Huamei rubbed her temples, took several deep breaths, and suppressed the resentment, grievance, and unwillingness beneath the tip of her tongue. She had struggled to reach this point, becoming half a master of the Lin family, with endless wealth and luxury to enjoy in the future. Now, all she needed was a child to secure her position in the Lin household. If her brother’s official career went smoothly, even if Lin Jinlou were to marry a noblewoman from a prominent family, she would dare to stand shoulder to shoulder with her. But the moment Chen Xianglan arrived, she monopolized his favor. If this continued, where would Huamei’s place be? She had no intention of spending her life as a cautious, submissive "Concubine," always yielding to others. She wanted to stand tall and straight, to make every woman in the Lin household’s inner quarters regard her with respect, to be a proper master in her own right!
After pondering for a while, Huamei ordered Xique to fetch writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. She wrote a letter, sealed it in an envelope, and then retrieved a pair of cotton knee pads embroidered with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums from a chest. Tucking the letter inside the knee pads, she summoned a trusted matron and instructed, "Tomorrow morning, deliver this to my family and hand it directly to my brother. The weather has turned cold, and as he rides horses, his knees often get chilly. I recently sewed these for him."
The matron accepted the task and left. Huamei no longer had the heart to search for the ring. She sat silently for a while longer, poured a bowl of warm water, and took a pill to calm her mind and soothe her spirit. Only then did she change her clothes, remove the remnants of her makeup, and lie down to sleep. Of this, no more need be said.
Now, the first day of the tenth month was the day to offer winter clothes to the deceased. Qin Shi had ordered preparations early, including incense, candles, tributes, and paper money. She also had servants buy colored wax paper from a funeral supply shop and instructed the maids to cut out stacks of paper clothing for the dead. The ancestral hall was cleaned in advance, and offerings such as dried and fresh fruits, assorted pastries, fresh flowers, and vegetarian dishes were arranged. Bright lamps were lit. The Old Master personally presided over the ceremony, opening the ancestral hall and leading the family in performing four kowtows in order of seniority. The atmosphere was solemn and dignified. After the rites, Lin Jinting took the servants to burn the paper money and clothing outside. The various branches of the family dispersed, and the servants cleaned and tidied the ancestral hall. Of this, no more need be said.
Wu Mama, having little to do, happened to be tasked by Qin Shi with delivering a Feather Gauze garment to Lin Jinlou. She accepted the assignment and brought the clothing to the Hall of Knowing Spring. Upon entering, she saw Xianglan dressed in plain white clothes, washing her hands and wiping her face in the room. Her eyes were red and swollen, clearly from recent mourning, which surprised Wu Mama.
It turned out that Xianglan burned paper money for her deceased relatives every year around this time. Now that Wu Mama had stumbled upon her, she forced a smile and explained, "When I was young, I was raised in a temple, and a venerable monk treated me as his own child. But he passed away early. I never had the chance to fulfill my filial duties, so I can only pay my respects like this. I’ve informed the Eldest Master about this, and he permitted me to make offerings in the backyard."
Wu Mama quickly clasped her hands and said, "Amitabha, it’s rare to find such filial piety." She then sat down in the room and chatted with Xianglan for a while. As night deepened, Wu Mama estimated the ritual would soon conclude and rose to take her leave, exiting through the backyard gate.
There, she spotted Xique standing by the rockery, holding a lantern. Stamping her feet, Xique laughed and said, "Wu Mama, what brings you here? And why didn’t you stop by our Concubine’s room for a visit? We won’t let this slide!"Wu Mama thought to herself, "I can't stand that troublemaking manner of your mistress. She even corrupted Lan Yiniang, who was perfectly fine before. How could I possibly go to your place?" But she smiled and said, "Madam sent me to deliver some items. I still have duties over there, so I can only make one trip to deliver these and then return. Next time I visit your Mei Yiniang, you must brew me a good cup of tea." As she walked over, she asked, "What are you doing here?"
Xique replied, "The concubine lost a gold ring. We've been searching the room for days but haven't found it. The pearl on that ring was specially given to her by the Eldest Master. Though she doesn't show it, I know she's truly heartbroken about it. So I came out to search without telling her. If I find it, I'll bring it back to cheer her up; if not, at least she won't be disappointed and feel worse."
Wu Mama said, "My child, you're a good girl, so thoughtful of your mistress." Then she turned to leave.
Just then, the lantern in Xique's hand suddenly fell, landing right beside Wu Mama's feet. Xique hurriedly said, "Oh no, oh no! My hand slipped. Did it hit you, Mama?" She moved closer as she spoke.
Wu Mama bent down to pick up the lantern, saying, "It's fine. Luckily, this is a bronze lotus lantern—it won't break easily. If it were an ordinary one..." Before she could finish, she spotted a small triangular cloth bundle on the ground, about the size of a baby's palm, wrapped in white cloth. Wu Mama picked it up and felt that it was somewhat hard inside, like paper. As an experienced elder who had seen many things, she immediately recognized it as a talisman. Her heart began to race as she thought, "Talismans for seeking children, wealth, or peace are always wrapped in red cloth. This one wrapped in white is clearly not a good thing. How could such a thing be in the Hall of Knowing Spring?" She quickly clenched it in her hand.
Xique squeezed closer and asked, "What did you pick up, Mama? Let me see."
Wu Mama pushed her away and said, "Little girl, why are you so nosy? Hurry back now, or your mistress will start asking for you if it gets late." With that, she hurried off.
Meanwhile, Qin Shi had been busy all day. Hongjian gently supported her as she sat down in the small side hall of the ancestral temple, and Lulan brought over a cup of hot tea. Qin Shi took a sip and asked, "Have all the courtyards been locked? Have the night patrol women gone out? Are the servants guarding the outer gate near the neighboring garden all in order?"
Hongjian replied, "The stewardesses will be here shortly. I'll ask them then. Madam, you haven't been feeling well these past few days. Why trouble yourself with such matters?"
Qin Shi said, "I didn't want to bother, but just yesterday, something happened in the Second Household. It seems a thief broke into Third Miss's courtyard at night, frightening an old woman and a young maid into fainting. Fortunately, nothing major was missing after checking, though Third Miss lost a case of jewelry. After interrogating and punishing them, we still couldn't find out who colluded with the thief, but we did discover some were drinking and gambling. Second Master was furious and even borrowed a few household guards from Lou Ge'er today. That's why we must secure the gates."
Hongjian promptly acknowledged the order. Qin Shi then asked about the earlier arrangements for tidying the ancestral temple. As they were speaking, she noticed someone peeking furtively at the door and asked, "Who's there at the door? Sneaking around like that."
The maid lifted the curtain, revealing Wu Mama, who entered with a pale face and said, "Madam, this old servant has returned from the Hall of Knowing Spring."
Qin Shi smiled and said, "It's so late already. Why aren't you resting and instead rushing here like this?"Wu Mama said, "I have something to report to Madam." As she spoke, her eyes swept sideways.
Seeing her manner, Qin Shi was inwardly startled. She dismissed the attendants and said to Wu Mama, "Speak, what is it?"
Wu Mama fell to her knees with a thud and said tearfully, "This old servant... this old servant just picked up something deadly in the Hall of Knowing Spring... The matter is grave, I beg Madam to decide..." As she spoke, she drew something from her sleeve and held it out.
OpenNovel