A blue-and-white porcelain pot with white jade accents was warming on a small red clay stove, faint wisps of wine aroma drifting from its spout. Xianglan sat by the stove with a small fan, occasionally dabbing her forehead with a handkerchief. Granny Liu tiptoed in, sniffed the air, and said, "No wonder I caught a whiff of wine—it's coming from here."
Xianglan gestured outside with her chin and whispered, "Miss Huan invited Taitai over for dinner and added half a tael of silver for the kitchen to prepare some dishes. She asked me to warm some wine."
Granny Liu snorted, "Just half a tael? That might work for others, but Taitai wouldn't even glance at such a paltry sum. I heard the Eight Treasures Delicacies she had the other day—just one bite was worth a whole tael of silver! And after just three bites, she got bored and gave the rest to the maids."
A single bite worth a tael? Xianglan stuck out her tongue in disbelief. Even in her past life at Shen Jia, she'd never witnessed such extravagance. Silently lamenting Zhao Yuechan's wasteful squandering of blessings, she deftly removed the warmed wine and placed it on a tray. Noticing Granny Liu's longing gaze, she suppressed a smile, quietly fetched a small white porcelain cup, poured a measure, and pressed it into the old woman's hands. "Take this, Mama, but don't let anyone see."
Granny Liu's eyes crinkled with delight. "But the wine will be short..."
"Just this tiny bit—no one will notice." Xianglan lifted the tray and headed toward the main hall.
The octagonal table was laden with four cold dishes and eight hot ones—chicken, duck, fish, and pork all present in abundance. Cao Lihuan was leaning close to Zhao Yuechan, whispering something, but Zhao Yuechan listened with visible impatience before cutting her off loudly, "You make it sound so simple! Things aren't that straightforward. You want to live in Gathered Verdure Residence? Though it's vacant, it's not some insignificant place—it's too close to Lying Cloud Courtyard. How could Taitai possibly let you move there?"
"Why not? Gauze Snow Dock is too remote. Gathered Verdure Residence is perfect—lovely scenery and closer to your Knowing Spring Pavilion. It'd make visiting each other much easier."
"No, absolutely not." Zhao Yuechan waved her hand irritably. "I can't decide this." Where Cao Lihuan wanted to live was the least of her concerns. If not for that casket of gem-studded gold hairpins Cao Lihuan had gifted her, she wouldn't have come at all.
Xianglan's lips curled in silent mockery. This Cousin was going to great lengths for Lin Jinting—even scheming to relocate. Carefully setting the wine pot on the table, she slowed her steps as she withdrew. Cao Lihuan eagerly lifted the pot to pour wine for Zhao Yuechan, her face soft with ingratiating charm. "How could such a small matter be beyond your influence, Sister? Just say Gauze Snow Dock needs repairs and you'd like me to temporarily move to Gathered Verdure Residence. I'd never forget your kindness. To match that casket of hairpins, there are other jewelry pieces too, also set with gems..."
Zhao Yuechan gave her a cool glance, raised the cup to her lips for a sip, then said after a pause, "Well... there's also vacant Mountain Moon Pavilion in the garden. Perhaps—"
"I prefer the elegance of Gathered Verdure Residence," Cao Lihuan interjected.
Suspicion flickered in Zhao Yuechan's eyes as she studied Cao Lihuan's face. "Why are you so fixated on Gathered Verdure Residence? It's not particularly spacious, and aside from a bamboo grove nearby, there's nothing special..." Suddenly, realization struck like lightning. "Don't tell me you're actually eyeing Lying Cloud—"Seeing that Zhao Yuechan had caught on, Cao Lihuan made no attempt to conceal her intentions either. She poured Zhao Yuechan another cup of wine, her cheeks slightly flushed, and said coolly, "Sister-in-law, whatever scheme you suspect me of, just give me a straight answer—can I move in or not? If this works out, my brother won’t need to seek another post, and I’ll gift you a pair of ruby-studded earrings as thanks."
Zhao Yuechan smacked her lips, leaned back in her chair, and fanned herself with a handkerchief, eyeing Cao Lihuan with amusement. "You little minx, you’ve got quite the ambition, haven’t you? Such a rich prize—do you think you can swallow it whole without bursting your belly?"
"These days, it’s the bold who feast and the timid who starve. Even if I die, I’d rather die full. So, sister-in-law, will you help me or not?"
Zhao Yuechan hesitated briefly, about to speak, when someone outside announced, "The Taitai of the main household is here." Before the words had fully faded, Qin Shi had already lifted her skirts and ascended the steps. Xianglan hurried to lift the door curtain, and Qin Shi paused in surprise upon entering, glancing at the dishes on the table and then at the two women standing behind the octagonal table. A faint smirk played on her lips. "My, what a lively gathering you have here."
Zhao Yuechan, who was somewhat intimidated by Qin Shi, quickly stepped forward to support her arm, forcing a smile. "We were just passing the time, chatting with my cousin over a midday meal."
Cao Lihuan also hurried to greet her, smiling. "Aunt, what brings you here?" She then called out loudly, "Quick, bring another set of bowls and chopsticks, and tell the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes—"
Qin Shi took the seat of honor, smoothing her skirts. "No need. I’m not here to eat today."
Cao Lihuan’s heart sank, and she exchanged a glance with Zhao Yuechan. The latter, ever sharp, sensed the tension in Qin Shi’s tone and immediately lowered her eyes, standing meekly behind her without another word.
Guilt gnawing at her, Cao Lihuan hastily poured tea and offered it with both hands. Qin Shi ignored her and simply ordered, "Seal the doors and bring them in!"
Several burly maids entered, escorting three people. Xianglan, peeking from behind the partition, recognized two of them—one was Wu San’s wife, who tended the kitchen fires, and the other was Feng Shuang’s wife, who looked after the gardens. The third was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a pale green jacket, the typical attire of a servant. All three hunched their shoulders fearfully and knelt before Qin Shi.
The moment Cao Lihuan saw them, the color drained from her face. Qin Shi gave her a cool glance and straightened her posture. "Lately, some unsavory rumors have reached my ears. At first, I thought it was just idle gossip among the servants, but it turns out there are wicked, low-minded schemers deliberately tarnishing their masters’ reputations!" She turned to Cao Lihuan. "Huan’er, this concerns you too. I’ve heard these three were often close to Hui’er, your maid. I brought them here so you can see for yourself—how appearances can deceive."
Cao Lihuan stood pale and tight-lipped, unable to speak. But Wu San’s wife suddenly wailed, "Taitai, please be merciful! I only spread those rumors because Hui’er put me up to it!"
Her outburst set off Feng Shuang’s wife and the young maid, who also began to weep. Qin Shi said calmly, "She claims she was coerced. What about you two?"Feng Shuang's wife gritted her teeth and said, "That day, this old servant saw the Third Master meeting Miss Huan in the garden. They merely exchanged greetings and pleasantries, but Hui'er gave me a gold hairpin to say I'd seen the Third Master strolling and laughing with Miss Huan in the garden... This old servant, this old servant..."
The maid was already sobbing uncontrollably, only able to beg for mercy. Qin Shi's eyebrows shot up as she demanded sharply, "Who is Hui'er? Step forward!"
Thank you bubu8915 for the three PK votes =3= Much appreciated
Everyone's been speculating about who the male lead is... Actually, this time I wanted to write a somewhat unconventional male lead, not the traditional kind... Sigh, I'm just worried he might not appeal to young girls, but personally I think he's quite good ^_^b
There's still next week's ranking, though that list isn't very impressive, haha, so I'd still appreciate everyone's votes, comments, and collections for support~~
Thank you all!!
OpenNovel