The sixth day of the tenth month was a bright and sunny day. After having breakfast with Old Madam at Fushou Hall, Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi were held by the hand and given another round of reminders by the elderly lady before heading together to Yi’an Hall.
At Yi’an Hall, Zhuang Mingxiang had also finished breakfast and was speaking with Fourth Madame Min.
According to custom, Min did not need to attend the birthday celebration of the Tang Family’s patriarch. However, Marquis Changping and Old Madam were both uneasy about Zhuang Mingxiang and worried that Zhao Changting might be caught off guard and fall into a trap. Thus, they specifically entrusted Min to accompany them to keep an eye on things.
Zhuang Hui, supporting Zhuang Mingxiang, had just reached the main gate of the Marquis’s residence when she saw Zhao Changting.
He had already ended his leave and officially joined the Imperial Guards at the beginning of the tenth month. However, since the Tang Family patriarch was his maternal grandfather and the Tang Family had personally come to notify him, he had swapped shifts with a colleague today. Dressed in a dark blue round-collared robe that was nearly new, he stood beside a red-maned horse, waiting for the women of the household to join him in heading to the Tang Family to offer birthday congratulations.
When Zhuang Hui saw him, he was gently stroking the neck of the red-maned horse.
His height was exceptional, and so was his profile—the sharp jawline when he lowered his head in concentration, the thin lips pressed lightly together, the tall, straight nose, and the slender fingers stroking the horse’s neck… Zhuang Hui had to admit honestly that none of the male leads or supporting actors in the historical dramas she had watched in modern times could compare.
Especially the new dramas released just before her transmigration—some of the older ones still had actors who could hold their own.
Perhaps hearing the commotion, before Zhuang Hui could withdraw her gaze, Zhao Changting lifted his eyelids and looked over. It was a faint, indifferent glance; perhaps he hadn’t even clearly seen who it was before immediately looking away.
His utterly unconcerned demeanor, combined with the fact that Zhuang Hui realized she hadn’t seen him for about twenty days, immediately put her at ease. It seemed she truly was very safe.
In a good mood, Zhuang Hui couldn’t help but curve her lips. However, before her smile could fully bloom, she saw Jiang Lai.
He was staring right at her, with a half-smile that seemed distinctly peculiar.
With such an expression and gaze, Zhuang Hui, who had felt reassured just a second ago, felt her heart tighten again.
Why was Jiang Lai looking at her like that?
There was nothing wrong with her!
Jiang Lai was Zhao Changting’s closest confidant. Being watched like this, Zhuang Hui couldn’t help but overthink.
Could it be that Zhao Changting was afraid others would notice, so he deliberately pretended to be indifferent, while secretly instructing Jiang Lai to do something? Was that why Jiang Lai was looking at her with that half-smile?
Otherwise, all the other servants in the household respected her as the young lady. How dare Jiang Lai show such disrespect?
Zhuang Hui had no idea that she had completely misunderstood Jiang Lai.
Over the past twenty or so days, Jiang Lai had enjoyed several more servings of the small cakes and milk tea she had personally “made.” The treats were so delicious that Jiang Lai felt both grateful and a little embarrassed. So, upon seeing her, he naturally wanted to smile.
It was a grateful, friendly smile meant to express warmth.
But as soon as his smile began to form, he remembered that last time, his smile seemed to have frightened the young lady.
Jiang Lai, who was deeply grateful to Zhuang Hui, certainly didn’t want to scare her, so he hurriedly suppressed his smile.
His alternating between smiling and not smiling took on a different meaning in Zhuang Hui’s eyes—it looked very much like he was up to no good!
Zhuang Hui wondered what exactly Zhao Changting had instructed Jiang Lai to do. Her heart raced anxiously all the way to the Tang Family residence. It wasn’t until they arrived at the entrance and she was about to step down from the carriage that she remembered she and Zhao Jingzhi had a task to accomplish today, which finally helped her calm down.
Last year, the Tang Family had celebrated Old Master Tang’s sixty-sixth birthday, so this year’s sixty-seventh, as Old Madam had said, was merely an excuse—the real purpose was Zhao Changting. Therefore, only close relatives by marriage and the married daughters of the Tang Family were invited today, making the guest list quite small.
The Zhao Family’s carriage came to a steady stop in the open space before the Tang Family’s main gate. Second Master Tang and Second Madam Tang were already waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing the Zhao Family, the couple hurried forward to greet them.
Second Master Tang welcomed Marquis Changping and Zhao Changting, while Second Madam Tang affectionately stepped forward to take Zhuang Mingxiang’s hand. However, even as she politely spoke and invited Zhuang Mingxiang inside, she glanced several times at Zhao Changting.
Zhao Changting merely greeted her as “Second Aunt” before following Second Master Tang away. However, the women of the Zhao Family, including Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi, had all been reminded by Old Madam, so they were now fully alert.
Why did Second Madam Tang keep looking at Zhao Changting? Was she truly putting on an act that day at the Zhao Family?
Was she aligned with Old Madam Tang, planning to employ some underhanded tactics today?
Zhuang Mingxiang subtly glanced at Fourth Madame, who in turn gently tugged at Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi’s hands.
Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi blinked in unison, indicating they remembered their roles. Today, Zhuang Mingxiang’s task was to keep an eye on Old Madam Tang and Second Madam Tang. Fourth Madame’s task was to watch over them while also taking care of Zhuang Mingxiang.
As for the two young girls, their attention was to be focused on Tang Wanying.
If by any chance Tang Wanying acted suspiciously, they not only had to stop her but also find a way to notify Zhao Changting.
It could be said that, aside from Zhuang Hui who knew from the book that Zhao Changting wouldn’t be ensnared by the Tang Family’s schemes, the other three were quite tense.
Following Second Madam Tang into the Tang Family residence, they had ostensibly come to celebrate Old Master Tang’s birthday, but in reality, the women wouldn’t even get to see him. The female guests were to proceed to the rear courtyard to pay their respects to Old Madam Tang, née Peng, and then enjoy the banquet and opera performances there.
During the Zhao Family’s previous banquet, Zhuang Hui had stayed in her room for several days due to her monthly cycle and hadn’t gone out. However, she had actually seen Peng Shi several times before. Peng Shi seemed to be fifty-two this year but was well-preserved, looking as if she were only forty-five or forty-six. One could still faintly discern that she had been quite a beauty in her youth.
However, now that she was older, the flesh on her face had diminished, and she was rather thin. So, even when she deliberately put on a kindly demeanor, it still carried a hint of sharpness.
Upon seeing Zhuang Mingxiang, before she could even bend her knees to curtsey, Peng Shi hurriedly rose and personally helped her up.
After a round of warm and affectionate greetings, one would almost think Zhuang Mingxiang didn’t bear the surname Zhuang but Tang, as if she were Peng Shi’s own daughter.
She was equally warm and courteous to Fourth Madame, Zhuang Hui, and Zhao Jingzhi, perfectly playing the role of a kindly elder.
This, of course, was because the Zhao Family not only had Marquis Changping but also Zhao Changting, who had now grown into prominence.
In truth, the Tang Family held the higher status as the Guogong Mansion. However, the one who inherited the ducal title, Tang Shinian, was not only not Peng Shi’s biological son but also had a strained relationship with both her and Old Master Tang.
Now that Old Master Tang is still alive, Peng’s children and grandchildren can still live in Guogong Mansion, and when they go out, they are respected and honored, with people saying, “These are the young masters and ladies of Guogong Mansion.”
But if one day Old Master Tang passes away and the Tang Family divides its assets, all of this will be gone.
Peng is over a decade younger than Old Master Tang, so she has no choice but to consider her own future and that of her children and grandchildren.
Seven years ago, she wanted to marry her daughter into the Zhao Family but failed. Seven years later, she now wants to marry her granddaughter into the Zhao Family.
Using her granddaughter as a link, on one hand, she hopes the Zhao Family will lend a helping hand, and on the other, she indirectly aims to maintain a good relationship with her stepson Tang Shinian, so that she and her children and grandchildren can continue living in Guogong Mansion and enjoy a life of wealth and prosperity.
Her thinking is not entirely wrong—everyone wants a good life, and everyone is selfish to some extent.
But it is detestable and unjustifiable for her to scheme against others for the sake of her own prosperity.
After greetings and pleasantries were exchanged, Zhuang Mingxiang and Fourth Madame stayed behind to chat, while Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi were accompanied by Tang Wanying and other younger Tang Family ladies to play in the garden.
It was already early October. Though there was no spring vitality or summer lushness, autumn had its own beauty. As a Guogong Mansion, the Tang Family’s garden was even larger and more exquisite than the Zhao Family’s. Beside a hexagonal pavilion in the garden stood three old ginkgo trees, their leaves now a brilliant golden yellow, creating a stunning sight.
The Tang Family had prepared tea and snacks in the pavilion for their esteemed guests to enjoy while admiring the scenery.
The eldest branch of the Tang Family had no daughters, so the girls were currently being entertained by Tang Wanying and three young ladies from the second and third branches of the Tang Family.
That day at the Zhao Family, Tang Wanying had stood quietly to the side the entire time without speaking.
But today, in the Tang Family, she was the host. Seeing that Zhao Jingzhi clearly had no interest in being close to her, she affectionately linked arms with Zhuang Hui, calling her “Sister Hui” repeatedly. Of course, she did not neglect Zhao Jingzhi either, still warmly addressing her as “Sister A Zhi.”
Zhao Jingzhi was young and unwilling to force herself, so she responded with polite indifference.
Zhuang Hui, on the other hand, did not want to argue with a young girl. After all, Tang Wanying was only thirteen years old. Even if she truly had an early infatuation with Zhao Changting, without Peng and Second Madam Tang scheming on her behalf, she would not dare to do anything.
In fact, if it weren’t for Peng and Tang Wanying’s parents being such schemers and Old Madam being so detestable, Zhuang Hui even wished Tang Wanying could pursue Zhao Changting and win the handsome man over as soon as possible.
That way, she would truly and completely be free!
The Tang Family had few guests today, so there were not many young ladies present. Besides Zhuang Hui, Zhao Jingzhi, and the three Tang Family young ladies, there were only four other girls, two of whom Zhuang Hui recognized.
Everyone introduced their families, exchanged names and ages, and since Zhuang Hui was the eldest, they all respectfully addressed her as “Sister Hui.” For a while, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
In truth, some might have looked down on her, as she was not a true high-born lady.
But because Zhuang Mingxiang had firmly established herself in the Zhao Family, and although Zhuang Hui had not changed her surname, the Zhao Family treated her no differently from Zhao Jingzhi, judging by the quality of her clothes and jewelry. Zhao Jingzhi was also close to her, making it clear that the Zhao Family had long accepted her.
Thus, even if she was not a biological daughter of the Zhao Family, she was no different from one.
Therefore, over the years, whether it was at Zhao family banquets or when she went out as a guest, there had never been anyone who openly looked down on her or bullied her. At least on the surface, the girls were always friendly.
A group of young ladies sat together drinking tea and eating snacks. Not being particularly close, they only discussed clothing and jewelry.
Zhao Jingzhi, being young and playful, quickly forgot her assigned task and enthusiastically joined the discussion.
Zhuang Hui had long passed the age where she enjoyed chatting about such things, especially since the oldest among these girls was only fifteen—still quite young. So, she simply held a cup of tea, sipping it slowly while smiling and listening to their conversation.
Just as the girls were discussing animatedly, a small, inconspicuous maid with newly grown hair entered the pavilion, walked up to Tang Wanying, and whispered something in her ear.
Tang Wanying immediately looked troubled and glanced over at Zhao Jingzhi and Zhuang Hui.
Zhao Jingzhi was busy showing off her brand-new pleated skirt to the group of girls and didn’t notice at all.
Zhuang Hui, however, did notice. Though her gaze was fixed on Zhao Jingzhi, she caught it out of the corner of her eye. Seeing Tang Wanying look their way, she pretended not to notice and took another sip of tea.
Tang Wanying pulled aside her Tang Family cousin from the third branch, Tang Wanqiao, whispered something to her, then stood up and hurriedly followed the maid out of the pavilion from the other side.
Although she was confident that Zhao Changting could avoid any schemes, since she had noticed something amiss, she naturally wanted to investigate what was going on and then find a way to warn him.
But before Zhuang Hui could think of an excuse to follow, Tang Wanqiao stood up and walked toward her. At that very moment, another maid entered with fresh snacks, and the two collided right in front of Zhuang Hui. Unfortunately, the still-steaming snacks tumbled down, staining the hem of Zhuang Hui’s skirt.
What a coincidence!
Was this a deliberate attempt to prevent her and Zhao Jingzhi from following?
Zhuang Hui had worn a new autumn outfit today, only the second time she had put it on—a pleated skirt embroidered with butterflies among a hundred flowers. It was identical in fabric and pattern to Zhao Jingzhi’s, differing only in color, as they had intentionally made them as matching sister outfits.
Zhao Jingzhi had just been proudly showing hers off, and now Zhuang Hui’s skirt was stained by the fallen snacks. Even if it could be washed clean, it was still distressing and frustrating.
When Zhao Jingzhi noticed, she immediately stood up and walked over, scolding the maid angrily, “How could you be so careless?”
The maid appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen years old, likely just a third-tier servant. Terrified, she fell to her knees with a thud, her face turning pale and tears streaming down before she could even speak.
Tang Wanqiao also looked uneasy and timidly said, “Sister Hui, Sister Zhi, she didn’t mean it. Could you please not hold it against her? I’ll take you to change clothes right away.”
As if they were deliberately trying to make things difficult for the maid.
Zhao Jingzhi couldn’t stand their behavior and was about to lose her temper.
Zhuang Hui immediately took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, then said, “Alright, thank you for your trouble, sister.”
Now was not the time to argue with them, as any further delay would make it impossible to catch up with Tang Wanying.
On the way to change clothes with Tang Wanqiao, Zhao Jingzhi belatedly realized that Tang Wanying was missing. Zhuang Hui gave her a meaningful look, hinting that Tang Wanying had also headed in this direction.
When they reached the nearby empty courtyard reserved for female guests to change clothes, Zhuang Hui and Zhao Jingzhi, accompanied by their own maids, entered one of the rooms, shutting Tang Wanqiao and the Tang Family maid outside.
Since they were all among trusted company now, Zhao Jingzhi immediately lowered her voice anxiously: “Tang Wanying is missing!”
Zhuang Hui, while swiftly moving toward the rear window, replied in an equally hushed tone: “Yes, but she probably hasn’t gone far yet.”
Zhao Jingzhi followed her: “Where is she going? Did someone help her trick Eldest Brother into going to the rear courtyard? Is she going to meet him? Could she really be planning to do something shameless?”
Zhuang Hui had already pushed open the rear window. Thank heavens, no one was guarding it.
“I don’t know, I’ll go after her and see,” she said, then attempted to climb out the window.
Zhao Jingzhi, uneasy, quickly grabbed her: “Let me go!”
If she had a choice, Zhuang Hui wouldn’t want to go either. But looking at Zhao Jingzhi, who was shorter and somewhat plumper than herself, she said bluntly: “You might not be able to climb over.”
Zhao Jingzhi, unconvinced, tried but couldn’t even get up onto the windowsill, let alone climb over.
She turned, thinking of asking Zhuang Hui and Yingtáo to help her, but then, considering her own weight, she grew discouraged.
Yingtáo said: “Miss, perhaps I should go!”
Before Zhuang Hui could speak, Zhao Jingzhi interjected: “You can’t. If you run into her, you won’t be able to stop her. And who knows, the Tang Family might be bold enough to knock you out or even make you disappear.”
After all, she was just a maid. If she really went missing, the Zhao Family wouldn’t be able to do much to the Tang Family over her.
Zhao Jingzhi’s maid approached and whispered: “The Second Miss Tang and her maid are blocking the main door.”
So the front door was out, and they had to use the back.
Since Zhao Jingzhi couldn’t go and Yingtáo was unable to, only Zhuang Hui could.
Thus, Zhuang Hui hesitated no longer. She quickly instructed Zhao Jingzhi to stall Tang Wanqiao and wait in the room for her return, then nimbly climbed onto the windowsill and jumped down lightly.
After running a few steps, she hurried back and whispered: “If I’m not back within a quarter of an hour, split up. Yingtáo, quietly go find Fourth Aunt and tell her about this. A Zhi, you bring people to look for me!”
Though it might be unnecessary fuss, it was important to take precautions.
In this life, Zhuang Hui cherished herself immensely; she didn’t want to endanger herself for others’ sake.
Yingtáo and Zhao Jingzhi nodded hurriedly like pecking chicks in agreement.
Although they had spoken quickly and wasted little time, by the time she got outside, Tang Wanying was already out of sight. Zhuang Hui looked around, thinking that if the Tang Family really intended for Tang Wanying to use underhanded means, they would surely choose a secluded spot. So she scanned the area and headed swiftly toward the relatively remote northwest direction.
As luck would have it, as she hurried along the base of the wall and turned a corner, she saw Tang Wanying ahead, reaching the end of the path and turning left.
Only Tang Wanying was visible. Had Zhao Changting already been tricked into going, or had he not arrived yet?
The Tang Family was on guard, deliberately keeping them occupied. With no one available to help her now, she couldn’t send word to Zhuang Mingxiang or to Zhao Changting. She could only follow to find out the truth.
But for some reason, Zhuang Hui felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
So halfway there, she abruptly stopped, thinking that since Zhao Changting was safe in the book, he should be safe in reality too. Besides, even if he wasn’t safe, better him unsafe than her!
With that, Zhuang Hui immediately turned around, intending to go back.
A sense of unease prickled at her, so she walked quickly. But it was too late. As she hurried along, she heard footsteps chasing after her from behind.
She simply broke into a jog.
But before she had taken more than a few steps, a sturdy-looking woman came striding toward her.
Zhuang Hui: “…”
Heaven was out to get her!
She was just a minor cannon-fodder supporting character in the book. Wasn’t the Tang Family supposed to be scheming against Zhao Changting? Why had they changed their target to her? What on earth did she have that was worth scheming over? Huh?