Chapter 59: Empty-headed

Chapter 59: Scatterbrained

When Chen Yuhu received the letter sent by Qing Luo, she was holding a handful of snacks, playing with the young children on the estate.

Chi Wanqing watched from the side—she and Chen Yuhu had gotten along surprisingly well.

Chen Yuhu opened the letter. The first line inquired after her mother’s well-being, and the second expressed how much the writer missed her.

Chen Yuhu couldn’t help but chuckle.

It finally dawned on her what she had overlooked—she had forgotten about the children and the concubines. Oops!

Early the next morning, Chen Yuhu sent someone to summon the two concubines, but they refused.

After all, the mistress’s outing was related to the eldest young lady’s marriage. Besides, how could Mrs. An possibly associate with the household’s concubines? It would only put the mistress in an awkward position.

More importantly, the two bedroom maids in the household had recently been acting as if they owned the place. One day, they suddenly tried to meddle with Chen Yuhu’s provisions, angering the two concubines. Unbeknownst to Lin Ji, a silent power struggle had been brewing at home.

After reading the concubines’ letter, Chen Yuhu set it aside casually.

She didn’t pay it much mind.

But she wouldn’t let them get too arrogant and greedy either.

Chen Yuhu sent a reply, and the matrons of Yilan Court immediately sprang into action.

At the same time, Chen Yuhu welcomed Qing Luo, who had just alighted from the carriage.

Holding Qing Luo’s hand, Chen Yuhu strolled along the path as Qing Luo chirped happily, calling out “Mother” repeatedly.

On the morning Qing Luo arrived at the estate, the two bedroom maids in the mansion were forced to drink contraceptive soup.

In ancient times, there was no such thing as contraceptive soup—what was called “contraceptive soup” was actually a cooling medicine (a harsh, cold-nature medicine).

Long-term consumption prevented pregnancy but was extremely harmful to the body.

Chen Yuhu believed she had never mistreated them. She had long since made it clear to Lin Ji that no more children would be added to the household.

She had also explicitly told the two bedroom maids that they could not bear children. However, if they no longer wished to serve as bedroom maids, they could either receive a sum of money or be arranged to marry.

But greed knows no bounds.

In Chen Yuhu’s absence, they had shown their true colors—petty people only bow to authority.

So, it was time to handle them differently.

The two young women were brought into the courtyard and, in full view of everyone, forced to drink the contraceptive soup under the watchful eyes of the matrons.

The head matron stood tall and stern. “The mistress said that you two have poor memories and often forget to drink the medicine. From now on, someone will remind you daily.”

One of the restrained women struggled like a trapped swan, her eyes pleading. “Please, Matron! I don’t want to become infertile… I… *cough*… I want children.”

“Want children? Then beg the mistress to let you marry! She said you’re free to leave anytime.”

The other woman showed no fear. “How dare you? My monthly cycle hasn’t come this month. If you harm the child, the Marquis will never let you off!”

The matron’s expression remained unchanged. “Your cycle hasn’t come? Bring another bowl of medicine!”

The turmoil in the mansion did not affect Chen Yuhu in the slightest. She rode her horse, Red Flower, around leisurely. The children had all been taken away by An Ze and Qing Jiao, leaving her with nothing to do but enjoy her peace.

That evening, when Lin Ji returned home and didn’t see the two bedroom maids, he casually asked about them.

His attendant cautiously replied, “The two young women were forced to drink contraceptive soup by the mistress’s matrons. Dongzhu has expressed a desire to leave.”

Lin Ji picked up his chopsticks and glanced at the attendant. “They haven’t been drinking the contraceptive soup properly?”

The attendant lowered his head. “Yes. Hanqiu’s monthly cycle didn’t come this month, so the matrons forced two bowls of medicine down her.”

Lin Ji chewed thoughtfully. “No wonder the mistress is angry. Let it be. If they refuse to obey, send them away.”

If he wanted more women, there were plenty to choose from.

The attendant bowed respectfully in acknowledgment.

The mansion quickly fell into silence.

Chen Yuhu lay asleep on a chair on the veranda.

Mrs. An had gone to handle some matters on the estate.

Chen Yuhu’s stay was nearly over—she couldn’t stay on the estate forever.

The next day, she would pack her belongings and prepare to return. The children’s bonding time had gone quite well.

Just thinking about returning to the mansion gave Chen Yuhu a headache.

But the next day, Chen Yuhu still returned to the mansion, this time on horseback. She thought to herself that she would take the concubines out for a few days during the next autumn outing.

Riding slowly along the road, Chen Yuhu wore a face-veiling hat—not because she feared being seen, as the local customs were relatively open, but mainly to shield herself from the wind and dust.

Even with the hat, people could still see her.

Chi Wanqing, on the other hand, rode in a carriage. She said her mother-in-law was strict with rules and would make her stand in punishment if she found out she had been riding a horse through the streets.

Chen Yuhu gave her a sympathetic look. Her child was almost married, and she was still being disciplined!

But she was in no position to laugh—if not for Lin Ji keeping her mother-in-law in check, the old woman would probably be trampling all over her by now.

When they reached the crossroads, the two parted ways.

They would see each other again soon, as General Yu’s son was about to get married.

Chen Yuhu’s horse stopped at the main gate, which had long been opened in anticipation of her return.

Her first task upon returning was to pay respects to the old lady.

But the old lady refused to see her—she had been feeling upset lately.

She had suggested moving in with her younger son, but he firmly refused, citing the principles of a scholar.

The old lady, who adored scholars, was left speechless.

Recently, she had been so upset that she fell ill and refused to see anyone.

In truth, she was just trying to make Lin Ji feel guilty.

But whether Lin Ji was aggrieved or not, Chen Yuhu didn't know—Chen Yuhu felt absolutely fantastic.

Returning home, Chen Yuhu had a whole new energy about her.

In the evening, the family gathered for dinner as usual.

The three women, reunited after so long, had endless things to talk about.

Yiniang Hu held a candle while Yiniang Hua was combing Chen Yuhu's hair. Chen Yuhu looked at herself in the mirror, her long hair reaching the floor.

Yiniang Hu spoke up: "Madam, you've been much quieter lately. What exactly is making you unhappy?"

Chen Yuhu turned her head and glanced at Yiniang Hu.

Under the lamplight, Yiniang Hu was startled—the madam's eyes held a hollow, all-seeing emptiness.

"It's nothing."

Chen Yuhu's heart felt heavy.

A modern person filled with useless knowledge, having an emo moment.

As a humanities student, she lacked the skills needed in ancient times. Her literary and political literacy couldn't compare to the people of this period—a useless modern soul.

Realizing this made Chen Yuhu even more emo.

A phrase suddenly popped into Chen Yuhu's mind: The arrow is on the string, but she herself had no bow...

As an empty-headed college student, there really wasn't much useful knowledge left in her.

Besides, although she could fund something like a foundling home—a worthy cause that didn't involve politics and was even politically supported—

she could certainly do it, but putting in both money and effort, what benefit would it bring her?

Alright! Not only was she an empty-headed modern soul, but also an incredibly selfish one.

Chen Yuhu admitted it herself: someone like her truly couldn't accomplish anything great.

The fact that the Marquis's household was still functioning smoothly under her management was all because of the previous Yu Hu.