Startled by her shout, Chu Muqing lost her balance and swayed to the side. Fortunately, her maid Bai Zhi quickly supported her so she didn’t fall. Tears welled up in her almond-shaped eyes as she looked at the Old Madam and said softly, “Grandmother, did Muqing say something wrong that displeased Third Aunt and Fourth Sister? If so, Muqing is willing to apologize to them.”
The Old Madam cursed the Third Madam for being foolish. Although she had always doted on Chu Sichun, she couldn’t help feeling annoyed with her at this moment. She had tried to set someone else up, only to be outwitted instead. Despite having grown up under the careful guidance of the Marquis’s household, she still couldn’t compare to Chu Muqing, who had grown up outside the estate. Still, this eldest granddaughter of hers was indeed someone she could make good use of.
Thinking this, she scolded loudly, “Enough! Apologize to your elder sister at once!” Then she turned to Chu Muqing with a kindly expression and said gently, “Muqing misunderstood your Third Aunt. She was in a hurry to leave earlier and accidentally brought the wrong gift. She’ll send the proper one to your courtyard later.”
Chu Sichun stared in disbelief. “No!” she cried, and then burst into tears as she ran out. She couldn’t understand why her grandmother, who had always doted on her, would make her apologize to a countryside girl. She felt she hadn’t done anything wrong. Chu Shuran already ranked above her at home, and now this country bumpkin wanted to step over her too. In that moment, she felt that no one was more pitiful than she was.
The Old Madam sighed. “Such a willful child… Muqing, don’t take it to heart. I suppose you haven’t seen your father since entering the residence. You’ll see him during dinner later.”
But Chu Muqing noticed the Old Madam secretly signaling Nanny Liu, who nodded and quietly slipped away. It wasn’t hard to guess what this meant, the Old Madam was already feeling guilty after scolding Chu Sichun and had sent Nanny Liu to comfort her. After all, compared to an unfavored granddaughter, Chu Sichun was still the one she cherished. But knowing Chu Sichun’s temper, even if she was comforted today, the resentment would still take root, just waiting for the next outburst.
“All right, since you’ve paid your respects, you may all go. I’m old and tired,” the Old Madam said, waving her hand, looking sleepy, though in truth, she simply didn’t want to see Chu Muqing and the Second Branch anymore.
The First Madam hurriedly said, “It’s my fault for not noticing Mother was tired. Then we’ll take our leave and come back at dinnertime.” After bowing, she turned to the Second Madam and said, “Wutong Courtyard is ready. Sister-in-law, please take Muqing and Jin’an to rest. They must be exhausted from their journey.” Now that the spectacle was over, although Chu Muqing had gained face before the Old Madam, it was still satisfying that the Third Branch had been humiliated.
The Second Madam bowed slightly and said, “Thank you, Sister-in-law.” Then, together with Chu Muqing and Chu Jin’an, she bowed to the Old Madam and followed the First Madam out of Shou’an Hall.
Wutong Courtyard was located in the northern part of the Yongding Marquis residence. Its location was poor. It had originally been the residence of the Second Master. As an illegitimate son, he had not been favored, so his quarters were much worse than those of the First and Third Branches. It was only later, after the Second Master slowly advanced in rank, that the residence allocated people to renovate Wutong Courtyard. In her previous life, Chu Muqing had lived there from the moment she returned to the mansion until she got married. Even after the Second Branch returned to Hezhou, no one in the household felt there was anything inappropriate about the eldest daughter of the First Branch living in the Second Branch’s courtyard. But then again, as someone without favor, naturally no one cared.
But now that she had been reborn, she would no longer allow herself to be controlled by others. She would reclaim what rightfully belonged to her. Before she was even born, her mother had prepared a courtyard for her, located in a prime position within the residence, close to Shou’an Hall and the eldest son’s quarters, making it convenient for her daily comings and goings. The courtyard was encircled by peach trees, every spring, blossoms fluttered through the air like a dream. The rooms were filled with precious furnishings and ornaments, all part of her mother’s dowry and later additions.
In her previous life, she had once gone to that courtyard, but by then it already belonged to Chu Nianyi. Thinking of that person, she couldn’t help but sneer. Her father truly doted on that concubine, An. Not only did he name her daughter “Nianyi,” meaning “one in a hundred” a truly elegant name, but when the child grew older, he ignored even his own mother’s objections and insisted on bringing her into the household to grant her prestige and a favorable marriage. For this, he hadn’t hesitated to offend even the wife of the former Minister of Revenue.
When she first entered that courtyard, she had been dazzled by the sea of peach blossoms. After stepping inside, she was even more overwhelmed by all the precious furnishings. At the time, Chu Sichun mocked her for being a country bumpkin, Chu Nianyi covered her mouth and laughed, and even the maids around them snickered at her. Back then, she didn’t know that the entire courtyard was filled with her mother’s love for her.
Later, after she married, she heard from one of her mother’s former nanny that the courtyard had originally belonged to her. When she returned to the Yongding Marquis residence, everything valuable inside had already been taken away for Chu Nianyi’s dowry. Even the peach trees were gone, cut down by order of the Marquis because Concubine An disliked them. It was as if that courtyard had never existed. She had squatted there and cried bitterly, and for the first time, she truly began to hate her father.
Thinking of this, resentment surged in Chu Muqing’s heart.
When they reached Wutong Courtyard, she excused herself, saying she wasn’t feeling well, and returned to her room. The Second Madam was distressed and immediately had her maid help her back to rest.
Inside the room, Chu Muqing sat before a bronze mirror, staring at her reflection. She had a high, slightly upturned nose, light-red thin lips, tassel ornaments hanging beside her dark hair, and calm almond-shaped eyes. Her uncle had once said that her eyes looked exactly like her mother’s.
“Miss, I’ve removed your jewelry. Please lie down and rest for a while,” her maid Bai Zhi said anxiously. They had traveled far today, then spent so long fussing about in the Old Madam’s courtyard. Her lady’s health was poor, she must be exhausted.
Chu Muqing turned to look at Bai Zhi and couldn’t help feeling a deep ache in her heart. In her previous life, she had been blind and foolish. Bai Zhi had grown up with her, treating her both like a mistress and a sister. Yet Chu Muqing had listened only to Bai Lan’s sweet words, doted solely on Bai Lan, and neglected Bai Zhi. Later, she casually arranged a marriage for Bai Zhi, not knowing the man was addicted to gambling. When he ran out of money, he sold Bai Zhi to a brothel. Unable to bear the humiliation, Bai Zhi committed suicide.
How foolish she had been, treating others with kindness, only for them all to meet tragic ends, and realizing everything only when it was far too late. It was laughable, in the most heartbreaking way.
Seeing Chu Muqing staring at her silently, Bai Zhi grew uneasy and whispered, “Miss…”
Chu Muqing realized she had frightened her and softly said, “Come here, I have something to tell you. In a while, do this… and then this…” When she saw the stunned look on Bai Zhi’s face, she patted her hand gently and asked, “Do you understand?”
Bai Zhi swallowed nervously. “Miss… do I really have to do this?”
“Yes.”
Seeing Chu Muqing’s calm, composed expression, as if everything was firmly within her grasp, Bai Zhi gradually steadied herself. She nodded firmly. “Miss, don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”
Chu Muqing smiled in satisfaction. Bai Zhi was loyal to her. Though timid, she was careful and steadfast, never doubting Chu Muqing and always obeying her without hesitation.
Looking back into the mirror, Chu Muqing gently smoothed her hair. A faint smile curved her lips. With so many people attending the banquet, it would be a shame if there were no performance to watch. But this time, she would not be the one performing.
Given a second chance at life, she would no longer be a pawn, she would be the one moving the pieces.