Today, the Marquis Manor had invited the renowned Zhu Family Troupe from the capital. The noble ladies each selected an opera and began watching with great interest.
The maids and elderly servants of the Marquis Manor bustled about, serving tea and water, while Wei Jin had only A’Yuan by her side.
“What are you standing there for? Hurry and pour tea for Lady Shen!”
Wei Jin cracked melon seeds and shot A’Yuan a glare. A’Yuan dared not say a word and quickly bowed to pour the water.
The tea had just been brought in, its boiling water steaming so fiercely that it nearly scalded her palms red.
A’Yuan poured a cup and handed it to Shen Qiuyu, but Shen Qiuyu seemed not to notice, turning instead to chat with Wei Jin about the opera on stage.
The cup was scalding hot, and A’Yuan could barely hold it steady. It was clear to her now that this Lady Shen intended to make things difficult for her.
After half an hour, the tea had finally cooled, and the opera on stage had reached an intermission. Shen Qiuyu turned around and, seeing A’Yuan still holding the teacup, pursed her lips as if embarrassed and smiled. “I really should be scolded. Once I get carried away talking, I forget everything else. It must have been hard for you to hold this cup for so long.”
Wei Jin snorted coldly. “You are the mistress, and she is the servant. Pouring a cup of tea is hardly a hardship for her.”
As she spoke, she reached out and touched the side of the cup with the back of her hand, her face suddenly darkening. “This tea has gone cold. Bring a fresh cup!”
Upon hearing this, A’Yuan turned and poured a new cup, but Wei Jin remained unsatisfied, ordering a servant to brew a fresh pot of boiling tea.
Shen Qiuyu watched them with a smile, saying nothing. While A’Yuan poured the tea, she turned her attention back to the opera.
After several repetitions, blisters had already formed on A’Yuan’s palms. She endured the pain, her hands trembling as she held the cup.
“Third Brother, you’re here!”
Just as A’Yuan was about to lose her composure, Wei Jin’s voice came to her rescue.
Her hands suddenly felt empty as Shen Qiuyu naturally took the cup, took a sip, and placed it on the table before rising to greet Wei Xun, as if the earlier hardship had been nothing but A’Yuan’s imagination.
“Young Master Wei.” Shen Qiuyu curtsied, her cheeks flushed with shyness. Even now, she couldn’t help the fluttering in her heart.
“Lady Shen.”
Wei Xun’s gaze shifted from her to A’Yuan standing behind her.
Since that day, he hadn’t seen her for a month and had deliberately avoided news from the Yuqing Courtyard, so he was unaware that A’Yuan had fallen seriously ill.
A’Yuan kept her head bowed, her wide sleeves concealing her red and swollen hands.
Wei Xun’s gaze felt almost tangible. She curtsied and called out, “Young Master.”
The man responded with a cold “Hmm” before turning to take his seat.
Shen Qiuyu’s anxious heart settled as well. She had initially worried that A’Yuan might complain, but it seemed Wei Xun paid little attention to this beautiful concubine. She cast a triumphant glance at A’Yuan before lifting her skirt to sit beside Wei Xun.
One dressed in red, the other in black, both exuding an air of noble elegance, they appeared rather well-matched.
Today’s matchmaking banquet had Wei Xun’s approval, so compared to their encounter at the Golden Osmanthus Workshop, his demeanor was noticeably warmer.
Shen Qiuyu poured him a cup of tea and brought up A’Yuan.
“I’ve heard that Lady Xie is exceptionally skilled at embroidery. I’ve always been clumsy with my hands but adore such needlework. I wonder if Lady Xie would be willing to part with one of her pieces for me?”
A’Yuan looked up and met her smiling eyes.
Shen Qiuyu had an excellent reputation in the capital. Her father was the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and her mother was the eldest daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites. She excelled in poetry, literature, and etiquette, and though her appearance was ordinary, suitors continued to flock to her door.
At that moment, she smiled at A’Yuan as if genuinely asking her to part with her beloved creation, but only A’Yuan knew the venomous intentions hidden beneath her hypocritical facade.
The blisters on her palms throbbed with a bone-deep pain. She lowered her head and remained silent.
Wei Xun turned to her in surprise. In front of him, A’Yuan had always been gentle and obedient, never once defying his commands.
Yet now, when Shen Qiuyu merely asked for one of her embroidery pieces, she dared to show displeasure. Wei Xun’s gaze gradually turned cold.
Remembering how she had deceived him by entrusting Zhu Pozi to sell her embroidery, Wei Xun’s expression darkened further. Without waiting for her reply, he answered on her behalf.
“If you like it, take it.”
“Ah, thank you, Young Master.”
Shen Qiuyu smiled brightly and looked at A’Yuan. “If it’s convenient for Xie Niangzi, a simple pouch will do.”
She feigned understanding, but Wei Jin was not satisfied. “How can that be? Anyone can make a pouch—it would be a waste of her embroidery skills. When giving a gift, it should be the best. I think A’Yuan should embroider a double-sided piece for you. How about that?”
“This… wouldn’t it be too much trouble for Xie Niangzi?” Shen Qiuyu pretended to hesitate.
Wei Jin waved her hand dismissively. “What trouble could it be? She doesn’t have much to do anyway, right, Third Brother?”
She even pulled Wei Xun to back her up. Wei Xun lowered his gaze, idly toying with his cup, and casually hummed in agreement.
This concubine of his had grown increasingly spoiled. Having her focus on embroidery might temper her temperament and prevent her from scheming to sell her work again.
With his approval, the matter was settled.
A’Yuan stood beside him. The flower hall was bustling with noise, yet she felt only a chilling cold deep within.
A blister on her palm burst, and she clenched her hand tightly to keep the blood from showing.
Shen Qiuyu watched her pale, paper-like face, and the smile on her lips deepened. “My mother’s birthday is in seven days. I’d like to gift it to her as a present. Will that be enough time?”
“Fine.”
A’Yuan nodded, having already abandoned any thought of resistance.
Once Wei Xun decided something, no one could defy it. She would simply comply.
Shen Qiuyu smiled. “Then I’ll trouble Xie Niangzi.”
With that, she turned back to continue chatting with Wei Xun, occasionally covering her mouth with a handkerchief and giggling softly at amusing moments.
Wei Xun showed no impatience, responding gently.
Listening to their laughter, A’Yuan felt hollow inside.
By the time the banquet ended, Shen Qiuyu had not troubled her further.
During the banquet, Madam Wei had joined for half the event, and the noble ladies could already tell she favored Shen Qiuyu. None humiliated themselves by trying to curry favor.
The noble ladies of the capital had their pride. While they admired Wei Xun, it didn’t mean they would compete with others for him.
Standing beside Madam Wei, Shen Qiuyu lowered her eyes slightly, concealing her smugness.
Carriages departed one after another. Madam Wei asked Wei Xun to see Shen Qiuyu off, while A’Yuan stayed behind with the other maids and servants to clean up the courtyard.
Enduring the pain in her palms, she wiped the last stack of plates clean.
Her hands, soaked in cold water, were swollen like radishes, yet no one in the courtyard cared.
With the future mistress of the manor about to enter, what was a mere concubine worth?
“If Xie Niangzi has nothing else to do, please move these flowers back.”
For the banquet, Madam Wei had ordered the maids to bring out many flowers from the greenhouse. These delicate blooms had wilted slightly after being exposed to the cold wind for half a day.
The maids, unwilling to do the heavy work, called out to A’Yuan.
Before A’Yuan could respond, Wei Xun’s icy voice sounded from behind her.
“Is this the kind of discipline taught in the Marquis Manor, daring to order your mistress around?”
The maid had taken advantage of A’Yuan’s meekness, never expecting Wei Xun to witness it. Terrified, she knelt on the ground, pleading for mercy repeatedly.
“I was wrong, Master Wei, spare me once…”
“Take her away!”
Once Wei Xun gave the order, her pleas were futile.
The maid’s cries gradually faded, and A’Yuan’s lips turned pale.
Wei Xun walked up to her, looking at her frail and pitiful appearance, a mocking glint flashing in his eyes.
“Where did the courage you used to deceive me go?”
A’Yuan lowered her head without speaking, gripping her palm tighter.
Wei Xun sneered coldly, “Stay indoors these days and finish Lady Shen’s embroidery work. Once she enters the household in the future, she will be your mistress. Serve her well.”
“…Yes, I will remember.”