Chapter 19: Distorting the Truth

The Dantais’ residence was unusually quiet that day. After returning from the schoolroom, the fifth and sixth young ladies were immediately whisked away to the Refreshing Abode by Ye’s maid, Taohong. Even the matrons at the second gate sensed that something was amiss; they dared not gamble or drink, but instead went about their duties with uncharacteristic diligence.

This stillness, like the calm before a storm, lasted only until the first quarter of the Hai hour, when Dantai Shanchang returned to the manor.

Even the Liruo Courtyard felt the shift in pressure. As Mother Xu reported the news, Ye was already ushering the fifth and sixth young ladies toward the outer courtyard to find their father.

Dantai Jing sat sipping a cup of fragrant tea. She knew this matter would not end easily; the night would likely be tumultuous, and a cup of tea was the best way to keep her wits sharp.

"Only someone like Ye would do such a thing—dragging two young ladies to the outer courtyard in the middle of the night to find their father," Dantai Jing remarked with a mocking smile. "Hmph, truly the roots of a merchant family; she lacks even a shred of proper decorum."

Mother Xu, initially anxious, calmed down upon seeing Dantai Jing’s composed demeanor. She chimed in, "Indeed. If not for her father spending mountains of silver to purchase a humble ninth-rank petty official title, she would never have had the status to enter our manor. When the first mistress was still alive, she played the part of a dutiful servant. Even after bearing the twins, she remained cautious and restrained. Not only the first mistress, but even an old servant like me was deceived by her."

Dantai Jing continued to smile faintly. "Mother, you mustn't say that. Don't forget that Ye has a capable brother, and the foundation laid during her merchant days was not insubstantial. There was a reason Father elevated her to the position of legal wife."

What Dantai Jing left unsaid was that while Ye’s background might pass muster in a small place like Zecheng, once Dantai Shanchang eventually moved to the capital to serve as an official, Ye’s origins would be considered lowly to the core.

Not to mention anyone else, Dantai Jing doubted Ye could even pass the scrutiny of her grandmother. Ye had at most two years left to strut about. It was a pity, Dantai Jing thought, that she had no intention of letting those two years be comfortable for her.

Soon, Dantai Jing heard a knocking at the door. Leaning on Mother Xu, she stood up, limped forward a few steps, and said with a smile, "It seems I must trouble you to accompany me, Mother."

Mother Xu nodded repeatedly, determined not to let Ye bully the third young lady.

In the outer courtyard study, Dantai Shanchang sat at the head of the table. He had been working tirelessly for the Fourth Prince, fearful of any slight dissatisfaction, and was exhausted. His sole purpose in working himself to the bone was to relocate the entire family to the capital, yet his own household remained in a state of unrest.

Dantai Shanchang was weary to the point of exasperation. Ignoring the presence of Dantai Xuan and Dantai Zhi, he rebuked Ye: "What kind of mistress are you? Did you not witness how the first mistress managed this household? Look at how things have turned out since you took charge—first Jing lost her voice, and now this! Making the entire Dantai household the talk of the town—is this how you manage the inner court? If you had told me earlier that you were incapable, I would have known better than to elevate you."

Ye’s face flushed red with indignation, but she could find no retort. She had intended to strike first and blame the victim, as Dantai Xuan was clearly the one most at fault. She had felt that if she didn't bring the fifth and sixth young ladies to cause a scene before Dantai Jing arrived, they would be the ones to suffer. She never expected that Dantai Shanchang would regret his decision to promote her over such a trivial matter.

Ye felt the seat beneath her becoming unsteady. She gritted her teeth, vowing to herself that she would never let such disorder happen again. She had to ensure peace in the residence.

What Ye did not know was that Dantai Shanchang’s regret stemmed from his association with the Fourth Prince. With the current Emperor aging, only the Third and Fourth Princes held his favor. Should the Fourth Prince ascend the throne, Dantai Shanchang’s future would be glorious, and a wife who had once been a concubine would be his greatest humiliation. He regretted not waiting a few months longer; had he waited until after he met the Fourth Prince, he would have ensured that his mother selected a successor from a noble family in the capital.

Dantai Shanchang sighed; it was too late for regrets.

Seeing her mother rebuked, Dantai Xuan felt a surge of resentment. Fearing she might be scolded next, she interjected before Dantai Jing could arrive: "Father, why do you blame Mother? She did not wish for the house to be in such turmoil. It was the Third Sister! She struck me at the school gates today—everyone saw it!"

Dantai Zhi, standing behind her, bowed respectfully. Clad in a flesh-pink outer garment that made her appear gentle and delicate in the candlelight, she spoke softly: "I did not wish to speak of this, but when it happened, I tried to pass it off as a playful squabble between sisters. Yet, the fact remains that Third Sister did strike Fifth Sister. If word of this spreads, what will people think of our Dantai household? Sisters brawling? We shall have no face left. Fifth Sister and I are still young, but Third Sister is already twelve. Such a reputation would be most improper."

Dantai Zhi’s words made Dantai Shanchang fall silent. He had almost forgotten that Dantai Jing was already twelve and of an age to be betrothed. Unable to speak and now burdened with a scandalous reputation, she would be impossible to marry off. He had previously thought Dantai Jing to be sensible and well-mannered; he was disappointed to see that in a real crisis, she was inferior even to the youngest, Dantai Zhi.

When Dantai Jing stepped into the room, she found Dantai Shanchang wearing a dark expression. This was as she expected. She knew Ye, Dantai Xuan, and Dantai Zhi would not speak a kind word about her, and that Ye would likely not even give her the chance to explain.

Sure enough, as Dantai Jing limped into the room, Ye stepped forward to block Dantai Shanchang’s view, saying, "Jing, why don't you apologize to your Fifth Sister? You struck her today, and she has been crying in grievance all evening. Even then, she was so worried about your reputation that she endured it and said nothing at the school!"

Even now, Ye did not forget to elevate her own daughter while stepping on Dantai Jing. Dantai Jing smiled faintly, thinking it a pity that the birth status of Ye’s daughters had already destined them to never truly rise.