After returning to Lin Yan Pavilion, Qiao Wei reported everything that happened at Xie Xiao Garden to Concubine Song.
Concubine Song listened and felt troubled: “…Meeting Ji Wu Shi is one thing, but my two sisters aren’t just motivated by money. However, how did Ji Wu Shi know about the Mu family’s marriage proposal? If this gets out, they definitely won’t help with Lan’er’s hairpin ceremony!”
If they refused, she wouldn’t easily find suitable replacements on short notice.
Now it seemed better to choose Lady Wen to perform Gu Lan’s hairpin ceremony. At least Gu Lan’s marriage couldn’t be delayed any longer, and if Lady Wen could arrange a better marriage for Gu Lan, then she wouldn’t need to worry about Young Master Mu’s matter.
However, Lady Li and Lady Wen had never gotten along. If she chose Lady Wen, Lady Li might be displeased…
With countless thoughts running through her mind, Concubine Song made her decision and went with Gu Lan to Lady Wen’s temporary quarters.
Lady Wen was doing needlework in her room. Seeing Concubine Song and Lan’er arrive, she quickly had her maid bring over embroidered stools.
“…Just coming for a casual chat,” Concubine Song said with a smile, picking up the small embroidery frame from Lady Wen’s hands. “This pattern is exquisitely done!”
Gu Lan looked and also praised it: “Neat, fine, with soft and elegant colors—I quite like this style!”
Lady Wen smiled: “It’s just to pass the time… How are Lan’er’s needlework and feminine skills progressing?”
Concubine Song sighed: “Speaking of that, it’s a heartbreaking matter for Lan’er. The household hired Master Xue, trained by the Ji family, to teach Su embroidery, but he only instructs the First Miss. Lan’er can learn feminine skills from me.”
Lady Wen frowned slightly, “Although Lan’er is a daughter of a concubine, she is still a proper Miss of the Gu family. How could they not hire an embroidery teacher for her?”
Gu Lan tugged at Concubine Song’s hand: “Mother, never mind, let’s not talk about it!”
But Concubine Song continued: “This is nothing… The Madam makes jewelry for the First Miss, and though Lan’er is also having her coming-of-age ceremony, she gets nothing. The First Miss dares to beat and scold Lan’er’s maids at will in the household and takes whatever she wants. Lan’er has a gentle nature and doesn’t want to fight over these things, yet the First Miss still bullies her everywhere, and I’m powerless to stop it…”
Lady Wen particularly detested people who abused their power!
She scoffed coldly: “This First Miss Gu is far too domineering!”
Concubine Song said: “If Lan’er could marry well and leave the Gu family, she wouldn’t have to suffer such bullying anymore, but good marriages are hard to come by…”
Lady Wen couldn’t help but take Gu Lan’s hand to comfort her: “What is there to worry about? Your aunt will look out for you. I’ll certainly find a good marriage match for our Lan’er!”
By calling herself “aunt,” she was showing genuine closeness to Gu Lan.
Gu Lan smiled softly, “You’re always so good to me.”
After thinking for a moment, she added: “My elder sister’s marriage prospects are also difficult. Perhaps you could keep an eye out for her as well.”
Lady Wen snorted: “For someone like her, I wouldn’t dare help arrange a marriage! I heard that when the Assistant Administrative Commissioner from Shandong came to Beijing to report on his duties, he asked Marquis An Yang to arrange a marriage with Gu Jin Chao as his second wife. Although Lord Guo is over forty, this would still make her the wife of a proper fifth-rank official. Your father scolded the matchmaker away… I think Gu Jin Chao isn’t even worthy of Lord Guo! Don’t be so kind—with how she treats you, why should you help her?”
Concubine Song smiled: “It’s not about helping her. If you could find someone whose family appears illustrious… Just getting the First Miss married off would not only resolve her marriage issues but also reduce the bullying Lan’er suffers. It would benefit both parties…”
Lady Wen understood immediately. Concubine Song wanted to marry off the First Miss, and it didn’t matter what kind of person the husband was. In fact… if he had some flaws, all the better!
Seeing Lady Wen silent, Concubine Song smiled and said: “I came today to ask if you would perform the hairpin ceremony for Lan’er. I didn’t realize I’d end up saying so much. I won’t trouble you with other matters yet, but would you be willing to perform Lan’er’s hairpin ceremony?”
Remembering what Concubine Song had said about how the First Miss treated Lan’er, Lady Wen nodded without hesitation: “Of course I’m willing.”
Meanwhile, Jin Chao had just seen Ji Wu Shi off to her carriage.
Before leaving, Ji Wu Shi had told her: “One wrong move with Lan’er’s marriage could ruin her. You should do your best to match her with Young Master Mu… You’re extremely clever, I don’t need to teach you how. If Lan’er becomes engaged to Young Master Mu, it would be like cutting off Concubine Song’s arm. Then you wouldn’t need to fear her anymore…”
She was offering advice.
Jin Chao, however, felt somewhat hesitant. Others might not know Young Master Mu, but she knew him very well. If Gu Lan married him, she would never have to worry about anything in her life. But if Gu Lan became engaged to Young Master Mu, it would also benefit her, at least removing half the threat from Concubine Song.
Since both parties would benefit, she would do her best to facilitate this marriage. What happened after the wedding would be Gu Lan’s business.
Jin Chao said to Ji Wu Shi: “Jin Chao understands.”
Ji Wu Shi stroked the top of her head affectionately and said: “As for your marriage, Grandmother has made a decision. Our Chao’er must marry a suitable husband…”
Jin Chao thought of Ji Yao and his restrained expression when looking at her. She really couldn’t say anything.
Ji Wu Shi remained silent for a moment, then sighed before boarding her carriage. Jin Chao watched the carriage leave through the gate before heading back with Qing Pu.
If Ji Yao married her, even if he didn’t like her, he would still treat her well and wouldn’t deprive her of anything. But he definitely wouldn’t touch her.
She didn’t want to force anyone, nor did she want to marry like that.
After persuading Lady Wen to perform Gu Lan’s hairpin ceremony, Concubine Song returned to Lin Yan Pavilion. Qiao Wei came to invite her to see the newly constructed stage. She sent a young maid who had just arrived at Lin Yan Pavilion to relay a message to Lady Li, saying that Lady Wen had already agreed to perform Gu Lan’s hairpin ceremony and thanking Lady Li for her kindness.
The young maid, named Xiu Qu, was only twelve by traditional counting and had just been assigned to serve Concubine Song. Unfamiliar with the inner courtyards, she searched for a long time before finding Lady Li’s quarters. She burst in clumsily, just in time to hear Lady Li speaking with the Second Miss Li: “…Your second aunt may seem warm-hearted, but her eyes are fixed on money. I think her character is quite…”
Lady Li’s maid happened to see Xiu Qu poking her head in and quickly scolded: “Who’s there! Why are you lurking about!”
Xiu Qu said quietly: “Miss, I’m a maid serving in Concubine Song’s quarters. The Concubine sent me to deliver a message to your lady.”
Lady Li’s expression inevitably soured—she had been speaking privately with her daughter, how could a little maid have overheard! “Come in and deliver your message.”
A young maid with a girl’s bun entered and immediately knelt: “Greetings to Lady Li and Second Miss Li. Concubine Song sent me to inform you that Lady Wen has agreed to perform the hairpin ceremony for the Second Miss, and she thanks you for your kindness.”
Lady Li thought of the two loads of coming-of-age gifts that Ji Wu Shi had given to Gu Lan and sneered: “…I understand. You may go now!”
Xiu Qu raised her head nervously to glance at Lady Li but was so frightened by her cold gaze that she trembled and quickly retreated from the room.
“Mother, didn’t you say that helping cousin with her hairpin ceremony needed careful consideration? Second Aunt has already agreed to it, yet you still seem displeased…” Li Fu asked quietly.
Lady Li scoffed: “Your father’s rank is higher than Lady Wen’s husband. By rights, it would be more appropriate for me to perform the ceremony. Yet Concubine Song chose Lady Wen without even asking us, and sent such an ill-mannered little maid to deliver the message! It’s truly insulting!”
Her voice was not particularly quiet, and Xiu Qu could hear everything clearly as she walked away. When she returned to report to Concubine Song, she repeated everything Lady Li had said.
Concubine Song became even more displeased: “Such a petty mind! She even quibbles over such matters.”
She then had Qiao Wei call Gu Lan over, saying she had instructions for her.
Xiu Qu stood in the inner room, not knowing what to do with her hands and feet. Concubine Song saw her awkward behavior and, recalling Lady Li’s words, became angry and scolded her: “Why are you still standing there? Get out now!”
Xiu Qu had never seen Concubine Song so angry. Frightened to the point of tears, she hurriedly bowed and left the inner room.
Gu Lan arrived within the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Concubine Song pulled her inside and had Qiao Wei close the door, but their voices still faintly carried through: “…Go persuade her. Since she’s dissatisfied with us and Lady Wen, make her even more dissatisfied with Lady Wen… That would be best for us…”
Gu Lan nodded in agreement: “…It’s just a matter of praising one and belittling the other. As long as I say the right words to please her, Lady Li will feel better…”
Xiu Qu suddenly felt she shouldn’t be listening to these words, or perhaps she didn’t dare to listen anymore. She quietly moved away from the inner room and left Lin Yan Pavilion, not knowing who to share her troubles with, as she didn’t know any of the maids there.
She wandered by the lake for a while, eventually finding herself near Lady Li’s quarters again. Coincidentally, she saw Yu Zhu there as well, seemingly peering toward the ladies’ quarters.
What was Yu Zhu doing here?
Xiu Qu recalled that they had some acquaintances from their service together, and Yu Zhu had once given her sticky rice dumplings and candy. She approached and tugged at her: “Yu Zhu, you’re spying on the ladies’ quarters. Be careful not to let the old servants see you… You could get beaten for that!”
Yu Zhu was startled. She had been ordered by her miss to watch these two ladies’ quarters, but a little maid had caught her!
She quickly smiled at Xiu Qu: “Miss sent me to see if Lady Li needs anything so she could send it over…”
Then, remembering that Xiu Qu had also entered Lady Li’s courtyard earlier, she curiously asked, “I saw you go into Lady Li’s place earlier. What were you doing there?”
Xiu Qu couldn’t detect the inconsistency in Yu Zhu’s words. Mentioning Lady Li reminded her of being scolded twice, and the hurt that had just subsided surfaced again. “I can’t talk about it… If Concubine Song found out I was spreading gossip, she’d surely have me beaten to death! Aunt Qiao Wei said so during training!”
Yu Zhu’s eyes lit up as a mischievous idea came to mind. Taking Xiu Qu’s hand, she said, “Never mind if you can’t tell. How about I treat you to some candy? Our First Miss is so kind—she rewarded me with a box of silk candy the day before yesterday. I’d be happy to share some with you!”
Xiu Qu, with no immediate duties and longing for some friendly conversation, smiled and nodded. Yu Zhu led her back to the servants’ quarters and retrieved a box of candy from under her pillow. The two maids sat on the kang bed, swinging their feet as they ate the candy.
Yu Zhu asked: “Is it good? I like to pull the silk candy apart and eat it strand by strand.”
Xiu Qu nodded.
Yu Zhu continued: “I can see you’re very unhappy with Concubine Song’s service. If something’s bothering you, why not tell me? We can pinky swear not to tell anyone else!”
Xiu Qu shook her head vigorously: “No way! Aunt Qiao Wei said we can’t tell anyone about what happens in our courtyard!”
Yu Zhu thought to herself that this maid might be foolish, but she was certainly obedient. She smiled again: “I know! I’ll bring the Miss’s cat for you to see. It’s nice and plump, and everyone loves it!” Girls often like soft, cuddly things, and when Xiu Qu heard about the cat, she naturally became interested.
Yu Zhu hurried to the corridor and picked up Bao Pu, who had been sleeping and took it to her room, ignoring even Bai Yun’s calls.
Bao Pu was placed on the bed. The cat ate a lot and had grown to resemble a fluffy ball. It stretched out its paws to grab at Xiu Qu’s clothes, making her laugh as she stroked the fur on its head, watching as it narrowed its eyes in contentment.
“Your Aunt Qiao Wei said you can’t tell any ‘person’ about these things, so just pretend you’re talking to the cat! You’ll feel better after saying it,” Yu Zhu encouraged. “Bao Pu can’t talk, so it definitely won’t spread around.”
Xiu Qu summoned her courage, holding Bao Pu in her arms, and hesitantly said: “Then I’ll talk to the cat… but you can’t eavesdrop.”
Yu Zhu said with a grin: “I’ll just stand outside the door to keep watch, so no one sees you talking to it.”
Xiu Qu finally nodded. She would tell the cat about her unhappiness, which wouldn’t violate Aunt Qiao Wei’s instructions.