Chapter 41: Enfeoffed as Ru Ren
Xue Sui’s prediction was not wrong.
Two days later, Xue Yuechen returned to her maternal home and wept bitterly.
There were too many jokes circulating outside, and it was unbearable for her to lose face. Consort Xiao in the palace, due to this false Eight Auspicious Star matter, often reprimanded her, gave her cold looks, mocked and punished her, making her life miserable.
Fu Shi was ill and disheartened, only advising her to endure.
Xue Sui, however, in Li Xiang Courtyard, brewed her a pot of clear tea and told her a story.
She said, “There was a tea merchant in the prosperous Jiangnan region who took a liking to the tea from an old established tea plantation in Min Land. However, the other party had abided by their promises for many years, only selling tea to Min Land merchants and not to outsiders.”
“The wealthy merchant from Jiangnan wanted the other party’s tea, but the other party refused to sell. So, he devised a scheme to devalue their tea…”
“He then sent people to spread rumors everywhere, saying that the soil of this tea plantation was disordered and the water source was poor, and that the tea produced would harm health if drunk for a long time, shortening one’s lifespan. Upon hearing this, the Min Land tea merchants, disregarding their years of friendship, insisted on cutting off all dealings. Later, the wealthy merchant from Jiangnan bought the superior tea at an extremely low price and quickly dominated the Min Land tea market, his business growing larger and larger. Meanwhile, the Min Land merchants were gradually squeezed out, unable to continue, and had to sell their assets and leave their homes…”
Xue Yuechen listened and pondered.
“If the Eastern Palace is that cunning wealthy merchant from Jiangnan…”
Xue Sui smiled, “Businessmen are always like this. When they want something you have, they will find ways to devalue your cherished treasure to worthlessness…”
Xue Yuechen’s eyes lit up, “What if I subtly tell this story to the Imperial Consort?”
Xue Sui said, “Princess Consort, let someone else tell it.”
This story was not complicated, it was merely human nature.
No matter how angry Consort Xiao was, she had no reason to offend the Xue Mansion and Marquis Yongding’s Mansion at this juncture, pushing her confidantes to the opposite side. That would be akin to cutting off her own limbs…
Consort Xiao was arrogant due to favor, but not foolish.
–
After another two or three days, she sent a maid to deliver good news.
“The Imperial Consort has agreed. She said that on Prince Duan’s birthday, she will receive the Sixth Young Lady into the mansion. Not only that, the Imperial Consort also said that the status of a concubine is too demeaning for the Sixth Young Lady, and she wishes to welcome the Young Lady into the mansion with the ceremony of a Ru Ren.”
“The ceremony of a Ru Ren?” Ru Yi was overjoyed.
Xiao Zhao also looked at Xue Sui in surprise.
Only Xue Sui remained as calm as still water.
“Xiao Zhao, here’s a reward.”
In the inner court of a reigning Prince, there were not as many rank divisions as in the Eastern Palace, but apart from the main consort, secondary consorts, and concubines, Ru Ren was the highest rank.
Those who could become Ru Ren in a Prince’s Mansion were daughters of families with status and position. Upon entering the Prince’s Mansion, they would have a stable position, receive a salary and provisions, and could also assist the Princess Consort in handling some inner court affairs, holding a higher status than concubines and concubines.
It could be said that a Prince’s Ru Ren was not merely a concubine.
Moreover, it was personally agreed to by Consort Xiao.
As soon as the news arrived, the atmosphere in the mansion changed.
As soon as Ru Yi saw off the messenger, Qian Shi, with several maids and old women, leading Tenth Young Lady Xue Yuezhen, entered boldly, her face beaming with unconcealable joy. Her voice could be heard from afar.
“Oh, where is Sixth Sister? The magpies are chirping on the branches, is she still shy and hiding? The Old Madam sent me to deliver wealth to Li Xiang Courtyard.”
It was evident that Third Master had escaped danger safely, and Qian Shi was very happy, speaking in a rapid-fire manner, each word filled with laughter.
Xue Sui had not slept well last night and had intended to go back and catch up on sleep. With such a commotion, she couldn’t sleep anymore and mustered her spirits to greet them.
Several chests were placed in the room.
Food, clothing, and daily necessities, all looked opulent and magnificent.
Xue Sui smiled faintly.
“Am I going to strike it rich?”
Qian Shi chuckled, “Aren’t I the God of Wealth today? These are all from your Third Uncle and the Old Madam’s intentions; I’m just doing my part.”
She walked over and took Xue Sui’s hand, examining it earnestly.
“It’s not that I prepared gifts because you were granted the title of Ru Ren. I wanted to thank you a couple of days ago, but the items weren’t ready, and I was too embarrassed to visit. Sixth Young Lady has been of great help this time; even these meager gifts would shame me and your Third Uncle.”
Xue Sui understood her meaning and smiled.
“Third Aunt, what are you saying? We are family, there’s no need to be so formal.”
Qian Shi saw the openness on her face and didn’t feel she had any intention of clinging to them, so she didn’t stand on ceremony. She took Xue Sui’s hand and sat down, smiling and then sighing.
“When I first married into the Xue family, I heard people say that there was originally a Sixth Young Lady in the mansion who was born with an inauspicious fate, and was later abducted by kidnappers. I even sighed…”
She was a straightforward person, her emotions always visible on her face. At this moment, her gaze towards Xue Sui was different from when they first met, and it was clear she felt genuine pity.
“Only now do I know that Sixth Young Lady went through such hardships. It’s not that I’m saying it, but Fu Shi is too vicious. Even if she wasn’t born from her womb, she is still the biological daughter of the First Master. How could she have dealt such a fatal blow?”
Xue Sui smiled faintly, her cool hand subtly withdrawing from Qian Shi’s.
“Third Aunt. Has Third Uncle’s injury fully healed?”
Qian Shi saw her empty palm and knew that this young lady didn’t like to be too close to people. But she was happy today and couldn’t help but want to be close to her, so she leaned in again, her eyes shining with joy.
“He said they were all superficial wounds and nothing serious. This morning, he got up early, tidied himself, and went to his post… This time, it can be considered a blessing in disguise. He burned down that bandit’s lair and killed people, earning the admiration of General Yi Wu, who recommended him to be a Gate Commander…”
That General Yi Wu was the one responsible for the bandit suppression at Lao Jun Mountain. He was known for his integrity and bravery, possessing a good reputation. This showed that Xue Qingxiu had truly made a great merit to catch his eye.
Qian Shi spoke animatedly as she recounted Xue Qingxiu’s words.
But seeing Xue Sui’s calm expression, her composed demeanor was not at all like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old young lady. In contrast, she herself seemed a bit too excited.
Qian Shi smiled sheepishly.
“Your Third Uncle said that this time it was all thanks to you. If it weren’t for him being a man and it being inconvenient to enter Li Xiang Courtyard, he would have come himself.”
Xue Sui: “I didn’t help Third Uncle with anything.”
In fact, Qian Shi didn’t know exactly what Xue Sui had done to help Xue Qingxiu, but Xue Qingxiu had repeatedly instructed her, saying that he owed his survival and return to Sixth Sister, and refused to say anything else.
Qian Shi used to have many complaints about him, but after her husband miraculously returned from the brink of death, all her anger dissipated. She now saw him in a favorable light and acted according to his words, treating Sixth Sister as a benefactor.
“Before, I used to quarrel and fight with that scoundrel all day, and I didn’t think he was good. This time, when he had an accident, I reflected. Xue San… no, your Third Uncle, he might be a bit of a rascal, but compared to those gentlemen with many concubines, he’s already rare…”
Gentlemen with many concubines, wasn’t that Xue Qingzhi?
Xue Sui smiled, “Third Uncle has a good heart. When he drinks outside, he doesn’t mess around. It’s just that he couldn’t fulfill his ambitions before, which made him depressed. Things will get better and better.”
“Thank you for your kind words, thank you for your kind words.”
Qian Shi was naturally gregarious and could talk endlessly.
Fortunately, Xue Sui didn’t dislike her, so she listened with a smile.
Before leaving, Qian Shi suddenly advised, “In the future, if Fu Shi ever lays a finger on you in the mansion again, I will fight her.”
Xue Sui smiled faintly, “Thank you, Third Aunt.”
Qian Shi also smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze somewhat dim, “But then again, if your father doesn’t move against her, others can’t. She has a great background, from a Marquis’s Mansion, the birth mother of the Princess Consort, your legal wife… even if my Third Uncle and I are willing, I’m afraid we can’t protect you forever.”
She tightly grasped Xue Sui’s hand again.
“Good girl, you must promise Third Aunt to be clever, don’t confront her head-on. Just say a few pleasant words occasionally, and it will pass. When you get married…”
She paused, as if thinking of her marriage, and gave a bittersweet smile.
“Third Aunt is saying something unpleasant. If you think it’s good, listen; if not, just let it fly past your ear like a mosquito and don’t take it to heart.”
Xue Sui had a rough idea of what she was going to say and smiled faintly, “I will listen to whatever Third Aunt says.”
Qian Shi, as someone with more experience, said earnestly, “That Prince’s Mansion is not like an ordinary household. If you do well, you will have great prospects in the future. You, child, don’t always listen to your Eldest Sister. What you should fight for, you must fight for yourself…”
Xue Sui refilled her teacup, smiling faintly, and nodded without responding.
Although she knew Qian Shi meant well and spoke from the heart, she had known the terrible consequences of trusting others since ten years ago. When Qian Shi and Xue Qingxiu could be used by her, she would use them.
Anything else was beyond her.
See you tomorrow, my dears~~
Xue Sui: Granted the title of Ru Ren, someone is one move behind, how infuriating?
Li Zhao: …
