Chapter 43: The Woman I Cannot See Through
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After the long reprimand, Liu Xiner was too ashamed to lift her head.
She returned to the rear courtyard looking as miserable as a drenched chicken, covered her face, and burst into tears. Then, through the gaps between her fingers, she spotted Shun crouching on the ground watching crickets and immediately pulled him into her arms.
As though he were her last lifeline, she cupped his face in both hands and urged him with fervent expectation, “You must make something of yourself. One day, you must bring honor to your mother and let those blind, sycophantic lackeys see clearly who the true master of the marquis’s household is.”
“Mother, I will certainly make something of myself!” Shun nodded earnestly, though he understood little.
Mother always said that he was a great talent. Surely, then, he was destined for greatness!
The mother and son were deeply affectionate.
That tenderness lasted until the abrupt wail of a child made Liu Xiner’s expression turn cold with irritation.
Seeing that An was crying again, and having even less patience than usual that day, she glared at Erya and scolded, “Are you trying to get yourself killed? Why aren’t you taking proper care of your brother? Why is he crying? Hurry up and soothe him!”
“Ah!”
Erya had been chasing An around while trying to feed him breakfast. Startled by the scolding, she released the bowl and chopsticks, which crashed to the ground.
Her face went even paler with fright. She did not dare cry in front of Liu Xiner, and her palm-sized face was filled with terror, tears circling in her clear, lake-like eyes.
Seeing how frightened her daughter was, Liu Xiner’s first thought was of Erya’s beauty.
When the girl had been dirty, gaunt, and sallow, it had not been apparent. Now that the marquis’s household had restored some of her health, it was finally visible. She was her daughter, after all, and though her features had not yet fully matured, the makings of a beauty were already unmistakable.
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“Erya, come here.”
Liu Xiner’s eyes suddenly lit up. Forcing out a benevolent smile she was clearly unaccustomed to wearing, she beckoned Erya over. “Let Mother have a good look at you.”
Yet in Erya’s eyes, the woman before her seemed strange and unnerving. A primal terror descended over her, leaving her trembling all over as she edged toward Liu Xiner.
Meanwhile, Dou Hongyan was still probing the steward of the Third Prince’s residence.
“My husband has been away for many years, and much of his former network has fallen apart. I never imagined His Highness would still remember him...” She smiled. “May I ask how His Highness came to know my husband back then?”
“Haha...”
The steward’s reply was flawless. “The Shen family’s reputation for chastity is renowned throughout the capital, and the eldest master of the Shen family has been celebrated as a prodigy since childhood. Many in the capital admire him and feel themselves inferior.”
“As for our prince...” He shook his head. “This humble servant truly does not know.”
“I was being presumptuous.” Dou Hongyan smiled.
After all her probing, she had learned nothing of value. Somewhat dispirited, Dou Hongyan had no choice but to see her guest out.
When she returned, Huixue was waiting for her.
With a grave expression, Huixue said, “Madam, Liu Xiner has taken an interest in Erya. From the looks of it, she intends to sell her daughter for status.”
“Erya is barely ten years old!”
Dou Hongyan’s expression darkened at once. She spat, “What shamelessness. That poor girl was truly born to the wrong mother.”
“Do not be angry, Mistress. Should we help her?” Liuyun came over, recalling the little girl with the large eyes. “Should we take this opportunity to bring her over to our side?”
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“Not yet.”
Dou Hongyan shook her head. “Wait a little longer. Aid given in the snow is the only aid that truly matters.”
It was not as though she were running a charity hall.
...
The Third Prince’s residence.
When the steward returned, he followed the traces left behind and found Xiao Yanqing leisurely admiring the flowers in the rear garden. He truthfully reported everything he had seen and heard at the marquis’s residence that day.
“Mm. I understand.”
With his back turned, Xiao Yanqing stood steady and composed. The steward could see only the man’s casually moving fingertips. His voice was as gentle as jade striking jade, and he asked slowly, “In your opinion, what do you make of these people?”
“This subordinate met Madam Dou. She...” The steward lowered his head even further. “I cannot see through her. But the eldest master of the Shen family, who was confined to his sickbed, and the concubine he brought back appear, judging from their conduct, to be brainless and foolish. They are no cause for concern.”
“Heh.”
Xiao Yanqing turned around. The steward bowed his head and nervously swallowed. Within his lowered field of vision appeared the man’s understated yet luxurious robe, woven with golden threads and silver-moon patterns. The man shifted his feet slightly.
“Even such fools deserve some attention,” he said mildly. “After all, it would be unfortunate if someone became overheated, lost his senses, and turned foolish himself.”
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