Chapter 42: Scheming

 Chapter 42: Scheming 

When Chu Qianchen returned to the Marquis's residence, it was already past the time for the evening ritual.

She first went to Wan Yan Courtyard to wash her face, then changed into a lilac-colored dress, adding a fragrance pouch, before hastily heading to Rongfu Hall.

She was aware she was late today, so she had prepared herself for the possibility of being met with cold stares from the matriarch. After all, having lived two lives, she no longer cared whether the Marquis's family liked her or how they viewed her.

"The second young miss has arrived," a maid reported, lifting the door curtain.

Chu Qianchen entered, and instantly, all the eyes in the east side hall turned to her.

She walked at a leisurely pace to the matriarch and respectfully bowed. "I pay my respects to grandmother."

She then greeted Shen Shi, who was seated at the lower end.

Before the matriarch could speak, Shen Shi, with a gentle smile, spoke first: "Chen'er, have you put the things I asked you to put away?"

Chu Qianchen understood that her biological mother was covering for her.

She smiled slightly at Shen Shi and replied with confidence, "Mother, everything is put away."

The matriarch didn't ask anything further and casually motioned for Chu Qianchen to sit, then asked Shen Shi, "Ah Zhi, is Huang'er coming back tomorrow?"

When Shen Shi mentioned her daughter, Chu Qianhuang, her entire demeanor was filled with joy. She nodded and said, "Yes, mother. I'll send someone to the palace gates early tomorrow to fetch her."

The matriarch, equally delighted, smiled so widely that her eyes almost disappeared. "Good, good. I wonder how Huang'er is doing in the palace. Tomorrow, remember to have the kitchen prepare more of her favorite dishes..."

Shen Shi answered with a smile.

The matriarch continued, "Today, two fresh mandarin fish were sent from the farm. Make sure to take good care of them, don’t let them die. Huang'er loves mandarin fish the most. Tomorrow, you two should come here for dinner..."

The matriarch spoke with enthusiasm, while Shen Shi occasionally responded.

Chu Qianchen, holding the tea cup just served, took a sip, feeling more awake. She absentmindedly listened to their conversation.

Unlike her, Chu Qianhuang, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis's residence, had been greatly favored since childhood.

Last month, Chu Qianhuang was chosen to be the companion of the third princess and now lived in the palace, returning to the residence every three days. Tomorrow was her scheduled return.

Chu Qianchen’s gaze shifted slightly as she thought to herself: It's time...

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Chu Qianchen followed Shen Shi out of Rongfu Hall.

Shen Shi kindly addressed the two young girls beside Chu Qianchen: "Wu'er, Ying'er, you two can return now."

Chu Qianwu and Chu Qianying were twins born to another concubine, Mo, of the Marquis. They had just turned ten this year.

The two girls obediently curtsied and replied, "Yes, Mother."

As Chu Qianying turned to leave, she couldn’t help but cast an envious glance at Chu Qianchen.

Shen Shi added, "Chen'er, come with me for a walk."

Chu Qianchen accompanied Shen Shi, both of them strolling leisurely forward, with Nanny Chen and Hu Po following behind.

After passing a cobbled path and seeing that there was no one around, Chu Qianchen spoke up, "Mother, Mei'er has fully recovered and can come into the residence anytime."

Nanny Chen’s illness was relatively mild. After taking medicine for three days, she was no longer a concern. She had been worried that lingering sickness would be passed to Shen Shi and Chu Yunmu, so she had remained in seclusion for a few more days. It was only yesterday that she returned to serve Shen Shi.

Mei’er’s illness had been more serious, but she was now fully recovered and no longer contagious.

In fact, Mei’er could have entered the residence two days ago, but Chu Qianchen had deliberately delayed her entry for two days, waiting for Chu Qianhuang’s return.

Shen Shi nodded, "You must have just been to Mei’er’s place, right?"

Shen Shi assumed that Chu Qianchen had been delayed because she had just come back from Mei’er’s side.

Chu Qianchen simply smiled without answering, not offering an explanation.

Shen Shi merely mentioned it casually, then turned to instruct Chen Mama, "Tomorrow, you go bring Mei'er here, and also, ask Physician Li from Qiandin Hall to come as well. Just tell him..."

"Tell him that Mu Ge'er has been complaining of leg pain lately and needs him to take a look."

"Yes, Madam." Chen Mama immediately responded and couldn't help but glance at Chu Qianchen. The Madam's instructions in front of the second young miss clearly showed she wasn’t hiding anything.

Indeed, not to mention that the second young miss had saved her life, even if Mei'er were to die from illness, it would be more convenient if the second young miss simply allowed her to die—clear-cut!

The Madam was right; she shouldn't let her bias against the second young miss, because of Concubine Jiang, affect her judgment.

With this thought, Chen Mama's gaze softened a little, and she considered that she should properly thank the second young miss.

“Chen'er, I’ve already investigated over the past few days, and it’s not Juan Niang.” Shen Shi said, “So, the problem must lie with Physician Li.”

Juan Niang had been uneasy since she hadn’t been careful with Chu Yunmu and allowed him to fall from the rock garden. Later, when she heard him complaining of leg pain, she was afraid that something worse would happen, so she hid it and coaxed Chu Yunmu not to tell anyone.

As they were talking, Chu Qianchen followed Shen Shi to the main courtyard.

Shen Shi invited her to stay for dinner, and Chu Qianchen spent a while playing with Chu Yunmu, also checking his injured leg. Just as she was about to take her leave, Marquis Yongding, Chu Lingxiao, returned.

"Father." Chu Qianchen gracefully bowed to Chu Lingxiao.

Chu Lingxiao raised an eyebrow in surprise, watching her for a moment before saying, "Chen'er, your mother is ill these days. If you have no business, go stay by her side and attend to her illness. Don’t keep running around."

There was a hint of reprimand in his voice.

Chu Qianchen only smiled without speaking.

Her expression was calm, displaying a composure that was indifferent to praise or criticism.

"Chen'er, I am speaking to you." Chu Lingxiao furrowed his brow, raising his voice a little.

A cold glint flickered in his eyes as he looked at Chu Qianchen, his gaze turning slightly scrutinizing.

He had never properly regarded this daughter of his; he had always thought she was weak, dull, and unnoticed, just blending in with everyone else.

But when did she start learning to be more calculating, trying to win favor in front of Shen Shi?!

The atmosphere grew tense.

Chu Qianchen smiled lightly and, before she could speak, Shen Shi interjected, “My lord, Concubine Jiang is just a concubine.”

A concubine was, in harsher terms, almost like a servant, while Chu Qianchen was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's household, the mistress. It made no sense for the mistress to go attend to the illness of a servant.

If it came to it, Shen Shi was the one who should be considered her real mother.

“…” Chu Lingxiao's expression stiffened slightly.

Shen Shi left it at that, then smoothly changed the subject, asking gently, "My lord, did you come at this hour because there is something you wish to discuss?"

Chu Lingxiao squinted his eyes, without acknowledging Shen Shi’s remark, nodding slightly and saying, "Indeed, there is something I wish to discuss with you."

Shen Shi smiled gently at Chu Qianchen, saying, "Chen'er, you may return now."

"Yes, Mother." Chu Qianchen curtsied and left, unconcerned by the gaze that Chu Lingxiao cast upon her back.

After leaving the hall, Chu Qianchen didn’t immediately leave but waited under the eaves for a while until Chen Mama returned. She then said, "Chen Mama, Father has arrived."

"…" Chen Mama looked surprised and glanced back at the room.

The Marquis and his wife maintained a respectful distance, much like most noble families in the capital. The Madam never minded which concubine the Marquis stayed with, and even when the Marquis visited, it was usually before dinner. Now it was nearly the first watch of the night.

There must be something important if he came at this hour!

(The chapter ends here.)