Chapter Seven: The Scheme Unfolds
The courtyard, at a glance, was both magnificent and austere; every brick and tile exuded a rigid solemnity. The closed doors and the servants standing in strict order lent the place an eerie air of secrecy.
This was the residence of Lady Hou, the matriarch.
Meng Zhenyue yearned to search inside; with Lady Hou’s shrewd nature, if she had conspired with anyone, there would surely be evidence left behind as leverage.
But the endless troubles caused by Zhao Xianzhi in her previous life had left her overwhelmed, and despite living through it all, she had gained nothing.
Her gaze lingered only briefly on the closed door before she looked away.
Lady Hou was not present now, so she could not risk approaching recklessly.
Originally, Zhao Zhizhi had gone to Xiaozhou to deliver a letter, and upon receiving a reply, Lady Hou immediately set off with her youngest son and grandson.
Zhao Xianzhi had operated in the Hou household for years, with spies everywhere and a keen perception; any unusual move on her part would be detected swiftly.
Having suffered losses in her past life, this time she had to be extra cautious.
When Meng Zhenyue arrived at Yuehua Courtyard, she saw another maid she had brought along, Man Zhi, chatting with two senior maids, three second-tier maids, and two coarse servants assigned by Lady Hou.
Meng Zhenyue exchanged a few words as before, then excused herself to rest in her room.
She knew the way well and walked to the inner chamber, with Man Zhi smiling and following close behind.
It was only when Yunxia, bursting with suppressed words, went to the window to keep watch that Man Zhi’s expression turned grave; she took out something from a bundle and whispered:
“Miss, someone slipped something into the gift we brought.”
“Less than fifteen minutes ago, people from other households came to deliver gifts. I was careless for a moment, and then I found this,” Man Zhi handed over a note.
“I am utterly incompetent…” Man Zhi tried to kneel and apologize, but Meng Zhenyue stopped her.
These two maids had met unfortunate ends in their past lives as well, but now was not the time to dwell on sorrow.
Meng Zhenyue took the note and glanced at it; it was a letter revealing that the Marquis of Chengwu was secretly communicating with the Zhao family army.
The ink was fresh, clearly written not long ago.
The Zhao family army had belonged to the late Marquis; after his death, it was officially absorbed by the imperial army.
Though Emperor Jinghe had ordered the Marquis of Chengwu to find a way to regain the Zhao family army,—
If this secret correspondence were exposed, it would be enough to accuse someone of treason!
This had never happened in her previous life. Reborn to this moment, she would only have to fear Zhao Xianzhi.
Based on Meng Zhenyue’s understanding of Zhao Xianzhi—
This was surely a trap to pin her as a pawn, or to slander her as conspiring with traitors to harm the Hou family, only for Zhao Xianzhi to then step in and rescue her.
The midwife was undoubtedly one of his people; he only needed to arrange a few more moves.
This would both clear his own suspicions and make her grateful.
In her previous life, Zhao Xianzhi had used these tricks to deceive her trust; regrettably, she had been reborn!
---
Meng Zhenyue hid the note and glanced out the window, then raised her voice slightly in complaint:
“What are you so happy about? On the very first day back to the mansion, there are constant hidden attacks!”
“Such fine clothes, hmph—”
“Oh no, they caught fire! Is there not a belt in the bundle? Use that for now!”
Yunxia at the window glanced over and smiled; Man Zhi also praised, “Miss is wise.”
Wise, my foot; the clothes were bought on the street, but the belt was made by her foster father during their journey.
Suppressing a pang of pain, Meng Zhenyue leaned toward Man Zhi and whispered:
“Send a pigeon to warn the people in Xiaozhou to guard my parents carefully and watch Lady Hou’s movements.”
After a pause, she added, “Send the Mei squad to Qijia Village on the outskirts of the city. If they encounter anyone from the Marquis of Chengwu’s faction on the road... then...”
Meng Zhenyue made a throat-slitting gesture.
Because of her mother’s influence, to avoid assassination, the Meng family secretly employed four levels of guards named Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum.
Though this matter was serious, they would not deploy the elite of the Hou household.
Sending the Mei squad was to ensure absolute safety.
Though Man Zhi did not fully understand, she obeyed the order without hesitation and left with a composed expression.
Inside the room, Meng Zhenyue took out the belt, dusted it with some fragrant powder, and put it back.
Only then did she begin to explain a little to a puzzled Yunxia about her actions.
These two maids were her confidantes; they needed to understand their current situation to face their enemies.
---
In the study of the Hou mansion’s front courtyard, the conversation between the Marquis of Chengwu and Zhao Xianzhi was drawing to a close.
“No matter what, you have been my son for sixteen years. I will handle this matter properly. Enough, you may leave,” the Marquis said tiredly, waving his hand.
Zhao Xianzhi emerged from the study to see his personal attendant Bei Lie waiting anxiously in the corridor.
Back in the courtyard, Bei Lie reported:
“The young lady threw a tantrum in her room and burned the gift meant for the Marquis. The thing slipped inside was burned up as well. Could it be that she discovered it?”
After reporting, Bei Lie waited anxiously for his master’s orders.
The young master had encountered one misfortune after another today; if another mistake happened now, bloodshed was likely.
This master was not the shining figure he appeared to be; he had skills and even more cunning methods.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Xianzhi curled his lips into a cold smile, a trace of triumph flickering across his face.
“Meng Zhenyue, your tricks won’t fool me.”
Then he put away his smile and asked seriously, “What about the people we sent out? Any developments?”
---
“All is well. They should have intercepted the Marquis’s men by now.”
Zhao Xianzhi nodded in satisfaction, waved Bei Lie away, and before dinner, he visited Zhao Zhizhi's Huaxi Courtyard.
Dinner was laid out in the flower hall, and everyone except Lady Hou, who was away, was present.
The person sent to fetch the midwife had not yet returned, and Meng Zhenyue was distributing the gifts one by one.
She first approached Lady Hou.
Lady Hou had already thoroughly questioned Aunt Xu and inquired about the Marquis’s plans, feeling fully reassured.
Now, she only wished to bond warmly with her daughter. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she looked at the modest hairpin in her hand:
“Such a delicate hairpin, Mother likes it very much. You have been thoughtful.”
She frowned slightly and said, “But the money I gave you, you should spend yourself.”
She then gestured for Aunt Xu to fetch some property deeds from the shop and added, “Your father and I have agreed to hold a recognition banquet in a few days to officially record you in the family register.”
At these words, Meng Zhenyue recalled the name the Marquis of Chengwu had given her in the previous life and felt displeased.
She nodded silently and then turned to Zhao Zhizhi, who was sitting nearby.
Meng Zhenyue presented a specialty food from Xiaozhou.
“You really understand me,” Zhao Zhizhi said shyly as she accepted it.
Then, as if suddenly recalling something, she spoke softly and considerately:
“The things in my courtyard are yours as well. You can take whatever you want and come and go as you please. I have saved many intimate items for you.”
“Do you still like those jewelry pieces? Should I ask the shopkeeper of Linlang Building to come here tomorrow? Or would you rather go out for a stroll?”
“And those clothes...”
Everyone in the room marveled at the harmony between the two sisters, until Lady Hou spoke to interrupt, causing Zhao Zhizhi to stop.
Meng Zhenyue listened thoughtfully, responding to each sentence before taking the box from the maid and approaching the Marquis of Chengwu.
Following her into the flower hall were Yunxia and the senior maid assigned by the Hou family, Chun Zhu.
The Marquis nodded and said, “Thoughtful,” then handed the box to a servant without even opening it.
Seeing this, Chun Zhu chirped brightly:
“The young lady said she had an unpleasant day and needed to prepare something with care. The Marquis should take a good look and give a reasonable response, so the young lady’s heart won’t be troubled.”
Meng Zhenyue glanced at Chun Zhu but said nothing.