Volume 1, Chapter 33: Why Haven't You Invited the Concubine Inside Yet?

“Drink! Of course I will drink!” Madam Li snorted repeatedly. Why wouldn’t she drink?

“Very well.” Xie Shu nodded slightly and then glanced at Qiuyue. “Why aren’t you attending to the Lady of the Marquis, helping her get ready? How can she go out looking so disheveled?”

“Who are you talking about?” Madam Li snatched a pillow from behind and hurled it at Xie Shu. “You barged in all of a sudden!”

“Oh, I saw Nurse Liu came to fetch me at dawn; I thought the matriarch had already risen. At her age, if she sleeps too much, who knows, she might just sleep herself to death someday.” Xie Shu stepped to the right, and the pillow fell to the floor. Then she smoothed back her hair, feigning concern. “Why so angry? Your daughter-in-law only cares about you. Too much anger causes internal heat; if you were to suddenly pass away from that, it would be terribly unfortunate.”

Madam Li was furious beyond measure. That wretched girl clearly wished her dead!

“Lady of the Heir, I... I still need to help the lady wash up. Perhaps you should wait in the front hall for a while?” Seeing Madam Li utterly speechless with anger, Qiuyue hurriedly knelt and pleaded.

Xie Shu glanced at Qiuyue and said, “Very well. Green Willow, let’s step outside first.”

Green Willow let out a small sigh and beckoned everyone out the door.

Once the room was finally empty, Madam Li had a moment to calm her breath. With Qiuyue’s support, she stood up. Qiuyue poured warm water from the brazier into a basin and carefully began to groom Madam Li’s hair.

In the bronze mirror, Madam Li lifted her head slightly, only to see a face full of fatigue, wrinkles clearly etched at the corners of her eyes. Compared to Xie Shu’s radiant appearance earlier, the difference was stark.

“Go bring me that set of ruby headpieces and those white jade twisted silk bracelets. I want to wear them.” Madam Li glanced at the locked nanmu wooden box nearby.

Qiuyue hurried over, retrieved the items, and upon seeing them, hesitated. “These were madam’s bridal dowry from youth. Wearing them now might be... a bit too flashy.”

Actually, Qiuyue meant to say it was too coquettish and didn’t suit Madam Li’s current status or age.

But Madam Li had brought these dowries when she married into the Marquis household years ago and never added much else. These were the only things that could truly compare to Xie Shu’s finery.

“Are you saying that because I’m older—aged—I can’t wear them?” Madam Li slammed her palm on the table.

Qiuyue’s heart sank, and she immediately knelt, begging forgiveness. “It’s my poor tongue, madam. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Madam Li lowered her eyes, anger flashing in them. Qiuyue shivered and slapped her own cheek, crying, “It’s all my fault! I know I was wrong!”

“Enough. I was just speaking casually. Look at you taking it so seriously.” Madam Li saw Qiuyue’s reddened face and finally calmed slightly. She raised her hand. “Rise now.”

“Yes.” Qiuyue obeyed, no longer daring to speak out.

After all, she was bought by Madam Li, bound by a slave contract. Her life and death depended entirely on her mistress’s word.

***

In the front hall, Xie Shu waited, expecting Madam Li to be clever enough to come early so as not to give her any openings.

But who knew she waited a whole hour.

Ridiculous, thinking that could wear down her patience?

“Lady of the Heir, these peach blossom pastries are too rich if eaten too many. Have some plum tea first, then continue.” Green Willow handed her a cup.

Xie Shu leaned back in her chair, reading a script with one hand and snacking with the other. Behind her, a maid gently massaged her shoulders with just the right pressure—delightfully soothing.

Perfect. This hour would also give her a chance to catch some extra sleep and rest her eyes.

“Has Little Anzi returned?” Xie Shu asked after glancing at the incense burning on the brazier and taking a sip of tea.

“Uncle Li went with him and they both came back early.” Green Willow reported, then turned to warm the teapot on the brazier.

“These peach blossom pastries and water chestnut cakes, send some to Little Anzi later. When I was his age, I loved these treats too.” Xie Shu nodded and added, “Assign two more attendants to Uncle Li’s side so he won’t be overworked.”

Qiuyue agreed one by one. Her young lady was kindhearted and always thoughtful of others.

Just then, several figures strolled slowly through the door.

“Who told you to sit down?” Madam Li stepped in and saw Xie Shu comfortably enjoying herself. Her anger flared. “You didn’t serve me tea but dared to sit? Truly, no manners at all.”

“Manners depend on the person.” Xie Shu sipped her tea without even glancing at Madam Li. “If you face a dog that barks nonsense, of course, you lose your manners.”

“You’re calling me a dog!” Madam Li’s eyes widened, red veins clearly visible.

“Oh? Did I say that?” Xie Shu feigned surprise, then put down her cup and smiled knowingly. “Oh, I accidentally spoke my mind. Don’t blame me, don’t blame me!”

“If you say something wrong, you deserve a slap!” Madam Li thought she had caught her in a trap and triumphantly shouted, “Qiuyue, hit her!”

But having just seen Xie Shu’s fierce side, Qiuyue dared not comply.

Seeing Qiuyue hesitate, Madam Li slapped her face. “Brat! You dare disobey me?”

“That’s enough! Why take your anger out on her?” Xie Shu intervened, stopping Madam Li’s hand. She despised bullies who tormented the weak. “I’m the Lady of the Heir; she’s just a servant. How dare she lay a hand on me?”

“Hmph.” Madam Li knew the truth but disliked Xie Shu defending Qiuyue. She slapped Qiuyue’s face again.

***

Xie Shu frowned in displeasure but said nothing further.

Madam Li felt better now. She swayed her hips and swaggered to the main seat, hands folded on her lap, back straight. Seeing Xie Shu’s frustrated expression, she felt a surge of satisfaction.

“Qiuyue, bring tea to the Lady of the Heir.” Madam Li signaled to Qiuyue.

Qiuyue understood but was nervous. The Lady of the Heir had spoken kindly for her moments ago, making her feel guilty. Yet, Madam Li was still her mistress.

“Yes.” Qiuyue replied, then went out to pour a steaming cup of tea and placed it on a tray. “Lady of the Heir, here you are.”

Green Willow glared at the tea and scolded, “Are you blind? You dare bring such hot tea? If you scald the Lady of the Heir, I’ll skin you alive!”

Startled by the yell, Qiuyue’s hands trembled. The tray wobbled, tea spilled, burning her own hand.

Despite the pain, Qiuyue dared not set down the tray.

Xie Shu looked down at the swirling steam, then glanced up at Madam Li, who sat there with a radiant smile.

Who knew if she would still be smiling in a moment?

“Lady of the Heir, don’t want to serve tea?” Madam Li pressed, not wanting her to stall until the tea cooled.

Xie Shu smiled. “I never said I was going to serve tea.”

She would never serve tea to Madam Li—not a chance. She might throw a cup of hot tea in her face instead.

But a mere cup of hot tea would be too cheap for such a formidable stepmother.

“What do you mean?” Suddenly, Madam Li’s right eyelid twitched rapidly, her hands gripping her skirt, tugging it left and right.

“Exactly what I said.”

With that, Xie Shu ordered beside her, “Green Willow, why not invite the mistress to come in?”