Concubine Mei became increasingly terrified as she pondered, her entire body breaking out in a cold sweat. Madam Zhou, observing this, relaxed completely and said, “Sister, let me be frank with you. The Fourth Young Lady’s status continues to rise, and in the future, Xuan Qing Wang will wield immense power. Under pressure from Xuan Qing Wang, the Master will treat the young lord well. If the child in your belly now turns out to be a boy, wouldn’t that just mean another brother to divide the Master’s affection?”
Seeing Concubine Mei’s momentary stupor, she smiled and continued, “We women need not speak of anything else – isn’t it all about having a son to rely on? My child is already lost. Sister… you should plan carefully.”
Concubine Mei sank into deep thought. Zhou’s words rang true – her entire life had indeed been about securing her support. Even if she wasn’t truly pregnant, she couldn’t just watch Zhuang Han Ming grow day by day, eventually becoming the master of the Zhuang household. Once the brother and sister pair gained real power in the mansion, what good days would remain for her?
Madam Zhou smiled, patted her clothes, and stood up. “Sister, given your delicate condition, I shall take my leave now, lest I disturb your rest.” She turned to leave.
“Stop.” Concubine Mei suddenly spoke.
Madam Zhou, who had just reached the doorway, heard these words and broke into a smile. She slowly turned around to face Concubine Mei. “What is it?”
“What solution do you have?” Concubine Mei’s expression was beyond description at this point. Her gaze toward Madam Zhou had lost its previous condescension. Instead, she now felt deep anxiety about her future.
Madam Zhou dismissed all servants from the room, and closed the door, keeping only her maid. She then sat down by the couch and poured herself a cup of tea. “Sister it’s quite simple…”
After Madam Zhou left, Jiao Meng massaged Concubine Mei’s legs while asking, “Mistress, do you plan to cooperate with her?”
Concubine Mei let out a cold laugh. While Zhou’s plan was decent, at least feasible enough to strike Zhuang Han Yan, she wouldn’t just contribute her efforts for nothing. She looked at her belly and gently stroked it with one hand. “I want to try hitting two birds with one stone.”
Han Yan closed her eyes, listening to Ji Lan’s report about Zhou entering Furong Garden, dismissing everyone, and having a private discussion. Ji Lan anxiously said, “Young Lady, you’ve just returned to the mansion, and Madam Zhou is already making such moves. They must be planning something against you.”
Han Yan pondered for a moment: “Besides Madam Zhou and Concubine Mei, was anyone else present during their secret discussion?”
Ji Lan replied, “There was also Concubine Mei’s maid, Jiao Meng.” Seeing Han Yan’s furrowed brow, Ji Lan quickly added, “Jiao Meng is Concubine Mei’s dowry maid, said to be her confidante. This girl is stubborn and completely loyal to Concubine Mei.” Being familiar with all the servants in the Zhuang mansion, Ji Lan naturally knew all the gossip: “However, Jiao Meng is really difficult to deal with. Even the maids in Furong Garden don’t like her. But since Concubine Mei favors her, no one dares to bully her.”
Han Yan nodded. This Jiao Meng was genuinely loyal to Concubine Mei – how could they make her willingly betray her mistress? Han Yan took a deep breath and asked Ji Lan, “Do you know if Jiao Meng has any family?”
Ji Lan paused, thought for a moment, and answered, “Jiao Meng has an elderly father and a brother. Her brother sells tea in the capital and lives quite comfortably.”
Han Yan contemplated briefly before instructing, “Ji Lan, I need you to handle an important matter.”
Ji Lan was startled: “What matter?”
Han Yan leaned close to her ear and whispered a few words. Ji Lan nodded and quickly departed. Shu Hong stood quietly at the side. Though her injuries had improved considerably these days, Han Yan still wouldn’t let her do any heavy work. Seeing her so quiet and remembering Ji Lan’s words, Han Yan felt playful and deliberately asked loudly, “Shu Hong, you must be sixteen this year, right?”
Shu Hong hadn’t expected Han Yan to suddenly bring this up. She was startled before nodding, “Yes.”
“It’s about time you got married. Is there someone you fancy?” Han Yan asked casually. Shu Hong’s face instantly turned bright red.
“Young Lady… Young Lady, I haven’t thought about marriage,” Shu Hong rarely showed such nervousness, which only increased Han Yan’s interest. She knew that when she left, Fu Yun Xi had sent Mu Yan to protect her, and he must be hidden somewhere nearby, able to hear their conversation.
“How can you not marry?” Han Yan said earnestly. “How about this – when I become Xuan Qing Wang’s wife, I’ll ask him to take you as a concubine?” This was purely teasing – not only would Fu Yun Xi refuse, but Han Yan herself would never actively push women toward Fu Yun Xi.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Shu Hong suddenly knelt before Han Yan, her voice choked with emotion: “Young Lady, if that’s your intention, I’m afraid Shu Hong cannot accept such an honor. Shu Hong… Shu Hong would rather die.”
This surprised Han Yan, and even Mu Yan, who was watching from the roof, was stunned by these words. Having a lady’s maid become the master’s concubine was a dream many maids aspired to. Those maids who climbed into their masters’ beds did so to elevate their status.
Being Fu Yun Xi’s concubine would be something many noble young ladies would gladly accept – not just for his status and position, but his charm alone was enough to captivate many. Yet Shu Hong would rather die than become Fu Yun Xi’s concubine.
Shu Hong raised her head and said firmly, “Better to be a poor man’s wife than a nobleman’s concubine. Young Lady, I have followed you for many years and have seen much in this grand mansion. The concubines’ fights for favor harm not only the children. I don’t seek wealth or status in this life – I only wish to follow you, Young Lady, and see you live peacefully and happily. That would be enough for me.”
These words were spoken with such sincerity that Han Yan felt guilty. She couldn’t bear to let such a good girl simply remain by her side, wasting her youth. Her happiness wasn’t enough; true happiness would come only when everyone around her was happy too. Thinking this, Han Yan said to Shu Hong, “You must marry eventually.
Even if you don’t want to, I can’t bear to keep you tied to my side. Shu Hong, you’ve followed me for so many years, but your life shouldn’t revolve only around me. You should have your happiness. The same goes for Ji Lan. You can stay by my side, but you must also marry. A woman needs to find her support.”
Shu Hong and Ji Lan had followed Han Yan through two lifetimes. In their previous life, they had sacrificed their happiness for her. Finding such loyal servants was rare, and Han Yan was determined to secure a happy future for them. Hearing Han Yan’s words, Shu Hong tried to decline, but Han Yan put on a stern face: “Say no more, I’ve made my decision. Shu Hong, if you were to marry, what kind of family would you want?”