Chapter 5: Taking Concubines for the Grand Uncle

Chapter 5: Taking a Concubine for the Master

“Many thanks to the Madam for your great kindness and virtue. Liuzhi will certainly repay your grace in the future.”

After the Old Madam left, Liuzhi immediately began to curry favor with Han Zhi.

In her heart, Liuzhi considered Han Zhi a fool who only knew how to work herself to the bone earning money, completely ignorant of the internal affairs of the Marquis’s estate.

Even after finishing her work outside the estate, her remaining attention was entirely focused on that ungrateful stepson.

Furthermore, she had never received the slightest bit of favor from the Master.

Liuzhi had long harbored a secret crush on the Master, so she paid extra attention to him. She had long known that there was another woman outside the Marquis’s estate.

That was why the Master was unwilling to return to the estate, coming back at most once a month.

Liuzhi was not content to remain a mere maid forever.

She was even less willing to marry any of the servants in the estate.

The Master was exceptionally handsome, refined, and skilled in both literature and martial arts; which young woman in the estate had not been moved by him?

The reason Liuzhi was respectful to Han Zhi was simply because she still needed Han Zhi’s help.

Han Zhi pretended not to see the ambition and desire in Liuzhi’s eyes.

She feigned extreme frailty and said to Liuzhi, “Liuzhi, my health is truly such that I can no longer serve the Master. You always put the Master first; there is no need to come here to pay your respects every day. After all, you are not young anymore.

If you could have a child to rely on, you would be able to secure your footing in the Marquis’s estate in the future.”

Liuzhi was the head maid by Han Zhi’s side, and the original owner had always trusted her deeply.

If Han Zhi were to suddenly stop using her, it would certainly attract the attention of that scoundrel husband.

“Madam!”

Hearing these thoughtful words, Liuzhi was moved.

“From now on, whether the Master can stay at home for a few more days depends on you.”

Han Zhi’s words were cryptic, yet Liuzhi looked up at her in surprise.

This time, Han Zhi did not avoid Liuzhi’s gaze.

Han Zhi looked directly at her.

Han Zhi did not say it outright, but Liuzhi understood: Han Zhi already knew the fact that the Master had a woman outside.

Han Zhi instructed Qiu Ju behind her, “Bring over the clothes I prepared.”

“Miss! You poured so much heart and soul into that garment.”

Qiu Ju said, looking somewhat anxious.

“Qiu Ju, although Liuzhi is a concubine of the estate, she is also a bride. How can she not have a beautiful dress on her wedding day?”

Qiu Ju reluctantly opened Han Zhi’s chest.

From Qiu Ju’s expression, Liuzhi guessed that this must be a very precious garment.

Liuzhi thought to herself that she had seen many expensive clothes in the Marquis’s estate; how precious could it really be?

Liuzhi had her guesses, but when she actually saw the dress, she was still stunned.

Under the candlelight in the room, the pearls shimmered.

It was inlaid with jewels and white feathers; Liuzhi had never seen such a beautiful dress in her life.

The fabric was as thin as a cicada’s wing, and Liuzhi could already imagine how beautiful she would look wearing it.

Liuzhi didn’t even dare to speak.

She couldn’t believe that this beautiful dress was actually for her.

“Liuzhi, I remember that you can dance, and you are skilled in the ‘Green Waist’ dance. The Master will likely come to my room tonight. I have already told the maids that as soon as the Master arrives, they are to inform me in advance. When that time comes, you will wear this dress and dance under the moon. This dress is my wedding gift to you.

I have already notified the courtyard that no men from outside are allowed in. Rest assured, tonight, there will only be women in the courtyard.

Liuzhi, you must understand that in this estate, the Master has the final say. Although the Old Madam and I want the Master to take a concubine, if the Master is unwilling to nod, then all of this is useless.”

“Many thanks, Madam. Liuzhi understands.”

At this moment, Liuzhi truly felt a sense of gratitude.

“Hurry and change into the new clothes. I will personally oversee your makeup.”

“Yes.”

Liuzhi carried the clothes away, beaming with joy.

There were only two pieces.

The inner garment was even more outrageous; it had no sleeves and was held up only by two straps tied around the neck, not even covering her undergarments.

When Liuzhi came out wearing the clothes, Han Zhi frowned and said to her, “Take off your undergarment. The inner layer is the undergarment. Wearing two layers like this, there is no effect.”

“Madam.”

Liuzhi was shy, but seeing Han Zhi’s expression, she agreed.

She also knew that without using some methods, she would likely never be able to win over the Master.

Liuzhi took off her undergarment.

The outer garment was just a thin layer of light gauze. Although feathers and jewels were sewn onto it, her skin was still faintly visible.

Han Zhi dotted a circle of transparent glaze around the corners of Liuzhi’s eyes, making her look dreamlike. Such makeup was very bold, but exceptionally dazzling.

“Madam, this is?”

“This is glaze from Western merchants; it is worth a fortune. Don’t worry, you can easily wash it off when you wash your face; it won’t hurt your skin. Liuzhi, I only hope that once you are favored, you won’t turn your back on me. My health is poor, and I only wish to recover. If you gain favor, it wouldn’t be impossible to hand over the management of the estate to you.”

Han Zhi said to Liuzhi earnestly.

“Madam, please rest assured. Liuzhi will never let you down. As long as Liuzhi is in this estate, I will not let anyone bully you.”

There was some sincerity in Liuzhi’s words.

Because she knew the Master did not love Han Zhi at all; the one he loved was the woman outside.

Her enemy was not Han Zhi, but that woman outside.

Furthermore, she had been working wholeheartedly for the Old Madam, but it was Han Zhi who was planning her future.

She had not expected that Han Zhi would put so much effort into her.

Looking at herself in the bronze mirror, Liuzhi didn’t even dare to touch her own face.

She was afraid of knocking off such expensive glaze.

Han Zhi hadn’t lied; the glaze was indeed expensive. She had wanted to refine glass, but her chemistry and physics were not up to the task.

Unable to refine it, she had indeed bought it at a high price, but Han Zhi had provided the craftsmen with special cutting techniques.

This Gu Yunhan was essentially a man who liked seductive women. The reason he didn’t go to brothels was that Liu Hanyan had been the most beautiful woman in the capital back then, the number one courtesan, and it was hard to find anyone more beautiful than her.

Furthermore, for the sake of inheriting the title and his own reputation, he had been holding back.

If she hadn’t died young, in Han Zhi’s opinion, he wouldn’t necessarily have grown old with Liu Hanyan.

Once he had power, how could he have stayed that way?

He just hadn’t seen anyone better-looking yet.

In the evening, just as Han Zhi had expected, the Master really did come to her courtyard.

Gu Yunhan was carrying a spark of anger in his heart.

But the moment he stepped into Han Zhi’s courtyard, that anger dissipated by more than half.

Enchanting music began to play, and a stunning beauty was dancing under the moon.