Chapter 2: If you have arrived, be content with it

"Let's go with this one." Ji Man pointed to the light green long skirt with a yellow bustier in the middle, paired with a cardigan and white sleeves. It didn't steal the spotlight, but the fabric was exquisite and didn't compromise on status.

Muxu nodded and brought the clothes to help her change. Ji Man looked at herself in the mirror, opened Nie Sangyu's jewelry box, picked out two jade hairpins, a silver flower, and paired them with a gold forehead hairpin. With this outfit, she looked much more spirited.

Nie Sangyu was quite pretty without any makeup, her lips naturally a bright red, and she had a charming smile. However, the outfit she had just worn was truly frightening. If she had gone to meet the new madam in that attire, it would have been a clear display of mourning, and she would have surely been punished by the master without a second thought.

Most of the time, the tragic fate of the second female lead was self-inflicted. Ji Man decided that she would be a quiet water lily and not invite disaster upon herself.

Opening the door, Nanny Liu was momentarily stunned when she saw the person coming out.

"Please lead the way, Nanny." Ji Man courteously bowed to her and smiled.

According to the plot, it should be the perfect time for the second female lead to make her appearance. The female lead was marrying into the marquis's residence, and the legitimate wife, who had been demoted to a concubine by the marquis, was going to serve tea to the new legitimate wife.

Nanny Liu was right. The status of a concubine in the marquis's residence was not much higher than that of a servant, so Nie Sangyu's previous arrogance needed to be restrained.

"Sangyu, please." Nanny Liu couldn't help but take a few more glances at the person behind her before turning and walking ahead. Today, Sangyu seemed like a different person. She even bowed to her and walked with her so seriously.

Everyone in the marquis's residence knew that Nie Sangyu was a willful person who didn't treat others as equals. Relying on her influential aunt, who was a noble consort, she had been arrogant and had mistreated the concubines and maidservants. When she heard that the marquis was going to marry the daughter of the Wen family, she had cried, thrown tantrums, and even attempted suicide. She had almost caused a scandal at the palace and had been demoted to the lowest-ranking concubine and confined to the reflection hall.

Today, she had prepared herself to deal with Nie Sangyu's crying and tantrums. Even the marquis had said, "If she really doesn't want to come, then confine her to the reflection hall and don't let her out."

As a result, the person behind her was more obedient than anyone else and was dressed nicely, not crying or causing a scene.

Nanny Liu muttered in confusion and led the person to the front courtyard.

The marquis's residence was very large, a residence bestowed by the emperor, and the Marquis of Moyu had been personally ennobled by the emperor. Naturally, the wedding was a grand affair. Ministers and noblewomen were standing in the front courtyard, chatting and waiting for the new bride to arrive.

"Hey, have you heard? Nie Sangyu is still confined to the reflection hall." When women gathered, gossip was always abundant. A few noblewomen gathered in a corner, looking at the sea of red and started gossiping.

"I knew she wouldn't have a good ending. Relying on her aunt being a noble consort, she was so arrogant. Did she really think the Marquis of Moyu would tolerate her forever?"

"I heard that Noble Consort Nie has fallen out of favor in the past month. I think the Marquis of Moyu is just waiting for this opportunity to depose her and promote his beloved to a higher position."

"Who doesn't think so? When the Wen family's daughter entered the marquis's residence, how could that woman still be so arrogant? I bet she's still crying in her room right now!"

Listening to these conversations, Ji Man shook her head repeatedly. Was Nie Sangyu foolish? She had made so many enemies for herself. Even outsiders were hoping for her to have a bad ending. It was no wonder she had been quickly eliminated by the female lead.

The noblewomen chatted and laughed, and when they accidentally turned around and saw her, they screamed in surprise.

Ji Man blinked, picked up a pastry from the nearby table, and stuffed it into her mouth. She pretended to casually walk past and continued toward the inner hall.

Nanny Liu turned back to look at her again and saw that she still didn't have any extreme reactions. Her attitude had also softened. "The marquis is waiting at the door for the new madam. Sangyu, go inside first and pay your respects to the concubines."

"Okay." Ji Man nodded, and Muxu stayed outside the inner hall. She entered alone, holding her skirt, and glanced at the four people standing inside. She bowed to the two women with the most elaborate headpieces. "Respectfully greeting the two concubines."

It was written in the book that the Marquis of Moyu had two concubines, two concubines-in-training, or rather, including her, three concubines-in-training. Not counting the maidservants, the marquis was quite the playboy.

It was quiet for a moment inside, and the two concubines didn't speak. The woman on the far left, wearing a purple and yellow long skirt, was the first to speak with a smile, "Oh, look, even our sister has a day when she has to bow to us. I never thought I would see this day."

Ji Man glanced at her. Only someone as bold as her, who was also a top courtesan, dared to speak before the concubines. What was her name again? Mu Shuiqing?

Mu Shuiqing was a person gifted to the Marquis of Moyu by the crown prince, so she had a strong backing and acted somewhat boldly. After all, no one could do anything to her. Ji Man remembered that she and Nie Sangyu seemed to be at odds and would bite each other if they had the chance.

With Mu Shuiqing speaking up, the other women fell silent, and the two concubines didn't let her stand up straight. Ji Man stood up straight on her own and looked at her, saying, "Sister, you misspoke. Fortunes change, and everyone has their low points. When the two concubines have higher status than me, it's normal to pay respects. There's no need to be surprised."

This statement surprised Lady Ling, "Do you really think that after the marquis confined you to the reflection hall for a few days, you've become so insightful?"

Ji Man nodded. She thought to herself, as someone who knew her own ending in advance, how could she not be insightful?

"This is a good thing." Aunt Xue next to her coughed twice, covering her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "Today is Lord Hou's big day, our Hou Mansion is welcoming a new Lady Hou, it's best for you to let go of the past and stand aside to wait for the ceremony."

"Yes." Ji Man nodded, looked around, and could only stand next to Mu Shuiqing.

If it were the real Nie Sangyu, going from the main wife to a concubine, and having to serve tea to her man's new love, it would be understandable to lose one's temper. Fortunately, she was Ji Man, and she had no feelings about these matters. Dealing with these women was much easier than dealing with clients.

The inner hall quieted down again. Ji Man looked around. The main seat was empty. Compared to the noisy outside, it was very quiet inside, and the atmosphere was even a bit sad.

It was understandable. Everyone in this room was a woman of Marquis Moyu. Seeing their man marry another woman, no one could be happy.

After standing bored for a while, the noise from outside approached. Ji Man raised her head and saw a woman in a dazzling golden dress being escorted in.

Of course, this wasn't the bride. Judging from the nine phoenixes on her skirt, she should be the empress. The old madam wasn't here, and Marquis Moyu's father had died in battle long ago, so there was no main wife. The empress was just making a friendly appearance.

At first glance, Ji Man didn't like the empress very much. There was a lifeless air about her, and she didn't even smile. It was no wonder she had been relegated to the cold palace even after giving birth to the crown prince.

Everyone knelt down to pay their respects, and Ji Man followed suit. According to custom, the empress said a few words, probably meaning that they should take good care of Marquis Moyu and the new Lady Hou, or else it wouldn't be good for anyone.

The group of women all responded in unison, and Ji Man stood up with everyone else, without making any mistakes.

Just as she casually raised her head, she met the empress's somewhat cold gaze.

She felt a chill down her spine and quickly lowered her head. Goodness, Nie Sangyu couldn't have offended even the empress, right? If the author had used all her talent to write about the main characters, she really didn't know what this Nie Sangyu had done. It was too unfair for her to be used as a scapegoat now!

"As the new person enters the hall, sweep the hem, sprinkle the gifts, and tie the knot of unity—"

The celebrant outside shouted, and the empress's gaze finally moved away and looked towards the person at the door.

Ning Yuxuan, dressed in a bright red robe, had a stern expression as he allowed people to sprinkle him with celebratory water, but there was an unmistakable joy in his eyes that couldn't be suppressed, slipping out from the corners of his eyes and brows.

Ji Man stole a glance at him.

The book described him as having an otherworldly appearance, unparalleled in the world, and a peerless gentleman. It was all quite abstract. Ji Man carefully examined him. Marquis Moyu truly lived up to his reputation. He had a handsome face with sharp, chiseled features, paired with naturally captivating peach blossom eyes, and yet he had a serious expression. It was simply the temptation of abstinence.

His eyes were like clear water, shimmering and rippling, but when his gaze met hers, the clear water froze into ice. Ji Man raised her eyebrows. She had come to serve tea honestly, so why was he looking at her with such disgust?