Chapter 230: Harmony

There were many things in the Zhou family that Second Madam did not know.

Whether it was Zhou Yuanshen, Cheng Zhao, or Second Master, none of them could bring themselves to explain the matter to her plainly, piece by piece.

Some things were simply too difficult to say aloud.

But if they did not speak directly, Second Madam could not understand.

She asked Zhou Yuanshen, “Why bring Xian Si back? She has already been favored by His Majesty. Can’t the inner palace find a place for her?”

Then she turned to Cheng Zhao. “Perhaps the two of us should go to the palace and see the Empress, and ask her to decide this matter.”

Cheng Zhao: “...”

Zhou Yuanshen said, “Mother, there’s nothing wrong with bringing her back.”

Second Madam stared at him in disbelief. “Have you lost your mind too?”

If Xian Si returned, it would mean humiliating Zhou Yuanshen.

Many people knew that the emperor had favored the concubine Zhou Yuanshen had sent him, just as he had with Mu Jiang in the past. Mu Jiang had also been forced upon Zhou Yuanshen by the emperor and the Dowager Madame.

And then there was the Dowager Madame...

Second Madam vaguely sensed that she understood something, but when she tried to think more deeply, she could not make sense of it.

“Send her away!” Second Madam declared. “What if she becomes pregnant too? Then Zhaozhao will be the one who suffers. The household stewards are all fair-weather friends, fawning on those with power and trampling those who have fallen. Zhaozhao has only just begun to recover.”

Zhou Yuanshen fell silent.

For a moment, Second Master did not know what to say. He cast his wife a warning glance.

She ignored him.

Fan Xiao was a guest, and there were certain things he could not say either, even though he knew every secret of the Duke of Chen’s residence.

Cheng Zhao was even less able to broach the subject.

Though she was quick-witted and sharp-tongued, she was still a young woman. Certain words were nauseating no matter who spoke them.

Zhou Yuanqi looked from one person to another and finally spoke. “That is precisely why she must become pregnant. The Zhou family must produce a prince. It is what Grandmother and His Majesty both want.”

Second Madam stared at her younger son in shock.

She was not a foolish woman. It was merely that a thin veil had clouded her understanding.

Once she connected this with what had happened to Mu Jiang, she understood.

She understood it—and yet she could not bring herself to believe it. She chose to regard it as nothing more than a child’s innocent idea.

Otherwise, it would be far too disgusting.

She looked at Zhou Yuanshen, then at Second Master and Cheng Zhao.

None of them contradicted Zhou Yuanqi. Cheng Zhao, meanwhile, lowered her head somewhat awkwardly, avoiding Second Madam’s gaze.

“This isn’t a family,” Second Madam said, her voice slightly choked. “What kind of family treats Ah Shen this way?”

“He is the Duke of Chen. Only he can take the blame. His title wasn’t given to him for nothing,” Zhou Yuanqi said.

He was still young.

With so many matters, it was as though he were watching a fire from across the river. He understood them, but he had not experienced them. Thus, they were like the evening clouds—things that fell into his eyes but not into his heart.

He could say them without the slightest burden, his tone light and devoid of heaviness.

Only after he had weathered the blows of time would he come to understand the pain and bitterness hidden behind every one of those matters.

Of course, Cheng Zhao hoped he would never understand. She wished for him to remain a younger brother sheltered by his elder brother and sister-in-law, content to study the teachings of the sages and live an easy, carefree life.

“Mother, I am the Duke of Chen.” Zhou Yuanshen also spoke, taking up his younger brother’s words. “I have no regrets about becoming the Duke of Chen.”

He glanced at Cheng Zhao.

It was precisely because he was the Duke of Chen that he had been able to make Cheng Zhao his wife.

Heaven had given him many humiliations, but it had also gifted him a priceless pearl.

“Sis, fortune and misfortune are intertwined, and prosperity and decline each have their measure,” Fan Xiao said. “Otherwise, given Yuanshen’s status and position, he would have had to wait at least fifty years to obtain a title like this.”

Was it worth it?

That was the question Second Madam asked herself—and Zhou Yuanshen as well.

And the children had given her their answer.

They all believed it was worth it.

After dinner, Fan Xiao returned home. Zhou Yuanshen and Cheng Zhao saw him to the main gate.

The couple walked back slowly.

Cheng Zhao asked him, “Does Grandmother know yet?”

“Not yet,” Zhou Yuanshen replied.

Xian Si had entered the palace and was staying in Consort Wu’s residence, where the Dowager Madame had no informants. As for what had happened at the hot-spring estate on Mount Jingshan, Fan Xiao knew it all clearly, but most people remained unaware.

The Dowager Madame had been feeling unwell these past few days, and she had not yet received word.

“But she will find out soon,” Zhou Yuanshen said. “With so many things happening lately, she will certainly have to find a way to respond.”

The Dowager Madame had sent Mu Jiang away to rid herself of that useless burden and to lay the groundwork for her next plan.

She had repeatedly sent Huan Qingtang out to attend banquets. Perhaps her objective had already been achieved. This method was different from what she had originally expected, but it was even better.

In the Dowager Madame’s eyes, perhaps the plan Zhou Yuanshen and Cheng Zhao had devised had conveniently done her a great favor.

“Cheng Zhao, about Xian Si...”

“It won’t affect anything fundamental,” Cheng Zhao said. “No matter how favored Second Concubine is, can she really become the lady of the house? The stewards are all shrewd. They won’t change their allegiance over something so minor.”

She added, “I’ll show her concern as well. I’ll let the servants see that I’m a generous and magnanimous wife.”

Zhou Yuanshen: “...”

He took Cheng Zhao’s hand.

If he could, he wished Cheng Zhao would not have to become entangled in such a difficult dilemma.

Unfortunately, circumstances left him no choice.

He was still too young, and his birth and position were already set. In many matters, he had no choice but to select the most acceptable option from among the worst.

He had failed Cheng Zhao.

He had not given her the best.

Cheng Zhao, however, remained optimistic. As soon as they returned to Chengming Hall, she ordered the maids to open the storerooms so that she could select some precious tonics and rare fabrics as gifts for Xian Si.

The next afternoon, after finishing the household affairs, Cheng Zhao specifically sent someone to summon Xian Si to Chengming Hall.

Xian Si was still wearing her silver ornaments. She looked delicate and pitiful, yet exceptionally beautiful. There was not the slightest trace of smugness on her face. As before, she respectfully knelt and kowtowed to Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao said, “Rise quickly. There’s no need for such a grand ceremony between the wives and concubines of our household.”

“Madam, the Duke and you have given this servant a new lease on life. I have every right to kowtow to you. It is my good fortune,” Xian Si replied.

Cheng Zhao understood what she meant.

Xian Si was grateful to Zhou Yuanshen for giving her a path forward. At the same time, she was declaring her loyalty to Cheng Zhao and making it clear that she knew how to appreciate kindness.

She would continue to rely on the Duke and Duchess of Chen in the days ahead.

Being an imperial consort was not easy.

She was a dancer with no maternal family to support her. Even if she gave birth to a prince and truly received a title, so what? Anyone in the inner palace could step on her.

Besides, she had received nothing at all.

The emperor had not even rewarded her with any money.

Xian Si was neither anxious nor pleased with herself. She was merely doing what she ought to do.

Just as Cheng Zhao had thought when they first met, Xian Si was very well-behaved.

Xian Si was cautious.

Caution was a good thing. It benefited both her and those who assisted her.

Cheng Zhao stepped forward and helped her up. “Second Concubine, like you, I have a master above me. I am not the head of this household, and I cannot claim to have given you a new lease on life.

“However, I can provide enough food, drink, and necessities for you here. If you lack anything, just come and tell me. In our household, it remains to be seen which of us will prove more capable.”

She deliberately glanced at Xian Si’s belly.

On the surface, it sounded as though she were talking about which of them would be the first to bear the Duke’s eldest son.

Tears quickly gathered in Xian Si’s eyes. “This servant will never betray Madam’s trust. I am a useless person. I only hope I can do my part for the Duke and Madam.”

A maid brought her a brocade stool. After offering another formal salute, Xian Si sat down.

Inside Chengming Hall, the Duke of Chen’s wife and concubine appeared to be perfectly harmonious.

Meanwhile, the Dowager Madame was trying to find a way to meet the emperor.

She knew nothing about what Zhou Yuanshen had done.