Chapter 62: Yiyi Informs
The tense and oppressive atmosphere permeating the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion due to the military situation in the northern border was like an invisible net, enveloping not only the masters but also the hearts of every servant. However, in the somewhat secluded guest courtyard "Jinse Courtyard" in the northwest corner of the mansion, this atmosphere fermented into another complex and indescribable emotion.
Liu Yiyi sat before her embroidery frame by the window, a thin needle as fine as a hair in her hand. She stared at the half-finished twin lotus blossoms on the frame, unable to bring herself to finish. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her delicate yet slightly harsh face, her eyes filled with anxiety and resentment.
She was originally the daughter of Gu Yangui's distant cousin. After her parents died early, she was taken in and raised by the old lady of the house, where she has been for five years. When she first arrived, she was only twelve or thirteen years old, and she immediately developed a deep admiration for her cousin, a man of high status and imposing presence. Over the years, she has carefully tried to please the old lady, striving to cultivate herself into a refined lady skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her heart's desire is to one day be able to marry into the family, even if she cannot become the principal wife, being a concubine would be fine. With the status of the Duke's mansion, even being a concubine would be a hundred times more prestigious than marrying into an ordinary official's family.
But who would have thought that Su Wanrou from the Yongchang Marquis's mansion would suddenly appear out of nowhere! A young girl from a declining marquis's mansion, besides being young and having some beauty, what could she possibly compare to her? And yet, the Emperor bestowed a marriage upon her, and her cousin actually married her! What's even more infuriating is that after entering the family, Su Wanrou didn't become timid and incompetent, quickly falling out of favor as she had expected. Instead, she gradually gained a foothold, not only winning the affections of that bastard Mingxuan, but now also firmly holding the reins of the household. Her cousin's treatment of her has become increasingly different each day!
She had heard from the servants about the grand occasion of her family's return a few days ago. It was quite a spectacle, with her cousin personally accompanying her, giving Su Shi a lot of face! Just thinking about it made Liu Yiyi feel as if her heart was being gnawed by a venomous snake.
"Have you heard? The Duke was urgently summoned to the palace last night and didn't sleep a wink. The lamp in his study was on all night!" A maidservant brought in tea and whispered to another maidservant who was sweeping.
"Indeed, they went to court again before dawn this morning. They said there's been fighting in the north, and the situation is very critical!"
"Good heavens, will the Duke be going to war again?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Is it our place to discuss the masters' affairs? But... I think it's pretty much true..."
Although the two maids spoke softly, every word reached Liu Yiyi's ears. Her fingers, gripping the embroidery needle, tightened suddenly, her fingertips turning white.
War has broken out in the North, and my cousin is going to war!
The news struck her like a bolt of lightning, instantly illuminating certain dark thoughts. If her cousin left the capital, wouldn't that little bitch Su Wanrou be left to manage the household affairs? The old matriarch was getting old and would likely no longer be involved. In that case, wouldn't Su Wanrou be the only one in power in the Duke's mansion? Wouldn't she have even less of a chance to rise in the ranks?
No! We absolutely cannot let her be so smug!
A thought quickly formed in her mind. She needed allies, people who could annoy Su Wanrou, even bring her down. And the most suitable candidate was none other than the Qin family of the Marquis of Weiyuan, the maternal family of her late wife, Madam Qin!
The Qin family already harbored resentment over their cousin's remarriage, especially the eldest wife of the Qin family, the late wife's sister-in-law, who was deeply dissatisfied with Su Wanrou, this "usurper" of the family's power. If they knew that their cousin was about to go to war and that Su Wanrou would be taking sole control of the household, how would the Qin family react? They certainly wouldn't stand idly by!
Thinking of this, a ruthless and resolute glint flashed in Liu Yiyi's eyes. She had to quickly and embellish the news and send it to the Qin family!
two
How to deliver messages was a problem. Ever since her scheme to encounter Gu Yangui was ignored, and then she was severely reprimanded for stirring up trouble in front of the Old Madam, her movements in the mansion had been greatly restricted. Although the Old Madam did not say it explicitly, Granny Fang was clearly keeping a close eye on her, and she needed a clear reason to go out.
Liu Yiyi paced anxiously around the room. Sending someone directly to deliver the message was too risky; it could easily be intercepted. She needed a safer, less conspicuous method.
Her gaze swept over the embroidery frame, and suddenly an idea struck her. That's right, in two days it would be the birthday of the First Madam of the Qin family of the Marquis of Weiyuan's mansion, who was also her nominal "maternal aunt"! Although it wasn't a full birthday, according to custom, as a young lady residing in the Duke's mansion, she should prepare a birthday gift to send as a token of her filial piety.
This is a perfect opportunity! She can use the guise of delivering a birthday gift to smuggle the message over!
Liu Yiyi immediately sat down at her desk, spread out a beautiful sheet of stationery, and began to write a birthday greeting. Her handwriting was delicate, and the content was nothing more than auspicious and polite words. After finishing, she carefully blew on the ink to dry it, folded it neatly, and placed it in a prepared empty envelope.
Then, she took out an even smaller, more inconspicuous piece of plain paper, dipped a fine brush in ink, and quickly wrote a line of small characters: "The Northern Barbarians have invaded the border, and Yunzhou is in danger. My brother will soon be leading the army to war, and the household affairs will be entirely in my hands. I am very worried and afraid of failing my cousin's dying wish. I hope my aunt can give me some guidance."
These few words are packed with information. They not only point out the urgent military situation in the north and the fact that Gu Yangui is likely to go to war, but also emphasize that Su Wanrou will take sole power. Finally, they bring up the deceased Qin Shi (her "cousin" in her words) and the so-called "last words of entrustment", cleverly stirring up the emotions of Madam Qin.
She carefully folded the small piece of plain paper into the smallest square, then found a piece of transparent silk used for embroidery patterns, tightly wrapped the paper inside, and then used silk thread of the same color to embroider a tiny plum blossom pattern related to the birthday gift theme on the outside of the silk. Unless you carefully examine it by unraveling the silk thread, you would never discover the secret inside.
She placed the tampered silk together with an exquisite fan cover that she had already embroidered as one of her birthday gifts. Then she summoned her trusted maid, Cui'er.
Cui'er was her maidservant, who had been with her since childhood and was the most loyal.
"Cui'er," Liu Yiyi instructed solemnly, "tomorrow morning, personally deliver this birthday gift and gift list to the Marquis of Weiyuan's residence and hand it to Madam Qin in person. Remember, you must hand it to Madam Qin in person, and tell her that it is a small token of my filial piety, and ask her to accept it with a smile. Also..." she lowered her voice, "tell Madam Qin quietly that the plum blossom pattern on this fan cover is my new idea, and I think it suits my aunt's temperament particularly well, and ask her to... take a closer look."
Although Cui'er didn't understand why she had to specifically emphasize looking at the patterns, seeing her mistress's solemn expression, she knew that the matter was of great importance, and quickly nodded: "Don't worry, mistress, this servant will definitely handle it well."
Liu Yiyi watched as Cui'er put the gift box away, feeling somewhat relieved. She walked to the window, gazing in the direction of Su Wanrou's residence, a cold smile playing on her lips.
Su Wanrou, you think you've won? The real show has only just begun! The day your cousin leaves the capital will be the day your troubles begin! The Qin family will never allow you, an "outsider," to comfortably control the Duke's mansion!
three
The next day, as expected, Cui'er left early in the morning with birthday gifts and successfully entered the Marquis of Weiyuan's residence.
The Marquis of Weiyuan's family and the Duke of Zhenguo's family are both noble families, but in recent years, due to the ebb and flow of their power in the court, as well as the early death of the late Madam Qin and Gu Yangui's remarriage, the relationship between the two families is not as close as before, but they still maintain a facade of respectability.
Madam Qin, around forty years old, had a well-maintained appearance, but her brows betrayed an unmistakable shrewdness and calculation. She was somewhat surprised to receive a report that Liu Yiyi, a cousin of the Duke of Zhenguo, had sent a birthday gift. While Liu Yiyi usually sent gifts, it was mostly routine; today, she had specifically sent her personal maid—could something be amiss?
She ordered someone to bring Cui'er in.
Cui'er bowed respectfully, presented the gift box and gift list, and repeated Liu Yiyi's instructions.
Madam Qin listened with a polite smile, but a thought flickered in her mind. Was she deliberately asking her to "take a closer look" at the plum blossom pattern on the fan cover? What was Liu Yiyi up to?
She subtly tipped Cui'er, exchanged a few polite words, and then had someone see her out.
When only her trusted mother remained in the room, Madam Qin picked up the exquisitely crafted fan cover and examined it closely. The material was the finest Hangzhou satin, the embroidery was delicate, and the intertwined plum blossoms were incredibly lifelike… seemingly nothing special.
She frowned slightly, gently stroking the embroidery pattern with her fingers. Suddenly, her fingertips touched the center of the plum blossom and felt that it seemed slightly thicker than the surrounding area, and the direction of the embroidery thread was also slightly different. A question arose in her mind, and she picked up the small silver scissors on the table, carefully picking apart those seemingly ordinary stitches.
Sure enough, a small piece of transparent silk was visible inside. She gently took out the silk and unfolded it, revealing a small, folded piece of plain paper inside!
Unfolding the plain paper and seeing the finely written characters, Madam Qin's face instantly darkened, and her eyes became incredibly sharp.
"The Northern Barbarians have invaded the border, and Yunzhou is in danger. My brother will soon be leading the army to war, leaving the household entirely in the hands of my new wife. I am deeply worried, fearing that I will fail my cousin's dying wish. I hope my aunt can give me some guidance."
"That Liu Yiyi! Her information network is quite impressive!" Madam Qin snorted coldly, slamming the note heavily on the table. She naturally understood that "brother" referred to Gu Yangui, and "new bride" was that troublesome Su Wanrou!
Gu Yangui is about to go to war! The Qin family had naturally heard some rumors about this through their connections in the court, but Liu Yiyi's letter confirmed it and pointed out that he would "be taken command soon," indicating that the situation was obviously very urgent.
What enraged her even more was the second half of the sentence—"The entire mansion is in the hands of the new bride!" Gu Yangui actually trusted that young girl who had only been in the household for a few months so much! Entrusting the entire Duke's mansion, including Mingxuan, to her? Mingxuan was her sister-in-law's only bloodline! Although registered under Gu Yangui's name, he carried half Qin family blood! How could he be completely controlled by that Su Wanrou?
And then there was that "last wish"! Thinking of her deceased sister-in-law, Madam Qin felt a sharp pang of pain and resentment. Although they weren't entirely clear on the specifics of what her sister-in-law had entrusted before her death, Liu Yiyi's use of this to her advantage undoubtedly struck a nerve with them and touched upon their deepest concerns.
"What a cunning Su Wanrou! She's got quite the tricks up her sleeve! In just a few days, she's already got Yan Gui completely bewitched, to the point that he's even entrusted the family business to her for such an important matter as the expedition!" Madam Qin said angrily to her trusted maid beside her. "What does a fifteen-year-old girl like her know about managing a household? How does she know about raising children? What if she makes a mess of the mansion and mistreats Mingxuan?"
The trusted mother whispered, "Madam, please calm down. This Miss Liu is probably up to no good by sending this message. She just wants to use us to do her dirty work and get us to deal with the new madam."
Madam Qin sneered, "How could I not know her little schemes? But she handed over the knife at just the right time! With the banquet over and the army off, the manor is empty, which is our opportunity! We must not let Mingxuan be completely controlled by that Su woman. The Duke's manor's assets should also be kept in the care of our Qin family! Otherwise, as time goes by, who will remember who Mingxuan's birth mother is? Who will still recognize our Qin family as relatives?"
She pondered for a moment, a calculating glint in her eyes: "Go, send a message to the Marquis, saying that the Duke of Zhenguo will soon be going to war, and that he should make preparations in advance. Also, send someone to keep an eye on the Duke's mansion, especially the new lady's every move, and report to me immediately!"
"Yes, madam."
Madam Qin picked up the plain paper again, her eyes turning cold as she looked at the delicate yet sinister handwriting. Liu Yiyi wanted to use her, so why couldn't she use Liu Yiyi as a pawn in return? As long as their goals aligned, temporary cooperation was acceptable.
Su Wanrou, just you wait! This Duke's mansion's backyard is not for a little outsider like you to rule with your own hands!
Four
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Su Wanrou was completely unaware of the undercurrents swirling within Jinse Courtyard and the Marquis of Weiyuan's residence. Her entire focus was on the military situation in the north and the impending separation.
Since entering the palace that morning, Gu Yangui practically lived in the palace and the Ministry of War. Occasionally, he would return home, quickly change his clothes, and have a brief private discussion with his advisors and generals in the study before leaving again. Su Wanrou rarely even had a chance to have a proper conversation with him.
All she could do was quietly prepare clean clothes, hot meals, and invigorating ginseng tea for him each time he returned home. She began to quietly pack his belongings, checking and packing his thick fur cloak, protective armor, and commonly used wound medicines one by one. With each item she put in, her heart sank a little heavier.
That evening, Gu Yangui finally had time to return home for dinner. The atmosphere at the dinner table was heavy, and even Mingxuan noticed the difference, so he ate his meal obediently and dared not say a word.
After the meal, Gu Yangui said to Su Wanrou, "Come with me to the study."
Su Wanrou's heart tightened, knowing that something important must be happening. She followed him into the study, where she saw that the desk was piled high with maps and documents, and the air was filled with the peculiar smell of ink and saltpeter.
Gu Yangui dismissed his attendants, looked at Su Wanrou, and said directly, "His Majesty will issue an edict at tomorrow's grand court assembly. The commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition... is me."
Although she had expected it, Su Wanrou still felt dizzy when she heard him confirm it with her own ears. She subconsciously grabbed the corner of the table to steady herself.
"When... shall we depart?" Her voice trembled almost imperceptibly.
"Once the decree is issued, the troops must be mustered within three days and set off immediately." Gu Yangui's voice was calm, yet carried an unyielding resolve.
Three days! Such a rush! Su Wanrou's nails dug deeply into her palms.
Gu Yangui walked up to her, looked at her face which had turned pale instantly, and softened his tone: "Everything in the manor is entrusted to you. Grandmother is getting old, and Mingxuan is still young. You are the mistress of the manor, so don't panic when things happen. You can discuss with Gu Zhonghe and the other experienced stewards. If there are any difficult decisions... you can consult your grandmother or send someone to the Yongchang Earl's Mansion to give to your father."
He placed a black iron token in her hand. The token was icy to the touch, and engraved with a powerful character "Gu". "This is the general token for the manor's storeroom and all the tokens. Seeing this token is like seeing me. Keep it safe."
Su Wanrou held the heavy token, feeling as if it weighed a ton. It was not only power, but also a heavy responsibility.
She raised her head, forcing herself to look directly into his deep eyes, and said, word by word, "Husband, rest assured, I will take care of everything at home. I will definitely take good care of Grandmother and Xuan'er, guard the mansion, and wait for your triumphant return."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally firm, carrying a composure and strength beyond her years.
Gu Yangui gazed at her intently, as if he were truly getting to know his little wife for the first time. He reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, whispering, "Okay. Wait for me to come back."
The hug was brief yet powerful, filled with trust and entrustment.
However, neither Gu Yangui nor Su Wanrou anticipated that a hidden arrow from within the mansion had already been drawn, ready to strike suddenly once the master of the house left the capital. Liu Yiyi's small note had already stirred dangerous ripples beneath the calm surface.
End of Chapter 62
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