Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C023 pt2

“A grand scheme?”

Aunt Chen's eyes shone with an insightful light. Instead of answering, she asked, “Who was most devoted during Old Madam's illness?”

“Eldest Sister,” Mei E replied almost instinctively.

“Eldest Miss is talented and of marriageable age, yet she remains unmarried. Why?”

“Perhaps she hasn't found a suitable match.” At this point, Mei E's mind suddenly lit up, and she showed a shocked expression. “Mother, you mean—?”

Aunt Chen nodded. “Whoever is most devoted is the one with the scheme. Old Madam is domineering and harsh, only tolerating others' subservience to her, never the other way around. For years, only Eldest Miss has met her approval. She undoubtedly knows the Second Branch's assets haven't been fully obtained. Someone is involved, but because someone has a scheme, she's temporarily restrained herself. Otherwise, why hasn't her anger subsided? It's likely she's been suppressing it painfully.”

Mei E was momentarily stunned, saying, “Mother, you mean Eldest Sister is plotting to seize Third Sister's marriage?”

Speaking of Mei Wuxia, aunt Chen's face showed a hint of disdain. “She considers herself clever and superior, having been pampered by the entire household since childhood. How could she tolerate being inferior to others? I remember one incident. Before your uncle's death, Third Miss, who was not yet three, wore a gold circlet inlaid with gemstones and scriptures. Eldest Miss, two years older, already understood things, and she cried and demanded the circlet."

“Your aunt was soft-spoken, but the circlet had significance; it was said to have been specially made and blessed by a high monk when Third Miss was frail. Naturally, it couldn't be given to her. Your aunt offered to replace it with another. The matter seemed settled, but a few days later, the circlet disappeared. They said the children took it to play, and Third Miss used it to catch fish and accidentally dropped it in the lake."

“Three years old shows the adult, seven years old shows the old. From then on, I sensed our Eldest Miss wasn't kind. Later events proved me right. Is it surprising that such a person would covet another's marriage?”

“So, according to you, Mother, we're going to clash with Eldest Sister?” Mei E asked anxiously.

“We were always going to clash with her. If we don't, you'll be sold off by her mother. The marriage Madam arranged for Second Miss was supposedly offered with a large dowry, aiming to marry a Marquis's daughter. She's inherently aligned with Cao shi, suppressing us concubines and illegitimate children. Zhao shi's entry into the household was also orchestrated by her.”

"Should she seize control of that marriage, we wouldn't gain a single advantage. But if we use this to curry favor with Third Miss, and she becomes a Princess Consort, extending a hand to help you secure a suitable marriage wouldn't be a difficult task, would it?"

Aunt Chen, holding her daughter's hand, gently persuaded, "Remember this, my dear: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Do you think I let Spring Rain Pavilion know about the matter of the Marquis Xuanping's mansion, and then encouraged you to goad Second Miss, merely to let you experience high society? Those fleeting encounters are useless; they only address the symptoms, not the root cause."

"My intention was for you to use this opportunity to gain Third Miss's attention. You, innocent, helpless, and pitiable, share her plight. Right now, she desperately needs allies. Your mother, though humble, has spent decades in this household. If she can rise to prosperity and extend a helping hand, even if it costs me my life to assist her, what hardship is there?"

At this point, aunt Chen, usually soft-spoken, finally revealed her sharp edge.

Indeed, a true fool wouldn't have survived this long. If aunt Chen were truly unambitious, she might have married a lowly servant, borne several children, and those children would now be serving as servants in this very household.

Of course, her life as a concubine wasn't exactly luxurious, but different choices lead to different outcomes.

For a moment, the room fell into a terrifying silence. After a long while, aunt Chen sighed softly.

"My intentions are now clear to you. Find a suitable opportunity to convey our thoughts to Third Miss. Consider it a warning, urging her to be wary of Eldest Miss. Also, don't mention my using Second Miss. If Third Miss truly needs our help, I will speak to your Aunt He, and we will work together to assist her. We seek nothing in return, only to secure a brighter future for you both."

Mei E let out a long breath. "Mother, I understand."

***

Mei Wuxia had been working tirelessly at Changqing Hall until the Sixth Miss Chen Yueyi of the Marquis Xuanping's mansion sent her a letter, finally freeing her from her relentless duties.

After a day of rest, anticipating her visit to the Marquis Xuanping's mansion the day after tomorrow, she went to Wushuang's residence.

At that moment, she was unaware that someone was already waiting for her.

She had just begun discussing her visit to the Marquis Xuanping's mansion with Wushuang when Mei Chang, accompanied by Mei E, burst into the room.

They seemed to have been eavesdropping outside. Mei Chang, her face filled with mockery, charged in, declaring, "Since Eldest Sister intends to take Third Sister to the Marquis Xuanping's mansion, Fifth Sister and I have nothing to do, so we might as well accompany you."

Mei Wuxia couldn't help but glare at Jianjia and Hupo, but the two senior maids were innocent; they had been inside the room, not guarding the entrance.

It was a young maid from Wushuang's courtyard who was guarding outside. However, Mei Wuxia knew the situation in Wushuang's courtyard: the maids were either there to simply pass the time or were placed there by Wushuang and her mother. Who could she blame? Wouldn't that be like a clash between the Dragon King and the flood, a family fighting amongst themselves?

In this situation, she could only suppress her anger. But Mei Chang's unreasonable demands nearly choked Mei Wuxia with frustration.

She naturally found excuses to prevent them from coming, but Mei Chang clung to the question: why could Third Sister go, but not they?

Either everyone goes, or no one goes.

Wushuang, seeing Mei Wuxia's composure falter, happily watched the drama unfold.

If questioned, she would play the role of the weak and unwilling to offend anyone, even agreeing with Mei Chang that she shouldn't go to avoid causing friction between sisters.

Mei Wuxia's teeth were gritted, but she could only swallow her anger and the rising blood.

Could Mei Wushuang not go?

She couldn't. She had to go!

Therefore, they all had to go.

With the matter settled, Mei Wuxia, presumably furious but maintaining her composure as the eldest sister, hastily departed. Before leaving, Mei Chang gave Wushuang a smile and a compliment.

"You're quite clever."

Jianjia finally understood Second Miss's purpose in visiting Third Miss that day—it was all for this.

After everyone left, Wushuang complained, "I have no idea how Second Sister learned about this. She suddenly pressured me that day, and today she pressured Eldest Sister. Fortunately, she got her way and finally left."

Jianjia relayed this to Mei Wuxia, who, upon hearing it, concluded that Wushuang was not at fault. But how did Mei Chang find out?

As evening fell, another piece of news arrived.

It was said that Mei Zong had visited aunt He, and learned that several of his daughters were to visit Marquis Xuanping's mansion. He had specifically instructed that new clothes be made for each of his daughters.

Upon hearing this, Cao shi flew into a rage in the main hall, and later stormed into the study to quarrel with Mei Zong, accusing him of being blinded by female charms, only concerned with ostentation, and disregarding the family's circumstances.

Mei Zong, after all, was a Marquis, and having just been appeased by aunt He, found Cao shi's accusations and demands for a retraction utterly humiliating. A furious argument ensued, ending in bitter discord.

Mei Wuxia, already burdened with the headache of managing Mei Chang and Mei E, now had to soothe her weeping mother. She felt a growing sense of things spiraling out of control, yet couldn't pinpoint the source.

Mei Wushuang, naturally, learned of the commotion.

This day brought her unparalleled joy; she even ate half a bowl more rice than usual for dinner.

Consequently, when Ji Yang arrived, he found her unusually cheerful. Usually so pathetic and downtrodden, why was she now giggling, like a little mouse who'd stolen a piece of oil-soaked pastry?

Perhaps it was simply familiarity. Although Ji Yang visited every night, he left before dawn each day, and no major incidents had occurred. Wushuang's initial anxieties had subsided.

Moreover, Ji Yang, when not afflicted by his illness, though still prone to teasing her, was generally agreeable company. Their interactions held a strange familiarity, like an old married couple awaiting only a wedding ceremony. Wushuang no longer feared him as much.

Since he insisted on an answer, she reluctantly recounted the events.

But Ji Yang, after listening for a few moments, detected a flaw. "Why would she insist on your going to Marquis Xuanping's mansion?"

Uh?

For a moment, Wushuang's mind struggled to catch up. Only after careful consideration did she understand Ji Yang's deduction.

Why had Mei Wuxia succumbed to Mei Chang's threat? Because Mei Chang had said they would either go together or not at all. Mei Wuxia, to ensure Mei Chang's attendance, had reluctantly included the two troublesome younger sisters.

The earlier tone of schadenfreude clearly indicated a rift between Mei Wuxia and her sisters; the notion of sisterly affection was clearly a fabrication.

So, this was it—a careless slip, a weakness exploited?

How could she explain this?

Wushuang's mind was a tangled mess, unable to untangle the threads. She feared that any attempt at a lie would be discovered, leading to far worse consequences.

After much deliberation, she decided that those lacking in wit should avoid clever schemes, lest they lose more than they gain. She resolved to tell the truth.

Wasn't Mei Wuxia plotting against her marriage? She would preemptively paint her in a negative light to Ji Yang, demonstrating her loyalty.

Given Ji Yang's nature, he would undoubtedly nip Mei Wuxia's scheme in the bud.

The more Wushuang considered this strategy, the more appealing it became. Assuming a demure posture, she said, "Actually, I don't know for certain, but there are some suspicious points. Perhaps I could explain them to Your Highness, and you could help me analyze them?"

Ji Yang reclined against the soft pillows, one arm lazily draped behind his head, his raven hair cascading over the cushion. Seeing her so docile and charming, especially the delicate sweetness of her voice when she addressed him as "Your Highness," filled him with immense pleasure.

His mood considerably improved, he reached out, stroking her cheek, then said, "Tell me, this Prince is listening."