Four Seasons Brocade – CH 133

Chapter 133 ☆、

Because of Chu Mao’s pity for Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng, Ah Wu felt she could generously forgive their past rudeness. As for the grudge of Zi-Shan being forced to kneel by He Peizhen, Ah Wu had already retaliated on He Peizhen. Of course, Ah Wu’s generosity was limited to not interfering or making things difficult for the two’s marriage.

To avoid suspicion, Ah Wu specifically entrusted the selection of spouses for the two to Nanny Hao, promising that Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng would not be kept as servants in the mansion but released to become wives, and she would return their indentures. Ah Wu felt she had done more than enough.

However, Nanny Hao, not one to be stingy, had come to Yulan Hall specifically to plead on Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng’s behalf.

At this moment, Ah Wu wished she had a feather fan in her hand to slightly conceal her barely concealed cold smile. Even a proper mother-in-law would consider her daughter-in-law’s feelings when arranging a concubine for her son, but Nanny Hao acted as if it were perfectly natural.

“Your Highness is aware of the current situation in the mansion. The Prince is already twenty-three, yet he has no children. The Fifth Prince’s eldest son is already beginning his studies. I think Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng have served the Prince closely for so many years, and their age has taken its toll. Would it not be more convenient for them to continue serving him? The Prince would surely be grateful for Your Highness’s virtue.” Nanny Hao spoke with the air of a devoted mother, wholeheartedly considering Chu Mao’s best interests.

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Ah Wu did not actually object to Chu Mao taking concubines; in fact, she was willing and had already prepared four women as his concubines. However, the prerequisite was that these women be under her control. Clearly, keeping Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng would lead to endless trouble. Ah Wu did not believe that Nanny Hao, who had managed the inner quarters for so many years, could not see this coming.

Ah Wu guessed that it was probably that Lady Xiangsi who was plotting behind the scenes, wanting to create a conflict between the two so she could seduce them later.

At that moment, Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng were kneeling at Ah Wu’s feet. Hearing what Nanny Hao said, they kept kowtowing to Ah Wu, saying, “Please, Your Highness, have mercy! We will serve Your Highness wholeheartedly from now on.”

Ah Wu, however, was unwilling to do something so foolish as to raise a tiger only to have it become a threat. She smiled apologetically at Nanny Hao. “Nanny, you’ve misunderstood me. Actually, I did advise the Prince to take Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng as ladies of the harem. But the Prince told me to add more dowry so they can marry and become proper wives. That would at least repay the kindness we’ve shown as master and servants over the years. Since Nanny Hao told me this will not work, we should try persuading the Prince again to see if he can change his mind.”

Upon hearing Ah Wu’s words, Mei-Meng could not help but raise her head, staring wide-eyed at Ah Wu, muttering, “The Prince would not treat us like this! I do not believe it!”

Ah Wu glanced at Mei-Meng, ignoring her presumptuous questioning of her master. Ah Wu did not know where Mei-Meng got her confidence that Chu Mao would definitely not want to part with her. Based on Ah Wu’s understanding of Chu Mao, there was probably nothing or no one in this world he truly could not bear to part with. He could even abandon himself; how could he possibly care about others?

Not only did Mei-Meng and Mei-Ying not believe it, but even Nanny Hao did not believe Ah Wu’s words. Although they all knew that Chu Mao was indifferent to women and that even his two concubines did not catch his eye, deep down, whether it was the Meis, Nanny Hao, or Xiangsi, they all secretly believed that it was because Chu Mao did not like those women.

Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng did not doubt Chu Mao’s masculine capabilities. They served him closely, washing his clothes and bedding daily. Occasionally, they could see traces of eroticism on his bedding, or sometimes the distinctive, bamboo-like scent of his undergarments.

Therefore, deep down, Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng harbored a dream: perhaps the Prince loved them, and the reason he would not cross the line and take them was that he cherished them, wanting to marry them at the most opportune time, with the most solemn ceremony, and give them his wholehearted love and affection.

Ah Wu, noticing Nanny Hao’s surprise, said, “If you do not believe me, Nanny, you can ask the Prince. I also grew up studying the Four Books for Women. The Prince has no children, and my anxiety is no less than yours. It’s just that the Prince pities Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng and does not want them to spend their lives as lowly servants. Please understand the Prince’s good intentions. If you are worried about them suffering in the future, there’s no need to worry. We will just prepare their dowries as if we were marrying off our own daughters.”

Ah Wu’s words were tantamount to a resounding slap in the face to Nanny Hao, Mei-Ying, and Mei-Meng. Their master was thinking of them, yet they themselves were belittling themselves.

After leaving Yulan Hall, Nanny Hao indeed went to Bingxue Forest to find Chu Mao. Although Ah Wu did not know what Chu Mao had said to her, from then on, Nanny Hao began to arrange marriages for Mei-Ying and Mei-Meng.

On New Year’s Eve, Xiu-Yi suddenly came to find Ah Wu, saying, “Your Highness, I do not know if I am overthinking it, but I saw it, and I thought I’d tell Your Highness.”

Ah Wu was choosing jewelry to wear when she went to the palace to pay respects to the Empress on New Year’s Day. Hearing Xiu-Yi’s words, she put down the pearl earrings she was holding and turned to say, “Tell me.”

Xiu-Yi said, “Today I saw Miss Cai-Mei go to the outer courtyard, so I gave a servant a copper coin to follow her. It turns out she went to see Accountant Duan in the Accounts Office. I thought that Miss Cai-Mei and Accountant Duan are not related and do not usually interact. On such a busy day, she took advantage of the chaos to go to the outer courtyard. I think something must be going on, but I do not know if I am overthinking it.”

Ah Wu looked at Xiu-Yi, who stood with her hands at her sides, with surprise. Although Xiu-Yi said she suspected she was overthinking it, her expression told Ah Wu that there was definitely something fishy going on.

Moreover, Xiu-Yi was a maid bought by Ah Wu. She owned nothing, received only five hundred coins a month, and because of her status, she was not required to do any chores. Yet, she was not needed elsewhere and received no rewards. The fact that she was willing to pay a servant to inquire about this matter showed she was either foolish or extremely clever, with a meticulous mind—exactly the kind of person Ah Wu needed.

“You answered well. Zi-Shan, go and weigh out an ounce of silver for Xiu-Yi. Do not let her pay for information herself,” Ah Wu said. “If you are right about this, I will reward you later.”

Xiu-Yi nodded in agreement.

Ah Wu asked again, “How do you know that Cai-Mei and Accountant Duan are not related, and how do you know about the men in the outer courtyard?”

Xiu-Yi replied without hesitation, “I am not afraid of being laughed at by you, mistress. I just like to inquire about these things in my spare time, though I do not know exactly what use they are.”

Ah Wu nodded. She did not really care how Xiu-Yi knew; she was just curious. But if what Xiu-Yi said was true, then Xiu-Yi was not to be underestimated, and that would be a blessing for Ah Wu.

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After Xiu-Yi received her reward, Ah Wu said to Zi-Shan, “Keep an eye on Cai-Mei these next two days.”

Furthermore, Ah Wu remained uneasy. Since Cai-Mei had acted unusually, she had to be cautious and instructed all her servants to keep a close eye on her.

As evening approached, Ah Wu was heading to the Deyue Pavilion by the Jinjiang River in the garden, where the New Year’s Eve family banquet was being held. She had heard that fireworks and firecrackers were being prepared. Because Nanny Hao was usually lenient with the servants, she allowed off-duty servants to rest and enjoy themselves elsewhere, creating a prosperous and joyous atmosphere for the entire household.

Just as Ah Wu was about to leave, Xiu-Yi came over and said, “Mistress, Accountant Duan entered the garden through the Shuanghe Gate at the back.”

Ah Wu was startled. Although Nanny Hao had allowed the entire household to enjoy themselves tonight, this did not mean that men from the outer courtyard could freely enter and leave the garden. The family banquet was being held in the garden, and Ah Wu and the other women would be there. The gatekeeper should not have allowed adult men from the outer courtyard to enter.

“Do you remember who that gatekeeper was?” Ah Wu asked. Xiu-Yi nodded.

“I want a list of everyone in this mansion who is related to her, even remotely. If these people are not dealt with, things will really get out of hand,” Ah Wu said with a sneer.

Xiu-Yi handed Ah Wu a list from her sleeve. Her handwriting was delicate and elegant, suggesting she was from a good family that had fallen on hard times. Ah Wu liked Xiu-Yi’s quick wit and understanding of her mistress’s thoughts.

“Do not alert her yet. What do you think Accountant Duan will do if he enters the courtyard now?” Ah Wu wanted to test Xiu-Yi.

Xiu-Yi pondered for a moment and said, “It’s already dark, and tonight is New Year’s Eve. Nanny Hao has given everyone the day off. Although the garden is still well-organized, it’s not difficult for someone to take advantage of the chaos. For Accountant Duan, an outsider, to enter the courtyard now would likely harm the women’s reputations.”

This was also what Ah Wu could think of. A woman with a tarnished reputation, secretly meeting with a man on New Year’s Eve—this would be intolerable even in the former Duke of Anguo’s mansion, let alone the “clean” Prince Qi’s mansion, given the fastidious nature of its master.

Ah Wu’s first thought was of herself. On the list Xiu-Yi handed her, besides the two Meis, only Xiangsi was involved with that old woman. And all three had reason to target her. However, Ah Wu quickly dismissed the thought. She had countless servants; it was impossible for her to be alone, especially since she had to keep Chu Mao company on New Year’s Eve.

Then what about her own people? Ah Wu naturally thought of Zi-Shan, her most trusted maid. If Zi-Shan’s character was flawed, then she, as her mistress, would inevitably be implicated.

Ah Wu pondered, but wondered why they had chosen Accountant Duan. Frankly, even if they succeeded, if she arranged for Zi-Shan to marry Accountant Duan, it would not be a waste of Zi-Shan’s potential.

“Do you know why it was Accountant Duan who came in?” Ah Wu asked.

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