025 The Maid with Ambitions

The expression of gloating on the eldest madam's face made it clear she wasn't here out of any genuine concern. Ning Qian saw through her; she had come purely to see her embarrassed. Ning Qian shrugged indifferently—she had no time for such nonsense. Back when others had mocked her for losing her innocence, she had endured it all; what was today's petty malice compared to that?

“My dear sister-in-law, forgive me for being blunt. There are things we women must be mindful of. You and the third master have only recently married, yet he’s already done something so excessive. You really must be careful.”

“I will, eldest sister, but thank you for your concern.”

“There's no need to stand on ceremony between family. Besides, as women, we understand each other. Men—they all enjoy their fleeting amusements. Even if we know, what can we do? Ah, we women are born to suffer. Our men go out to seek pleasure, while we must smile and wait for them at home. Still, the third master is much better than the eldest.”

Ning Qian could only smile and let the words pass. She certainly didn’t believe the eldest madam was being sincere.

“By the way, there’s something I’m not sure I should mention. You are the third master’s wife, after all, and there are decisions you must make wisely.”

Ning Qian raised an eyebrow, silently guessing at what she was getting at. Given her mysterious tone, it was clearly nothing good. And mentioning the position of the main wife—suddenly, the word “concubine” flashed through her mind. “Eldest sister, please speak plainly.”

“Well, since you’ve invited me, I will. I heard mother recently sent you a few handmaids, didn’t she?”

Ning Qian inwardly chuckled. Of course, you know—one of them was sent by you as a spy. So, what are you hoping to learn now? “Eldest sister, you are well-informed. Yes, she did send me a few handmaids.”

“I wouldn’t say well-informed; it’s just customary. When I married in, mother gave me handmaids too. It’s nothing unusual. What I want to tell you is—are you aware that among those girls, some belong to mother?”

“Mother’s people? Eldest sister, I don’t quite understand.”

“It’s hardly a secret. As the matron of the Yu family, mother naturally has her means. Each courtyard has someone loyal to her. It’s only logical—being the head is no easy task, she must know everything that happens. Sister-in-law, you must understand, the girls mother sends are not just ordinary handmaids. They have ambitions.”

“Ambition? They’re only handmaids—how ambitious could they be?”

“That’s where you’re mistaken. What servant doesn’t wish to escape her lowly status? They all want to become mistresses. Do you see now?”

“Oh? So you mean to say they’re aiming for promotion?”

The eldest madam gave her a knowing smile. “You’re very clever, sister-in-law. Just be vigilant. With your wit, what could those girls possibly accomplish?”

“Thank you, eldest sister. If you hadn’t told me, I might have remained completely oblivious. Nianyu, bring out the sable coat from my wardrobe.”

“Yes, madam,” Nianyu replied, lifting the curtain and entering. She fetched a sizable wooden box from the wardrobe and placed it before the eldest madam.

“Sister-in-law, what’s this for?”

Ning Qian opened the box. “Eldest sister, this was prepared for me by my mother when I married. It’s made from the finest mink. Please, accept it.”

The eldest madam quickly pushed the box back. “How can I? It’s too valuable. Besides, it’s part of your dowry.”

“Eldest sister, are you looking down on it? Though it’s part of my dowry, I’ve never cared for such heavy furs. If you truly see me as family, please accept it.”

The eldest madam smiled. “Very well, since you insist, I’ll accept it. It’s getting late, sister-in-law. I’ll take my leave now. You must come visit me when you have time.”

“I certainly will,” Ning Qian replied with a serene smile.

“Very well, I’ll be off.” The eldest madam stood and strolled out at a leisurely pace.

“The eldest madam’s intentions today were rather odd,” mused Nianyu.

Ning Qian laughed. It wasn’t odd at all. In a family like this, every woman had her own calculations. Securing one’s footing was the most basic necessity. The eldest master was the firstborn legitimate grandson of the Yu family. Barring any surprise, he would be the next head of the household, and the eldest madam would naturally become the next matron.

So her visit today was nothing but an attempt to win her over. After all, who could say what the future held? She had to plan for the best possible outcome.

Yet one thing puzzled Ning Qian—if the eldest madam wanted her goodwill, why plant someone at her side? Wasn’t that redundant? Did she really think such an obvious thing would escape her notice?

“Nianyu, what have you observed about Yuzhi?”

“It’s rather strange. Yuzhi hasn’t done anything notable. She just completes the tasks given to her and doesn’t leave the courtyard unless necessary.”

“So well-behaved?” Ning Qian didn’t believe for a second that she was truly so docile; there must be something she didn’t know. For the eldest madam to assign her to this courtyard, the girl was certainly no ordinary servant. The future matron would never entrust her affairs to just anyone.

Nianyu was equally perplexed. Ever since learning Yuzhi was the eldest madam’s person, both she and Shuni kept a close watch. Yet, all this time, Yuzhi had behaved like a perfectly ordinary handmaid, never doing anything she shouldn’t.

“Still, just because she hasn’t done anything doesn’t mean there’s nothing to worry about. We must remain cautious. The eldest madam is not a simple person, and neither are her people. By the way, Nianyu, have you noticed Yuzhi interacting with the master?”

“With the master? I don’t think so. Why? Are you worried Yuzhi might...?”

“One can never be too certain. It’s always wise to be careful. Even if I’m not particularly fond of him, he is still my husband, and I don’t like other women vying for his attention.”

Having traveled through time to this place, how could she ever accept sharing a man with other women? She wanted a one-to-one relationship, a marriage of equals. At the very least, until she chose to let go, Yu Ziqi had to belong to her alone—even if she wasn’t satisfied with him in the least.

What left Ning Qian helpless was that, for now, she had no way of leaving. All she could do was hope for a peaceful, uneventful life.