Madam Li dismissed the servants and looked at Ye Cishu, who appeared perfectly at ease.
“Speak up! What’s on your mind? Why would you make such a request out of the blue?” Madam Li asked.
“Mother, Cishu isn’t thinking anything. It’s just that switching to those would be harder to move and safer, wouldn’t it?” Ye Cishu replied with a smile.
“And what about stamping them with the Ye Family crest?” Madam Li pressed.
“Wouldn’t that make it easier to recover them if they were stolen?” Ye Cishu continued smiling.
Madam Li tapped Ye Cishu’s forehead lightly.
“You’re so clever! Use your brain a little less, or you might faint again.”
After saying this, Madam Li quietly asked her personal attendant, Nanny Wu.
“I remember a set of small-leaf sandalwood furniture was sent from the south last year. The chairs, tables, tea tables, and embroidered stools were all part of a matching set, right? Originally, Second Master intended it as part of Wan Jie’er’s dowry. But after a trip to the capital, he found the dimensions didn’t match the rooms in the Marquis of Pingxi’s residence, so he arranged for the furniture in the capital instead. Where is that small-leaf sandalwood set now?”
“Replying to Madam, that small-leaf sandalwood set has been stored in the West Storeroom all along. It’s exactly as it was when it arrived from the south,” Nanny Wu replied.
Madam Li nodded.
“Good. Didn’t Old Master instruct us to replace the furniture in Su Jieyuan’s room? Use that set. Also… sandalwood furniture is hard to come by. Tell the steward to have the family carpenters stamp the Ye Family crest in inconspicuous places on each piece. Do it tonight, and replace all the furniture the day after tomorrow. Additionally, register every single item sent to Qiugui Xuan. There must be no mistakes, understood?” Madam Li instructed.
Nanny Wu acknowledged each point.
Ye Cishu’s eyes sparkled as another idea came to her.
“Mother, why not send some calligraphy and paintings as well? Brother Su is a scholar and loves such things. Appreciating them in his free time would surely lift his spirits. The best works by renowned masters, of course. Brother Su is a Jieyuan, with discerning taste—ordinary pieces wouldn’t catch his eye,” Ye Cishu suggested.
“Oh… is that really what you think?” Ye Wanshu asked with a smile from the side.
“Calligraphy and paintings are light and easy for Brother Su to enjoy!” Ye Cishu explained.
Madam Li understood perfectly and immediately gave further instructions to Nanny Wu.
“Go and speak to Second Master. Didn’t he buy quite a few calligraphy and paintings from Bogu Pavilion the year before last? Select a few valuable ones to send over. Remember, be sure to send someone knowledgeable to introduce them to Su Jieyuan.”
Nanny Wu promptly agreed.
Once only Madam Li and the two sisters remained in the room, Madam Li turned her gaze back to Ye Cishu.
“The Ye Family holds grudges and doesn’t suffer in silence—that’s good. But remember, even when seeking revenge, you must be absolutely certain of success. Until you’re completely sure, it’s best to…”
“Hold it in!” Ye Cishu finished.
Madam Li chuckled softly and shook her head, dropping the subject to look over the dowry list she was preparing for Ye Wanshu.
Ye Wanshu stole a glance at her mother and, seeing her attention fixed on the dowry list, gently tugged Ye Cishu’s sleeve.
“Fourth Sister, I’ve just gotten some new embroidery patterns. Come and see which one would look better for a pouch.”
Ye Cishu knew her elder sister had something to say, so she quickly set down the account book in her hand and followed Ye Wanshu into the inner chamber.
Madam Li remained motionless, still examining the dowry list.
Hmph, asking someone who embroidered twin lotus flowers into a lump which pattern looks good?
The eldest girl doesn’t even consider logic when lying. I’ll have to talk to her properly when I find the time…
After pulling Ye Cishu into the inner chamber, Ye Wanshu asked:
“Don’t you want to break off the engagement? Why are you still urging Mother to give them such fine things?
Doesn’t it hurt? They’re all Ye Family possessions. I feel it’s too good for that ungrateful wretch.” Ye Wanshu inquired.
Ye Cishu nodded.
“It does hurt, but I want to vent my anger even more.
Elder Sister, think about it. Grandfather has already given up such a fine residence. I merely encouraged Mother to add a little more—it doesn’t really matter, does it?”
Ye Wanshu still seemed somewhat puzzled.
Ye Cishu decided to explain more clearly.
“Elder Sister, no matter who it is, once they’ve experienced good things, they know what’s inferior.
Just like Mother and Son Su.
Before they sought refuge with the Ye Family, weren’t they also struggling to make ends meet?
Back then, they thought having enough to eat and wear was the best they could hope for.
But after coming to the Ye Family?
Could they still live as they did before?
Human desires are nurtured bit by bit.” Ye Cishu said slowly.
Ye Wanshu was taken aback.
“You mean that Mother and Son Su have grown accustomed to a good life, and if they had to return to their former circumstances, they would surely find it unbearable.
And because they can’t bear it, they might resort to despicable actions…”
“I hope they won’t.
They say scholars have integrity; Su Jieyuan should have more pride than others, right?
If we’re both wrong, then the Ye Family won’t lose anything, will it?
Elder Sister, what kind of person is it who eats another family’s food, uses another family’s bowl, and then complains that the other family’s filthy lucre has blocked his path?” Ye Cishu asked.
“A scoundrel!” Ye Wanshu blurted out.
Ye Cishu clapped her hands.
“Exactly, a scoundrel! Come, Elder Sister, let’s not talk about scoundrels anymore.
Weren’t you just saying you wanted to look at embroidery patterns? Where are they? I’ll give you some advice…”
…
In the Chun Bu Wan Tea House in Gusu City.
In the largest private room on the third floor, a beautiful qin player was plucking the strings.
Prince Ning’s Son and Twelfth Master listened to the music with half-closed eyes, their folding fans tapping rhythmically now and then.
Shopkeeper Dongniang also sat before the two, personally brewing tea for these masters.
“Autumn osmanthus fragrance, boundless and serene!
Please enjoy, Masters!” Dongniang smiled as she pushed the teacups toward the Heir Apparent and Twelfth Master.
The Heir Apparent picked up his cup and drank it in one gulp. The aroma of golden osmanthus immediately filled his mouth, refreshing him instantly.
“Twelfth, try it. Your Aunt Dong brewed it herself—shouldn’t you savor it properly?” The Heir Apparent nudged Twelfth Master, who was still lost in the music.
“I made sure Aunt Dong’s cashbox was overflowing today. Isn’t it only right that she brews me some tea?
Right, Aunt Dong!” Twelfth Master laughed as he picked up his cup.
“You still have the nerve to say that! Weren’t you both supposed to come and go quietly?
Now look what happened—you made me spread the word that the Heir Apparent was here, so of course everyone rushed to book all the seats at Chun Bu Wan!
I don’t care for this bit of silver.
You two hurry back to Jinling after the Tea Champion is chosen.”
"As long as you two are here, my heart will remain uneasy for a day," Shopkeeper Dongniang said bluntly.
Twelfth Master took a sip of tea.
"If he wants to go back, let him go back. I'm not going. I still have to quietly search for someone here!"