Wan Shi tightly furrowed her willow eyebrows and said, “Can the First Young Master’s foot ailment truly be cured?”
“Physician Xu indeed said so. It shouldn’t be false.” As soon as Jirong finished speaking, she heard Wan Shi’s voice fall upon her ears, “What about you? This so-called fifty percent confidence—is it real or fake?”
“This servant has been researching for half a month and has made some progress. By the appointed time, I should… possibly be able to produce the Tendon-Mending Muscle-Growing Powder.”
Zhaixing’s eyes moved, and she bent down, saying, “Madam, this matter…”
Wan Shi raised her hand to interrupt her words, stood up, and slowly walked around Jirong in a circle. “You’re expending so much effort researching the Tendon-Mending Muscle-Growing Powder—what you’re really after, you know in your heart, and I understand clearly too. Indeed, with your appearance and scheming mind, being merely a dancer is somewhat of a waste. However…” She bent down and whispered softly in Jirong’s ear, “Do you really think this will allow you to climb into the First Young Master’s bed?”
Jirong’s body trembled slightly, and she said in a low voice, “This servant knows her status is humble and dares not harbor such thoughts.”
Wan Shi straightened up and flicked her scallion-like fingernails. “Alright, don’t say such insincere words before me. What kind of temperament the First Young Master has, you must have some understanding. Wanting to please him is not such an easy matter. Even if you truly succeeded, at most you’d only be a concubine, not only lacking any proper status but also having to watch people’s faces everywhere. It wouldn’t be much better than now, and might even be… worse!”
Jirong’s expression was uncertain, like the intermittent winter sun outside, constantly changing. Wan Shi didn’t press her, walking to the glass jar to play with those butterflies that knew nothing of winter’s cold.
After a long while, Jirong finally made up her mind and said to Wan Shi, “This servant is willing to follow only Madam’s commands from now on. I beg Madam to point out a clear path for this servant.”
Wan Shi clapped her hands and turned to help Jirong up, saying, “You truly are a sensible and charming person. Rest assured, I will certainly not treat you unfairly.”
“Thank you, Madam!” Amid Jirong’s grateful words, Wan Shi said, “I’ll have Zhaixing give instructions to Nanny Yang about her side. You go back now and quickly produce the Tendon-Mending Muscle-Growing Powder to treat the First Young Master’s foot ailment.”
Her words caused a flash of surprise in Jirong’s eyes. Didn’t Wan Shi always have conflicts with the First Young Master? By reason, she should be wishing for the First Young Master to remain lame forever. Why would she…
Though filled with countless doubts, after what had just happened, she dared not say much. After repeatedly expressing gratitude, she withdrew from Yuxiu Pavilion.
As soon as she left, Zhaixing said puzzledly, “Madam, the First Young Master opposes you so much, why do you still…”
“Still want Jirong to treat his foot ailment?” Wan Shi smiled mysteriously. “Zhaixing, do you think that if the First Young Master’s foot ailment doesn’t heal, there would be no threat to me and Zhiyun?”
Zhaixing thought for a while and said, “Although the First Young Master has some inconvenience with his legs, this servant sees that the Governor still dotes on the First Young Master very much. Continuing like this poses no small threat to you and the Fifth Young Master.”
Wan Shi gathered her sleeves and said, “Exactly. Since it’s the same either way, why shouldn’t I play the good person and sell him a favor?”
Zhaixing pondered for a moment and said, “That may be so, but the better the First Young Master becomes, the more unfavorable it is for us. In this servant’s opinion, this favor shouldn’t be sold. Besides, even if the First Young Master knows, he won’t appreciate Madam’s kindness. Why must you help him?”
“Without casting a long line, how can you catch big fish?” Before Zhaixing could speak, she continued, “Rather than expending effort to deal with him, it’s more interesting to watch the brothers fight among themselves.” With that, she said, “Alright, go to Lefang and deliver the message.”
Zhaixing responded and asked tentatively, “Then Feng Chunxiu… still stays in Lefang?”
Wan Shi’s expression darkened as she said, “Someone with that kind of character probably can’t dance anything pleasing to the eye either. Send her to work in the woodshed. Also, tell Nanny Yang to manage Lefang well. If such incidents happen again, don’t blame me for not considering our past master-servant relationship.”
When Chunxiu heard the message Zhaixing conveyed, she felt both joy and sorrow. Joy that she could continue staying in the Governor’s residence, sorrow that she would have to work in the woodshed from now on—not only doing rough work but also receiving much less monthly wages than now. She felt truly unwilling.
Jirong saw through her thoughts and comforted her, “Although the woodshed is somewhat harsh, it’s only a temporary measure. In the future, when there’s an opportunity, I’ll certainly find a way to secure you a better position.”
“Thank you, sister.” After expressing gratitude, Chunxiu remembered that Zhaixing had taken Jirong away and asked, “By the way, did Second Madam make things difficult for you?”
Jirong naturally wouldn’t tell her about those matters, casually deflecting the question, then said, “Although you’re going to the woodshed, fortunately we still live together and can look after each other. If you have any problems there, just tell me. Whatever I can help with, I’ll certainly help you.”
Chunxiu nodded and said, “I know. Sister, you must also be careful in Lefang. Wu Meixue drove me away, and her next target will very likely be you. And Jiang Caiping—she’s just a dog by Wu Meixue’s side, biting whoever she catches.”
Jirong patted her hand and said, “I know which people to watch out for. You don’t need to worry about me. In any case, be careful in everything yourself. No matter how tiring or bitter the woodshed work is, don’t neglect it, lest interested parties find fault. If the medicine is successfully prepared after half a month, I should be able to put in a word or two for you before the First Young Master.”
While they were talking, someone knocked at the door outside. It was Zhang Chenyue’s voice. Chunxiu immediately coldened her expression and said in a low voice, “This shameless woman still has the face to come.”
“What kind of person she is, we know in our hearts. Don’t show it on your face. There’ll be time to teach her a lesson in the future.” After instructing Chunxiu, Jirong went forward to open the door. As soon as Zhang Chenyue entered, she hurriedly took Chunxiu’s hand and said with a choked voice, “I’ve been worrying about what sister would do after leaving the residence. Fortunately, Second Madam finally changed her mind and allowed sister to continue staying in the residence. Although the woodshed work is somewhat harsh, there’s still opportunity.”
Chunxiu suppressed her disgust and pulled her hand back, staring at her and saying, “Since you were so worried, why didn’t you say a word for me when Nanny Yang was driving me from the residence?” She wanted to learn from Jirong to keep emotions from showing on her face, but she simply couldn’t do it.
Upon hearing this, the tears in Zhang Chenyue’s eyes immediately fell. “I knew sister would blame me for this matter. When I suddenly heard about it, I was truly frightened, so much so that I even forgot to plead for sister. Looking back afterward, I truly regret it deeply. I did go to find Nanny Yang, but unfortunately she wouldn’t see me.”
Chunxiu sneered, “Was it that she wouldn’t see you, or that you never went at all?”
“Sister!” Jirong gave her a look and said to Zhang Chenyue, “Don’t blame sister for her harsh words. That’s just her temperament. In a few days when her anger subsides, it’ll be fine. No matter what, we’re still sisters.”