"However, Zhao'er will still be the principal wife in the household. You can assist her in all matters, but you must not overstep your authority," Wei Tingyu made clear, lest his inner chambers descend into chaos later.
"Yes!" He Weifang blinked, then, in her excitement, disregarded her clothing, simply wearing her pink silk dudou (bodice) embroidered with peonies, she ran off the bed and solemnly bowed to Wei Tingyu.
"Thank you, Marquis, for your high regard! I will surely assist the Lady in managing the Marquis's residence, and I will never cause the Marquis any trouble!" He Weifang's words were sincere, and tears of excitement even welled up in her eyes. After all, although she had never had any intimate contact with that fellow Liu Chang, she was nominally a married woman. The Marquis was actually willing to marry her as an equal wife?! What more could she be dissatisfied with now?
"Alright, alright, get up! Who bows like that?" Wei Tingyu chuckled, quickly waving to the young mistress in front of him. After all, those fair, jade-like arms and long legs swaying before him were truly enticing. Indulging in lust during the day was already quite excessive; did he really need a repeat performance in He Weifang's boudoir? Of course, it wasn't impossible! Thinking this, Wei Tingyu heartily opened his arms, and He Weifang, with a shy expression, nestled into his embrace once more like a little bird.
However, just as he was about to make another move, he suddenly heard a distant, faint clamor. "Yulu!" Wei Tingyu frowned slightly, then unceremoniously called out to He Weifang's maid, who was standing outside the door.
"Marquis! Mistress!" Yulu was originally eavesdropping through the crack in the door when she suddenly heard Wei Tingyu's voice. Startled, she quickly pushed open the door and entered with her head bowed. Of course, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Wei Tingyu and He Weifang embracing, which made her even more shy and unwilling to look directly at them.
"Ah!" He Weifang hadn't expected Yulu to be called in by Wei Tingyu so suddenly. Her small face immediately flushed, and she quickly dodged behind Wei Tingyu. Although Yulu was a maid she had grown up with, like a dear younger sister, the current situation was truly too embarrassing. Of course, He Weifang was also inwardly complaining about Yulu; upon hearing Wei Tingyu's summons, she came in without even asking her! Does this mean that in her heart, Wei Tingyu is a higher-ranking master than me? However, upon second thought, even she, the mistress, was now Wei Tingyu's, so Yulu obeying Wei Tingyu's orders seemed perfectly fine.
While He Weifang's mind raced with these assorted thoughts, Wei Tingyu looked at Yulu and asked, "What's going on outside? All that noise…"
"Replying to the Marquis!" Yulu, realizing Wei Tingyu was asking about a serious matter, quickly bowed and replied, "Since a while ago, many maids and servants have been carrying large and small packages past our courtyard and into the inner part. It seems the Princess has moved into the innermost small courtyard…"
"The Princess?" Upon hearing this information, He Weifang's ears immediately perked up. Logically, this small courtyard was quite secluded; living here was almost equivalent to being exiled to the frontier within the Liu residence. She now understood why Wei Tingyu had chosen this place; he was clearly here for her, so she could understand that. But why was the Princess here? She wasn't living in the spacious main hall courtyard, but running off to this corner courtyard? She must have some ulterior motive! And recalling the layout of these three side-by-side small courtyards, He Weifang immediately understood. Wei Tingyu was in the middle, and she and the Princess were living on either side. It seemed the Princess's target might also be the Marquis!
He Weifang's face immediately tensed. Could this Princess also be interested in the Marquis? Connecting this with the incident at the birthday banquet where Wei Tingyu saved her life, He Weifang increasingly felt that this was very likely! After all, for noble ladies who rarely went out and relied on various novels and storybooks for information about the outside world, wasn't the most common trope that after a hero rescues a beauty, the beauty repays him by offering herself? No! I must quickly inform the Marquis's Lady and the other sisters! We must all be vigilant together! He Weifang had now fully embraced her identity as Wei Tingyu's equal wife and felt it was her duty to form a united front with the other three wives and concubines! This wasn't because she was overly jealous and unwilling for Wei Tingyu to take other women, but because the Princess's airs were simply too grand! If the Princess also entered the residence in the future, the other wives and concubines would have a very hard life!
Wei Tingyu, hearing this, thought to himself, My butterfly effect on this world is surprisingly intense?! Even the Princess isn't staying in the room Liu Chang prepared for her, but has moved next door to me. However, this noble lady did possess some beauty and quite fit his perception of Tang Dynasty beauties. If he could welcome such a beauty into his chambers in the future, it would indeed be a unique flavor!
"Let's go take a look!" Thinking this, Wei Tingyu immediately stood up, then instinctively raised his hands, waiting for He Weifang to serve him and help him dress. However, although He Weifang had been married into the Liu residence for a year, she had never dressed Liu Chang. Furthermore, her mind was completely preoccupied with the Princess's matter at the moment, so she actually overlooked Wei Tingyu's action. Instead, Yulu, seeing this, desperately winked at her mistress. At this moment, you absolutely must show your virtuous and graceful side to the Marquis!
Fortunately, He Weifang understood after seeing Yulu's gaze. She quickly got out of bed and took Wei Tingyu's clothes to help him dress. Yulu obediently stood by, assisting He Weifang, for a maid of her rank was not qualified to personally serve the master.
"Oh, right! Mistress!" Yulu, seeing that Wei Tingyu was mostly dressed, suddenly remembered something and quickly spoke again. "Just now, Young Master Liu almost came into the courtyard, but at the courtyard gate, he turned and went towards the Princess's separate courtyard!"
Upon hearing this news, He Weifang's small hand trembled violently. Good heavens! I was almost caught in the act! However, this panic was only momentary; she quickly recovered. She had now completely abandoned all distracting thoughts and was wholeheartedly devoted to Wei Tingyu. What did it matter if Liu Chang saw them with his own eyes? For the sake of the Liu family's reputation, Liu Chang and his parents would certainly not make a big fuss! They might even honestly be willing to discuss a divorce! What a pity! I almost got to see Liu Chang's face when he realized he'd been cuckolded! That would have been truly satisfying! He Weifang, thinking this, actually felt a little disappointed!
"Don't think like that!" However, Wei Tingyu looked at He Weifang, who was still lowering her head to straighten his clothes, and directly took her soft hand in his. Then, looking into her eyes, he said, "I promise you! I will not let a single murderer who harmed your mother in the Liu family go unpunished! You don't need to humble yourself and think of such self-deprecating ways to retaliate against them!"
"Mm!" He Weifang was startled, then nodded heavily, her eyes filled with tears. What is a stronghold? What is a head of the household who can stand up for you? Wei Tingyu had perfectly embodied this answer in He Weifang's heart!
"Today, the Liu family was negligent! If Marquis Wei hadn't pardoned you…" At this moment, in the Princess's newly arranged small courtyard, she sat by a stone table, sipping jasmine pearl soup and saying, "This matter cannot be easily dismissed!" Liu's mother, with a host of servants, stood obediently by, listening to the Princess's admonition.
"Such negligence, if it happened in the capital… everyone in the Liu residence would be guilty of a capital offense!" As Princess Jian's words fell, Liu's mother immediately knelt down in fright. All the servants behind her did the same, each trembling.
"Such a lapse is entirely due to Madam He's incompetence in managing the household!"
"The Liu family truly has a burden as a daughter-in-law!" Princess Jian, while savoring the jasmine pearl soup, again mentioned He Weifang. At this moment, even she didn't know why, but she just found He Weifang increasingly unlikable! She even hoped the Liu family would properly discipline this daughter-in-law!
"Everyone in the residence knows that ever since she entered, she has never gained Zi Shu's favor!"
"The responsibility of managing the household affairs will certainly not be entrusted to a merchant's daughter like her!"
"Her residence is secluded and sparsely populated; she will certainly not offend the Princess's eyes!" Liu's mother suddenly realized something was amiss as she spoke. He Weifang's small courtyard was indeed secluded and sparsely populated, but now the Princess had also moved to this side, hadn't she? And between their residences was just the courtyard where Wei Tingyu stayed. At this moment, Liu's mother finally understood the Princess's intention: she wanted her to move He Weifang farther away. In that case, wouldn't only Wei Tingyu and the Princess reside in this secluded courtyard? Thinking this, Liu's mother immediately grew suspicious. Does the Princess truly have feelings for Marquis Wei?No! How could I hand over my son's excellent marriage to someone else?!
Princess Jian, seeing Liu's mother remain silent, knew that she had understood her intention. But since she made no further move, Princess Jian grew angry. So, your whole family just wants to cling to my powerful influence, is that it? I want to live closer to Wei Tingyu, excluding other unnecessary people, but you are hindering me in every way?
"Is Madam's protection of her making me seem impolite?" Thinking this, Princess Jian's face immediately turned cold. She didn't even drink the jasmine pearl soup, placing it heavily on the stone table.
"The Princess misunderstands! This humble wife fears that woman would disturb the Princess's enjoyment!" Liu's mother, hearing this, quickly explained.
"Lord Liu was demoted to Dongdu, willingly stooping to marry into a merchant family!"
"Floating in the sea of officialdom for three whole years!"
"And still remains a mere minor liushou pangguan (a low-ranking official in charge of a subordinate office)!"
Princess Jian looked at Liu's mother, who was kneeling before her, and scoffed disdainfully. Then she said, "If my royal father were to learn of today's events, I fear…"
At the Princess's words, Liu's mother trembled all over in fright. She was truly afraid that the Princess would return and complain about her family to Prince Ning; if that happened, it would truly be over. For a powerful figure like Prince Ning, who commanded the entire court, killing her husband, a minor fifth-rank official, would be easier than crushing an ant.
This scene was also clearly witnessed by Liu Chang, who had been hiding behind a pillar. At this moment, he truly wanted to rush over and speak for his mother, but seeing the Princess's cold gaze, he became afraid again.
"Rest assured, since Marquis Wei has already pardoned the Liu family's offense today, I naturally will not tell my royal father!" Princess Jian, seeing Liu's mother's trembling appearance, was quite satisfied. She felt that if she just pushed a little harder, the other party would have no choice but to obediently move He Weifang out of the small courtyard next to Wei Tingyu. By then, she would have more time to properly understand what kind of person Wei Tingyu truly was! It could only be said that Princess Jian was now extremely curious about Wei Tingyu; everything else in the Liu residence, including Liu Chang, her former "first love," was no longer her top priority!
"However, such incompetent servants must be punished!"
"All those who served at today's flower banquet shall receive eighty strokes of the rod!"
"Madam He's negligence! Forty strokes!"
At Princess Jian's words, all the servants present instantly turned pale with fright. "Princess, spare our lives!" Everyone knelt down in unison, kowtowing and begging for mercy. Eighty strokes of the rod could directly kill the weaker ones! Even the strong and healthy would be confined to bed for three or four months, and possibly even suffer lifelong disabilities!
Liu's mother's face also turned pale upon hearing this, but she dared not defy the Princess's order, for in her eyes, the lives of these servants were certainly not as important as her own. Of course, she also knew that the Princess was doing this entirely to force her to quickly move He Weifang out of the small courtyard next to Wei Tingyu. She immediately said, "Madam He's negligence! The Liu residence will certainly deal with her according to family law! And the servants who deserve punishment will not be lightly pardoned!"
"After Madam He's flogging, this humble wife will send her back to her maiden home to reflect behind closed doors!"
"Is the Princess satisfied?" Hearing Liu's mother's statement, Princess Jian finally closed her eyes slightly. After all, getting rid of He Weifang was her most important goal at the moment.
"Wait a moment!" However, just as Princess Jian was about to speak, she suddenly heard a soft exclamation. Everyone looked towards the sound and saw Dou Zhao entering gracefully with Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru.
"Just now, I heard the servants outside chattering and bustling about, and I was wondering which esteemed guest had moved into this empty courtyard next door!" Dou Zhao quickly stepped forward in a very polite manner, bowing slightly to the Princess. "I didn't expect it to be the Princess who has moved here!"
"Marquis Wei's Lady!" The Princess hadn't expected that after she moved here, Wei Tingyu hadn't arrived yet, but his three wives and concubines had already come. She immediately stood up and returned the bow to Dou Zhao. After all, she was currently interested in Wei Tingyu himself, so it wouldn't do to be too antagonistic with his wives and concubines.
"We just passed by and heard the Princess say she intended to have all the servants in this residence receive eighty strokes of the rod, and Madam He forty?" Dou Zhao certainly hadn't come for the Liu family; she was there for these poor servants, as most of them were innocent. If such an unprovoked disaster were to claim their lives, Dou Zhao and the other two could not bear it.
"If family law is not strict, how can one manage a household?" The Princess merely nodded faintly after hearing Dou Zhao's words. "This Madam He, as the young mistress of the Liu residence, not only displayed negligence but also lacked wifely virtue. Surely, Marquis Wei's Lady feels the same?" In the Princess's view, the ambiguous relationship between He Weifang and Wei Tingyu was now clear to everyone in the Liu residence, so Dou Zhao, as Wei Tingyu's principal wife, must certainly dislike He Weifang. Therefore, she would definitely support her actions!
"The Liu family's matters are for the Liu family to handle! Why should the Princess trouble herself?" However, Dou Zhao smiled faintly and said, "Besides, this young mistress is gentle, virtuous, and well-educated. Our Marquis has nothing but praise for her!"
"Ah?" At these words, everyone present was stunned, including the Princess and Liu's mother. Of course, the subsequent expressions of the two women took completely different turns. The Princess was merely surprised; she hadn't expected Dou Zhao to be so magnanimous?! It was clear that she knew about the affair between He Weifang and her Marquis. The two had exchanged secret glances at the flower banquet; Dou Zhao, sitting nearby, couldn't have missed it. But instead of stopping it, she was now speaking up for He Weifang, her rival in love? It had to be said, Wei Tingyu managed his inner chambers well! The Princess's mouth twitched. She felt as though her worldview had been completely overturned.
Liu's mother, meanwhile, wore an embarrassed expression. After all, He Weifang was still her daughter-in-law! The Marquis has nothing but praise for her? How does that sound so awkward? And even Liu Chang, who was still hiding behind the pillar, turned a ashen green, but then his face grew even greener! For his gaze had already fallen upon three figures approaching in the distance. Leading them was Wei Tingyu, who looked utterly pleased with himself, strutting with his head held high, fully displaying the demeanor of a noble young master. And his wife, He Weifang, followed obediently by his side, occasionally glancing at Wei Tingyu with eyes that revealed admiration and love. This was a look Liu Chang had never seen in He Weifang's eyes!