Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Before Jiang Mo could speak, Lin Mei pulled her toward the table.

What met her eyes was a painting depicting three women—one playing the zither, one drinking wine, and one painting.

“How about I name this piece ‘Orchid Sound, Plum Blossom Scent, Lingering Shadow’?”

Lin Mei immediately replied, “Brilliant!”

Jiang Mo glanced at Su Jiying, silently asking which characters she had in mind—and whether they aligned with her own thoughts.

Su Jiying picked up the brush and wrote on plain white paper: *Lan Yin Mei Xiang Liu Ying*.

Then she handed the brush to Jiang Mo. “You add the inscription.”

Jiang Mo paused for a moment—not using Wei Yalan’s handwriting, but her own—and inscribed six characters on the left side of the painting: *Lan Yin Mei Xiang Liu Ying*.

Phonetically, *Yin* sounded identical to the character for “cause” (*yīn*), and *Liu* matched “to stay” (*liú*), yet their meanings diverged.

Su Jiying had simply interwoven the names and talents of the three women; Jiang Mo, however, imbued the title with new significance.

In this painting, *Lan Yin* signified a beautiful beginning, and *Liu Ying*, a beautiful moment.

Su Jiying gazed at Jiang Mo with a complex expression. “This beautiful beginning we share—can it only ever be fleeting, never enduring?”

Jiang Mo shook her head. “When this moment becomes a painting in your hands, doesn’t it endure forever?”

Su Jiying sensed Jiang Mo did not dislike her—yet she always maintained deliberate distance, even preserving a faint aloofness toward Lin Mei.

Lin Mei was simple and slow-witted, unperceptive—but Su Jiying felt Jiang Mo was also deliberately concealing something from her.

Wei Yalan seemed shrouded in mist—impenetrable, unfathomable.

At present, Wei Yalan acknowledged the beauty of this moment, yet rejected its permanence—as if their bond were destined to unravel.

Su Jiying couldn’t understand: Was *she* fickle? Or Lin Mei? What had given Wei Yalan this impression?

Or perhaps the fickle one was Wei Yalan herself.

Lin Mei stepped closer to examine the characters Jiang Mo had written, remarking sincerely, “The painting is exquisite—and so is the calligraphy.”

She gently traced the three figures in the painting. “And the people are exquisite too.”

Looking up, she asked, “Sister Su, how did you make me look so exquisite? Am I truly this exquisite?”

Su Jiying lightly patted Lin Mei’s cheek. “Exquisite—how could you *not* be exquisite? If you weren’t, how could you have captivated the handsome, elegant Dr. Zhu?”

Jiang Mo watched them with a pleased smile. They truly were close sisters. Her gaze drifted to the wine on the table—only one jar remained.

She recalled that when Lin Mei arrived, the wine shop assistant had clearly brought three jars; now only one remained—proof of how much the two had drunk while she slept.

Since they were getting along so well—and since she herself struggled to open up, fearing she might say too much under the influence—she should leave.

“Miss Su, I fell ill a few days ago and may not yet be fully recovered. I’m feeling dizzy now, so I’ll return to the mansion first. Tonight, could you please escort Lin Mei home?”

Su Jiying quickly steadied Jiang Mo and pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. “No fever—nothing serious. Go rest well. Don’t worry about Lin Mei; I’ll take her to the Su Mansion tonight.”

Lin Mei grabbed Jiang Mo’s arm. “I won’t go to the Su Mansion. You’re unwell—I’ll go back with you.”

Jiang Mo shook her head. “No need—I’m fine, just tired. A little more rest will set me right.”

She raised an eyebrow slightly and said to Su Jiying, “Dr. Zhu has been swamped with work lately. Lin Mei refuses to return to the Zhu Mansion, so she’s stayed at the Yu Mansion for three days—but the Zhu Mansion has urged her return daily. I’ve been making excuses, and I’m nearly out of plausible ones. Why not let Lin Mei stay with you a few more days? You can handle the Zhu family.”

That was the feeling—clearly caring, yet pushing her away: caring for Lin Mei, yet steering her toward Su Jiying.

Su Jiying gazed into Jiang Mo’s bright eyes, searching for some hidden motive—but those eyes were too candid, too sincere, revealing no flaw.

“I’ve got plenty of excuses. Don’t worry.”

Lin Mei retorted indignantly, “Back then, *they* refused to let Shiliang marry me. Now that I’m out of their sight, they want me back.”

Su Jiying comforted her, “Ignore those two stubborn elders. If you don’t wish to return, stay at the Su Mansion—unless Minister Zhu himself comes to fetch you, no one dares force you.”

Jiang Mo watched Lin Mei pout, then smiled at Su Jiying and said, “No need for Minister Zhu to come in person. The moment Dr. Zhu returns home, you won’t be able to keep her—even if you try.” She stepped before Lin Mei and spoke earnestly, “At the Zhu Mansion, you may ignore the second and third branches—but Minister Zhu and his wife remain Dr. Zhu’s parents. You must learn to get along with them. Dr. Zhu may stand up to his parents for you once or twice—but not every time. Since you chose this man, you must have understood the difficulties you’d face after marrying him.”

Lin Mei picked up the wine jug and took a long drink—Jiang Mo had struck a nerve. Of course she wanted harmony with her in-laws—but everything she tried backfired.

“Princess, Sister Su—what should I do?”

Minister Zhu and his wife looked down on Lin Mei from the depths of their hearts. Nothing she did satisfied them. Worse still, her difficulty conceiving only deepened their conviction that she was unworthy of him.

It truly seemed like an impasse—nearly impossible to break.

“Easy. I’ll ask my mother to adopt you as her daughter. Then you’ll be my true sister. I’ll request my aunt grant you the title of county lady. With that backing—let’s see if Minister Zhu dares look down on you for your status.”

Jiang Mo stared at Su Jiying in surprise. So *that* was the solution. Many problems that seemed insurmountable to ordinary people became astonishingly simple from the vantage point of power.

She let out an admiring sigh. “Excellent—truly excellent.”

Lin Mei stood stunned for a long while, then timidly asked, “Sister Su—can it really be done? Will Lady Su agree? Will the Empress consent?”

Su Jiying gently pinched Lin Mei’s cheek, like a doting elder sister. “That’s none of your concern. Just wait for my good news.”

Jiang Mo turned to Lin Mei. “No more worries now, right?”

Then she gave Su Jiying a slight bow. “Thank you, Miss Su.”

Su Jiying’s heart clenched. She’d done this not only for Lin Mei—but for Wei Yalan, too. What she truly desired was closeness, friendship—not such formal, distant gratitude.

“What are you thanking me for? I wasn’t helping *you*.”

Her tone was stiff. Lin Mei sensed Su Jiying’s sudden irritation but didn’t understand why. Hastily, she poured a cup of wine and handed it to her. “Thank you, Sister Su—I don’t know how to repay you. From now on, I’ll brew all your wine. Whatever you wish to drink, I’ll make it for you.”

“Good. Whatever you brew, little sister—I’ll love it.” The words were for Lin Mei—but Su Jiying’s eyes remained fixed on Jiang Mo.

This person—if her heart were hard, she wouldn’t have let her in; if soft, why treat her so distantly—like a stone that could never be warmed?

Jiang Mo felt Su Jiying’s gaze but deliberately looked away, saying to Lin Mei, “Since Miss Su enjoys your wine, you should share a few more cups with her.” Only then did she turn to Su Jiying, her expression calm. “Miss Su, I apologize—I’m unwell and unable to drink much, so I’ll take my leave first.”

Her words were overly formal. The more Su Jiying heard, the more uncomfortable she grew. She replied coldly, “You’re dizzy—I already know that. No explanation needed. Go ahead.”

Lin Mei frowned. What was happening? Ever since the princess thanked Su Jiying, Sister Su’s demeanor had abruptly shifted.

She wanted to ask—but didn’t know how—so she set down her cup. “I’ll see the princess off.”

Jiang Mo signaled with her eyes for Lin Mei to stay with Su Jiying. Lin Mei understood—but still felt uneasy. “Princess…”

Jiang Mo shook her head with a gentle smile—as if to say, *Don’t speak—I know.*

"No need to see me off. Go keep Miss Su company and have a drink."

Jiang Mo turned and left the side chamber.

Watching Wei Yalan's retreating figure, Su Jiying grew more and more frustrated. She felt she had been used without her knowledge by Wei Yalan, and she didn't even know when Wei Yalan had first thought of using her to help Lin Mei.

She was certainly willing to help Lin Mei. Originally, she had only wanted to get closer to Wei Yalan through Lin Mei, but after getting to know her, she found Lin Mei to be a delightful person. Having an extra sincere friend—what's not to like?

But that didn't mean she could accept being used by Wei Yalan.

How could she know that Jiang Mo had never intended to use her? Jiang Mo only wanted the best for everyone; it didn't matter who helped whom. It's just that, given their social status, Su Jiying could offer Lin Mei more.

Dragging her weary body, Jiang Mo returned to the Dawn-Dusk Courtyard. As soon as she entered the gate, she saw a familiar face and instinctively tightened her grip on Lanqiu's hand.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?"

Xingchun came over. "Your Highness, the Duke's residence said that Hui Qing has gone missing and has sent a new person to attend to you."

When the princess first entered the mansion, Xingchun had noticed that the relationship between the princess and Hui Qing was not close. She had even suspected that Hui Qing was sent by Duke Qing to spy on Prince Yu. Later, the princess said that her trusted maid had passed away and that Hui Qing was just an ordinary maid. After observing Hui Qing, she concluded that Hui Qing did not seem to be a spy for Prince Yu, and only then did she feel relieved.

Although everyone knew that Hui Qing was not a trusted confidante of the princess, she was still the dowry maid and nominally the head maid of the Dawn-Dusk Courtyard. In all matters, she had to consult with Hui Qing.

After Hui Qing disappeared, she naturally became the head maid of the Dawn-Dusk Courtyard, serving the princess together with Wangxia, Lanqiu, and Randong. The entire courtyard was harmonious.

Now, a person of unknown background had arrived, and Xingchun was deeply reluctant.

Jiang Mo quietly observed the maid. In the Duke's residence, aside from the Duke, the Duchess, and the steward, only the maids who had attended to her that night knew her true identity.

Hui Qing was gone, Hong Yu had died. That left two maids, and this maid should be one of them.

"What is your name?"

As soon as Jiang Mo said this, Xingchun's heart jumped.

Lanqiu and Wangxia understood what was going on. Randong was clueless, but only Xingchun felt something was off. The Duke's residence was truly strange—first, they had sent a maid who was not close to the princess to accompany her into Prince Yu's mansion.

This time, it was even more absurd—they sent a maid whom the princess didn't even know.

But she dared not ask, nor could she ask. Before things became clear, she couldn't voice her doubts. Having spent so many years in the palace, she had seen too many palace maids die because of curiosity.

"My name is Xiang Tong."

Jiang Mo ignored Xiang Tong and walked straight into the room. "Xingchun, first arrange a place for her to stay."

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Author's note: The male lead appears in the next chapter.