Chapter 132: Private Matters
Gu Jinzhao returned to the Beautiful Embroidery Hall, utterly furious. Had it been her temperament from her past life, she would have already quarreled with Madam Feng. After calming herself, she instructed Mama Xu, "Write to Cao Ziheng and ask whether Manager Lei truly agreed to this marriage arrangement." Madam Feng wanted to marry Song Xiang to Manager Lei's son, and her motives were certainly not pure. She needed to see how Madam Feng had presented this match to Manager Lei.
Cao Ziheng replied the very next day, saying Manager Lei had also complained to him about it. His scholar son had already taken a liking to a girl from the neighboring family and was about to send a matchmaker to propose when Old Madam Gu insisted on marrying Song Xiang to him instead.
They had no idea what kind of character Song Xiang even had. As a servant of the Gu family, Manager Lei couldn't easily refuse.
Jinzhao had guessed that Manager Lei likely wasn't acting willingly. After all, his scholar son was quite opinionated—when Madam Ji had previously arranged a marriage for him, it was called off after he voiced his objections.
Not long after reading the letter, Xu Houcai came to pay his respects to Gu Jinzhao.
She received him in the flower hall. Though only in his thirties, he looked closer to forty, dressed awkwardly in a straight robe and wearing a jovial expression.
Jinzhao dismissed him for the time being, sending word back to Madam Feng that Qingpu needed more time to consider the match.
Madam Feng, though impatient, agreed, confident the matter was already settled.
Mama Tong finally finished investigating Xu Houcai thoroughly before reporting back to Jinzhao.
"...His father was a carpenter, an alcoholic who sold him as a child just to buy New Year's liquor. Xu Houcai even chose his own name. The man has many minor vices—aside from frequenting brothels—but no major flaws..."
A man like Xu Houcai, with no family or connections, had nowhere to embezzle money even if he wanted to. The monthly wages from managing a few tasks were enough for him.
Mama Tong glanced up and noticed Qingpu standing under the corridor, chatting with Yuzhu. Lowering her voice, she continued, "Xu Houcai has been a servant in the Gu household his whole life, illiterate, and only recently became a deputy manager. He’s been longing for a wife. When he heard Tai Furen intended to assign Qingpu to him, he even asked around about her appearance. He wanted a beautiful bride... After hearing others' opinions, he wasn’t satisfied with Qingpu and even took the estate manager out for drinks..."
After Madam Feng's earlier words, Jinzhao remained composed. "He should look at himself first—what kind of wife does he expect? It’s good that he’s unwilling. If he has his eye on any other maid, he’d better come tell me tomorrow. I’ll speak to Grandmother myself."
Mama Tong hesitated before adding, "Eldest Miss, while speaking with the stable maid, I overheard something..."
Seeing Mama Tong’s expression, Jinzhao grew serious. She instructed Caifu to close the door and stand guard outside the eastern chamber before asking, "What is it? You may speak freely."Mama Tong paused before continuing, "It's not a major matter, just something the old woman from the stables mentioned to me. She said there's a young maid from the eastern courtyard who often sneaks to the Affairs Office near the stables and hides things in the crevices of the Taihu rock beside it. They seem to be girlish items—sometimes scented sachets or handkerchiefs, other times snacks. The old woman happened to see this and even picked up some snacks to eat once. The strange thing is, the next day, these items would appear on Manager Zhao from the Affairs Office..."
The eastern courtyard... that would mean someone serving under Madam Feng!
Mama Tong went on, "Such things aren't uncommon, but once the stable woman secretly picked up a handkerchief. It didn't look like something an ordinary maid would use, so I paid her a coin to bring it to you."
She handed the handkerchief to Jinchao, who recognized the material immediately—it was a white crepe silk handkerchief from Hangzhou. Ordinary maids would never be allowed such finery unless gifted by their mistress. Embroidered on it was a cluster of roses.
Jinchao returned the handkerchief to Mama Tong and instructed, "Only a favored maid in Grandmother's service would have something like this. Sending private gifts to a lover... it must be one of the older maids. Find out whose it is and report back to me."
Madam Feng had three most trusted maids, but the eldest among them would undoubtedly be Song Xiang.
When maids reached a certain age, they had to plan for their future. First, they'd look for suitable matches within the household, then inquire about prospects at the Villa. If they found someone, they could ask their mistress for permission. But secret liaisons were absolutely forbidden.
Whoever this maid was, exposing her would surely embarrass Madam Feng.
Jinchao summoned Caifu and gave her an ornate box containing a pair of gold hairpins with intricate phoenix cloud patterns. "Tomorrow, take these to Song Xiang in the eastern courtyard," she said, "tell her I gifted them for her to adorn herself." She had Mama Tong show Caifu the handkerchief. "Your needlework is the finest—examine this embroidery and see if it matches Song Xiang's style..."
Jinchao strongly suspected Song Xiang. If it were her, this could be grounds to refuse Manager Lei's marriage proposal for his son. With Madam Feng's pride wounded, she likely wouldn't interfere with Qingpu's marriage matters for some time.
Mama Tong immediately understood. "I also think Song Xiang is the most likely... Manager Zhao already has a wife. Though he's tall and handsome and manages the Affairs Office, such behavior from a maid is truly disgraceful..."
From her sleeve, Mama Tong produced another item—a white jade hairpin. "Second Miss sent this over, saying it's for Qingpu to wear... Qingpu asked me to show it to you."
Jinchao smiled upon seeing it. "The jade is fine quality. Tell Qingpu to keep it safe—how could we not properly store a gift?"
Was this meant to persuade Qingpu to remain pure as jade rather than compromise like common tile?
Looking at the white jade hairpin, Jinchao was reminded of the pair of white jade paperweights Yao Wenxiu had given Gu Lian. She told Mama Tong, "Send a return gift. From my private collection, find a pair of paperweights... I believe I have Hetian green jade ones with cloud patterns. Wrap them nicely and send them to Gu Lan."
Mama Tong acknowledged and went to carry out the order.The next day, Caifu took the pair of filigree gold hairpins with cloud and phoenix patterns to the eastern courtyard. Song Xiang had just finished serving Madam Feng her lunch and was taking her own meal break. All of Madam Feng's maids lived in the back annex and ate dishes prepared by the outer courtyard kitchen. As Madam Feng's head maid, Song Xiang had her own room but still took meals with the other maids who were off duty.
The maids' meals were simple - millet and wheat steamed buns, a plate of pickles, and a pot of bone broth with radish. The bones were picked so clean that not a shred of meat remained, ensuring no one could gnaw off even a morsel.
Finding the fare unappetizing, Song Xiang went to the small kitchen and requested some braised meat, which she had sliced and wrapped in oiled paper to share with the other maids. As Madam Feng's head maid, the kitchen staff were eager to please her, cutting the meat in generous, thick slices that made the girls salivate.
Song Xiang distributed two slices to each, giving an extra piece to her closer friends. Those who received less tried to ingratiate themselves: "I heard Sister Song Xiang is betrothed to the steward's son from the Third Master's household - not only is he handsome, but he's also a scholar!" The girls held educated men in high esteem; passing the imperial examinations set them apart from commoners, exempting them from taxes and allowing them to stand before magistrates without kneeling.
Song Xiang laughed, "More than just a scholar - Young Master Lei was admitted to the Imperial Academy..." She added another slice to the talkative maid's portion, "Enough chatter - eat more to keep your mouth busy."
Another maid exclaimed, "Then our Sister Song Xiang will become an official's wife! I've heard even some young masters from noble families can't gain admission to the Imperial Academy. This shows how much Tai Furen cherishes you, arranging such an excellent match."
"With Sister Song Xiang's beauty and gentle nature, she's more than worthy of a scholar!"
Amid the laughter, one maid mentioned the second steward from the stables: "That Xu Houcai is apparently engaged too - to one of the young mistress's maids. What a pity for that girl, considering what kind of man Xu Houcai is... Truly, Sister Song Xiang is blessed by Tai Furen's favor to get such a good match. Marrying someone like Xu Houcai would be miserable..."
Song Xiang smiled, "You haven't even seen what that maid looks like. If anything, she might be unworthy of Xu Houcai..."
Her marriage to a scholar was naturally due to her own merits. Had she been plain or ill-tempered, would Tai Furen have arranged such a match?
Caifu, who had been listening outside, finally entered with a smile, "...Am I interrupting, sisters?"
Seeing an unfamiliar maid, Song Xiang stood. Caifu introduced herself, "This servant is from Beautiful Embroidery Hall. Our young mistress sent me to deliver something to Miss Song Xiang. Might we speak privately?"
Noticing the brocade box in Caifu's hand and recalling that the young mistress from Beautiful Embroidery Hall was part of the Lei family she would marry into...
Song Xiang invited Caifu to her room with a smile, pouring her some water. "How kind of you to make this trip."
Caifu showed her the gift, "...The young mistress said this is for your adornment."Song Xiang was utterly dazzled. Though she had seen many fine things while serving Madam Feng, she had never witnessed anyone bestowing such lavish gifts upon a maid! Her opinion of the young mistress from the other branch of the family improved greatly. Accepting the gift with a smile, she said, "Please convey my thanks to the young mistress for me!" She then opened her vanity case and took out a packet of filigree candy she had been saving, handing it to Caifu. "...Take this as a little treat."
Caifu declined politely, but Song Xiang insisted. With a wry smile, Caifu said, "I really shouldn't eat sweets anymore. If you insist on giving me something, I'd much prefer a scented sachet or handkerchief—something I can actually use. I've heard your embroidery is famously exquisite!"
Song Xiang was slightly puzzled—her needlework wasn't that remarkable. Assuming it was just polite flattery, she fetched several expensive handkerchiefs from her box and gave them to Caifu, adding that she would visit her when she had time.
Accepting the handkerchiefs, Caifu smiled and said, "...Don't forget your promise."
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