Chapter 13: Exposing the Fox's Tail

Xuedan accompanied Lu Yunshu out of Meilan Garden.

Xuedan said, "Young Miss, the Young Mistress has become increasingly imposing lately. She stands up to the First Mistress and no longer indulges the Fourth Young Miss, yet she remains as kind as ever to our Young Miss."

Lu Yunshu glanced at the box in Xuedan's hands. "Do you think Sister-in-law giving me a box of precious jewelry means she is being kind to me?"

"Isn't it?"

"The Fourth Sister is so favored, yet Sister-in-law humiliated her in public and then turned around to give me such fine jewelry. Won't she hate me to death?"

Xuedan was startled. "If you saw that, Young Miss, why did you accept it?"

"I'm happy to annoy Lu Yunxiu."

Lu Yuntang also personally brought back her jewelry, and Su Qingwan followed suit, giving her a pair of excellent jade bracelets. Lu Yuntang was delighted and left happily.

The Lin estate was only so large, and news traveled fast. Madam Lin and Lu Yunxiu also received word. Lu Yunxiu had been crying and making a scene, refusing to return Xie Zhaolan's dowry, but upon seeing Su Qingwan's actions, she couldn't help but sneer. "I thought she had changed her nature and truly become tough. It turns out she's just a paper tiger. It seems she was only being sharp-tongued in the dining hall, and once she returned, she lost her nerve. She even gave the Second and Third Sisters such good things—I'll see how she tries to compensate me later!"

Madam Lin said, "Zhaolan has always been gentle. I imagine she was just disheartened for a moment and didn't intend to make you lose face. Once these things are returned, she has plenty of fine jewelry in her storehouse; she will surely give you something even better."

"Hmph, I suppose that must be it!" Lu Yunxiu called for her maids to return the items.

Most of the items in Meilan Garden had been moved to Lu Yunxiu's courtyard, except for the folding screen and the pedestal screen. One was in the Old Matriarch's courtyard, and the other in Madam Lin's room. The Old Matriarch had been recuperating at the old family estate for over a year; she hadn't even come to the capital when Xie Zhaolan passed away or when Lu Feng remarried. Madam Lin felt the screen was elegant and intended to curry favor with the Old Matriarch, so she had it sent to her room. Since the Old Matriarch hadn't returned to the estate yet, it was easy enough to handle.

As for the pedestal screen in her own room, she truly loved it and admired it daily. The Xie family was wealthy, and they had poured their hearts into their daughter's dowry; it was a fine piece, and she couldn't bear to see it even slightly chipped.

Since Su Qingwan had announced the return in public, they couldn't very well hoard the items for the sake of their reputation. Madam Lin figured that, given how she treated Lu Yunshu and Lu Yuntang, a slight hint would be enough to have the screen returned to her courtyard, so she didn't mind.

When the items were delivered to Meilan Garden, Nanny Li checked them against the list. She had kept a record of everything Madam Lin and Lu Yunxiu had taken, and most of it was returned. There were some odds and ends that Su Qingwan didn't want to bicker over. The jewelry alone filled two large chests, not to mention the rare treasures and furniture from the courtyard. Su Qingwan’s eyes turned cold; they really were bullies.

The entire First Branch had been clinging to the late sister, sucking her blood, wishing to drain even her marrow.

Lu Yunxiu had expected Su Qingwan to treat her like Lu Yuntang and Lu Yunshu—adding a few extra items and speaking soft words. She waited arrogantly for Su Qingwan to fawn over her, but to her surprise, after Su Qingwan finished checking the items, she issued an order for her to leave.

"Second Sister and Third Sister returned their things, and not only did you not take them, you gave them jewelry. Why are you being so mean to me?" Lu Yunxiu questioned indignantly.

Su Qingwan said indifferently, "My things are mine to give to whomever I please. That is none of your business."

Lu Yunxiu was furious, but unable to do anything to Su Qingwan, she flicked her sleeves and left, turning to go complain to Madam Lin.

Su Qingwan ordered the items to be moved back. Once everything was settled, she took Lüzhu and went out. With her dowry back in her hands, she naturally had to reclaim her shops as well.

In the main courtyard, Madam Lin listened to Lu Yunxiu's tearful complaints, her expression sour. She thought to herself that Xie Zhaolan had truly turned rebellious, not giving them any face at all.

Annoyed by Lu Yunxiu's crying, she offered a few perfunctory words and used her own dowry to compensate her daughter, finally managing to soothe her. After Lu Yunxiu left, Nanny Chen, who was by Madam Lin's side, said, "The Young Mistress must be harboring resentment, deliberately targeting you and the Fourth Young Miss."

Madam Lin had a splitting headache; there was no peace since early morning, only troublesome matters. She rubbed her temples. "Do you think... she is really Xie Zhaolan?"

"Her temperament has changed; she speaks softly but acts firmly, never suffering a loss. But the old servant looks at that face, that aura... she is indeed the Young Mistress," Nanny Chen replied truthfully.

Madam Lin said with a dark face, "Except for the face, everything is different. Her disposition, her tone, her eating habits—where is there any trace of Xie Zhaolan? I fear she is some lowly servant from who knows where, playing at ghosts and spirits."

"My lady, even if you are angry, you must endure it. Regardless of whether she is... she has the Princess Royal backing her."

Madam Lin understood this all too well. If it were merely a matter of merit in saving the Emperor, how could she have received such an imperial decree, protecting the entire clan? It must be an extraordinary bond.

"She relies on the Princess Royal's support to be overbearing and tyrannical. Li Xueying is also stupid and has a bad temper; neither of them is easy to deal with. Feng-er's life will be difficult; I don't know what kind of fighting this will lead to. When I agreed to this marriage, I thought we could climb up to the Count's estate. Now, it will be good if we don't become enemies," Madam Lin said viciously. "How could Xie Zhaolan come back to life!"

Nanny Chen hurriedly advised, "My lady, no matter how much dissatisfaction you have, you must endure this period. In this deep courtyard... the Young Mistress has never suffered, nor has she been taught a lesson."

"Yes, no matter who she is, I will expose her fox tail. But since she is protected by the imperial decree, I will avoid her edge for now. Once the wind blows over, I will make her pay!"