“Shizi.” The maids in the courtyard greeted loudly.
There was no time to let Yu Ying leave!
Cui Yichu shot a glance at Baochuan, who understood immediately and pulled Yu Ying toward the adjacent study.
Just as they passed behind the screen, the door was pushed open.
“Madam.”
Zhao Xuanyou, the Shizi of Jingyuan Marquisate, was handsome and dignified, with sharp, star-like eyes. Despite his youth, he enjoyed the emperor’s deep trust, and his every movement exuded an imposing aura even without anger.
Upon seeing Cui Yichu, his gaze softened slightly.
“The door was closed. I thought you hadn’t risen yet.”
With a guilty conscience, Cui Yichu lowered her eyes and gently touched her forehead. “I didn’t sleep well last night and felt utterly exhausted. The light hurt my eyes, so I had the maids close the door.”
Last night… Zhao Xuanyou, of course, hadn’t rested much either. Seeing his wife looking so delicate and shy, he pursed his lips slightly and took a seat beside her.
Yu Ying stood behind the screen, following Baochuan’s instructions as she dusted the antique vases on the display shelf with a feather duster. Hearing the voices outside, she shifted her position slightly and peered through a gap in the screen.
Zhao Xuanyou was not dressed as a military commander at the moment. Instead, he wore a sleek, raven-blue brocade robe that accentuated his tall and sturdy frame. It softened the stern, imposing aura he carried during military campaigns, lending him an air of refined elegance.
However, even in casual attire, his demeanor was distinctly different from the pampered nobles of the capital. Years on the battlefield had forged a cold, formidable presence in his eyes and brows, capable of intimidating troublemakers with a mere glance.
Thus, as soon as he arrived, Mama Zhou and the others, who had been acting skillfully and speaking eloquently moments before, fell silent and shrank back in fear. Only Cui Yichu remained composed.
“Didn’t Shizi go to visit Prince Ping? Why have you returned so soon?” Cui Yichu asked softly.
Prince Ping had trained in martial arts under the marquis since childhood and had always been close to the Houfu. Yesterday, as soon as Zhao Xuanyou returned to the capital, the prince’s residence sent word inviting him to visit today.
“On the way, I encountered the prince’s guards. They said the Imperial Consort was unwell, so the prince entered the palace to attend to her.”
Yu Ying watched the man through the screen, her fingertips trembling slightly.
She and Zhao Xuanyou had never exchanged a single word. He didn’t even know of her existence, yet they had shared intimacy and even brought a son into the world.
Should she rush out? Confront Zhao Xuanyou and tell him that she was the one who had spent the night with him?
Of course not, Yu Ying thought bitterly.
Everyone around her was loyal to Cui Yichu. If she accused Cui Yichu of switching places, they would surely turn the tables and accuse her of climbing into the bed herself, branding her as insane and having her beaten to death with clubs.
Moreover, even if Zhao Xuanyou believed she had been drugged and sent to his bed, she was merely a maid. For a Shizi of his stature, sleeping with a maid was nothing extraordinary. Why would he punish the Heir Apparent’s Wife for her sake?
To seek revenge, she must proceed step by step and gather strength.
Cui Yichu smiled sweetly, her usually cold expression toward the servants now softened with gentleness. “Shizi had a rushed breakfast this morning. Shall I have the kitchen prepare another meal for you?”
“No need.”
During his military campaigns, Zhao Xuanyou had often endured harsh conditions, sleeping in the open and eating whatever was available. For him, food was merely sustenance, unlike the nobles of the capital who prized refinement.
Cui Yichu fell silent for a moment. Zhao Xuanyou noticed the dark circles under her eyes and realized she, too, had slept poorly the previous night.
Unaware that the woman who had shared his passionate night was not the one before him, he thought of his own roughness and said, “If you’re tired, go back to sleep for a while. In the Houfu, it’s just Grandmother, you, and me. There’s no need to be overly bound by formalities.”
Cui Yichu was the legitimate daughter raised in a mansion of jade towers and golden halls, her family prosperous and flourishing with many members.
In Zhao Xuanyou's view, because the Xingguo Ducal Residence had so many people, managing the household must be strictly regulated.
"Grandmother is lenient and kind. I've never felt constrained in the Houfu."
Hearing her reply, Zhao Xuanyou nodded slightly, looking at her with considerable appreciation.
Cui Yichu possessed outstanding beauty and was skilled in calligraphy and painting. Praised for both talent and looks, she was selected at the age of ten to be a study companion for the princess, entering and leaving the palace.
When she reached marriageable age, the suitors coming to propose practically wore out the doorstep.
Zhao Xuanyou was the Shizi of the Houfu, originally a match of equal social standing with Cui Yichu.
However, Zhao Xuanyou joined the army in his youth and seldom stayed in the capital. Before marriage, he had never met Cui Yichu. It was Old Madam Ye of the Houfu who entrusted someone to act as a matchmaker, which facilitated this marriage.
Initially, the newlywed period was not particularly pleasant, but after this return home and some intimate moments, the rift between them completely vanished, naturally putting him at ease.
"Since I don't need to go out, let's go pay respects to Grandmother together and accompany the old lady for a meal."
"Shizi," Cui Yichu lowered her eyes, somewhat embarrassed, "I'm utterly exhausted, and my appearance is unsightly. It wouldn't be good to let Grandmother see me like a joke. Today…"
Her eyes were dark and bruised, clearly indicating she hadn't slept well the previous night.
Zhao Xuanyou understood she was thin-skinned and asked softly, "Are you in pain? Do you need medicine?"
Meeting Zhao Xuanyou's deep, profound eyes and hearing his gentle inquiry, Cui Yichu felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
Last night, he should have been quite satisfied.
Feigning coyness, she turned her face away and nodded: "I just bathed. The maids were about to help me apply the medicine."
"Then rest. I'll come back later."
"Thank you, Shizi." Cui Yichu smiled faintly, inwardly sighing in relief.
She was the number one beauty in the capital, with a cool, aloof temperament, delicate and elegant, her smile captivatingly charming.
Watching Zhao Xuanyou leave the courtyard, Cui Yichu raised her delicate eyebrows, instantly changing her expression: "Bring her out."
The maids cooperated seamlessly. Baochuan closed the door and stood guard outside, while Baozhu led Yu Ying, who had been pretending to clean behind the screen, out.
"Have you remembered everything mentioned earlier?" Cui Yichu picked up a cup of fragrant tea and took a sip, her tone noticeably colder than before.
Yu Ying, hiding behind the screen, had clearly heard their conversation and naturally understood what displeased her.
Zhao Xuanyou's inquiry about the previous night, his tone noticeably gentler, had undoubtedly provoked Cui Yichu's jealousy.
She lowered her head submissively and said, "This servant remembers."
Seeing her so obedient, Cui Yichu's expression softened slightly, then she added, "I heard from Baozhu that you sold yourself into servitude because your mother was seriously ill?"
Yu Ying had depended on her mother since childhood. Their family had two rooms and half an acre of poor land, living a simple yet peaceful life.
Unfortunately, three years ago, her mother went into the mountains to gather herbs and fell from a cliff, remaining unconscious ever since.
They sold the house and the land, but it still wasn't enough for her mother's treatment. With no other choice, Yu Ying could only sell herself into servitude.
Hearing her mention her mother, and thinking of the miserable state in her previous life where her mother died alone and uncared for, Yu Ying's hatred surged again, her gaze dimming: "Yes."
"Where is she now?"
In her previous life, when Cui Yichu mentioned this matter, Yu Ying had thought her mother was saved. Little did she know the other party was using it as bait, waiting for her, this plump fish, to take the hook.
"This servant's mother lives in the almshouse of Yunshui Nunnery, surviving solely on the porridge the nuns feed her."
Cui Yichu spoke with apparent consideration: "Such a severe illness must be beyond the skill of ordinary physicians. Yu Ying, if you handle this task well, I will send a renowned doctor to treat your mother."
"Truly?" Yu Ying feigned overwhelming joy, expressing profound gratitude toward Cui Yichu. "Thank you, Heir Apparent's Wife, for your life-saving grace."
Seeing how easily Yu Ying believed her words, Cui Yichu felt both contempt and satisfaction. After a pause, she continued, "I have always been clear about rewards and punishments. As long as you perform your duties properly, I will not treat you unfairly."
Baozhu, sensing the timing was right, chimed in: "Still don’t understand? If you climb into bed now and the mistress elevates you, others will only follow suit. Serve the Shizi first. If you prove capable, the mistress will naturally raise you to Tongfang. There’s no need to rush this moment—hurry and express your gratitude."
"Truly?" Yu Ying looked at Cui Yichu with flattered surprise.
Cui Yichu nodded slightly while waving her palace fan.
As the legitimate daughter of a ducal household, she had been taught since childhood how to manage servants.
Servants were lowly and foolish, yet their labor was indispensable. Thus, one must combine kindness with authority—striking a blow before offering a sweet reward.
That was why, in dealing with Yu Ying, she first caught her in bed and threatened her life, then promised Tongfang status and her mother’s treatment. There was no fear of disobedience.
"The mistress is magnanimous, not holding this servant accountable for drunken misconduct, and even willing to elevate me. I am willing to serve you like an ox or horse for the rest of my life to repay your kindness."
Just as Cui Yichu was about to dismiss Yu Ying, she saw her kneel down.
"Mistress, this servant has a request to make."