Life had become difficult for Cao Li Huan. Previously, when Zhao Yue Chan was in charge, she still commanded some respect from the maids and servants due to their connection. But since Madam Qin took control, Cao Li Huan’s food and daily necessities were far inferior to before. Being stingy and unwilling to give bribes, the servants became increasingly negligent toward Luo Xue Villa.
Seeing the deteriorating quality of meals and irregular delivery of daily pastries, Cao Li Huan became furious. She led Hui Er to confront the kitchen. Wang Cai’s wife, who managed the kitchen, leaned against the doorframe, picking her teeth while saying, “Times are hard now. Even Old Madam has reduced her meals by three dishes. Young Lady gets fish and meat with every meal—what more do you want? If a Young Lady wants better food, spend your silver and buy it. The kitchen stoves are available for use. The other day when First Madam wanted to eat Rouge Mushroom Soup, she charged it to the main household’s account and bought mushrooms herself. If Young Lady is unhappy, take it up with Madam—these are her orders.” With that, she dropped the curtain and went inside.
In her anger, Cao Li Huan went to complain to Madam Qin, severely reporting Wang Cai’s wife’s behavior. Madam Qin maintained a stern face and said, “To think we have such servants! I’ll need to establish proper rules later. However, times are indeed hard this year—even the palace concubines are cutting expenses. How can people in our household be more precious than the Empress Dowager and imperial concubines? That’s why all household allowances have been reduced. Even Young Lady Qi had to beg me for half a day for an extra bowl of white fungus soup, and finally had to add her silver to get it made.” The underlying message was clear—if you want to continue eating well in the Lin family, forget it! If you’re hungry, spend your own money. Madam Qin spoke briefly before serving tea to dismiss her guest, and afterward sent her maid Lu Lan to deliver a reward to Wang Cai’s wife, praising her handling of the matter.
Naturally, Cao Li Huan returned home in a rage. Xiang Lan fled, and since Cao Li Huan couldn’t bear to hit Hui Er and didn’t want to scold Huai Rui, she took a feather duster and chased the dog to beat it several times. Still unsatisfied, she smashed a teacup.
With nowhere else to go, Xiang Lan wandered toward Zhi Chun Hall. She found Xiao Juan tending the stove in the tea room, who hurriedly invited her to sit on a small wooden stool and ran out to fetch two mung bean cakes for Xiang Lan, then poured her tea using her cup.
Xiang Lan smiled, “Don’t trouble yourself. I can’t stay long—I need to return soon. My young mistress isn’t easy to serve, and I dare not linger outside too long.”
Xiao Juan pressed the cup into Xiang Lan’s hands, saying, “Indeed, everyone in the household says Young Lady Huan is difficult, petty, and loves to show off, all superficial with no true noble bearing. Anyway, you’ll be free of it soon. Once she marries, you can leave her far behind. The First, Second, and Fourth Young Ladies from the main household are all much easier to serve.” She fanned the stove a couple of times and lowered her voice, “My life has improved greatly. Since First Madam returned, the main household has completely changed. Within days, she severely punished Yin Liu, who loved beating and scolding little maids and punished First Young Madam several times. Now everything’s truly peaceful in the household.”
Xiang Lan smiled at Xiao Juan’s round face and crescent-moon eyes. Since entering the Lin household, Xiao Juan had been the most straightforward girl she’d met, and her first friend in the manor. Her heart felt lighter in her company. Though she’d originally intended to gather information, she now abandoned that thought, not wanting to think about the troublesome matters at Luo Xue Villa. Instead, she chatted quietly with Xiao Juan about their parents, relatives, and daily affairs.
Just then, a tall, thin girl entered. Xiao Juan smiled upon seeing her, “I was just about to call you! What perfect timing. This is Xiang Lan, whom I’ve mentioned before. I felt an instant connection when I met her on her first day here—we never run out of things to talk about.” Then to Xiang Lan, she said, “This is Ting Lan. Though she’s only a year or two older than us, she’s a second-class maid. She often protects me, or I’d be in trouble.” She stuck out her tongue playfully.
Xiang Lan smiled in greeting, “Sister Ting Lan.” She noticed Ting Lan wore a semi-new indigo satin jacket with a white fitted vest and slate-blue skirt. She had an oval face with barely visible eyebrows drawn long with eyebrow pencil, almond-shaped eyes, and a slightly large mouth that revealed white teeth when she smiled. Though not particularly beautiful, her gentle manner instantly endeared her to others.
Ting Lan waved her hand with a smile, “Don’t call me ‘Sister’—you’re making me sound old! Even Xiao Juan just calls me Ting Lan, so don’t be formal.” Noticing the mung bean cake in Xiang Lan’s hand, she gave Xiao Juan a reproachful look, “That mung bean cake is from yesterday and no longer fresh. I saw them steaming lotus cakes in our small kitchen when I passed by. I’ll go get some.”
Xiao Juan quickly grabbed Ting Lan’s sleeve, “Are you crazy? If Ying Shuang and the others see you, they’ll tear you apart!”
Ting Lan winked, “The small kitchen isn’t Ying Shuang’s exclusive domain anymore. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” She left and soon returned with several hot lotus cakes wrapped in a handkerchief and a marigold ceramic pot in her other hand, announcing, “Quick, bring your cups! This is honey tea made for Madam this morning. Madam didn’t finish it and gave it to Sister Hong Jian, who found it too sweet and left it in the small kitchen. No one was drinking it, so I quietly asked to take it out. We can add some hot water and have it with the cakes.”
Xiao Juan hurriedly brought the copper kettle to make tea. The three sat together, eating cakes and drinking tea. Xiang Lan deliberately tried to befriend them, and Ting Lan was accommodating. With Xiao Juan’s cheerful chatter, the three enjoyed a pleasant time filled with laughter. Ting Lan was household-born, entering service when very young. She started with odd jobs at Zhi Chun Hall, and as she grew older, Zhao Yue Chan dismissed all the coquettishly beautiful maids. Seeing that Ting Lan wasn’t particularly beautiful but was honest and clever, completing all tasks wholeheartedly, she kept her on, and after a few years promoted her to second-class maid.
After eating a cake and taking a sip of the warm honey tea, Xiang Lan asked, “Speaking of today, our Young Lady caused trouble for Madam, complaining that the food isn’t as good as before, with reduced portions and irregular pastry deliveries—only four or five pieces when they come, not enough to eat. I wonder if the other Young Masters and Young Ladies have had their portions reduced too?”
Xiao Juan, mouth full of cake, mumbled, “Your Young Lady causes the most trouble. Everyone in the manor knows about her fighting with Liu Bei outside Shou Xi Hall! Liu Bei got ten strikes with the board because of her—such bad luck!”
Ting Lan, clearly more experienced than Xiao Juan, seemed to understand Xiang Lan’s intent. She smiled at her and said, “The food portions have been reduced, but… the monthly allowances have increased, with the extra silver going directly toward food.” She then changed the subject to discuss the patterns on Xiao Juan’s clothes.
Xiang Lan’s eyes widened in realization. My goodness, their Young Lady was so naive compared to Madam! Madam had reduced the food allowances but increased the masters’ monthly stipends, with the extra money going directly to meals—essentially changing the method but not the result. The masters’ food and supplies remained the same, but things were very different for Young Lady Huan. She lived in the manor for free, without receiving a monthly allowance. This was targeted at Cao Li Huan, yet the Young Lady was so unaware that she confronted Madam without understanding the situation. They must be laughing at her behind her back!
Xiang Lan pondered this deeply, calculating that in a few months, Cao Li Huan would marry. As a maid of the Lin family, she naturally couldn’t be sent along as part of the dowry and would need to serve a new master. She casually asked Ting Lan about the personalities of the various Young Masters and Young Ladies in the household. Ting Lan shared what she knew with Xiang Lan, and before they realized it, two cups of tea had passed. Xiang Lan then rose to leave.
Before departing, Ting Lan gave Xiang Lan a handful of melon seeds and dried apricots, smiling as she said, “Come visit Xiao Juan and me whenever you’re free.”
Xiao Juan laughed, “You both have ‘Lan’ in your names—no wonder you’re like sisters!”
Xiang Lan felt reluctant to leave and promised to stay longer next time before returning to Luo Xue Villa.