The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 2

A’lian giggled mischievously, patting her own belly as if it were a watermelon, then boldly took Zhen Yao’s hand and guided it downward, pausing at a certain spot.

 

“Madam, look how in tune this child is with us. Don’t mind the old physician saying the pulse was weak. It’s quite happy staying right here!”

 

Listening to the silver-bell-like laughter beside her ear, Zhen Yao’s brow furrowed briefly. Only her refined composure kept her from lashing out.

 

Yet even so, A’lian refused to let her off the hook. Leaning in, she teased shamelessly, “I heard that not long after Madam married, that dead man abandoned you without a second thought. So, Madam, do you feel lonely at night?”

 

“A’lian, remember your place!”

 

Zhen Yao was furious. If not for fear of drawing the maids’ attention, she would have given her a thorough scolding.

 

But A’lian remained unrepentant. Even when Zhen Yao turned away, ignoring her, she still had the audacity to keep up her playful banter only to be met with cold indifference.

 

Who could blame her? Madam Su was like a piece of icy jade. Admirable from afar, but untouchable!

 

Soon after, A’lian hurried through her evening routine, and before she knew it, the hour of Xu had arrived. While ordinary households might still be chatting idly, Madam Su’s room was already preparing to extinguish the lamps.

 

The heavy bed curtains of the grand canopy bed were slowly drawn shut by Hong’er, plunging A’lian’s vision into darkness. Time passed, yet she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

 

On one hand, Madam Su was so still and silent she might as well have been a corpse. On the other, A’lian wanted to test the woman’s limits. Docile women were best when they had no temper. So, she quietly propped herself up on one elbow.

 

“Madam, are you asleep?”

 

Zhen Yao, who slept on the outer side, gave no response likely deep in slumber.

 

At that moment, a faint sliver of light seeped through the curtains, casting a pale shadow.

 

A’lian smirked slyly. She knew the other woman wasn’t asleep and felt a sudden urge to tease her.

 

Her hand was soft and slender, like a slippery loach, as it slowly crept beneath Madam Su’s quilt. A subtle fragrance filled the air as her nimble fingers playfully traced the curve of a delicate waist, roaming wantonly beneath the fabric.

 

The fleeting contact, though separated by rustling cloth, left her craving more until suddenly, she found herself unable to move.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

Madam Su’s voice was icy. A’lian could almost picture the expression on her face.

 

Provocative, mocking, defiant.

 

“Ah, today I overheard those gossipy old hags whispering behind your back, saying you were left alone so soon after your wedding night. Now that the early-departed has met King Yama, I’m the only one who pities Madam for being widowed so young.”

 

Before she could finish, A’lian felt a sudden shift. When she looked up, someone was looming over her.

 

How interesting. This Madam Su was both reserved and stubborn.

 

“Are you lonely?”

 

Zhen Yao was seething. She had no patience for this woman’s antics. She had given her chances to back off, yet here she was, relentless and shameless. Now, with her arms braced on either side of A’lian’s face, her loose hair carried the faint scent of cold pine.

 

Their proximity was unnerving. Warm breaths occasionally brushed against A’lian’s neck, making her hairs stand on end and scattering all other thoughts.

 

“Madam, what kind of talk is that? I only feel it’s unfair to you.”

 

A’lian’s dark eyes narrowed slightly. Seizing the moment of silence, she suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around Zhen Yao’s slender waist. The drastic shift in posture made it clear that a mere taste wouldn’t suffice.

 

“Let go. Or else—”

 

“What can you do, Madam truly has no means to threaten anyone. But I’m different. If anything goes wrong this time, the old lady will never let you off!”

 

A’Lian took the initiative, her legs restless in the darkness. She couldn’t fathom what Madam Su was thinking. The other woman seemed stunned for a long while before finally murmuring helplessly, “Then what do you want to do?”

 

What to do? Of course, something meaningful!

 

“The night is long, and sleep eludes me. I wish to share the pleasures of the boudoir with Madam.”

 

A’Lian giggled incessantly, her slender fingers leisurely toying with the other’s collar. Her tone was light and husky, teasing with an audacious joke.

 

Zhen Yao fell silent for a moment before forcefully slapping her hand away.

 

“Even with child, you’re still so unruly. Did you behave this way when he was still around?”

 

A’Lian inwardly scoffed, lamenting how unbearably dull and old-fashioned this woman was, instantly losing all interest. If not for having to stay in the Su household for a month, she wouldn’t have taken such a risk.

 

She stopped just in time. Fortunately, Madam Su was inexperienced and rigidly conservative.

 

This mission was truly a fat sheep delivered right to her doorstep!

 

“Sigh, I would never remain a widow for anyone.”

 

A’Lian idly stroked her own belly before leaning unexpectedly close to the other woman. “Madam, I would never deny myself pleasure at any time.”

 

As she spoke, Zhen Yao felt movement beside her and instantly widened her eyes.

 

“Shameless!”

 

“Hahaha…”

 

A’Lian trembled with laughter before wiping her fingers on the quilt. But the truth wasn’t as she claimed. She merely indulged in bold words and occasional self-amusement. Her body remained untouched, for she would never let foul men take advantage.

 

“Had enough laughter? Don’t push your luck!”

 

Zhen Yao yanked her soft quilt back, closing her eyes and inhaling the faint lingering scent, unable to sleep.

 

The full moon hung high, and the sound of steady breathing filled the air.

 

Early the next morning, Qing’er heard movement and lifted the curtain as usual, only to freeze the moment she looked inside.

 

“Get out!”

 

Zhen Yao shot the maid a meaningful glance before hastily throwing the quilt over the bare, pale back. By the time she finished washing up, it was nearly breakfast time, yet A’Lian was still fast asleep.

 

“Madam, the old lady requests your and the concubine’s presence.”

 

Zhen Yao nodded, knowing she was merely an afterthought, and turned back toward the inner chamber.

 

At that moment, the figure on the bed lay sprawled in a “big” shape, the quilt barely covering the essentials, while the troublemaker drooled peacefully onto the pillow…

 

Utterly carefree!

 

“The sun is high! Get up now.”

 

The calm, indifferent voice naturally failed to rouse A’Lian.

 

Zhen Yao was at her wit’s end. A shadow flickered in her eyes as she gritted her teeth, leaning down to whisper by the other’s ear, “A’Lian, the old lady summons you!”

 

Still no response, fully expected. Seeing no point in further persuasion, Zhen Yao straightened to leave when suddenly her neck was pulled down, sending her tumbling sideways onto the bed. Thankfully, she caught herself with her wrist, barely avoiding collapsing onto the soft, fragrant body.

 

But her lips brushed lightly against skin, cool with a hint of lychee fragrance.

 

“Do you like it, my Madam?”

 

A’Lian had been feigning sleep. Who knew how long she’d been awake, lying in wait to tease her?

 

Zhen Yao wiped her lips hard, her expression dark. “Are you enjoying this?”

 

Gazing deeply into her eyes, A’Lian set aside her playful smile and nodded with unusual seriousness.

 

“More interesting than I imagined. And I’ve already washed up  plus I’m sucking on your favorite lychee candy.”

 

“You—”

 

“How dull. Is Madam scared already?”

 

A’Lian shrugged and began dressing under Zhen Yao’s icy glare. Having brought no clothes of her own, she boldly flung open the pearwood wardrobe, rummaging through it while muttering, “Why are all the colors so drab? You’re still young, no need to stifle your spirit like this.”

 

“Enough!”

 

Zhen Yao strode forward and angrily slammed the wardrobe shut.

 

“Now you’re upset? Fine, if you won’t lend me anything, I’ll just go out in my underclothes. It’s not like the Su household isn’t full of women anyway.”

 

With that, A’Lian flashed a radiant smile and pushed the door open without hesitation.

 

“Stop!”

 

If ghosts and demons truly existed in this world, Zhen Yao was convinced the bewitching creature before her was one determined to cling to her relentlessly.

 

“Madam is so much more obedient. Ah, my stomach keeps cramping up. Be a dear and help me get dressed.”

 

“Don’t push your luck—”

 

“Please, Madam, I beg you!”

 

A’Lian blinked her large, dark eyes, suddenly resembling an endearing little rabbit. Her voice was soft and sweet, the picture of innocence.

 

Qing’er and Hong’er arrived promptly, but A’Lian stubbornly refused their help, swiftly dressing herself instead.

 

So she could do it! She just enjoyed teasing!

 

Resolving to ignore her, Zhen Yao left Qing’er behind and headed straight for the front courtyard.

 

By the time she reached the flower hall, the Old Madam was directing the servants to serve the dishes, her smiling face abruptly darkening. Thankfully, A’Lian arrived just in time otherwise, the Old Madam would have raised her cane in reprimand.

 

“Did the concubine sleep well last night?” asked Granny Liu, the Old Madam’s attendant, with concern.

 

In response, A’Lian lazily yawned, utterly disregarding decorum as she rolled her eyes and snapped, “Fools, the lot of you! How can I eat such plain food when I’m with child?”

 

Six dishes and a soup, still too plain?

 

The servants seethed silently, inwardly mocking the concubine for her ingratitude. What else could one expect from a low-class songbird from the south?

 

The Old Madam was furious, but what could she do? With A’Lian’s still-flat belly in mind, she could only shoot Granny Liu meaningful glances.

 

Taking the hint, Granny Liu forced a smile. “What would the concubine like to eat? This old servant will have the kitchen prepare it at once.”

 

“Too late. I’ve lost my appetite for home-cooked meals.”

 

As she spoke, A’Lian’s gaze flickered toward Zhen Yao’s silent face. She had originally planned things carefully, but now, for some reason, she impulsively changed course, locking eyes with Zhen Yao.

 

“I want pan-fried dumplings and vegetarian chicken from West Hill. Madam will accompany me!”

 

“Now?” Granny Liu nearly doubted her ears.

 

Yet the newly arrived concubine brazenly planted her hands on her hips. “That’s right. Otherwise, I’ll starve myself.”

 

“Then starve!”

 

Zhen Yao’s cold retort came without warning. The moment their eyes met, A’Lian was certain she saw murder in them.

 

This meek, beautiful woman was, after all, the only one in the Su family with any backbone.

 

But the next instant, the Old Madam began wailing and pounding her cane, grating on A’Lian’s nerves until she clapped her hands over her ears.

 

The noisy chaos ruined any chance of a peaceful breakfast, and Zhen Yao rose to leave. Yet the moment her hand left the chair, Granny Liu urgently relayed the Old Madam’s command.

 

“Madam, the old mistress has instructed you to take the concubine to enjoy these delicacies. With you present, she feels more at ease.”

 

At this moment, even if Zhen Lian wished to object, she couldn’t openly defy her mother-in-law. Thus, she replied expressionlessly, “As you command, Mother!”

 

A’Lian was overjoyed. She had merely mentioned it in passing, never expecting to actually catch Madam Su in her trap.