Chapter Three: Meeting Grandmother Jia

The next morning, Qin Mingyue got ready and, accompanied by her nursemaid and maid, headed to the old lady’s courtyard.

Before entering, she heard a burst of laughter. Among the voices, one woman’s laughter was particularly clear and joyful. Qin Mingyue thought to herself, Could it be that Wang Xifeng is here as well?

The maid at the door, seeing them approach, went to inform the others. Soon after, she returned to invite them inside.

But as soon as they entered, the atmosphere turned cold.

“Oh! This child has been raised well, truly fortunate,” said the woman with the bright laughter, breaking the silence first.

“The old matriarch is indeed blessed; all the grandchildren look like celestial children,” another woman chimed in.

Hearing this, the elderly woman seated in the main chair immediately smiled. “Feng, you’re always so sweet-tongued. Why are you just standing there? Bring the old lady’s grandson over.”

The ladies seated nearby, sensing the mood lighten, began to compliment the child one after another.

Qin Mingyue’s feelings toward Wang Xifeng were mixed; while grateful she had broken the awkwardness, she understood that Xifeng’s intention was not truly to help her but merely to avoid an embarrassing scene.

“This child is indeed well-formed, inheriting the best traits of both parents!”

“Yes, indeed! The old lady’s grandson grows more capable by the day. Such good fortune!”

These praises delighted the old matriarch, but to Lady Wang, they were grating. She did not want this lowly woman’s child stealing the spotlight and thus gave her daughter Yuan Chun a subtle look.

“Old matriarch! Have you stopped doting on your granddaughter? It seems your eyes are only on Brother Huan—what about the grandson? He might get jealous!” At this moment, Jia Yuan Chun was but six or seven years old, delicate and proper. Her coquettish manner only made her seem like a typical child.

“You’re a child yourself. Doesn’t the old lady love you and Baoyu enough? Why get jealous?” Lady Wang responded.

“Yuan Chun is still young; jealousy is natural,” the other ladies quickly diverted attention in agreement.

“Yes, I think Yuan Chun’s upbringing is quite good. A little playfulness in front of family is fine. It’d be a pity if she grew up dull and taciturn.”

The topic shifted as Lady Wang steered the conversation toward Yuan Chun and Jia Baoyu.

“Why isn’t Baoyu here today? He usually loves to be near the old matriarch.”

“He’s caught a cold recently and isn’t well enough to receive visitors,” Lady Wang explained.

“Your child is raised quite well; you should pay more attention to him in the future and not get distracted by other things,” the old matriarch said, at last giving Qin Mingyue a glance. But thinking of her own suffering Baoyu, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of resentment even toward this healthy grandson. She then reprimanded Qin Mingyue openly, causing the assembled ladies to laugh quietly.

Everyone knew that Lady Zhao was always troublesome. The other wives, all official primary wives, sympathized with Lady Wang and despised Lady Zhao’s conduct.

“If it were me, Sister Wang, I would be less lenient. At my house, Lady Zhao wouldn’t even have a chance to appear here.”

“Yes, just a concubine after all.”

Qin Mingyue’s ears were filled with their mockery. The old matriarch had already handed Jia Huan over to the servants, clearly not intending to concern herself with anything else. After all, the real mother of Baoyu was the beloved Lady Wang, and Lady Zhao was merely a concubine’s maid; their relative importance was obvious.

But Qin Mingyue did not take it to heart. Her sole focus was on escaping the Jia household. She dared not hope for more. With her own abilities, she believed she could survive outside with her two children, which was far better than being sold off if the family fell.

They stood there for nearly half an hour. Seeing Qin Mingyue behaving herself, the old matriarch no longer made things difficult. She waved her hand, signaling Qin Mingyue to take Jia Huan and retreat, thus ending the gathering.

Qin Mingyue only breathed a sigh of relief upon returning to her small courtyard. She was truly unaccustomed to such convoluted affairs and resolved to stay inside as much as possible from then on.

Adhering to the principle of being as unobtrusive as possible within the Jia household, Qin Mingyue spent her days quietly tending to her children. Aside from dealing with Jia Zheng, she practiced her supernatural abilities, which benefited the courtyard’s flowers and plants, making them flourish even more vibrantly than those carefully tended by the old matriarch’s servants. Fortunately, few came to her courtyard, so these changes went largely unnoticed.

Though she kept to herself, she was not without watchers.

“What a cunning tactic of playing hard to get! That shameless woman’s strategy of retreating to advance has earned the master’s pity. She’s been visiting his courtyard several days in a row after just leaving confinement. How shameless!” Lady Wang was furious as she observed Jia Zheng frequently visiting Qin Mingyue’s courtyard.

“Only she knows such seductive tricks. The master is merely curious; she’s just a toy. Is it worth your ladyship’s concern?” Zhou Ruijia quickly tried to soothe her.

“Hmph! I only pity my son. He hardly sees his father, yet can’t compete with that bastard’s frequent visits!” Lady Wang refused to admit her jealousy.

In truth, Qin Mingyue was unfairly blamed. Jia Zheng came often because she occasionally practiced her supernatural abilities, which enriched the spiritual energy in the courtyard. As a man who lacked exercise and indulged in luxury, Jia Zheng’s health was frail. Each visit left him feeling invigorated by the spiritual energy, so he came frequently. But to Lady Wang and the others, this was evidence of seduction.

“You’re the principal wife, so handling Lady Zhao won’t be difficult. Since she’s out of confinement now, daily greetings can’t be missed. When the time comes, you just need to discipline this brazen woman, and no one can say a word,” Zhou Ruijia schemed to appease Lady Wang, well aware of her jealousy.

“True enough. Now that she's out of confinement, she mustn’t be allowed such recklessness,” Lady Wang replied, her anger somewhat soothed.

Qin Mingyue was unaware she was being watched. She was currently busy whispering sweet nothings to Jia Zheng.

“Master, is this pressure comfortable?” Qin Mingyue used her ancestral massage techniques to tend to Jia Zheng.

“Hmm, quite good!” Jia Zheng initially feared she might have impure intentions, but was relieved when she simply applied a skillful massage, sparing him embarrassment.

“Master, over the years, I have borne you a son and a daughter. If not for my merits, at least for my hardships, may I ask a favor in return?” Qin Mingyue seized the moment to test the waters.

“Speak,” Jia Zheng replied, not immediately agreeing. After all, Lady Zhao had caused much trouble in recent years.

“I wish to ask you to grant Lady Zhao and her family freedom from servitude, to become ordinary citizens. We cannot have Brother Huan grow up mocked for his family being slaves. I do not expect him to be as clever or lively as Baoyu, only a peaceful life. Please, master, fulfill this wish of mine!” Qin Mingyue poured all her acting skills into the plea, her voice trembling with maternal devotion, moving Jia Zheng.

“Very well. Considering your contributions to the Jia family and that Lady Zhao’s family is Brother Huan’s maternal household, tomorrow I will discuss with my wife about freeing the Zhao family from servitude,” Jia Zheng consented after a moment’s thought.

“Thank you, master!” Having achieved her goal, Qin Mingyue resumed her skilled massage, ensuring Jia Zheng was thoroughly relaxed. She then used her supernatural power to help him sleep soundly before spending the night squeezed into little Jia Huan’s room.

The next morning, Jia Zheng woke refreshed and left satisfied, prompting the servants to murmur admiringly about Lady Zhao’s skill in winning the master’s favor.