For the next several days, Jiang Shiyao remained day and night in the embroidery room.
Through the open window, one could see the vibrant life in the courtyard and hear Fu'er's cheerful laughter.
Beyond the courtyard wall, the Duke of Ying's Residence was bustling with joy, everyone busy preparing for the upcoming wedding of the Young Lord.
Shuangjiang helped Fu'er place the woven flower crown on her head, then turned to see Niangzi Jiang bent over the embroidery frame through the window.
It had been five full days since Niangzi Jiang returned from Yu Bao Tower without stepping outside.
She had been embroidering day and night, to the point where she could barely lift her hands to eat.
Her lips pressed together slightly – when the master suffers, it's the servants who bear the consequences.
Even with the Young Lord's protection, Niangzi Jiang couldn't escape misfortune.
When the new mistress enters the household, if she wants to use the young miss to control the lady, what can the lady do then?
Outsiders see only the surface splendor; the bitterness within is known only to those involved.
Everything is determined by fate, not by human will.
"Shuangjiang."
Shuangjiang snapped back to attention – Niangzi Jiang was standing by the window calling her.
Jiang Shiyao removed the embroidery from the frame.
"Take this to Old Madam now and ask whether we should use pearls or silver thread for the bead in the auspicious beast's mouth."
Shuangjiang had watched Niangzi Jiang embroider this auspicious beast from start to finish.
Only now, seeing it removed from the frame, did she realize the creature seemed almost alive.
Looking at the empty space where the longevity peach should be, Shuangjiang felt deeply indignant on Niangzi Jiang's behalf. "You've worked over half a month on this embroidery, to the point where you can't even hold chopsticks to eat!"
"Miss Song only needs to embroider a small peach on it, and she'll take all the credit!"
Jiang Shiyao rubbed her wrists. "I don't care about empty fame, I only want to exchange it for tangible benefits."
"Shuangjiang, do you think it's better for the auspicious beast to hold a real pearl or a fake one?"
Shuangjiang's gaze shifted slowly from the embroidery to Niangzi Jiang's wrists, while Fu'er's clear laughter still drifted through the window.
Even without pearls enhancing it, such an embroidery piece could fetch at least a thousand taels in an embroidery shop.
Niangzi Jiang worked herself to exhaustion, not only without pay, but needing to use such methods to gain even small benefits.
She slowly replied, "Naturally, real pearls are better."
Jiang Shiyao smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. "Take it to Old Madam and see what she says."
After Shuangjiang left, she took a thumb-sized, perfectly round pearl from her sleeve.
A pearl of this size and quality would cost at least three thousand taels.
But the one in her hand cost only thirty taels.
Made from ground flawed pearls pressed together, it wouldn't withstand the test of time.
But it was good enough to pass as real.
"Shuangjiang, what are you thinking about? Did you hear what I said?"
Gao Mama looked displeased at her distracted state.
"You've become increasingly lax since going to Niangzi Jiang's courtyard."
Shuangjiang lowered her head. Old Madam had just praised the lady's embroidered auspicious beast, but her next words were—
"If this can truly catch Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's eye, it will also enhance Yun'er's reputation."
She bit her lip. "This servant just feels it's unfair to Niangzi Jiang. She worked night and day on this embroidery, yet Old Madam wants to use it to burnish Miss Song's reputation."
Gao Mama tapped her forehead in frustration. "You pity others, but who will pity you!"
"Don't forget, you'll both be serving the Young Lord under the same roof in the future."
"If you don't start being more careful now, we'll see if you have any tears left to shed later!"
Shuangjiang said nothing, taking the embroidery and turning back toward the small courtyard.
Jiang Shiyao was unusually not in the embroidery room, instead playing with Fu'er in the courtyard.
"Madam," Shuangjiang entered and quickly changed her expression, "Old Madam said to use pearls!"
As she spoke, she sincerely took out a money bag from her bosom.
"Pearls are precious, and this humble maid is unrefined. Madam should make the purchase yourself."
Jiang Shiyao looked at the money bag that had been offered several times without being accepted.
The fish had grown fat enough to be caught.
She smilingly accepted the money bag, "Fu'er has been cooped up at home these days and hasn't gone out for a long time. Let's take her out for some fresh air today."
Fu'er accurately caught the word "out" and immediately jumped up happily.
Besides Dexing Lou, there was another famous restaurant in the capital called Huaiyue Lou.
The difference was that while Huaiyue Lou served food, it was connected to another building in the back that specialized in entertainment business.
Most patrons of Huaiyue Lou were those seeking pleasure.
However, no one could resist the skills of Huaiyue Lou's chef, who introduced new dishes every month featuring different regional flavors.
Therefore, many servants from various households specifically came to Huaiyue Lou just to buy food.
When Jiang Shiyao got out of the carriage with her companions, He Mama nearly thought the coachman had taken them to the wrong place.
"Madam, this… this is…"
Jiang Shiyao said, "This entire building serves food. Why are you so alarmed, Mama?"
It wasn't that no women ever came to dine at Huaiyue Lou, but they were indeed rare.
When the waiter saw them, he immediately guided them to a private room on the third floor.
Opening the window of the private room revealed the scenery of the central courtyard.
Artificial mountains with flowing water, a garden full of spring colors, vibrant flowers and willows.
The view was beautiful, and the flavors were exquisite.
If not for the entertainment establishment in the back, Huaiyue Lou would have taken the top spot from Dexing Lou.
"Mother, it's so beautiful here!"
Fu'er stood on a stool, her small hands gripping the windowsill.
She saw a figure flash by on the first floor opposite and, grabbing her mother's wrist, leaned out to see more clearly.
Jiang Shiyao pulled her back by the collar with her other hand, "Fu'er, that's dangerous!"
As Fu'er released her mother's hand, her finger caught the red cord around her wrist, unexpectedly breaking the knot.
The jade pendant tied to Jiang Shiyao's wrist fell down.
"Ah!—"
"From this height, it's likely to shatter." She leaned over to look and saw ripples forming in the small pond directly below.
Shuangjiang said, "It fell into the pond, so it probably isn't broken. This maid will go retrieve it."
This jade pendant had always been tied to her wrist. After it came loose last time at White Horse Temple, she had tried several knots but none worked.
Today it had indeed come loose again.
Jiang Shiyao leaned by the window, recalling scenes from her childhood.
She only remembered a gentle figure who could weave beautiful knots and make hair ornaments.
Beyond that, her memories were of her elder brother secretly taking her to the private school.
He would also take her to secretly pick the village head's mulberries.
Her ability to read and write was all taught by her brother.
This jade pendant was something her brother had repeatedly told her to carefully keep and not lose.
As Jiang Shiyao was lost in thought, a hand reached out from under the eaves and picked up the jade pendant from the pond.
"That's mine," she hurriedly called out.
The owner of the hand looked up from under the eaves.
It was that unlucky fellow.
Jiang Shiyao instinctively straightened up, "Thank you, young master. My maid has already gone downstairs. You can just leave it where it was."
Xiao Shu glanced upstairs and held up the jade pendant to the light, "No matter, I'll wait here."
In the daylight, he could now see the characters on the back of the jade pendant.
Qing Lian.
"Young master, this is my lady's jade pendant."
No sooner had Shuangjiang spoken than she was jostled by a burly man, stumbling so violently she nearly went flying.
"Master, the target escaped!"
Leaning against a nearby pillar, Shuangjiang swallowed the words she'd been about to utter.
That man's blade was stained with blood!
Xiao Shu tossed the jade pendant to Shuangjiang. "Tell your lady it would be best to leave promptly."
Clutching the pendant, Shuangjiang dashed upstairs.
Just as she'd said – Huaiyue Tower was a den of mixed company! No matter how delicious the food, they shouldn't have come!
Breathlessly returning to the private room, she was startled to find several additional people inside.
Jiang Shiyao stood pale-faced, held in Zhou Congxian's embrace.
She could detect the faint scent of blood in the air, and feel the dampness from Zhou Congxian's arm gradually soaking through her clothes at the back.
Moments earlier, right after she'd finished speaking to that simpleton downstairs, Zhou Congxian had pushed open the door.
He'd barely uttered "Don't move" when three or four men with murderous expressions filed in.
Fu'er sat in her mother's arms, unaware of what was happening.
Her childish voice broke the tension. "Mother, why hasn't Fu'er's chestnut cake arrived yet?"
Zhou Congxian took a sip of tea. "What business do you gentlemen have? Afraid this Young Lord won't pay his bill?"
The men exchanged uncertain glances.
They couldn't be certain whether the black-cloaked man was truly the Duke of Yingguo's heir.
One of them clasped his hands. "A thief was spotted in Huaiyue Tower. We tracked him here and disturbed Your Lordship's leisure. We beg your forgiveness."
Zhou Congxian snorted coldly. "Thief? Did I steal your vegetables or your rice?"
"Summon the manager!"
Jiang Shiyao felt a slight pinch at her waist.
She quickly responded, "They're only doing their duty, Young Lord. Let it pass today. Didn't you promise Fu'er you'd take her to fly a kite after the meal?"
Perfectly timed, Fu'er raised her chubby hands and cheered, "Fly kite!"
Zhou Congxian's expression finally softened.
"Get out now."
Only after the men left did Zhou Congxian relax, his face paling slightly.
It wasn't until Shuangjiang approached that she noticed the bloodstain behind Niangzi Jiang. "My lady!"
"Shh." Jiang Shiyao took the jade pendant. "Bring the bundle Wen prepared."
Though they rarely went out, Jiang Shiyao always packed thoroughly for Fu'er.
Besides Fu'er's spare clothes, shoes, and socks, the bundle contained some snacks and basic medical supplies.
Zhou Congxian eyed the treasure-trove-like bundle. "Why bring so much?"
It was better equipped than refugee supplies.
Jiang Shiyao took out the medicine and bandages. "Fu'er's young and curious about everything. I prepare extensively in case of emergencies."
She shot him a glance. "This humble wife may not know how to raise a daughter properly, but at least I ensure safety precautions!"
As she sprinkled powder on his wound, she "accidentally" pressed the bandage down with extra force.
Zhou Congxian's face whitened. "Jiang Shiyao!"
He knew she still held a grudge over the White Horse Temple incident.
Gasping, he pointed at Jiang Shiyao, then at Shuangjiang. "That…"
After a long pause trying to recall her name: "Go to the crossroads and summon Wei Xun. Have him buy a rabbit kite before entering."
Jiang Shiyao picked at her meal as if chewing wax.
She couldn't comprehend why the esteemed Duke's heir would be pursued by assassins, nor why those fierce-looking men kept appearing outside their room.
What could possibly be worth stealing at Huaiyue Tower?
Their recipes or their beauties?
When Wei Xun entered holding a rabbit kite, no one was happier than Fu'er.
"Let's fly the kite!"
Zhou Congxian's eyes swept over a passing waiter.
"Fu'er wants to fly the kite, let's go."
Holding the kite, he put his arm around the concubine carrying their daughter and walked out of Huaiyu Tower.
Watching their retreating figures, the same group reappeared in a room on the second floor.
"Master, we found no injuries on Zhou Congxian."
Xiao Shu stood by the window with his arms crossed. "Which hand did you injure?"
"The right hand.His gaze fell on Zhou Congxian's right hand holding the kite – the large kite just happened to cover most of his arm.
"Heh, interesting."