Yan Shi took her people out of the manor early in the morning and returned to the manor, heading straight for the Old Madam's upper courtyard.
This move caused the concubines and young ladies in the manor to eye the upper courtyard with anticipation.
"Aunt, what do you think Madam went out to do?"
"How would I know? Her courtyard is guarded like an iron barrel, and the servants who attend her are all brought from her family. We can't get anyone in there. And the Old Madam's courtyard is not something we can interfere with. But I imagine it's nothing good," the Third Concubine pondered carefully.
Xiao Xiang was painting. Although she was a concubine's daughter, she had always been diligent in her studies, excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
The Second Young Lady was skilled and not lacking in beauty. By rights, she should have been favored more than Xiao Man, but she was the least favored one!
In Xiao Xiang's opinion, Xiao Man, as the eldest legitimate daughter, had a flawed character and was nothing but a pampered brute! If Xiao Man had any advantage, it was her good fortune! Not only was she deeply loved by her father, but she also had a full-blooded brother protecting her.
It was said that Xiao Man's birth mother met the Protector General on the battlefield. The Protector General guarded the border for many years and returned to the capital with the siblings. When they returned, the eldest son Xiao Luo was already five years old, while Xiao Man was still swaddled.
Their mother, it was said, died on the battlefield.
It was said that children without mothers are like grass, and with a stepmother comes a step-father.
Yet, the Protector General doted on this daughter who had lost her mother early.
Before Xiao Man was five years old, the Protector General kept her by his side, nurturing her meticulously. It was only when Xiao Man grew older that she was handed over to the second wife, Madam Yan, for upbringing.
Madam Yan, as the second wife, did not like this eldest daughter. However, in terms of food, clothing, and shelter, she never neglected Xiao Man. She even indulged Xiao Man excessively, giving her whatever she wanted.
It could be said that this second wife was instrumental in cultivating Xiao Man's current arrogant, unruly, and unlearned personality. Sudan Novel Network.
As for the Third Young Lady, Xiao Ling, she was Madam Yan's own daughter. As the second legitimate daughter, with her mother being the lady of the house, and her maternal family having influence in the imperial court, she was doted upon by the Old Madam.
Xiao Xiang knew she couldn't compare to the two legitimate daughters, but she didn't expect even the child born to Lin Yi Niang, who was from a brothel, to be more favored than her!
A surge of jealousy rose in Xiao Xiang's heart. Lost in thought for a moment, she drew a smudge across the Xuan paper. Seeing the painting ruined, Xiao Xiang's eyes were filled with hatred.
She had prepared for so long, even buying the "Fire Charm Toxin" six months ago to avoid suspicion. After meticulous planning, her goal was to seize the opportunity when her father and brother were away to put Xiao Man to death. Who knew she had escaped death!
"Detestable!"
Xiao Xiang scribbled all over the Xuan paper, turning a perfectly good peony painting into something unrecognizable.
Seeing her daughter so enraged, the Third Concubine felt a pang of sympathy. "Don't be angry. There will be other chances. No one likes her in this manor. If we don't make a move, others will deal with her."
"I'm just angry that she dared to treat Aunt like this, calling Aunt a servant! She's just relying on the fact that we have no one to back us up," Xiao Xiang gritted her teeth.
What she hated most was when people mentioned her background, and even more, when people insulted her aunt as a servant. Yet, young Xiao Man just loved to bring it up!
Hearing this, the Third Concubine's eyes turned slightly red.
Indeed, she had no family to support her. Her father was merely a gatekeeper. Although he received official pay, he had no status. On the contrary, after she married into the Protector General's manor, her father would often come to the manor to ask for favors.
Because of this, people in the manor looked down on them more, yet they were both a mother and daughter who were strong-willed!
"Third Concubine, Master Bai is here."
As they were speaking, a servant from the manor came to report, "Master Bai has arrived."
This Master Bai was the Third Concubine's own father. His monthly salary as a gatekeeper was barely one string of coins.
Master Bai also enjoyed drinking, and the string of coins would be spent before the middle of the month. Whenever this happened, Master Bai would come to the Protector General's manor to ask his daughter for money.
The Third Concubine gritted her teeth, got up, and rummaged through her jewelry box. She took out a piece of silver and went out.
A look of disgust flashed in Xiao Xiang's eyes. It was because of this man that they, mother and daughter, were looked down upon everywhere in the manor. A sense of hatred arose in Xiao Xiang's heart. If they had no maternal family, they wouldn't suffer so much.
On the other side, in Shuiyue Cottage.
Xiao Man was diligently copying books in the courtyard.
To prevent similar incidents to the Fourth Young Lady from happening again, she had the courtyard gate locked and refused to see anyone.
"Miss, Madam has gone out," Yin Zhu said softly as she ground ink for Xiao Man. "I've inquired, and Madam went to Madam Sheng's."
"Madam Sheng..." Xiao Man asked without looking up, "Which Madam Sheng?"
"Prince Qin's wet nurse, a renowned etiquette governess in the capital. It is said that the young ladies she taught are all first-class ladies of noble families." Yin Zhu explained, "Is Madam trying to find an etiquette governess for the Third Young Lady?"
"Does my Third Sister need an etiquette governess? Are the etiquette and rules taught by the Minister of Rites' wife any worse than those of those governesses?" Xiao Man sneered. "I'm afraid it's for me."
"Madam would be so kind?" Yin Zhu immediately said. Madam Yan wished for Xiao Man to be unlearned and detested by the General and the Old Madam. How could she kindly find Madam Sheng to be an etiquette governess for Miss?"
Xiao Man looked at Yin Zhu. "What was I like before?"
Yin Zhu hesitated, unsure whether to tell the truth.
"Tell me truthfully, I won't blame you."
"The Eldest Young Lady was seen by others as arrogant, unruly, unlearned, disrespectful of elders, and lacking in all etiquette..." Yin Zhu became embarrassed to continue, after all, she was her own mistress, and speaking of her mistress like this was too much.
"That's right. Your young lady is useless, and yet she found an extremely strict governess to teach your young lady. Can your young lady have a good life?"
Yin Zhu suddenly understood and nodded. "Madam wants to use Madam Sheng to discipline Miss!"
"However, there's no need to worry too much. Madam Sheng is Prince Qin's wet nurse after all. Even if she is personally invited, Madam Sheng may not come. Moreover, with my reputation, Madam Sheng probably wouldn't want to spend so much effort teaching me."
"Then this time, Madam has miscalculated?"
"Whether this matter succeeds or not depends on Grandmother," a complex light flashed in Xiao Man's eyes. Secretly, she hoped that Madam Yan could indeed invite Madam Sheng. Then, if she did something that was inconsistent with the original host, she could use Madam Sheng as an excuse.
"Old Madam?"
Xiao Man nodded and continued copying books. "If Grandmother goes to Prince Qin's manor, although Prince Qin has a noble status, if Grandmother goes to seek an etiquette governess, even Prince Qin cannot refuse Grandmother's face, after all, Grandmother represents the Protector General's manor."