Han Yan maintained her gentle tone: “Lost in thought? Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind? Perhaps I can help you.” Her words were quite obvious, and Jiao Meng started, looking at Han Yan with surprise, wondering how it could be possible…
Han Yan spoke softly: “Is it about the debt?”
After Han Yan said these words, Jiao Meng’s body trembled, and she suddenly raised her head.
“Was it Fourth Young Lady’s doing?” she finally asked with difficulty.
Jiao Meng wasn’t foolish, so she quickly realized that Chen Er had been manipulated. Han Yan’s appearance was too coincidental, making it impossible not to suspect a connection between the two.
Han Yan smiled slightly, wagging her finger in front of her: “Who did it isn’t important. What’s important is that only I can help you now.”
Jiao Meng stared at the Fourth Young Lady before her. To say she wasn’t resentful would be a lie, but more important than resentment was the fear she felt when facing Han Yan. The servants in the Zhuang household all said the Fourth Young Lady was compassionate and kind-hearted, but who could have seen such scheming from her? Deliberately luring people into activities that would bankrupt them—was such a Fourth Young Lady truly compassionate? Probably not entirely. Thus, Han Yan’s smiling expression began to seem somewhat unfathomable in her eyes.
“What does Fourth Young Lady want this servant to do?” Jiao Meng asked slowly, having roughly guessed Han Yan’s intentions.
Han Yan responded straightforwardly: “I want you to be my insider.”
“No.” Although Jiao Meng was just a servant and harbored resentment toward Concubine Mei, she was still unwilling to betray her master, so she rejected Han Yan’s request without even thinking about it.
Han Yan spoke calmly: “You can refuse. I won’t force you. But even without you, someone else will be my insider. This matter makes no difference to me whether you’re involved or not, but your brother’s debt—only I can help you repay it. With or without me makes a world of difference for you.” She continued slowly, without emotion: “You can certainly remain loyal to Concubine Mei; that’s your duty as a servant. But to Concubine Mei, you’re just a loyal servant. When your brother was overwhelmed by massive gambling debts, when your elderly father was left homeless and wandering, did your master ever genuinely inquire about your welfare even once?”
She bent down, her voice seeming to contain a bewitching power: “I am known for being fair in rewards and punishments. Though I cannot fully trust you, if you help me, I will certainly reward you generously. At the very least… the Princess Consort of Xuan Qing can certainly afford a few silver pieces.”
Her words were extremely clever. Han Yan didn’t directly state what should be done but rather laid out the pros and cons of the entire matter in a businesslike manner. By saying she didn’t trust Jiao Meng, she made Jiao Meng trust her more. Indeed, no one would truly trust someone from their enemy’s side. Han Yan first pointed out the consequences for Jiao Meng, then stated what she could offer, and finally brought up the Princess Consort of Xuan Qing’s title—using both soft and hard tactics. This was an excellent method of controlling people. After she spoke these words, Jiao Meng’s expression was no longer as firm as before.
Han Yan straightened up, casting a casual glance at the camellia flowers before her: “You don’t need to tell me right away. Tomorrow is when the gambling debt is due. You can tell me your decision then.” With that, she smiled faintly and turned to leave, not sparing Jiao Meng another glance.
This casual manner made Jiao Meng more hesitant. If Han Yan had persistently demanded Jiao Meng accept her conditions, Jiao Meng would have thought of resisting. But her seemingly indifferent approach made Jiao Meng unconsciously think: Perhaps she did have other methods. Yes, she was so capable that she could accomplish things even without me, but without her, my father and brother would become homeless. At this thought, even her last bit of hesitation vanished.
Han Yan had given Jiao Meng the choice, and Jiao Meng didn’t disappoint her. Without waiting until the next day, that very evening, Ji Lan came to tell Han Yan that Jiao Meng had asked her to relay a message—she was willing to help the Fourth Young Lady with her concerns.
Han Yan put down her book and rubbed her temples, asking: “Ji Lan, am I being too cruel?”
Ji Lan was startled: “How could Young Lady be cruel? Young Lady is the kindest person under heaven.” Han Yan treated her servants well; though they were master and servant, their relationship was more like sisters. In other grand households, which young ladies would treat their servants as people? Yet their own Young Lady would genuinely care for them.
Han Yan gave a bitter smile: “In others’ eyes, I must be unforgivably wicked.” After saying this, a flash of self-loathing crossed her eyes. She hated this version of herself, using any means necessary to achieve her goals. Using someone’s family to control them, even forcing them to work for her—in the past, she would have scorned such methods. Chen Er’s brother wasn’t really at fault, but for her goals, she had made him addicted to gambling, caused an octogenarian to worry endlessly, and turned a perfectly good family into this state.
Shu Hong seemed to understand Han Yan’s thoughts and consoled her: “There are many inevitable things in this world, Young Lady needn’t be too distressed. Everything is predestined.”
Han Yan smiled: “You’ve become quite philosophical.” In her heart, she thought that she could only see it this way. Who in this world could live better than others? Her actions might not necessarily be harmful to Jiao Meng—following Concubine Mei and aiding evil would eventually lead to retribution. Even if she was truly cruel, so what? In this world, paths are made one step at a time. If she remained as kind as before, she would be eaten alive until nothing remained.
Thinking this way, the burden in her heart lightened somewhat.
Soon it was the third month of spring.
The weather became increasingly clear and bright, and Concubine Mei’s belly grew day by day. Zhuang Shi Yang seemed to cherish this late-coming son greatly, showing meticulous care for Concubine Mei. Somehow Madam Zhou had managed to dissolve the barrier that had formed between her and Zhuang Shi Yang due to Han Yan’s words.
Because Concubine Mei was too heavy with a child to serve him, and Madam Zhou deliberately created opportunities, the relationship between Madam Zhou and Zhuang Shi Yang quickly returned to its former closeness.
On this day, it was Concubine Mei’s birthday. Zhuang Shi Yang was in high spirits and invited several colleagues. Madam Zhou and Grand Madam Zhou also invited some familiar ladies. Although Concubine Mei had difficulty moving around, seeing Zhuang Shi Yang value her so highly naturally made her very pleased.
The visiting ladies and young ladies, seeing how Zhuang Shi Yang cared so much for a mere concubine, determined that she must be the future Madam Zhuang. Meanwhile, Madam Zhou acted contrary to her usual behavior, humbling herself and showing great deference before Concubine Mei.