Chapter 4: So That's How It Is

When night fell, Yun Yi changed into a black, modern, tight-fitting training suit and went out. She slipped some sleeping powder to the two maids on duty in the side room of her courtyard, fearing they might wake up and check on her, which would blow her cover.

She first went to Concubine Jiang’s place. Concubine Jiang was inside the room discussing matters with her trusted wet nurse, Mother Ma. Yun Yi climbed onto the roof in a few swift movements, lifted a roof tile, and clearly heard the voices inside. They were all talking about household affairs.

Just as Yun Yi was about to leave, finding it uninteresting after listening for a while, she heard Concubine Jiang say, "Nurse, do you think the main courtyard will agree to let the Third Miss go to the villa to recuperate?"

"They should. Didn't the Heir’s wife say she would persuade the Old Madam? You just need to make sure things are packed and she’s sent off when the time comes. However, we must find a way to make the Third Miss hand over the keys to the Second Madam’s storehouse. We can't let them fall into the Heir’s wife’s hands. The Seventh and Eighth Misses will be discussing marriage in a few years; we need to prepare for them early. Anyway, the Second Master is very distant from the Third Miss now, and she isn't a sharp-witted person. But we must find a way to transfer the maids in her courtyard away," Mother Ma replied.

Concubine Jiang responded, "That’s not easy. Those are all people arranged by the Second Madam; I can't move them without a special reason. Besides, if the Second Master finds out we teamed up with the First Branch to scheme against the Third Miss, I won't have a good end."

"Concubine, why not just talk directly to the Heir’s wife? They only want that marriage alliance anyway; we shouldn't put in the effort without getting anything out of it. Just state clearly that our condition is taking over the keys to the Second Madam’s storehouse. They are sensible people; they will agree," Mother Ma suggested.

After Mother Ma finished, Concubine Jiang said, "You think the First Madam only wants that marriage? She’s also looking at how the Second Master is currently devastated and has no heart to manage the inner courtyard, and the Third Miss is a soft-hearted person. Furthermore, it’s uncertain if the Third Miss will even be able to return after being sent away. The Second Madam’s dowry, just the visible part, was no less than the Heir’s wife’s, and the private 'box-bottom' silver must be a significant amount. How could she not be tempted?"

Mother Ma added, "It’s just a pity that the Second Madam’s dowry shops and farms were all sold off cheaply by her to search for the Third Young Master. I heard they brought in quite a bit of profit every year. It’s been three years now; who knows if the Third Young Master can even be found."

Concubine Jiang said, "That’s hard to say. The Duke of Wu’s mansion is still spending money and effort searching, and our Second Master is almost driven mad by it. But I heard the Old Madam’s intention is that after the Second Madam’s first-year death anniversary, she will find a new wife for the Second Master. We cannot pin the hopes of the Second Branch on a Third Young Master who might not be found."

Thinking of something, she added, "Actually, the Second Madam was a decent mistress. I wonder if the next one will be easy to get along with and if she will tolerate us. I haven't been pregnant since I gave birth to the Eighth Miss. If only I could have a son to rely on." After speaking, her eyes grew desolate, and she inadvertently placed her hand on her lower abdomen.

Hearing this, Yun Yi understood everything. They were treating her like a soft persimmon to be squeezed. Truly, the heart of a woman is the most poisonous; one really cannot underestimate anyone in this mansion.

Leaving Concubine Jiang’s place, Yun Yi hurried toward the Heir’s wife’s courtyard. On the way, she changed her mind and turned toward the Ronghui Hall, where the Old Marquis and Old Madam lived. Avoiding the night watchmen, she saw the lights in the main room were still on. Carefully, she pried up a tile and looked down.

They were talking about the day's events, then the dowry of the First Branch’s eldest daughter, and finally, the Second Branch and the Third Grandson. The old couple’s mood dampened; it seemed they still had some affection, and perhaps they felt the need to value the only legitimate son left in the Second Branch.

They also mentioned finding a new wife for the Second Son once the year of mourning was over; the Second Branch could not remain without a mistress. Hearing this, Yun Yi didn't blame them; for people in ancient times, this was reasonable.

She heard the Old Madam say, "The First Branch said they want Yun Yi to go to the villa at Qingliang Mountain to recuperate. It’s been three months and she hasn't improved. They fear that staying in the mansion will only make her dwell on the past. What does the Marquis think?"

"The First Branch is right, but is there a need to go so far? Her health is already poor; if something happens on the road, how would Chengqing bear it?" He paused, then added, "But it’s fine. Give Chengqing some time. He truly cannot face it right now. That place is suitable for recovery. You arrange it, but wait until Yun Yi’s health improves before she sets off."

He added in a low voice, "Perhaps leaving the mansion is good for her, and it will let Chengqing have some breathing room. Sigh, let’s rest."

Yun Yi left the Ronghui Hall and didn't go to the First Branch’s main courtyard. Instead, she went to the artificial lake in the garden and sat on a large tree.

Thinking about what the Old Marquis and Old Madam said, she figured that since things were already like this, rather than staying here to be schemed against, it was better to go far away and be free.

As for that marriage alliance, she would have to see if the Second Young Master of the Marquis of Jingning, Liu Chengbin, was a good person and worth marrying. One really shouldn't think of someone; speak of the devil and he appears.

She heard at least two people walking on the small pebble path behind the rockery not far away. It was dark and they were a bit far, so she couldn't see who they were, but she could hear them clearly.

A female voice said, "Second Young Master, I won't go over. The Miss is waiting for you at the rockery ahead. I’ll keep watch here; you go quickly."

Hearing this voice, she recalled the original owner's memories and felt she had heard it before. Before she could identify who it was, a male voice came: "Yun Yu, I’m here." Hearing this, Yun Yi realized there was a big show to watch, and her mischievous side flared up.

She found a voice recorder in her space, nimbly climbed down the tree, circled to the side of the rockery, and placed the recorder in the spot closest to them, ensuring it would pick up everything. Then, she carefully returned to the tree to watch the show.

"Yun Yu, Yu'er, I’m here. I’ve missed you so much." This voice, according to her memories, she had heard before, but they weren't close.

"Yu'er, why aren't you speaking? Are you angry with me? I really haven't had time lately. Besides, your mansion has been in such chaos recently, I really didn't dare to come. If we were discovered, it would be a small matter for us to be punished, but both our mansions would be in trouble." Who was this man? Listening to him, he had clearly been having an affair with Yun Yu for a long time.

"Brother Bin, I’m not angry with you, I just can't be happy. My mother has already told my grandmother to let the Third Sister go to the villa at Qingliang Mountain to recuperate. She will leave in a few days when she is better. But this isn't a solution; the Third Sister will eventually come back. What will we do?" Yun Yu began to cry softly.

There was no need to go to the First Branch anymore; so that was it. What a classic plot, what a clever scheme. Everyone in these ancient inner courtyards could win an Oscar; she was impressed.

She heard Liu Chengbin say, "Yu'er, it’s fine, I’ll find a way. The marriage was decided by my mother, but you know I only have you in my heart. Anyway, you two are the same age. There is still a long time before the coming-of-age ceremony; I will find a way to call off the engagement before then and marry you with glory. Don't worry, Yu'er is the only legitimate wife I will bring home. It’s just that you’ll have to suffer for a while before the engagement is called off."

Damn, well done. A scumbag, after all. Thinking I’d be rare to have you? And wanting to find a way to dump me? Just wait, this lady didn't grow up eating vegetables; I’ll definitely give you a series of surprises.

"Brother Bin, I don't mind suffering. As long as you have me in your heart, how could I suffer? It’s just that if Yun Yi finds out, I’m worried she won't be able to take it. She won't forgive me. I’m worried that with her personality, she might do something desperate. What should we do? Brother Bin, I feel so bad," Zhan Yunyu said with a tearful tone.

"Yu'er is just too kind. I know I’ve wronged Yun Yi, but who told me to love you? Who told us not to meet sooner? If my mother hadn't asked me to deliver gifts before the New Year and I hadn't bumped into you, how would I have known my Yu'er was so kind and gentle? It makes me want to meet you in secret every night. My good Yu'er, let me hold you." Liu Chengbin’s sleazy voice came through.

It was unbearable to listen to anymore. She couldn't leave the recorder behind. She thought for a moment—well, since you two love each other so much, paying a price shouldn't be a problem, right? Yun Yi smiled slyly.

She nimbly climbed down the tree and headed straight for Zhan Yunyu’s Silk Chamber. The courtyard gate was slightly ajar; it seemed Yun Yu had left it open for herself, which made things convenient.

Entering Yun Yu’s room, she used her mental power to scan the area. First, she took all the banknotes and cash from the hidden compartment under the bed into her space, then cleared the dressing table of every single piece of jewelry.

She didn't touch the large furniture. In the side room, she found what must have been gifts Zhan Yunyu had received over the years. She opened them and saw fabrics, ornaments, and some medicinal herbs.

There were also many embroidered stomachers, each with a cloud-shaped pendant embroidered on it. Hahaha, this was good; she took several into her space.

Seeing nothing else, she took two of Yun Yu’s outfits from the wardrobe before leaving, then walked back to the garden in a good mood.

When Yun Yi arrived, she saw the two of them bidding a reluctant farewell from afar. She released her spiritual sense to check the appearance of this Second Young Master Liu Chengbin from the Marquis of Jingning’s mansion. He was decent enough, looking like a human but acting like a dog.

No wonder he had Zhan Yunyu so bewitched that she didn't even care about her reputation as a young lady of a noble house.

Sigh! Male beauty can also lead people astray.

After they left, Yun Yi retrieved the recorder, threw it back into her space, and decided to go back to rest.

The next day, Yun Yi kept her mother’s wet nurse behind to talk. She asked about her mother’s private treasury, dowry items, and current accounts, telling the nurse to sort these things out as soon as possible.

If there weren't enough hands, she could ask the maids in her own courtyard to help, but they had to be inventoried within two days, and there was no need to hide it from anyone anymore.

Isn't that what you wanted? I will certainly fulfill your wishes and let you taste what it means to "steal a chicken only to lose the rice." I’ll disgust you to death. If you aren't having a good time, I’ll be happy. She needed to think about how to do this flawlessly.

(End of chapter)