Mei Xin rubbed her fists together, determined to show Su Xiaoqi the consequences of taking what belonged to others.
Su Xiaoqi, using the pretense of drinking tea, stole glances at Mei Xin.
She saw through Mei Xin's calculating gaze.
She admitted that seeing Mei Xin chatting amicably with Madam Zhao made her feel a pang of discomfort, but it wasn't enough to provoke a strong reaction.
When it was time for dinner, Zhang Lei returned to report that their master had been invited by Prince Duan, asking them to dine without him.
Mei Xin's eyes darted around, and she couldn't resist a probing remark: "Prince Duan, oh my, brother Yun is so capable. He must be heavily relied upon by Prince Duan."
Madam Zhao remained silent.
Su Xiaoqi, however, retorted, "Don't you know Prince Duan has always had a passion for painting? Our master happens to be skilled in painting, and they share similar interests. They are merely discussing art, why are you bringing up such matters? Besides, as a lady of the inner chambers, why bother with such trivialities?"
Su Xiaoqi's reprimand was blunt, leaving Mei Xin stunned.
She blinked her almond-shaped eyes at Su Xiaoqi, her gaze filled with a sense of grievance. She then looked at Madam Zhao, her lips quivering, feeling as if she wanted to cry but couldn't.
Su Xiaoqi had no intention of letting her off the hook and continued, "Miss Mei Xin, you don't appear to be very young. Although you were previously a concubine in the Huang family in Jiangning Prefecture, their family has since been confiscated and their members exiled. Miss Mei Xin need not dwell on it. Now that you have found your mother, she will surely advocate for you and find a suitable marriage according to your status. Therefore, in the future, you need not concern yourself with other matters. Focus on your needlework, so you may find a suitable husband."
Su Xiaoqi's words directly revealed Mei Xin's past: she had been married once, as a concubine.
Madam Zhao was astonished at this revelation, as she didn't recall Mei Xin mentioning it, only that she had worked as a maid in the Huang family.
Madam Zhao's gaze fell upon Mei Xin, making her feel as if she were being physically scrutinized, causing her great discomfort.
She looked at Su Xiaoqi, then at Madam Zhao, and the resentment in her heart surged like a breached river.
That was merely her past. At that time, she was burdened by her family and had no choice but to live as a government slave, sold to the Huang family.
What else could she do?
She was not unattractive and was literate. Naturally, she attracted the attention of the patriarch of the Huang family.
The patriarch was already over fifty, nearing sixty, not only obese but also with graying temples and age spots on his forehead and cheeks.
How could she be willing to serve such an old man?
Therefore, after hearing the patriarch's implied desire to take her as a concubine, she unhesitatingly seduced his youngest son, Huang Guiwang.
With her cunning, she made it seem natural for Huang Guiwang to take her as his wife.
She was overjoyed, thinking she had finally escaped the clutches of the old patriarch.
However, fate had other plans. That old man was not a good person. He didn't spare even his son's woman.
While Huang Guiwang was away, he took her by force. He would often find excuses to summon her to his study in the outer courtyard to serve him.
Sometimes, she would be violated by the old patriarch during the day and then had to serve Huang Guiwang at night.
She hated him, hated the old patriarch immensely, and hated the Huang family.
So, when she overheard someone investigating the Huang family's business in the old patriarch's study, she immediately thought of a way to retaliate.
She succeeded.
Fortunately, she met Shen Yun, the "Brother Yun" she had longed for over a decade.
Unfortunately, the young man who had once shown her so much care no longer recognized her.
Even after she introduced herself and revealed her identity, he remained indifferent.
It was as if he were facing someone insignificant, not a woman who had grown up alongside him.
She was indignant and unwilling to hand over the evidence she held.
Using this as her condition, she returned with them to the capital.
This city, which she had been away from for over a decade.
She was once the pampered daughter of the Mei clan, of noble birth.
Now, she had returned with such a tattered past.
But she told herself that her past was over.
The Huang family had been exiled and their property confiscated. Perhaps they had already perished on the road to exile.
As long as she didn't speak of her past experiences, no one would know. If she pretended as if nothing had happened, she could gain a new life.
And she had already set her sights on her new path.
That path was Shen Yun!
The man she had loved since childhood.
Even if he was married, it didn't matter. With her looks and her abilities, forcing her way into his life was not an issue.
Thus, she tried her best to forget her past.
And she had indeed almost forgotten.
Now, her sole objective was to marry into the Zhao family.
She had observed for a long time, but regrettably, Shen Yun showed no affection for her.
Just as she was falling into despair, she saw a glimmer of hope.
Madam Zhao, with whom she had a past connection, appeared.
With the help of a young maidservant in the mansion, she managed to meet Madam Zhao.
Soon, she transitioned from the front courtyard to the back.
She recounted the hardships she had endured over the years, causing Madam Zhao to shed tears for her.
When it came to her marriage, Madam Zhao also spoke with emotion, repeatedly saying she would find her a satisfactory husband. She added that since Mei Xin's parents were gone, she would be her elder and take care of her.
These words were very comforting to Mei Xin.
She believed that as long as she stayed there and continued to whisper in Madam Zhao's ear, Madam Zhao would eventually be moved and betroth her to her son, Shen Yun.
Unfortunately, just as things were looking so promising, Su Xiaoqi returned.
Without any hesitation, she revealed Mei Xin's past, the experiences she wished to forget.
Mei Xin realized that Madam Zhao's gaze towards her had completely changed.
She didn't want to look anymore, fearing that Madam Zhao's eyes would hold disdain and contempt.
During her time in the Huang family, she had seen too many such looks.
She had grown weary of them and no longer wished to see them.
In reality, Madam Zhao did not feel contempt or disdain for her.
Instead, she felt even more heartache.
"Xin'er, you are... you have suffered so much," Madam Zhao said, taking Mei Xin's hand, her eyes already filled with tears.
She truly sympathized with Mei Xin.
She was only in her early twenties, how could fate have been so cruel?
However, at that moment, Madam Zhao did not know what else to do besides comfort her. She could only have someone escort Mei Xin to rest.
She intended to discuss with Xiaoqi how they could truly help Mei Xin.
Mei Xin looked up dazedly at Madam Zhao's tear-streaked face.
Was she just dismissed like this?
Then why was Madam Zhao putting on such a pitiful act? It seemed time had passed, and some affections had long since faded with the passage of time.
Mei Xin felt a surge of sadness, and a hint of resentment crept into her gaze as she looked at Madam Zhao.
The gentle and kind Aunt Zhao from her memories had also changed.
After all, she was no longer the daughter of Grand Scholar Mei of the Hanlin Academy.
Mei Xin tightly clenched her fists, allowing her long nails to pierce her palms without a sound.