Chapter Thirty-Seven: A Battle of Women

Yan Ziyu cast a cold glance at her, remaining silent for a long moment. Her gaze, sharp as a blade, made Chun'er feel as if she were standing on pins and needles, sweat trickling down her back. Only then did Yan Ziyu speak slowly, "I may not have much to be arrogant about, but I know a saying: a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Even at my worst, I am still a Princess Consort. Tell me, does a dignified Princess Consort need a reason to kill someone, or to wipe out the nine generations of someone who disrespects her?"

Chun'er’s face shifted. For once, she was obedient; she clamped her mouth shut and stood to the side, trembling slightly. The expression on her face as she looked at Yan Ziyu was filled with shock and a hint of fear, though a flash of venomous malice flickered deep within her eyes.

"If you don't believe me, you are welcome to try. I, too, would like to know if your eldest mistress would truly offend imperial authority just for your sake," Yan Ziyu said dismissively, sweeping a cold look over the pale-faced Chun'er.

"You... you just wait! Hmph!" Terrified by Yan Ziyu’s aura yet unable to swallow her pride, Chun'er stomped her foot, snorted coldly, and ran away.

"Meizi, help me groom and dress." Her tone was light, a stark contrast to the fierce, intimidating presence she had projected moments before.

After some effort, under Meizi’s skillful hands, Yan Ziyu was finally dressed. She stood up, walked to the bronze mirror, and stared at her reflection, momentarily dazed.

What a beauty!

She was truly like a lotus rising from the water. If she had possessed this face in her past life, she wouldn't have had to struggle so hard learning from her master. She could have gone straight into show business; roles like "fairy sister" or celestial beings would have been hers for the taking. Alas! It was a pity she was born at the wrong time.

Sighing, she shook her head and swapped the brightly colored outer robe for a white long dress she had found in the wardrobe. Even though it was an older style, it draped over her lithe and alluring figure with grace, looking elegant, noble, and unconventional.

Checking herself in the mirror once more, she wore a satisfied smile.

"Princess Consort, Chun'er belongs to the eldest mistress's chamber. By driving her away just now, I fear there may be trouble. You must be careful!" After hesitating for a long while, Meizi decided to warn the Princess, feeling truly sorry for her.

Yan Ziyu turned to look at Meizi, whose brows were knit with worry. A faint smile touched her lips as she said softly, "Hmm, I understand. Since you are by my side, aren't you afraid that your Yan Ruqing will vent her anger on you? You must know, I am merely an unfavored Princess Consort. I have no say in the Prince’s residence, and even less in the General’s manor. When the time comes, I may not be able to protect you." She said this deliberately to test Meizi, a flash of shrewdness passing through her eyes.

"This servant was sent by the housekeeper to attend to the Princess. Serving you is my duty. The eldest mistress is benevolent and naturally would not vent her anger on a servant. Of course, there is no need for anyone to protect me; the Princess may rest assured." Although Meizi was honest, she had served in the General’s manor for several years; she understood the implication of Yan Ziyu’s words instantly.

Yan Ziyu looked deeply at the delicate-featured Meizi and nodded slightly. Her red lips parted, "Very well, lead the way. It has been years since I returned; I have almost forgotten which way the main gate of the manor faces."

Her calm, composed tone and elegant manners left Meizi feeling curious. Was this really the same Third Miss from before? Wasn't it said that she had spent five years in the Prince’s residence living like a servant? How could she look like this now? In terms of temperament and bearing, even someone as ethereal as the eldest mistress paled in comparison. It was truly strange.

* * *

Early this morning, the entire General’s manor was bustling with activity to welcome the Second Miss, Yan Rulan, who had married into the Prime Minister’s residence. Not only was the manor cleaned from top to bottom, but all the servants were dressed in new clothes, creating a joyous atmosphere.

In the main hall, the General and his wives and concubines sat waiting, their faces wreathed in smiles. It was clear he was in high spirits, his hearty laughter echoing through the room.

"My Lord, I heard that you personally went to the Prince Xiao’s residence a few days ago to bring the Prince’s son back to the manor. I have heard that the little young master is extremely cute and clever. I wonder if you could bring him out for us to see, so that I might catch some of the royal good fortune for the child in my womb?" A voice, sweet and seductive, drifted through the air, the honeyed tone enough to make one's bones melt.

The speaker was none other than the Sixth Concubine, Qiu Niang, who had only been in the manor for a short time.

Originally a dancer, Qiu Niang had performed at the General’s manor once and caught the General's eye immediately. He kept her that very night. Smitten by her allure and charm, the General became obsessed with her, and within days, he took her as his Sixth Concubine. She was also fertile, conceiving a child shortly thereafter.

The General’s manor had few heirs, and with her being the General’s favorite and carrying his child, the other women in the manor hated her to the bone, regarding her as a thorn in their side.

"Sister’s words are well-taken. As the saying goes, when one is with child, the people one spends the most time with will influence how the baby looks. However..." Third Concubine Wang Yan chimed in, pausing deliberately until she saw the General frown before continuing, "However, although that child is Prince Xiao’s son, he has been tainted by his mother. Despite being a little heir, his status is lower than a servant’s, and the Prince does not like him at all. If you want your unborn child to benefit from royal fortune, why not ask the General to take you to the palace to visit the consorts and princes? That would be far more auspicious. Why bother with such ill-omened company? Don't you agree, my Lord?"

In the end, she didn't forget to involve the General, though she seemed to have forgotten that fickleness is a man's nature.

"I was merely making a suggestion, why is Sister so agitated? Could it be that deep down you don't want me to bear a son for the General, and you are deliberately cursing the child in my womb? Sister... your heart is truly cruel. Even if you don't like me, the child is innocent. How could you say such things? It is truly heartbreaking..." The Sixth Concubine, being a former dancer, was a natural at acting. Tears welled up instantly, and she wept with such delicate, rain-drenched beauty that not only men but even women felt a pang of pity.

"You..." Stung by the Sixth Concubine’s preemptive strike and slander, especially seeing the General’s pained expression and his reprimanding look toward her, the Third Concubine lost her composure and opened her mouth to argue.

The General frowned and barked, "Both of you, be quiet!"

The Third Concubine stopped sobbing, and the Sixth Concubine swallowed the rest of her words.

"Those are just common superstitions, not to be taken seriously. Qiu Niang has worked hard bearing children for our Yan family, and it is understandable that she enjoys children. Now that she is pregnant, you should all be more accommodating and stop bickering at every turn." The General’s words seemed to be for the sake of the family lineage, but one could easily hear his dissatisfaction with the Third Concubine and his doting protection of the Sixth Concubine.

"Qiu Niang, I will have someone bring the child to your courtyard later so you can take a good look." To the General, as long as Ruier remained within the manor, that was enough. His goal was not the child; bringing Ruier to the manor was merely a means to threaten and coerce someone else.

"My Lord, would that be appropriate?" The General’s wife frowned slightly, casting a glance at the triumphant Sixth Concubine before saying to the General, "Although the child is being used to keep Yan Ziyu in check, Prince Xiao is unaware of all this. If he or the Emperor finds out, I fear it will cause unnecessary trouble. My Lord, please reconsider!"

The General’s wife’s caution gave the General pause. He looked at the pouting, displeased Sixth Concubine, then back at the reasonable General’s wife. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "I have my own plans for this matter! Have you finished the tasks I assigned you?"

At these words, all seven women, including the General’s wife, stood up and nodded in agreement.

"Is everything arranged with the Old Madam?" The General confirmed once more. The Old Madam was a vital piece on his chessboard, and nothing could go wrong.

"Rest assured, my Lord, everything is perfectly fine regarding the Old Madam," the General’s wife replied. When she noticed the General’s gaze remaining fixed on the Sixth Concubine, a flash of sinister light flickered in the depths of her eyes.