The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 12

This concubine from Jiangnan was truly unruly even while pregnant, she forced the mistress to indulge her whims. Everyone in Fangxin Courtyard secretly sneered at her behavior.

 

Yet, Zhen Yao remained completely unaware of it all.

 

One evening, while enjoying the moonlight in the corridor, A’Lian had just sat down when she overheard the maids gossiping.

 

“Our poor mistress though she looks like the proud fairy of the Moon Palace, in reality, she’s being tormented by that concubine night after night.”

 

“Exactly! The other night when I went to deliver water, the mistress was so out of breath, yet she still insisted she was fine!”

 

“That’s nothing. That wicked concubine is downright vicious. She pinches the mistress’s delicate arms until they bruise when no one’s looking.”

 

“Ah, when will the mistress’s suffering ever end?”

 

…

 

They spoke with such fervor. In the past, given A’Lian’s temperament, she would have lashed out at them. But times had changed. Chen Rong’s informant still hadn’t arrived, and the tight-lipped cook ignored her inquiries. After much deliberation, leaving seemed the best choice.

 

But how should she bid farewell to the mistress?

 

Telling the truth would only invite restraint. Slipping away quietly would mean never seeing her again.

 

As A’Lian pondered deeply, Zhen Yao sat under the lamplight, carefully carving a hairpin.

 

A phoenix reborn, soaring through the heavens.

 

Because in her heart, A’Lian was just such a woman!

 

Melting, shaping, beading, and wiring.

 

No matter how intricate the process or how taxing it was on her eyes, Zhen Yao was filled with hope at this very moment!

 

She couldn’t wait to see A’Lian’s reaction when she opened the box.

 

The night grew darker as A’Lian entered the room, her mind heavy with thoughts.

 

Qing’er had been sewing when she heard the noise and immediately straightened up, asking with concern, “Are you unwell, madam? You look terribly pale.”

 

“Ah, it’s just the cold wind outside,” A’Lian mumbled evasively.

 

“Let me pour you some hot tea.”

 

Before Qing’er could finish, A’Lian waved her off. “Don’t trouble yourself, I’m not thirsty at all. By the way, where’s the mistress?”

 

She hadn’t seen her all day!

 

“The mistress went to check the shop ledgers as usual. She won’t be back until tomorrow morning at the earliest.”

 

“Did she go alone?”

 

Given the mistress’s striking beauty and her status as a widow in the eyes of outsiders, A’Lian’s heart immediately churned with worry, her brows knitting tightly.

 

Qing’er quickly reassured her, “The old madam went with her nothing will go wrong.”

 

“Even so, aren’t there bandits in Pingxi County?”

 

Rumors said those men were murderous arsonists, so fearsome that even someone as ruthless as Chen Rong was wary of them. If the mistress fell into their hands, what then?

 

“Your concerns are valid, madam, but in all my years in the household, I’ve never seen any bandits. Besides, it might just be hearsay. No one’s actually seen them.”

 

Qing’er tried her best to console her, but A’Lian had already made up her mind.

 

“Prepare the carriage. I’m going to town to find the mistress!”

 

Only by seeing her safe with her own eyes could A’Lian leave with peace of mind.

 

“Oh no! The mistress made me promise to take the utmost care of you before she left. Madam, you’re with child you mustn’t be reckless!”

 

“Are you coming or not?”

 

“Madam—”

 

“Hmph, then I’ll drive the carriage myself.”

 

“Madam!”

 

“Move aside…”

 

Qing’er was no match for A’Lian and quickly gave in. After some thought, since the town wasn’t particularly dangerous, she gritted her teeth and agreed.

 

The night road was bumpy, the stars and moon desolate.

 

Separated by a mere curtain, Qing’er and the female carriage driver were outside, while inside, A’Lian silently inventoried her bundle.

 

She was immensely proud of herself. In just the time it took for a single stick of incense to burn, she had managed to take all the jewelry gifted by the old lady. The only regret was that box of silver. For the sake of pride, she had painfully let it go.

 

Ah, being virtuous was truly agonizing!

 

A series of sighs, accompanied by mournful murmurs, suddenly made Qing’er uneasy.

 

“Auntie, Auntie?”

 

Hearing this, A’Lian responded with a mix of exasperation and irritation, “Still breathing!”

 

“Are you hungry? There’s a noodle stall up ahead that hasn’t closed yet. Would you like a bowl?” Qing’er asked cautiously.

 

A’Lian’s eyes immediately lit up, though she feigned reluctance. “We should focus on the journey, but if you go down and pack two portions, it shouldn’t be too much trouble.”

 

“Easy as pie, Auntie. Just wait a moment.”

 

Not long after Qing’er left the carriage, the curtain stirred slightly, revealing an utterly unfamiliar face.

 

“Song Lian, disaster has struck!”

 

The woman speaking was clearly not the usual carriage driver from the household. She indignantly lifted her sleeve, revealing the delicate embroidery of crabapple flowers.

 

“Why are you only coming now?” A’Lian felt an inexplicable panic.

 

The carriage driver gritted her teeth. “The Dark Oriole Gang is finished this time!”

 

“What do you mean?” A’Lian asked, her eyes darting warily into the distance.

 

“It’s too much to explain in one go. Gang Leader Chen has been kidnapped by bandits from West Mountain.”

 

“You saw it with your own eyes?” A’Lian coldly interrupted.

 

The carriage driver bristled, raising her hand in a vow. “If I speak even half a lie, may I die a wretched death. Another sister and I were supposed to meet Gang Leader Chen in the woods, but instead, we saw the bandits drug her and drag her away.”

 

“Is that so? What about the other sister?”

 

A’Lian suddenly thought of that peculiar cook and couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

 

“Don’t even ask. She wasn’t obedient enough, so Gang Leader Chen pretended to give her a dose of poison.”

 

“Is she dead?” Chen Rong truly was ruthless.

 

“I don’t know what happened after. I was in a hurry to contact you, so I left her in a ruined temple.”

 

A’Lian stared coldly at the carriage driver, a chill spreading from the depths of her heart. They called themselves sisters, yet in times of crisis, they abandoned each other without hesitation. The Dark Oriole Gang was no better than a den of bandits.

 

“I understand the situation. What do you plan to do?” A’Lian was utterly disappointed.

 

“As for me, I don’t have any good ideas.”

 

The carriage driver’s eyes bore into A’Lian as she spoke slowly, “Though I’ve only been in the Su household for three days, I’ve long heard that your position is special.”

 

“And so?” A’Lian’s beautiful face was half-shadowed in the flickering light.

 

“Chen Rong may be done for, but I’m still here. Song Lian, I have next month’s antidote in my hands.”

 

The carriage driver, now reveling in her sudden power, was practically preening.

 

“You want to be the gang leader?”

 

This woman was a complete stranger even in terms of seniority within the gang, she wouldn’t rank. Yet in times of crisis, her true vile nature was revealed.

 

“Song Lian, you must understand that even without Chen Rong, the two of us can still succeed. After all, you are the one and only charming oriole.”

 

What a shameless wretch!

 

A’Lian clenched the dagger at her waist tightly. But just as she was about to act, she bit back her anger and sneered, “Using me to make money is no problem. But tell me, new gang leader, will you still have the antidote for the month after next?”

 

Chen Rong’s ability to manage the vast Dark Oriole Fleet was no accident. She had her own cunning and skills. The fool before her was adept at deception, but his tricks were laughably shallow.

 

“What do you mean?” The other party suddenly turned hostile.

 

“Hmph, I, Song Lian, fear neither life nor death. But do you even have the antidote?”

 

The words struck like a bolt of lightning, freezing the female carriage driver in place.

 

“Did… did Chen Rong give it to you?”

 

Of course, Chen Rong would never hand the antidote to anyone. After every mission, she personally delivered her “comfort.” Such a scheming, black-hearted woman. No matter how many precautions one took, there was always a loophole.

 

A’Lian was a seasoned veteran in the fleet, often acting without explanation. Now, she turned the tables, intimidating the other with their own tactics: “Of course. Otherwise, why would I be your contact? How else could I control you?”

 

“I—I was blinded by greed just now! Miss Song, spare me!”

 

“The plan remains unchanged. You obey me completely. For now, drive well. Remember, loose lips sink ships.”

 

“Yes, yes! I’ll follow your lead entirely.”

 

A’Lian raised a finger to her lips in a silent “shush.” Soon, Qing’er arrived carrying a food box.

 

“Auntie, the noodles are ready.”

 

“Good work. Let’s hurry to find Madam.”

 

The carriage swayed along the road, arriving at the Fulingmen Inn half an hour later.

 

• –

 

“Mother-in-law, sign it!”

 

Zhen Yao stood tall and poised, her expression icy.

 

The old woman angrily thumped her cane against the floor, a glint of murderous intent flashing in her eyes.

 

“Madam, why must you push so harshly?” Nanny Liu wrung her hands nervously.

 

Zhen Yao arched a delicate brow, her beautiful face twisting into a cold smile. “Tell me, who was it that came here today intending to destroy me?”

 

Under the pretense of settling accounts, they had secretly brought in unsavory characters, scheming to ruin the reputation of a widowed daughter-in-law.

 

Vicious. Despicable. Utterly shameless!

 

“Madam, the old lady was just momentarily confused. You must understand the master’s death was so sudden, and the entire household is now in your hands.”

 

Round and round it went still blaming her for taking charge.

 

Zhen Yao heard the resentment loud and clear. But some things demanded meticulous attention, even retribution.

 

“Back then, he insisted on marrying me, even after I refused him repeatedly. I made it clear. I had not a shred of affection for him. Yet your son clung to me like a stubborn plaster. And if I recall correctly, who was it who knelt and begged, playing the elder card? The only reason I, Zhen Yao, married into your Su family was because you and your son pleaded like desperate beggars.”

 

“Aiyo, why bring up the past now?”

 

“So I should let you bully me to death without even a whimper of protest?”

 

Zhen Yao’s eyes were sharp, her demeanor unshaken.

 

The old woman’s gaze was like a dagger. If only she could strike Zhen Yao dead on the spot.

 

Because Zhen Yao was no virtuous woman at all!

 

She was old, but not yet senile. Some things had been discovered just in time before irreversible mistakes were made. Fortunately, there was still hope in A’Lian’s belly.

 

“Aaaaaah—!”

 

The old lady let out a guttural scream, her face contorted with rage, ready to fight to the death.

 

“You want to die?”

 

A flash of steel, crimson splattered.

 

Nanny Liu stood frozen, her spine trembling as she stared in horror at the always-graceful, always-dignified Madam.

 

“I, Zhen Yao, have a clear conscience. But you old woman, have you ever stopped to think where all these years of wealth and luxury came from?”

 

“Madam, tonight let’s pretend nothing happened. This old servant will keep a close eye on the old lady.”

 

Unlike the old woman’s reckless fury, Nanny Liu knew when to yield.

 

Fine. Zhen Yao had too many concerns already. She had never intended to wipe them out completely.

 

“Very well, it shall be as you say. But the old lady’s illness worsens with autumn. You must devote yourself wholeheartedly to her care.”

 

“Rest assured, madam. This old servant would die a thousand deaths without hesitation!”

 

“Enough. I’ll have someone escort you back to the estate.”

 

The old lady glared at Nanny Liu with tearful frustration, pounding and striking at her ineffectually, even muttering incoherent curses.

 

Bound by Zhen Yao’s presence, Nanny Liu endured in silence. But the moment she dragged the old lady outside, she retaliated fiercely, beating her until the woman was dazed and disoriented.

 

“From now on, there’s no distinction between master and servant between us. You old wretch, try me if you want to die!”

 

The old lady whimpered, clenching her fists, but dared not fight back.

 

Under the silver frost and clear moon, swift horses carried travelers away.

 

When A’Lian ascended the stairs and knocked, Zhen Yao was polishing her longsword with an embroidered silk cloth.