Chapter 14: Schemes

Zhan Yunyu had been sitting in a daze in the Silk Pavilion for half an hour. She never expected her mother to find out about her and Liu Chengbin. Last night, her mother had already sent someone to quietly deal with her personal maid.

When she went to pay her respects this morning, her mother reprimanded her and punished her to stay confined to the Silk Pavilion for three days to reflect on her mistakes, tasking her with copying scriptures to pray for her grandparents' blessings.

Zhan Yunyu knew her mother was doing this for her own good, but why was she so unlucky? Not only had she lost all her assets, but she also found herself in a position where she couldn't even voice her grievances, unable even to go to her grandmother to complain.

Who could have known things would coincide so poorly, even costing her her personal maid? It was truly infuriating. Fortunately, her mother had promised to find a way to help her navigate and make amends.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. *My dear third sister, without your mother's protection, I want to see how you will compete with me. The only one who can marry into the Marquis of Jingning's manor is me, Zhan Yunyu.*

Growing up, she and Zhan Yunyi had been raised together. Although her second aunt did not manage the household finances, she possessed a vast dowry, and her natal family, the Duke of Wu's manor, was powerful. Furthermore, the second branch's couple had a good relationship, so Zhan Yunyi had been raised with pampered affection since childhood.

Although she was born in the same year as her, Zhan Yunyi usually held the upper hand in everything. Now that the second aunt was gone and the second uncle spent his days in drunken revelry, obsessed only with finding his legitimate son, he could no longer look after Zhan Yunyi.

*Hmph, Zhan Yunyi, everything of yours will be mine. Just you wait; I will make you watch as I marry into the Marquis of Jingning's manor in all my glory.*

***

Bamboo Flute Residence

It was around noon when Nanny Lin finally returned to the manor. Without taking a moment to rest, she rushed straight to the Bamboo Flute Residence. She had originally made an appointment to meet the young lady at the manor last night, but she had waited and waited, only for no one to appear.

Upon waking up this morning, she hadn't rushed back immediately. Instead, she had made arrangements roughly according to the instructions the young lady had previously given her before making her way back. After entering the manor, she came to see the young lady without even stopping for a sip of water.

Seeing Nanny Lin enter with fine beads of sweat on her face, Yunyi knew she had come straight here. She hurriedly poured a cup of tea and handed it over, saying, "You're back, Nanny. Quickly, have some tea before we talk."

Seeing the natural expression on the young lady's face, Nanny Lin felt relieved, thinking that nothing major must have happened.

She reported everything that had happened at the manor in detail, including the situation regarding Lingxue and the others. None of the four wanted to leave; they would follow whatever arrangements the young lady made.

Yunyi was quite satisfied with Nanny Lin's efficiency. She then told the nanny about what had happened in the manor yesterday and mentioned that they might have to set off within the next two or three days, instructing the nanny to have Yuezhu and the others start packing in advance to prepare.

Nanny Lin took her orders and left. Yunyi leaned back on the soft couch, lost in thought. She wondered how soon the Heir's wife from the First Branch would move to send her away; she suspected they probably couldn't wait any longer. In that case, she would take the initiative to give them a send-off.

As she was thinking, Yuezhu entered to report, "Miss, Concubine Jiang from the Chrysanthemum Court has arrived with the Seventh and Eighth Young Ladies. They said they came to see if your health has improved."

Yunyi smiled. *Speak of the devil.* She said, "Let them in. I was just thinking about my sisters."

A moment later, Yuezhu led Concubine Jiang, the Seventh Young Lady, and the Eighth Young Lady into the room. Yunyi looked up at the newcomers.

The young woman walking in front was dressed in a purple scholar's robe with decorative edging. Her face was lightly powdered, and a Seven-Treasure Exquisite hairpin was tucked into her hair. This was Lady Jiang, the concubine of her "cheap" father, who was single-mindedly plotting to seize the small dowry left behind by the original owner's mother.

(End of Chapter)