Miao Anping and his cousin sat down, laughing and joking.
A young maid entered, carrying tea and snacks. Miao Anping’s eyes followed her intently, causing her hands to tremble and the teacups to rattle.
Miao Ansu frowned and lightly scolded, “Where are you looking?”
“Hehe!” Miao Anping grinned mischievously. “Is this your husband’s maid? She looks unfamiliar. With her gold and silver ornaments, if I hadn’t met her in your room, I’d have thought she was a young lady from a wealthy family! Sister, you’ve certainly landed in a lap of luxury! Unlike your poor brother, who worries about his next meal.”
Ansu felt irritated hearing this, tempted to throw her teacup at Anping’s face.
Her marriage was like a donkey’s droppings – shiny on the outside. Setting aside Song Han’s identity, he had never looked at her properly since their wedding. He never respected her in their marital affairs, treating her the same way he treated Ji Hong, sometimes even worse. Ansu suspected Song Han was deliberately humiliating her. Whenever she thought about this, she felt incredibly awkward and didn’t know what to do.
As a new bride, she could only endure everything.
She eagerly looked forward to returning to her maiden home for the customary month-long stay, hoping to discuss her situation with her mother.
However, when her parents, brothers, and uncles saw her, instead of asking about her well-being, they hinted that since she was now enjoying prosperity thanks to the Miao family’s reputation, she should help the family financially.
Everyone was eyeing her purse!
At that moment, she clearly understood her position in the Miao family.
When husband and wife are at odds, even neighbors take advantage!
The Miao family treated her well when they thought she and Song Han were loving, but if they knew Song Han’s affection was merely superficial, would they still respect her?
She swallowed her words.
The Miao family was no longer a shelter for her.
Hugging herself, she felt incredibly lonely and afraid of the unknown future.
Using the excuse of Young Master Yuan’s hundred-day celebration, Ansu reluctantly stayed with the Miao family for two days before returning to Duke Ying’s mansion.
Unexpectedly, her “dear” brother followed her.
What did he want?
Ansu laughed coldly, “A wife follows her husband’s fortune, be it a rooster or a dog. My good fortune comes from the Empress Dowager and the Second Master. As a mere housewife, unable to carry heavy loads, I’m just relying on others for my daily bread.”
This was tantamount to shutting him out.
Miao Anping’s face immediately darkened. “Sister, you shouldn’t speak like that! If not for the Imperial Consort, would the Empress Dowager even know who you are? If you’re so quick to forget your roots, don’t blame us brothers for not standing up for you in the future!”
Ansu was furious.
Yet, she didn’t dare to truly confront Miao Anping.
Song Han already disliked her, and her maiden family was unhelpful. If this continued, who in the mansion would take her seriously?
Suppressing her anger, Ansu spoke softly, “Brother, what do you mean? You rarely visit, yet you criticize me as soon as we meet? It’s as if you think I’m ungrateful. We’re alone here, so speak plainly. Why beat around the bush? Do you expect me to read between the lines?”
Miao Anping, having come with a request, naturally wouldn’t argue with Ansu. He quickly backpedaled, “Your brother is just bad with words. Are you going to hold it against me?” Glancing at his cousin, he lowered his voice, “I’m not here for anything else. I heard Juren County is adding two new constable positions. Could you ask the Second Master to reserve one for our family? This way, someone from the Miao family could have a future, not having to constantly watch others’ expressions. Who knows, we might even transition from clerks to proper officials!”
Clerk positions were hereditary.
Ansu laughed bitterly, “Do you think the Second Master is the head of the Ministry of Personnel? That we can do whatever we want?”
Miao Anping boasted shamelessly, “The Second Master might not have much ability, but his father, Duke Ying, has influence! His brother Song Yantang can speak up too! Even if they can’t help directly, they surely know more high-ranking officials than us commoners. Through connections, how could it not be done? You’re just afraid of the trouble and don’t want to help, right? Don’t be foolish! Everyone calls your sister-in-law ‘Madam Dou’ when she goes out. I don’t need to remind you how influential her family is. You’re ashamed of your natal family now, standing idly by to please the Song family, unwilling to pull up your relatives. In a few years, when the Miao family can’t even afford to buy silver locks for your children, let’s see how you maintain your dignity!”
Ansu was so angry she almost cried, but she couldn’t deny the truth in Miao Anping’s words.
She could only say, “I’ll try to ask the Second Master.”
Miao Anping finally smiled, leaning back in the chair. “We’ll have lunch here today. Go tell the kitchen to prepare some good dishes for drinking. I’ll have a few cups with your husband.”
Ansu didn’t dare let Song Han entertain guests. If Miao Anping noticed anything amiss, wouldn’t the Miao family eat her alive?
She quickly said, “You think everyone is as idle as you! The Second Master studies every day. How can he drink at noon? If you want to drink, do it with Sixth Cousin!”
Ansu’s sixth cousin grinned and chimed in, “Auntie, I heard Duke Ying used to be the Emperor’s adopted son, so they have everything the palace has. I’m not asking for much, just bring out a few jars of that imperial wine for us to taste. It wouldn’t be a wasted trip to Duke Ying’s mansion then, and I’d have something to brag about back home!”
He probably wanted to boast to his idle friends in the county.
Ansu couldn’t be bothered to expose him and signaled Ji Hong to arrange it in the kitchen.
While high-quality wine was easy enough, how could she easily obtain imperial wine?
Ji Hong, at a loss, had to seek out Qixia.
Since Ansu entered the household, Qixia had only served in the study, maintaining a peaceful distance from Ansu and her group.
Hearing Ji Hong’s request, Qixia said, “I can’t help with this either. Using imperial wine for guests requires the Madam’s approval. However, there might be some stock in the small kitchen of Xixiang Court. Why don’t you check there?”
Ji Hong pleaded with Qixia, “Dear sister, I don’t know anyone there. Could you please go for me? I’ll remember your kindness!”
Qixia inwardly scoffed, thinking, “Who are you to remember my kindness?”
However, she maintained a neutral expression and smiled, “Sister, you don’t understand. The Second Master ordered that those of us serving in the study aren’t allowed to wander around. If caught breaking the rules, we’d be sent to the outer courtyard for twenty lashes before being sold off. I don’t dare disobey the Second Master’s orders.”
With no other option, Ji Hong paced anxiously in the room before finally devising a plan – she went to the kitchen and obtained some fine Jinhua wine to pass off as imperial pear blossom wine for Miao Anping’s table.
Miao Anping was somewhat suspicious after drinking.
Ji Hong insisted it was imperial pear blossom wine: “This servant doesn’t drink, so I don’t know what imperial wine tastes like. The wine cellar said it was imperial pear blossom wine, so I brought it over. For this, I even had to beg the Madam and get a token to fetch the wine, taking nearly an hour.”
Miao Anping had never tasted imperial wine either, and his cousin added, “Perhaps this is indeed how imperial pear blossom wine tastes.”
“You’re right!” Miao Anping agreed. “This wine is indeed more mellow than what we get in the market, just a bit bland.”
“The Emperor must maintain his health, so surely the imperial physicians don’t allow him to drink strong liquor,” Ansu’s sixth cousin said, gulping down pork knuckle and finding the wine increasingly delicious.
Ansu breathed a sigh of relief.
After seeing off the Miao brothers, she quietly asked Ji Hong, “Where did the wine come from?”
She feared Ji Hong might have disturbed Madam Dou for a jar of wine.
That would have been utterly embarrassing!
Ji Hong quickly explained the whole story.
Ansu was so angry she threw her rouge box to the ground.
But she soon had an idea.
She asked Ji Hong, “What do you think if I ask the Second Master to take Qixia as a concubine?”
Ji Hong’s face turned red as she mumbled, “That’s for you to decide, why ask me?”
Ansu sighed, taking Ji Hong’s hand and speaking earnestly, “You know my situation better than anyone. Now is not the time for jealousy. Look at Madam Dou, and how she manages Yizhi Hall so impenetrably. That’s true capability. Once we establish our footing, do you think I’d favor Qixia over you?”
Ji Hong lowered her head, “I’ll do as you say.”
Ansu smiled with satisfaction.
Seeing it was getting late, she went to Song Han’s study.
Although the Miao family treated her coldly, if she could secure a position for her brother, it would not only increase her standing in the Miao family but also bring honor to her future children. She might even be able to use the Miao family to her advantage, eventually winning over Song Han.
Song Han wasn’t in his study.
Qixia smiled, “The Duke summoned the Second Master.”
Ansu’s face burned with embarrassment.
Not knowing her husband’s whereabouts and having to be informed by his maid – what could be more humiliating?
She looked at Qixia’s smiling face, wishing she could tear it off.
Ansu thought to herself, “Enjoy it while you can! Once Song Han takes you as a concubine, see how I deal with you!”
To avoid being labeled as jealous, she couldn’t randomly punish her husband’s maids, but couldn’t she discipline her husband’s concubine?
Ansu went to Xijiang Court.
The people there, still unsure of the new Second Madam’s background, treated her very politely.
They respectfully led her to the small reception room for tea, gently informing her, “The Duke is currently speaking with the Second Master in the study. Usually, they don’t allow interruptions at this time. Second Madam, please wait here for a while. We’ll keep watch at the door and inform you as soon as the study door opens.”
Ansu smiled, giving the maid a red envelope as a reward, and signaled Ji Hong with her eyes before engaging the young maid in small talk.
Ji Hong left the reception room.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, she returned, her face pale.
Ansu immediately dismissed the servants around her and asked Ji Hong, “What happened?”
Ji Hong replied, “The Heir wants to separate the Second Master to live independently. The Duke is discussing this matter with the Second Master now!”