Chapter 8: Delivering Clothes

Chapter 8: Delivering Clothes

The Second Household.

After hearing Bi Wu, Zhao Wan was so furious that she smashed a cup.

"She actually said that? You’re not lying, right?"

Where does that little wretch get the nerve to defy me!

Bi Wu quickly shook her head, "It’s the truth! She told the mistress to go to the Heir Apparent, and only if the Heir Apparent gives the order will she do the embroidery for the Second Household."

"Alright, alright, alright!"

Zhao Wan was so angry that she laughed, "Now that she’s got someone backing her, she’s not taking me seriously. Fine, I understand. You can go."

No matter how lowly A Yuan might be, she is still Wei Xun’s person. By invoking Wei Xun’s name, Zhao Wan indeed couldn’t do anything to her openly.

Bi Wu had been waiting for Zhao Wan to make things difficult for A Yuan, but she didn’t expect Zhao Wan to back down upon hearing Wei Xun’s name.

Bi Wu stamped her foot in frustration but didn’t dare to say more, only feeling increasingly jealous and resentful of A Yuan.

As Bi Wu left Zhao Wan’s room, a shifty-eyed servant boy called out to her.

"Bi Wu, the Second Master wants you. Concubine Qiu is also there."

He was one of Wei Cong’s attendants, having learned many tricks from Wei Cong. Bi Wu felt nauseated at the sight of him, but she couldn’t afford to offend him openly.

"Understood."

Bi Wu giggled coquettishly and swayed her way into the inner chamber.

Even in the cold, she wore just a thin pink jacket that clung tightly to her slender waist and curvy hips, her movements as smooth as a snake.

The servant boy stared wide-eyed, clicking his tongue. If only the master would let him have a go.

But his Second Master was all talk and no action, always needing two women to serve him yet lacking the stamina. These delicate concubines hadn’t yet known a real man.

Maybe after being ignored for so long, they’d come to him.

The servant boy snickered slyly, rubbing his hands together as he followed her inside.

Soon, flirtatious laughter echoed from the inner chamber. The maids and older women outside pretended not to notice, quietly going about their tasks, though their eyes showed their disgust.

The Second Household was a real den of sin, a nest of debauchery, tarnishing the noble reputation of the Marquis of Anning’s estate.

......

"Nanny Chen, send someone to get Yingxue tomorrow."

After Bi Wu’s report, Zhao Wan finally gave in, though her teeth were still clenched.

Though she didn’t want her cousin Su Yingxue to outshine her, she couldn’t stand A Yuan’s arrogance either.

This was just a lowly concubine, yet she dared to rely on Wei Xun to defy her. If a noblewoman from a prestigious family were to marry in, would she really have to give up her role as the household manager?

Zhao Wan was unwilling.

"Yes."

Nanny Chen had long hoped for her to come around. Now that Zhao Wan had relented, she quickly accepted the order and went out.

......

Mistress Xie was completely unaware of the second wife's thoughts. The injury on her knee wasn't serious, and after Wei Xun helped her disperse the bruise, it was almost healed.

However, Chun Tao strictly followed Wei Xun's instructions and didn't allow her to get out of bed. Bored from lying in bed, Mistress Xie asked Chun Tao to bring her sewing basket.

"Mistress Xie, your injury isn't fully healed yet. Why are you doing embroidery again? Didn't you already decline the Second Mistress's request?"

Chun Tao didn't want her to overexert herself, but Mistress Xie smiled softly, "The weather is about to warm up, and the Heir Apparent's robes need to be changed. Since I'm lying here with nothing else to do, it's the perfect time to make them for him."

Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, like a girl in love, and Chun Tao immediately swallowed her words of protest.

"Then I'll go and pick out the fabric for you. The Heir Apparent prefers dark colors. Last year, the Old Madam gifted a piece of the cloud brocade, which is perfect for spring clothing."

It was rare for the Jade Clear Courtyard to receive such a reward, and the cloud brocade was black, clearly intended for Mistress Xie to make clothes for Wei Xun.

Previously, Mistress Xie hadn't known how to curry favor with Wei Xun, so the fabric had been left in the cabinet gathering dust. Now, she finally understood.

Chun Tao brought the fabric and thoughtfully prepared tea, helping Mistress Xie with the cutting.

Mistress Xie had measured Wei Xun's size night after night, so she didn't need a ruler to cut the fabric.

Her embroidery skills were quick, and she hoped Wei Xun could wear the robe soon, so she finished it in just four or five days.

"Mistress Xie, shall we take this to the Heir Apparent now?"

Seeing Mistress Xie about to put the finished robe away, Chun Tao quickly urged.

Her mistress was gentle and considerate, but she lacked initiative in competing for favor. If it were another concubine, they would have already taken the embroidery to the master for rewards.

Mistress Xie clenched her fingers, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes.

She had always been the type to avoid confrontation. Wei Xun visited her courtyard twice a month, and sometimes, when busy, he might not come at all. But Mistress Xie had never complained or gone to his courtyard.

She strictly adhered to her role as a concubine, fearing she might overstep the rules.

But now, looking at the robe she had carefully made, Mistress Xie suddenly wanted to see him.

"Alright."

The Jade Clear Courtyard was just a door away from the outer study. It only took Mistress Xie and her maid half a quarter of an hour to walk there.

Wei Xun wasn't used to being served by maids and servants, so only Chang Yuan and two attendants were in the outer study. However, a charming girl walked out of the study at that moment.

She wore an apricot-colored jacket and skirt, her face powdered, with willow-leaf eyebrows and cherry lips. Her hand rested on her maid's wrist as she stopped arrogantly in front of Mistress Xie.

"So you're that concubine of Brother Wei Xun? No wonder you have such a fox-like face."

The Su family, like the Zhao family, were seventh-rank minor officials, but Su Yingxue had been pampered since childhood, her personality spoiled. Now, with Zhao Wan's promise of her marriage to Wei Xun, she already saw Mistress Xie as a thorn in her side before even entering the household.

Mistress Xie paused, not understanding why this girl was being difficult with her.

Su Yingxue snorted coldly, "I'm about to marry Brother Wei Xun. If you dare to seduce him, I'll have you sold off!"

To see Wei Xun, she had adorned herself with hairpins and jewelry. The afternoon sunlight glinted off them, making Mistress Xie's eyes sting, nearly bringing tears to her eyes.

Su Yingxue's words felt like a heavy blow to her heart, and her paused steps became even harder to lift.

Was Wei Xun really... about to marry?

"Mistress Xie, Chun Tao, what brings you here? Come in quickly!"

Chang Yuan was just about to discard the nourishing soup sent by Su Yingxue as ordered by Wei Xun when he opened the door and saw A Yuan and her maid Chun Tao.

His look of disdain turned to delight as he quickly welcomed them inside.

The Heir Apparent had been thoroughly irritated by that cousin earlier, and now seeing A Yuan would surely cheer him up.

Hearing the sound of the door, Su Yingxue fled with her maid. She hadn't even entered the house yet, and already she was scolding the concubine in Wei Xun's household. It was improper for her to act this way before marrying Wei Xun. She would handle this seductress properly once she became his wife.

A Yuan's face was as pale as a sheet, and her body seemed to have lost all strength.

Her vision blurred as if covered by a mist, and she shook her head with difficulty, "I won't go in..."

However, before she could finish, Chun Tao took over.

"Mistress Xie worked through three sleepless nights to make a robe for the Heir Apparent and wanted him to try it on."

"That's wonderful! Mistress Xie's embroidery is exceptional; the Heir Apparent will surely like it."

Chang Yuan eagerly opened the door to the study, forcing A Yuan to step inside.

She stepped in with difficulty, her mood now starkly different from when she arrived.

All her earlier secret joy had vanished completely.