After Huamei left, Qinglan told Wu Mama about her promise to host the poetry club. Wu Mama was immediately shocked and said, "My dear Concubine, how could you agree to this?"
Qinglan was taken aback and said, "What's wrong with agreeing? I'm discussing with you how to manage the poetry club, aren't I? I'm young and inexperienced, never having handled such a grand occasion. You've seen much more of the world, and I still need to rely on you for everything."
Unexpectedly, Wu Mama gritted her teeth and angrily cursed, "I knew that little wench Huamei was up to no good, leading the Concubine onto a pirate ship!" Seeing Qinglan's bewildered expression, she couldn't help but sigh and said, "Does the Concubine think hosting a poetry club is just a game, something that can be settled with a mere flick of the tongue? In ordinary wealthy families, poetry clubs are just for the women in the inner quarters to amuse themselves, but here it's different. Madam has good connections, and the Master's official reputation is prestigious. If our family hosts a poetry club, it would be equivalent to gathering all the prominent ladies and young misses of Jinling in our mansion. For such an occasion, one must consider every detail and ensure everyone is satisfied. Earning a single word of praise is extremely difficult. Do you know why Second Miss loves hosting poetry clubs? It's precisely because she is still unmarried. If she handles such occasions well, who wouldn't praise her as virtuous and capable, competing to marry her into their family?"
When Qinglan heard how difficult Wu Mama made it sound initially, she also showed a troubled expression. But hearing the latter part, she perked up and laughed, "If I handle such an occasion well, wouldn't I also earn praise? You always say I have no backing in the mansion, fearing that once Madam is gone, I'll suffer and be bullied. Now is the perfect opportunity to make a name for myself. Why should I back down?"
Wu Mama nearly rolled her eyes and said with a bitter smile, "My dear Concubine! Second Miss handles it well because Madam is there to support and guide her. Does the Concubine have such great face to ask Madam to come and help you manage it? Moreover, the Concubine is heavily pregnant. Shouldn't you be focusing on resting and nurturing the baby? How can you exhaust yourself like this? Listen to me, give up on this idea, alright?"
Qinglan pouted, somewhat displeased.
Wu Mama looked at Qinglan's fresh, flower-like cheeks and sighed again, thinking that this Concubine Lan was just an inexperienced young wife of eighteen or nineteen. Her voice softened as she said, "If the Concubine wants to host a poetry club, why not wait until after the child is born and you've recovered? For these few months, the Concubine should focus on your own health and not dwell on unnecessary thoughts that drain your energy. If anything happens to the baby in your womb, not only will we be worried and anxious, but the Eldest Master will also be heartbroken."
After much persuasion and coaxing, unfortunately, Qinglan was stubborn and single-minded, intent on showing off in front of others. At this moment, her stubbornness flared up, and the more she was told not to do something, the more determined she became to do it, refusing to change her mind no matter what.
Wu Mama had no choice but to go find Qin Shi. Qin Shi frowned and scolded, "Nonsense!" Her brows deeply furrowed. She had chosen Qinglan after careful consideration precisely because the girl had a gentle and compliant nature, a simple mind without too many twists and turns. Otherwise, if a virtuous concubine were to compete for power and favor with the main wife, the inner quarters would be thrown into chaos and unrest. But now it seemed that being too simple-minded wasn't necessarily a good thing either.
After thinking for a while, Qin Shi said to Wu Mama, "It's fine. Let her host it if she wants to."
Wu Mama was stunned.Qin Shi said, "Since she entered the household, she hasn't suffered any setbacks. This time, learning a lesson from this setback isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, one thing is crucial: her pregnancy must be carefully monitored. Keep a close watch on her, have a physician come daily to check her pulse, and if anything seems amiss, report to me immediately so I can arrange for someone to handle matters on her behalf."
Wu Mama accepted the order and left.
After dinner, Xianglan gathered the leftovers into a bowl and took it to the courtyard to feed the cats. Seeing Wu Mama sitting on the corridor, sighing deeply, she approached and said, "It's almost dark, Mama. Are you sitting here feeding the mosquitoes?"
Wu Mama, who had been longing for someone to confide in, immediately poured out her troubles to Xianglan, recounting the whole story of how Qinglan had agreed to host the poetry club.
Upon hearing this, Xianglan's expression turned serious. "This is no trivial matter," she said. "Given the Concubine's status, she shouldn't have taken on such a responsibility. What will Da Nǎinai think when she finds out? Moreover, organizing such an event requires careful budgeting, ensuring it's engaging, and upholding the Lin family's reputation—it's even more challenging than preparing the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet."
Wu Mama was inwardly surprised by Xianglan's insight, thinking, "This young girl speaks as if she's managed a wealthy household's affairs herself." Aloud, she replied, "Exactly! And to make matters worse, some of the officials' wives are notoriously critical. While embarrassing the family is one thing, my greatest fear is that something might happen to the Concubine's pregnancy. How could I face the Eldest Master and Madam then?" She sighed worriedly, "Though I've been with the Lin family for decades, I've never helped organize such a banquet. The Concubine insists on relying on this old woman for everything. Ah..."
Xianglan also sighed. "The Concubine really shouldn't have agreed to such a difficult task." She then asked, "When is the poetry club scheduled to begin?"
Wu Mama replied, "In half a month."
As they were talking, they suddenly heard Yindie's loud voice from the tea room: "...Sister, there's no need to use Xianglan to intimidate me. So what if she has a fox-like charm and knows how to play pitiful in front of the masters? Do you think I don't know what kind of Fox spirit she is?"
Then, Chunling's calm voice followed: "She's the Eldest Master's favorite and holds a second-rank position. Why make trouble for yourself? In my opinion, it's better to let it go and just do whatever she asks."
Yindie's voice grew shrill and sharp, filled with irritation: "I'm not as easygoing as you, Sister Chunling. Where has all your usual authority gone? Why be afraid of her?"
Chunling lowered her voice and said a few more words, but they were too muffled to make out clearly.
Wu Mama immediately glanced at Xianglan, who remained composed. "What is this about?" Wu Mama asked.
Xianglan gave an awkward smile. "It's all because of that ointment the Eldest Master gave me."
Wu Mama disapproved strongly. "If the Eldest Master rewards you, it's his prerogative. What are they making a fuss about?... I never thought much of that Yindie girl—she's not exactly kind-hearted. But she's efficient at work and knows how to please the Concubine, so I’ve turned a blind eye. Who knew she could speak so viciously behind someone's back?"Xianglan thought to herself, "Yindie and I entered the mansion on the same day, and we're about the same age. Yet I was promoted to second-class maid before her. Being competitive by nature, she must feel resentful. Moreover, she has designs on the Eldest Master herself. Seeing him give me that box of ointment must have deepened her bitterness." Suddenly recalling that Lin Jinlou had given her a box of imperial palace ointment, she realized the news had likely spread throughout the entire household by now. Growing alarmed, she straightened her expression and said to Wu Mama, "I'd like to ask you a favor... As the Eldest Master's wet nurse, he respects you most. If you could speak to him, would you persuade him to take back that box of ointment? Better yet, if he could publicly scold me harshly, I might finally have a few peaceful days."
Wu Mama chuckled and tapped Xianglan's forehead. "Do you think the Eldest Master gives face to just anyone? Silly girl, even Da Nǎinai wasn't fortunate enough to receive that ointment. Since he gave it to you, you should keep it. Remember my words - though times are difficult now, there will be benefits for you later. You're different from the others. Looking at you, I can tell you're destined for fortune and greatness..."
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