Chapter 4: Striving for Favor

Chapter 4: Striving for Favor

It was quite a coincidence that as they reached the summit, the sun began to rise slowly in the east, its golden rays bathing everything in a warm glow, almost like a divine blessing.

Even Lady Jie was captivated by the sight. Yao Niang exclaimed, "Mother, isn't this just like the poem you taught me the other day—'The sun rises, mist and dew remain; green pines are bathed in dewy freshness.'"

"Your memory is impressive," Lady Jie said with a rare smile, a gentle warmth that rarely graced her usually serene face.

Yan Yingqi frowned slightly at this. The line was from Liu Zongyuan's poem "Morning Visit to Master Chao's Temple to Read Chan Scriptures," written after his exile to Yongzhou. Lady Jie Lan You was only thirty-one, yet she looked no more than twenty due to her natural beauty. Could she be harboring such thoughts?

Fortunately, Yan Jingzhao had brought along paper and ink. Despite his young age, he was known as a talented scholar. Inspired by the scene, he began writing a poem on a nearby stone. Though Yao Niang was not close to her brother, she admired those with scholarly pursuits and went over to watch him write.

Lady Jie had endured much hardship under Old Lady Quan's watchful eye, barely able to see her son and constantly pressured to bear more children. But now, her son was well-cared for by the old lady and had already achieved the rank of xiucai at fifteen, which brought her some peace of mind.

Yan Yingqi walked beside her and remarked, "Lan You, Jingzhao doesn't seem very close to you?"

Lady Jie glanced at Yan Yingqi and shook her head. "I don't dwell on these things anymore." Her grievances were many, but who could truly understand or help her? She would only become another bitter woman.

Yan Yingqi didn't know how to console her. He had always known that Third Uncle and Aunt had chosen not to adopt others, leaving their vast estate for him. Thus, he felt a sense of responsibility towards them and hoped for everyone's well-being.

He added, "In two years, when Eldest Brother marries the Guan family's daughter, you can finally rest easy."

Lady Jie dared not expect much from him and merely nodded.

Then, Yan Yingqi continued, "I have two maidservants who are quite good. I'll send them to Jingzhao as his personal attendants. You should meet them too."

"But what about Old Lady Quan..." Lady Jie knew that the old lady had already placed someone in Jingzhao's chambers.

Yan Yingqi looked at her, feeling frustrated. "Old Lady has already placed someone there. What are you doing?"

Lady Jie was bewildered. "What can I do?"

If she were the legitimate wife, she could act freely, but she wasn't. The true head of the third branch was not her.

Why did Third Old Lady feel so secure? Because she was the legal wife of Third Old Master. It was rumored that during his tenure in Yanhe, he had taken a concubine and fathered two sons, even bringing them into the household, which infuriated Third Old Lady. Eventually, she accepted them, but both boys died of malaria within two years. Since then, Third Old Lady followed her family's advice and made Yan Jingzhao her heir.

Sometimes, Lady Jie resented her mother-in-law for using her to enter the household as a mere concubine. But as a fellow woman, unable to bear children and facing her husband's extramarital affairs, she could empathize.

This only made Third Old Lady's already strong-willed nature turn into obsession, especially regarding offspring. Although Jingzhao was her son, he had been raised by Third Old Lady since infancy, making him feel more like her own child. Her control over Jingzhao was intense.

When Jingzhao was young, Lady Jie bribed his wet nurse to bring a dish of homemade snacks. Jingzhao loved them and mentioned her to Third Old Lady for the first time. The look in Third Old Lady's eyes, her tone, and her disdain were still vivid in her mind.

If not for Yao Niang being just a girl, Third Old Lady might not have been so relaxed.

Yan Yingqi sighed, "What can you do? You're always so passive. In the end, it will hurt you."

"What else can I do? Who am I?" Lady Jie didn't want to continue this conversation and used the opportunity to send someone to fetch mountain spring water.

Unaware of her parents' silent conflict, Yao Niang spent some time watching her brother write poetry before sitting on a stone stool to weave flower garlands with Hongxiu.

By the time Lady Jie returned with the spring water, Yao Niang's garland was still unfinished. Lady Jie sat next to her daughter and helped her finish it. As a child, Yao Niang's clothes and intricate buttons were all handmade by Lady Jie, something that made Yao Niang proud.

After completing the garland, Lady Jie helped Yao Niang put it on her head. Yao Niang turned to her maidservants and asked, "Am I beautiful?"

Hongxiu and Qingdai clapped and praised, "Miss, you are very beautiful."

Yao Niang hugged Lady Jie's arm and laughed. Even Yan Jingzhao, unusually, commented, "Third Sister looks lovely."

"Thank you," Yao Niang said happily.

Even on the way down the mountain, she felt joyful, but she sighed once inside the carriage. Yan Jingzhao continued reading, seemingly oblivious.

Yet, Yao Niang felt closer to her brother today and spoke up, "Brother, Father only took us out. Won't the others, including Madam, feel..."

To Yao Niang, she and Yan Jingzhao were both Lady Jie's children, sharing the same stance.

Yan Jingzhao smiled, "Second Sister is kind-hearted, and Fourth Sister, though lively, are still our sisters. They won't say anything."

Yao Niang pouted, "Second Sister is fine, but Fourth Sister always compares herself to me openly and secretly."

"You're overthinking it," Yan Jingzhao dismissed her concerns.

Despite her young age, Yao Niang was fiercely competitive. She thought her brother had softened towards her after the climb, but now realized he treated her no differently from Second Sister and Fourth Sister.

Since that was the case, she wouldn't share her innermost thoughts with him anymore.

As Yao Niang predicted, Ying Niang's expression soured upon hearing that their father had gone hiking with the third branch. "If we're going out, we should all go together. Why is Father so partial, even after returning from the capital?"

Qian Niang, being older, had been advised by Aunt Yin to stay neutral and avoid getting involved in the conflicts between Lady Jie and Lady Zhen. Lady Zhen was the head of the first branch, while Lady Jie, though not as high-ranking, was still the legitimate wife of the third branch. Both were above their status. While they had chosen Lady Zhen's side, there was no need to antagonize Lady Jie.

Thus, Qian Niang remained silent, despite her longer acquaintance with Ying Niang, to avoid offending Yao Niang.

Xin Wan slightly pursed her lips.

...

Upon returning from the mountain, Yao Niang was led by Lady Jie to bathe and then fell asleep on a reclining couch.

After freshening up, Lady Jie went to serve Third Old Lady, as was expected of her as a daughter-in-law. Her legs trembled slightly as she walked out, bumping into Yan Yingqi.

"Eldest Master," she bowed.

Yan Yingqi asked, "Where are you going?"

Lady Jie replied, "I'm going to greet Old Lady. I was sweaty earlier, so I needed to clean up before seeing her."

Yan Yingqi, whether out of sympathy or something else, noticed today that his eldest son was distant from Lady Jie. Their relationship was cold and formal. Perhaps this was why Lady Jie had given up hope and resigned herself to her fate.

He couldn't help but remember that Lady Jie wasn't always like this. Though shy, she was once clever and charming. Now, she lived in constant fear and caution.

"You just finished climbing a mountain, your legs are shaking. Do you still want to go over there? Wouldn't it be better to send someone to convey the message?" Yan Yingqi thought that the Yan family was not some small household; why would they make things difficult for their daughter-in-law.

Jie Shi shook her head.

Yan Yingqi then said, "How about I help you convey the message?"

"You can help me this time, but what about in the future? Besides, these are the rules. Since Old Lady hasn't exempted me from paying my respects, I still need to go." Jie Shi gave a faint smile, and then, considering Yan Yingqi's good intentions, she added, "You should go back and rest. You have work at the office tomorrow. Don't worry about me."

After saying this, Jie Shi prepared to leave but was stopped by Yan Yingqi. Looking at her pitiful figure, he couldn't help but feel moved: "I'll come over today."

Jie Shi didn't expect him to say that and suddenly remembered Yao Niang's words. She had told her eldest son about how the main house might disapprove of her, but his reaction was indifferent.

In reality, surviving in the inner courtyard relied solely on one's husband and sons. Since her son had made it clear he wouldn't be her support, she still needed to rely on her husband.

So, Jie Shi turned around with tears welling up in her eyes and looked at Yan Yingqi. Originally, Yan Yingqi had feelings for Jie Shi; otherwise, he wouldn't have come over specially. Seeing her like this, his heart ached even more.

Without saying a word, Jie Shi went to see the third Old Lady first.

Once they were far away, Song Mama, who was with Jie Shi, said, "Madam, you've finally come to your senses. Actually, while you're still young, if you were to have another child, wouldn't that be good?"

"It's not that. I already have Yao Niang, and she is better than anyone else." Some things could not even be shared with confidants.

Moreover, she had lost two children before, and people said she was cursed. Only after Yao Niang was born and grew up so well, and a fortune-teller said she had "blessings and wisdom," did Jie Shi finally breathe a sigh of relief. From then on, she no longer wanted to live in constant fear.

On that day, Yan Yingqi visited the main house. Zhen Shi, along with Concubines Yin and Feng, set the table for dinner. Zhen Shi smiled and said, "Daddy must be tired from climbing the mountain today, so I made the meal extra sumptuous."

Concubine Feng giggled and said, "Are Daddy's legs still sore? Should we call someone over for a massage later?"

Yan Yingqi replied, "I've already applied ice, and it's much better now." Afterward, he asked Zhen Shi to sit down and eat, and dismissed Concubines Feng and Yin.

Even at this moment, Zhen Shi felt that everything had returned to normal. She maintained her dignity, but having Concubine Feng to win her husband's favor was enough. Clearly, Jie Shi was getting old and could no longer hold her husband's heart.

Therefore, Zhen Shi also mentioned her son Yan Jingwen's tutor to Yan Yingqi: "I heard from Jingwen that his tutor has gone home for a funeral and has been resting at home lately?"

Yan Yingqi nodded: "In a few days, let Jingwen become a disciple of Master Lanchang. This Master Lanchang saw Jingzhao's intelligence and took him as a disciple. Now, he's willing to accept Jingwen based on Jingzhao's recommendation. We'll formalize the ceremony in a few days."

Zhen Shi breathed a sigh of relief but still felt a hint of concern. It was evident that her husband held Yan Jingzhao in higher regard than her own son. In a few years, even if her son managed to become a scholar, Yan Jingzhao might pass the provincial or even imperial exams, creating a significant gap.

Yan Jingzhao already had the resources of the third branch, and if he continued to receive support from her husband, his future would be limitless.

Who would remember her son amidst such brilliance?

To her surprise, Yan Yingqi added, "I'll be going to the third branch these few days. The marriage arrangements for the eldest son will need my presence there."

Zhen Shi's heart tightened. She knew Yan Yingqi was just making excuses, likely because he was being seduced by Jie Shi. If Jie Shi were just an ordinary concubine like Concubines Yin and Feng, she wouldn't care. But Jie Shi...

If she remained as uncompetitive as before, it would be fine. But if she planned to vie for favor now, then she wouldn't blame her.