Chapter 18: A Difficult Situation

Chapter 18: A Difficult Situation

Today, the Marquis' residence had invited the renowned Zhu family troupe from the capital. The noblewomen each picked a play and were engrossed in watching.

The maids and servants of the Marquis' residence were busy serving tea and water, while only A Yuan was by Wei Jin's side.

"Why are you standing there? Serve Lady Shen some tea!"

Wei Jin, shelling melon seeds, glared at A Yuan, who dared not speak and quickly bent to pour the tea.

The tea had just been brought up, the boiling water steaming beneath the lid, nearly scalding her palm.

A Yuan poured a cup and handed it to Shen Qiuyu, but Shen Qiuyu appeared oblivious, turning her head to chat with Wei Jin about the play on stage.

The cup was burning hot, and A Yuan could barely hold it, understanding that Lady Shen was intentionally putting her in a tough spot.

After a while, the tea finally cooled down, and the play on stage reached an intermission. Shen Qiuyu turned around and saw A Yuan still holding the teacup. She smiled sheepishly, "I really should be scolded. I got so engrossed in the conversation that I forgot all about it. It must have been tough for you to hold the cup for so long."

Wei Jin snorted, "You're the lady of the house, and she's just a servant. Pouring a cup of tea is hardly a hardship for her."

She then reached out to touch the side of the cup and her face immediately fell, "This tea is cold. Fetch a fresh cup!"

A Yuan turned to pour a new cup, but Wei Jin was still not satisfied and had the servants brew another pot of scalding tea.

Shen Qiuyu watched them with a smile, saying nothing, and focused on the play again while A Yuan was pouring the tea.

This happened several times, and A Yuan's palms were already blistered from the burns. She endured the pain, her hands shaking as she held the cup.

"Third Brother, you've arrived!"

Just as A Yuan was about to give up, Wei Jin's voice came to her rescue.

Her hands were abruptly empty as Shen Qiuyu naturally took the cup, sipped from it, and placed it on the table before rising to greet Wei Xun, as if the earlier difficulties were all in A Yuan's mind.

"Crown Prince Wei." Shen Qiuyu curtsied, her cheeks flushed. Even upon seeing him again, she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter.

"Lady Shen."

Wei Xun's gaze shifted from her to A Yuan standing behind her.

Since that day, he hadn't laid eyes on her for a month and had deliberately avoided any news from the Yuqing Courtyard, so he didn't know that A Yuan had been seriously ill.

A Yuan lowered her eyes, her wide sleeves concealing her swollen hands.

Wei Xun's gaze was as tangible as ever. She curtsied and called out, "Heir Apparent."

The man acknowledged with a nonchalant 'hmm' and then turned to take his seat.

Shen Qiuyu's heart also settled. She had been worried that A Yuan might complain, but it seemed Wei Xun was not particularly concerned about his beautiful concubine. She glanced triumphantly at A Yuan and sat down beside Wei Xun.

The two, one in red and the other in black, both exuded a noble air, appearing quite a match.

Today's matchmaking banquet had Wei Xun's approval, so compared to the Golden Osmanthus Hall, he was much more amiable.

Shen Qiuyu poured him a cup of tea and brought up A Yuan.

"I heard that Lady Xie is the best at embroidery. I've always been clumsy but love such needlework. Would Lady Xie be willing to part with one of her pieces for me?"

A Yuan looked up and met her smiling eyes.

Shen Qiuyu had a good reputation in the capital. Her father was the Director of the Imperial Academy, and her mother was the eldest daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. She excelled in poetry, literature, and etiquette, and though her appearance was average, suitors were constantly knocking on her door.

At this moment, she smiled at A Yuan as if genuinely asking her to give up something she treasured, but only A Yuan knew the venomous thoughts hidden beneath her seemingly kind facade.

The blisters on her palms burned with a deep, bone-gnawing pain. She kept her head down, silent.

Wei Xun turned his head in surprise. A Yuan had always been docile in front of him, never defying his orders.

But now, when Shen Qiuyu merely asked for a piece of embroidery, she seemed to turn cold. Wei Xun's eyes grew cold.

Thinking of how she had tricked him by having Zhu Pozi sell her embroidery, Wei Xun's expression grew even darker. Without waiting for her reply, he answered on her behalf.

"If you like it, take it."

"Ah, thank you, sir."

Shen Qiuyu smiled warmly and looked at A Yuan, "If it's not too much trouble, Lady Xie, could you make me a pouch?"

She seemed thoughtful, but Wei Jin wasn’t happy. "That won’t do. Anyone can sew a pouch. It would be a waste of her talent. A gift should naturally be the best. I think A Yuan should embroider a double-sided piece for you. Don’t you think?"

"This... wouldn’t it be too much for Lady Xie?" Shen Qiuyu looked conflicted.

Wei Jin waved her hand dismissively, "What’s the big deal? She doesn’t have much else to do, right, Third Brother?"

After saying this, she even got Wei Xun to back her up. Wei Xun looked down, fiddling with his cup, and casually agreed.

His concubine had grown more and more spoiled. It would do her good to focus on embroidery to calm her down, lest she get any more ideas about selling her work.

With his say-so, the matter was settled.

A Yuan stood beside him. The hall was lively with activity, but at this moment, she felt only a deep, bone-chilling cold.

A blister on her palm burst, and she clenched her hand to stop the blood from spilling.

Shen Qiuyu looked at her pale, paper-like face, and the smile on her lips deepened. "Seven days from now is my mother's birthday. I'd like to give it to her as a gift. Do you think it will be ready in time?"

"Alright."

A Yuan nodded, no longer harboring any thoughts of resistance.

When Wei Xun decided something, no one could defy it. She would simply comply.

Shen Qiuyu smiled, "Then I'll trouble you, Lady Xie."

After saying this, she turned back to continue her conversation with Wei Xun, occasionally covering her mouth with a handkerchief and giggling when they reached a particularly amusing point.

Wei Xun did not show any impatience, responding gently.

A Yuan listened to the laughter, feeling as if her heart had been hollowed out.

By the time the banquet ended, Shen Qiuyu did not trouble her again.

When the banquet began, Madam Wei came out to accompany the guests for half the event. The noble ladies could tell she favored Shen Qiuyu, so they did not humiliate themselves by trying to curry favor.

The noble ladies of the capital had their own pride. Though they admired Wei Xun, it did not mean they would compete with others.

Shen Qiuyu stood beside Madam Wei, her slightly lowered eyes concealing her triumph.

Carriages left one after another. Madam Wei asked Wei Xun to escort Shen Qiuyu, while A Yuan stayed behind with the other maids and servants to clean up the courtyard.

She gritted her teeth against the pain in her palm and wiped the last stack of plates clean.

Her hands, soaked in cold water, were swollen like turnips, but no one in the courtyard cared.

The Heir Apparent's wife was about to enter the household, and what was a mere concubine like her worth?

"Lady Xie, if you’re free, could you move these flowers back?"

For the banquet, Madam Wei had the maids fetch flowers from the greenhouse. The delicate flowers, exposed to the cold wind for hours, were already wilting.

The maids, avoiding the hard work, called out to A Yuan.

Before A Yuan could respond, Wei Xun’s cold voice cut in from behind her.

"Is this how the Marquis's household teaches you to treat your mistress?"

The maid, used to bullying A Yuan, never expected Wei Xun to catch her. She knelt on the ground, begging for mercy.

"This servant begs forgiveness, Heir Apparent. Please spare me this once..."

"Take her away, now!"

Wei Xun’s command was final; her pleas fell on deaf ears.

As the maid’s cries faded, A Yuan’s lips turned pale.

Wei Xun approached, his eyes flashing with mockery at her fragile, pitiful state.

"What happened to the courage you once had to deceive me?"

A Yuan remained silent, clenching her palm even tighter.

Wei Xun scoffed coldly, "You don’t need to go out these days. Just focus on Lady Shen’s embroidery. When she enters the household in the future, she will be your mistress. Serve her well."

"...Yes, I’ll remember."