Read Novel Full CHAPTER 62 PART1
CHAPTER 62 PART1
Fifty thousand taels!
And the one extorting them was none other than Xiao Luanfei?!
The moment Madam She thought of the fertile estates they had been forced to sell off, her heart twisted like a knife. Her face darkened, but she still forced out a dry laugh and said stiffly, “It’s a blessing that Luanfei can enjoy such fortune.”
As she spoke, her nails dug deep into her palms, and her throat burned.
“Fortune?” Xiao Yanfei gave a careless tug at the corner of her lips and let out a faint sigh, her long dark lashes trembling like butterfly wings.
That sigh made Madam She finally recall the subtle tension between the two sisters. She grew a little embarrassed.
Of course. She fancied she understood Xiao Yanfei’s feelings, and her gaze softened with pity.
Xiao Yanfei should have been the treasured daughter of a marquis’ household, raised in the palm of luxury. Instead, by some twist of fate, she had been reduced to the status of a concubine’s child, trampled on for years.
And now, just as her true identity had been restored, the very girl who had stolen it—Xiao Luanfei—was to become the future Princess Consort of the Crown Prince. Once again pressing her down. How could Xiao Yanfei possibly feel happy about that?
From the moment she was born, Xiao Luanfei had loomed over her, and it seemed she always would.
Meeting Madam She’s almost sympathetic gaze, Xiao Yanfei sighed again, then abruptly shifted her tone. “But… she may not become the Crown Prince’s consort after all.”
Madam She blinked. “Why not?”
“The consort of the Crown Prince can never be a concubine’s daughter. Her Majesty the Empress would never tolerate such disgrace.” Xiao Yanfei smiled faintly, her voice light and cool as spring drizzle. “Unless…”
She let the word hang for a moment, before adding softly, “Unless she can coax Mother back to the Marquis’ household.”
Madam She frowned in thought.
With Yin Wan’s temperament—unyielding to both force and persuasion—Xiao Luanfei winning her back would be no easy task…
“Mother already dislikes her. I have nothing to worry about.” Xiao Yanfei smiled sweetly, her face radiant. “Don’t you agree, Aunt?”
“Of course. Your grandaunt’s heart holds only you, Xiao Yanfei!” Madam She hastened to reply.
Such a young girl, yet already insisting on having her mother’s affection all to herself.
Still, she wasn’t wrong. How could the Empress ever allow a concubine’s daughter to become the Crown Prince’s consort? If that were the case, wouldn’t those fifty thousand taels Xiao Luanfei had paid amount to nothing more than water poured into a bamboo basket?
Fifty thousand taels!
The thought of her family being swindled out of that fortune made Madam She’s heart seize again. Her nails pressed even deeper into her palms.
“Aunt, you’re the best!” Xiao Yanfei looked at her with delight. “Would you like to enter the palace someday? I can persuade Mother to bring you along for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration.”
Enter the palace?! Madam She’s eyes lit up. She leaned forward eagerly. “Truly?”
“Mother can always produce the silver.” Xiao Yanfei’s smile deepened with meaning, her brows and eyes curving into the shape of a crescent moon. Dimples bloomed at the corners of her lips, all warmth and innocence.
After a pause, she added, “I’ve been staying at Grandfather’s estate these past days. I’ve caused Aunt some trouble as well.”
“Really?” Madam She asked, her face glowing with sudden excitement, her joy so great she nearly pinched her own thigh to confirm she wasn’t dreaming.
If Madam Yin herself were willing to step forward and donate silver to the court on their behalf—that would be fortune dropping from the heavens!
Xiao Yanfei nodded firmly, her eyes bright with certainty.
Madam She was overjoyed, smiling so broadly her eyes nearly vanished. She quickly fawned, “Xiao Yanfei, later I’ll have something delicious sent to you—your aunt’s own osmanthus lotus root…”
But before she could finish, Xiao Yanfei hesitated and said, “It’s just…”
Those two words tightened like an invisible cord around Madam She’s heart.
Her breath caught, her smile stiffened, and she blurted out, “Just what?”
The girl wouldn’t go back on her word, would she?
“Aunt,” Xiao Yanfei said, her gaze sweeping slowly from the crown of Madam She’s hair to her painted face, down to her dress, jade ornament, and embroidered shoes, “you’ve never been taught the palace rites.”
She had spoken no criticism, yet Madam She felt as though everything about her was wrong.
Her heart sank.
Everyone knew—even without firsthand experience—that palace etiquette was notoriously exacting. A single misstep, at best, would invite ridicule; at worst, it could be deemed an offense before the throne.
Xiao Yanfei’s brows knit slightly, as if troubled.
Just as Madam She feared she was about to refuse her outright, Xiao Yanfei gestured toward Zhu momo standing by the side. “Aunt, this is Zhu momo. She once served as a governess in the palace, a gift from Her Majesty the Empress. She knows the rules better than anyone. Let her instruct you.”
Seeing Xiao Yanfei bite her lip as though reluctant, Madam She eagerly agreed, “That would be perfect!”
“Then it’s settled?” Xiao Yanfei’s tone was soft.
“Rest assured, I’ll study hard under Zhu momo. I won’t let your grandaunt lose face.”
Only then did Xiao Yanfei turn to the older woman. “I’ll trouble you with this, Zhu momo.”
Zhu momo straightened at once, giving Madam She a cool glance. “Don’t worry, young miss. Leave it to me.”
Her chin lifted proudly. She felt herself indispensable, determined to perform this task well and prove worthy of Xiao Yanfei’s trust.
Xiao Yanfei smoothed her sleeves and rose gracefully. “Aunt, I must go see Grandfather now. I’ll take my leave.”
Madam She beamed so widely she nearly split her face, hastily bidding her to go, fearful she might change her mind.
Once Xiao Yanfei had departed, Madam She turned quickly to Zhu momo, bowing low. “I must trouble you, momo.”
Her gaze toward Zhu momo was the same reverence she once held for Governess Zheng. Truly, these women from the palace were extraordinary—more imposing than a prefect’s wife!
Zhu momo tilted her chin in arrogance and said coolly, “Since the young miss asked me to instruct you, we’ll begin with posture, movement, and comportment. You must be diligent.”
“Of course, of course! I’ll take it seriously!” Madam She bobbed her head like a pecking bird.
Being instructed in court etiquette by a palace governess—now that was a chance most women could only dream of their entire lives.
“Then let’s begin with walking.” Zhu momo gave a faint smile and drew from her sleeve the ruler bestowed upon her by the Empress herself. She tapped it twice lightly against her palm.
Madam She hurriedly agreed.
But before her voice had even faded, the ruler came down hard without the slightest mercy.
Smack!
The narrow ruler struck her squarely across the back, as Zhu momo barked, “Straighten your spine!”
The blow nearly sent Madam She stumbling forward, a pained groan escaping her lips.
“What is this sniveling? How disgraceful! A lady must remain composed in honor or shame, unshaken by joy or grief.” Zhu momo’s sharp voice cut again, and the next stroke landed across her abdomen.
Madam She hastily drew in her stomach. After barely two steps, another sharp crack fell across her calf.
“Never show your feet.”
“Your stride must be even.”
“Your headpiece must not sway.”
“Next time, wear a sash to steady your skirt.”
On and on it went.
Nearly every movement she made was found lacking. Zhu momo’s criticisms were precise, unerring, and humiliating. Madam She wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
From the main hall to her own courtyard was usually a walk of no more than a cup of tea’s time. Today, under the governess’s scrutiny, it took her over an hour. By the time she reached her chambers, her body was aching, her limbs leaden with exhaustion.
She rubbed her sore back and had barely sunk onto the couch when a cold, mocking laugh cut through the air.
Meeting Zhu momo’s sharp gaze, Madam She immediately straightened, forcing herself upright with a practiced smile tugging at her lips. Inside, she sighed wearily—entering the palace would be no easy matter.
Zhu momo paced the room, reciting with slow precision each mistake Madam She had made along the way.
The ruler tapped rhythmically against her palm, each strike echoing in Madam She’s ears, her heartbeat quickening until it drummed like a war beat. The very air seemed heavy, stifling, pressing down on her chest.
Catching the flicker of fear in her expression, Zhu momo suddenly turned, lips curving into a smile. “The young lady is kindhearted. She knows how hard life has been for her aunt, and so she sent me to help.”
It was the first smile Zhu momo had shown all day. Madam She, startled, felt as if she had been shown rare favor. Her eyes grew moist.
Yes—life had not been easy for her.
She and her husband were adopted into this branch of the family. Madam Yin was not her real mother-in-law, and so she had to tread even more carefully, ever fearful of misstep, while her husband could offer her no shield.
For years she had been caught in the middle, struggling just to stay afloat.
Her husband had never once spoken up for her. And yet, her niece Xiao Yanfei remembered her, even thought of bringing her into the palace to broaden her horizons.
“Madam,” a maid lifted the curtain and stepped in with a bow. “It is nearly time. Shall we set the meal?”
“Where is the master?” Madam She asked at once, remembering she still had to speak to him about Xiao Luanfei and the fifty thousand taels.
The maid lowered her head nervously. “The master has gone to Concubine Wang’s quarters.”
“…”
A surge of fury rushed to Madam She’s head, her teeth grinding in anger.
Before they had been adopted into this household, Yin Huan hadn’t been like this. But once he had silver at hand, he brought in one concubine after another, filling the house with women.
“Leave us.” Zhu momo waved the maid away and then spoke with deliberate weight. “Madam, you already have children. In the future, it is they you must rely on.”
“The masters of this household are the Old Lord and Madam. You are only a daughter-in-law. Please them, and that is enough.”
Hearing the earnest advice, Madam She felt moved, yet her face remained clouded with dejection. “But… Father-in-law and Mother-in-law are both angry with me.”
“Are they angry with you?” Zhu momo asked, almost idly.
Madam She froze. Her brow furrowed as she thought.
The answer came, unsettling in its clarity:
Perhaps… not.
The one who secretly diverted half a million taels of overseas trade silver was Yin Huan.
The one who squandered fortunes at the gambling tables was Yin Huan.
The one who feared Old Master Yin discovering the theft was Yin Huan.
The one who tampered with Old Master Yin’s meals was Yin Huan.
Even the one who sold off estates and farmland in secret was Yin Huan.
What did any of this have to do with her?
Her expression flickered rapidly, her thoughts tossing like a boat caught in a storm. At last, she grew still.
Looking uncertainly at Zhu momo, she asked, “Then… should I go pay my respects at the main courtyard?”
As she spoke, her gaze drifted outside. The sun had already sunk halfway into the horizon.
Ah, so late already.
She rose in a flurry, straightened her clothes, and hurried toward the main courtyard.
The evening sky was painted with clouds of crimson and gold, the dying sun casting its light in slanting beams.
Madam She shielded her eyes against the glare and quickened her pace, her heart restless, unsettled.
Since the day the Yin elders had furiously driven her and her husband out, Yin Huan had scarcely dared set foot in the main courtyard. Whenever business arose, he simply pushed her forward to face their cold stares.
***