It is said that after Lin Dongling and Lin Dongxiu left Qin Shi's courtyard, Lin Dongxiu stopped in her tracks and sneered, "You're quite the schemer, aren't you? Ignoring your own cousin while cozying up to that servant's spawn—I've seen your true colors today!" With that, she turned and stormed off in a huff, her maid Nange hastily chasing after her.
Lin Dongling was so furious her face turned ashen. Hanzhi quickly tried to console her, saying, "Fourth Miss has always had that temper. Don't take it to heart, Miss."
Lin Dongling twisted the handkerchief in her hand fiercely, fighting back tears as she retorted, "That's just her temper? Why doesn't she dare pick a fight with Second Sister? Let alone say such vile things! It's only because I wasn't born from Madam's womb that she bullies me like this!" She glared at Lin Dongxiu's retreating back and gritted her teeth, vowing, "Just wait until I rise to glory—you'll get what's coming to you!"
Hanzhi hurriedly took out her own handkerchief to dab the corners of Lin Dongling's eyes, soothing, "Don't be angry, Miss, don't be angry."
Swallowing her humiliation, Lin Dongling walked back with tears streaming down her face, thinking bitterly, "My fate is wretched. If I had been born to Madam, I could put on airs too, scolding whoever I please. Who'd want to curry favor with that servant's spawn Chen Xianglan? I wouldn't even glance her way! It's only because Eldest Master dotes on her. When Second Sister married, Eldest Master added two whole chests to her dowry—not just silver, but antiques and paintings too. If I befriend her now, Eldest Master might be pleased and add more to my dowry as well. Then, if I'm ever mistreated in my marital home, Eldest Master could be my refuge. Only a fool like Lin Dongxiu would stick her neck out to oppose Chen Xianglan." As these thoughts swirled in her mind, she wiped her tears haphazardly and returned to her room to sulk, and for now, no more of this.
Meanwhile, Qin Shi, feeling weary, leaned on Hongjian and returned to her chamber, instructing Xianglan to copy the Diamond Sutra at the kang table in the outer room. Han Mama and Wu Mama both withdrew. Han Mama sighed and said, "This morning, I already told Madam I didn't want Zidai to go to the Hall of Knowing Spring, but Madam didn't respond and still sent her there in the end."
Wu Mama cast a faint glance at Han Mama and remarked coolly, "Who told you to keep praising Zidai's virtues in front of Madam? Originally, Eldest Master already had four concubines in his household. Adding another would be unseemly and might offend future brides' families, so Madam never agreed and delayed promoting Zidai. Now that two have left Eldest Master's quarters, it's your chance. Now that you've gotten your wish, why are you confessing to me?"
Han Mama clicked her tongue in frustration and said, "Don't play dumb with me. You know what I mean. After what you told me yesterday, how could I rest easy?"
Wu Mama snorted, "You've grown much shrewder than before, you old fox. Zidai has some cleverness—just keep a low profile and show respect to Xianglan. If it's her destiny to be taken in by Eldest Master, that's her fortune. Out of regard for your face, she could earn the title of 'Miss.' She mustn't follow Luanr's path to ruin. If she secures a place, she'll have a lifetime of stability. But if Eldest Master pays her no mind, she shouldn't force her way in. When Eldest Master gets angry, he won't care whose niece she is." Having said this, she walked away.
Han Mama watched Wu Mama's pretentious, self-important demeanor. Though she knew Wu Mama's words made sense, her heart felt as if blocked by a lump. She spat, "Pah!" then lifted the curtain and entered the room.The hour was approaching noon. Qin Shi changed into a mud-gold jacket embroidered with peonies and leaned against the satin crimson flower-scattered headrests on the Arhat Bed, closing her eyes to rest. Hongjian removed the half-warm tea from the small crabapple-wood side table and replaced it with a steaming cup. Just as she was about to retreat quietly, Qin Shi suddenly opened her eyes and asked, "What has she been doing outside?"
Hongjian naturally knew whom Qin Shi was referring to and replied, "She just finished copying a few pages of scriptures. Following Madam's instructions, we didn't let her idle. She's now outside sorting threads. Qiangwei and the others tried to engage her in conversation, but she only smiled faintly and didn't say a word more."
Qin Shi sat up straight, and Hongjian hurriedly went to support her, saying, "Madam slept late last night, you should rest a while longer this morning." She then handed over the engraved gold banana-leaf cup and asked, "Shall we have her stay for lunch?"
Qin Shi took a sip and said, "Why keep her? There's no portion for her here."
Remembering the five taels of silver Lianxin had slipped her that morning, Hongjian tentatively ventured, "I think Xianglan is quite restrained—she doesn't speak out of turn. A few of us deliberately gossiped about Luanr and Huamei in front of her, but she didn't join in. When we asked about Eldest Master, she claimed ignorance with every question. She doesn't seem frivolous."
Qin Shi wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and chuckled lightly, "She may not show it on her face, but she's arrogant at heart. That pride runs deep in her bones. If she isn't thoroughly disciplined, I fear she won't submit even as a concubine. If she were a simpleton, it might be different, but this girl is shrewd. If the wife Lou Ge'er marries in the future can't control her, she might stir up even greater trouble than Zhao Shi."
Hongjian smiled faintly, "No wonder Madam deliberately humiliated her several times today—it was to put her in her place. I was puzzled, as Madam has always been lenient. Even when Lan Yiniang made mistakes or spoke out of turn before, you handled her gently. I wondered why you'd suddenly changed your approach."
Qin Shi pointed to her legs, and Hongjian promptly sat by the bed, picking up the beauty's hammer to massage them. Qin Shi sighed contentedly and said, "Now Xianglan lives in the main courtyard of the principal residence. The moment Lou Ge'er returns, he heads straight to her place. Even a respected maid like Lianxin serves her—she carries herself like Da Nǎinai... Tsk. When I went to the Hall of Knowing Spring yesterday and opened her jewelry box, it was filled with pearls, jade, and exotic goods from overseas. She has several large chests of clothing... How long has she been in the mansion? Never mind what she wore today, the Yingluo necklace around her neck is finer than what Fourth Young Miss wears. That foolish boy Lou Ge'er is spoiling her too much. He excels in everything except when it comes to women—he's utterly confused. If I don't curb her influence for him, what will become of us?"
Just then, Han Mama walked in. Hearing Qin Shi's words, she thought of Xianglan's lavish attire and the opulent furnishings in the Hall of Knowing Spring, her feelings tangled and complex. One moment she regretted her own shortsightedness in not securing Lin Jinlou's favor earlier; the next, she envied Wu Mama's family for gaining such backing and rising above her. At times, she secretly hoped Zidai could also catch Lin Jinlou's eye and enjoy Xianglan's glory; yet she also feared that if Zidai failed to stand out, it might bring trouble to the family—perhaps it was better to remain cautious.Hongjian remarked, "The Eldest Master is fond of Miss Xianglan, and I don't see that as a bad thing. Wu Mama also said that ever since Xianglan entered the Hall of Knowing Spring, the Eldest Master hasn't gone out to fool around. It's truly admirable how Madam thinks of the Eldest Master in every matter and even personally instructs Miss Xianglan."
Qin Shi said, "There's no harm in teaching her more. We can't afford to have another Huamei or Luanr." Spotting Han Mama, she called out, "You've arrived. Have you sent Zidai over?"
Han Mama beamed and said, "Yes, I have. Thank you for your concern, Madam." Curious, she added, "Madam mentioned instructing Miss Xianglan—how do you plan to do so?"
Qin Shi smiled without answering, pausing for a long moment before saying, "First, let her copy scriptures for a few days to calm her mind." Then, turning to Han Mama, she added, "Tomorrow, have Zidai come as well to study with her."
Han Mama was stunned, feeling as if a heavenly blessing had fallen upon her. Overwhelmed with excitement, she quickly kowtowed and said, "This old servant thanks Madam for elevating Zidai!"
Qin Shi gestured vaguely to help her up, her smile distant. "No need for thanks. I have the intention, but it depends on whether she has the fortune." Zidai was gentle and appeared fertile. With Qin Shi's eagerness for a grandson and Han Mama's years of loyal service, and now that Lin Jinlou's quarters were empty, it seemed opportune to send Zidai over. If it succeeded, it would kill two birds with one stone and also curb Xianglan's influence. If it failed, they could always prepare a dowry for Zidai in a couple of years and marry her into a decent family, thus preserving the dignity of her longtime servant.
Han Mama trembled with excitement. Lin Jinlou's greatest virtue was his filial piety—Qinglan had been taken in by Madam's arrangement. If Madam took charge of this matter, it was eighty percent assured! She kowtowed repeatedly to Qin Shi in gratitude, and by the time she withdrew, her forehead was swollen.
The young maid Xiao Fang'er brought hot water and wrung out a towel for her to wash her face. Han Mama gazed into the propped-up mirror, staring at her reflection for a long while before suddenly chuckling to herself. "Wu Zhaoxia, you old hag, always putting on airs and acting superior, as if you're half a mistress yourself. You think just because you've latched onto the Eldest Master and backed Chen Xianglan, you can boss everyone around in the Hall of Knowing Spring and hog all the benefits? Hmph! No matter how much the Eldest Master dotes on Xianglan, she's still of servant stock and can't override the face Madam has given. There are plenty of pretty, clever, and sensible maids in this mansion—our Zidai is among the best. Do you think everyone else in the mansion is dead?" Having been suppressed by Wu Mama for decades, she felt a sudden surge of satisfaction after saying this and snapped the mirror case shut with a "smack."
Each person had their own calculations. Xianglan had worked in Qin Shi's courtyard all morning and was dismissed at noon, with instructions to return early the next day.
As soon as Xianglan returned to the Hall of Knowing Spring, Lianxin arrived with Xue Ning and Zidai. Xianglan said, "Since you're all people bestowed by Old Madam and Madam, you must be good. How to arrange things should wait for the Eldest Master's decision. You shouldn't be asking me."
Lianxin thought to herself that the Eldest Master had already given orders: if Xianglan found any maid in the Hall of Knowing Spring displeasing, she could dismiss them directly. Though Xianglan's position was awkward and this went against convention, Lianxin didn't dare bypass Xianglan's approval.Xue Ning was of average height, with fair and delicate features. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she possessed a certain charm and bore some resemblance to Xuezhan, Old Madam's most favored maid—likely being sisters. With a smile gracing her face, she said, "Before coming here, Old Madam specifically instructed us to pay our respects to you, miss. From now on, we shall serve by your side. I hope you won’t find us too clumsy."
Zidai also wore a smile, yet it couldn’t conceal her radiant expression. "From now on, we’ll be together. I’m young and inexperienced, so please teach me more, sister."
Xue Ning addressed her as "miss," while Zidai used "sister." Chunling immediately frowned.
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