Chapter 183

Chapter 183

[Rebellion Beats Harem Intrigue – 4]

Supported by Nanny Luo, Zhou Jing left the front hall and saw the tall, straight figure of her husband, the Marquis of Weining. Their eyes met. She smiled and bowed. “You have returned, my lord. Did your journey go smoothly?”

Zhou Dingfang had been dashing in youth and retained an imposing grace with age. Madam Zhou was beautiful as well, so their daughter Zhou Jing naturally possessed outstanding bearing.

Ordinary families chose gentle, virtuous names for daughters. Zhou Dingfang and his wife believed women no less than men, so their daughters’ names carried heroic force: eldest Zhou Wan, second Zhou Jing. Only the youngest, Zhou Xuan, received a more conventional name from a maternal grandfather who could endure no more.

Zhou Jing resembled her father. Tall and coldly beautiful, her diamond-shaped eyes glittered like icy gems. Yet she often smiled before speaking, softening her edge until she appeared an approachable mistress of a noble house.

Separated from his wife for months of official business, the Marquis felt guilty when she welcomed him warmly. He answered vaguely, then drew forward the woman behind him. “This is Lady Liu. The governor of Yuezhou gave her to me at a banquet. It was impossible to refuse…”

You were a marquis and he merely a governor. If you wished to refuse, how could it be impossible?

Zhou Jing found it amusing but did not challenge him.

Uncomfortable, he explained, “Her parents are dead and she has no kin. The governor said if I refused, he would assume she served poorly and execute her…”

The Marquis’s soft heart was no news to Zhou Jing. When she first married into the household, the Dowager Marchioness richly rewarded his chambermaids with dowries and ordered them released.

Some accepted the money, erased their slave status, and left. With the residence’s prestige, their lives would be decent whether they remarried or not. Others knelt beside the Marquis, threatening death, begging to stay, claiming they dared not compete with his wife and wanted only food.

The Dowager Marchioness cursed their ingratitude, comforted her new daughter-in-law, and ordered one stubborn chambermaid sold.

The Zhou Family had produced three dukes across four generations. Its eldest daughter was Crown Princess and future Empress. The Marquis’s residence sought Second Miss Zhou precisely for her family.

Zhou Dingfang took no concubines and loved his wife deeply. Zhou Jing resembled him-capable and intolerant of impropriety. Thus the Dowager Marchioness dismissed her son’s chambermaids to help the newlyweds build affection and show goodwill to the Zhou Family. One fool had spoiled the perfect gesture.

The Dowager Marchioness expected the servant removed, but learned she smashed her head against a wall, declaring she belonged to the Marquis in life and death. Blood covered the wall. Moved, the Marquis carried her inside and summoned a physician.

The Dowager Marchioness immediately sensed disaster and looked at Zhou Jing. Her daughter-in-law showed neither anger nor alarm and smiled reassuringly.

Soon the Marquis arrived with blood on his robe, head lowered. “The physician says Fangtao is badly injured and cannot be moved…”

His mother’s face went iron-gray. “Peach or plum, throw her out and sell her now!”

“Mother!” he protested.

“Why look at me as though I am evil? She served you, so I returned her family’s indentures and gave her money. What did I do wrong? Must I honor her beneath an eight-bearer sedan? She rejects a good road and threatens death beside you to fan trouble. How can I tolerate such a demon?”

“Fangtao merely cannot bear leaving me. Do not say that!”

The Marquis hesitated, then looked hopefully at his wife. “She was born a maid and suffered greatly without enjoying happiness. She is already pitiful…”

His mother trembled with rage. Her mild son lacked worldly sense, arguing with his mother over a chambermaid before his bride. If Zhou Jing returned home in anger, ruining relations between the families, what purpose had the marriage served?

Her husband’s lifelong campaigns had shortened his life, and he died soon after arranging the match. Their son lacked his father’s talent and was too gentle. Without a formidable wife, how could he support the residence?

Why could this bastard not understand his mother’s painstaking intent?

Before she erupted, Zhou Jing intervened. “Enough, Mother. Since the chambermaid is sincere, let her remain. We are newly married; a death would damage our faces and make outsiders mock the residence’s poor discipline.”
She told the Marquis, “Her devotion deserves pity, but she openly defied Mother and nearly caused discord between mother and son. Should she not be punished? Do you agree?”

Every word was reasonable. Knowing his argument had gone too far, the Marquis lowered his voice. “My wife is right. This concerns the inner household. As its mistress, you should decide.”

Zhou Jing nodded. “Let her stay, but wrongdoing requires punishment. Move her to the rear convent for one year’s confinement, scripture recitation, and repentance. What does my lord think?”

Ashamed, he said, “Most fair.”

Her smile faded, sharpness filling her brows. “She is merely a woman of the inner household and not worth concern. What matters is how a chambermaid confined to the rear escaped servants carrying out the Dowager Marchioness’s order and reached the Marquis unobstructed. Was she supernaturally strong, or did someone secretly assist her?”

She looked solemnly worried. “If someone inside merely caused trouble, that is manageable. I fear a traitor wants chaos in the residence so outsiders can profit.”

The Dowager Marchioness’s heart chilled as she remembered several clan elders who had fought constantly with her husband. With him dead and her son young, they might exploit inner-household conflict, estrange husband and wife, and provoke rivalry between wife and concubine…

She had only one son!

Horrified, she looked at Zhou Jing more affectionately. Had she and her husband not chosen Second Miss Zhou precisely for her family and ability?

Taking her hand, she said gently, “I always called you intelligent. Today proves it.”

The Marquis could distinguish good from bad. He looked at his wife with guilt and nodded firmly. “I understand, Mother. I will treat Ah-Jing well!”

His mother added, “In families like ours, legitimate and concubine-born lines must remain distinct. Before the lawful wife bears a child, no concubine may produce a son or daughter. Until your wife bears the heir, no one else may rise. I want a grandson, but only one born from my rightful daughter-in-law. I would not mourn an improperly born child. Remember that in your heart!”

“Mother, the other chambermaids left. Only Fangtao remains, and she is confined…”

Meeting her cold stare, he swallowed the rest. “I promise my eldest son and heir will be born to Ah-Jing!”

The soft-natured boy remained filial. Pleased, she joined the couple’s hands. “Unity between husband and wife matters most. Live well. You have many years together.”

Zhou Jing smiled, while the Marquis blushed and nodded.

After they left, the Dowager Marchioness’s face cooled. “I nearly capsized after decades of life because of one little hussy! She only wants to remain beside the boy? Boil safflower and force it down her throat. Do not let her die. He merely feels pity now. If she dies, he will remember her forever!”

Half an hour later, the senior maid reported it done.

The Dowager Marchioness relaxed wearily. “My daughter-in-law must be unhappy after today.”

The maid massaged her shoulders. “How could she? You defended her and made the Marquis promise the heir must come from her. She can only be grateful.”

“Everything is still for that wretch!” the Dowager Marchioness sighed. “We begged for a Zhou daughter so he would have support outside and a worthy wife within. Marrying Second Miss Zhou made him the Crown Prince’s brother-in-law and gave him ties to the imperial family. Yet his head muddled over a chambermaid…”

The Marquis knew he had acted improperly, but he apologized, yielded, and promised the heir would come from his wife. Reasonable Zhou Jing surely would not dwell on it.

Besides, Fangtao had existed before the marriage and proven her devotion through attempted death. She was pitiful. After accompanying him so long, she deserved compassion.

He thought no more. Zhou Jing never mentioned Fangtao again. Husband and wife appeared to share a tacit understanding, though only they knew the truth.

News eventually reached the Crown Princess. Half a month later, she summoned Zhou Jing and dismissed the servants before asking.

“I have no regrets, nor am I disappointed,” Zhou Jing said.
“I knew what kind of man the Marquis of Weining was before marriage,” Zhou Jing told her sister calmly. “I agreed because he was soft-hearted, easy to manage, and unable to contend with me. If I benefit from that nature, I must accept its disadvantages. Besides, I lost nothing. That chambermaid can create no waves.”

“I long knew men were fickle…” Her expression softened. “Men as devoted as Father are rare. Being born a Zhou daughter already gave me every advantage. How could I expect another impossible blessing? Sister, did you not understand this long ago?”

The Crown Princess smiled.

Zhou Jing had understood the Marquis’s character during the Fangtao affair. Hearing now that he accepted Lady Liu to save her from the governor’s threatened execution did not surprise her. She glanced over and sincerely praised, “Indeed, a beauty.”

Lady Liu possessed southern delicacy: curved brows, snowy skin, cherry-red lips, and a slender, willowlike figure.

The Marquis smiled awkwardly. “Kowtow and greet Madam.”

While Zhou Jing studied Lady Liu, Lady Liu secretly examined her. The nobly born Marchioness, full sister of the Crown Princess, was beautiful too. But majesty and pride blended into her beauty, making her look unmistakably like… the lawful mistress.

That thought stabbed Lady Liu. A shadow crossed her eyes. She knelt respectfully. “This concubine, Lady Liu, greets Madam. May Madam enjoy lasting happiness without worry and retain her radiant youth forever.”

Zhou Jing nodded, neither warm nor cold, and ordered a courtyard prepared. She walked with her husband toward the front hall, naturally discussing his assignment. “The Jianghuai salt transport involves many interests…”

The Marquis answered, nodding and frowning as he considered replies. They resembled teacher and student discussing lessons rather than reunited husband and wife. No one found it strange, but Lady Liu stared.

She had thought the Marquis formidable. The Marchioness was actually even more…

She lowered her lashes, conflicted.

…

Liu Che sent gifts to the Marquis’s residence, then rode home. Before his seat in the study warmed, someone announced Third Miss.

He had barely answered when the emperors shouted eagerly.

“Bring her in!”

“We have long wanted to see this extraordinary woman!”

“What makes her break with her father for a man?!”

“If she were my daughter, one slap would send her ten meters!”

Liu Che ignored them and ordered Third Miss admitted. Soon an exceptionally beautiful girl entered.

The Crown Princess resembled her father, brilliant and heroic, as reportedly did Zhou Jing. Only Zhou Xuan resembled their mother.

She was not as tall as the Crown Princess, but more delicate, bright, and exquisitely beautiful.

Liu Che sighed inwardly.

Beautiful?

She traded her brain for it!

Suppressing another sigh, he rubbed his forehead. Zhou Xuan approached, rolled back a sleeve to reveal a snowy forearm, and poured tea.

“Father, is Eldest Sister well?”

“Fairly well.”

After several more questions and answers, her smile deepened. Setting down the pot, she whispered, “Father, I found him.”

“Found whom?”

Mischief flashed in Zhou Xuan’s eyes. Though alone, she lowered her voice. “The imperial prince Consort Liu sent from the palace years ago!”

The emperors dropped their sunflower seeds.

Unaware of her father’s brief change, Zhou Xuan’s eyes shone with ambition. “Father, another opportunity has arrived before us!”

Liu Che fell silent.

Then even more silent.

She said another opportunity.

What had the previous opportunity been?

The Crown Princess.

Her name was Zhou Wan. Wan was a kind of smooth ceremonial jade tablet, while gui tablets were carried by emperors and nobles during rites.

Second Miss was Zhou Jing. Jing meant to pacify and stabilize.

Third Miss’s maternal grandfather named her, so it offered no clue. But judging her words and actions…

Liu Che fell silent.

The emperors did too.

What a surprise.

They themselves had been the clowns.