Соncubine Меi grеw mоrе terrified the mоrе she thought аbout it, breаking оut in а соld swеat all оver.
Seeing this, Madam Zhоu rеlaхed соmрlеtelу instеаd. "Sistеr, it's nоt that I'm lеcturing you, but Fоurth Мiss is rising steр by step, аnd in the future, Хuan Qing Prinсе will hоld immеnsе роwer. Under рrеssure frоm Хuаn Qing Prinсe, thе mаster won't trеаt the уoung master рoorly еithеr. If thе child in уour belly turns оut tо bе a sоn, wоuldn't hе hаvе а brothеr tо sharе the fаvor?" Notiсing Cоnсubinе Mеi's stunnеd ехpression, shе smiled. "We women don't sрeak of аnything elsе—isn't it all аbоut having а son to rely on? My child is already lost. Sister... you should still plan carefully."
Concubine Mei fell into deep thought. Madam Zhou's words were not wrong; her entire life was indeed about securing her own reliance. Even if she truly wasn't pregnant, she couldn't just watch Zhuang Hanming grow up day by day and eventually become the one in charge of the Zhuang household. Once this pair of siblings grasped the real power of the Zhuang household, where would her good days be?
Madam Zhou smiled, patted her clothes, and stood up. "Sister, you're with child, so I'll take my leave now to avoid disturbing your rest." With that, she stood up, turned, and began to leave.
"Stop," Concubine Mei suddenly spoke.
Madam Zhou had just reached the doorway. Hearing Concubine Mei's words, a smile bloomed on her face before she slowly turned back to look at Concubine Mei. "What is it?"
"What's your plan?" Concubine Mei's expression at this moment could no longer be described as merely unpleasant. Her gaze toward Madam Zhou was no longer as condescending as before. On the contrary, at this moment, a deep worry for her own future welled up within her.
Madam Zhou dismissed all the servants in the room, closed the door, leaving only her personal maid, before sitting down by the bed and pouring herself a cup of tea. "Sister, actually, the matter is very simple..."
After Madam Zhou left, Jiao Meng massaged Concubine Mei's legs while saying, "Does the concubine truly intend to cooperate with her?"
Concubine Mei sneered. Madam Zhou's plan was indeed good; at the very least, it was feasible to strike at Zhuang Hanyan. But was she to exert effort for nothing? That wouldn't do either. She looked at her belly and gently stroked it with one hand. "A move that kills two birds with one stone—I'd like to try that too."
Han Yan closed her eyes, listening as Ji Lan reported that Madam Zhou had entered Hibiscus Garden, dismissed everyone, and then stayed alone with her in the room for a secret talk. Ji Lan anxiously said, "Miss, now that you've just returned to the manor, Concubine Zhou is already making such moves. I fear they intend to harm you."
Han Yan pondered for a moment. "You said when they were secretly talking, besides Concubine Zhou and Concubine Mei, was there anyone else?"
Ji Lan replied, "There was also Concubine Mei's personal maid, Jiao Meng." Seeing Han Yan frown, Ji Lan quickly added, "Jiao Meng is Concubine Mei's dowry maid, said to be her confidante. That girl is impervious to both soft and hard tactics, utterly loyal to Concubine Mei." Ji Lan was familiar with all the servants in the Zhuang household and naturally well-informed. "But Jiao Meng is really difficult to deal with; even the maids in Hibiscus Garden don't like her. However, Concubine Mei dotes on her, so no one dares to bully her."
Han Yan nodded. This Jiao Meng was actually fiercely loyal to Concubine Mei. How could she make Jiao Meng willingly betray Concubine Mei? Han Yan took a deep breath and asked Ji Lan, "Do you know if Jiao Meng has any family left?"Ji Lan was taken aback for a moment, thought it over, and replied, "Jiao Meng has an elderly father at home, along with an older brother. Her brother sells tea in the capital, and they live quite comfortably."
Han Yan pondered for a moment before instructing, "Ji Lan, I need you to handle an important matter."
Ji Lan was surprised. "What matter?"
Han Yan leaned in and whispered a few words into her ear. Ji Lan nodded and quickly left. Shu Hong stood quietly nearby, attending to her duties. Although her injuries had improved significantly these past few days, Han Yan still didn’t want her doing any heavy or strenuous work. Seeing her so composed now, Han Yan recalled Ji Lan’s words and suddenly felt mischievous. She deliberately raised her voice and said, "Shu Hong, you’re sixteen this year, aren’t you?"
Shu Hong hadn’t expected Han Yan to bring this up. She was momentarily stunned before nodding. "Yes."
"It’s about time for you to marry. Is there someone you like?" Han Yan asked casually. Shu Hong’s face flushed instantly.
"Miss... Miss, this servant has never thought about marriage." It was rare to see the usually composed Shu Hong so flustered, which only piqued Han Yan’s interest further. She knew that when she left, Fu Yunxi had sent Muyan to protect her. At this moment, Muyan was likely hiding in some corner, and her words would surely reach his ears.
"How can you not marry?" Han Yan said with feigned seriousness. "How about this—after I become the Xuan Qing Prince Consort, I’ll ask the prince to take you as a concubine?" This was purely a jest. Not only would Fu Yunxi refuse, but Han Yan herself would never willingly place another woman by his side.
To her surprise, upon hearing this, Shu Hong suddenly knelt before Han Yan, her voice choked with emotion. "Miss, if I harbored such thoughts, I fear I would be unworthy of my duties. Shu Hong... Shu Hong would rather die."
This was unexpected for Han Yan, and even Muyan, who was watching their movements from the roof, couldn’t help but be taken aback upon hearing this. After all, for a maidservant to become the master’s concubine was something many maidservants dreamed of. Those who climbed into their masters’ beds did so to elevate their status. And to become Fu Yunxi’s concubine—even many noble young ladies would gladly accept such an offer. Setting aside Fu Yunxi’s status and position, his demeanor alone was enough to captivate many. Yet Shu Hong would rather die than become Fu Yunxi’s concubine.
Shu Hong lifted her head and said firmly, "I would rather be the wife of a humble family than a concubine in a noble household. Miss, I have served you for many years and have witnessed much in these grand mansions. Concubines vying for favor harm not only themselves but their children as well. In this lifetime, I do not seek great wealth or status. I only wish to stay by your side, to see you live a life of peace and happiness. That is enough for me."
These words were spoken with such sincerity that Han Yan felt a pang of guilt. She couldn’t bear the thought of such a good girl wasting her youth by her side. Her own happiness was not enough; only when everyone around her was happy would she truly be content. Thinking this, Han Yan said to Shu Hong, "You must marry someday. Even if you refuse, I cannot bear to keep you tied to me forever. Shu Hong, you have followed me for so many years. Your life should not revolve solely around me. You deserve your own happiness. The same goes for Ji Lan. You may stay by my side, but you must also marry. A woman must always find someone to rely on."Shu Hong and Ji Lan had followed Han Yan for two lifetimes. In the previous life, they had sacrificed their own happiness for her sake. Such loyal servants were rare, and Han Yan was determined to secure a happy future for them. Hearing Han Yan’s words, Shu Hong still wanted to decline, but Han Yan put on a stern face and said, "There’s no need to say more—I’ve already made up my mind. Shu Hong, if you were to marry, what kind of family would you want to marry into?"
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