads. It was my oversight. I will put them away for you, and you can use them when you are older, alright?”

Chu Mao’s lips twitched this time. He glanced at the lively duck design; it would look perfectly natural embroidered on children’s clothes and shoes. He could not imagine how ridiculous he would look wearing knee pads with that design when he was old.

However, when Chu Mao looked down and saw a hint of grievance in Ah Wu’s expression, with a layer of mist in her eyes, he suddenly felt that Ah Wu’s nickname was actually very fitting for her.

“Hmm.”

This time, seeing that Chu Mao did not refuse so explicitly but instead gave a vague “hmm,” Ah Wu considered it a concession.

Ah Wu got up, put away her knee pads, went to the bathing room to wash up, and came out to find Chu Mao leaning back on the couch reading a book, his expression relaxed.

The lamplight was not only suitable for admiring beautiful women but also extremely suitable for admiring handsome men.

Ah Wu could not help but sigh, “Ah, how beautifully grand!” ^{(懋) From The Book of the Later Han Dynasty, Annals of Emperor Zhang.}

The man before her was exceptionally handsome, like a pine tree, his expression detached yet carrying a hint of unintentional languor. His casual leaning back lacked the rigid discipline of a nobleman’s son, instead possessing an untamed spirit that should not exist, a posture that carried a rebellious energy.

Ah Wu was not sure if her perception of his rebellious nature stemmed from knowing more about him later or if he genuinely possessed that quality.

At that moment, Chu Mao saw Ah Wu emerge and gave her a dismissive glance.

Yes, that was it—that look, filled with condescending arrogance, as if worldly rules held no sway over him, and he would never submit to anyone or anything.

“Sleep. You have to go to the palace tomorrow.” Chu Mao put down his book and rose to walk to the bedside.

Ah Wu nodded, took off her shoes—still wearing socks—and slipped under the covers.

“Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice court audience. Do not be nervous. If anything happens in the palace, you can send a message to Aunt Fang, who serves the Empress,” Chu Mao said calmly in the darkness.

Ah Wu, however, was anything but calm. So Senior Palace Attendant Fang, who served the Empress, was actually Chu Mao’s person. Ah Wu had a strong impression of Senior Palace Attendant Fang, a trusted palace maid of Empress Tian.

Ah Wu wondered why Chu Mao, having already extended his reach to Empress Tian, ​​had not simply seized the throne during her uncle’s death in her previous life. Frankly, with proper planning, forging an imperial edict to seize the throne was not impossible, and it would have been easier than his eventual rebellion.

Of course, Chu Mao would not answer Ah Wu’s question. But Ah Wu had not expected him to confide such a secret to her. Had her sincerity moved him?

Or perhaps, in Chu Mao’s eyes, Ah Wu was simply his person, and her family was also his, so telling her this secret would not matter much. The important thing was that Ah Wu did not make any mistakes in the palace.

However, this gave Ah Wu a misconception—a misconception that sincerity had been exchanged for a secret.

The next day, Ah Wu, accompanied by the two concubines, went to the Kunming Palace to pay homage to Empress Tian for the Winter Solstice Festival. She was naturally unlikely to have committed any wrongdoing; she was far more familiar with palace rules than most. Not only had she been Princess Kangning for many years, but her own years of experience wandering in the palace also made her more knowledgeable than others.

Although the journey to the palace was arduous and tiring, and the cold of winter was unbearable, Ah Wu was still quite happy. She had met Princess Fuhui and Lady Cui; although they could not speak, knowing they were both well was comforting.

Back at Prince Qi’s mansion, the house was brightly lit and bustling with people. That evening, the Yin’an Hall was opened to worship the ancestors. Ah Wu, dressed in a bright red robe with cloud and phoenix patterns and brown trim, solemnly followed Chu Mao outside Yin’an Hall, waiting for the only man in the family to enter and perform the ancestral rites.

In the vast hall, Chu Mao’s figure appeared lonely and desolate.

After the sacrificial ceremony, a family banquet was held in Rui’an Hall. Of course, this required no effort from Princess Qi, Ah Wu; she could simply sit comfortably and eat.

To accommodate Chu Mao’s annoyingly fastidious nature, the banquet was not set out with a large round table like in ordinary homes. Instead, it followed ancient customs: a low table in front of each person, with a mat laid across it, upon which round cushions were placed for kneeling.

On the small tables were jade vessels for food and jade goblets for wine. Maids served wine, warming it in bronze cups, creating an atmosphere that felt like stepping back into an ancient dynasty.

Chu Mao, dressed in a black robe with wide sleeves trimmed with gold wan and butterfly patterns, a tall crown and wide belt, and elegant attire, sat in the center.

Ah Wu sat in the first seat of the left-hand row; the seat opposite her was empty. Second from the left was He Peizhen, opposite Tao Siyao, with the three chambermaids seated in order.

“Go and invite Auntie,” Chu Mao said.

Mei-Ying responded and went. Nanny Hao arrived shortly after, offering the customary polite greetings, and finally sat opposite Ah Wu. The banquet could then begin. A group of entertainers kneeling by the door played flutes, xiao, ruan, and sheng.

There was no conversation or joy during the meal. Ah Wu’s stomach ached from eating, but thankfully, someone soon cheered her up. Xiangsi, carrying a zither and wearing a bright red brocade robe with gold floral patterns and a pink silk shawl draped over her arm, floated into the hall like a fairy from the clouds.

Ah Wu thought to herself that it was fortunate the hall was warm, with candlelight; otherwise, in the dead of winter, after Xiangsi’s performance, she might not have been able to get up for days.

“Xiangsi wishes to play a tune for the Prince, Princess, and Aunt to celebrate the Winter Solstice.”

Beautiful and charming, Ah Wu almost applauded Xiangsi. She was usually so aloof; for her to lower herself to perform in public to please Chu Mao was truly remarkable. Ah Wu knew she could not do it.

However, Xiangsi rarely saw Chu Mao and always had to avoid suspicion. She was not Chu Mao’s wife or concubine, so at least she had an excuse to approach him. Ah Wu thought Xiangsi’s attitude was appropriate; a concubine’s role was to entertain her husband. Since she had this intention, there was no need for her to maintain a facade of virtue.

But then, someone in the hall let out a snicker. Ah Wu turned to see He Peizhen sitting to her left. “Xiangsi’s heavenly music and graceful dance have become a staple of every festival in our Prince’s Mansion. If you did not come to offer your congratulations, we sisters would find it strange.”

Xiangsi’s face paled, her head bowed, a hint of grievance between her brows and a trace of red in her eyes—truly a pitiful sight. Nanny Hao, seated there, looked somewhat embarrassed.

He Peizhen, seeing everyone staring at her, raised her chin even higher, becoming increasingly arrogant. She had given up all hope; no matter what she did, His Highness Prince Qi would not give her a second glance. Besides, even if she made a mistake, because of her father’s backing, Prince Qi Chu Mao would not do anything to her out of respect.

Ah Wu, however, somewhat understood He Peizhen’s feelings. This girl, pampered since childhood, could not bear such humiliation.

“Xiangsi’s zither playing is indeed excellent,” Chu Mao comforted Xiangsi, then turned to Ah Wu and said, “Lady He has broken the precept against gossip; have her copy the Precepts for Women three hundred times and give it to you.” Throughout this process, he did not even bother to glance at He Peizhen.

“Yes,” Ah Wu replied.

He Peizhen glared angrily, “Your Highness!”

Chu Mao glanced at He Peizhen, his eyes filled with coldness, which immediately made He Peizhen droop. Then Chu Mao turned to Xiangsi, who slowly began to pluck the strings.

Ah Wu, however, did not listen to Xiangsi’s music. She was surprised by Chu Mao’s attitude towards He Peizhen. This was not just helplessness born of exasperation; it was outright disgust. The Duke of Zhenguo was not someone to be trifled with, and Chu Mao’s treatment of He Peizhen baffled Ah Wu.

In Ah Wu’s eyes, Chu Mao should not be the kind of person who disregarded the greater good for personal likes and dislikes. So, if he acted intentionally, why? Ah Wu wondered if she had fallen into a misconception, thinking that because He Peizhen married Chu Mao, Chu Mao would definitely try to win over the Duke of Zhenguo. In reality, the Duke of Zhenguo might not be willing to gamble everything on Chu Mao for He Peizhen. In her previous life, the Duke of Zhenguo indeed had not sided with Chu Mao.

Then could it be that Chu Mao never intended to win over the Duke of Zhenguo and that his obvious dislike for He Peizhen was actually a statement—a statement to the Longqing Emperor and a statement to his two brothers? Ah Wu thought that Chu Mao’s ability to raise an army and rebel in his previous life must have involved many arrangements. Even just considering the military matter, the traces were hard to conceal. Therefore, he had to go to great lengths to confuse the public, making people think he had no ambition.

So, the inner quarters were disregarded, He Peizhen was suppressed, Tao Siyao was ignored, and an unknown woman from another family and her maid were allowed to take advantage of the situation. It was truly reassuring. As the saying goes, “How can one sweep the world if one cannot even sweep one’s own house?”

Ah Wu then thought that there were probably spies from the palace in this mansion, but she did not know who they were. Presumably, Chu Mao knew.

Moreover, it seemed Chu Mao knew that the Longqing Emperor would never appoint him as Crown Prince, so he never intended to feign being a wise prince to win the Emperor’s favor; he was simply focused on undermining his opponent’s morale. Who could have guessed that at this very moment, this Fourth Prince was already plotting a rebellion after the new Emperor’s ascension? Meanwhile, the other princes were all preoccupied with how to please the Longqing Emperor or instigate internal strife within the palace.

After the song of longing ended, Ah Wu finally came to her senses. Although no one commented, their expressions revealed the extent of the performance. Chu Mao smiled slightly. Nanny Hao was proud. He Peizhen’s eyes held jealousy. Tao Siyao was both envious and resentful And as for the three chambermaids, Ah Wu felt they were negligible.

Afterwards, the sisters Gongsun Lan and Ouyang Zhi also performed a dance. In Ah Wu’s opinion, it was truly “a dance as graceful as the moon reflected in the willow branches, a song as gentle as the breeze beneath the peach blossom fan.” However, she never expected that such beautiful women would fail to win Chu Mao’s favor.

After the banquet, Ah Wu and Chu Mao returned to Yulan Hall together. When Chu Mao entered the bathing room, Ah Wu instructed Zi-Zhui to quickly bring her late-night snack ahead of time. What should have been a joyous family feast had become cold and unpleasant, like a trap set by Chu Mao. Ah Wu felt a stomachache.

T/N: Senior Palace Attendant (姑姑) is the most senior rank among the palace maids.