Chapter 20: Must Become the Mistress
Zheng Chengyan said firmly, "Take it. I will protect you and save you from worrying."
Jiang Yingying was secretly delighted, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised, "Second Master, I am willing to spend my life with you, not for gold and silver treasures, but just to be with you."
However, Liu'er's sudden intervention broke this moment of warmth.
She quickly snatched the jade pendant from Jiang Yingying's hand, with a bright smile on her face, "Oh, Sister Jiang, if you don't care about these worldly things, then give it to me, a little girl who still has worldly desires!"
Her movements were quick and her tone was relaxed, catching Jiang Yingying off guard. Her face turned red in an instant, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
Liu'er played with the warm jade pendant, and moved lightly towards Zheng Chengyan, whispering in a low voice. Her sweet words brushed past Zheng Chengyan's ears, causing him to chuckle.
Zheng Chengyan dotingly tapped her waist with his fingers, his eyes full of smiles: "You clever ghost, when will you let me worry less?"
Liu Er proudly held up the jade pendant and showed it off in front of Jiang Yingying. "Thank you for your kindness, Second Master. Tomorrow, Liu Er will work harder and serve you!"
After saying this, she turned around and left, taking the jade pendant and silver coins she had obtained.
Before leaving, he did not forget to give Jiang Yingying a provocative look.
Jiang Yingying sat there in a daze, her hands trembling slightly, and the frustration in her heart surged like a tide.
The air around seemed to freeze, and Zheng Chengyan was also troubled by the depressing atmosphere. He comforted Jiang Yingying with a few words and left in a hurry.
The small courtyard seems particularly quiet under the night sky.
A simple paulownia wood bed sits quietly in the corner, next to it is an undecorated wooden table.
This is the fateful place of the concubines in Marquis Changping's Mansion. It goes without saying that their status is humble.
Jiang Yingying sat at the table with her arms folded across her chest, a complicated expression on her face.
Regret gnawed at her heart. She deeply regretted having boarded that green sedan chair. From then on, her life went down a path of no return.
Her body suddenly leaned forward, violent coughing tore through the tranquility, and blood stained her lips red.
Qingyue came in upon hearing the noise, panicking: "Aunt, what's wrong with you?"
Jiang Yingying wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, "Qingyue, have you ever heard about the past of the former Empress Shuxian?"
Qingyue was confused when she heard this, and she murmured, "I heard something. She was originally a palace maid. She was favored by the Emperor of Wei and gave birth to three sons. She was eventually canonized as the empress, replacing the original wife. However, this also caused the Emperor of Wei to indulge in wine and sex, and the government was in disorder, which eventually led to unrest in the country."
This period of history is a typical example of favoring concubines over wives, and it is also a lesson for the government and the public to learn from.
After the new emperor ascended the throne, he drew on precedent and strictly prohibited officials from replacing their wives with concubines. This law has been passed down to this day.
Jiang Yingying's eyes were bloodshot, but she revealed a ray of unyielding light in her determination: "If Queen Shuxian can do it, why can't I do it? One day, I will definitely sit on the seat of the mistress of the Marquis of Changping's mansion!"
After she swore, she slammed her fist on the table with such force that the cups and plates vibrated.
Qingyue was so frightened by this sudden action that she stepped back repeatedly, not daring to make a sound.
Jiang Yingying suppressed her previous emotions and asked coldly, "Have you made any progress on the task I assigned to you?"
Qingyue quickly took out a piece of paper from her sleeve and presented it carefully: "Aunt, this is given to me by the old lady's personal maid. It is said that these are the old lady's hobbies."
Jiang Yingying took the paper and carefully read each preference listed on it, with a confident arc gradually appearing at the corners of her mouth.
In her opinion, since Old Lady Zheng had the power to take her into the mansion as a concubine, she would certainly be able to help her take a step further and become the principal wife.
So, Jiang Yingying dressed up carefully, chose a rose-red skirt, tied her hair into a simple bun, and embellished it with a snow-white magnolia jade hairpin.
After everything was ready, she asked Qingyue to prepare a bowl of hibiscus soup in the kitchen, intending to win Mrs. Zheng's heart with the carefully prepared food.
Although the old lady was a little picky about her, she still treated her with enough courtesy and respect because of the fetus in her belly.
But today, Jiang Yingying has deeper expectations.
At this moment in Anxuan Hall, Old Mrs. Zheng sat quietly in front of the window, gently twisting a string of round Buddhist beads with her fingers.
A maid approached quietly, "Madam, Aunt Jiang from the Second Master's room is here to see you again."
Mrs. Zheng didn't take it seriously at first, thinking it was just a daily greeting, so she casually said, "Let her sit in the main room for a while, have tea and then go back."
The maid bowed her head and said in an almost inaudible voice: "Madam Jiang said that she made a bowl of soup especially for you."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zheng paused for a moment, and opened her eyes abruptly. Her usually kind face was instantly replaced by anger and murderous intent.
The maid was frightened by this sudden change and fell to her knees, saying in a trembling voice: "Old lady..."
Old Madam Zheng waved her hand and said firmly: "Since you are here, how can I let you go easily? Lead the way, let me go to see her."
The maid hurriedly helped Old Madam Zheng up, and the two of them slowly moved towards the main room.
Seeing that Old Madam Zheng had come in person, Jiang Yingying hurried forward to pay her respects, saying in a gentle tone, "May you be blessed with good health, Madam."
When Mrs. Zheng saw Jiang Yingying, her eyes suddenly lit up.
Jiang Yingying was immersed in the etiquette and did not notice this subtle change at all.
Old Mrs. Zheng never said a word, but walked closer with heavy steps, her eyes finally fixed on the elegant hairpin on Jiang Yingying's head.
"Today's hairpin is more unique than usual."
Although these words sound like praise, the coldness in the tone makes people feel no warmth at all.
Jiang Yingying smiled shyly and gently touched the simple yet elegant white jade hairpin: "It's just an ordinary ornament, the style suits my taste, so I thought I'd let the old lady appreciate it."
Mrs. Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly. After a brief silence, she spoke again: "Is that soup really made by you?"
Jiang Yingying still kept smiling and responded gently: "That's right, old lady. I learned that you couldn't sleep well last night, so I specially made hibiscus soup. I hope you will feel refreshed after drinking it."
Mrs. Zheng's eyes became even colder. "I appreciate your kindness, Aunt Jiang, but I've already had my meal and I'm not hungry. Why don't you taste the soup for me?"
Jiang Yingying's smile froze on her face, and she hurriedly explained: "Madam, this soup is specially prepared for you..."
Before she could finish, Old Madam Zheng turned to the servants around her and gave them an order: "Come here, let Auntie drink the soup!"
Jiang Yingying was filled with fear and fright. She turned around and saw several burly old women approaching her.
Two old women held her on both sides, and another person approached with a steaming basin of soup.
The soup was still boiling with heat, and in order to maintain the temperature, it was wrapped in cloth to keep it warm.
Jiang Yingying tried her best to resist, her voice full of confusion and fear: "Old lady, this is really inappropriate. What have I done wrong? Why do you treat me like this?!"