“You are my woman, and Yu’er is my daughter. Who dares say otherwise? And who said you’re just a concubine? I promised to elevate you to the position of wife, and sooner or later, you will be the lady of the house!”

Madam Zhou, delighted by this assurance, buried her face in the man’s bare chest. “Whatever my lord says shall be.”

Zhuang Shiyang felt her soft body stirring his desires. He pressed her beneath him once more, and soon intimate sounds filled the curtained bed.

Outside the room, a maidservant gripping her broom tensed slightly, then quickly left the courtyard.

After dinner, Han Yan was writing in her room. It was rare for Zhou’s mother and daughter to be so quiet, and although they were likely plotting something else, she didn’t want her moment of peace disturbed.

Unexpectedly, just as she had written one line, the courtyard sweeping maid came to announce that Concubine Mei had arrived.

Han Yan raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t gone looking for her, yet she came on her own – this saved some trouble.

Setting aside her writing materials, she warmly said, “Concubine Mei has arrived? Please, come in quickly.”

The beautifully dressed mature woman entered Han Yan’s chambers and immediately frowned. The room’s furnishings were quite simple and ordinary. Han Yan, as the Zhuang family’s legitimate daughter, had quarters similar to Zhuang Qin, that illegitimate daughter.

Han Yan stood at the doorway with a lowered head, nervously fidgeting with her clothes. “Why has Concubine thought of Yan’er today?”

Concubine Mei carefully observed Han Yan. Seeing her innocent young face with its hint of eagerness to please and caution, she immediately felt her status elevated. The frustrations she had suffered from the Zhou mother and daughter these past days began to ease, and she found herself looking at Han Yan with increasing favor. She patted Han Yan’s hand gently and said kindly, “Listen to you speak – naturally, I was thinking of Fourth Young Lady. You’re just recovering from a serious illness, and I was worried about your health, so I brought some food for you.”

Han Yan felt a wave of revulsion. When her mother was alive, when had Concubine Mei ever shown her such kindness? She had only ever been arrogant, not even acknowledging her as Fourth Young Lady. This sudden show of goodwill made Han Yan feel as though she had swallowed a fly, leaving her speechless.

Seeing no response, Concubine Mei assumed it was due to timidity, which further convinced her that this legitimate daughter was easily manipulated. She decided then to establish good relations with this side.

Han Yan gave her a sweet smile. “Thank you for your concern, Concubine. During my illness, all the concubines have shown me such care. Yan’er is truly touched.”

Though her words rang sincere, they startled Concubine Mei, who anxiously asked, “All the concubines? Who else has visited you?” Xiao Meng quietly tugged at her sleeve, and Concubine Mei realized her loss of composure, quickly covering it with a cough.

Han Yan, seemingly oblivious to her reaction, answered obediently, “Concubine Wan sent Third Sister once, while Concubine Zhou and Sister Yushan visit often, bringing many gifts.”

Upon hearing this, Concubine Mei immediately gripped her handkerchief tighter, silently cursing that shameless woman for moving so quickly.

Han Yan continued, “Just yesterday, Concubine Zhou visited Fifth Brother and brought him many toys, including a bird.”

Concubine Mei felt something odd about the mention of the bird but couldn’t quite grasp what was strange about it. However, she understood clearly about the exquisite gifts. Though she was a palace-gifted foreign concubine, her years of palace training under the matrons had taught her the methods concubines used to compete for favor. This excessive praise was a familiar tactic. After some thought, she smiled and asked Han Yan, “Do you like the Zhou mother and daughter?”

Han Yan shrank her neck, appearing timid. “Concubine Zhou and Sister Yushan are good to Yan’er, I know that. Although they’re not my mother…” Her voice trailed off.

Concubine Mei raised her eyebrows, feeling relieved. Her greatest worry had been Zhou winning over Han Yan, which would give the clan leader’s side an advantage. Seeing Han Yan’s fear of Zhou outweighing respect – children always fear stepmothers, after all – she felt better. Though she hadn’t been close to Fourth Young Lady, they had lived under the same roof for years. She put on a serious expression and said, “That Zhou woman has ill intentions. The gifts she sent contain schemes to harm you all.”

Han Yan jumped in shock and looked up. “How can Concubine Mei say such things? Concubine Zhou and her daughter mean well, please don’t wrong them.”

Concubine Mei glared at her, tapping Han Yan’s forehead affectionately. “You’re too kind-hearted. They’re trying to distract the Young Master from his studies. Those who don’t know might think she’s being nice, but her intentions aren’t good.”

Han Yan looked at Concubine Mei in panic, appearing completely at a loss. “What should Yan’er do? Fifth Brother is meant to become a top scholar.”

“Don’t worry, with me here, I won’t let them get away with anything,” Concubine Mei reassured her. Han Yan’s lips curved slightly – finally, she had said those words.

Han Yan gratefully held Concubine Mei’s hand. “Yan’er and Fifth Brother thank Concubine, but…” She hesitated before continuing, “I heard that for the upcoming palace banquet, Father has already decided to take Concubine Zhou.”

“What?” Concubine Mei could no longer contain herself upon hearing this and stood up immediately. After a moment’s thought, she asked Han Yan, “Who did you hear this from?”

Han Yan shook her head. “Yan’er’s maid heard it from the courtyard servants. Concubine Mei, hasn’t Father always favored you? Why would he take Concubine Zhou?”

This news cut Concubine Mei to the heart. At palace banquets, officials must bring their primary wives. With Wang Shi now deceased, whoever was brought to this event would essentially be acknowledged as the primary wife. Learning that Zhuang Shiyang planned to bring Concubine Zhou, how could she not be anxious?

“Fourth Young Lady, it’s getting late. I won’t keep you from your rest and will take my leave now,” Concubine Mei said, her expression barely concealing her urgency.

Han Yan smiled with pure innocence. “Then let Shu Hong escort the Concubine. Though Concubine Zhou means harm to Yan’er, if Father favors her, Yan’er can only accept it. However,” she giggled, “Yan’er prefers Concubine Mei – Concubine Mei is more beautiful!”

A child’s praise is the most genuine, and Concubine Mei couldn’t help but smile, though her heart quickly tightened again. After all, Han Yan was just a twelve-year-old child. To win her over, she would need to do something to make her understand that she could become the household’s primary wife.

As she left Qingqiu Court with Shu Hong, Xiao Meng carefully observed her mistress’s expression. The master taking Concubine Zhou to the palace banquet meant Zhou had gained the upper hand, no matter how one looked at it.

“Vixen!” Concubine Mei stood still, grinding her teeth in hatred.

Xiao Meng drew close and whispered, “Mistress, we can’t let those from Gong Tong Court enter the palace. The mother and daughter are already so arrogant – if they succeed, they’ll look down on you even more.”

“How could I let her have her way?” Concubine Mei snorted coldly, her eyes flashing with malice. “Help me send a message to the Lin Zhong household.”