Chapter 26: Bird’s Nest

Chapter 26 Bird's Nest

With nowhere else to go, Lin Ji found himself spending more time at Qiushui Hall.

Recently, rumors had begun circulating widely within the estate that Concubine Jiang was receiving special favor.

However, these were merely baseless whispers among the lower servants; the head stewards remained unruffled.

Chen Yuhu had once told the two concubines, "If you wish to compete for favor, feel free to do so. I won’t hold it against you."

After all, men were men. Though Chen Yuhu somewhat disliked Lin Ji, he could still serve as a means to balance her emotions.

The two concubines exchanged glances. "In the future, when it comes to the children’s marriages, will you champion their cause, Madam?"

Chen Yuhu answered without hesitation, "Of course."

Concubine Hu shook her head.

Concubine Hua seemed uninterested.

They had lived as widows for five years, and the Marquis wasn’t particularly considerate anyway—there was truly no need.

Concubine Hua, who was cutting paper-cuts for windows, remarked, "I don’t want to bear children again. Let it be. As for intimacy, I don’t mind it, but I’m truly afraid."

Concubine Hua had been with Lin Ji the longest and understood the pains of childbirth and miscarriage better than anyone.

Chen Yuhu smiled at them. "Aren’t you afraid I might treat you poorly or go back on my word?"

Concubine Hu picked up a pastry. "We were born with humble lives. It’s only by your grace that we have this comfort. What is there to fear?"

Chen Yuhu sighed as she looked at them. "When you have free time, I’ll teach you to read."

Concubine Hu and Concubine Hua smiled and agreed.

While things were peaceful on their side, over at Qiushui Hall, the Marquis continued spending nights with Jiang Yusun, just as he had during their time at the border.

The people of Qiushui Hall now walked with their heads held high—even arrogantly so.

The title of "Madam" began circulating around the estate again, all within just a few days.

Chen Yuhu remained undisturbed in Yilan Court, unwilling to even glance their way.

She busied herself teaching the young girl household management. Qing Tong, for some reason, had developed chilblains recently.

She also heard that high-quality lamp oil had arrived from the south, which burned as bright as daylight.

Chen Yuhu decided to stock up on it, as Qing Bai and Qing Zhuo often studied late into the night.

It was all rather overwhelming.

That Lin Ji even mentioned fetching his mother down from the mountain, but Chen Yuhu didn’t respond.

He talked about hiring laborers to clear the mountain path.

Seeing his smug expression, Chen Yuhu relayed the message from her mother about the conflicts between the Empress Dowager and the Empress.

She didn’t try to persuade him, merely stated the facts plainly.

Lin Ji, ever pragmatic, immediately decided to wait until the path was clear before fetching his mother.

Chen Yuhu was busy with social engagements for the New Year festivities, some of which required discussion with Lin Ji.

There was also the matter of organizing porridge distributions, and she even dreamed of counting on an abacus at night.

Finally, one day, as everyone gathered to discuss affairs—the girl learning household management from Chen Yuhu, the boys seated around Lin Ji learning about social etiquette and networking—

Bajiao entered and announced, "Madam, the lotus seed and lily bird’s nest stew you ordered from the kitchen was taken by someone from Qiushui Hall."

Jiang Yusun wouldn’t do something so blatant, but her maids, having come from the border, were unruly and untamed.

Hearing this, Chen Yuhu glanced subtly at Lin Ji.

Since his return, the household had been in disarray.

Lin Ji pretended not to notice.

Already stressed from the discussions and and feeling parched, Chen Yuhu took a sip of tea. She disliked honey water.

Lately, due to internal heat, her teacup was filled with kuding tea.

She frowned after taking a sip. "Send a box of bird’s nest to Concubine Jiang. She’s with child and should nourish herself properly."

"There’s no need to snatch my portion."

Petty—though Chen Yuhu didn’t say it aloud, the implication was clear.

Nanny Fang, standing by her side, cautiously asked, "Should we have someone teach that maid a lesson?"

"Let Concubine Jiang handle it herself. If she can’t, I’ll replace her. There are plenty of maids to choose from."

Nanny Fang softly acknowledged and stepped back.

The children kept their eyes downcast, none daring to look up.

It was improper to witness their elders’ disputes.

Chen Yuhu spoke again, "It’s getting late. You may go out and play for a while, or fetch your concubines. Come to my place for dinner tonight. Qing Qing and Lian Er will stay with me."

The children’s eyes lit up with barely concealed delight.

Qing Tong, tall and sturdy, sat quietly. Chen Yuhu smiled.

"Qing Tong, my maid made you a pair of fur gloves. While your father is home, make sure to seek his guidance and don’t slack off."

Then she sighed. "Or perhaps you should rest until your chilblains heal before learning from your father."

Lin Ji chuckled at her contradictory remarks. "Boys shouldn’t be so delicate. He enjoys martial arts and will likely go to battle someday. How can he afford to be so fragile?"

"I’ve been meaning to say—you even specially bought lamp oil for them. Really..."

Lin Ji wanted to say more but lacked the words, too uneducated to articulate it.

He didn’t dare accuse Chen Yuhu of spoiling the children.

Chen Yuhu shot him a glare: "I want to, they are my children, none of your business!"

Lin Ji sighed: "Don't spoil them so much, you'll spoil them rotten."

Chen Yuhu looked at Lin Ji, rarely wanting to have a proper conversation with him.

"I know, I bought that oil for gifts too—some for my nephew on my mother's side, some for their classmates and teachers. You can never be too thoughtful with scholars."

Lin Ji nodded.

"You don't have to report for duty these days; teach Qing Bai and Qing Zhuo to fight and ride horses at home. After the New Year, when we go to fetch Mother, they must ride alongside you, not ride in the carriage with me."

"For the imperial exams, they need a strong constitution too."

Lin Ji nodded in agreement again: "I know, I'll see to it."

Chen Yuhu gave him an approving look and surprisingly said: "Will you join us for dinner tonight, Marquis?"

"Of course."

Honestly, Lin Ji wasn't ugly; Qing Tong looked very much like him, but Chen Yuhu still didn't like him.

These days she had noticed that Lin Ji respected his principal wife greatly, was accommodating, and was quite shrewd.

Not blindly filial, respectful to his principal wife, upholding her authority, attentive to the children's education, not drinking heavily or gambling...

If not for having too many concubines, he would be almost perfect.

Even by ancient standards, the current Lin Ji was a good man.

It could only be said that there was still some affection between Lin Ji and Chen Yuhu, and he did feel guilty toward her.

That was why the current "principal wife" could throw her weight around.

The atmosphere later was so good that Lin Ji successfully forgot about the trouble caused by his concubine.

After dinner, Concubine Hua brought out a bowl of sour jujube seed tonic and said: "Madam didn't get to have the bird's nest today? Have some sour jujube seed tonic instead, it's calming and soothing."

Chen Yuhu nodded.

Only then did Lin Ji realize that the principal wife's bird's nest had such a purpose, which made Concubine Jiang seem very out of line.

As a result, Lin Ji asked: "She's pregnant, if she eats it..."

The unspoken words were stifled under Concubine Hua's furious glare.

Lin Ji lowered his head to drink tea and hide his embarrassment.

Chen Yuhu took the soup from Concubine Hua and pulled her to sit beside her.

Concubine Hu, sitting below, silently rolled her eyes.

Each of the children were lost in their own thoughts.

Lin Ji awkwardly put down his teacup and excused himself.