Lu Chengyu’s health, too, grew stronger day by day, following this gentle rhythm.
In little more than half a month, he had gone from being able to do nothing but lie on the bed, struggling even to turn over, to resting against soft pillows, and then to his current state, in which he could brace himself against the pillars of the corridor and slowly stroll a few laps around the courtyard. Sunlight fell across his no longer pallid face, finally adding a few traces of the lively vigor befitting an eight-year-old boy.
Each time Physician Wu came to take his pulse, the moment his fingertips touched Lu Chengyu’s wrist, the smile on his face would deepen. “The Young Master’s pulse is becoming steadier and stronger by the day. At this rate, after another six months of quiet recuperation, he will be completely cured and no different from an ordinary child.”
Madam Lu was overjoyed when she heard this. She immediately ordered someone to bring a weighty ingot of silver as a reward, then turned to Shen Qingqing, who stood at the side, her tone much gentler than usual. “You have served Chengyu wholeheartedly these days. These are for you.” As she spoke, a maid brought over an exquisite red sandalwood tray.
On the tray were two sets of new clothes: one of moon-white soft silk embroidered with folded-branch magnolia blossoms, and one of pale apricot-colored cloud brocade embroidered with begonia patterns. There was also a red-gold kingfisher hairpin, a pair of exceptionally fine white jade bracelets, two gold ingots, and a box of high-quality rouge and face powder. Shen Qingqing stepped forward, bent her knees, and thanked Madam Lu before solemnly accepting the tray with both hands. “Thank you for Your Ladyship’s kindness. Qingqing will certainly serve the Young Master even more wholeheartedly.”
When she returned to the eastern side room, Moqin helped her put away the gifts, her face full of delight as she clicked her tongue repeatedly. “Young Madam, Madam Lu has truly been generous this time! Just look at the fabric and the quality of these things. In the two years I’ve been in the household, I’ve never seen anyone receive such a lavish reward.”
Shen Qingqing was folding the clothes neatly and carefully placing the jewelry and gold ingots into the red sandalwood jewelry box on the dressing table. At this, she merely shook her head slightly. “Madam Lu remembers that I have served the Young Master wholeheartedly. That is why she rewarded me with these things.”
Moqin looked at her thin profile, but swallowed back the words that had risen to her lips. She had not known this Young Madam for long, yet she knew something of her circumstances. On the surface, this Young Madam seemed mild-tempered, but deep within her bones lay a tenacity. Even so, seeing her suffer in silence like this still tugged at Moqin’s heart. But she was only an inconspicuous little maid. No matter how dissatisfied she might be with her mistress’s affairs, she did not dare say much.
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
These past few days, Madam Lu’s thoughts had long since ceased to remain at the ancestral residence in Qingshui Town. She had been away from the Capital for half a year since traveling south. The Lu family possessed a vast residence, with elders above and children below, and the household’s internal affairs had originally been firmly under her control. But during these six months of her absence, the wives of the collateral branches and Lord Lu Mingyuan’s concubines had already begun eyeing the situation hungrily. A few days earlier, the household servants in the Capital had sent word at a gallop that, while Madam Lu was away, Concubine Liu had actually begun interfering in the household’s purchasing affairs. She had even installed her own niece in the position of supervising matron. There were also rumors that Concubine Liu had been feeling unwell lately and might be pregnant.
The news struck Madam Lu’s heart like a stone, leaving her unable to sleep through the night. She was the daughter of the Crown Prince’s Tutor. After marrying into the Lu family as the principal wife and giving birth to Lu Chengyu, the legitimate son, she had finally secured her position as the principal mistress. But Lu Chengyu had been frail since childhood. Although the Daoist had said that if he lived past fifteen, his life would proceed smoothly thereafter, it remained an uncertainty. If Concubine Liu truly gave birth to a son, he would be the Lu family’s illegitimate son. With a child to bolster her position, Concubine Liu’s status would rise rapidly. As for Madam Lu, the principal wife, even her authority over the household might be completely stripped away. From then on, she would have no place to stand in the Lu family.
That afternoon, Madam Lu dismissed everyone else and kept only Nanny Zhou with her. In the study of the main courtyard, she sat with a deeply troubled expression. “That lowly Concubine Liu actually took advantage of my absence to stir up trouble.” Madam Lu gripped the teacup in her hand, her knuckles turning white. “She dared meddle with the purchasing authority, dared install her own people in the managerial positions, and now there are even rumors that she is pregnant. She is making it perfectly clear that she intends to climb right over my head!”
Nanny Zhou was Madam Lu’s dowry nanny and was naturally devoted to her. In a low voice, she said, “Madam, please do not be too anxious. Even if Concubine Liu is pregnant, the child will still be of secondary birth. How could it compare with the precious legitimate Young Master? It is only that you have been away from the Capital too long, and the household’s loyalties have scattered. Those people from the collateral branches are simply following the wind and currying favor with Concubine Liu. You must hurry back to the Capital and reclaim control of the household. If you can bear another Young Master, no one will be able to shake your position.”
Madam Lu drew a deep breath. Her fingertips brushed over her lower abdomen, and her eyes were full of determination. “You are right. As for Chengyu, Physician Wu says that he only needs continued recuperation and is no longer in danger. With that girl Qingqing watching over him, nothing should go wrong. I must return to the Capital as quickly as possible. Not only must I seize back control of the household, I must also find a way to conceive another son. Chengyu’s health is ultimately still weak. Another son would mean another safeguard, and only then can the Lu family’s estate remain firmly in my hands.”
She had already made her plans. Although Lu Chengyu was the legitimate son, his frail health meant that he might not be able to uphold the Lu family’s household. If she could give birth to another healthy legitimate son, it would be a double safeguard. Even if Concubine Liu gave birth to an illegitimate son, she still would not be able to overturn the heavens. Moreover, the ancestral residence in Qingshui Town was quiet and stable, making it an ideal place for Lu Chengyu to recuperate in peace. That girl Shen Qingqing was steady by nature and handled matters properly. As a wife brought into the household through a marriage to bring good fortune, she was perfectly suited to remain here and care for Lu Chengyu. It would also save Madam Lu from bringing her back to the Capital, where she might catch Concubine Liu’s eye and instead provoke trouble.
Lu Chengyu’s health had essentially recovered. The sickly air had completely vanished from his brows and eyes. His features were handsome and refined, his bearing straight, and he was already a spirited young boy.
When Physician Wu came to take his pulse for the last time, he examined it carefully before smiling at Madam Lu. “Your Ladyship, you may rest assured. The Young Master has completely recovered. From now on, he need only maintain a regular schedule and eat a light diet. There will be no further problems.”
The worry that Madam Lu had carried for half a year finally eased. She was the principal mistress of the Lu family in the Capital and had only temporarily stayed in this small town to care for Lu Chengyu because of his serious illness. Now that her son’s health had greatly improved, and the affairs of the household in the Capital also required her attention, she resolved to set out for the Capital.
Once she had made up her mind, Madam Lu did not hesitate. She immediately ordered Nanny Zhou to pack their luggage. She also sent someone to inform Physician Wu that he was to remain at the ancestral residence and continue caring for Lu Chengyu. Then she specifically summoned Shen Qingqing to the main courtyard.
When Shen Qingqing arrived, she was still wearing a plain, homespun dress. Her hair was combed perfectly smooth, and with her eyes lowered, she stood properly at the doorway. “Your Ladyship summoned me?”
Madam Lu looked at her small yet upright figure. A complicated emotion flashed through her eyes, containing a trace of exploitation as well as a faint admonition. “Qingqing, you have worked hard caring for Chengyu during these six months in Qingshui Town. Now that Chengyu is no longer in danger and only needs careful recuperation, I will be returning to the Capital shortly.”
Shen Qingqing was stunned for a moment. She raised her head and looked at Madam Lu, a trace of bewilderment in her eyes. She had been in the Lu household for half a year. Although Madam Lu had not treated her with much warmth, she was the only person in the residence who could make decisions. Once Madam Lu left, Shen Qingqing would become truly alone in this ancestral residence.
Seeing her confusion, Madam Lu said indifferently, “After I leave, the ancestral residence will be managed by the steward. You need only remain peacefully in Qingyuan Pavilion and take good care of Chengyu’s meals and daily life. Make sure he takes his medicine and recuperates on schedule. You must not be negligent in the slightest. Remember this: Chengyu is the Lu family’s legitimate son, and you are his wife. Caring for him is your duty. So long as you uphold your duty, the Lu family will not mistreat you.”
The words sounded like instructions, but in truth they nailed Shen Qingqing firmly into the position of “caring for Lu Chengyu,” leaving no room for discussion. Shen Qingqing lowered her head, her fingers lightly clutching the hem of her dress, and answered softly, “This servant understands. I will certainly take good care of the Young Master with all my heart.”
She still referred to herself as “this servant,” and Madam Lu did not correct her. In Madam Lu’s heart, Shen Qingqing was ultimately only a girl brought into the household through a marriage to bring good fortune, not a true Young Madam of the Lu family. If Lu Chengyu truly regained his health in the future and married a noble young lady as his principal wife, this girl’s eventual fate remained uncertain.
Madam Lu gave Nanny Zhou a few more instructions, telling her to leave behind several capable maids and matrons to serve them. She also left behind sufficient money and medicinal herbs, then began making hurried preparations for the return to the Capital. The household servants rushed about busily, filling the residence with noise and commotion. Only Qingyuan Pavilion remained as quiet as ever, as though none of this had anything to do with it.
When Lu Chengyu learned that his mother was returning to the Capital, there was not the slightest trace of reluctance on his face. He merely said lightly, “It’s good that she’s going back. At least I won’t have to listen to her nagging in my ear every day.” He had been held in Madam Lu’s palm since childhood and was long accustomed to his mother’s care, yet he was also tired of her restrictions. Now that she was leaving, he would at least enjoy some peace and quiet in the ancestral residence.