As Liu Yiniang staggered away, a flicker of struggle crossed Xia Wanyu’s eyes; she regretted the harsh words she had just spoken, yet the thought of Liu Yiniang being so useless and only dragging her down made her stop herself from calling out.

Chunlan, having overheard everything, was inwardly both amazed at Xia Wanyu's ruthlessness—to speak so cruelly to her own birth mother—and terrified that a newly composed Xia Wanyu might turn on her. After all, Chunlan was a witness; if this incident leaked, Xia Wanyu’s reputation would be ruined, making marriage impossible and even staining the entire Xia household’s name.

Consequently, Chunlan tried hard to minimize her presence. However, Xia Wanyu quickly emerged from that moment of guilt, fixing Chunlan with a look so severe it nearly scared the maid to death. Chunlan immediately dropped to her knees, stammering, “Eldest Miss, spare me! Your servant saw nothing and heard nothing…”

Xia Wanyu approached the kneeling Chunlan, her steps light, and stopped directly before her. “Is that so? Truly heard nothing, saw nothing? You must know, I have absolutely no desire for what just transpired to be whispered beyond these walls!”

Chunlan broke out in a cold sweat and kowtowed frantically. “This servant is utterly loyal to the Miss! I swear on everything I will not breathe a single word, or may I suffer a terrible death!”

“Enough, I won’t frighten you further. After all, you have served me for so many years, and you have always been loyal and reliable in your duties. Furthermore, you are destined to be my dowry maid; only when I prosper will you prosper. So, your devotion to me is simply looking out for your own future,” Xia Wanyu stated calmly.

“Thank you, Miss, thank you, Miss. This servant will serve you faithfully from now on, without a moment of hesitation,” Chunlan pledged her loyalty.

Xia Wanyu waved her hand. “Get up. I need you to do something for me: find out when the Eldest Young Master of the Fu family plans to visit our residence.”

“Yes, Miss. This servant will take her leave now.” Chunlan quickly retreated, wiping the cold sweat from her brow with her sleeve. She had been terrified that the Miss would not let her off. Thankfully, the Miss still remembered some small kindnesses; otherwise…

Yet, Chunlan was clear-headed enough to know that if she weren't still quite useful to the Miss right now, her fate today could have been very different. Fortunately, Xia Wanyu currently lacked any truly capable subordinates.

Once composed, Chunlan could properly focus on the task assigned by Xia Wanyu: inquiring about the Fu family’s Eldest Young Master’s visit. Having been by Xia Wanyu’s side for so long, Chunlan knew exactly what sort of person her mistress was, and she also knew Xia Wanyu harbored intentions toward the Fu Eldest Young Master. But now, the engagement between the Eldest Miss and the Second Miss was already fixed. Did the Eldest Miss truly harbor other schemes? Still, the Eldest Miss was merely a concubine’s daughter. Could she really overturn the heavens? The Madam was no soft touch; how could the Madam possibly allow the Eldest Miss to scheme against the Second Miss’s intended husband? Moreover, even if the Madam were to permit it, there was the Fu family itself—would they agree to have their eldest son marry a concubine’s daughter? Clearly not. Chunlan found the Eldest Miss’s plan utterly unreliable.

However, after the scare she had just endured, Chunlan dared not voice any objections and dutifully went to investigate. Before long, Chunlan managed to learn from the gatekeepers that the Fu family’s Eldest Young Master might arrive at the Xia manor in three days.

Upon receiving this news, Xia Wanyu began contemplating how she might leverage this opportunity for her own benefit. Her legitimate mother was unkind, and her birth mother was useless; if she wanted a good future, she had to scheme for it herself. At this moment, Xia Wanyu envied Xia Wanting. Despite her dull nature, she was the legitimate daughter and had such a formidable mother planning for her, allowing her to effortlessly attain what she desired without lifting a finger. In matters of marriage, however, Xia Wanyu had to pave her own way; she was determined to marry into a respectable family and never endure such an unhappy existence again.

Meanwhile, Xia Wanting was completely unaware that her (concubine-born elder sister) was plotting concerning her marriage, still preoccupied with the thought of Elder Brother Fu’s arrival in three days. Although she wouldn't be able to meet him directly, sending him a sachet was certainly possible! Thus, for the next two days, Xia Wanting began embroidering a sachet, undoing it, and restarting it countless times, always feeling it wasn't good enough. Finally, Dong’er couldn’t bear to watch any longer and advised, “Miss, if you keep taking it apart like this, the sachet won't be finished by the time Young Master Fu arrives!”

Only then did Xia Wanting stop her dismantling, turning instead to embroider with concentration.

Three days later, Young Master Fu did indeed arrive. His purpose for visiting was not to see his fiancée, but rather at the invitation of the Xia family’s Eldest Young Master, Xia Wentao, to appraise a famous painting.

Xia Wentao was Xia Wanting’s full brother and cherished his sister dearly, so he had cultivated a good relationship with Young Master Fu.

After admiring the famous painting, the two discussed several other matters, enjoying each other’s company thoroughly. It was quite late when Young Master Fu prepared to leave.

Xia Wentao did not personally escort Young Master Fu out. This was not due to arrogance but rather consideration for Xia Wanting. Xia Wentao knew his sister’s intentions and therefore chose not to interfere with the farewell. However, Xia Wentao did not foresee that his good intentions would create an opportunity for someone else.

Halfway along his route, Young Master Fu was first met by Dong’er, Xia Wanting’s maid, who presented him with the sachet Xia Wanting had hand-stitched. Before Young Master Fu could fully savor his delight, he encountered Xia Wanyu and her maid, Chunlan.

Young Master Fu had rarely encountered Xia Wanyu since coming of age, but he was aware that the Xia manor housed a concubine-born young lady, so he immediately discerned Xia Wanyu’s identity. Naturally, adhering to propriety between unrelated men and women, he kept his head bowed, hoping Xia Wanyu would pass by quickly.

However, Young Master Fu’s hopes were destined to be dashed; Xia Wanyu’s objective was precisely him, so retreat was not an option. Moreover, the junior servant who had been leading Young Master Fu out had been bribed by Xia Wanyu beforehand; otherwise, she would not have dared to arrange such an encounter.

Instead of passing quickly, Xia Wanyu lowered her head as if searching for something. Young Master Fu waited for a long time, hearing no sound of her departing, which made him somewhat suspicious. He finally raised his head and saw Xia Wanyu’s posture of searching for an object.

Seeing Xia Wanyu searching, Young Master Fu had no intention of inquiring and prepared to leave. But just as he was about to turn, Xia Wanyu called out to him.

“Esteemed Sir, a bead from my hair ornament has fallen off. I don’t know where it dropped. Could you possibly help me look for it?” Xia Wanyu sounded as if she were on the verge of tears.

Hearing Xia Wanyu’s request, Young Master Fu seemed almost incredulous. Did this young lady truly lack all sense of propriety? How could she stop a strange man like this?

Seeing Young Master Fu unresponsive, Xia Wanyu feigned distress, almost bursting into tears. “I know this puts you in a difficult position, Sir, but if I had any other option, I would not have called out to you. This hair ornament was a gift from my mother, and it is the only set I can wear when receiving guests. If a bead is lost from it, what will I do the next time my mother calls me to attend to guests…”

As soon as Xia Wanyu finished speaking, she clapped a hand over her mouth as if suddenly startled, then quickly corrected herself, turning to explain to Young Master Fu, “No, that’s not right, I misspoke—it’s not like that. I have many hair ornaments, but this set is particularly precious, so I wear it whenever I see guests. I meant nothing else, please do not misunderstand…”

Young Master Fu looked at the flustered, helpless Xia Wanyu, then at her tear-streaked face, and a thought formed in his mind: could it be that Madam Xia treated her concubine-born daughter poorly? Normally, this matter would be none of his business, as it was the Xia family’s internal affair, but seeing Xia Wanyu look so pitiful, he decided to help her search. If she couldn't find it, she might be punished.

Xia Wanyu was overjoyed when Young Master Fu stepped forward to assist; it seemed her scheme was having some effect.

After searching for a while without success, Xia Wanyu appeared increasingly anxious.

Seeing this, Young Master Fu asked, “Perhaps you misremembered? Did it perhaps fall over there?”

Xia Wanyu pondered, a hint of doubt creeping in. “No, I distinctly felt something slip from my hair right here; it should be here!”

Young Master Fu was also puzzled. The area was small; where could it have gone? Just then, a maid rushed over. Seeing Xia Wanyu, she called out, “Miss, the bead has been found! It rolled into the Madam’s courtyard.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Wanyu looked extremely apologetic. “I am truly sorry, Sir. I mistakenly thought the bead was lost here. I sincerely apologize for wasting so much of your valuable time.”

Young Master Fu didn't mind; the important thing was that the bead was found, lest she suffer some penalty. Thus, Young Master Fu said, “It’s fine; I’m glad it was located.”

At this moment, the attendant nearby said, “Young Master Fu, since the bead is found, perhaps we should depart now? I imagine the carriage from Fu Manor is waiting impatiently.”

Young Master Fu nodded and prepared to leave with the attendant, but at that instant, Xia Wanyu looked at him with sheer shock. “You… you are Elder Brother Fu?”