These past few days, Second Aunt Lu had been sneaking around early and late, busy with unknown affairs, and hadn’t come to the Chen family to cause trouble. Xianglan was particularly happy and devoted herself entirely to painting. Her confrontation with Second Aunt Lu had indeed made her “famous in one battle,” causing many families to abandon thoughts of forming marriage ties with her family. Madam Xue became worried and unhappy about this.

One day, when Madam Xue returned home, she saw Xianglan had painted a peony and was adding an inscription. This made her even more displeased, and she said with a gloomy face: “A perfectly good girl not doing proper things, and your father indulges you too. What use is all this writing and painting nonsense? And reading all those miscellaneous worthless books has bewitched you. Learning needlework and embroidery would be the right thing! The family doesn’t count on you earning these few coins!”

Xianglan replied: “Though I don’t paint as well as the masters in the temple, the other day I sold a painting for Two Qian of silver, equivalent to a third-rank maid’s monthly allowance in the manor. How can you call that ‘few coins’? Moreover, how can you call the classics miscellaneous books? Reading them brings wisdom and understanding, so one won’t live life in confusion.”

Madam Xue frowned and said: “What nonsense? Your daily classical studies are useless since you can’t take the imperial examinations anyway. Learning good needlework can secure a good marriage. Can’t you tell which is more important? If you were a young lady from a noble family, you could indulge in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting as you please, but don’t you know your status? Better rein in your aspirations quickly!”

Xianglan coldly smiled: “Why must Mother be so shortsighted? Are we destined to be servants to others forever, with no hope of advancement?”

Chen Wanquan was eating in the inner room and came out with his rice bowl, saying: “What do you want? To rebel? You’re not content living like this, born into this kind of family? Many people outside would envy what we have! Such wild talk from a child. Quickly do some needlework – you’ll be marrying in a few years. Despite your fierce reputation, Manager Liu from the silk shop has taken a liking to you. The other day he took back the purse you made to look at, and in a few days, he’ll send a matchmaker. When Manager Liu asks for the master and mistress’s blessing to marry you, and the wedding is arranged for next year, your mother and I will have half our worries relieved!”

Madam Xue exclaimed joyfully: “Really? The Liu family truly said this?”

However, Xianglan was greatly shocked: “Manager Liu? I don’t want his son! I heard he had a serious illness as a child that affected his mind, and he still seems dim-witted now.”

Chen Wanquan glared at Xianglan: “What kind of marriage do you expect? Do you think you’re worthy of marrying a scholar or official?” He then sighed, “You’ve met Manager Liu’s son before and even played together when you were young. He’s two years older than you. He’s not dim-witted, he’s just honest and straightforward. When marrying, you should want someone without schemes, understand? His father plans to arrange a position for him at the shop later, which isn’t bad at all – you won’t suffer after marrying him. Moreover, Manager Liu has influence with the Old Master, their family is well-off, and they even keep maids for service. I see they’re almost like small landlords. He’s their only son, precious as their eyes, and many families have their eyes on him. Now that they’ve chosen you, marrying into such a family is your good fortune.”

Xianglan puffed her cheeks angrily and said: “If I have to marry someone like that, I’d rather become a nun right now!”

Chen Wanquan angrily said: “Listen to yourself! What kind of life do you want? The ladies in the manor live well because they were born into it! Always wanting something better, when you already have enough food and clothing, and now a good marriage prospect – you’re still not satisfied.”

Xianglan said: “I don’t envy the manor ladies’ lives, I’m concerned about my own future. Father, have you ever thought about buying our freedom from the manor? We’ve saved some money over the years – you could open an antique shop outside, or I could sell paintings. Our family has some silver, wouldn’t living freely be better than being servants!”

Chen Wanquan said: “You think running an antique shop is easy? Do you have that kind of capital!” He sighed, “I also want to leave the Lin family early. The two managers at the shop are troublesome, and working there is vexing. But buying freedom requires a lot of silver. When I came to the Lin family, I was only sold for Five Taels, but after all these years of food and lodging with the Lin family, who knows how many times that amount we’d need to pay to leave.”

Xianglan said: “Father is just too timid. If we secretly collected antiques to sell, who knows how much we could earn.” Just then, they heard someone call loudly at the door: “Sister Chen, are you home?”

Madam Xue quickly got off the kang bed: “Yes, who is it?”

The person said: “It’s me.” A woman of thirty-five or thirty-six entered, with thick eyebrows and a square face, tall in stature, wearing a dark green jacket. Her hair bun was sleek and shiny, decorated with just two silver hairpins, and her makeup was applied precisely and properly, giving off an air of capable efficiency. This was Yang Hongying, daughter of Lin Manor’s steward Yang Shun, married to a well-regarded manager in the Lin Manor. Being capable and articulate, she was quite trusted among the manor’s married women.

Seeing her arrive, Madam Xue hurriedly invited her inside and told Xianglan to pour tea. Chen Wanquan quickly retreated to the inner room. Yang Hongying smiled: “Sister, don’t trouble yourself.” She sat on the kang bed. Madam Xue smiled: “What good wind brings you here today?”

Yang Hongying said: “I came specially to see you. Last time you took some needlework from the manor, but haven’t been seen for several months. The manor has some new work with generous pay – you should see Mama Cui at the second gate later.” She then noticed some paper on the kang table and picked it up, clicking her tongue in admiration: “Such beautiful handwriting, even better than the young masters in the manor. Who wrote this?”

Madam Xue gestured toward the inner room: “My daughter wrote it, just wasting time on these useless things. I just scolded her about it.”

Just then, Xianglan came out from the inner room with tea and placed it on the kang table. Yang Hongying grabbed Xianglan’s hand and smiled: “Oh my, child, I remember when you were just this tall, and now look how grown you are.” She examined her carefully. The girl before her was thirteen or fourteen, with a delicate figure and a peach blossom face, long eyebrows extending to her temples, red lips, white teeth, and bright, clear eyes – truly a rare beauty, pure and refined, making one forget worldly concerns.

Yang Hongying exclaimed delightedly: “Truly a beautiful young lady, and remarkably literate too. No wonder, being raised in the temple – you’re different from the others.” She then asked Madam Xue: “Have you found a marriage match yet?”

Madam Xue replied: “Not yet, she’s still young, so there’s no hurry.”

Yang Hongying nodded silently, carefully observing Xianglan and asking about her daily activities and pastimes. Madam Xue thought Yang Hongying might be matchmaking for Xianglan and was delighted, thinking: “Sister Yang has status among the ladies and mistresses in the manor, and everyone respects and welcomes those who deal with her. She associates with respectable people in the manor – perhaps she could find an even better match than Manager Liu’s family. Though the Liu family is wealthy, their son is rather simple-minded and not worthy of my daughter.” She then sent Xianglan to the inner room, hoping to chat more with Yang Hongying.

Yang Hongying picked up her teacup, took a sip, looked at Madam Xue, and said: “Ah, I’ve been so busy these days. Old Madam Zeng is near death, and the manor will be in mourning within days. The First Master, First Mistress, their two daughters, and the concubine-born son and daughter will all return to Beijing to observe mourning.”

Madam Xue started: “Isn’t the First Master an official in Beijing?”

Yang Hongying said: “Even officials must return to mourn their grandmother – it’s called ‘mourning leave.’ With this, the manor is short of maids. I’ve been busy with this matter for two days without much sleep.”

Madam Xue had guessed most of it, her heart pounding, but she forced a smile and said: “Just buy some maids from the slave traders.”

Yang Hongying sighed: “It’s not that simple. New people need training and must learn proper etiquette – how can they compare to those who know the household?” She lowered her voice: “These past few years under Madam Lou’s management, the accounts have shown considerable losses, and there’s not much silver left to buy maids. Now Master Lou is pressing urgently, so they’ve asked us to select some house-born servants for service. I think your Xianglan is quite suitable – she’s good-looking and gentle-natured, sure to please the masters and mistresses. Why not enter the manor for service for a couple of years, learn some proper manners, and seek advancement? They say ‘better to be a great housemaid than marry a humble man’s daughter.’ Distinguished maids often find good fortune.”

Chen Wanquan, hearing this, rushed out from the inner room, waving his hands repeatedly: “Impossible, impossible! Our Xianglan doesn’t have that capability. She only knows how to write a few characters, can’t handle needlework, and doesn’t know how to speak properly – she’s not used to serving people and would only get beaten! Moreover, she’s getting older and should marry in a few years. She’s our only daughter – please, Sister Yang, let her stay. Report upstairs that she’s sick or something else – I won’t forget your kindness.”

Yang Hongying said: “Brother Chen, why say such things? I’m thinking of your daughter’s benefit. With Xianglan’s qualities, she could later be promoted to concubine, or be freed to marry into a wealthy family – isn’t that better than marrying a servant?”

Madam Xue cried tearfully: “If she stays with us, we can choose a good family for her betrothal and ask the master and mistress’s blessing. Once she enters the manor, if she’s matched with some older bachelor, our Xianglan’s life would be ruined.”

Yang Hongying said: “After a couple of years, when a match is chosen for Xianglan, we can ask the manor’s blessing for her to marry outside. The masters usually provide a dowry too. There have been several who were sent out to marry after making mistakes…” At this point, she suddenly remembered that Madam Xue was one of those “sent out to marry,” so she stopped speaking, awkwardly adding, “Even so, looking at it now, those few are doing quite well.”

Chen Wanquan said: “Next door Liu family’s Fourth Miss, Zhang family’s Fifth Miss, they’re all the same age as our Xianglan…”

Yang Hongying interrupted: “And Lu family’s Second Miss, Gong family’s Sixth Miss – I’ve seen them all. They’re either too ugly or too timid to be presentable. They’re even offering silver to plead with me, eager to send their daughters to the manor, but it’s not that easy. Master Lou will personally inspect and select, specifically instructing to choose those with proper looks and gentle dispositions – this isn’t something silver can buy.”

While Chen Wanquan and his wife continued pleading, Xianglan listened to everything from behind the door curtain, thinking to herself: “Father and Mother are set on betrothing me to the Liu family and having me marry next year. They’ve made up their minds and probably won’t change them. Better to enter the Lin Manor first – one day delayed is one day gained. After a few years, I’ll have saved enough silver to make other plans. Besides, if the Lin family has good principles, they might even grant me freedom later.” With this thought, she came out and said: “Aunt Yang, if one becomes a maid in the manor, can they be freed later?”

Yang Hongying said: “Not everyone can be freed, but distinguished maids serving the young masters, young ladies, and mistresses often can be. Times are hard now, and everyone wants to rely on the Lin family, so fewer are granted freedom through special favor.”

Xianglan said decisively: “Then I’ll enter the manor.” Madam Xue cried out in shock, and Xianglan glanced at her mother before telling Yang Hongying: “I’m willing to enter the manor.”

Yang Hongying nodded with satisfaction and told Chen Wanquan and his wife: “Your daughter has ambition.” She finished her remaining half cup of tea and said: “Well, I won’t intrude any longer.” With that, she pushed open the door and left.

Chen Wanquan paced anxiously and scolded Xianglan: “Why did you agree to this? I could have earnestly pleaded with her, offered some silver, and you wouldn’t have to serve in the manor. When you come out at an older age, what respectable family would want you?”

Xianglan said calmly: “If the silk shop’s Manager Liu counts as a ‘respectable family,’ then I’d rather not have such ‘respectable families.’ If I don’t enter the manor, I can only marry into a servant’s family, and any children would still be servants. If I enter the manor, there’s a chance I could be freed later to marry a commoner.”

Chen Wanquan grew more angry: “What damn use is that! Some commoners live worse than our family!”

Xianglan said: “Commoners can make their own decisions. Later, if I have children, I can urge them to study hard – they might even become the ‘scholars and officials’ Father speaks of. Even if that doesn’t work out, we could have our fields and property – that’s far better than being servants generation after generation.”

Chen Wanquan said: “You’ve never suffered hardship since you were young, so you don’t know what’s important. Though the master is kind, maids have died in the manor before. Even if you leave the manor after a few years if you can’t even find a family like Second Manager Huang’s then…”

Xianglan interrupted: “Then that’s my fate, and I’ll accept it.” Though her tone was calm, her eyes were filled with determination and resolution.

Madam Xue looked at her husband, then at her daughter, and silently closed her mouth.