Chapter 8: Backing Up

“Of course, Seventh Sister is kind-hearted; it’s only right she uses these fine things.”

“In that case, let’s not trouble Miss Sixth any longer. Third Young Master, Seventh Miss, let’s head to the front hall—the palace guests are all waiting.”

Lan Qin spoke appropriately, and no one glanced again at Wen Qiao, who kept her head lowered.

The front hall.

Though Madame Song was a servant, she was a prominent figure close to the Empress Dowager, practically like sisters with her, having supported her through the palace’s intrigues. Her status far exceeded that of an ordinary servant. Wen Congqing still hoped she could speak a good word for him when she returned, perhaps even help get Wen Qi into the palace, which would be a valuable asset when arranging marriages. Thus, they treated her with fine tea and spoke politely, almost fawning over her as if she were a noble lady.

“This girl, truly… it’s been some time, yet she still hasn’t arrived. Madame, I’ll send someone to hurry her. Please, enjoy your tea first.”

Wen Congqing rose from his chair, about to send someone, but before Madame Song could stop him, Lan Qin entered the front hall with two others.

Li Yanlan had long suspected these two might bully Wen Qiao. When Madame Song specifically asked to see Wen Qiao earlier, Li Yanlan had been anxious, fearing Madame Song might detect something. Seeing Wen Qiao absent, she felt some relief, assuming Lan Qin understood the situation and was weighing things carefully.

“Why hasn’t Miss Sixth arrived?”

Madame Song set down her teacup, her brow furrowed in puzzlement.

“Elder Sister just twisted her ankle returning home. The family doctor has only just arrived; she’s confined to bed. She specially entrusted me to receive her reward on her behalf!”

Wen Qi’s tone was lively and playful, her face bearing just the right amount of concern. Had the Empress Dowager not explicitly instructed her to watch over Wen Qiao before leaving the palace, she might have agreed without hesitation.

Seeing Wen Qi speak with such tact, Li Yanlan finally relaxed.

“You girls are close. Since Qiao Qiao is injured and entrusted you to help, then so be it.”

Wen Congqing spoke up. Usually, Madame Song would give him some face. Although the Yongning Marquisate had declined, it still bore a hereditary title, and it was better to maintain good relations than enmity. However, the Empress Dowager had given explicit orders; Madame Song was likely uneasy about Wen Qiao’s recent return and wanted to see her in person. This time, she could not yield to Wen Congqing.

“Honorable Marquis, I must confess that the Empress Dowager specifically instructed me to see Miss Sixth. I dare not disobey. If she cannot get out of bed, I will visit her in her courtyard and report back to Her Majesty.”

Being a man, Wen Congqing was unaware of the subtle intrigues of the inner court, and had not expected they would harm Wen Qiao so quickly. He was about to agree when Lan Qin suddenly spoke:

“No!”

Not only Madame Song but even Lan Qin herself was startled.

“N-no… I mean, Miss Sixth was just injured and has already rested. When I left, the doctor had just arrived, so she has likely finished her treatment by now. Miss Sixth specially instructed me not to disturb her rest. Madame, if you visit now, she might not be properly attended to.”

Lan Qin spoke cautiously, but seeing Madame Song’s displeased expression and just as she tried to explain more, Madame Song’s impatience was evident.

“When did the Marquisate become a place where a mere servant rules? Do you think the Empress Dowager’s orders count for less than yours? Marquis, if this continues, I must report back to Her Majesty. Though I must obey her orders, disturbing Miss Sixth’s rest would be my fault. If this persists, I might suspect the Marquisate harbors resentment against the Empress Dowager.”

“Lan Qin, since when do you call the shots here? Guards! Drag her away and give her twenty lashes!”

Wen Congqing hurriedly denied such accusations.

Lan Qin looked to Li Yanlan for help; Li Yanlan closed her eyes. Soon, the sound of harsh slaps echoed from the courtyard, unmistakably forceful.

Wen Zehan and Wen Qi turned pale with fear, worried Madame Song might discover they had bullied Wen Qiao.

“Madame, it’s not that I’m unwilling, but Elder Sister just returned and the courtyard hasn’t been tidied. If you go now, she might be neglected.”

Wen Qi bowed gently, trying to dissuade her, but Madame Song was unmoved.

“No matter. Marquis, please designate someone to guide me. I will go see Miss Sixth.”

Even Wen Congqing, not the sharpest, realized Wen Qiao must be in trouble; otherwise, his children wouldn’t so strongly oppose Madame Song’s visit.

Yet Madame Song insisted on going, and if he opposed, it would only arouse suspicion. Better to send someone ahead to notify Wen Qiao to prepare.

He signaled Li Yanlan, who nodded.

“Since Madame insists, it’s fortunate the Empress Dowager favors Qiao Qiao. As her father, I would never neglect my daughter. I will accompany Madame Song myself.”

Madame Song noticed Li Yanlan’s subtle maneuver but ignored it; such actions only confirmed Wen Qiao’s hardship in the Marquisate.

The Empress Dowager might be more straightforward, but Madame Song had long guarded her through palace battles and knew the depths of palace intrigues better than many consorts. She was not fooled by petty tricks.

As for Wen Qi, she was simply foolish and spiteful, unpleasant to be around. Miss Sixth was intelligent and perceptive, surely capable of defending herself. One hoped Wen Qi’s hardships would toughen Wen Qiao, rather than her being overly protected.

After all, Wen Qiao had grown up in the countryside, unfamiliar with courtly intrigues. Without some training, she might suffer humiliation upon marrying into a noble household. Heaven forbid she end up like Princess Changle...

Madame Song dared not contemplate further.

Wen Qiao’s courtyard was secluded. Though Madame Song was elderly, having served in the palace, the walk was not tiring. Wen Congqing, heavily pregnant, was already breathless upon arrival. Seeing the dilapidated courtyard and imagining what Madame Song might report to the Empress Dowager, he nearly fainted.

“Didn’t I tell you to clean Miss Sixth’s courtyard? How do you manage things? Are you always so careless with me?!” Wen Congqing yelled at the servants, who all hung their heads in silence. Wen Zehan’s face flushed red and pale repeatedly—quite a spectacle.

It was he who hadn’t arranged for Wen Qiao’s courtyard to be tidied. Seventh Sister had lived well until Wen Qiao’s return, when the ladies in the capital began whispering behind Wen Qi’s back. Yet Wen Qi never blamed Wen Qiao and even defended her. Such a gentle and kind woman like Wen Qi was rare, and he intended to support her more. Otherwise, who knew how badly Wen Qiao might mistreat her?

“Madame Song, I’ve been busy and hadn’t noticed the neglect. Qiao Qiao is my daughter; I would never mistreat her!”

Wen Congqing hurried to explain, but Wen Qi swayed behind him, her face paling as if deeply hurt.

Wen Zehan saw this and felt even more sympathy for her.

Madame Song nodded slightly, saying no more. As the Empress Dowager’s attendant, she represented her outside the palace.

“Marquis, I shall go inside to see Miss Sixth.”

Wen Qiao heard the voices at the courtyard entrance. The place was desolate, and sounds echoed clearly. She did nothing but lift the only chair in the room and move it. When Madame Song entered, she saw a frail young woman clutching a large stool.

“Madame Song, *cough cough*…”

Wen Qiao set down the stool, bowed, then covered her mouth to cough lightly. Madame Song’s expression darkened.

Though Wen Qiao had only spent a night in the palace, the Empress Dowager favored her greatly. Over the years, the princes and princesses of the inner court were numerous but none close to the Empress Dowager, who was strictly monitored by the consorts, fearing accidents. Thus, she was lonely. Having watched Princess Changle grow up, she naturally felt affection for Wen Qiao as well. Wen Qiao’s charm in the palace and the hardships she endured stirred the Empress Dowager’s maternal heart—she cared for her as if she were her own granddaughter. Seeing Wen Qiao’s plight in the Marquisate, how could she not be angry? She longed to report back and support Wen Qiao.

“If the Marquisate lacks staff to attend Miss Sixth, I will report to Her Majesty and request she send two aides from the palace to serve her properly, so the noble miss need not do menial work herself.”

Not only Wen Zehan and Wen Qi paled, even Wen Congqing’s face changed.

“Madame Song, *cough cough* I haven’t told my mother yet. Father is busy with court affairs and hasn’t attended to the household. I shall speak to her soon. It’s better not to trouble the Empress Dowager with such trifles; if she knows, she might think I’m suffering here and blame my parents.”

Wen Qiao cleverly deflected, causing Madame Song’s expression to soften.

Only a daughter of Princess Changle would be so considerate, fearing the Empress Dowager’s worry.

“Yes, Madame. This was my oversight. I will instruct my wife to immediately supplement Qiao Qiao’s household staff.”

Madame Song’s demeanor improved somewhat and instructed the young eunuchs to bring in the rewards. Wen Qi’s eyes reddened, fists clenched tightly, struggling not to rush out and snatch the gifts.

Wen Qiao lowered her head, a mocking smile playing at her lips.

Such a shallow “innocent” act—she had once believed Wen Qi’s sincerity and devoted herself entirely. Now, seeing her inability to even mask her feelings, Wen Qiao wondered if it was Wen Qi’s naïveté or her own foolishness in a past life.

“Madame Song, I will escort you.”

Wen Qiao lifted her head, her eyes full of deep trust, warming Madame Song’s heart.

Once everything was packed, hearing Madame Song would return to report, Wen Congqing and the others sighed in relief, fearing another storm if Madame Song saw more.

“Miss Sixth is unwell; please stay. Have someone guide me.”

Wen Congqing politely escorted Madame Song out, his face darkening.

An old palace maid making a marquis bow low—it was humiliating beyond words! But she had the Empress Dowager’s backing, and he could not oppose her. He still hoped to restore the Yongning Marquisate’s status through his children’s marriages. The Empress Dowager’s favor was crucial.

If the emperor disapproved of his children’s matches and they had to rely on the Empress Dowager’s influence, his hope was that Seventh Daughter, close to the Empress Dowager, could marry into power. He had underestimated Wen Qiao’s favor with the Empress Dowager. Now, he could no longer neglect Sixth Daughter as before.

“Lan’er, quickly tell the steward to tidy Qiao Qiao’s courtyard properly. After all, she is the legitimate daughter of the Marquisate; a garden in such ruin is shameful.”

Li Yanlan gritted her teeth but had to comply.

Legitimate daughter? So what? Wen Qiao was legitimate, yet was her own son Wen Zehan not the legitimate son?

Children of a second wife, even if legitimate, ranked beneath those of the first wife. Li Yanlan often felt bitter over this. Other legitimate sons in the capital looked down on Wen Zehan, refusing to associate with him. He could never fully integrate into the elite circles and was sometimes ostracized.

After all, she was neither the formal wife nor a proper second wife, but a concubine brought in only after the first wife died.

Suppressing her resentment, Li Yanlan arranged for Wen Qiao’s courtyard to be cleaned. To show cooperation with Wen Congqing’s wishes, she personally visited Wen Qiao.

She arrived leisurely, seeing Wen Qiao standing aside watching the work. She forced a smile despite her displeasure, feigning concern.

Wen Qi returned to her courtyard, flinging things about in frustration. Her sense of crisis had never been stronger.

Though Wen Congqing doted on her, it was because she wasn’t just a daughter to him but also a commodity, a valuable asset. By Wen Congqing’s reckoning, if Wen Qiao proved more useful, he would shift his focus to her.

Wen Qiao’s benefits were tangible—just a word from the Empress Dowager could restore Wen Congqing’s standing in the capital. Wen Qi, still unmarried and not even his biological daughter, had an uncertain future marriage. Clearly, investing in Wen Qiao was wiser.

Still, having been Wen Congqing’s daughter for so many years, Wen Qi knew his nature: greedy, foolish, cowardly, selfish. He might treat Wen Qiao well on the surface but would never abandon the daughter he had cared for all these years. Given any chance, he would pull Wen Qiao away from the Empress Dowager’s favor to protect his own position in the Marquisate.