Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C025

Mei E was taken aback, then suddenly understood.

"You're courting disaster," she said, her voice laced with complexity.

Mei Chang scoffed, her anger simmering. "They're trying to kill me! Do I care about courting disaster? It's just a stroke of luck. Since they won't let me have peace, I'll make sure they're utterly ruined."

Logically, given Mei Chang's favored position within the Mei family, she shouldn't have been reduced to marrying an elderly wealthy man as a second wife.

But Cao shi was too cunning, secretly arranging the matter without the knowledge of the entire household. However, it didn't escape Aunt He and Aunt Chen. In the past, Aunt He and Mei Chang would have joined forces, weeping before Mei Zong to prevent the marriage.

This wasn't the first time Cao shi had attempted such a thing, but each time, her plans were thwarted. This time, however, was different. Aunt He had learned that Cao shi had even informed the Old Madam, who had given her consent.

Cao shi and the Old Madam were not the same. If Mei Zong disagreed with Cao shi's actions, she could only fume in frustration. But if the Old Madam approved, Mei Zong would have no choice but to comply.

Aunt He was acutely aware of the Old Madam's formidable power, so appealing to Mei Zong would be futile. She had to find another way.

Aunt Chen and Mei E merely hoped to leverage Wushuang's success to help Mei E. But Aunt He and Mei Chang were clearly thinking on a larger scale. They weren't just seeking Wushuang's assistance; they were planning a strategic maneuver, a flanking attack.

You want to marry me off to an old geezer as a second wife? I'll throw a wrench in your perfect plan and see how you'd manage to switch places!

Mei E finally understood why Aunt He, seemingly foolish, could still contend with the Madam, and why her mother feared Aunt He so much. Every time she thought Aunt He and her second sister were dim-witted, her aunt would caution her against underestimating them.

In reality, they weren't foolish at all; they were far more intelligent than most.

Thankfully, they were now on the same side.

Mei E quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

While Mei Chang and Mei E conversed, Wushuang continued her reflections.

She finally understood something that had eluded her yesterday. A nagging sense of unease had troubled her then, but the confusion had prevented her from grasping the truth until now.

Yesterday, Mei Chang had used near-hysterical threats of "all or nothing" to force Mei Wuxia to take them along. Wushuang knew Mei Wuxia would yield because of her foresight; she knew Mei Wuxia had reasons to comply.

But Mei Chang and Mei E shouldn't have known. Why were they so certain this tactic would work?

Yesterday, she had been too preoccupied to consider this. Today, Mei Chang's actions revealed only one thing—Aunt He and Aunt Chen had long since understood her predicament and Mei Wuxia's intentions. That's why they had approached her, forming an alliance to secure a path to freedom for themselves.

So, in her past life, she had had a chance to understand the conspiracy, but her fear of trouble had led her to refuse their help, thus losing her last chance to escape her fate?

For a moment, Wushuang felt an overwhelming mix of emotions.

Every choice a person makes truly alters their destiny. In this life, her reunion with her great-aunt, the recovery of her rightful inheritance, her chance encounter with Ji Yang, the arrival of Xiaohong and Meifang, and now the unexpected support of these two—a single misstep could have drastically changed the course of her life.

Wushuang wasn't afraid of being used. She had been thoroughly manipulated in both her lives. What difference did it make whom she served? Rather than being used by Mei Wuxia or the eldest branch, she preferred to be used by Mei Chang and Mei E.

She had been contemplating when to change her hairstyle, discard her drab clothes, and finally live freely.

She had planned to wait until the imperial decree of betrothal arrived, but it seemed someone had made the choice for her.

This was good. Let the storm rage.

She was no longer afraid!

"Beautiful!" Meifang exclaimed.

Xiaohong chimed in, "Miss, you look so beautiful like this. Are you a cicada?"

Chan'er had been brought along by Xiaohong. The naive girl's eyes widened at Wushuang's transformation, and she eagerly nodded, agreeing that her mistress was indeed beautiful.

Wushuang was surrounded by several maidservants, engaged in conversation, while Jianjia sat on a small stool in the corner, feigning diligence with her needlework, her mind far away.

“Sister Jianjia, do you think this attire suits the Miss?” Xiaohong asked with a sweet smile.

Jianjia started, “It’s lovely. The Miss is naturally beautiful.”

With that, she rose, as if intending to leave.

“Sister Jianjia, where are you going?”

Only then did Jianjia realize she still held her needlework. “I’m stuck on a pattern and wish to ask someone. I’ll be right back.”

Xiaohong seized her arm, saying, “Sister Jianjia, what’s wrong with you today? You’re so distracted. Why bother with needlework at this hour? Haven’t you seen the fabrics Second Miss and the others brought? The Miss’s garments should naturally take precedence.”

Her tone shifted. “Sister Jianjia, if you don’t mind, may I assist you? Sister Bailu has been absent these past few days, leaving you alone to attend to the Miss. It must be tiring. I wish to improve my skills. Please grant me this favor, and allow me to learn how to make clothes for the Miss.”

Xiaohong pulled Jianjia away, taking Chan'er with her.

Leaving Meifang and Wushuang alone.

“Keep a close watch. See who else tries to leave this afternoon,” Wushuang instructed.

***

Meanwhile, Xiaohong led Jianjia to the maidservants’ quarters.

Jianjia’s room was usually shared with Bailu; now, with Bailu absent, it seemed spacious.

Xiaohong carried the bolt of cloth, a needlework basket atop it. Entering, she tidied the square table, then helped Jianjia lay out the fabric.

Jianjia, already lost in thought, failed to notice Xiaohong’s unusual behavior until Xiaohong sent Chan'er off to play and turned back to her.

“Sister Jianjia, what troubles you? You’ve seemed preoccupied these past few days.”

“Nothing,” Jianjia replied, standing before the table, gazing at the cloth. “Didn’t you want to learn dressmaking? You…”

Xiaohong suddenly leaned close, her large eyes twinkling. “Sister Jianjia, are you worried about your brother? Or are you trying to convey a message to Eldest Miss?”

Jianjia abruptly raised her head, staring at the smiling Xiaohong.

“You…”

Xiaohong’s smile remained unwavering. “Sister Jianjia, don’t be alarmed. Many know this, only you believe it a secret. I don’t understand. What did Eldest Miss promise you? A handsome stable boy instead of a groom? A sum of silver? You’ve served Eldest Miss and Madam, yet you face being sold again?”

Jianjia’s face drained of color; her eyes widened, her fingers clenching.

“What are you trying to say?”

“Nothing. I’m merely curious. How much did it cost to buy Sister Jianjia’s loyalty? Sister Jianjia, you’re the Miss’s maid, yet you betray her, aiding Eldest Miss against Third Miss. Could Eldest Miss offer something Third Miss couldn’t, that you’d go to such lengths?”

Without waiting for a response, she produced a one-hundred-liang banknote from her sleeve. “Your family intends to sell you again for fifty liang? Here’s one hundred. Consider the money you embezzled from the Miss’s coffers forgiven. Serve Third Miss faithfully from now on, and cease your treachery.”

***

Jianjia was not a lifelong servant of the Marquis Changyang’s household. She hailed from the outskirts of the capital, sold into servitude as a child due to her family’s poverty.

Her contract was not a lifelong indenture, but for ten years.

Sold at eight, she was now eighteen, her term nearing its end. She had saved some money, anticipating marriage at a reasonable age. Then, unforeseen circumstances arose.

She had a brother, an only son. Jianjia’s sale stemmed from her family’s ambition for him. Instead of studying, he frequently brawled, injuring a classmate’s eye.

The parents refused to relent, threatening legal action. Jianjia’s family pleaded, ultimately paying fifty liang to settle the matter.

To gather that sum, Jianjia's family had depleted their savings over many years, yet it still fell short. Her second elder sister was hastily married off, the groom's generous dowry contributing to the total, but even then, the shortfall remained. In the end, Jianjia herself was sold for ten taels of silver.

She had hoped this ordeal would change her brother, but not only did he remain unchanged, he developed a gambling addiction. Over the years, most of Jianjia's monthly allowance was pilfered; several times, he even forced her to provide more money. Desperation drove her to raid Third Miss's coffers, stealing her silver.

After all, she managed the coffers; a small shortage would go unnoticed by others.

Little did I expect that Miss was not unaware, but rather, waiting for this moment.

Her recent distraught state stemmed from her brother again. He had accumulated gambling debts he couldn't repay, and intending to profit from her impending departure from the household, he accepted money to marry her off as a concubine to an elderly landowner.

***

Xiaohong still wore a smile.

Still young, her smile revealed two prominent canine teeth, lending her a certain charm. Yet to Jianjia, it resembled the predatory grin of a wolf.

“Do you want this silver or not? If not, I shall leave.”

“When did you start serving Third Miss!” Jianjia gritted her teeth.

“Elder Sister Jianjia, do not ask what you shouldn't. You always understood this; why not with Third Miss?”

Xiaohong made a move to tuck the silver note into her sleeve, when a hand suddenly snatched at it. The note was almost entirely secured, yet half remained pinched between Xiaohong's fingers.

“Elder Sister Jianjia, silver is a precious thing, desired by all, but it is not so easily obtained.”

Jianjia, flushed with anger, retorted: “What do you mean?”

“Nothing much. Before taking the silver note, leave your fingerprint on this paper,” Xiaohong produced another sheet from her other sleeve, “It contains nothing but a record of how much silver you stole from Third Miss, and the one hundred taels you now receive. It also states your abandonment of Eldest Miss and your allegiance to Third Miss.”

“Miss said, if you are sensible and serve well, you will not be mistreated. Miss doesn't speak empty words; she is always practical. When the time comes for your release, you will be released; Miss will not detain you. But as long as you remain in her service, you must obey her implicitly.”

Jianjia could read, and after examining the paper, she knew Xiaohong was telling the truth.

She understood the implication of Third Miss's request for her fingerprint: past transgressions would be overlooked, but future treachery would be punished with interest. The clause regarding her abandonment of Eldest Miss meant that even if she later attempted to return to Eldest Miss's service, Eldest Miss's nature would not permit it.

Jianjia was decisive. Without waiting for Xiaohong to urge her, she fetched her usual rouge from the table, dabbed it on her fingertip, and pressed her fingerprint onto the paper.

Having done so, she extended her hand, and Xiaohong passed her the silver note.

***

When Xiaohong returned, Meifang was still questioning Wushuang about the success of the plan.

“Wait and see.”

Wushuang knew it would succeed. The combination of a carrot and a stick was the most effective method of control, especially when the offered silver was too tempting to refuse. Jianjia, unwilling to be sold again, had no choice but to comply. Her worthless brother was a leech clinging to her, and Mei Wuxia could not possibly meet her needs.

Everyone has a price, whether in silver or other benefits—a lesson learned from Emperor Qianwu. And she, at present, lacked nothing except perhaps an abundance of silver.

Indeed, Xiaohong returned with news of the plan's success.

“Actually, her presence or absence wouldn't make much difference, but having her assistance saves considerable trouble. It's best to save trouble wherever possible.”