Xiaojuan stood up angrily, cursing: “That wretched woman! Has she gone mad? Next thing you know, she’ll want to move into this room! She even tried to get close to me earlier to ask about Sister Xianglan! If she didn’t have Madam’s backing, we wouldn’t even let her through the main hall’s door!”

Chunling frowned: “This is just infuriating. After Young Master divorced his wife, Shuruan used to manage everything. Now that Shuruan has been driven out like a fallen melon, this little rat Zidai seized the opportunity. As soon as she was promoted, she grabbed control of everything – even Lianxin had to yield to her. She made an example by driving out a disobedient maid, and now everyone in the courtyard has to watch her expression… Young Master hasn’t even taken her as a concubine yet, but she’s already throwing her weight around.”

Xiaojuan whispered: “Should I go to Madam Wu later and ask for her advice?”

Xianglan put down her book, took a sip of tea, and sat up: “No need. This isn’t such a big matter. She’s showing her power to me. As I said before, Madam’s intentions are behind this. Let her be for now.”

Xiaojuan hurriedly said: “How can we just let her be? Today she’s just changing chair covers, but if you don’t address it, tomorrow she’ll be barging in here giving orders, and turning everything upside down! Sister Xianglan, we can’t be so weak!”

Xianglan picked up a pastry from the plate and stuffed it into Xiaojuan’s mouth, smiling: “Fill your mouth instead. I know what I’m doing about this matter. You need to control your temper too – don’t start any fights with her. Avoid her when you see her. She’s Madam’s favorite, and if you offend her, I might not be able to protect you. People’s hearts are made of flesh – when Madam sees me submit, she won’t let her continue causing trouble like this. Besides, her stirring things up isn’t all bad. With Shuruan gone and Lianxin too soft to maintain control, her coming out to intimidate everyone has brought some peace to Zhichun Chamber.”

Xiaojuan agreed with a pout, while Chunling felt Xianglan was being too submissive again and let out a long sigh.

The next morning, Xianglan and Zidai went to Madam Qin’s quarters again. While massaging Madam Qin’s shoulders, Zidai carefully selected the most pleasing matters from Zhichun Chamber to report, then smiled and said: “Sister Shuruan managed things well before, but now that she’s gone and Young Master isn’t here, it’s like the saying goes: ‘When there’s no tiger in the mountain, the monkey becomes king.’ Those little monkeys below have grown bold. Though Lianxin is capable, there are places she can’t attend to properly. I’m young and soft-faced, just arrived, and shouldn’t be managing these things, but I can’t just watch chaos spread above and below. I had to thick-skinedly take charge, and thankfully Lianxin taught and helped me – truly showing the difference in someone trained by Old Madam.”

Xianglan was quietly copying the Diamond Sutra nearby, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly. These words not only explained Zidai’s recent actions but also carefully avoided anything that might displease Madam. Zidai was indeed skilled with words.

Madam Qin was pleased. Though she didn’t want to pry into everything in Zhichun Chamber, she also didn’t want to be completely in the dark. Previously, Shuruan had been too clever and slick to get anything out of, and other maids and servants were too afraid of Lin Jinlou’s authority to say much. Only Zidai truly thought like her in everything. So she closed her eyes and smiled: “I know you’re a sensible child who understands propriety. When Young Master returns, I’ll have him reward you.”

Zidai blushed, her face beaming: “How can Madam say such things? I’m doing this out of gratitude for Madam’s regard – how could I think of rewards!”

Aunt Han quickly chimed in: “Exactly! She used to just cause trouble all day, but with Madam’s guidance these days, she’s finally showing some promise. It all comes down to Madam’s teaching ability. In my hands, she would have remained just an unworldly girl no matter how long I raised her.” As she finished speaking, her eyes caught sight of Xianglan sitting far away. She hesitated, still wanting to maintain good relations with Xianglan, and regretted her words. She secretly blamed Zidai for saying such things in front of Xianglan to Madam Qin, but seeing Xianglan’s calm expression as if she hadn’t heard anything, she felt somewhat relieved.

After entertaining Madam Qin with conversation for a while, Zidai noticed her looking tired. She helped her lie down on the chaise lounge, carefully covered her with a crane-patterned brocade blanket, and prepared to withdraw. Passing by Xianglan, she paused briefly and looked at her several times. Xianglan kept her head down, revealing her slender neck in an elegant posture, holding a brush, and writing the neat small regular script. During her time in Zhichun Chamber, Zidai had boldly taken charge of all matters and subdued everyone, with even some maids and servants rushing to flatter her. She had expected Xianglan to confront her, and even if there was no open conflict, surely there would be some secret sabotage. Yet unexpectedly, Xianglan remained silent, barely even crossing paths with her, staying in her room behind closed doors. Zidai truly felt she couldn’t figure Xianglan out, and this feeling made her very uncomfortable.

After this, the Zhichun Chamber was lively for several days. Since arriving, Zidai had made herself at home, perfectly affecting the manner of a first-class maid, wanting to manage everything. Several times she overstepped, interfering with matters under Lianxin’s authority. Once when Young Master’s estate sent several baskets of crabs, Lianxin ordered them brought to the courtyard, but when she returned moments later, the crabs were gone. Asking the young maids, she learned that Zidai had already taken charge and sent them to various quarters. This had always been Lianxin’s responsibility, but now Zidai had seized it. Though displeased, Lianxin let it go. However, at noon they discovered that Zidai had secretly kept a basket, had the kitchen steam them, and sent them as gifts to the maids and servants in Madam’s quarters and Zhichun Chamber. Everyone praised Zidai, saying “She’s so righteous, thinking of everyone when she gets something good. We never had such nice things before.”

“…You should have seen it, when Lianxin found out, her face turned green with anger. She didn’t even eat dinner. Zidai sent her two round-bellied crabs, but she didn’t even look at them. Tsk tsk, even someone with Lianxin’s good temper got angry!” Xiaojuan’s eyes sparkled as she cracked melon seeds.

Chunling said: “Originally, anything sent from the estate was managed by Lianxin – what to send to which room was all according to custom. Sometimes after sending it to the masters, what remained would be shared with everyone, but always in the master’s name to treat everyone to crab. Zidai is so bold, actually using Young Master’s estate’s things to make herself look good, getting Lianxin blamed and making people think she wasn’t generous before. No wonder Lianxin is angry!” There was a hint of schadenfreude in her tone.

Xianglan picked up her brush, drew a large crab on the rice paper, added its eyes, and then said: “Zidai is quite interesting. Though her actions lack propriety, they’re hard to criticize. The crabs were distributed to everyone – if Lianxin gets angry, wouldn’t she be opposing everyone? She’s been forced to swallow this silent loss.”

Chunling tentatively suggested: “Should I… ask Lianxin to come talk with Miss? You could work together to avoid being bullied by Zidai.”

Xianglan put down her brush: “No need. What’s the hurry?”

Two days later, Zidai promoted Yinliu, who had previously served Zhao Yuechan. Yinliu was the daughter of an eighth-rank county magistrate. Her father had fallen from grace due to corruption and misconduct, bringing down the whole family. Someone noticed that thirteen-year-old Yinliu had some talent, and just as the Lin family was looking to buy maids, sent her to the Lin household, keeping her in Zhichun Chamber. However, within a few months, Yinliu’s face began developing spots, and within half a year, the black spots had spread into patches, leaving a dark stain on her cheek. Lin Jinlou found it unsightly and sent her out of his quarters.

Zhao Yuechan, however, preferred using maids who weren’t outstanding in appearance. Since Yinliu could read and write, she served Zhao Yuechan’s side for two years and gained some respect. But when Zhao Yuechan left, she was trampled into the mud. Yinliu was good at flattery and very observant. Though a third-class maid, she was willing to bow and bend to do young maids’ work serving Zidai. She even bit the bullet to buy a piece of fine cloth, carefully made two sets of clothes, and gave them to Zidai along with a pair of silver bracelets. Zidai, needing support, kept her by her side.

Though Zidai was power-hungry, she did have some ability and never fell behind in anything, treating Zhichun Chamber as her own home, working from dawn to dusk with all her heart. Yinliu, however, wasn’t very bright. Though she worked hard, she was scattered and caused more trouble than help. But she was good with words, easily glossing over mistakes she made while exaggerating her minor contributions tenfold. Zidai, being inexperienced and impatient, couldn’t help being fooled by Yinliu. The maids and servants below, however, were all complaining. Yinliu gave confused orders, making people run extra errands when she directed things wrongly. She also loved forming cliques to exclude others and poisoned Zidai’s mind against all the maids who could have been promoted to second class. The maids and servants went to Lianxin in small groups to complain.

After much thought, Lianxin found an opportunity to gently point out these issues to Yinliu in front of Xianglan. Yinliu loudly defended herself, denying everything.

Seeing Lianxin’s difficulty, Xianglan kindly tried to mediate, saying: “If there’s truth to it, correct it; if not, continue striving. Perhaps your words were too direct – the speaker may mean no harm, but the listener takes offense. Just be more mindful next time.”

Yinliu’s face darkened as she sneered: “No need to be so reserved and hesitant with your words. Isn’t it just that someone came to tattle on me? Those little hussies also complained to Sister Zidai, but Sister Zidai had sharp judgment and quickly got to the truth of the matter, not saying a word against me. They all say Miss Xianglan is reasonable, but now it seems…”

Xianglan was stunned.

Chunling became angry and said harshly: “Now it seems what? Who gave you the nerve to speak to Miss this way? Miss is kind enough to give you a way to save face with her good words, and you dare to be so insolent! Remember what you said today – when Young Master returns, you can say it to his face! Since you praise Zidai so much, have her come too, and we can sort this out face-to-face!”

At the mention of “Young Master,” Yinliu’s face instantly turned pale.

Xianglan said: “Let it be, it’s not a big deal. Everyone disperse.”

Chunling had wanted to make an example of Yinliu to put Zidai in her place, but seeing Xianglan smooth things over again, she was frustrated by her lack of fight. She could only grit her teeth and follow along.

When Yinliu returned, she became increasingly worried and told Zidai about the incident. As it happened, Aunt Han was there and, after hearing the story, pondered for a while before giving Yinliu some instructions.

That evening, Yinliu knelt at the main hall’s entrance wearing thin clothes in the cold wind, crying and apologizing to Xianglan. No one could persuade her to leave until Xianglan came out to comfort her. But after returning, she caught a cold and couldn’t stop coughing. Fearing she would spread illness, the next day she was sent out through the side gate. As soon as she left, a new maid immediately filled her position. In the afternoon, a steward came to sell Yinliu, saying it was Madam’s order.