High-class maid

After the maidservant left, Zhang's heaving chest showed that she was very angry.

This letter wasn't from a cousin on her mother's side at all; it was sent by someone through Doctor Qian.

The letter stated that he already knew Zhang's baby was four months along, not three months, and that if Zhang didn't give him five hundred taels of silver to keep quiet, he would tell the old lady about it.

Yes, Zhang was indeed more than three months pregnant, but to be on the safe side, she never let Doctor Qian take her pulse. Who knew that the old fox would still find out?

The person asking her for money wasn't her cousin, but the child in her belly was indeed his. They had been mutually attracted and, unable to resist, had consummated their relationship, resulting in her pregnancy.

Zhang's mother, however, was arrogant and incompetent, and always looked down on her nephew who only had a good-looking face. So she arranged for her daughter to climb into the second master's bed.

Although Zhang Shi lived an ordinary life at home, after arriving at the Minister's mansion, even though she was just a concubine and not even a proper lady-in-waiting, the extravagant life quickly helped her recover from her heartbreak.

She gradually got used to a life where she was waited on hand and foot.

"This matter must never be known to the master. I'm still waiting to give birth and become a concubine. Now that I'm pregnant, I'm still being called 'Miss' by others. It's so embarrassing," Zhang thought to herself.

The maid who was supposed to leave turned around and went to the second madam's room.

"Madam, the maid from the courtyard has come to pay her respects," Ban Jian said.

"Oh? What is she doing here in broad daylight? Isn't she afraid of being seen by others?" The second madam was looking at the account books in the courtyard.

"Perhaps something urgent has happened. This maid is always sensible; she wouldn't come if it weren't important." This maid was Banjian's cousin, so Banjian defended her.

"Bring it in," the second wife said, closing the account book and sitting down.

As soon as she finished speaking, the little maid lowered her head and walked into the hall.

"This servant greets Second Madam. I was not summoned by you because there was something important to attend to. I beg your forgiveness," the maid said, kneeling on the ground.

"Oh? Get up and answer me. What important matter has made you rush over here in such a panic?" the second wife asked.

"Reporting to Madam, today a stranger delivered a letter to Madam Zhang. Madam Zhang did not know that I could read, and after reading it, she asked me to burn it. I saw the words on it."

"Oh? What does it say on it?" The second wife sat up straight, intrigued.

"It says the belly is in April, why does it say March? If you don't give me the money, I'll expose this." The little maid lowered her head even further after she finished speaking.

"What?! How dare she be so bold? Is this really true? Could it be that Zhang is deliberately lying to you?" After her initial surprise, the second wife quickly regained her composure.

"Reporting to Second Madam, Zhang Shi looked very angry. She even told me that her cousin from her maternal family was asking her for money."

"Alright, I understand. You've done well. From now on, unless it's something important, don't come to my courtyard during the day. By half a day, I'll reward Xiao Hong with a few pieces of jewelry to wear," the Second Madam instructed.

Xiao Hong thanked the lady and withdrew. The Second Madam's rewards were always generous, and this time she was given a gilded hairpin and a gold ring inlaid with turquoise. Although she couldn't wear them in the mansion, she could keep them as part of her dowry.

After the maidservant left, the second madam couldn't wait to summon Zhang Shi and expose her scandalous affairs.

At this moment, the nanny beside the second madam stopped her and said, "Madam, you must not act rashly. There is plenty of time. Do not strike first without solid evidence."

“Yes, madam, the fox will show its tail sooner or later, why rush it?” Ban Jian also advised.

"Then, what should I do?" The second wife was also flustered.

She desperately wanted to bring down Zhang, she hated Zhang so much that she wished she were dead right now, which is why she lost control when she heard about Zhang's weaknesses.

"In my humble opinion, it would be better to first control Doctor Qian, and then send someone to investigate whether Zhang has a cousin. Since she mentioned her cousin, what if the child is his?"

"Yes, yes, Granny is so thoughtful. I trust you with this matter." The Second Madam seemed to have found a pillar of support, patted Granny's hand and dismissed her.

"Banjian, go and summon Zhang Shi. We can't let her get to Doctor Qian before I do. Find her something to do," the Second Madam instructed.

"Yes."

Zhang, still furious, was startled when she heard the head maid from the Second Madam's courtyard requesting an audience. Could it be that the Second Madam had found out about the letter sent by Doctor Qian?

Zhang calmed herself down and let Ban Jianxuan in.

"Is it because Miss Ban Jian has graced us with her presence? Is there something you need, Second Madam?" Madam Zhang didn't even glance at Ban Jian.

"Miss, the Second Madam said that people from Mianhua Pavilion are coming to take your measurements to make autumn clothes, so she specially asked me to invite you over to choose a style first," said Banjian Lu.

“I see. I’ll go with the sisters in the courtyard to choose. We’re all sisters, it wouldn’t be right for me to go first,” Zhang said, relaxing her guard.

“Miss, my second mistress said that you are pregnant with a young master and your health is precious, which is something they cannot compare to. Therefore, she specially invited you to choose first,” Ban Jian said with a smile while maintaining the bowing posture.

"In that case, I'll go with you now. It wouldn't be right to keep the Second Madam waiting." Zhang was extremely pleased to hear that the Second Madam had let her choose first, and instantly lowered her guard.

When Zhang arrived at the Second Madam's courtyard, she saw that the nanny who was supposed to take measurements had not yet arrived. The Second Madam, contrary to her usual behavior, spoke to her kindly.

"You've arrived, please have a seat. The nanny will be here soon. Why don't you take a look at the styles first?" She gestured for Banjian to hand her a booklet.

Zhang was so captivated by the clothes in the booklet that she had completely forgotten about Dr. Qian's threat.

"Madam, would it be against the rules for me to wear these clothes?"

"There are no rules or regulations. As long as you focus on your pregnancy, you can choose any clothes from this booklet," the second madam said with a gentle smile.

Zhang's face flushed with joy.

The afternoon passed in this way, and by evening, the maidservant beside the Second Madam returned and nodded to her. The Second Madam, who had been tense all day, relaxed, knowing that the matter had been accomplished.

She smiled gently at Madam Zhang, saying, "You must be tired after a long afternoon. Go back and rest early. I'll have the people at Mianhua Pavilion make you some clothes."

Zhang was somewhat flattered and bowed before withdrawing.

On the way back, she asked the maid beside her, "Why is that old hag suddenly being so nice to me? Could it be that she wants the child in my belly?"