Qinglan was brimming with enthusiasm as she pulled Wu Mama aside to discuss the poetry club matters, sending Chunling to seek advice from Lin Dongqi. Only when they began drafting the guidelines did she realize how trivial and complicated everything was. The first dilemma was the guest list—Lin Dongqi, being a young lady, could simply invite other madams and young ladies from respectable families. But Qinglan was a concubine. If she didn’t invite the favored concubines of other households, she would appear tactless and risk being ostracized in official circles. Yet inviting them might upset the principal wives. The guest list alone became an endless deliberation. Then came the refreshments, dishes, expenses, shopping trips, and even the poetry themes—each detail presented its own challenges.
Coming from a humble background, Qinglan had never learned such social graces or the art of hosting. Lacking experience and easily overwhelmed, she grew irritated listening to Wu Mama and Chunling’s back-and-forth discussions. Though she disliked handling these matters, she had already committed and had to press on. At first, she tried to direct things with vigor, but her efforts only led to greater chaos. Soon, she began complaining of headaches one day and backaches the next, leaving all responsibilities to Wu Mama. Yet she still insisted on outshining everyone, demanding perfection in every detail. Each time Wu Mama and the others completed a task, Qinglan would nitpick relentlessly. After four or five days, there was virtually no progress.
Qinglan hadn’t assigned Xianglan to manage any of this, only using her for minor errands. Xianglan was content with the lighter workload. One day, as Xianglan sat in her room sewing baby clothes, she saw Wu Mama enter, supporting her lower back. She quickly stood and asked, “Mama, what’s wrong?”
Wu Mama sighed. “One word from Concubine Lan, and we’re run off our feet,” she said, sitting on Xianglan’s bed. Xianglan poured her a cup of tea using her own cup.
Wu Mama lamented, “Who knows what our Concubine is thinking? The guest list isn’t even finalized, not a single invitation has been written, yet she obsesses over the menu every day. I suggested hiring a renowned chef from outside, but she finds it too expensive. Then she complains that the family cooks aren’t good enough. When we prepare a list for outside catering, she cuts half the items, telling me, ‘No matter how expensive, we can’t spend fifty taels at once—ten taels at most!’ She wants prestige but isn’t willing to spend. This old bones can’t take it anymore—let someone else handle it if they’re willing!” She took a sip of tea and sneered, “She’s trying to handle delicate porcelain without a diamond drill. She doesn’t do the work herself but still picks faults. No wonder people say those from modest backgrounds are always so timid and narrow-minded.”
Listening to Wu Mama’s complaints, Xianglan frowned slightly. Qinglan was merely a favored concubine of Lin Jinlou, while Wu Mama was his wet nurse. Though a servant, Wu Mama held considerable respect even in Madam’s presence. Her assignment to attend Qinglan during her pregnancy likely had Qin Shi’s approval behind it. Rather than “serving” the concubine, Wu Mama’s role was to deter the other wives and concubines from scheming, given her authoritative status. Yet Lan Yiniang seemed oblivious to Qin Shi’s intentions, treating Wu Mama as nothing more than a servant. Having served decades in the grand household, Wu Mama was a seasoned veteran who usually kept her emotions hidden. For her to openly mock Qinglan as “timid and narrow-minded” showed just how deeply dissatisfied she had become.Moreover, when wealthy families host banquets, it's all about maintaining face. Since they care about appearances, they have to pour vast sums of silver into these events. Avoiding waste is already difficult enough—eschewing extravagance is simply impossible. Though Qinglan was usually generous to the servants, her rewards typically consisted of her old clothes or unwanted jewelry—mere trifles. Now that she had to take out real silver, it naturally pained her.
Xianglan had initially wanted no part in this, but seeing how exhausted Wu Mama looked, her kind heart softened. After a moment's thought, she suggested, "Why not ask Second Miss? Last time she organized the poetry club, she would know which madams and young ladies were invited."
Wu Mama said, "But a concubine's status is different from Second Miss's."
Xianglan immediately understood and smiled faintly. "Mama, you're overthinking this. Why worry about such details? Do we need to send separate invitations for each family's concubines? Just write 'inviting the inner household members of such-and-such family' on the cards. They can bring whomever they please."
Wu Mama froze for a moment, then clapped her hands and laughed. "You're absolutely right! We've been foolish. Since they're all concubines, why insist on confirming each one individually? It's made me lose my head."
Xianglan said, "Just estimate the approximate number of guests. What's important is knowing which families are on good terms with whom, who shouldn't sit together, and how to arrange the seating. Also, we need to consider dietary restrictions—which madams are Buddhist vegetarians, which prefer meat dishes. These are the pressing matters."
She became so absorbed in her thoughts that she completely missed Wu Mama's astonished expression. Continuing gracefully, she said, "We don't need too many guests—a dozen or so prominent ladies would suffice. With our family's madams and young ladies included, about twenty people would make for a lively gathering without being overwhelming. Though the concubine has given limited silver, there are ways to work with less. Wealthy families are particular about refined cuisine, but they've grown tired of exotic delicacies. Why not bring fresh fruits and vegetables from the estate? I recall Eldest Master owns Shunfu Restaurant—I've heard their chefs can prepare dishes with flowers and blossoms, both novel and beautiful. We could invite them to prepare a Hundred Flowers Banquet. The focus wouldn't be on the food itself but on the novelty. As for flowers, our garden has plenty to pick! Though ten taels of silver is still too little—for such a banquet, we'd need at least thirty taels..."
Just as she reached this point, Yindie entered. Seeing Wu Mama sitting on Xianglan's bed and the two conversing intimately, she felt somewhat uncomfortable. "I just went to the kitchen to get some lotus root for the concubine's porridge," she said. "Mother Fang wasn't there, so the supervisor asked me to inform you." Her eyes drifted to the white porcelain cup in Wu Mama's hand. Thinking it was hers, she grew even more displeased, muttering inwardly, "How nice—using others' things to curry favor." But when she glanced at the table and saw her own cup still sitting there untouched, she fell silent.
Wu Mama noticed but pretended not to see, saying calmly, "I understand. You may go." After Yindie left, she asked Xianglan, "Where do you think we should hold the poetry club? The concubine suggested Autumn-Clipping Pavilion again."
Xianglan thought for a moment. "Madam favors Autumn-Clipping Pavilion. Wouldn't we be competing with her if we used it? Isn't Green-Gathering Residence still vacant? It's been converted into a flower nursery now. Why not hold it there? It's quiet, saves us from cleaning, has plenty of flowers and plants, and would provide good inspiration for poetry themes."Wu Mama beamed with delight, taking Xianglan's hand as she said, "My dear girl, I never realized you had such insight. You've truly outshone the one in the house. How did you learn all this?"
Xianglan felt a surge of caution and lowered her head, replying, "I once overheard the young mistress mention how banquets were arranged in her former household. Please don't praise me—I'm just mimicking what I heard without truly understanding it."
Wu Mama simply smiled and patted Xianglan's hand.
Yindie lurked outside the door, peeking through a gap in the curtain. Their voices were too soft for her to catch the conversation, leaving her restless and agitated. After a moment's thought, she scurried to Qinglan and complained, "Ever since Eldest Master rewarded her with that ointment, Xianglan acts as if she's above everyone! Now she's currying favor with Wu Mama—I suspect she's plotting something deceitful!"
Qinglan had never regarded Wu Mama as particularly important, and she disliked Yindie besides. She scolded sharply, "Focus on your duties! Don't bother me with baseless gossip!"
Yindie could only slink away in defeat.
From then on, Wu Mama frequently consulted Xianglan about organizing the poetry club. At first, she would ponder Xianglan's suggestions, but gradually, she recognized that Xianglan's ideas surpassed her own. Eventually, she approached Qinglan to request Xianglan's assistance in managing the poetry club, putting others under Xianglan's direction while she herself oversaw from behind the scenes. Xianglan initially tried to decline, but Wu Mama insisted, "Once the poetry club matters are settled, I'll grant you half a month's leave and an extra month's allowance."
Gritting her teeth, Xianglan agreed, adding, "But on one condition: publicly, it must be said that I'm merely assisting you. Any success should be credited entirely to the Concubine and you—I want no share of the recognition."
Hearing this, Wu Mama studied Xianglan intently before finally nodding. "Very well. It shall be as you say."
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