Chapter Eleven: The Marquis Residence Abroad

"Caiyun... you should be more careful with your words..."

A girl who looked about the same age as Caiyun tugged at the corner of her sleeve, offering a timid reminder.

Jiang Zhuo suddenly recalled her past life, when, after being disfigured, she had poured nearly all her heart and soul into playing the pipa. Yet, it was precisely because of this skill that she had been able to survive within the inner chambers.

"Sharpening the knife does not delay the woodcutting," Jiang Zhuo explained patiently. "Since I make my living by the instrument, I must care for it well and strive for constant improvement. If one does not spend time refining their craft, where else should that time be spent?"

"Easier said than done," Caiyun said, her gaze toward Jiang Zhuo filled with resentment. "If you were like us, born into humble circumstances, forced to practice day and night through bitter winters and scorching summers just to earn a meager monthly stipend—having to keep playing even when your fingernails split and your fingers cracked—and having to perform for high-ranking officials who don't understand music at all, you would realize how cheap the instrument you fuss over actually is, and how unnecessary these little tricks are for us!"

Jiang Zhuo was stunned, just about to retort, when the palace entrance fell silent in an instant.

"What is all this racket about!" A woman wearing a plain blue jacket, her hair styled in a concentric knot and her lips painted with crimson rouge, stepped forward with heavy strides. She looked to be under thirty and was followed by several court maids who walked with their heads bowed.

Seeing this, all the female officials in the Bureau of Rites knelt to pay their respects.

This is the Lady of Rites, Madame Chen, Jiang Zhuo realized.

Seeing that no one dared to answer, Madame Chen asked again, "What are you all shouting about so early in the morning?"

"Reporting to the Lady of Rites, the others were just curious to see Music Director Jiang working on her strings and ended up talking a bit loudly. It is nothing of consequence."

Qin Liuyun was the first to speak, covering for both Jiang Zhuo and Caiyun.

Madame Chen’s sharp gaze swept over the group, finally coming to rest on Jiang Zhuo.

"You are the new Music Director, Jiang?"

"Yes, your subordinate, Jiang Zhuo, greets the Lady of Rites."

Jiang Zhuo lowered her already half-crouched body even further.

"As it happens, tomorrow night is the birthday banquet for the Marquis of Wuwei, and that girl Tao Tao asked me for leave yesterday." Madame Chen’s tone was flat, devoid of any emotion. "Since you like working so much, you will accompany Qin Liuyun to oversee the banquet tomorrow night. Remember, you are not some young lady of a noble house here; do not cause me any trouble."

"Your subordinate obeys."

Jiang Zhuo’s expression flickered, but she answered submissively.

After calling out the names of a few other officials and issuing instructions, Madame Chen hurried away with her retinue.

The moment she stepped out of the palace gates, the female officials, who had been as tense as bowstrings, relaxed, though they did not return to their earlier ease and quietly went about their tasks.

"Madame Chen has many responsibilities; she oversees all the rites, music, and education in the palace. Besides us Music Directors, the Bureau of Records, the Bureau of Guests, and the Bureau of Praises are all under her command," Qin Liuyun said, coming over to explain. She paused, looking slightly embarrassed. "Caiyun, who was arguing with you just now, is my younger sister. She has had a difficult temperament since she was small. Please, do not take it to heart."

"It is fine. I was also at fault in the argument, but..." Jiang Zhuo felt a surge of secret unease. "Is the Bureau of Rites not responsible for palace affairs? The Marquis's estate is outside the palace; why are we being sent there?"

"Under normal circumstances, the Music Bureau does not leave the palace," Qin Liuyun explained patiently. "However, this year marks the Marquis of Wuwei’s twenty-fifth birthday, and the Emperor has granted a special favor by bestowing music upon him."

Jiang Zhuo’s complexion grew increasingly pale.

Her fear of the Marquis of Wuwei, Ling Heng, was a memory etched into her very bones.

As for "tenacity" in matters of affection, Ling Heng’s obsession with Jiang Zhuo was uniquely indelible.

Almost everyone in the capital knew that Ling Heng favored Jiang Zhuo. After the fall of the Jiang household, upon learning that Jiang Zhuo’s whereabouts were unknown, Ling Heng had sent men to search the entire city.

Therefore, in her previous life, when Zhao Mingjing grew tired of Jiang Zhuo, his first instinct had been to use her as a convenient favor and gift her to Ling Heng.

But it was only when Jiang Zhuo arrived at the Marquis of Wuwei’s estate that she realized how unbearable a "favor" Ling Heng’s affection truly was.

Ling Heng liked Jiang Zhuo, but he only liked her face.

In the early days of their intimacy, while he granted her every wish, he also held incredibly strict requirements for her attire, makeup, and figure. At first, Jiang Zhuo had mistaken this for a unique form of possessiveness.

Yet, after she was disfigured, Ling Heng instantly lost interest in her, leaving her in the back courtyard to be bullied by others and to suffer endless torment.

Ling Heng’s love was the love one has for an object; to him, Jiang Zhuo was more like a vase. Once a vase was shattered, no matter how it was mended, it would still bear cracks; it was far easier and more convenient to simply replace it with a new one.

The Ling Heng of her past life was like this, and the Ling Heng of this life would be no different.

"It is alright, Sister Jiang. Tao Tao has always been childish and prone to laziness. I can handle the banquet affairs on my own; you only need to assist me or learn the ropes while you are there."

Seeing Jiang Zhuo silent for a long time, Qin Liuyun assumed she was worried about the sudden assignment and her inability to handle the affairs.

"...Jiang Zhuo thanks you, Sister Qin."

Jiang Zhuo regained her composure and bowed slightly to express her gratitude.

Despite her thousand-fold reluctance, tomorrow arrived all too quickly.

Dressed in the uniform of a formal Music Director, Jiang Zhuo had intended to share a carriage with Qin Liuyun. However, seeing Qin Liuyun talking with her sister, Qin Caiyun, by the carriage, she took the initiative to invite Caiyun to ride with her instead.

"Just because you’re acting like a good person doesn't mean I’ll like you!" Qin Caiyun retorted coldly as she climbed into the carriage.

Jiang Zhuo was left between laughter and tears.

If Tao Tao’s targeting of Jiang Zhuo was merely a playful test, what Qin Caiyun displayed was genuine hostility—a naked resentment and rejection rooted in Jiang Zhuo’s status and position.

And rightfully so; the Bureau of Rites was a place of strict hierarchy. Someone with no seniority suddenly falling from the sky would naturally upset anyone.

But there were more pressing matters to worry about.

Watching the scenery retreat outside the window, Jiang Zhuo knew she was getting closer and closer to the Marquis of Wuwei’s estate.

"What is Sister Jiang thinking about?"

The ever-considerate Qin Liuyun noticed Jiang Zhuo’s distraction and asked.

Jiang Zhuo nodded and said honestly, "Even while I was at home, I heard that while the Marquis of Wuwei possesses wealth that could topple nations, he is fond of collecting beautiful maids and concubines. I am worried about this trip outside the palace..."

"As expected of a refined young lady of a noble house. If someone of our common background were to become a concubine in the Marquis’s estate, others would likely envy us for marrying up," Caiyun interrupted coldly from the side.

"Caiyun!" Qin Liuyun once again stopped her sister’s unrestrained tongue.

"To be a concubine is nothing more than being a servant with a higher status. One's food, clothing, shelter, and movement are all controlled by others. It is better to be a female official as we are now; though there is no wealth or glory, at least we are self-reliant and free," Jiang Zhuo said with some indignation.

"Since Sister Jiang is unwilling, I will certainly do my best."

Qin Liuyun smiled faintly. She did not comment further on Jiang Zhuo’s words but offered a gentle promise.

The Marquis of Wuwei, Ling Heng, held countless industries and was said to be wealthier than the state itself; even the current Emperor gave him three points of leeway. When Jiang Zhuo had entered the estate in her previous life, the opulence of his daily needs had been comparable to that of the imperial palace.

Under such overwhelming power, Jiang Zhuo did not count on Qin Liuyun truly being able to protect her, yet hearing the promise, she still moved to hold her hand in gratitude.

It must be said that since entering the palace, Qin Liuyun was the kindest person Jiang Zhuo had encountered. She had not only protected the newcomer multiple times but also acted as a mediator whenever the sisters in the bureau had disagreements.

In this unpredictable world, where no one could guarantee the outcome, it was no small feat for Qin Liuyun to treat a stranger with such genuine sincerity.

It was precisely at that moment that the carriage came to a stop.

The estate of the Marquis of Wuwei had arrived.