Qing’er lifted her head and said bitterly,
“How would I dare question Sister? I’m only lamenting the hard fate of us women. Even if we’re fortunate enough to serve by His Lordship’s side…
“Once we reach twenty-five, we’ll still be turned out of the estate and married off. At best to a servant boy or a coachman. In the end, we still won’t amount to anything. A lifetime of lowliness.”
That was indeed the truth. Even the three senior maids of the “Ming” generation had only received some silver and dowries from His Lordship, out of consideration for their years of service, before being married off to start small businesses.
But no matter how comfortable life outside became, it could never compare to living in the manor.
Seeing Mingyu fall into a daze, Qing’er knew her words had struck home.
After drying Mingyu’s feet, Qing’er wiped her wet hands against the back of her clothes.
Bending down to lift the basin, she said, “The water’s gone cold. I’ll go fetch another basin of hot water.”
Mingyu stared blankly at Qing’er and waved a hand mechanically.
“No need. You may leave.”
Afterward, she sat alone for quite a while before finding a bottle of medicinal oil and rubbing it onto her swollen knees. The cool sensation made her shiver, instantly clearing her head.
That’s right!
After the New Year, she would be nearing twenty-five. No matter how one looked at it, her years of service were almost over.
Even if today’s incident had never happened, it was time to start planning for herself!
She couldn’t just let some little widow snatch everything away from her.
Walking to her dressing table, she gazed at herself through the dim bronze mirror and gently caressed her lovely face.
Secretly, she sighed.
Of the four senior maids, she alone had been kept by His Lordship until the very end. Wasn’t the meaning obvious?
All she needed was to take one small step forward, and from then on she could enjoy wealth and glory.
Besides, she knew all of His Lordship’s habits intimately. Wouldn’t his favor come as easily as she wanted?
Just as she began smiling to herself, Zhu Xinyan’s irritating face suddenly flashed through her mind.
Her expression darkened, and a cold glint flickered in her black eyes.
That night, Shun’an was on duty. He had just returned from relieving himself in the latrine.
As he rounded a corner, he spotted two people whispering in the shadows.
Quietly approaching, though he couldn’t hear clearly, he vaguely caught words like “Mingyu” and “success.”
Sharp as a monkey, Shun’an immediately connected it with the events in the garden earlier that day and deduced that someone was plotting against Mingyu.
Mingyu was already arrogant toward the concubines, let alone toward servants.
Whenever something displeased her, beating and scolding people was commonplace.
Shun’an rolled his eyes, an idea forming in his mind, then quietly retreated.
That evening, Zhu Xinyan was happily eating steaming hotpot when someone from the front courtyard arrived to report that His Lordship had been delayed by business and would return several days later.
Compared to men, hotpot was naturally far more important.
Zhu Xinyan was eating with great enthusiasm and couldn’t be bothered to respond, so Qiao’er spoke a few polite words of concern on her behalf instead.
Since Qingfu Pavilion had been informed, someone naturally also went to report the matter to the main courtyard.
Shen Wangshu knew that if His Lordship had specifically sent someone back with news, he likely wished to hear about Zhu Xinyan’s recent situation.
Always skilled at handling people, she carefully explained everything that had happened in the estate lately to the messenger.
In particular, she emphasized how she herself had protected Zhu Xinyan during today’s incident.
Far away in Nanzhou Province, Gu Zhanzhen’s face instantly darkened upon hearing the report, the temperature in the room seeming to drop by several degrees.
The servants were so frightened they hardly dared breathe, and the room fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Steward Qin entered carrying tea and refreshments.
Seeing the atmosphere, he dismissed the servants and poured a cup of tea.
After taking a sip, Gu Zhanzhen set the cup down heavily with a loud bang.
“That Mingyu is becoming more and more insolent. She actually dared bully Zhu.”
“Yes, this old servant will deal with her upon returning. She certainly won’t remain to offend Your Lordship’s eyes.”
After all, she was merely a servant. He had only kept her because he was used to her service; there was no reason to care deeply.
Gu Zhanzhen’s anger was merely seeking an outlet.
After Steward Qin soothed him with a few words, half his irritation faded.
“What news from Prince Yi’s side?”
Steward Qin replied, “The spies report that Prince Yi has made no moves whatsoever. It seems the corruption case in Nanzhou did not pass through his hands.”
Gu Zhanzhen let out a cold snort, his long fingers tapping idly against the tabletop.
“If he wasn’t involved, then where did the millions of taels spent rebuilding Mingyue Terrace come from? Surely he isn’t foolish enough to pay from his own pocket.”
Steward Qin bowed slightly. “This old servant does not know.”
“Hm. It’s late. You may leave.”
Once Steward Qin departed, Gu Zhanzhen pressed lightly at his temples.
This corruption case had clearly been a trap jointly arranged by the Emperor and Prince Yi.
One embezzled the funds while the other spent them. Only when the diverted disaster relief silver could no longer be concealed did they assign him to investigate.
He let out a long breath.
Every one of them was calculating.
The older the Emperor grew, the more indulgent he became.
And with Prince Yi constantly flattering him, things had spiraled even further out of control.
The fact that he had been sent out to clean up this mess also proved that the current Emperor no longer trusted even his own nephew, fearing his achievements might threaten imperial authority.
Fine then.
He would simply keep a lower profile and allow others to uncover a few harmless mistakes instead.
With that thought, he picked up a brush and wrote a secret letter, handing it to a shadow agent.
On the day Gu Zhanzhen returned, Shen Wangshu led the household to wait at the entrance.
But after waiting a long time with no sign of him, she dismissed everyone.
Yet just as the crowd dispersed, word came from the gatekeepers that His Lordship had returned.
There was no time to gather everyone again, so she hurried alone to greet him. Just as she passed through the second gate, she encountered Gu Zhanzhen.
Quickly bowing, she said, “My Lord, you’ve returned.”
Gu Zhanzhen’s attitude remained cold, but considering that she was his lawful wife, that the servants were watching, and that she had protected Zhu Xinyan, he unusually reached out to help her up.
“I’ve troubled the Princess Consort during my absence.”
It was the first time since their marriage.
Shen Wangshu was so overwhelmed she froze for a moment, stumbling over her words.
“R-replying to My Lord, I was not troubled. Ah—no, this concubine…”
“Hm. You’ve managed the inner household very well. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go take a look at Qingfu Pavilion.”
Ordinarily, no woman would feel comfortable hearing her husband think of another woman the moment he returned home.
But Gu Zhanzhen had already given Shen Wangshu ample face. Besides, she knew Zhu Xinyan was merely a substitute, so there was no need to fuss over it.
Maintaining her graceful composure, she said generously, “This concubine has no further matters. I respectfully send My Lord off.”
As expected of a proper wife—measured and dignified in all things.
Gu Zhanzhen nodded in satisfaction.
“Good. Then tomorrow I’ll come to the main courtyard for lunch.”
That made Shen Wangshu even happier, and she eagerly agreed again and again.
Meanwhile, after standing at the manor gate for quite some time, Zhu Xinyan returned to Qingfu Pavilion and sprawled face-down on the chaise lounge while Qiao’er massaged her waist.
Resting her chin on her hand, she muttered in confusion.
Back when she worked her office job, she slept later than a dog and woke earlier than a rooster, earning cabbage-level wages while carrying the stress of a drug lord.
She could eat greasy street pancakes fried in gutter oil and still energetically squeeze onto the subway every day.
So why was it that now, after standing less than an hour, her back and waist ached all over?
Could it be that she was simply born to suffer and incapable of enjoying a luxurious life?
“Concubine Zhu, His Lordship has arrived!” a servant announced from outside.
At the thought of Gu Zhanzhen, Zhu Xinyan’s legs immediately went weak.
Her entire body already hurt from standing so long, one arm was pinned underneath her, and the chaise lounge wasn’t exactly spacious.
In her panic to get up, she rolled off the couch and instantly landed in an absurd position—
Flat on her back with all four limbs in the air.