Four Seasons Brocade – CH 134

Chapter 134 ☆、

Xiu-Yi paused for a moment, then said, “Probably because Accountant Duan is notoriously promiscuous, and only he would dare to sneak into the inner courtyard at night.”

Zi-Shan interjected, “Also, Accountant Duan likes Mei-Ying.”

Ah Wu and Xiu-Yi both looked at her with surprise. “How so?”

Zi-Shan blushed and whispered, “I heard it from Cai-Mei. Accountant Duan often buys rouge and face powder and has people bring it to Mei-Ying, especially Hezhi Pavilion’s Jade Hall Red.”

Ah Wu knew about Hezhi Pavilion and Jade Hall Red. Hezhi Pavilion was a famous rouge shop in the capital, a century-old establishment, and Jade Hall Red was its prized possession, its formula passed down for over a hundred years. Ah Wu also had Jade Hall Red, but she did not use it much.

“Cai-Mei even told you this?” Ah Wu asked in surprise.

Zi-Shan blushed deeply, the truth of which was too embarrassing to speak of. Accountant Duan was a name Zi-Shan often heard Cai-Mei mention. She spoke of his handsome appearance and wealthy family, saying that although he was somewhat of a womanizer, it was only because no one in the household disciplined him, and Accountant Duan’s mother had died early. Cai-Mei then listed for Zi-Shan the countless maids in the mansion who were fond of Accountant Duan.

How could such a person have fallen for the ambitious Mei-Ying? Cai-Mei often lamented and sighed, adding to her complaints about Mei-Ying. She also said that Zi-Shan was even prettier than Mei-Ying and was the Princess’s head maid; in every way, she could not compare to Mei-Ying. Her words implied that she was urging Zi-Shan to change Accountant Duan’s affections to her.

Just then, Zi-Shan reached the age of blossoming romance. Cai-Mei’s flattery was subtle yet fitting, and before long, Zi-Shan genuinely developed feelings for Accountant Duan, even showing signs of wanting to distance herself from Mei-Ying.

Thus, Zi-Shan received two packets of rouge from Hezhi Pavilion from Cai-Mei, supposedly gifts from Accountant Duan—not the Jade Hall Red, of course. Zi-Shan had only discovered the Jade Hall Red a couple of days prior by chance. Mei-Ying usually did not wear makeup, but recently she had started dressing extravagantly. Although maids had prescribed clothing, there were no restrictions on jewelry and rouge, and given Mei-Ying’s status, no one dared to say anything even if she overstepped the bounds.

Zi-Shan, who usually served Ah Wu with her makeup, was very familiar with the color and scent of the Jade Hall Red. She smelled Mei-Ying’s scent and managed to trick Cai-Mei into revealing that Accountant Duan had not given up on Mei-Ying but was also trying to woo Zi-Shan.

Of course, even to Ah Wu, Zi-Shan found it difficult to reveal the truth. Now, she suddenly realized she had been deceived; perhaps Accountant Duan had never given her the rouge at all, and it was all Mei-Ying and Cai-Mei’s doing.

Seeing Zi-Shan’s silence, Ah Wu grew anxious. “Tell me the truth, did you and Accountant Duan…?”

Zi-Shan quickly shook her head in denial. “I have not spoken to Accountant Duan at all these days, but Cai-Mei often mentions him in front of me.”

Ah Wu then nodded.

To be honest, if Mei-Ying had not been desperate and preemptively pulled this stunt, and if Xiu-Yi had not exposed the crucial point, it would have been hard to say whether Zi-Shan would have fallen into the trap. Even the most loyal servants would conceal matters of love from their masters. Who knows, Zi-Shan might have been swayed by “Accountant Duan” and done something truly outrageous.

“Regardless, Accountant Duan’s thoughts are absolutely unacceptable in the inner courtyard. Even if he likes Mei-Ying, the arrangement of the maids around the master is not up to him. Moreover, his behavior is so improper, acting as a tool for others’ murders; we do not need to be polite to him.”

Ah Wu called Xiu-Yi closer and whispered a few instructions in her ear, “Can you do it?”

Xiu-Yi nodded. “This servant will do her best.”

Having arranged Xiu-Yi’s affairs, Ah Wu instructed Zi-Shan to pretend she knew nothing and do whatever Cai-Mei said; naturally, someone would handle everything.

Ah Wu then had someone invite Nanny Gong over, gave her some instructions, and then put on her peacock-patterned brocade coat and went to Deyue Pavilion in the garden.

Deyue Pavilion stood beside the Jinjiang River, one of the two large ponds in the Xiangsi Garden. A covered bridge connected it to the Shuanghui Pavilion on the banks of Hua’e Pond. On rainy days, walking across the high-arched, crescent-shaped covered bridge in wooden clogs produced a clattering sound like celestial music—hence the name “Xiangdie Corridor.”

“Xiangdie Treading the Moon” was the most famous scenic spot in Xiangsi Garden, but this was Ah Wu’s first time visiting this body of water.

Ah Wu was afraid of water, even too afraid to look at large bodies of water. Other gardens were lucky to have a pond, but this Xiangsi Garden boasted two large ponds, spanning several acres, nestled against the mountains, with every scene beside the water. What others yearned to see, Xiangsi Garden, was more terrifying than a flood or a ferocious beast in Ah Wu’s eyes. The only slightly relaxing area, Bingxue Forest, already belonged to someone else, which deeply saddened Ah Wu.

Meanwhile, the very person causing Ah Wu such heartache was sitting comfortably in the main seat of Deyue Pavilion, leisurely drinking wine.

As usual, everyone sat at separate tables. Ah Wu was thankful that she was seated to Chu Mao’s lower left, not directly facing Hua’e Pond; otherwise, she feared she would have vomited.

With so few people in the mansion, New Year’s Eve felt particularly quiet. However, Nanny Hao’s arrangements were truly adept. Knowing that those in the main seats were all quiet types, she prepared an exceptionally lively performance.

They hired a variety show troupe, singers of Southern opera, comedians, and, of course, dancers from the Prince Qi’s mansion. Gongsun Lan and Ouyang Zhi were dancers by trade. For years, Empress Tian and Consort Xiang had taken turns sending dancers to the Prince Qi’s mansion to celebrate New Year’s Day, thus forming a sizable troupe.

Sitting inside the Deyue Pavilion, Ah Wu, contemplating the vast expanse of water outside, had little interest in appreciating the song and dance. Even so, she had to admit that the dancers were not only stunningly beautiful and graceful, but their movements were also exceptional; they must be quite useful.

Ah Wu glanced at Chu Mao. He held a wine cup in one hand, watching the dancers perform, but although his gaze was on them, it seemed to be looking into the distance, his expression somewhat detached.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Day, Chu Mao’s birthday, and also the anniversary of his mother, Empress Xiaozhen’s, death. Ah Wu could not help but wonder about Chu Mao’s thoughts, but she could not find a way to understand them. Self-pity, grief, loneliness, and desolation—these feelings seemed completely disconnected from Chu Mao’s.

Ah Wu was lost in thought, watching Chu Mao, when he suddenly glanced at her. Like a thief caught red-handed, Ah Wu quickly turned her head away guiltily. But this obvious attempt to hide her embarrassment made even her own face flush crimson.

However, the intense gaze lingered on her face. Ah Wu did not dare turn to see if Chu Mao was still looking at her or laughing at her. Finally, when she could not resist glancing back, she saw Chu Mao smile at her and raise his wine cup.

Ah Wu quickly lowered her head, picked up the jade cup, and took a sip. Chu Mao’s smile had been truly captivating; what struck Ah Wu most was how white his teeth were.

Sensing the unspoken connection between Chu Mao and Ah Wu, Tao Siyao, holding a wine cup, gracefully approached Chu Mao and softly said, “This concubine offers a toast to Your Highness.”

Chu Mao did not refuse but subtly tilted his nose to the side.

Tao Siyao, her eyes brimming with tears, feigned delight, saying, “Your Highness, let’s go set off fireworks! Although Nanny Hao has fireworks prepared on the boats at Hua’e Pond at midnight, it’s not as fun as setting them off ourselves. When I was young, my father and brothers would accompany me to set off fireworks every year.”

Xiangsi, who was sitting below Nanny Hao, also stepped forward and softly said, “Yes, Brother Xu, let’s go set off fireworks together.”

Tao Siyao was delicate and charming, while Xiangsi was full of tender affection; both were exceptionally beautiful women, and Ah Wu secretly felt sorry for them.

As expected, Chu Mao said, “Li Yanguang, you accompany Lady Tao and Xiangsi to set off fireworks.”

Tao Siyao’s expression changed, but Xiangsi remained calm. She had probably foreseen this outcome, but simply did not want Tao Siyao to be the only one to participate. Of course, she was also afraid of that one in a million chance—that Chu Mao would agree to Tao Siyao’s request.

While the fireworks were going off outside, Tao Siyao seemed uninterested and could not stand the cold outside. She just stood there, stamping her feet with a hand warmer. Xiangsi, on the other hand, was having a great time, laughing, jumping, and clapping her hands, working up a sweat.

When the two of them came back in after setting off the fireworks, they saw Ah Wu and Chu Mao sitting opposite each other, a Weiqi game in front of them. Ah Wu looked up and smiled at them, but both of their expressions were somewhat unnatural.

To be honest, Ah Wu was truly wronged. She, too, had wanted to follow Xun Mei and Gongsun Lan’s example and find an excuse to return to her courtyard, but she did not know what had moved Prince Qi tonight, that he would actually invite her to a game of Weiqi.

Ah Wu naturally could not refuse, especially since the flawless set of Hetian jade Weiqi pieces presented by Lu Ruoxing was truly captivating.

“Your Highness, would you be willing to play a game with me?” Chu Mao asked.

Ah Wu’s eyes lit up. She remembered Shuangjian Tower; this was not a bad opportunity. However, Ah Wu was the type of person who rarely gambled; if she was going to gamble, she wanted to win. Although Ah Wu had been by Chu Mao’s side for many years, she had never seen him play Weiqi and knew nothing about his skills.

But Ah Wu felt her own Weiqi skills were quite decent; she could probably win 50/50. The key was the stakes.

“What does Your Highness wish to bet on?” Ah Wu asked.

Chu Mao asked, “What do you want to bet?”

Ah Wu did not hesitate and readily replied, “If I win, Your Highness will grant me free access to Shuangjian Tower.”

Chu Mao pondered for a moment, then said, “Hmm.” He continued, “If I lose, would that not be a huge loss?”

Ah Wu knew it was unrealistic to expect Chu Mao to agree to this based solely on a game of Weiqi; she was merely trying her luck. However, she did not show it outwardly but insisted, “I do not care for other stakes.”

Chu Mao thought for a moment, then slowly nodded, “Alright.”

Chu Mao’s hesitation before agreeing undoubtedly boosted Ah Wu’s confidence. “Then what stakes does Your Highness want?”