Lan Jiang’s wife came the next day to kowtow and thank Mingxi. Serving as the steward mama by Jin Wangfei was a great honor.
Mingxi looked at her and said, “Once you’re there, don’t try to steal Cheng Momo’s thunder, but keep an eye out quietly. Since she wants to retire to her hometown, I fear she might hold back in matters concerning the Wangfei.”
Lan Jiang’s wife immediately nodded. “Rest assured, Young Miss, I will be careful and discreet.”
“You’ll know what to say when you get there, right?” Mingxi asked.
Lan Jiang’s wife smiled. “Yes, I’ll just say that the Old Madam of the Marquis residence is concerned about Jin Wangfei and sent this servant to help attend to her.”
Mingxi nodded in approval. “Bring a letter to Jin Wangfei for me. Also, I need you to keep a close watch on Jin Wang’s Side Consort Qian. But don’t let anyone notice, not even Cheng Momo.”
“Yes.” Although Lan Jiang’s wife thought the young miss was perhaps being overly cautious, she was Mingxi’s person. Whatever Mingxi ordered, she would carry out.
Still, wasn’t Cheng Momo sent by Consort Shu in the palace? Why didn’t the young miss even trust her?
With that thought, Lan Jiang’s wife instantly became tense and lost her previous relaxed demeanor.
Mingxi went to the study and wrote a letter to Duan Huirou, sealing it and giving it to Lan Jiang’s wife. “Make sure Jin Wangfei reads it, and then burn it immediately. Don’t let a third person see it.”
Lan Jiang’s wife felt the letter was as heavy as a thousand pounds. She tucked it safely against her body and respectfully said, “Yes, Young Miss. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head off now.”
Mingxi nodded. “Thank you.” She looked at her again. “Your eldest son is already in his teens. From now on, let him work under Li Quan.”
Lan Jiang’s wife was nearly overwhelmed by the good fortune and kowtowed heavily. “Thank you, Young Miss. I’ll make sure he serves properly and doesn’t embarrass you.”
For these household-born servants who had followed Mingxi from Jiangcheng, there was no better future than serving by her side. Even being the steward mama to Jin Wangfei didn’t make her as happy as this.
Delighted, Lan Jiang’s wife left Wangye’s residence and sent word home immediately, telling her son to be clever and go greet Li Quan—this opportunity had to be seized.
With the letter in hand, she went to Jin Wang’s manor, met her husband, explained everything, and Lan Jiang was just as thrilled. “Good, good, the young miss really hasn’t treated us poorly. You must do your job well by Jin Wangfei and remember the young miss’s instructions. Do the job properly.”
Lan Jiang’s wife snorted, “Just watch me. I’m not old yet, and my eyes are still sharp.”
When she went to see Jin Wangfei, she respectfully kowtowed upon meeting her. Then, with a smiling face, she turned to Cheng Momo and flattered her, “You must’ve had a hard time these past months, Momo. The Old Madam had wanted to send me to serve the Wangfei long ago, but I was still tied up with other duties and couldn’t come until now. I’m slow-witted, so I hope you’ll guide me well.”
Cheng Momo smiled, “What are you saying, Lan Mama? You’re from the Marquis residence—it’s only natural for you to serve by the consort’s side. No talk of guidance. We’re all serving Wangfei together, harmony is what matters.”
Lan Mama heard the words and felt a little something, but her smile remained unchanged. “I’ll follow your lead, Momo.”
Cheng Momo smiled at that.
Not long after, a little maid came to report something, and Cheng Momo excused herself.
Seizing the chance, Lan Jiang’s wife handed the letter to the consort and quietly conveyed Mingxi’s message.
Duan Huirou’s hand tightened around the letter. She looked at her and said, “Come with me.”
She brought her into the inner room, and Lan Jiang’s wife stood guard at the door. Duan Huirou opened the letter, and her face went pale upon reading it.
Lan Jiang’s wife, remembering Mingxi’s instructions, immediately took the letter after Jin Wangfei finished reading, pulled out a fire striker from her clothes, and burned it thoroughly.
Startled, Duan Huirou said, “What are you doing?”
“Young Miss’s orders.”
Duan Huirou said nothing more.
Lan Jiang’s wife watched the letter burn to ashes in a copper basin, poured a cup of cold tea over it, then took the basin out to dump the contents and returned it cleanly to its place.
Duan Huirou: …
She couldn’t help but feel that this woman wasn’t simple.
“Did Big Sister say anything else?” Duan Huirou was uneasy. Why was it like this?
Lan Jiang’s wife smiled. “You don’t need to worry, Wangfei. I’ll be following you wherever you go. The maids by your side are all from the Marquis residence too. Even if something happens in Wangye’s manor, there’s nothing to fear.”
Duan Huirou was silent. The words sounded quite bold, but oddly enough, they made her feel reassured.
“Cheng Momo has issues?” She still didn’t quite believe it. Cheng Momo had treated her decently these past few months.
“Not necessarily. Nothing is confirmed, so I wouldn’t dare speak out of turn,” Lan Jiang’s wife replied. “But the young miss said that since Cheng Momo has her heart set on retiring, she’s bound to hold back in her duties—and that’s not good for you.”
Duan Huirou understood perfectly. Someone who gives their all versus someone who only gives 70–80%—the difference was night and day.
Even if it wasn’t betrayal, it was still negligence.
Given her current situation, even a little negligence from her attendants could spell disaster.
She suddenly felt lucky she’d stayed behind to speak with her eldest sister that day. Thinking of this, she looked at Lan Jiang’s wife. “Can you think of a way to get the leftover dregs from Side Consort Qian’s pregnancy medicine?”
Lan Jiang’s wife smiled. “This is nothing. If you leave it to me, I’ll have it done within three days.”
Duan Huirou was stunned. That simple?
“You do realize Side Consort Qian’s courtyard is watertight, nothing gets in.”
“Wangye’s manor has its own rules. As long as Wangfei provides me with the convenience to act, you needn’t worry about the rest,” Lan Jiang’s wife said with a smile.
Duan Huirou could feel it—this was different.
She had previously asked Cheng Momo to keep an eye on that side. Cheng Momo agreed readily, but rarely reported much back to her. Whenever she wanted to act, Cheng Momo would advise that less trouble was better than more.
She always thought Cheng Momo was acting in her best interest. But thinking about it now, perhaps Eldest Sister’s worries were valid.
Cheng Momo wasn’t protecting her—she was protecting her own retreat.
Duan Huirou gripped her handkerchief tightly and took a deep breath. “You’re from my natal family. It’s only right that you stand on equal footing with Cheng Momo.”
But Lan Jiang’s wife said, “Wangfei, that mustn’t be. That would be the same as slapping Cheng Momo in the face. Leave this to me—I have ways to make her step back on her own.”
Cheng Momo only wished to return to her hometown to enjoy her retirement. She hadn’t outright betrayed Jin Wangfei. If power was taken from her so abruptly, resentment could arise, and she might even be pushed toward Side Consort Qian’s side.
It was better for everyone to get along.
