Concubine Zhong appeared like a phantom in her peach-red attire, blocking Yun Wan’s path.
Yun Wan’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure, giving the other woman a puzzled glance. “What man?”
Concubine Zhong scoffed, unimpressed by her feigned ignorance. “Don’t play dumb! That man you were talking to under the locust tree just now!”
Slightly shorter than Yun Wan, she tilted her chin up triumphantly, her meticulously powdered face alight with schadenfreude.
Yue Ya tensed, ready to defend her mistress, but Yun Wan subtly held her back and replied coolly, “What nonsense are you spouting? When did I speak to any man?”
Concubine Zhong pointed toward the grove of locust trees, sneering. “Just now! I saw it all—the flirting, the touching! Don’t even think of denying it!”
She had only stepped out for fresh air, never expecting to witness such a scandal—Yun Wan, a young widow, daring to meet a man in secret! The audacity!
The thrill of uncovering Yun Wan’s secret made Concubine Zhong giddy.
Yun Wan’s chest tightened, but she met the accusation head-on. “Do you have proof?”
Concubine Zhong smirked. “I saw it with my own eyes! Isn’t that proof enough?”
“You’d better confess, or I’ll report this to Old Madam and make sure you regret it!”
If Old Madam learned of Yun Wan’s secret rendezvous, there’d be hell to pay.
But if Yun Wan begged and showed proper deference, Concubine Zhong might consider letting her off.
So, no solid evidence then.
As Concubine Zhong’s mind buzzed with schemes, Yun Wan suddenly said, “I saw something too.”
“Wh-what?”
The abrupt statement left Concubine Zhong bewildered.
Yun Wan lifted her delicate eyelids, fixing her with a pointed gaze. “Funny you should mention it, Concubine Zhong. Just two days ago, I saw you chatting with a male worshipper who came to offer incense. The way you two were eyeing each other, even touching—utterly shameless!”
Her tone dripped with disdain, and Concubine Zhong froze.
Recovering, she flushed with rage. “How dare you slander me?! When did I ever—”
Yun Wan cut her off. “Two days ago. I saw it clearly.”
“Right, Yue Ya? We both saw it.”
Catching her mistress’s cue, Yue Ya nodded firmly. “Yes, Madam. This servant witnessed it too.”
Yun Wan’s gaze shifted behind Concubine Zhong. “You claim you saw me with a man. Do you have any witnesses?”
“I—”
Concubine Zhong whirled around and realized—she hadn’t brought her maid!
“You!”
Her face darkened. “Yun Wan, you refuse to admit it? Fine! Once I expose your lover, let’s see how you’ll weasel out of it then! By then, even begging won’t save you!”
Yun Wan shrugged. “Do as you please.”
“But if I hear even a whisper of gossip before then, your little affair with that male worshipper…” Her eyes turned icy, the unspoken threat hanging heavy.
Concubine Zhong clenched her handkerchief, livid. “You wouldn’t dare! You’re spreading lies!”
Yun Wan remained impassive. “If you can do it, why can’t I?”
“Think carefully. I’m the lawfully wedded wife of the Lu family. If my reputation is tarnished, do you really think Old Madam and the Duke will let you off?”
The implication was clear—if she suffered, Concubine Zhong would too.
With that, Yun Wan strode away without a backward glance, leaving Concubine Zhong fuming.
Once they were out of earshot, Yue Ya whispered, “Madam, aren’t you afraid Concubine Zhong might actually uncover…”
Still unsettled from the encounter and having failed to retrieve her belongings, Yun Wan replied tersely, “That man was Seventh Master.”
Yue Ya’s eyes widened. “You—you mean the man under the tree was—”
She mouthed the two words silently.
Yun Wan nodded. “Let her investigate if she wants.”
She doubted Concubine Zhong had the means to trace anything back to Emperor Jingxuan. The only concern was false accusations.
“Keep a closer eye on Concubine Zhong’s movements in the manor from now on.”
Meanwhile, Emperor Jingxuan tucked the silk fabric securely against his chest when a hesitant voice called out from behind:
“Imperial Uncle?”
Recognizing him, Princess Jiayi hurriedly bowed. “Jiayi pays her respects to Imperial Uncle.”
Emperor Jingxuan’s tone was indifferent. “Did you enjoy yourself yesterday?”
Caught off guard by his rare concern, Princess Jiayi stammered, “Jiayi thanks Imperial Uncle for your kindness. The hot springs were wonderfully soothing, and the peach blossom wine and roasted meat you bestowed were exquisite! Everyone praised them endlessly!”
They’d all gotten tipsy afterward.
Emperor Jingxuan nodded. “Good that you liked them.”
With that, he left.
Princess Jiayi watched his retreating figure, awed. Imperial Uncle, so noble and devoted to the realm, is truly the model all men should aspire to!
But why had he gifted her that wine? Was it a sign he planned to elevate her father’s standing?
The next day, after a vegetarian breakfast at Putuo Temple, the group descended the mountain and arrived at the Duke’s manor by noon.
Back in her courtyard, Yun Wan’s first order was to distribute the souvenirs from the Bathing Buddha Festival—most were for Sui, so she had them delivered to his room.
“Madam, what should we do with the two baskets of fresh fruit?”
Though it wasn’t peak summer, the fruit wouldn’t keep long before spoiling.
“Pick the best ones for the icehouse. Preserve the rest as dried fruit for Sui’s snacks.”
The chilled ones could be eaten fresh or made into drinks when Sui returned.
As if sensing he was being thought of, Sui sneezed twice on his way to the imperial library.
The young eunuch guiding him asked, “Young Master Lu, are you catching a chill?”
Sui rubbed his nose. “I’m fine. Some hot tea later will help.”
The eunuch said no more. After a while, he stopped and gestured ahead. “The library is just around that bend. As a restricted area, this servant’s rank is too low to enter. I can only escort you this far.”
Sui thanked him and retrieved two silver leaves from his book bag, handing them over.
His mother had taught him that in crowded places, social graces mattered—silver being the most direct and appreciated currency. If a small sum ensured good service, it was money well spent.
Sui agreed, so he always carried silver leaves and beans prepared by his mother.
The eunuch accepted them with a grateful smile, his demeanor warming. “Should Young Master need anything in the future, this servant is at your service!”
Sui acknowledged him and continued alone, following the directions.
Rounding the bend, he was met with a grand three-story pavilion, its plaque boldly inscribed with the words Imperial Library in sweeping calligraphy.
