Qiangwei rolled her eyes so hard they almost touched the back of her head.
It was said that no one visits the Three Treasures Hall without a reason. Zeng Weiyang usually only came home when she needed money or things, or when she was going out for a leisurely stroll. Yet, the imperial decree arrived at their mansion in the morning, and she showed up in the afternoon. No one would believe she wasn't here because of the Eldest Miss's current status.
Madam Ban's face also turned cold. "Weiyang, how well do you think you stand with the Empress? Don't you have any self-awareness?"
Why would she think Weiyang would help her?
"Mother, Sister is the Empress now. She can be magnanimous and overlook all things that are difficult to overlook. Why would she haggle with me?"
"You go tell that to your sister. I don't have the资格 to help her forgive you, nor do I have the资格 to help her grant your request." Madam Ban stood up. "How did you get back today? Does Consort Dowager Jian know?"
"She knows. She allowed me to return to the mansion to stay for a few days."
"And your child?"
"The wet nurse is taking care of the child." Zeng Weiyang sounded impatient. Such a loss, crying all day. Consort Dowager Jian kept a close eye on her, but it wasn't as if she showed any affection.
Madam Ban sighed, a hint of exhaustion in her voice. "Your courtyard is cleaned regularly. You can go and stay there. If you need anything, just tell Ziwei directly."
Zeng Weiyang was displeased. "Mother, what about you? Aren't you going to look after me anymore?"
"You call me Mother, and I will provide for your food and lodging. Beyond that, I am merely a woman in the inner chambers and truly unable to help."
Zeng Weiyang pestered her for a while longer. She knew Madam Ban had a soft heart.
But today, she didn't know what had gotten into her. She cried for a long time, yet Madam Ban remained cold. In the end, she could only leave in tears.
Qiangwei watched her leave and said to Madam Ban, "Madam, you didn't soften your heart this time. If you had agreed to this, it would have been difficult to explain to Her Majesty the Empress."
Madam Ban sighed. "I'm not foolish. How could I agree to everything? It's just that she's still young. It's truly pitiful for her to be a widow forever."
"My dear Madam, the path is chosen by oneself. If she had been a little less greedy, she wouldn't have ended up like this. Please don't meddle in her affairs anymore. It's already good enough for a married daughter to return home and be given a courtyard and food. She isn't your biological daughter." Qiangwei spoke earnestly, afraid that Madam Ban would soften her heart and agree to something she shouldn't, damaging her relationship with Her Majesty the Empress.
"Look how worried you are. Am I that kind of person?"
On the other side, Zeng Weiyang's face was stern. Madam Ban's heart had grown even harder than before. She had cried for a long time today, and Madam Ban hadn't shown any reaction. She was probably out of options.
Yinzhu massaged her shoulders. "Miss, as they say, haste makes waste. You need to take it slow. Try to mend fences with Madam first, then play the emotional card."
"Where do I have so much time? That old hag might send me back at any moment."
Prince Ning's mansion, a place she once yearned for, had now become a cage that trapped her. A golden canary was at least well-fed and cared for, but she was just a concubine, and one who couldn't even compete for favor. Let alone wear gold and silver, she couldn't even afford the finest silver-thread charcoal in winter. If it weren't for Madam Ban's conscience in providing some financial support, her meager monthly allowance would likely not even cover meat for three days.
Yinzhu secretly curled her lips. What concubine lived like this? Yet she was so troublesome.
It was only because the Princess Consort wasn't from Da Yin and usually ignored them that they were spared. Otherwise, who knew how they would have been tormented.
However, as her personal maid, she certainly hoped her mistress would remarry. She didn't want to grow old with Zeng Weiyang in the small courtyard of Prince Ning's mansion.