Gu Jinchao was also looking forward to the child in her womb, as the months gradually progressed. Her movement became increasingly difficult, and when approaching delivery, she couldn’t sleep well each night, always needing to use the toilet. Going back and forth to the privy exhausted her to the point of appearing haggard.
Chen Third Master was concerned for her and suggested having a servant bring a chamber pot to the inner room.
Gu Jinchao felt very embarrassed. Having a chamber pot was one thing, but using it in front of him… how could she do that!
Chen Third Master comforted her with a smile: “Between husband and wife, we’re bound to see each other at our most awkward and embarrassing moments. Why are you still concerned about this?” He held her as she half-reclined in his embrace and whispered, “Later when I’m old and have difficulty moving, when you need to attend to those matters for me… would you find me disgusting?”
Gu Jinchao shook her head. How could she ever find him disgusting?
He looked down at Gu Jinchao very earnestly and said, “I’m more than a decade older than you. When you’re still young, I’ll certainly have white hair and wrinkles. I can only accompany you in your youth for a few more years…”
Gu Jinchao couldn’t help but grasp his hand. In his previous life, he had indeed grayed early… by thirty-five, though he was still young, silver strands had already appeared at his temples. He had too many worries, too many burdens layered upon his shoulders like heavy loads.
The last time she saw him was during the Qingming Festival when Chen Yan’yun went to sweep Ji Madam’s grave, and she also needed to pay her respects.
He wore a black cloak, as spring rain drizzled down steadily, the chill not yet abated.
Gu Jinchao saw him from a distance, standing before Ji Madam’s grave.
Chen Yi held an umbrella for him as he stood silently for a long time. She didn’t know what Chen Third Master was thinking.
A gust of wind carrying cold rain swept by, and Chen Third Master covered his mouth with his fist, emitting a few suppressed coughs.
After Chen Third Master finished paying respects to Ji Madam and turned to leave, Gu Jinchao finally saw his slightly thinner face, his expression exceedingly detached.
At that time, Gu Jinchao didn’t understand him, nor did she want to understand him.
She merely felt that the tall, retreating figure appeared to have grown leaner.
What burdens Chen Third Master carried were none of her concern. Not only did she watch from afar without doing anything, but she also caused him trouble at every turn. Perhaps the steward had some emergency, or Chen Xuanlin needed him to look into something.
At that time, Old Madam Chen’s health was poor again, and Chen Third Master had to worry about her as well, keeping him extremely busy.
…
When Gu Jinchao heard him say he could only accompany her youth for a few more years, she couldn’t help feeling a lump in her throat. How she had treated him before, how difficult things had been for him—none of it should be repeated now. She just wanted to be with him properly, and even if there were truly many hardships, she would stay by his side throughout.
She embraced Chen Third Master’s waist, burying her head in his chest without saying a word.
Why had she suddenly become so sensitive?
Could it be as others said, that pregnant women become more emotional?
Chen Third Master couldn’t help but laugh: “Jinchao, what’s the matter?” He whispered in her ear, “I was just teasing you. I’ll have a screen brought over soon and placed there. I won’t be able to see.”
Gu Jinchao remained silent. Inwardly resentful, she secretly pinched his arm, yet found she couldn’t even make an impression.
Chen Third Master laughed heartily at this.
Just a few days after the screen was brought in, it was time for the hundred-day celebration of Sun Madam’s child.
Yu Wanxue came early to pay respects to Gu Jinchao and accompany her to the Second House.
She wore a goose-yellow plain four-happiness pattern embroidered padded jacket, with her hair in a falling-horse style and kingfisher feather ornaments. With her fair complexion and gentle demeanor, the goose-yellow color suited her well. She came to help Jinchao with her hair, smiling sweetly as she said, “When I was at home, I often helped my mother with her hair. I can style any hairdo, though not excellently, at least evenly.”
She styled a divided-heart bun for Gu Jinchao, which indeed looked dignified and impressive. Gu Jinchao’s originally coquettish features were all tempered into elegance. Gu Jinchao smiled and praised her: “Don’t be modest, your skill is quite good! Even my hairdressing servant isn’t as skilled as you… you seem capable of everything.”
Yu Wanxue was to be Chen Xuanqing’s principal wife, and the Yu family had put some effort into her training.
Yu Wanxue continued: “The Seventh Young Master has gone to his post, and I have little to do daily. Fortunately, I can chat with Mother. Since Mother likes it, I’ll come often to style your hair from now on.”
Having Gu Jinchao as a mother-in-law was truly fortunate.
If it were someone like Qin Madam, a new daughter-in-law would first have to follow strict rules for half a year, and if she didn’t comply, there would be other methods to deal with her—that would be most difficult. She had a close friend from her maiden days who married a prefect’s son. Not only did she have to serve her mother-in-law every day, but also her husband. If her husband showed any dissatisfaction, the mother-in-law would enforce rules, often making her stand still for half a day, leaving her with a sore waist and knees by the end of the day, barely able to stand the next day.
Daughters-in-law eventually became mothers-in-law, and all went through this process. So when a daughter-in-law entered the family, the mother-in-law naturally wanted to enjoy her privileges, imposing all the hardships she had endured as a daughter-in-law. It was often women making life difficult for other women, believing that having borne sons made them powerful and entitled to enjoy life.
Gu Jinchao knew that since Chen Xuanqing’s departure, Shu Ya Pavilion had become much quieter.
“If you feel bored, you should invite your mother over to see you,” Gu Jinchao suggested.
Since Yu Wanxue’s marriage, Madam Yu had not yet visited the Chen family.
Yu Wanxue thanked Gu Jinchao for her kindness and offered her several hair ornaments to choose from. Gu Jinchao selected only a hollow white jade hairpin.
Cai Fu came to help her stand, as moving about had become increasingly difficult. Outside, a small oil-powered carriage with green curtains was prepared as transportation within the inner courtyard.
By the time they arrived at the Second House, the child had already been brought out.
Many people had come to attend the hundred-day celebration, including clan women who had good relations with the Chen family, Sun Madam’s mother and two sisters, Madam Wu who was on good terms with Qin Madam, and others, all sitting in the reception area chatting lively.
Hearing that Chen Third Madam had arrived, everyone couldn’t help but look at her curiously, respectfully greeting her.
It was still because of Chen Third Master’s face… Gu Jinchao smiled and returned each greeting.
Sun Madam quickly had a servant bring over a grand master chair for her, cushioned with a soft Luzhou silk-faced bolster.
Shortly after, Old Madam Chen arrived.
The baby was passed into her hands, and she smiled as she cooed at the child: “Treasure, give Great-grandmother a smile!” Bao’er was the child’s milk name. The formal name will be given by Chen Xuanrang during today’s naming ceremony.
The baby babbled as if talking to her, small hands grabbing Old Madam Chen’s bracelet, trying to put it in her mouth.
Tiny children were like this, wanting to taste everything.
Old Madam Chen kissed the baby’s milk-scented cheek and took a gold anklet from a servant girl. Sun Madam’s eyes brightened, and she smiled as she went to accept it.
Although Old Madam Chen always gave gifts to her great-grandchildren during the third-day ceremony, this was the first time she had gifted something at a hundred-day celebration.