Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  相符 xiangfu – the minister’s estate

  Liu Han Yu didn’t think that Yun Qian Meng would ask her that. The smile on her face turned a bit stiff as she immediately lowered her eyes. Her lips formed a bitter smile as she gave a somewhat agonized reply, “In this life being able to serve xiangye and da xiaojie is already nubi’s great fortune!”

  Yun Qian Meng dully smiled to listen to Liu Han Yu’s half-hearted explanation, but didn’t try to expose her lies!

  Just think, which woman was willing to share her husband with another woman?

  Even though this was the ancient times, where women all had to control their manners, words and actions in accordance to the seven codes of divorce; deep in their hearts, for their own husbands to take a concubine, they nevertheless felt most unwilling!”

  However, for Liu yiniang who, first, didn’t have a son; second, didn’t have a strong maternal family as her backing, to rely on a few days of favor to suppress Su Qing, afraid it’s just indulging in fantasy!

  Adding on the fact that she was no longer considered young, rather than watching Yun Xuan Zhi pick one himself in the future, why not appear a bit more generous and virtuous right now, and help Yun Xuan Zhi plan these affairs? This way, she would leave a good impression on him, and also cause the other woman to be grateful to her. Besides, she could still use this woman to pressure Su Qing. It was simply killing three birds with a single arrow, how could she be against it?

  Thinking so, Yun Qian Meng’s smile became slightly brighter. It would seem that Liu yiniang was still a shrewd person. She understood how to prepare for a rainy day, and was more fully aware of the principle of give-and-take compared to Su Qing. Previously giving her assistance to take over the management was a correct decision!

  “I might be the eldest daughter of the family, but in the end, I’m still a girl who has yet to marry out of the family. As for helping father to take in another person, this should still be left to Liu yiniang to do as you see fit!” Yun Qian Meng saw that Liu Han Yu handled her affairs in an appropriate fashion, so she was assured to hand over these matters to her. She believed that even if a few more people entered the xiangfu, it wouldn’t cause any large storms and waves!

  When Liu Han Yu heard her say this, the heavy feeling in her heart finally settled down.

  After all, this large and influential estate had many rules and customs. Having been promoted under the hands of Yun Qian Meng, if she didn’t agree to this, then she would definitely not follow through with the plan by herself!

  Instead, with this da xiaojie’s intelligence, surely she had already guessed her true intentions. Now that she had nodded and agreed, that means she approved of her own methods, also, her execution of this plan would be met with much less resistance!

  Having deliberated over and over for half a day, Liu yiniang once more wore a smiling expression, fished out a few pre-selected picture scrolls from her sleeves. She unfolded them one by one, then spoke in a joyful manner, “nubi fancies four of these girls. Please have a look over, nubi will then arrange where they should go!”

  Yun Qian Meng put down her teacup, then took a look at the few portraits held out by Liu Han Yu and dully nodded her head……

  Liu yiniang saw that she was really, as she had said, not interested to take mind of these matters, so she quickly retrieved the portraits and put them away, then she lowered her voice to say, “da xiaojie, Su yiniang’s punishment is going to end soon. You see, about the management of the xiangfu……”

  Hearing this, Yun Qian Meng made a smile that was not a smile, and shot a cold glance at Liu Han Yu out of the corner of her eyes, dully saying, “Don’t tell me yiniang wants to roll over and give up your power to her?”

  At these words, Liu Han Yu’s face paled, her smiling expression momentarily froze, but her mouth had unconsciously released a single word, “No!”

  Only, the second she saw Yun Qian Meng’s lightly smiling appearance, she suddenly realized she had forgotten her own manners and immediately stood up in terror. Lowering her head, she explained in a small voice, “nubi isn’t a person who is greedy and unwilling to let go of power, but……”

  Before she finished speaking, Yun Qian Meng had lifted a hand to interrupt her……

  “yiniang doesn’t need to be so cautious and solemn, since I had helped yiniang attain this assignment, naturally won’t let yiniang simply throw it it away!” Pointing at the stool that Liu Han Yu had been sitting on and gesturing for her to sit back down, Yun Qian Meng calmly said.

  Liu Han Yu made a small bow, and sat down as if overwhelmed by her favor. Hearing Yun Qian Meng’s unperturbed response, she couldn’t help but lift her head towards her. She only felt that Yun Qian Meng’s expression was calm, her crystal clear black eyes were similar to a piece of top-quality nephrite jade, emitting a fascinating radiance, momentarily causing others to be unable to perceive her inner thoughts!

  Yun Qian Meng saw that she was looking at her with a glazed expression, secretly found it funny, but maintained the calmness on her face, “yiniang’s actions today, will definitely cause father to look at you in a new light! Furthermore, yiniang understands in your heart, we in the fu are all womenfolk, father might not say it, but surely still hopes to have a son as an heir! Even though Su yiniang has been pampered by father for so long, there haven’t been any happy events. She can’t be compared to yiniang’s ability to see the bigger picture, yiniang’s actions could be made into a literary work!”

  Finishing, Yun Qian Meng didn’t speak further and casually picked up her book to continue reading……

  Liu Han Yu heard her advice and immediately understood the meanings hidden inside. In an instant, her worried frown was swept away. Her face full of smiles, she stood up to excuse herself and quietly withdrew from the room.

  “What’s the reason for xiaojie to help her so?!” Seeing that only Mu Chun and herself were left in the room, Mi mama frowned as she asked.

  Although she was someone that Liu yiniang had exerted a lot of effort to find, because she felt guilty towards the late Yun furen, she was even more loyal towards Yun furen’s birth daughter!

  Yet Yun Qian Meng heard the similarities between her words and those of Mu Chun and couldn’t help but find it funny. Her lips unconsciously curled upwards as her slender fingers turned a page. She spoke serenely, “mama is slightly mistaken, instead of saying that we are helping her, you should say that we are helping ourselves!”

  Just think, Su Qing had just been grounded for half a month because of her. Within this time, Yun Xuan Zhi practically didn’t set foot into her room. It was almost certain that Su Qing was full of bitter hatred for her, only waiting for the perfect opportunity to settle the debt!

  Although Yun Qian Meng couldn’t figure out which plans Su Qing would use against her, but now Liu Han Yu had delivered herself to the door, she could exploit this and force Su Qing to divert her attention!

  After all, Yun Xuan Zhi not liking his own legitimate di daughter was a widely known fact. Even if she had the support of the Empress Dowager, if she continuously attacked Su Qing openly, Yun Xuan Zhi would surely be resentful; only afraid that it would provoke his backlash at that time!

  It would be better to borrow Liu Han Yu’s hand, no need to waste a soldier or a pawn, and possibly win some favorable impressions from Yun Xuan Zhi!

  Mi mama was also not a stupid person. Seeing that Yun Qian Meng appeared to have devised a plan, her worry was gradually released. She then went out to remind the servants in the courtyard, telling them to be cautious and prudent in their handling of matters, so as not to be taken advantage of by others!

  Only, just as everything was settling down, right after midnight, some trouble had come from Feng He Yuan……

  Chapter 23: Teaching the bad maid a lesson | Chu Wang Fei

  “What happened?” Waking up from the noise, Yun Qian Meng slightly frowned. Wrapped in a brocade quilt, she sat up and, somewhat annoyed, questioned the servants that were
waiting upon her outside at night.

  “Answering xiaojie, it’s Su yiniang’s Hong Xiang making noise to meet with xiaojie, saying that there are important matters!” When Bai Mei who was on night duty today heard Yun Qian Meng’s inquery, she immediately responded in a low voice.

  At this moment, Mi mama and Mu Chun who had already quickly dressed up rushed over. Mu Chun carefully pulled aside the door curtains and walked briskly to the table, lighted a small lamp then took a small orange coat and draped it over Yun Qian Meng’s shoulders. Then, she helped her tuck in the folds, lest Yun Qian Meng caught a cold!

  Outside, Mi mama was already starting to criticize Hong Xiang who had barged in. Only, afraid that she would disturb Yun Qian Meng, her voice was lowered as much as possible, “You yatou, how can you be so inept? In the middle of the night like this, da xiaojie has already gone to bed. For disturbing xiaojie’s rest, see how laoye will punish you!”

  But Hong Xiang was completely unperturbed by Mi mama’s words. Seeing that Yun Qian Meng’s room had lit-up, she instead boldly raised her voice to shout towards the room, “What is mama saying!? Our er xiaojie is almost on the point of death, don’t tell me that da xiaojie can continue to sleep like this?”

  Her remarks caused the all the servants standing in Qi Luo Yuan to feel a wave of anger rising in their hearts. As if anything that happened to the second miss had to be blamed on their eldest miss!

  What’s more, even if something had really happened to her, why didn’t she go to look for a doctor? What’s the point of running over to Qi Luo Yuan to make noise?

  Isn’t this obviously relying on xiangye’s favor to bully their young miss?

  Mi mama was not a vegetarian. Seeing that a little yatou dared to stand on Yun Qian Meng’s head to shout and mock, a cold smile immediately floated from her mouth. Her glare caused Hong Xiang to momentarily tremble, as she sternly scolded, “er xiaojie was grounded these few days, has no contact with our xiaojie at all, for what reason are you putting the black pot on our da xiaojie?! Be careful that I report this to xiangye. Want to see if xiangye will believe the nonsense from a little hussy like you, or believe the open truth!? Why don’t you take a look at where you are? This isn’t the place for you to go crazy and make a scene! If I reported this back to Liu yiniang, you will be sent back to the human traffickers; see if you can still act so rampantly!”

  Hong Xiang who was being reprimanded by Mi mama, upon hearing the mention of human traffickers, momentarily showed a panicked expression. Her expression turned deathly pale and her trembling lips couldn’t find any words to refute the criticism. She could only bite down and stand firmly on her previous words. Stiffening her neck and widening her eyes to glare, she bellowed back, “Who are you? Why don’t we see who laoye really cares for from the bottom of his heart? If er xiaojie is met with any mishaps today, laoye will definitely peel off your skin!”

  “Why don’t you tell ben xiaojie clearly, whose skin will laoye peel off?” A clear and cold voice was heard from within the room. Everyone slightly lifted their eyes to see Shui’er and Bing’er carefully lift the door curtains as Mu Chun supported Yun Qian Meng who wore an indifferent expression as she walked out.

  Yun Qian Meng’s black hair was arranged in a simple fashion, lightly nipped and fastened together with a purple jade waning moon lily magnolia hairpin. A beige fur-lined brocade cloak was draped over her shoulders. Her unpowdered face looked simple but elegant, but, in particular, her black eyes that were increasingly bright under the moonlight were currently emitting a wave of chilliness. The originally rampant and aggressive Hong Xiang momentarily shut her mouth, losing the courage to act rashly!

  “Greetings to da xiaojie!” Everyone who saw Yun Qian Meng come out, bowed one after another. Only Hong Xiang, who was previously mouthing off incessantly, stood blankly as she had momentarily forgotten about her etiquette!

  “Since meimei is currently struggling between life and death, I as a jiejie must naturally go to show my concern!” Yun Qian Meng barely swept a glance at Hong Xiang, before she brought her servants to walk towards the gate!

  Just as Hong Xiang thought she had escaped from calamity, Yun Qian Meng’s steps stilled and she slowly turned around. Her expression was as calm as always, but her eyes contained austerity, Hong Xiang almost believed that her own eyes were mistaken!

  “Mi mama, pass word to Liu yiniang that Hong Xiang does not comprehend etiquette. In the middle of the night, she selfishly barged into ben xiaojie’s courtyard, causing ben xiaojie to lose sleep. Our xiangfu cannot afford to keep such a precious nubi!” Yun Qian Meng gazed directly at Hong Xiang, spoke clearly then turned to leave.

  “da xiaojie is unjust!” Yet, at this moment, Hong Xiang unexpectedly complained loudly, temporarily pausing Yun Qian Meng’s steps!

  She only quickly rushed before Yun Qian Meng, her eyes tearful and her expression resentful, as she wailed accusingly, “da xiaojie is purposely making things difficult because nubi is Su yiniang’s servant! nubi won’t accept this!”

  Watching Hong Xiang try to confuse black and white, all the servants present creased their brows in succession, but Yun Qian Meng’s lips had curved into a mocking sneer. She immediately asked coldly, “Your zhuzi has to bend her knee and bow to me if we meet. What is your identity? Not only do you not bow, you even spoke rudely. Dispelling you from the fu is already the lightest punishment, don’t tell me that you really want to suffer physical pain?”

  From the start, Yun Qian Meng’s expression had been calm and indifferent. Even the slightest trace of anger could not be seen. However, within the quiet and chilly night, her voice was like a blade of ice stabbing towards Hong Xiang, causing her to lose the color in her face. Both her legs went soft as she collapsed and sat on the floor!

  Facing off against such a small character, Yun Qian Meng didn’t have any intention of speaking further. Leaving behind two mama to watch after Hong Xiang, she led everyone else towards Feng He Yuan!

  When they arrived at the gate to Feng He Yuan, they heard noisy weeping and the fragmented sounds of footsteps. A faint feeling of loathing formed within her heart, but she still set foot into the courtyard, only to find that it was already full of servants. As they saw her arrive, they all bowed in salute.

  Yun Xian Zhi’s angry voice could be heard from Su Qing’s outer room, “Are all of you dead? Asked you all to hire a doctor, why hasn’t anyone shown up after half a day? Is it that my xiangfu’s rice is too good to eat?”

  At this moment, no one anticipated Su Qing to cry out, “laoye, we are now in dire straits, which one of the servants will look up to us? Xue’er has already suffered a headache for a whole three days, if not for Wang mama who wasn’t reassured by these yatou and came here to take a look, then only afraid that nubi would still be completely in the dark! My child, what’s happened to you? Is it really that our house has some dirty things that has come to posses you?

  Mu Chun had just lifted the curtains, as Yun Qian Meng heard Su Qing’s veiled accusation. She secretly made a cold laugh, but her face still showed an anxious and concerned expression as she stepped into the room. Her voice full of worry, she urgently asked, “Qian Meng greets father! How is meimei currently doing?”

  Finishing, Yun Qian Meng swept a look at Liu yiniang who was standing to the side, only finding that her eyes were hiding an indignant expression. Slightly shivering in her heart, she realized that this was another challenge that Su Qing had planned for her!

  Yun Xian Zhi saw Yun Qian Meng enter and noted that she had hurried over, as her appearance was not well done-up. But, he didn’t have the mood to be concerned about her, and only dully spoke, “Such a cold day, the courtyards are so far apart, you don’t need to come over! Better not play catch with the illness!”

  Yun Qian Meng partially hung her head as she patiently listened to Yun Xian Zhi’s words and understood. It would seem that Yun Xian Zhi had just been together with the new woman tonight, but unexpectedly, Su Qing suddenly sent so
meone to drag him over; so he borrowed Yun Ruo Xue’s illness to throw a tantrum!

  After this deliberation, Yun Qian Meng finally answered slowly and unhurriedly, “Thanks for father’s concern! Just now Su yiniang’s Hong Xiang came to Qi Luo Yuan and kept strongly emphasizing that meimei was at death’s door, so much so that she ignored her position to make noise at our Qi Luo Yuan. ’nüer was worried for meimei and hurried over! Don’t know how is meimei’s current condition? Liu yiniang, have you sent people to hire a doctor yet?”

  As soon as Yun Qian Meng has spoken, Yun Xian Zhi’s already unhappy face turned even uglier. A severe gaze shot towards Su Qing, as his words full of reproach, “Not taking proper care of Xue’er, even letting a yatou go and bully da xiaojie! How do you do your job as a yiniang?!”

  Su Qing didn’t expect Yun Xian Zhi to be angry at her because of such a small matter. The tears in her eyes continued to accumulate, as she was feeling extremely resentful in her heart. Speaking in a small voice, she answered, “Xue’er was still perfectly fine a few days ago, only recently did she say that her headaches were hard to bear! laoye, have you seen Xue’er get sick in the past? nubi is her birth mother, how can I not care for her? As for the Hong Xiang that da xiaojie talked about, that yatou was impatient and incompetent when serving at nubi’s side, nubi has already tried to correct her countless times, but that yatou is like a dead person, doesn’t care about anything, if da xiaojie is unhappy, then just deal with her as you see fit!”

  With a few simple words, Su Qing had cleanly washed her hands off all responsibility!

  Even Yun Xian Zhi’s previous angry look, at her lovely and touching appearance, had subsided from his heart.

  He lifted his hand to pat Su Qing’s shoulder a couple of times, thinking to console her with a few words, but suddenly, Yun Ruo Xue intense screaming was heard, “Ghost!”

  Chapter 24: Outbreak of second miss's illness | Chu Wang Fei