The room instantly fell silent. Qin Shi sat down in the official's armchair beside the small huanghuali side table, smoothing the folds of her skirt. Lu Lan had already stepped forward to serve tea, while Mama Han and Wu Mama, who had entered with Qin Shi, stood together. Hongjian and Lu Lan took their positions on either side.
Xianglan and the two Lin young ladies all rose to their feet. Ling and Xiu stepped forward first to pay their respects, leaving Xianglan for last. Qin Shi acted as though she hadn't noticed Xianglan at all, saying, "Ling Jie'er, Xiu Jie'er, please sit. We're family here, no need for such formality." She deliberately left Xianglan standing. Lin Dongling felt vindicated and shot Xianglan a triumphant look.
Xianglan didn't feel particularly embarrassed—she had endured far more humiliating situations in her life, and Qin Shi's disregard was expected. She stood slightly bowed to one side, her gaze fixed absently on the exquisite multicolored embroidery of the table skirt.
These past few days, Wang Shi of the second branch had caught a chill. Qin Shi first inquired about Wang Shi's condition from Lin Dongling, who replied, "She's already improving. The fever broke last night, and she took a dose of dispersing medicine today, but she's still listless and didn't eat much this morning."
Qin Shi said, "Fasting is actually appropriate for this illness. If you're short on any medicinal ingredients, just come and ask. If she wants to eat anything, come and let us know as well."
Lin Dongling repeatedly agreed.
Qin Shi continued, "I called you here today because there's happy news. Xuan Ge'er's marriage was settled long ago—it's to the fourth daughter of Lord Tan. Your father has written to invite Minister Xie of the Court of Judicial Review to serve as matchmaker. Since Xuan Ge'er is in poor health, the wedding can only be held in the capital. Your fourth uncle will help manage the arrangements there. However, the betrothal gifts still need to be prepared by the family. I've discussed it with the Old Madame, and we've decided to entrust this matter to the two of you—drafting the list, checking the items, everything must be presentable."
Upon hearing this, Lin Dongxiu's eyes lit up. Preparing betrothal gifts would inevitably require opening the family warehouses. She had long been eyeing the contents of those storerooms. Now that she was growing older and would likely marry within the next couple of years, this was a perfect opportunity to see what treasures were stored away. If she could identify valuable items, she could later request them from the family when the time came. She couldn't compare to Lin Dongqi, who was a daughter of the principal wife and would marry into a respectable family, with Qin Shi even providing private funds to supplement her dowry. Her own birth mother, Concubine Bao, was an honest woman with little personal savings. If she married beneath her station, at most she might receive five thousand taels of silver as dowry. Had Lin Dongqi not set such a grand precedent with her lavish dowry procession stretching ten li, five thousand taels would have seemed generous. But now, how could she swallow this bitterness? This was indeed a golden opportunity to also gauge the family's financial reserves.
Qin Shi looked at Lin Dongxiu and sighed inwardly. She could see exactly what Lin Dongxiu was thinking. She believed she had never treated Lin Dongxiu poorly and had even considered mentoring her. However, although this girl was observant of others' moods, she focused too much on immediate gains, tended to "turn on her own," and possessed too narrow a perspective in life, which gradually cooled Qin Shi's enthusiasm. She only instructed her in proper conduct, manners, and household management. When the time came for Lin Dongxiu to marry, aside from the family funds, the main branch would naturally add to her trousseau. Lin Changzheng had also emphasized that since they were all daughters of the Lin Family, they shouldn't show favoritism. If Lin Dongxiu married well, her dowry should match Lin Dongqi's; if she married beneath, it still shouldn't be too meager. Qin Shi had already set aside the silver for marrying off a daughter of a concubine. Seeing Lin Dongxiu's current demeanor, she felt slightly disheartened and found the girl both pitiable and laughable.Qin Shi picked up the tea bowl, blew away the steam, and took a sip of tea, then turned her gaze toward Lin Dongling. Lin Dongling was distracted; having not seen her second brother from the capital for many years, she had long forgotten what he looked like. Feeling that whoever he married had nothing to do with her, she simply stared blankly at the small potted plant on the windowsill, idly twisting the palace ribbon on her skirt.
Qin Shi sighed again. Wang Shi had asked her to discipline Lin Dongling and had even sent gifts, with food and treats arriving regularly. Qin Shi was willing to teach, but Lin Dongling, having been spoiled for so long, was bristly all over. Since she wasn’t her own daughter, Qin Shi had no desire to play the villain.
Her eyes then fell upon Xianglan, who stood quietly to the side, head bowed and hands clasped, her expression respectful and demure. Qin Shi felt somewhat pleased and thought to herself, "Though her mind is a bit too lively, her gentle nature is a redeeming quality. She’s not like Hua Mei, who’s all seductive charms, nor is she as arrogant as Luan’er." Setting down the tea bowl, her face calm as still water, she asked, "Before I came in, I heard talking in your room. What was it all about? So lively—Ling Jie’er, you tell me."
Xianglan’s heart skipped a beat. By directly calling on Lin Dongling to speak, Qin Shi was clearly looking for a chance to catch her in a mistake.
Lin Dongling, who had been waiting for an opportunity to complain, perked up. She glanced at Xianglan and said to Qinin Shi, "I... dare not say."
Qin Shi replied, "Could it be something so secret? What’s this about daring or not?"
Lin Dongling sneered, "Of course I don’t dare. What is my pride worth? If I’m bullied by some insolent servant, I’ll just have to bear the loss and count myself unlucky. But if I offend my elder brother’s favorite and anger him, or upset the elders, that would be worse."
Just as Qin Shi was about to speak, she saw Xianglan curtsy and say, "It was all my fault. I spoke improperly, and the third young lady admonished me a few times."
Qin Shi was taken aback, not expecting Xianglan to admit her mistake so readily. She thought to herself that this Chen Xianglan was truly clever. She had heard clearly from outside the curtain that Xianglan had had the upper hand, leaving Lin Dongling speechless. Now, by framing it as "the third young lady admonished me," she had lightly brushed aside the earlier incident.
Lin Dongling snorted, "Admonish you? I wouldn’t dare! She said herself that she’s no longer a servant of the Lin Family!"
Qin Shi also scolded, "Though the Master favors you now, and I’ve given you some face, you must know your place. Don’t think you’re a mistress now, daring to confront a proper young lady or putting on airs in front of your real superiors!"
Lin Dongling was delighted, curling her lips into a smile as she said, "Exactly! A servant seed, given a little face, and she really starts putting on airs!"
The remark was harsh, and the maids and servants in the room secretly curled their lips in disdain. Qin Shi also frowned slightly before turning to look at Xianglan again, who remained gentle and composed, neither submissive nor arrogant, her expression unchanged.
Qin Shi asked again, "Do you have anything else to say?"
Xianglan gave a slight curtsy and replied, "Taitai’s admonishment is justified."Qin Shi thought to herself, "She knows when to yield and when to stand firm—truly shrewd for her age. Unlike other young girls who would either show resentment or look distressed upon hearing unpleasant remarks, she remained calm and composed even when Lin Dongling repeatedly provoked her in the room. Her responses were dignified and appropriately retaliatory without overstepping. Those who flare up at the slightest disagreement may win arguments but ultimately reveal their lack of refinement. Only those who are patient and tolerant embody the grace of a noble family."
Qin Shi withdrew her gaze and softened her voice, saying, "Everyone in this world has their own way of living and rules to follow. Remember your status: young ladies should be reserved and generous, while maids should be understanding and obedient. Each must fulfill their duties without error. People must always save face for one another—what would it look like if they bickered like chickens and geese whenever they met?"
Lin Dongling, feeling she had vented her anger, responded cheerfully. Lin Dongxiu stood up to acknowledge the advice. Xianglan understood that Qin Shi was admonishing her and curtseyed in acknowledgment.
After discussing other matters, Qin Shi dismissed Ling and Xiu, leaving only Xianglan in the room. Qin Shi took a sip of warm tea and asked Xianglan, "Did the Master sleep well last night?"
Xianglan replied, "He slept soundly and even got up early to practice martial arts."
Qin Shi sighed and said, "Amitabha, who would have expected such a distressing incident last night? Why has Lou Ge'er been surrounded by such treacherous scoundrels all these years?"
Upon hearing this, Xianglan immediately understood: Qin Shi intended to assign new maids to Lin Jinlou's household. Sure enough, Qin Shi summoned Zidai and said to Xianglan, "Zidai was trained in my household. She was too young for promotion in previous years, but now Lou Ge'er's household is short-handed. Lianxin is too soft, Tinglan is too naive, and Shuran has been married off. From what Lou Ge'er said, she won't be allowed to serve in the Knowing Spring Pavilion anymore. The household lacks capable help. I discussed this with the Old Mistress this morning when paying my respects, and she agreed to assign Xue Ning from her household to Lou Ge'er. I am sending Zidai here and promoting her to second-rank maid. Her monthly allowance will still come from me."
Xianglan looked up and saw a plump girl of about fifteen or sixteen with almond-shaped eyes and a small mouth, dressed in a lotus-root-colored satin jacket—quite pretty.
Xianglan guessed Qin Shi's intentions upon seeing this beautiful maid but wondered why she was explaining this to her. Then Qin Shi added, "Zidai is Mama Han's niece. She excels at needlework and has a gentle temperament. There are areas where you should learn from her."
This was a blatant slap in the face, clearly indicating that Zidai was related to a prominent servant in Qin Shi's household and openly backing her.
Mama Han put on a flustered expression and said with an ingratiating smile, "Taitai, you flatter her. What does she know? At her age, she's still playful. She should focus on serving Miss Xianglan well and attending to her masters properly."
Qin Shi waved her hand and said, "I've watched Zidai for years. She handles every task I assign flawlessly. With someone you trained, I have no concerns."
Zidai stole a few glances at Xianglan, noting her stunning beauty and elegance. A twinge of jealousy arose in her heart. Seeing Xianglan dressed in luxurious attire and wearing a gleaming gold necklace with Ying Luo, she felt a surge of envy.Xianglan looked up, and their gazes collided. Zidai hurriedly lowered her head. Out of the corner of her eye, Xianglan noticed Qin Shi staring intently at her, so she curtsied and said, "Every girl from Taitai's room is clever. It's because Taitai cares for the Master that she sent the best to Knowing Spring Pavilion." She neither acknowledged Qin Shi's suggestion to learn more from Zidai, nor did she put on airs and accept Mama Han's proposal to have Zidai serve her.
Qin Shi raised an eyebrow.
Wu Mama and Hongjian exchanged a glance, and Hongjian leaned in to say warmly to Qin Shi, "Xianglan really knows how to speak. Zidai is indeed the best maid among us, leaving the rest of us burnt offerings to serve Taitai—what a grievance for Taitai! If Taitai's needlework lacks skilled hands tomorrow, alas, Lu Lan and I won't be able to slack off."
Qin Shi finally smiled faintly and said, "No wonder your needlework has improved—it's because you've been lazy and cunning, bullying Zidai all along!"
Wu Mama, Mama Han, and the others quickly joined in with amused laughter.
Thank you to qian20051978 and Chuchu Dongren Qiu for the sachets, bubu8915 for two Peace Talismans, Xiaoxiao66 and Tianwan Yuyu for the Peace Talismans, and also thank you all for the pink votes!
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