Chapter 14: Bait
The winter New Year passed in quietude—the lively places grew livelier, while the desolate ones became even more so. No one had visited Jiang Ruan's courtyard for a long time, but the three of them cherished this rare stretch of peaceful days.
The morning air was crisp and fresh. Zisu and Lianqiao sat by the door, mending clothes. Their garments were old beyond repair, patched over and over again. Though both were skilled at embroidery and could mend them with floral designs to make them wearable, even the brightly colored threads were precious to them. Such delicate patches were not something they could afford to use often.
The girl sat quietly by the window, intently reading the pages before her. Sunlight spilled over her delicate profile, her long, butterfly-wing-like lashes fluttering gently. Her eyes were pure and beautiful, exuding a softness that tugged at the heartstrings.
Lianqiao, glancing back absentmindedly, found herself momentarily entranced. She mused that her young mistress was truly a rare beauty in this world—serene and gentle in quiet moments like a tranquil landscape painting, yet capable of a sharp, striking allure when her temper flared.
Noticing Lianqiao's distraction, Zisu also turned to look and remarked thoughtfully, "Our young lady has grown taller now. Her old clothes barely fit anymore. Spring is coming soon—we should find time to make her a couple of new outfits."
"Easier said than done," Lianqiao sighed, snapping back to reality as she continued sewing a button. "The New Year's allowance was cut in half. New clothes require fabric, and where are we supposed to get that? I think we’ll have to gather herbs from the mountains again, sell them, and save up to buy some cloth for Miss." She paused, then added, "Our young lady is so lovely, yet all she wears are these shabby old things. Girls her age elsewhere dress like flowers, but our Miss doesn’t even have a single bright garment. What a waste of her beauty! If she wore fine clothes, she’d outshine every young lady in the capital!"
Zisu couldn’t help but laugh at Lianqiao’s words. "You and your sweet talk. Right now, we can’t even think about the capital—who knows when we’ll return to the mansion?"
At the mention of returning, both of their moods dampened. After a long silence, Lianqiao shook her head. "Let’s not dwell on it. Didn’t Miss say we’d go back after the New Year? I believe she already has a plan. We shouldn’t worry."
Zisu nodded. "She is clever, but... I just hope nothing goes wrong."
As they spoke, there was a knock at the door. It was Xiao Yuan, the maid delivering firewood. The estate had allocated them firewood instead of charcoal—undoubtedly on someone’s orders. Every winter was the hardest time for the three of them, and the firewood was strictly rationed, not a single piece more. Zhang Lan truly had no fear of freezing them to death.
Xiao Yuan greeted Jiang Ruan respectfully before efficiently unloading the firewood from her basket. Lianqiao helped, and when they finished, Xiao Yuan glanced at the clothes in Zisu’s hands and smiled. "Sister Zisu, your needlework is so skillful—the stitches are tight and sturdy, yet invisible from the outside."
Zisu smiled faintly. "It’s just something to pass the time. Besides, who pays attention to what’s worn under layers?""Sister Zisu, you're mistaken," Xiao Yuan shook her head. "Mother had a new peach-red short jacket made for me this year, but while working, I accidentally tore a hole under the arm. I wanted to mend it, but that spot isn't easy to fix—it might still show if I'm not careful. It's been quite a bother. If only I had skills like yours, I wouldn’t have to worry."
"What’s so difficult about that?" Lianqiao handed the basket back to Xiao Yuan. "Just have Zisu mend it for you."
"Really?" Xiao Yuan looked at Zisu with bright, hopeful eyes.
Zisu smiled and nodded. "Of course, but I don’t have peach-colored thread here. You’ll have to bring the thread along."
"No problem! Thank you, Sister Zisu. You’re so kind." Xiao Yuan immediately beamed. "If I’d known you were this easy to talk to, I would’ve visited more often. I’ve got a whole pile of clothes at home that are torn and hastily stitched up."
"You little rascal," Lianqiao pretended to scold. "Always trying to take advantage of us. Everyone knows you maids serving outside live quite lavishly—what tattered clothes could you possibly have?"
"Who says we live lavishly?" Xiao Yuan pouted. "Even though it’s quieter here, I’d much rather serve someone as kind as our young lady. To be honest with you both, the ones outside are truly hard to please. Not to mention Nanny Lan, even her youngest son is no good—always causing trouble. But lately, he’s gone too far. Rumor has it he secretly sold a piece of the family’s land behind Nanny Lan’s back. When she found out last night, she flew into a rage. These days, none of us maids dare speak up, afraid of setting her off."
"Oh? Is that true?" Zisu exchanged a glance with Lianqiao. "Chen Zhao may be mischievous, but he’s never been one to spend recklessly. How could he have sold land?"
"Exactly," Lianqiao chimed in. "You’re not pulling our leg, are you?"
"Not at all!" Xiao Yuan waved her hands. "Even the maids in charge of outside purchases know about it. Nanny Lan was furious that day. When she asked him where the money went, he didn’t know—she even turned his room upside down. Guess what they found? Not a single coin left!"
"Ah!" Lianqiao gasped. "That’s truly strange. A piece of land could fetch a good sum—how could he have spent it all in just a few days? Did the money sprout wings and fly away?"
"Nanny Lan was baffled too, but he refused to say a word. In the end, they had a huge fight, and he stormed off." Xiao Yuan sighed.
The three of them continued discussing the matter, each offering their own speculations about Chen Zhao. As the sky darkened, Xiao Yuan got up to leave, and Lianqiao escorted her to the courtyard gate. Zisu set down the clothes she was holding and walked over to Jiang Ruan, who was reading. Jiang Ruan looked up with a faint smile. "He’s got quite the nerve, selling land just like that."
"Young lady," Zisu frowned. "This servant doesn’t know what happened, but I suspect you had a hand in the land sale. It’s been weighing on my mind, but I’m too slow-witted to figure it out."
"Can’t figure it out?" Jiang Ruan chuckled. "It’s quite simple." Before she could finish, Lianqiao’s voice rang out from outside, "What do think you’re doing barging in here? Have you no manners?"
Another voice, thick with anger, retorted, "Out of my way! Let me in!"Zisu couldn't help but freeze for a moment—the voice was all too familiar, it was Chen Fang. But what was Chen Fang doing here?
Jiang Ruan, however, smiled nonchalantly and simply spread her hands, saying, "Look, you'll understand very soon."
(End of Chapter)
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