Chapter 5: The Schemes of the Concubine

Ye Zhao quickly made a decision: "From now on, these matters in the backyard will be handled by you. The servants after the division of the estate will be chosen by you, primarily considering the opinions of the Grand Princess and the Princess Consort. You will also take on the social interactions from now on, handling them with discretion. I am impatient to participate in the gatherings in the backyard. If it is ordinary socializing, feel free to decline; for those that cannot be declined, bring me the invitations from the royal family to handle. For the rest, you will represent me in attending and presenting gifts, and if there are matters that cannot be resolved, bring them back to me for review.

Meiniang and Xuanyer, as if enlightened by a sudden revelation, finally came to their senses and recalled that the Nanjing Prince's residence was a unique place. In other official families, men were held in high regard, and marrying a wife was to take charge of the inner household and manage various affairs without exception. However, in their own family, the wife was a high-ranking official, a general commanding the army, overseeing two hundred thousand men, and had no time for household matters, thus naturally needing someone to act as a proxy for supervision. Although the prince had leisure time, it was impossible for him to engage in women's affairs. In their own family, the wife was a high-ranking official, a general commanding the army, overseeing two hundred thousand men, and had no time for household matters, thus naturally needing someone to act as a proxy for supervision. Although the prince had leisure time, it was impossible for him to engage in women's affairs.

Yang approached leisurely with two concubines, gracefully performing a bow.

During Ye Zhao's honeymoon, she did not need to attend court, so she went to the study to read, leaving them to serve her by her side

Ye Zhao almost spat out the tea in her mouth

Ye Zhao asked again: "Can you read and write?"

Ye Zhao frowned upon hearing this. She was busy with military affairs, and with the new recruits entering the army, the quality was mixed, making it the right time for reorganization and training. Being a martial arts enthusiast, she preferred to practice whenever she had free time, rather than dealing with trivial matters of the household. However, the situation was pressing and could not be ignored. After pondering for a moment, she asked: "Who was in charge of the matters concerning the prince in the past?"

Thus, their household does not have a lady skilled in the art of domestic intrigue, but rather two esteemed gentlemen

Recalling the enchanting songstress from the home of Minister Huang, the captivating beauty from the residence of General Liu, and the voluptuous Hu Ji from the household of Governor Yu

The two individuals regretted their actions deeply

The maidservant cautiously asked, "The people outside the Duke's room are waiting to pay their respects, should we let them in?"

Yang has seized the opportunity, reaping numerous benefits, and is quite satisfied with the current situation, feeling joyful within. Although she can manage ordinary servants, she does not have the authority to deal with other concubines, cannot interfere with their actions and interests, nor can she influence the prince and the general. Both Mei Niang and Xuan Er feel considerably reassured by this arrangement. The two women discover that the general enjoys the company of beautiful women, so they quickly return to their rooms to reapply their makeup, don the gifted jewelry, and prettily dress up to serve the general, seeking to regain his favor.

Yet even her own husband lacks the ability to appreciate the beauty of women

General Mingming is so handsome that he hardly resembles a man-eating monster

After the division of the estate, the concubine who can please the general and manage the internal affairs is not the wife, yet possesses the dignity of a wife

Yang hurriedly replied: "The one in charge of the household affairs at home is Princess An, while the miscellaneous matters in the prince's courtyard are managed by myself and the head maid, Zitong. However, this summer, Zitong received a favor and is to be betrothed to the second son of the chief steward, and she will be getting married next year"

Yang was eloquent and poised in her demeanor. Although she was not considered a beauty, she possessed a certain charm that endeared her to many. As a token of affection, she was gifted a golden hairpin, brought by the princess of the Mán family, intricately carved into the shape of two magpies holding two pearl chains, encircling a dragon-eye-like sapphire that sparkled with starlight, shining brilliantly in the sunlight. Mei Niang received a pair of heavy gold bracelets, each inlaid with five large pearls, while Xuan Er was given a pair of gold earrings, with a simple chain adorned with a diamond the size of a fingernail.

As long as she firmly holds the financial power in her hands and keeps a close watch on the concubines, there will not be much upheaval.

Loss is loss, yet the rewards are still abundant. Ye Zhao has served in the military for many years, seizing countless spoils of war. According to the unspoken rules within the army, it is best to present the most valuable to the emperor, while a second tier can be kept in considerable quantity, among which are not few jewels and ornaments from the barbarian royal family. She loves weaponry and has no interest in finery; no matter how beautiful the jewelry, it does not catch her eye, and she is generous in gifting it to others.

Yang was dressed in a green dress and a gray fur coat, with two pearl-embedded silver flowers tilted in her dark hair, and wearing pearl earrings. Although her appearance was ordinary, her demeanor was poised and graceful, which was acceptable. In contrast, the attire of the two concubines was indescribably unattractive. Clearly unsuitable for flamboyant dressing, Mei Niang wore a deep purple jacket paired with a white silk skirt, her makeup applied in a bizarre manner. Each detail was difficult to pinpoint as improper, yet every aspect was mismatched to the point of being hard to look at. Xuan Er, on the other hand, wore outdated old clothes, adorned with no jewelry at all, resembling a timid young bride. She wore no makeup, her complexion pale, as if she might faint at any moment. The attire of the two concubines was indescribably unattractive. Clearly unsuitable for flamboyant dressing, Mei Niang wore a deep purple jacket paired with a white silk skirt, her makeup applied in a bizarre manner. Each detail was difficult to pinpoint as improper, yet every aspect was mismatched to the point of being hard to look at. Xuan Er, on the other hand, wore outdated old clothes, adorned with no jewelry at all, resembling a timid young bride. She wore no makeup, her complexion pale, as if she might faint at any moment

The enchanting Mei Niang and the elegant Xuan Er, one grinding ink and the other laying out paper, with red sleeves adding fragrance, each possessing their own charm

That damned Yang, day after day, has been whispering in their ears about the terror of the general, desperately urging them to feign ignorance and conceal their wisdom, all for the sake of today’s emergence, and indeed, her wishes have been fulfilled

Ye Zhao finally felt a deep sense of loss

The body cannot reach the beauty, yet the heart yearns for it

Yang nodded and said, "In the past, I helped my mother with her worries and learned a few large characters, but I only understand the accounts."

Then, looking at the demeanor of the general, and reflecting on the indifference of the prince, one cannot help but resent the whims of fate, which have cruelly shattered the heart.

Yang's eyes sparkled with brightness as he nodded repeatedly in agreement

After Ye Zhao went to practice martial arts, Qiu Hua and Qiu Shui came over in a carefree manner to chat with them, proudly boasting about their general's heroic spirit in taking the enemy general's head amidst the thousands of troops in the northern desert.

Yang responded quickly, first stepping forward to express gratitude, then smilingly said: "The construction of the Nanjing Prince's residence is nearing completion. At that time, the prince and the general will certainly need to reside separately. I wonder whether the servants will be brought from the Anwang residence or purchased anew? Additionally, regarding the expenses for servants and miscellaneous items, as well as the arrangement of the houses, I kindly ask the general to make a decision soon."

Ye Zhao glanced at the three individuals and calmly said: "There is no need to bring the accountant from the residence; we previously had an accountant in our army who was specifically responsible for managing provisions and military supplies. He is loyal and reliable, and his actions are quite proper. Now that he is older, it is just right for him to come to the Duke's residence to enjoy his retirement. Mei Niang and Xuan Er should also visit Aunt Yang more often when they have the time to see if there is anything that needs assistance. You are all in the prime of your youth and should dress beautifully, spending more time together and enjoying yourselves without being too reserved." Mei Niang and Xuan Er should also visit Aunt Yang more often when they have the time to see if there is anything that needs assistance. You are all in the prime of your youth and should dress beautifully, spending more time together and enjoying yourselves without being too reserved.

Xuan'er was pondering whether the general intended to first show goodwill, silencing everyone, and then eliminate them all in one fell swoop, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt like crying

As for Xia Yujin

Leadership is about the art of utilizing people, and it requires delegating authority

He slipped out of the door early in the morning and did not appear at all.

Is this the concubine of her family

The three women were so shocked that they were rendered speechless

Good! Ye Zhao pondered that Xia Yujin was beautiful, and the concubines he favored must be exceptionally stunning. Thinking of the military camp where it was rare to see women, let alone beauties, it was indeed something to look forward to. Her gaze towards the main gate became somewhat more eager, and she instructed, "Let them in"

Ye Zhao found the expressions of the two to be quite perplexing, pondering whether it was due to not having returned to the capital for over a decade, coupled with never participating in women's gatherings, that led to a misunderstanding of the situation, causing her to underestimate the rewards given

Ye Zhao appeared to be unconcerned, sitting upright in the grand master's chair, leisurely sipping tea. Her tall figure was clad in a bright red cross-collared narrow-sleeved military uniform, with a turquoise bronze waist buckle featuring a taotie pattern at her waist, and black flying cloud boots on her feet. Her long hair was simply tied up with a white jade hairpin, and her sharply defined features, slightly hinting at an exotic flavor, further accentuated her heroic demeanor. This drew the attention of the young maidservants, who turned their heads and stole glances several times.

The next day, Consort An claimed to have a headache, foot pain, and chest discomfort. She asked Ye Zhao to simply offer her a cup of tea and bestowed a sheep fat white jade bracelet to the newcomer before hurriedly leaving, leaving the eldest daughter-in-law, Princess An, to attend to the guests.

Meiniang's mind was blank, unsure of the mistress's intentions, and her hand trembled slightly as she took the jewelry

Prince An is physically disabled, which is why Princess An is merely the legitimate daughter of a fourth-rank official, lacking a distinguished background. Consequently, she possesses a delicate and astute mind, aware that being too intimate with Ye Zhao would offend her mother-in-law, while being distant from Ye Zhao would offend the Duke of Zhenguo and the Grand General. Caught in this dilemma, she only spoke a few casual words, yet sincerely hinted at several important matters concerning the household to curry favor. She then took her leave in advance to attend to the Dowager Princess An who was unwell.

Not all ordinary wealthy women who go to the capital possess such valuable jewelry