First Phoenix Lady - chapter 16

Chapter 16

Old Madam Shi’s brows relaxed, and she didn’t seem displeased. “I just heard that yesterday you sold off the people from Xing Ge’er’s quarters?”

Shi Anxia sighed. “I took down the mourning hall and sent my brother to Ling Mountain, which truly angered Mother. I thought, if those people remained in the mansion, Mother would constantly be reminded of the past and harm her health.”

Old Madam Shi was silent for a moment, then found it reasonable.

Since these people were mentioned, it was inevitable to bring up yesterday’s events. “Earlier, those young servants said Xing Ge’er jumped into the river because of Miss Wei. Why did they change their story yesterday? Did you make them do it?”

Shi Anxia shook her head. “Grandmother, this had nothing to do with Miss Wei in the first place. The servants were afraid of being blamed, so naturally they tried to shift responsibility onto someone else.”

Concubine Wen, who had been listening outside, couldn’t hold back any longer. She lifted the curtain and retorted, “How could it have nothing to do with her! Besides, how could you have fallen into the water for no reason? If Xing Ge’er jumped in to save you, why would the servants worry about being blamed and make up stories? It’s clearly that Miss Wei…”

Shi Anxia cast a cold glance at Concubine Wen, unwilling to engage, and turned to Old Madam Shi to explain again, “Grandmother, if you must say it’s related to the Wei family, it’s only because Miss Wei and I are somewhat acquainted, and she instructed her Maids to go into the water to save me.”

A familiar excuse! Twisting right and wrong! Concubine Wen’s eyes widened, red with anger. “No! No! Xing Ge’er clearly had feelings for Miss Wei…”

Shi Anxia interrupted her coolly, “Concubine Wen, mind your words. The dead should be respected. Are you determined to ruin my brother’s reputation after his death? If my brother’s name is tarnished, that’s one thing, but if it drags down Father’s reputation, can you bear that responsibility?”

Shi Chengxuan’s attitude from yesterday was still fresh in Concubine Wen’s mind. She touched her still aching chest, gritted her teeth, and deflated instantly.

Old Madam Shi, recalling her son’s already questionable reputation, thought that if it were further tainted by her deceased grandson, even her current idle position might not be secure, let alone any promotion.

She shot a look at Concubine Wen. “Didn’t you learn your lesson yesterday? You’re a grown woman, yet you’re not as farsighted as Sister Xia. It’s just a few servants-sell them off if you must. From now on, no one is to mention this again, especially you. Don’t keep nagging me about Xing Ge’er and Miss Wei.”

Shi Anxia raised an eyebrow slightly, realizing Concubine Wen hadn’t given up yet. Who knows how much effort she’d put in with Old Madam Shi to have her dragged out of bed so early.

She curled her lips, venting her morning irritation, and said coolly, “Also, Concubine Wen, as a concubine, what right do you have to call my brother ‘Xing Ge’er’? If you don’t even understand this basic etiquette, I’ll have to ask Mother to invite a nanny to teach you the rules, lest you ruin the Marquis Mansion’s reputation.”

Old Madam Shi nodded, eager to make use of some resources from Madam Tang, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of State Protection Mansion. “The family discipline does need to be tightened.”

Concubine Wen: “…”

At this moment, Nan Yan and Nanny Liu brought in freshly brewed tea.

Shi Anxia smiled gently, lowered her eyes, and took the tea from Nanny Liu to present to Old Madam Shi. “Grandmother, this is Liyang Jade Dew that my aunt sent a few days ago. Please try it.”

Old Madam Shi was delighted at the news. Before she even tasted it, a pure and clear fragrance wafted over as she took the cup.

Liyang Jade Dew was produced in very limited quantities, a special supply for the imperial palace, a rare and precious item that money could hardly buy.
She took a careful sip, the fragrance lingering on her lips and teeth, a noble and joyful sensation blooming on the tip of her tongue-indescribable. “Mm, good tea! Only the Duke of State Protection Mansion is so blessed, able to enjoy imperial tribute teas at any time.”

Once again, this tea reminded her that her daughter-in-law Madam Tang’s natal family, the Duke of State Protection Mansion, was truly not something their declining Marquis Mansion could compare to.

Her longing for power grew even stronger and more fervent.

A sudden thought stirred in her heart, and her gaze fell upon Shi Anrou, who had been quietly standing to the side. Last night, Prince Jin had personally escorted this granddaughter home-did he have some intention?

She looked back and forth between her two granddaughters, and had to admit, the legitimate granddaughter was indeed different.

Whether in appearance, bearing, or conduct, she was fully capable of taking on the responsibilities of the main mistress.

If Shi Anxia could become the Princess Consort of Jin, and Prince Jin was more interested in this illegitimate granddaughter, perhaps Shi Anrou could compete for the position of Prince Jin’s side consort.

If the mansion produced two consorts, who would dare say their Marquis Mansion was in decline?

Thinking thus, Old Madam Shi’s eyes grew more sincerely loving. But after all, both granddaughters had yet to come of age, and now was not the time to discuss such matters.

She changed the subject, her words full of concern and probing, “You must guide your mother more. Advise her not to be too sad. Both your mother and father are still young; there’s still a chance for them to give you a younger brother.”

Shi Anxia lowered her beautiful eyes in agreement, her voice gentle, “With my brother gone, Mother has lost her will to carry on. It’s truly worrying.”

Old Madam Shi found herself unable to speak openly; there was still a true legitimate son, yet now he could not be recognized as such. What method could she devise to restore the true legitimate son of the Marquis Mansion?

Shi Anxia took a sip of the hot tea in her cup, gazing through the curling steam at Old Madam Shi’s ambitious face. “Grandmother, I once thought that if Father’s career went smoothly, he could compete for the position of heir to the Marquis Mansion. But after such a big incident yesterday, I fear Father’s promotion will be difficult this time…”

“Don’t be too discouraged, what if…”

“Grandmother, you don’t know how strict Lord Jiang’s temperament is.”

“It took a lot for me to persuade Mother to scheme for Father just once, and it was about to succeed, but halfway through… Sigh, if Concubine Wen had known it would end like this, she probably wouldn’t have made such a scene.”

Back to Concubine Wen again! Who doesn’t know how to complain and stir up trouble? Shi Anxia glanced coolly over, only to see Concubine Wen so angry she looked ready to bite someone.

Doctors often say that anger harms the liver. Shi Anxia thought, Concubine Wen’s black hearted liver must be close to rotting from anger these days. Let her die slowly from rage-boiling a frog in warm water is much more entertaining than killing her outright.

She watched Old Madam Shi’s shifting expressions-joy and sorrow alternating. In her heart, she thought: it’s just such an ignorant and selfish woman of the inner residence, yet she manipulates the Marquis Mansion in the palm of her hand.

No wonder the Shi Family Patriarch always says, “Marry a virtuous wife! If not, disaster will befall three generations.”

Shi Anxia lifted the tea lid, gently brushed away the tea foam, took a sip, and set the cup on the small table beside her. “Now Mother is disappointed and doesn’t want to meddle in Father’s affairs anymore. Besides, you’ve seen Father’s abilities for yourself. Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but Father’s mind is all on the inner residence. Even if Mother wanted to help him, she… Sigh, forget it. After all, Father’s branch is the Second Branch, so we won’t compete for those empty titles.”

Old Madam Shi grew anxious-how could they not compete?