Chapter 103: Surrender, or Pacification
The Zhou family had just settled into their seats at the Chongyang Temple when a servant came to announce that Consort Dou had arrived.
Everyone, who had barely sat down, rose again to greet her.
Cheng Zhao overheard Mu Jiang complain, “My hem dragged through the water, soaking my shoes and stockings. What a nuisance.”
She seemed to have said it deliberately for Zhou Yuanshen to hear.
Whether he heard or not was uncertain, but the Dowager Madame did.
The Dowager Madame smiled and said, “If that’s the case, let Ah Jiang be sent back first. I told you last time to rest more and stop running around before the birth...”
Mu Jiang shuddered.
Thus, Cheng Zhao understood that last time, after Mu Jiang had killed the crane, the Dowager Madame had intended to confine her to her quarters. But for some reason, she had been let out again, and on an important day like this, she had to be brought along.
It was because she carried the next generation of the Zhou family in her womb, and the Dowager Madame pinned her hopes on her.
Mu Jiang understood the Dowager Madame’s warning and stopped muttering.
Everyone waited on the stone steps at the entrance of the Chongyang Temple.
Before long, a group of about thirty people slowly ascended the steps.
Every one of them was dressed in plain clothes. The guards were disguised as retainers, and the eunuchs wore stewards’ robes.
A woman in an apricot-colored silk gown embroidered with a pattern of crabapple blossoms, her head adorned with gold-inlaid jade jewelry, appeared to be about the same age as the Second Madam. She was helped up the steps by a young gentleman.
“Who is he?” Zhou Yuanqi suddenly asked.
Though Cheng Zhao did not recognize him personally, she knew the relationships among the group.
The young gentleman who could assist Consort Dou was undoubtedly the Fifth Prince, Helian Hong.
He was betrothed to Sun Zhiya of the Marquis Qingyuan’s household, which was the Dowager Madame’s natal family.
Thus, Consort Dou and the Dowager Madame shared a deeper connection.
“First, rule out the Consort,” Cheng Zhao thought to herself.
There was definitely no plan involving Consort Dou in the Dowager Madame’s scheme today. The reason was simple: the Dowager Madame could not afford any mishap.
If anything went wrong, it would damage her relationship with the Consort, thereby jeopardizing the marriage alliance between her Sun family and the Fifth Prince.
The Dowager Madame must have known that Cheng Zhao was not easy to deal with.
Yet, by chance, the Consort’s presence, being so exalted, would naturally draw everyone’s attention, diverting their focus.
As this thought crossed her mind, Cheng Zhao joined the Zhou family in bowing to the Consort and the Fifth Prince.
“Dowager Madame, you must not,” Consort Dou said softly, stepping forward to support the Dowager Madame’s hand, her smile gentle. “You are holding a sacrificial ceremony; I have only come to join in the fun. I’d be troubling you if I made you bow to me.”
She then turned to the Fifth Prince and said, “You still haven’t offered your birthday congratulations to the Dowager Madame. Make up for it now.”
The Fifth Prince was sixteen this year. Unlike the Crown Prince’s pale complexion, he had a healthy, ruddy look.
His features closely resembled the Consort’s, not the Emperor’s at all, which made him very handsome without any hint of gloom.
He stepped forward, paid his respects sincerely, and offered belated congratulations to the Dowager Madame before lifting his eyes.
He also bowed to the Zhou family’s First Madam and Second Madam.
Then, turning his gaze, his eyes fell on Cheng Zhao.
To her surprise, he seemed to be stunned for a moment, staring at her without shifting his gaze.
Cheng Zhao had already lowered her eyes, suppressing the urge to frown.
Nothing was said, for at that moment, the Marquis Qingyuan’s household—the Dowager Madame’s natal family—arrived.
This time, not only the Marchioness came, but also Marquis Qingyuan himself, along with his two children, Sun Zhiya and Sun Zhisheng.
They exchanged greetings.
When Sun Zhiya saw her betrothed, the Fifth Prince, she blushed shyly.
“Your Highness,” she greeted him in a delicate voice.
The Fifth Prince replied, “Rise.”
His tone was gentle.
The Dowager Madame took Consort Dou’s arm and led her into the Chongyang Temple. Then, Nanny Sun, the Dowager Madame’s trusted aide, approached and instructed, “If any more guests arrive, send them back.”
The steward acknowledged the order.
When the time came, the ritual began.
People arrived one after another to offer gifts, all sacrifices.
Managing the gifts was Cheng Zhao’s responsibility at home, so it was the same here.
Every time someone came, she had to rise to receive them, then convey the Dowager Madame’s message: “Today, the Zhou family is performing a peace ritual; it’s not convenient to entertain guests.”
Thus, she courteously sent them on their way.
Many households only sent stewards bearing gifts. Those who came in person without being close relatives were eager to curry favor and were turned away at the gate.
After bustling about for a while, Cheng Zhao found a side room to rest. There, she heard someone speaking, “I’ve come to deliver tea to the Duchess.”
It was a strange, young, soft female voice.
Suyue replied, “The Young Madam is resting. Miss Hu, it’s best you return to the Dowager Madame’s side.”
Cheng Zhao called from inside, “Suyue, let Miss Hu come in.”
Though Suyue was reluctant, she obeyed her mistress without question and opened the door.
The resting room was simple. Cheng Zhao sat at the table, resting her head on her hand. When she saw the visitor enter, she sat up straight.
Hu Zhiwei carried a tray with a teapot and a cup.
She set down the tray and knelt before Cheng Zhao, performing a grand bow. “Duchess, this humble girl begs your forgiveness.”
Cheng Zhao’s heart stirred slightly.
“Miss Hu, please rise. I am not worthy of such a grand courtesy,” Cheng Zhao said, remaining seated without reaching out to help her up, her expression somewhat cold.
“Duchess, please grant me a chance to speak a few heartfelt words,” Hu Zhiwei said. “Last time...”
She paused, glancing tentatively at Cheng Zhao.
Cheng Zhao did not interrupt, merely watched her quietly.
After a beat, Hu Zhiwei resumed, “Last time, when my aunt ordered me to storm the Morning Glow Courtyard, I had no choice. I’m an orphan living under someone else’s roof. If I don’t obey, I’ll be kicked out.
It wasn’t just me—I also rely on my mother. Her health is poor; she can’t bear any turmoil.”
As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face.
Cheng Zhao paused briefly before saying, “Still, you shouldn’t have broken into the duke’s private study. When your elders do wrong, you should advise them against it.”
“Yes, it’s all my weakness and cowardice. Duchess, my aunt also wanted me to put forth effort, trying to push me onto the duke.
I swear to you, I will never do anything so shameful again. I beg you to think of a way for me, to find a suitable marriage. My aunt is determined to use me.” Hu Zhiwei choked back sobs.
Cheng Zhao watched her wordlessly.
After a long while, she finally said, “Rise. You truly are pitiable.”
Hu Zhiwei broke into a smile through her tears and quickly stood up.
Cheng Zhao said, “Go about your business. Don’t be seen. From now on, stay by the side of the First Madam. If you have any news, bring it to me. Whether you want a future or wealth, exchange it for news.”
Hu Zhiwei replied, “Yes, thank you for showing me a way to live, Duchess! I won’t let you down!”
With that, she left.
After she departed, Suyue and Qiubai came in.
Suyue looked worried. “Young Madam, what did she say?”
“Some words of self-defense. She wants to pledge allegiance to me,” Cheng Zhao said.
Qiubai asked, “Do you think she is trustworthy?”
“Of course not,” Cheng Zhao said with a light laugh. “Do you know how she addressed me? Over and over, she called me ‘Duchess.’”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“No one in the family or among close acquaintances calls me ‘Duchess’ as a flattery.
Such groveling is meant to win my favor and my trust, clearly knowing what I value most,” Cheng Zhao explained.
She added, "Such scheming—she's not First Madam's person, but the Dowager Madame's."
Suyue shuddered. "The Dowager Madame? What does she intend to do?"