In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
Mo Zi informed Qiu Sanniang about purchasing the Lin Mansion. Qiu Sanniang simply said that one thousand eight hundred taels wasn’t expensive, and the matter was settled.
Speaking of which, Xiao Sanlang and Qiu Sanniang, though temporarily not yet husband and wife in truth, had become chess and calligraphy companions. Xiao San came to find Qiu Sanniang to play chess and practice calligraphy every other day, sometimes staying briefly, sometimes longer, but never spending the night.
Whether Xiao San genuinely hadn’t thought in that direction, or was displaying his dignity as a husband, he had surprisingly accepted all those excuse-riddled reasons Qiu Sanniang had concocted.
However, Mo Zi thought that Xiao San was definitely no fool—otherwise, why would he have deliberately stayed very late last night, and when Qiu Sanniang told him to sleep in the guest room, he awkwardly said he’d go to Si Niang’s place instead? Anyone could see those were spiteful words deliberately said for Qiu Sanniang to hear, yet Qiu Sanniang had still smiled sweetly while having Bai He take two bolts of silk gauze for Qingque and Baihu to give Xiao San to bring to Si Niang, saying she had worked hard these past days coming every day to serve her meals and deserved a reward.
Lu Ju and Xiao Yi, who were on duty with Mo Yan and Mo Yu, couldn’t handle such a situation. They had no choice but to follow Qiu Sanniang’s instructions and could only watch as the Third Master stomped off in anger.
Early in the morning, when Hong Mei heard about it from Lu Ju, she blamed them for not thinking on behalf of their mistress. On this point, Bai He was on the same side as Hong Mei, feeling they should become true husband and wife as soon as possible so things would go smoothly in the mansion from then on. Thus, the two hurried to Qiu Sanniang’s room and spent quite a while earnestly advising her.
Mo Zi carried in the teapot just as Hong Mei was still talking.
“Madam, the Third Master comes every day—could it really just be to play chess and practice calligraphy with you?” Hong Mei had come on the old lady’s orders, most hoping this household would quickly produce a properly legitimate young master. But over these several days, though the atmosphere between the young couple was excellent and there had been many opportunities for things to progress naturally, absolutely nothing had happened. This made her very anxious. Now that she was here, she couldn’t very well run to the old lady every day to tattle, or else she wouldn’t gain the Third Madam’s trust and her presence here would be pointless.
“I see him as just coming to play chess and practice calligraphy. Why, do you think otherwise?” Qiu Sanniang could play dumb too.
Although many rules had been established these past days, and Jin Si came three times daily to serve meals, she felt no joy or happiness receiving such service. Instead, she envied Mo Zi for getting to leave the mansion once. Though she was the mistress, to leave the mansion gates required reporting to her mother-in-law ten days or half a month in advance, with detailed explanations of where she was going, and it was impossible to climb over the wall and leave. A maid frequently disappearing would seem strange but wouldn’t cause panic. But a mistress frequently disappearing without anyone being able to say where she’d gone would certainly alarm the entire mansion.
Hong Mei gasped.
Qiu Sanniang continued, “Or perhaps he cherishes Si Niang and fears I’ll mistreat her, so the Third Master comes more frequently. Last night, didn’t he say right in front of me he was going to Si Niang’s place?”
“That was because Madam wouldn’t let the Third Master stay the night, so he spoke in anger.” Hong Mei hadn’t wanted to be so blunt, but thinking Qiu Sanniang truly didn’t understand, she had to make it clear.
“You weren’t even there—how do you know whether he spoke in anger or truthfully? The Third Master’s fondness for Si Niang isn’t just from the past day or two. I’ve only been here half a fortnight, but I understand that although I’m the principal wife, I may not necessarily stay in this Mozhi Courtyard forever. If I want peace, it’s better to know my place. Otherwise, if I offend the person in the master’s heart, I might receive a divorce letter.” Qiu Sanniang caught sight of Mo Zi entering and remembered Mo Zi saying Hong Mei should know the truth about the two divorced wives, only Hong Mei was tight-lipped and unwilling to reveal it. Taking this opportunity, she tried to probe.
“Madam, those words frighten me. The old lady said there was a first and second, but there won’t be a third. This time, no matter what, she won’t let the Third Master run wild again. If not for our Prince Jing’s Mansion’s reputation, she must consider His Majesty’s side. What the old master has been most praised for by His Majesty since leaving the battlefield is our mansion’s family harmony bringing prosperity. Because of the Third Master’s willfulness, he’s angered His Majesty twice. If it happens again, I’m afraid there will be thunderous fury, and not only will the Third Master be punished, but the First and Second Masters will be punished too. No matter how favored that Si Niang is, if she still isn’t content and has foolish delusions, even if she bears the Third Master a son and daughter, the old lady absolutely won’t indulge her anymore. Madam, please rest assured.” The truth about the divorces wasn’t easy to extract.
“Our young miss isn’t such a cruel person. Actually, men having three wives and four concubines isn’t unusual at all. As long as everyone minds their own place, we’re all women—who would want to disturb everyone’s peaceful days?” Mo Zi spoke up. She knew in her heart that Qiu Sanniang was weary of dealing with this topic. She knew this because on this point, she shared a similar attitude with Qiu Sanniang. Fighting over a man was truly tedious.
Seeing Mo Zi bring in hot tea, Hong Mei thought she was indeed caring, having come from the natal family.
“Mo Zi, your words are quite right. Our mistress naturally has a broad and benevolent heart, but others must also know their own worth.” Finally, a slight opening appeared in her words. However, after revealing just that tiny bit, Hong Mei stopped herself and stepped forward to take the pot from Mo Zi’s hands, poured a cup of warm tea, and offered it with both hands to Qiu Sanniang. “Also, you should change how you address her. Though I know you came from Madam’s natal home, Madam has married now after all and can’t be called ‘young miss’ anymore. If you call her that in front of the Princess Consort or old lady, they’ll certainly find it strange.”
Qiu Sanniang winked at Mo Zi and deliberately went along with Hong Mei’s words, “Did you hear? I’m a madam now.”
Mo Zi smiled and curtsied gracefully to Qiu Sanniang, “Madam, old madam, you’re absolutely right. Where’s your little grandson? I’ll take him to play.”
“I prefer little girls. Madam, let me take your granddaughter instead.” Bai He also joined in the joking, wanting to lighten the morning atmosphere. Originally, what Hong Mei had said was what she wanted to say too, but knowing Qiu Sanniang’s temperament, since someone had already said it, she didn’t need to repeat it.
Qiu Sanniang threw down her brush, stood up, turned around, and put her hands on her hips, “Are you saying I’m old?”
Hong Mei and Mo Xin, who had followed Mo Zi in and had only recently begun serving Qiu Sanniang, had never seen maids speak to their mistress this way. They were startled by Mo Zi and Bai He’s audacity, and seeing Qiu Sanniang lose her temper, they thought, “Just as expected.” But then they saw those two maids giggling without the slightest trace of fear. What Qiu Sanniang said next completely shocked them.
“Come, come, one of you take each of these children away. It’s so early in the morning and you’re giving me a headache with all this noise.” Qiu Sanniang actually started playing around with Mo Zi and Bai He.
The three laughed together, making Hong Mei and Mo Xin finally realize that mistresses and maids could interact this way—they’d truly never seen or experienced it before. Especially Hong Mei, who had always followed the old lady. Though there were times for joking, there were absolutely never times for impropriety. Jokes could only go so far. Going too far with jokes meant forgetting one’s place.
Mo Zi’s attention wasn’t on that gentleman Xiao San now. He and Qiu Sanniang were both adults who should handle what needed handling themselves without her meddling.
Honestly, she was more worried about that lightly made-up, plainly dressed Zhen Niang, wondering whether her brother and sister-in-law would do something unconscionable. That day, as an outsider, she really couldn’t do too much for Zhen Niang. But because of this, something always weighed on her heart.
“Mo Zi.” After the laughter, Qiu Sanniang had instructions.
“Yes, young… Madam. Oh my, I accidentally called you young grand-madam.” Mo Zi started laughing again.
She didn’t actually know that when she laughed with genuine feeling, it was clear and pure, deeply infectious. Whether it was Qiu Sanniang or Bai He, they couldn’t help but laugh along with her. Now, even Hong Mei and Mo Xin were laughing.
Laughter was a wonderful remedy for breaking down barriers between hearts. Mo Zi’s laughter combined with witty words—no one noticed that she had unknowingly changed the group of people around her.
If there had been no Mo Zi, Qiu Sanniang would just be an ordinary capable merchant’s daughter. If there had been no Mo Zi, Bai He would just be an ordinary maid who could cook. If there had been no Mo Zi, Hong Mei would just be an outsider sent down by elders. If there had been no Mo Zi, Mo Xin would just be a new servant trembling with fear of offending her mistress. However, at this moment, in this room, because of Mo Zi, there were only five women of blooming age without hierarchy or worries.
“Madam, if we keep laughing, the sun will set.” What they’d discussed yesterday was just finding an excuse in front of Hong Mei to let her leave Mozhi Courtyard with proper justification.
“Help me find these two books from the mansion’s book pavilion.” Besides the precious collection in Xiao Sanlang and Xiao Yong’s pavilion in Jingfang Garden, there was also a book pavilion for other masters to use.
Hong Mei had been quite surprised when she first learned Mo Zi could not only read but also understand books, and was somewhat disapproving—after all, this was a society where “a woman without talent is virtuous.” However, seeing that Qiu Sanniang was a young lady who loved reading, having a maid who could read wasn’t so unusual. She thought that since the Third Master also loved reading, perhaps he and the Third Madam could truly get along well.
“Madam truly loves books, sending Mo Zi out to find books so early in the morning.” Hong Mei picked up the brush with a smile to comb Qiu Sanniang’s hair, then said to Mo Zi, “Just don’t be like last time, gone for most of the day, making us think you got lost and couldn’t find your way back.”
Bai He was the “inside accomplice” and helped out, saying, “That’s quite possible. Our mansion is so huge. Even though I often walk around with Madam, if I had to go somewhere alone, I might not find it accurately either. Mo Zi, take two steamed buns from the kitchen so you won’t be afraid if you get lost. If we don’t see you by tomorrow morning, we’ll have the junior maids search for you.”
“Enough, stop playing around.” Qiu Sanniang put on her mistress’s airs. “I told Mother-in-law I’m leaving the mansion today to handle some business, and I don’t need too many people attending me. Mo Zi, take your time searching.”
Qiu Sanniang wouldn’t feel at ease without personally seeing the Wangqiu Tower property with her own eyes. She told the Princess Consort she had purchased a residence in the capital earlier, and after the marriage was arranged, had the steward come ahead to manage it. Now hearing it was ready, she wanted to see it for herself.
Already knowing this daughter-in-law’s dowry was substantial, the Princess Consort didn’t say much, just told her to be careful on the road and return early. She also hinted that Qiu Sanniang’s status was different now and she should delegate such trivial matters to servants as much as possible and avoid showing her face in public. She even assigned a squad of guards from the prince’s mansion’s inner courtyard who, no matter how much Sanniang declined, absolutely had to accompany her.
Because of this, Qiu Sanniang had complained to Mo Zi for quite a while after returning. Unavoidably, Mo Zi had to act alone. Because Qiu Sanniang could probably only take one look. With people watching, she couldn’t actually manage anything.
Mo Zi thought that from now on, Qiu Sanniang would have to have her hands and feet bound.