Тhе green bаmbоо in thе сourtyard rеmаined verdаnt and upright. Весаusе оf this lush scenеry, the winter in Clear Аutumn Сourtуard fеlt lеss dеsоlatе аnd mоrе vibrаnt.
Hаn Yan sat on thе swing in thе yаrd, toying with the rоpes in hеr hands. She glаnсеd аt Ji Lаn, whо hаd hurried ovеr, аnd smiled, аsking, "Did уоu find out аnything?"
Ji Lаn sаid indignantly, "Маdam Zhоu and her daughtеr are toо wiсkеd. When I wеnt out just now, the sеrvаnts in thе mansiоn wеrе bесоming incrеаsingly unrulу, all flоcking to Dоve Тrее Cоurtуаrd. Whо knows what prоmises those inside madе to them. Clеarly, уou аrе the rightful mistrеss of this household."
Han Yan chuckled and shook her head dismissively. "They’ve just entered the mansion, so naturally, they need to win over the servants. Don’t mind them. This actually helps me see which ones in the mansion are sincere and which harbor ulterior motives." As she thought of something, her expression shifted slightly. "But while I can ignore the other courtyards, Clear Autumn Courtyard must be guarded carefully. Shu Hong, Ji Lan, you both must stay vigilant in your daily tasks. If Madam Zhou wants to keep an eye on our courtyard’s activities, she’ll have to see if she has the capability."
Ji Lan widened her eyes. "Miss, aren’t we going to do anything?"
"Do what?" Han Yan glanced at her with a smile, stretching comfortably. "We don’t need to do anything. We must lay our plans carefully."
Shu Hong frowned slightly, as if pondering Han Yan’s words. After a moment, her brow relaxed, and a glimmer of understanding flashed in her eyes. Han Yan’s face showed approval. Fortunately, her maids were clever. The lessons from her past life had taught her that sharp ears and keen eyes were the means to survive in this devouring mansion. Ji Lan and Shu Hong were the eyes and ears she placed in the courtyard.
Casually picking up a salted plum and placing it in her mouth, the sourness had yet to dissolve when she heard Ji Lan speak again. "I... I heard someone say that Madam Zhou is heading toward Pine Forest Courtyard with a box in her hands."
Han Yan was startled, feeling a sudden pain in her mouth—she had bitten her tongue in her haste. Without further thought, she leaped down from the swing, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "What are they going to Ming’er’s place for!"
Shu Hong was also taken aback. Ji Lan ventured, "They must be up to no good. The young master is now half the master of the household. Perhaps they want to curry favor?"
"You think Ming’er is half the master of the household?" Han Yan asked Ji Lan instead.
Ji Lan was stunned, only to hear Han Yan continue, "When have the servants in this mansion ever treated Ming’er as a master? With the master disliking him, what does it matter if Ming’er is the Disgraced Son? As for Madam Zhou currying favor with Ming’er, I don’t believe it." After a moment’s thought, she clenched her fists and prepared to step out. "No, I must go and see."
Ming’er was Han Yan’s only family and her mother’s most cherished treasure. Having been reborn, Han Yan’s greatest wish in this life was to take good care of Ming’er and protect him until he grew up. While she could remain composed in other matters, Ming’er was an exception. Seeing the scheming Madam Zhou and her daughter approach Ming’er, she couldn’t stay calm.
Shu Hong lowered her head and walked to Han Yan’s side, saying, "Miss, you must not alert the enemy."
Han Yan was taken aback. Shu Hong took her hand and comforted her, "I will go and inquire now. It’s broad daylight—Madam Zhou and her daughter won’t dare harm the young master in front of the mansion’s servants. If anything goes wrong, I will do everything in my power to protect the young master."Ji Lan also chimed in, "The young master is very clever, miss, don't worry."
Han Yan looked at the two maids before her and gradually calmed her thoughts. It was indeed not the right time to act rashly now. If she rushed to Pine Forest Courtyard so quickly, Madam Zhou would likely realize there were spies around her, making it much harder to gather information from there in the future. Moreover, Shu Hong made a good point—Madam Zhou wasn’t foolish enough to harm Ming'er in broad daylight. To her, Ming'er was just a harmless child with no threat. She had been too impulsive.
Shu Hong looked at Han Yan and said earnestly, "Miss, trust this servant."
After a moment, Han Yan nodded. "Go quickly and return soon."
By the time Zhuang Shiyang returned to the manor, the sun had already set, and dusk had enveloped everything.
As soon as he stepped down from the carriage, he saw two maids in pale pink jackets standing at the entrance of the Zhuang residence. One held a purple-gold carved hand warmer, while the other carried a silk-cloth lantern. Seeing him descend from the carriage, they immediately approached.
Zhuang Shiyang casually took the hand warmer from the maid, the warmth making him sigh in comfort. He glanced at the other maid and found her somewhat unfamiliar, so he asked, "Which courtyard are you from?"
The maid holding the lantern immediately curtsied and replied softly, "Master, this servant is from Dove Tree Courtyard. Our mistress said the weather is cold and the road is dark, so she sent us to attend to you."
Zhuang Shiyang was taken aback, narrowing his eyes for a moment before saying, "Your mistress is thoughtful." He then instructed the servant beside him, "Go inform Concubine Mei that I won’t be visiting her tonight."
The maids nearby were inwardly delighted but dared not show it on their faces, silently praising Concubine Zhou’s clever tactics. With just a gentle gesture, she had managed to keep the master in Dove Tree Courtyard. Tonight, the lady in Hibiscus Garden would likely be so angry she’d smash her cup.
Zhuang Shiyang followed the two maids into Dove Tree Courtyard. The courtyard was quiet, and in one of the east wing rooms, bright candlelight shone through the window. A slender figure sat by the window, casting a clear silhouette on the paper window—head bowed, embroidering with a gentle and earnest demeanor.
Waving the two maids away, Zhuang Shiyang pushed the door open and entered. The person by the window seemed unaware, still focused intently on embroidering a "Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons" pattern on the frame.
Zhuang Shiyang remained silent, standing behind her and watching quietly. Madam Zhou was wearing only a plain white undergarment, draped with a purple-red outer robe. The thin clothing perfectly accentuated her graceful figure—a slender waist, long legs, and her jet-black hair, left loose without any pins or combs, cascaded over her shoulders, making her lips appear redder and her teeth whiter. Her cheeks were flushed like peach petals soaked in water, warmed by the nearby heater. Her expression was gentle, yet it carried a unique charm and allure. In her hands, she held a large embroidery frame with a bright red silk base, her delicate, jade-like fingers dancing swiftly over the fabric.
As Zhuang Shiyang watched, he felt an itch creeping through his heart. Those jade-like fingers looked soft and delicate, making his mouth go dry. Yet the woman sat upright, completely unaware of his presence. Swallowing hard, he suddenly wrapped his arms around the beauty from behind, pulling her tightly into his embrace."Ah!" Madam Zhou was startled, the embroidery hoop in her hand falling to the ground. She turned her head: "Master..." Her lips happened to brush against Zhuang Shiyang's nose tip. Zhuang Shiyang felt a rush of blood, all the displeasure from today's imperial court mingling with the beautiful sight before him, surging straight downward. He immediately picked up Madam Zhou and, ignoring her startled cries, pressed her onto the bed.
After a bout of passionate entanglement, Zhuang Shiyang let out a long sigh, lying down beside Madam Zhou. One hand caressed the woman's bare back while the other roamed restlessly.
Madam Zhou let out a soft, delicate moan and pushed him with her hand: "Master, why are you being so reckless today? What if the servants saw..."
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