Chapter 327 – The Secret Was Out
“What? Ninth Miss Tu? Who is she?” Concubine Dong asked in bewilderment as she put down the account book.
She racked her brain, but she couldn’t remember that there was such a young lady in the Tu Family. She had paid a lot of attention to the family, but Ninth Miss Tu was from an insignificant branch family, so she didn’t care about her at all.
“I don’t know either. I heard that she was sent here by Zhaoyi Tu in the Palace. Madam Dowager is entertaining her now,” Nanny Dong replied. After a moment of hesitation, she added, “A-Also, I saw some people moving the firewood away from the entrance of Madam’s courtyard.”
“What?! When was it?” With a drastic change of expression, Concubine Dong suddenly stood up with her eyes wide open. “Is it an order from Lord Marquis?”
Wei Luowen’s reaction was already within Concubine Dong’s expectations. Back then, when Nanny Hong came to hint to her that Wei Yuewu wanted to cut down the plum trees in her courtyard, Madam Dowager did not allow it and insisted on inviting a geomancer to check the courtyard. Since then, Concubine Dong had already prepared the plot.
Of course, Wei Luowen would be reluctant to burn down Qin Xinrui’s courtyard. However, a lot of unfortunate things had happened to the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang recently. The legitimate daughter of the second branch died, and one after another young ladies of the family had gotten into trouble, including Wei Yuejiao and Wei Yuewu. Moreover, the geomancer vividly warned them to burn down the courtyard to prevent the person closest to the owner of the courtyard from being fatally harmed.
And that person was undoubtedly Wei Yuewu.
In the past, Concubine Dong had thought that Wei Luowen had slowly forgotten about this daughter of his, which was why she ignored Wei Yuewu’s existence thoroughly. But now that she knew Wei Yuewu was the person Wei Luowen cared about the most, she was resentful!
If that was the case, she would gamble with Wei Yuewu’s life.
If Wei Luowen cared about Qin Xinrui’s courtyard, it was possible for Wei Yuewu to suffer misfortune. However, she did not believe that Wei Luowen would care about the courtyard of a dead person instead of the living Wei Yuewu. No one knew that Wei Yuewu was born with a congenital deficiency except Concubine Dong.
Back then, Qin Xinrui had eaten that kind of pill a lot, which was harmful to herself and the fetus in her belly. Although both of them survived the calamity, Qin Xinrui died not long after, and Wei Yuewu was weaker than ordinary people due to her poor health despite the fact that she looked like a normal healthy person now.
Therefore, Wei Luowen would definitely choose to compromise. This was the outcome that Concubine Dong had predicted long ago. It could be said that no one in the mansion except Wei Yuewu would come to stop the burning of Qin Xinrui’s courtyard, but Wei Yuewu was not in the mansion now.
“I-I heard that Madam Dowager ordered them to move the firewood away first because of this Ninth Miss Tu,” Nanny Dong stammered.
“What does this have to do with her?” Concubine Dong snapped angrily. She had come up with a plan with great difficulty, and she had even taken advantage of the opportunity when Wei Yuewu was in the Palace and could not come out easily, but her plan was ruined by this Ninth Miss Tu, who had come out of nowhere. She was enraged!
“I don’t know either, but I heard from the old maidservant in Madam Dowager’s courtyard that she was some kind of a messenger of Zhaoyi Tu and came to deliver messages to Madam Dowager on behalf of Zhaoyi Tu. Only then did Madam Dowager decide not to burn Madam’s courtyard.” Actually, Nanny Dong didn’t know the whole truth.
Although Nanny Hong was taking Concubine Dong’s side and occasionally sent some news over, she was still Madam Dowager’s confidant. There were many things that she would not tell Concubine Dong.
“Let’s go and take a look.” Concubine Dong was agitated and infuriated.
“I want to go too!” Wei Yuejiao was already feeling bored as she had been looking at the accounting books from the side the entire time. When she heard that they were going out, she hurriedly threw down the accounting books in her hands and jumped.
“Stay here and read those books. In the future, when you take charge, you will be Madam of the house. You will be looked down upon if you don’t even know how to read the accounting books.” Concubine Dong stopped her. She had guided Wei Yuejiao on how to read and understand the accounting books.
“Alright!” Even though Wei Yuejiao did not like reading the accounting books, she had no choice but to agree, so she helplessly sat down again. Concubine had promised her that she would help her find a decent husband in the future. With her status as the legitimate daughter of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang, she could marry anyone. What about the Heir-apparent of Yan?
Thinking of the handsome heir-apparent, Wei Yuejiao suddenly felt that these books were not so boring.
If her mother were to become Marquise, she would be a legitimate daughter, and the State of Yan would definitely accept her as the bride of the Heir-apparent of Yan. Therefore, she had to study well and wait to be married into the State of Yan.
Thinking of this, Wei Yuejiao blushed slightly, and her heart was thumping nervously. She no longer paid attention to Concubine Dong’s matters.
On the other hand, Concubine Dong dressed up a little and Went to Madam Dowager’s Tranquility Courtyard with Nanny Dong.
In Madam Dowager’s Tranquility Courtyard, Ninth Miss Tu was handing over the gift that Zhaoyi Tu brought to Madam Dowager with a bright smile on her face. “Madam Dowager, this is a reward from Her Highness, Zhaoyi Tu. After the passing of Marquise Hua Yang years ago, Zhaoyi Tu and the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang have become estranged. Now that she met Sixth Miss Wei, she finally remembered that her old friend had a daughter, so she felt ashamed that she had neglected her for years.”
“Zhaoyi Tu is too polite.” Madam Dowager smiled and waved her hand gracefully.
“Actually, Zhaoyi Tu felt that it was a pity. At that time, if it were not for… In fact, Second Elder Sister was the real Marquise Hua Yang, our Tu Family and the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang were really one family,” Tu Yuzhen sighed and spoke according to what Zhaoyi Tu had taught her.
She wasn’t too clear about this matter. After all, she was still young at that time. Speaking of her ranking, she did not belong in the real ranking. She could squeeze into the rank only because she had recently gotten close to the main branch family. Originally, a branch family like her wasn’t included within the rankings.
Moreover, the new generation of the Tu Family had already started to rank. She could only be considered an outsider, but since Zhaoyi Tu declared that she was ranked ninth, then that was it.
The Empress also expressed her tacit agreement, which was why she, Ninth Miss Tu, had appeared.
Tu Yuzhen was not clear about what happened back then. Zhaoyi Tu only briefly recounted that Second Miss Tu, who was of the main branch, and Marquis Hua Yang had an engagement. Both families had begun the wedding procedures. However, Second Miss Tu was suddenly seriously ill. Both families were worried that she could not survive long after the wedding, hence, they had agreed to cancel the engagement.
To everyone’s surprise, Second Miss Tu was not as weak as they had expected. she survived for many years before dying.
Tu Yuzhen had also heard about this talented woman among the Tu Family’s women. She had even seen some poems that she had left behind. She admired this beautiful and short-lived Second Elder Sister very much, so she felt regretful when she heard Zhaoyi Tu say that Second Miss Tu had once been engaged to Marquis Hua Yang.
Perhaps Second Miss Tu would not be so short-lived if she were the one who had married over.
“Well… I am grateful that Zhaoyi Tu is so concerned about our family affairs!” Madam Dowager’s face involuntarily trembled after hearing Tu Yuzhen’s remarks. Her expression changed slightly, and the smile on her face became stiff and awkward.
“Zhaoyi Tu wanted to pay respects to Marquise Hua Yang because of the unique relationship between both families. I heard that Marquise Hua Yang and Second Elder Sister died on the same day. They died so young!” Tu Yuzhen noticed the change in Madam Dowager’s expression, but she assumed that it was because of the geomancer’s comment that made Madam Dowager, who believed in Buddhism, completely believe that Marquise Hua Yang was a jinx. Now that she had stopped her at this time, Madam Dowager was probably a little unhappy.
Thus, she repeatedly mentioned Zhaoyi Tu.
She wanted to marry Marquis Hua Yang, so of course, she could not offend Madam Dowager of this mansion.
Her remarks made Madam Dowager’s expression gloom even more. Even Nanny Hong, who was at the side, looked up at this Ninth Miss Tu, and her expression became a bit unnatural.
“When will Zhaoyi Tu come?” Madam Dowager forced a smile.
“It should be in a few days. Zhaoyi Tu said that she will come out of the Palace when she has time.” Tu Yuzhen smiled, but she was not sure about the time.
“I’ll have to trouble Zhaoyi Tu then!” Madam Dowager pushed the cup of tea in front of her and was about to raise it to show that she was seeing off the guest.
“Madam Dowager, Concubine Dong is here. She wants to ask what time is it to burn Marquise’s courtyard,” An old maidservant came in and reported.
“Burn Marquise Hua Yang’s courtyard?” Even though Tu Yuzhen knew this, she raised her eyebrows in surprise and puzzlement as if this was the first time she knew about this.
“Uh… It’s not what she means.” Madam Dowager’s expression changed as she hastily explained.
Since Zhaoyi Tu valued Qin Xinrui so much, it was naturally inconvenient for her to mention the burning of Qin Xinrui’s courtyard.
“What does the concubine mean then? Does it mean that the concubine wants to burn down Marquise Hua Yang’s courtyard by herself? Since when did a concubine call the shots in the inner courtyard of the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang?” Tu Yuzhen raised her head and rebuked coldly.
She was on Zhaoyi Tu’s side. Recalling the words that Zhaoyi Tu had asked her to convey, as well as this harsh questioning, Madam Dowager did not dare to provoke her.
Others might not know about this matter, but Zhaoyi Tu must have known that Second Miss Tu had died entirely because of Wei Luowen.
Every legitimate daughter of the Tu Family was extremely noble and dignified, but Second Miss Tu had died for nothing because of Wei Luowen’s marriage. Speaking of which, the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang owed Grand Preceptor Tu over this incident.
Therefore, Madam Dowager knew that Zhaoyi Tu wanted her to remember this incident since she had repeatedly mentioned this matter.
“Let Concubine Dong in,” Madam Dowager massaged her forehead and ordered in a rather annoyed manner.
Tu Yuzhen looked at the door. Zhaoyi Tu had cautioned that Marquis Hua Yang’s concubine could not be underestimated. It was clear that Concubine Dong was cunning as she actually dared to burn down Marquise Hua Yang’s courtyard. She had to be careful.
When Concubine Dong entered the room and saw the twenty-something young lady, she was astounded at first, but then she went forward to bow at Madam Dowager as if she didn’t see her. Her rude action annoyed Tu Yuzhen, and the latter frowned in dismay.
“Good day, Madam Dowager!” Concubine Dong bowed down.
“Get up. If there’s nothing else, go back. I’m entertaining Ninth Miss Tu,” Madam Dowager lightly reminded Concubine Dong.
“Oh, so this is Ninth Miss Tu. Nice to meet you!” Concubine Dong refused to leave. She was here because she wanted to inquire about this Ninth Miss Tu, so she did not want to leave immediately after coming.
“So you are Marquis Hua Yang’s Concubine. I heard that you have been with Marquis Hua Yang for so many years. You have always been willing to be a concubine, so you are a rare and remarkable woman!” Tu Yuzhen did not have a good impression of Concubine Dong who wanted to snatch her spot as Marquise Hua Yang. At this moment, she sized Concubine Dong up and arched her eyebrows in disdain.
Being willing to be a concubine was actually no different from giving up all confidence in herself. Concubine Dong’s face turned red. She angrily glared at Tu Yuzhen who ridiculed her the moment she came in, wondering why she was so hostile to her.
However, the next moment, Ninth Miss Tu’s blatant remarks made her freeze on the spot and rendered her speechless.
“Just now, I heard that you wanted to burn Marquise Hua Yang’s courtyard? I was quite surprised to hear that a lowly concubine dares to burn the official wife’s courtyard. The first wife will forever be the first wife, and the concubine will forever be a concubine. How can a concubine be so disrespectful to the first wife?”
With a cold sneer, Tu Yuzhen did not save face at all. Although her father was just a small deputy general, like father, like daughter. She was very firm of her liking and contempt. Although she had never met Concubine Dong before, she disliked her already.
How dare this Ninth Miss Tu take over the mansion of Marquis Hua Yang’s internal affairs!
Madam Dowager gripped the teacup in her hand tight and slammed it heavily on the table…
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