“Nüshi, be careful.” The maid A-Jiu picked up the brush that Tian Nüshi had dropped in her daze, brushing away the ink splashed on her wrist.
“It’s nothing.” Tian Nüshi, realizing her lapse in composure, straightened her sleeves and steadied her emotions. “Ever since Consort Zheng was placed under what was called recuperation but was actually house arrest, I’ve anticipated this day. I am the bow in the princess consort’s hand. When the birds fall silent, of course the bow is stored away once the birds are gone. Even if I didn’t take the opportunity to join factions and attack dissenters, she likely wouldn’t have continued to delegate authority to me.”
A-Jiu brought over a fresh cup of tea. “This is a good chance for you to rest more.”
“Rest?” Tian Nüshi looked at her youthful yet earnest face and smiled self-deprecatingly. “Although I’m temporarily out of favor with the princess consort, I absolutely cannot remain idle. Otherwise, not only will servants from other factions eye me covetously, but even those who have always flattered and curried favor with me will be eager to pull me down to free up my position.”
Unconsciously, only A-Jiu remained as her trusted confidante.
The princess consort sat high on her pedestal, maintaining her reputation for virtue, gentle and graceful all day long. Yet when ruthlessness was called for, she never softened. The princess consort needed a sharp pair of scissors to prune the branches, but she was always on guard, fearing the scissors might cut her hand.
“You’ve managed the affairs of the estate for the princess consort for over a decade. Even if there’s no merit, there’s hard work. The princess consort values her reputation; she wouldn’t stand by and watch others bully you.” A-Jiu gently comforted Tian Nüshi.
Tian Nüshi shook her head. “Wrong. The princess consort only cares about who is useful and who is not. Duan Jun worked just as hard as I did, but once she showed a flaw, the princess consort immediately stood by and watched as I targeted and dealt with her. After all, the princess consort still values her dowry attendants most. Had I known it would come to this, I should have acted more ruthlessly back then.”
When the estate was first established, the Princess Consort of Chu was young and relied on her dowry attendants, gradually distancing herself from and looking down upon the senior maids and matrons around her.
To make herself useful, the seemingly tranquil rear courtyard was thoroughly stirred into turmoil.
Consorts Cui and Zheng received many punishments, and the princess consort also suffered losses, reluctantly sending away two of her dowry maidservants to be married off and dismissing her wet nurse to retire outside the estate, leaving only Bihe by her side. Years later, the wet nurse begged the princess consort to shelter her young granddaughter, Chun Tao. Chun Tao, now serving the princess consort, wished she could bite off a piece of Tian Nüshi’s flesh for her mistress.
“Go tell Xiao Li and Granny Sun to set aside the original plan for now. Instead, focus on quickly gaining the trust of Shen Hui and the others, and wait for the right moment to act.” With that, she let out a long sigh, suppressing her resentment and frustration, immediately reverting to her usual expressionless demeanor.
“Yes, this servant will immediately send a maid to relay the message.” A-Jiu, knowing Tian Nüshi would not turn back, reluctantly agreed.
Half an hour later, the message reached the Beast House, and news of Tian Nüshi’s loss of authority arrived along with it.
Where there is intent, there are no secrets in the estate.
“Can Tian Nüshi make a comeback?” Granny Sun nudged Xiao Li with her elbow.
“Definitely.” But Xiao Li had no other choice and could only deceive herself slightly. “Besides, Tian Nüshi isn’t completely finished. The princess consort has even entrusted her with arranging the Second Young Master’s wedding, which clearly shows she’s still being relied upon.”
Xiao Li was a house-born servant, but with many siblings from different mothers, a life of servants marrying servants and giving birth to little servants stretched predictably before her. She had to seek another path.
"You're quite loyal." Granny Sun glanced at her sideways, unable to hide her disdain. "But I think it's unlikely. In a few years, Third Young Master will be getting married. Would the princess consort favor a servant over her own daughter-in-law she should be cultivating?"
With no one else around, she shed the timidity she showed in front of Shen Hui and retorted coldly, "Godmother, the mistakes you made with unclean hands during purchases could be big or small. It was Tian Nüshi who protected you, otherwise you would have been famai long ago."
"She has leverage over me, so I'm under her control. But why are you so loyal to her?" Granny Sun didn't care.
One aligned with Tian Nüshi for profit; once the profit vanished, loyalty should fade too.
Granny Sun was someone who forgot loyalty for gain. She didn't care about offending people, believing it natural to fawn on superiors and bully inferiors. Her eyes rolled, gleaming with cunning, even thinking of switching allegiance to Aunt Duan.
"I have to save up for my dowry," Xiao Li lied through her teeth.
Xiao Li's parents, to curry favor with Granny Sun, had arranged a childhood marriage between her and Granny Sun's youngest son.
Granny Sun, ever greedy and stingy, immediately beamed with joy at these words. "That's true, good child. Don't worry, I won't touch a single thing you save up. It'll all belong to you young couple."
Chirping laughter came from the adjacent room. Xiao Li guessed it was Shen Hui and Liu'er playing around. She gave Granny Sun a meaningful look, then choked back sobs, covered her face, and ran out whimpering.
Granny Sun chased after her, cursing angrily.
"What's going on with you two again?" Shen Hui, drawn by the commotion, got into character even faster than Xiao Li. She entered Granny Sun's room, her almond eyes filled with gullibility. "Auntie, you should know when to stop."
"Miss Shen, don't be deceived by that two-faced little wretch." Granny Sun, who seemed rash, put on quite a performance, tears streaming as she accused Xiao Li of being duplicitous.
First, she accused Xiao Li of helping her family cheat her out of money, then suspected Xiao Li of slandering her with others—a truly pitiful display.
Shen Hui remained expressionless, maintaining her straightforward and righteous persona, helping Granny Sun up.
"Xiao Li has a gentle nature; she doesn't seem like that kind of person. Could there be a misunderstanding between you?" Shen Hui asked hesitantly.
"Sister, it's just that you think too highly of Xiao Li." Liu'er, filled with righteous indignation as if bewitched by Granny Sun, seized the chance to vent her dissatisfaction with Xiao Li. "Why do you always help her, giving her candy and rewards? It's a waste of kindness."
Shen Hui frowned and scolded, "Enough, Liu'er. Do you think I don't know you've secretly targeted Xiao Li multiple times? Today, I'll make this clear: Shiwu is a lesson for all of us. I don't want another person in our Beast House who bites the hand that feeds them and bullies the weak. Since we all work in the Beast House now, whatever grievances existed before, from now on, we should shake hands and make peace."
"Of course, Granny Sun, if you have any difficulties, just tell me. I'll help as much as I can." After scolding Liu'er away, she turned and smiled at Granny Sun, the corners of her lips lifting.
Granny Sun put on the act of an honest person being bullied, silently wiping tears. "I wouldn't dare trouble you, miss. It's not that I always hit and scold Xiao Li; it's that I'm clumsy with words. She provokes me, and I can't argue with her, so I only know how to use my hands."
"Auntie, if Xiao Li provokes you again someday, call for me. In front of me, she surely won't play tricks. It'll be a good chance for me to see what her true nature is like," Shen Hui offered proactively.
"Thank you, Miss Shen Hui. I've offended you many times in the past; I hope you won't take it seriously." Granny Sun took the opportunity to show goodwill toward her.
Shen Hui seemed utterly unguarded, softening her expression. "How could I?"
Songzhu Tang.
Before Fourth Young Master moved in, this courtyard designated for the young masters housed only Second Young Master, making it spacious yet desolate.
But with the imperial marriage decree now issued, today it was filled with joyous atmosphere.
"Congratulations, Second Brother. I hear that the young lady from the Cui family enjoys poetry and literature, so she must share your interests." Third Young Master clasped his hands in congratulations, then nudged Xiao Silang, putting on the airs of an elder brother. "Do you remember what Third Brother taught you? Quickly congratulate your Second Brother."
Consort Zheng was frail and often ill, but she had raised her son to be lively. Fourth Young Master's childish voice was clear as he slowly recited the celebratory phrases word by word: "I wish Second Brother and his future wife deep affection like mandarin ducks, harmonious as lute and zither, abundant descendants, and prosperity for five generations."
"Hmm, thank you both, younger brothers." Second Young Master replied indifferently, casually handing each of them a small gold ingot. Then, claiming he needed to continue his studies, he hurriedly closed the door.
Third Young Master instructed several nursemaids to properly escort Fourth Younger Brother back to his room. He accompanied him for a meal and supervised him in writing a page of large characters, fully playing the role of a good elder brother. Only then did he bid farewell to Madam Xu and head out.
After passing through the inner gate, he noticed the small path was empty and whispered quietly, "Although Second Brother is usually quiet and reserved, today he seemed particularly… Could it be he's unhappy?"
"Second Young Master just learned of the arranged marriage suddenly and hasn't fully processed it yet." Madam Xu refrained from saying more.
Anyone with eyes could see that Second Young Master was dissatisfied with this marriage.
Third Young Master waved his hand. "Yes, let's not talk about him. Madam Xu, accompany me to see Mother. I heard from Sister Xiangyun that she has no appetite and is growing thinner day by day. If only Fourth Younger Sister were by her side—she misses her daughter terribly."
Madam Xu hurriedly advised him to hold his tongue. "Young Master, be careful with your words."
"I'm just speaking up for Mother." Throughout the residence, it was said that Second Young Master was taciturn, Fourth Young Master was still young, and only the clever and bright Third Young Master retained some youthful spirit. Yet at this moment, Third Young Master's expression was cold, his slightly youthful eyes filled with mockery, his demeanor frighteningly icy.
"Even so, Young Master, you must not voice such thoughts aloud. The princess consort's daughter, Yuan Niang, was taken into the palace to be raised from birth, and even during festivals it's difficult to see her. The princess consort herself dares not harbor resentment, let alone a concubine? You are the concubine's son. If those words spread, people will think your birth mother has corrupted you." Madam Xu spoke earnestly.
"Earlier, I overheard Sister Qing'er telling you that your two nieces are skilled in cooking, quite creative with food, and know many different styles." Third Young Master neither agreed nor disagreed, changing the subject. "Have them prepare some dishes for Mother, to vary her palate."
Madam Xu cautiously observed his expression, weighing her words. "That was just idle talk. Those children have never tasted fine food; they only make crude dishes unfit for proper occasions. Moreover, the concubine's courtyard has a Private Kitchen specially granted by the princess consort, with cooks each skilled in their craft. How could the servant's little girls compare to them?"
She had no desire to involve the Huiwei sisters in the tensions between Third Young Master, his legal mother, and his birth mother.
"No matter how skilled they are, if they don't listen to Mother, what use are they?" But Third Young Master, though young, was stubborn. "Ask them for recipes. I'll have someone prepare them myself, saying I found them outside."
The cooks in Consort Zhao's Private Kitchen were all chosen by the princess consort and knew perfectly well who their true master was.
The kitchen maids' many acts of disrespect were silently noted by the Third Young Master, and over time, he grew increasingly disgusted with his stepmother's controlling nature.
"Master…" Madam Xu still wanted to persuade him.
But the Third Young Master had made up his mind: "Mama Xu, there's no need to persuade me. In another year or two, I'll be arranging a marriage and starting a family—I'm an adult now. If I don't protect my mother, who else will?"
"As you command, Master." With that, Madam Xu could say no more.
Author's Note: Promoting my upcoming sweet and scheming novel, The Highborn Concubine Daughter.
Being a concubine's daughter is hard; being a highborn concubine's daughter is even harder; being a concubine's daughter of the second branch of the Jing'an Marquis Estate is the hardest of all.
So, Pei Rongyun chose to lie low and avoid the "hard mode."
She let others scheme and fight while she hid in her small courtyard, eating and drinking, living a peaceful, idle life.
Her birth mother urged her to steal her elder sister's marriage prospects, but she repeatedly refused, saying that no man was more important than her sisters.
When her half-sister shamelessly took her hairpin, she wasn't angry at all. Instead, she sent over other trinkets, treating it like clearing out junk—after decluttering, her room felt much cleaner.
When someone submitted her name for the imperial selection, she didn't cry or make a fuss, calmly accepting it. After all, she was skilled in none of the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, or painting—so she wouldn't be chosen.
But then, her legitimate sister suddenly threw a tantrum, demanding to be part of the selection too.
And then, her legitimate sister was chosen—and so was she.
Her legitimate sister was honored as the Crown Prince's Concubine, while Pei Rongyun was appointed as the principal consort to the notorious Prince of Qi, Zhao Che.
After the wedding, rumors spread that Pei Rongyun was living a miserable life.
First, she had to endure Zhao Che never returning to the wangfu at night; then, she had to endure him keeping women at his manor estate; and she even had to endure the red nail marks on his face…
But Pei Rongyun, who secretly went to night markets with Zhao Che for late-night snacks, lived long-term at the manor estate indulging in horse racing, cockfighting, and fishing, and once accidentally scratched someone—only thought:
Her legitimate sister's imagination was truly vivid.
A Few Notes Before Reading:
Both leads are chaste.
The male lead at most talks big. He's called a wastrel for neglecting his duties and indulging in horse racing, cockfighting, fishing, brewing, drinking, and traveling, and a bully for punching eunuchs and kicking censors—but it has nothing to do with women. He won't become emperor.
This is set in a fictional world with scheming in households and a bit of palace intrigue, plus a little child-rearing, but the overall direction is a sweet, arranged-marriage-to-love story.