Chapter 34 Phoenix Perching on the Green Wutong Tree (Part 3) Taking a concubine is impossible. This matter…
However, although the wedding attire was made discreetly, Guo Jia's journey of collecting clothes, candles, and jade eventually caught the attention of busybodies, who subtly inquired and discovered that "the Grand Master of Ceremonies has ordered wedding attire, purchased red candles, and collected jade discs. Is he keeping a mistress in a golden house and secretly taking a concubine?!"
Before these words even reached Deng Jie's ears, they had already stirred up a storm in the inner courtyard of the Sikong Mansion.
Everyone had initially assumed that Guo Jia was preparing these things to secretly take Qingwu as a concubine, but as the days went by, not only did he not take any new concubines, but Guo Jia himself also stopped appearing in the corridor as regularly as before.
This caused a stir among the maids. Could it be that the Grand Master of Ceremonies had someone else in his mistress's room?
Qingwu became the laughing stock of everyone. She even heard people secretly laughing at her behind her back, saying that she was "dreaming and actually taking it seriously."
All her anticipation, meticulous preparation, and the envy of her companions these past few days have now become a colossal joke.
The immense shame and sense of loss turned into despair that overwhelmed her.
She suddenly fell ill, lay on her bed, lost her appetite, and became emaciated.
Qingwu's friend was distracted taking care of him for several days and felt very sorry for him.
On this day, Deng Jie happened to be entering the mansion to treat Cao Chong. The maid gritted her teeth and stopped Deng Jie halfway.
"Madam Deng, please save Qingwu!"
Although she knew that Deng Jie was always kind and benevolent, she was unsure whether the impact of this "other woman" would shake her. She just didn't want to see her friend become so thin.
She first led Deng Jie to the maid's quarters, and then told Deng Jie the whole story.
When Qingwu heard that it was the wife of the Imperial Academy Chief Minister, she was already ashamed, let alone having the whole story repeated to her face. She buried herself in her blankets and refused to come out again.
Looking at Qingwu, who was curled up in the quilt and sobbing silently, and listening to the maid's tearful account of the "beginning and end of the painting" and the "outer chamber scandal," Deng Jie felt a mix of emotions.
When she heard the rumor of "keeping a mistress in a golden house", she secretly suppressed her embarrassment. The so-called "mistress" was none other than herself.
However, this unexpected misunderstanding left the young girl in love completely heartbroken.
A feeling of compassion welled up inside me.
Deng Jie sat down on the edge of the bed, gently patted Qingwu's trembling shoulders and back through the quilt, and said softly, "Good sister, don't cry. I already know about this matter."
If Fengxiao truly has feelings for you, I will take care of things for you.
Qingwu's crying stopped abruptly. She lifted a corner of the blanket, revealing a pair of red and swollen eyes, and looked at Deng Jie timidly, yet with a hint of hope, "Really...really?"
Deng Jie smiled bitterly to himself, but his expression remained gentle: "Of course. It's just..."
She looked around the cramped maid's quarters and thought of her own small courtyard, and said frankly, "My house is really cramped, and it's not much more spacious than this."
If we want to add more people, we'll probably need to build a new house.
This matter cannot be decided by me alone; I must discuss it with Fengxiao.
She paused, watching the light that had just ignited in Qingwu's eyes dim again, and added, "Don't worry, I'll send someone to summon Fengxiao right away and ask him what's going on."
Deng Jie stood up and whispered a few words to Qingwu's friend, asking her to invite Guo Jia to come quickly.
He stayed by the bedside, poured Qingwu a cup of warm water, took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and comforted her gently.
Qingwu's emotions calmed down a little under Deng Jiewen's gentle attitude, but she was still very uneasy.
Guo Jia was in a side room finishing up the false evidence when he heard that "Madam Deng urgently summoned him." Thinking that something had happened to her, he rushed over.
As soon as Guo Jia stepped into the small room, he saw Deng Jie sitting by the couch, and then noticed that she was taking care of a maid who looked haggard and whose tear stains were still wet on the couch.
He hadn't realized what had happened yet, but anxiously asked Deng Jie, "Say hello, what's so urgent? Are you alright?" He looked Deng Jie up and down and saw that he was unharmed before he breathed a sigh of relief.
Qingwu waited for a long time but Guo Jia didn't even glance at her, as if he didn't recognize her, and her heart sank.
Guo Jia was taken aback when Deng Jie led her towards him. "What's wrong?"
Deng Jie thought to himself that he really hadn't noticed, so he pulled him aside and whispered the whole story, adding, "I think she also has feelings for you... why don't we just take her as our bride..."
"What friendship?! What do you mean by 'acceptance'?!"
Guo Jia almost shouted, glancing at the quilt that trembled for a moment, and said in a low voice, "I've only met him a few times. I think he just wants to use my identity to get rid of his citizenship."
Deng Jie glared angrily, and although Guo Jia lowered his voice, he still wouldn't budge: "Taking a concubine is impossible. You mustn't make this decision on your own!"
He was about to step forward and explain when Deng Jie grabbed him.
"I can't just stand by and watch a perfectly healthy girl grow more and more haggard because of you. Even if you don't take care of her, I have to heal her."
Guo Jia waved his hand dismissively, "These things will be fine in a few days, it's none of our business to worry about them."
"Why shouldn't it be my turn? I started this whole thing, so naturally I have to take responsibility."
Seeing Guo Jia's attitude, Deng Jie couldn't help but feel a little angry. "Even if you're not happy, as the mistress of the house... it's only right that I take a concubine for you."
Some people have also said that my being childless has disgraced your aristocratic family." As Deng Jie said this, a sense of annoyance welled up in his heart again.
"Who said that? I'll investigate! What aristocratic family, childless—it's our business, what's it to anyone else?!"
The truth about their "childlessness" was a secret between the two of them, and Deng Jie had never complained to anyone else about it. When Guo Jia heard this, he was immediately filled with resentment.
"Besides, where would we find room for others in our dilapidated house?"
Guo Jia angrily shifted the blame to the School Affairs Office, which suddenly reminded him, "Oh? That's right, the School Affairs Office!"
He suddenly remembered Lu Hong, that bachelor, and clapped his hands, saying, "Look, Lu Hong has been unmarried for many years. He has money and power. You... what kind of maid is this? Marry him, and you'll be his wife! You'll have someone to serve you, and you'll be freed from slavery. Isn't that much better than staying in our dilapidated courtyard!"
Deng Jie was taken aback. What he said was true, but...
"But would that girl agree...? I think she'd be very fond of you..."
Furthermore, can this matter of freeing people from slavery really be accomplished? Is Cao Cao willing to release them? And what about Lu Hong…”
Deng Jie listed her questions one by one, but Guo Jia didn't have the patience to explain to her. He patted her shoulder, looking like he was about to run away at any moment, and said quickly, "Whether she agrees or not, I won't agree! Don't worry about these things!"
You go and discuss this with her first. I'll talk to Minggong and Lu Hong.
Even those aristocratic families who were supposed to be proper and respectful hadn't met him many times!
You absolutely must stay calm!
After saying that, he took off running.
"Hey, Fengxiao!" Deng Jie couldn't stop him, so he had no choice but to reply, "Then I'll give it a try first!"
Although Qingwu couldn't hear very clearly from inside, Guo Jia's attitude of running away without even glancing at her made her heart sink even further, and she also understood her predicament to some extent.
Deng Jie returned to the bedside and saw Qingwu waiting for her, half-hidden.
“Miss Qingwu…” Deng Jie hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Fengxiao’s matter… must be a misunderstanding. But you have been wronged, and that cannot be faked.”
Qingwu looked up at her blankly with tearful eyes, "Is it that the Chief Priest is determined not to accept me as a concubine?"
She pouted, sobbing, "Madam... Madam would rather let him keep a mistress than accept me, is that right..."
These words made Deng Jie even more embarrassed. "There was never any marriage ceremony or betrothal. It was just something we played around with in private. I didn't expect it to be spread like this."
These words startled Qingwu and the maid standing outside the door, so even the painted eyebrows... must have been prepared for her.
A wave of immense shame washed over Qingwu, and she abruptly buried her face in the blanket, letting out a loud "waa ...
Seeing her like this, Deng Jie felt a mix of emotions. He tentatively offered Guo Jia's suggestion: "But Fengxiao is willing to ask Lord Cao for favors and betroth you to Lord Lu Hong of the Imperial Secretariat..."
Lord Lu has devoted himself to the country and missed his marriage. If you marry him as your principal wife, you can escape your slave status and become a respectable official's wife...
Would you be willing?
Legal wife, freed from slavery?
These two words gave Qingwu a glimmer of hope.
"But...but what about Lord Lu Hong..."
She recalled the playful discussions her sisters usually had about who was the best match for the various civil and military officials in the Sikong Shogunate.
Xun Lingjun was naturally the most sought-after woman in everyone's dreams.
As a confidant of the Minister of Works, the Xun family of Yingchuan was so prestigious that people could only look on with envy. It is said that even their concubines were daughters of respectable noble families.
She herself is exceptionally beautiful, exudes a sweet fragrance, and possesses a deep and resonant voice, making her an irreplaceable and unparalleled beauty in everyone's eyes.
Following closely behind was Guo Jijiu.
At a young age, he gained the trust of the Minister of Works, sharing the same carriage and seat. It was rumored that some decisions were too risky for the Minister of Works to make, and were entirely due to the Chief Minister's insistence on making the final decision.
Although he was afflicted with a serious illness, his frail and sickly figure only made him more captivating. Moreover, the chief priest was always unrestrained in his behavior and did not care about what others said, which made him seem even more magnanimous.
He traveled with only his wife, and had no children or concubines; they considered him a potential good match with a glimmer of hope.
As for Lu Hong... everyone knows he is the head of the school affairs office, but compared to those other prominent figures, he is really not worth mentioning.
He had a rugged appearance, a deep, sinister voice, and a pair of hawk-like eyes that could make anyone cower in fear. Rumor had it he was a power-hungry, opportunistic man with countless enemies, and at his age, he was still unmarried—there must be something wrong with him…
Seeing that she was hesitant, Deng Jie suggested, "It is true that my house is indeed small and cramped. If you can get up, I will take you out for some fresh air and we can go take a look around."
The school administration office is right next to my house, so I can compare myself to them. The young lady is truly unwavering... I... I will definitely find a way to persuade him again.”
Qingwu remained silent. She was still torn between choosing the person or the identity, but Deng Jie's words were not unfounded. She should go and see if it was really as cramped as they said, and maybe there would be room to squeeze in.
"...This servant...is willing to go with Madam." Qingwu's quilt still covered her mouth, and she responded in a muffled voice, trying to avoid the question.
Deng Jie breathed a sigh of relief, helped her up, and asked the maid outside the door to help her fetch water to wash up.
After Qingwu managed to compose herself, although her face was still pale, her spirits were somewhat better than before, and most of the despair in her eyes had faded, replaced by confusion about the future.
Guo Jia hurriedly found Cao Cao's location with quick, light steps. After confirming that Cao Cao was alone, he approached without much formality.
"What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?" Cao Cao asked, putting down the bamboo slips in his hand and looking up to greet him, seeing his travel-worn appearance.
After Guo Jia briefly explained the matter of the maid, he advised Cao Cao, "Since that maid married Lu Hong, Your Excellency could give her a leisurely position so that she can report on Lu Hong's affairs to you at any time. Wouldn't that silence Dong Cheng and the others' claims of 'no one to restrain her'?"
After listening, Cao Cao first nodded in approval, then revealed a playful expression and burst into laughter, "Well done, Guo Fengxiao, you're using me to settle your own romantic entanglements!"
Guo Jia chuckled awkwardly and repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting: "How dare I! My personal matters are merely incidental; Your Excellency's affairs are the real business!"
Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "Don't say such things in front of me, but... this matter is well arranged, I approve it."
Immediately, in my name, I hereby bestow a marriage upon Lu Hong, granting him a wife and freeing his maid from her official status, elevating her to the position of attendant in the study!
You shall personally oversee this matter!
Guo Jia felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders, his face beaming with joy. He bowed, accepted the order, and took his leave.
"Hmph, clever but burdened by your philandering. Let's see what trouble your 'love for your wife' will cause." Cao Cao couldn't help but tease Guo Jia before he left.
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