5
That very night, Madam Zhang, the Marchioness of Nanyang, learned that Shanhu, the maid beside Fourth Girl, had been dealt with by the Marquis.
One bowl of poison, and Shanhu was gone.
Madam Zhang secretly regretted it—such a useful pawn, gone just like that.
Nanyang Marquis made no secret of dealing with Shanhu, and the news quickly spread to every courtyard. With Shanhu, who had bullied others under the Fourth Miss’s protection, now gone, reactions varied. The servants buzzed with private gossip, secretly pleased.
Tang Xin was completely stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief.
That vicious maid, who had been as tenacious as a cockroach beside the ultimate cannon fodder Tang Cheng, was just… gone. This was a pawn that the reborn female protagonist had bought. Dead so early in the game—how would the subsequent plot unfold?
Tang Xin looked utterly lost.
Tang Cheng had just finished bathing and was about to go to sleep when she learned from Zhenzhu how the Marquis had dealt with Shanhu. Her almond-shaped eyes widened slightly.
Her marquis father was truly decisive. She had thought he might sell Shanhu off, but instead, he had simply eliminated the threat at its root.
In an excellent mood, Tang Cheng happily stepped onto the bed in her wooden clogs, wrapped herself in the blanket, and fell into a deep sleep.
Neither father nor daughter was particularly concerned about the person behind Shanhu’s betrayal. Whoever it was, anything that could be extracted from Shanhu’s mouth was likely unimportant. Anything that couldn’t be extracted was deeply hidden—perhaps even connected to the Duke of Zhen in some way. The truth would reveal itself eventually.
…
Main Courtyard, Duke of Zhen
The night air was slightly cool. Candle flames flickered.
Madam Min, the Duchess of Zhen, was discussing Tang Cheng with her legitimate son, Wen Huai’an.
“Huai’an, news has come from Nanyang Marquisate. Fourth Miss Tang has decided to keep the child. I’ll have someone choose an auspicious date. You should marry her as soon as possible.”
Madam Min actually greatly disliked this future daughter-in-law with her ruined reputation. But Tang Cheng was fortunate, she was carrying her son’s child.
The Duke had suffered damage to his health and had only one legitimate son, Huai’an, plus two daughters from concubines. Her son’s constitution was weak, and having children would be difficult. The other branches of the family were watching like hawks.
Madam Min could only hold her nose and accept this fertile daughter-in-law.
Wen Huai’an was handsome, with eyes as bright as stars. His tall, slender figure looked somewhat thin and frail, but this did nothing to diminish his good looks.
He elegantly raised his teacup and took a sip of the fragrant tea. When his mother urged him to marry Tang Cheng as soon as possible, his expression was indifferent as he nodded.
“Whatever Mother decides.”
His encounter with Fourth Miss Tang had been purely accidental. Everyone in the capital knew how Fourth Miss Tang had been jumping up and down trying to marry the Fourth Prince.
He had no feelings for her, and she had none for him.
But Tang Cheng was carrying his child, so Wen Huai’an would take responsibility.
Madam Min looked at her son’s indifferent expression and sighed inwardly. Having to deal with this foolish, ignorant, troublemaking Fourth Miss Tang—she really didn’t know if her son was unlucky or fortunate.
“There’s an auspicious day next month. Let’s set the wedding for then. It’s a bit rushed, but the child in Fourth Miss Tang’s belly can’t wait.”
Wen Huai’an nodded. “Mother, do as you see fit. I have no objections.”
Madam Min: “…”
“I’ll go to Nanyang Marquisate tomorrow.”
This Fourth Miss Tang was far too prone to causing trouble. It would be best to keep her under watch as soon as possible, lest she lose her grandson through some carelessness.
There were simply too many people eyeing Fourth Miss Tang’s belly.
…
Tang Cheng had no idea what was happening at the Duke of Zhen. Early the next morning, after she had finished breakfast, her marquis father sent over twenty servants.
These twenty servants had clearly been specially trained. The way they looked at her was calm and respectful.
Tang Cheng was very satisfied.
She noticed a girl with a quiet gaze and a petite figure.
“From now on, your name will be Shanhu, and you will stay by my side,” Tang Cheng announced, pointing at her.
Zhenzhu: “…”
“Miss, her name isn’t Shanhu.”
Tang Cheng lifted her delicate chin slightly. “From now on, the four head maids by my side will be called Zhenzhu, Shanhu, Linglong, and Hupo. Simple and easy to remember.”
The newly appointed Shanhu: “Shanhu thanks the young miss for the name.”
The two nursemaids: “…”
Everyone else: “…”
“Who among you knows martial arts? Step forward,” Tang Cheng continued.
A plain-featured maid stepped forward.
“Very good. You will be called Linglong.”
“Thank you, Miss, for the name.”
Tang Cheng then selected a pretty maid who knew medicine and named her Hupo.
The four head maids were now complete.
As for the remaining sixteen people—maids, elderly servants, and nursemaids—Tang Cheng assigned each of them a role. The entire Peony Garden underwent a complete overhaul. Aside from the rough servants who did the heavy chores, all the other servants were sent away by Tang Cheng.
Next, Tang Cheng prepared to brew her medicinal formula. She was particularly meticulous and specially instructed Linglong and Hupo to renovate an empty room in the Peony Garden for this purpose.
In the courtyard, under the bright sunlight, Tang Cheng sat lazily in a chair cushioned with soft padding, watching the servants busily working. Zhenzhu and the new Shanhu attended to her—one fetching tea, water, and fruit, the other massaging her shoulders, ensuring Tang Cheng was perfectly comfortable.
The two nursemaids: “…”
Fourth Miss Tang certainly knew how to enjoy herself.
Zhenzhu, however, was very happy. That Shanhu who had always manipulated and monopolized the young miss was gone. Now that the young miss had servants arranged by the Marquis, Zhenzhu could finally breathe a small sigh of relief.
The only thing was that the young miss was very focused on making that medicinal brew.
Zhenzhu was troubled.
The major upheaval in the Peony Garden, which had been under constant surveillance, quickly spread. The women in the inner quarters were overflowing with sour resentment.
Nanyang Marquis was going to spoil Fourth Miss completely.
At the same time, news of Tang Cheng’s fixed names for her four head maids also spread.
Tang Xin: “…”
One Shanhu gone, another Shanhu arrives.
The name remains constant; the maids come and go.
The power of the plot was truly strong—it could even restore things like this.
Fourth Sister’s move left one speechless.
But with Shanhu replaced by a different person, could the subsequent plot developments still be the same?
Aside from her plant-based superpower, knowing the book’s plot was also her golden finger.
Now this golden finger—the book’s plot had gone awry with the ultimate cannon fodder Tang Cheng.
Tang Xin felt a bit anxious.
…
Recently, Fourth Miss Tang of Nanyang Marquisate had caused one spectacle after another. First, she tried to drug the Fourth Prince but ended up with Wen Huai’an, the heir of Duke of Zhen, by a twist of fate. Then, a few days ago, news broke that she was pregnant. A foolish, brainless, talentless, and virtueless concubine-born daughter of a marquis had luckily become the fiancée of the young heir Wen. Then it was said that Fourth Miss Tang was making a racket about aborting the child. These several brilliant dramas had become the talk of the town.
In a teahouse, three handsome young men from noble families gathered together.
“They say Fourth Miss Tang is foolish and ignorant, but I think she’s quite clever. Remembering only four names saves so much trouble. Don’t you think so, Huai’an?” The heir of Marquis of Dingbei said with a smile, looking at Wen Huai’an.
“Fourth Miss Tang has her own ideas.” Wen Huai’an sipped his tea calmly.
The eldest young master of Duke of Qiguo fanned himself and let out a laugh. After chuckling, he asked seriously, “Huai’an, are you really planning to take Fourth Miss Tang as your legitimate wife?”
“Yes.” Wen Huai’an nodded.
His physical condition was well known to everyone. It was quite possible that the child in Tang Cheng’s belly would be his only offspring. He wanted to ensure the child would have the status of being born to a legitimate wife.
“I admire your courage.”
The eldest young master of Duke of Qiguo patted Wen Huai’an’s shoulder with an expression of respect.
The heir of Marquis of Dingbei rolled his eyes thoughtfully.
“Huai’an, Fourth Miss Tang really isn’t suitable to be a great wife. You could marry a dignified, virtuous, and capable noble lady as your legitimate wife, and take Fourth Miss Tang as a secondary wife of equal status. Nanyang Marquis would probably accept that. Once Fourth Miss Tang gives birth, the child could be recorded under the legitimate wife’s name.”
“That’s a good suggestion. What do you think, Huai’an?”
The eldest young master of Duke of Qiguo greatly approved. It was worth knowing that although Wen Huai’an might have difficulty producing children, there were still many noble ladies who wanted to marry into the Duke of Zhen. Difficulty producing children didn’t mean he would have no children at all. Those noble ladies who admired Wen Huai’an all believed they would be the lucky one.
Unfortunately, all of this had been preempted by the brainless Fourth Miss Tang.
Wen Huai’an flatly refused.
Due to his relatively weak constitution, he had never been particularly interested in women. His encounter with Tang Cheng had been an accident.
Wen Huai’an had no intention of blaming Tang Cheng.
It didn’t matter if Tang Cheng wasn’t qualified to be a great wife. His mother presided over the inner courtyard of the Duke Manor. After his mother passed away, he could also appoint someone to manage the household.
Seeing Wen Huai’an refuse without hesitation, the two young men secretly sighed. They both understood Wen Huai’an’s character and did not continue to press him.
…
Jian’an Earl Manor
Yaohong hesitated for a long time before finally gathering the courage to carefully report the situation: “Miss, news has come from Nanyang Marquisate. Shanhu, the one we bribed, has been dealt with by Nanyang Marquis.”
“Nanyang Marquis also sent twenty servants to Fourth Miss Tang’s side. Should we try to bribe another maid beside Fourth Miss Tang?”
Liu Jintong’s expression shifted slightly.
This was worthy of Nanyang Marquis’s most beloved daughter. No matter what kind of trouble that fool Tang Cheng caused, Nanyang Marquis would protect her immediately and clean up her mess.
“We’ll discuss it later.”
Although Nanyang Marquis was criticized for spoiling his concubine-born daughter to the heavens, aside from his hereditary title, he was also a third-rank official at court who enjoyed the emperor’s considerable trust.
Now, there was also the immensely powerful Duke of Zhen protecting her.
Liu Jintong didn’t want to expose herself at this time.
That fool Tang Cheng was truly blessed with luck so enviable. Fortunately, Tang Cheng was always causing trouble and would eventually destroy herself, just as she had in her previous life. She would set Tang Cheng aside for now and focus her energy on her other enemies.
Yaohong’s anxious heart settled upon hearing this. She really didn’t want to reach out to Fourth Miss Tang’s side, which was now heavily protected by Nanyang Marquis.
Just as Liu Jintong abandoned her plans against Tang Cheng, Madam Min, the Duchess of Zhen, paid a visit.
Madam Zhang, the Marchioness of Nanyang, received Madam Min. When she learned that Madam Min had come to discuss the wedding date, Madam Zhang’s face showed a hint of difficulty. She apologized, “Duchess, Fourth Girl’s marriage is decided by the Marquis. Why don’t I ask the Marquis for his thoughts and then give you an answer?”
Madam Min, Duchess of Zhen: “…”
The extent of Fourth Miss Tang’s favor left Madam Min both astonished and extremely vexed.
“It seems this will have to do.”
The Duchess of Zhen returned empty-handed.
After the Duchess left, the look of difficulty and apology on Madam Zhang’s face vanished completely. She sat back leisurely and sipped her tea.
If there was anyone who wanted Tang Cheng married off the most, it was Madam Zhang.
Unfortunately, Tang Cheng’s marriage was firmly controlled by the Marquis. Even if Madam Zhang wanted to interfere, it would be difficult. Of course, Madam Zhang had no intention of interfering anyway.
It was better for the Marquis to dote on Fourth Girl than to dote on any of the concubines in the inner courtyard.
For the sake of Fourth Girl, no concubine had become pregnant in over a decade, nor had the Marquis shown particular favor to any concubine. After all, Fourth Girl’s deceased mother was the one true love of the Marquis’s heart.
Madam Zhang was very satisfied with this situation.
Thinking that Fourth Girl would soon marry into the Duke of Zhen, Madam Zhang’s lips curved upward slightly. She was in an excellent mood.
**