Nowadays, Cao Lihuan's life had become quite difficult. Previously, when Zhao Yuechan was in charge, the maids and servants still showed her some respect due to their past connections. But ever since Qin Shi took over the household and seized control, Cao Lihuan's living standards had declined significantly. To make matters worse, she was stingy and unwilling to offer tips or bribes to smooth things over, so the servants became increasingly negligent in their duties at Gauze Snow Dock.
Seeing that the meals served to her were growing worse by the day and that her daily pastries were no longer properly delivered, Cao Lihuan flew into a rage. She personally led Hui'er to the kitchen to make a scene. The kitchen manager, Wangcai's wife, leaned against the doorframe, picking her teeth, and said, "Times are hard now. Even the old madam has reduced her meals by three dishes. You still get fish and meat with every meal—what more do you want? If you crave better food, buy it yourself. The kitchen stoves are free to use. Just the other day, the First Madam wanted some mushroom soup, and we had to charge it to the main household's account to buy the ingredients. If you're unhappy, take it up with Taitai—this is her order." With that, she flung the curtain aside and went back inside.
Furious, Cao Lihuan went to complain to Qin Shi, lodging a vehement accusation against Wangcai's wife. Qin Shi maintained a stern expression and said, "How dare such a servant behave this way? I’ll have to enforce stricter rules later. But times are indeed tough this year—even the imperial consorts have cut back on expenses. How can our household be more extravagant than the Empress Dowager or the imperial ladies? So, the household allowances have been reduced. Even Qi Jie'er had to beg me for an extra bowl of white fungus soup and ended up adding her own silver to get it made." The underlying message was clear: if Cao Lihuan wanted to continue living lavishly in the Lin household—forget it! If she craved something, she’d have to pay for it herself. After a few more dismissive words, Qin Shi signaled the end of the conversation by lifting her teacup. Before Cao Lihuan left, Qin Shi even sent her maid Lu Lan to reward Wangcai's wife with a handful of coins, praising her for handling the matter well.
Naturally, Cao Lihuan returned in a towering rage. Xianglan wisely slipped away, and Cao Lihuan couldn’t bring herself to beat Hui'er or scold Huairui, so she vented her anger by chasing the dog with a feather duster and giving it a few hard whacks. Still unsatisfied, she smashed a teacup.
With nowhere else to go, Xianglan wandered over to Knowing Spring Pavilion. By chance, Xiao Juan was tending the stove in the tea room. When she saw Xianglan, she hurriedly ushered her to a small wooden stool to sit, then dashed out to fetch two pieces of mung bean cake for her. She also poured tea into her own cup and handed it to Xianglan.
Xianglan smiled and said, "No need to trouble yourself. I can’t stay long—I have to return soon. The young mistress in my quarters isn’t easy to serve, and I don’t dare linger outside for too long."
Xiao Juan pressed the cup into Xianglan’s hands and said, "That’s true. Everyone in the household says Miss Huan is difficult—petty, fond of showing off, and obsessed with superficial appearances, lacking the grace of a noble lady. But you won’t have to endure it much longer. Once she’s married off, you’ll be far away from her. The First Madam’s eldest, second, and fourth young ladies are all much easier to serve." She fanned the stove a couple of times and lowered her voice. "My life has improved a lot since the First Madam returned. The entire main household feels like a different world. Within days, she severely punished Yin Liu, who was notorious for beating and scolding young maids, and disciplined the First Madam several times. Now, things are truly peaceful in our quarters."Xianglan looked at Xiao Juan's round face and smiling eyes and couldn't help but smile too. Since entering the Lin household, Xiao Juan had been the least calculating girl she'd met, and her first friend in the residence. Whenever they were together, Xianglan felt her heart lighten. She had originally intended to gather some information, but now she abandoned that thought, not wanting to dwell on the troubles of Gauze Snow Dock. Instead, she chatted quietly with Xiao Juan, talking about their parents and relatives at home, as well as everyday trivial matters.
Just then, a tall, slender girl walked in. At the sight of her, Xiao Juan laughed and said, "I was just about to go call for you, and here you are! This is Xianglan, the one I told you about. The day she arrived, I felt an instant connection—we just couldn't stop talking." Turning to Xianglan, she added, "This is Tinglan. Don't let her being just a year or two older fool you—she's a second-rank maid! I'd be in real trouble if it weren't for her always looking out for me." With that, she stuck out her tongue playfully.
Xianglan greeted her with a smile, "Sister Tinglan." She noticed Tinglan was dressed in a slightly worn indigo satin jacket with a white embroidered vest and a slate-blue skirt. Her face was oval-shaped, her eyebrows so faint they were barely visible, elongated with eyebrow pencil. She had almond-shaped eyes and a slightly wide mouth that revealed a row of white teeth when she smiled. Though not exceptionally beautiful, her gentle demeanor made her instantly likable.
Tinglan waved her hand dismissively. "No need for 'sister'—you'll make me sound old! Xiao Juan just calls me Tinglan, so you shouldn't stand on ceremony either." Spotting the mung bean cake in Xianglan's hand, she shot Xiao Juan a reproachful look. "That cake is from yesterday—it's not fresh anymore. On my way here, I saw them steaming hibiscus cakes in the small kitchen. I'll go fetch a couple for us."
Xiao Juan hastily grabbed Tinglan's sleeve. "Are you mad? If Ying Shuang and the others catch you, they'll tear you apart!"
Tinglan winked. "The small kitchen isn't entirely Ying Shuang's domain anymore. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." With that, she left. Before long, she returned with a handkerchief bundle of steaming hibiscus cakes in one hand and a golden chrysanthemum teapot in the other. "Quick, bring the cups!" she urged. "This is honey tea—made for Taitai this morning. She didn't finish it and gave it to Sister Hongjian, who found it too sweet and left it in the small kitchen. No one was drinking it, so I quietly brought it out. Let's dilute it with some hot water and have it with the cakes."
Xiao Juan hurried to brew the tea with a copper kettle, and the three of them sat in a circle, eating cakes and sipping tea. Xianglan made an effort to befriend Tinglan, who was naturally easygoing, while Xiao Juan kept up a lively chatter. Soon, they were laughing and chatting merrily. Tinglan was a household slave who had entered the residence at a young age, doing odd jobs in Knowing Spring Pavilion. As she grew older, Zhao Yuechan dismissed all the flirtatious and seductive maids. Finding Tinglan plain but diligent—never failing to carry out her duties with utmost care—she kept her on. After a few years, Tinglan was promoted to second-rank maid.
After finishing a piece of cake and a sip of warm honey tea, Xianglan asked, "Speaking of which, our young lady caused Taitai some trouble today. She complained that the food isn't as good as before, the portions have been reduced, and the snacks aren't delivered on time anymore. Even when they are, there are only four or five pieces—not enough to eat. I wonder if the other young masters and misses have had their portions reduced too?"Xiao Juan, her mouth full of cake, mumbled indistinctly, "Your young lady sure stirs up trouble. She fought with Liubei outside the Hall of Longevity and Joy—the whole household knows about it! Liubei even got ten strokes of the rod because of her. What a nightmare."
Tinglan, evidently more experienced and perceptive than Xiao Juan, seemed to understand why Xianglan had said those things. She smiled at her and said, "The food rations have been reduced, but... the monthly allowances have been increased. Only, the extra silver goes directly toward meals." Having said that, she promptly changed the subject to discuss the floral patterns on Xiao Juan's clothes.
Xianglan was taken aback, her eyes widening. Good heavens, compared to Taitai, this Cousin was truly out of her depth! Taitai had cut back on daily provisions but raised the monthly allowances for the masters—only to have the extra silver supplement their meals. It was the same old wine in a new bottle: the masters' food and provisions remained unchanged, but Miss Huan's situation was entirely different. She lived in the household without contributing, and the household no longer gave her an allowance. This was clearly aimed at Cao Lihuan, yet this Cousin remained oblivious. Without even clarifying the situation, she had gone to make a scene with Taitai—who knew how people were laughing at her behind her back!
Xianglan sighed inwardly, calculating that in a few months, Cao Lihuan would be married off. As a maid of the Lin family, she naturally wouldn't be sent along as part of the dowry and would have to serve another master. So she casually probed Tinglan about the temperaments of the young masters and misses in the household. Tinglan shared what she knew, and before they knew it, two cups of tea had passed. Xianglan then rose to take her leave.
As she was leaving, Tinglan handed Xianglan a handful of melon seeds and dried apricots, smiling as she said, "Come visit me and Xiao Juan when you're free."
Xiao Juan laughed. "Both your names have the character 'Lan'—no wonder you're like sisters."
Xianglan, too, felt reluctant to part and promised to stay longer next time before finally returning to Gauze Snow Dock.
Second update—as promised, a double update today! Please vote, bookmark, and leave comments ^_^~~
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