Chapter 12: The Little Bitch Tricked Me

The carriage rocked and swayed, lulling people into drowsiness. Whether Madam Zhou was pretending to nap or not, Tang Wanning had indeed fallen asleep and even had a few pleasant dreams along the way, until the carriage gave a heavy jolt and came to a stop.

She wiped the corner of her mouth swiftly and gracefully, leaving no trace. “Are we home?”

Madam Zhou’s voice was slightly cold, “What do you think?”

Autumn sunlight is always brilliant, but it doesn’t carry much warmth. It fell in mottled patches on the ground, splitting bright glare from silent shadow, creating a stern feeling that made one uncomfortable.

“Home is not like other places, it won’t tolerate your impertinence. You’re already of marriageable age. If you don’t pull yourself together and learn some manners, people will say the House of Earl Xuanning doesn’t know how to raise a young lady.”

It was both a reprimand and a reminder: stop your nonsense, no one will back you up.

Tang Wanning understood all too well and gave a faint smile. “Your niece knows manners best, I’m versed in rites, decency and shame, filial and obedient, loyal and trustworthy, never sharp or pushy, more modest than anyone. Aunt, aren’t you the most aware of that?”

Madam Zhou narrowed her eyes. “You better be.”

She took the maid’s hand, stepped down from the carriage and walked straight to the flower hall, unable to calm her temper. Now she was filled with regret, deep regret!

Children are easy to bully and easy to manipulate: give them a little tasty food or flattering words and they’ll be placated. With a little effort they’ll obey, and it’s even easier to misguide them. You could pet or suppress them, there were thousands of ways to instigate them into doing what you wanted them to. But children grow up. They will rebel, resist, slowly become sensible, stumble and fight hard, and will gradually, hazily know what’s right and what’s wrong, who truly cares for them and who has ill intent… If they have any backbone, grievances and debts will be settled one by one.

Madam Zhou felt that she had been too soft-hearted back then…

Madam Zhou pinched the bridge of her nose, but circumstances were stronger than will. She wasn’t able to be really that ruthless with the girl either. The title was borne by the family, the estate managed by them. With so many eyes watching, if Tang Wanning inexplicably died, how would she explain herself outside? Besides, the girl was the daughter of a meritorious official, her name was known even to the emperor. If anyone decided to investigate, what then? The price of killing Tang Wanning would be far greater than letting her be married off badly.

She only regretted not seeing the little bitch’s nature sooner. She had truly thought the girl timid and meek, incapable and afraid of everything, never imagining the girl was pretending to be obedient! And she’d been faking it for so many years, fooling her completely!

This would not do at all. Tang Wanning must not remain in the house, she must be married off at once!

But… who to marry her to? Madam Zhou fretted again: Tang Wanning was thorny, so the old plans wouldn’t work. If she carelessly arranged a match, the girl might make a scene and it would spread to the rest of society, causing another scandal. But if she didn’t rush it… the girl might get a good husband and a powerful backing, then what was she supposed to do as an elder? Was she to allow herself to be completely suppressed?

Neither left nor right would do. With no way out, Madam Zhou angrily flung the teacup in her hand to the ground!

Tang Wanning didn’t care what Madam Zhou was thinking and didn’t bother to ponder. It wouldn’t be anything good. After today’s incident, they had completely fallen out with one another. She had been prepared and was not afraid at all. The original owner of this body had been too timid, so successfully trained by Madam Zhou’s cold violence that she forgot herself and didn’t understand the weight of the words “orphaned daughter of a meritorious official.” Having parents die was indeed unfortunate and evoked pity, but these words were not meant to be used to stage pity for others to simply sigh about. This was her trump card, her protection, and something very useful indeed!

As the saying went, even when trying to catch a rat, one must avoid damaging any furniture. No matter how capable Madam Zhou was or how much she schemed, would she dare lay a finger on her?

“Boohoo! Miss, you’re finally back! They locked me in here and wouldn’t let me out! So many people went to the manor, but they wouldn’t let me go with them! Did they bully you? Without me there, no one would stand up for you! Were they especially mean? Boohoo I’m so sorry…”

Upon entering the courtyard, the maid Xiaoman rushed over, her eyes red from crying.

Tang Wanning scooped the little maid up and handed her a handkerchief to wipe her face. “Why are you crying? Isn’t your Miss perfectly fine?”

“Miss…” Xiao Man looked at her with watery eyes, not sure whether she was upset for herself or on her mistress’s behalf.

Tang Wanning sighed inwardly and stuffed the handkerchief into the maid’s hand. “Sigh, after that journey I’m a bit thirsty.”

Xiao Man immediately forgot about crying. “I will brew tea for Miss!”

Not only did she nimbly make tea, she also brought a plate of red bean cakes, a plate of boiled peanuts, a bowl of pomegranate seeds… Tang Wanning was surprised.

Xiaoman puffed her cheeks. “They wouldn’t let me fetch Miss, but they didn’t forbid me from going to the small kitchen, and I was so anxious I thought Miss might come back with nothing to eat, so I went to make something nice. There’s even cherry pork simmering in the pot!”

Tang Wanning’s eyes lit up instantly. “Then what are you waiting for? Bring it over for your Miss to eat!”

The greatest delight here was this little maid. She was simple-hearted, loyal, a bit foolish, but possessed a hand in the kitchen that made appetites awaken and was impossible to resist…

Xiaoman said, “Not yet, it’s still a little undercooked. Miss should first have a red bean cake to fill up. Wait another half hour and your maid will bring it to you.”

Tang Wanning took a red bean cake and ate it until her eyes curved into a smile. Sweet, soft, fragrant, glutinous, absolutely delicious!

“Weren’t you locked in your room? When did you get out?”

“This morning, for some reason they let me out, then Madam’s side said they were going to the manor. I asked around among familiar girls and heard it was about you: Miss Lan actually snatched your husband and married into Prince Ping’s household, while they sent you up to the manor! I almost went crazy with worry, but they wouldn’t let me go with them! They bully Miss like this and they aren’t even ashamed of themselves? Aren’t they afraid the late master will visit them in their dreams?!”

“It’s fine, I’ve already scolded them back,” Tang Wanning said softly, calming the flustered little maid while eating the red bean cake and drinking tea. “Your Miss is formidable now, she won’t be bullied anymore.”

Xiaoman’s eyes shone. “Mm!”

She knew it all along, her Miss wouldn’t just keep silent. Who likes to be bullied! Miss grew up with the general’s wife for several years and was fierce. They say she even bit a noblewoman once. It’s hard for a leopard to change its spots, so her Miss was definitely not timid, shrinking, or petty!

Xiaoman didn’t doubt for a second that her mistress’s essence had changed and was delighted by her “complete awakening and no longer putting up with things” attitude. “Miss, you rest first. I just saw fresh bamboo shoots in the main kitchen. I’ll fetch a few and make you a tender bamboo shoot soup!”

“Sounds great,” Tang Wanning said, stuffing a red bean cake into the maid’s hand. “Remember from now on, you are your Miss’s maid. Wherever you go, you must not be bullied casually.”

“Yes, Miss!” Xiaoman clenched her fist, eyes shining, and ran off.

Tang Wanning leaned back in a bamboo chair, watching the courtyard full of sunlight that was dazzling and warm, completely different from the shadow when she entered. The sky was very blue and high but lacked that alienation, as if by standing a little higher, it would be within reach.

With a gold hairpin in her hair and a new skirt on her body, her stomach soothed by the delicious red bean cake and a little maid running around fetching tasty things, this feeling was wonderful. If life could always be like this… the mistresses of great gentry households truly didn’t know how to live!

…

Things were very different for Tang Wanlan, however. She had no time to enjoy the autumn scenery and had to rush about for today’s matter immediately.

Rules for women were strict in those times. They were raised in the inner chambers without having their names known publicly, and marriage matches were judged only by family and rank. People only knew that the Second Prince Zhao Yan was to marry the second Miss Tang of the House of Earl Xuanning, but they did not know this girl’s real name or appearance. But prominent families in the capital did. Today’s commotion had frightened Tang Wanlan. She hadn’t dared think so boldly, intending only to ease into the household first and make plans later on, so she didn’t wear a veil to hide her face. Who would have thought she would immediately succeed and become the principal consort?

What others originally didn’t know or care about, they now heard of.

Changing the bride could be patched over with excuses, the crowd watching could be handled somehow. After all, Zhao Yan was the Second Prince, so some face must be given. Many matters could be left to stewards and servants, but some things must be handled personally, like matters at the palace. One had to go in person to explain what happened, admit their mistakes and apologize.

Time could not be wasted. Since Princess Ruihua already knew about this matter, there was definitely a message sent to the palace. Tang Wanlan might be tired from the whole morning of traveling, walking and crying, she might be hungry and hoped to eat and sleep, but Consort Xin was certainly tired too! Consort Xin probably had to answer for this troublesome woman, so would she bother to patiently wait till this girl was done eating and sleeping before coming to greet her?

Of course not! What a delusion! Who do you think you are! Why should the Consort even be kind to this girl?

The Second Prince got out of the carriage and ordered Tang Wanlan to change clothes at once and immediately go to the palace.

Tang Wanlan was truly exhausted. Last night the Second Prince had been drunk and rough, tossing her about fiercely. Come morning it was more apologies and kneeling, then several torments at the manor. Her waist ached so she couldn’t straighten up, she hadn’t eaten in a day and a half, her palms were sweating and she felt faint. She feared she might pass out.

But she couldn’t. Not a single word must she utter.

With the maid’s help she hastily changed clothes, her hair uncombed, makeup incomplete, but the Second Prince was already urging outside. With no choice, Tang Wanlan hurriedly tidied herself, not caring if her headpieces were enough or if her lip rouge was too light, and followed the Second Prince out.

They rode in silence. The Second Prince’s eyes were half-closed, his lips slightly pressed. Whether from fatigue after a morning of strain or simply a desire to be silent, no one knew.

Tang Wanlan cautiously leaned closer. “Your Highness, are you tired? Let me massage your legs for you.”

Zhao Yan grunted, “Hmm.”

At least he accepted her gesture, and Tang Wanlan exhaled with relief, enduring an awkward posture and aching waist and legs as she massaged the Second Prince’s calves. “I’ve been raised in the inner chambers since childhood and have never had the opportunity to see Her Highness’s fair face. I wonder… what is her temperament like?”

She now regretted not asking about the Consort earlier. She’d been busy finding out the Second Prince’s preferences and the best way to enter his household, thinking there’d be time later. Who knew she’d suddenly fly so high and land exactly where she wanted?

Zhao Yan replied, “My mother is gentle and kind. You are her daughter-in-law, so just be yourself and don’t listen to those messy rumors outside.”

Tang Wanlan didn’t fully believe him, yet felt a little comforted. Consort Xin only had the Second Prince as her son, so she’ll leave some face, at least.

At Yuehua Palace, the two knelt to pay respects but did not get to see Consort Xin. Nanny Yuan bowed to the Second Prince. “The Consort is in the inner hall, with a bit of a headache…”

Zhao Yan grew anxious immediately. “Why is she having a headache again? Has she taken medicine? Has the imperial physician been summoned?”

“Well…”

Zhao Yan, seeing Nanny Yuan’s expression, knew his mother wasn’t treating it seriously and immediately stood up. “I’ll go see her!” He strode toward the inner hall without looking back. “My mother is proud and won’t show weakness. You wait here, I’ll be right back.”

Tang Wanlan obediently replied, “Yes.”

Unexpectedly, that kneeling and waiting lasted two whole hours.

The palace walls were high, the hall deep. The sunlight outside looked warm but did not penetrate at all. Yuehua Palace’s floor tiles were clean and beautiful, without a speck of dust, yet without any warmth. Kneeling on them, the cold pierced to the bone.