Since Qinglan was with child, she was even exempted from paying daily respects to Zhao Yuechan. Her days were spent strolling in the garden, doing needlework, and chatting and laughing with the maids, occasionally going to Qin Shi’s place to pay her respects. She was also easygoing and undemanding when it came to food and clothing. Xianglan no longer had to spend her days endlessly embroiding dowry items, doing menial chores like sweeping and cleaning, enduring Huier and Huairui’s provocations, or listening to Cao Lihuan’s harsh scoldings. Each day, she only needed to help Qinglan make clothes for the child and handle light tasks like serving tea and water, and she could even steal half a day of leisure now and then.
Lin Jinlou had only visited two or three times since he last escorted her to the Hall of Knowing Spring and had not returned since. Chunling said Lin Jinlou had gone to the military camp. "The Eldest Master always eats and lives with the soldiers. Sometimes he doesn’t return to the estate for a whole month—truly caring for his troops as if they were his own children." When Chunling spoke of Lin Jinlou, her face showed pride and a hint of bashfulness. "When military affairs are busy, he doesn’t come home for three months. When people outside mention the 'Lin Family Army,' who doesn’t hold them in high regard? Even though the Second Master’s official rank is slightly higher than the Eldest Master’s, his prestige and reputation are nowhere near as great. I’ve heard that even The Emperor has praised our master. Once the mourning period for Old Madam Zeng is over, he’ll be promoted another rank and transferred to the capital to serve as a capital official."
Xianglan nodded repeatedly in agreement, casually uttering flattering words about the Eldest Master’s brilliance and might. Hearing that Lin Jinlou would be away in the military for a long time and that he would later be transferred to the capital, she secretly rejoiced. She wished Lin Jinlou would never return—like a grass-eating rabbit instinctively knowing the ferocity of a tiger, she held a vague fear of him.
"When the master goes to the capital and the Concubine gives birth to a son, given how much the Eldest Master dotes on her, she might even be granted an honorary title. Then who would dare look down on our east wing?" Chunling chattered nonstop as she folded clothes. "Amitabha, I only hope the Concubine gives birth to a young master this time."
Xianglan was puzzled. "The Eldest Master hasn’t achieved any notable military merits yet. How could The Emperor possibly grant an honorary title to his concubine?"
Chunling said dismissively, "Why not? Our master’s mentor is Duke Zhenguo, a renowned great general. It’s only a matter of time before the Eldest Master earns military merits. Don’t think that just because Yingge and Huamei are by the master’s side, they’re anything more than Bedchamber maids... Who knows how long they’ll even stay in the estate? Didn’t you see how Chunyan was sent away? Our Concubine is a proper, respectable concubine brought into the household in a sedan chair by Madam’s arrangement, and she’s with child. Aside from Da Nǎinai, who could ever surpass her? When the Eldest Master returns to the estate, he mostly stays in our east wing... As for those two little sluts, Yingge and Huamei, who use every trick to get the master to visit them—when we see people from their quarters in the future, we don’t need to be polite. Pah! Shameless!"
As she spoke, Chunling’s eyebrows furrowed with anger, and she pulled Xianglan into sharing her indignation. Xianglan had no choice but to put on an expression of righteous fury, nodding vigorously and saying, "That’s right! The Eldest Master goes wherever he pleases. He loves our Concubine best. No matter how many tricks they play, it’s useless!"
Chunling felt that Xianglan had learned her lesson and patted her shoulder approvingly.In truth, ever since Chunling heard that Xianglan had been personally recommended by the Eldest Master as a second-class maid, she couldn't help feeling uneasy. Originally a third-class maid under Qin Shi, she had been assigned to Qinglan and promoted to second-class, hoping that once Qinglan bore a son, she would rise to become a first-class senior maid. Who could have expected Chen Xianglan would appear out of nowhere?
Though Chunling maintained a smiling facade with Xianglan, she constantly worried that Xianglan would compete with her for favor and attention before their masters. However, after observing for several days, she noticed that aside from managing needlework diligently, Xianglan never meddled in other affairs nor asked unnecessary questions. Instead, she voluntarily helped younger maids when their tasks piled up. Even when Chunling intentionally offered her opportunities to shine before their masters, Xianglan always declined. Only then did Chunling feel relieved, thinking Xianglan was a fool—who wouldn't want to advance and gain their master's favor? Her attitude toward Xianglan grew increasingly amiable.
Little did Chunling know that Xianglan's very intention was to avoid "gaining the master's favor." Now that her life had become more comfortable, she had long been planning to earn silver through painting. If Qinglan relied on her heavily, she would have no leisure time. Thus, while one strove to impress the masters, the other gladly remained idle, and they coexisted peacefully.
The Hall of Knowing Spring remained tranquil day after day. Zhao Yuechan stayed holed up in her room without stepping out; Yingge also kept to her quarters, only venturing out at dusk to stand beneath the plantain trees or before the rose trellis in the courtyard, singing melancholic tunes like "The cuckoo's bloodied cry is too sorrowful to hear." Xianglan sensed this behavior was meant to wait by the courtyard gate for Lin Jinlou's return. As for Huamei, she enjoyed visiting the eastern wing from time to time, engaging Qinglan in casual chatter.
"That little flirt Huamei has thick skin—the Concubine has yawned twice, yet she still doesn't know when to leave," Wu Mama said with a stern expression, supporting Qinglan as she half-reclined against the headboard. As Lin Jinlou's wet nurse, Wu Mama held a distinguished status in the Lin household. Upon hearing of Qinglan's pregnancy, she volunteered to serve her. Originally a dowry servant from Qin Shi's maiden family, she was utterly loyal and, influenced by Qin Shi, harbored no fondness for seductive women, thus despising the likes of Yingge and Huamei.
"She came with good intentions to see me—how could I drive her away? Besides, she won't stay long, so let her be," Qinglan replied drowsily.
"You're too kind, madam. I don't think Huamei means well. When the Eldest Master returns, I'll tell him not to let those little vixens loiter around the eastern wing in your presence."
"Please don't, or he might think I'm making trouble," Qinglan quickly opened her eyes.
Wu Mama sighed, picked up a snack from the begonia side table by the bed, and handed a piece of cake to Qinglan. "Alright, I won't mention it. You've had poor appetite these days, madam. Have a piece of cake before you sleep."
It was a plate of Yudai cake, steamed with poria cocos, lotus seeds, and coix seeds, known to regulate weak spleen and stomach and replenish energy. Finding it sweet and delicious, Qinglan couldn't resist having another piece. She said to Wu Mama, "Speaking of Chunling, she truly lives up to being trained by Madam—clever and capable, she thinks of everything for me. With her here, I'm spared half the worry. Just take this cake, for instance. Seeing I've been eating less these past couple of days, she specially made this snack. It shows her heartfelt dedication."
Wu Mama froze, her brows furrowing. "Chunling said she made this cake?"Qinglan nodded and took a sip of tea. "Chunling said she made it first thing this morning."
Wu Mama frowned more deeply. She had clearly seen that little maid Xianglan in the kitchen, kneading dough and putting it into molds to make a tray of jade belt cakes. Xianglan had then arranged them on a celadon plate with chopsticks for Chunling to bring in, even saving two pieces each for Wu Mama and Xiao Juan. How could it suddenly become Chunling's work now? After a long pause, she said, "These cakes were made by Xianglan..."
Qinglan was taken aback but didn't take it to heart, merely nodding and saying, "Well then, I'll reward her later."
Wu Mama said, "There's no rush to reward her. Think about it, Madam—although Chunling is capable, I feel she has too many schemes and isn't an honest person. Even over something as small as making cakes, she fights for favor and takes credit for others' work. Though it's a minor matter, it reveals something about her character. Xiao Juan is too young and still childish. That Yindie carries an unruly air—I've heard she's always asking about the Eldest Master. Lately, I've been quietly observing, and Xianglan seems to be an honest person. I originally thought that with her pretty face, she might be troublesome, but who knew she works quietly every day, putting effort into every task assigned, neither competing nor prone to petty quarrels. When Xiao Juan and Yindie argue, it's always her who mediates."
Qinglan, who had been about to eat a piece of cake, paused and furrowed her delicate brows. "Mama, what do you mean..."
Wu Mama said, "What I mean is, for a concubine to establish herself in this household, how can she not cultivate a few trusted aides? We must plan for the long term. Once the mourning period for Old Madam Zeng is over, the Grand Master will return to the capital, and Madam will follow. Without that great support and without a few loyal people by your side, I'm afraid you'll be bullied. Xianglan is young, honest-hearted, and never says an unnecessary word—she seems like a good choice."
Qinglan frowned in thought. She had always felt that Xianglan was as faint as a wisp of smoke, almost nonexistent—cautious and careful in speech and action. Yet because Lin Jinlou had promoted her to second-class maid, Qinglan felt somewhat uncomfortable and hadn't valued her highly. But now, thinking back, she seemed to be honest and proper, so she slowly nodded and said, "You're right. I'll pay more attention to that girl."
She immediately summoned Xianglan to her room, kindly rewarded her with a silver ring engraved with a double happiness pattern, and also gave her a bowl of strong tea and a plate of fruits before sending her away.
Xianglan was baffled, unsure why she had received such unexpected rewards. Back in her room, she examined the ring carefully. Though the style was outdated, it had some weight to it. She thought to herself that Concubine Lan was indeed generous and compassionate toward her subordinates, and she happily put the ring away. As for the plate of fruits, she initially wanted to save some for Chunling but then remembered how jealous Chunling could be. Last time, when Qinglan had praised Xianglan's millet tea and rewarded her with an extra dish at noon, Chunling's face had darkened. Later, Chunling hinted that Xianglan shouldn't bother with Concubine Lan's meals anymore: "The concubine is with child and shouldn't eat just anything. Next time you make something for her, let me know first. If she gets sick from it and Madam blames us, none of us will look good."
Now that Qinglan had rewarded her with another plate of fruits, Xianglan thought it better not to mention it and secretly shared them with Xiao Juan instead.
OpenNovel