Chapter 505: Chen Zhao Extra Story (Second)_2
 

The Wei Family was wealthy in Prefecture City and had some connections with the Chen Family, hence we stayed at their place.

Yet, I was surprised that the matriarch of the Wei Family was actually a concubine.

I later found out that the ethereal mother of the Wei family had passed away from an illness years ago, and her only son had been taken away by his uncles until he grew up and returned to the Wei family.

Because the Wei family was somewhat related to the high-ranking Xiao family, I would often see Wei Qi, the seventh son of the Wei family, going to the provincial governor’s mansion to see the young master of the Xiao family.

He was quite proud and wouldn’t really pay attention to me at the beginning.

But as soon as he found out that my father held a position in the governor’s mansion, he began to treat me with some respect.

One time, I accompanied Wei Qi to the governor’s mansion to find my father when I happened upon my third younger sister in her delicate silk dresses. She was so beautiful that she could easily be mistaken for an immortal consort, to the point that I could barely recognize her.

Wei Zhan also had his eyes glued to her and even went up to chat with her.

At first, my third younger sister was polite to him, but as soon as she saw me, she scoffed and turned away dismissively.

On the way, we came across a few officers from the governor’s mansion who greeted her and even whistled at her, but she paid them no mind and walked away.

I was shocked. Wasn’t my third younger sister a concubine in the governor’s mansion? Why was she able to freely travel in and out of the inner and outer courtyards, and why was she able to put on a stern face to those high-ranking martial generals? The generals didn’t seem to get angry at all and kept watching as she entered through the Moon Gate.

I knew that behind that gate was where the governor lived, and ordinary people were not allowed inside. Even Wei Qi, a powerful young master, had to wait for passage through the gate.

Yet, without anyone guiding her, my third younger sister simply walked in.

So, I went home and told my parents about this.

My mother slapped the table in anger, “Since she is so favored, why doesn’t she put in a word for your father? After all, we’ve taken care of her, but she has turned into an ungrateful wretch. If we had known, we would not have sent her to the governor’s mansion. She’s completely useless.”

My father was silent for a long time before suddenly asking me, “Ahzhao, do you want to get into the governor’s mansion?”

I was stunned.

My father continued, “If you want to go, I’ll help you.”

Thinking about the gallant governor, my face flushed a deep red.

My mother also said, “Ahzhao, you are no longer young. If we weren’t looking for a high-ranking family for you, we would have already started your matchmaking. The governor is of high status and not too old, and he doesn’t have a principal wife yet. If you could gain his favor and bear him a son or daughter, you would become the mistress of the governor’s mansion.”

I was moved.

Within a few days, my mother had a makeup artist come and teach me how to apply makeup.

When I had finished putting on my vivid-colored makeup and lavish dress, I looked at myself in the mirror and realized I looked very similar to my third younger sister.

I was confused, “Why have I been made up to look like this?”

My mother, grinning, said, “Because it makes you look prettier.”

Deep down, I had to agree.

Because my face is like my father’s but my skin is more like my mother’s – slightly dark and yellowish. My eyes are also long and narrow like hers, not like my third sister’s, which are lively and deep black.

My figure is also different – I am slender with a slim waist, but my third sister’s figure is straight and firm, standing there like a piece of bamboo.

That evening, my father took me to the governor’s mansion for a banquet.

The grand hall was filled with martial generals, as well as some of the governor’s staff and officials.

The governor was seated at the head of the room, holding a cup of wine. When he saw me, he was taken aback.

My father quickly introduced me as his second daughter and mentioned that I wished to perform a piece for the governor.

The governor agreed but kept staring at me, which caused my hands to tremble.

Finally, I took out a xun (a wind instrument) and played the Changsheng Hall piece.

The governor asked me to come closer and scrutinized me for a long time before asking, “Are you and Chen Ying biological sisters?”

I nodded.

“Do you wish to enter my mansion?” he asked.

I nodded again.

The governor lifted his wine cup and took a sip, saying, “In that case, you may stay.”

And so, I joined the governor’s mansion as part of its inner household.

That night, I served the governor.

In those days, he favored me greatly, often calling me to his chamber. However, after each occasion, he would have someone bring me a bowl of herbal soup to drink.

I didn’t understand at first, thinking it was a tonic. Only later did I discover that the soup was a form of contraceptive.

Yet, even with this, I thought I was highly favored, so I plucked up the courage to bring up my father’s situation to him.

The governor was very straightforward and immediately signed an appointment letter, making my father the county magistrate of a large county.

I was extremely pleased and managed to fit in well at the mansion, mainly because all the servants and maids were eager to please me.

I suddenly thought of my third sister and summoned her to come over.

When she came, she was bare-faced but wore a chiffon skirt, and she looked as beautiful as a fairy no matter how you saw her.

Secretly jealous of her beauty in my heart, I grumbled how she inherited all of the favored traits from our parents.