Unable to contain herself, she struck her belly hard with her fist several times—there was still nothing inside. Every time the Master visited, Concubine Mei was terrified he would discover the truth.

Fortunately, Zhuang Shi Yang’s infatuation with Elder Zhou had given her some breathing room, though she remained anxious. Whenever she thought about possibly being exposed, she couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat. Her maid Jiao Meng was startled and quickly stopped her: “Madam, you mustn’t…”

Concubine Mei looked at her irritably. “What’s there to fear? After all, there isn’t…” Because she bore the name of carrying twins while her belly was empty, she hadn’t been intimate with the Master for a long time.

News of the Master’s sordid affair with Elder Zhou had reached her ears. Though grateful that Elder Zhou could buy her time for concealment, the thought of the Master spending every day in that woman’s embrace made Concubine Mei’s teeth itch with hatred. Just when Zhou had fallen from grace, Elder Zhou appeared. That Zhou clan truly bred such vixens.

Jiao Meng shook her head. “Madam, if outsiders were to see…” Before she could finish, a maid announced: “Concubine Zhou has arrived.”

Concubine Mei hurriedly adjusted her clothes, and reclined gracefully on the couch, feigning exhaustion—women carrying twins were known to be particularly drowsy. Yet she wondered why Zhou had come. Recently, Zhou had been trying to curry favor, maintaining a humble attitude and mentioning Han Yan’s rising status, though her intentions remained unclear. Initially, Concubine Mei hadn’t wanted to engage, but when Zhou mentioned how Han Yan’s elevated status might raise Zhuang Han Ming’s position, she grew uneasy. This unease led her to speak with Zhou daily for a time, hoping to learn about Han Yan’s situation.

She knew Zhou’s sister Elder Zhou was capable and had many eyes and ears in the Zhuang Manor. Due to her supposed pregnancy, she couldn’t often leave Fu Rong Garden.

Just as she was thinking this, Zhou entered, covering her face with a handkerchief, and sobbing.

“What’s wrong?” Concubine Mei asked in surprise.

Zhou sat silently on a small chair by the couch. Her maid spoke angrily: “Our Madam was upset by Fourth Young Lady.”

Han Yan? Concubine Mei’s eyes flickered. She had heard from servants about Han Yan’s return yesterday, how even Zhuang Shi Yang now showed restraint before her. Had Zhou been crying because of Han Yan? Concubine Mei didn’t believe the tears, but she believed Zhou wanted to use this incident for something.

She smiled slightly. “Sister Zhou, if something’s troubling you, tell me. Only then can I help share your worries.” Her words seemed concerned but carried a trace of mockery—the kind that comes from looking down on someone. Indeed, Concubine Zhou’s current status in the Zhuang Manor was far below Concubine Mei’s. Remembering how Zhou had once challenged her with the Master’s favor, seeing her now so respectfully silent, Concubine Mei felt an indescribable satisfaction.

Zhou naturally caught the mockery in her words. Her expression darkened, but when she raised her head, she appeared greatly wronged, eyes brimming with tears. “Sister, with the Fourth Young Lady’s return, I fear there’s no place for us in the manor anymore.”

Concubine Mei’s hand paused while lifting her teacup, her expression unchanged. “What makes you say that?”

Concubine Zhou wiped her tears. “Yesterday when Fourth Young Lady returned, I went with the Master to welcome her. Unexpectedly, she immediately began mocking me. When I tried to respond, she… she threatened me.” After sobbing briefly, Zhou continued, “The Master saw this but said nothing… Sister, doesn’t this mean Fourth Young Lady now controls the Zhuang Manor?”

Concubine Mei leisurely examined her fingers, delicate and white with bright red nail polish, looking particularly alluring. Zhou’s words were meant for her ears. Surely today’s visit wasn’t just for simple complaints? She smiled and looked at Zhou. “Fourth Young Lady is now Xuan Qing Wang Fei, naturally she’s more precious. But Sister, what exactly are you suggesting?”

Seeing Concubine Mei’s unhurried manner, Zhou’s heart tightened. This slut had grown clever, but fortunately, Elder Zhou had coached her. Zhou smiled sweetly. “This concubine alone can do nothing, but if you were to join me… surely Fourth Young Lady would show us more respect.”

So she was seeking an alliance against Zhuang Han Yan. Concubine Mei thought this but smiled and said, “Why would Sister Zhou think I would help you?”

Now Zhou was no longer anxious. She slowly dried her tears with her handkerchief and smiled. “Fourth Young Lady is known to be unforgiving. She hated me from the moment I entered the manor, and then had conflicts with Yu’er. Now that she has power, she seeks revenge. May I ask, hasn’t Concubine Mei ever offended Fourth Young Lady?”

Concubine Mei froze, suddenly remembering how she used to bully Han Yan’s family of three. Back then, young and beautiful, she had the Master’s favor, and didn’t fear Concubine Wan, but Wang’s position as principal wife was an eyesore. So Concubine Mei had tormented them endlessly, slandering one day, framing the next.

Zhuang Han Ming and Han Yan were often punished to kneel in the ancestral hall because of her, and Wang’s relationship with the Master grew increasingly strained. She had heard Han Yan was fiercely protective—not letting anyone touch even her maids. Having harmed her mother and brother, wasn’t she even more guilty? If Han Yan showed no mercy to Zhou, wouldn’t she be in even greater danger?

Seeing Concubine Mei’s expression softening, Zhou pressed on: “Fourth Young Lady is now Xuan Qing Wang Fei, though not yet formally married. If she’s so arrogant now, won’t she be even more lawless after the marriage? Even the Master won’t be able to control her then. Tell me, where will we sisters find a place in this manor?”

Concubine Mei frowned. Zhou’s words made sense. When Zhou had first become her rival, Han Yan had sided with her, but then Zhou had been a formidable opponent. Now Zhou was helpless, not worth considering, while Han Yan grew increasingly beyond her control.

Such an ally was dangerous—if Han Yan one day saw her as an enemy, would she survive? She might fare even worse than Zhou, who at least had a daughter. She hadn’t borne the Master any children, and after all her years with Zhuang Shi Yang, Concubine Mei clearly understood that although he had once favored her and still treated her well if anything truly happened to her, he absolutely wouldn’t lift a finger to protect her.