Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C023 pt1

Fifth Miss Mei E was aunt Chen's daughter.

Aunt Chen only had her one child. Perhaps because aunt Chen was not favored, Mei E's personality resembled her mother's—reserved, avoiding trouble whenever possible, unlike the more flamboyant Mei Chang.

Usually, the two sisters weren't particularly close, so their current togetherness was unexpected.

Mei Chang attempted to rebuke her, but stopped short, turning to Jianjia instead. She waved her hand dismissively. “Go. I have something to say to your mistress.”

Jianjia seemed hesitant. Mei Chang narrowed her beautiful eyes, sneering at her. Jianjia hastily plastered a smile on her face, retreating with lingering glances over her shoulder.

“Mei Wushuang, your maid is insubordinate. Even your personal attendant disobeys you. What good are you?”

Indeed, Mei Chang always spoke to Wushuang in this manner. How could she possibly like her?

Wushuang vaguely recalled Mei Chang saying similar words in her past life. She hadn't taken them to heart then—or perhaps she had. She'd sensed something was amiss with Jianjia and Bailu, but knowing the power behind them, she lacked the courage to resist.

“If you have something, just say it.”

Mei Chang harrumphed, her disdain for Wushuang's meekness evident, but she composed herself. “You're going to Marquis Xuanping's manor with Eldest Sister?”

Wushuang blinked in surprise. They knew about this?

Mei Wuxia had merely informed her, without details. Lately, Mei Wuxia had been attending to Old Madam's illness, and Wushuang had expected her to visit soon. She hadn't anticipated Mei Chang coming first.

“Eldest Sister mentioned it briefly, but not in detail.”

“In short, she's taking you, yes? Find an excuse to bring Mei E and me along.”

Mei Chang's tone was exceedingly blunt.

Mei E quickly tugged at her sister's sleeve, smiling at Wushuang. “Third Sister, Second Sister speaks rather directly. We simply wish to attend the grand celebration for the Old Madam's birthday at Marquis Xuanping's manor. It's such a grand occasion; we want to experience it.”

Experience it?

Perhaps Wushuang's expression was too impassive, or perhaps her continued silence and furrowed brow spurred Mei Chang's impatience.

“Will you agree or not?!”

Wushuang said, displeased, “Second Sister, if you were asking someone a favor, would you approach them like this?”

“What manner is that?” Mei Chang rose to her feet.

Mei E hastily intervened, “Second Sister, please speak calmly. If you were to approach me like that, I wouldn't agree either.”

Mei Chang harrumphed, sitting down and averting her gaze. Mei E glanced at Wushuang, hesitating before speaking. “There's a reason for our request.”

“Eldest Sister is organizing this. If you wish to go, you should ask her, not me,” Wushuang stated.

Mei E offered a wry smile. “If asking Eldest Sister would work, why would we bother you, Third Sister?”

She sighed, her voice low and melancholic. “Though you are from the second branch, you are still considered a legitimate daughter, and you have a betrothal. But Second Sister and I are different; we are both concubine-born daughters. Second Sister is sixteen this year. In other families, she would have been married by now, but her marriage prospects remain uncertain. Madam and Eldest Sister never take us out, and people outside may not even know that Marquis Changyang's household has several unmarried daughters.”

She paused, the next words seemingly difficult to utter.

“For daughters of our standing to marry well, social interaction is essential. If you are never seen, your character remains unknown, and no lady of standing would consider you. Second Sister and I have inquired; other families don't restrict their concubine-born daughters from going out; they even encourage it, hoping for advantageous marriages that will benefit the family. But in our household…”

“If this continues, Second Sister and I will likely be married off by Madam to anyone—a cripple, a deaf man, a mute—our lives ruined.”

Overwhelmed by her plight, Mei E burst into tears.

Wushuang knew that while Mei'e's words were somewhat exaggerated, if things were this way now, their future marital prospects would likely not be good.

She had personally endured such grievances and tasted the bitterness within, so she felt a deep empathy.

“Shouldn't we tell Second Uncle about this? He has always favored Aunt He; perhaps she could speak to him…”

Before Wushuang could finish, Mei Chang glared at her, her expression as if she wished to devour her whole.

Only then did Wushuang realize that Aunt He was no longer favored. A few years ago, Cao shi had brought a concubine surnamed Zhao into the household for her second uncle. This aunt Zhao, gentle and demure, had captured her second uncle's affections. It was said that aunt He and aunt Zhao were at odds, though Wushuang did not know the specifics; their animosity was clearly evident.

Mei E pursed her lips and lowered her head. “Second Sister's aunt and my aunt have both mentioned this to Father more than once, but Father does not interfere in his daughters' marriages. Whenever he spoke to Mother about it, she would agree verbally but take no action. Perhaps because she was pressed, Mother is now arranging Second Sister's marriage, and it is not a good one; the man is a merchant.”

Seemingly aware that Wushuang's mother was also of merchant origin, she quickly added, “It's not that merchants are bad, but he is much too old. It's said he could be our father. Marrying Second Sister to him would be making her a second wife.”

Could Cao shi actually do such a thing?

Yet, on second thought, Wushuang knew Cao shi was quite capable of it.

She remembered a similar incident from her past life. However, she had been too timid to help Mei Chang and Mei E. Later, she herself was barely able to survive, let alone care for others. She only heard that Mei Chang refused the marriage and jumped from the pavilion on the rockery in the garden, breaking her leg.

Later, she seemed to have married, but Wushuang did not know whom.

She glanced at the two girls opposite her.

Mei Chang still wore an indignant expression, but her eyes were red, and her anxious and distraught emotions were palpable. As for Mei E, Wushuang had not interacted much with her fifth sister in the past, only knowing that she was quiet and unassuming. Today, she realized she had underestimated her. Besides her intelligence, she possessed resilience and resourcefulness, and her words were always to the point.

At least, she had persuaded Wushuang.

“But have you considered that even if I agree, if Eldest Sister objects, you still won't succeed. And this is just a temporary solution, not addressing the root cause. You should seek a more permanent solution.”

“But how will we know if it works unless we try? It's better than being trapped here and subjected to their whims,” Mei E said with a forced smile.

Mei Chang said, “Just say yes or no.”

Wushuang was truly exasperated by her temper.

“Didn't I just say that even if I agree, it's useless if Eldest Sister disagrees?”

“Then don't worry about that. As long as you agree, we'll find a way.”

“What way?”

Mei E explained their plan to Wushuang. It wasn't particularly ingenious, but it was precisely tailored to Mei Wuxia's personality, and the chances of success were high.

As for Wushuang, she was already anticipating this trip to Marquis Xuanping's manor. Mei Wuxia would likely scheme to arrange a chance encounter between her and Zhao Jianzhi. If someone were to interfere, it would actually be beneficial to her.

“Alright then,” she said. “But let's be clear, if Eldest Sister rejects it, don't blame me.”

“So Third Sister agrees! That's wonderful.”

Mei E's face lit up with joy. She smiled and said to Wushuang, “We are all suffering. Mutual support would be beneficial. Third Sister, you have helped us this time, and we will remember it. If you ever need help, we will be there for you.”

All suffering?

Not all of us are suffering, but why was she so foolish in her past life that she couldn't see through it?

Mei Chang, however, remained awkward. “You agreeing proves you're not entirely stupid,” though she did offer Wushuang a slightly warmer smile.

With the matter settled, Wushuang made arrangements with the two girls. When Mei Wuxia came to her, she would have her maidservant deliver a message to them. She also told them to be alert and come to her as soon as they saw Mei Wuxia approaching.

After the two left, Jianjia entered hesitantly, probing Wushuang's thoughts, seemingly wanting to know why Mei Chang and Mei E had come to see her.

Wushuang pondered before saying, “Second Sister said I mustn't tell anyone, or she won't forgive me. Don't ask, you'll know in time.”

Jianjia felt a surge of indignation. “Second Miss is still so domineering. She bullies you; you should tell Eldest Miss.”

“Eldest Sister has been busy attending to Grandmother's illness these past few days. I won't disturb her; it's not a major matter anyway.”

Ultimately, Jianjia remained unaware of what Second Miss and Third Miss had discussed.

***

After parting ways, Mei E and Mei Chang went to aunt Chen's residence.

Aunt Chen possessed a plump figure, a round face, and almond-shaped eyes. Superficially, she wasn't strikingly beautiful, but her features were pleasing and enduring.

Upon seeing her daughters enter, she didn't immediately inquire about the outcome. Instead, she had the maidservant serve tea. Only after they had calmed themselves with tea did she allow Mei E to recount her visit to Mei Wushuang.

After listening, aunt Chen sighed slightly. “Third Miss's personality, though timid and weak, makes her the kindest at heart. People call her weak because she doesn't bully others, but in this household, how many can truly refrain from such actions?”

Aunt Chen's voice was gentle, her tone unhurried and calm.

“Therefore, your showing weakness to her was correct. With Second Miss's approach, even if someone is kind-hearted, they won't be willing to help. These past few years, you've witnessed the plight of He shi's family. No matter how favored they were, a woman's youth fades quickly. If someone younger and more beautiful appears, they can easily usurp her favor.”

“Ideally, I wouldn't want to involve myself with those mother and daughter, but Second Miss's fate serves as a warning. I've already lost face with Old Madam and am not favored by your father. If I continue to idly watch without finding a way out for you, given Cao Shi's nature, your fate would likely be to be sold off.”

Mei E said, “So Mother chose Third Sister to create a path for me?”

Aunt Chen smiled faintly. “Don't underestimate her; she's different from you two. While she seems controlled by that family, Great Aunt has always maneuvered on her behalf, and her father left her a legacy. Just her betrothal alone is enough to deter that family from harming her; all these years, they've only dared to resort to underhanded tactics. With Great Aunt's passing, Old Madam rushed to the estate, seemingly without obtaining what she desired. This might well be Third Miss's doing.”

Mei E exclaimed in surprise, “Mother, you mean…?”

Aunt Chen nodded. “I served Old Madam in my younger days and know many things. The Marquis's estate has been depleted for a long time, relying on the Second Branch to maintain this large family. After your uncle's death in battle, your father inherited the title, but with the existing division documents, their property remains theirs. All these years, Great Aunt used the family's assets to keep Old Madam in check, fearing she would harm Third Miss. Where else could the things Old Madam didn't obtain be? Certainly in the hands of their rightful owner.”

Mei E asked, puzzled, “Then why didn't Grandmother react when we could all see this?”

“Ah, that's because…” Aunt Chen chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in her laughter, “they have a grand scheme.”