“Madam, don’t be upset,” said Mother Han. “Perhaps Zhi Chun Pavilion has some negative energy. I’ve heard the monks at Xiang Guo Temple are excellent at chanting sutras. We should invite them tomorrow to perform a ceremony. Once Buddha arrives, all evil spirits and demons will naturally disappear.”
Madam Qin quickly replied, “What you say makes sense. I feel uneasy too. We should invite the masters to perform a chanting ceremony.” She placed her prayer beads and scripture book on the small table, rubbed her temples, and suddenly asked, “What do you think about Chen Xiang Lan?”
Mother Han was startled. She thought to herself that this girl was favored by the Young Lord and specially placed by his side. He had protected her in their earlier conversation, showing she was no ordinary person. Looking at her clothing and the ornaments in her hair, she dressed even more elegantly than the young ladies of the household. If it were anyone else’s concubine, she would have gladly gossiped, but she had no desire to speak ill of someone cherished in Lin Jin Lou’s quarters. Seeing Madam Qin ask about her, she carefully chose her words: “She has good looks and speaks cleverly. No wonder the Young Lord favors her.”
Madam Qin asked, “Who do you think taught her such excellent calligraphy?”
Mother Han replied, “I heard this young lady was raised in a temple when she was young, and the head abbot personally taught her calligraphy and painting.”
Madam Qin pondered, “Not only is she beautiful, but she understands calligraphy and painting. You haven’t practiced calligraphy so you wouldn’t know, but being able to write these scripts so beautifully and freely is truly no easy feat. Let alone everything else, just finding a qualified calligraphy teacher is difficult. As far as I know, there was once a Shen…” She stopped mid-sentence, realizing something wasn’t right, and quickly changed the subject. “Only those from prestigious families of Grand Tutors and Grand Mentors, with generations of noble lineage, have both men and women who can write well. Yet this young girl can write too. I heard she even helps manage the poetry society that Qing Lan established. Tell me, how can a mere maid know such things? She surpasses even regular young ladies and madams. Did you see how she carried herself earlier in the room? Neither hurried nor delayed, neither servile nor arrogant, explaining her reasons clearly point by point, every word hitting the mark, without losing her composure even slightly. She’s truly steady. I must say, when I was her age, I didn’t have such composure. If my husband had found fault with me, I would have stubbornly raised my voice in argument.”
Mother Han laughed, “Madam has always been quick-tempered. Xiang Lan has a gentle nature. You can’t compare the two.”
Madam Qin smiled slightly and said, “She appears gentle, but she has a strong backbone. She seems mild, but she’s quite shrewd and quick-witted.” She shifted slightly, and Mother Han quickly stuffed a green silk pillow with red trim under Madam Qin’s arm. Then she heard her continue slowly, “You can tell she’s clever from the way she speaks… but perhaps too clever. That’s not necessarily beautiful. She’s likely to be proud but ill-fated, restless. She won’t be as fortunate as those simple-minded ones.”
Before she finished speaking, Mother Wu entered carrying a bowl of soup, saying, “Madam worries too much. Remember Qing Lan who was simple-minded? What happened to her? She died young anyway. In my opinion, clever is better. Madam, think about it – since Xiang Lan arrived, how long has it been since the Young Lord went out carousing? Perhaps next year you’ll be holding a grandson.”
These words seemed to move Madam Qin. Mother Wu placed the soup in front of her and said, “The Young Lord is the hardest to please, with high standards and particular tastes. All the maids serving him at home are proper-looking, but he either finds them lacking in charm or wit or loses interest after a brief fascination, always running off outside. And those bewitching women outside can’t be brought home. Now he’s finally taken a liking to someone. I can see he treats Xiang Lan differently… Madam knows the Young Lord’s temperament best. Better to go along with him. Since he’s elevating this girl, and Xiang Lan has no real faults – she has a clean background and an agreeable nature – if she bears a child in the future, it would fulfill the Young Lord’s filial duty, wouldn’t it?”
Madam Qin stirred the soup with her spoon for a long while before saying, “Lou’er is so capable in everything, yet in this one matter he struggles…” She let out a long sigh.
Mother Wu lowered her head in silence. Mother Han wanted to offer some comfort, but seeing Mother Wu’s silence, she swallowed her words. After Madam Qin finished her soup, Hong Jian and others came in to help her prepare for bed, setting up the bed curtains before withdrawing.
Outside the door, Mother Han gave Mother Wu a meaningful look and said with a half-smile, “You certainly had a lot to say earlier.”
Mother Wu adjusted her clothes and replied, “Wasn’t every word for the Young Lord’s benefit?”
Mother Han narrowed her eyes, leaned in close, and whispered, “You praise her so highly, be careful not to waste your efforts. The Madam doesn’t approve of her.”
Mother Wu looked at Mother Han twice, started smiling, and grabbed her hand, speaking in a low voice, “Sister, we’ve been together for many years, and my son even calls you ‘godmother.’ Let’s speak plainly – you’re still hoping to send your niece to the Young Lord’s side, aren’t you? Wasn’t tonight’s scene enough to frighten you?”
Mother Han’s expression changed slightly, but she quickly smiled again and said, “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”
Mother Wu pointed at Mother Han and said, “Tsk tsk, you old fox, being dishonest. I had some good news to tell you, but now I won’t.”
Mother Han quickly blocked her path, saying, “Hey hey, you can’t leave a story half-told.”
Mother Wu stopped and said flatly, “You’re a smart person. Stop thinking about Zhi Chun Pavilion. Rather than scheming to place your relative as the Young Lord’s concubine, you’d be better off currying favor with Chen Xiang Lan and building good relations. In a couple of years, after she bears a child, you might not even have the chance to curry favor with her anymore.”
Mother Han sneered, “Whether she has such good fortune remains to be seen!” She couldn’t help but add acidly, “You’ve staked your future on Xiang Lan, so naturally you’re afraid of someone else coming to share her favor.”
Mother Wu smiled with a hint of mockery and said, “Your niece is pretty, but be honest – can she match Xiang Lan in looks, character, manner, and conversation? Even Luan’er, given by the Old Madam, and Hua Mei at her peak weren’t her equals. How much skill does your niece have? Wan Xia, we’ve served beside Madam together, but you’ve never accepted that I’ve always been a step ahead of you. It’s not because I’m better at serving people, but because I have better judgment and think more long-term.” She patted Mother Han’s hand that was holding her and turned to leave.
Mother Han’s face reddened as she took several deep breaths, forcing down her displeasure. She spat, “Pah! What’s there to be so pleased about!” Yet she felt somewhat dejected.
Years ago, she and Madam Wu had entered the Qin family as maids together, one called Zhao Xia (Morning Glow), the other Wan Xia (Evening Glow). Their names suggested sisterhood, but they competed secretly. Both were competitive by nature. Zhao Xia was two months younger than her and less skilled at household work, yet always managed to stay ahead of her. Later, they married in the same year and returned after having children. She became a housekeeper, still serving as one of Madam’s right-hand women, while Zhao Xia gave up prestigious positions to willingly become the Young Lord’s wet nurse. During those years, she had enjoyed the height of success, with people fawning over her wherever she went, and she had gained many benefits.
Zhao Xia couldn’t even see her son, and with the Young Lord being mischievous, she worked day and night, constantly worried about him getting sick or hurt. She had mocked Zhao Xia countless times behind her back, often using her as a subject of ridicule. But as the Young Lord grew up and became successful, their positions reversed. Zhao Xia returned to serve beside Madam, and her status as the Young Lord’s wet nurse elevated her above ordinary servants. The Young Lord was sentimental about old relationships – besides her monthly allowance, Zhi Chun Pavilion gave Mother Wu an extra payment. Not only that, she had managed to place her nephews in positions serving the Young Lord, and now her eldest son had become one of the Young Lord’s guards, securing a good future, making many others envious and jealous.
Everyone in the Lin household had their eyes on the Young Lord, but he had no patience for dealing with the old women and servants at home. She realized that now it was no longer easy for her to interfere with Zhi Chun Pavilion or gain the Young Lord’s favor, and she regretted missing her opportunity. Seeing Mother Wu so proud, successfully navigating between Madam and the Young Lord, she could only grind her teeth in secret.
She stood in the corridor for a while before slowly returning to her night duty room. After a brief washing up, she lay in bed tossing and turning before falling into a restless sleep.
Early the next morning, Mother Han woke before dawn. As she lay in bed, she heard someone outside talking softly with her young maid Xiao Fang: “Is the Senior Aunt awake yet?”
“Not yet. Last night’s commotion went on until midnight, so she probably won’t be up this early.”
“…Yesterday… what happened at the Young Lord’s place? Senior Aunt is staying at the manor and hasn’t gone home. Her family is worried. This morning, Xiao Yao brought a message asking about it.”
“How would I know what happened? I was going to ask you, Sister. Last night, several prominent housekeepers and servants went there and didn’t return until midnight.”
Mother Han coughed inside her room, and the voices outside immediately fell silent. She threw off her covers and got up to dress. Shortly after, a girl of fifteen or sixteen lifted the curtain and entered. She had a fair, plump complexion with an oval face, elegant eyebrows, red lips, and almond-shaped eyes that made her quite attractive. She wore a light purple vest embroidered with parrots picking peaches, paired with a blue silk skirt. Her hair was elaborately styled, but being a maid, she dared not be too flashy, wearing only two golden hairpins and a light red palace flower in her bun. This girl was Mother Han’s niece, a third-rank maid in Madam’s quarters, named Zi Dai.
Zi Dai entered with a fawning smile, “You’re up early. Did you sleep well last night?” She helped with dressing and shoes, then quickly brought the toiletries and cosmetics, setting up the mirror and using a peach wood comb to help Mother Han with her hair.
Mother Han’s hair was already streaked with silver and thinning. Zi Dai applied some osmanthus oil to her palm, carefully applying it to the front hairline before gathering the hair back, and gently combing it. She took a false bun from the box, arranged it on Mother Han’s head, and secured it firmly with several pins. Zi Dai secretly glanced at Mother Han in the mirror, seeing her eyes slightly closed but brows furrowed and made her touch even gentler.
Now that the whole family’s status depended on Mother Han’s favor with Madam, Zi Dai served with extra care.
Xiao Fang brought in hot water and after making the bed went to empty the spittoon. Mother Han washed her face, and applied cream, then a layer of fragrant powder. Zi Dai quickly brought out a pair of dragon-phoenix silver bracelets and put them on Mother Han.
Mother Han looked up, her gaze meeting Zi Dai’s.
Zi Dai quickly smiled and said, “Madam hasn’t woken yet. Senior Aunt, you can have something to eat before going to serve her. There’s still some almond milk from yesterday. Would you like a bowl?”
Mother Han didn’t answer, instead examining Zi Dai through half-closed eyes, noting her fair, rosy cheeks, full bosom, and slightly plump but not ungainly hips, which gave her an alluring quality. Her figure was what the elders would praise as “suitable for bearing sons.” Such a flower could almost compare to Concubine Lan who was once favored by Lin Jin Lou. If they didn’t have an elegant girl in the family, they would have to adopt a goddaughter in the manor. With such talent at home, why worry about missing opportunities to climb higher? Now that Zhi Chun Pavilion was short of maids…
Mother Han became lost in thought.
Zi Dai felt uncomfortable under her aunt’s stare. Seeing Xiao Fang had left, she quietly asked, “Senior Aunt, what happened at the Young Lord’s place last night?” Previously, Mother Wu had hinted to Zi Dai about sending her to Zhi Chun Pavilion. Understanding this, Zi Dai couldn’t help feeling shy. Lin Jin Lou was handsome and wealthy, so naturally, she was interested, harboring a maiden’s feelings and paying special attention to Zhi Chun Pavilion.
At the mention of last night, Mother Han shuddered, instantly remembering how Lin Jin Lou had dealt with his concubines. Recalling Mother Wu’s words from last night, her heart chilled. Coming back to her senses and seeing Zi Dai looking at her eagerly with those watery eyes, remembering her sweet and lovable nature, she became uncertain. She opened her mouth, but instead asked, “I haven’t seen that outfit before. Is it new?”
Zi Dai replied, “Senior Aunt, have you forgotten? You gave me the fabric. Last New Year, when you wanted to make a jacket and vest, you said this color was modest. After making those, there was some leftover which you gave to me. It was just enough for a vest, and the scraps could make handkerchiefs and shoes. I finished the vest earlier, but the embroidery took some time, only just completed it now. I got the pattern from Chun Ling. Isn’t it novel? Chun Ling said there are many like this. Miss Xiang Lan loves to draw these.”
Mother Han frowned at the mention of “Xiang Lan.”
Zi Dai misunderstood her reaction and quickly said, “I know I shouldn’t wear something so eye-catching, but they say the Young Lord likes it. He even had Xiang Lan’s designs embroidered on his knee guards and sword bag…”
Mother Han waved her hand, “That’s not the issue.”
Just then, someone outside the window asked, “Is Mother Han here?”
Mother Han recognized Lian Xin’s voice clearly and quickly came out, responding, “Yes, yes.” Seeing Lian Xin at the door, she hurriedly invited her in and called for Zi Dai to make tea.
Lian Xin was about to enter but seeing Zi Dai inside, stopped and pulled Mother Han aside, “Don’t trouble yourself, Mother. I’ll just say a few words and leave.”
In the corridor, Lian Xin pulled out a piece of silver from her sleeve, pressed it into Mother Han’s hand, and whispered, “The Young Lord sent me with a message. He says Miss Xiang Lan has a difficult temperament, doesn’t like dealing with people, and cries easily – she’s both foolish and stupid. He asks Mother to look after her for his sake. This silver is for you to buy wine, and the Young Lord will repay your kindness in the future.”
Mother Han felt the silver, which weighed five taels, and was shocked, but smiled and said, “The Young Lord needn’t be so polite. A message would have been enough – I dare not accept this silver.” She tried to return it.
Lian Xin quickly clasped Mother Han’s hand and smiled, “Please don’t refuse, Mother. How could I report back if you do?”
Mother Han licked her dry lips and asked quietly, “Is this silver just for me, or do others get it too?”
Lian Xin leaned in and whispered, “Since you ask, I’ll be honest. Not only you, but Mother Wu has some too, as do Hong Jian and Lu Lan who serve Madam. The Young Lord arranged it early this morning, and gave Chun Ling a purse, saying that second-rank maids like Qiang Wei should also get some silver, and even the little servant girls get ten or more coins.”
Mother Han drew in a sharp breath. The amount of silver wasn’t important – what mattered was that the Young Lord personally intervened to give a face to Xiang Lan.
After Lian Xin left, Mother Han returned to her room somewhat dazed and sat on the couch. Zi Dai quickly came over asking, “Senior Aunt, what did Lian Xin want so early in the morning?”
Mother Han shook her head absently, looked at Zi Dai, and sighed deeply, “My good girl, forget about going to Zhi Chun Pavilion, alright?”
She had only heard about how favored Chen Xiang Lan was but hadn’t witnessed it until now. That master who rarely deigned to look at people properly was sending silver through others for that girl’s sake – clearly, Chen Xiang Lan was truly special. With such a person already there, Zi Dai would likely gain no advantage and might even bring trouble upon herself.
Mother Han clicked her tongue. Even though she was reluctant to admit it, she had to acknowledge that Zhao Xia had some skill in judging people. Over the years, though they occasionally jabbed at each other, they shared an unspoken understanding and bond that outsiders wouldn’t understand. Last night’s warning must have been well-intentioned. It seemed… she would have to soften her attitude toward Chen Xiang Lan…
As Mother Han was deep in thought, Xiao Fang came in saying, “Mother, Madam has awakened. She says everyone should have breakfast before coming over.” Mother Han acknowledged this and ordered Xiao Fang to bring food. Turning around, she saw Zi Dai still sitting beside her, head lowered, face streaked with tears.
Mother Han frowned and scolded, “What are you crying for? Crying over this – you should die of shame! If you have no face to lose, I still do!” The scolding made Zi Dai’s face flush red. She covered her face with a handkerchief and ran out, lifting the curtain as she went.
Let us turn to another branch of our story.
Speaking of Xiang Lan, she rose early to help Lin Jin Lou dress. After he went out for martial arts practice and returned to rest a while longer, she got up to wash. Since she was going to see Madam Qin, Chun Ling treated it as a major event. She and Ting Lan spent half the morning selecting clothes, finally choosing a sapphire blue silk jacket with a dark blue skirt – somewhat mature but very proper and modest. Her hairstyle was also kept simple, adorned with a gold phoenix hairpin of twisted filigree with clustered pearls and two jade hairpins. They didn’t dare even add fresh flowers.
Xiang Lan found their nervousness amusing but went along with their fussing. She wasn’t afraid of meeting Madam Qin, just somewhat apprehensive. As for what Madam Qin thought of her, she didn’t care at all.