Four Seasons Brocade – CH 202

Chapter 202 ☆、

Ah Wu blushed deeply at Chu Mao’s words. “You smell of dust; go take a bath.” Ah Wu pretended to be disgusted as she got up. She was overjoyed, completely oblivious to the disappointment and gloom hidden in Chu Mao’s lowered eyelids.

When Chu Mao came out, food was already laid out in the side room. Ah Wu personally poured him a cup of wine, but he did not move. Following his gaze, she saw Zi-Jin warming the wine beside him.

Ah Wu did not think Chu Mao would know Zi-Jin’s background and smiled, “She’s a new maid I bought, named Zi-Jin.”

Chu Mao turned his head and smiled slightly. “Granted a Purple name so soon after buying her?”

Ah Wu was startled; she had completely forgotten about this. At the same time, she felt Chu Mao was too perceptive, and she would have to be careful in the future. “When we return to the capital, I want to find good families for Zi-Shan and Zi-Zhui. They are of age, and I naturally need someone to help me. I think she’s quite clever, so I named her Zi-Jin, so it will not feel awkward if her name is changed later.”

Chu Mao did not ask any further questions. Ah Wu, taking advantage of the opportunity to pour wine, lowered her head and let out a long breath, then served Chu Mao his meal with even greater care.

After the meal, Zi-Shan and the others busied themselves, packing their trunks and bedding. Ah Wu helped inside, sending Chu Mao outside as he went to the study in the west wing.

Ah Wu was tidying her inner garments when she suddenly remembered the letter hidden under the jade paperweight in the study. She hurriedly lifted the curtain and went west, finding Chu Mao standing with his back to her at the desk.

“Your Highness.”

Chu Mao turned around, holding the letter in his hand. The light pink paper, sprinkled with gold and decorated with floral and butterfly designs, was perfect for writing a lament of a woman’s sorrow.

Alone I walk, alone I sit, alone I sing, alone I drink, alone I sleep.
Standing, my heart broken, I feel the chill as it embraces me.
Who can see this sadness? Half my makeup dissolves as my tears seep.
Sorrow, illness persist. Trimming the lamp, but dreams won’t come to me.

Ah Wu’s face flushed redder than the paper. Chu Mao waved the letter, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“Give it back to me!” Ah Wu made a move to snatch it.

“Is this not for me?” Chu Mao raised his hand, making it out of Ah Wu’s reach, then carefully folded the letter and tucked it into his robe. “All packed?”

Ah Wu stamped her foot, turned around, lifted the curtain, and stamped her foot as she walked out, only to hear Chu Mao’s soft laughter behind her.

The next day, Chu Mao returned to the capital first, while Ah Wu traveled slowly back by carriage, not in a hurry.

Back at Yulan Hall, Zi-Yi led a group of maids to kowtow, their eyes brimming with tears. Seeing this, Ah Wu’s heart ached; she was finally back in the capital. After washing up, Ah Wu asked Zi-Yi, “How are things at Hongyao Villa?”

“Nanny Hao seems to be very ill; she has not been seen handling affairs these past few days,” Zi-Yi said.

Ah Wu finished a bowl of bird’s nest porridge, stood up, and said, “Pick out two ginseng roots; let’s go see Nanny Hao.”

“Why would the Princess go to see her? Even if she’s been granted the title of Lady Shunzhen, she cannot surpass you,” Zi-Shan said, pursing her lips. Last time, Ah Wu’s rash had terrified all the maids in Yulan Hall.

“Why are you interfering with Her Highness?” Nanny Sang scolded Zi-Shan from the side. “It’s perfectly reasonable for the Princess to visit Nanny Hao.”

Nanny Gong nodded in agreement. Since Ah Wu left, the two of them had remained in Yulan Hall. Being outsiders, they had witnessed Prince Qi’s filial piety towards Nanny Hao firsthand. They had not been able to persuade Ah Wu before, but now that she had seen things clearly, they were pleased.

“Will you treat your mother-in-law like this from now on?” Nanny Sang asked Zi-Shan.

“She’s not a proper mother-in-law,” Zi-Shan muttered.

Ah Wu was not influenced by Zi-Shan. She had completely understood. Previously, she had been passive and even cold towards Nanny Hao. However, as Chu Mao had said, the elderly Nanny Hao was terminally ill and did not have many years left to live.

It was not that Ah Wu was kind-hearted; after weighing the pros and cons, she felt it was not worth estrangement from Chu Mao over a mere Nanny Hao. She’d just treat it like a cat or dog biting you—you did not hold it against the animal.

In Hongyao Villa, Nanny Hao claimed to be asleep and refused to see Ah Wu. Ah Wu was not annoyed. She handed the ginseng to Pei-Lan and softly asked, “Has Nanny Hao’s health improved these days?”

Although Pei-Lan disliked Ah Wu, she was still a maid and could only respectfully reply, “Since summer arrived, Nanny’s health has improved considerably.”

Ah Wu nodded. “Take good care of Nanny’s health. Later, not only will the Prince reward you, but I will too. Tell Nanny that I will come to see her again tomorrow.”

The next morning, Tao Siyao and Xun Mei came to pay their respects. Ah Wu put down her teacup and said, “Nanny Hao is ill. Have you visited her these days?”

Tao Siyao did not understand the meaning of Ah Wu’s question. Was she asking them to choose sides? She was clever. No matter how powerful Nanny Hao was, even if she squeezed out the Princess, so what? She was old and did not have many years left to live. And they were people who still needed to live under Ah Wu’s care, and besides, the Princess Consort had returned.

Understanding this, Tao Siyao said, “Nanny Hao is ill and does not like to be disturbed, so I only had some tonics sent over.”

Xun Mei and Xu Yi-niang often visited Hongyao Villa, but seeing Ah Wu’s question, they did not dare answer directly, only saying they had been there two or three times.

Since Ah Wu was determined to elevate Nanny Hao, she naturally wanted to place her in the highest position. “Nanny Hao has watched His Highness grow up since he was little, and His Highness has always treated her like a mother. When I am not around, you should visit her more often, talk to her, and play with her.”

Tao Siyao, Xun Mei, and Xu Yi-niang all looked at Ah Wu in surprise, then lowered their heads in silence.

“Let’s go to Hongyao Villa to see Nanny Hao together,” Ah Wu said, rising to her feet.

Nanny Hao had not expected Ah Wu to actually come to see her again the next day, bringing Lady Tao and several concubines with her, making it seem like a daughter-in-law paying respects to her mother-in-law.

Nanny Hao twitched her lips, thinking that Ah Wu had finally learned her lesson this time. However, there was nothing to be happy about. Although she had been bedridden these past few days, she knew that Chu Mao had gone back to Shandong several times. He was incredibly diligent. Only she did not seem to care about her husband’s health, knowing that His Highness was tirelessly working day and night, yet still keeping him busy and making him run back and forth.

Ah Wu smiled and asked, “Nanny, are you feeling better?”

“Thank you for inquiring, Your Highness. I am fine. This is the question I should be asking Your Highness. Is Your Highness feeling better?” Since being granted the title of “Lady Shunzhen,” Nanny Hao’s demeanor had become much more imposing.

Ah Wu completely ignored Nanny Hao’s cold stares and sarcastic remarks, answering with a smile. This left Nanny Hao and Tao Siyao somewhat bewildered. They all assumed that she must have been severely punished by Prince Qi, and that this was entirely due to her fear of Hongyao Villa.

Nanny Hao felt a sense of satisfaction. Although Yuan Rongmeng was Yuan Yide’s daughter, seeing how much Ah Wu hesitated to act against her, Nanny Hao suddenly did not think Yuan Rongmeng’s entry into the palace was a bad thing. Moreover, after Chu Mao analyzed the pros and cons of Yuan Rongmeng’s entry into the palace with her, Nanny Hao naturally leaned more towards Chu Mao.

Overall, thanks to Ah Wu’s forbearance, the atmosphere at Hongyao Villa was relatively harmonious today. After she left, Pei-Lan could not help but laugh. “The Princess seems afraid of Nanny Hao.” Pei-Lan still had a childlike mentality. “Nanny Hao has been too tolerant of her in the past; she should have spat in her face long ago.”

Nanny Hao’s expression changed. A single sip of medicine could cause her to break out in rashes all over her body; how disgusted she must have felt! In just two months, Ah Wu’s attitude had completely changed. This made Nanny Hao suspicious. She was not Pei-Lan; she did not believe that the other woman was admitting defeat or being afraid.

As soon as Ah Wu returned to Yulan Hall, a maidservant announced, “Our in-laws, the Eldest and Second Young Madams of the Rong family, have arrived.”

Ah Wu hurried to greet them. Soon after, Lady Cui entered the courtyard. Initially hesitant to speak outside, she could not help but pinch Ah Wu’s shoulder once they entered the east wing of Yulan Hall, scolding, “You wretched girl! You are trying to kill me! No matter what I say, you will not listen! Now look what’s happened! You’ve angered the Prince, and he sent you to the estate. Are you happy now?! You are trying to kill me—” Lady Cui cried.

Ah Wu had not expected Lady Cui to be so agitated. Her shoulder ached from the pinch, and she pleaded, “Madam, Madam…”

Tang Yin and Dong Cangyue each helped Lady Cui up, and she finally stopped. “I begged your father to go and tell the Prince to bring you back, but he absolutely refused! I was so worried! I had no choice, I…” Lady Cui sobbed uncontrollably.

“My dear sister, you do not know; these past few days, Madam has been crying every day, and she even sent Father-in-law to the study in the outer courtyard,” Dong Cangyue said from the side.

Ah Wu was moved and wiped away her tears as well. She had long anticipated Master Rong’s attitude, but she had not expected Lady Cui to go to such lengths; she had always been a woman who put her husband above all else.

Ah Wu sobbed on Lady Cui’s lap, and Lady Cui began to pinch her. “Why can you not be a little more assertive? Why can you not be a little more assertive? What kind of behavior is this?”

Tang Yin and Dong Cangyue tried to comfort her. Once the two had calmed down, a maid came in to serve them noodles. Lady Cui left her two daughters-in-law in the side room and pulled Ah Wu into the inner chamber to speak alone.

“Have you and your husband not consummated your marriage yet?” Lady Cui asked coldly.

Ah Wu blushed but dared not answer directly. “Why does Madam ask this?”

“You are still trying to hide it from me! You are still trying to hide it from me!” Lady Cui slapped Ah Wu. “Then tell me why your husband sent you to the estate?” Ah Wu had no mother-in-law in the Prince Qi’s mansion, so it was not disobeying her. Lady Cui knew Ah Wu’s temperament well; she would not do anything out of line. After thinking it over, Lady Cui could only think of one possibility: consummating their marriage.

Ah Wu remained silent.

“What woman in this world does not consummate her marriage? You are the Princess Consort of Prince Qi, his principal wife. His legitimate son will be born from your womb. Your husband respects you and will not let his eldest son slap you in the face. But you…you…” Lady Cui became increasingly angry as she spoke, “How can you be so spineless? Are you going to hold a grudge about your father’s affair for the rest of your life?”

Ah Wu was startled. “What affair about my father?”

Lady Cui glared at Ah Wu angrily. “Is it not that harlot Concubine Wang who seduced your father? I thought you were just a child then, and it would all be over soon, but you’ve held a grudge ever since. Because of this, are you going to never have children? What will you do when you are old? What will you do?”

“What exactly did His Highness say to Madam last time?” Ah Wu asked anxiously.

“Do not worry, I did not say anything. I only said that you’ve always been clean. But do not stay immature forever. If you do not consummate your marriage with a man, how can he accept you?” Lady Cui’s words became increasingly direct.

Ah Wu blushed. “Madam! Why do you keep talking about me? Do you not know that His Highness… he… he’s not enthusiastic at all?”