Early the next morning, Xianglan stood in the courtyard with a long-spouted watering can, silently reciting the Great Compassion Mantra while watering the flowers. Summer had arrived, and clusters of balsam flowers bloomed beside the stones along the courtyard wall. Several maids from the main household were gathered around picking flowers to use for dyeing their nails later.
Xianglan always avoided the maids from the main household whenever possible. She finished watering the plants quickly, then dragged the watering can with her head lowered, walking back along the shaded path. Suddenly, she heard someone calling: "Xianglan, dear sister! Xianglan!"
Xianglan stopped and looked back to see Yingshuang, Zhao Yuechan's chief maid, waving at her from behind a flower trellis, her face beaming with smiles. Yingshuang wasn't particularly beautiful—with high cheekbones and a sharp chin, she had rather severe features, though her smile softened them considerably. Recognizing Yingshuang, Xianglan felt her scalp prickle with unease, but she had no choice but to approach. With downcast eyes and a submissive manner, she asked, "Sister Yingshuang, did you need something from me?"
Munching on dates, Yingshuang laughed lightly. "Oh, what would I need? I just saw you and wanted to chat." She shoved a handkerchief-wrapped bundle of dates into Xianglan's hands. "Have some dates! These were picked last autumn, dried, and stored in jars. They only bring out a few for the masters' porridge or soup—quite precious to have at this time of year."
Xianglan hastily waved her hands. "They're so rare, you should keep them for yourself, sister."
Yingshuang insisted, pushing them into Xianglan's grasp. "If I say eat them, then eat them. I have more."
Xianglan had no choice but to accept them, thinking to herself: "Unbidden kindness always has ulterior motives. What scheme is Yingshuang brewing? The Eldest Master himself gave orders that Concubine Lan, being with child, no longer needs to observe formalities before the main wife. Concubine Lan has been keeping out of sight too—the main household and the east wing have been keeping to their own sides. Lately, First Madam has been strictly managing household affairs, dismissing many from their posts, with punishments and beatings. Da Nǎinai has been as timid as a mouse avoiding a cat, hardly even stepping outside. So why is Yingshuang trying to cozy up to a junior maid like me now?"
Seeing Xianglan quietly eating the dates without engaging in conversation, Yingshuang cleared her throat. "You're so diligent, sister, watering flowers so early in the morning. Is there much work in the east wing? Heavy? From what I've observed, it seems like you're the only one managing everything inside and out."
Xianglan grew wary but kept a smile on her face. "I've just entered the household and I'm still young—I don't understand much and still need guidance everywhere. How could I possibly manage everything? I just follow orders—whatever Concubine tells me to do, I do."
Yingshuang said, "What does being young matter? Though I'm not particularly capable, I've served in Da Nǎinai's presence for a few years after all. If there's anything you don't understand later, feel free to ask me. If anyone bullies you, just tell me." She paused, expecting Xianglan to offer some words of thanks or politeness, but Xianglan only gave a simple-minded smile and lowered her head to fiddle with the hem of her clothes. Yingshuang then probed further: "I wonder what Concubine Lan usually eats and drinks, what things she likes. Our mistress often mentions that Concubine Lan must be having a hard time with her pregnancy and wants to send her something, but doesn't know what would be suitable."
Xianglan grinned foolishly. "The Concubine's meals aren't my responsibility, and I don't know what she likes to eat. I only occasionally fetch dishes from the kitchen, and I'm still clumsy at it."Yingshuang grew anxious inwardly, thinking, "Xianglan seemed quite clever at first glance, but who knew she'd turn out to be such a simpleton—knowing nothing when questioned and just grinning foolishly... Or perhaps she's actually shrewd? Holding back until she sees some advantage? Since she was personally assigned by the Eldest Master, she must know his affairs. I should try to draw her out a bit more." With this thought, she pulled an old silver butterfly hairpin from her sleeve and pressed it into Xianglan's hand, saying, "This pin was given to me by Da Nǎinai the year before last. At my age, wearing this style looks too youthful. If you don't mind it, younger sister, please take it."
Xianglan hastily declined, appearing flustered. "How could I possibly accept this?"
Yingshuang laughed. "Why ever not? Da Nǎinai has all sorts of gold and silver jewelry. Just the other day, she gave me a gold bracelet. She even told me that, upon quietly observing how clever and diligent you are, she's considering asking Concubine Lan to transfer you to the main household." She firmly shoved the hairpin into Xianglan's hand.
Xianglan murmured, "Da Nǎinai praises me too highly. I'm not nearly that capable."
Yingshuang then asked, "Does the Eldest Master go to the east wing every day when he returns from outside?"
Xianglan replied, "I'm not sure if it's every day. Sometimes the Eldest Master comes by the east wing to look around. Whenever he visits, it's Chunling who attends to him. I only handle needlework, serve tea, and fetch water—I don't always go to the front." As she spoke, she noticed Chunling standing by the window from the corner of her eye, frequently glancing their way. She said, "I should get back." She pushed the hairpin back into Yingshuang's hand. "I can't accept rewards without merit. Please keep this hairpin for yourself, elder sister." With that, she turned and hurried back at a trot.
Just as she returned to the tea room and set down the pot, Chunling came over and asked, "What were you and Yingshuang talking about under the trellis just now?"
Xianglan said, "Yingshuang first offered me some dates and praised me, then tried to give me a silver hairpin. She asked what Concubine usually likes to eat, drink, and do, and whether the Eldest Master comes every day. As Concubine's maid, how could I tell them such things? So I said I didn't know anything and returned the hairpin." She opened her hand. "I still have a few dates here. You can have them to try."
Chunling sneered, "I knew those troublemakers from the main household were up to no good. Knowing I don't like them, they target you new maids instead. Pah! They're blind to their own schemes! Yesterday, Madam specially sent Hongjian to deliver tonic medicines and inquired about Concubine's health, giving repeated instructions. If Da Nǎinai and her lot find out about Concubine's affairs and stir up trouble, we'll be in serious trouble. You did well today. Keep your distance from the main household's people in the future. Keep the dates for yourself. I'm going to help Concubine take a stroll in the garden." Noticing Xiao Juan wiping the window lattice with a cloth, she added, "It's sunny today. Later, take the quilts out from the trunks to air them." Then she lifted the curtain and left.
As soon as she was gone, Xiao Juan immediately said to Xianglan, "What does she mean by 'you did well today'? She talks so high and mighty, putting on airs every day as if she's the head maid. You're a second-rank maid too—why be afraid of her?"
Xianglan shoved all the dates in her hand into Xiao Juan's and said, "If she wants to act like the head maid, let her. Why bother arguing with her?"Xiao Juan pouted, "Usually she's always ordering me to do this and that, even tasks that should be hers she pushes onto me, then runs to the master to claim credit... Xianglan, if you get promoted to first rank, you could outrank her."
Xianglan picked up a date and stuffed it into Xiao Juan's mouth, saying, "Enough of that, can't even a treat keep your little mouth quiet?" She patted Xiao Juan's head with a laugh and turned to enter the room. Standing before the bed, she let out a long sigh. Even though she felt there was no future for her in the east wing, she would never think of currying favor with Da Nǎinai—wasn't bargaining with a tiger just playing with fire? She poured half a bowl of warm tea and drank it, then opened the chest and took out a pale green jacket she had made yesterday, adding decorative edging to the back.
Xiao Juan followed her in, chewing on the date, and plopped down by the bed, hanging her head. "I thought after putting up with mistreatment at Da Nǎinai's place, I'd finally have it better here with Concubine Lan. Who knew after just a few good days, there'd be someone like this to annoy us."
Xianglan smiled. "Isn't life just like that—one hurdle after another? You think once you've crossed the Flaming Mountains, there's a smooth road ahead where you can relax freely. But just when you let your guard down, you realize there's a giant oil cauldron waiting. Old troubles haven't even left, and new ones emerge—there's never a moment's rest." As she spoke, her hands kept busy, her needle flying through the fabric.
Xiao Juan blinked. "Never a moment's rest? Then what's the point of living?"
"There's a saying, 'Eighty to ninety percent of life is unsatisfactory,' which means only ten to twenty percent goes as wished. Focus more on the 'ten to twenty' and less on the 'eighty to ninety'—worry less, and your heart will feel lighter. Back when I was with the young mistress, I did the work of three people, often faced harsh criticism and bullying, and got the leftovers in food and clothing. But now with Concubine Lan, the workload is lighter, the pay is better, no one gives me dirty looks, and I often get rewards from the master. Even if there's a Chunling who loves to steal the spotlight, what is that compared to before? Let her have the spotlight—why fight over it now?" Xianglan bit off the thread and shook out the garment.
Xiao Juan grumbled, "Why should she get it? I can't swallow this... Besides, what do we have here? You haven't seen Madam's quarters—Sister Hongjian and Sister Lulan are so impressive, first-rank senior maids, practically deputy young ladies of the Lin mansion. They not only have their own rooms and maids to order around, but their monthly allowance is several times higher than ours, plus they get generous rewards. You think Concubine Lan giving a silver ring is generous? The bracelets Madam gives Hongjian are solid gold, any one of them."
Xianglan laughed. "You envy the respectable maids by Madam's side, but maybe they're jealous of the Lin family's young ladies—dressed in silks, served hand and foot, destined to marry well and live as mistresses in luxury. And the Lin young ladies might envy the daughters of royalty, born as princesses or ladies, whom they have to bow to and flatter carefully... Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable. We just need to hold firm to our own path—why compete with others? To live comfortably, first learn to cherish your blessings and be content."
After saying this, Xianglan saw Xiao Juan still looked confused and realized she was too young to have tasted life's hardships. She smiled and pinched Xiao Juan's cheek.Xiao Juan let out a playful "Aow!" and pounced forward, exclaiming, "How dare you flirt with a respectable young lady!" 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 main hall, "Where is everyone? Where have you all gone?"
Xianglan quickly pushed Xiao Juan away, straightened her clothes and smoothed her hair, then went out to look. She saw Lin Jinlou reclining lazily on the crabapple daybed, his official cap tossed carelessly on the nearby crabapple table. He leaned against two soft cushions of ornate python robe in autumn fragrance hue, dressed in his military official's casual attire, with a woven gold eight-treasure belt cinched at his waist—accentuating his tall, broad-shouldered frame. On his feet were black satin court boots, and he half-closed his eyes with an air of leisurely indolence.
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