The newly tailored spring garments in the residence were finally delivered to each courtyard.
In the morning, there had only been bolts of fabric, several boxes of decorative cords, and half-finished pieces rushed out by the Sewing Room. By the afternoon, older female servants were already carrying neatly folded garments from room to room. People came and went through the courtyard, and even the breeze beneath the corridors seemed tinged with the scent of new clothes. With each light gust, it carried the faint fragrance of fine silk and gauze.
Two sets were delivered to Wen Yunyi’s quarters as well.
One was in begonia red, the other in jade. Both complemented her appearance and still maintained the dignity expected of the Main Courtyard. Bai Lan led two young maidservants in carefully examining the stitching in the main room, making slight adjustments to the hem and sleeve lengths according to Wen Yunyi’s figure. Qing Tao, meanwhile, hovered over several boxes of decorative cords and pendants, selecting and matching them one by one.
Wen Yunyi leaned by the window, watching them bustle about. She slowly flipped through an old painting album in her hands, not particularly invested.
Over the past few days, she had indeed been very quiet—at least, that was how it appeared to everyone in the Main Courtyard.
But Qing Tao and Bai Lan both knew she was not inactive. She was simply waiting.
Sure enough, just after the hour of Shen, someone came to report that Tong Wei from the heir’s quarters had arrived.
Qing Tao glanced at Wen Yunyi.
Wen Yunyi merely closed the album and said calmly, “Let her in.”
Before long, Tong Wei entered the room.
After greeting Wen Yunyi, her gaze paused briefly on the newly delivered spring garments laid on the table, and she smiled.
“It seems I’ve come at just the right time—right when the Sewing Room is delivering the spring clothes.”
Wen Yunyi looked at her, a faint smile playing at her lips. “You’ve always been good at picking your timing. Sit.”
Tong Wei thanked her and sat on a nearby stool. Her gaze returned to the two sets of garments, and as if recalling something, she said softly, “Speaking of which, Concubine Jiang also received a new outfit today.”
The remark fell naturally, as if it had merely come to mind while talking about spring clothes.
Bai Lan stood to the side, her expression unchanged.
But Wen Yunyi knew this was the real purpose of Tong Wei’s visit.
She asked casually, “Is that so?”
“Yes.” Tong Wei lowered her eyes, lightly brushing the edge of the fabric with her fingertips. “Originally, it wasn’t anything special. But when I went out to deliver something earlier, I happened to see it. The fabric seemed to have been personally selected by the heir—it was brighter than the usual allotments.”
At this point, she seemed to realize she had said too much and quickly added, “Of course, I only heard it in passing. It may just be rumors passed along outside.”
That addition was perfectly done.
It delivered the message while leaving herself an escape route.
Listening from the side, Qing Tao already felt indignant on Wen Yunyi’s behalf. If this had been before, hearing that the heir had personally chosen fine fabric for Concubine Jiang would have made her mistress unable to sit still.
Wen Yunyi, however, simply lowered her gaze and adjusted her sleeve. After a moment, she said softly, “He has always been attentive to her.”
Her tone was light, without obvious bitterness.
But to Tong Wei, it was enough.
She knew Wen Yunyi still cared—she had simply learned to suppress it. And the more it was suppressed, the easier it would be to stir up resentment.
So Tong Wei did not push further. Instead, she sighed softly and said, “It’s good that you’re able to endure now. But if others see you constantly giving way, they may not necessarily appreciate it.”
Again, that familiar tone of “speaking up for her.”
Wen Yunyi raised her eyes to look at her, as if pricked by the words, her gaze turning faintly cold. “Then what do you think I should do?”
Tong Wei immediately shook her head, putting on a hesitant expression. “How would I know such things? It’s just… at an occasion like the tea gathering, with so many people and eyes around, if Concubine Jiang wears something so bright, she will surely draw even more attention.”
She spoke slowly, as though discussing trivial matters of spring.
“Spring is the season for drifting willow catkins. Once they cling to clothing, they’re hard to deal with. Especially with newly tailored bright fabrics—they may look fine, but they’re actually quite delicate. If something unsuitable happens, and she becomes uncomfortable, losing composure, then her dignity would be gone.”
Wen Yunyi listened to all of this, nearly wanting to laugh.
In the original story, Tong Wei had always been like this. She never took direct action. All her malice was wrapped in the gentlest exterior. She simply laid the suggestion before you, leaving it up to you whether to act.
But someone like the original Wen Yunyi would never have treated this as mere idle talk.
After a long silence, Wen Yunyi spoke slowly, as if truly stirred by the mention of the heir’s favor. “If she were to make a fool of herself in public, then it would only mean she lacks the fortune.”
At these words, a faint smile flickered in Tong Wei’s eyes.
So the heir’s wife still could not swallow this grievance.
Her heart settled, but her expression remained soft and gentle. “Please don’t trouble yourself over this. Someone like Concubine Jiang appears delicate, but she knows best how to win sympathy. If everything continues to go her way, it’s no wonder others think she’s perfect.”
At this point, she seemed to realize she had overstepped and quickly fell silent, smoothing her words. “I was only speaking casually. Please don’t take it to heart. It’s just that I feel you’ve suffered too much lately.”
The words were soft, like a hand pressing precisely on the most tender part of the heart.
Wen Yunyi lowered her gaze, as if unwilling to speak further, and gave a faint hum.
The room fell quiet.
Bai Lan stepped forward to replace her tea, while Qing Tao lowered her head and arranged the garments. Tong Wei sat for a while longer, seeing that the moment was ripe, and stood to take her leave.
“I still have duties in the room, so I won’t disturb your rest any longer.”
“Go on,” Wen Yunyi said.
Tong Wei had just reached the door when Wen Yunyi suddenly called out, “Wait.”
Tong Wei turned back. “Do you have further instructions?”
Wen Yunyi looked at the garments on the table, her fingers lightly tracing the silk. “Since the heir values her and gives her special attention, I shouldn’t appear entirely indifferent.”
Tong Wei’s heart leapt.
As expected.
The heir’s wife had taken the bait.
But her expression remained gentle. “Your consideration is admirable. If Concubine Jiang knew of your thoughtfulness, she would surely be grateful.”
Wen Yunyi gave her a faint, ambiguous smile. “Whether she’s grateful or not isn’t important. Bai Lan, bring out the bolt of pale jade cloud-pattern silk Mother gave me earlier. Have the Sewing Room make a new outfit and send it to Listening Rain Pavilion. Tell her to wear it at the tea gathering.”
Bai Lan froze for a moment and glanced at her.
Wen Yunyi’s expression remained calm, revealing nothing.
So Bai Lan simply responded, “Yes.”
Qing Tao also hesitated, but seeing Bai Lan accept the order, she said nothing and began searching for the fabric.
Tong Wei observed everything, barely suppressing her satisfaction.
Whether the garment contained something or was meant to be used as a scheme, it no longer mattered. Either way, this was enough.
She maintained her composed demeanor and said softly, “You are always so considerate. No wonder Madam has begun to think more highly of you.”
It sounded like sincere praise.
She bowed and withdrew.
After she left, the room fell silent.
Qing Tao was the first to speak, leaning closer. “Madam, are you really going to send clothes to Concubine Jiang?”
“Yes,” Wen Yunyi replied calmly.
Qing Tao was startled. “Then Tong Wei will think you—”
“She’ll think I’ve taken the bait,” Wen Yunyi finished for her, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
At that moment, Bai Lan fully understood.
Her mistress was deliberately playing along.
Wen Yunyi pushed the begonia-red garment aside and looked out at the willow catkins drifting in the wind. Her voice was low but steady. “She came today to make me focus on that outfit for the tea gathering. Since that’s the case, I might as well follow her lead and continue the performance.”
Qing Tao’s eyes lit up. “Madam, you’re using the clothes to bait her instead.”
Wen Yunyi did not respond, only smiled faintly.
She would never tamper with the garment.
Tong Wei lacked the courage, and she herself would not be foolish enough to do such a thing. But since Tong Wei was convinced she would, she might as well make that belief real.
“Go,” she instructed Qing Tao. “Personally deliver the message to the Sewing Room. Have them cut it tonight and send it to Listening Rain Pavilion tomorrow morning.”
Qing Tao responded crisply and ran off with the fabric.
Bai Lan remained, replacing her tea, and said softly, “If Tong Wei truly believes it, she’ll be watching that outfit closely at the tea gathering.”
“Then let her watch,” Wen Yunyi replied, gently stirring the tea leaves. “The longer she watches, the more anxious she’ll become. And when people grow anxious, they’re more likely to make mistakes.”
Bai Lan nodded.
Outside, the wind carried more drifting catkins into the corridor, where they swirled briefly before settling on the ground. Watching them, Wen Yunyi thought that spring was indeed the perfect season for setting traps.
Meanwhile, when Tong Wei returned to Xu Jinzhi’s courtyard, evening was approaching.
She had just entered when word came that the heir had returned. She quickly composed herself and went to the small kitchen to retrieve a porcelain bowl that had been kept warm.
Inside was a white jade tripe soup.
When Xu Jinzhi entered, there was still a trace of chill on his outer robe. Tong Wei stepped forward to take it from him and handed him a warm cloth. Her movements were practiced—neither overly attentive nor sluggish. Once he sat down, she placed the bowl before him and said softly, “You’ve returned late, my lord. Have a few bites first.”
Xu Jinzhi gave a brief acknowledgment, lifted the lid, and recognized the dish. “This soup is lighter today.”
Tong Wei lowered her gaze and smiled. “Spring tends to stir heat in the body, so I used less pepper.”
He said nothing more and took a few spoonfuls.
Tong Wei stood beside him, outwardly gentle, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
She thought of the pale jade cloud-pattern silk in the Main Courtyard, and a trace of hidden satisfaction rose within her.
The heir’s wife was still the same as before.
So what if she had restrained herself for a few days? When it truly came to this, she still couldn’t swallow her resentment. As long as she acted at the tea gathering—even if it only caused Concubine Jiang to lose face—then the heir’s recently softened displeasure would surely be stirred again.
At that point, the Main Courtyard would return to its former turmoil, and Concubine Jiang would make a fool of herself.
As for herself—
Tong Wei’s gaze fell lightly on the white jade bowl, a faint smile touching her lips.
She did not need to do anything.
She only needed to stand gently to the side and watch.