Anxious at heart, besides Gu Xi, was also Gu Xi’s maid Hexiang.
Having been allowed to come along meant she was Gu Xi’s confidante. Gu Xi had schemed her way into staying at the Pei household and exerted herself to the utmost yet gained nothing—she was clearer about this than anyone.
Seeing Gu Xi pacing back and forth, she too was filled with worry. She couldn’t help but say softly: “Miss, about that matter the other day—I’ve inquired clearly about it.”
Gu Xi’s spirits lifted.
Having inadvertently overheard the conversation between the Old Madam and Yu Tang, the intimacy revealed in their tone made her quite uneasy, and the matter discussed in those few fragmentary words made her extremely alert. She had sent Hexiang to investigate, but Hexiang had never given her any response.
“What exactly was it all about? Tell me quickly!” Gu Xi stopped in front of Hexiang.
Hexiang hesitated for a moment, feeling that while Gu Xi would certainly be angry knowing this matter, if she didn’t tell her and let Gu Xi make an incorrect judgment, it would lead to even more serious consequences. She lowered her voice and said: “It was Third Master—seeing that Miss Yu’s cloak was rather thin, he specially sent someone down the mountain to fetch a white sable fur cloak to give to Miss Yu.”
Before she had even finished speaking, Gu Xi’s complexion had already changed dramatically. She exclaimed: “What did you say?”
Hexiang pressed her lips together uneasily and continued in a low voice: “Third Master had someone deliver it directly to Miss Yu. Somehow, the Old Madam found out about it. The Old Madam said it was because Third Master previously didn’t understand household protocol and treated Miss Yu as family, which is why he didn’t observe proper etiquette.”
Gu Xi felt these words were like a knife stabbing her.
What did she mean by “family”?
What did she mean by “didn’t observe proper etiquette”?
The two-tier imperial examination was so difficult to pass yet Pei Yan had passed it—if he truly cared, would he not understand such protocols?
Pei Yan clearly just regarded Miss Yu with special favor.
And the Old Madam—what exactly did she mean? Covering one’s ears while stealing a bell, glossing things over? The more she looked at Miss Yu, the more satisfied she became—she must have already considered her as someone for her son’s household, right?
Layer upon layer of unwillingness surged up in Gu Xi’s heart.
Miss Yu was playing deaf and dumb—why should she be able to suppress her without a sound?
Gu Xi had originally been deliberating whether or not to cultivate a good relationship with the First Madam, but at this moment it was as if a fire burned in her heart, not only igniting her reason but also making her unable to breathe.
Whether Yu Tang could marry Pei Yan would depend on her agreement!
Thinking of this, Gu Xi not only gained courage but also developed a reckless determination.
She smiled and said: “Let’s go to the hothouse to look at the orchids, shall we? I’ve long heard the elders in my family mention that the First Madam is an expert at cultivating orchids and has loved raising them since childhood. The orchids she raises—not to mention in the capital, even in Guangzhou many people admire them. There were even people who made great efforts and paid high prices to try to buy the orchids the First Madam raised. Since we’re here, we should go take a look no matter what, lest when others ask us about it, we know nothing at all.”
Ordinarily this would make sense, but wasn’t the situation special right now?
Hexiang advised: “Why must you do this? Young Master said that your coming here is just to let the Old Madam become familiar with your face. As for other matters, he has his own plans. You just need to stay at home and wait for news.”
After all, being too proactive would not only give people an impression of frivolity but would also lower one’s dignity too much.
Gu Xi had her own opinions and wouldn’t change her mind because of a few words from her confidante maid.
She responded somewhat distractedly with “mm-hmm,” but her mind was thinking about what excuse she could find to frequently go to the hothouse so she could encounter the First Madam.
This opportunity came quickly.
After seeing Zhang Shao off, the Old Madam rested in her own courtyard for several days. Yu Tang, Gu Xi, and the several young ladies from the Pei household didn’t need to go pay respects to the Old Madam and arranged their own activities. Second Miss and Gu Xi often had intimate conversations together. Third Miss and Fourth Miss often practiced calligraphy together. Fifth Miss came to visit Yu Tang every day, learning how to make silk flowers from her. Moreover, Fifth Miss seemed to have considerable talent in this area—not only did she make them presentably from the very start, but she also boldly mixed colors. Unlike Yu Tang who tried to make realistic flowers, she made various silk flowers with contrasting colors. Once she even made a peony flower that was half peach-red and half pink on the other side.
Yu Tang was left speechless but had to admit that such silk flowers had a uniquely beautiful quality.
Fifth Miss delightedly presented it to the Old Madam.
The Old Madam praised Fifth Miss profusely and gave her quite a lot of pastries, but didn’t keep her in the courtyard to talk.
Yu Tang sensed something had happened.
But living in the inner quarters, she had no way of knowing what had occurred.
What people fear most is the unknown. She couldn’t help but feel somewhat anxious and asked about Pei Yan’s whereabouts.
Fifth Miss didn’t know and didn’t understand why she was asking these things. But Nanny Chen quietly told her: “Third Master is hiding away in the mountains and doesn’t wish to see anyone. The Old Madam has even exempted him from morning and evening attendance. I heard from my in-law that outside they’re all saying Third Master is recuperating at the villa.”
Nanny Chen’s in-law was none other than Manager Tong.
Yu Tang let out a long breath of relief.
As long as Pei Yan’s side was stable, these days could presumably pass peacefully.
Just at this time, Madam Shen somehow couldn’t stop coughing. A physician was called and said it was because she constantly stayed in rooms with heated floors—it was too dry.
Gu Xi was secretly delighted and proposed buying several kumquat trees, saying: “Kumquats have cough-relieving effects. Now that the weather is getting colder, having everyone frequently go out for activities can indeed reduce coughing, but with the alternation between cold and heat, it’s easy to catch a chill. Better to regularly boil kumquats to drink—it can both calm coughs and nourish the lungs.”
The Old Madam was accustomed to staying in rooms with heated floors during winter. Among the several juniors, only Fifth Miss had grown up following Second Madam at various posts, spending winters with braziers as companions. This spring she had suffered from coughing because of this, but at that time the heated floors were quickly extinguished and Fifth Miss’s cough also quickly improved. This time, although everyone knew about this situation and kept it in mind, they also feared she might catch cold, so they observed carefully first. Fortunately, Fifth Miss hadn’t coughed up to now.
The Old Madam felt tender toward Fifth Miss and immediately nodded in agreement. She had Nanny Chen send people down the mountain to the back garden of Pei Manor to move many kumquat trees over, keeping them beside the hothouse.
Gu Xi frequently went there to pick kumquats.
Nanny Chen encountered Gu Xi with a flushed face and repeatedly said: “Whatever you need, just tell your maid to pick it. How can we trouble you to come personally?”
Gu Xi smiled as she wiped her hands and said: “Madam Shen is after all my elder. It’s only proper that I show her filial respect. Moreover, I’m not very accustomed to the heated floors in the room either—it’s too hot.”
Nanny Chen greatly admired Gu Xi for being able to get along well even with Madam Shen. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but smile and say: “You’re very thoughtful. I’ll have them burn less charcoal in the heated floors of your room.”
“No, no, no.” Gu Xi repeatedly stopped her, saying: “If the room is too cold, Madam Shen will find it unbearably cold.”
Nanny Chen couldn’t say anything more. That evening, she sent over some loquat syrup.
Gu Xi smiled and gave it to Madam Shen.
Madam Shen was alone, reclining in the room, gazing at the ceiling canopy not knowing what she was thinking about.
Gu Xi didn’t disturb her. After delivering the items, she withdrew.
The next day, when she went to pick kumquats again, she encountered the First Madam as she’d hoped.
The First Madam looked even more delicate than the last time she’d seen her. She smiled and politely exchanged pleasantries with her.
Gu Xi made small talk with her for a few sentences, praised the orchids she raised, then they each dispersed.
The Old Madam’s side immediately received the news, and her face darkened at once.
Unlike Madam Shen, the First Madam cared about face. Even if she encountered Madam Shen, she might not necessarily say anything, but Gu Xi had an elder brother who was the personal disciple of Sun Gao, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. The First Madam would only develop many more schemes.
She asked: “Who put those kumquat trees by the hothouse?”
Nanny Chen said uneasily: “It was me! I saw there was an empty space there, so I had people put them there. Should I have them moved somewhere else…”
“No need!” The Old Madam said listlessly. “One can be a thief for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against thieves for a thousand days. When heaven wants it to rain, when a mother wants to marry off—just let her be.”
Nanny Chen didn’t dare say anything more but privately reminded Gu Xi once again.
Gu Xi had achieved her purpose. She smiled with pursed lips, went to see the Old Madam, and apologized to her.
The Old Madam laughed and said: “What does this have to do with you? It’s just that in the past the First Madam didn’t much like liveliness, which is why people in the household rarely went to that place. Since you two get along well, it’s good if you can keep her company and talk.”
Gu Xi acknowledged this, but from then on never set foot in the hothouse again.
The Old Madam secretly nodded in approval and said to Second Madam: “She’s quite sensible after all.”
Second Madam smiled along with the Old Madam’s words: “Her family is also quite complicated. She’s probably experienced much of this since childhood.”
The Old Madam sighed and said nothing more.
Somehow these words reached Gu Xi’s ears, and her brows and eyes carried several traces of a smile.
Hexiang didn’t understand: “That’s all it takes?”
“That’s all it takes,” Gu Xi said. “Right now what the Pei family lacks is a clan matriarch—an obedient daughter-in-law with household management abilities. Leaving this impression with the Old Madam is enough. What comes after is my elder brother’s affair.”
After several consecutive days of heavy snow, the sky cleared, making everyone’s mood become bright as well.
The several young ladies from the Pei household couldn’t sit still and all ran to the plum grove together to admire the snow and plum blossoms.
This time they didn’t compose poetry but used tea in place of wine and sat cross-legged in the warm pavilion playing drinking games.
Yu Tang, remembering the previous misunderstanding, wore the cloak Pei Yan had given her this time.
Although the Old Madam said nothing, she felt Yu Tang looked very beautiful dressed this way and looked at Yu Tang with very pleased eyes.
Gu Xi sneered inwardly.
The villa welcomed new guests.
The wife of Old Master Yi, the grandmother of Second Miss and Third Miss.
Second Miss hid in her room unwilling to see anyone.
Fourth Miss and Fifth Miss whispered beside Yu Tang: “Is the person coming for the matchmaking meeting about to come up the mountain?”
“Why not do the viewing at a temple? That’s how it’s always performed in plays.”
“In such cold weather, going to a temple—what if someone catches a chill?”
“Then just wait until spring to do the viewing! Second Sister is so beautiful—whom couldn’t she marry if she wanted!”
“You’re talking nonsense again,” Fourth Miss said. “Even if Second Sister wants to marry, the other party has to see her first. I heard my grandmother say that the young master from that family is going to the capital next year to participate in the metropolitan examination. He must depart for the capital before the New Year even passes, so the betrothal must be settled now.”
Fifth Miss curled her lip dismissively: “If their family truly wants to marry Second Sister, where were they before?”
“Why do you always argue with me?” Fourth Miss said in displeasure. “Previously he was following his father and brothers at their posts and only just returned to his hometown. If not for the matchmaking meeting with Second Sister, he would have gone straight to the capital.”
Returned to his hometown? Then it was a young master from a nearby family?
Who was the person coming for the matchmaking meeting with Second Miss?
Yu Tang was very curious.