Chapter 6: This Face Must Not Go to Waste
This young widow was truly striking. Given the Liu family’s understanding of the He men, she was bound to stir up trouble in the He household.
The two old folks at home had decided that Zhang was the eldest daughter-in-law. Despite Liu’s significant contributions to the He family, they insisted on entrusting the household management to Zhang. Liu had to endure Zhang’s arrogance for several years, living a truly stifling life.
He Xu was a lecher; once he fell into Lin’s trap, Zhang would undoubtedly make a scene to the bitter end.
As expected, not only did he fall for it, but he did so smoothly and without mishap!
However, Liu never imagined that before she could make her move, He Xu would die!
Since Lin was introduced by her, if there were any connections, she couldn’t explain them clearly.
She began to warn sharply: “This was supposed to be a private matter between two families. I never expected the madam to have someone report it to the authorities!
“The officials will surely send people. You were brought in by me. If anything is uncovered that implicates me, I’ll be the first to show no mercy!”
Yuetang smirked: “Grandmother, please rest assured, I wouldn’t dare.”
Liu nodded: “Good to know.”
Yuetang stepped forward and massaged her temples while looking at the mirror reflecting the pearl and jade ornaments adorning her hair: “This is heaven’s blessing for you. Now that the household management is effortlessly in your hands, you shouldn’t worry but rather be glad.”
Her words struck a chord with Liu, who gazed at Yuetang in the mirror: “I truly am pleased.”
With the eldest brother and his wife both dead, she had become the greatest victor in this lawsuit!
Now, it was time to do something else.
She took Yuetang’s hand and asked her to sit down: “I forgot to ask, how old are you? Not yet twenty, right?”
“Just turned nineteen in July.”
Liu smiled and patted the back of her hand: “So young. Have you thought about your future? Look at our He estate, such a vast fortune; look at our household’s concubines, all well-fed and clothed, adorned in gold and jewels. Do you envy them?”
Yuetang paused briefly, then smiled softly: “I envy them immensely.”
Liu straightened her chest: “Last night in the main residence, I saw the Second Master paying close attention to you. How about I play matchmaker between you and him?”
When she saw He Hui staring unblinkingly at this young widow at the scene of the eldest brother’s death, Liu had felt a flicker of regret.
Letting a troublemaker like Lin into the household to stir things up was clearly a desperate move.
If He Xu fell for a beauty trap, He Hui would hardly avoid the same fate.
The second branch already had enough troubles.
How could she allow Lin, a newcomer, to hold the secret of her strike against the main branch?
This little widow absolutely could not be kept any longer.
But Liu was no fool like Zhang, who only knew how to throw tantrums.
She planned to kill two birds with one stone, making full use of this young widow.
“Second Master,” she began.
Yuetang’s expression was calm.
Liu raised an eyebrow: “What? Reluctant?”
She restrained her expression and spoke gently: “You are indeed somewhat beautiful, but you are no longer a fresh flower. Surely you don’t intend to hold out for a better offer, hoping to become a phoenix perched high?
“Now that the household management is in my hands, and with me as the matriarch protecting you, if I decide you should serve the masters, that alone is a tremendous blessing. If you go elsewhere, don’t expect such benefits.”
“Grandmother’s kindness, I am truly grateful. But Second Madam’s care also makes me somewhat anxious.”
Yuetang looked at the makeup box beneath the mirror.
The box was adorned at each corner with inlaid red-gold floral carvings, matching the golden hairpins and jewel-studded pendants on Liu’s head, all crafted by the finest goldsmiths in the city.
Liu paused, then offered tea: “To be honest, I have a task for you as well.”
At such a moment, bringing up this matter was sure to raise suspicion.
Yet this young widow was already under her control, so there was no harm in speaking plainly.
“The Second Master has been distracted by two fox spirits these past years, neglecting his ambitions. If you can help him find his way again, you’d be doing me a favor.”
“I see,” Yuetang raised her brow slightly.
Liu was glad she understood and praised her astuteness: “I believe with your skills, this will be easy.”
That night when the He family received the order from the returning Princess Yongjia, who had been attacked and barely escaped back to the capital, Liu happened to overhear.
The relative of the Marquis of Guangling—the Jingyang Prince’s household, which had guarded the border for three generations since its ennoblement—was about to return to the capital to assist in governance.
With a powerful backing, the Marquis of Guangling had finally resolved to seize the position of Chief of the Imperial City.
However, He Jianzhong explained that the late emperor had decreed that even if the Duke of Duan abdicated, the position would pass to his successor.
At that time, the Duke of Duan’s heir had died a year earlier.
Subsequently, the late emperor permitted Princess Yongjia to select a husband, with their offspring becoming heirs to the Duke’s estate.
Therefore, when the princess’s child grew up, the position of Chief of the Imperial City would slip from the Marquis of Guangling’s grasp.
Moreover, killing the Duke of Duan alone would prompt the princess to investigate thoroughly upon her return and seek revenge.
So the Marquis had decided to kill the princess as well, to end it once and for all.
But He Jianzhong was troubled. The princess was surrounded by skilled guards and had been trained by renowned masters since childhood. A successful strike would be difficult.
Besides, the operation had to be secret, with no hint of its occurrence and no trace afterward.
When she overheard the He family father and son spying and saw their guarded eyes, she volunteered to use her cousin’s position in the prince’s household to gather intelligence.
She succeeded in obtaining the exact time of the princess’s return from a female attendant in the household’s wardrobe department.
Following that, a large force led by the He and Zhang families calculated the princess’s route based on this timing.
Though Liu did not lead the killing, she had made great contributions and received many rewards.
For instance, the pearl and jade hairpieces, the silk in the trunks, the silver in the bank, and even immunity for her younger brother’s crimes.
No outsider would ever suspect that her rewards came from involvement in the princess’s assassination.
Yet she never expected that the money she earned through merit was squandered by He Hui, that prodigal son, on debauchery!
Not only did he cause trouble outside, but he also kept bringing people into the estate one after another!
She had endured it for three years.
Since Lin had such a face, why waste it?
She intended to make Lin a weapon in her hand to eliminate those two fox spirits in the inner quarters.
Once Lin had succeeded, it would be easy for Liu, as matriarch, to crush her at an appropriate moment.
“But with the eldest brother dead, by custom the Second Master must observe three months of mourning, which means he is in ‘deep mourning.’ If the grieving master and madam find out, the Second Master will get no benefits.
“Not to mention if outsiders seize any faults and report them, the master would be implicated. Doesn’t Second Madam care about this?”
“If you don’t speak and I don’t speak, who else would know about what goes on behind closed doors?” Liu smiled darkly.
He Hui, having gained the advantage, would not shout it from the rooftops.
Even if the two old folks knew, they wouldn’t kill their only surviving son, would they?
Yuetang nodded: “Grandmother, you are indeed far-sighted.”
Liu set down her cup: “The Second Master has been busy since last night, still at the official residence. When he returns, he will need someone to attend to him.
“You should go now. Serve him well.
“He is a martial artist, so he might be rough in bed, but you are experienced and need not be delicate.
“Once you’ve taken good care of him, come to my room. I will reward you handsomely with new clothes and jewelry.
“You will enjoy a life of luxury.”
Enjoy life, down in the grave!
The coachman Wang Er, brought from the Liu household, was strong. After the mission concluded, he would be sent to take care of the matter.
It would be done cleanly and efficiently, allowing them to rest easy.
Yuetang smiled at her.
At that moment, a maid entered: “Grandmother! People from the official residence have arrived! According to protocol, they will inspect the scene and interrogate relevant persons. The master orders you to go to the main residence at once to await further instructions!”
Liu frowned, then looked at Yuetang.
Yuetang rose: “No matter. Grandmother is busy. Have Nurse Li bring me there.”