Capítulo 5: Kunning Chapter 5: Xie Wei
Tang'er, two years senior to Lian'er, possessed a much steadier temperament. Clad in a light blue bijia, she was still holding a letter in her hand when Lian'er dragged her in. Sensing that Jiang Xuening's expression was off, she swiftly pinched Lian'er, prompting her to cease talking.
Approaching Jiang Xuening, she first placed the letter on the nearby table and then untied the wine-stained robe. "Lian'er was frightened seeing you didn't return all night. The servant speculated that Young Master would go to the palace for the daily lecture, and you should be back by morning at the latest. So, someone prepared hot water for a bath. You can freshen up first and then rest. The servant noticed that you didn't sleep well last night."
Jiang Xuening observed Tang'er.
This girl was also assigned by the Meng family. Despite her skills, she couldn't endure her as a boss—someone with a bad temper and excessive indulgence towards flattery-prone servants.
"Let's proceed with the bath."
She opted not to delve into many details at the moment. Seeing that Lian'er had stopped crying, she temporarily dismissed the notion of selling her off.
Once the bath was ready, Jiang Xuening removed her robe, entered the tub, and settled down slowly. Warm water cascaded over her smooth shoulders and slender neck.
This moment was ideal for clearing one's mind, yet she had a penchant for contemplation during such times.
She had inquired with Tang'er earlier, and it was now the seventh day of September. She hadn't yet disguised herself as a man to attend the Chongyang Lantern Festival with Yan Lin, nor had she encountered Princess Leyang, who went out to play with Shen Jie. By avoiding these situations, she could prevent Princess Leyang from mistakenly falling in love with her. Considering the recent incident at the inn, she hadn't intentionally approached Shen Jie. As long as she avoided any confrontations, she wouldn't be summoned to the palace. Yan Lin was still participating in sword fights in Beijing, and the Yongyi Hou's Mansion hadn't been implicated in the King Pingnan's conspiracy case against the remaining party. The boy hadn't yet uttered those hurtful words…
However, not everything was as rosy as it seemed.
A single Yan Lin was more than enough to cause a headache.
Observing the young man, on the brink of inheriting a title, nearly surrendering his youthful and passionate feelings to her, escorting her, shielding her, and even resolving issues arising from her extravagant caprices and audacious escapades—she had not seen it clearly in her previous life.
However, having lived through numerous experiences in this life, how could she remain oblivious?
Jiang Boyou felt a twinge of guilt and pity for his ill-fated daughter. However, within a prominent family, certain courtesies had to be maintained. Even if one was doting, they wouldn't permit their daughter to roam outside, disguised as a man.
Yet, the Jiang family tacitly accepted it.
There could only be one explanation for this—
Her marriage had already been clandestinely arranged. Rather than showering her with affection because she was the second daughter of the Jiang family, it was more accurate to say that she was the future wife of Hou Shizi of Courage.
However, destiny had other plans.
Marquis Yongyi's mansion would face disaster within two months. In her previous life, Yan Lin never lived to see the day when he could bring a proposal of marriage. On the eve of the coronation ceremony, his residence was raided.
Jiang Xue leaned against the edge of the wooden barrel, blinked, and reminisced about the young Yan Lin—his spirited face, passionate eyes, and the determined and profound contour as he returned to court with his meritorious deeds. Gazing into her thoughts, she felt a momentary confusion.
Indeed, the Yongyi Hou Mansion had connections with the remnants of the Southern King Party.
Yet, there seemed to be something more to it.
Otherwise, in her previous life, after Yan Lin's return to the imperial court, he would have wielded considerable military strength and refrained from aligning with Xie Wei in a conspiracy.
Jiang Xuening, however, failed to comprehend the underlying details until her demise.
Time will reveal.
Regardless of how events unfold, she had no intention of remaining in the capital. Provoking Yan Lin in this life meant she needed a prudent strategy to reunite with him safely, preventing his mixed feelings. Once he returned to the palace, she didn't want to face confinement and revenge.
The days of her previous life were a nightmare.
Escape to the outside world would be ideal.
Despite the intense struggles among people in the capital in her previous life, the scale was meticulously controlled. No matter how tumultuous the palace became, within the confines of the imperial city, the world remained relatively tranquil.
It would be wise to wait for the turmoil to subside before returning to Beijing to resume life.
After all, only seven years had passed by all calculations.
Leaving the capital could allow her to seek out You Fangyin, who had ventured across the world for business—so why not consider it?
Jiang Xuening believed that, at most, she possessed a degree of cunning to toy with people's emotions. She dared not claim the profound wisdom of Anbang and Ningguo, let alone challenge Xie Wei, an emperor in the court wearing the guise of a saint. Collaborating with such a person meant that one careless step might lead to an undisclosed demise.
She couldn't afford to become entangled in this intricate game of chess.
It was only natural for humans to seek good fortune and evade misfortune.
Considering this, Jiang Xuening summoned Lian'er and Tang'er to attend to her bathroom. She changed into a snow-blue embroidered skirt adorned with dark white flowing clouds and intricate patterns, paired with a graceful belt that added an air of sophistication.
Yet, when Tang'er was folding her sleeves, she noticed a two-inch scar on the inside of her left wrist.
Sighing softly, Tang'er remarked, "The soothing ointment you brought back a month ago has almost run out. Your wound seems to be healing, but I'll buy some more for you in a couple of days."
Jiang Xuening turned her wrist to examine the old scar from four years ago. It ran diagonally from the middle of the inner side of her wrist towards the palm—deeper at the lower end and shallower at the upper. Clearly self-inflicted with a dagger for short-term bloodletting, it could hold about half a bowl.
Turning her wrist back, a faint light flashed across her eyes. She pondered whether to attribute her favorable fate to God or to Xie Wei. Although given a chance at rebirth, she found herself back in Beijing.
If rebirth occurred on the way back to Beijing…
She hadn't wielded the dagger yet, and this life might have been considerably easier.
However, what's done is done, and dwelling on it is futile.
With plans to leave Beijing and escape impending disaster, money became a top priority to consider. She instructed, "Clear out all the belongings in the house. I intend to sell some things."
Both girls hesitated for a moment.
Her daughter's possessions were numerous, and she was fond of the new while discarding the old. Sometimes, when obtaining items or when the young master sent things, she would take them once and then cast them aside, indifferent to their whereabouts.
A few covetous individuals in the house, led by Wang Xing's family, often seized items from the girls. Their dissatisfaction was in vain as the girl ignored them completely.
Now that she needed something…
Tang'er could endure, but Lian'er couldn't contain her excitement. She clenched her small fist and exclaimed, "Yes, let's get to it!"
In Jiang Xuening's memory, she had accumulated quite a bit over the past four years.
However, when the two maids cleaned up and presented the items, there were only two boxes remaining—pearls, beautiful jade, gold and silver trinkets. While the quality was decent upon a casual glance, the quantity was notably modest.
She picked up a crystal-clear tourmaline bead string, laughed, and tossed it back into the box, saying, "Summon everyone in—inside and out—don't miss a single person."
The two girls went to fetch the others.
However, it took a while for seven or eight individuals to arrive, one after the other, standing haphazardly, exuding disdain and lethargy.
The maids exchanged whispers, speculating about her intentions.
Seated on the kang by the window, half-leaning against the autumn-colored brocade pillow, Jiang Xuening sipped tea from a few cups and calmly observed these people.
After a while, even Wang Xing's family made their appearance.
Terrified by Jiang Xuening on the porch earlier that morning, Wang Xing hurried over when she heard Jiang Xuening calling someone. She smiled apologetically, stating, "There are many tasks awaiting everyone's attention. The girl suddenly summoned everyone. Is there something that needs clarification?"
Jiang Xuening couldn't be bothered to engage in small talk, so she simply gestured towards the two boxes on the table in front of them and said indifferently, "It's not a big deal, but I noticed that my box is a bit empty. Return whatever you might have taken in the past."
Wang Xingjia's expression immediately shifted, and the others were equally taken aback. The room fell silent, with everyone's eyes shifting, yet no one uttered a word.
Jiang Xuening smiled and remarked, "I didn't take anything, did I?"
Knowing that few in the room were blameless, Wang Xing's family, who had taken the most, understood that few would escape scrutiny. However, they assumed that nothing serious would come of it. Thus, they stood up and responded with an affected expression, "What is the girl saying! It's truly embarrassing! Servants should be ashamed. Everyone in this mansion, from the highest to the lowest, prioritizes serving you. Who would dare to take your belongings?"
Ignoring her, Jiang Xuening turned to the others and asked, "Do you share the same sentiment?"
The others exchanged uncertain glances, but no one dared to step forward and confess. Furthermore, Jiang Xuening knew that they hadn't kept track of their possessions. Even if they noticed fewer items, it wouldn't be actionable, and they couldn't arbitrarily accuse someone of theft.
Admitting to such an accusation would be foolish, and the others understood this simple truth. They also believed that Jiang Xuening might be irked due to the perceived loss of items, but given her strong-willed temperament, it was unlikely to cause any significant disturbance.
After Jiang Xuening's inquiry, a prolonged silence ensued as no one spoke up.
A melon-faced girl chimed in, supporting Wang Xing's family, "Miss, you just emerged and immediately come here to falsely accuse us hardworking servants who diligently serve you without any basis. It's simply chilling!"
Jiang Xuening remained unperturbed and said, "Alright."
With that, she stood up on the platform, casually clapped her hands, and walked out of the house, paying no heed to the others.
Confusion engulfed everyone.
Wang Xing's family, expecting an argument, was bewildered by her abrupt departure. Her suspended heart should have eased, but inexplicably, she felt a bit uneasy, questioning, "What is the girl planning to do?"
By this time, Jiang Xuening had already exited.
Wang Xing's family stood behind her, carefully discerning her direction. Suddenly, her expression changed—
The path unmistakably led to the master's study!
Having observed the recent scene, Jiang Xuening recognized that these maids and women couldn't be managed at the moment.
While she possesses numerous methods to confront these individuals, dealing with trivial matters within the household isn't worth her considerable effort, especially when it involves squabbling with people of lower status.
When encountering problems, seeking assistance from her father is a more efficient approach. Resolving matters promptly is essential.
The Meng family, distant relatives at best, doesn't have a close relationship with her—being a daughter raised by a concubine and somewhat neglected. However, Jiang Boyou treats her relatively well, possibly due to his fondness for Yan Lin, even to the point of being lenient.
A few words from him would suffice to reprimand the maidservant. At most, a brief explanation might be required. Jiang Xuening is adept at handling such situations, so she isn't concerned.
Jiang Boyou's study is discreetly tucked away in the east corner of the front yard, shaded by several old locust trees. As Jiang Xuening enters, she finds the outer room.
Standing near the door is Chang Zhuo, dressed in green, who serves Jiang Boyou. Inside, four chairs are neatly arranged against the wall. A man sits on the last chair, wearing a black and green brocade robe over regular clothes, a badge hanging from his waist. Though his features are ordinary, a sharp, calculating gleam in his eyes suggests a depth of thought.
Spotting her, the man rises, bows respectfully, and greets her, "Hello, Second Miss."
Zhou Yinzhi.
In her previous life, he held the position of Jin Yiwei commander and was responsible for overseeing the Weitang upper seal. However, within the court, he was a well-known "house slave with three surnames."
Originally the son of a servant in the Jiang family, he was implicated in Wanniang's incident and sent to the farm with his family. Growing up, he performed physical labor in the estate, learned a few characters from school teachers, and read books independently.
When Jiang Xuening was returning to Beijing, lacking support, she asked Zhou Yinzhi to accompany her and bring her to Beijing. Zhou Yinzhi made a request: after reaching Beijing, Jiang Xuening should speak with Jiang Boyou and have him work by her side.
Jiang Xuening agreed.
Upon arrival in the capital, Zhou Yinzhi worked for Jiang Boyou. Recognizing his competence, Jiang Boyou recommended him to Jin Yiwei two years ago, securing him a post as a school order. Zhou Yinzhi thrived, currently holding the rank of sixth in Jin Yiwei Baihu.
Recalling her last life, Jiang Xuening realized that after a month, she would ask Zhou Yinzhi to investigate Shen Jie's identity for her. The condition Zhou Yinzhi imposed was an introduction to young master Yan Lin.
As the saying goes, "Gentlemen share the same path, and villains share the same benefits."
Their relationship was formed out of mutual interest. He helped her with information, and in return, she introduced him to young master Yan Lin.
Before the turmoil in Yongyihou's mansion, Zhou Yinzhi seized opportunities to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming the "Deputy Qianhu" of the fifth rank. When Jiang Xuening married Shen Jie, Zhou Yinzhi naturally followed Shen Jie.
When Shen Jie ascended the throne, he placed a lot of trust in Zhou Yinzhi, who eventually became the commander of the capital. However, the turn of events was unfavorable. Xie Wei emerged from the shadows, took control of the government and the court, and, among other actions, ordered Zhou Yinzhi's execution. His head was affixed to the palace gate, serving as a grim warning to all.
Jiang Xuening had not witnessed it personally, but the tales from palace personnel sent shivers down her spine.
Recalling the past, Jiang Xuening glanced at Zhou Yinzhi, nodding without offering a return salute. She then turned to Chang Zhuo and inquired, "Is father inside?"
Chang Zhuo replied, "Yes, but there are guests."
Frowning, Jiang Xuening recalled her past self's spoiled nature and asserted, "I don't care. The maids in my room have become unruly, pilfering my belongings and bullying me. Inform my father, and with just a word from me, I'll handle them!"
Although reluctant, Chang Zhuo, aware of the second girl's temperament, reluctantly agreed and lifted the curtain to report.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xuening took a seat outside.
Zhou Yinzhi remained standing, occasionally casting glances her way.
When Chang Zhuo went inside to report, Jiang Boyou was personally preparing tea for the guests. Raising his eyes upon hearing Chang Zhuo's whispered message about Jiang Xuening seeking him, he expressed disbelief. Chang Zhuo, feeling embarrassed, lowered his voice further and conveyed, "The second girl mentioned that the maids in the room were behaving improperly…"
Jiang Boyou displayed surprise upon hearing this and immediately showed delight, exclaiming, "Did she really say that?"
Chang Zhuo nodded.
Jiang Boyou enthusiastically clapped his hands and said, "This girl has experienced a moment of enlightenment. Perhaps she acted hastily out of anger. The situation in her room has been disorderly, and individuals have violated the rules. Despite Madam's repeated admonitions, I've been contemplating a cleanup for a while. We couldn't find an opportune moment until now! Go immediately and summon everyone in that room! Don't wait for Ning to reconsider; if she gets angry again, another cleanup won't suffice!"
Chang Zhuo, witnessing his master's excitement, felt even more embarrassed.
Unaware of this, Jiang Boyou turned to the guests sitting across the table and apologized, "Ju'an, I'm afraid you'll need to wait for a while. There's a bit of chaos in my house, but I'll be with you.
The guest smiled slightly and said: "It's okay."
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