Seeing Mudan’s cautious demeanor, Madam Qi’s expression softened. She reached out to hold Mudan’s hand, saying, “Don’t think I’m being harsh with you. I’m doing this for your good. Our family’s situation is different from your maiden home. Someday you’ll have to manage this household, and then you’ll understand how difficult it is!”
In the past, Mudan would have reacted poorly to any comparison between the Liu and He families. But now, she seemed not to have understood, merely lowering her head and saying, “It’s all my fault for causing Mother such worry.”
“This is fate; what can we do?” Madam Qi sighed, then continued, “I heard Yutong is pregnant. You should try to be open-minded about it.” She had also heard about Yutong leaving Mudan’s courtyard in tears at noon, and although she didn’t know the reason, she assumed Yutong had been upset by Mudan.
Mudan kept her eyes lowered and said, “That’s why I’m here, daughter-in-law. I wanted to ask Mother to assign her an additional servant and increase her monthly allowance, to prevent her from feeling depressed, which would be bad for the pregnancy.”
Madam Qi had no interest in determining who was right or wrong between them, as long as there was no major disturbance. She was content to feign ignorance: “That’s appropriate. Who do you think would be best to serve her? She came from your household, so someone close to you might be more suitable.”
Mudan was surprised by this suggestion, as Madam Qi shouldn’t be comfortable sending her people to serve Yutong. Frowning, she said, “I don’t have many servants. Mama Lin and Yuhe are indispensable, and the other two young maids are either too hot-tempered or too naive. Perhaps Mother could make other arrangements.”
Madam Qi observed Mudan’s long eyelashes trembling slightly, giving her a pitiful appearance. This daughter-in-law, from a merchant family and always sickly, had not been very gracious in the past. Not only did Liu Chang dislike her, but Madam Qi herself found her disagreeable. Now, however, she seemed much more sensible. Still, a common hen could never become a phoenix, even if it flew to the treetops.
After a long silence, Mudan tentatively called out, “Mother?”
Madam Qi took a sip of cold tea and sighed wearily, “Very well, I’ll assign her a more reliable maid. With Wei Dasao already attending her, that should suffice. As for her allowance, it was previously two taels of silver when she was with you. Let’s increase it to three taels now, and we’ll discuss further arrangements after the child is born. What do you think?”
Mudan was just relieved to have navigated the situation successfully. She stood up and said, “Daughter-in-law doesn’t understand these matters. Whatever Mother decides is best.”
Her cautious respect made Madam Qi feel somewhat better, though she said, “There’s no need for such formalities between family members. The best way you can thank me is by taking care of your health and quickly giving me a legitimate grandson.”
Legitimate grandson, my foot! Mudan felt extremely irritated but managed to force out a dry smile.
Biwu entered, carrying the freshly awakened Qi’er. With a face full of joy, she said, “Madam, please advise the Young Madam. When we came together earlier, she was so upset about this matter.”
This comment seemed to confirm the rumor that Mudan had made Yutong cry out of jealousy at noon. Madam Qi raised an eyebrow and looked at Mudan, who didn’t refute it, merely keeping her eyes lowered to the blue stone floor. After all, apart from Liu Chang and her close servants Yuhe, Yutong, and Mama Lin, no one knew that Liu Chang had not yet consummated their marriage. They only knew that Liu Chang rarely visited her room, and when he did, he left quickly. How could she conceive a child under such circumstances? As the Young Madam of the Liu family, it was normal for her to be upset; it would be abnormal if she wasn’t.
After a moment of silence, Madam Qi said, “It’s good that you understand the urgency. Tomorrow, I’ll have the master send an invitation to Doctor Zhu to prescribe you some medicine. Once your health improves, everything else will naturally follow.” This statement made it clear that regardless of Liu Chang’s feelings, she would help Mudan bear a legitimate heir.
Mudan was terrified but dared not show it. She smiled stiffly and said, “Whatever Mother arranges is fine. However, tomorrow, my husband is hosting a flower-viewing banquet, and I’m to entertain the female guests. If the doctor comes, please have someone inform me in advance so I can come quickly.”
“In that case, we’ll choose another time,” Madam Qi paused, then added pointedly, “They’re all guests, so you must entertain them properly and not lose face.”
Mudan respectfully agreed.
Biwu, listening on the side, felt bitter and distressed. She quickly lowered her head and asked the two-year-old Qi’er in her arms, “Qi’er, didn’t you tell Auntie earlier that you wanted to massage grandmother’s legs?”
Qi’er, who resembled Liu Chang in appearance and had been well-trained by Biwu, immediately struggled to get down from her arms. He toddled towards Madam Qi with outstretched arms, his little face full of smiles, and said sweetly, “Grandmother, Qi’er missed you.”
“How can such a small child massage legs?” Madam Qi smiled, taking Qi’er into her arms. She repeatedly called for Niannu to peel loquats to feed him. Qi’er refused to let Niannu feed him, instead taking the fruit himself and holding it up to feed Madam Qi. Madam Qi beamed with joy as she accepted, praising him to Mudan, “It’s remarkable how such a young child can be so well-behaved and understanding.”
Mudan, noticing Biwu’s smug expression, smiled and said, “Children always know who treats them well. Mother cares for him so much, of course, he wants to be filial to you. Biwu not only bore him well but has also raised him excellently.”
Pleased to hear Mudan praising her in front of Madam Qi, though somewhat suspicious, Biwu said happily, “This humble servant is foolish and simply follows Madam’s teachings.”
Madam Qi glanced at both of them and said, “Without rules, nothing can take proper form. For a family to prosper, we must observe and understand propriety. You, Young Madam, are kind and magnanimous. The rest of you must also follow the proper etiquette. Starting tomorrow, bring Qi’er to pay respects to the Young Madam every day.”
Biwu’s face changed dramatically, not understanding why this new rule was suddenly being implemented.
Mudan was equally confused. Since she had entered the Liu family, they had always required her to respect and observe etiquette but had never demanded others to show her the same courtesy. Additionally, due to her frequent illnesses, not only did others not come to pay respects to her, but even her visits to Madam Qi for morning and evening greetings had been sporadic until recently. Why this sudden change?
Sensing something amiss, Mudan smiled and said, “Mother, my courtyard is far, and the children are still young. They can’t get up early, and I’m afraid of the noise. If they come, I won’t have any peace.”
Madam Qi frowned unhappily and said, “Your health is poor, so you need their attendance even more! If you like peace, then don’t let them make noise. It’s decided. They will first go to pay respects to you every morning, and then you’ll all come to me together.” She then instructed Niannu, “Spread my words. No one is to disobey!”
With this, neither Mudan nor Biwu dared to speak further, both falling silent.
A young maid announced from outside the curtain, “Madam, Miss Sun has arrived.”
Madam Qi, her face still stern, said in a deep voice, “Let her in.”
The maid lifted the curtain, and a beautiful young woman entered. She wore a light green short jacket with silver-red armbands and a light green floral skirt. With an oval face, arched eyebrows, and hair styled in a startled swan bun, she carried a one-year-old girl in her arms. She gracefully bowed to Madam Qi, greeting her, and then exchanged greetings with Mudan. This was Yuer, another of Liu Chang’s favored concubines, and Jiaoniang, Liu Chang’s one-and-a-half-year-old eldest daughter.
Madam Qi looked at the mother and daughter pair indifferently and said, “I just said that starting tomorrow, all the children must go to pay respects to their legal mother, and you must go early to serve her.”
Yuer was also surprised but quickly concealed it, submissively saying, “This humble servant has long had such thoughts but feared disturbing the Young Madam and dared not visit often.”
Biwu cast a mocking glance at Yuer, turning away disdainfully.
Yuer ignored her and earnestly inquired about Mudan’s health. Among all of Liu Chang’s concubines, only she and Biwu had been officially elevated to the status of side room. Both were favored and had borne children. If there was any area where she was inferior to Biwu, it was only the bad luck of having borne a daughter instead of a son.
Soon after, someone came to report that both Liu Chang and his father had matters to attend to and would not return for dinner. Led by Mudan, the women respectfully served Madam Qi her evening meal before bidding farewell and returning to their quarters.
Just as Mudan reached the doorway, Madam Qi spoke again: “Danniang, wait a moment. We were interrupted earlier, and I hadn’t finished speaking. You have too few servants in your household. How about I assign you another mama and a first-class maid?”
Mudan inwardly groaned, realizing her peaceful days of solitude were coming to an end.