Chapter 3

I was afraid that Zhao Shizhai might refuse to touch Lin Manrou that night for Xu Xiangyao’s sake, so I ordered the servants to replace all the wine in Henglan Courtyard with Peach Blossom Wine.

It went down smooth and sweet, but had a fearsome kick. I knew Lin Manrou. As long as Zhao Shizhai was too drunk to leave Henglan Courtyard that night, she would make sure the Kunling Pill served its purpose.

Sure enough, when Lin Manrou came to offer me tea the next morning, her cheeks were flushed. Though shadows of exhaustion darkened her eyes, she was radiant.

I asked the servants and learned that Henglan Courtyard had not called for hot water until almost dawn.

Having died once, my love for Zhao Shizhai had died as well. Knowing that he and Lin Manrou had spent the entire night in bed together did not hurt me. In fact, I found it immensely satisfying.

I drank the tea Lin Manrou offered, then took her to see my mother-in-law.

At Ci’an Courtyard, Xu Xiangyao stood behind my mother-in-law, massaging her shoulders. When she saw Lin Manrou follow me inside, hatred and jealousy flashed through her eyes.

After my mother-in-law offered us seats, Lin Manrou sat down with me.

“Concubine Lin, did anyone tell you to sit?” Xu Xiangyao barked. “You are a bedchamber concubine—half a master at best. You should be standing beside the mistress of the household, pouring her tea and waiting on her.”

In a biting tone, she added, “Concubine Lin, please remember your place.”

It looked as though she was defending me, but she was really venting her own anger.

I smiled at my mother-in-law. “Mother, Concubine Lin exerted herself last night, and I have plenty of servants. Let her sit. Otherwise, Shizhai will be distressed when he returns from court.”

My mother-in-law sighed. “Ah-Wu, you are much too kind.”

Nevertheless, she allowed Lin Manrou to remain seated.

Xu Xiangyao was skilled at hiding her feelings, but now that I knew to look for them, I could clearly see her hatred for Lin Manrou in her eyes.

After that minor confrontation, the two women began to clash.

Xu Xiangyao tormented Lin Manrou under the banner of defending me. Lin Manrou, never one to suffer quietly, turned all the ferocity she had once directed at me against Xu Xiangyao instead.

Meanwhile, I advised Xu Xiangyao, “Concubine Lin is the darling of your cousin’s heart. You must stop provoking her, or he will be upset.” At the same time, food, entertainments, clothes, and jewelry flowed endlessly into Henglan Courtyard. I had my servants tell Lin Manrou, “Our lady is virtuous, not one of those jealous women. Young Mistress Xu is unmarried and judged our lady by her own narrow experience. That is why she misunderstood her and made trouble for you. Our lady has already admonished Young Mistress Xu and hopes that you can both put the past behind you.”

After that, their conflicts grew more frequent. They quarreled once or twice every day, over matters large and small.

One was the woman Zhao Shizhai openly adored; the other was the woman he truly loved. With the two of them tearing at each other, Zhao Shizhai was driven half mad. Fortunately for him, the end of the year was approaching and the Ministry of Revenue was busy. He used his work as an excuse to hide at the ministry and avoid coming home.

Whether he came home was no concern of mine.

I used the opportunity to meet every steward, great and small, balancing kindness with authority. By the end of the eleventh month, I had the entire household running in perfect order.

I did not rush to replace the people in important posts with my own. The time was not yet right.

In the middle of the twelfth month, while my mother-in-law and I discussed the New Year’s gifts for the other noble households, I absentmindedly ate an entire plate of sour plums.

“Ah-Wu, don’t those make your teeth ache?” My mother-in-law broke off and stared at me.

“Not at all.” I lowered my head, looking embarrassed. “I have been rather greedy lately.”

My mother-in-law had borne children herself. Suppressing her wild delight, she ordered a servant to summon a physician.

The physician arrived soon afterward. The instant he placed his fingers against my wrist, he announced that I was three months pregnant.

My mother-in-law was beside herself with joy. “My dear Ah-Wu! Wonderful, wonderful! You foolish child—you’ve been pregnant for so long and never even noticed! Quickly, send someone to fetch His Lordship home. He is going to be a father.”

I smiled with pursed lips, then noticed Xu Xiangyao standing at my mother-in-law’s side, watching me with a smile that never reached her eyes.

“Wait. Don’t fetch His Lordship yet.” I stopped the servant and turned to my mother-in-law. “Have the physician examine Concubine Lin as well.”

My mother-in-law said indifferently, “Very well. He can examine her too.”

The physician placed his fingers on Lin Manrou’s wrist. She watched him expectantly.

“Congratulations, Old Madam. Congratulations, my lady. Concubine Lin is also with child—just over a month along,” the physician said with a smile.

Overjoyed, I ordered a servant to bring him a reward.

Lin Manrou stroked her belly in delight. “His Lordship will be beside himself when he finds out.”

My mother-in-law urged the servants again and again, “Hurry to the Ministry of Revenue and tell His Lordship the good news!”

Still smiling, I stole a glance at Xu Xiangyao.

Her face was bloodless, her eyes crazed, grief and hatred twisting together within them.