Unаble to rеsist, shе сlеnсhed her fist and роunded her bеlly sevеrаl timеs—thеrе wаs still nothing inside. Еvery time the master visitеd, Сonсubine Меi wаs оn edgе, tеrrifiеd hе might disсovеr the truth. Fortunatеlу, Zhuang Shiуang was now infаtuated with Мadam Dа Zhоu, giving hеr а сhаnсe to саtch hеr brеаth. Yet, аnxiеtу still gnawed аt hеr. Whenеver she thought аbout the pоssibilitу оf being еxposеd, соld sweаt wоuld brеаk оut аll ovеr hеr bodу.
Thе maid besidе her, Jiао Мeng, wаs stаrtlеd аnd quickly stoрped her. "Conсubine, you mustn't..."
Сoncubinе Mеi glаred аt her angrily. "What are you afraid of? After all, there’s nothing..." Because she was carrying the reputation of being pregnant while having nothing in her belly, she hadn’t been intimate with the master for a long time. The master’s sordid affairs with Madam Da Zhou had still reached her ears. Though she was relieved that Madam Da Zhou could buy her some time to hide the truth, the thought of the master spending every day in that woman’s embrace made Concub\ine Mei grit her teeth in resentment. She had waited so long for Madam Zhou’s downfall, only for a Madam Da Zhou to appear out of nowhere. The Zhou clan truly seemed to produce such seductive vixens.
Jiao Meng shook her head. "Concubine, if outsiders were to see..." Before she could finish, a maid outside announced: Concubine Zhou has arrived.
Concubine Mei quickly straightened her clothes and leaned weakly against the couch, putting on a weary appearance—those with child were known to be especially drowsy. Yet, she couldn’t help but wonder why Madam Zhou had come. A few days earlier, Madam Zhou had come to curry favor, lowering her posture and subtly mentioning Han Yan’s favor. It was unclear what she truly meant. Concubine Mei had initially wanted to ignore her, but when she heard that Han Yan’s rising status might elevate Zhuang Hanming’s position as well, she grew uneasy. It was this unease that led her to speak with Madam Zhou daily for a while, hoping to glean information about Han Yan’s recent situation.
She knew that Madam Zhou’s elder sister, Madam Da Zhou, was a capable woman with many eyes and ears in the Zhuang residence. Because of her supposed pregnancy, Concubine Mei couldn’t often leave the Hibiscus Garden.
Just as she was thinking this, she saw Madam Zhou walk in, covering her face with a handkerchief and sobbing softly.
"What’s the matter?" Concubine Mei asked in surprise.
Madam Zhou didn’t speak, simply sitting down on the small chair in front of the couch. The maid beside her spoke up indignantly, "Our concubine was angered by Fourth Miss."
Han Yan? Concubine Mei’s eyes shifted. She had heard from the servants that Han Yan returned to the residence yesterday. It was said that even Zhuang Shiyang didn’t dare act carelessly in front of her now. Could it be that Madam Zhou was reduced to tears by Han Yan? Concubine Mei didn’t believe she was genuinely upset, but she did believe Madam Zhou was trying to stir something up with this incident.
She smiled faintly. "Sister Zhou, if there’s something troubling you, why not tell Meier? Only then can Meier help share your worries." Her words were filled with concern, but upon closer listening, there was a hint of laughter—a condescending sneer. Indeed, Concubine Zhou’s status in the Zhuang residence was far inferior to Concubine Mei’s. Recalling how Madam Zhou had once challenged her, relying on the master’s favor when she first entered the residence, and comparing it to her current respectful silence, Concubine Mei felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.Madam Zhou naturally caught the sarcasm in her words, her expression darkening slightly. When she looked up, she appeared deeply wronged, tears welling in her eyes. "Sister, now that Fourth Miss has returned, I fear there will be no place for either of us in this manor."
Concubine Mei’s hand, holding the teacup, paused slightly, her expression unchanged. "What do you mean by that?"
Concubine Zhou wiped away her tears. "Yesterday, when Fourth Miss returned to the manor, I went with the master to welcome her. Unexpectedly, as soon as she saw me, she began with cold mockery and sarcasm. I couldn’t bear it and retorted a few times, but then... then she actually threatened me." After sobbing a few times, Concubine Zhou continued, "The master saw it all and said nothing... Sister, tell me, doesn’t this mean that Fourth Miss now calls the shots in the Zhuang Manor?"
Concubine Mei leisurely examined her own fingers—slender and fair, painted with bright red nail polish, making them exceptionally delicate and charming. Madam Zhou’s words were meant for her ears. Was Madam Zhou’s purpose today merely to complain? Unlikely. She smiled and looked at Madam Zhou. "Fourth Miss is now the Xuan Qing Prince Consort, so naturally she is more esteemed. But what exactly are you implying, sister?"
Seeing Concubine Mei’s unhurried demeanor, Madam Zhou felt a chill in her heart. This wretched woman had grown clever now. Fortunately, Madam Da Zhou had taught her well. Madam Zhou smiled gently. "I alone can do nothing, but if I have your help, sister... I believe Fourth Miss would show us a bit more respect."
So she was extending an olive branch, hoping for help in dealing with Zhuang Hanyan. Concubine Mei thought this to herself but smiled on the surface. "I wonder what makes Sister Zhou think I would help you."
Madam Zhou was in no hurry now. She slowly dried her tears with a handkerchief and smiled. "Fourth Miss has always been one to hold grudges over the smallest matters. She hated me from the moment I entered the manor, and later she had several conflicts with Yu'er. That’s why, now that she has gained power, she seeks revenge against me. May I ask, Concubine Mei, have you never offended our Fourth Miss?"
Concubine Mei was taken aback, suddenly recalling how she had often bullied Hanyan and her mother and brother. Back then, she was young and beautiful, favored by the master. Concubine Wan was no threat, but Wang Shi, holding the title of the legitimate wife, was an eyesore. So, Concubine Mei had gone out of her way to torment them—slandering them one day, framing them the next. In those days, Zhuang Hanming and Hanyan were often punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall because of her, and the relationship between Wang Shi and the master grew increasingly strained. She had heard that Hanyan was fiercely protective, not even allowing others to lay a finger on her maids. Since she had harmed Hanyan’s mother and brother, wouldn’t her crimes be even greater? If Hanyan showed no mercy in dealing with Madam Zhou, then wouldn’t she herself be in even greater danger?
Seeing Concubine Mei’s expression waver, Madam Zhou seized the opportunity to press further. "Now that Fourth Miss is the Xuan Qing Prince Consort, she hasn’t even officially married into the family yet, and she’s already this arrogant. If she truly marries into the family, won’t she become even more lawless? By then, even the master won’t be able to control her. Tell me, where in this manor will there be a place for us sisters?"Concubine Mei furrowed her brows. Madam Zhou’s words made sense. Back when Madam Zhou and she had become rivals, Han Yan had stood on her side. But at that time, Madam Zhou was still a formidable opponent, whereas now she was utterly powerless and not worth a second thought. Yet Han Yan was increasingly slipping beyond her control. Such an ally was terrifying. If one day Han Yan saw her as an enemy, would she even have a chance to survive? She feared she would fare even worse than Madam Zhou. At least Madam Zhou had a daughter, while she herself had borne no sons or daughters for the master. Having followed Zhuang Shiyang for so long, Concubine Mei understood clearly: although Zhuang Shiyang had once doted on her and still treated her decently now, if she truly encountered trouble, he would absolutely not lift a finger to protect her.
OpenNovel