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!