Chapter 413 - 405: Revenge
Dong Side was finally brought back to his senses by Sister Jian’s words. He hadn’t expected himself to act this way, he didn’t even understand what was happening to him. Seeing Sister Jian like this, he couldn’t help but feel moved.
Knowing he had lost decorum, he apologized again, "Please forgive your cousin this one time, little sister."
Sister Jian turned away, not looking at him, "I am just a concubine’s daughter; what is there to forgive? Cousin, please leave quickly. Let’s pretend I haven’t said anything about today’s incident. Even if I was taken advantage of, for the sake of my reputation, I won’t speak of it, so cousin can rest assured there’s no need to worry that Sister Hui will find out."
Hearing these words, Dong Side felt even more guilty, "Little sister, that’s not what I meant, I...I don’t even know what happened, only that regarding today’s incident, I will definitely offer you an explanation. Since we are currently at Zhou Mansion, it wouldn’t look good to be seen, so I will leave now."
Leaving those words behind, he lifted his head to look at the figure before him once more, then walked away with long strides.
It wasn’t until she could no longer hear footsteps behind her that Sister Jian took a deep breath, glanced around to see no one was there, and then a smile emerged at the corners of her lips.
She could have avoided cousin’s outstretched hand earlier, but when she thought about the promise Sister Hui made to her, which now went unfulfilled, Sister Jian felt she couldn’t let this opportunity pass. This would also upset Sister Hui, so she could understand the kind of feeling herself.
Sister Jian knew she was in the wrong for doing this, but when she thought about the things she did for Sister Hui, and how her aunt reprimanded her, her aunt even refused to speak to her now, yet Sister Hui acted as if nothing had happened, continuously avoiding the topic. She subtly mentioned it a few times, but Sister Hui just told her to wait.
She knew Sister Hui was making excuses.
There was nothing she could do about it, nor could she speak of it.
As for going to their father to snitch, Sister Jian dared not; even though it was Sister Hui’s idea, she was complicit, and father would not spare her. Furthermore, as merely a concubine’s daughter, father would naturally side with Sister Hui.
She hadn’t expected such an opportunity, nor had she thought her cousin would act in this way. Sister Jian had been pondering how to entice her cousin, and now it seemed all fell effortlessly into place.
Sister Jian was in high spirits, feeling this would certainly unsettle Sister Hui, and then returned to the flower hall.
In the courtyard of Zhou Mansion, this scene occurred. Although only Wu Xueqin with a few others witnessed it, rumors naturally spread slowly as young maids whispered about it privately. However, outwardly, nothing was revealed as the banquet was still underway. Yet the way they regarded Sister Hui became subtly different.
Sister Hui didn’t understand what was going on.
Taking advantage of the banquet in Zhou Mansion, she met her grandmother and cousin, but with so many people around, she could not privately speak to her grandmother and was uncertain about her grandmother’s decision regarding previous matters.
However, in her cousin’s presence, it felt a little strange since he didn’t look her way, unlike his usual manner. Sister Hui had no idea why and didn’t question it much.
Consort Zhou returned to Zhou Mansion around noon with a grand entourage, everyone went out to greet her. Despite being pregnant, Sister Ning kneeled, but she had fortunately changed into thick trousers beforehand, ensuring the chill from the ground wouldn’t seep into her body while kneeling.
Following the courtesies, Consort Zhou was invited to the main room of the main house, where all the titled madams sat. Since Sister Ning held no title, she naturally sat in an outer side room with other untitled madams.
After the meal, Lin Youning planned to use this opportunity to leave, not expecting a young maid from Mrs. Zhou’s side to invite her to the front, stating that Her Highness wished to see her.
To most, this might be an honor, yet amid the envious gazes, Lin Youning understood there was no avoiding this circumstance, and followed the maid to the main room.
The main room was filled with the wives of officials, who lowered their gazes upon Lin Youning’s entrance, as if not seeing her.
Lin Youning approached and paid her respects to Consort Zhou. Having learned from Nanny Guo and being taught by Nanny Wang, naturally, there would be no errors. Consort Zhou couldn’t find fault in this.
However, Consort Zhou did not allow her to rise, instead softly asked, "Raise your head so I might take a look?"
This tone was somewhat frivolous, but she, being an Imperial Concubine, compelled Lin Youning to obediently lift her head, her eyes slightly directed to the ground, avoiding looking up.
She simply thought that such manners were characteristic of the Eldest Prince, and that Consort Zhou, who birthed such a son, was unlikely to be a good person, no matter how beautiful she was.
"Indeed, a beauty, no wonder I often hear about the lovely lady the Dingyuan Marquis is married to in the palace. What a sight to behold today, the reputation is well-deserved. Such beauty, alas, married so early. Had it been possible to enter the palace, perhaps she would have favored some imperial affection." Consort Zhou lightly remarked, her words subtly coquettish.
Still, her words had a biting edge, as Lin Youning was already married and pregnant, and to Dingyuan Marquis no less.
Consort Zhou’s remark essentially humiliated her.
The madams in the vicinity chuckled lightly, though some dared not laugh, wary of both Consort Zhou and Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, knowing full well that the Marquis spoiled this wife, even contemplating sending Mrs. Dong away to a temple.
"I hear not only is she lovely to behold, but also possesses a sharp tongue, and upon hearing this in the palace, I’ve longed to meet her. Behold, a beauty indeed, though I’m curious about that reputed sharp tongue, why hasn’t she spoken?" Consort Zhou continued.
Lin Youning lowered her head, "Your Highness’s noble status intimidates, how dare a commoner contradict Your Highness’s words. Yet, I do not know where Your Highness heard of my allegedly sharp tongue, but I am eager to learn of it, for I seldom interact with outsiders, unaware of having gained such a reputation."
"Oh, am I to fetch whomever and confront this before me?" Consort Zhou laughed, though seemingly jesting, the undertone was rife with sarcasm, "See, indeed a sharp-tongued one!"