Chapter 39: Flowers Resemble Those of the Past, Lessons Learned

On that day, Yun Ci set out for the Duke Mu’s residence, accompanied by Zhu Ying, Qian Yun, Dan Xin, and a number of guards from the Yun household. Meanwhile, Chu Xiu moved into the Lady Dowager’s Rongjin Hall, where Madam Chi, following the arrangements she had made for Chu Xiu in Zhiyan Pavilion, settled her into a private room.

“Since the Marquis sent you here for the Lady Dowager to instruct, and she has entrusted you to me, let’s not stand on ceremony—say what needs to be said,” Madam Chi smiled at Chu Xiu. “The rules here are different from the Marquis’s. The Lady Dowager rises early; you must get up before dawn each day and serve breakfast at the first light.”

Chu Xiu nodded to show she understood.

“After breakfast, the Lady Dowager spends an hour in the chapel reciting scripture. To show sincerity, all scriptures are copied by hand by members of the household. Since you served the Marquis with brush and ink, you’ll share the task of copying scriptures each day,” Madam Chi continued.

Chu Xiu accepted her duties once more.

Madam Chi nodded in satisfaction. “The Lady Dowager does not lack servants, only confidantes who know how to care. Do well with breakfast and scripture copying, and follow her instructions for anything else.”

After a moment’s thought, she added, “Oh, yes. Every morning, the Second and Third Concubines come to keep the Lady Dowager company during breakfast. The Fourth Concubine comes and goes as she pleases. Remember this.”

Both concubines accompany the Lady Dowager for breakfast? Why does the Fourth Concubine not? Chu Xiu wondered, but kept her curiosity hidden and respectfully saw Madam Chi out.

The next morning, Chu Xiu rose early and went to the dining hall as instructed. She thought arriving half an hour ahead was early, but two maids were already laying out tableware.

The maids acknowledged Chu Xiu with a slight nod and smile, likely instructed by Madam Chi in advance.

Chu Xiu smiled back and joined them, arranging bowls and plates, and bringing out the appetizers one by one.

The Lady Dowager’s breakfast rules dictated eight cold dishes, ten hot, assorted appetizers, rice and pastries, two sweet and two savory dishes, and four soups—nothing extravagant. For the status and wealth of the Yun household, such a breakfast was common among noble families, especially with concubines present.

Chu Xiu and the maids worked busily, setting out the appetizers and eight cold dishes, then stood aside to wait. Soon, light laughter drifted in, dignified and composed, as the Lady Dowager entered, supported by Madam Chi, followed by two women in their thirties.

The Lady Dowager wore a golden brown brocade, looking spirited and smiling—her mood seemed good.

The two women at her side, both dressed as married ladies, wore distinct colors: one in dark red, the other in embroidered blue, each with her own charm.

The woman in dark red appeared more mature, with willow brows and phoenix eyes, a sharp nose lending her a hint of severity, adorned in jewels that caught the eye.

The woman in blue was younger and simpler, her skin porcelain pale, her features less striking than the red-clad lady’s, let alone the Lady Dowager’s, but her calm, gentle demeanor made her unforgettable, with a unique grace.

These must be the old Marquis’s concubines—the Second Concubine, Lady Hua, and the Third Concubine, Lady Wen. Chu Xiu saw each had brought a maid, trailing behind as they entered, their faces still lit with laughter from their walk.

Both concubines avoided eye contact and took seats to the Lady Dowager’s left and right. Chu Xiu noted their positions, guessing who belonged to which branch.

The woman in dark red sat to the Lady Dowager’s left—likely the Second Concubine, Lady Hua, whose surname matched her attire. The woman in blue sat to the right, likely the Third Concubine, Lady Wen. As Madam Chi had said, only these two concubines accompanied the Lady Dowager for breakfast; the Fourth Concubine did not appear.

As Chu Xiu turned these thoughts over, the Lady Dowager spoke: “Chu Xiu, instruct them to serve the dishes.”

As soon as those words left the Lady Dowager’s lips, Chu Xiu felt two gazes land on her—from Lady Hua and Lady Wen.

It seemed her name had reached the concubines already. Chu Xiu dared not linger, lowering her head and hurrying to the kitchen, returning with maids to serve the dishes.

The earlier glances were gone; Lady Hua and Lady Wen resumed their composure, dining with the Lady Dowager. The maids served quietly, offering dishes and soup with practiced decorum.

Breakfast proceeded in silence, but at its close, the Lady Dowager spoke again, addressing Lady Hua: “Where is the second son? Have him come to me after breakfast.”

Lady Hua looked momentarily embarrassed, smiling, “Now that Second Master lives separately in the garden, I don’t know his whereabouts. I’ll send someone to find him.”

The Lady Dowager replied, “There’s an epidemic in Fangzhou. Though it hasn’t reached Yanlan City, the Yun family must not ignore it. Yesterday, the Marquis went to the Duke Mu’s residence to discuss countermeasures. The third son has ordered grain distribution in various districts. Only the second son has been idle—he must be sent out to gain some experience.”

In the presence of “outsiders,” the Lady Dowager referred to Yun Ci as “the Marquis.” Clearly mother and son, yet her cautious words and proper etiquette moved Chu Xiu.

Lady Hua awkwardly replied, “You’re right, the second son should help share the Marquis’s burdens,” and glanced at Chu Xiu.

Lady Hua’s glance was quick, but Chu Xiu caught it. She sensed, like the Lady Dowager’s words earlier, a deeper meaning.

The Lady Dowager had managed the Yun family for years, respected and wise—she would not shame Lady Hua at the table before maids without intent. Her words were clearly a rebuke of the second son’s conduct.

If Chu Xiu had not understood the Lady Dowager’s meaning at first, Lady Hua’s fleeting glance clarified everything.

It must be that Yun Qi’s teasing or his request for Chu Xiu had reached the Lady Dowager. Through Chu Xiu, the Lady Dowager was expressing her stance to Yun Ci, and indirectly informing Lady Hua and the second son that Chu Xiu belonged to Yun Ci.

With this realization, Chu Xiu felt a strange mix of emotions—uncertain whether it was surprise or anxiety. She had hoped for a quiet, unobtrusive life in the residence, but now found herself thrust into the spotlight, sensing she was about to stand at the center of a storm. The feeling brought to mind her days at Drunken Flower Hall.

The tree wishes for calm, but the wind will not allow it.

Yet Chu Xiu believed this feeling would not last. Yun Ci was away, and she had been sent to the Lady Dowager, whose mind was unfathomable—making her uneasy. She would patiently wait for Yun Ci’s return, trusting he would protect her.

No matter what, life here would be better than at Drunken Flower Hall, or at Rainbow Court where she suffered the favored concubine’s bullying. Here, she only needed to trust that man, and that was enough.

*****

Breakfast passed with each lady lost in her own thoughts. Chu Xiu finished tidying up in the dining hall and was about to head to the chapel when she saw Lady Hua, the Second Concubine, strolling with her maid outside.

Before Chu Xiu could react, Lady Hua spotted her, smiling insincerely, “Taking a stroll after breakfast, and here you are still lingering, Miss Chu Xiu.”

This was no stroll—it was clearly a deliberate wait. Chu Xiu descended the steps and bowed to Lady Hua.

Lady Hua watched her rise from the bow, then smiled again, “The Marquis favors you well. He’s gone to the Duke Mu’s residence yet made sure to send you to Rongjin Hall…” Her tone shifted suddenly, and she sneered, “No matter how favored, you’re just a servant. No matter how beautiful, you’ll never be the Marquis’s wife. You’d best remember your place.”

Chu Xiu pressed her lips in silence, her expression restrained.

“Ah, I forgot—you’re mute, unable to speak,” Lady Hua covered her mouth in mock laughter, then sighed like a teacher, “Beauty fades before love does. The old sayings have their wisdom—you ought to heed them.”

She dropped her smile, gave a cold snort, and swept away with her sleeve. After a few steps, she paused and turned back, her words veiled, “Flowers may look alike, people may share fate. Miss Chu Xiu, beware lest joy turns to sorrow.” With that, she left quickly.

Flowers may look alike, people may share fate… Chu Xiu repeated the words in her heart, sensing Lady Hua’s meaning. And those four words—joy turns to sorrow—seemed equally pointed…

“Miss Chu Xiu!” Madam Chi’s voice interrupted Chu Xiu’s doubts at just the right moment. She approached, calling, “The Lady Dowager’s hour for reciting scriptures is near. You don’t know where the chapel is yet; I’ll show you the way.”

Chu Xiu nodded and followed Madam Chi quietly.

The Lady Dowager’s requirements were simple but not easy. She gave Chu Xiu a scroll to copy, demanding precisely eighty-one characters per page, with not a single blot or correction.

Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were all prepared. Chu Xiu ground the ink herself and began copying the scripture, character by careful character. After more than an hour, she had copied half the scroll without a single mistake. Madam Chi, though silent, was clearly pleased, and Chu Xiu relaxed a little.

“You’ve been at it for over an hour, miss. Go and rest. The Lady Dowager will remain at the chapel until lunch, and if she needs anything, she’ll send for you,” Madam Chi said, carrying Chu Xiu’s copied scripture to report to the Lady Dowager.

“After breakfast, the Second Concubine did indeed go to seek her trouble,” Madam Chi remarked. “As for what was said, I did not hear.”

The Lady Dowager focused intently on the scripture, at length saying, “Wu Ying would not dare say much.”

Madam Chi sighed inwardly; she knew better than anyone that the name Hua Wu Ying was a knot the Lady Dowager had carried for twenty years. “So many years, and you still haven’t let go.”

The Lady Dowager placed the scripture on her lap, closed her eyes slightly, and said, “Back then, I wanted to arrange her as a chamber maid for the Marquis. She claimed she was unwilling, yet when I was pregnant, she… She came with me from my family, and after what she did, how could I not be disheartened?”

“Second Concubine was confused then. After Second Master was born, the old Marquis grew cold toward her. For years, she has not dared overstep in your presence, and Second Master is little supervised—all to ease your mind,” Madam Chi advised. “It’s not worth letting her upset you. You need to recite scriptures, not carry resentment.”

The Lady Dowager nodded, then took up the scripture, reading silently and sighing, “The handwriting resembles Ci’s—was this intentional, to curry favor?”

“I… I don’t think so. Perhaps the Marquis pitied her being mute and talented, so he brought her here,” Madam Chi argued for Chu Xiu.

“Wu Ying seemed simple back then, but she didn’t want to be just a chamber maid. She got her wish to be a concubine. And her looks… They’re unsettling,” the Lady Dowager admitted.

Madam Chi dared not respond.

The Lady Dowager looked again at the slender gold script, pondering, “I must not let Chu Xiu become another Hua Wu Ying. Ci is past twenty now; once the epidemic is resolved, his marriage can wait no longer!”