chapter 2
My courtyard has now become the liveliest theater in the Marquis Manor.
I had just sent away my deeply affectionate Husband, and the scent of powder and rouge had yet to dissipate when his favored concubine, Liu Shi, swept into my courtyard like a gust of wind, dragging along her six-year-old eldest son, Xiao Rui.
That child, spoiled beyond measure by his mother and grandmother, broke free from his mother’s hand, planted his hands on his hips like a squat little demon, and pointed at my nose, shrieking, “You wretch! Why aren’t you dead out there yet!”
I raised my brows slightly, but my gaze fell on Liu Shi’s perfectly still eyelids. She leisurely smoothed her sleeve, her tone as light as if discussing the weather:
“Sister, please don’t take offense. Children don’t know any better and only spout nonsense. I’ll be sure to discipline him when we return.”
Though she said so, there wasn’t a trace of respect in her demeanor-not even a hint of a bow at her waist.
Then she lifted her eyes, her gaze like icy needles circling me, the corners of her mouth curving in a faint smile:
“I heard Sister encountered ruffians on the road and caused quite a stir. Who would have thought… you’re truly blessed with great fortune, must be the Bodhisattva’s protection.”
Those words, “blessed with great fortune,” rolled off her tongue with a peculiar flavor.
I neither affirmed nor denied, too lazy to argue with her.
Liu Shi kept chattering, from her childhood bond and deep affection with Xiao Yu, to how I intervened; then from how she was demoted from wife to concubine because of me, to my parents’ deaths; then to how I struggled to give birth to my young son Xiao Lan, only to lose him early… Every word was like a poisoned needle, stabbing straight at the heart.
She curved her lips in a trace of pity and sighed:
“Sister, not to criticize, but your fate… truly brings misfortune to husband, child, and parents-a lone star cursed by the heavens.”
Sunlight blazed, filling the courtyard, yet it could not penetrate the stale drama that played out year after year behind these gates.
Under the sun, these so-called “spirits of all things” turn over and over, yet their thoughts are nothing but mud.
If the true Shizi Consort of Ningan Marquis were standing here, she would have already died of heartbreak and blood loss.
Unfortunately, for an old monster like me, who lives as long as heaven and earth, curses are the least of my worries.
Her petty schemes are like summer insects talking of ice-noisy, but unable to harm me in the slightest.
Yet my forehead grew hotter, as if molten lava flowed beneath my skin, a violent anger nearly breaking free of its shackles.
I tapped my finger lightly, reminding myself, “Don’t rush, wait until nightfall.”
Sure enough, the heat on my brow instantly cooled.
After sending away the incessant Liu Shi, my maid Cuiju sidled over, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated, her little face wrinkled like a sour plum.
Seeing her furtive and conflicted expression, I suddenly felt the urge to tease her.
Just as she was about to speak, I turned abruptly and walked gracefully to the dressing table, deliberately denying her the chance to approach.
As expected, she hesitated for a moment, then tiptoed after me.
Before she could settle, I flitted over to the writing desk, picked up a brush, and pretended to examine it.
After a few rounds, she finally gave up, stomped her foot, and cried out with a hint of grievance:
“Shizi Consort! Please don’t tease your maid any longer!”
She drew closer, lowered her voice, and spoke urgently:
“I just wanted to remind you to be careful of Concubine Liu! She… she’s no good!”
Ha! Do I need you to point out something so obvious?
Liu Shi is the niece of the Ningan Marquis’s Wife, and grew up with Xiao Yu. She holds considerable power in the manor; even Zhao Wan has suffered at her hands, and the maids serving her fare no better.
Cuiju continued her litany, saying Liu Shi is outwardly submissive but inwardly vicious. If she hadn’t deliberately blocked the physician years ago, the Little Prince wouldn’t have died so young.
Cuiju grew restless, urging me to teach Liu Shi a lesson.
She glared at me, exasperated:
“You are the properly wedded Shizi Consort of Ningan Marquis Manor-how can you fear a mere concubine!”
Just as I was about to reply, a voice called from outside the courtyard: “The Marquis is here-”
I looked up to see Xiao Yuanshan, the Ningan Marquis, entering with his hands behind his back. Dressed in a dark purple brocade robe, he looked refined and dignified as ever.
A gentle smile played at his lips, but his eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a dark pool.
“Waner,” his voice was mellow, with just the right amount of concern, “I heard you were frightened. As your Father-in-law, I’ve been quite uneasy. It’s good you’ve returned, very good.”
His gaze fell on me, and though the scrutiny lasted only a moment, it was as sharp as a blade, as if trying to peel away my skin and see what lay beneath.
I bent my knees slightly, lowered my lashes, and adopted a submissive posture: “Thank you for your concern, Father-in-law. It was my fault.”
“There’s no need for such formalities among family,” he said, offering a token gesture of support, his smile deepening, his words as gentle as a spring breeze. “If Xiao Yu ever neglects you, just let me know-I’ll stand up for you. However…”
His tone shifted subtly, still warm but now carrying an inexplicable pressure:
“There’s much happening in the manor these days. Now that you’ve returned safely, focus on your recovery and don’t stir up any more trouble, lest… you invite gossip and needless worry.”
The Ningan Marquis left behind a few perfunctory words of concern and warning, then, like his wife and children, quickly found an excuse to depart, his retreat almost resembling a hasty escape.
I watched his disappearing figure, the corners of my lips curling in a cold sneer.
This family, even their guilty flight is all the same-how utterly dull.