Chapter 51: Despicable Strategy (Part I)

“Madam…” Peachblossom stared tremblingly at the exquisite pastel tea set lying on the ground, standing hesitantly by the side, unsure of what to say, fearing that if Mistress Ye’s next outburst landed on her, she would be in trouble.

Mistress Ye’s chest heaved with anger as she snapped, “When Master left earlier, he said he would find a way, that Fifth Miss would never be married off to that Prince Yu. Yet in the blink of an eye, his mind has changed. If it weren’t for that little wretched girl from the Pear Blossom Courtyard scheming behind the scenes, who would believe it?”

Peachblossom dared not contradict, nor did she dare to fan Mistress Ye’s flames, and only murmured, “But Third Miss has become mute… how could she change Master’s mind?”

“That is precisely her skill!” Mistress Ye’s fingernails dug into the small table nearby, as if she wanted to gnash her back molars in rage. “I had intended to let her have a few peaceful days, but my mother insisted on acting quickly. And now look, she’s provoked Third Miss, who has begun to strike back!”

“But I’ve already sent a message to the matriarch…” Peachblossom was near tears, but the matriarch refused to listen to her. What could she do? Just the thought that Third Miss could, within a single day, push Fifth Miss onto Prince Yu made Peachblossom’s legs weak. If Third Miss wanted to control her, what could she do? Lost in these thoughts, she quietly asked, “Then… what should I do?”

“What to do?” Mistress Ye raised an eyebrow at Peachblossom. “Her own mother can’t defeat me, and yet this little maid thinks she can outmaneuver me? I must show her that the older ginger is spicier!”

Pointing at Peachblossom, Mistress Ye ordered, “Go find Master and tell him that Fifth Miss is still very young; even if a match is agreed upon, it must wait until after her next birthday. It’s only a matter of just over a year. After her twelfth birthday rites, the betrothal can be discussed. Saying so won’t sound so harsh! Besides, the match has already been decided; the timing doesn’t really matter!”

Peachblossom dared not linger in the main courtyard and left under the moonlight to relay the message to Master. Fortunately, he was indifferent and simply nodded in agreement.

Sighing with relief, Peachblossom returned to the main courtyard but did not see Willowgreen’s figure. She asked a nearby maid, who said that Madam would hold Third Miss’s birthday banquet on the seventh day of the eighth month. Willowgreen had been sent to Pear Blossom Courtyard to discuss the arrangements with Third Miss.

Peachblossom’s heart skipped a beat. Madam was not the generous type. Organizing a birthday banquet would surely cost the household’s silver. Madam considered the family’s funds as her private reserve, yet now she was lavishly throwing a celebration for Third Miss? Clutching her heart, Peachblossom waited for Willowgreen’s return to inquire further.

Peachblossom thought Third Miss, being so clever, surely wouldn’t agree to such a trap. But when Willowgreen returned, she said Third Miss was surprisingly agreeable, nodding to everything said. She was far easier to please than Fifth Miss or Sixth Miss.

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Wrapped in her quilt, Peachblossom had not slept well for days, unsure whether her worry for Mistress Ye or her own future was greater. Somehow, she felt Mistress Ye would never prevail against Third Miss. She was terrified—terrified she would be sold off to a lowly brothel like Mistress Yang!

The seventh day of the eighth month quickly arrived.

The autumn sky was a clear, cloudless blue. Beneath the rose trellis in the Hundred Gardens, a table was set; beneath the wisteria trellis, another table faced it at a distance, but foliage obscured a clear view.

The rose trellis was for the young ladies, while beneath the wisteria sat the male classmates. This arrangement maintained camaraderie without losing propriety.

Suxin delighted in organizing these details. Along the corridor between the two trellises hung jade-green gauze curtains, hazy and fresh. Along the corridor’s edges were rows of chrysanthemums, their fragrance elegant and refined.

As it was the twelfth birthday banquet of a young lady, there were no outsiders—merely the girls exchanging handkerchiefs with their classmates as usual.

Third Miss Dantai Jing, Fifth Miss Dantai Xuan, Sixth Miss Dantai Zhi, and several daughters of officials sat beneath the rose trellis. Ma Yuantong and Prince Yu sat beneath the wisteria trellis, and guests and hosts enjoyed themselves.

Midway through the meal, Peachblossom approached Third Miss Dantai Jing, bowed respectfully, and said, “Third Miss, Madam has specially arranged for Changming Pavilion to be ready at Luoxia Garden. After the meal, please, along with the young ladies and gentlemen, go there to watch the performance.”

Dantai Jing cast a deep glance at Peachblossom, who looked anxious and fearful. She understood but did not expose this, merely nodding slightly to show she acknowledged it.

Fifth Miss Dantai Xuan glared resentfully at Dantai Jing. It was only a birthday celebration, yet Mother was so eager to flatter Dantai Jing. Fifth Miss could not bear even the slightest advantage of Dantai Jing’s over her. Just thinking that today’s heroine was Dantai Jing, not herself, filled Fifth Miss with seething rage.

Sixth Miss Dantai Zhi quietly picked at a crab before her, inwardly smirking. Even though Mother had said nothing to her, she knew well that Mother was not so kindhearted as to flatter Dantai Jing. This lavish birthday banquet was sure to be recouped somehow. She was eagerly anticipating the ensuing drama.

After the meal, the guests were led to Luoxia Garden, and soon, the stage came alive with singing and performances.

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Dantai Jing watched the actor playing Xu Xian on stage intently. What was this love so deep as the sea? When he discovered Lady White was a snake spirit, did he not wear the same expression?

Suddenly, Dantai Jing thought perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad not to marry at all.

While Dantai Jing focused on the play, she failed to notice Prince Yu being quietly excused by a maid. Shortly after, another maid came to summon Dantai Jing.

“Third Miss, Madam says the servant woman sent with gifts from the Dong family got drunk and caused a bit of a scene. Since she belongs to the Dong household, Madam finds it difficult to handle her, so she wishes for Third Miss to go take a look,” the maid whispered, head bowed.

Dantai Jing glanced coldly at her. Aunt Gui, standing nearby, frowned and pulled the maid aside, saying, “Is she from the Dong household? I’ll take some people to see to it. Third Miss is the birthday girl today—there’s no reason for her to be troubled.”

The maid pursed her lips but finally agreed, and Aunt Gui followed her away.

Nanny Jiang remained at Pear Blossom Courtyard to watch the mansion, and Mother Xu was assisting Mrs. Zou in the large kitchen. Originally, Aunt Gui was supposed to stay by Dantai Jing’s side, so now with Aunt Gui gone, only Suxin remained.

Meanwhile, Sixth Miss had broken a tea cup. Suxin helplessly took a maid to clean it up. When only Dantai Jing remained seated, the maid who had left returned, saying, “Third Miss, Aunt Gui couldn’t manage that servant woman either. The scene in the back courtyard has become quite unruly. Third Miss should hurry over and see.”

Dantai Jing scanned the seats, noticing several were now empty. She furrowed her brow slightly, rose to her feet, and the maid smiled, leading the way ahead.