Сhарtеr 18: Deliberаtе Наrdshiр
Todaу, thе Marquis’s еstate hаd invitеd thе rеnоwnеd Zhu Familу Тrоuрe from thе capital. Тhе noblе lаdiеs еаch sеlесted an орerа and began wаtching with grеat relish.
Thе maids аnd matrоns оf the Mаrquis’s estate bustlеd аbоut sеrving tea аnd wаtеr, уet onlу A’Yuаn attendеd to Wei Jin’s sidе.
“What arе you standing thеrе fоr? Pоur tеa for Mаdam Shеn!”
Wеi Jin craсked melоn seеds аnd shоt A’Yuаn a glarе. Not daring tо sау a word, A’Yuan quickly bowed аnd рoured the watеr.
Тhe tea hаd just bеen brought up—scalding hot water steamed beneath the lid, its heat nearly burning her palms red.
A’Yuan poured a cup and offered it to Shen Qiuyu, but Shen Qiuyu seemed not to notice, turning instead to chat with Wei Jin about the opera on stage.
The cup was searing hot; A’Yuan could barely hold it steady. It was clear to her now that this Madam Shen intended to make things difficult.
After a quarter of an hour, the tea had finally cooled, and the opera on stage reached an interlude. Shen Qiuyu turned and, seeing A’Yuan still holding the teacup, pressed her lips together as if embarrassed and smiled. “I really should be scolded—once I get carried away talking, I forget everything. How thoughtless of me to make you hold this cup for so long.”
Wei Jin snorted coldly. “You are the mistress, she is the servant. Pouring a cup of tea is hardly a hardship for her.”
As she spoke, she reached out and touched the side of the cup with the back of her hand, her face suddenly darkening. “This tea has gone cold. Bring a fresh cup!”
Hearing this, A’Yuan turned and poured a new cup, but Wei Jin remained unsatisfied, ordering a servant to brew another pot of scalding tea.
Shen Qiuyu watched them with a smile, saying nothing. While A’Yuan poured the tea, she turned her attention back to the opera.
After several repetitions, blisters had already formed on A’Yuan’s palms. She endured the pain, her hands trembling as she held the cup.
“Third Brother, you’re here!”
Just as A’Yuan was about to reach her limit, Wei Jin’s voice came to her rescue.
Her hands suddenly empty, Shen Qiuyu naturally took the cup, took a sip, and placed it on the table before rising to greet Wei Xun, as if the earlier hardship had been nothing but A’Yuan’s imagination.
“Young Master Wei.” Shen Qiuyu curtsied, her cheeks flushed with shyness. Even now, she could not help the fluttering in her heart.
“Madam Shen.”
Wei Xun’s gaze shifted from her to A’Yuan behind her.
Since that day, he had not seen her for a month, deliberately avoiding news of the Jade Clarity Courtyard. Naturally, he did not know that A’Yuan had fallen seriously ill.
A’Yuan lowered her eyes, her wide sleeves concealing her red and swollen hands.
Wei Xun’s gaze felt almost tangible. She curtsied and called out, “Young Master.”
The man responded with a cold “Hmm,” then turned and took his seat.
Shen Qiuyu’s anxious heart settled as well. She had initially worried that A’Yuan might complain, but it seemed Wei Xun paid little attention to this beautiful concubine. Casting a smug glance at A’Yuan, she lifted her skirt and sat beside Wei Xun.
One dressed in red, the other in black, both carried an air of noble elegance, appearing rather well-matched.
Today’s matchmaking banquet had Wei Xun’s approval, so compared to their encounter at Golden Osmanthus Lane, his demeanor was noticeably warmer.
Shen Qiuyu poured him a cup of tea and brought up A’Yuan.
“I’ve heard that Madam Xie’s embroidery skills are exceptional. I’ve always been clumsy with my hands but adore needlework. I wonder if Madam Xie would be willing to part with one of her pieces as a gift for me?”
A’Yuan looked up and met her smiling eyes.
Shen Qiuyu enjoyed an excellent reputation in the capital. Her father was the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and her mother was the eldest daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites. She excelled in poetry, literature, and etiquette. Though her appearance was ordinary, suitors never ceased to come knocking.At this moment, she smiled as she looked at A’Yuan, as if genuinely asking her to part with something dear, but only A’Yuan knew the vicious intentions hidden beneath her hypocritical facade.
The blisters on her palms throbbed with a pain that felt bone-deep. She lowered her head without speaking.
Wei Xun turned to her in surprise. In front of him, A’Yuan had always been gentle and obedient, never once defying his orders.
Yet now, just because Shen Qiuyu asked for a piece of embroidery, she was putting on a sour expression. Wei Xun’s eyes gradually turned cold.
Thinking of how she had deceived him by entrusting Granny Zhu to sell her embroidery, Wei Xun’s expression grew even more unpleasant. Without waiting for her reply, he answered on her behalf.
“If you like it, just take it.”
“Ah, thank you, Young Master.”
Shen Qiuyu smiled brightly and turned to A’Yuan. “If it’s convenient for Madam Xie, a simple pouch would suffice.”
She appeared considerate, but Wei Jin was not satisfied. “How could that be? Anyone can make a pouch—it would be a waste of her embroidery skills. When giving a gift, it should be the best. Why not have A’Yuan embroider a piece of double-sided embroidery for you?”
“This… wouldn’t it be too much trouble for Madam Xie?” Shen Qiuyu feigned hesitation.
Wei Jin waved her hand dismissively. “What trouble could it be? She doesn’t have much to do anyway, right, Third Brother?”
She even pulled Wei Xun to back her up. Wei Xun lowered his gaze, idly toying with his cup, and casually hummed in agreement.
This concubine of his had grown increasingly spoiled. Having her work on embroidery might temper her temperament and prevent her from scheming to sell her needlework again.
With his approval, the matter was settled.
A’Yuan stood beside him. The flower hall was bustling with noise and excitement, yet she felt only a bone-chilling cold.
A blister on her palm burst, and she clenched her hand tightly to keep the blood from flowing.
Shen Qiuyu watched her pale, paper-white face, the smile at the corner of her lips deepening. “My mother’s birthday is in seven days. I’d like to give it to her as a gift. Do you think there’s enough time?”
“Alright.”
A’Yuan nodded, having already abandoned any thought of resistance.
Once Wei Xun made a decision, no one could defy it. She would simply comply.
Shen Qiuyu smiled. “Then I’ll trouble Madam Xie.”
With that, she turned back to continue chatting with Wei Xun. When something amused her, she would cover her mouth with a handkerchief and giggle delicately.
Wei Xun showed no impatience, responding gently.
Listening to their laughter, A’Yuan felt her heart grow hollow.
By the time the banquet ended, Shen Qiuyu had not troubled her further.
When the banquet began, Old Madam Wei had come out to accompany the guests for half the event. The noble ladies could already tell that she favored Shen Qiuyu and did not humiliate themselves by trying to curry favor.
The noble ladies of the capital had their pride. While they admired Wei Xun, it did not mean they would compete with others for him.
Standing beside Old Madam Wei, Shen Qiuyu lowered her eyes slightly, concealing her satisfaction.
Carriages departed one after another. Old Madam Wei asked Wei Xun to see Shen Qiuyu off, while A’Yuan stayed behind with the other maids and servants to clean up the courtyard.
Enduring the pain in her palms, she wiped the last stack of plates clean.
Her hands, soaked in cold water, were swollen and red like radishes, yet no one in the courtyard cared about her.
The future mistress of the household was about to enter. What was she, a mere concubine, worth?
“Madam Xie, if you have nothing else to do, please move these flowers back.”
For the banquet, Old Madam Wei had ordered the maids to bring out many flowers from the greenhouse. These delicate flowers had been exposed to the cold wind for half a day and were already beginning to wilt.
The maids, unwilling to do the heavy work, called out to A’Yuan.
Before A’Yuan could respond, Wei Xun’s icy voice came from behind her.
“Did the Marquis’s household teach you such manners, daring to order your mistress around?”The maid had taken advantage of A’Yuan’s gentle nature, never expecting to be caught by Wei Xun. Terrified, she knelt on the ground, pleading for mercy.
“I was wrong, Young Master, please spare me this once…”
“Take her away!”
Once Wei Xun gave the order, her pleas were useless.
As the maid’s cries faded into the distance, A’Yuan’s lips turned pale.
Wei Xun walked up to her, looking at her fragile and pitiful appearance, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes.
“Where did the courage you used to deceive me go?”
A’Yuan lowered her head without a word, clenching her fists even tighter.
Wei Xun sneered coldly, “For the next few days, don’t go out. Just finish the embroidery work for Lady Shen. In the future, when she enters the mansion, she will be your mistress. Serve her well.”
“…Yes, I will remember.”