Volume 1, Chapter 32: Someone, Bring the Gongs and Drums!

The further one ventured into the West Garden, the more desolate the surroundings became. After bypassing several overgrown paths and following a small stream to the right, one could see jagged rockeries in the distance.

After selling off so many people last night, Lady Li was already coming to find trouble today. She truly could not sit still for a moment. But one cannot rush a good meal, and those who are too impatient often end up with nothing.

Upon reaching the destination, Xie Shu glanced up at the plaque above the door. Her lips curled slightly as she flicked a silk handkerchief from her sleeve, covering half her face with an expression of feigned grievance. "Oh, Mother-in-law, you aren't even residing in the Crane Hall. What a waste of my good intentions."

Hearing this, Nanny Liu turned and glared at Xie Shu. "Good intentions? Even if we were to cut open your heart to look, it would surely be blacker than ink!"

"You old hag, how dare you wag your tongue at your mistress!" Green Willow, having no patience for such disrespect, slapped her across the face, knocking the hairpin from Nanny Liu’s head askew.

Covering a smile behind her handkerchief, Xie Shu played the peacemaker. "Green Willow, how could you strike someone? Nanny Liu is, after all, the Marquis’s wife’s wet nurse. In hitting her, aren't you slapping the Marquis’s wife in the face?"

Nanny Liu’s wrinkled, aged skin had actually swollen up from the blow, the skin stretched taut. Xie Shu looked her up and down, praising, "Though, Nanny Liu, your face actually looks better swollen. It’s quite smooth and taut."

"You! You little harlot! I’ll kill you!" Nanny Liu clutched her face with one hand and raised the other to strike back.

Xie Shu pulled Green Willow to her side and deliberately tripped, causing Nanny Liu to stumble and fall a good distance away.

"Ouch!"

In her past life, when Lady Li was tormenting her, this old hag had played no small part!

"Nanny Liu is old and frail; she probably can't get up. Why haven't you helped her up and called a physician?" Xie Shu instructed Aunt Wang, who stood behind her.

Aunt Wang rolled up her sleeves, ready to drag Nanny Liu away.

"You! What are you doing? I’m not leaving! I’m fine! I’m perfectly well!" Nanny Liu shouted, her hands gripping a withered tree root for dear life.

Aunt Wang, who was quite strong, patiently pried Nanny Liu’s fingers off one by one. Then, with a forceful heave, she grabbed her by the waist and dragged her away. "Go, go, go! Don't get in the way of our Crown Prince’s consort!"

Xie Shu beamed at Nanny Liu, waving her off. "Farewell, Nanny Liu!"

Since she had finished showing the way, there was no more use for her. After disposing of the nuisance, Xie Shu straightened her posture and, leaning on Green Willow’s arm, stepped into the garden.

The place, indeed, was well-chosen by Lady Li. Of the entire West Garden, only this Agarwood Pavilion was truly suitable for living. After all, it was lively—especially at night.

"Green Willow, bring me a cup of hot tea."

With that, Xie Shu stepped into the room.

Inside, Lady Li was still in bed. Furious and unable to sleep, she had spent the night tossing and turning until the third watch. Fearing she would ruin her health, Nanny Liu had brewed her a calming decoction, which had finally lulled her into a deep sleep.

According to their plan from the night before, they were supposed to leave Xie Shu waiting outside until Lady Li rose, washed, and dressed. Ideally, they would leave her standing in the courtyard to catch the morning chill for hours.

But now?

"You, what are you doing!" Qiuyue, who had been waiting in the inner chamber, looked at the aggressive Xie Shu. Though she rushed to the bedside to protect Lady Li, the moment she met Xie Shu’s gaze, her legs began to tremble.

But if the Marchioness blamed her, she would surely be sold off by tonight!

Hearing Lady Li grinding her teeth in her sleep, Xie Shu raised the hot tea in her hand, fully prepared to pour it right into her mouth!

Suddenly, a heavy thud of a kowtow startled Xie Shu.

"Crown Prince’s consort, please spare my life!" In her panic, Qiuyue had knelt straight down before Xie Shu. "If you harm the Madam, I won't live to see another day."

Xie Shu looked down. This Qiuyue... wasn't she Ning Rongsheng’s concubine? Why was she serving Lady Li? In her past life, before Xie Shu had even married in, Ning Rongsheng had already sent this concubine away, back when he was still trying to win Xie Shu’s trust.

"Fine, then I’ll wake her up first." Though she sought revenge, Xie Shu did not wish to harm the innocent.

"Someone, bring the drums and gongs!"

At Xie Shu’s command, two maids holding brass gongs and waist drums marched to Lady Li’s bedside. Before Qiuyue could react, the deafening sound of drums and gongs filled the entire Agarwood Pavilion.

*Dong, dong, dong—*
*Dong, dong, dong—*

The dull, heavy sound reverberated throughout the room, forcing even Xie Shu to cover her ears.

"Ahhh!" On the bed, Lady Li was jolted awake in a panic, bolting upright. "What is it! What’s happening!"

Qiuyue’s eyes widened; she could never have imagined such a way to wake someone up. Seeing Lady Li swaying in terror, Qiuyue hurriedly hugged her, murmuring, "Madam, Madam! It is… it is the Crown Prince’s consort who has arrived!"

The gongs were deafening! Lady Li felt as if her ears were about to be shattered! But as soon as she heard the title "Crown Prince’s consort," she snapped to her senses. "Where is she! Where is that little harlot!"

Seeing that she was awake, Xie Shu raised a hand, and the music stopped abruptly.

However, just as Lady Li reached for Qiuyue’s hand and turned to look for her, a face suddenly appeared right before her!

"Mother-in-law, did you sleep well last night?" Xie Shu asked with a spectral smile.

Lady Li was startled again, stumbling backward and hitting her head against the bedpost with a sharp pain.

"Who let you in!" Looking at the group of people who had barged into her room, Lady Li panicked, pulling the quilt over herself. Looking around, she hurriedly demanded of Xie Shu, "Where is Nanny Liu! Where is she?"

Xie Shu sighed. "Alas, Nanny Liu had a fall. Being kind-hearted, I sent her to see a physician."

"You! Bring her back to me this instant!" Nanny Liu was Lady Li’s wet nurse, the woman who had raised her. Upon hearing she was injured, Lady Li immediately guessed it was Xie Shu’s doing. Enraged, she pointed at Xie Shu and cursed, "If anything happens to Nanny Liu, I will make sure you suffer a death worse than any!"

But... she had already died once!

"Rest assured, Nanny Liu is just fine." She had no time to hunt down an old woman. Xie Shu shook the golden bracelets on her wrists and adjusted the colorful gold and kingfisher-feather hairpins in her hair, asking Lady Li, "Wasn't Mother-in-law waiting for me to pay my respects and serve tea?"

Lady Li took one look and scolded, "Our Marquis Cheng'en’s manor is known for its frugality. You, draped in gold and jade like this, are going to ruin the reputation of our house!"

Xie Shu lowered her eyes and glanced at Lady Li. She spread her arms, the rings and jade bracelets on her hands shimmering enough to blind Lady Li. She replied nonchalantly, "You are right. The Marquis’s manor is so destitute that it should indeed be frugal. Otherwise, I fear you might not even be able to afford a meal."

Seeing Lady Li’s face turn deathly pale, Xie Shu added a well-meaning reminder: "By the way. Are you still going to drink this tea, or not?"