011 Deliberate Intent

Walking along the narrow path back to Xuanyue Pavilion, Yun Xueyan kept her head bowed, avoiding all that surrounded her, not wishing to be seen by anyone.

As she skirted the garden, a voice suddenly called out, halting her steps where she stood, her gaze still fixed on the ground. The owner of the voice slowly approached.

"Are you new here?"

Yun Xueyan was taken aback. Did she mistake her for a maid? She glanced down at her own plain attire and had to admit it looked rather shabby.

She nodded slightly, her mind turning over the other woman's identity. If what that young maid had said days ago was true, there were two secondary consorts in the residence. The woman before her ought to be one of them, though she couldn't tell which.

"No wonder I haven't seen you before. Where do you work?" the lady asked again.

"I..." Yun Xueyan hesitated. Where, indeed, did she work? She didn't even know herself.

"Never mind that. Come to my chambers and take away the laundry that needs washing," the lady said, turning and walking ahead. Yun Xueyan hesitated only a moment before hurrying after her.

Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, still throbbed with pain from the blisters the hot water had raised.

Following behind, Yun Xueyan finally dared a glance at the woman before her. Their figures were much the same, but this lady wore an exquisitely tailored purple peony dress trimmed with gold, the epitome of refinement.

She knew there was someone who favored peony dresses—Mu Wanying, one of the celebrated Three Graces of the capital. The eldest was her own sister, Yun Qimo, Mu Wanying ranked second, and the third was Miss Xiao Chenxue of the General's Manor. The first two were famed for their intellect, while Xiao Chenxue was renowned for her martial prowess, once hailed as the greatest female general of the Longman Dynasty, leading her father's troops to a great victory. The capital was filled with admiration, and Yun Xueyan had once respected her deeply—after all, they were of similar age, but Xiao Chenxue possessed such poise.

Lost in thought, she suddenly realized the woman ahead had stopped.

"Mu'er, bring out the clothes and hand them to her," she commanded. A little maid who had been silently following slipped into the chamber.

In no time, the maid returned, arms piled high with garments, which she placed in Yun Xueyan's arms. “These dresses are all very valuable. Be careful when you wash them.”

“Yes,” Yun Xueyan replied respectfully, clutching the neatly folded dresses tightly. “Then I shall take my leave.”

“Go on,” the lady said, waving her hand dismissively, and Yun Xueyan departed.

As Yun Xueyan’s pale pink silhouette disappeared from view, the maid named Mu'er turned to her mistress in confusion. “Miss, why did you choose that maid? And why did you wait so long for her?”

Mu Wanying tapped the girl's forehead with a reproachful smile. “Silly girl, did you not see she isn’t a maid at all?”

Mu’er started, casting her mind back. Indeed, though her clothes were threadbare, they were nothing a mere servant could afford. “Then who is she?”

“She came as part of Yun Xiyin's dowry—the fourth young lady of the Yun family, Yun Xueyan.”

“What? She’s that disgraced daughter of the Yun family?” Mu’er gasped. “But Miss, why have her do laundry? I know she’s out of favor, but isn’t this a bit much? What if His Highness finds out…”

The corner of Mu Wanying’s mouth lifted in a sly smile, a glimmer of mischief flickering in her eyes. “I want His Highness to know. I want to see how everyone reacts.”

After marrying into the prince’s household, Duan Nanyu had never so much as touched her, something she found rather agreeable. But she’d heard he had visited Yun Xueyan’s room once, and that, indeed, piqued her curiosity.