Inside Yaoguang Courtyard.
Shen Zuizhi brought several sets of newly made clothes for Shang Shiyan.
“Quickly pick one—what will you wear tomorrow to the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet?”
Shang Shiyan glanced casually and chose a simple, elegant long dress of pale green and light gold, embroidered with cloud patterns.
“So plain?” Shen Zuizhi looked curiously at the understated gown. This wasn’t Shang Shiyan’s usual style—she always loved wearing red, a bright and unrestrained girl whose fiery dresses radiated pride and confidence.
Shang Shiyan said firmly, “Tomorrow’s banquet will have noble daughters, princes, princesses, and young noblemen. It’s the perfect chance to be noticed. Those noble ladies will surely compete in splendor, but the Empress Dowager prays to Buddha and prefers tranquility. Wearing something modest is definitely the right choice.”
Shen Zuizhi’s gaze grew more approving. “Ah Yan, you truly think things through now.”
After all, the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet was the best opportunity for Shang Yunrou to steal her fortune. How could Shang Shiyan let her succeed so easily?
Once the clothes were chosen, Shen Zuizhi left with her attendants.
Shang Shiyan ordered Hubo to prepare the gift she would present to the Empress Dowager tomorrow, while she herself stood by the window, practicing calligraphy.
The Tongyan ink was excellent—smooth and flowing. Her cousin had truly been thoughtful in choosing it for her.
Thinking of seeing her maternal grandparents in the palace tomorrow, Shang Shiyan’s eyes lit up.
Just then, Qiuyue came in carrying a bowl of soup. “Miss, this is red date and white fungus soup from the kitchen.”
Shang Shiyan lifted her gaze and noticed Zhenzhu peeking in from the doorway. Without a word, she gave Zhenzhu a subtle signal. Then she accepted the soup from Qiuyue. “Alright.”
She drank a few sips and set the bowl down. “Tastes good. Did you make it?”
Hearing that it tasted good, Qiuyue’s eyes brightened immediately. Even though Zhenzhu had handed her the soup, Qiuyue still claimed, “Yes, I simmered it myself. I’m glad you like it, Miss.”
Shang Shiyan’s lips curved slightly. “You’ve worked hard, Qiuyue.”
Qiuyue replied boldly, “To ease your burdens, Miss, is simply my duty.”
Qiuyue had only just stepped out, intending to return to the kitchen to bring more refreshments, when Hubo blocked her path with a furious expression. “Qiuyue! Stop right there!”
Qiuyue looked at Hubo, who was now acting arrogantly before her. “Why should I stop just because you say so?”
Hubo grabbed her wrist. “After drinking your soup, Miss broke out in rashes all over her body. You knew she was to enter the palace tomorrow for the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet—why would you use such a vicious trick?”
Qiuyue froze. “How could that be possible! That soup wasn’t made by me!”
The moment she heard that Shang Shiyan was in trouble, she immediately began to deny it.
Hubo ordered others to seize her hands and drag her into the room.
Inside, Shang Shiyan sat in a chair, her face and arms covered in red rashes. Seeing Qiuyue, she was enraged and kicked her. “Qiuyue! Was it Shang Yunrou who instructed you?”
“You don’t want me to attend the Empress Dowager’s banquet, so you resort to this kind of scheme to frame me!”
Qiuyue knelt on the ground, explaining in grievance, “It wasn’t me, truly it wasn’t me!”
“The soup was given to me by Zhenzhu—it wasn’t made by me…!”
“You’re lying! Just now, you admitted with your own mouth that you personally cooked the red date and white fungus soup. I never thought you’d frame me like this! Now my face is covered in rashes—how am I supposed to go to the palace tomorrow to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday?”
Qiuyue, usually clever, now realized she had been set up.
Could it be that Zhenzhu had been bought off by the Second Miss? If she wanted to harm the eldest miss, why didn’t she do it herself?
In Qiuyue’s heart, Shang Shiyan would never deliberately ruin her own face just to frame a mere maid.
As Qiuyue was still speculating, Hubo gritted her teeth and said, “Miss, Zhenzhu seems to have gone to the Second Miss’s courtyard…”
Hearing this, Qiuyue became even more certain: Zhenzhu had betrayed the Eldest Miss, gone to serve the Second Miss, and now, in order to harm her, had falsely accused Qiuyue.
Would Zhenzhu have dared to do this without the Second Miss’s orders?
Qiuyue clenched her fists. She had slaved away for Shang Yunrou, only to be treated as a disposable pawn, cast aside without care for her life or death! If the blame for tampering with Shang Shiyan’s soup stuck to her today, she would be utterly ruined.
A servant who plots against her mistress—once sold off, no household would ever take her in. She would have no way out.
Qiuyue’s eyes burned red with hatred.
“Qiuyue, I have not treated you poorly!” Shang Shiyan’s eyes were full of disappointment. “Before, you knelt in the courtyard begging me to forgive you. I remembered the years you had served by my side and forgave you. For the terrible scar on your face, I even sought medicine for you. You refused to tell me who disfigured you, and I did not press you. But why would you do this to me?!”
Qiuyue trembled violently. She had always been cautious, and the more cautious she became, the smaller her courage grew. Now, hearing Shang Shiyan’s words, she seemed to see her own death looming. If she completely lost Shang Shiyan’s favor, she truly would be finished.
“I have tolerated you again and again, yet you remain ungrateful!” Shang Shiyan refused to even look at her. “Tell Mother to sell Qiuyue. I dare not keep such a ruthless maid by my side.”
Qiuyue’s face turned deathly pale. “Miss! It truly wasn’t me! That soup was given to me by Zhenzhu. When you praised its taste, I greedily claimed the credit, but it wasn’t mine at all!”
She kowtowed as she explained, “And the scar on my face—it was the Second Miss who slashed me with a knife. She said that kneeling at your courtyard gate with such a scar would prove you mistreated your servants!”
“And also—the medicine that Miss Yu Yao gave to the horse at the academy, that too was at the Second Miss’s command. I’ll confess everything, only please don’t sell me, Miss!”
Qiuyue pleaded desperately and sincerely. She had no retreat left. Shang Yunrou had abandoned her, and if Shang Shiyan sold her off, she would be doomed. She didn’t want to die!
“You vile maid, what nonsense are you spouting?”
“Yu Yao herself drugged Ah Yan’s horse—what does that have to do with Rou’er? You’re throwing filth on her name for everything. I think you truly have grown tired of living!”
Zhenzhu entered, bringing with her the two elder young masters of the Shang family.
Shang Jing and Shang Yunzong both glared at Qiuyue in fury.
Shang Yunzong lifted his foot and kicked her hard in the chest!