Xianglan pulled Tan Luhua into the adjacent side room. Tan Luhua’s face remained flushed with anger, tears streaming down uncontrollably. Seeing the maids Haitang and Shiliu tending to the plants there, Xianglan quickly said, “Could you two please fetch a basin of water for the Second Mistress to wash her face?” She then comforted Tan Luhua, “Second Mistress is a sensible person. Though you’ve suffered an injustice, we are all sisters in the family. Once they leave for Shandong, you won’t see them often anymore. Don’t let this damage the harmony between you.”
Tan Luhua was so furious she could barely catch her breath. “Even when we were unmarried, she always bullied me, resenting me for being prettier and cleverer than her. She got first pick of clothes and jewelry, and I wasn’t even allowed to wear anything more luxurious than her when we went out. My father did feel for me, but he was afraid of displeasing Taitai, which only made things harder for me.” As she spoke of her grievances, fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
Xianglan hurriedly consoled her, “Second Mistress, don’t be upset. Now you’ve married well, Taitai is kind and gentle, and the Second Master dotes on you. Isn’t that better than anything?”
Tan Luhua wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “Taitai is beyond reproach, but the Second Master’s health is so frail—a mere breeze could topple him. He’s well for one day and ill for three. At such a young age, being married to him is like living with a breathing corpse—”
Xianglan was startled by these words. Just then, Haitang entered with half a basin of hot water, so Xianglan pretended not to have heard Tan Luhua and said, “Second Mistress, please wash your face first. I’ll go borrow some cosmetics.” With that, she left the room.
Tan Luhua then instructed Haitang to wring out a towel for her to wipe her face. Shortly after, Xianglan returned carrying a small round tray with Court Powder, Rouge, eyebrow ink, and other items. “I borrowed these from Sister Lu Lan and the others,” she said.
Tan Luhua, who loved adorning herself, carefully applied her makeup before the mirror. She smiled faintly at Xianglan and said, “I was so angry earlier that I said many things I didn’t mean. Thank you for calming me down. Come visit me sometime—I’ve acquired two good books to share with you.”
This was the first time Tan Luhua had ever been pleasant to her. Xianglan was taken aback for a moment, then quickly understood. She thought to herself, "Tan Luhua was provoked by her elder sister’s words earlier, overwhelmed with grievance, and couldn’t hold back her true feelings." In her rage, she blurted everything out, even criticizing the Second Master. Now that she’s calmed down, she regrets it and is worried I might spread her words, hence this sudden friendliness.” Aloud, she smiled and said, “Second Mistress was just overwhelmed by anger earlier. When people are furious, they often lose their senses—nothing they say should be taken seriously. I’ll definitely visit you when I have time, though I worry about disturbing the Second Master’s rest.”
Hearing this, Tan Luhua felt relieved. She thought, “Xianglan has always been tight-lipped and never gossips. She won’t go around spreading what she heard.” Smiling, she said, “He won’t be bothered. We can talk in another room.” Just then, Qin Shi sent Hongjian to summon her, and Tan Luhua hurried off.
Meanwhile, after Lin Jinlou went out, Xianglan went to pay her respects to Qin Shi. Shuran went to the front courtyard to manage affairs, and as it was Xiao Juan’s birthday that day, the maids in the room indulged in merrymaking. Hua Shan and Ling Qing threw dice and played backgammon, while Xue Ning, Ling Su, Xiao Juan, and Mama Han’s maidservant Xiao Fang’er gathered to play cards. Xiao Juan lounged against a pillow on the Heated Brick Bed, munching on snacks as she played, scattering crumbs all over the bed and floor.Just then, Chun Ling entered from outside with two vases of freshly cut flowers. Seeing everyone indulging in unrestrained merriment, she found it quite unbecoming and said, "Enough now, quickly put things in order. Just because I didn't accompany you to the capital and no one's been keeping you in check, you've become increasingly unruly. The new concubine is too kind-hearted to scold you, and you take advantage of her forbearance. Trashing the place inside and out—what kind of propriety is this!"
At these words, Ling Qing, Ling Su, and Xiao Fang'er were startled. The three of them dared not continue playing and promptly stood up. Xue Ning, seeing this, also discarded her cards and rose. Hua Shan secretly glanced at Xiao Juan's expression. But Xiao Juan paid no heed, simply tossing out a tile from her hand and declaring, "Pong!" She then looked up and exchanged a meaningful glance with Hua Shan, who turned back and tugged at Ling Qing's sleeve, whispering, "Let's just keep playing our game."
Ling Qing hesitantly sat back down. The others glanced at Chun Ling, then at Xiao Juan, and gradually resumed their seats as well. Chun Ling's face immediately darkened. Xue Ning explained, "Today is Xiao Juan's birthday, and the new concubine allowed us to gather and have some fun. Sister Chun Ling, you were outside earlier and probably unaware."
Chun Ling retorted, "If that's the case, have all the household chores been taken care of? Has the Master's clothing been ironed?"
That task belonged to Xiao Juan, so everyone turned to look at her. Xiao Juan, however, focused solely on her game and ignored Chun Ling. Xue Ning wanted to smooth things over several times but didn't know what to say. Seeing this, Ling Qing hastily interjected to mediate, "Those clothes aren't needed today; ironing them tomorrow will be fine."
Chun Ling sneered, "Fine, fine, very fine indeed. When the new concubine returns later, let her judge who's right. You're all neglecting your duties—clothes left unironed, bedding unsunned, tables and chairs unwiped, the tea stove unlit, the birds unfed—just running wild without restraint. You may disregard me, but don't you dare disregard your masters!" With that, she flung the door curtain aside and stormed out.
Xiao Juan let out a cold laugh and muttered to herself, "What a hateful creature! Who's the one disregarding the masters first? Shamelessly putting on airs and storming off—if she's got the nerve, she shouldn't come back. Since she's back, she ought to keep her head down and behave. What's with putting on airs as if she's some second-tier mistress? Now she's throwing her weight around with me—does she think I'll put up with her nonsense?"
Before she finished speaking, Chun Ling yanked the door curtain open with a "swish" and rushed in like a gust of wind, pointing at Xiao Juan's nose and demanding, "Who are you talking about?"
Xiao Juan lifted her eyelids and replied, "Whoever fits the bill knows who they are." She stood up, brushed aside Chun Ling's pointing finger, and dusted off her skirt. "Chun Ling, you'd better show me some respect from now on. The new concubine has already promoted me to first rank. Ling Qing, Ling Su, and Hua Shan are second rank as soon as they arrived, and Xue Ning was already second rank at the old mistress's place—no different from you in status. If you want to throw your weight around, go bully the maidservants in the backyard. Don't flaunt your authority in front of us!"
Hearing this, Chun Ling was both furious and ashamed. She angrily retorted, "What? You used to call me 'Sister Chun Ling' this and 'Sister Chun Ling' that, and now that you've just been promoted, you look down on me? You're so puffed up you don't even know your own surname! What skills do you think you have? All you know is eating well and dressing well, dodging work whenever you see it. You're nothing but a lapdog, relying on flattering your masters to get by!"
Xiao Juan also grew angry and sneered, "You're no lapdog? You've got such backbone, acting like you're the mistress yourself. Even the new concubine can be casually insulted by you—such great authority you wield! I certainly can't compare to that."Everyone quickly came over to mediate, saying one after another, "Say no more." Hua Shan went to pull Xiao Juan aside and said, "Today is your sister's good day, don't provoke her." Xue Ning also tried to persuade Chun Ling, "We're all together here, and we used to get along so well. Why argue like this?"
Just as the situation was getting out of hand, Xianglan returned. Seeing the room in chaos, she asked, "What's going on here?"
The room fell silent, and no one spoke. Only Chun Ling let out a cold laugh and said, "A bunch of nobodies ganging up to bully me. Fine, fine, it's all my fault. Later, I'll go to the new concubine and accept my punishment!" With that, she stormed off in a huff.
Xianglan asked, "What exactly happened?" Her eyes swept around the room and settled on Hua Shan. "Little Hua Shan, you tell me."
Although Hua Shan was close to Xiao Juan, she didn't dare lie in front of Xianglan. She explained the whole story from beginning to end. Xiao Juan then cut in, "Mistress, I did it on purpose. You don't know how annoying she's become lately—always finding fault. One moment she says this one is clumsy and can't fold clothes properly, the next she says that one is slow-witted and can't do needlework well, boasting about how she could do it better without even trying. Over the past few days, she's criticized almost everyone, acting as if she's the only capable one. She eavesdrops on idle gossip all day, then comes back to spread it, sneering at Second Mistress for being petty, mocking Fourth Miss for not learning manners properly and being shallow, and scolding the maidservants all the time. She's been stirring up trouble like this every day, making Chun Tang Hall a mess. I've been holding back my anger toward her for a long time."
Xianglan nodded and said, "I understand. But after all, we're all from Chun Tang Hall, and we should prioritize harmony. Making such a scene is unacceptable. You're the one I trust most by my side, which is why I promoted you. In the future, think things through more carefully and don't act on impulse. If she behaves like this, you could tell Shuran or me—either would be better than letting things escalate like this."
Xiao Juan pursed her lips and lowered her head, saying, "I understand."
Xianglan comforted them a few more words and told them to continue enjoying themselves, then went into the bedroom. She had just sat down at the dressing table and removed the jewelry from her hands and neck when Chun Ling walked in.
Xianglan saw the lingering resentment on her face and sighed inwardly, feeling a slight headache coming on. Since Chun Ling had returned, she hadn't spoken a single word of apology or softness. Xianglan had once tried talking to her, saying, "After all, we've been through hardships together. If you have anything to say, just speak from the heart—I still trust and value you." Chun Ling had agreed at the time, but afterward, she remained aloof and indifferent, and her work wasn't as meticulous as before.
Xianglan invited Chun Ling to sit and began, "I've already heard about what happened earlier—"
Chun Ling immediately raised her eyebrows and said, "Since you've heard, then please judge, new concubine—what did I say about them that was wrong? What right do they have to scold me like that? You might see them eating, drinking, and having fun without a care, but I can't stand dishonesty—I just can't tolerate it! I only said a few words, and I get all this gossip in return. What kind of reasoning is that? Even if you, new concubine, allowed them to play, if this disgraceful commotion reaches Taitai's ears, who will come out clean?"Chunling frowned and glared, her words tumbling out in a rapid, urgent stream. Xianglan paused before replying, "This is indeed my fault. Considering how busy everyone was with Third Master's wedding banquet and how no one has had a proper rest, and with Xiao Juan's birthday this time and the Master away, I granted them a holiday to let them enjoy themselves. They were merely playing cards and chess—nothing too unruly. I know you mean well, but there's no need to be so strict about this matter."
Before she could finish, Chunling retorted angrily, "Exactly! But what's the point of all this gossip about me? Do they have to drive me out of Chun Tang Hall to be satisfied?"
Xianglan tried to soothe her with kind words, but Chunling remained aggressive, clearly venting a bellyful of pent-up anger at her. The smile faded from Xianglan's face as she asked, "Then what do you want?"
(Xiao He's Weibo, search "He Yanshan" on Sina)
Acknowledgments for rewards will be in the next chapter. Thank you all for the pink votes~
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