Chapter 217: Madame from the Sky
After the funeral of Eldest Madam Song, the Duke of Chen’s residence had yet to return to normal when the Grand Dowager fell ill, and Huan Qingtang withdrew from everyone, refusing to see visitors. She had to observe the mourning period.
Cheng Zhao managed the household alone.
She left all the duties under Huan Qingtang’s supervision untouched, keeping everything as it had been.
“If anything unexpected happens, I’ll send someone to ask Eldest Sister-in-law at Cuilun Courtyard,” Cheng Zhao told the steward in charge of that side. “But it would be best not to disturb her. Eldest Sister-in-law hasn’t been feeling well these days.”
Everyone acknowledged her instructions.
As for the staff under Huan Qingtang, Cheng Zhao did nothing more than check the attendance register each day, making sure everyone was present and carrying out their duties.
Beyond that, she left them alone.
Once Cheng Zhao had finished handling the household affairs, she would send a small carriage to fetch her mother-in-law, and the two of them would go to Shou’an Courtyard to attend to the Grand Dowager.
They went almost every day.
The Grand Dowager grew annoyed and said to the two of them, “You’re both filial, and I understand that. There’s no need to tire yourselves out like this. The weather is growing colder by the day.”
Nanny Sun added from the side, “The Grand Dowager isn’t feeling well and can’t bear any disturbances. Eldest Young Madam wanted to come copy scriptures these past few days, but this old servant sent her back.”
In other words, the Grand Dowager would not even see Huan Qingtang, let alone Cheng Zhao and the Second Madam, whom she disliked.
Cheng Zhao had no intention of deliberately tormenting anyone.
She had come to the Duke of Chen’s residence to be the senior matriarch, not to make trouble for people.
Hearing the Grand Dowager and Nanny Sun, she apologized gently. “I was only concerned and lost my composure. I’ve disturbed Grandmother’s rest.”
Then she said, “From now on, we’ll come to pay our respects on the fifth and fifteenth of each month. If Grandmother wants anything to eat or needs anything else, Nanny Sun, please send someone to Chengming Hall and tell me.”
Nanny Sun acknowledged her.
Her manner was cold.
The Grand Dowager remained benevolent and praised Cheng Zhao for being thoughtful.
The Second Madam sat silently beside them.
After the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law left Shou’an Courtyard, the Second Madam said, “She doesn’t feel guilty in the slightest.”
Cheng Zhao slipped her arm through the Second Madam’s and said softly, “Mother, what others think is their concern. We won’t join them in their wrongdoing.”
The Second Madam let out a sigh. “Forget it. Since she doesn’t want me there, I can’t be bothered to go either.”
She returned to Jiangyun Courtyard.
That evening, when Zhou Yuanshen returned to the residence, he deliberately summoned Cheng Zhao, and the couple went to Shou’an Courtyard once more.
The Grand Dowager was slightly surprised.
“His Majesty has bestowed some tonics,” Zhou Yuanshen said. “He knows that Grandmother has been unwell lately and urged you to set aside your grief. He even wanted to come and see you personally, but I stopped him.
“An enormous case involving the state monopoly on iron has broken out, and His Majesty is exhausted. Even if I am his ‘son-in-law,’ there is still a distinction between sovereign and subject. I told him that I would fulfill my filial duty on his behalf and help him shoulder the burden of serving the state. Only then was His Majesty reassured.”
The Grand Dowager’s cheek twitched violently. For a moment, she failed to keep her expression under control.
Cheng Zhao sat beside them with her eyes lowered.
She did not look closely at the Grand Dowager, nor did she glance at Zhou Yuanshen.
But she understood what he meant.
Zhou Yuanshen had gained the emperor’s trust. Using that trust, he was slowly severing the “rope” that bound the Grand Dowager to the emperor.
The emperor had wanted to visit the Duke of Chen’s residence, but Zhou Yuanshen had stopped him. If the Grand Dowager went to the palace, Consort Wu would already be lying in wait beside the emperor, ensuring that the two of them could not speak privately.
Once too many people were mixed into a close relationship, the inability to meet would gradually cause that relationship to grow distant.
And once they grew distant, any attempt at sowing discord would give rise to misunderstandings.
Even the Grand Dowager could not guarantee that the emperor would always treat her with the affection due a birth mother. After all, they shared no blood.
Without making a fuss or acting rashly, Zhou Yuanshen had quietly driven a hard wedge between the emperor and the Grand Dowager.
That wedge was digging painfully into her.
“Grandmother, is there somewhere you’re uncomfortable?” Zhou Yuanshen asked. “His Majesty told me to report back to him. If you truly aren’t well, I can ask him to come visit you tomorrow.”
If he invited the emperor to visit her, the news would reach the censors, who would raise an uproar.
Whenever the emperor came to the Zhou residence, it was done “in private.” At the very least, they dared not invite him openly.
After the iron monopoly case, many people had died, and the Censorate was already holding back a great deal of anger. The emperor had used the incident to eliminate a group of disobedient officials and powerful clans he disliked. The court officials all understood this.
They had already begun to question the suspicious circumstances revealed by the case.
At such a time, the emperor did not dare provoke the Censorate.
The Grand Dowager knew this perfectly well. That was why she understood the source of Zhou Yuanshen’s threat.
She was so furious that she could not speak, yet she had no choice but to answer.
“I haven’t slept well these past two days. I’ve already asked an imperial physician to prescribe medicine,” the Grand Dowager said with a smile. “You shouldn’t have told His Majesty.”
Then she added, “With all the children and grandchildren in the family showing me such filial devotion, how could I possibly be dissatisfied? Especially with my grandson being so capable.”
She then asked Zhou Yuanshen, “When will you be going to the Capital Garrison?”
“Recently, there has been a great deal to deal with, and the Capital Garrison has remained peaceful, so His Majesty ordered me not to go for the next two months. It is an exception granted by imperial decree,” Zhou Yuanshen replied.
The Grand Dowager asked, “What are you busy with?”
“Teaching the Crown Prince to practice calligraphy. His writing isn’t very good, and His Majesty, the Empress, and Grand Preceptor Guo are all dissatisfied. The other tutors can’t get him to study properly, but he learns well when I teach him,” Zhou Yuanshen said.
Cheng Zhao continued to sit silently, utterly still.
From the corner of her eye, she saw the Grand Dowager’s lips move, as though she wanted to say something.
Zhou Yuanshen had not only won the emperor’s favor, but had also gained the Crown Prince’s protection.
His advantage had grown yet another layer stronger.
The Grand Dowager was probably furious enough to cough blood, but she did not let it show on her face.
Cheng Zhao thought to herself, If I were that old and had to swallow this many grievances, I’d rather throw caution to the wind and make a scene. Keeping it all bottled up is bound to make her ill.
But the Grand Dowager had worn her mask for too long. She no longer even dared to tear it off.
“You’re a military man. You can actually teach the Crown Prince calligraphy?” the Grand Dowager said.
Though her words sounded teasing, there was also a hint of disdain in them.
Zhou Yuanshen replied, “That is simply the bond between the Crown Prince and me.”
Grandmother and grandson exchanged a few more verbal thrusts.
Zhou Yuanshen then brought up the renovations to the inner study.
He wanted to connect Chenhui Courtyard, Lijing Courtyard, and Yujin Courtyard into one.
“...Where will the concubines live?” the Grand Dowager asked.
“Behind Nonghua Courtyard, there are several other courtyards,” Zhou Yuanshen replied.
“They’re all too far away and too dilapidated.”
“I used to live in Nonghua Courtyard, and I never thought it too far or too old. I am the Duke of Chen. If I can live there, why can’t the concubines?” Zhou Yuanshen said.
The Grand Dowager fell silent.
His words were practically an accusation that she had mistreated him and Cheng Zhao.
She had treated him as though he were a servant of the household, even while making him inherit the title of Duke of Chen. She had humiliated both him and his parents.
Now that he possessed power of his own, he was striking back at the Grand Dowager.
This was a contest of authority.
If the Grand Dowager agreed to renovate the inner study, she would lose all control over the Duke’s residence.
“The placement of the residences was calculated by an expert in geomancy. We cannot move things carelessly. The feng shui will suffer if we do,” the Grand Dowager said.
“We can invite another expert to inspect the layout and calculate it again,” Zhou Yuanshen replied.
“Don’t stir up such matters at a time like this. All right, it’s getting late. You should both go back.”
After saying this, the Grand Dowager’s expression grew increasingly ugly.
She would never agree.
Zhou Yuanshen rose with Cheng Zhao and took his leave.
Once they stepped out of Shou’an Courtyard, the cold wind hissed through their sleeves and seeped into their clothes. Cheng Zhao shivered.
Zhou Yuanshen took her hand.
His palm was dry and warm, and his hand was large enough to enfold hers completely.
“I told you Grandmother wouldn’t agree,” Cheng Zhao whispered.
She leaned close to speak to him, her voice lingering between them before scattering into the wind.
“She will agree,” Zhou Yuanshen said.
Hearing the certainty in his voice, Cheng Zhao asked, “What plan have you come up with this time?”
“I’ll tell you when I get back. Whether it happens or not, we’ll see when the first snow falls this year,” Zhou Yuanshen said.
Then he added, “Perhaps the year’s first snow will come in half a month.”