After paying her respects, Concubine Wei returned to her own courtyard with her heart hanging in dread, unable to sit still or relax.
To the outside world, the Princess Consort was known as dignified, composed, gentle, and magnanimous in all her dealings.
But that was only the face she showed publicly.
Only Wei knew the Princess Consort’s true nature in private — sinister, vindictive, and petty.
And this time, since Zhu Xinyan had failed to fall into the trap, the Princess Consort would certainly place the blame on her instead.
Just as she was anxiously calculating her next move, someone outside announced that the Princess Consort had summoned her to the main courtyard.
Her maid Qiushui knew very well how vicious the Princess Consort’s methods could be. After the messenger left, she quietly whispered,
“Concubine, why don’t we pretend to be ill and avoid going?”
Concubine Wei twisted the handkerchief in her hands and closed her eyes in resignation.
In a defeated tone, she said,
“You can hide from the first day, but not from the fifteenth. Forget it. Someone as lowly as me is destined to suffer under her torment.”
Although she hurried as fast as possible and arrived almost right behind the messenger, Concubine Wei was still criticized the moment she entered.
“Why did you come so late? Or perhaps now that you have children to rely on, you no longer place this princess in your eyes?”
Faced with the Princess Consort’s sarcastic mockery, Concubine Wei could only kneel weakly and kowtow repeatedly.
“I wouldn’t dare… This concubine deserves death for upsetting Your Highness.”
Shen Wangshu despised her pitiful appearance. After shooting her a cold glare, she snatched the fan from a maid’s hand and hurled it at her head.
Concubine Wei didn’t dare dodge.
Her hair instantly came loose.
With arrogant disdain, Shen Wangshu said,
“You do deserve death. Madam Kong had already set a trap for Zhu, but because your reaction was too slow, she found a chance to turn things around. How should this matter be settled?”
What she feared most had finally come.
Concubine Wei trembled violently, so frightened her tongue tied itself in knots.
“Th-this concubine knows her crime… I-I am willing to accept any punishment… I only beg… beg Your Highness to spare my two children…”
But instead of calming Shen Wangshu, her pleading only stirred her anger further.
“Wei, speak with your conscience. When have I ever laid a hand on them? Their lives were preserved because of me. Without my protection for the three of you in this manor, with your lowly background, would you even still be alive?”
“Yes… this concubine spoke wrongly. Your Highness’s great kindness is unforgettable.”
Perhaps because she still had use for her, Shen Wangshu did not continue tormenting her.
Instead, she reclined sideways, admiring the fresh dye on her fingernails as she studied Concubine Wei with poisonous eyes.
“It’s good that you haven’t forgotten. Stand up. Kneeling all the time only lets the servants laugh at you.”
“Tomorrow, go to Qingfu Pavilion on my behalf and deliver rewards to Zhu.”
Then, in a tone of false generosity, she added,
“I know you have nothing valuable. I’ll provide your share as well.”
Madam Kong stepped forward like a kindly elder and helped Concubine Wei to her feet. Leaning close to her ear, she softly instructed her on a few matters before giving a sinister smile.
“Concubine Wei, this time, you mustn’t disappoint the Princess Consort.”
Meanwhile, Zhu Xinyan had no idea the main courtyard was plotting against her.
At the moment, she was wandering around like a headless fly.
When she had gone to the main courtyard earlier, she had not brought any attendants with her, but there had been servants along the road, so she simply asked for directions as she went.
But now, forget finding someone to ask for directions — it was hard enough to find a living soul breathing nearby.
Yet she wasn’t worried at all.
After all, the earth was round. No matter what, she would eventually find her way home. She treated it like a one-day sightseeing tour of Prince Rui’s Manor.
While strolling around, she accidentally stepped on a loose stone and twisted her ankle.
Squatting down to rub it, she suddenly heard a voice above her. Looking up, she saw an unfamiliar young servant.
She didn’t know him, but he clearly recognized her.
With a flattering grin, he eagerly said,
“Concubine Zhu, how did you wander into the front courtyard? Are you here looking for His Highness? Unfortunately, the Prince isn’t here right now. How about this servant goes and fetches Steward Qin for you?”
Before Zhu Xinyan could even respond, the servant vanished like the wind.
Zhu Xinyan looked around.
So this was the front courtyard.
Still, she had to admit — the servants here moved incredibly fast. She hadn’t even spoken a word, and they had already run off to summon someone.
Fine then. She’d wait.
Steward Qin had been organizing ancient books in a side room. Upon hearing Zhu Xinyan had arrived, his heart immediately tightened.
She looked clever enough, but unexpectedly turned out to be muddleheaded.
The Prince hated when women from the inner courtyard came to the front courtyard seeking favor — especially in broad daylight.
Too young. Too impatient.
It was rare for the Prince to finally find someone he liked enough to call for water three times in one night. He hoped this woman wouldn’t ruin her favor through foolishness.
And for little Jiang Li’s sake — that child who sweetly called him “Grandpa Qin” every day — he felt he should at least help the mother and son a bit and subtly warn her.
When Steward Qin came out, Zhu Xinyan had learned her lesson.
Before he could speak first, she immediately explained,
“Steward Qin, I just went to the main courtyard to pay my respects and got lost on the way back. Sorry to trouble you, but could you please have someone guide me home?”
Her attitude was sincere and polite.
Not once did she mention the Prince, nor was there any trace of “seeking favor” visible on her face.
Steward Qin carefully observed her for a while before finally relaxing slightly.
Glancing behind her, he probed,
“Why did Concubine Zhu go out without bringing a maid?”
Hearing this, Zhu Xinyan immediately sensed his suspicion.
He thought she had deliberately wandered into the front courtyard on purpose.
To avoid further damage to her dignity, she instantly put on her sincerest expression.
“To be honest, when I entered the manor, I only brought Qiao’er with me. Li’er is still young, and I was afraid no one would watch over him, so I came alone.”
Steward Qin had weathered decades of ups and downs in Prince Rui’s Manor.
He was already an old fox.
There was no need for words to be fully spoken — he understood the hidden meaning immediately.
Smiling, he said,
“Concubine Zhu may rest assured. The servants of Qingfu Pavilion were personally selected by me. They are absolutely loyal to their master. Use them freely. If there are any problems or shortages, simply inform me.”
Zhu Xinyan finally felt relieved and politely replied,
“Since they were carefully chosen by Steward Qin, they must certainly be excellent.”
Back at Qingfu Pavilion—
Qiao’er and Jiang Li were anxiously pacing in circles around the courtyard, constantly peeking outside.
This was the young mistress’s first time going to the main courtyard to pay respects, and she hadn’t even brought a proper attendant.
What if something had happened? What if she had been punished?
Just as they were panicking, they saw Zhu Xinyan being escorted back by a servant.
Since there was an outsider present, Qiao’er held back her questions until they returned to the main room.
Only then did she hurriedly ask,
“Miss, why did you take so long? This servant was worried sick!”
“And Li’er was worried sick too!” Jiang Li chimed in, imitating the adults seriously.
“I know you’re the best behaved.”
“You two let me catch my breath first.”
Zhu Xinyan had exhausted a tremendous number of brain cells today and walked until her mouth was dry. After gulping down four or five cups of tea, she finally recounted everything that had happened.
When Qiao’er heard that her mistress had nearly been beaten, her eyes immediately turned red.
“This servant said from the beginning that entering a prince’s manor was no good path. Look — it’s only been one day, and it’s already come true!”
But Zhu Xinyan looked utterly calm.
“I did consider establishing myself independently. But would the Jiang family let me go?”
“I’m a newly widowed woman with a tiny child. Even if I had money, people would still covet it.”
“And besides, I don’t have any magical spring space, cheat abilities, or system assistance. I also don’t feel like going out to conquer lands or farm fields.”
“Rather than fighting hordes of bad people outside, I’d rather stay in the manor and deal with these few melons and dates.”
Although Qiao’er understood barely half of what she said, as a woman herself, she still understood one thing:
Women already held low status in society — let alone young widows. One careless mistake could easily plunge them into endless gossip and trouble.
Seeing how open-minded her mistress was, Qiao’er stopped dwelling on it.
They would simply take things one step at a time.
Besides, for now, wasn’t there still the Prince’s favor?