The Concubine of the Main Wife - Chapter 7

Qing’er awkwardly rubbed her nose, suddenly feeling that she had overreacted. She then tiptoed back to the outer room.

 

 

It was unclear how much time had passed when Zhen Yao inside the bed slowly pushed A’Lian away, reestablishing the boundary between them.

 

 

“What does Madam mean by this?”

 

 

Zhen Yao unconsciously pursed her lips, her voice inexplicably dry: “Go to sleep. You still have to inspect the storeroom tomorrow.”

 

 

At these words, even if A’Lian still harbored mischievous intentions, she had no choice but to relent.

 

 

Yet, it was merely quenching thirst by staring at plums. Her entire body was filled with an unresolved, stifling frustration.

 

 

After brooding for a long while, A’Lian, still unwilling to give up, secretly lifted her fingertips and cautiously brushed them against the other’s slender arm.

 

 

“Then tomorrow night, shall I continue playing with Madam?”

 

 

“Outrageous!”

 

 

“Madam, you wrong me!”

 

 

Hearing this, Zhen Yao’s expression turned cold, her tone suddenly indifferent: “At dawn, I will go to Xishan to pay respects to the Buddha. From now on, you should refrain from idle fantasies.”

 

 

“Why?”

 

 

Faced with A’Lian’s questioning, Zhen Yao turned her back, her demeanor icy as if further words were pointless.

 

 

This scene made A’Lian clench her fists tightly. Though she had a thousand words to say, none could be spoken. As for that inexplicable kiss, it too faded into silence.

 

 

The night wind blew, and flowers fell before the corridor.

 

 

By the time A’Lian awoke, the bed was already empty save for her.

 

 

“Good morning, Concubine. Did you sleep well?” Hong’er eagerly entered to attend to her.

 

 

“Mmm. Where is Madam?” A’Lian smiled perfunctorily.

 

 

“Madam has gone to Miaochansi Temple to offer incense. Oh, and Granny Liu has been waiting for you outside for quite some time.”

 

 

“What is she here for?”

 

 

“This servant doesn’t know. She only said she has tremendous good news to tell you.”

 

 

Before Hong’er could finish speaking, A’Lian immediately frowned. After washing up, she pointed to the wardrobe and said, “Call her in, and pick out a loose-fitting robe for me while you’re at it.”

 

 

Soon, Granny Liu entered the inner chamber. A’Lian, fixing her hair before the mirror without looking up, asked, “What urgent matter brings you here so early in the morning?”

 

 

Granny Liu promptly grinned and replied, “Concubine, you may not know this, but the Old Madam cares for you deeply. Worried day and night that you might not eat or sleep well, she specially hired a cook from Jiangnan at a high price.”

 

 

As expected, it was nothing but trivial nonsense.

 

 

“Enough. In the future, there’s no need to tell me about such petty matters. I thought the household had come into a windfall, but it’s just hiring a cook.”

 

 

A’Lian couldn’t be bothered to listen, nor did she have the patience to humor her.

 

 

Seeing that her flattery had missed the mark, Granny Liu flushed crimson with embarrassment and stammered, trying to change the subject: “Yes, yes. Concubine, please accompany this old servant to the flower hall.”

 

 

“No need. Since a cook has been hired, Madam and I will have our meals prepared separately in Fangxin Garden from now on. It’s getting late! You should hurry back and report to the Old Madam.”

 

 

“But—”

 

 

“No more ‘buts’!”

 

 

Granny Liu was dumbfounded. She had come on the Old Madam’s orders to drive a wedge between A’Lian and Madam Zhen, but instead, she had been dismissed in just a few words.

 

 

“Concubine, please wait! This old servant—”

 

 

“Granny Liu, please leave. The concubine has been in a foul mood since waking up. Why insist on provoking her?”

 

 

“Hmph! You little wench, don’t slack off. You must stay alert and serve her well.”

 

 

Hong’er curled her lip in disdain, thinking to herself that Madam had suffered plenty under their bullying before. Now, it seemed this unruly concubine was giving them a taste of their own medicine.

 

 

Truly, the wicked meet their match!

 

 

After Granny Liu left, grinding her teeth in frustration, A’Lian couldn’t wait another moment and urged, “Hong’er, did Madam leave any instructions for you before she departed?”

 

 

“She gave instructions, said to have this servant take you to tour the storeroom!”

 

 

A’Lian immediately beamed with joy, looking quite pleased with herself. “I knew the mistress was considerate. What are we waiting for then? Let’s hurry over and take a look.”

 

 

Hong’er was momentarily taken aback but quickly lowered her head. “As you wish, Madam.”

 

 

And so, without even finishing breakfast or bothering with proper attire, A’Lian eagerly made her way to the storeroom, her heart brimming with excitement.

 

 

The group wound their way through corridors and paths, past rockeries and quiet ponds, pausing now and then until they finally reached their destination.

 

 

Walking too quickly, A’Lian fanned herself with her hand, her cheeks flushed and lovely as she surveyed the scene ahead.

 

 

You wouldn’t believe it until you saw it. The Su family storeroom was ridiculously remote. Without Hong’er and the others leading the way, she would never have found it on her own.

 

 

“Just two rooms?”

 

 

Wasn’t the Su family supposed to be wealthy? How much treasure could these two plain, shabby rooms possibly hold? A flicker of disappointment flashed in A’Lian’s eyes.

 

 

“Yes, Madam, please!”

 

 

The others remained outside, with only Hong’er accompanying her inside.

 

 

The heavy wooden door creaked open slowly, and a musty cloud of dust immediately assaulted their noses. A’Lian pinched her embroidered handkerchief to her face and grumbled irritably, “How long has it been since anyone took stock in here? The smell is awful.”

 

 

“Madam, the last time this storeroom was opened was when the mistress returned to her family home. Since the master passed away, no one has set foot in here.”

 

 

“Is that so?”

 

 

Gradually adjusting to the surroundings, A’Lian abruptly changed the subject. “Speaking of the mistress returning home, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.”

 

 

“Go ahead!” Hong’er eyed her suspiciously.

 

 

“Where is the mistress’s family from?”

 

 

She vaguely remembered that during the mourning rites, the Su relatives had mentioned the mistress had married above her station. If so, she must have come from a humble background. If possible, when the time came for A’Lian to retire, she might be able to secure a better future for the mistress.

 

 

Like faking her death and returning to her family…

 

 

Unfortunately, A’Lian’s hopeful musings were far from reality. Zhen Yao was an orphan.

 

 

“Actually, our mistress was an abandoned child raised by Buddhist nuns. Years ago, the Su family’s old master happened to see her while visiting the temple with the old madam and took a liking to her. After many twists and turns, they eventually married.”

 

 

“So that’s how it was!”

 

 

Such a proud and beautiful woman had endured so much hardship. In a way, the two of them were practically made for each other.

 

 

“The mistress must have suffered a lot after entering the household.”

 

 

The old Su madam was notorious for her snobbery, and her dragon-headed cane was a symbol of her stern authority. Zhen Yao’s days under her rule couldn’t have been easy.

 

 

At this, Hong’er sighed quietly. “At least she’s living well now. The mistress has always been content with her lot.”

 

 

“She really does take things as they come.”

 

 

A’Lian shook her head with mixed emotions before slowly turning her gaze to the rows of shelves.

 

 

The first row held books and paintings. A’Lian wasn’t particularly literate, and since the inventory list had no special requests, she had little interest. After flipping through a few pages absentmindedly, she feigned thirst and sent Hong’er away.

 

 

Once the girl was completely out of sight, A’Lian’s demeanor shifted instantly.

 

 

Her movements became swift, alert, and practiced like someone who knew exactly what she was doing.

 

 

Pine-jade gemstone earrings, red agate bead bracelets, an emerald-green ruyi scepter from the East Sea, gold-inlaid jade hair ornaments with intricate filigree, a pair of mandarin duck hairpins. Over a dozen luxurious items that Chen Rong had specifically requested, all crafted by renowned artisans, were easy enough to locate. The real challenge was stealing them!

 

 

A’Lian adjusted her hair with slender fingers, her graceful figure swaying slightly as she cast a sidelong glance through the ebony lacquered shelves toward the corridor.

 

 

Hong’er hadn’t returned yet. She had plenty of time. But the moment her fingertips lightly brushed against the pine-jade gemstone earrings, her eyes suddenly widened in shock.

 

 

“No, this can’t be possible!”

 

 

Back in the Dark Oriole Society, Chen Rong had spent a fortune hiring experts to teach them how to identify jade, gold, and silver. Among all the skills, A’Lian had excelled most in this area.

 

 

Yet now, she didn’t even need to examine the earrings closely—just a brief glance was enough to confirm their authenticity.

 

 

They were fakes!

 

 

The mistress must not have known. This had to be the old madam’s vicious scheme.

 

 

A’Lian couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath, her delicate fists clenching in anger. She immediately began inspecting the rest, and without exception, every piece turned out to be second-rate counterfeits.

 

 

How utterly unbelievable!

 

 

The warm sunlight streamed through the window cracks, casting a gentle glow on her lovely face. It should have been a moment of comfort and ease, but A’Lian shuddered uncontrollably, her back prickling with unease as if someone lurked behind her with ill intent.

 

 

Dizzy and disoriented, she stumbled backward, only to be caught just in time by Hong’er, who had rushed over.

 

 

“Concubine—”

 

 

Meeting Hong’er’s puzzled gaze, A’Lian pressed a hand to her chest, forcing herself to calm down. “I’m fine.”

 

 

“That’s good. Let’s keep going, Concubine. There are many more shelves inside!”

 

 

The interruption had already sent A’Lian’s soul flying to the heavens, so she didn’t even notice the changes around her.

 

 

“No need to look at the rest. I’m exhausted. Let’s go back.” A’Lian rubbed her temples listlessly.

 

 

Hong’er, assuming she was satisfied, quickly obeyed and helped her leave.

 

 

The group retraced their steps, but as they passed the garden, A’Lian suddenly declared she wanted to enjoy the scenery.

 

 

It was late summer, early autumn—flowers wilted, vines yellowed, swallows flying south.

 

 

“Hong’er, go inform the old madam that I’m going out to find the mistress.”

 

 

Zhen Yao hadn’t been gone long, yet A’Lian already missed her terribly.

 

 

“The mistress always takes three or four days to return from her Buddhist retreat in the Western Hills. With your pregnancy, you can’t endure the journey’s hardships!”

 

 

Hong’er panicked, desperately trying to dissuade her. But A’Lian’s mind was made up not even ten horses could pull her back.

 

 

“I’m so bored in this mansion, just eating and sleeping all day. If this goes on, I’ll fall ill. Stop nagging and hurry up to make preparations.”

 

 

Hong’er’s anxiety was palpable, her voice urgent. “Concubine, you mustn’t! The mistress will punish me when she returns!”

 

 

“Hmph, if you don’t go, I’ll punish you first,” A’Lian teased, deliberately intimidating her.

 

 

“Yes! This servant will go arrange it.”

 

 

• –

 

 

The distant toll of temple bells echoed through the cold mountains. The ancient monastery stood shrouded in clouds, its exact location a mystery.

 

 

The noble guests here for fasting were the women of the Su family from Pingxi at the mountain’s foot.

 

 

Amidst dim oil lamps and ancient Buddha statues, the sound of chanting filled the halls.

 

 

Zhen Yao knelt on a prayer cushion, eyes closed, murmuring softly, “May my mother’s spirit in heaven bless me with smooth sailing in all things.”

 

 

The setting sun’s golden light dappled her lotus-like face.

 

 

Just then, an elderly nun with snow-white hair approached slowly.

 

 

“Benefactor, why cling to such obstinacy? Leave this mountain at once!”

 

 

As soon as the nun finished speaking, the usually aloof Zhen Yao was already tearful, pleading, “Master, you can’t be so cruel.”

 

 

“Those who leave the secular world do not deceive. Our paths in this mortal realm have diverged. Benefactor, your kindness is appreciated. Thank you for your incense offerings.”

 

 

With that, the nun turned and walked away, leaving Zhen Yao with only a receding figure.

 

 

The gods are merciful, yet the faithful are broken.

 

 

Zhen Yao collapsed helplessly to the ground, fragrant tears streaking her cheeks.

 

 

But in life, what is right, and what is wrong?

 

 

Zhen Yao believed she had acted with a clear conscience, yet in the end, it was all a fleeting illusion. A reflection of flowers in a mirror, the moon in water.

 

 

Amidst the twists and turns of solitude, spring returns after the darkest hour.

 

 

Suddenly, she thought of someone. A person who lived without constraints, whose fate was as rootless as duckweed, yet who managed to navigate life with effortless grace, living boldly and freely.

 

 

A cool breeze rose, and longing unexpectedly bloomed in her heart.

 

 

As evening fell, the tranquil Miaochan Temple welcomed a chattering visitor.

 

 

“What? No guest rooms left?”

 

 

The newcomer was none other than A’Lian, brimming with complaints.

 

 

“Please return, honored guest,” the female attendant said.

 

 

The elderly nun had hair as white as snow, clearly a lay disciple. Seeing this, A’Lian immediately threw propriety to the wind, clinging to the woman’s arm with an innocent, sweet smile.

 

 

“Oh, Venerable One, you’re so kind and beautiful. Won’t you take pity on this poor girl? I’ve walked such a long way, and I’m absolutely starving. The sky’s getting darker surely you wouldn’t let the wolves and tigers devour me? Besides, I even donated three coins to your temple!”

 

 

Three coins were hardly anything, and truth be told, she’d “borrowed” them from Hong’er’s pocket.

 

 

The nun’s expression was deeply conflicted, but A’Lian never bothered reading others’ moods. She was far too skilled at comforting herself.

 

 

“You feel sorry for me, don’t you?”

 

 

Not really. The nun had simply never met someone so shameless yet so strikingly beautiful. But the moment the thought crossed her mind, she realized there was already one such person staying at the temple.