On the way back to her courtyard, Fu Yingzhi began to replay the people and events of her past life in her mind like a film. She carefully weighed who in the household could be put to good use and who required extra vigilance.
Fu Mingyue, walking beside her, noticed her sister had been silent the entire way and felt a surge of concern. She couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Yingzhi, did you really see Prince Jing?"
Fu Yingzhi snapped out of her contemplation, looked at her sister, and replied softly, "Don't worry, sister. Everything will become clear tomorrow."
"Just now..." Fu Mingyue bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before continuing, "In the Main Hall, you seemed like a different person." Her worry was not without cause.
This sister of hers had never been close to her in the past, choosing instead to be thick as thieves with Madam Wen, repeatedly acting as the scapegoat for her. She had seen it all and felt anxious in her heart, but every time she tried to offer counsel, she was met with a rebuff. A scene of sisterly affection like the one today was truly rare.
Upon hearing this, Fu Yingzhi understood her sister's misgivings and couldn't help but offer a small smile. "Your sister was blinded by greed in the past and committed many wrongs. Now, I only wish to stop being manipulated by others, to protect the people I care about, and to live this life with dignity."
With that, she reached out and took Fu Mingyue’s hand, her tone firm. "Rest assured, sister. With our hearts as one, our better days are still ahead."
Fu Mingyue felt a warmth spread through her heart, and the atmosphere gradually lightened. The two chatted about everything under the sun, and before they knew it, they had arrived at Fu Yingzhi's courtyard.
After a reluctant farewell to her sister, Fu Yingzhi finally stepped into her own living quarters, accompanied by Qinxin and Qinyin.
As she entered the gate, she was greeted by the faint fragrance of hibiscus. Within the walls, red partitions stood against lush weeping willows, and winding paths connected the garden, punctuated by ornate rockery. A plaque with the words "Mengyun Pavilion" hung above the antique, hanging-flower gate. Judging by the layout of the courtyard, at the very least, the Marquis estate did not openly mistreat this Third Young Lady.
Several servants stood quietly in the yard. Seeing Fu Yingzhi and her attendants return, they hurried over to offer their greetings. They were visibly shocked to see the injuries on Qinxin and Qinyin’s faces, but they dared not say a word, keeping their heads lowered and eyes averted, waiting for instructions.
Qinxin and Qinyin followed Fu Yingzhi inside. As soon as she took a seat, Qinyin busied herself pouring a cup of hot tea and handing it to her. "Look at how cold your face is; drink some hot tea to warm yourself up."
"Miss, you were so formidable in the front hall today! Finally, you aren't being led around by the nose by the Side Consort like before!" Qinxin, being young and simple-minded, spoke her mind directly.
Qinyin, being a bit older, was more composed. Knowing that "walls have ears," she quickly interrupted and changed the subject.
"You two come here; let me look at your wounds." Fu Yingzhi pulled Qinxin and Qinyin to her side. Seeing the injuries on their faces, she felt a pang of heartache.
"Qinxin, Qinyin," she said, taking a deep breath, her tone firm and solemn. "From this day forward, I will not let anyone bully you ever again. Everyone in this courtyard will take orders only from me from now on. As for this debt Madam Wen owes today, I will remember it."
Seeing the two of them standing there in a daze, Fu Yingzhi smiled, silently recited a medical formula in her mind, and took two exquisite little pills from her sleeve. She brought a cup of warm water, dissolved the pills, and gently applied the solution to the wounds on their faces. As she applied the medicine, she instructed softly, "Twice a day, apply this on time. I will make sure your faces don't leave any scars."
Qinxin and Qinyin were shocked—did their mistress truly understand medicine?
Just then, a young maid hurried over and bowed respectfully. "Third Young Lady, Mammy Xia is here."
Fu Yingzhi looked at Qinyin and nodded slightly. Before long, Mammy Xia was brought before her.
As soon as Mrs. Xia entered, she threw herself onto her knees with a loud thud, weeping as she begged for forgiveness. "Third Young Lady, this old servant knows she was wrong! Please, I beg you, spare me this one time!" She began kowtowing with a loud rhythmic thumping, looking absolutely remorseful.
Fu Yingzhi watched her theatrical display with a cold gaze, frowning slightly. "Did you not know that this was the etiquette of the Side Consort's courtyard before?"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xia, however unwilling, had to stifle her tears, stand up shakily, and bow respectfully to Fu Yingzhi.
Fu Yingzhi stared straight at Mammy Xia and said languidly, "You weren't acting like this in front of my father just now. How much of this apology is genuine?"
Mrs. Xia trembled, about to argue, when the person sitting above her added, "Mammy Xia, one of the maids in my courtyard who handles the sweeping just took leave. What a coincidence—why don't you make up for your mistakes by taking over this chore?"
"Third Young Lady, my dear Young Lady!" Mammy Xia shrieked. "This old servant is getting on in years; I really cannot handle such rough manual labor! How about... how about you scold me a few times and let me go back to the Side Consort's Jinxiu Courtyard?"
"The Mammy is quite calculating." Fu Yingzhi frowned and gave a cold huff. "If I scold you and word of what happened in the courtyard today spreads, wouldn't that cement my reputation as overbearing and willful?" She then shifted her expression, blinking her innocent almond-shaped eyes, and smiled lightly. "You said it yourself at the gate today: as long as I returned safely, you would do whatever I asked. What, is that not valid after only this short while? Surely, all these people heard you."
Mammy Xia was left speechless, her face turning bright red as she stammered, unable to speak.
Seeing this, Qinxin immediately went outside, grabbed a broom, and thrust it into Mammy Xia's hands without ceremony. "Mammy Xia, the grounds are in your hands. Remember to splash them with water first, then scrub them clean with the brush. You must be diligent, Mammy. If the work is finished and the floor isn't clean, you'll have to do it all over again."
"Mammy, you had better hurry so you can eat dinner once you're finished." Fu Yingzhi took a light sip of tea, her tone calm yet carrying an unquestionable air of authority.
Mammy Xia’s face turned ghastly, her heart filled with resentment, yet she dared not act out. She was accustomed to serving tea and water to Madam Wen or keeping her company; she considered herself superior to the ordinary servants, someone even the estate's accountant had to treat with respect! She had never done such menial labor, nor would she ever deign to!
But now... Mammy Xia couldn't understand how, after a single trip out, the Third Young Lady—who had previously been obedient and dependent on Madam Wen and herself—could have turned into a completely different person.
Seeing everyone staring at her, she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She had no choice but to bite the bullet, take the broom, and walk out into the courtyard to begin sweeping at a snail's pace.
Fu Yingzhi followed her out, watching her perfunctory movements with a cold eye. Her lips curled slightly as she spoke, "Qinxin, go watch Mammy Xia. The Mammy is old and frail, so she’s bound to miss a spot here and there. Make sure to remind her."
Qinxin chirped an acknowledgment and walked into the center of the courtyard with a grin, "instructing" Mammy Xia in a lively manner.
Mrs. Xia’s face stiffened. She hated this, but she dared not lose her temper. She had no choice but to sweep vigorously, beads of sweat gradually forming on her forehead.
Fu Yingzhi sat in the courtyard, lifting her teacup and blowing gently on the steam, her lips turning up in a smile while a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
Watching the scene, Qinyin felt a wave of worry and whispered, "Miss, Mammy Xia is after all Madam Wen’s person. If we treat her like this, will it not..."
Fu Yingzhi smiled and interrupted, "It matters not. If the Side Consort comes to settle scores, I have my own explanation. You two just focus on recovering; don't worry about anything else."
Qinyin nodded, her eyes bright as she looked at her mistress. Since her return to the manor today, her mistress seemed to have been reborn, showing a backbone and no longer acting like the pushover she once was.
Looking at Mammy Xia’s pathetic, disheveled state, Qinyin couldn't help but cover her mouth to stifle a laugh. She felt incredibly gratified, as if the stifling frustration of the past few days had been wiped away.
Hearing the laughter, Mammy Xia felt even more humiliated and enraged. As she mechanically waved the broom, she gritted her teeth in secret: *I will repay this humiliation ten times over!* She kept her head lowered, a flicker of viciousness in her eyes, her grip on the broom handle so tight it was nearly splintering.
Just then, that familiar, coy female voice rang out again: "Third Sister, I've come!"
Upon hearing the voice, Mammy Xia looked as if she had grabbed a lifeline. She dropped the broom and lunged toward the source of the sound...