“Really?”
Shen Shi’s eyes lit up, and Li Momo immediately dismissed all the servants from the bedchamber.
Among the several maidservants attending to Shen Shi personally in the room, despite their respectful and obedient appearances, there were spies hidden within.
Jiang Chaohua narrowed her eyes, scanning the four maidservants before her gaze settled on the one dressed in green attire, who appeared exceptionally composed.
This maidservant was named Dongqiang, one of Shen Shi’s four senior attendants.
Shen Shi deeply trusted the senior maids she had brought from Zhongyi Marquis Estate, entrusting them with all manner of tasks.
Yet she never suspected that among Chunhua, Qiuyue, Xialuo, and Dongqiang, two were traitors.
Long ago bribed by Jiang Wanxin, they secretly monitored Shen Shi for her while constantly—whether intentionally or not—singing Jiang Wanxin’s praises in Shen Shi’s ears.
In her previous life, Jiang Wanxin’s success in becoming Shen Shi’s adopted daughter owed much to those two betrayers.
Although Dongqiang and Xialuo, being more steady in temperament, were more highly regarded by Shen Shi, it was precisely this trust that made them susceptible to manipulation and eventual alienation from her.
Jiang Chaohua was in no hurry. With the Fang family matter unfolding, Jiang Wanxin would surely instruct Dongqiang and Qiuyue to continue speaking on her behalf. Given Shen Shi’s profound aversion to Jiang Wanxin, her own maidservants pleading for Jiang Wanxin would inevitably arouse Shen Shi’s suspicion.
She aimed to make Shen Shi wonder—how could a lone orphan like Jiang Wanxin possess such influence as to bribe her senior maids? This would lead Shen Shi, step by step, to suspect Jiang He.
She would not speak a single word against Jiang He, for Shen Shi might not believe her. Instead, she wanted Shen Shi to grow continually disappointed in Jiang He, to let fissures develop between them, until Shen Shi herself began to doubt him. Only then could they avoid alerting the enemy and achieve their goal.
“You four, clear these things away first.”
With Jiang Wanzhou gone, the table full of dishes would only upset Shen Shi further—how could she have any appetite for a meal now?
“Yes.”
Qiuyue and Dongqiang bowed their heads and approached the table. Jiang Chaohua watched them from the corner of her eye, a faint smile curling her red lips as she said:
“Since it’s because of Meng Yao that Third Brother and Mother have fallen out, why not grant Third Brother his wish and secure Meng Yao’s freedom?”
As soon as Jiang Chaohua finished speaking, Dongqiang and Qiuyue’s movements halted almost imperceptibly before they quickly recovered, deftly carrying the dishes out of the room.
“Chaochao, is this what you wanted to say? It cannot be done.”
Shen Shi shook her head, somewhat disappointed.
If Jiang Wanzhou was already this infatuated with Meng Yao while she was still bound, what would happen if she were freed? Most likely, Jiang Wanzhou would next press for Meng Yao to enter the estate.
Then what had she been holding firm against all this time?
“Don’t fret, Mother. Hear me out.”
Li Momo led Jiang Wanyi to sit to the side, handing him some pastries to eat. Though she too disapproved, seeing Jiang Chaohua’s confident expression gave her an inexplicable faith in Jiang Chaohua’s ability—after all, it was under Jiang Chaohua’s influence that the relationship between the Empress Dowager and Shen Shi had been restored.
“Mother, why is it that when noble households in the Prosperous Tang Dynasty seek to purchase servants, their first step is to have the Matchmaker collect those servants’ Indentures?”
Jiang Chaohua gave a soft laugh, and Shen Shi immediately replied:
“Not only in the Prosperous Tang Dynasty, but also in previous dynasties and those before them, it has always been this way. Some servants may be disobedient, but as long as you hold their indentures, you can control them, and even sell them off.”
Women from prominent and noble families, upon growing up, learn household management as their first essential skill.
The inner quarters are a woman’s domain—if the household is unsettled, how can the family be at peace?
Therefore, disciplining servants is of utmost importance in the education of noble young ladies, and indentures are naturally crucial, serving as the key to controlling and instructing servants.
“So, Mother, although Meng Yao is the courtesan of the Orchid Pavilion, her indenture is also held by the madam. To put it bluntly, she is nothing but a high-class servant—still a servant, after all.”
Jiang Chaohua’s expression remained calm.
Thus, as long as Shen Shi offered silver and agreed to Jiang Wanzhou redeeming Meng Yao, with one condition—that Meng Yao’s indenture must remain in Shen Shi’s possession—
Then, Meng Yao would essentially become Shen Shi’s maid, entirely at her mercy.
How would someone like Meng Yao agree to this? Yet if she refused, she would be contradicting herself, since Jiang Wanzhou claimed Meng Yao would do anything for him.
“Madam!”
Li Momo’s eyes lit up, immediately grasping Jiang Chaohua’s meaning.
That little wretch Meng Yao had been sowing discord between the madam and Third Young Master, confident that the madam would never agree to his redeeming her.
This move would catch Meng Yao off guard. If she refused, Third Young Master would have no one to blame but himself.
What a brilliant plan!
“Chaochao, Mother understands.”
If Li Momo could grasp this, Shen Shi naturally could as well. But her joy was short-lived, as her face soon fell with worry:
“But what if your brother refuses to leave Meng Yao’s indenture with me?”
“Then, Mother, you must tell Third Brother that if the indenture isn’t left with you, Meng Yao will never set foot in this household. If he agrees, there might still be a chance.”
Jiang Chaohua knew Jiang Wanzhou all too well. Once Shen Shi relented and agreed to redeem Meng Yao, he would assume she would eventually allow Meng Yao into the household. Under such circumstances, why would he refuse to give the indenture to Shen Shi?
“Good, good, we’ll do just that. Chaochao, you’ve truly lifted a great burden from Mother’s heart.”
Shen Shi beamed with delight, though concern soon crept back:
“But over time, how will we settle them? We can’t let your third brother keep Meng Yao outside, can we?”
That would make her a mistress—and if word got out that he was keeping a mistress, Jiang Wanzhou would never marry a respectable girl.
“Mother, let’s not overthink it for now. We’ll proceed step by step. As for keeping a mistress, how long do you think Third Brother can last without money?”
“Youthful love is like a reflection in water—what doesn’t require silver to sustain? You can tell Third Brother this is a test. If he perseveres, you’ll agree to let Meng Yao enter the household. During this time, you won’t give him a single coin. I doubt he’ll have the face to ask you for money.”
After what had just transpired, Jiang Wanzhou would surely not dare ask Shen Shi for money again.
Meng Yao was a courtesan—every bite she ate, every item she used, required vast sums of silver to maintain. Living outside with Jiang Wanzhou, they might manage briefly, but over time, could their affection remain so strong?
As the saying goes, poverty-stricken couples face sorrow in all matters. Without money, even the deepest affection is worthless, let alone what happens when two spendthrifts come together.
“Let’s do it this way, but your third brother just now…”
Shen Shi slapped the table, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
This excitement temporarily dispelled the frustration she felt over Jiang Wanxin and Jiang He’s affairs.
Yet, the thought of Jiang Wanzhou and Jiang Wanyi’s recent fallout made her hesitate.
Who should inform Wanzhou that she had relented?
“Don’t worry, Mother. Go and speak with Father now. He will handle everything. This way, we also have a reason to mend your relationship with him. What do you think?”
Jiang Chaohua smiled warmly.
How could such a matter not involve dragging Jiang He into it? When Jiang Wanzhou and Meng Yao’s relationship falls apart, the blame would fall solely on Jiang He, the one who took the initiative.
Moreover, she wanted Shen Shi to deliver this news to Jiang He personally, so that the mistress would learn of it and pressure Meng Yao accordingly.
Everything was nothing short of a brilliant scheme!