Chu Yi had only been habitually mocking her, never expecting she had already considered so much. He lowered his head to glance at her again, disdainfully remarking, "You're thirteen this year, aren't you? Why are you still so short?" With just a slight bow of his head, he could see the back of her skull.
Suian, deeply afraid he would say something about her not growing taller but only growing more cunning—with so many people around, how would her reputation survive—hurriedly replied, "Ninth Master, this servant has grown much taller since entering the mansion. This servant can still grow taller."
Chu Yi scoffed, turned, and took two steps away. Just as Suian was about to breathe a sigh of relief, her heart immediately leaped into her throat again.
"I haven't finished tonight's homework yet. Since you're here, serve me until I finish before you leave."
Suian felt like weeping, wishing she could buy a block of tofu to knock herself dead. Ninth Master had never done homework before—this was surely some new method he had thought up to torment her.
As the two were speaking, the eldest young master who had gone to pay his respects emerged from ahead. Seeing Chu Yi, he said, "Mother is feeling unwell. Go in and see her. I'll go fetch the physician."
Upon hearing this, Chu Yi quickly acknowledged and hurried into Zhengyang Hall.
Suian had no choice but to follow.
Inside Zhengyang Hall, it was eerily quiet. She wasn't sure whether Ziyu had already informed Old Madam, but she clung to a sliver of hope, wishing Old Madam would first question Auntie Fang, buying some time to buffer the situation. Once a person gets past the most difficult period, the rest becomes easier to endure. Like back then, when her mother died and her father seemed on the brink of death, she was so distraught and miserable she wished she could follow them to death, reuniting the family underground. But later, after selling herself and saving her father, once those days were endured, the pain she once felt no longer seemed so unbearable.
Chu Yi's footsteps lightened, while Suian nervously clenched her fists at her sides.
Seeing Ninth Master approach, Ziyu, standing by the door, quickly lifted the curtain. Noticing Suian had returned, she gave her a meaningful glance.
Seizing the opportunity, Suian remained outside.
The main room where Old Madam resided was not as lively as the last time Suian had visited. This time, it was quiet and soundless, with an unusually oppressive atmosphere in the courtyard.
Entering the room, Chu Yi noticed that none of the maids who usually served inside were present. He couldn't help but raise his voice and call out, "Mother?"
"You're here?!" Old Madam's voice was a tone lower than usual, sounding somewhat weak.
Chu Yi's heart tightened, and he quickly strode around the screen to see her.
Old Madam leaned against a crimson bolster, her expression slightly weary. Seeing Chu Yi, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
Chu Yi breathed a sigh of relief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and without taking a seat, knelt on the footstool, taking Old Madam's hand. "Elder Brother just said you were unwell. Where do you feel discomfort, Mother? Tell your son."
Old Madam chuckled softly, "I'm fine. I just ate a few too many marinated goose feet and have indigestion. My stomach feels a bit uncomfortable, but it'll pass soon." She then instructed Mama Xu, who had been standing by since Chu Yi entered, "Fetch him a stool to sit on. Look at him, so grown up yet still kneeling before me like a child."
Only then did Chu Yi notice Mama Xu. He stood up sheepishly and mumbled, "Mama Xu."
Mama Xu smiled and indeed brought an embroidered stool, placing it by the bedside.
Chu Yi continued holding his mother's hand without letting go, his eyes fixed intently on Old Madam as he studied her face repeatedly.
Xu Mama smiled, hinting meaningfully at Chu Yi: "Ninth Master, rest assured. Old Madam still wants to see you marry and have children. Any discomfort in her body will ease upon seeing you. Everyone in the mansion knows that Ninth Master is Old Madam's miracle cure."
"Look at you, Xu Mama, teasing like this at your age," Old Madam patted Chu Yi's hand and said with a laugh, "I'm much better now. Just before you came, I was telling Xu Mama that with the twelfth lunar month approaching, perhaps your studies should pause for a while. Mr. Lin's family has just arrived, so let them have a proper reunion as a family of four…"
Hearing this, Chu Yi brightened up. "Mother, can I really stop going to school? That study chair makes me doze off as soon as I sit on it. Usually, I'm full of energy, but Mr. Lin's voice just grates on my ears, making me restless…"
"But you can't stop learning entirely. When your father returns and finds out you haven't been attending classes, he won't be pleased to spare the rod." Commander Chu firmly believed that strict discipline bred filial sons. All his grown children had been beaten as youngsters—even Chu Yi, the beloved youngest son, had received his share of slaps.
Mentioning his father, Chu Yi grew spirited. "Mother, in the future, I want to lead troops and become a great general." As a child, he would command servants as soldiers, playing games of cops and robbers. Now older, his desire to lead troops had only grown stronger.
Old Madam chuckled. "There aren't so many rebellions in the world for you men to fight. Even if you stop going to school, you mustn't neglect your studies. Practice your calligraphy well—your father will want to see it when he returns. If you write well, he'll be pleased."
As his mother admonished him, Chu Yi stood up and respectfully assented.
Mother and son chatted affectionately for a while longer. Watching Old Madam's relaxed expression, Xu Mama sighed inwardly.
Ziyu came in to announce that Doctor Song, who often treated the household, had arrived.
Old Madam quickly waved her hand and instructed Chu Yi, "I'm fine now. Send him away promptly, and remember to pay the consultation fee. You needn't come back either—use your free time to study properly… If you're not going to the study, that girl Suian…"
Fearing his mother might suggest placing Suian in his room, Chu Yi hurriedly interjected, "I'll still go to the study—it's quieter there. If I stay in my room, someone might come to talk to me, and I won't have time to read."
Xu Mama also agreed, "Ninth Master makes a good point."
Only then did Old Madam relent. "Very well, as you wish." She dismissed Chu Yi without further ado.
As soon as Chu Yi stepped out, the eldest son asked, "How is Mother?"
"She's resting now. She said it's just indigestion and will pass once it settles. Eldest Brother, please send the doctor back."
With that, the eldest son had no choice but to comply and led the way out.
Suian stole a glance at Chu Yi. Seeing no anger on his face, she finally relaxed and whispered a farewell to Ziyu before following Chu Yi out.
In the pitch-black night, the bean-sized light in the lantern barely illuminated much. Suian, feeling timid, clung closely behind Chu Yi.
After a few steps, Chu Yi suddenly stopped and turned around with a frown. Suian stumbled, nearly losing her balance, then heard Chu Yi ask sternly, "Who were you looking for in Old Madam's courtyard today? What did you say?"
Those two questions instantly set Suian's heart racing.
Seeing Suian's unusual expression, a cold glint flashed in Chu Yi's eyes. "Come with me."
In the main room of Zhengyang Hall, after everyone had left, Mama Xu said with a gentle smile, "It's been a long time since I last served you. Let this servant keep watch for you tonight."
Old Madam shook her head. "No need. What's this compared to a big matter? Compared to those things from the past, this is nothing. Besides, I've known about it for a while now. It's just that at this point, even if I try to cover for him, I won't be able to hide it for much longer. His great-grandson is already over twenty years old—what can I say? He disregards moral decency and doesn't even care about his own reputation!" As she spoke, her voice grew louder.
Hearing this, Mama Xu lowered her head in sorrow. In today's scholarly circles, reputation and integrity were held in the highest regard, yet their Eldest Master was obsessed with women. Even on the battlefield, he had disregarded military regulations and taken a concubine. Upon learning of this, Old Madam had to cover it up for him to prevent the censors from finding out. If a single impeachment memorial shocked the court, would the merits of the Chu family's sons shedding blood on the battlefield outweigh the scandal of Eldest Master Chu, as a commander, taking a concubine while at war?
"Forget it. Keep the Lin family under control and don't let them wander around the estate. We'll deal with it when he returns," Old Madam sighed.
Mama Xu advised, "Don't take it too much to heart, Madam. Eldest Master has always been a brilliant strategist in warfare. Perhaps there's more to this than meets the eye."
Old Madam sneered, slamming her Hetian white jade teacup onto the small table beside the bed. "It's true that he's a brilliant strategist, and it's also true that he's lustful and fond of women—neither can be denied. He's nearly seventy years old, with grandsons and great-grandsons by his side. Even if Changling or the others had done such a thing, I wouldn't feel so stifled. How am I supposed to show my face outside?"
Looking at Old Madam, whose complexion was still fair and whose beauty remained striking, Mama Xu couldn't help but tear up, softly calling out, "Miss."
Though addressed as Old Madam, she was only thirty-six this year. It was despicable how the imperial family, in order to win over military generals, had forced the already betrothed young lady to marry the Eldest Master, who had lost two wives in succession. An old husband and a young wife—it was already a great injustice to the young lady. Yet, the Eldest Master did not cherish her, continuing to take concubines even at such an advanced age.
Though Mama Xu also resented the Eldest Master in her heart, she couldn't add fuel to the fire and instead tried to console her. "That Mr. Lin's sister-in-law was willing to defy Prince Ling to the death, forcing Mr. Lin onto the battlefield, yet she yielded to the Eldest Master. It shows she's nothing but a cowardly and fickle woman. A woman like her, even if she enters the capital, will only be despised by everyone… I truly believe there must be more to this story. Please calm your anger. Even if you blame the Eldest Master, you must consider the faces of Seventh Master and Ninth Master. Look—when Ninth Master heard you were unwell, his face turned pale."
Mentioning her two sons, Old Madam's anger lessened slightly. She waved her hand dismissively. "Seventh Master is already married. As long as he… is doing well, that's enough. I don't expect much filial piety from him. But Ninth Master's marriage—I will definitely have the final say!"
Old Madam's son, Seventh Master, had caught the eye of the current Prince Ping and married his only daughter, County Princess Derong, becoming the prince's son-in-law. He spent half the year living at his father-in-law's residence.
"You mustn't say that, Madam. How filial Seventh Master is to you! Even the County Princess, I see she respects you deeply. You've always been lenient with the younger generation. Even Eldest Master, in my eyes, follows the rules and knows how to be filial."
A slight smile appeared at the corners of Old Madam's lips. "Forget it. As long as Seventh Brother can live in harmony with the County Princess, I am content." Then she abruptly changed the subject. "But as for Ninth Brother's marriage… his temperament is not like Seventh Brother's. When the time comes, we must carefully consider it."
Mama Xu persuaded Old Madam to return, quickly brought fresh hot tea with a smile, and brightened the candlelight. The two of them began to lively discuss the eligible young ladies in the capital.