Early the next morning, Xianglan stood in the courtyard with a long-spouted watering can, silently reciting the Great Compassion Mantra as she watered the flowers. It was early summer, and clusters of balsam flowers had bloomed by the stone wall. Several maids from the main household were gathered around, plucking the blossoms to use for dyeing their nails later.
Xianglan usually avoided the maids from the main household whenever possible. She finished watering the plants quickly, then dragged the can along as she walked back under the shade of the trees, keeping her head down. Suddenly, she heard someone call out, "Xianglan, sister Xianglan!"
She stopped and turned to see Ying Shuang, Zhao Yuechan's head maid, waving at her from behind a flower trellis, a bright smile on her face. Ying Shuang wasn't particularly pretty—with high cheekbones and a sharp chin, her features were somewhat severe, though they softened when she smiled. The sight of Ying Shuang calling her made Xianglan's scalp prickle, but she had no choice but to approach, lowering her eyes submissively. "What can I do for you, sister Ying Shuang?" she asked.
Ying Shuang popped a date into her mouth and laughed. "Oh, it's nothing! I just saw you and thought I'd chat for a bit." She shoved a handful of dates wrapped in a handkerchief into Xianglan's hands. "Here, have some. These were picked last autumn, dried, and stored in jars. Only a few are taken out now and then for the masters' porridge or soup—they're quite precious this time of year."
Xianglan hastily waved her hands. "They're so rare—you should keep them for yourself."
Ying Shuang forced them into her grip. "Just eat them! I have plenty."
Xianglan had no choice but to accept, though inwardly she thought, Unwarranted kindness is either deceit or theft. What's Ying Shuang really after? The Master himself gave orders that Concubine Lan, being with child, no longer needs to observe formalities before the main household. Concubine Lan has been keeping her distance too, so the main house and the east wing have stayed out of each other's way. Lately, First Madam has been tightening household discipline—dismissing and punishing many. The Mistress has been as meek as a mouse avoiding a cat, barely stepping outside. So why is Ying Shuang cozying up to a lowly maid like me?
Noticing Xianglan quietly eating the dates without engaging in conversation, Ying Shuang cleared her throat. "You're so diligent, sister, up early to water the flowers. Is the work in the east wing heavy? From what I've seen, it seems like you're the only one handling everything inside and out."
Xianglan grew wary but kept a polite smile. "I'm new here and still young—I don't know much and need guidance in everything. How could I possibly handle everything? I just do as I'm told. Whatever Concubine Lan asks, I do."
Ying Shuang waved a hand. "Being young doesn't matter. I may not be the most capable, but I've served the Mistress for years. If you ever have questions, feel free to ask me. And if anyone gives you trouble, just let me know." She paused, expecting Xianglan to thank her, but the girl only smiled bashfully and fiddled with the hem of her sleeve. Pressing further, Ying Shuang added, "I wonder what Concubine Lan usually eats or drinks, or if she has any favorites. Our Mistress often says she pities Concubine Lan for the hardship of carrying a child and wants to send her something nice—but she isn't sure what would be suitable."
Xianglan grinned foolishly. "I'm not in charge of the Concubine's meals, so I don't know what she likes. I only fetch dishes from the kitchen now and then—and even then, I'm all thumbs."Ying Shuang grew impatient inwardly, thinking, "This Xianglan seemed quite clever at first glance, but who knew she'd turn out to be such a simpleton—knowing nothing and just giggling foolishly when questioned... Or perhaps she's actually shrewd? Not showing her hand until she sees advantage? Since the Master personally assigned her here, she must know his affairs. I should try probing further." With this in mind, she drew an old silver butterfly hairpin from her sleeve and pressed it into Xianglan's hand, saying, "This pin was given to me by Taitai two years ago. At my age, wearing this style looks too youthful. If you don't mind it, take it."
Xianglan hastily declined, flustered. "How could I possibly accept this?"
Ying Shuang laughed. "Why not? Taitai has all manner of gold and silver jewelry. Just the other day, she gave me a gold bracelet. She even told me that after quietly observing how clever and diligent you are, she's considering asking Concubine Lan to transfer you to the main household." She forced the hairpin into Xianglan's hand.
Xianglan murmured, "Taitai flatters me too much. I'm not that capable."
Ying Shuang pressed further, "Does the Master visit the east wing every day when he returns from outside?"
Xianglan replied, "I don't know if it's every day. Sometimes the Master comes by the east wing. Whenever he visits, it's Chun Ling who attends to him. I just do needlework or serve tea—I'm not often at the front." As she spoke, she noticed Chun Ling standing by the window, casting frequent glances their way, and added, "I should go back now." She returned the hairpin to Ying Shuang. "One shouldn't accept rewards without merit. You should keep this pin, sister." With that, she turned and scurried back.
No sooner had she returned to the tea room and set down the kettle than Chun Ling approached and asked, "What was Ying Shuang saying to you under the flower trellis just now?"
Xianglan answered, "First, she offered me some dates and praised me, then tried to give me a silver hairpin. She asked what Concubine Lan likes to eat, drink, and do, and whether the Master visits daily. But as the concubine's maid, how could I tell them such things? So I said I knew nothing and returned the hairpin." She opened her palm. "Here are a few dates she gave me. You can have them if you'd like."
Chun Ling sneered. "I knew those demons and monsters from the main household were up to no good. Since they know I won't entertain them, they target you new girls instead. Pah! They're delusional! Yesterday, Taitai specially sent Hongjian with tonics and inquired after the concubine's health, giving strict instructions. If Taitai finds out they've been prying into the concubine's affairs and stirs up trouble, we'll be in deep trouble. You did well today. Avoid getting involved with the main household from now on. Keep the dates for yourself—I'll take the concubine for a stroll in the garden." Noticing Xiao Juan wiping the window frames with a cloth, she added, "It's sunny today. Later, take the quilts from the trunks and air them out." Then she lifted the curtain and left.
The moment she was gone, Xiao Juan immediately said to Xianglan, "What does she mean by 'you did well today'? The nerve of her! Always putting on airs as if she's the head maid. You're a second-rank maid too—why be afraid of her?"
Xianglan stuffed all the dates into Xiao Juan's hands and said, "Let her play head maid if she wants. Why bother arguing with her?"Xiao Juan pouted, "She's always bossing me around, making me do her work while she runs off to flaunt herself in front of the masters... Xianglan, if you get promoted to first rank, you could put her in her place."
Xianglan popped a date into Xiao Juan's mouth and said, "Hush now. Even food can't keep your little mouth busy?" She patted Xiao Juan's head with a laugh before turning to enter the room. Standing by the bed, she let out a long sigh. Though she felt there was no future for her in the east wing, she would never think of currying favor with the Taitai—playing with fire was no joke. She poured half a bowl of warm tea, drank it, then opened her chest to take out a pale green jacket she had made the day before, carefully stitching the lining.
Xiao Juan, still chewing on the date, followed her in and plopped down on the bed, hanging her head. "I thought after all the bullying at Taitai's place, coming to Concubine Lan's would finally be our chance to breathe easy. But barely a few good days in, and here comes another nuisance."
Xianglan smiled. "Isn't that just how life is? One hurdle after another. You think once you've crossed the Flaming Mountains, the road ahead will be smooth and carefree. But just as you let your guard down, you realize there's a boiling pot of oil waiting—old troubles linger, new ones arise, and there's never a moment's rest." She spoke while her hands flew nimbly with needle and thread.
Xiao Juan blinked. "Never a moment's rest? Then what's the point of living?"
"There's a saying: 'Eight or nine out of ten things in life go wrong.' That means only one or two things go right. Focus on the one or two, dwell less on the eight or nine, and your heart will feel lighter. Back when I was with Cousin, I did the work of three people, often scolded and slighted, left with scraps for food and clothes. But now with Concubine Lan, the work is lighter, the pay better, no one glares at me, and I even get rewards from the mistress. Sure, there's Chun Ling who loves to steal the spotlight, but compared to before, what does that matter? Let her have the glory—why fight over it now?" Xianglan bit off the thread and shook out the jacket.
Xiao Juan grumbled, "Why should she get it? I can't swallow this... Besides, what do we have here? You haven't seen Taitai's quarters—Sister Hongjian, Sister Lu Lan, they're the real deal. First-rank maids, practically young mistresses of the Lin household. They have their own rooms, maids to order around, monthly allowances several times ours, and lavish rewards. You think Concubine Lan's silver ring is generous? The bracelets Taitai gives Hongjian—any one of them is solid gold!"
Xianglan laughed. "You envy the dignified maids around Taitai, but maybe they envy the Lin family's young misses, dressed in silks, waited on hand and foot, destined to marry well and live as mistresses. And the Lin misses? Maybe they envy the daughters of nobility, born as princesses or ladies, whom they must bow and scrape to... Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable. Better to know your own mind and not compete. To live contentedly, first learn to cherish what you have."
Seeing Xiao Juan still looking bewildered, Xianglan knew she was too young to have tasted life's hardships. Smiling, she pinched Xiao Juan's cheek.Xiao Juan let out a yelp and pounced, "How bold! How dare you harass a virtuous maiden!" As she spoke, she reached out to tickle Xianglan, and the two of them tumbled together in laughter and play.
Just then, a voice called from the hall, "Where is everyone? Where have you all gone?"
Xianglan quickly pushed Xiao Juan away, straightened her clothes and hair, and went out to look. She saw Lin Jinlou reclining lazily on the crabapple beauty couch, his official hat tossed onto the crabapple table beside him. He leaned against two Aromatic Amaranth Cloud-Patterned Soft Cushions, dressed in his military official's casual attire, with a Gold-Brocaded Eight Treasures Belt cinched at his waist, accentuating his tall, broad-shouldered frame. His feet were clad in black satin court boots, and his eyes were half-lidded in a languid expression.
Thank you to Ban Tai's journal for the two Peace Talismans and five review votes, thank you to Friends Account for the Peace Talisman, thank you to Hua Xi Yue Xi for the two Peace Talismans, thank you to Angelina for the PK vote, thank you to Yue Yue Ai Yue Yue for the Peace Talisman and the long review, and thank you to bobo9676 for the long review—you're all so talented! =3=
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