“‘The loving mother’s hand threads the needle; the wandering son wears the clothes. Before he leaves, she stitches them tightly, fearing his late return. Who says a child’s heart of grass can ever repay the warmth of spring?’”
Hearing her softly recite, Fangcao couldn’t help but laugh. “My lady, that’s not quite right—you’re no wandering child. That poem doesn’t fit your situation.”
“The poem may not fit, but its emotions are the same.”
Ruan Mianmian closed the carriage curtain with a sigh. “I may not be a wanderer, but since I entered the prince’s manor, even seeing my mother once a year is difficult. Isn’t that worse than being a wanderer? A wanderer has a home to return to—but me… when will I ever have an end to this?”
“My lady,” Fangcao gasped, “you mustn’t say such things! What kind of ‘end’ are you talking about? Your path ends as the prince’s wife, perhaps even… well, certainly not by returning to Lady Yun! Do you know what that would mean?”
“I’ve thought about it. Wouldn’t it just mean being divorced? What’s there to fear? Once I’ve saved enough silver, I’ll give it all to Mother to buy some land and houses here. If I’m ever sent away, I’ll just go home and be a wealthy landlady.”
Fangcao was nearly in tears. “My lady, if anyone overheard you saying that, this servant would be finished! Please, can’t you think of something more hopeful?”
“What’s it got to do with you? The Duke’s household took me back and arranged my marriage—I couldn’t resist. And now I can’t even think about it?”
“The Madam will surely think it’s I who’ve been influencing you!”
Fangcao pouted, but Ruan Mianmian only smiled brightly. “You’re mine now. You belong to the prince’s household, understand? Madam has no say over you anymore. Besides, do you really think my temperament is something you could influence? Madam knows me too well.”
“My lady wasn’t like this back at the Duke’s residence,” Fangcao murmured, eyes glazing as she recalled the not-so-distant past.
Ruan Mianmian: “Uh…”
“Besides, I’m a bondservant born to the household. Madam might not punish me, but she can still punish my parents.”
“Oh, I see.” Ruan Mianmian propped her chin thoughtfully. “So, Fangcao, you must keep your mouth shut tight—like a clam. Don’t let Madam know what I’m really like. At least not until I figure out a way to bring your family out of her control.”
Fangcao: “…”
“My lady… you mean… you’d really bring my parents out here? Truly?”
“How could I joke about that? Though it may not be possible right away. Madam will surely use your parents to keep you in check—to monitor me. We’ll have to wait, but don’t worry, I’ll find a way.”
“My lady, I’m so touched. How could I ever deserve such kindness?” Fangcao’s eyes truly filled with tears this time.
“Silly girl. Helping others helps oneself. Of course, I have my selfish reasons—once I get your whole family out, you’ll serve me wholeheartedly.”
Fangcao: “…”
“Even so,” Fangcao sniffled, “this servant is still deeply moved. But… my lady, just bring out my mother and my two younger sisters. My father and brother—they’re hopeless gamblers. Once they lose money, they beat me, my mother, and my sisters. Even my brother treats my mother like a servant. In your words, they’re not worth saving. Let them rot in the Duke’s estate.”
Ruan Mianmian was genuinely startled, staring at her. Fangcao grew uneasy under the gaze. “My lady… do you think me heartless, without any sense of filial piety?”
Before she could finish, Ruan Mianmian clapped her shoulder sharply. “Good girl! Truly worthy of following me! The fact you can say that makes me admire you even more. You’re right—men like that aren’t worth saving! Fatherly love? Did he care about that when he was beating you? Excellent, truly excellent, Fangcao! I didn’t realize I had such a treasure of a girl beside me.”
Fangcao: “…”
The carriage traveled for half a day before finally returning to the prince’s manor.
Once they passed through the second gate and reached her courtyard, Ruan Mianmian jumped down from the carriage and called for everyone to unload the luggage.
From a distance, Yuxue stood watching. After observing for a while, she turned and went back to Qinghui Pavilion. “My lady,” she said to Bai Chuchu, “the princess has returned from the countryside with several sacks of things. Judging by the looks of it, they’re all country goods. The funniest part—one servant opened a bag, and it was full of wild vegetables!”
“Pfft!” Bai Chuchu nearly spat out her tea. She quickly covered her lips with a handkerchief and laughed softly. “Completely lacking in refinement! Even as a princess, she can’t shed that peasant stench—bringing wild vegetables back to the manor? What does she think this place is?”
“Exactly!” Yuxue nodded eagerly. “I can’t wait for the prince to go over there and see what she brought. That will be quite the show!”
At the mention of Lin Zhuo, Bai Chuchu’s beautiful face twisted slightly. She gritted her teeth. “She’s only been gone two days, and the prince hasn’t stepped into my courtyard once. Fine then! Let him go and see what his precious princess is really like. Just a country bumpkin! So what if the empress dressed her in fine brocade—she’s still nothing but a mud-footed peasant. And she dares dream of keeping the prince all to herself? Hah! Now her true colors will show!”
“My lady is absolutely right.”
Yuxue echoed her words repeatedly. Just then, a little maid called from outside, “Sister Qiuxiang is here.”
“Qiuxiang? What’s she doing here?” Bai Chuchu frowned. “Never mind, let her in.”
Yuxue went to the door and brought Qiuxiang in. The girl placed a basket on the table, bowed, and said with a smile, “This is from our lady—wild vegetables she brought back from the manor. She said they’re especially fresh and tender and asked me to deliver them for the concubine to taste.”
“Wild vegetables?”
Even Bai Chuchu, as composed as she usually was, froze for a moment. Yuxue let out an unrestrained cry and glanced at her mistress, at a loss.
Qiuxiang, of course, saw through their reactions. She quickly said, “Our lady said these may not look noble, but they’re truly good—light, refreshing, and healthy. If Your Ladyship doesn’t like them, I’ll take them back. Our lady enjoys them very much; we wouldn’t want them to go to waste.”
“No need. Since she says they’re so good, I’ll keep them. I’ll try them tonight. Go thank the princess for me.”
Bai Chuchu swiftly composed herself, smiling gracefully.
Qiuxiang smiled back. “Yes, my lady. Then I’ll take my leave.”
The moment Qiuxiang stepped out, Bai Chuchu’s expression collapsed. Yuxue panicked, hurrying to soothe her. “Don’t be angry, my lady. The princess only wants to provoke you. If you fall ill with anger, won’t that be giving her exactly what she wants?”
“Too much—she’s gone too far! She, a mere peasant, leaning on the empress’s favor, dares insult me? Sending me a basket of wild vegetables to mock me for being unrefined? I—ugh! The prince’s eyes must be blinded. Since our wedding, he hasn’t once come to Qinghui Pavilion! I’m furious—I’ll tell him about this at once!”
“My lady, even if you must tell him, don’t go now. If you rush over, he’ll only think you petty. You must let him find out naturally. Like just now—you were seething inside, yet before Qiuxiang, you looked perfectly calm and gracious.”
At her words, Bai Chuchu regained her composure. She took a few deep breaths and smiled approvingly at Yuxue. “Good girl. You’ve grown up and learned how to ease my worries. You’re right—this must reach his ears by accident. Then he’ll finally see that his ‘virtuous princess’ is nothing but a malicious, base woman.”
“My lady already has a plan, doesn’t she?”
Yuxue knew her mistress well; one look at her expression and she understood.
“Come closer,” Bai Chuchu beckoned, whispering a few words into Yuxue’s ear. Finally, she smiled faintly. “Understand? Then start by taking care of these wild vegetables.”
“Yes, my lady.”
(End of Chapter)