Chapter 201: Let's Bet Bigger

The new concubine Xian Si's residence, the Jade Brocade Courtyard, had a termite problem.

This was a serious matter. A young maidservant came rushing to find Cheng Zhao early in the morning.

"...Termites were found at the base of the wall, and the concubine and her maids are all terrified. We don't know how much of the house has been damaged." Nanny Li told Cheng Zhao, "Young Madam, what should we do about this?"

Zhou Yuanshen sat in quiet contemplation. Some matters fell within Cheng Zhao's authority, and he could not overstep. He had to wait for Cheng Zhao to make the decision.

Cheng Zhao frowned. "Where exactly have they eaten through?"

"One of the doors and windows in the storeroom shows signs of gnawing. They haven't reached the roof beams yet," Nanny Li said.

"The entire Jade Brocade Courtyard needs to be inspected and treated for pests," Cheng Zhao said. "First, move them to the back garden—there are a few secluded residences over there."

"Should you ask the Dowager Madame first?" Nanny Li asked.

Cheng Zhao replied, "I'll go after I've eaten. Since termites have appeared, every part of the household needs to be checked. If it becomes an infestation, all the buildings will be in danger."

She then added, puzzled, "Not to mention the Duke of Chen's mansion—even wealthy households use camphor or cypress wood for construction. At the very least, if good wood isn't available, they would coat everything in layers of tung oil to prevent pests and moisture. Nothing like termites has ever been reported elsewhere in the house. And the Jade Brocade Courtyard isn't even near the back garden—so where did the termites come from?"

As she spoke, she looked at Zhou Yuanshen.

Zhou Yuanshen returned her glance.

Cheng Zhao understood. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, she had anticipated shadows and storms; these termites were but the tip of the wave—someone had done this deliberately.

Who was behind it and what their purpose was, Cheng Zhao could not yet guess.

"I told you, there would be trouble after the festival. We can't just sit and wait for the storm to fall on our heads," Cheng Zhao said.

Cheng Zhao had only just begun laying her plans when the termites appeared—others were faster than she was.

Nanny Li was also shaken. "Your gamble this time, I'd say it was the right bet."

Zhou Yuanshen then said, "If we're going to gamble, then let's gamble bigger. See if we can close the net within the next couple of days, so you don't have to keep suffering through this."

Nanny Li was confused but afraid Zhou Yuanshen might be displeased, so she dared not speak.

Cheng Zhao, however, understood and nodded slightly. "Very well, let's gamble bigger."

After the midday meal, Cheng Zhao went to the Hall of Longevity.

The Dowager Madame had not yet fallen asleep and was speaking with Huan Qingtang.

Huan Qingtang had not obeyed orders at Mid-Autumn Festival, but the Dowager Madame indeed lacked people to use, so she had not treated her harshly.

When Cheng Zhao arrived, Huan Qingtang was in the inner chamber, helping the Dowager Madame lie down.

"Let her in," the Dowager Madame said. "Since she's come at this hour, there must be something urgent."

Her voice was not low, and both Cheng Zhao and the servants waiting behind the curtain heard it.

Cheng Zhao sometimes thought that the Dowager Madame also had many constraints—for instance, the mask of kindness and tolerance she wore, which she had to keep on even in great pain.

At this moment, she must be hating Cheng Zhao to the bone, wishing she could beat her soundly.

Nanny Qin from the main kitchen had been dismissed—not only had that wounded the Dowager Madame's authority, it had also wounded her heart.

While the wound in her heart was still bleeding and unhealed, she had to muster her spirits and put on the dignified air of a "grandmother" at every turn.

It was so difficult.

"I sometimes demand perfection a bit too much," Cheng Zhao suddenly thought.

Was this trait of hers not somewhat similar to the Dowager Madame's?

If this continued, one day she too would end up wearing a mask.

Over time, she might find it impossible to take it off, unable to face her true self. If she could not face things with equanimity, how could she call herself a matriarch?

Cheng Zhao took this as a caution to herself and entered the inner chamber.

The Dowager Madame's inner chamber had a faint incense—a pleasant blend of sandalwood and pine.

"Grandmother, the Jade Brocade Courtyard is infested with termites. It is close to the Morning Radiance Courtyard and the Beautiful View Courtyard. Every part of the house needs to be inspected, lest it becomes a major disaster. We must dig out the ant colony," Cheng Zhao said.

The Dowager Madame sat up in surprise.

Huan Qingtang's expression also turned grave.

Most of the mansion's structures were made of wood, so termites were a very serious matter.

"Where is the steward in charge of this property?" the Dowager Madame asked. "He should be inspecting on a regular basis."

Not just the buildings, but also the grounds. Large households had dedicated people responsible for wood-boring insects and pests.

"Checks are done daily and monthly—this incident was unexpected," Cheng Zhao said. "It's just that the matter is urgent, and we need to find the ant colony quickly, which is why I'm disturbing Grandmother's afternoon rest."

The Dowager Madame said, "Handle urgent matters first. Send people to the Jade Brocade Courtyard immediately and dig out the ant colony."

Cheng Zhao asked, "And what about the rest of the house? His Grace's opinion is to start with the Jade Brocade Courtyard. If we find the colony and know how to seal it off, we can leave the rest of the house alone for now. If we can't find it, then every part of the house will need to be thoroughly examined and searched, and it might get chaotic for a while. I was worried it would disturb Grandmother."

Huan Qingtang frowned.

The Dowager Madame said, "Follow His Grace's method—start with the Jade Brocade Courtyard."

Cheng Zhao acknowledged with a "Yes."

The Dowager Madame asked, "And that concubine in the Jade Brocade Courtyard—move her somewhere else to stay."

"There's nowhere to put her easily for the moment. I'll have her move to the Bright Flower Courtyard for a few days—fortunately, we've just prepared the side rooms," Cheng Zhao said.

The Dowager Madame and Huan Qingtang both fixed their gazes on her face.

Cheng Zhao added, "This is also His Grace's wish. She was bestowed by the Emperor, after all, and His Grace said we may show her some leniency. The Emperor even asked His Grace about her—whether she was obedient, whether she respected the principal wife, or whether she tended to be frivolous."

The Dowager Madame smiled faintly.

Huan Qingtang lowered her gaze.

So the Emperor had raised the matter—Cheng Zhao and Zhou Yuanshen had no choice but to put on a sincere show. Moving Xian Si into the Bright Flower Courtyard, whether or not His Grace favored her, was embarrassing for Cheng Zhao.

And on top of that, the termites.

"The Emperor reprimanded His Grace?" the Dowager Madame asked.

Cheng Zhao said, "His Grace said it was nothing. He said, with Grandmother's face in consideration, the Emperor would show some leniency."

"The Emperor is worried about His Grace's heirs. Ah Jiang miscarried, and you haven't shown any signs yet," the Dowager Madame said. "The Zhou family's bloodline is far too thin."

Then she added, "Since you are being so virtuous and magnanimous, I am at ease leaving the concubine in your hands."

Cheng Zhao said, "Yes."

Having said her piece, Cheng Zhao went out to get to work—she needed to visit the Jade Brocade Courtyard that afternoon.

Huan Qingtang was silent, watching her retreating figure.

The Dowager Madame smiled and looked at her. "What, do you think she's being too easygoing this time?"

"Grandmother, I feel like she's plotting something," Huan Qingtang said.

"She's a clever little thing, quick-witted, and you're no match for her. But sometimes, she's a bit too competitive," the Dowager Madame said with a laugh.

Huan Qingtang replied, "Yes, I am not her equal."

"As women, we must be steady and composed. It doesn't matter if you're not her match—it's of no consequence," the Dowager Madame said.

Huan Qingtang again said, "Yes."

Cheng Zhao went to the Jade Brocade Courtyard.

There, she met Xian Si again.

Xian Si was a singsong girl—the first time Cheng Zhao had seen her, in the hunting grounds, she was dressed in lavish attire, dancing around a bonfire.

Now she wore ordinary clothes, with her hair combed into a low married woman's bun.

An apricot-colored short jacket and a white silk pleated skirt, almost without any patterns, yet they made her look utterly pitiable; her hair ornaments were of silver.

Her silver ornaments were quite beautiful—they gleamed three times more brightly than others', and their craftsmanship was exquisite, looking anything but cheap.

It made her appear like a fully bloomed white lotus—pure, delicate, yet bewitchingly seductive.

She raised her eyes to look at Cheng Zhao, then performed a greeting. "This humble one greets the Duchess."

Cheng Zhao stood still, a smile hanging at the corners of her lips. "What is your surname?"

Since Xian Si had entered the household, everyone had addressed her as "the new concubine" or referred to her as "the one from the Jade Brocade Courtyard."

When Cheng Zhao stood before her, she found herself unsure of what to call her.

"I have no surname. I was raised in the rear gardens of the imperial hunting lodge," Xian Si said.

The hunting lodge at the imperial enclosure kept a large troupe of singing girls and dancing girls. They were there solely for the emperor's amusement during his hunting excursions.

Sometimes the emperor would bring a few back to the palace; other times, he would privately bestow them upon his ministers.

Each year, new ones were selected, better ones.

Xian Si had been bought and sold multiple times over the years and could no longer remember her original family name.

"Dowager Madame, please grant me a surname," Xian Si said, sinking into a graceful bow.

Cheng Zhao: "..."