Lady Fu was not stupid at all. She knew clearly in her heart that Yuan Cheng had no interest in Xiang Shiyi, yet she still boldly proposed this match—naturally she had considered it from multiple angles.
In her understanding, men never refused beautiful women who actively threw themselves at them. Like her father, who had neglected her mother for the shameless Wu You. Her mother held the title of principal wife, yet it was no different from being a living widow. Xiang Shiyi’s temperament was sharp and spicy, but she was genuinely beautiful, and had the self-awareness to only seek to be Yuan Cheng’s concubine—why wouldn’t Yuan Cheng be happy with that? As for Yuan Cheng letting Xiang Shiyi kneel for three days without acknowledging her, in Lady Fu’s view, it was just that he couldn’t lower his refined gentleman’s dignity. After all, he still had no wife—if he went out to welcome her because of a woman’s desperate plea, where would his future principal wife’s face be? He needed a way out, and the Leopard Gang proposing the match on Xiang Shiyi’s behalf was perfect. Moreover, with Xiang Shiyi causing such a scene, she was basically ruined anyway. She saw Yuan Cheng as a clever man, romantic and elegant in appearance—how could he truly resist to the end?
Furthermore, though she had been in the capital for only a short time, she had discovered that while the Leopard Gang and the government officials had good relations, it was mostly based on mutual interests. If Xiang Shiyi could enter the residence of the Lord Secretary of the Secretariat as a concubine, the relationship between both parties would gain an additional layer of intimacy. On this point, Xiang Shiyi had also promised her she would do her utmost to secure this patron for Xu Jiu.
There was another reason she couldn’t speak aloud to anyone, yet it made her determined to send Xiang Shiyi away from the Leopard Gang. Xiang Shiyi acted willfully and threw tantrums within the gang—though Xu Jiu verbally scolded and appeared displeased on the surface, his attitude was ultimately indulgent. Though he claimed it was past sibling affection, she could see that Xu Jiu truly still had no other intentions. However, they weren’t real siblings—this kind of sworn, adoptive relationship could become a marriage with just the slightest push. Of course Xu Jiu could take concubines in the future—men having three or four wives was perfectly normal, and no matter how much she fussed it would be useless. She therefore had to be tolerant of others, but his concubines had to pass her inspection. Xiang Shiyi’s competitive nature, unwilling to fall behind anyone—she didn’t want that. It would be too troublesome to deal with.
Lady Fu stood waiting for Yuan Cheng’s response. Slightly raising her eyes, she saw Mo Zi sitting opposite, her gaze involuntarily darkening somewhat. Xiang Shiyi was easy to deal with, but this one gave her a feeling of being unable to get a handle on. Xu Jiu had actually made a marriage proposal to such a neither-male-nor-female person—what kind of perspective did men have when looking at women? Her appearance was indeed bewitching and dangerous, yet she wore men’s clothing and engaged in men’s business. In Lady Fu’s view, an unmarried young woman independently managing a shipyard full of rough men—how could she avoid those shameful, unspeakable matters? Just seeing that those who praised Mo Zi were all men made her feel disgusted. After her mother inquired about this matter and this woman from Uncle Wang, she instructed Lady Fu to be careful of this woman, saying her experience was still shallow, she shouldn’t clash head-on with such a seductress—she must appear magnanimous on the surface, ideally win her over, and absolutely must not reveal her true thoughts in front of Xu Jiu, lest she disgust Xu Jiu and instead push him toward that woman. Men actually liked novelty and tired of the old—handle it properly, and she would be the virtuous one while the other would be the reviled vixen.
A woman’s reputation was most important. That fool Wu You, goaded by a scheme from her mother, became a brothel madam and now couldn’t enter the Fu family’s door at all. For the sake of his grandparents, her father had to stay at home most of the year, only able to split his time between both women. When he got older and didn’t value beauty as much, and Wu You had also aged and faded, in the end, wouldn’t the only one staying by her father’s side still be her mother?
No matter what, a woman married to a great man must learn patience. If you chose an excellent man, women throwing themselves at him would be countless—jealousy and sulking were just the most useless naive childishness. Serve your husband without fault, and your wife’s position would be eternally secure. The Emperor had three thousand in his harem, but there was only one Empress. Deposing an Empress was something the entire realm would condemn—an impermissible act. It had always been thus since ancient times.
But from the first glance at Mo Zi, Lady Fu felt uncomfortable. She had tried hard to suppress her aversion, but didn’t know if she’d hidden it all. Suddenly, she met a clear, bright gaze—looking, it was precisely Mo Zi. She hastily lowered her head. The last thing that fell into her vision made her somewhat flustered—a knowing smile from the other party.
She was lost in wild thoughts over there. What was funny was that when Yuan Cheng actually spoke, she hadn’t heard clearly.
“What did Your Excellency say?” She was sixteen this year—there could still be exceptional moments. People only thought her innocent.
“Yuan fears death.” Yuan Cheng showed no impatience, saying it again.
Lady Fu knitted her willow-leaf brows. “Your Excellency, what does this mean?”
“Sister-in-law has been in the capital for only a short time—you may not have heard.” Yuan Cheng’s smile was warm. “On the day Ninth Master assumed the position of Gang Leader, Yuan had someone strike dead on the spot the person Miss Xiang regarded as her own elder sister.”
Lady Fu only knew that the former Gang Leader’s daughter had died attempting to seize power, thinking it was internal gang business. She glanced at her husband beside her—his expression was quite grave. It seemed to be true.
Secretly blaming Xiang Shiyi for not telling her this, Lady Fu smiled stiffly. “This… this must have been something Your Excellency had no choice but to do. I heard Hu Tao deserved death—Sister Shiyi mostly thought it through, which is why she still stayed in the gang. Otherwise, she should have sought trouble with my family.”
Mo Zi thought, hadn’t Xiang Shiyi caused Xu Jiu and Leng Liu enough trouble already? After thinking this, she smiled. She was certain Yuan Cheng wouldn’t take Xiang Shiyi—the reason was the same as what Yuan Cheng said. Whether Xiang Shiyi’s devotion was genuine or had another scheme, she couldn’t see through it, and Yuan Cheng couldn’t possibly take that risk either. How strange—almost everyone seemed to have forgotten Yuan Cheng killed Hu Tao, thinking Xiang Shiyi genuinely and sincerely sought to be a concubine.
“Sister-in-law is kind-hearted, but Yuan is a coward who fears death. That day, Miss Xiang first displayed deep sisterly affection with Hu Tao on the platform, then upon seeing Hu Tao’s death, gritted her teeth with killing intent in her eyes. Now, clearly knowing Yuan is the murderer who harmed her sister, she has suddenly changed completely, casting aside a young lady’s modesty, even abandoning her reputation, insisting Yuan take her in. No matter how Yuan thinks about it, compared to deep devotion, Miss Xiang seems to have ulterior motives. I truly fear that instead of gaining an understanding companion, I’ll end up with a knife in my heart—wouldn’t that be quite unjust? Hu Tao intended to kill people—Yuan merely executed legal justice, saving innocent lives. What wrong did I commit?” Yuan Cheng casually glanced toward Mo Zi.
Mo Zi blinked several times, indicating: Yes, yes, the wrong one is me, wasting all your good intentions.
Yuan Cheng’s gaze turned toward Lady Fu, his smile appearing and vanishing instantly, conveying: Good that you understand.
“…” Lady Fu made a sound. “Your Excellency…”
“Miss Xiang speaking out like this—Yuan is not unaware it damages her own purity, but I also don’t wish to live in daily fear and trepidation within my own home. These three days, Yuan couldn’t come forward to dissuade her, also considering Miss Xiang’s reputation. With the Leopard Gang’s influence, just say Miss Xiang’s actions had other hidden reasons—I imagine some recovery is possible.” Admitting his own cowardice while helping others think of an exit strategy—Yuan Cheng had done his utmost.
“Ninth Master, I hope this matter won’t obstruct our friendship.” Meaning: Old brother, say a few words to your wife, will you?
Xu Jiu suddenly stood up, drawing his sleeves together and clasping his hands. “My foolish wife is ignorant—please, Your Excellency, do not blame the unknowing. That Sister Shiyi would do such shameless, disgraceful things—Xu only just learned of it. After returning, I will naturally manage strictly and no longer trouble Your Excellency.”
Lady Fu bit her lip but understood the situation, bowing without daring to rise. “This common woman’s knowledge is shallow. Your Excellency is magnanimous—please forgive this common woman’s rashness.”
Just then tea arrived. Yuan Cheng raised his cup, showing he didn’t hold it against them while also dismissing guests, ending with these words: “Today’s feast—Yuan enjoyed it immensely. Sister-in-law meant well—how could Yuan blame you? However, regarding marrying a wife or taking concubines, I truly dare not trouble everyone to worry. The character for ‘lust’ has a knife over its head—Yuan doesn’t seek it, but accepts fate. If there’s no fate, what harm is there in staying single?”
Pfft—
Mo Zi spat out a mouthful of tea.
Everyone was still puzzling over what “staying single” meant when they saw Mo Zi like this and all looked over curiously.
Yuan Cheng smiled very happily. “Did Third Brother burn his tongue on the tea? Drink slower—no need to worry so urgently for your elder brother. Big Sister-in-law entering the door is just a matter of sooner or later.”
She—damn it!
Mo Zi truly couldn’t hold back and cursed internally. Dammit, he said everything there was to say!
When the feast dispersed, Xu Jiu, Leng Liu, and the others still needed to discuss serious matters with Yuan Cheng. The female guests returned to their respective homes first.
Lady Fu boarded her own carriage. Xiang Shiyi, who had been waiting for ages, urgently asked, “Ninth Sister-in-law, did he nod in agreement?”
Lady Fu’s expression showed some sadness. She sighed. “Good sister, Ninth Sister-in-law is incapable—I couldn’t help with your matter. His Excellency he—” She sighed again.
“You all came forward for me and he still wouldn’t agree?” Xiang Shiyi slumped down dejectedly, her face ghastly pale. “What’s wrong with me? Everyone says I’m beautiful—men who like me, who knows how many there are? But the one I like, why won’t his heart move? Sister-in-law, can’t you think of another way for me? Could it be I truly must cook the raw rice into cooked rice?”
Hearing this, a flash of disgust passed through Lady Fu’s eyes, though her tone remained gentle. “His Excellency thinks you’re deliberately approaching him because of Hu Tao’s matter, actually intending him harm, so no matter what he won’t agree to take you in. It makes sense—if it were me, I also wouldn’t dare share a bed with someone whose heart was set on revenge.”
Xiang Shiyi froze. “Sister Hu Tao’s matter—I don’t blame him. It was all that person called Brother Mo who was bad. How could he think of me this way? I clearly have wholehearted devotion toward him.”
“Brother Mo?” This name was truly inescapable. Lady Fu crumpled an embroidered handkerchief.
“She’s on Ninth Brother’s side.” Thinking of how she now depended on Xu Jiu’s side, Xiang Shiyi smiled ingratiatingly. “Ninth Sister-in-law, let’s not mention past matters anymore. I don’t blame Lord Yuan, and I don’t blame Ninth Brother either—it was Sister Hu Tao’s bad fate. I’ve truly thought it through—women should be like Ninth Sister-in-law, marrying a great man who stands tall between heaven and earth, living a lifetime looking up at him. Good sister-in-law, please help me again. As long as I can see Yuan Cheng one more time, the rest—I’ll figure out a way myself.”
River and lake women truly could throw themselves away! Lady Fu smiled contemptuously, though her words said, “This matter requires long-term planning.”
Xiang Shiyi, an arrogant, spoiled woman without much scheming, couldn’t see Lady Fu’s contempt at all. Hearing these words, she was overjoyed, hugging Lady Fu’s arm and nodding repeatedly, thanking her again and again, saying she was counting entirely on Ninth Sister-in-law.
A strong wind blew, bitterly cold, and snowflakes drifted down again.
Horse hooves clattered, rushing past Lady Fu’s carriage. The women inside, heavy with their own thoughts, paid no attention.
A man in a gray jacket jumped down from the horse, tossed the reins to the Yuan residence’s gatekeeper, produced a token, then rushed inside as if flying.