Although Wei Xun had instructed that there was no need to pay respects to Madam Wei today, A’Yuan still rose at the exact hour of mao.
The fire in the charcoal brazier had mostly died out. A’Yuan hugged her quilt and shivered, her muddled mind clearing considerably.
Chun Tao, hearing the movement, pushed the door open and entered, followed by a woman in a blue satin jacket with a long face.
The woman held a tray in her hands. Upon seeing A’Yuan, she gave a slight nod and handed over the porcelain bowl from the tray.
“Please drink it while it’s hot, Xie Niangzi.”
A’Yuan sat up straight and reached out to take it. The white porcelain bowl contained a pitch-black medicinal broth. Even before taking a sip, she could already smell the unbearable bitterness. Yet, as if accustomed to it, A’Yuan did not even furrow her brows.
After finishing the medicine, she returned the porcelain bowl to the woman and retrieved a pouch from beneath her pillow, pressing it into her hand. “Thank you for making the trip, Mama.”
“I’m merely carrying out my duties for the master; there’s no need for thanks, Niangzi.” The woman, who had risen early to brew the medicine, tightened her grip on the pouch, her smile growing a touch more genuine.
She served in Madam Wei’s courtyard and knew that Wei Xun had visited the previous night. Early that morning, she had gone to the kitchen to prepare this bowl of contraceptive decoction, timing it precisely to deliver it to A’Yuan.
Wei Xun had not yet taken a wife. Neither he nor Madam Wei would allow A’Yuan to give birth to a first-born son out of wedlock before the future mistress of the household entered the manor.
A’Yuan was well aware of this, which was why she drank the contraceptive decoction without hesitation each time.
Having completed her task, the woman did not linger. Clutching the pouch, she left Yuqing Courtyard.
Although A’Yuan held no formal status, she was still considered half a mistress. Aside from the few masters of the Marquis Manor, she was usually the only one who could receive a few pieces of A’Yuan’s embroidery.
The woman, who served by Madam Wei’s side, had always possessed a discerning eye and naturally knew how exquisite A’Yuan’s craftsmanship was.
Such a pouch, if sold outside, would fetch several taels of silver.
At this thought, the woman’s resentment over rising early vanished entirely.
She even began to hope that the young master would visit more often each month, allowing her to receive more rewards.
……
“Mistress, have some honey water to rinse your mouth.”
After the woman left, Chun Tao quickly poured a cup of honey water for A’Yuan to rinse her mouth.
Only after the bitterness in her mouth had subsided did A’Yuan finally relax her tightly clenched palm.
In truth, she detested bitterness, but ever since her parents passed away, no one had coaxed her to take medicine.
A child without anyone to care for her always learned to be more sensible.
After enduring hardship, A’Yuan had learned her lesson: in this world, aside from her parents, no one would indulge her whims.
“Help me change clothes.”
“Yes.” Chun Tao nodded in agreement, placed the cup on the table, and turned to open the wardrobe.
“The young master has just returned; Madam Wei is sure to be pleased. How about wearing this pomegranate-red silver jacket embroidered with golden butterflies among flowers? It looks festive.”
As she spoke, Chun Tao took out the garment.
A’Yuan shook her head. “The green one will do.”
Madam Wei disliked her being ostentatious, and besides, a concubine wearing red was already overstepping propriety. This jacket and skirt had been made for A’Yuan, but she had never worn it.
“…Yes.”
Chun Tao reluctantly set it down and brought over the green jacket with a straight collar for A’Yuan to change into.
The jacket and skirt were slightly loose and ill-fitting, conveniently concealing A’Yuan’s alluring figure. The cuffs and collar were embroidered with lotus patterns she had stitched herself—elegant yet not vulgar—adding a touch of brightness to the otherwise plain attire.
After dressing, Chun Tao styled her hair into a spiral bun. Her raven-black tresses were piled at the back of her head, secured only by a single jade hairpin.
A light dusting of powder on her face slightly concealed the dark circles under her eyes. A’Yuan refused to apply makeup, yet even so, she was breathtakingly beautiful. It was hard to imagine how enchanting and radiant she would be if she were meticulously adorned.
Chun Tao shook off her thoughts and handed A’Yuan a silver-woven hand warmer. Only then did the master and servant proceed toward the front courtyard.
Madam Wei rose daily at precisely 7:15 a.m., and A’Yuan and the others were required to attend and serve her. Today, they were already somewhat late.
When she arrived, the second wife Zhao Wan and the concubines from the second master’s quarters had indeed already arrived.
Madam Wei had borne three sons and one daughter. The eldest son Wei Ming died young, leaving no one in his household. The second son Wei Cong had been frail since birth, suffering from a congenital illness, and was bedridden year-round.
Fearing her son might follow the fate of his elder brother, Madam Wei treated him with utmost care, granting whatever he desired. Particularly concerned that Wei Cong might die young, she arranged for several concubines according to his wishes, hoping they would bear children and expand the family lineage. Yet to this day, only Zhao Wan had given birth to a son.
Just three years old, the child was cherished like a precious jewel by everyone in the Marquis Manor.
As for the third son Wei Xun, he and his sister Wei Jin were twins. After the New Year, he would be twenty-five, yet apart from A’Yuan, there were no other women in his quarters.
Even A’Yuan had been forcibly given to him by Madam Wei.
In his eyes, only official duties mattered. If he did not visit the Jade Clear Courtyard twice each month, Madam Wei would truly believe her third son intended to become a monk.
“Oh, it seems someone had support last night when the third master returned, making all of us wait for you.”
As soon as A’Yuan and her servant entered, Zhao Wan, the second wife, could not resist launching an attack.
Last night, Zhou the old maid had been beaten and expelled, and Zhao Wan was still seething with anger.
That little slut, always complaining to men! If she were in Zhao Wan’s quarters, she would tear her mouth apart!
Zhao Wan’s appearance was not remarkable. Her round face, paired with narrow eyes, gave her a somewhat harsh look. At this moment, she stood with her hands on her hips, gazing at A’Yuan with eyes full of envy and hatred. Behind her, two concubines from the second household covered their mouths, their eyes flashing with ridicule.
Truthfully, none of them failed to envy A’Yuan.
As fellow “thin horses,” it was already unfair that she was the most beautiful. Moreover, she had the fortune to enter the quarters of the heir Wei Xun. Even though Wei Xun was cold and indifferent and did not favor her, it was still better than serving a lecherous invalid.
Thus, when Zhao Wan suddenly attacked, they all delighted in watching A’Yuan’s humiliation.
A’Yuan tightened her grip on the silver-woven hand warmer and was about to explain when Madam Wei emerged from the inner room, supported by a maid.
“What is all this noise?”
She wore a jacket embroidered with auspicious floral patterns and longevity motifs, with a brown forehead band adorned with Eastern pearls. Though aged, one could still discern her youthful beauty.
Zhao Wan glared viciously at A’Yuan before eagerly stepping forward to support Madam Wei.
“It’s all about A’Yuan. Last night, just after the third master returned, he punished a lowly maid for her. That old maid, aged and forgetful, omitted two days’ worth of charcoal for the Jade Clear Courtyard. A’Yuan kept silent, only complaining to the third master upon his return. Zhou the old maid was beaten twenty times with a board and sent overnight to the estate. Oh, merciful Buddha! In this freezing cold, if something truly happened to her, wouldn’t it become the third master’s fault?”
Zhao Wan was clever with words, and Madam Wei believed in Buddhism, especially karma. Linking this to Wei Xun already darkened her expression.
However, Madam Wei had spent most of her life immersed in the intricacies of the household. How could she not see the hidden schemes behind such matters?
No matter how bold Zhou the old maid might be, she would never dare to withhold supplies from the heir’s courtyard. Ultimately, it was Zhao Wan intentionally creating difficulties.
She lifted the cup and gently blew away the foam, her expression unreadable. “Later, send two bottles of the best golden wound medicine over. Let her recuperate properly for a few months.”
“…Yes.”
Zhao Wan’s smile froze at the corners of her lips. This was certainly not the outcome she had hoped for.
Zhou Mama was her dowry servant, yet Wei Xun had made an example of her by driving her out of the manor. Wasn’t this a direct slap to her face?
If the matter were brushed aside so lightly, what authority would she have left in this household?
“Mother, I didn’t mean to make things difficult for A’Yuan. Zhou Mama brought this upon herself by doing wrong. But Third Brother had just returned and hadn’t even rested before A’Yuan kept him occupied half the night. Today, she deliberately woke up late. Fortunately, Third Brother isn’t married yet. If his future wife were to enter the household and A’Yuan still behaved this way, wouldn’t that cause conflict between her and Third Brother?”
Thud!
Zhao Wan’s words struck a nerve with Madam Wei. Concubines vying for favor was a major taboo in the Marquis Manor. Back then, she had chosen A’Yuan precisely because, despite her striking beauty, her eyes held clarity. Now, it seemed she had grown arrogant from being spoiled.
Slamming the cup onto the table, Madam Wei intended to temper her arrogance, casting a cold and stern glance her way.
“Since she woke up late, let her go kneel in the ancestral hall.”