Liang Chen Mei Jin

Chapter 207: Serving Tea

Madam Chen resided in a five-courtyard mansion. The black-lacquered gate adorned with auspicious beasts holding brass rings stood open, its steps carved with the Five Bats Offering Longevity pattern, flanked by pine and cypress trees. A plaque inscribed with "Tanshan" was partially obscured by the foliage. A young maid was sweeping near the steps and immediately curtsied upon seeing them, greeting cheerfully, "Greetings, Third Master and Third Madam." Another maid hurried inside to announce their arrival.

Jinchao studied the young maid for a moment. She wore a pea-green Short Coat with interlocking branch patterns, her hair tied in twin buns—a girl of about thirteen or fourteen.

She mused how unpredictable fate could be. Who would have guessed that this girl, now a lowly maid sweeping outside, would one day become Madam Chen's most favored attendant?

She signaled Qingpu to give the girl a red envelope and casually asked, "You look quite sweet. What's your name?"

The maid accepted the envelope, her cheeks flushing with excitement as she curtsied in gratitude. "This servant is called Xiaoping."

Xiaoping? Jinchao remembered her previous life, where this girl had been named Qingfu—Madam Chen's most trusted senior maid, someone even the formidable Second Madam Qin dared not slight. Whenever she came to deliver messages, tea and snacks were always prepared for her.

Just then, a matron in a sandalwood-colored Sleeveless Jacket and a jade bracelet emerged from the house, smiling as she curtsied. "This servant greets Third Master and Third Madam. Tai Furen invites you both inside."

Following Third Master Chen in, Jinchao overheard voices behind her: "Xiaoping, come here—we need to heat a pot of water. Tend to the fire."

Xiaoping murmured an acknowledgment, followed by the sound of a broom being set down.

Kitchen work was the least favored among servants—grueling and dirty.

The thought had barely crossed her mind when they reached the fifth courtyard. Madam Chen preferred quiet and simplicity, which was why she resided in the rear chambers of the fifth courtyard, accessible through a side gate leading to the Chen Family's ancestral shrine. Behind it lay a lotus pond, delightfully cool in summer.

Yet the interior was now lively, filled with laughter and chatter.

A maid lifted a fine cloth curtain embroidered with magnolia blossoms. Beyond a rosewood partition screen lay a spacious side chamber where several familiar-looking noblewomen were seated, two of them beside Madam Chen. Jinchao recognized them instantly. Madam Chen sat on an Arhat bed, smiling warmly at her.

The furnishings were all of heavy black lacquer, exuding the weight of time. The embroidered cushions on the stools were in deep blue or pale green. Near a small window stood a long table bearing a two-foot-tall statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, a three-legged qilin incense burner, and a cloisonné plate piled with fresh tangerines, pears, and sponge cakes. Further in were twelve sandalwood lattice windows carved with Infant and Lotus patterns and antique motifs.

Madam Chen beamed. "Third Daughter-in-Law looks lovely in red. Come closer so Mother can see you properly."

Gu Jinzhao froze. Third Master Chen glanced at her and murmured, "Why hesitate? Go on." It suddenly struck her—she was the "Third Daughter-in-Law." She had grown so accustomed to being in the Gu household.

Approaching Madam Chen, she curtsied in greeting. Madam Chen took her hand and introduced the noblewomen: Chang Laofuren, the Duchess of Zheng, Old Madam Wu and her daughter-in-law from Rongxiang Lane, and Second Madam Wu, who had scattered the bridal bed with blessings.Madam Chen spoke softly to her, "Although it's not yet time for the formal family introductions, you can meet your sisters-in-law first."

She pointed to the two women seated nearby for Jinchao to recognize.

Jinchao looked up. To Madam Chen's left sat Second Madam Qin, whose maiden name was Xianlan. She was the wife of Second Master Chen, the current Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shaanxi. Her face bore a gentle smile, her slender phoenix eyes and delicate brows accentuated by a peony bun adorned with a gold hairpin inlaid with rubies. Nearly forty years old, she hailed from the prominent Qin family of Zhending, which had produced a Grand Secretary and no fewer than ten provincial and metropolitan graduates. Madam Qin was the second legitimate daughter of the Qin family's main branch.

She was also a formidable woman... In her past life, Jinchao, naive and inexperienced, had suffered many hidden losses at her hands.

Though Third Master Chen was the legitimate eldest son, household affairs had long been managed by Madam Qin. Firstly, because Jiang Shi was too mild-mannered, and secondly, due to her frail health. Madam Qin came from a prestigious background and had been trained in household management from a young age, giving her considerable authority in the household. Later, as Madam Chen's health declined, she intended to pass the management of the inner household to Jinchao. Madam Qin had set many obstacles in her path. However, she later fell seriously ill and gradually withdrew from these matters...

Jinchao curtsied to Madam Qin and greeted, "Sister-in-law."

Madam Qin smiled and instructed her maid to bring over a gilded box. "Sister-in-law is truly a peerless beauty. You'll receive many gifts during the formal introductions later, so I’ll give my greeting gift now to spare you the trouble."

Jinchao thanked her and handed the box to Qingpu, who stood nearby.

The woman on the other side rose and curtsied with a smile. "Then I must ask Third Sister-in-law for my greeting gift first!"

After Madam Chen introduced her, Jinchao smiled and replied, "Fourth Sister-in-law is too kind." She took a brocade box containing a gold filigree phoenix hairpin with a pearl from Caifu and handed it to her.

Fourth Madam Wang wore a deep purple jacket embroidered with pale yellow peonies and a stone-blue pleated skirt, her hair styled in a phoenix-tail bun and adorned with pearl hairpins. Fair-skinned with thin lips, she was not yet thirty and still retained some charm.

Wang Shi was born in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. Her ancestors were merchants, and it wasn’t until her father’s generation that they produced a metropolitan graduate. Later, her uncle became the Assistant Salt Commissioner of Zhejiang, bringing true prosperity to the family. She married Fourth Master Chen and bore him a son and a daughter.

Jinchao had little impression of Wang Shi, only remembering her as clever—whether under Madam Qin’s management or her own, Wang Shi always fared well. However, her relationship with Fourth Master Chen was not harmonious. Jinchao’s maid had once overheard Wang Shi weeping at night over her husband.

As the women exchanged pleasantries, Third Master Chen remained silent, watching Gu Jinzhao from the side, ready to step in if she struggled. But despite being a new bride, she showed no sign of unease, her expression composed and smiling. So he clasped his hands behind his back and stood steadily.

Just then, a young maid arrived with a message that Sixth Madam had been delayed and asked not to wait for her.

Madam Chen sighed helplessly. "Then we won’t wait for her." She had a maid help her up.

The group proceeded to the main hall in the front courtyard. Madam Chen took her seat in the Grand Preceptor's Chair, while the empty one beside her represented the late Master Chen, who had passed away seven years prior.

Jinchao kowtowed to Madam Chen and the late Master Chen, then served tea and addressed her, "Mother." Madam Chen smiled kindly and handed her a prepared gift from her maid.Jinchao took it in her hands, feeling its weight, and recalled that in her past life, Madam Chen had only given her a pair of white jade bracelets... It seemed much more generous this time.

After the ceremony, Third Master Chen came to her side and said softly, "I’ll accompany you here for now, but General Zhao and Duke Zheng are still present, so I must attend to them. If you need anything, just tell Mother. She’s kind-hearted and won’t make things difficult for you."

Second Master Chen was currently not in the residence, while Fourth Master Chen and Sixth Master Chen held ranks too low to host guests. Only he was suitable to accompany them.

Jinchao glanced up at him. Third Master Chen’s expression was perfectly natural, as if this were the most ordinary thing. This was the inner quarters of the Chen Family… Did he think she would be bullied without his protection?

Had Third Master Chen been like this in her past life?

Jinchao tried hard to remember but found no trace of him in her memories… A pang of sorrow struck her, and she replied quietly, "You may go. I’ll stay here and speak with Mother for a while."

Chen Yanyun thought she seemed somewhat reluctant, so he added, "I’ll return shortly."

After a pause, he smiled. "Don’t worry."

Jinchao watched his tall figure, clad in a crimson straight robe, disappear before muttering to herself… What did she have to worry about?

Madam Chen then called Jinchao to sit beside her and asked with a smile, "Did you meet Mama Wang yesterday?"

Jinchao nodded, and Madam Chen continued, "She was the wet nurse of Jiang Shi and used to manage her dowry and household affairs. Third Master only has one daughter, Xi Jie’er, whom you’ll meet soon. She’s still young, so Jiang Shi’s dowry will be under your care until she marries. That’s why I’ve assigned Mama Wang to you—she’s familiar with these matters and can assist you."

Jinchao nodded. "It’s only right that I help my sister. However, perhaps we should keep a ledger of her dowry under your supervision, and I’ll report the monthly earnings to you. What do you think?" She didn’t want anyone to use Jiang Shi’s dowry against her later—she had learned that lesson before.

Madam Chen found her consideration thorough and agreed.

She then summoned Madam Qin and said to Jinchao, "Your second sister-in-law manages the household now. If there’s anything you don’t understand or need, don’t hesitate to ask her."

Madam Qin smiled. "Since you’ve just married into the family, if any maids or servants give you trouble, just let me know, and I’ll deal with them."

Jinchao smiled without responding, thinking that if she couldn’t discipline her own maids and had to rely on Madam Qin, she might as well forget about establishing herself in the Chen Family.

Nothing like this had happened in her past life.

Just as they were speaking, a maid came to announce that Sixth Madam had arrived.

Soon, a young woman entered the hall, dressed in a pale pink-blue embroidered jacket with a stone-blue pleated skirt. Her hair was styled in a parted hair bun, adorned with a gold filigree hairband inlaid with tourmaline. She had delicate features and a gentle demeanor, much like Gu Lan—timid, as if afraid to raise her voice.

Sixth Madam Ge was the person Jinchao remembered most vividly. Yet in her memories, Ge had been far more aged than herself. Seeing her so youthful now left Jinchao momentarily dazed.Madam Ge and Gu Jinzhao were complete opposites in temperament. Among all the wives in the Chen Family, she was always the one with the least say. In the past life, not only did Madam Qin and Jinchao look down on her, but even Wang Shi rarely paid her any attention. Fortunately, she had given birth to a son, or her status would have been even lower.

Madam Ge first bowed to Madam Chen and murmured an explanation, "Mother, it's my fault for waking up late..."

Madam Chen glanced at her and sighed. "No matter how much powder you apply, those dark circles under your eyes won't be hidden... Never mind, I can't be bothered to lecture you today. Hurry and greet your third sister-in-law."

Madam Ge couldn't help but tear up slightly before turning sideways to quietly greet Jinchao.

Jinchao handed her an embroidered box containing a gold bracelet inlaid with white jade.