"Yоu аrе thе master's реrsоn, Yu'еr is mу daughter, who dаrеs to saу otherwisе! Веsidеs, whо sаid you wеre a concubine? Тhе mastеr has рrоmisеd tо elеvаtе уоu to а wife. Soonеr оr latеr, you will be thе mistress!"
Mаdam Zhou, hаving rесеivеd this аssurаnce, wаs оverjоуеd and buriеd her fасe in the mаn's bаre сhest. "Whatevеr the master sауs, gоes."
Zhuаng Shiyang felt thе sоftnеss of hеr bоdу stirring him, аnd hе рressеd hеr down bеneаth him oncе morе. Аmbiguоus sounds sооn fillеd thе bedchambеr.
Outside the room, thе maid sweeрing by the bеd tightenеd hеr grip оn the broom. Moments later, she hurried out of the courtyard.
After dinner, Han Yan stayed in her room practicing calligraphy. It was rare for Madam Zhou and her daughter to be so quiet. Though they were likely scheming about other matters, she cherished this moment of peace and did not wish to be disturbed.
However, she had only written one line when the maid from the courtyard came to announce that Concubine Mei had arrived.
Han Yan raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t gone looking for her, yet the other had come on her own. This saved her some trouble.
She set down her brush and paper, warmly saying, "Concubine Mei is here? Please, bring her in at once."
As the elegantly dressed, alluring woman entered Han Yan’s chamber, she first furrowed her brows. The furnishings in the room were extremely simple and ordinary. As the legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family, Han Yan’s quarters were almost on par with those of Zhuang Qin, the illegitimate daughter.
Han Yan, however, stood by the door with her head bowed, nervously fiddling with the hem of her clothes, appearing flustered and unsure. "What brings Auntie to think of Yan'er?"
Concubine Mei carefully observed Han Yan, noting her innocent, childish face and the hint of ingratiation and caution in her expression. Instantly, she felt her own status elevated. The frustration she had endured over the past few days from Madam Zhou and her daughter eased, and she found Han Yan increasingly agreeable. Patting Han Yan’s hand gently, she said, "What are you saying? Of course, Auntie misses Fourth Miss. Since you’ve just recovered from a serious illness, I was worried you might not be feeling well, so I brought some treats."
Han Yan inwardly shuddered with disgust. When her mother was alive, Concubine Mei had never been so kind to her. Instead, she had been haughty and dismissive, never regarding her, the Fourth Miss, with any respect. This sudden show of goodwill made Han Yan feel as though she had swallowed a fly—disgusted yet unable to speak out.
Seeing her silence, Concubine Mei assumed she was timid and felt even more contempt for this legitimate daughter. Convinced that Han Yan was easy to manipulate, she resolved to build a good relationship with her.
Han Yan gave her a sweet smile. "Thank you for your concern, Auntie. During my illness, all the aunties have been so attentive. Yan'er is truly touched."
Her words sounded sincere, but to Concubine Mei, they were alarming. Anxiously, she asked, "All the aunties? Who else has come to see you?" Jiao Meng, standing nearby, subtly tugged at her sleeve, and Concubine Mei realized she had lost her composure. She quickly coughed lightly to cover it up.
Han Yan seemed not to notice her slip and replied obediently, "Concubine Wan sent Third Sister over once. Concubine Zhou and Sister Yu Shan have visited often, bringing many gifts."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Mei immediately tightened her grip on the incense pouch in her hand, seething inwardly. That wretched woman moves so quickly!
Han Yan continued, "Just yesterday, Concubine Zhou went to visit Fifth Brother, bringing him many toys and even a little bird."Concubine Mei had sensed something odd upon hearing about the gift of a bird, yet the crucial point remained elusive, just beyond her grasp. However, the nature of those delicate little trinkets was clear to her. Though she was a Hu dancer bestowed by the emperor, her early years under the tutelage of palace matrons had exposed her to the methods women used in household rivalries to vie for favor. The tactic of "praising to death" was not unfamiliar to her. After a moment’s thought, she smiled and asked Han Yan, "Do you like that Madam Zhou and her daughter?"
Han Yan shrank back slightly, appearing timid as she replied, "Concubine Zhou and Sister Yu Shan are good to Yan’er. Yan’er knows that. Even though they are not Mother..." Her voice gradually trailed off.
Concubine Mei raised an eyebrow, feeling a wave of relief. Her greatest worry at the moment was that Madam Zhou might win over Han Yan, giving her an advantage with the clan leader. But seeing Han Yan’s attitude—more fear than respect toward Madam Zhou—reassured her. Children, after all, always feared stepmothers. Though she herself was not particularly close to this Fourth Miss, having lived under the same roof for so many years, they were not strangers. She then adopted a serious expression and said, "That Madam Zhou harbors ill intentions. The gifts she sent you are meant to harm you."
Han Yan was startled and looked up. "How can you say that, Concubine Mei? Concubine Zhou and the others meant well. Please don’t wrong them."
Concubine Mei glared at her and tapped Han Yan’s forehead affectionately. "You’re just too kind-hearted. They’re trying to make the young master lose his ambition through frivolous distractions. Those who don’t know might think they’re being generous, but their intentions are far from good."
Han Yan looked at Concubine Mei in panic, utterly bewildered. "What should Yan’er do then? Fifth Brother is meant to aim for the top scholar title."
"Don’t worry. With me here, how could they possibly turn things upside down?" Concubine Mei reassured her. Han Yan’s lips curved slightly upward. Finally, she had said it.
Han Yan grasped Concubine Mei’s hand gratefully. "Yan’er and Fifth Brother thank you, Concubine. But..." She hesitated before continuing, "I heard that for the palace Night Banquet in a few days, Father has decided to take Concubine Zhou along."
"What?" Upon hearing this, Concubine Mei could no longer contain herself and immediately stood up. After a moment’s thought, she asked Han Yan, "Who did you hear this from?"
Han Yan shook her head. "Yan’er’s maid overheard the servants in the courtyard talking about it. Concubine Mei, hasn’t Father always favored you? Why would he take Concubine Zhou?"
These words felt like a knife twisting in Concubine Mei’s heart. She knew that for the palace Night Banquet, the women officials brought along were always the principal wives. Now that Wang Shi had passed away, the one taken to such an event would almost be tacitly acknowledged as the principal wife. Hearing that Zhuang Shiyang intended to bring Concubine Zhou filled her with unbearable anxiety.
"Fourth Miss, it’s getting late today. I won’t keep you from your rest and will take my leave now," Concubine Mei said, unable to hide the urgency in her expression.
Han Yan smiled with childlike innocence. "Then let Shu Hong see you off. Even if Concubine Zhou means harm to Yan’er, if Father favors her, Yan’er will have to accept it. But," she chuckled, "Yan’er likes Concubine Mei more. Concubine Mei is prettier!"
A child’s praise could never be insincere, and Concubine Mei couldn’t help but smile. However, her heart soon tightened again. After all, Han Yan was only a twelve-year-old child. To win her over, she would need to do something to make Han Yan recognize that she might become the principal wife of the household.After leaving the Clear Autumn Courtyard with Shu Hong, Jiao Meng cautiously observed her mistress's expression. The master was taking Madam Zhou to the palace banquet, and no matter how one looked at it, this round had been won by Madam Zhou.
"Vixen!" Concubine Mei stood in place, gritting her teeth in resentment.
Jiao Meng leaned in and whispered, "Mistress, we cannot let those from Dove Tree Courtyard enter the palace. That mother and daughter are already so arrogant—if they succeed, they will only look down on you even more in the future."
"How could I let her have her way?" Concubine Mei snorted coldly, a flicker of malice flashing in her eyes. "Help me pass a message to Lin Zhong's wife."
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