Chapter 56: Guarded

Xu Jun Ying returned to the Eastern Garden and summoned Rui Zhu and Rui Bao to ask, “I originally brought back two silver fox pelts. The cousin took one; what about the other? Did the main wife take it?”

Rui Zhu replied, “To answer you, sir the main wife has only been in your study, bedroom, and the East Hall, never entering other rooms. She doesn’t even know about the small storage room in the Eastern Garden. The silver fox pelt is still wrapped safely in there. As for the one taken by the cousin, the main wife exchanged it for a new robe.”

Xu Jun Ying was a bit puzzled. “How did the main wife know the cousin took one? Silver fox pelts are soft and precious, something all noble ladies desire. Why would the cousin exchange hers for an ordinary robe?”

Rui Zhu lowered her head and explained, “The cousin originally made that silver fox pelt into a cloak. She wore it to the Eastern Garden one day to chat with the maids while you were out. The main wife arrived and complimented the fox fur’s beauty. The cousin then mentioned… that it was a gift from you. The main wife laughed and said, ‘Rightfully so. My cousin has worked hard for me, her cousin should reward her with nice things.’ As they were talking, the main wife suddenly requested to try on the cloak, saying she wanted to make one similar. I helped the cousin take it off and helped the main wife put it on, but once the main wife was wearing it, she didn’t return it. She said…”

“What did she say?”

“She said only noblewomen or titled ladies deserve to wear silver fox fur. The cousin might never become a noble lady in her life, so wearing it would bring bad luck. She added that it was thoughtless of you, and she’d return the cloak on your behalf by giving the cousin a new robe instead.”

“And the cousin agreed to this?”

“She didn’t agree willingly. The cousin even cried and tried to take it back, but Cui Si and Cui Jian held her back. Then the main wife said one thing that made the cousin stop crying and give up.”

Xu Jun Ying raised an eyebrow. “What did she say?”

Rui Zhu glanced at Rui Bao and said, “We all heard it. The main wife said, ‘Don’t let others know about this. Think of the silver fox cloak as you paying respect to the main wife. In the future, once you’re brought in, you’ll need me to look after you. We’ll form an alliance to serve the lord together. Hasn’t your mother discussed this with you?’”

Xu Jun Ying’s face darkened, and he waved them off. “That’s all. You may go.”

Once the door closed quietly, Xu Jun Ying leaned back in his chair, covering his forehead with his hand, and let out a long sigh with his eyes shut.

The women around him were all far from virtuous. Meinang didn’t adhere to women’s conduct codes, and Zheng Mei Yu was calculating and shameless. Now they even had the support of the main wife. Were they joining forces to deal with Zhuang Yu Lan?

He let out a snort. Did they think he was merely a decoration? If he truly married Zhuang Yulan as his wife, he would keep her well-protected and far away from them, allowing no one to harm her.

It was only recently that he started being wary of the main wife. The elderly lady assigned him four maidservants, but he only accepted two into his room. He had only been intimate with Ru Yi and that was in a moment of deep anguish when he had nowhere to vent his fury. Ru Yi’s demure, submissive look reminded him of Meinang on their wedding night. He had been too rough then, causing her immense pain and soft sobs. After calming down, he no longer desired the maids. Physical pleasure without any affection brought only boundless loneliness and emptiness.

Later, he went to the battlefield, and when he returned four months later carrying Jun Jie’s body, he found Ru Yi already pregnant. A touch of warmth and wonder filled his heart, his own flesh and blood deserved care. When the main wife fell ill, the elderly lady arranged for the maids to be promoted to concubines. Let it be, even as a concubine’s son, his own blood would at least be born of a concubine.

But unexpectedly, while Meinang was on the brink of death, he lost his child as well. Ru Yi had a miscarriage, delivering a small, fully formed boy. When he arrived at the concubines’ courtyard, Ru Yi was crying inconsolably, and Xiu Er stood timidly by. These two women, now officially concubines, seemed distant and unfeeling to him.

Xiu Er said she had personally prepared Ru Yi’s tonic. Before drinking it, a servant had brought her a plate of pastries. Ru Yi had eaten one piece, and the main wife’s mother had examined everything but found no toxins. Still, it was impossible to pinpoint the cause.

Xu Jun Ying sighed inwardly. He had failed to protect Jun Jie’s life, and someone had prevented his son from being born.

Jun Jie had an affair with Meinang, leading to Heng Ge’er’s birth. Since then, Xu Jun Ying had stopped trusting the main wife, and after Ru Yi’s miscarriage, his suspicions only grew.

At daybreak, Meinang took Cui Xi and Cui Si to Autumn Blossom Court. Heng Ge’er, an early riser, was already awake and playing around.

Sure enough, as they neared the upper room, they saw the nurse and Xia Lian holding Heng Ge’er and playing with sparrows along the porch. Upon seeing Meinang, Heng Ge’er flailed excitedly, and the nurse had to use all her strength to hold him.

Meinang embraced Heng Ge’er, the two of them exchanging kisses and caresses. She turned to Xia Lian and asked, “Is the lady of the house still resting?”

Xia Lian replied with a smile, “The lady often feels dizzy in the morning. She’s likely already up but may still be sitting in bed to rest a while before rising.”

“Take me to see the lady, I have something to discuss with her.”

“Please follow me, ma’am,” Xia Lian said, leading the way and occasionally turning to tease Heng Ge’er in Meinang’s arms. The child was thrilled to be cuddled by his mother and play with Xia Lian, babbling cheerfully. His sweet, childish voice echoed along the porch, already alerting Lady Zheng.

From inside, Lady Zheng chuckled. “Heng Ge’er is here? Such a good child, knowing to greet his grandmother!”

Nanny He lifted the warm curtain, and Xia Lian curtsied and announced, “Excuse me, nanny. The main wife is here.”

Nanny He glanced at Meinang in mild surprise before flashing a broad smile.

“The main wife must be headed to the Purple Cloud Hall for matters later. Busy and diligent, even early in the morning, taking the time to come to greet the lady such filial piety! But don’t overexert yourself.”

Meinang responded with a quick laugh. “I have something to report to the lady.”

“Oh, then come in. It’s chilly outside,” Nanny He said, letting her in and calling behind the screen, “Lady, the main wife is here.”

Lady Zheng had already heard Meinang’s voice. “Just come in,” she called.

With Heng Ge’er in her arms, Meinang walked around the screen and knelt before Lady Zheng’s bed. Heng Ge’er, giggling, reached out his hands to Lady Zheng.

With her hair down and wearing her nightclothes, Lady Zheng reclined in bed and looked fondly at Heng Ge’er. She asked Meinang, “What’s so urgent that you came so early in this bone-chilling morning fog? Be careful not to catch cold.”

With red-rimmed eyes, Meinang recounted the family matters.

Lady Zheng frowned. “The lord didn’t accompany you to visit your family? That’s inappropriate. Since you married into the family, you haven’t returned home once. Taking Heng Ge’er along might be a bit much given the cold, though. Let him stay here. I’ll arrange for carriages and loads of supplies for your family’s use over the New Year.”

Meinang still hoped to take Heng Ge’er, feeling that, while usually nearby, she could see him daily. But this was different, she’d be away all day and couldn’t bear to leave him.

Lady Zheng waved dismissively. “I’ve been dizzy these days and will stay in bed a bit longer. If you miss your mother, you may even stay overnight and return tomorrow. As for the household matters, Yulan can handle things for a day or two. Take whatever you wish from the storage, of course, to supplement your family. Now go.”

She then instructed Xia Lian, “Take Heng Ge’er and let him play here with me. Hearing his voice lifts my spirits.”

Meinang saw Lady Zheng close her eyes, and knowing further discussion was useless, she reluctantly allowed Xia Lian to take Heng Ge’er. She sighed softly and quietly left the room.

After a few steps, Heng Ge’er began wailing inside, crying louder by the second. Though Xia Lian tried to soothe him, Meinang hesitated, then clenched her teeth and continued walking away.