Chunling's eyes swept quickly around the room. Lianxin appeared unperturbed, as if she hadn't heard anything. Xiao Juan seemed distracted, clearly missing the hidden meaning in Zidai's words. Tinglan, however, started slightly, exchanging a brief glance with Chunling before quickly composing herself. When Chunling looked at Xianglan, she saw the delicate corners of her mouth slightly upturned, adding a special brilliance to her already exquisite features. Chunling found herself momentarily captivated.
The same gestures, the same smiles and frowns—yet when Xianglan performed them, they carried a distinctive elegance and grace that no one could replicate. Chunling thought to herself, "No wonder the Master holds such a beauty in such high regard."But noticing the subtle distance in Xianglan's smile and thinking of the layers of thoughts hidden beneath, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly."
Everyone could see that Xianglan was unhappy living in Knowing Spring Pavilion, yet they all pretended not to notice. Who could defy Lin Jinlou's orders?
Since returning from the Chen family, Xianglan had shown more spirit than before. Her defense last night had made people view her in a new light, revealing her remarkable intelligence. This morning, when Xianglan was going to Qin Shi's courtyard to learn etiquette, Chunling had advised her: "Learning rules is secondary. What matters is preserving the Master's dignity. Taitai will only make things difficult to a certain extent. Even if Taitai dislikes you, with two of the Master's women gone... If Taitai insists on sending her favored maids over, it would be better for you to suggest promoting two trustworthy ones yourself. That way, they'll be your people, making things easier in the future..." Her intention was for Xianglan to promote her further, so she could stand equal with Lianxin in Knowing Spring Pavilion. Yet Xianglan had shaken her head.
"If Taitai wants to suppress me, preparing early would only create opposition," Xianglan said. "That would make Taitai even more displeased, and I wouldn't have peace. Why bother? Let's just comply." Then she added with a meaningful smile, "Taitai has good judgment. The people she sends will surely reflect well on her. As long as they don't interfere with my affairs, let them be. If they try to cause trouble, they'll have to answer to the Master."
Chunling opened her mouth but closed it again, feeling somewhat disappointed. It wasn't until she saw Zidai that she began to understand: Taitai had sent Mama Han's niece. An ordinary maid would be one thing, but Mama Han was one of the most respected senior servants in the household. Moreover, Taitai had arranged for Zidai to learn etiquette alongside Xianglan—clearly preparing to elevate Zidai to new concubine status. Zidai was no simple character either; her first words addressed Xianglan as "sister," immediately distinguishing herself from the other maids. Though this address violated protocol, everyone knew Taitai's intentions, so no one dared object. With the mistress's favor, Zidai's seemingly gentle but actually sharp manner would inevitably affect Knowing Spring Pavilion. No wonder Xianglan had said "the people Taitai sends will surely reflect well on her."
Xianglan maintained her smile but ignored Zidai's familiar "sister" address. Instead, she said, "I'm not in charge here. I usually keep to myself. Lianxin, Tinglan, and Chunling are all wonderful companions—chatting and laughing with them helps pass the time when I'm bored. I've been out all morning and need to rest now, so I won't keep you." With a final smile to Xue and Zidai, she gracefully retreated into her bedroom.Zidai still had a bellyful of warm words to say, but she hadn't expected Xianglan to leave without even bothering with a few extra polite remarks, turning her head and walking away, leaving Zidai stunned. Once Xianglan left, Chun Ling, Xiao Juan, Lianxin, and Tinglan, who were tasked with serving her meal, quickly followed behind her.
Zidai hadn't yet recovered from her shock and stood there frozen.
Xue Ning tugged at her clothes: "Let's go, why are you still standing here? We need to go back and get ready for lunch."
Zidai took a deep breath. In the Knowing Spring Pavilion, she represented Taitai's face, so from the moment she arrived, she had to establish her own rules and authority to ensure no one would look down on her, thinking she was just a maid to be ordered around. Taitai had given her immense face, so she naturally had to make full use of this advantage. Regardless of whether Lin Jinlou favored her or not, at least in the Knowing Spring Pavilion, she had to live with dignity and comfort and must not be suppressed by Chen Xianglan. She hadn't expected Xianglan to simply walk away, treating her like a mere servant girl. This ignited a fire in her heart, yet she couldn't find any fault to pick, so she had no choice but to follow Xue Ning.
Chun Ling, however, breathed a sigh of relief. As Xianglan was about to have lunch, Chun Ling went out to prepare fragrant tea for rinsing her mouth when she overheard Lianxin and Xue Ning talking behind the partition. Both of them had come from the old lady's room and had always been close.
"...I'd only seen Xianglan a few times before and thought she had a soft temperament. Today, I finally understood why you said she's clever. Zidai originally wanted to suppress her, but instead ended up stewing in her own anger, and she couldn't even find a reason to complain." Xue Ning lifted the copper kettle from the stove, poured half a basin of water, and then added cold water.
"That's nothing. You haven't seen her arguing with the Master. With just one sentence, she made him so angry his heart, liver, and lungs ached, and he smashed so many fine cups."
"My goodness, is she really that bold?"
"Tsk, sometimes I even wonder if the Master has a taste for it—liking those who anger him." Lianxin couldn't help but laugh after saying this.
"Do you think... Zidai going head-to-head with Xianglan from the start will end well?"
Lianxin shook her head and said, "If she doesn't confront her, it will be even worse. With Xianglan sitting here like a great Buddha, unless Zidai serves the Master and bears him a child, she can only obediently bow her head. Her only reliance is Taitai, so she must act according to Taitai's wishes. Taitai wants her to suppress Xianglan, so she has to do it. If Taitai is pleased and asks the Master to favor her, the Master will have to give Taitai face. Besides, taking her as a concubine isn't anything extraordinary in the Master's eyes."
Xue Ning found this deeply convincing and laughed, "Sister, you really are sharp. No wonder my second sister told me to learn more from you after coming to the Knowing Spring Pavilion." She then began asking Lianxin about the affairs of the Knowing Spring Pavilion.
Chun Ling, however, gasped in surprise. Lianxin had always been reserved and, since arriving at the Knowing Spring Pavilion, had merely followed the rules, unlike Shuran, who was smooth and sociable. Over time, Chun Ling hadn't paid much attention to her, assuming the Master had promoted her out of respect for the old lady. But after hearing these words, Chun Ling realized she had underestimated her.
That evening, Lin Jinlou sent someone with a message: there was urgent military business, and he would not be able to return home for the time being. Shuangxi knelt on the ground with her head bowed and reported this to Xianglan, secretly lifting her eyelids to glance upward.
She only heard Xianglan respond indifferently, "Don't kneel on the ground, get up." Before the words had fully left her mouth, Chun Ling had already grabbed a handful of coins to hand over.Shuangxi quickly caught it with both hands but did not stand up, his face beaming with an ingratiating smile as he said, "Thank you for your reward, Miss! Thank you for your reward!" He didn't care about these dozen or so copper coins—there were plenty of people in the mansion trying to curry favor with him, and Lin Jinlou usually rewarded him generously. But this money was given by Miss Xianglan; the amount didn't matter, what mattered was the face she was giving him. Not daring to raise his head and stare directly at the woman seated upright, Shuangxi spoke with utmost respect: "The Master said that since you reside deep in the Inner Chambers, it might be inconvenient for you to go out shopping or send messages to your family. He has assigned Guiyuan, who serves under the corridor, to attend to you."
Xianglan was taken aback. Guiyuan was specifically assigned to serve in the front study—every servant boy who worked in the study was a clever little fellow. She did indeed lack someone to run errands but had been too lazy to ask. She hadn't expected Lin Jinlou to assign her one of his own favored servant boys.
Shuangxi said respectfully, "Guiyuan is waiting outside to kowtow to you."
Xianglan said, "Let him come in."
Shuangxi then withdrew. Before long, a young boy in indigo-blue clothes entered, bowing his head and bending at the waist. He briskly knelt on the floor and kowtowed three times with loud thumps, saying, "I wish you Golden Peace, Miss. I kowtow to you."
Xianglan saw that he was about twelve or thirteen years old, with a fair and clean appearance, a youthful face, and an air of cleverness. She encouraged him with a few words, rewarded him with some money, and ordered Chun Ling to bring him candies and pastries to eat. For now, that was the end of it.
To cut a long story short, half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Every morning, Xianglan and Zidai went to Qin Shi's room. Zidai poured tea, served water, recited scriptures, and massaged legs—attending to Qin Shi closely. Even when she failed to meet Qin Shi's expectations and was scolded harshly, she showed no trace of resentment, remaining as respectful as ever. With her around, even Hongjian and Lu Lan were overshadowed. Xianglan, on the other hand, was much more reserved. She remained as silent as gold in Qin Shi's presence, doing only what she was told and never crowding around. She quietly worked on her tasks to the side, and in her free time, she would sit in the Covered corridor outside, admiring flowers, teasing birds, and chatting and laughing with the young maids—never saying more than necessary. Comparing the two, Qin Shi naturally preferred Zidai's affectionate and obedient demeanor and grew increasingly disdainful of Xianglan, gradually viewing her as little more than a decorative fixture. Wu Mama, Chun Ling, and others worried in secret, but Xianglan paid it no mind.In the Knowing Spring Pavilion, Xianglan reclined against a pillow, holding a book in her hand. Xiao Juan sat on a small stool below, tying a feather shuttlecock, while Chun Ling sat beside Xianglan, chattering incessantly: "These past few days, I've been quietly observing. Xue Ning has a gentle temperament and quickly became familiar with the maidservants. She neither tries to get close to you, Miss, nor to Zidai, simply taking over Rushuang's duties—seemingly a sensible person. But as for this Zidai..." Chun Ling glanced at Xianglan and continued, "Since Taitai promoted her to first rank, she's been meddling in everything in the Knowing Spring Pavilion, big or small, she has to have a say. After all, she's only just arrived, and there's still Lianxin above her. Lianxin was given by the old lady, so shouldn't she at least consider the old lady's face? Who would have thought, while she superficially respects Lianxin, she insists on having her own way in everything. The other day, she scolded and disciplined several maidservants. Lianxin said to let it go once they admitted their mistake, but she refused to relent. Just because one little maid cried and said she wanted to seek 'Miss Xianglan' to judge the matter, she actually drove her out! She even wants to change the daily meal standards and even questions how much silver Miss Yingge spent on medicine. She also said the color of the chair covers in the main house's central hall is too frivolous and wants to change it, insisting on having someone open the chest to make a selection. Lianxin stopped her, saying that the colors used in the main house are decided by you, Miss, and if she doesn't like it, she should speak to you directly. Zidai, with a smile all over her face, said, 'It's just changing a chair cover—why all this talk of who decides what? Sister Xianglan isn't the petty type.' She actually had two maidservants replace the chair covers..."
Thank you to qian20051978 for the Peach Blossom Fan, to Weiwei Piaoguo for the Peace Talisman, and to everyone for the pink votes. Recently, my mother fell seriously ill, and I've been swamped with tasks, so I haven't had time to update—my sincerest apologies.
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