The Female Regent’s Daily Guide to Spoiling Her Wife - Chapter 3

A carriage moved slowly through the bustling streets toward the Manor of Prince Rui. Inside, a woman in heavy makeup sat with a furrowed brow, her eyes filled with a mixture of reluctance and guilt. She gripped Yun Xia’s hand tightly. “Xia Xia, have you truly thought this through?”

The woman was Zheng Rong, the madam of the Red Sleeve Pavilion in Yindu and Yun Xia’s maternal aunt. For years, she had been secretly helping Yun Xia and Yun Qiu. A few days ago, Yun Xia had suddenly sent her a message, pleading for help to get close to the Regent.

Tonight, Prince Rui was hosting a birthday banquet for the Regent at his manor. Zheng Rong had brought Yun Xia along with the other performers from the pavilion.

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the carriage, illuminating Yun Xia’s face. Her fox-like eyes seemed to overflow with starlight, dazzling and bright. Her figure was breathtaking; her ample curves and willow-thin waist were enough to make anyone’s imagination run wild. Even Zheng Rong, who had seen countless beauties in the world of pleasure, felt her heart skip a beat.

Yun Xia withdrew her gaze and lowered her head, her long lashes masking her thoughts. She had been born as lowly as grass; for the sake of her sister, she had to try. She squeezed Zheng Rong’s hand and said softly, “Aunt, I’ve made up my mind. I won’t regret it. But you must not call me by my real name—from now on, I am Nian Nian of the Red Sleeve Pavilion. Do not let the secret slip.”

Zheng Rong’s heart ached. Yun Xia was only twenty, a stunning beauty whose allure couldn’t be hidden even by coarse cloth. She was so young, yet she was choosing a path of serving others with her body. If the Regent took an interest in her, would she be kind? If she were a cruel woman who enjoyed tormenting others, what would become of Xia Xia?

Yun Xia looked out at the moon following the carriage and let out a soft, hollow laugh. “Aunt, do not feel guilty. This is my choice. I hear Regent Lu Zhao is twenty-two; though a woman, her methods are ruthless. She remains neutral, loyal only to the Emperor. They say she prefers gentle and lovely women, yet no woman has ever been allowed close to her.”

Yun Xia tucked a lock of ink-black hair behind her ear, her movements naturally charming. “Aunt, I am doing this for my sister, but also for myself. I hate everyone in the Xu Manor. My selfish, cold-hearted father; my hypocritical, disgusting stepmother; my pretentious legitimate sister; and my filthy elder brother. Aunt, you and Sister must know how my mother truly died. The people in the Xu Manor only respect power; they only kneel to those stronger than them.”

Zheng Rong bit her lip and pulled Yun Xia into an embrace. “Silly girl… your mother specifically told me not to tell you. She wanted you to marry into a clean family and live a stable life!”

Yun Xia’s eyes reddened as she shook her head. “Aunt, do you think we can still marry into a ‘clean’ family? Do you think Xu Xin won’t sell us to someone else to trade for what he wants? Just like how he traded my mother for the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue…”

Zheng Rong’s body went stiff. “Xia Xia… you… how did you know?”

Yun Xia closed her eyes, her face etched with pain, her lips trembling. “Aunt, the filth in the Xu Manor doesn’t require me to go looking for it; it finds its way to our ears. They used my mother to gain high office, then turned around and called her shameless. Sister has already lost her virtue—will she be forced to follow in Mother’s footsteps? They… they will do anything for their own gain.”

She gripped Zheng Rong’s hand, her eyes wet but her gaze incredibly firm. “Aunt, I have no way back. I beg you to help me. Right now, no one is watching Snowy Pavilion; no one knows I’ve come out. This is my only chance.”

Tearfully, Zheng Rong nodded, hugging the girl’s thin frame. “My poor Xia Xia… it is my fault for being useless and unable to protect you!”

Yun Xia shook her head and leaned silently against her aunt’s shoulder, staring into the dark night. “It’s alright, Aunt,” she said weakly. “It is all fate…”

The Manor of Prince Rui was ablaze with lights and filled with festive music. Today was Lu Zhao’s twenty-second birthday. She hadn’t intended to make a scene, but she couldn’t resist the insistence of Prince Rui, Gao Wenyuan.

“Zhao Zhao, I’ve prepared a grand gift for you today.” Gao Wenyuan lay languidly beside Lu Zhao, playing with a long folding fan. His peach-blossom eyes narrowed into slits, a playful smirk on his face.

Lu Zhao glanced at him sideways, expressionlessly sipping her wine. Having grown up together, she knew that whenever he wore that mischievous smile, a headache was sure to follow. She suspected nothing good would come of it.

Seeing her ignore him, Gao Wenyuan gestured toward Song Jin, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Song, who was sitting below. “Poor Little Jin’s heart is going to break tonight! I’ve invited the mysterious top beauty of the Red Sleeve Pavilion, Lady Nian Nian, to perform a dance just for you. If you like her, you can even keep her—she’s still a ‘pure’ performer…”

Everyone in Yindu knew Song Jin loved Lu Zhao. Grand Tutor Song had hinted to Princess Royal Gao Han several times about a marriage alliance, but he had always been brushed off.

As Gao Wenyuan winked incessantly, Lu Zhao rubbed her temples, regretting her decision to let him host this banquet. The man lived for chaos.

Just then, a young woman in a crimson dance dress glided into the hall. She wore a long veil, but her fox-like eyes looked directly at the woman in the seat of honor, her gaze as captivating as silk.

As the music began, the girl moved with grace, her delicate arms fluttering like young willow shoots. Her skirts flared with her movements, and under the candlelight, her eyes shone with a thousand lights. Her ink-black hair flowed behind her, making her look enchantingly beautiful.

The guests held their breath. She was too exquisite; the red dress made her skin look as white as snow. Her most striking feature was her eyes—vivid, bright, and deeply moving.

Lu Zhao watched those eyes that were fixed so intently on her. She tapped her long fingers against the table, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Wenyuan,” she said in a low, deep voice, “where did you find her?”

Gao Wenyuan clapped his hands, touching his fan to his forehead in mock regret. “From the Red Sleeve Pavilion. No one has seen her true face. Ah, had I known she was such a beauty, I would have kept her for myself!”

Zheng Rong, who was serving nearby, stole a glance at Lu Zhao before smiling at Prince Rui. “Your Highness, the Red Sleeve Pavilion has many beauties. You are welcome to visit anytime. However, Lady Nian Nian has long since lost her heart to the Regent…”

Lu Zhao’s gaze darkened. Though the girl’s face was hidden, her eyes were magnificent—radiant and shimmering, much like a cat named Sui Sui her master used to keep.

“Nian Nian…” A playful curve appeared at the corner of Lu Zhao’s mouth. The name matched Sui Sui well. But… she had no interest in women from the pleasure quarters.

When the dance ended, Yun Xia was called to Lu Zhao’s side to serve. Only then did she see Lu Zhao’s features clearly. Lu Zhao wore a crown like a man; her face was exceptionally handsome, and her light blue robes gave her an air of noble elegance. She leaned back lazily in her chair, her cold, indifferent gaze sweeping over Yun Xia. It was an intimidating pressure that made Yun Xia feel as though the woman could see through everything.

Yun Xia lowered her eyes, her previous allure replaced by a quiet demureness as she poured wine for Lu Zhao. As her fair hand held the cup and her body leaned closer, a faint, clean fragrance reached Lu Zhao’s nose. Lu Zhao noticed Yun Xia’s small, reddened earlobes and let out a light chuckle.

This little girl was actually quite endearing.