Chapter 11: The Fish Has Taken the Bait

"Your brother?" Zhou Qi recalled the conduct of her younger brother, a glimmer of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"That brother of yours is barely any better than Zhao Ang. What use could he possibly be?"

Seeing her beloved belittle her brother, Wang Xiuyun’s face flushed with a flicker of indignation. She opened her mouth to retort, but finding no ground to stand on, she forced a stiff change of subject.

"He may be good for nothing, but right now, we truly need him."

"Oh? And why is that? Do enlighten me." Her words piqued Zhou Qi's curiosity; he could not fathom what influence Wang Chengfeng could possibly wield.

"You must have heard that my brother lost five hundred thousand taels at the gambling house yesterday." Wang Xiuyun glanced at Zhou Qi with a touch of guilt; the sum was indeed staggering.

As the eldest grandson of the Duke of Dingguo, Zhou Qi naturally had his own channels of information. He was aware of the incident, yet he had never mentioned it. He was not like that fool Zhao Ang, who spent his days cleaning up after Wang Chengfeng. However, since Wang Xiuyun had brought it up, he feigned ignorance.

"Five hundred thousand taels! How did he manage to lose so much?"

"It was nothing, just a couple of minor rounds. Nothing serious." Wang Xiuyun brushed it aside hastily, steering the conversation to the point. "The important thing is that we must make Zhao Ang pay this debt! Ever since the Duke of Zhenguo returned, he has confiscated quite a bit of Zhao Ang’s private property. Furthermore, he has already paid off so many of my brother’s debts in the past that I am certain he cannot come up with such a massive sum this time."

"When the time comes, we shall orchestrate a confrontation between him and the creditors, causing a scandal. Or better yet, given his fragile health, he might not survive the stress and could simply drop dead! By then, the child in my womb will undoubtedly be the new heir to the Prince of Zhennan’s estate!"

Watching Wang Xiuyun, Zhou Qi mused that there was truly no heart as venomous as a woman’s; the sages were right indeed. Although Zhao Ang frequented houses of pleasure, he had treated Wang Xiuyun with nothing but devotion. Not only did he show her great respect, but he also catered to her family’s every demand. Yet, at the first opportunity, Wang Xiuyun sought his life—just as she had with Princess Zhaohua before. It seemed that once their plan succeeded, he would have to dispose of the mother and keep the child; he had no desire to have such a viper as the mother of his heir.

"Zhou Lang, why are you staring blankly? Do you find something improper with the plan?"

Wang Xiuyun’s voice pulled Zhou Qi back to reality. He took her hand, feigning deep affection. "Of course not. Your plan is brilliant, Xiuyun—even I am left in the dust."

"Hmph, stop teasing me." Wang Xiuyun pouted, acting like a bashful young lady, though she was secretly delighted. She clutched his hand tightly, meeting his gaze with a surge of passion. "Zhou Lang, it’s so late, why don’t we..."

Her voice trailed off with suggestive intent, but Zhou Qi felt a wave of revulsion. What a wanton woman—she was even worse than a common courtesan! He sneered internally, though his expression remained composed as he deflected her.

"Let’s leave it for today. You are carrying our child, and I wouldn't want to hurt him." He intentionally stroked her abdomen, playing the role of a doting father.

"This child hasn't even been born and he’s already stealing your affection away from me. Zhou Lang, you won't only care about him and neglect me in the future, will you?"

Zhou Qi was speechless; it was his first time seeing someone compete for favor with their own unborn child. Yet, for the sake of his grand plan to seize control of the Prince of Zhennan’s household, he suppressed his impatience. "Of course not. You will always be my treasure."

"That’s better!" Satisfied, Wang Xiuyun rose on her tiptoes to kiss him before being escorted back to the Vice Minister’s residence.

***

The next day, just as the sky began to pale, the voice of the servant Fugui rang out with excitement. "Young Master, wake up! The Young Mistress is here to see you!"

Zhao Ang’s infatuation with Wang Xiuyun had been common knowledge. With their betrothal in place, the household staff had long since changed their address for her, calling her the Young Mistress. But then, Fugui met Zhao Ang’s look of utter disdain.

"What kind of Young Mistress is she? Spread the word: from now on, whoever calls Wang Xiuyun 'Young Mistress' will be dragged out and given twenty strokes of the cane!"

"Yes, Young Master." Fugui was bewildered. Why had his master suddenly changed? But he knew his place; he would do as he was told.

Zhao Ang stood up and extended his arms. "Dress me." The fish had taken the bait; it was time to reel it in.

"Yes, Young Master." The waiting maids filed in to dress him.

"This servant will go and inform the Young Mistress—no, Miss Wang—that you will be there momentarily."

"What’s the rush? Serve breakfast first. We shall talk after I have eaten." Zhao Ang stopped him. Fugui felt dazed as he went to the small kitchen to relay the message. His master had always coddled Wang Xiuyun; in the past, whenever she arrived, he would rush over without even washing his face, fearing she might be kept waiting. How had he changed so completely overnight?

Unable to fathom it, Fugui gave up on trying. In any case, it wasn't a bad thing; he had long disliked Wang Xiuyun. And that good-for-nothing brother of hers—the number of times he had cleaned up the young master's messes because of him was countless.

***

In the main hall of the Prince of Zhennan’s estate:

"Sister, why isn't Zhao Ang coming out yet? Could he have heard the news and decided he doesn't want to pay my gambling debts?"

"What is the rush? Sit still! You don't look like a young master at all!" Wang Xiuyun pressed down on the fidgeting Wang Chengfeng. She picked up a teacup, but her heart was uneasy. She had never been made to wait this long before. Could something have happened to Zhao Ang? Otherwise, why wouldn't he have appeared by now?

Another quarter of an hour passed, and Wang Chengfeng could no longer sit still. "What is wrong with Zhao Ang! Sister, why don't we just go into his bedroom and find him!"

"That... is not impossible!" Wang Xiuyun was tempted; she, too, was losing her patience.

Just as she was about to stand, Zhao Ang’s figure appeared in the distance.

"Sit down!" Wang Xiuyun forced Wang Chengfeng back down and sat beside him, putting on airs. When Zhao Ang finally arrived, she lowered her eyes, assuming a look of indignation.

In the past, Zhao Ang would have rushed over to ask what was wrong. But today, he acted as if possessed; he didn't even glance at her, walking straight past them to take the seat of honor.

"Zhao Ang, didn't you see my sister here?" Wang Chengfeng blurted out, questioning him directly.

Wang Xiuyun lifted her gaze, curious to hear Zhao Ang’s reply.

"She is not a corpse, so of course I saw her. But so what?" Zhao Ang feigned confusion, eager to see what earth-shattering nonsense Wang Chengfeng might spout next.