Chapter 17: The Double Ring Stratagem
Xiao Zhao followed and watched for a while before returning to Li Xiang Courtyard.
Ru Yi was still sorting through the trunks sent by Xiu Gu, chattering incessantly.
“Look, look… what kind of junk is all this?”
“First Madam is clearly bullying our Sixth Miss, giving her leftovers that the young ladies and madams of the household picked through. Either the fabric is too thin, or the colors are too dark, or the patterns are long out of fashion, or they were dug out from the bottom of a chest, smelling of mold…”
“These rouge and scented pastes, look, look, they’ve all clumped together. Even the maids and old women would find them disgusting, how can they be put on a young lady’s face?”
Xue Sui washed her hands meticulously.
Again and again.
Xiao Zhao looked at her expression, thinking of You San Lang, whom she had killed in You Huang Ju, and the inexplicably fearsome Crown Prince Li Zhao. She chided Ru Yi, “Say less. Don’t upset the young lady.”
Xue Sui turned back and wiped her hands with a handkerchief.
“Take all these away and distribute them.”
Ru Yi’s eyes widened, “Ah? Let the maidservants distribute them?”
Xue Sui hummed, sounding weary, “If I don’t want them, burning them would be fine too.”
Ru Yi, who had been looking down on them, agreed upon hearing this and happily went to have people come and carry the items away.
After everyone had left, Xue Sui took out the picture album from the hidden compartment of the trunk, her head slightly bowed, lost in thought.
Xiao Zhao approached, lowering her voice, “Young Lady, Xiu Gu stayed in Liuli Pavilion for less than fifteen minutes. As soon as she left, Fourth Miss Xue’s head maid, Qing Zhu, left the mansion through the back corner gate…”
Xue Sui happened to turn to the page with You Zhi Mu.
She gently tore it off and lit it.
Sparks flickered in her eyes, gradually turning to ash.
She said, “Since someone is impatient, let’s fulfill their wish.”
Xue Sui washed herself again and changed her clothes.
This padded jacket and skirt, bought from the market, was thick and warm. The collar and sleeve cuffs were trimmed with playful white rabbit fur, and the long skirt trailed on the ground, appearing more graceful. Ru Yi came in to style her hair into a high bun and then adorned it with a jade beast gold hairpin, making her look both striking and beautiful.
Xue Sui looked at the person in the bronze mirror, “Change the hairstyle.”
Ru Yi said, “Young Lady, this one looks good, you look so pretty.”
Xue Sui smiled slightly, “Go to Shou An Courtyard to express gratitude, and be more humble in your demeanor.”
–
In Shou An Courtyard to the east, Xue Yuechen was chatting with the Old Madam when a maid came in to report.
“Princess Consort, Sixth Miss is here. She said she bought a lot of things outside and has come to pay respects to the Old Ancestor.”
Xue Yuechen put down her teacup and glanced at the Old Madam, her brow furrowed, not particularly wanting to see her.
Old Madam Cui knew everything clearly and smiled, “This Xue Liu girl has truly changed so much that I barely recognize her. I suppose she is not to your liking anymore. But since you want to promote her, you will have to interact with her sooner or later. It’s better to take this opportunity to train her to be more amenable, so she will be more useful when she enters the Prince’s Mansion later…”
The Old Madam spoke sincerely to her legitimate granddaughter.
Xue Yuechen felt ashamed, “To be honest, Grandmother, I am worried. I don’t know if I am doing the right thing. Recently, the Prince has been troubled by Grand Tutor You’s case, and he hasn’t set foot in the inner chambers even once. At this juncture, I dare not mention bringing new people into the mansion to him. If I rashly bring Sixth Sister into the mansion, I fear he won’t like it…”
Old Madam Cui took a sip of tea and glanced at her.
She knew that her worry was not that the Prince would dislike her, but that the Prince might like her too much, and she was concerned about the inner chambers being unsettled if several concubines entered.
But the Old Madam, who had seen it all, did not expose her and went along with her words.
“That case is not yet concluded?”
Xue Yuechen shook her head, “Last night, I went to the study to bring soup to the Prince and happened to overhear something. You San Lang, who was already unable to walk after his fall, has mysteriously disappeared. Isn’t that strange? The Prince said the case has become more complicated and even involves some old figures from the previous dynasty…”
“Old figures from the previous dynasty.” Old Madam Cui murmured to herself.
Xue Yuechen was young and unaware of many things, but the Old Madam had lived through that era. She clearly remembered the scene of thousands of soldiers storming the Imperial City, with corpses strewn everywhere and rivers of blood, and the rumored massacre of two hundred thousand soldiers…
The Old Madam felt a pang of unease and her brow furrowed unconsciously.
Seeing Xue Yuechen look over, she smiled and took her hand.
“You don’t need to worry about court affairs for the Prince. Men have their own world. As long as you manage the inner chambers well for him, you are a virtuous wife.”
Xue Yuechen’s cheeks flushed slightly, “Your granddaughter understands.”
The Old Madam asked, “Do you still remember Daoist Master Ling Xu who came to the mansion the year Sixth Sister was born?”
Xue Yuechen nodded.
The Old Madam said, “Daoist Master Ling Xu said at the time that you were the reincarnation of an auspicious star of the eighth cycle, and she was born as a malevolent star of the seventh cycle. You are destined for immense fortune and supreme honor in the future, while she is worlds apart from you…”
She patted Xue Yuechen’s hand.
“Once you have the Prince’s offspring, this hurdle will be overcome. It’s just a matter of borrowing a womb, Princess Consort Duan. You must look at the long term…”
Xue Yuechen’s eyes reddened.
“Grandmother is right. Sixth Sister has been waiting outside for a while, let her in.”
–
After Xue Sui arrived at Shou An Courtyard, she sent Xiao Zhao to find Jinshu. Qing Zhu sneaking out of the mansion was definitely up to something, and they needed to be more prepared.
She entered with Ru Yi and paid her respects to the Old Madam and Xue Yuechen, offering thanks again.
Xue Yuechen and the Old Madam were also polite, asking about her market excursions that day, what she bought, where she bought it, and if she was satisfied.
They chatted about trivial matters, each with their own hidden agenda, yet it seemed harmonious.
Old Madam Cui said, “In the future, you sisters will live under the same roof for most of your lives, so don’t become estranged…”
Xue Sui said, “I will naturally do my best for the Princess Consort.”
She consistently referred to Xue Yuechen as Princess Consort, showing great deference.
Xue Yuechen could not discern many emotions from her face. Intending to test her, she began to complain to Old Madam Cui about Consort Xiao’s intention to take five concubines into the Prince’s mansion, in front of Xue Sui.
Old Madam Cui then said, “Sixth Sister, look at how your elder sister has endured so much grievance for your marriage. In the future, with new people entering the mansion and more concubines in the inner chambers, there will inevitably be trouble. You must bear with your elder sister a little.”
Xue Yuechen sighed, “Why is Old Ancestor saying this? Don’t scare Sixth Miss.”
Xue Sui listened to their back-and-forth, subtly pursing her lips to hide a smile, “Princess Consort, you don’t need to worry about such trivial matters. If you don’t want new people entering the mansion, this matter is easily resolved.”
Xue Yuechen looked at her, “Sister, do you have a way?”
Xue Sui said, “I don’t understand court affairs, but I’ve seen a lot in the Old Mausoleum Swamp. Even an ordinary ghost market merchant wouldn’t let their employees collude with customers who are selling stolen goods. Once the employees and customers become too close, they won’t do their jobs properly, and they might even conspire to cheat the owner…”
Old Madam Cui glanced at Xue Yuechen.
A light appeared in Xue Yuechen’s eyes, “Explain it in more detail?”
Xue Sui said, “Consort Xiao is taking in the daughters of several officials for the Prince all at once. Isn’t she afraid of causing trouble for the Prince? The Princess Consort can persuade her. After all, it’s for the Prince’s good, and Consort Xiao will surely listen…”
Xue Yuechen was a lady of noble birth, trained in the ways of a wife and mother, but this matter was not difficult to understand.
Consort Xiao wanted to provide more assistance to the Prince, but what about His Majesty?
If the Crown Prince’s faction, or some reckless spokesperson, were to impeach the Prince before His Majesty, accusing Prince Duan of forming factions, wouldn’t that cause trouble for the Prince?
Whether they would impeach him or not was another matter, but this reason was enough to convince Consort Xiao not to add more people to the Prince’s mansion’s inner chambers.
Not only would Consort Xiao not blame her for being jealous, but she would also praise her for being filial and virtuous.
Of course, this was not a profound principle, nor was it a cunning strategy. She didn’t even think it was Xue Liu’s cleverness, but rather something she happened to think of.
“Sixth Sister, what a clever mind you have. Here, take this bracelet and wear it. See if you like it.”
Xue Yuechen became even more convinced of Master Jing Kong’s words.
This Sixth Sister was here to shield her from disaster.
Xue Sui gently caressed the jade bracelet on her wrist, still warm from Xue Yuechen’s touch, her heart also complex.
She didn’t care if Prince Duan took five concubines or ten; she only wanted Xue Yuechen to follow her path.
She also didn’t care about the outcome of Xue Yuechen’s persuasion of Consort Xiao. As long as Consort Xiao accepted the officials’ “generous gifts,” even if she sent their daughters back, with Li Zhao’s spokespersons fanning the flames, it would sow suspicion and doubt in the Emperor’s heart.
A double blow.
This was the first time she had extended her hand into the court. This path was fraught with thorns, full of danger and challenges, but it was also a hurdle she had to overcome on her path to revenge…
Because she couldn’t forget that voice.
“Princess Ping Le is His Majesty’s most beloved darling. You, a lowly life, still dare to struggle? If you don’t want to die, just endure it obediently, you lowly fool!”
What if she was no longer favored?
What if the Emperor could no longer protect her?
Li Zhao: I’m getting an itchy tooth today. Is someone talking about me?
Readers: This male lead is no good, can we kill him?
