The Fourth Concubine had always lived a secluded life, rarely interacting with others in the manor. Unless absolutely necessary, she wouldn't appear. If it weren't for her inexplicably defending Granny Shen, Xiao Man might have forgotten such a person even existed in the household.
When Yin Zhu came to invite the Fourth Concubine to Water Moon Pavilion, the concubine's guard immediately went up. Although she kept a low profile, she was aware of everything happening in the manor. This Eldest Miss, who could awe Concubine Lin and cripple Madam Yan, was no easy opponent.
"Miss Yin Zhu, why has the Eldest Miss summoned me?"
"Your servant is also unsure. The lady ordered, and your servant came to invite you," Yin Zhu replied impeccably. "Concubine need not worry. The Eldest Miss likely has something to ask of you."
A warning bell chimed in the Fourth Concubine's heart. Xiao Man asking for a favor? She wasn't the type to ask for anything. Being called over surely meant something. She immediately replayed her recent actions, ensuring no slip-ups and no offense to the Eldest Miss. While her mind raced with caution, her face wore a look of carefully managed apprehension.
As she entered Water Moon Pavilion, she heard laughter from within. The Fourth Concubine's tension eased slightly. It seemed she wasn't there to cause trouble. However, this Eldest Miss always acted unpredictably. She still needed to be wary. She felt it was unlikely Xiao Man had invited her just for a chat.
"My lady, the Fourth Concubine has arrived."
The Fourth Concubine glided in gracefully and bowed, "Greetings, Eldest Miss."
"Concubine has arrived. Please sit. I was worried you might not come, as you seldom go out," Xiao Man said with a smile.
"When the Eldest Miss sends for me, how could this humble concubine refuse?"
The Fourth Concubine sat down and her gaze fell upon a middle-aged woman seated on the other side. She pondered who this person could be. She didn't seem to be the Eldest Miss's wet nurse, whom she recalled had been dismissed. Apart from Qiu Tong and Yin Zhu, the other maids in this courtyard were all purchased from outside, their indentures held by the Eldest Miss.
"I've summoned Concubine today to meet an old acquaintance."
"An old acquaintance?" The Fourth Concubine was puzzled. What old acquaintance? Could it be this wet nurse? She didn't recall knowing anyone like her.
"Miss Yun Ji, this old servant is from the Immortal Music Pavilion..."
"Fourth Concubine, this is Granny Zhou from the Immortal Music Pavilion," Xiao Man interrupted Madam Li, speaking first.
The Fourth Concubine suddenly understood. "So it's Granny Zhou. I thought she looked familiar, but I couldn't place her for a moment. Granny, are you still at the Immortal Music Pavilion?"
Hearing Xiao Man deliberately misstate her name, Madam Li, who had interacted with all sorts of people and possessed a sharp mind, replied without missing a beat, "I am indeed still at the Immortal Music Pavilion. As the Eldest Miss visited the Pavilion today, I followed along. Thinking that Concubine also came from the Immortal Music Pavilion, I wished to pay my respects."
After speaking, Madam Li rose and respectfully greeted the Fourth Concubine. They exchanged a few words. Qiu Tong brought over a stack of banknotes. Madam Li accepted them and took her leave.
After Madam Li departed, the Fourth Concubine also made an excuse to leave. Xiao Man did not detain her, merely having her escorted out. Once the Fourth Concubine was gone, Xiao Man smiled, a smile full of meaning.
"My lady, the wet nurse's surname is clearly Li. Why did you say her surname was Zhou?"
"Yes, the wet nurse's surname is clearly Li. The Fourth Concubine is from the Immortal Music Pavilion, yet she didn't notice I made a mistake," Xiao Man said slowly. "Why do you think that is?"
"It means the Fourth Concubine doesn't know this wet nurse at all," Yin Zhu said, walking in after escorting the guest away and picking up the conversation.
"Doesn't know her? How could that be? Isn't the Fourth Concubine from the Immortal Music Pavilion? Is that wet nurse lying?"
"It's also possible the Fourth Concubine is lying," Yin Zhu mused. "This wet nurse is indeed from the Immortal Music Pavilion. My lady met her when you visited the Pavilion before. And the Fourth Concubine is also from the Immortal Music Pavilion. Yet, it's true that the Fourth Concubine doesn't know the wet nurses from the Pavilion!"
Qiu Tong was becoming confused. "Wait, the Fourth Concubine is from the Immortal Music Pavilion, and Madam Li is also from the Immortal Music Pavilion, but the Fourth Concubine doesn't know Madam Li. Why? Have these two never met?"
"Sister Qiu Tong, it's likely not that they haven't met, but that the Fourth Concubine in our manor doesn't recognize Madam Li."
"I still don't understand."
"Qiu Tong, Yin Zhu means that the Fourth Concubine in our manor is not Miss Yun Ji from the Immortal Music Pavilion, but someone else," Xiao Man explained slowly. It was truly interesting. If this were the case, then the Fourth Concubine in their manor was an imposter who had entered under a false identity. To have infiltrated the Immortal Music Pavilion, impersonate Yun Ji, and enter the General's manor, her intentions were likely far from simple!
"Has Father returned?"
"After the morning court, the General went to the military camp. He's expected back late."
Xiao Man pondered for a moment. The assassins from today were remnants of the Feathered Tower. If there was someone in the manor with close ties to the Feathered Tower, then who was it?
Could it be the Fourth Concubine? Concubine Lin was undoubtedly from the Cen family. Now that she was intimidated, she wouldn't dare act rashly. Behind Xiao Ling, besides the Ministry of Personnel, who else was there?
And her good grandmother. Her courtyard was a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, a tightly sealed fortress. The success of the Granny Shen incident was due to the old madam falling ill, allowing them to exploit the loophole. Was there someone behind the old madam? If so, who?
Back in her own courtyard, the Fourth Concubine felt something was amiss. "Someone."
"My lady."
"Go and find out why someone from the Immortal Music Pavilion is seeking out the Eldest Miss."
The maid took the order and left. Moments later, she returned. "My lady, I found out. Today, the Eldest Miss went to the Immortal Music Pavilion to listen to music, and was ambushed there. The assassins were killed by a mysterious expert by the Eldest Miss's side, but it also caused damage to the Immortal Music Pavilion. The Pavilion came to demand compensation."
"Compensation?" The Fourth Concubine's expression was peculiar. "How much was it?"
"That couldn't be found out. It wasn't paid from the public funds; it was paid by the Eldest Miss herself."
The Fourth Concubine immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was just a coincidence. If the people from the Immortal Music Pavilion had been deliberately brought by the Eldest Miss, she would have had reason to worry that the Eldest Miss suspected something.
"Oh, and recently, be sure to properly restrain the people in your courtyard. Try not to cause trouble. If you can avoid leaving the courtyard, don't go out," the Fourth Concubine instructed. There had been too much trouble lately. If she could avoid getting involved, she should. If she drew attention and her true identity was exposed, death would be her only fate!
"My lady, the General has returned to the manor now. Aren't you going to vie for his favor? It would be good to secure your position with a child, even just one," the maid cautiously advised.
The Fourth Concubine waved her hand, dismissing the maid. What was there to vie for? It was all useless.
She was merely a pawn. If she formed attachments, she would be the only one to suffer in the end!