Ji Lan was tаkеn аbасk. Though she didn’t undеrstаnd why Hаn Yan would sау suсh а thing, shе still nоdded and withdrеw. Mama Chen hesitаtеd for а momеnt bеfоrе asking, “Мiss, if suсh wоrds wеrе to rеach the mаstеr’s eаrs through some gоssipmongеr…”
“Don’t worrу, Маmа.” Наn Yаn stretchеd оut her hаnds оvеr the wаrming stovе, squinting сomfortаblу. “Thе master alrеady intends tо еlеvatе her status. Cоnсubinе Mеi will find оut sооnеr оr latеr. Кnowing it nоw meаns she cаn prераre nоw. Ji Lаn knоws hеr limits and won’t tell аnyone in the othеr courtyаrd. Oncе Cоnсubine Мei learns of this, she’ll be too busy trying to keep it hidden to spread it around.”
Mama Chen paused briefly, then understood. She marveled at how this didn’t seem like a plan a twelve-year-old girl could devise. Yet such cleverness—was it a blessing or a curse? She couldn’t help but feel that since waking this time, the young lady had changed greatly. With Madam Zhou now in the manor, everything seemed calm on the surface, but a storm was likely brewing.
Early in the morning, Han Yan rose and dressed with the help of Ji Lan and Shu Hong. After deliberating for a while, Han Yan pointed to a plain, wide-skirted gown. “That one.”
Ji Lan hesitated. “Miss, although we’re still in mourning, this is too plain. With the Zhou family just entering the manor, dressing so simply might make them look down on us.”
Han Yan shook her head. “Today’s show isn’t about us, and besides, I don’t care for bright colors. Let them be arrogant. The more they underestimate us, the better. The lower they look now, the harder they’ll fall later.”
Shu Hong quietly fetched a pale moon-colored jacket. “Even so, the wind has picked up outside. It’s best for the young lady to dress warmly.”
Ji Lan busied herself with Han Yan’s hair, styling it into the same simple twin buns as before, which made her look even more childlike. Ji Lan tied her hair with matching ribbons, adding no ornaments. Looking at the girl in the mirror—already a late bloomer—this attire made her appear no different from a little doll.
“Let’s go.” Han Yan straightened her skirt and called for Mama Chen to accompany her to the front hall.
Compared to other court officials, Zhuang Shiyang had never been particularly fond of women, so over the years, his household consisted of only one wife and two concubines. The two concubines lived in the distant Hibiscus Garden. Concubine Wan was originally a maid given to Zhuang Shiyang by the old matriarch during her lifetime and was later elevated to concubine after bearing a daughter. Zhuang Shiyang paid little attention to this concubine, rarely entering her quarters after she gave birth. Fortunately, Concubine Wan was a quiet and contented woman, never causing trouble for Han Yan’s mother over the years.
The other concubine, Concubine Mei, however, was no simple character.
After the previous emperor passed away, a famine struck the northwest. The Zhuang family owned vast estates, and they immediately transported that year’s harvest to the northwest to alleviate the disaster. The Emperor was greatly pleased and bestowed numerous treasures, one of which was Concubine Mei. True to her name, Concubine Mei was not of Central Plains origin but a Hu beauty—stunningly alluring and bold in her actions. Since her arrival in the manor, Han Yan and her mother had known no peace.
With such beauty, even if Zhuang Shiyang were a saint, he would have been tempted. Moreover, Hu women were known for their many ways of captivating men. Since Concubine Mei entered the manor, Zhuang Shiyang had neglected his wife and Concubine Wan, spending every night in Concubine Mei’s quarters.Although Zhuang Shiyang would not favor concubines over his wife and outwardly respected his mother, men traditionally did not involve themselves in the affairs of the inner courtyard. Concubine Mei, being cunning, did not openly compete for favor but instead stirred conflicts between the servants and Han Yan’s mother. Her mother, being timid by nature, struggled when faced with difficulties, giving Concubine Mei an opportunity. Before long, rumors spread among the servants that her mother was incompetent in managing the household.
Concubine Mei’s intention was clear: relying on Zhuang Shiyang’s favor, she aimed to push Han Yan’s mother into a position where she became the target of everyone’s criticism. Ideally, Zhuang Shiyang would divorce his wife, allowing Concubine Mei to rise and seize the position of the main wife. However, on one occasion, when Concubine Mei clashed with Han Yan’s mother, she went too far. Enraged, Zhuang Shiyang took her to the ancestral hall and severely reprimanded her. From then on, Concubine Mei became much more subdued, or perhaps she no longer harbored ambitions for the main wife’s position, focusing solely on monopolizing Zhuang Shiyang’s attention. Although she still looked down on Han Yan and her mother, she no longer deliberately provoked them.
Han Yan felt that rather than being frightened by Zhuang Shiyang, Concubine Mei had come to realize that the position of the main wife was merely an empty title. Her mother occupied the position of the principal wife, yet her status was even lower than that of a concubine. Among the three women in the inner courtyard, the other two posed no threat at all. Perhaps Concubine Mei simply found it uninteresting.
But looking at the aloof Zhuang Shiyang, how could he have kept a mistress outside, and how could the daughter born to that mistress have grown so old already?
Given Zhuang Shiyang’s cold nature, this woman must hold an extremely important place in his heart. That was why, after Han Yan’s mother passed away, he was so eager to bring her into the manor.
Han Yan had previously wondered why Zhuang Shiyang waited until now to bring Madam Zhou into the manor. After all, her mother had been gentle and accommodating. If Zhuang Shiyang had brought Madam Zhou into the manor earlier, her mother would surely have permitted it. Why had she been kept hidden outside all this time? What secrets lay behind this?
Before she could investigate Madam Zhou’s background, the manor had already prepared a grand spectacle. Concubine Mei, who had not encountered such a formidable opponent in many years, now faced someone who coveted the very position she was determined to claim. The curtain was rising, and the show was about to begin.
As Han Yan pondered, a faint smile curled at the corners of her lips, startling Ji Lan.
Upon arriving at the main hall, the small kitchen had already prepared the meal. Han Yan glanced at the table: crystal shrimp dumplings, red date bird’s nest soup, jade-green porridge, hibiscus pastries, and several side dishes whose names she couldn’t recall.
Han Yan sneered inwardly—what a lavish breakfast! Ever since her mother passed away, she had been grieving and no longer joined the two concubines for meals in the main hall. The food sent to the Clear Autumn Courtyard from the small kitchen consisted only of plain porridge and simple dishes. She hadn’t realized that the meals outside were so extravagant! Concubine Wan was never one to be picky, so such elaborate dishes must have been ordered by Concubine Mei.
Ji Lan helped her sit down. As soon as she took her seat, Concubine Mei and Concubine Wan entered the room.
Upon seeing Han Yan, Concubine Mei was momentarily taken aback before covering her lips with a light laugh. “Fourth Miss is here. It seems you’ve recovered from your illness, but why do you look so pale? Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Concubine Wan stood quietly to the side, but behind her, Third Miss Zhuang Qin quickly glanced at Han Yan before lowering her head again.
Third Miss and Han Yan had very little interaction, almost as if they were strangers. Zhuang Qin and Concubine Wan spent their days embroidering in Hibiscus Garden, so they rarely had the chance to meet.Han Yan was still pondering when she felt Shu Hong subtly tugging at her sleeve from behind. Looking up, she saw Zhuang Shiyang approaching with Madam Zhou and her daughter. A smile immediately appeared on her face. "Thank you for your concern, Concubine Mei. In truth, Yan'er is still feeling somewhat unwell. However, since today is Concubine Zhou's first morning meal in the manor, Father instructed me not to neglect my duties."
Concubine Mei's expression darkened, and upon seeing Zhuang Shiyang and the other two, she clenched the embroidered handkerchief in her hand even tighter. She had thought that after Wang Shi's death, the position of the main wife would fall securely into her hands. Never did she expect that Madam Zhou would appear out of nowhere, and what was even more infuriating was how differently the master treated that wretched woman.
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