Early the next morning, Xiang Lan stood in the courtyard with a long-spouted watering can, silently reciting the Great Compassion Mantra while watering the flowers. As summer approached, several clusters of balsam flowers bloomed beside the stone wall near the courtyard, where maids from the main house gathered to pick flowers for dyeing their fingernails.

Xiang Lan always tried to avoid the maids from the main house whenever possible. She efficiently watered the flowers, then carried the watering can with her head lowered, walking back through the tree shadows. Suddenly, she heard someone calling, “Sister Xiang Lan, Sister Xiang Lan.”

Xiang Lan stopped and looked back to see Ying Shuang, Zhao Yuechan’s headmaid, waving at her from behind the flower trellis with a smile on her face. Ying Shuang wasn’t particularly beautiful, with high cheekbones and a pointed chin giving her a sharp appearance, though her features softened when she smiled. Seeing Ying Shuang call for her, Xiang Lan’s scalp tingled with apprehension, but she had no choice but to approach, keeping her eyes lowered as she asked, “Sister Ying Shuang, did you need something from me?”

Ying Shuang, eating dates, smiled and said, “Oh, what could I need? I just saw you and wanted to chat.” She stuffed the dates wrapped in a handkerchief into Xiang Lan’s hands, saying, “Have some dates. These were picked last autumn, dried, and stored in urns. Only a few are taken out for the masters’ porridge and soup. They’re quite precious this time of year.”

Xiang Lan quickly waved her hands in refusal, “Since they’re so rare, Sister should keep them for herself.”

Ying Shuang forced them into Xiang Lan’s hands, smiling, “When I tell you to eat them, just eat them. I have more.”

Xiang Lan had no choice but to accept, thinking to herself: “Unsolicited favors must hide ulterior motives. What scheme is Ying Shuang plotting? Master himself ordered that since Concubine Lan is with child, she need not pay respects to the main wife anymore. Concubine Lan also keeps her distance, and the main house and east wing have stayed out of each other’s affairs. These days, the First Madam has been strictly managing internal affairs, demoting many people, and dealing out punishments and fines. The First Young Madam has been keeping as quiet as a mouse avoiding a cat, barely leaving her quarters. Why is Ying Shuang trying to get close to a mere maid like me?”

Seeing Xiang Lan quietly eating dates without responding, Ying Shuang cleared her throat and said, “Sister, you’re so diligent, watering flowers so early. Is there much work in the east wing? Is it difficult? From what I’ve observed, it seems like you’re the one managing everything inside and out.”

Xiang Lan grew wary but maintained a smile as she said, “I just entered the household and I’m still young. I don’t understand much and need others to teach me everything. How could I possibly manage everything? I just follow orders – whatever Concubine tells me to do, I do it.”

Ying Shuang said, “What does age matter? Though I’m not very capable, I’ve served the First Young Madam for several years. If there’s anything you don’t understand in the future, feel free to ask me. If anyone bullies you, just tell me.” She paused, expecting Xiang Lan to thank her politely, but Xiang Lan just smiled foolishly and lowered her head to fidget with her clothesline. Ying Shuang probed further, “I wonder what Concubine Lan usually eats and drinks, what things she likes? Our madam often mentions that Concubine Lan must be having a difficult time with her pregnancy and wants to send her some things, but doesn’t know what would be suitable.”

Xiang Lan grinned, “I don’t manage Concubine’s meals, so I don’t know what she likes. I just occasionally carry dishes from the kitchen, and I’m quite clumsy at it.”

Ying Shuang grew impatient, thinking to herself: “This Xiang Lan seemed clever, but turns out she’s a simpleton who knows nothing and just smiles stupidly… Or perhaps she’s shrewd? Won’t show her hand until she sees a clear benefit? She was personally assigned by Master, she must know his affairs. I should probe a bit more.” She took out an old silver butterfly hairpin from her sleeve and pressed it into Xiang Lan’s hand, saying, “This hairpin was given to me by First Young Madam two years ago. At my age, wearing this style would make me look too juvenile. Take it if you don’t mind.”

Xiang Lan hurriedly refused, saying anxiously, “How could I accept this?”

Ying Shuang smiled, “Why not? First Young Madam has all sorts of gold and silver accessories. She gave me a gold bracelet just the other day. She also mentioned that she’s noticed how clever and diligent you are, and was thinking of asking Concubine Lan to transfer you to the main house.” She forced the hairpin into Xiang Lan’s hand.

Xiang Lan stammered, “First Young Madam is too kind. I’m not that good.”

Ying Shuang asked further, “Does Master visit the east wing every day when he returns?”

Xiang Lan replied, “I don’t know if it’s every day, sometimes Master comes to check on the east wing. Whenever Master comes, Chun Ling serves him. I just do needlework, serve tea, and fetch water. I don’t often go to the front.” At this point, she noticed Chun Ling standing by the window, frequently glancing in their direction, so she said, “I should go back now.” She pushed the hairpin back into Ying Shuang’s hand: “I can’t accept rewards without merit. Sister should keep the hairpin to wear.” With that, she turned and ran back.

Just as she put down the watering can in the tea room, Chun Ling came over and asked, “What was Ying Shuang saying to you under the flower trellis earlier?”

Xiang Lan said, “Ying Shuang first offered me dates, then praised me extensively and wanted to give me a silver hairpin. She asked what the Concubine likes to eat and drink, what she does, and if the Master comes every day. As Concubine’s maid, how could I tell them these things? So I said I didn’t know anything and returned the hairpin.” She opened her hand, “Here are some dates, try them if you’d like.”

Chun Ling sneered, “I knew those demons from the main house were up to no good. They know I don’t like them, so they target newly arrived maids like you. Bah, they’re blind with greed! Yesterday, Madam specially sent Hong Jian to deliver tonics and ask about Concubine’s health, giving several instructions. If First Young Madam and her people find out about Concubine’s affairs and cause trouble, we’ll all suffer. You did well today. In the future, stay away from the main house people. Keep the dates for yourself. I’m going to help Concubine take a walk in the garden.” Seeing Xiao Juan wiping the window frames with a cloth, she said, “The sun is good today. Later, take out the quilts from the trunks to air them.” Then she lifted the curtain and left.

As soon as she left, Xiao Juan immediately said to Xiang Lan, “What does she mean by ‘you did well today’? She’s so full of herself, always putting on airs like she’s a first-rank maid. You’re second-rank too, why are you afraid of her?”

Xiang Lan stuffed all the dates into Xiao Juan’s hands, saying, “If she wants to act like a head maid, let her. Why bother arguing with her?”

Xiao Juan pouted, “She’s always ordering me to do this and that, pushing her duties onto me, then running to claim credit in front of the masters… Xiang Lan, you should get promoted to first rank and put her in her place.”

Xiang Lan stuffed a date into Xiao Juan’s mouth saying, “Give it a rest. Even food can’t keep your little mouth shut.” She laughed and patted Xiao Juan’s head, then turned to enter the room. Standing before the bed, she let out a long sigh. Though she felt her position in the east wing offered no prospects, she absolutely wouldn’t try to curry favor with First Young Madam – dealing with tigers was no joke. She poured half a bowl of warm tea and drank it, then opened the trunk and took out a jade-colored short jacket she had made yesterday, beginning to do detailed stitching on the back.

Xiao Juan followed her in, chewing dates and sitting on the bed with her head hanging low, saying, “I thought after suffering under First Young Madam, coming to Concubine Lan would be better, but who knew after just a few good days, someone else would come along to make trouble.”

Xiang Lan smiled, “Life is just like this, crossing one hurdle after another. You think after passing the Mountain of Flames, there’s a smooth road ahead where you can relax and enjoy yourself. But just when you let your guard down a bit, you realize there’s a huge pot of oil ahead. The old troubles haven’t gone, and new problems arise – there’s never a moment’s rest.” As she spoke, her hands kept busy with the flying needle and thread.

Xiao Juan blinked her eyes, “Never a moment’s rest? Isn’t that making life meaningless?”

“There’s an old saying that ‘eight or nine out of ten things in life don’t go as wished,’ which means only one or two things do go as wished. Think more about the ‘one or two’ and less about the ‘eight or nine,’ and with fewer complaints, your heart will be lighter. When I was with Young Miss, I did the work of three people alone, often faced harsh criticism and exclusion, and got leftover food and clothes. But now with Concubine Lan, there’s less work, more silver, no one giving me dirty looks, and I often receive rewards from the mistress. There’s just Chun Ling who likes to steal the spotlight, but compared to before, what does that matter? Let her have the spotlight, why fight over it now?” Xiang Lan bit off the thread and shook out the garment.

Xiao Juan grumbled, “Why should we let her take it? I can’t swallow this… Besides, what’s our place here anyway? You haven’t seen Madam’s quarters – Sister Hong Jian and Sister Lu Lan are so impressive, first-rank maids, like junior misses of the Lin household. They not only have their rooms and maids to command, but their monthly allowance is several times ours, plus they get generous rewards. Do you think Concubine Lan is generous for giving a silver ring? Madam’s bracelets for Hong Jian are pure gold, every single one.”

Xiang Lan laughed, “You envy the prestigious maids by Madam’s side, but perhaps they’re jealous of the young ladies of the Lin family, who wear fine silk and jade, have people serving them, and will marry into good families to enjoy life as mistresses in the future. And maybe the Lin family’s young ladies are jealous of the imperial princesses, who are born as commandery princesses, and county princesses, whom they must bow to and carefully flatter… Comparing ourselves to others will only lead to misery. We should make up our minds about things, so why compete with others? To live comfortably, first, be grateful for what you have and know contentment.”

After saying this, seeing Xiao Juan still looking confused, Xiang Lan knew she was still young and hadn’t experienced much of life’s hardships, so she smiled and pinched Xiao Juan’s cheek.

Xiao Juan yelped and pounced on her, “How dare you harass a proper lady!” She reached out to tickle Xiang Lan, and the two rolled around laughing together.

Just then, they heard someone calling from the hall, “Where is everyone? Where have you all gone?”

Xiang Lan quickly pushed Xiao Juan away, straightened her clothes and hair, and went out to look. She saw Lin Jinlou lounging sideways on the begonia beauty couch, his official hat thrown on the begonia table beside him. He wore his military official’s regular uniform with a gold-embroidered eight-treasure belt at his waist, which emphasized his imposing figure with broad shoulders and back. On his feet were blue satin court boots, and he reclined against two olive-colored brocade cushions with his eyes half-closed, looking languid.