Chapter 16

“Madam, Miss, please spare me! This servant was just muddled in her sleep and spouted nonsense in a dream!”

Bang, bang, bang!

Qiu Yan kept kowtowing frantically.

“Qiu Yan, you… you… you weren’t like this just now!”

Xia Jinlan stood up in a panic, walked over, and kicked her.

Yan Meili snorted coldly. “Someone, take Qiu Yan out, give her ten strikes with the paddle, and sell her to the filthiest brothel!”

“Yes, Madam!”

Two stout older women at the door stepped forward and dragged Qiu Yan out of the room.

“Serves her right!”

Xia Jinlan glared at Qiu Yan’s retreating figure, gritting her teeth in rage.

“Jinlan, you are your mother’s precious daughter. How could I not prioritize you? Tomorrow night, when you and Tinglan attend the chrysanthemum banquet, you must dress elegantly and appropriately. Don’t embarrass yourself! Both His Highness the Prince of Jin and His Highness the Prince of Yan will be there. Even the Empress Dowager, Empress, and Consort Shu will attend!”

Yan Meili, aware of her daughter’s lack of wit, made it a point to remind her.

“Yu Lian, you are now Miss’s personal maid. Look after her carefully, help her freshen up, and choose suitable outfits in preparation for tomorrow’s banquet.”

“Yes, Madam!”

Yu Lian, the personal maid at Yan Meili’s side, walked over to Xia Jinlan and helped her out.

As they stepped out of the hall, they saw Aunt Bao waiting with Xia Shuixian at the door.

The mother and daughter had heard about the banquet tomorrow night. They had just gone to Xia Jingxing, the master of the house, to plead their case. However, Xia Jingxing had told them to seek out Yan Meili directly. Matters within the inner courtyard were none of his concern; he already had his hands full dealing with Xia Qingqing, whose very presence kept him on edge daily.

“Madam, Fourth Miss and her mother are here,” Lin Mama reported.

Yan Meili, leisurely sipping tea, calmly set down her cup and adjusted her hairpins. “Let them in. If they’re so eager to embarrass themselves, who am I to stop them?”

“Yes!”

Lin Mama stepped back to inform Xia Shuixian and Aunt Bao.

“Greetings to Madam!”

“Greetings, Mother!”

The two bowed respectfully to Yan Meili.

“Sit down and speak,” Yan Meili said, not even sparing them a glance.

Xia Shuixian and Aunt Bao carefully perched on the edges of their chairs.

Xia Shuixian gave Aunt Bao a meaningful look, and Aunt Bao immediately understood. She got up, knelt on the floor, and began her act.

“Madam! I only have this one precious daughter, Shuixian, and she’s already sixteen! She hasn’t found a suitable match yet. Please, have mercy on us!” Aunt Bao wailed dramatically.

Yan Meili looked at her with feigned innocence.

Xia Shuixian knelt beside Aunt Bao, holding her arm, her eyes reddened as she whimpered.

“Auntie, don’t act like this! My elder sisters aren’t even married yet. How could it possibly be my turn, a mere concubine-born girl?”

“Mother, I’ll take Auntie back to her quarters now!” Xia Shuixian pretended to drag her away.

But Aunt Bao didn’t budge, nor did Xia Shuixian seem to exert any real effort.

Sigh.

Yan Meili let out a soft sigh.

Xia Shuixian and Aunt Bao immediately froze, waiting for her to speak.

“Shuixian, you may attend the banquet tomorrow night.”

Hearing this, Xia Shuixian and Aunt Bao clenched their fists in excitement.

“But…”

Yan Meili deliberately drew out the word.

The two tensed up, their hearts pounding.

“But the banquet is for legitimate daughters. As a concubine-born girl, aren’t you afraid of being shunned or mocked? If you make a fool of yourself at the banquet, it’ll tarnish the Xia family’s reputation. And if that affects the prospects of finding you a good match, you’ll only have yourself to blame. Consider this carefully. I’m giving you the chance, but don’t come crying to me later!”

Yan Meili picked up her teacup again, signaling the end of the conversation.

Aunt Bao was stunned. So Madam hadn’t forgotten about Shuixian after all. She was already looking into marriage prospects for her. Why did she bother making such a spectacle of herself?

But Xia Shuixian had different thoughts. How good could the marriage Madam arranged possibly be? Compared to the grand banquet tomorrow, it was nothing. If she performed well, even if she wasn’t noticed by the empresses, perhaps the wives of noble families would take an interest in her.

She had been diligent in her studies and etiquette, far more so than the legitimate daughters. If luck favored her, she might even catch the eye of a royal or nobleman.

Learning from Xia Qingqing’s example, she decided to seize this opportunity.

“Auntie, don’t interfere in my matters anymore. Otherwise, don’t blame me for cutting ties with you in the future!” Xia Shuixian said resolutely.

Aunt Bao was taken aback by her daughter’s determination and fell silent.

Yan Meili watched their drama unfold with a cold smile.

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Meanwhile, in the renovated woodshed-turned-chambers, Xia Qingqing admired the newly furnished room with its carved pearwood bed, elegant screens, and warm underfloor heating.

“Miss, this place feels brand new! Even the kitchen is spacious and fully equipped. Let me cook something special for dinner!” Xiao Suo spun around with glee.

“Sure, just reheat the leftovers from lunch. After dinner, I’ll teach you how to prepare herbs,” Xia Qingqing replied.

She couldn’t let this opportunity in the ancient era go to waste—she needed a capable assistant.