Chapter 193: Cheng Zhaoxian Strikes First

The night banquet at the Duke of Chen's estate was lively.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the air.

It was still early, and the main feast had not yet begun. Cheng Zhao rose and said to Zhou Yuanqi, "Fifth brother, come here. I have something to tell you."

Zhou Yuanqi obediently got up.

The sister-in-law and brother-in-law walked to the entrance of Yixia Pavilion, then veered off a little further. Cheng Zhao lowered her voice and said to him, "Can you do me a favor later?"

Zhou Yuanqi: "You want to stir up trouble?"

"Strike first to avoid being caught on the back foot," Cheng Zhao said with a smile.

Zhou Yuanqi: "Your heart has turned black, and that gives your hand more power, like black iron. Black iron is black, after all."

Cheng Zhao: "...Is that how scholars give compliments?"

Zhou Yuanqi said that scholars were above flattery, and he was simply speaking the truth.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked.

Cheng Zhao explained it to him in detail.

In short, he needed to act like a little child.

Zhou Yuanqi frowned as he listened, then sighed: "Using a cleaver to kill a chicken. A lifetime of wisdom, ruined by a woman's hand. Fine, I'll help you."

Cheng Zhao: "..."

A nine-year-old lamenting the ruin of his lifelong wisdom—it was rather amusing.

"I'm more reliable than a brute," he added.

Cheng Zhao nodded in agreement and praised Zhou Yuanqi a little more.

Zhou Yuanqi felt her praise was a bit stiff and formulaic, but flattery was like honey—taking a taste cost nothing, so he was happy to swallow it.

He ran off.

"Have Nanfeng and Qiubai help you," Cheng Zhao called after him.

She then called Qiubai over and told her to lend a hand.

Qiubai acknowledged the order.

With that small matter arranged, Cheng Zhao returned to her seat.

Second Master had come over, and Second Madam was speaking with him in low tones; Zhou Yuanshen was being pulled aside by an elder from the clan, who was bringing up the topic of "drainage for the sacrificial fields," trying to steer the conversation toward irrigation canals. Zhou Yuanshen kept deflecting.

No one noticed that Zhou Yuanqi had disappeared.

Zhou Yuanshen only asked Cheng Zhao: "What did you go out for?"

"Just checking around, making sure nothing was out of place. You heard me earlier—I gave half the stewards the night off. If anything goes wrong, it'll be called my arrogance and mismanagement," Cheng Zhao said.

"Nothing major will happen," Zhou Yuanshen said.

Cheng Zhao nodded.

Only then did Zhou Yuanshen notice that Zhou Yuanqi's seat was empty. He asked quietly, "Where's Yuanqi?"

His younger brother was the most strict and proper of them all—on festival days, he never ran off to play, always sitting properly in his place with manners stricter than any old tutor's.

"I've asked him to play a little prank," Cheng Zhao said with a smile. "Better safe than sorry. If nothing happens, then I was just being paranoid."

As for the consequences, Cheng Zhao felt she could handle them now. Her wings had grown stronger, and she could deal with most unexpected situations.

"The Duke need not worry," Cheng Zhao said.

Zhou Yuanshen said nothing more.

In the middle of the evening, Zhou Yuanqi returned.

Cheng Zhao went out again and met with Qiubai and Nanfeng, going through the situation once more.

Huan Qingtang, Eldest Madam Song, and Mu Jiang all noticed her coming and going; the Grand Madam had noticed as well.

"She's that nervous?" Song thought to herself.

Eldest Madam Song was more tormented than the others, because with the change in status, the looks the clansmen gave her had changed too.

She had been forced to move out of Chengming Hall.

She had become a true widow. Without Chengming Hall, her title of honored lady couldn't keep the clansmen's respect.

The Zhou family were snobs—they knew very well which way the wind blew.

If Cheng Zhao died, then Huan Qingtang would have no right to take charge of Chengming Hall, because she wasn't the Duke's wife. Song could then come back.

Eldest Madam Song glanced at Cheng Zhao once more.

Mu Jiang had returned to the estate, and there was also the new concubine Xian Si—the time for Eldest Madam's comeback had arrived.

But not tonight.

Tonight was too rushed. She wasn't ready.

So tonight, she would have to endure some cold treatment. She simply kept her eyes fixed on Cheng Zhao and Mu Jiang.

"Mother, the Duke's new concubine—why hasn't she been called over to the table? Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a family reunion," Eldest Madam Song said with a smile.

Grand Madam: "Yes, why did we forget her?"

She called Huan Qingtang forward to ask.

Huan Qingtang said, "That matter falls under Sister-in-law's jurisdiction. I wouldn't dare meddle."

Cheng Zhao stepped forward, still smiling, and said, "Grandmother, the new concubine has just arrived. Such a grand occasion might frighten her."

"We could also grace her with a reward," Grand Madam said with a smile. "Cheng, you're still young—don't be too harsh as the mistress of the house."

Cheng Zhao's smile didn't waver.

She was about to say more when Zhou Yuanshen cut in: "Grandmother, Cheng is indeed too young. She was only following my orders. It was I who decided the newcomer shouldn't appear at the festival."

"You..."

"On behalf of Cheng, send a lantern and a few delicacies to Yujin Courtyard," Zhou Yuanshen said. "That's hardly neglect."

He added, "The clansmen are all here, and it's only proper that a concubine doesn't join the table. Though Grandmother has grown lax with such rules lately."

Grand Madam's face darkened slightly.

Before grandmother and grandson could continue, the head steward hurried in and whispered something into Grand Madam's ear.

Her expression brightened, and her smile became natural and genuine. "I'll go see."

She reached toward Zhou Yuanshen. "Duke, come with me."

The two of them left.

The clansmen exchanged glances, not knowing what was happening.

A moment later, the Emperor and the Crown Prince, dressed in plain clothes, entered Yixia Pavilion.

Led by Second Master, the crowd rose from their seats in a flurry and knelt, shouting, "Long live Your Majesty."

Eldest Madam Song was startled.

She still remembered the last time the Emperor came to the Zhou estate and had a physician executed. She trembled. Huan Qingtang, kneeling, kept darting glances at the moving figure, her brow slightly furrowed.

Mu Jiang shuddered, felt a wave of nausea, and forced it down.

She lowered her head, constantly adjusting her expression until a hint of tears glistened in her eyes, making herself look pitiful and delicate.

"No, I'll leave tonight!" Mu Jiang hardened her resolve. "I can go into the palace with him. I never want to see that old hag's face again."

She had to find a way.

She would speak to the Emperor.

If she just said the word, she could leave the Zhou estate. It would be rushed, but better than being humiliated. She could figure out her next step later.

She was young and beautiful.

"Today is a family banquet. No need for such formalities—rise," the Emperor said in a gentle voice.

The crowd still kowtowed before slowly getting to their feet.

Grand Madam said with a smile, "Everyone, take your seats."

She yielded the seat of honor to the Emperor, seating herself and the Crown Prince in the seats on either side.

Once the Crown Prince was seated, he bowed to the Emperor. "Father, I have brought a gift for the Lady of the State."

Second Madam froze.

The Emperor called her forward. Suppressing the unease in her heart, she walked up and knelt.

A eunuch disguised as an attendant behind her held out a small box, presenting it respectfully to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince opened it and showed it to the Emperor.

It was a pair of golden rabbits, crafted by the imperial workshop, with rubies set as their eyes—charming and full of life. Quite delightful.

"I wish to bestow this upon the Lady of the State," the Crown Prince said.

The Emperor nodded.

The eunuch took the box and gave it to Second Madam.

Seeing the trinket, she couldn't help but recall how her son Zhou Yuanqi had once had a five-catty golden pig made from pure gold, and a smile of warmth and affection crept unbidden across her face.

She looked up at the Crown Prince. "Thank you, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince looked as if he had received some tremendous encouragement.

Perhaps Second Madam's expression led him to believe his gift had been a great success.

He seemed rather pleased.

Second Madam took the small box, bowed once more, and then settled back into her seat.