Chapter 179: To Appreciate Again and Again

The Second Madam returned to the Crimson Cloud Courtyard and began counting the silver notes.

It was indeed thirty thousand taels.

"How wealthy the old lady is!" the Second Madam marveled. "Fifty thousand taels, and she can produce them as easily as that!"

Cheng Zhao was not surprised to learn of the Grand Madam's wealth; she had aimed for that exact amount deliberately.

"Mother, let's go buy some new headpieces," Cheng Zhao said.

The Second Madam replied, "I have more jewelry in my storeroom than I can ever use."

"Those are older styles now. Let's get some fresh designs. We'll leave the ones in the storeroom untouched," said Cheng Zhao.

Then she added, "There are also new fabrics in fashion. Let's go buy some of those too."

The Second Madam brightened. "That works for me. I've always wished for a daughter—the two of us going shopping for clothes and jewelry together."

"You'll have three daughters-in-law soon. We'll have plenty of chances to stroll about together," Cheng Zhao said with a laugh.

The Second Madam nodded repeatedly.

Nanny Fan chimed in beside them, mentioning which fabric shop had the best materials, which goldsmith's workmanship was most exquisite, and which of the household seamstresses made the finest garments.

As they talked, the Second Madam brought up Huan Qingtang: "She benefits from our good fortune too—she'll get ten thousand taels."

"Either way, it's Grandmother's money. Giving a little to her doesn't hurt," Cheng Zhao said. "Mother, 'the moon, once full, begins to wane.' It's not a bad idea to share some of it."

Everyone laughed at that.

Nanny Fan and several of the senior maids praised Cheng Zhao for being perceptive and generous.

The Second Madam chuckled, "I wouldn't mind sharing with anyone else—just not with her. Her attitude is truly unpleasant."

Then she added, "Oh well, I won't stoop to her level."

She had been about to say that Huan Qingtang was also a pitiful soul—married less than three years before becoming a widow, with no children to show for it—somewhat tragic.

But then again, with her scheming ways and covert provocations, she was even more infuriating than the First Madam. Sympathy was hard to muster.

The Second Madam had learned to keep her surplus sympathy in check.

As they were chatting, a senior maid from the Hall of Longevity arrived.

The maid had come looking for Cheng Zhao.

"What's the matter?" the Second Madam asked.

She guessed it was about the songstress.

The senior maid no longer dared to slight the Second Madam—when asked, she answered respectfully: "The Grand Madam sent me to inform the Third Young Madam that the new concubine has been settled into the Jade Brocade Courtyard. Two second-class maids, four junior maids, and two rough-work servants have been assigned to her."

In the old days, this maid would have looked only at Cheng Zhao, with a troubled expression, and would never have casually revealed the Grand Madam's instructions to the Second Madam.

The winds of change were blowing through the household—even the staff at the Hall of Longevity had shifted.

"Does the upkeep of the Jade Brocade Courtyard come from the household accounts, or does the Duke cover it himself?" Cheng Zhao asked.

The senior maid replied, "Naturally from the household accounts."

Cheng Zhao smiled and nodded, then instructed Suyue to tip the maid and see her out.

The Second Madam's enthusiasm promptly faded.

She looked at Cheng Zhao, as if about to say something. But Cheng Zhao clearly had no desire to discuss it, and changed the subject, bringing up the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.

After the festival, several families in the capital would be holding weddings, and Cheng Zhao and the Second Madam chatted about which banquets they would attend.

That night, the Second Madam had trouble sleeping.

The Second Master asked her what was wrong.

"That songstress—she's remarkably seductive, and your son is a young man. The Jade Brocade Courtyard sits right next to the inner study. We have no idea what goes on behind those doors," the Second Madam said.

The Second Master asked, "What does Ah Shen say?"

"He says he knows what he's doing," said the Second Madam.

The Second Master replied, "Then trust him."

"My heart is heavy. I'm afraid Zhao Zhao will be hurt. She's cheerful all day long, quick with her words, and has never faced any real hardship," the Second Madam said.

Then she added, "With the matter of the former concubine, you could say she was magnanimous and let it go. But with someone new coming in, it's hard for her not to feel uneasy."

"Ah Shen won't do that—he's a boy with a conscience," said the Second Master. "And Zhao Zhao knows her own mind."

The Second Madam had a tendency to coddle her children, magnifying their difficulties by tenfold.

The children, in turn, knew how to handle things themselves—they weren't nearly as soft-hearted as their mother.

The Second Master reassured her repeatedly.

The next day, just as they were about to set out for the fabric shop, a eunuch arrived from the palace.

This time, it was someone from the Empress.

The Empress had bestowed gifts upon the Second Madam: a hundred taels of gold; twenty bolts of rare tribute fabric; and eight sets of gold-and-gem-studded headpieces.

There were also pearls, various jades, and more.

The treasures, dazzling and abundant, filled the main hall of the Crimson Cloud Courtyard.

Nanny Fan gave each of the delivering eunuchs a red envelope stuffed with silver notes.

The chief eunuch also told the Second Madam: "His Highness the Crown Prince would have come to see you himself, but his studies keep him occupied."

The Second Madam waved her hands hastily. "I would never presume to trouble the Crown Prince."

"The Empress said that when you have time, you should request an audience and come to the palace to visit the Crown Prince," the chief eunuch said with a smile.

The Second Madam acknowledged this.

After they had been sent off, she sent for Cheng Zhao to come and take her pick.

"See what you like!" the Second Madam said cheerfully. "We've truly struck it rich this time—we can save all the money on clothes and jewelry."

"Gifts from the Empress carry prestige, and wearing them will do us credit," Cheng Zhao said with a smile.

"The Empress also invited me to the palace. I'm honestly a little nervous," the Second Madam admitted.

Cheng Zhao took her hand and laughed. "Who isn't nervous entering the palace? Mother, I'll go with you—and let me soak up some of that glory too."

"Having you with me puts my mind at ease," said the Second Madam. "When shall we go?"

"In a few days," Cheng Zhao replied. "On the first day of the eighth month."

"That's perfect. Gives me time to prepare," said the Second Madam.

If she went right away, she'd be too tense. She needed a moment to compose herself.

The Crimson Cloud Courtyard was filled with laughter and pleasant chatter.

The Second Madam wanted to split the fabrics and headpieces evenly with Cheng Zhao, but Cheng Zhao said that dividing up imperial gifts seemed inappropriate.

"Don't store the fabrics away," Cheng Zhao said. "Have them all cut and sewn into garments for autumn and winter. Then we can wear them to show Her Majesty."

The Second Madam agreed.

The Second Branch of the household was in unusually high spirits.

Even the servants spoke with more confidence than before.

Cheng Zhao reaped benefits as well: while she had been away at the hunt, all matters of the Hall of Inheritance had been left to Huan Qingtang, and the stewards had wavered, uncertain whom to follow.

When she returned—with her mother-in-law receiving the title of First-Class Lady of the State and the Grand Madam openly rewarding the Second Madam—Cheng Zhao herself was regarded with greater esteem.

The stewards under her kept their loyalty and resolve, except for one or two particularly troublesome figures with deep backers.

Thus, despite Cheng Zhao's absence, Huan Qingtang had achieved nothing. Her influence had stalled.

If anything, some of the stewards on her side were growing restless.

"Without Mother's backing, I would have had my work cut out for me when I came back," Cheng Zhao remarked to Nanny Li and the others.

"The Second Madam's title could not have come at a better time," Nanny Li said with a smile.

"Everyone says I'm my mother-in-law's lucky star, but truthfully, she brings me fortune as well," said Cheng Zhao.

With the misunderstanding between her and Zhou Yuanshen cleared up, and everyone in the Second Branch leaning toward her, Cheng Zhao could now scheme with both hands free.

Her mood was fairly good.

Moreover, no one in the Harvest Court dared mention the new concubine of the Jade Brocade Courtyard in front of her, so her spirits remained untroubled.

Zhou Yuanshen's external injuries had not fully healed when he left for the Capital Guard Camp.

"Take care of yourself."

Both husband and wife said the same words.

Zhou Yuanshen fixed his gaze on her.

Cheng Zhao smiled and said, "Watch out for that shoulder wound."

"And you—mind the affairs of the household," Zhou Yuanshen said.

Cheng Zhao nodded.

On the first day of the eighth month, Cheng Zhao accompanied her mother-in-law to the palace to pay their respects.

This time, she also met the Princess of Jingnan, the mother - in - law of her third sister.

After coming out of the Kunning Palace, the Princess of Jingnan invited Cheng Zhao and the Second Lady to visit their mansion some other day. Cheng Zhao wanted to see her third sister, so she agreed.