Torrential rain hammered against the eaves with a constant clatter. Overnight, the temperature in the capital had dropped, bringing with it a faint chill of early autumn. Even the atmosphere in the Lian family’s main hall was cold and tense.
Several elderly matrons lay barely conscious, bound and kneeling beneath the hall.
When Lian Xiao heard that his grandchildren had been mistreated, he flew into a terrible rage.
Madam Xi couldn’t escape the blame either. In front of the younger generation and servants, she was harshly reprimanded by Lian Xiao and regretted that she had chosen such old fools to serve the children.
“Mother-in-law, don’t be upset.”
Madam Gu comforted Madam Xi. She glanced at Lian Qiao, who was playing with Wen Yu nearby, and said gently,
“Actually, Gao Zhi didn’t handle this very well either.”
“It wasn’t her fault.”
Madam Xi shook her head.
“I’m getting old and failed to judge people properly.”
“Mother-in-law, you’re simply kind-hearted. You always think everyone is good.”
Madam Gu continued,
“A-Zhi comes from a military family, so she’s a little too straightforward. She beat those people so badly and sent them back here. Those who know the truth will say she cares about the children.
“But those who don’t might think she deliberately slapped you in the face and was trying to set herself up as the virtuous mother.”
Madam Xi frowned, a trace of hesitation appearing on her face. When she noticed Wen Yu watching them curiously from the corner of her eye, she hurriedly said,
“Don’t say such things in front of the child.”
Madam Gu glanced at Wen Yu and immediately put on a smile as she changed the subject.
“In a few days, it will be Old Master Shen’s birthday. By then, A-Yu will be able to return to the Prince’s residence and live with your father and mother.”
Wen Yu’s little face fell at those words. Only after Madam Xi said she wanted to rest did she return to the courtyard hand in hand with Lian Qiao.
“Why are you unhappy, A-Yu?”
Lian Qiao noticed the little girl’s dejected expression.
“I don’t want to go back.”
Wen Yu bit her lip.
“She’s so good at dealing with people. I’m afraid she’ll bully me too.”
Lian Qiao quickly understood who “she” referred to and comforted her.
“Although I haven’t spent much time with Miss Gao, I can tell that she isn’t a bad person. A-Yu, you’re just overthinking it.”
Wen Yu lowered her head without speaking. She held Lian Qiao’s hand and said unhappily,
“Aunt Qiao, I’d rather you marry my father and become my mother.
“You’re so kind. I like you. Miss Gao practices with swords and weapons and isn’t gentle at all. She doesn’t seem like a mother at all.”
Lian Qiao paused when she heard this. A trace of bitterness flashed through her eyes.
“You mustn’t say that in front of Miss Gao, A-Yu. It’s for your own good.
“She is your mother now. Auntie is only your aunt. How could I become your mother?
“After you return to the Prince’s residence, you must treat her well. Your future depends on her too.”
Wen Yu pouted.
“I’m not going to treat her well.”
She had stayed at the Lian family residence for several days, yet her father hadn’t come to see her even once.
Now that he had Gao Zhi, her father no longer liked her.
That woman from the Gao family was horrible.
She would never like her, and she certainly didn’t want that woman as her mother.
It rained for several days in a row. By the end of the eighth lunar month, it was the sixtieth birthday of Old Master Shen, the father of Noble Consort Shen and an Academician of the Hall of Literary Glory. He invited nobles and prominent families from across the capital to the celebration.
It was Gao Zhi’s first time attending such an occasion as the Princess Consort of Prince Huai’an. She dressed carefully before accompanying Feng Che to the Shen residence.
The men and women sat separately. After the meal, the young mistress of the Shen family, Madam Xiao, led the women into the garden to admire the flowers and pass the time.
Wherever there were many women, there was naturally plenty of gossip.
Gao Zhi endured several rounds of curious looks and whispered discussions.
Unfortunately, martial artists had sharp hearing. Even though she walked at the very back of the group, she couldn’t help hearing the gossip.
“The Princess Consort of Prince Huai’an really has some nerve. She exposed the matter between the Crown Prince and the Jiang family’s daughter, and only a few days later, she’s already boldly attending banquets again.”
“What’s wrong with that? That Jiang woman came today too. I just don’t know where she’s hiding now.”
“The whole thing between them has certainly been quite a spectacle.”
“They used to be as close as sisters, yet the moment a man was involved, they turned on each other. I don’t think the Princess Consort of Prince Huai’an was wrong. Rather than suffer in silence, she might as well drag everyone down with her.”
“I heard His Majesty hasn’t been relying on the Crown Prince as much lately. He’s been entrusting many important matters to Prince Huai’an instead.”
“Fate really plays tricks on people. Prince Huai’an went to war before because he didn’t want to marry, yet after returning, he still ended up marrying the Princess Consort.”
“Exactly. The couple came together today, but they look like strangers. Prince Huai’an barely even looks at his wife.”
“But why do I keep seeing Prince Huai’an sneaking glances at the Princess Consort? I think he even blushes.”
“With such a beautiful wife, even if she’s a little strong-willed, wouldn’t a man still be happy? At least she makes him look good when he goes out.”
Gao Zhi listened. Although they weren’t saying particularly nasty things about her, she really had little interest in listening to gossip, so she went over to greet Madam Xiao.
When the women saw her approach Madam Xiao, their gazes all fell upon her.
There were countless beauties in the capital, but among the noble families, two were particularly famous. One was the daughter of the Gao family, and the other was the Second Princess, who was also close friends with her and happened to be a descendant of the Shen family.
The beauty wore a hibiscus-colored embroidered brocade dress adorned with pine and bamboo patterns and a phoenix-tail hem. Her graceful figure was accentuated by the flowing fabric. Her black hair was swept into a bun secured with a jade hairpin, while several loose strands were brushed across her luminous pale cheek by the autumn breeze. Her brows and eyes were cool and serene, like the Water-Moon Guanyin.
She possessed an almost otherworldly beauty, yet there was something icy and intimidating about her.
Madam Xiao, who was nearly forty years old, couldn’t help staring for a moment. Remembering that Gao Zhi had also been an old friend of her son’s, she felt a little more warmth and concern toward her.
“Princess Consort, why aren’t you continuing to admire the flowers? Are you feeling unwell?”
Gao Zhi pressed her lips together.
“I’m a little tired, so I thought I’d rest for a while. Please continue without me. Don’t wait for me.”
Only after hearing that the young woman was merely tired did Madam Xiao relax. She led the others away to continue admiring the flowers.
Gao Zhi sat on the stone bench and looked around at the flowers blooming in profusion, gradually coming back to her senses.
When she had first been reborn, she had been focused entirely on Feng Che. It was only after arriving at the Shen residence that she remembered the major case in Tanzhou was also connected to the Shen family.
Old Master Shen’s son, Shen Zhong, the younger brother of Noble Consort Shen, had also appeared on the list of officials implicated in the corruption purge in her previous life.
As a result, all the Shen family men had been executed and their property confiscated. Noble Consort Shen had pleaded on behalf of her younger brother and was thrown into the Cold Palace. Later, even her good friend, Second Princess Feng Rong, was sent away for a political marriage and died tragically on the journey.
In her previous life, she had learned of her friend’s death precisely when she had entered the Eastern Palace and was being tormented by Empress Zhu. Jiang Tou had told her the news. Devastated by grief, she had fallen seriously ill and nearly lost her life…
“Smack.”
Something heavy landed on her shoulder.
Before she could react, a callused hand suddenly covered her eyes.
“Little lady, sitting here all alone. How lonely. Why don’t you let your man take good care of you?”