Fu Ci held Jiang Wan all night without sleeping.
It wasn’t until someone outside called, “Master, it’s time to rise and attend the morning court,” that he carefully released her.
Seeing she was still asleep, he specifically instructed Qiu Yue and the others, “Do not disturb Madam’s rest. When she wakes, remind her to eat. Have the bird’s nest stewed at noon, and ask the small kitchen to prepare some pastries for Madam—not too sweet.”
“The weather is nice today. Let Madam take a walk in the garden instead of staying cooped up indoors.”
“Ignore the people from the East Courtyard. If anything happens, I’ll handle it when I return.”
With the autumn hunt approaching, Fu Ci would be very busy in the coming days and wasn’t sure when he’d be back to the estate.
He went over every detail he could think of.
Finally, he added, “Do not let Madam leave the estate. If she finds it dull, have the steward hire a theater troupe to entertain her.”
“Yes.”
Qiu Yue bowed.
The master truly treated the concubine very well. Most men probably wouldn’t be this attentive even to their legitimate wives.
It was a pity the concubine came from a humble background; otherwise, she would undoubtedly be the rightful mistress of the household.
How many people would envy her then.
After washing up and changing into his court robes, Fu Ci still went into the inner chamber one last time.
He sat by the bed, gazing at Jiang Wan’s sleeping face.
After what felt like an eternity, he noticed her eyelids flutter slightly.
Fu Ci smiled. Still pretending to be asleep, was she?
Leaning down, he pressed his lips against Jiang Wan’s soft ones, gently nibbling on her delicate lip pearl.
Fu Ci was utterly captivated.
Only when he noticed Jiang Wan’s brows furrowing did he hastily pull away.
Softly, he said, “I’m off to court. I’ll come back to keep you company once I’ve finished my duties. Be good and stay at home. There’s no need to pay respects at the East Courtyard. And don’t think about sneaking away, or you might face some hardship.”
After his threat, he noticed Jiang Wan’s breathing change and her eyelashes tremble violently.
Fu Ci’s lips curved upward, pretending not to notice she was feigning sleep.
He kissed her forehead once more.
It wasn’t until someone outside reminded him again that it was almost time for court that he reluctantly left.
As soon as he was gone, Jiang Wan sat up.
“Qiu Yue.”
“Yes, Madam? What are your orders?”
“Prepare water. I wish to bathe.”
“Yes.”
She wiped the places Fu Ci had kissed with disdain.
This man was acting more and more unpredictably!
Jiang Wan could only hope time would pass quickly, faster still. Once the autumn hunt arrived, she wouldn’t have to endure his torment day after day.
As soon as Fu Ci left the estate, someone reported the affairs of the West Courtyard to the Old Madam.
“Last night, the master called for water twice. This morning, he even woke up late and had to be urged twice before leaving.”
The Old Madam’s face darkened. “She’s nothing but a seductress, constantly enticing Ci’er to dote on her. If this continues, I fear he’ll neglect his career, let alone marry and have children!”
The old maidservant hadn’t expected the master to be so reckless.
No matter how much he doted on a concubine, he shouldn’t neglect his duties.
If this got out, wouldn’t they become the laughingstock of everyone?
Concubine Jiang was truly thoughtless. Despite her poor health, she didn’t know restraint.
Dragging the master down with her—no wonder the Old Madam had always disapproved of her.
Though she thought this, the maidservant tried to console her. “Things will improve once the new mistress enters the estate. By then, the master will spend less time in Concubine Jiang’s courtyard, and their feelings will naturally fade.”
The Old Madam said, “I suppose it’s because Yanran is about to enter the estate that she’s growing anxious, resorting to such unsavory tactics to win Ci’er’s heart.”
Having lived in the grand mansion for a lifetime, what kind of situations had the old woman not seen before?
Back in the day, the old madam had dealt with the concubines of the old master, and among them were no shortage of seductive and fawning women.
Their tricks were likely ones that even courtesans would bow down to.
The Jiang family had also had many concubines in the past. Although Lady Jiang was the legitimate daughter, as long as she lived in the inner quarters, there were some things she couldn’t possibly be completely unaware of.
Through constant exposure, she must have learned quite a few tricks.
As long as she had no shame and was willing to lower herself to flatter the master, with her looks and figure, no man could escape her grasp.
The old servant asked, “What do you intend to do?”
“We cannot let them continue fooling around like this,” the old madam said coldly. “First, punish her. When Ci’er is not in the mansion, find an opportunity to sell her off.”
The old servant was shocked. “If the master finds out, it will be disastrous.”
Compared to invoking family discipline, selling off Lady Jiang would be a true thunderclap.
The old servant felt that if this were really done, the master might turn the world upside down.
“Do you think I haven’t considered what you can think of? Once the deed is done, no matter how much Ci’er fusses, it will be useless.”
“This absolutely must not be done. If you truly dislike Lady Jiang, just send her away.”
“Merely sending her away, how could Ci’er possibly give up? He’d probably find her and bring her back within a few days.”
“This servant still feels it is inappropriate.”
“A short, sharp pain is better than a long, drawn-out one. This is the only way to solve the problem once and for all. Once she loses her purity, how could Ci’er bring her back?”
Perhaps due to her age, and having watched Fu Ci grow up with her own eyes, the old servant felt this method was too extreme.
But she was just a servant—what right did she have to speak out of turn?
The old madam raised her hand. “Go and bring Jiang Wan here.”
“Yes, this servant will go right away.”
Jiang Wan had just finished her morning meal when someone from the old madam’s side arrived.
“Lady Jiang, yesterday you offended the future mistress who has yet to enter the household. The old madam summons you to the east courtyard to receive admonishment. Please come with us.”
Jiang Wan thought to herself, what was bound to come had finally arrived.
She gave Qiu Yue a look, and the clever little maid stepped forward to handle it. “Madam, the lady is unwell today. The master has ordered that she not leave her quarters.”
The old servant’s expression darkened. This was arrogance born of favor.
“Is this the Fu family’s inner quarters? Does the old madam’s word no longer hold sway?”
“The master’s orders are not to be disobeyed by us servants.”
“What a fine ‘not to be disobeyed’—this is completely disregarding the east courtyard!”
Qiu Yue lowered her head and said nothing.
After all, the master had said that the lady no longer needed to go to the east courtyard. They were merely following orders.
The old servant was furious.
They say servants take after their masters. That Qiu Yue dared to argue with her—wasn’t she relying on Lady Jiang’s influence?
Her gaze fell on Jiang Wan. “Lady Jiang, what do you think about this?”
“Since it is the master’s order, there is nothing I can do. Madam, how about this: when the master returns to the mansion, I will ask for his opinion. Once he agrees, I will go to the old madam to receive admonishment.”
The old servant could do nothing with her. Gnashing her teeth, she said “good” three times in a row.
“Lady Jiang now doesn’t even take the old madam seriously. If anything happens in the future, don’t come begging to the old madam.”
With that, she stormed off angrily.
These words served as a reminder to Jiang Wan. The old madam had always looked down on her. Once Fu Ci left to participate in the autumn hunt, she might face trouble in the mansion.
At this time in her previous life, she had been at odds with Fu Ci and, fearing that he might come into contact with Yun Yanran during the autumn hunt, she had shamelessly followed along.
Jiang Wan was uncertain about what might happen if she stayed in the estate this time.
Various thoughts swirled in her mind.
With Fu Ci away, her chances of escaping would be greater, but she couldn’t be sure whether the Old Madam might suddenly cause trouble.
If she went with Fu Ci to the autumn hunt, the difficulty of her escape would increase, but with so many people around and the chaos, it might buy her some time.
For a moment, Jiang Wan found herself caught in a dilemma.