The room instantly fell silent. Madam Qin sat down in the master chair beside the huanghuali wood side table, smoothing the folds of her skirt. Lvlan had already brought tea, while Mother Han, who had entered with Madam Qin, stood with Mother Wu, as Hongzhan and Lvlan took their positions on either side.
Xiang Lan and the two Lin young ladies all stood up, with Dongling and Dongxiu paying their respects first, followed by Xiang Lan. Madam Qin acted as if she hadn’t seen Xiang Lan and said, “Ling’er, Xiu’er, please sit down – we’re family, no need for such formality.” She deliberately left Xiang Lan standing. Lin Dongling felt vindicated and shot Xiang Lan a smug look.
Xiang Lan didn’t feel embarrassed – she had faced far more humiliating situations in her life, and Madam Qin’s cold shoulder was expected. She stood to the side with her head slightly bowed, staring absently at the intricate five-colored embroidery on the tablecloth.
As Second Madam Wang had caught a cold these past days, Madam Qin first asked Lin Dongling about her mother’s condition. Lin Dongling replied, “She’s better now. Her fever broke last night, and she took some dispersing medicine today. She’s still weak though and didn’t eat much this morning.”
Madam Qin said, “With this illness, one should fast anyway. If you need any herbs, just come get them, and if she wants to eat anything specific, just let me know.”
Lin Dongling repeatedly agreed.
Madam Qin continued, “I called you here today because there’s happy news. Xuan’er’s marriage has been arranged – it’s to Lord Tan’s fourth daughter. Your father wrote to request Lord Xie of the Court of Judicial Review to be the matchmaker. Since Xuan’er’s health is poor, the wedding can only be held in the capital, with your Fourth Uncle helping with arrangements there. However, the betrothal gifts must be prepared by the family here. I’ve discussed it with the Old Madam, and this task will be assigned to you two – drafting lists and checking items, everything must be properly accounted for.”
Lin Dongxiu’s eyes lit up at this news. Preparing betrothal gifts meant access to the storehouse, which she had long been eyeing. As she was getting older, her marriage would likely be in the next couple of years. If she could see what was in the storehouse, she could keep the good items in mind and ask for them when the time came. Unlike Lin Dongyi, who was a legitimate daughter and married into a prestigious family with Madam Qin’s private funds to supplement her dowry, Lin Dongxiu’s mother, Concubine Bao, was a simple woman with few private possessions. If she married below her station, her dowry might only amount to five thousand taels of silver. Without Lin Dongyi’s grand precedent, five thousand taels would have been considered generous, but now that Lin Dongyi had such a magnificent dowry, how could she swallow this pride?
Madam Qin looked at Lin Dongxiu and sighed inwardly. She could see right through Lin Dongling’s thoughts. She hadn’t treated Lin Dongxiu poorly and had intended to help her advance, but though the girl was observant, she focused too much on immediate benefits and liked to create internal strife – her character was too petty, gradually cooling Madam Qin’s interest in her beyond teaching proper manners, speech, and household management. If she married, besides the family funds, the main household would naturally supplement her dowry. Lin Zhengzheng had specified that all Lin daughters should be treated equally – if Lin Dongxiu married well, her dowry should match Lin Dongyi’s; if she married down, it still shouldn’t be too meager. Madam Qin had already set aside money for marrying off the concubine’s daughters, but seeing Lin Dongxiu’s current attitude made her somewhat disheartened, finding the girl both laughable and pitiful.
Madam Qin picked up her teacup, blew away the steam, and took a sip before looking at Lin Dongling. Lin Dongling was distracted – having not seen him for many years, she had forgotten what her second brother in the capital looked like and felt his marriage was irrelevant to her. She stared absently at the small bonsai by the window, idly playing with the palace cord on her skirt.
Madam Qin sighed again. Madam Wang had asked her to discipline Lin Dongling, even sending gifts, and regularly sent food. She was willing to teach, but Lin Dongling had been too spoiled and was thorny all over. Since she wasn’t her daughter, Madam Qin didn’t want to be the villain.
Her glance fell on Xiang Lan, standing quietly to the side with a lowered head and hands, appearing respectful and demure, which somewhat pleased her. She thought to herself, “Though her mind is too quick, her refined temperament is an advantage – she’s not seductive like Huamei or proud like Luan’er.” She set down her teacup, her face calm as water, and asked, “I heard talking from the room before I came in – what was all that lively discussion about? Ling’er, tell me.”
Xiang Lan’s heart skipped a beat. Madam Qin directly asking Lin Dongling clearly showed she wanted to find fault with Xiang Lan.
Lin Dongling, who had been waiting for a chance to complain, perked up. She glanced at Xiang Lan and said to Madam Qin, “I… dare not say.”
Madam Qin replied, “Was it some sort of secret? Why talk about daring or not?”
Lin Dongling sneered, “Of course I dare not. What’s my face worth? If I’m bullied by some uppity servant, I might as well just take the loss. But if I upset Big Brother’s favorite and make him angry, that would displease the elders.”
Before Madam Qin could speak, Xiang Lan curtsied and said, “It was all my fault. I spoke inappropriately, and Third Young Lady corrected me.”
Madam Qin was stunned, not expecting Xiang Lan to admit fault so readily. She thought Chen Xiang Lan truly clever – she had heard from behind the curtain how Xiang Lan had the upper hand, leaving Lin Dongling speechless, yet now she described it as “Third Young Lady corrected me,” casually glossing over the incident.
Lin Dongling snorted, “Correct you? I wouldn’t dare! After all, you said yourself you’re no longer a Lin family servant!”
Madam Qin also scolded, “Though Young Master has elevated you and I show you some face, you must know your place. Don’t think you’re suddenly a master who can talk back to proper young ladies and put on airs before true masters!”
Lin Dongling was delighted and said with a curved smile, “Exactly! Give a servant a bit of face and they get above themselves!”
These words were harsh, making the maids and servants secretly grimace. Even Madam Qin frowned slightly. Looking at Xiang Lan again, she saw her still appearing gentle and composed, neither servile nor arrogant, her expression unchanged.
Madam Qin asked, “Do you have anything else to say?”
Xiang Lan curtsied slightly and said, “Madam’s instruction is correct.”
Madam Qin thought to herself that this ability to be both firm and yielding showed true depth – unlike typical girls her age who would either show resentment or despair at harsh words. Earlier when Lin Dongling had repeatedly provoked her, she remained calm and measured, maintaining dignity while responding appropriately. Those who flare up at the slightest provocation lose the high ground even if they win the argument – true nobility lies in being neither hasty nor slow, showing tolerance and forbearance.
Madam Qin looked away and softened her voice, “In this world, everyone has their way of life and rules. Remember your station – young ladies should be dignified and generous, and maids should be understanding and gentle. Everyone should mind their own business and not stray from their path. People need to maintain face with each other – what kind of behavior is it to squabble like chickens and geese when meeting?”
Lin Dongling, feeling vindicated and satisfied, responded loudly. Lin Dongxiu stood to accept the teaching. Xiang Lan, knowing Madam Qin was warning her, also curtsied in acknowledgment.
After discussing other matters, Madam Qin dismissed Dongling and Dongxiu, leaving Xiang Lan in the room. Madam Qin took a sip of warm tea and asked Xiang Lan, “Did Young Master sleep well last night?”
Xiang Lan replied, “He slept well and even practiced martial arts after getting up early.”
Madam Qin sighed, “Amitabha, who would have thought such an unfortunate incident would occur last night? All these years, Lou’er has been surrounded by such treacherous people.”
Hearing this, Xiang Lan immediately understood – Madam Qin wanted to place new maids in Lin Jinlou’s household. Sure enough, Madam Qin called for Zidai and told Xiang Lan, “Zidai was trained in my household. She wasn’t promoted a couple of years ago due to her young age. Now that Young Master’s household needs people – Lianxin is too soft, Tinglan too simple, and Shuruan has been matched with someone. I heard Young Master doesn’t want her serving in Zhichun Pavilion anymore, so there’s no capable person in the household. I discussed it with Old Madam during morning greetings – coincidentally, Old Madam has Xuening to serve Young Master, and I’m sending Zidai, promoting her to second rank with her monthly allowance coming from my household.”
Xiang Lan looked up to see a plump girl of fifteen or sixteen, with almond eyes and a small mouth, wearing a lotus-colored satin jacket, quite attractive.
Seeing this beautiful maid, Xiang Lan guessed Madam Qin’s intentions but wondered why she was telling her all this. Then Madam Qin continued, “Zidai is Mother Han’s niece. She’s skilled at needlework and has a gentle temperament – you should learn from her in some areas.”
This was a blatant slap in the face, also indicating that Zidai was related to an important servant in her household, openly showing support for Zidai.
Mother Han appeared extremely anxious and said with an ingratiating smile to Madam Qin, “Madam jests! What does she know? At her age she’s still mischievous – she should focus on serving Miss Xiang Lan well and taking good care of her masters.”
Madam Qin waved her hand and said, “I’ve watched Zidai for several years – she handles all tasks properly. Someone, you’ve trained, how could I not trust her?”
Zidai secretly glanced at Xiang Lan several times, noting her beautiful and refined appearance with slight jealousy, then seeing her rich attire and the dazzling gold necklace with jade pendants, she felt envy.
Xiang Lan looked up, their eyes met, and Zidai hurriedly lowered her head. Xiang Lan noticed from the corner of her eye that Madam Qin was watching her intently, so she curtsied and said, “Everyone from Madam’s household is clever. Madam cares so much for Young Master that she sends her best to Zhichun Pavilion.” She neither acknowledged Madam Qin’s suggestion to learn from Zidai nor accepted Mother Han’s statement about Zidai serving her.
Madam Qin raised an eyebrow.
Mother Wu and Hongzhan exchanged glances, and then Hongzhan bent down and said affectionately to Madam Qin, “Xiang Lan is so good with words. Zidai isn’t our best maid – we burnt-out ones are left to serve Madam, truly wronging you! When Madam has no one skilled to do her needlework, ah, Lvlan and I won’t be able to escape blame!”
Madam Qin finally smiled faintly and said, “So that’s why your needlework has improved – you’ve been lazy and making Zidai do all the work!”
Mother Wu, Mother Han, and the others quickly joined in the laughter to lighten the mood.