At this moment, Zhao Yuechan stood by the window, staring towards the main gate, her fingernails digging deeply into the window frame. Behind her, Ying Shuang said, “Madam, I’ve brought Zhi Cao here.”

Zhao Yuechan turned around, walked to the chair, and sat down, taking out a piece of silver from her sleeve and holding it out to Zhi Cao, saying, “Even though you didn’t do well today, I’m still rewarding you with Two Taels of silver. Remember to keep your mouth shut.”

Zhi Cao, whose face was already swollen from being slapped, accepted the silver and said quietly, “Yes, I wouldn’t dare speak of it even if beaten to death.”

Zhao Yuechan waved her hand, letting Ying Shuang take the girl away. Today’s incident was her scheme – having Zhi Cao push Chun Yan into Ying Ge from behind to make her lose the child, then personally testifying that Chun Yan had pushed Ying Ge. This would have solved two of her major concerns with one stone. Who would have thought that Ying Ge’s maid Lei Er would pull her mistress away, foiling the plan and instead bringing Lin Jinlou’s warning? She collapsed in her chair, not wanting to move at all.

Ying Shuang entered quietly, offering a cup of hot soup, saying softly, “Madam has been tired all morning, please drink some soup to restore your energy.”

Zhao Yuechan just stared out the window and after a while said, “Why does he hate me so much? If he would change his mind, I’d gladly give up ten years of my life.”

Ying Shuang didn’t dare make a sound. After another moment, she said quietly, “Madam, Young Lady Huan has sent someone with gifts. Should we receive them or not?”

Zhao Yuechan straightened up and said, “Let her in.”

Xiang Lan entered with her head lowered, presenting a wooden box with both hands: “Madam, this is what our Young Lady asked me to bring.”

Zhao Yuechan ordered Ying Shuang to take the box, saying, “Ying Shuang, tell someone to get some cakes and fruits for her.” Then she dismissed Xiang Lan.

Ying Shuang opened the wooden box and took out a brand new dark green circular-collared vest embroidered with intertwining peach blossoms, exclaiming, “What a bright and beautiful garment.” However, when she took it out, she saw a small casket hidden underneath. Opening it, she found a set of Pure Gold hairpins inlaid with rubies. There were eight pins in total, some in the shape of treasure vases, some as fortune knots, and others as double fish – representing the eight auspicious symbols. Each pin was inlaid with rice-grain-sized rubies, both exquisite and precious. Even Ying Shuang, who was used to seeing fine things, had to praise: “This set is truly excellent.” She presented them before Zhao Yuechan.

Zhao Yuechan took out two pins to examine in the sunlight and coldly smiled, “For such a set of pins, Cao Lihuan spent a fortune. It’s quite something for such a miserly person.”

Ying Shuang folded the clothes neatly: “What favor does she want from Madam?”

Zhao Yuechan held up two fingers: “Just two things. First, she wants her brother to get the purchasing position for our household – it’s a lucrative position. She’s hinted at this several times already.”

Ying Shuang snorted, “She must have wind in her head. Everyone in the household has their eyes on this position, how could it possibly go to her brother?”

Zhao Yuechan said, “Even the minor purchasing roles provide enough profit to feed them for a year. But considering Cao Lihuan’s usual meager shows of respect, which she gives as if cutting flesh from her heart, I really can’t be bothered. I might as well pretend not to understand. As for the second matter…” Zhao Yuechan’s lips slowly curved into a smile, “She sent these pins hoping I would help find her a marriage match from a prestigious family.”

“What? Isn’t Cousin already set to marry once the mourning period ends? Why would she…”

“She thinks her future husband’s family status is too low and their circumstances too modest. Now that she’s lived in our house for a while, her horizons have broadened, how could she be willing to go back and suffer? But with her looks and background? Hmph.”

“This is indeed difficult… Should we return the pins?”

“Why return them? A set of Pure Gold eight auspicious pins inlaid with rubies is worth nearly One Hundred Taels of Silver. Just keep them safe. I know what to do about this matter.”

Ying Shuang nodded and took out a key, locking the box of pins in Zhao Yuechan’s jewelry chest.

Meanwhile, after Xiang Lan left Zhao Yuechan’s room, a senior maid named Bai Lu took her to a side hall and gave her a large handful of cakes and snacks. Xiang Lan wrapped them in a handkerchief, expressed her thanks repeatedly, and as she was leaving, saw Xiao Juan waiting for her in the corridor. Xiang Lan quickly went up to her and offered the handkerchief, smiling, “Here, have some snacks.”

Xiao Juan was straightforward and lively, with a cute demeanor, and her eyes grew round at the sight of the snacks. Xiang Lan thought she looked like a mewing kitten and couldn’t help but smile, pushing the handkerchief forward again.

Xiao Juan took a piece of pine nut cake and, while eating, led Xiang Lan to her room. With no one else present, Xiao Juan closed the door and said cheerfully, “Where were you assigned? Among all the girls who came together, you’re the only one whose location we don’t know.”

Xiang Lan said, “I’m now at Luo Xue Wu, with Young Lady Huan.”

Xiao Juan’s face immediately showed sympathy: “So that’s where you went… Well, it’s no wonder. You’re so pretty, how could Madam let you stay anywhere near Master?”

Xiang Lan pushed Xiao Juan playfully, laughing, “What are you saying!”

Xiao Juan smiled with cake in her mouth: “You’re more beautiful than all three maids in the Master’s quarters. I bet before long when you’ve fully grown up, you’ll be even prettier than Madam, and she’s the First Beauty of Jinling. She might have to step aside someday.”

Xiang Lan quickly covered Xiao Juan’s mouth: “My dear girl, what nonsense are you talking about? Are you trying to get me killed?”

Xiao Juan made muffled sounds and removed Xiang Lan’s hand, saying, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. It’s just us two here. Today Ying Ge was pushed, and all the maids and servants have hidden in the back courtyard, afraid the masters might see them and take out their anger on them.”

Xiang Lan nodded: “No wonder there’s not a single maid in the front courtyard. What work do you do at Zhi Chun Hall?”

Xiao Juan sighed, “I do the cleaning work – tending to the stoves, watering flowers, sweeping the courtyard. The corridor floor has to be washed three times every day. It’s exhausting work day after day, and those sisters still aren’t satisfied. They always scold me and push all the unpleasant tasks onto me.”

Xiao Juan was still young and saw Xiang Lan as family, chattering about her grievances. Xiang Lan patted her head and said, “It’s the same for me. I do lots of work but still don’t get the master’s favor. There’s nothing we can do about it. All new maids have to endure this. After a couple of years, when we become senior servants, no one will dare bully us.” Just then, they heard someone calling loudly outside: “Xiao Juan! Where’s Xiao Juan? Why aren’t you watching the stove, where did you run off to!”

Xiao Juan stuck out her tongue and said, “That demon is looking for me again. I have to go now, Sister Xiang Lan. You must come visit me often, and I’ll also come to Luo Xue Wu to find you when I’m free.” With that, she darted away.

Xiang Lan left two more pieces of cake from her handkerchief by Xiao Juan’s pillow and then walked out. Passing by a side room on the west, she faintly heard crying – it was Chun Yan, crying and cursing: “Ying Ge, you little hussy, don’t be so pleased with yourself! You set me up, but I’ll make sure you have your day of tears!”

Xiang Lan felt a chill down her spine and hurried back. When she reported to Cao Lihuan, the latter questioned her in detail, but Xiang Lan shook her head in ignorance, only saying that Zhao Yuechan had accepted the items and given her some snacks. Cao Lihuan’s expression darkened. She had sent Xiang Lan to deliver the gifts because she trusted the girl’s honesty, knowing she wouldn’t open the box to steal anything. Hui Er sometimes had sticky fingers, and Huai Rui was internally cunning – neither suited her purposes. But this Xiang Lan was almost too honest, lacking the awareness she should have developed. Cao Lihuan dismissed Xiang Lan with a gloomy face.

Things remained peaceful for a while.

One day, Cao Lihuan specifically drew a shoe pattern and selected colors with Huai Rui, then had Hui Er trace out the designs, ordering Xiang Lan to rush to make a pair of shoes within a strict deadline. Xiang Lan buried herself in work, barely eating lunch and dinner, and stayed up late working on the embroidery by lamplight. She finished the shoes in three days. When Hui Er saw them, she first complained that the pattern wasn’t embroidered well, then said the shoe upper wasn’t stretched evenly enough, and finally embroidered a ring of small flowers around the shoe opening.

After returning from morning greetings, Cao Lihuan wore a pleased expression, and Hui Er loudly proclaimed: “Today, Young Lady showed her worth before Old Madam. When Young Lady presented the shoes, she said, ‘The other day Old Madam mentioned her feet were swollen, so I rushed to make a pair of shoes these past few days. Please try them on, Old Madam, to see if they fit.’ Guess what? Old Madam tried them on right there, and they fit! She was so delighted, that she immediately rewarded Young Lady with a pair of Gold Winter Sweet flowers.”

Cao Lihuan was quite proud, saying while drinking tea: “Indeed, that dead girl Dong Ling’s face turned green – it relieved my anger.” Lin Dong Ling was the Second Branch’s legitimate daughter who had always looked down on Cao Lihuan and suppressed her at every turn. Cao Lihuan gritted her teeth whenever mentioning her.

Huai Rui flattered her: “Young Lady knows how to please Old Madam. You spent two days just designing the shoe pattern, considering every detail carefully. No wonder you received a reward.”

Cao Lihuan smiled and said: “It wasn’t just me. The patterns on the shoes were all embroidered by Hui Er, the colors were chosen by you, and Xiang Lan also helped quite a bit to complete the shoes.”

Hui Er cleverly said: “It was all thanks to Young Lady’s good teaching.”

Xiang Lan maintained a smile on her face, but inside she thought coldly: “Fine, very fine indeed. The shoes I made staying up for three nights until my eyes were red are summed up as ‘helped quite a bit.'”

Cao Lihuan’s eyes swept over and saw Xiang Lan standing to the side, her delicate oval face notably thinner and showing signs of fatigue. Knowing she had been working diligently these days without complaint, she added a word of praise: “I know you’re a sincere child.” Then she immediately included Huai Rui: “You too are diligent and uncomplaining in your work.”

She then rewarded Xiang Lan with a few coins, but gave Hui Er and Huai Rui each a small Silver Hairpin, before sending Xiang Lan off to do needlework. She beckoned to Hui Er and Huai Rui, saying: “You two, come with me.” Then she entered her bedroom.