Longfu Residence.
The servants had all been dismissed. In the summer heat, the bamboo blinds were propped open just a crack.
“Master, Madam Lou has already cried twice outside the courtyard today. Will you truly not see her?”
Steward Kang stood to the side, worried.
In the past, the Master would never ignore Madam Lou’s crying and fussing. What was different today? Could it be that the Master had found a new favorite and no longer cared for Madam Lou?
Earl Pingkang glanced out the window. Beyond the darkness of night, there was nothing to see. He let out a long sigh. Of course he knew Madam Lou was crying. In fact, he was well aware of everything that had happened in the household today.
“Do you know where I went today?”
“I know, Master. You entered the palace to see His Majesty.”
“Not so.” The Earl shook his head. Just thinking of what had happened in the palace today gave him a headache.
“Today, Prince Jing and Prince Xuan entered the palace together. When they left, they spoke to me about what had happened in the residence. It was one thing for Prince Jing to speak—but Prince Xuan… why would he also speak on Jun Ning’s behalf?”
Prince Xuan had once been the pride of heaven, the kind of prince countless families dreamed of marrying their daughters to. But ever since his face was ruined and his eyes blinded, he had been stripped of all brilliance, reduced to a useless prince.
After that, Prince Xuan never involved himself in any affairs. Yet now, he had spoken up for Jun Ning. Truly astonishing.
Steward Kang stood silently, unsure how to respond, but he carefully noted the words.
Half an hour later—
Furong Residence.
“Prince Xuan pleaded for Jun Ning?” Madam Lou’s voice could no longer be restrained.
Steward Kang quickly raised a hand to his lips and said urgently: “Madam, please lower your voice. If the Master hears, I cannot bear the blame.”
Madam Lou sat back down on the soft couch and gave Nanny Wang a meaningful glance.
Nanny Wang understood, pulled a silver ingot from her waist, and slipped it into Steward Kang’s hand.
At once, Steward Kang beamed. “Since Madam has given it, I’ll accept. The Master may call for me shortly, so I’ll take my leave.”
Once Steward Kang had gone, Jun Qingnian emerged from the inner room, supported by two maids.
Barely seated on the couch, Jun Qingnian sneered: “That little slut Jun Ning—seducing Prince Jing wasn’t enough, now she’s even seducing that disfigured blind cripple Prince Xuan. Truly shameless!”
Compared to Jun Qingnian, Madam Lou was much calmer. She waved her hand. “All of you, leave us.”
“Yes.”
With no outsiders left in the room, Madam Lou rose and took Jun Qingnian’s hand.
“Nian’er, it’s fine to say such things before me, but outside, you must never speak like that. Do you understand?”
“I understand, I understand, Mother. Jun Ning only has the title of legitimate daughter. Other than that, what can she do?”
Jun Qingnian was nearly beside herself with rage. Jun Ning, just like her late mother, always wore that cold, expressionless face.
Isn’t it just that she looks a little fox-like? She can’t even recite *Admonitions for Women*, *Rules for Women*, or *Instructions for Women*. All she does is wield swords and practice martial arts. Who would ever want to marry a pretty tigress like that?
“Enough, Nian’er. Today, Prince Jing has already quarreled with Jun Ning on your behalf. Jun Ning has been cold toward him all along. This is not the time for you to dwell on her.” Madam Lou stroked Jun Qingnian’s back, her eyes brimming with undisguised ambition.
“Nian’er, Prince Jing is increasingly favored by His Majesty. If you can become his consort and bear him children, when the day comes that Prince Jing ascends the throne, you will enjoy boundless wealth and honor.”
“At that time, Jun Ning will be nothing—my Nian’er can toy with her as she pleases.”
“In a few days, the palace will host the summer banquet. The wife of the Assistant Minister of Revenue told me that the banquet is actually meant to select brides for the princes. You are about the same age as Prince Jing. If you gain His Majesty’s approval, you will surely marry into the prince’s household.”
Jun Qingnian slowly lifted her head. In that instant, mother and daughter exchanged a look, both wearing chilling smiles of certainty.
…
Yunfei Courtyard.
“Second Miss, this is all I know. Madam Lou dismissed us, so the rest of the servants couldn’t hear clearly.”
Nanny Wang stood timidly before Jun Ning, terrified of displeasing her and ending up like Qing Tao.
At that moment, Jun Ning had rolled up her sleeves and was digging at the roots of several peach trees with a bronze spade.
Nanny Wang watched as the carefully tended peach trees toppled one by one, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy.
These were Second Miss’s favorite peach trees. What had happened that she now showed them no mercy? It seemed Second Miss had truly changed.
“Nanny Wang, do you know why I kept you?”
The cold, emotionless question jolted Nanny Wang back to her senses.
With a thud, she dropped to her knees and pleaded: “Second Miss, spare me! The concubine-born young miss has been dressing more elaborately these past few days, even bringing out her guqin. It must be for some important banquet!”
“Banquet?” Jun Ning murmured, suddenly recalling something.
How could she have forgotten? In the forty-third year of Yongchu, the Emperor held a summer banquet in Taihe Hall. Though called a summer banquet, it was in truth meant to select brides for the princes of marriageable age.
Prince Ding, Xiao Xinze; Prince Jing, Xiao Yunjie; and Prince Xuan, Xiao Moyuan—all were among them.
It was at that banquet that Jun Qingnian schemed to disgrace her. Originally, she was to be married to Xiao Yunjie, but because of that scandal, the Emperor set the matter aside.
In the end, only Prince Ding was granted a marriage decree. Prince Jing was rewarded with a few concubines, while no family was willing to marry their daughter to Prince Xuan. Prince Xuan himself declined, saying he did not wish to delay the young ladies.
That day, Jun Ning had cried bitterly. Now, thinking back, she almost felt she should thank Jun Qingnian.
With that thought, Jun Ning pulled three taels of silver from her sleeve and tossed them to Nanny Wang.
“If you do well, I will not treat you poorly. But if you dare betray me…” Jun Ning struck down the trunk of a peach tree with her spade. “This will be your fate.”
“Yes, yes! This servant is loyal to Second Miss. You are my only mistress!”
Yu Zhu gathered the uprooted peach trees. Once Nanny Wang had left, she couldn’t help but say: “Miss, in my opinion, Nanny Wang is nothing but a fence-sitter. Please don’t let her deceive you.”
Jun Ning smiled faintly and gave no reply. She knew exactly what kind of person Nanny Wang was. But for now, Nanny Wang was the best piece she could place beside Madam Lou. Once that piece had served its purpose, then it could be discarded.
Jun Ning thought for a moment, then suddenly tossed aside the spade and walked back into the house.
“Yu Zhu, burn these peach trees. If anyone comes, say I am unwell and cannot receive guests.”
“Miss, where are you going? Let me accompany you…”
*Click.*
The door closed, shutting Yu Zhu’s voice outside.
Night spread across the sky. A flock of crows startled into flight, while a round moon hung over the branches of withered trees.
As a cool breeze brushed across the pages of a book, the man seated at the desk paused in the act of drinking his tea.
“Since you have come, why not enter and sit?”