Chapter Five (Madam Feng's Little Schemes)

Shi Yi was sitting with his legs crossed, deep in thought, when suddenly Lady Feng and her maid came out from the Hall of Glorious Celebration, lifting the curtain as they passed.

From afar, beneath the corridor, sat a handsome young man, elegant in fine robes and a jewelled belt, his back straight as he faced away.

Lady Feng approached with a charming smile, swaying gracefully as she walked. When she drew near, she flicked her handkerchief in front of him. “Little rascal, what are you daydreaming about now?”

A familiar fragrance wafted into his nostrils. Shi Yi returned to himself, glanced up at the beautiful woman, and hurriedly stood, bowing with feigned ceremony. “Your younger brother greets his Second Sister-in-law.”

Lady Feng paused, her arms folded across her ample chest, and laughed. “Oh, stop that! Don’t play these games with me. I have a clever matter I want to ask you about.”

At her words, Shi Yi’s expression changed and he quickly bowed again, excusing himself. “Ah, Sister-in-law, you’ve caught me at a bad time—I just remembered something urgent I need to handle, so I’ll take my leave.”

He turned to slip away, for although he didn’t know what Wang Xifeng wanted, experience told him it would be nothing good.

“Ping’er, block his way for me!”

But scarcely had he turned than his escape was cut off, and a delicate scent of orchids filled the air. There was Ping’er, smiling with her eyes, her slender arms stretched out to bar his path.

Shi Yi’s eyes flickered with mischief. Feigning helplessness, he said, “Sister Ping’er, this isn’t good—you know Second Brother Lian will blame me for this!”

Ping’er was taken aback, but when she saw him closing his eyes and puckering his lips as if to embrace her, she blushed and spat, “Pah!” Sidestepping, she let him pass.

Wang Xifeng seized the moment to step forward, pressing a slender finger to Shi Yi’s forehead and pushing him back. She laughed, half teasing, half scolding: “So, even your Second Brother Lian’s own people have caught your eye? Be careful, or he’ll skin you alive if he finds out.”

Shi Yi grinned, sneaking a glance at Ping’er. “Dear Sister-in-law, you must be fair—it was Sister Ping’er who bumped into me.” He spread his hands in a gesture of innocence, playing the rogue.

Ping’er’s cheeks flushed, and she shot him a glare, half embarrassed, half angry. “Brother Yi, you’re growing more and more unruly—whatever you two want to say, leave me out of it!” With a flick of her embroidered handkerchief, she turned and left.

Lady Feng rolled her eyes at him and huffed, “If you try to run again today, you can forget about ever borrowing money from me in the future. Come here, I have something to ask you.”

“Uh…” Shi Yi scratched his head in resignation and followed her.

Ah, these debts of gratitude left by the original master—now, he alone must pay them back.

…

Lady Feng sashayed ahead, leading the way through the back courtyard and across the east-west corridor, soon arriving at a broad north-south passage.

To the south stood a small three-room drawing hall; to the north, a grand pink-plastered screen wall, with a half-sized gate behind it and a modest dwelling beyond.

They circled past the screen wall and entered the front courtyard.

Shi Yi glanced around as they walked, feigning the awkwardness of a new bride entering her husband’s home. It wasn’t that he didn’t know the way; rather, he was distracted by the enticing sway of the beautiful woman ahead, her full, rounded hips straining against her skirt with every step. He had to look this way and that, trying to shift his attention elsewhere.

He recalled from memory that he had visited Wang Xifeng’s quarters a couple of times before, though the reasons for those visits were hazy.

Several maids were sprinkling water and sweeping the courtyard as they entered the main hall.

Lady Feng turned and sat gracefully in the seat of honor, while Shi Yi found a spot and sat down.

A young maid entered with a tea tray. Wang Xifeng raised the tea cup with her delicate hand, and her rosy lips parted as she exhaled a gentle breath, sending a wisp of steam into the air.

She took a small sip, then glanced up at him. “Brother Yi, have you given any thought to the matter your sister-in-law mentioned last time?”

Caught off guard, Shi Yi looked confused. “What matter? Did you instruct me before, Sister-in-law?”

He truly was a bit muddled. All along the way, he’d wondered what Lady Feng wanted to discuss, especially since she’d brought him to her inner quarters.

No sooner had he spoken than Lady Feng’s expression changed. “Don’t play dumb with me. I told you clearly last time: whenever you go out with your Second Brother Lian, just let me know the general details when you come back. And as for the few hundred taels of silver you borrowed from me the other day—forget about repaying them.”

“Ah…” At her words, Shi Yi suddenly remembered—it was one of the original master’s old misdeeds. Lucky, he thought, that he hadn’t agreed so easily at the time, or else…

Seeing his silence, Wang Xifeng took another sip of tea, then sighed. “Tell me, have I ever neglected you or Cousin Xiangyun when you come to visit? Everything good to eat and play with, I always think of you first! Now that I ask you for one small favor, you’re dodging and hiding at home for a whole month.”

Her tone was filled with gentle reproach.

Seeing her appeal to sentiment, Shi Yi rubbed his nose and chuckled. “Sister-in-law’s kindness is always in my heart. But…asking me to stab my Second Brother Lian in the back would be a betrayal. It’s not right.”

At his words, Lady Feng gave him a long, searching look, then laughed. “You little rascal, this time you must give me a straight answer. Otherwise, just stick to your Second Brother Lian from now on, and don’t ever come to me with your troubles. Let’s just say I misjudged your character.”

Her tone was both resolute and subtly pleading.

It was clear that if he kept evading, there’d be a real rift between them.

But in his fading memories, Jia Lian had always treated him as a true brother, leaving Shi Yi torn. Curiosity got the better of him. “Sister-in-law, why must I be the villain in this?”

Lady Feng arched her brows and smiled. “Because I trust you won’t deceive me.”

Shi Yi was taken aback. “But how can you be sure? People’s hearts are hidden.”

“I just know,” Wang Xifeng replied, fixing him with a teasing, penetrating gaze.

At that, Shi Yi felt a chill crawl up his spine, as if this beautiful woman had seen right through him. But, he thought to himself, he was no longer the dissolute wastrel he once was.

Lady Feng, losing patience, urged him, “Enough now, stop changing the subject. If you promise to help me with this little favor, you can come get money from me anytime you need it. How about it?”

“So generous?”

Shi Yi was momentarily stunned. Everyone in the Rong Mansion knew Wang Xifeng was the stingiest with her money, yet here she was, offering such a tempting reward.

Clearly, Jia Lian must have been up to some clandestine mischief outside—no doubt during the time Lady Feng was pregnant and he took advantage of her absence.

Most likely, Wang Xifeng had heard rumors but couldn’t find hard evidence, so she’d decided to use Shi Yi, known for his close friendship with Jia Lian, to dig up the truth.

But when it came to such secret affairs, he searched his memories and came up empty—there was nothing he could report.

Shi Yi frowned, thinking carefully, then joked, “I don’t care for money; it’s just worldly dust. But if you’re willing to exchange Sister Ping’er for my help, then perhaps I could agree.”

“Pah! You wish!” Wang Xifeng snapped, laughing in spite of herself. “For such a small thing, you want Ping’er? Out of the question! Get out of my sight—I must have been blind to trust you.” With that, she stopped pressing, effectively dismissing him.

Shi Yi was secretly delighted. As he left, he shamelessly added, “Sister-in-law, I truly take my leave, but remember—my offer still stands, always.” With a laugh, he darted away.

“Get out!” Wang Xifeng was left half angry, half amused by his antics.

Yet, for a moment, she actually considered his suggestion—though the thought vanished as quickly as it had come. After a brief pause, she sent for Xing’er, Jia Lian’s trusted page, to question him instead.

…

Meanwhile, after leaving Lady Feng’s quarters and passing through the corridors and side passage, Shi Yi came to the main courtyard of the Inner Ceremonial Gate, then entered the Grand Hall of Honor and Happiness.

Outside the east wing, a few young maids were busy sweeping and tidying the rooms.

Though some memories remained vague, this place was clear in his mind—it was where he usually stayed whenever he visited the Jia family mansion.