Wang Chuan Employs a Strategy

　　These words left Liu shi in a daze, as she practically did not dare believe her own ears, asking: “What did you say?”

　　That maidservant repeated herself: “A servant came from master’s side saying that master will be spending the night in the head madam’s room and will not be coming over here.”

　　“That old hag!” Liu shi’s face immediately changed upon hearing this. The teacup that she had been holding was smashed on the ground, as she gnashed her teeth. “Wasn’t she still sick during the day? How is it that she could get husband to stay the night? As I see it, her illness was fake and was for the sake of getting some sympathy from husband.”

　　Chun Tao quickly agreed, saying: “It must be that she faked her illness to have master stay the night. Thinking about it, master has been spending every night over here, and the head madam must have lost her patience. Concubine mother, should we think of something?”

　　Liu shi waved her hand and dismissed the servant who had come to deliver the news. She then stood up and looked at the bed with the sheets that had already been prepared. For the sake of adjusting the mood, red candles had been set around the bed in anticipation of the husband coming over; however, who knew that he would be stolen away by that old hag, the head madam.

　　She felt that things were unjust and knocked over a couple candles to vent her anger. Looking down at the candles at her feet, she felt that destroying them out of bitterness was too much of a waste, thus she bent down and personally picked them back up. She then turned to say to Chun Tao: “Go and call housekeeper Qi over. Just say that the brazier in the room is not burning brightly. Have him take a look at what’s going on.”

　　Chun Tao smiled at Liu shi and quietly said: “Madam, don’t worry. This servant will go immediately and will have the girls in the courtyard rest if they don’t have much to do.”

　　Liu shi nodded and sat back down on the bed. Watching Chun Tao leave the room, she began to tidy her hair and changed into some thinner clothes. “Zhu Xinjie, if you won’t come, don’t blame me if someone else does.”

　　In the end, Wang Chuan had left the manor. She had gone out before it got dark and bought some of the pastries that Zhu Kongyue loved to eat the most. When she returned, she happened to see Liu shi’s personal maidservant, Chun Tao, speaking with the housekeeper. Chun Tao looked naturally charming, and her eyelashes were fluttering madly while speaking. The housekeeper also looked to have a clear understanding. As the two spoke, the housekeeper went through the motions of leaving the gate to the servants, as he would be going to concubine mother Liu’s courtyard to fix a brazier. He then followed Chun Tao and left.

　　Wang Chuan blinked and felt that these two were a little too brazen. Flirting so openly in the front yard under the eyes of so many people? But looking at the others, she found that nobody else found it strange, as they just carried on with whatever they should be doing, thus she knew that this was the result of some seeing what she wanted to see. In truth, they were just carrying out their normal duties.

　　She continued to feel that something was off and decided to stealthily follow along. What sort of person was Wang Chuan! She was one of Feng Yuheng’s personal maidservants, and she had been trained by the Yu Palace. If she wanted to tail a couple people in the Liu manor, it would be as easy and deciding to do it. Walking at the front, housekeeper Qi and Chun Tao did not notice that someone was following along behind them. On the way to Liu shi’s courtyard, when they passed through the winding hall, housekeeper Qi reached out and pinched Chun Tao, which aroused a cry from Chun Tao. Following this, she shot him a glare and said: “Why are your hands so disobedient? We’re almost there. Are you not afraid of being discovered by concubine mother Liu?”

　　“What is there to fear?” Housekeeper Qi was full of confidence, “It’s not like it’s the first time. How many times have I seen your cute little expressions, Chun Tao? To speak of you and concubine mother Liu, my heart favors you; however, there’s nothing that can be done about it. She’s the master. If I don’t take good care of her, it would be hard to speak to her about taking you in.”

　　Chun Tao let out a “pft” sound, “You old thing, you want to take me in? Getting some enjoyment is fine, but concubine mother Liu has said that she will find you a good way out in the future. No matter what, I won’t fall into your hands.”

　　Housekeeper Qi heard this and slightly snorted, “Don’t get too optimistic. It’s possible that you might need to beg me to take you in! Forget it, forget it, you’re still a tender young girl. Compared to the feelings of Liu shi, you’re quite far off. Recently, Liu shi has obtained quite a few nice things. If I take good care of her tonight, I might be able to gain some benefits. This is all thanks to master spending the night with the head madam!” As the two spoke, they increased their pace.

　　Wang Chuan frowned while listening from behind and thought to herself, the eldest young miss, Zhu Kongyue, really was completely correct. Sure enough, Liu shi was not someone easy to take care of. She actually set her sights on the manor’s housekeeper. She sneakly followed along behind and saw that housekeeper Qi had entered Liu shi’s courtyard. He went through the motions of talking about the brazier before Chun Tao retreated from the room. She even gently closed the door. Not long later, the candles inside were lit, and Liu shi’s laughter could be heard…

　　Wang Chuan curled up the corners of her lips and very quickly retreated from the yard. Turning around, she followed Chun Tao, who was also heading out. She continued following until she saw Chun Tao reach the stove. There, she saw Chun Tao ask for hot water from the servants inside. Her mind went to work, and she also entered. Seeing Chun Tao holding the kettle of hot water, she looked at the empty stove and said with dissatisfaction: “Isn’t this the hot water that was prepared for the eldest young miss? Why was it given to someone else?”

　　The servants in the kitchen quickly said: “Nobody ever came from the eldest young miss’ side. It just so happened that someone from concubine mother Liu’s side came and asked for it, thus it was given to Miss Chun Tao. Miss A-Chuan, if you want it, I will boil some more for you.”

　　“Isn’t it still here?” Wang Chuan pointed at the kettle that Chun Tao was holding and said: “Since it was boiled for the eldest young miss, I have now come to fetch it, thus it naturally should be given to me. As for concubine mother Liu’s side, just boil some more.”

　　“On what basis?” Chun Tao glared at her and said to Wang Chuan: “I came here first. This kettle doesn’t have your name written on it. Why should it be given to you? You just claimed that you wanted it first, so that’s the case? Where’s the proof?” She held the kettle in one hand and rested the other hand on her hip, taking on a bit of a bossy look. If this was in the past, the servants from a concubine’s courtyard would never have dared to oppose a servant from the daughter of the first wife’s courtyard; however, Liu shi had recently caused some waves, and Zhu Kongshan had found a pillar of support in the capital. Secondly, Wang Chuan was a new arrival, while Chun Tao was someone who had been in the manor for a long time. How could she possibly think well of a maidservant who had just come in. She had entirely believed that newcomers would be easy to manipulate, thus she decided to put on these airs.

　　But Wang Chuan refused to back down, stubbornly saying: “Regardless of whether or not I ordered this water first, eldest young miss is the daughter of the first wife. It’s natural that we must do everything possible for her. Although concubine mother Liu is one of master’s women, she is still just a concubine. The rules of the manor have always placed young masters and young misses above concubines. No matter how favored a concubine is, she must be respectful when greeting the eldest young miss. Miss Chun Tao, why do you not even understand this bit of logic?”

　　“You…” Chun Tao saw that A-Chuan actually did not submit, and she could not help but get angry, “Even then, that would depend on who the eldest young miss is dealing with! This kettle of hot water was requested by concubine mother Liu, and concubine mother Liu’s status is no longer as simple as that of just a concubine. If you don’t believe me, just go and ask master. See whose side master stands on? Hmph! Be careful, should the day come when third young miss returns to the manor, you might be chased out of the Zhu manor!”

　　Wang Chuan furrowed her brow and looked at her for a while, as the servant responsible for boiling the water quickly advised: “Miss A-Chuan, I will immediately help boil some more water for you. Don’t argue with Miss Chun Tao, alright?” The people in the Zhu manor knew that concubine Liu was currently on the rise, and she had the support of princes and members of the imperial palace in the capital. They did not dare offend her, thus she pleaded with Wang Chuan.

　　Wang Chuan thought for a bit then lowered her head and softly said: “Forget it, just boil some more for me! I finally managed to find a place to work and don’t want to leave the Zhu manor. I don’t want to leave the eldest young miss.”

　　Chun Tao saw that she was backing down and smiled in elation. Holding the kettle of water, she left.

　　Wang Chuan did not just idly wait around in the kitchen, saying that she would return in a moment. She then quickly returned to Zhu Kongyue’s side. Zhu Kongyue was currently feeling bored in her room. Seeing her return, she could not help but reproach her: “You just went to buy some pastries. Why is it that you returned so late? It’s already dark outside. In the end, should I eat these pastries or not?”

　　Wang Chuan repeatedly apologized: “It was all this servant’s fault. Eldest young miss, calm down. In truth, this servant returned to the manor long ago. Thinking that I would pick up some hot water along the way for eldest young miss to wash up, who knew… who knew…”

　　“What is it?” Zhu Kongyue could see that she was a bit hesitant to speak and could not help but ask: “It’s just a kettle of hot water. What could possibly happen?”

　　Wang Chuan sighed: “Right before this servant went out, I informed the kitchen to boil some hot water for eldest young miss and to keep it warm. When this servant returned, I would go and pick it up. Who knew that the kettle of water would be snatched away first by that Miss Chun Tao from concubine mother Liu’s courtyard. This servant argued with her a bit, but that Chun Tao said that the one who is most favored in the manor is currently concubine mother Liu. Even if it’s the young miss of the first wife, you have no right to steal from concubine mother Liu. She also said that should the day come when the third young miss comes back, the position of the daughter of the first wife will definitely belong to her. She would also chase us all out, and she…”

　　“She’s dreaming!” Zhu Kongyue became furious, “That damn Liu shi. I gave her face, but she doesn’t want it. Now, after just a short period of time without any beatings, she wants to tear the house down? Not to mention that her daughter still hasn’t returned, but even if she had, my mother is still in the position of head wife. There’s no rhyme or reason to have her step down. Damn, that slut is already unable to sit still and wants to replace us?”

　　Wang Chuan helped chime in: “This servant also feels that concubine mother Liu’s courtyard has become too arrogant. Even if they think this sort of thing, it should not be said so openly!” She added fuel to the fire, seemingly unafraid of Zhu Kongyue going to argue with the people in the kitchen. After this night, who knew what sort of situation Liu shi would find herself in. Who would still speak up for her? “Young miss, continuing like this is not any way to do things! Won’t we be bullied to death by them?”

　　Zhu Kongyue also thought this way. Stomping her foot, she said: “A-Chuan, call up the maidservants and grannies in the courtyard. Accompany this young miss on a trip. Either way, father is not in her room tonight. This young miss wants to personally ask that Liu shi, what exactly is she wanting to do!”

　　This was the decision that Wang Chuan had been waiting for, and she immediately left the room to call up all of the servants in the courtyard. Everyone then fiercely headed in the direction of Liu shi’s courtyard. The Zhu manor housed a sixth-rank official’s family, and there were not many servants. The residence was also not very large. Without walking for very long, they arrived. Zhu Kongyue kicked down the gate and charged straight toward Liu shi’s room.

　　For the sake of not arousing suspicion, the servants had been chased to the servant’s room to go and sleep by Chun Tao. At this time, only Chun Tao alone stood guard outside just in case.

　　But this girl also had difficulty holding back her wicked desires. Instead of properly standing guard, she even opened up the door slightly to listen to the sounds. In the end, she was still just a maidservant, and she was too lacking in courage. Thus when Zhu Kongyue charged in, the servant was given a huge fright. Her first reaction was to flee.

　　How could Wang Chuan possibly allow her to flee. Stepping forward, she grabbed a hold of her and brought Zhu Kongyue closer to Liu shi’s room. The sounds from the other side of the divider clearly entered her ears, and Zhu Kongyue was perplexed. Was her father not spending the night in her mother’s courtyard?

　　Just as she was feeling embarrassed and wanted to leave, she heard the man’s voice inside say: “Chun Tao, you little girl, how are you guarding the door? Did you see a mouse or a cat? Can you not do your job properly?”

　　Zhu Kongyue was stunned. This was not her father’s voice!