Chapter 15: Golden Swiftlet’s Nest

The Xiao residence was not large, and the culprit who had poisoned the mung bean cakes was quickly found.

It was Ninth Concubine.

Ever since Tenth Concubine Jiang entered the household, Ninth Concubine’s days had felt like living in an ice cellar. Unwilling to accept her fate, she secretly laced Jiang’s mung bean flour with poison, intending to kill her.

When the plot was exposed, Ninth Concubine had nothing to say and frankly admitted her crime. The Xiao Matriarch immediately ordered her confined to her room, to be escorted to the magistrate’s office at dawn.

The next morning, as Jiang Chuyue was combing her hair, grim news came from outside — Ninth Concubine had taken her own life by striking her head against a pillar. When she died, she still clutched her only treasured possession — a pipa.

Chuyue’s hands paused mid-motion, and she let out a quiet sigh.

After Ninth Concubine’s death, Tenth Concubine Jiang volunteered to arrange the funeral. She set aside past grudges, returned hatred with kindness, and handled the matter with impeccable propriety, winning praise from everyone in the residence.

…

At the Prince Regent’s manor, a shadow guard reported the near-poisoning of Jiang Chuyue.

Xie Linyuan set aside the memorial he was reading. “Poison in the mung bean cakes?”

The guard replied, “Miss Jiang only took a bite. She spat it out and is unharmed.”

Linyuan pondered for a moment, idly turning the black jade ring on his finger.

He said, “Tell the steward to fetch those two boxes of golden swiftlet’s nest from the storeroom and send them to Xiao Ji.”

The guard bowed and departed.

…

That night in the Xiao residence courtyard, Jiang carried a bowl of broth into Xiao Ji’s study. The room was empty, but on the desk lay two boxes of golden swiftlet’s nest.

She had only read of such a delicacy in books.

It was said to be a specialty of the Northern Yue Kingdom — swallows gathered rare medicinal herbs day after day to build their nests, and over time the nests gained precious medicinal properties. For women, it was said to beautify the complexion and purge toxins.

Just a small piece was worth a thousand taels of silver. Two whole boxes were worth far more.

Her maid Dujuan’s eyes lit up with greed. “This must be from the General for you, my lady. He treats you so well.”

Jiang smiled faintly. “How many times have I told you? I’m now the Tenth Concubine. You can’t call me ‘Miss’ anymore — it’s ‘Madam.’”

She gazed at the two boxes of golden swiftlet’s nest, joy blooming on her face. She had been poisoned by mung bean cake just days ago and still felt unwell. Surely the General had procured this costly delicacy to help her recover.

Footsteps came from outside.

Xiao Ji entered.

Seeing her, he said, “You’ve come at the right time. Take these two boxes of golden swiftlet’s nest to Xiaoyue. She’s always been delicate — this will be good for her health.”

Jiang’s expression froze for the briefest moment.

She quickly lowered her gaze. “Yes, I’ll deliver it to Second Miss at once.”

Carefully taking up the boxes, she felt a bitterness she could not voice. She shared the General’s bed and had been the one most deeply poisoned, yet he still favored Second Miss.

All the best things were sent to her.

Just as Jiang turned to leave, Xiao Ji stopped her.

Her heart lifted, thinking he had changed his mind. “Does the General have other instructions?”

“This is my study,” Xiao Ji said. “Where I handle official matters. In future, do not enter without reason.”

Her smile stiffened, but she replied meekly, “I understand.”

Under the moonlight, Jiang walked away carrying the precious golden swiftlet’s nest, her emotions tangled.

Once they were clear of others, Dujuan muttered, “The General is far too biased toward Second Miss. You are the one who shares his bed, yet he sends her such treasures. Two boxes of this would fetch two thousand taels. Can she even finish it?”

Jiang shot her maid a warning look. “No wild talk. Second Miss is the General’s sister. I’m merely a concubine — how can I compare?”

She knew her place. Xiao Ji and Jiang Chuyue had been brother and sister for many years; their bond was deep.

How could she, a newcomer, compete?

But Dujuan grumbled on, “It’s the truth! Second Miss will marry someday — and once a daughter marries, she’s no longer—”

“Dujuan!” Jiang cut her off sharply. “Loose talk brings trouble. This is the capital, not our hometown in Lixian. Speak like that again, and I’ll send you away tomorrow.”

Dujuan fell silent with a sulky face.

Jiang brought the swiftlet’s nest to Chuyue’s courtyard. The place was serene and elegant, with blooming crabapple trees under the moonlight — like a fairyland.

In contrast, her own concubine’s quarters were small and remote, a world apart.

She cast a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of envy at the flowers.

Chuyue wasn’t in; she was with the Xiao Matriarch in the Shou’an Hall.

Jiang handed the boxes to Chuyue’s maid Baozhu, who said, “Thank you, Tenth Concubine, for bringing these.”

Jiang smiled pleasantly. “It’s nothing.”

But Dujuan couldn’t hold her tongue. “Sister Baozhu, my lady was poisoned recently. This swiftlet’s nest is good for beauty and detoxification. Could we perhaps have one box?”

Baozhu frowned. “Miss will keep one box for herself and the other for the Matriarch.”

Dujuan muttered, “So stingy.”

Jiang quickly caught her maid’s hand and gave her a warning glance.

She smoothed things over with a smile. “Pay no mind to my maid’s nonsense. It’s getting late, I’ll be going.”

As they left, Baozhu murmured to herself, “Tenth Concubine is gentle enough, but why keep such a sharp-tongued maid?”

Like attracts like.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that Tenth Concubine Jiang was not as simple as she seemed.

…

A few days later.

Passing the main courtyard with Dujuan, Jiang caught sight of a bright and beautiful figure at the gate.

She was startled, thinking another concubine had arrived.

But on closer look, it was Jiang Chuyue. She had dressed with particular care today — a lotus-pink silk gown with cloud patterns, pearl earrings swaying gently. She looked fresh and refined, her demeanor serene.

Chuyue was speaking with the steward.

“I’ll be back by dusk,” she said. “Have a maid watch over the pigeon soup. When it’s ready, send it to Grandmother.”

“Yes, Second Miss. I’ll see to it,” the steward replied respectfully.

Jiang approached with a smile. “Second Miss looks beautiful today. Are you going out?”

Chuyue nodded. “To the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s estate for a banquet.”

A few days ago, the marquis’s family had sent an invitation — the Lady Dowager’s fiftieth birthday.

The Xiao Matriarch was unwell and couldn’t risk the wind, and Xiao Ji was busy with official duties. Thus, only Chuyue could attend.

“I’ll be off then. Watch over the household,” Chuyue said, giving the steward a few more instructions before stepping into her carriage.

As the carriage rolled away, Dujuan craned her neck to watch.

“What are you staring at?” the steward said irritably.

Dujuan sighed. “A birthday banquet at the Marquis’s — it must be grand. Steward, could my lady attend too?”

The Marquis’s estate was the height of nobility.

She longed to see it with her own eyes.

The steward’s face darkened. “Nonsense. What concubine attends such an event? It would be a laughingstock.”

Only nobles and gentry would be present — no place for a concubine.

Even the most favored concubine was still a servant. The Xiao residence had only three true masters: Xiao Ji, the Matriarch, and Jiang Chuyue.

Jiang quickly interjected, “Steward, it’s my fault for not disciplining my maid. I’ll take her back now.”

Her gracious tone eased the steward’s irritation, and he left to check on the still-simmering pigeon soup.

Jiang lingered in the main courtyard, staring at the heavy doors as they slowly closed. She smiled at herself, tinged with resignation.

“Of course… I’m only a concubine now.”