Chapter 42: With Just Cause (Part Two)

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Peach Blossom didn’t know what was going on but dared not ask further. She immediately lifted her skirt and was about to rush out. Behind her, Madam Ye cursed under her breath, “Bring back some fresh fruits and say they were just picked from the estate, to let the matriarch taste something fresh. Use your wits; don’t act like a fool. If you say anything out of place, I’ll come back and smash your mouth!”

Peach Blossom responded repeatedly, grateful for Madam Ye’s careful thinking. Given that something had just happened in the residence, she figured there had to be a reason for her sudden trip to the Ye household. She ordered a servant to fetch a carriage, packed some watermelons picked from the estate a few days prior, and headed straight to the Ye residence.

Madam Ye, meanwhile, looked at the scattered scraps of paper on the ground, so furious that even breathing felt laborious.

Liu Lu was summoned in, lit the brazier, and burned all the paper fragments. Only then did Madam Ye’s mood begin to calm, as if those uncertainties and anxieties were consumed by the flames.

But whenever she thought of the words written by Dantai Jing, her head throbbed with rage.

Dantai Jing hadn’t written anything else—only the following: “Household registration at the yamen, marriage contract amended, grandmother’s letter not yet arrived.”

Indeed, the matriarch residing in the capital had not yet spoken. Although the yamen affairs were settled, without the matriarch’s decree, her name, like that of the fifth and sixth young misses, was not entered into the clan records, rendering her status unacknowledged.

Had the stewardesses in the residence known of the third young miss’s two remarks at that time, they would surely show her even less respect.

The cold Yan, who served the matriarch, came to deliver a message that day and learned of her situation. The matriarch instructed Madam Ye to hand over the household talisman card to curry favor with Dantai Shanchang.

The third young miss was still just a green girl; how could she cause a stir? Entrusting the management of the inner household to her was risky; if a major mistake occurred, forcing Madam Ye and Dantai Shanchang to plead for a reorganization would be the proper way to survive in the inner quarters. Holding the talisman card was of no use.

Though Madam Ye followed Cold Yan’s advice, she harbored selfish intentions and kept the servitude contracts of the residence’s people, hoping to control Dantai Jing. However, that day she was informed by Su Yue that Madam Gui was particularly close to Madam Yang and wanted to coax Madam Yang into an illicit affair.

Now, the greatest worry in the residence was precisely this. Besides Madam Ye, there wasn’t even a concubine; this was the moment when her master had erred, so how could she not guard herself thoroughly?

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Fortunately, she still held Madam Yang’s servitude contract. Without hesitation, she framed Madam Yang and prepared to send her away. Yet, at the last moment, she wanted the stewardesses to see clearly that she was the one in charge of the residence. She summoned everyone to the main courtyard, only to find that Dantai Jing’s wishes prevailed, and Madam Zou was sent to the main kitchen. This time, she truly lost both the woman and the troops!

Thinking again of Dantai Jing’s words, she wasn’t yet in the clan records. At this time, no mistakes could be made. No matter what, Madam Ye had to wait until her position was legitimate and recognized.

Peach Blossom sat in the carriage, recalling the morning words of Nurse Jiang: only she and Liu Lu came from the Ye household, and the madam had authority over matters; others were all under the third young miss’s control.

For some reason, Peach Blossom thought of Madam Yang. She didn’t even want to ask where Madam Yang was going; just thinking of her pale face sent a chill down Peach Blossom’s spine.

Her only choice now was to obediently follow Madam Ye’s orders and keep her distance from her master.

The Ye residence was not far from the Dantai estate. Peach Blossom soon arrived, but Madam Ye was resting, so Cold Yan came out to receive her.

“Our madam specifically told me to come by to deliver a message to the matriarch,” Peach Blossom said, sweat beading on her nose as she fanned herself with a handkerchief.

Cold Yan glanced at her sideways and smiled, “The matriarch is resting now. Why don’t you wait a bit, Sister Peach Blossom?”

Peach Blossom and Cold Yan had entered the household together, both serving the matriarch initially. Later, when Madam Ye was to be married off, a maid was to be assigned to her, and Peach Blossom, using cunning, won over Cold Yan and accompanied Madam Ye to the Dantai estate.

The Ye family’s old master was merely a low-ranking official, far beneath the prestige of a prefectural magistrate of the fifth rank. Cold Yan held a grudge and would not easily allow Peach Blossom to complete her errand.

Peach Blossom felt helpless. Knowing that if she returned late, Madam Ye would scold her again, she forced a smile and said, “It’s nothing embarrassing; just tell Sister Cold Yan. It’s the same anyway.”

“Please trouble Sister Cold Yan to convey it to the matriarch. My madam says all matters are to be put on hold until after the New Year, to be resumed in spring,” Peach Blossom looked at Cold Yan, who raised an eyebrow at her. She hurriedly explained, “I don’t know the details, but I suppose Sister Cold Yan knows.”

Peach Blossom dared not offend Cold Yan now. She had simply obtained the news first and taken Madam Ye’s dowry maid position while Cold Yan was unaware. Cold Yan was superior in both guile and means; offending her would lead to no good outcomes.

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Cold Yan sneered knowingly. Of course, she was aware. The matriarch of the Ye family could not appear openly, so communication with Madam Ye relied entirely on her. Madam Ye’s willingness to say this now meant she regretted her earlier decision.

Cold Yan snorted coldly. Having already handed over the talisman cards, to now backtrack was tantamount to handing over the entire Dantai estate. When the New Year passed and spring arrived, if the third young miss had established her footing, what use would any schemes be?

To act, one must strike while the iron is hot!

Peach Blossom was eager not to linger in the Ye residence any longer. Having delivered the message, she said, “Please kindly tell the matriarch, Sister Cold Yan. I must return to serve my madam, so I will take my leave!”

Cold Yan watched Peach Blossom’s retreating figure, a smile curling at her lips, just as the matriarch called her inside.

Cold Yan hurriedly lifted the curtain and entered, smiling brightly as she approached, “The matriarch has awakened? You slept fifteen minutes less than yesterday, didn’t you?”

“I heard it sounded like Peach Blossom speaking to you just now? Has something happened again at the Dantai estate?” The matriarch sat up with Cold Yan’s support, her voice low and questioning.

Cold Yan paused, her thoughts swirling, then smiled and replied, “Nothing at all. Peach Blossom simply brought fresh watermelons back from the estate on madam’s behalf, delivering a few to the matriarch.”

Cold Yan did not lie. After all, Peach Blossom had indeed brought some watermelons.

Madam Ye could not act directly, so Cold Yan needed to assist her. If the third young miss truly secured her position at the Dantai estate, Madam Ye’s influence would wane, jeopardizing her prospects for a good marriage in the future.