Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  It seemed that the old madam had also taken quite a few things away from Qu Ruo Li for such an item to be in her possession!

  For her to generously pass this off as a present to her now, it would seem that she was having the same thoughts os Yun Xuan Zhi!

  However, Yun Yi Heng, his brother and his sister’s futures were also included within the old madam’s plans!

  The apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree, both the mother and son had similar characters!

  Secretly taking a deep breath, Yun Qian Meng’s eyes flashed with gratefulness. However, she carried an exhausted expression and, somewhat feebly, spoke with extreme gratitude, “zumu treating Meng’er so well is Meng’er’s great fortune! Mi mama, quickly help me up. I want to go to laotaitai’s room and personally kowtow in thanks!”

  As she said this, she grabbed the edges of the table with her hands and stood up shakily……

  Liu yiniang and Yun Yan both jumped in shock at Yun Qian Meng’s actions. They quickly moved to both her sides and carefully supported her, then advised her, “da xiaojie, your body is weak. You must not rush about just yet! nubi will naturally kowtow to laotaitai in xiaojie’s place to help you express your thanks to her!”

  Yun Yan also worriedly looked at Yun Qian Meng’s pale face, and promised, “jiejie, your body is ill, please listen to yiniang! zumu will also understand your feelings. The most important thing now is to make sure to recover your health. Only then can you express your gratitude properly to zumu!”

  At their advice, Yun Qian Meng’s originally determined expression seemed to waver. She seemed to ponder over their words with great difficulty before she reluctantly nodded. Still with some reservation, she said, “Then I’ll have to trouble yiniang and meimei!”

  Seeing that she had finally given in, they couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Since Yun Qian Meng was already somewhat tired, they also self-consciously withdrew.

  After they had gone, Yun Qian Meng’s tired expression vanished. She quietly sat by the window, fiddling with the porcelain bottle as she gazed at the white clouds in the distant skies. No one could guess what she was thinking due to her hazy expression.

  Mi mama was somewhat worried when she saw this. Seeing how the furen’s possessions were so forcibly seized by those ravenous wolves, and how the young miss, who was just a delicate girl, had to survive in the midst of these wolves, she only felt a growing pain in her heart.

  Grabbing the silk cape off the couch and gently draping it in front of Yun Qian Meng’s body, Mi mama softly reminded, “xiaojie, your body is still weak. Be careful not to catch a cold!”

  Yun Qian Meng turned around, the haziness in her eyes vanishing like the clouds. An astute expression filled her eyes as she placed the porcelain bottle in Mi mama’s hands, telling her, “Take this to Xia mama and let her verify if it is genuine! Also let Ying Qiu examine it to find out if this cream is really useful!”

  Mi mama was immediately shocked when she heard this. She raised her eyes to look directly at Yun Qian Meng. Seeing that Yun Qian Meng was completely calm, she prudently nodded and carefully put the porcelain bottle into her sleeves.

  Yun Qian Meng noted that Mi mama had understood her intentions and lightly smiled. She then continued, “mama, take out a pearl from the red sandalwood box. Then, go to the Yu Family Pawn Shop to exchange it for some silver!”

  Hearing this, Mi mama was once again startled. In her heart, she just couldn’t bear to pawn off something that was left behind by the furen. So, she argued, “xiaojie, absolutely not! Those were left behind for you by furen! In order to pass them on to you, Xia mama had to endure so many injustices. You can’t just pawn them off!”

  As she said this, Mi mama had almost kneeled down on the floor!

  However, a white hand had grabbed her arm and stopped Mi mama from lowering herself onto the floor. Mi mama tearfully raised her head, only to see Yun Qian Meng’s frighteningly calm expression; her unfathomably deep eyes sending cold rays that caused her to tremble with fear.

  And by her ears, Yun Qian Meng made a decision that did not leave any room for argument, saying, “mama, these objects are lifeless, but people are alive! If we want to be like a fish back in water in the xiangfu, the first thing we need to do is to buy people’s hearts with money! Even though Liu yiniang is wholeheartedly treating me well at the moment, I still need to give her some benefits. Even though zumu is getting in my good graces because of Fu Guo gongfu, I still need to treat the people who serve beside her! The unassuming side characters are often the most crucial cogs! Besides, Yu Family Pawn Shop had been granted the status of royal purveyor. With the Imperial family’s reputation as a guarantee, we will not suffer much of a loss; we can also just get it back in the future! And this pawn shop also protects the secrecy of its clients, so outsiders won’t know who we are! This way, father, zumu and the others will not find out that we still have some things on our hands! I believe, even if mother was watching me do this right now, she would also agree!”

  Mi mama listened to Yun Qian Meng’s expresssion and had her previous unwillingness gradually turn into agreement. She finally somewhat eagerly said, “xiaojie, laonu will go right away!”

  Yun Qian Meng found it laughable how Mi mama had become excited after thinking things through, but she still pulled her to a stop, “At this hour, Yu Family Pawn Shop is already closed, you can only go tomorrow! After you’ve pawned it, exchange two thousand liang for pieces of silver about ten liang each as well as some fifty liang bank notes!”

  Mi mama listened seriously to Yun Qian Meng’s instructions and carefully remembered the details before she nodded sensibly!

  At dinnertime, due to Yun Qian Meng’s injury, she had her meal in Qi Luo Yuan on her own. Still, the old madam had sent some people to bring quite a bit of food over!

  What was really unexpected, however, was that Yun Xuan Zhi who seldom came to Qi Luo Yuan had entered Yun Qian Meng’s room at this moment!

  Yun Xuan Zhi only examined his daughter’s expression and found that her originally pink cheeks had become a sickly pale white. A bit of anger floated into his eyes as he gently told Yun Qian Meng, “Meng’er has suffered injustice today!”

  Yun Qian Meng found his concern somewhat uncomfortable, but still properly responded, “It’s alright, nü’er was also at fault. Father, please don’t blame Ruo Xue meimei too much!”

  At Yun Qian Meng’s sensible reply, Yun Xuan Zhi was very gratified. But he only made a heavy snort and severely said, “Where were you at fault? It’s obviously Ruo Xue that was in the wrong, so don’t you keep shielding her! If not for your zumu informing me today, I might have been kept in the dark by that girl, Ruo Xue and also let my Meng’er suffer many injustices!”

  Yun Qian Meng saw that Yun Xuan Zhi was wholeheartedly trying to play the role of a kind father, so she held back the nauseating feeling in her heart and continued to play the part of a loving daughter, saying, “What is father saying? Ruo Xue is the meimei; Meng’er is the jiejie, and must naturally yield to her! Besides, after Meng’er got hurt today, zumu send medicine and food, and even specially sent Liu yiniang to visit me; Meng’er doesn’t know how to repay this gratitude! Now, even father has personally come to visit despite being busy, nü’er doesn’t even know what to do! For the elders to treat Meng’er so well, don’t mention not being wronged; even if Meng’er had really suffered, my heart will still feel sweet!”

  Yun Xuan Zhi enjoyed Yun Qian Meng’s flattery very much, already replacing the anger on his face with a smile. Thinking back to his mother’s high praise of his daughter, he also couldn’t help but show his approval, “No wonder your zumu loves you dearly. She even praised you just now for being thoughtful and sensible, actually wanting to go and kowtow to her regardless of your health! Looking now as a father, my Meng’er has really grown up into a really well-bred lady; daddy just can’t help but feel proud!”

  Yun Qian Meng kept her face half-lowered, her deferential and modest exp
ression maintaining a faint smile. But, her eyes were already flashing with impatience at Yun Xuan Zhi’s sickening speech.

  Still, Yun Xuan Zhi was currently in an exceptionally good mood and stayed to accompany Yun Qian Meng for dinner. When he was leaving, he even especially instructed Mi mama and the other servants to take good care of Yun Qian Meng before walking away reluctantly.

  On the next day, before sunrise, Mi mama had already left. By the time Yun Qian Meng had woken up, she had actually already returned to the room!

  At the moment, Mu Chun was fixing a jade peony hairpin in Yun Qian Meng’s hair. Mi mama just pulled out a promisory note and some bags of silver, then placed them on the dressing table, whispering, “xiaojie, laonu followed your instructions and pawned one of the South Sea pearls for ten thousand liang! The bank notes are in this bag, and the silver pieces are in this one; and this is the one year promisory note for the pearl!”

  Yun Qian Meng grabbed the promisory note and carefully read through it before returning it to Mi mama. Then, she fished out a fifty liang note, and told Mi mama to put the remaining silver and the promisory note in the red sandalwood box. Pulling out a small sapphire blue pouch that was embroidered with lotuses from the cosmetic box, she stuffed the bank note inside and had Mi mama properly keep it on her body. Then, she stood up and led them towards Bai Shun Tang!

  The old madam had just finished freshening up when she heard someone announce that the eldest young miss had come. She immediately had Rui mama bring Yun Qian Meng inside.

  “sunnü pays respects to zumu!” Yun Qian Meng had dressed up a bit more grandly today, causing the old madam’s eyes to light up. However, when she glanced at Yun Qian Meng’s slightly pale complexion, she couldn’t stop herself from scolding, “I told you to rest properly, but you just won’t listen!”

  As she said this, she beckoned at Yun Qian Meng with her hands, allowing her to come closer.

  Yun Qian Meng saw this and had a happy expression. She obediently moved before the old madam then softly explained herself, “zumu gave me so many precious gifts yesterday. Even though Liu yiniang and san meimei kowtowed in Meng’er’s place, Meng’er still can’t help but feel apologetic. After thinking it over, Meng’er still wants to personally kowtow to zumu!”

  While speaking, Yun Qian Meng stepped back slightly as Mi mama immediately placed a soft cusion in front of her. She respectfully kowtowed towards the old madam, making the old madam so happy that she immediately gestured to Rui mama for her to quickly help Yun Qian Meng up.

  Then, once again pulling Yun Qian Meng’s right hand, she pulled her sleeves up to carefully examine the wound and asked with concern, “Does it still hurt? Did you use the Ning Zhi cream?”

  Yun Qian Meng made a bright smile and replied, “The physician told us to make sure that the scab has peeled off before applying any other kinds of ointments or creams. That’s why, the most important thing now is to let the wound heal! zumu, don’t worry, sunnü will definitely carefully take care of myself!”

  The old madam had an unclear expression flash across her face when she heard this. But, she quickly replaced it with a loving smile and did not wait for anyone else to come to pay respects, immediately telling Rui mama to prepare breakfast, as if worried that Yun Qian Meng would go hungry. She even especially added a blood swallow’s porridge for Yun Qian Meng!

  After breakfast, the old madam didn’t keep Yun Qian Meng and allowed her to go back to rest. She herself picked up her Buddhist prayer beads and continued with her daily prayers.

  As Rui mama was sending her out on behalf of the old madam, Yun Qian Meng noticed that she had a somewhat exhausted expression. Knowing that she had been ordered to keep an eye on Yun Ruo Xue, and how Yun Ruo Xue was a stubborn and spoiled brat, perhaps Rui mama was also feeling somewhat vexed. Hence, she asked in concern, “mama is truly both zumu’s left and right hands! However, mama seems to be somewhat tired, it must be that running around both the ancestral hall and Bai Shun Tang is wearing out mama!”

  Rui mama did not dare to claim any credit, and dared even less to complain. Even though she was extremely resentful at Yun Ruo Xue’s stupid muleheadedness, she could not openly comment on the zhuzi’s faults. So, she only modestly responded with, “nubi is just lucky that laotaitai and xiangye thinks so highly of nubi!”

  Hearing this, Yun Qian Meng did not try to expose her thoughts, instead lightly smiling and somewhat sincerely said, “Thanks for your trouble, mama!”

  Mi mama had also immediately pulled over both of Rui mama’s hands and warmly said, “lao jiejie, our xiaojie will also feel pained when she sees you working so hard! We can’t help you with anything, but this pouch, just treat it as a toy and take it to use as you please!”

  Rui mama paid attention to the situation and hesitated momentarily.

  After all, the mouth that has been fed by others is soft, and the hand that has received is short. The eldest young miss had not given any conditions; if, in the future, she was asked to do something dangerous, would she not have lost something big for a small gain?

  Yun Qian Meng saw that she was hesitant and smiled, explaining, “I also know that Ruo Xue meimei is also a bit spoiled, mama must have worked hard! Only, now that meimei is stuck at the ancestral hall, she is also a bit pitiful. We won’t be able to visit her normally, so I just wish that mama will chat more often with meimei, to let her understand what is happening outside! For mama to work so hard, surely you can accept something like this!”

  Rui mama heard Yun Qian Meng clear up the matter and immediately relaxed her heart. Anyhow, all she had to do was say a few things to poke and prod at the second miss. Such a simple task, to an old maid like her, was practically no effort at all. Thinking so, her wrinkled face transformed into a smiling, blooming flower!

  Mi mama noticed this and immediately, enthusiastically placed the small pouch in her hands. Then, she supported Yun Qian Meng as they left Bai Shun Tang.

  Rui mama did not immediately return to the room. Instead, she stood beside the arched door and stealthily opened the small pouch to take out the money inside. When she clearly saw the sum inside, her entire heart almost boiled over!

  Even though following the old madam gave her some dignity, the old madam was not a generous master. The amount of money she had on hand was the measly ten liang that was her annual salary. But the eldest miss had immediately given her fifty liang, just about five years worth of pay; and all she had to do was to exercise her lips a litlle bit more. This was like gold falling from the sky, so how could Rui mama not be excited?

  Rui mama only carefully put away the bank note and attached the small pouch to her waist. Then, she bent her waist and returned to the room……

  Inside the room, the old madam had naturally already found out that Yun Qian Meng had given Rui mama a small pouch. At first, she was suspicious about what they would be conspiring about, but when she saw Rui mama openly wearing the pouch on her waist, she dispelled her misgivings and just waved her hands for Rui mama to go to the ancestral hall to watch over Yun Ruo Xue!

  Since Rui mama had obtained the benefits, she naturally had to do her utmost!

  As soon as she entered the ancestral hall, she faced the fiercely scowling Yun Ruo Xue and spoke with frigid irony and scorching satire, “Since you don’t have the fate of a di xiaojie, laonu advises er xiaojie not to put on the airs of a di xiaojie! Now that Su yiniang’s influence has waned, the entire xiangfu is already under laotaitai’s management. If you still act so unreasonably, it will be hard for you to find a good husband in the future!”

  Yun Ruo Xue was most unable to bear being mocked by others. At just this slight provocation, she already could not hold in her anger. Trembling with rage, she pointed a finger at Rui mama’s nose and scolded, “You wicked slave, sucking up to the strong and stepping down on the weak! Don’t think that you can do whatever you please just because you have the old madam’s support! Don’t you forget, my mom is still carrying the xiangfu’s future
heir! When didi is born, and my mom become the main wife, we’ll see what happens to you! Why don’t you open your eyes and take a better look? Who are my uncles? Not able to find a good husband? A joke! With just my status as the xiangfu’s proper xiaojie, the people who want to marry me are already enough to crush the xiangfu’s doorstep! Do you think that I’m like that country bumpkin Yun Yi Yi who will never find out what the capital even looks like for the rest of her life?”

  Rui mama had only planned to slightly provoke Yun Ruo Xue, but she did not expect that this girl would even drag her young miss, Yi Yi into the matter!

  She might just be a servant, but Yun Yi Yi had also grown up under the skin of her eyes. Her love towards Yun Yi Yi might not even lose out to the old madam, as she had long since treated Yun Yi Yi like her own granddaughter!

  Listening to Yun Ruo Xue insult Yun Yi Yi like that, Rui mama’s originally easygoing expression momentarily darkened. Her lips curled into a mocking smile as her words became even more prickly, “I’m afraid er xiaojie does not know this yet. laotaitai has already said that Su yiniang’s child, even if it was a grandson, will not be entered into the Yun family’s genealogy! If you’re still indulging in the fantasy for a child that might not even be born to turn your situation around, you’re simply dreaming nonsense! Let me tell you this, this time, for Gu laotaijun’s birthday in Fu Guo gongfu, da xiaojie has promised laotaitai that she will bring Yi Yi xiaojie to participate. At that time, I don’t know if the person who will be able to find an ideal husband would be you, who will be stuck here in the ancestral hall, or our Yi Yi xiaojie!?”

  Yun Ruo Xue did not really believe Rui mama’s words, but seeing her calm and serious expression as well as her cold tone, she momentarily felt that everything she had said could be true!

  Those rosy cheeks that were raised by Su Qing suddenly paled as she stood up with a sudden whoosh. Facing Rui mama, she blurted, “Nonsense! I have always attened Fu Guo gongfu’s banquets in Yun Qian Meng’s place! You’re just inverting right and wrong; just wait, I’ll report this to father, and tell him that you’re making up nonsense! You must have become senile with age to actually come up with these daydreams! Why don’t you think about that Yun Yi Yi’s status and identity? She might not have the right even if she wanted to crawl through the dog tunnel into Fu Guo gongfu!”