Chunling's eyes swept quickly around the room. Lianxin appeared unperturbed, as if she hadn't heard anything, while Xiao Juan seemed distracted, clearly missing the hidden meaning in Zidai's words. Tinglan, however, was taken aback, exchanging a brief glance with Chunling before quickly composing herself. Chunling then looked at Xianglan, whose delicate lips curved slightly upward, adding a lively spark 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 unique elegance and grace that no one else could emulate. Chunling thought to herself, No wonder the Eldest Master holds such a beauty in such high regard. But noticing the subtle distance in Xianglan's smile and recalling the layers of hidden worries she carried, Chunling couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Everyone could see that Xianglan was unhappy living in the Hall of Knowing Spring, yet they all pretended not to notice. After all, who could defy Lin Jinlou's orders?
Since returning from the Chen Family, Xianglan had shown more spirit than before. Her eloquent defense the previous night had earned everyone's admiration, revealing her remarkable intelligence. That morning, when Xianglan was about to go to Qin Shi's courtyard to learn etiquette, Chunling advised her, "Learning etiquette is secondary. What matters is respecting the Eldest Master's dignity. Even if Madam dislikes you, she won't go too far in making things difficult. With two of the Eldest Master's intimate servants gone... If Madam insists on sending her favored maids over, why not take the initiative and promote two trustworthy ones yourself? That way, they'll be your people, making things easier in the future..." Chunling's intention was to hint that Xianglan should elevate her status further, allowing her to stand on equal footing with Lianxin in the Hall of Knowing Spring. To her surprise, Xianglan shook her head.
"If Madam wants to suppress me, preparing early would only create opposition. That would make her even more displeased, and I'd have no peace. Why bother? Let's just go along with her." Then, with a meaningful smile, she added, "Madam has good judgment. The people she sends will surely bring her honor. As long as they don't interfere with me, let them be. If they try to cause trouble, they'll have to see if the Eldest Master allows it."
Chunling opened her mouth to speak but closed it again, feeling somewhat disheartened. It wasn't until she saw Zidai that she began to understand: Madam had sent Han Mama's niece. An ordinary maid would be one thing, but Han Mama was one of the most respected senior servants in the mansion. Moreover, Madam had assigned Zidai to learn etiquette alongside Xianglan—a clear indication that she intended to elevate Zidai to the status of Concubine. Zidai was no pushover either; her very first words addressed Xianglan as "sister," immediately setting herself apart from the other maids. Though this address violated protocol, everyone in the mansion knew Madam's intentions, so no one dared to object. With the master's favor, Zidai's words and demeanor, though seemingly gentle, carried an underlying sharpness. With such a person meddling in the Hall of Knowing Spring, no wonder Xianglan had said, "The people Madam sends will surely bring her honor."
Xianglan still wore a smile but ignored Zidai's affectionate address of "sister." 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 when bored is a pleasure. I've been out all morning, so I'll go rest inside now and won't keep you." With that, she smiled at Xue and Zidai and gracefully retreated into her bedroom.Zidai still had a bellyful of warm words to say, but she hadn't expected Xianglan to not even bother with a few extra pleasantries before turning and leaving, leaving her stunned in place. Once Xianglan left, Chunling, Xiao Juan, Lianxin, and Tinglan, who were tasked with serving her meal, hurriedly followed after her.
Zidai hadn't yet recovered her wits and stood there frozen.
Xue Ning tugged at her sleeve: "Let's go, why are you still standing here? We need to go back and tidy up before lunch."
Zidai took a deep breath. In the Hall of Knowing Spring, she represented Madam's face, which was why she had to establish her own rules and authority from the very start, ensuring no one would look down on her or think she was just a maid to be ordered around. Madam had given her immense face, so she naturally had to make the most of this advantage. Regardless of whether Lin Jinlou would favor her, at the very least, within the Hall of Knowing Spring, she had to live with dignity and comfort and absolutely could not be suppressed by Chen Xianglan. She hadn't expected Xianglan to simply walk away, treating her as nothing more than a maid to be ordered about. Resentment simmered in her heart, yet she couldn't find any fault to pick, so she had no choice but to follow Xue Ning.
Chunling, however, breathed a sigh of relief. As Xianglan was about to have lunch, Chunling went out to brew fragrant tea for rinsing her mouth when she overheard Lianxin and Xue Ning talking behind the partition. Both of them had come from Old Madam's quarters and had always been close.
"...I'd only seen Xianglan a few times before and thought she had a soft, gentle temperament. Seeing her today, I finally understand why you said she's clever. Zidai originally wanted to suppress her, but instead ended up stewing in her own anger, and she can't even find a reason to complain." Xue Ning lifted the copper kettle from the stove, poured half a basin of hot water, and mixed it with cold water.
"That's nothing. You haven't seen her arguing with the Eldest 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 Eldest Master has a taste for this—liking those who provoke him." Lianxin couldn't help but laugh after saying this.
"You mean... if Zidai goes head-to-head with Xianglan from the start, will it turn out well for her?"
Lianxin shook her head and said, "If she doesn't confront her, she'll fare even worse. With Xianglan sitting there like a great Buddha, unless Zidai serves the Eldest Master and bears him a child, she'll have to obediently bow her head and submit. Her only reliance is Madam, so she must act according to Madam's wishes. If Madam wants her to suppress Xianglan, then that's what she must do. If Madam is pleased and asks the Eldest Master to favor her, the Eldest Master will have to give Madam face. Besides, taking her as a concubine isn't anything remarkable in the Eldest Master's eyes."
Xue Ning found this deeply reasonable and said with a laugh, "Sister, you truly are a shrewd one. No wonder my second sister told me to learn more from you after coming to the Hall of Knowing Spring." She then began asking Lianxin about matters in the Hall of Knowing Spring.
Chunling, however, gasped in surprise. Lianxin had always been reserved and, since arriving at the Hall of Knowing Spring, had merely followed the rules without standing out, unlike Shu Ran, who was sociable and adept at navigating relationships. Over time, Chunling hadn't paid her much mind, assuming it was only out of respect for Old Madam that the Eldest Master had promoted her. But after hearing these words, Chunling realized she had underestimated Lianxin all along.
Later that evening, Lin Jinlou sent someone with a message: he had urgent military affairs and would not be returning home for the time being. Shuangxi knelt on the ground with her head bowed as she reported this to Xianglan, secretly lifting her eyelids to glance upward.
She only heard Xianglan respond indifferently, "No need to kneel on the ground, rise." Before her words had even faded, Chunling had already grabbed a handful of coins to hand over.Shuangxi quickly caught it with both hands but did not rise, his face beaming with a smile as he said, "Thank you for the reward, miss! Thank you for the reward!" He didn't care much for 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 the money was given by Xianglan, and it wasn't about the amount; what mattered was the face she was giving him. Not daring to raise his head and stare directly at the woman sitting upright in her seat, Shuangxi spoke with utmost respect: "The Eldest Master said that since you reside deep within the inner quarters, it might be inconvenient for you to go out to purchase things or send messages home. He has assigned Gui Yuan, who serves under the corridor, to attend to you."
Xianglan was taken aback. Gui Yuan was specifically assigned to serve in the front study. Any servant boy allowed into the study was a clever little fellow. She did indeed lack someone to run errands for her, but she had been too lazy to bring it up. She hadn't expected Lin Jinlou to assign her one of his own favored attendants.
Shuangxi said respectfully, "Gui Yuan is waiting outside to kowtow to you."
Xianglan said, "Let him in."
Shuangxi then withdrew. Before long, a young servant boy in indigo-blue clothing entered, bowing his head and bending at the waist. He briskly knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times with a thud, saying, "I pay my respects to the young lady and 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 about him. She encouraged him with a few words, rewarded him with some money, and ordered Chunling to bring him sweets 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, fetched water, recited scriptures, and massaged Qin Shi's legs, serving closely by her side. 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 Lulan were somewhat overshadowed. Xianglan, on the other hand, was much more reserved. She remained silent in Qin Shi's presence, doing only what she was told and never crowding around her. She quietly worked on her tasks to the side, and in her free time, she would sit in the Covered Corridor outside, watching flowers, teasing birds, or chatting and laughing with the young maids, but never speaking out of turn. Comparing the two, Qin Shi naturally preferred Zidai's warm and obedient demeanor and grew increasingly disdainful of Xianglan, gradually seeing her as little more than a decorative fixture. Wu Mama, Chunling, and others worried in secret, but Xianglan paid it no mind.In the Hall of Knowing Spring, Xianglan reclined against the headrests, holding a book in her hand. Xiao Juan sat on a small stool below, tying a feather shuttlecock, while Chunling sat beside Xianglan and chattered on: "These past few days, I've been quietly observing. Xue Ning has a gentle temperament and quickly became familiar with the younger maids. She neither tries to get close to you, Miss, nor to Zidai, but simply took over Rushuang's duties, seeming like an uncomplicated person. But as for this Zidai..." Chunling glanced at Xianglan and continued, "Since Madam promoted her to first rank, she's been meddling in everything in the Hall of Knowing Spring, big or small, she has to have her say. After all, she's only just arrived, and there's still Lianxin above her. Lianxin was given by Old Madam, so shouldn't she at least consider Old Madam's dignity? Who would have thought—though she outwardly respects Lianxin, she insists on having her way in everything. The other day, she scolded and disciplined a few younger maids. Lianxin said that since they admitted their mistake, it should be left at that, but Zidai refused to let it go. Just because one of the little maids cried and said she wanted to seek 'Miss Xianglan' for justice, Zidai actually drove her out! She even wants to change the daily meal arrangements and even questions how much silver was spent on Yingge's medicine. She also said the color of the chair cushions in the main hall is too frivolous and wants to change it, already ordering someone to open the chests to make a selection. Lianxin stopped her, saying that the colors used in the main hall are entirely up to you, Miss, and if she dislikes it, she should speak to you directly. Zidai, with a smile all over her face, said, 'It's just changing the chair cushions—why all this talk of who has the final say? Sister Xianglan isn't the petty type.' And she actually had two young maids change the chair cushions..."
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