Chapter 572: Chopsticks Flying
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The black-clad Teacher Zhu smiled with interest, “Correct, you’re very clever, not disappointing at all.”
Jiang Shanshan said proudly, “I never thought I was stupid, just unlucky.” Even now, she still believed it was just her bad luck.
“Yeah, luck is the most unpredictable thing in the world. Some are born lucky, some are talented and capable but lack luck, struggling in the mud all their lives.” Teacher Zhu pointed to Jiang Shanshan’s severed ear and said softly, “I know all about your situation, but I have a different view. You’re not unlucky, you just haven’t met a wise master.”
Jiang Shanshan blinked, “If I want this luck, how should I go about it?”
“It depends on how sincere your heart is.” Teacher Zhu leaned closer to her. “Your eyes are full of resentment. You hate Fu Mingzhu and want her dead. So, you should offer Fu Mingzhu’s head to Wangye. I’ll take you away from here to Zhongshan Wang’s mansion in the Northern Lands, where you’ll become one of the most influential and powerful women.”
“Why?” Jiang Shanshan blinked coquettishly at him. “Aren’t you and Fifth Master on the same side?”
Teacher Zhu smiled and didn’t answer her question. “You just need to do as I say. Wangye never said he would leave his legacy to Fifth Master. You choose who’s more important.”
After saying this, Teacher Zhu slowly retreated and soon disappeared into the night. Jiang Shanshan rubbed her arm and whispered softly, “No one can be trusted, only oneself. I want Fu Mingzhu dead, that’s the most important thing.”
At the mansion of Qian Muyi, the Dali Temple Minister, this wasn’t the first time they were hosting a celebration, but this time it was particularly grand. In order to avoid any mistakes, Madam Qian even borrowed competent stewards and servants from relatives to help with the preparations because Ying Wangfei was personally attending the banquet.
Madam Qian stood at the door early in the morning to greet the guests. When familiar female guests arrived, they couldn’t help but joke with her, “It’s not a wedding for your daughter, just your granddaughter’s, isn’t it? The daughter-in-law should be welcoming the guests outside, why did you, the old madam, come out personally?”
Madam Qian, who was always quick-witted and fond of spreading rumors, wanted everyone to know that Ying Wangfei was giving their family special face today. She covered half of her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled coyly, “Don’t laugh at me. The Ying Wangfei is coming, and I’m afraid the daughter-in-law doesn’t understand the rules and might be disrespectful. Let me tell you, Ying Wangfei is really something. It’s just marrying a granddaughter, not the eldest grandson or anything, and she’s so busy, yet she still takes time to come…”
Regardless of how the listeners felt, they all smiled to express their envy and congratulations. Since Ying Wangfei married into the Fu family, she had become more and more high-profile day by day, acting without the former low-key humility. Many times, she was even domineering, not caring at all whether others called her a sycophant or a tyrant. In the complex and delicate current situation, it was better not to offend her openly.
So, after Mingzhu arrived, she was ushered in like the moon by Madam Qian, and facing the room full of women with various intentions, Mingzhu smiled and nodded to the familiar ones, especially greeting the elderly ladies with warmth and care, appearing like a mature and gentle woman who had shed her youthful sharpness.
She noticed that a few noble ladies were sitting in the corner, looking indifferent and not making eye contact with her at all, as if they were unwelcoming to her, or afraid that she would try to win them over; and then there were some who stared at her intently, wishing she would call them over so they could play together.
Madam Qian whispered to her on the side, “Knowing that Ying Wangfei is coming, everyone is very happy. I have a few close friends, as well as relatives from my maiden family, brothers-in-law, nephews and nieces, all of whom have long heard of Ying Wangfei’s elegance. They regret not having the chance to see the noble lady’s beauty. They all arrived early today, eagerly waiting…”
Since she’s here, there’s no need to offend anyone. Moreover, the more people you know and befriend, the fewer enemies you have. Why not? Mingzhu didn’t hesitate to give Madam Qian face: “I’ve heard that the ladies from Madam Qian’s family are elegant and talented. I’ve been wanting to meet them, and it’s fortunate they came today. Madam Qian’s friends must be as cheerful and capable as Madam Qian. Please invite them all over.”
Madam Qian was delighted, her eyes narrowing into slits as she hurried to arrange everything. For a while, there was a lively atmosphere in front of Mingzhu’s seat. While some were pleased, others were displeased. There were relatives of the Empress Dowager Min’s family who had officials serving in the Dali Temple. With joyous events at the superior’s residence, they couldn’t not come. Seeing Mingzhu surrounded by so many people, they felt extremely unhappy. A few of them gathered together to gossip: “With so many people around her, you’d think it’s her big day. I’ve never seen someone so arrogant. Have you heard? Her mother is seriously injured and hasn’t woken up. It’s karma! And that Fourth Master Fu, I heard he’s injured his family’s roots and might end his family line. Worried that no one would marry him, he hastily proposed to the old girl from the Li family. He’s even offering mountains of gold and silver to the Li family, just to prevent them from backing out.”
Just as they were talking, a chopstick with a pastry on it flew over and stuck diagonally into the bun of the woman who was speaking the most vigorously. The woman screamed in fright, looking around, only to see a maid wearing an emerald green dress and jade earrings walking over. She first bowed to her, then apologized, “This servant was serving tea to our Ying Wangfei and accidentally let go of the chopstick. Please don’t find fault Madam. Whether it’s punishment or scolding, this servant accepts it.”
Several women understood immediately. The accident was fake, the warning was real. Looking at the maid, refined and beautiful, dressed very decently, how could she look like a rough warrior? The woman who was pierced by the chopstick still felt aggrieved and sneered, “I’ve never seen a maid accidentally flying a chopstick into someone else’s head. If it was two inches lower, would it have stabbed my face?”
The maid smiled, revealing rows of neatly arranged small teeth, “Madam was startled, it’s all this servant’s fault. This servant will apologize to you.”
The woman was about to say something sarcastic again, but she saw the maid deftly pull the chopstick out of her bun, pat it, and then with a little force, the chopstick fell straight into the teacup with a loud clang, and the teacup lid shattered into pieces.
The maid said calmly, “This servant has really embarrassed our Ying Wangfei today, and made another mistake.” After speaking, she didn’t even bother with the chopstick, courteously bowed to everyone, and smiled as she retreated to Mingzhu’s side, engaging in conversation with Madam Qian and others, never once looking in their direction.
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