The matter was thus settled. Three days later, all the young misses in the Jiang household would go to the Linglong Boat. Everyone knew well what Old Madam Jiang had in mind. Although Jiang Susu maintained her composure, she couldn’t completely hide the trace of excitement in her eyes—clearly this was another opportunity for her to shine. Jiang Li was shown leniency by Jiang Quan, having her confinement lifted. When seen at Guilan Garden, she also appeared much more restrained. Second Aunt was naturally overjoyed upon learning of this opportunity. Jiang Dan stood uneasily in place, her face full of timid expression, not even knowing where to put her hands. Jiang Ruan couldn’t help but look at her a few more times. In her previous life, because she herself had felt extremely inferior, she had paid no particular attention to Jiang Dan. Looking now, this youngest sister of the Jiang household was excessively timid.
Old Madam Jiang spoke about some matters that needed attention, then waved her hand for everyone to disperse. Before leaving, Xia Yan specifically called out to Jiang Ruan: “Ruan’er, those few maidservants I selected for you will be sent to your courtyard shortly. Take a look at these girls first to see if they serve you well. If they don’t suit your taste, we can exchange them for others.”
Jiang Ruan smiled and thanked her, showing no trace of annoyance. Xia Yan’s smile grew even deeper. The two exchanged more pleasantries before departing separately.
After Xia Yan and Jiang Susu had walked far away, Lu Zhu said: “Madam is being too hasty—she’s only humiliating herself.”
“Others will see it as her doing good for me as her daughter. How could that be considered humiliation?” Jiang Ruan didn’t take it to heart.
Lu Zhu had stayed with Lian Qiao for so long that she spoke without concealment, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube: “Who is she fooling? Even a servant like me can see through this scheme. Everyone here knows what’s what, yet the Old Madam says nothing. No wonder this household is never peaceful.”
Jiang Ruan burst into laughter. Since Lu Zhu was a servant from the estate and not a household-born slave, she didn’t have the same loyalty to the Jiang household as Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi. She spoke of it as if discussing someone else’s family. When Jiang Ruan laughed, Lu Zhu finally realized what she’d said and blushed: “This servant has overstepped. Please punish me, Miss.”
“You spoke very correctly,” Jiang Ruan said. Lu Zhu’s lack of bias toward the Jiang household was actually good for her. After all, the things she needed to do were all positioned against the Jiang household. Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi might find it difficult to accept, so some matters could be entrusted to Lu Zhu instead.
As they walked, someone approached from ahead—swaying gracefully with slender waist, moving like a delicate willow swaying in the wind. Before reaching their vicinity, a faint fragrance already surrounded them. That person wore a pink-green short jacket and autumn-colored long skirt, just like an orchid swaying in the wind. It was none other than Fifth Concubine Hongying.
Seeing Jiang Ruan, Hongying’s eyes curved as she curtsied: “First Miss.”
Jiang Ruan smiled: “Fifth Concubine grows more beautiful by the day.”
Hongying’s pretty face reddened: “First Miss is truly jesting. Such words are too kind for this servant.”
Jiang Ruan smiled even more warmly. Hongying was tactful, more intelligent than she’d imagined. At least she hadn’t outright rejected her overture. She reached out to take Hongying’s hand: “My words are absolutely true. With Fifth Concubine’s grace and demeanor, no wonder Father dotes on you so.” She lowered her voice: “I’ve just returned to the Jiang household, so I’m unfamiliar with all household affairs. I happened to feel a sense of kinship upon meeting Fifth Concubine. I hope Fifth Concubine will look after me in the future. If I ever do something wrong that angers Father, I hope Fifth Concubine might say a few words on my behalf.” After speaking, she stared unblinkingly at Fifth Concubine.
These words carried deep meaning, seeming to hint at something. Hongying was momentarily stunned, raising her head to meet Jiang Ruan’s smiling gaze. Hongying felt that gaze was like being shrouded in mist—clearly appearing crystal clear, yet somehow making one’s thoughts fuzzy. After several turns of thought, she showed a panicked expression: “First Miss, what are you saying? If this servant can help First Miss in any way, I will certainly do my utmost.”
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly: “Then I thank Fifth Concubine in advance. Looking at this household, I believe the only one I can rely on is someone like Fifth Concubine. With Fifth Concubine’s beauty and grace, even the legitimate wife cannot compare.”
Hearing these words, Hongying couldn’t help but shiver inwardly. She looked at Jiang Ruan tentatively and smiled: “First Miss mustn’t joke with a servant like me. Madam is of noble birth while this servant comes from humble origins—we are as different as clouds and mud.”
“Fortune turns like a wheel—thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Has Concubine heard this saying?” Jiang Ruan said: “Who can say what the future holds? Fifth Concubine shouldn’t belittle yourself. Are kings, marquises, generals, and ministers born to their stations? Humble birth doesn’t necessarily mean one cannot have a good future.”
Hongying paused, lowered her head, and spoke softly: “Three days hence is the Lantern Festival. Has First Miss been to the Old Madam’s quarters?”
At her sudden words, Lu Zhu behind them couldn’t help but feel puzzled. She heard Jiang Ruan say: “That’s right, together with several sisters.”
“First Miss is kindhearted, but it’s still best to be more careful about some things. Madam and Second Miss have been acting strangely these past few days. First Miss… must take care of yourself.” After saying this, Hongying didn’t linger further. Without looking at Jiang Ruan’s expression, she hurried away. Lu Zhu behind them was thoughtful: “Miss, Fifth Concubine’s words seemed to carry other meanings.”
“She’s a clever person,” Jiang Ruan said. “If only she could have given me such hints in my previous life—how wonderful that would have been.”
The latter sentence was extremely quiet. Lu Zhu didn’t hear clearly and was confused: “What?”
Jiang Ruan smiled: “It’s nothing. Let’s go back.”
Upon returning to Ruan Residence, just as Xia Yan had said, the newly sent maidservants had already arrived and were waiting in the room. Seeing Jiang Ruan return, they all stood in a neat row.
Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao were first-class personal attendants, while Lu Zhu was a second-class maidservant. Each miss in the Jiang household had two first-class maidservants, four second-class maidservants, and six third-class maidservants. Yanhua Garden had sent four, saying the rest could be personally selected by Jiang Ruan in a few days.
The four maidservants stood in a row—all beautiful young girls in their blooming years. When Jiang Ruan entered, she didn’t even glance at them, walking directly to a soft couch nearby to read.
Lian Qiao and Bai Zhi stood silently behind Jiang Ruan, occasionally serving her hot tea, treating the several young girls in the room as if they were transparent.
After more than half an hour passed, someone finally couldn’t endure it. One of the maidservants stepped forward first, saying softly: “We servants pay respects to First Miss.”
Only then did Jiang Ruan slowly raise her head, appearing extremely weary. She swept her gaze over these maidservants, her upturned alluring eyes sharp with light, finally settling on the maidservant who had stepped forward.
The maidservant had a face like a flower and moon, with some scholarly air that doubled her beauty. She lowered her head humbly, appearing completely modest.
“What is your name?” Jiang Ruan smiled slightly.
“This servant is called Shuxiang,” the maidservant answered meekly.
Shuxiang. Jiang Ruan slowly sipped her tea. The maidservant who had accompanied her into the palace in her previous life—outwardly appearing humble, obedient, kind, and amiable. Back then, it was precisely because she could read and write that Jiang Ruan had kept her close. Her final impression of her, however, was on that day before being made into a human swine, when Jiang Susu came to see her in the dungeon, with this personal maidservant following beside her.
Now, she was being sent back to her side again.