Chu Wang Fei

<氏 shi – maiden name, clan name; used to refer to the original surname after married in

丫头 yatou – usually referring to a servant girl; can also mean girl, latter usually used as a form of endearment

夫人 furen – legitimate wife; would be added to the surname of the household as a form of address; usage is similar to the English “Missus”

小姐 xiaojie – young miss; usually from a good family, but can be used to refer to any young girl

姨娘 yiniang – concubine, not the legitimate wife; added to the end of the maternal name to show their (lower) status compared to the wife

(TL Note: Barely managed to rush out a short chapter!)

Liu Han Yu kept looking at the three yatou behind Yun Qian Meng, seemingly hesitant to speak……

“Don’t worry, just speak your mind!” Watching her act so cautiously, Yun Qian Meng could only find it funny. Perhaps, if Shui’er hadn’t arbitrarily decided to bring them into Qi Luo Yuan back then, Liu Han Yu would likely still be having headaches over Yun Yan’s unwanted marriage; currently, her appearance was similar to a person avoiding theives and robbers!

Liu yiniang had originally wanted to let Yun Qian Meng dismiss her servants, but, seeing that she trusted her yatou so much, she swallowed her words back into her stomach and wore a flattering smile. Sitting down beside Yun Qian Meng, she softly said, “Da xiaojie, the situation over at Feng He Yuan seemed turmultuous for the past few days! Reportedly, the slightest mistakes by the servants at Su yiniang‘s side were met with heavy punishment!”

In the face of Liu Han Yu‘s fawning, Yun Qian Meng didn’t refuse to give her face. She held up a jasper tea cup, lifted the cover with a hand and, lips smiling, listened to her talk about Su Qing‘s circumstances!

“So what you’re saying, is that Su yiniang is unsatisfied with father’s punishment?” Gracefully taking a few sips, Yun Qian Meng gazed at the dark green tea as she lightly said, “Only, if yiniang has the free time to worry about others, you should spend your attention on father instead! This time only then father punished Su yiniang because she did something wrong! But she is still fathers favorite; if Liu yiniang doesn’t strengthen your position, then this hard-fought position will become hers again in the blink of an eye!”

Liu yiniang had wanted to continue talking about Su Qing, but Yun Qian Meng‘s reminder, was like an alarm knocking her awake!

Truly, Su Qing, although her maternal family was not even nearly as influential as the legitimate wife, Qu Ruo Li’s, had been showered with the most affection by Yun Xuan Zhi for the past decade. It could be seen that Su Qing really had a firm grip on Yun Xuan Zhi‘s heart!

Yet she, herself, had been so engrossed in happiness after gaining a little ground, that she had pushed these important facts to the back of her mind. If, in half a month, Su Qing regains her authority, she could only worry if she and Yun Yan had any good days left to live!

Thinking so, Liu Han Yu could only feel that her back was drenched in cold sweat, so much so that her handkerchief had become damp from perspiration from her hands!

Humbly glancing up, she saw Yun Qian Meng calmly and peacefully sip her tea. Liu Han Yu finally truly admired this young lady. Although she spent her days idling in Qi Luo Yuan, she was actually well aware of the happenings outside as if everything was on the back of her hand!

Slightly turning her gaze, Liu Han Yu lowered her voice, then finally brought up the reason for her visit, “Da xiaojie, these days, nubi went to the accounting office to withdraw the daily household funds, but the accountant there keeps being difficult! Does Da xiaojie have any advice?”

Finishing, Liu Han Yu didn’t say more and only tightly gazed at Yun Qian Meng, her eyes clearly full of expectation!

Yet Yun Qian Meng only smiled, put the teacup on the table, then slowly and deliberately spoke, “The person in charge now is you, Liu yiniang, not me! Besides, if there is anything that you can’t handle in the fu, Liu yiniang can report to father. I trust that father will surely help yiniang take charge of the situation!”

Everyone could see that this situation was a result of Su Qing intentionally making things difficult!

Most likely, the jade medallion that grants the right to withdraw the funds was firmly in Su Qing‘s possession. Without the jade medallion, even if Liu yiniang was in charge, the accountant won’t accept her authority!

Su Qing did this, undoubtedly wanting Liu Han Yu to make a fool of herself, as she paved the path for her eventual return to power!

Yun Qian Meng‘s answer, on one hand, reminded Liu Han Yu that Yun Xuan Zhi was the master of the estate; anything that happened ought to be reported to him. She trusted that with Liu yiniang‘s competence and ability, Yun Xuan Zhi definitely won’t be able to be too biased in favor of Su Qing!

On the other hand, she was also telling Liu Han Yu not to let go of any opportunities to get closer to Yun Xuan Zhi!

Liu Han Yu was also a smart person. Knowing that Yun Qian Meng had already given her such a clear hint, her heart was filled with gratitude, and her face lit up with joy. Agreeing repeatedly, she then rose to leave……

Only, after taking a few steps, she recalled Ji shi‘s earlier words, and lifted her head to sweep her eyes over Yun Qian Meng‘s chambers. Inwardly frowning, she turned around to gently say, “Da xiaojie, why don’t you temporarily move out of Qi Luo Yuan? After nubi gets people to renovate the place, you can return.”

Sensing Liu Han Yu‘s kind intentions, Yun Qian Meng however shook her head with a shallow smile, “There’s no need, living here is quite good. If Yan’er has nothing to do everyday, she should come visit Qi Luo Yuan more often!”

Yun Qian Meng didn’t want to owe others a favor some small issue. Besides, even though the loft was now somewhat shabby, it was still where Qu furen stayed in while she was alive. It was a constant reminder to herself of all the injustice that had been given to Qu furen and the former Yun Qian Meng, as she planned to regain everything that was taken from them in their place!

Liu Han Yu saw that Yun Qian Meng was resolute and didn’t try to force her. Only, noticing that Qi Luo Yuan had only three childlike yatou, her eyes slightly turned as she said in a low voice, “Since xiaojie insists, nubi will respect your wishes! However, xiaojie doesn’t even have a mama to take charge by your side. nubi will have someone send over the register over later, xiaojie should take a look and choose a few capable servants to serve under you!” Finishing, she brought her servants to leave.

During her return trip, Yun Qian Meng‘s earlier invitation was still lingering on her mind. Mulling over her thoughts, she finally understood the hidden meaning!

Right now, in Yun Xuan Zhi‘s eyes, it was really inappropriate for Yun Qian Meng to interfere with the xiangfu!

That’s why, it was better for her to maintain some distance from Qi Luo Yuan. But, if Yun Yan and Yun Qian Meng were close, then the sisters meeting often would be something that Yun Xuan Zhi liked to see. Besides, if she encountered any difficult problems, she could consult with Yun Qian Meng through Yun Yan, even having the effect of pulling wool over people’s eyes!

It couldn’t be left unsaid that, the young miss, ever since her betrothal was rejected by Chen Wang, really commanded a whole new level of respect from others. She couldn’t imagine, if Chen Wang finds out in the future that he had given up such a bright and intelligent lady, what kind of reaction will he have?

Slightly slowing down her steps, Liu yiniang couldn’t help but laugh at herself. There was no need for her to concern herself with other people’s affairs. Even if Yun Qian Meng was actually no good, she was still a legitimate daughter of the xiangfu, and had Fu Guo Gong Fu as well as the Empress Dowager to back her; regarding her marriage, Yun Xuan Zhi would never treat her unfairly. Instead, she should quickly start thinking about her own Yan’er‘s future!

Seeing Liu Han Yu leave, Mu Chun cleaned up the tea set on the table. She was somewhat puzzled by her young miss’s unwillingness to live in a better room. Regarding what Liu yiniang said last time, she just sealed her lips and didn’t mention it!

Furthermore, Mu Chun felt for Yun Qian Meng it was not worth it to vainly let Liu yiniang gain a big benefit. Her eyebrows knitted together, she said with disatisfaction, “Why should xiaojie be so kind-hearted, working hard for other’s benefit?!”

Yun Qian Meng‘s lily-white hands propped up her left cheek as her eyes smilingly gazed at Mu Chun‘s facial expression. She only felt that this yatou was really cute and innocent, somewhat lightening up her current heavy feelings!

However, she was afraid that Liu Han Yu had other objectives for sending over the register!

Although she refused her kindness, she couldn’t stop Liu Han Yu from coming over to play nice again!

“If Liu yiniang sends people to deliver the register here, let her see me personally!” After deliberating, Yun Qian Meng‘s expression slightly sank, having somewhat unraveled the puzzle in her mind……