Four Seasons Brocade – CH 211

Chapter 211 ☆、

Ah Wu lay in bed, expecting to be too anxious to sleep, but she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow and did not wake up until dawn. She hurriedly asked, “Is His Highness still at Hongyao Villa?”

“His Highness returned, changed his clothes, and went to court,” Zi-Shan replied while helping Ah Wu wash up.

It must be said that the Longqing Emperor was truly a diligent Emperor. Except when he was truly unwell, he attended court every day before dawn without fail.

“Is Nanny Hao’s situation any better?” Ah Wu asked again.

“This servant has gone to inquire after her well-being. Nanny Hao has already awakened, and she even had half a bowl of bird’s nest soup with rock sugar this morning,” Zi-Shan said.

“Good girl, what would I do without you?” Ah Wu sighed with a smile. Zi-Shan was her head maid; her visit to Hongyao Villa represented Ah Wu’s attitude, a gesture Zi-Shan handled perfectly.

“This servant will serve the Princess for the rest of my life,” Zi-Shan coaxed Ah Wu with a smile.

After a while, Zi-Yi returned, serving Ah Wu breakfast while saying, “Eunuch Lu has detained everyone from Hongyao Villa. How does Your Highness intend to interrogate them?”

“Naturally, we will search their rooms first; there will always be some clues,” Zi-Shan, the shrewd one, suggested.

Ah Wu remained silent, quietly finishing her bowl of porridge. After wiping her mouth, she instructed Zi-Shan, “Keep an eye on Qiongzhi Courtyard these next two days. I’m afraid that while the snipe and the clam fight, the oriole will come from behind.”

Zi-Shan replied, “Yes.”

Although Ah Wu was almost certain that last night’s incident was a staged performance by Nanny Hao, she was not entirely certain, fearing the possibility of a miscalculation. A common flaw of intelligent people was their tendency to be suspicious.

Having given her instructions to Zi-Shan, Ah Wu then took Zi-Yi, Zi-Jin, and Bing-Shuang to Hongyao Villa.

“Nanny, are you feeling better?” Ah Wu sat down a considerable distance away from Nanny Hao.

Nanny Hao leaned back on the bed, giving Ah Wu a mocking smile. “Thanks to the Princess Consort, I have not died yet.”

The servants in the room, Nanny Lu, Yong-Mei, and Yi-Mei, all hung their heads, not daring to speak. Yong-Mei and Yi-Mei were assigned by Ah Wu to serve at Hongyao Villa. Now that Nanny Hao’s people were detained, she naturally refused to use anyone from Yulan Hall. Only Yong-Mei and Yi-Mei were still considered Chu Mao’s people, making them the most suitable to serve Nanny Hao.

“The people from Hongyao Villa are all detained in the back room. While His Highness is away and this old woman is bedridden, Your Highness should hurry and interrogate them, lest things get complicated.”

Ah Wu seemed oblivious to Nanny Hao’s hurtful words, merely observing her without speaking.

Nanny Hao continued, “Fan Yong’s wife, hurry and prepare the tally cards and account books for the Princess so that the Princess will not make everyone uncomfortable sitting here.”

Nanny Lu’s husband was Fan Yong, so when Nanny Hao addressed her this way, she readily agreed, “This servant will go and prepare them right away.” Though her words were polite, she did not move an inch, glancing sideways at Ah Wu as if afraid she might do something to Nanny Hao.

Ah Wu smiled. “You may all leave. I want to speak with Nanny Hao alone.”

Zi-Yi and the others left, leaving only Bing-Shuang standing coldly by the door.

Ah Wu turned to look at Bing-Shuang, who then said, “His Highness specifically instructed that I must not leave the Princess’s side for even a moment.”

Ah Wu frowned, unable to fathom Chu Mao’s meaning—was he having Bing-Shuang monitor her? “Then go outside. With your abilities, you will not be late if there’s any noise inside,” Ah Wu said.

Bing-Shuang then stepped outside and stood against the threshold.

Nanny Lu remained standing there, but Ah Wu, impatient with her, only looked at Nanny Hao. Nanny Hao nodded to Nanny Lu, and she then left.

Once quiet fell, Ah Wu asked, “Is Nanny Hao’s foot feeling better?”

Nanny Hao did not answer.

Ah Wu did not expect her to speak and continued, “I’ve heard that the less you use your legs, the less useful they become. Nanny, you should practice more. Were your legs not quite agile last night?”

Nanny Hao’s eyes pierced Ah Wu like knives. “What do you mean?”

“To be honest, I am ashamed. Since I entered the mansion, I’ve never had an open and honest conversation with you, Nanny, which has led us to this point. It’s His Highness, caught in the middle, who suffers the most,” Ah Wu said.

Nanny Hao gave a bitter smile. “Everyone in this mansion knows His Highness favors you, so why bother coming to this old woman to show off? I only wish that His Highness and his wife live in harmony and peace.”

Ah Wu rose and sat down on the embroidered stool at the foot of Nanny Hao’s bed. “Then why do you still dislike me, Nanny?”

Nanny Hao opened her mouth to speak, but Ah Wu interrupted her, saying, “Nanny should understand perfectly well. If you do not respect Princess Qi, how can His Highness possibly live peacefully with her?”

Nanny Hao closed her mouth, shut her eyes, and stopped looking at Ah Wu. Her expression, however, tacitly agreed with Ah Wu’s words, a hint of disdain playing at the corners of her lips.

“Everyone has their own destiny, and no one in this world can be liked by everyone. If Nanny does not like me, it’s naturally because of my shortcomings. But given Nanny’s affection for His Highness, I always thought that no matter what we are like behind closed doors, we should always be family in public.” Ah Wu paused. “But I do not know why Nanny would frame me.”

Upon hearing this, Nanny Hao angrily opened her droopy eyes and slammed her hand on the edge of the bed. “Your Highness, do not speak without thinking! Did I cause you to be bedridden, or did I cause you to regain your power over the household affairs?” Enraged, Nanny Hao braced herself against the bedside with one hand and covered her chest with the other, shouting, “Your Highness is truly turning the tables!” Her spittle flew as she spoke, and Ah Wu was thankful she was sitting far enough away.

“Nanny, do not get agitated. Let’s calm down before we talk,” Ah Wu said calmly.

Nanny Hao then leaned back against the headboard, breathing heavily. After waiting for Nanny Hao to catch her breath, Ah Wu continued, “Ah Wu has always admired Nanny Hao’s abilities. I often wondered if, if I were Nanny Hao, could I have protected the young Prince in the palace? After much thought, I must admit I absolutely could not. Nanny Hao not only protected the Prince but also raised him so well. The late Empress, even in the afterlife, would surely be grateful for Nanny Hao’s kindness.”

No matter how much Nanny Hao disliked Ah Wu, Ah Wu’s words were extremely pleasing to her, far more comforting than anything spoken by close relations like Nanny Lu. This was a compliment from an “enemy.”

“Even when you were unwell, the entire Prince Qi’s mansion remained perfectly functioning. With you managing the household affairs, not only does His Highness feel at ease, but I also feel reassured,” Ah Wu said. “You must think I am being insincere. When I was in the Rong Mansion, I also managed the household for Madam. The trivial and cumbersome tasks were enough to give me a headache every day, but I am a person who loves leisure.” Ah Wu was not lying. Compared to these mundane affairs, she preferred composing poetry, playing the zither, and playing Weiqi—those were the things a young lady should do.

“Besides, you have not mistreated me when you were managing the household. His Highness respects you greatly. Only by entrusting the household affairs to you can he feel at ease going out to work hard, and only then can he be sure that I, as the Princess Consort, will not mistreat you,” Ah Wu said frankly.

Hearing this, Nanny Hao turned to look at Ah Wu, probably not expecting her to be so straightforward.

“To be honest, I’ve complained to His Highness a few times in private. In this capital, is there a single household where the mistress does not manage the household affairs? And you’ve said His Highness dotes on me, but he has not budged on this matter,” Ah Wu said, half-truthfully.

Nanny Hao, however, believed Ah Wu’s words and felt that Ah Wu had definitely complained much more than just a few times.

“His Highness was raised by you. Last night, given that my Yulan Hall and I were the prime suspects, why did His Highness still have Nanny Lu give me the token and have everyone at Hongyao Villa detained?” Ah Wu’s question was quite sharp.

Nanny Hao’s face suddenly fell, and she shrank back. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I want to say that I am not a fool, and neither is His Highness,” Ah Wu said in a deep voice. “If the people around you could be bribed, His Highness would not be alive now. Does His Highness not know Nanny Hao’s capabilities? Last night, regarding Nanny Hao’s possession, on the surface, I seemed to be the most suspicious, but a smart person would not use old tricks. Besides, someone as capable as Nanny Hao—if I really wanted to retaliate, I would strike decisively, leaving you no chance to recover.” Ah Wu glanced at Nanny Hao, who was still full of energy.

“That depends on whether you have the ability,” Nanny Hao sneered.

“Yes, I do not have that ability, so I never intended to be enemies with you, Nanny. But I do not understand why you are so determined to get rid of me.” Ignoring the fierce glint in Nanny Hao’s eyes, Ah Wu continued, “I consider myself a smart person. I know your position in His Highness’s heart. To be frank, even if the late Empress were to crawl out of her coffin, she would not be as important to His Highness as you.”

Nanny Hao gave Ah Wu a strange look.

“I have no deep-seated hatred for you, Nanny. We both only wish for His Highness’s peace and happiness. The only conflict of interest right now is the power of managing the household affairs. I think neither of us is one to cling to power,” Ah Wu flattered Nanny Hao. In reality, she believed that Nanny Hao’s thirst for power probably surpassed anyone else’s; otherwise, she would not have treated her this way. Those who came from the palace knew best what power was.

“What I want to say is that I would never risk displeasing His Highness by showing any disrespect to you, Nanny Hao. Even if we cannot get along harmoniously, at least we can keep to ourselves. If someone else were the Princess Consort, could you really guarantee that there would not be any conflict of interest between you and her?” Ah Wu said. “My ambitions are not grand; I only wish to be a harmonious couple with His Highness.”

“I think if I were to die now, given Consort Xiang’s influence, His Highness would not be able to remarry during his mourning period. The Pure Consort would likely also not want His Highness to remarry, and His Highness might not have the support of his new father-in-law. But my father and brothers would definitely not be on His Highness’s side anymore,” Ah Wu said with a smile.

“What nonsense is the Princess Consort talking about? No one wants your life,” Nanny Hao said.

“Oh, so it’s not about taking my life? But is that person not afraid that if I live a day longer, things might change, and what if I were to turn the tables? After all, I am still young, and who knows if His Highness will not remember the good things I did for him in the past?” Ah Wu said, “I do not want to beat around the bush with you, Nanny. I do not care what others said to you or what guarantees they made, but Nanny, are you sure your decision is correct? Do you not need to discuss it with His Highness?”

Nanny Hao remained expressionless and silent.

Seeing that Nanny Hao was unmoved and would not utter a word, Ah Wu decided not to waste any more words. “I think, Nanny, you set this up today because you are being used by two people. Perhaps the Pure Consort promised you something, but after so many years in the palace, can a mere imposter really influence the Emperor’s decision on the heir apparent?” Ah Wu’s words were extremely bold. “Or perhaps it’s Lady He. With her brains, if I were the Duke of Zhenguo, I would not place my bets on her. This is not about doting on a granddaughter; it’s about risking the lives of hundreds of people. I think that Nanny, by going against me for these two, you’ve gained nothing but trouble.”

Only at this point did a crack appear on Nanny Hao’s face, revealing surprise.