Four Seasons Brocade – CH 195

Chapter 195 ☆、

The first month of the year was filled with social engagements. Nanny Hao was on high alert; even on the day of the banquet at Prince Qi’s mansion, she went so far as to poison Yuan Rongmeng just to prevent her from appearing in public.

Ah Wu did not point it out. Judging from the portrait of the late Empress that Xiangsi had sent, Yuan Rongmeng did indeed resemble her aunt very much, except that the late Empress had a hint of melancholy between her brows and was more dignified and elegant.

But was there not a saying that you could not guard against everything?

Two days before Xiangsi’s wedding, Ah Wu invited Yuan Rongmeng to go out and find some dowry items for Xiangsi. Despite Nanny Hao’s repeated attempts to dissuade her, Xiangsi pleaded, “Aunt, the Princess Consort is Meng’er’s cousin-in-law. She cannot avoid her forever; they will be spending a long time together.”

Nanny Hao sighed. Who could argue with that? Even if Yuan Rongmeng did not marry, she’d still have to live at Ah Wu’s beck and call in this household. If Ah Wu went, Yuan Rongmeng’s situation would likely worsen. Nanny Hao had no choice but to accept Ah Wu’s invitation on Yuan Rongmeng’s behalf.

Ah Wu knew perfectly well that Xiangsi was waiting for her to make her move so she could turn around and bite back at Chu Mao. However, after much deliberation, Ah Wu still felt that taking the gamble with Xiangsi was not a loss. She simply disliked Yuan Rongmeng for no reason; regardless of whether she was good or bad, she just could not tolerate her.

Moreover, Ah Wu did not have much affection for the late Empress. Just the fact that she kept a “troublesome servant” like Nanny Hao made Ah Wu dislike her, especially since Yuan Rongmeng looked so much like her.

Ah Wu was knowingly walking into danger.

Yuan Rongmeng had not gone out in the capital since arriving. Although Nanny Hao meant well, she could not explain the reasons. While Yuan Rongmeng was very obedient, her heart immediately sided with Ah Wu at the prospect of going out.

“Let’s go to the gold and silver shops on North Street first. We can pick out some jewelry suitable for your sister Xiangsi, put it on your cousin’s tab, and the shopkeeper will settle the accounts at the end of the month when he returns to the outer courtyard,” Ah Wu said with a smile.

Yuan Rongmeng gently lowered the curtain in her hands and smiled shyly at Ah Wu.

“I used to do this all the time. It’s not easy for us to go out like this. Later at noon, I will take you to Qinglian House for vegetarian food. It’s the first place in the capital to have vegetarian food; you have to book several days in advance.”

Yuan Rongmeng nodded, her eyes full of innocence. However, instead of receiving Ah Wu’s pity, she only gained more discrimination. Yuan Rongmeng was now like a child possessing a precious treasure but unable to protect it—naive to the point of being annoying.

Ah Wu led Yuan Rongmeng to several gold shops, but they could not find anything good. Ah Wu casually pointed to a jade shop across the street. “Let’s take a look there.”

Yuan Rongmeng turned to look at Nanny Lu, who was beside her. Nanny Lu nodded almost imperceptibly, and Yuan Rongmeng then said to Ah Wu, “Alright.”

Wangu House was not a well-known jade shop in the capital, and its storefront was not large, but the interior was elegantly furnished, and the shopkeeper’s respectful enthusiasm was not overly excessive. This made Ah Wu and Yuan Rongmeng feel very good about the shop.

Ah Wu removed her face-covering veil and browsed the jade items the shopkeeper brought out.

Yuan Rongmeng hesitated for a moment, then also lifted the thin veil covering her face and began discussing the jade items with Ah Wu.

Ah Wu took a fancy to a pair of skirt-pressing rings, their emerald green color like spring water, their sound clear and melodious. Yuan Rongmeng, on the other hand, picked out a Hetian jade pendant carved with peonies and flowers. When the shopkeeper saw that the two women were exceptionally beautiful and dressed in gorgeous clothes, he knew that they had met important customers. He hurriedly brought out a jade peach-shaped brush washer and a jade brush holder with the inscription “Five Sons Passing the Imperial Examination” from the shop’s collection.

“Not bad,” Ah Wu nodded in approval, then turned to Yuan Rongmeng and said, “I heard you’ve been practicing calligraphy these days; these two pieces are perfect for you.”

Yuan Rongmeng also liked them very much. The pen holder and mountain design had an auspicious meaning, so she asked about the price and was astonished.

“Shopkeeper, please wrap them up for me and deliver them directly to Prince Qi’s mansion,” Ah Wu said, putting her hood back on, and Yuan Rongmeng lowered her veil. The two ate a vegetarian meal at Qinglian House before returning to Prince Qi’s mansion.

On the second day of the second lunar month, the Bai family came to welcome the bride. Chu Mao, as Xiangsi’s sworn brother, escorted her all the way to the dock before returning, while Li Yanguang escorted Xiangsi all the way to the Bai family.

On the eighth day of the second lunar month, a palace eunuch suddenly arrived at the Prince’s Mansion to deliver the Empress’s decree.

Although Ah Wu had anticipated this day, she had not expected it to come so soon, showing the Longqing Emperor’s impatience. Ah Wu changed into her flowing robes and arrived at Ruian Hall. Lu Ruoxing had already invited Duan Dezhong to sit down for tea.

Seeing Ah Wu enter, Duan Dezhong slowly rose. “This servant has come to convey the Empress’s decree.”

Ah Wu was about to kneel when Duan Dezhong said, “Your Highness, please wait. This decree also involves a young lady from your household. Please invite her as well, and then I will announce the decree.”

Ah Wu showed just the right amount of surprise and turned to Lu Ruoxing, asking, “Have you gone to Hongyao Villa to invite the young lady?”

“I have already sent someone to invite her,” Lu Ruoxing replied.

Ah Wu invited Duan Dezhong to sit down again, but she herself sat opposite him, refusing to take the seat. Others might not know Duan Dezhong, but Ah Wu knew him very well. He was the Longqing Emperor’s most trusted confidant; using him to convey the Empress’s decree was a waste of his talents.

Ah Wu slipped a red envelope to Duan Dezhong, saying, “Eunuch Duan, you’ve worked hard. How is Her Majesty the Empress’s health lately?”

“Her Majesty is in good health,” Duan Dezhong replied, not refusing the envelope. This was the greatest favor he could bestow upon her.

At that moment, Yuan Rongmeng entered, followed by Nanny Hao. Duan Dezhong stood up to announce the imperial decree. Since it was an oral order, there was little formality; no incense table was set up. Ah Wu led Yuan Rongmeng and the others to kneel.

Duan Dezhong said, “Her Majesty the Empress said that due to her poor health, there was no family banquet on New Year’s Day. She misses Princess Qi dearly and has specially ordered Princess Qi to come to the palace for a chat. She also heard that her cousin, a niece of an old friend, has come to the capital. Her Majesty the Empress, missing her old friend, has specially ordered the Princess to bring her cousin to the palace as well.”

Nanny Hao, having served in the palace for so many years, naturally recognized Duan Dezhong. Upon hearing the decree, her face turned deathly pale. Unfortunately, Chu Mao had been ordered out of the city these past two days, leaving her with no one to consult.

After rising, Nanny Hao also stepped forward and handed Duan Dezhong a red envelope. As soon as the envelope passed through Duan Dezhong’s hand, he knew what it contained. This Nanny Hao had certainly gone to great lengths; it was truly a pity. Duan Dezhong returned the red envelope to Nanny Hao, saying, “The Princess Consort has already rewarded me. Please, Princess Consort and cousin, hurry and come with me to the palace.”

Ah Wu nodded.

Nanny Hao said, “Because we did not know Her Majesty the Empress wanted to summon the cousin to the palace, please wait a moment, sir, so she can go back and change her clothes, lest she be impolite in front of the Empress.”

Duan Dezhong thought to himself, “Even Princess Qi has not said anything; this old woman is so ungrateful,” but he still smiled and said, “Very well, I’ve heard that the Xiangsi Garden of the Prince Qi’s Mansion is one of the four famous gardens in the capital. I have not visited it yet.”

“Lu Ruoxing, you accompany Eunuch Duan to the garden for a stroll,” Ah Wu instructed.

When Duan Dezhong reached Hongyao Villa, he refused to move, as if the scenery there captivated him. Nanny Hao knew Duan Dezhong was wary of her, and there was nothing she could do. She could only have someone help Yuan Rongmeng change her clothes, give her a few instructions, and then send her away.

Before noon, Ah Wu returned to Prince Qi’s mansion. Upon entering, she learned that Nanny Hao had been waiting for her in Yulan Hall. As soon as Ah Wu stepped inside, Nanny Hao anxiously looked behind her, and she asked angrily, “Where is Meng-jie?!”

Ah Wu slowly took off her peacock brocade coat. “Her Majesty the Empress has kept her in the palace for a while.”

“Meng-jie cannot stay in the palace!” Nanny Hao suddenly shouted in a shrill voice, taking two steps back in anger. If it were not for the maid supporting her, she probably would have fallen to the ground.

“Why did the Princess not bring Meng-jie back?!” Nanny Hao demanded. Ah Wu sat down, took a sip of tea, and said, “Nanny, that’s a strange question. Her Majesty the Empress wanted Cousin to stay a while; how could I stop her? Do not worry, Nanny; Cousin is clever and quick-witted. Her Majesty the Empress likes her very much. Perhaps she will be back in a few days.”

Nanny Hao was so enraged by Ah Wu’s nonchalant attitude that she felt like she was choking on blood. “You are really something! I’ve been on guard day and night, but I still fell for your trick. A jealous woman like you is completely unworthy of His Highness.”

Ah Wu found Nanny Hao utterly boring. She had so easily crossed the final line, turning against Ah Wu. It seemed Nanny Hao had been living a comfortable life for too long and had really taken Ah Wu for her daughter-in-law.

“I was appointed by the Emperor. Whether I am worthy or not is none of your business, Nanny. Do not be angry, Nanny. What if you get sick from it? Both Cousin and Lady Xiangsi are still relying on your support,” Ah Wu said with a smile.

Nanny Hao slumped back in her chair, her expression shifting from anger to sorrow. “How could Meng’er, a mere girl, be a hindrance to you, Your Highness? She’s the last bloodline of the Yuan family! Why can you not tolerate her? Why are you like this?” Nanny Hao began to weep.

Ah Wu felt no sympathy for Nanny Hao’s tears. If it were not for Nanny Hao, Ah Wu was certain she could tolerate Yuan Rongmeng. Unfortunately, Nanny Hao insisted on using Yuan Rongmeng to challenge her. Moreover, Ah Wu felt that keeping Yuan Rongmeng in the mansion was a waste; she would be much more useful in the palace.

This was why Ah Wu, knowing full well the danger, still wanted to target Yuan Rongmeng.

“When Nanny Hao sent someone to fetch Sister-Cousin, did you not already know I would not tolerate her?” Ah Wu said, her smile fading. She stopped playing along with Nanny Hao. Ah Wu handed Nanny Hao a small portrait. Ah Wu glanced at the portrait Xiangsi sent, but it was instantly imprinted in her mind, and she copied it.

When Nanny Hao saw it, she was stunned. The portrait was exactly the same as the portrait of the late Empress that she treasured. “How did you get it?”

“Lady Xiangsi showed it to me. The original painting is still with you, Nanny. This is my copy,” Ah Wu said.

Nanny Hao’s hand holding the portrait began to tremble. She could not help but think that although she had sent someone to fetch Yuan Rongmeng, Yuan Rongmeng’s letters came from Xiangsi. Why did she only send news of Yuan Rongmeng after Xiangsi’s marriage was arranged? The timing was too coincidental. Nanny Hao naturally knew Xiangsi’s thoughts.

Now, thinking about it, if Xiangsi stayed in Prince Qi’s mansion, Yuan Rongmeng’s circumstances would probably be hidden from her for life.

Nanny Hao was a clever woman, so Ah Wu did not say anything more. Seeing her dejected expression, Ah Wu was not particularly happy either. After all, Nanny Hao was Chu Mao’s aunt, who had been kind to him. If Nanny Hao had not been so unyielding, Ah Wu would not have wanted to confront her.

That evening, Chu Mao rushed back and was immediately invited to Hongyao Villa. Ah Wu’s heart pounded. Although she had not hidden anything and appeared confident in front of Nanny Hao, only she knew how insecure she truly was.