Chapter 44: Serving

It was only because of Zhulian’s remark that Gu Tan seemed to remember Shen Quanyi. A look of pity finally appeared on her delicate, fair face. "Look at me. If not for you reminding me, I truly would have forgotten."

"Quickly, get up. How can kneeling on the floor be good for you?"

Shen Quanyi held the celadon ice-crack porcelain bowl as she stood up. The lingering heat of the bowl seemed to remain on her fingertips, while a chilling cold settled deep into her heart. Being at the mercy of others—this sense of utter powerlessness washed over her once again.

Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Shen Quanyi lowered her gaze and obediently served the bird's nest to Gu Tan. However, after just a single bowl, Gu Tan waved her hand and refused to have any more.

A few junior maids entered holding tea sets and handkerchiefs. Shen Quanyi took the tea cup, and Gu Tan used it to rinse her mouth before wiping her hands with the cloth.

Watching the obedient and docile Shen Quanyi before her, Gu Tan curled the corners of her lips. Her slender fingers rested on the table, tapping rhythmically. The crisp, echoing sound of the taps landed directly upon Shen Quanyi's heart.

"Lady Shen certainly knows how to wait on people. In the span of a single meal, you handle everything with meticulous care, far better than these servants of mine. No wonder His Highness the Crown Prince favors you. If you weren't already a concubine, I would really be tempted to take you for myself."

Gu Tan smiled faintly, her smile laden with profound contempt. Beside her, Zhulian's eyes were filled with gloating satisfaction.

Shen Quanyi, however, showed no anger. Instead, she bowed down once again, her voice clear and measured: "Your Ladyship is too generous. To be favored by the Master and allowed to serve by his side is already the greatest of fortunes. If I were also able to wait upon Your Ladyship, it would be an even greater grace. Why not let this concubine report this to the Master and let him make the decision?"

Gu Tan's expression shifted. Parting her vermilion lips to reveal her white teeth, she let out a cold sneer. "Very well, still putting on this docile act? Using the Crown Prince to pressure me now, are you? Truly a vile creature."

With that, she flicked her chin toward Zhulian. Understanding the cue, Zhulian stepped forward and raised her hand, but before she could strike—

A breath of cool wind swept in, and the inner chamber door was pushed open from the outside with a creak.

The women raised their heads to see Li Changping hurrying in with a worried look on her little face. Her small figure rushed forward like a whirlwind, intending to hurl herself into Gu Tan's arms.

However, Zhulian reacted with lightning speed, grabbing the child by the collar and yanking the small girl backward with force. Choked by her collar and unable to leverage her strength, the child tumbled straight to the ground, her fair little face turning flushed red.

Not expecting things to turn out this way, Zhulian panicked slightly. She bent down and opened her arms to lift Li Changping up, only to be met with a slap across the face just as she got close.

A young child lacked heavy strength, and her palms were tender; the blow did not hurt, but it burned nonetheless. As Gu Tan's most capable and favored senior maid, Zhulian had always enjoyed high status. To be slapped in such a manner was a severe loss of face.

Gu Tan grew somewhat anxious. Although she saw that Zhulian had taken a blow, seeing Li Changping sprawled on the floor worried her even more. She stood up, gathered Li Changping into her arms, and stroked the child's cold little face.

"What is the matter? Whatever has happened, you have no right to strike Mistress Zhulian."

Originally, though she had been brought back and could not see her older brother, Li Changping's childlike nature had made her quite happy.

Yet everyone in this courtyard kept saying that Mother had a little brother in her belly and could no longer be close to her for fear she might hurt him.

Her mother was no longer like before either, dodging her at every turn.

By now, Li Changping was brimming with grievances. Cradled in her mother's arms, she demanded, "They all say Mother has a little brother in her belly, is that true?"

Meeting those sincere, bright eyes, Gu Tan put on a soft, maternal smile. With one hand she held Li Changping, and with the other, she stroked her own abdomen. "Yes. Aren't you happy? Soon you will have a little brother, and you can play with him..."

Gu Tan's words were cut short as Li Changping furrowed her brows and asked, "Why can't it be a little sister?"

Having her heart set on a son only to have her daughter say such a thing angered Gu Tan. Gripping Li Changping's delicate, soft shoulders, her tone turned harsh. "What nonsense are you spouting? Where would a little sister come from? This is a little brother!"

Not expecting her own words to enrage the little person in her arms, Li Changping tightened her aggrieved little face, pouted, and struggled to break free from Gu Tan's embrace. In the midst of the pushing and shoving—though Gu Tan was unwilling to use real force—Li Changping lowered her head and lunged forward, crashing directly into Gu Tan's stomach and knocking her to the floor.

Fortunately, the brocade carpet on the floor was thick; falling onto it did not hurt too much, but it was terrifying nonetheless, especially since Gu Tan was still carrying a child in her womb.

Panicking, Zhulian helped Gu Tan up. For a moment, Gu Tan actually felt a dragging pain in her lower abdomen. Beads of cold sweat broke out on her forehead, and she hurriedly sent someone to fetch a physician.

Fear flickered across Li Changping's face. She had only been throwing a tantrum; how could she have known her mother would suffer like this? Tears welled up in her eyes as she reached out a trembling hand to grab Gu Tan's sleeve.

After all, this was her own flesh and blood. No matter how angry Gu Tan was, seeing Li Changping like this melted her rage away.

Zhulian, however, was filled with deep apprehension. Clutching Gu Tan's hand tightly, she said, "Your Ladyship, the Second Young Miss is still young and cannot yet consider your condition. If she remains as reckless as she was just now, no one will be able to stop her. Once the little master in your belly is born—and that is still a long time away—you will need to be on guard everywhere."

"Let the wet nurses take the Second Young Miss away for now."

Every word Zhulian spoke made sense. Tears shimmered in the corners of Gu Tan's eyes, and she opened her mouth, unable to speak. Yet looking at her daughter's tear-stained face, guilt pierced her heart. Then, thinking of the child in her womb, she hardened her heart and nodded.

Zhulian acted efficiently, calling the wet nurses in from outside to physically carry Li Changping out.

The weeping and commotion inside the room grew louder. Struggling fiercely, Li Changping pushed the wet nurses away, only to be firmly pinned down by Zhulian. She could only stretch her throat and scream out for her mother in shrill, agonizing cries.

Gu Tan turned her head away, forcing herself not to look, though her heart ached terribly. Amidst her flickering gaze, she caught sight of Shen Quanyi, who had retreated to the doorway at some unknown point.

Her heart grew irritated and vexed once more. "You certainly know how to stay out of the way."

As soon as she spoke, she remembered what Zhulian had reported—how Shen Quanyi had been doused with a pot of tea by Li Changping on the day of her return, stripping away any glory of her homecoming and leaving her in utter wretchedness.

The thought of that annoyance vanished. Looking at Shen Quanyi instead, she smiled and said, "I hear Ping'er lacks manners and caused you to lose your composure before the Crown Princess."

Shen Quanyi lowered her eyes and replied softly, "The Second Young Miss is young and does not know any better. How could this concubine possibly argue with her?"

Knowing Shen Quanyi would simply rattle off endless polite phrases, Gu Tan gazed at her quietly before suddenly laughing softly. "Very well, you certainly are magnanimous. You served well today, and as it happens, I am lacking someone to wait on me. I think Lady Shen is just right."

Obediently accepting the command, Shen Quanyi offered a proper bow before slowly backing out of the room.