First Phoenix Lady - chapter 5

Chapter 5

Tang Chujun sighed, “On the day Xing’er died, your Grandmother and Concubine Wen mentioned the Wei family. My mind was in chaos at the time, so I didn’t pay attention and didn’t know what she intended to do.”

Shi Anxia said, “Grandmother and Concubine Wen naturally wanted to ruin Miss Wei’s reputation.”

In her previous life, Shi Anxia suffered a severe illness after struggling in the water, and her mother, Tang Chujun, was devastated by the accidental death of her son and spent her days in despair.

Old Madam Shi and Concubine Wen learned the cause and effect of the drowning from the footmen who had followed Shi Yunxing.

Not only did they refuse to apologize to the Wei Mansion, but they also sent people to make a scene at the gates of the Wei Mansion. They loudly proclaimed that the Marquis Mansion’s legitimate grandson, Shi Yunxing, died saving Miss Wei, and that Miss Wei had already given herself to their Yun Xing.

Wei Cailing could not withstand the overwhelming rumors and chose to end her life to prove her innocence.

Yet this did not stop the Marquis Mansion from continuing their misdeeds. Old Madam Shi and Concubine Wen even invited a Matchmaker to the Wei Mansion during the Funeral Rites, with trumpets and drums, to propose a Spirit Marriage between Shi Yunxing and Wei Cailing.

Madam Wei, seeing that even in death her daughter could not escape the Marquis Mansion’s humiliation, was so enraged that she spat blood onto the coffin and died on the spot from anger.

By the time Shi Anxia recovered from her illness and tried to make amends, Lord Wei had already moved his entire family out of the Capital.

Ten years later, the youngest daughter of the Wei family, Wei Pingting, entered the palace through the Imperial Consort Selection with her stunning beauty. She used every means at her disposal to deal with the Marquis Mansion and Shi Anxia, and in the end, both sides suffered heavy losses.

Shi Anxia was sent to the Cold Palace, and Wei Pingting, having used the dragon fetus (imperial heir) in her womb to seek revenge, lost Imperial Favor and was ultimately sentenced to death by Poisoned Wine.

In the end, it seemed she had won, but in truth, everyone had lost.

With a man of integrity like Wei Zhongshi, it was truly a blessing for the Northern Wing.

When the nation faced ruin, the Wei family set aside past grievances and obeyed her, the Empress Dowager, in dispatching troops against the enemy.

In this life, how could she bear to let Wei Zhongshi suffer the pain of losing both daughter and wife again?

Tang Chujun was no longer eager to solve the problem herself. “Xia’er, then tell me, what should we do next? If someone goes to the Wei Mansion, Miss Wei will be driven to her death.”

Shi Anxia nodded, “Exactly! If Mother trusts me, let me handle this matter?”

Tang Chujun saw that her daughter, though young, handled affairs cleanly and decisively, with a measured approach, appearing far more composed and skilled than herself. What was there to worry about? She agreed at once.

After their discussion, Shi Anxia had someone call for Nanny Cao.

She had already sent most of the Duke of State Protection Mansion’s staff back that morning, keeping only Nanny Cao and a few trusted stewards.

Nanny Cao was someone brought by Shi Anxia’s aunt-in-law (dajiumu, wife of her maternal uncle) from her own family to the Duke of State Protection Mansion. Since her mistress was close to her niece, she naturally spared no effort in her duties.

Upon entering, she respectfully greeted, “Greetings to Madam, greetings to Miss.”

Shi Anxia personally stood up and smiled as she helped her up. “No need for formalities. In the future, I will rely on Nanny Cao to help train the Maids around me, so that they may act as reliably and properly as you do.”

Nanny Cao was delighted by the praise, her wrinkled face breaking into a smile. “Miss flatters me. I am at your disposal.”

When the servants from the Duke of State Protection Mansion returned in the morning, everyone was in high spirits. Not only did Miss give each person a red envelope to ward off bad luck, but she also distributed extra silver and cloth as rewards.

For servants, doing their duty was expected.

But when the masters gave generous rewards, it showed their recognition of the servants’ abilities.

Nanny Cao already held Miss in high regard. Just from last night’s series of actions, she was truly calm and bold, nothing like a timid young girl who had not yet come of age.

Although she did not know why Miss treated her own brother in such a way, which noble household did not have some dirty secrets in the inner chambers?

As she pondered, Nanny Cao saw several Maids enter the room.
Shi Anxia said, “I’m not afraid of Nanny Cao laughing at me. Right now, the only people in my courtyard whom I can trust and use are just these few Maids. I was wondering if Nanny Cao could assign a few trustworthy people to guide each of them?”

She paused, then continued, “What I’m about to do next may be extremely secretive. There cannot be any mistakes.”

Nanny Cao understood-Miss was about to do something big, and the Marquis Mansion was likely to be turned upside down very soon.

After a brief thought, she nodded. “I understand.”

Earlier that morning, Miss had left eight older women behind, assigned five of them, and with herself there were three left. She asked, “Are the rest to stay in Begonia Courtyard?”

Shi Anxia nodded. “Nanny Cao, you’re absolutely right.”

Among her Maids, there were four first-class Maids: Dong Li, Xi Yue, Nan Yan, and Bei Hui.

Of these, Bei Hui was the closest to her. The other three had been chosen by her mother, and their loyalty was beyond question.

There was also a Maid named Hong Que, who was a second-class Maid.

Shi Anxia planned to promote Hong Que to a first-class Maid after this round of matters was settled.

According to her memories from her previous life, none of these Maids had ever betrayed her.

The Maids all knelt before Nanny Cao, “Greetings, Nanny Cao.”

Nanny Cao smiled warmly. “I will certainly select suitable people and teach them how to handle things independently, so they can serve Miss well.” After speaking, she bowed again, “Madam, Miss, I take my leave.”

Shi Anxia nodded slightly, sitting with poise. “Thank you, Nanny Cao, for your efforts.”

As Nanny Cao withdrew, she inexplicably sensed an aura of authority from Miss that was almost impossible to look upon directly.

At that moment, Concubine Wen was seated on a soft chair, directing a servant boy to whip Aunt Gui, who was guarding the Firewood Shed.

With each lash, a scream of pain rang out.

Concubine Wen raised her hand to signal the servant to stop, then asked angrily, “Why did Shi Yunqi disappear and you didn’t report it in time?”

Aunt Gui was bitter inside.

Last night, her sister-in-law came to her again asking for money, claiming their mother had a high fever and needed to go to the clinic.

She said she had no money and told her sister-in-law to ask her brother for help.

There were three brothers in the family-why should she, as the sister-in-law, be the only one to give money?

When her sister-in-law couldn’t get any money, she mocked Aunt Gui for being old and useless, unable to keep a man’s heart.

Aunt Gui asked what she meant.

Perhaps to provoke her, her sister-in-law said, “Why don’t you just go home and see for yourself?”

Aunt Gui thought that normally, Young Master Qi was locked in the Firewood Shed and no one paid him any attention. He wouldn’t leave on his own, and with his injuries, he couldn’t run around.

She locked up the Firewood Shed and hurried home.

She ended up seeing her husband and her dear cousin making merry on her own bed.

Her husband was a carpenter, not very skilled, and barely got any work all year.

She, a woman, had sold herself into the Marquis Mansion as a servant to earn money to support her husband, children, sister-in-law, and even her parents-in-law.

Now, it seemed she’d have to support a cousin as well!

Her family was dirt poor, yet her husband wanted to imitate the wealthy and take a concubine.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She quarreled all night. When she returned in the morning, she found the lock on the Firewood Shed smashed and Young Master Qi taken away by the eldest master.

She hadn’t had time to report to Concubine Wen before Concubine Wen sent someone to seize her.

“Ah!” Another lash landed, and Aunt Gui curled up on the ground in pain. “Please spare me, Madam. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

Concubine Wen’s eyes were bloodshot. “Go fetch a broker and sell this wretch to the filthiest, hardest place!”

Shi Anxia had been standing by the door for a while and couldn’t help but speak in a gentle tone, “If Madam doesn’t want Aunt Gui, why not give her to me?”