12 – Skilled at Using Him
Su Peisheng muttered softly, “Why don’t you think about how difficult this is for me?”
Seeing that Qiao An truly had no intention of speaking to him, he prepared to leave the Main Courtyard, worried that it would be troublesome if Fourth Master couldn’t find him there.
Qiao An pursed her lips, feeling she had been a bit too harsh on him, so she followed his steps and said from behind him, “I’m sorry.”
After all, Su Peisheng was just a servant and couldn’t make decisions on behalf of his master.
Su Peisheng’s eyes instantly lit up, and he asked excitedly, “You’re not angry anymore?”
Qiao An lifted her gaze slightly, with a hint of awkwardness, and said, “Look at you, so spineless. Why do you care about what I think? Just focus on doing your own job well.”
Su Peisheng nodded repeatedly, realizing he had indeed been influenced by Qiao An lately.
“Last time, you mentioned the storybook I wrote. Was the mistress satisfied with it?”
Qiao An gave a perfunctory “Mm.”
Su Peisheng sighed deeply, his tone tinged with helplessness. “Look, it’s one thing for you to write about Fourth Master, and even about me. It’s another thing to include some made-up characters that don’t even exist. But to have Fourth Master’s confidant write it? You, you, you… you really trust me, don’t you?”
Didn’t that mean Qiao An trusted him?!
Qiao An’s eyes shifted thoughtfully. If they were real historical figures, she wouldn’t dare let Su Peisheng write about them. They were just made-up characters anyway. The important thing was that Fu Qingzi could understand. As for the crucial plot points, she wouldn’t dare let him write those—she only had him write the mundane, uneventful parts.
Seeing Su Peisheng’s conflicted expression, Qiao An couldn’t help but laugh, though she quickly composed herself and said, “Aren’t you going back? Won’t your Fourth Master be looking for you? Be careful, or you’ll definitely be punished if he finds out.”
Su Peisheng exclaimed, “Oh! I almost forgot!” He waved to Qiao An and hurried off to the front courtyard without any delay.
A few days later, a new person was indeed sent to the mansion. Fu Qingzi glanced at Fourth Master sitting beside her, her phoenix eyes smiling, giving off a lazy yet unapproachable air.
Yin Zhen’s sharp, angular features remained expressionless, his brows gradually furrowing. He said in a deep voice, “You handle the arrangements.”
Look at him, shirking responsibility so naturally and leaving it all to her.
Though reluctant, Fu Qingzi agreed. After all, his word in the mansion was like an imperial decree.
Fu Qingzi’s beautiful eyes swept indifferently over the woman below dressed in a delicate blue qipao, clearly adorned with care. “This must be Gege Song?”
The matron had introduced her earlier, but she still had to ask again as per protocol.
She should have been Fourth Master’s first woman, but now she was just a gege sent by Consort De.
Gege Song also looked up at Fu Qingzi without hesitation, bowing her head and replying, “Yes, mistress. This servant is Gege Song.”
As for her appearance, it was rather ordinary, even a bit provincial.
Consort De hadn’t chosen some seductive beauty to suppress her and teach her a lesson, which surprised Fu Qingzi somewhat.
Lady Geng felt uneasy in her heart. Had she dressed too flamboyantly today, earning the mistress’s resentment? She took the initiative to say, “This servant, Lady Geng, greets Fourth Master and the mistress.”
Yin Zhen sat leisurely sipping tea beside them, acting as if it had nothing to do with him. If it weren’t for the fact that she couldn’t afford to make a scene, Fu Qingzi would have loved to give him a few good smacks.
Fu Qingzi suddenly had a thought in her heart and smiled seductively, “In this mansion, Fourth Master dislikes people causing trouble the most. Since we have come here, we are sisters. Let us get along well, with serving Fourth Master as the premise, and not cause any incidents.”
Yin Zhen: “…”
Fu Qingzi seemed to sense Yin Zhen’s gaze and quickly turned her head to smile back at him.
Yin Zhen snorted coldly. This woman was always good at using him.
Lady Song and Lady Geng couldn’t help but look up at this lofty, stern man. They saw his gaze calm and unhurried, his slightly upturned dark eyes deep as a still pond, as if they could draw people in, making one’s heart flutter.
It must be said that although Fu Qingzi looked seductive, in terms of appearance, she was quite a match for Fourth Master.
Fu Qingzi looked at the two with interest, waving the handkerchief in her hand toward them and saying softly, “Come, come closer, let our Lord have a good look at you.”
The two blushed but still moved forward a little, unconsciously lifting their chins slightly, wanting Fourth Master to see them clearly.
Fu Qingzi lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. There was an unconcealable smile in her eyes, like the mischievousness of someone watching a spectacle. She could clearly sense that Yin Zhen wasn’t particularly interested in the two.
Yin Zhen glanced up, then shifted his gaze to Fu Qingzi. It was unclear what he was thinking, but he narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of danger within them.
Fu Qingzi quickly changed her expression, looking composed yet serious. “Your accommodations will be arranged by the mansion’s matrons. If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”
The two curtsied in thanks before taking their leave.
Yin Zhen’s dark eyes watched Fu Qingzi, his expression inscrutable. “Did you arrange their accommodations?”
Fu Qingzi pursed her lips and replied, “Yes, my Lord, it was this humble one. Is there something inappropriate?”
“Moon Full Courtyard and Hundred Orchid Pavilion are both close to my courtyard. Fu Qingzi, should I say you are considerate or…” Yin Zhen’s smile deepened.
Fu Qingzi met Yin Zhen’s gaze without flinching, a slight curve at the corner of her lips. “Thank you for the praise, my Lord.”
What a clever woman, yet she directed her thoughts elsewhere. Fu Qingzi, are you foolish or wise, or have you simply never thought of competing?
Yin Zhen said nothing, flicking his robe as he strode out directly.
Fu Qingzi watched Yin Zhen’s resolute back with deepening eyes. She did this not for anyone else but for herself.
Having these two, who didn’t catch Yin Zhen’s eye, live close to the front courtyard was better than having Ulanara come later and live in a courtyard close to him.
Let them fight if they want. She had no desire to compete or contend, but she also didn’t want anyone to suppress her in the future or have others focus their schemes on her.
If all kinds of schemes were truly directed at her, it would be unbearable no matter what.
Just like the historical Side Consort Li and Consort Ulanara.
In the front courtyard.
Yin Zhen’s anger was indeed stifled by Fu Qingzi. Look how considerate this person was.
Yin Zhen rested his elbow on Qianjin’s back, rubbing his temples with his fingertips. The frustration in his heart refused to dissipate, as if he were not being valued at all. This feeling was all too familiar to him, and he hadn’t expected Fu Qingzi, as his consort, to be the same.
Was it disappointment? Not exactly.
For a full half month, Fu Qingzi did not see Yin Zhen, nor did she hear from outside that he had gone to Hundred Orchid Pavilion or Moon Full Courtyard.
Even during the daily morning greetings, Gege Song and Consort Geng’s words carried a hint of complaint.
Fu Qingzi simply offered casual comfort, explaining that Fourth Master was busy with matters up front and had no time to visit the rear courtyard these days.