A Second Spring Behind Silken Doors - Chapter 3

In an excellent mood, I slipped out of the house to enjoy the vegetarian food at Fahua Temple that I’d been craving.

I had only just sat down when I spotted Lady Huyang and the young man who had been with her last time.

Lady Huyang noticed me too. One eyebrow lifted slightly.

We exchanged small nods of greeting.

Fortunately, she had no intention of speaking to me. She and the man opposite her ate at a leisurely pace. I couldn’t help stealing a few more looks at him.

He wore a blue-green robe. His long fingers held a soup spoon, his fair hand blending with the white porcelain in a picture of fragile beauty.

The standard of male favorites these days was truly extraordinary. Even someone as distinguished and ethereal as this had lowered himself to serve a woman.

As I pondered this, he looked over. Taken aback, I nodded to him.

He smiled back.

“Miss.” A young novice brought several dishes to my table.

I blinked. “I didn’t order these.”

He pointed toward Lady Huyang and the young man. “They’re from Her Ladyship.”

I looked up. Both of them were looking my way, so I rose and curtsied.

The meal I’d so long anticipated tasted like wax in my mouth. I finished quickly and hurried away.

I had scarcely entered our gates when an elderly servant came rushing toward me.

“Fifth Miss, something’s happened to your mother!”

My heart lurched. Gathering up my skirts, I ran to the main courtyard. Mother was kneeling in the blazing sun. I had no idea how long she’d been there, but she was already swaying on the verge of collapse.

“Mother, what happened? Who made you kneel here?”

She slowly turned toward me, caught my hand, and whispered, “They’re the masters. I’m a servant. Whatever punishment they give me is their right. You mustn’t interfere.”

I was about to help her up when Jiang Zhi emerged from Father’s wife’s room.

“You’re living very freely these days, Fifth Sister. Out whenever you please, without so much as a word to Mother?”

I waited for her to go on.

She came over and looked down at me. “But Mother didn’t punish her. I did.”

“What is this supposed to mean, Jiang Zhi?”

“A concubine who doesn’t know her place, consorting with Concubine Zhou from the Baoding residence next door. Did you know that Zhou was caught eloping this morning, brought back, and beaten to death?” Her eyes fixed on me like a venomous snake’s.

She was telling me she’d found out that Mother had sent someone to tell Concubine Zhou about the male favorite. The news had reached her through several people; then she had killed him to frame Lady Huyang, ultimately driving a wedge between herself and Xu Hanzhi.

“I know nothing about any of this sordid business,” I said.

Jiang Zhi suddenly leaned close. “Jiang Shu, I was doing you an honor by letting you become a marquis’s wife. Not only did you refuse to appreciate it, you dared set a trap for me!

“A mere concubine’s daughter, thinking she can turn the world upside down!”

She gave a cold laugh. “Since you’re both so fond of the Baoding household, I’ve spoken to Father. In ten days, you’ll be sent there as the marquis’s concubine. You can have your wish.”

“You’re always so concerned with other people’s affairs. You ought to think more about your own.” I smiled and lowered my voice. “Sister, did you know your husband has been dismissed from office?”

Jiang Zhi staggered. “What did you say?” she shrieked.

“You didn’t know? It only just happened, but the news is all over town.”

“Nonsense. Impossible! My husband has always been conscientious in his duties. His Majesty favors him. He wouldn’t dismiss him over a trifle.”

“Really? Using the emperor and deceiving him is a trifle?”

“You!” Jiang Zhi wanted to hit me, but her anxiety was too pressing. “This isn’t over between us, Jiang Shu.”