The tea gathering was set for three days later.
In these few days, the entire residence busied itself for this small spring banquet. The flower room replaced branches with fresh blooms, the kitchen tested two rounds of pastries, and even the Main Courtyard found itself burdened with many trivial tasks. Wen Yunyi’s health had mostly recovered now, yet Bai Lan still followed the Imperial Physician’s earlier instructions, watching her daily as she took warm, nourishing soups, unwilling to let her skip them out of stubbornness.
The afternoon sun was warm, and the newly bloomed crabapple flowers outside the window cast a reddish glow across half the room.
Wen Yunyi sat on the couch by the window in the main hall, flipping through a booklet of past banquet menus. Her hair today was simply styled, adorned only with a white jade hairpin. Sitting there, her back was straight, yet her expression relaxed—very different from her frail state during her illness.
Bai Lan placed freshly brewed tea by her side and said softly, “Your Ladyship should rest your eyes after a while. Matters for the tea gathering cannot be rushed anyway.”
Wen Yunyi gave a quiet “mm” and casually closed the booklet.
Over the past few days, she had indeed spent considerable time studying these things. The original host had always been preoccupied with other concerns, never patient enough to bother with banquet arrangements, seating, or the presentation of refreshments. Now that it was her responsibility, she realized that in noble households, the true measure of competence often lay in these seemingly insignificant details.
When Qing Tao entered from outside, her steps were slower than usual, and there was a faint smile on her face, as if she had seen someone familiar.
“Your Ladyship,” she said upon approaching, “Tong Wei Madam has come. She brought a food box, saying she’s delivering some nourishing soup for you.”
Tong Wei had served at Xu Jinzhi’s side since childhood and had long been one of the most capable senior maidservants in his quarters. She spoke sweetly and had a gentle temperament. In the past, whenever Wen Yunyi felt upset, she would often come to the Main Courtyard at the right moment to chat and keep her company. Over time, the original host had come to trust her deeply, treating her almost like a confidante.
Bai Lan merely lifted her eyes slightly, not surprised.
Tong Wei had always come to the Main Courtyard frequently. When Wen Yunyi had been distressed, she often found time to visit. Bai Lan and Qing Tao were already accustomed to her occasional appearances, and since Tong Wei spoke well and behaved with careful thoughtfulness, they held little guard against her.
Wen Yunyi lightly tapped her fingers on the table before saying, “Let her in.”
Qing Tao acknowledged and went out.
Soon, Tong Wei entered carrying the food box.
She wore a light green sleeveless jacket over a pale blouse. Her appearance was gentle and refined; when her gaze lowered, she seemed even more meek and compliant. Upon entering, she skillfully performed a proper curtsy to Wen Yunyi, every movement precise.
“Greetings, Your Ladyship.”
This familiarity was not feigned.
She had come to the Main Courtyard often. The original host trusted her and liked speaking with her. If Wen Yunyi did not already know the story’s trajectory, she might have regarded her, like Bai Lan and Qing Tao did, as a warm-hearted and considerate person.
“Rise,” Wen Yunyi said evenly, looking at her. “What brings you here today?”
Tong Wei stood up, a faint smile on her face, as though still treating herself as half a familiar acquaintance. “The kitchen stewed red date, yam, and pigeon soup today. I saw the timing was just right. Though Your Ladyship has mostly recovered, you still need nourishment. This servant took the liberty of bringing a bowl, thinking it might suit your appetite.”
As she spoke, she had already opened the food box.
Inside was a small celadon bowl. Once the lid was lifted, steam rose gently. The soup was clear and rich, the red dates and yam soft and tender, the pigeon meat finely shredded—indeed very suitable for nourishment.
Qing Tao stepped forward to take it, smiling. “Tong Wei Madam is always so thoughtful.”
Tong Wei shook her head. “I merely saw it and brought it over. Now that Your Ladyship is recovering, everyone feels relieved.”
The words sounded entirely natural.
Wen Yunyi lowered her gaze to the soup, her expression unreadable. “You are thoughtful. Sit.”
Tong Wei did not refuse and sat halfway down the seat below—neither overly familiar nor distant. After sitting, she casually asked about Wen Yunyi’s recent meals and sleep, her tone light and conversational, never intrusive.
“I heard from Bai Lan that Your Ladyship has been sleeping more soundly at night recently?”
“Though the medicine is bitter, it does help. You looked so thin before—it made people’s hearts ache just seeing it.”
Her words were soft, carrying a gentle familiarity.
Bai Lan and Qing Tao, listening nearby, only felt that she was as considerate toward their mistress as ever.
But Wen Yunyi saw everything clearly.
She knew Tong Wei had not come merely to deliver a bowl of soup. The Main Courtyard had recently grown quiet, and Old Madam Zhao had just been dismissed. For Tong Wei to come at this time, it was impossible that she only wanted to ask about her sleep.
Sure enough, after a few casual remarks, Tong Wei let out a soft sigh.
“It’s good to see Your Ladyship steady yourself these days. But sometimes, thinking about it, I still feel it’s unfair to you.”
The words fell lightly, as if they had lingered in her heart for a long time, uncertain whether to be spoken, yet finally slipping out.
Wen Yunyi looked at her. “Unfair in what way?”
Tong Wei seemed hesitant, lowering her gaze before speaking softly, “It’s nothing. Only… others now see that Your Ladyship no longer behaves as before and assume you’ve come to terms with everything. But I feel that when things reach this point, how can one simply ‘come to terms’ so easily? The grievances in your heart cannot just vanish.”
There it was.
Not direct instigation, nor openly accusing anyone. Just one gentle mention of “grievances,” subtly prying open what lay buried deep within.
If Wen Yunyi were still the original host, her heart would already have softened.
She did not respond, merely turning the soup bowl lightly, her expression calm, as if truly caught by those words.
Seeing her silence, Tong Wei’s voice softened further. “Others may not understand, but I’ve seen it with my own eyes. No matter how anxious Your Ladyship was before, it was only because you cared too much. Yet the more you cared, the easier it was for others to use that against you. Now that you’ve stepped back, those outside may not truly remember your goodness.”
Every word sounded like it defended her.
Bai Lan and Qing Tao detected nothing amiss.
After all, Tong Wei had always spoken this way—slowly, gently, as though sincerely concerned.
But Wen Yunyi sneered inwardly.
So this was how the original host’s anger had been stirred, bit by bit.
Not by directly criticizing Concubine Jiang, but by expressing sympathy and injustice, prompting her to dwell on the sharpest pain herself.
Wen Yunyi understood, yet lowered her lashes slightly, as if unwilling to let others see she had been struck. After a moment, she said quietly, “You see more clearly than others.”
Hearing this, Tong Wei felt half her tension ease.
If the Lady accepted her words, it meant the thorn still remained in her heart.
Thus, she did not press further, only continued gently, “I know nothing much. I’ve only seen more from staying nearby. Others only see Concubine Jiang as cheerful, fortunate, and pleasing to Madam. But who has truly considered all the grievances Your Ladyship has endured over the years?”
This time, Jiang Yunzhi’s name was finally mentioned.
As if she could no longer hold it back.
Wen Yunyi raised her eyes, and a shadow seemed to press within them. Her voice lowered. “She does nothing, yet people praise her all the same.”
This line sounded very much like something the original host would say.
Tong Wei felt even more assured. She continued softly, “Concubine Jiang appears not to compete, yet she is the hardest to guard against. If Your Ladyship keeps retreating, others may think you are easy to bully.”
The word “others” was cleverly used.
It could refer to Listening Rain Pavilion, or to everyone in the household favoring Jiang Yunzhi.
Wen Yunyi did not respond immediately. She lifted the lid of the bowl, scooped a spoonful, and brought it slowly to her lips.
The sweetness of red dates, the richness of pigeon, and the softness of yam blended well. It was indeed gentle and nourishing.
She set the spoon down and gave a faint smile. “What else can I do now? I cannot behave as before and let others say I cannot tolerate her.”
Tong Wei quickly said, “That’s not what I meant. Your Ladyship is much steadier now. But if one is too yielding, others will take her lightly.”
She hesitated, lowering her voice further, as if speaking something she shouldn’t, yet fearing the Lady might suffer. “At the tea gathering in a few days, with so many eyes present… if Concubine Jiang were to lose her composure, others would see she is not as perfect as they think.”
This was her true intention.
Wen Yunyi almost laughed inwardly.
Outwardly, she paused, as if considering, then murmured, “If she truly loses face at the gathering, she would only have herself to blame.”
A flash of delight passed through Tong Wei’s eyes.
The Lady still harbored resentment.
She had feared the Main Courtyard’s recent order meant her old methods might no longer work. But it seemed the fire had only been suppressed, not extinguished.
She softened further. “That’s right. I don’t mean to urge you into anything. Only… sometimes those who are too smooth should stumble once. You must let her know not all benefits fall into her lap so easily.”
This was harsher than before, yet still wrapped in concern.
Wen Yunyi looked at her, as though tempted but still cautious. After a moment, she said, “Let me think about it.”
That single line was enough to reassure Tong Wei completely.
She had not expected immediate action. As long as the seed was planted, she could nurture it later.
She quickly showed a trace of regret. “I spoke out of turn. Please forget everything I said today.”
Wen Yunyi neither agreed nor denied, only took another spoonful of soup. “You do speak well.”
Tong Wei could not discern the meaning behind those words. She smiled, rose, and bowed. “Please take your time enjoying it. This servant has other duties and will take her leave.”
“Go on,” Wen Yunyi said.
Tong Wei left as lightly as she had entered, even her movements lifting the curtain unhurried—still appearing the most proper, considerate, and restrained senior maidservant.
After she disappeared, silence filled the room.
Wen Yunyi set down the spoon, her gaze falling on the still-warm bowl, and lightly curled her lips.
“So this is how she used to persuade me.”
Bai Lan and Qing Tao both froze.
Wen Yunyi covered the bowl and spoke calmly, “She sympathized with me, stood up for me, and stirred up the resentment I could never swallow. No matter how gentle her words, the meaning was the same—she wanted me to lose control and clash with Jiang Yunzhi again.”
Qing Tao finally understood, her face changing. “She wants to use Your Ladyship’s hand—”
“To deal with Concubine Jiang,” Wen Yunyi finished.
Her tone was flat, as if stating something long known.
In the original story, Tong Wei had always been such a person. Having served Xu Jinzhi for years, she remained only a senior maidservant, never even gaining the status of a bed-servant. Yet Jiang Yunzhi had entered the residence directly as a concubine.
How could Tong Wei not resent it?
She resented Jiang Yunzhi’s effortless rise and resented Wen Yunyi, the principal wife, who stood above her. Lacking the courage to act directly, she instead used gentle words of sympathy to stir others’ anger.
If Jiang Yunzhi fell, she would be satisfied. If Wen Yunyi caused more trouble and lost favor, Tong Wei would have a chance to advance.
In truth, she helped no one.
She only sought to climb over others.
Bai Lan felt a chill down her spine.
She had always thought Tong Wei merely perceptive and thoughtful. Now, reconsidering everything, it all aligned too well.
No wonder the Lady had always erupted at the worst moments—someone had been quietly fanning the flames.
Qing Tao stomped angrily. “She’s too vicious! Your Ladyship, let’s expose her!”
“Expose what?” Wen Yunyi asked. “She only spoke a few sympathetic words. She never forced me to act. If we accuse her now, others will only say she meant well and that I’m overly suspicious.”
Qing Tao fell silent.
Bai Lan asked softly, “Then we do nothing for now?”
“For now, we do nothing,” Wen Yunyi said. “Since she has made a move, she will act again.”
She tapped the food box lightly.
The soup was perfectly appropriate, the words equally so—yet each layer of appropriateness hid a needle. Had she not known the story, she might have been stirred just the same.
A colder look entered her eyes.
“Keep an eye on her,” she instructed. “Watch who she interacts with these days. See whether she sends messages to the kitchen, tea room, or flower room.”
Bai Lan nodded. “Understood.”
Qing Tao quickly agreed, eyes bright. “This time, I’ll watch her closely.”
Wen Yunyi nodded and leaned back against the cushion.
Outside, the wind stirred the branches, shadows shifting gently across the ground. The soup still gave off a faint aroma, appearing perfectly nourishing.
But to Wen Yunyi, there was only one thought—
In the original host’s game, the obvious thorns hurt, but the hidden needle had never stopped piercing her heart.
She closed the food box and said calmly, “Take this away. I don’t want it.”
Qing Tao hurried to remove it.
Watching her leave, Wen Yunyi added lightly:
“I’d like to see just how far she can carry this act.”