Cui Rong had been sent by Mama Zhou to keep an eye on Yu Ying, so he naturally refused.
Yu Ying had no choice but to flatter Cui Rong profusely and slip some money into his hand. Cui Rong, greedy for money, accepted it and arranged for her to be taken to the dock, but warned her repeatedly not to tell anyone.
Money truly makes the world go round—it was indeed right to take extra money from Cui Yichu.
The dock was the busiest place in the capital, where merchant ships from the north and south gathered, bringing together people from all walks of life and every corner of the land.
Yu Ying got off the carriage and looked around alone. After asking around several times, she finally found the person she was looking for.
Back in the village, there was a cowherd named Chen Da Niu who often received help from Yu Ying’s mother. Later, after Chen Da Niu’s parents passed away, he was brought to the capital by an elder from the same clan in the village to seek a livelihood. It was said he worked at the dock, carrying goods for others.
Seeing Yu Ying, Chen Da Niu was quite surprised, as they hadn’t seen each other for four or five years.
Without wasting time on pleasantries, Yu Ying got straight to the point and told Chen Da Niu that her mother was seriously ill and recuperating at Yunshui Nunnery.
Chen Da Niu earned twenty copper coins a day carrying heavy loads at the dock. Yu Ying gave him a string of coins and asked him to go to Yunshui Nunnery to help take care of her mother.
With the kindness of Yu Ying’s mother and the chance to avoid hard labor at the dock, Chen Da Niu was more than willing. They agreed that he would come to the Houfu to find her in five days.
Yu Ying acted swiftly and decisively, not lingering any longer. By the time she returned to the Houfu, it was still early, and even Mama Zhou didn’t suspect anything.
However, as soon as Baochuan saw her return, she took her straight to the side room in the backyard: “You don’t need to worry much about the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Just rest during the day and serve the Shizi well at night. Don’t wander around and be ready to respond to any orders.”
As expected, they deliberately prevented Yu Ying from interacting with others.
“Do I have to serve the Shizi again tonight?”
“Are you not pleased?” Baochuan retorted irritably.
Seeing the jealousy and resentment in Baochuan’s eyes, Yu Ying said, “When noble families elevate a Tongfang, don’t they usually choose from the Madame’s Attendants? In my opinion, sister, you’re so beautiful and trusted by the Madame—you should be the one serving the Shizi.”
Wasn’t that exactly what Baochuan thought?
But the Shizi was sharp-eyed, and the Madame didn’t dare drug him. She had to find someone who resembled her—how could she choose Baochuan?
“It’s not your place to comment on the master’s affairs.” With these words, Baochuan angrily slammed the door and left.
Yu Ying found it amusing but then turned her thoughts to the matter at hand.
Cui Yichu had instructed Baochuan to keep her resting in the room—it was to keep an eye on her.
With such “meticulous care,” not only would she be unable to seduce Zhao Xuanyou, but she wouldn’t even get to see him.
If she wanted to get close to Zhao Xuanyou, it would have to be arranged by Cui Yichu.
In her previous life, every night, she had to drink the calming herbal medicine given by Cui Yichu before she could enter the room to serve.
Those medicines weren’t aphrodisiacs; they simply made her consciousness blurry. Apart from that one thing, she couldn’t do anything else properly.
As dusk fell, lanterns gradually lit up in every courtyard of the Jingyuan Marquisate.
Cui Yichu sat in her room, restless and uneasy. She wanted to pick up a brush and copy a volume of scriptures but couldn’t calm her mind.
“Why is Madame so worried?” Baozhu, who had served her since childhood and knew her thoughts best, brought tea over and whispered words of comfort. “The most difficult first night has already passed smoothly. There won’t be any mishaps from now on.”
“The Shizi is a military man, but he’s not uncouth. He’s harder to deal with than I imagined.” Cui Yichu remained frowning with worry. “As long as Yu Ying isn’t pregnant for a single day, I won’t have a moment of peace.”
Baochuan entered carrying a plate of sesame shortbread and happened to hear these words. Her eyes flickered as she stepped forward and said, “Madam need not worry. Yu Ying has already taken your place for the consummation. If she fails to conceive within a few months, you can always elevate someone else to serve the Shizi. Eventually, someone will become pregnant.”
Cui Yichu glanced at Baochuan, deep in thought.
Baozhu, however, understood that Baochuan’s words had touched a nerve with Cui Yichu and said, “Those wisteria plants in the courtyard are looking rather wilted and lifeless. Send someone to the Flower Chamber to pick out a few healthy ones.”
“Yes.”
Watching Baochuan leave, a trace of mockery appeared on Cui Yichu’s face. “That girl has grown up, and her mind has become restless. She really ought to be married off to a man and sent away.”
“Madam need not concern yourself. She simply dislikes Yu Ying and is unaware of your far-reaching plans. This servant will reprimand her.” Baozhu, who had always been on good terms with Baochuan, hurriedly spoke a few words in her defense.
Both were personal maids who had served her since childhood. Though Cui Yichu was displeased, she would not take drastic action.
“It’s fortunate we didn’t tell her. She’s always been impulsive and might let something slip at any moment. Normally, it wouldn’t matter, but now that the Shizi has returned to the estate, we must avoid complications at all costs.” Cui Yichu rolled her eyes in annoyance. “If she causes trouble, I will not spare her.”
“Madam is wise.” Seeing that she was genuinely angry, Baozhu changed the subject. “This morning, the Duke’s residence sent someone with a message.”
“What did Father and Mother say?”
“The Duke still urged Madam to proceed with caution and ensure the Shizi does not detect any flaws.”
Cui Yichu sighed. “Don’t I know that? If we are not careful, it will mean utter ruin.”
Before her wedding, the Duke had repeatedly warned her that Zhao Xuanyou’s martial prowess was unfathomable. He had established himself in the imperial court in his teens and was nothing like those frivolous, easily deceived noble sons in the capital who spent their days cockfighting and dog racing.
That was why they had devised this foolproof plan: finding Yu Ying, who bore a striking resemblance to her, burning aphrodisiac incense in the room, and adding certain tonics for men to his meals.
“Is the kitchen still preparing deer antler soup daily?”
“Aunt Yu was brought from the Duke’s residence. She is thorough in her work. Besides the deer antler soup, she has also prepared tiger bone wine, all used in the cooking.”
Hearing this, Cui Yichu finally nodded in satisfaction. “The Prince’s residence has summoned the Shizi again. He will likely return late. Send someone to wait at the estate gate and report as soon as he enters.”
“Should Yu Ying serve the Shizi tonight?”
“We’ll act according to circumstances. Perhaps he will return dead drunk.”
Baochuan, having been reprimanded, felt stifled and resentful.
In truth, what Yu Ying had said was correct. In other households, the mistress would elevate her own Attendant maids to become Tongfang. Yet her own mistress insisted on making things so complicated.
The matter of losing her virginity had already been concealed. Why must Yu Ying be the one to bear a child?
Couldn’t she simply be elevated to Tongfang?
Looking at the row of wilted wisteria by the courtyard wall, Baochuan couldn’t help but sigh. Though her mistress appeared gentle, she was cold-hearted. Once she decided on something, even the Duke could not interfere. It seemed she was destined to remain a maid for life.
Just as she was about to instruct an elderly servant to go to the Flower Chamber, she turned and saw Yu Ying emerging from the rear courtyard through the moon gate.
“Why have you come out? Weren’t you told to rest?”
Yu Ying replied, “There’s no hot water in the teapot. I came out to fetch a pot.”
Baochuan’s jealousy grew stronger. They were both maids, yet she was busy running around while Yu Ying lay indoors drinking hot water!
“The flowers in the courtyard are about to wither. Go to the Flower Chamber and pick out some healthy ones.”
At first they said she didn't need to work, but now they're immediately assigning her tasks?
Seeing Baochuan's displeased expression, it seemed she must have been slighted by Cui Yichu.
"Yes."
Yu Ying went to the Flower Chamber herself to fetch a cart, returning over a dozen pots of wisteria that had passed their blooming season from Liufang Hall back to the Flower Chamber, then carefully selected fresh flowers to send to Liufang Hall.
Baozhu came out of the main room and happened to see Yu Ying bustling in and out. She looked at Baochuan with some helplessness: "Why make things difficult for her? Let her stay in the room more often, so she won't be seen by the Shizi."
Baochuan didn't think much of it: "Someone is keeping watch at the mansion gate. Once the Shizi returns, I'll have Yu Ying go inside."
The Flower Chamber was located in a remote area, where the masters would never pass by. It seemed unlikely to cause any trouble, so Baozhu said nothing more and went off to arrange the Heir Apparent's Wife's evening meal.
Yu Ying worked alone, bustling back and forth for an hour before everything was properly arranged.
The sky had completely darkened.
Looking at the fully decorated flower wall, Yu Ying realized she had missed one pot of crape myrtle. She turned back and hurried to the Flower Chamber, cradling the most beautifully blooming crape myrtle in her arms as she rushed toward Liufang Hall.
Just as she was hurrying along, someone suddenly blocked her path.