“Hm? What does this mean? Instead of being punished, I’m being rewarded? I’ve actually become a first-rank maid?”
Zhu Xinyan noticed the confusion on Ruixue’s face and patiently explained,
“The old boxwood tree being chopped down simply means the tree was fated to suffer this calamity. Have someone see whether it can still be saved. If not, then spend money to buy a replacement tree.”
Standing nearby, Steward Liu’s heart suddenly trembled.
Was Concubine Zhu speaking too casually about this?
This was the manor’s protective fortune tree, tied to the prosperity of Prince Rui’s Manor!
Thinking Zhu Xinyan was young and ignorant of the matter’s seriousness, he kindly reminded her,
“Concubine, you may not know, but this—”
“What it is isn’t important. What’s important is that the living continue living well.”
Dragging out her tone lazily, Zhu Xinyan continued,
“Steward Liu, don’t you agree?”
“If you still can’t let it go, then report it to His Highness and the Princess Consort. Or spend your own money and buy another tree yourself.”
Cold sweat immediately formed on Steward Liu’s forehead.
Now he finally understood.
It wasn’t that Concubine Zhu was naïve — it was that he had underestimated her.
This mistress was someone with true wisdom.
Although Ruixue personally destroyed the tree, once the matter reached the higher-ups and they seriously investigated it, an entire chain of innocent people would inevitably be implicated.
As the steward, he certainly wouldn’t escape responsibility either.
Thinking this through, he instantly changed expressions and bowed with a smile.
“Since this servant belongs to Qingfu Pavilion, naturally I stand on the same side as you, Concubine. This servant still has matters to attend to—”
As expected of an old servant in the manor.
The moment money was mentioned, his decision-making speed became lightning fast.
With a wave of her hand, Zhu Xinyan said,
“Go on, then.”
Ruixue had a straightforward and simple personality.
Seeing Zhu Xinyan resolve her predicament for her, gratitude immediately welled up inside her heart.
She bowed deeply.
“Thank you, Concubine Zhu, for saving me.”
“No problem. First, show me your martial arts skills so I can know whether I’ll need to avoid Qiao Chuyue in the future — and exactly how arrogant I’m allowed to be.”
Qiao’er: Miss! How can you just blurt out the truth like that?!
Ruixue was a martial artist and didn’t have so many twists and turns in her mind.
Since her mistress ordered it, then she’d perform.
She walked into the courtyard, assumed a stance, and launched into a smooth and flowing set of fist techniques.
Zhu Xinyan didn’t really understand martial arts.
She only felt that every movement looked clean, swift, precise, and ruthless.
After Ruixue finished, Zhu Xinyan applauded loudly and cried out,
“Excellent!”
Then she stepped forward and patted Ruixue’s shoulder.
“You and I are fated. Coincidentally, your name is Ruixue, and my childhood nickname is Fengnian. From now on, I’ll be under your protection.”
Returning to the hall, she pointed at the gifts and instructed Qiao’er,
“Keep these fabrics so we can make clothes. Pick out a few good jewelry pieces, and have the rest secretly taken out of the manor and sold.”
“Sold again?” Qiao’er asked in confusion.
“Miss, these were gifts from the Princess Consort. Wouldn’t it look bad if people found out? Besides, we’re not short on money right now.”
Zhu Xinyan picked up a dangling pearl hairpin, shook it lightly, then stuck it into Qiao’er’s hair bun.
“Good girl. If I tell you to sell them, then sell them. I have my own plans.”
Just as she was about to return to her inner room for more sleep, Ruixue suddenly stopped her.
“May I ask… is your childhood nickname really ‘Fengnian’?”
The moment those words came out, Qiao’er nearly stumbled sideways in shock.
She had originally worried Ruixue might be scheming.
Now it seemed she had worried too much.
And Zhu Xinyan finally understood why Ruixue could only do miscellaneous labor in the front courtyard and was never truly valued.
Letting out a long sigh, she said with humanitarian concern,
“Ruixue, listen to your sister’s advice. While you’re still young, eat more pig brains to nourish your own.”
At that moment, Gu Zhancheng stood outside the window.
The tightly pressed corners of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly.
Though fleeting, Steward Qin beside him still noticed it.
They had truly found the right person.
She might be crazy, but she could make the prince happy!
Gu Zhancheng had returned because he realized even the Princess Consort had already bestowed gifts, while he himself had given nothing.
He worried Zhu Xinyan might be looked down upon within the manor.
So he had intended to ask what she liked and reward her accordingly.
But now he understood instantly.
Zhu Xinyan liked money.
No wonder he’d heard she had even sold her ancestral home.
Later that day, the same young servant who had discovered Zhu Xinyan lost and escorted her home arrived carrying a rosewood box inlaid with rubies.
“Concubine Zhu, His Highness ordered this servant to deliver this to you.”
Naturally, Zhu Xinyan was delighted to receive a gift.
Opening the box, she discovered it was filled entirely with golden paper.
She immediately felt puzzled.
Why not give gold or silver? Why send an entire box of paper?
Could Prince Rui’s Manor be going bankrupt?
The servant quickly explained,
“These are gold leaves. They’re lightweight, easy to fold, and famous for being convenient to carry. Their craftsmanship is extremely complicated, making them quite rare. His Highness only recently obtained this entire box and immediately bestowed all of it upon you.”
The servant truly knew how to speak.
With one sentence, he perfectly highlighted Zhu Xinyan’s importance in the prince’s heart.
Though Zhu Xinyan worshipped money like a parent, she still understood the rules of rewarding people in the manor.
Especially seeing how clever and articulate this servant was.
She had Qiao’er bring over a money pouch and personally handed it to him.
“I forgot yesterday, so I’m making up for it today.”
The servant’s name was Shun’an.
He was quite clever, but because he lacked connections and opportunities within the manor, he could only work as a gatekeeper in the front courtyard.
Ever since escorting Zhu Xinyan home the other day, however, he had started making plans.
So he deliberately spent money bribing a steward from the second courtyard to temporarily obtain this errand-running job.
Who in the manor didn’t know that Qingfu Pavilion’s mistress was the prince’s newest favorite?
As long as he gained favor with Concubine Zhu, why worry about never landing a better position?
So this money…
He couldn’t accept it.
“This servant merely ran a small errand. How could I possibly take your money?”
“It’s fine, take it. Consider it payment for escorting me home that day.”
Zhu Xinyan pushed it toward him again.
Unable to keep making her hold it, Shun’an reluctantly accepted.
Without even weighing it, he already knew there was quite a lot inside.
Immediately trying to ingratiate himself, he said,
“This servant’s name is Shun’an. I guard the front courtyard gates. I can’t help with major matters, but as long as Concubine Zhu commands it, this servant will do his utmost to solve your troubles.”
Oh-ho!
So he was offering a pledge of loyalty.
No wonder he kept hovering around her.
Zhu Xinyan wasn’t bothered by ambitious people like this.
Right now she was favored, so naturally people would rush to flatter her.
As the saying goes: one does not slap a smiling face.
Regardless of whether he was truly loyal or not, she might as well keep him around.
Perhaps he’d prove useful someday.
Smiling sincerely, she replied,
“Very well. If I encounter difficulties in the future, I’ll certainly ask for your help.”
Shun’an was a lowly servant who had witnessed all kinds of ugly behavior.
Anyone in the manor with even the slightest power never bothered looking him in the eye.
Yet here was someone currently favored by the prince, treating him with no arrogance whatsoever and even kindly continuing the conversation along his own lines.
He immediately understood.
Zhu Xinyan was a clever person.
One day, she would certainly rise even higher.
As long as he continued following her, perhaps he too would eventually have a chance to rise.
All along the route from the front courtyard to Qingfu Pavilion, countless spies had seen Shun’an carrying that exquisite box.
After returning home the other day and sleeping it off, Qiao Chuyue had finally realized that Zhu Xinyan had completely played her for a fool.
Now hearing that Gu Zhancheng had rewarded Zhu Xinyan again, she became so furious smoke practically burst from all seven orifices.
She nearly combusted on the spot.
No matter what, she insisted on settling the score with Zhu Xinyan.
“None of you stop me! Today I’m going to claw that little bitch’s face apart, or else I’ll never vent this hatred in my heart!”