Chapter 13

Chapter 13: The Li Family Sends a Grand Gift

On the day the trees finally went bare, Gu Nan Xi’s confinement ended.

“Come,” she said briskly, rolling her shoulders. “Let’s go shopping.”

“Mother—wait for me!”

Su Yun Yan shot after her, already dreaming of jewelry and treats. Surely Mother wouldn’t eat alone.

Gu Nan Xi glanced at her once and saw right through her. “Bring your own private stash. We’ll each buy our own.”

“Mother!”

Su Yun Yan pouted, then stomped and ran back anyway. “Wait for me! I’ll be quick!”

Without extra allowances lately, her monthly money barely stretched. And money vanished easily. She didn’t dare let a servant handle it, so she went to fetch it herself.

That brief delay was enough to ruin everything.

Gu Nan Xi stared out at the gate and went still.

A small sedan chair had stopped in front of Marquis Yong Chang Manor. Five servants followed behind it—one carrying a bolt of red silk, the others holding red lanterns.

The commoners had gathered in thick rings, buzzing with excitement.

“What’s Marquis Yong Chang Manor doing?”

“Looks like taking in a concubine. But who brings a concubine in through the front gate?”

“Look—aren’t those the shop clerks from the Li family herb shop?”

“It is! I drank with him a few days ago. He complained his wages were delayed.”

“Good heavens… is the herb-shop beauty being taken as a concubine?”

“I remember she swore she’d never be anyone’s concubine!”

Gu Nan Xi regained herself and motioned to the household guards. “Clear them out.”

The crowd shuffled back, but they didn’t go far. They lingered, unwilling to miss whatever came next.

The main road outside was packed solid.

Officials in this dynasty worked in the morning and took noon off. This road was exactly where they’d pass on the way home. If the officials ran into this spectacle, it wouldn’t stay a private joke.

Gu Nan Xi’s expression darkened. She turned and walked back inside.

The sedan chair was carried in after her.

In the hall, she took the main seat and fixed her gaze on the man who entered next.

“Boss Li,” she asked coldly, “what are you doing?”

Old Man Li put on a pained expression and gestured for the shop clerks to help the person in the sedan chair out.

It was Jing Niang.

Old Man Li dabbed at his eyes as if wiping tears. “Sigh. My daughter’s heart is set on Young Master Su Da. We persuaded her and persuaded her last night, but she refused to marry anyone else.”

“We know we’re not worthy of Marquis Manor,” he went on, voice thick with false grief. “We wouldn’t dare dream of the principal wife’s position. We only ask the Marchioness to show mercy and allow Jing Niang to enter. Whether as a concubine or even as a maid—just let her fulfill her devotion.”

Then, as if his shoes were greased, he spun toward the door.

“We don’t want betrothal gifts. Jing Niang is in your hands now, Madam. From today on, she has nothing to do with us!”

The shop clerks let go just as quickly and ran after him.

Jing Niang hit the floor with a heavy thud and didn’t rise.

Lu Mei rushed over, lifted the veil, and froze.

A rag had been stuffed into Jing Niang’s mouth, tight enough to warp her jaw. Her eyes were bloodshot. Tears streaked her cheeks. On her pale face, a bluish handprint stood out like a brand.

Gu Nan Xi swallowed her anger and ordered, “Fetch a doctor.”

The doctor arrived already tense, having heard along the way that Marquis Yong Chang Manor was causing another commotion.

He checked Jing Niang’s pulse for a long moment, then said, expression complicated, “She was forced to swallow a drug. Her limbs are weak. Once the effects wear off, she’ll recover.”

His eyes flicked to the bruises, then away, as if disgusted by what he suspected.

Gu Nan Xi pressed a pouch of silver into his hand. “I’ve been unwell today. Thank you for coming. Your medical skill is excellent—I already feel much better.”

The doctor understood at once. He bowed and spoke smoothly. “Madam has overworked herself. Rest is all that’s needed.”

He left as if he hadn’t seen anything at all.

Jing Niang was helped into a chair. Her eyes stayed shut. Her teeth had bitten through her tongue—blood glistened at the corner of her mouth. Her whole body trembled as if she might shatter.

Su Yun Yan stood helplessly beside Gu Nan Xi. “Mother… what do we do?”

For all Jing Niang’s sharpness and force, seeing her reduced to this—soaked and broken—made even Su Yun Yan’s heart twist.

“Go,” Gu Nan Xi said, rubbing her forehead. “Bring your brother back.”

Of course this happened the moment she got out of confinement. She’d tried to do one productive thing—go shopping—and trouble had come knocking like it owned the place.

Su Yun Yan hesitated. “But Brother is still at school.”

She wasn’t sure whether her mother was serious. Gu Nan Xi valued Su Xuan Ming’s studies more than anything. Even when he’d once burned with fever and begged for leave, she hadn’t allowed it.

“Then have him take leave,” Gu Nan Xi said, decisively. “This isn’t something outsiders should meddle in too deeply.”

At school, Su Xuan Ming had been half-asleep when someone came to ask leave for him. His first thought was pure suspicion.

“Fake,” he blurted. “It’s Li Shao Yan again. They want me scolded by the teacher!”

His page nearly bounced in panic. “Eldest Young Master, it seems real! The people from home said Jing Niang was delivered in a small sedan chair and thrown at the manor gate. They said she’s being sent as your concubine. Madam ordered you to return at once and handle it!”

Su Xuan Ming went blank.

Mother had already agreed to let him marry Jing Niang. Why would she be sent as a concubine?

And Jing Niang—proud, stubborn Jing Niang—how could she ever accept being a concubine?

He rushed home in a daze.

Lu Mei was waiting at the gate and explained everything in a torrent. Su Xuan Ming’s face tightened by degrees, pain and fury twisting together.

He charged into the hall and pulled Jing Niang into his arms as if he could shelter her with his body alone.

“Jing Niang,” he said hoarsely, “you’ve suffered. How could your father be so cruel? How could he treat you like this?”

Gu Nan Xi watched him hold her and finally let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

“This is between you two,” she said evenly. “Whether you want to take a concubine, marry, or separate cleanly—I will respect your decision.”

The Kind Mother System screamed in her head like thunder. “Respect? The heroine is about to become your son’s concubine! The plot has collapsed into rubble! Get ready to die!”

Gu Nan Xi ignored it, her gaze sliding to Jing Niang’s bruised face.

She didn’t like this heroine. But she also didn’t want to watch a proud young woman be dragged into the mud and broken there.

Jing Niang, held tight in Su Xuan Ming’s arms, finally heard Gu Nan Xi’s words.

Something in her snapped.

“Don’t pretend to be kind!” she screamed, voice raw. “Isn’t this all your design? Are you satisfied now?!”