Chapter 213: Not Taking a Concubine

After the evening meal, the family sat together at leisure.

Second Madam noticed that although they lived farther and farther apart from their son and daughter-in-law, their feelings for one another had actually grown closer.

"...Two stewards in the rear garden have asked to retire and leave." Cheng Zhao brought up the afternoon's events.

"They were being pushed out. They're people under Eldest Madam Song." Second Master said.

Cheng Zhao nodded: "Yes."

"Then let them go." Second Madam said.

Eldest Madam Song was beyond saving; her people couldn't be kept. Even if they were kept, they wouldn't be loyal to Cheng Zhao.

Stewards being released on account of old age was a common occurrence, not something Cheng Zhao could be faulted for.

"Mother, it can't be handled so simply. We talked about 'the fox grieving for the hare' last time — the other stewards are watching. How the master treats those who came before is how they'll be treated in the future. If we do this, who would dare serve with total loyalty and give their all?" Cheng Zhao said.

Second Madam agreed deeply: "That's true. So what did you do?"

"I had Nanfeng make inquiries in advance. One steward was given a retirement allowance plus an extra sum, because he was returning to his ancestral home; the other also received a retirement allowance but no bonus — instead, his second son was given a post in the rear garden." Cheng Zhao said.

Everyone looked at her.

Second Master laughed: "I imagine both were satisfied?"

"Both stewards wept for joy. The other stewards praised me for handling it fairly." Cheng Zhao said.

Huan Qingtang's expression at the time hadn't been good.

She had probably assumed this was a trap for Cheng Zhao.

The Dowager Madame's people were squeezing out Eldest Madam Song's people, and Huan Qingtang had deliberately left this matter until Cheng Zhao returned, precisely to put Cheng Zhao in an impossible position.

Those two stewards who were leaving were full of resentment, because it wasn't what they wanted.

No matter what Cheng Zhao did, she would leave herself open to criticism.

But Cheng Zhao had covered every angle, soothing both men completely.

Seeing her handle things this way, what did the other stewards have to worry about? When they grew old in the future, Cheng Zhao wouldn't kick them aside after their use was spent.

Cheng Zhao only needed to look at Huan Qingtang's strained expression to know she had handled the matter very well.

"Reading truly pays off. Young ladies from scholarly families are clever and sensible — their work truly leaves no cracks." Second Madam said with a smile.

Full of pride.

There was a time when she cursed scholarly families for being hypocritical — Second Master thought of this and glanced at her with a smile.

Second Madam knew what he was thinking. She shot him a look, stifling his words, forbidding him to speak. Second Master just smiled and indeed said nothing.

"I used to mock others for putting on a show. But now I see — being able to put on a flawless show is a real skill." Second Madam added.

"Mother, why don't you go apprentice under Third Sister-in-Law, learn her 'needlework,' and polish your own showmanship smooth as well." Zhou Yuanqi said.

Second Madam: "Are you asking for a beating?"

Zhou Yuanqi: "..."

The room filled with laughter and cheerful talk.

Once the matter was settled, Cheng Zhao and the others rose to take their leave.

She and Zhou Yuanshen walked back together.

The weather was neither hot nor cold, perfect for a stroll to aid digestion after the meal.

"First battle won — you should be quite pleased." Zhou Yuanshen said.

Cheng Zhao smiled: "Nanfeng helped me a great deal. He's your manservant, so I suppose that means you helped me a great deal."

Zhou Yuanshen took her hand: "And how will the Duchess thank me?"

He called her "Duchess" several times.

The night breeze was cool but not biting, softly brushing past her temples, teasing loose strands of hair that tickled her skin.

Cheng Zhao laced her fingers with his, walking slowly: "What thanks do you want?"

"How about we go out for a trip?" he said.

Cheng Zhao laughed: "Where?"

"To the salt fields at the North Sea, and while we're at it, commission a new statue of Guanyin." Zhou Yuanshen said.

Cheng Zhao was taken aback.

She had assumed "going out" meant wandering the streets of the capital, visiting shops for jewelry, or having a nice meal at a restaurant.

"We just moved back — do we have to leave so soon?" Cheng Zhao wasn't sure. "Besides, the weather is getting colder by the day. It might snow any time, and travel would be inconvenient."

Zhou Yuanshen: "You think of everything. We'll go in early spring then."

Then he added, "Would you make me a pair of shoes?"

That was simple.

Cheng Zhao agreed: "I can finish in ten days. I'll make you a beautiful pair of double-rimmed shoes."

She couldn't help thinking that a husband's clothes and footwear, especially the undergarments, were usually made by his wife. If she was truly too busy, she would delegate to a personal maid or a concubine — though needlework done by servants was considered an intimate matter of the household.

Zhou Yuanshen didn't have such strict notions, and Cheng Zhao was too busy; neither of them had thought of it at first.

Mothers-in-law from well-established families would usually remind the couple.

Cheng Zhao's mother-in-law never meddled in her son and daughter-in-law's private affairs — she had never even asked.

The couple walked back to Chenming Hall under the moonlight.

Compared to the former Ronghua Court, Chenming Hall was far more spacious and imposing.

Cheng Zhao's six dowry maids all slept in the side chambers, along with Nanny Li; now two older matrons had also been added.

These two matrons were originally from Zhou Yuanshen's outer study. He had brought them over from the general's residence — they were extremely diligent and loyal.

"...If you need more people, I can transfer two more from the outer study." Zhou Yuanshen said.

Cheng Zhao: "No need. If I need more help, I'll bring in my own dowry retainers. I have that authority now."

The inner bedroom of Chenming Hall was twice as large as that of Ronghua Court, feeling all the more empty. To fill that emptiness, a warm alcove had been installed in the inner bedroom.

The alcove was like a small room, or a much larger bed — sleeping in it during winter was especially cozy and snug.

Everything else remained unchanged.

After washing up, Cheng Zhao let down her hair and was about to reach for her sewing basket when Zhou Yuanshen pulled her back.

The couple slipped past the screen and onto the bed, and he gripped her waist with both hands: "Let's rest early. No rush on the shoes."

Cheng Zhao: "..."

Given how you look right now, tonight will hardly be early.

He kissed her cheeks tenderly, then gently nibbled her earlobe: "Cheng Zhao, come sit in my arms."

The room was slightly cold, and Cheng Zhao shivered as her clothes fell away. Zhou Yuanshen's hands slowly traced over her skin.

His palms were scorching.

Soon, Cheng Zhao no longer felt the cold.

Her thick hair fell across her shoulders, and she felt stifled, as if about to sweat, so she swept her dark locks behind her.

The lamp by the bedside flickered and brightened. When she came to her senses, she found Zhou Yuanshen watching her, his gaze burning.

Instinctively she wanted to hide, and she tucked her hair back over her shoulder.

Like an ostrich burying its head — it concealed nothing at all.

The hands gripping her waist, hardened from holding a spear for so long, never slackened. She couldn't bear it anymore and collapsed against him.

"Tired?" he asked.

Cheng Zhao: "..."

When the passion finally subsided, he carried her to bathe and dressed her again. The lingering heat in her body finally dispersed.

"...Zhou Yuanshen, if you want to carry on like this again, you need to come home earlier." Cheng Zhao mumbled sleepily. "Staying up so late — I won't be able to get up tomorrow."

"If you can't get up, open the doors late. Chenming Hall is yours — you decide." Zhou Yuanshen said.

Then he added, "Cheng Zhao, should I clear out Chenhui Courtyard and make it a dedicated courtyard for meetings?"

Cheng Zhao's drowsiness vanished completely: "Then where would the inner study go?"

"I want to tear down Li Jing Court and Yu Jin Court entirely, and rebuild Chenhui Courtyard along with them. It can be done in three months.

The rear would serve as the private study and a small drill ground, while the front would be the meeting hall, connected by a side gate. Normally, the side gate could be locked, and opened when needed," he said.

This was the second time he had said this.

The Courtyard of Beauty and the Jade Brocade Courtyard were meant to house concubines.

Would any new concubine be placed in another courtyard, or would he promise not to take one at all?

No, he could not make such a promise.

Noble families had their own rules—namely, the head of the household would keep concubines. If the Zhou family were to stand apart, they might face gossip and exclusion.

Some things could be done, but not spoken of openly.

No one would hound you daily about how many concubines you kept, so long as you didn't loudly boast that the men of your household never took them.

Cheng Zhao's mind turned quickly, even in her state of utter exhaustion.

This concerned her future.

"Grandmother won't agree," Cheng Zhao said. "Concubine Mu and the Second Concubine are still here."

"They can be moved elsewhere," Zhou Yuanshen said.