Someone responded from within the courtyard, and shortly after, a girl of seventeen or eighteen emerged. She was tall and robust, with small eyes and light eyebrows. Though her features were regular enough and her skin fair, she had a spattering of freckles. Despite her smile, there remained a hint of severity about her. She wore a jade orchid hairpin with emerald ornaments, a sapphire blue satin jacket with scattered flowers, a white silk skirt, cloisonné earrings, and a pair of silver bracelets. Though not strictly beautiful, her elegant attire added considerably to her appearance.
This young lady was named Cao Li Huan. Upon seeing Ying Shuang, her face lit up with a smile as she approached, saying, “What brings Young Lady Ying Shuang here? Please come inside and have some hot tea.”
Ying Shuang replied, “The other day, didn’t you mention to Elder Madam that you didn’t have enough maids? Elder Madam has been thinking about it, and today several new maids arrived at the mansion. She thought it would be perfect to assign one to you.”
Cao Li Huan uttered a Buddhist prayer and said, “My dear Elder Madam is truly thoughtful. I only mentioned it once, and she remembered.” As she spoke, she examined the maid and was startled by her exceptional beauty.
Ying Shuang gave Cao Li Huan a meaningful look and said, “Elder Madam specifically instructed that she be assigned to you. Since she’s new and unfamiliar with the rules, you’ll need to train her well and ensure she doesn’t wander about.”
Cao Li Huan’s expression flickered slightly. She thought to herself, “A newly arrived maid who hasn’t been trained yet, and they’re sending her to me? They look down on me.” In an instant, her smile returned, and she called out to the elderly woman at the door, “Aunt Liu, take her inside and get her settled.”
Aunt Liu wiped her hands and led Xiang Lan inside. The Luo Xue Wu was small, but its interior furnishings were elegant. Though there weren’t many decorative items, they were exquisite. The furniture was new and cleverly designed. The main hall contained a table for calligraphy and paintings and an eight-immortals table. The room on the left served as a bedroom, while the one on the right was set up for receiving guests.
Aunt Liu directed Xiang Lan to put her bundle in a small cabinet in the corner of the guest room and pointed to a couch by the window, saying, “You’ll sleep here at night. There’s a clean set of bedding in the cabinet that was just aired out the other day.”
Xiang Lan expressed her thanks repeatedly. Aunt Liu glanced outside, saw that Ying Shuang and Cao Li Huan were still standing there, and lowered her voice, saying, “Sorry you have to sleep in this small side hall. There’s a bed in the warm alcove of the bedroom, but another maid has already claimed it.”
Xiang Lan smiled and said, “It’s just a place to sleep. I think this is quite nice.”
Aunt Liu took Xiang Lan’s hand and said, “My child, you speak so pleasantly and have such beauty – I doubt any of the young ladies in the mansion could compare.” She then asked detailed questions about her age, parents, and background, which Xiang Lan answered one by one.
When Cao Li Huan entered, Aunt Liu hurriedly left. Cao Li Huan sat down at the eight-immortals table in the hall and beckoned Xiang Lan over. After examining her several times, she asked, “Do you know why you’ve been sent here?”
Xiang Lan was startled and shook her head.
Cao Li Huan glanced at Xiang Lan with an arrogant expression and said coolly, “You’re too old. The maids who usually enter our household are under ten years old – they’re easier to train and more obedient. At your age, most masters don’t want you, and you’re far too pretty. The Old Madam and Madam often say it’s not good for maids to be too attractive – they tend to become proud and restless. Clumsy and plain ones are more favored. Ying Shuang just told me that if you don’t perform well, I should tell my sister-in-law to send you away. However, I think you look somewhat honest, so out of kindness, I’ll keep you. Don’t disappoint my good intentions.”
Xiang Lan kept her head lowered and said, “Young Lady sees clearly. I’ve never had any proud thoughts. I only wish to serve my masters faithfully for a few years before returning home.” Though anxious at the mention of being sent away, she maintained her composure. Looking at Cao Li Huan again, she thought to herself that this young lady had started with a show of force – she would be difficult to deal with.
Cao Li Huan stared intently at Xiang Lan: “Just because you don’t have such thoughts doesn’t mean others won’t think that way. While you’re here, your every word and action reflects on me. If you make mistakes or bring shame, people won’t blame you – they’ll criticize me behind my back for failing to train you properly. Back home, I had four governesses teaching me proper etiquette. Even my great-grandmother praises my manners. The people under me can’t lower our standards by acting like those wild maids. Don’t embarrass me.”
Xiang Lan quickly bowed and said, “I will serve diligently and behave properly, never bringing shame to Young Lady Huan.” However, she privately found Cao Li Huan quite disagreeable. In her previous life, Xiang Lan had been a well-known lady of refinement in the capital. Though her circumstances had changed dramatically and she had been reborn into a modest family, becoming more spirited, she still maintained a distinguished bearing. Seeing Cao Li Huan’s common manners trying to affect noble airs, she found it somewhat amusing.
Seeing the new maid’s beauty and refined manner, Cao Li Huan felt jealous and deliberately suppressed her. Noting Xiang Lan’s compliance, her expression softened slightly as she said, “There’s plenty to do here, but it’s quite peaceful. I have two other maids: Hui Er, who has served me since childhood, and Huai Rui, whom the Old Madam assigned to me. One manages accessories, the other handles food. Outside, Aunt Liu does the rough work in Luo Xue Wu. Though we’re few, those who work well can stand out. If you truly perform well, I’ll put in a good word with my sister-in-law to promote you sooner – you could have a promising future.”
Xiang Lan respectfully replied, “I don’t seek any prospects. Being able to serve Young Lady well and peacefully is blessing enough.” However, she was surprised – even for a cousin seeking refuge with the Lin family, if their circumstances were humble, having only one maid would be understandable. But for the Lin family to assign just one maid from the Old Madam’s quarters seemed rather significant.
Cao Li Huan asked, “How is your needlework?”
Xiang Lan quickly responded, “Young Lady, please look at the embroidery on my skirt – I did it myself.”
Hearing this, Cao Li Huan had Xiang Lan come closer. Examining the patterns on the skirt, she nodded with satisfaction and said, “That’s good. I need someone for needlework here. Hui Er can only embroider simple patterns, and Huai Rui can’t handle a needle at all. I often have to spend entire days embroidering myself, which is exhausting. With your embroidery skills, things will be easier…”
Before she could finish, the sound of girls’ playful chatter came from outside. One said, “The flowers look best when worn in the hair, but you keep pulling off the petals. You’re wasting these tender blossoms.” The other replied, “Young Lady Huan is still in mourning and can’t wear flowers. Seeing this blossom in full bloom, I couldn’t let others have it. Even if we can’t wear it, we can crush the petals to make rouge.” Xiang Lan turned to look and saw two girls of fifteen or sixteen enter. One was shorter and slightly plump, the other tall and sturdy. Neither was particularly beautiful nor plain and though dressed simply, one wore a gold Five Blessings hairpin while the other had a thick gold necklace.
The two girls were startled to see Xiang Lan standing inside. Cao Li Huan beckoned them over, saying, “This is Xiang Lan, who’s come to serve here today.” Pointing to the shorter, plump one, she said, “This is Hui Er,” and then to the taller one, “This is Huai Rui.”
Xiang Lan smiled and said, “Sister Hui Er, Sister Huai Rui.”
Huai Rui maintained a serious expression and gave Xiang Lan a perfunctory nod in greeting. Hui Er looked Xiang Lan up and down, and seeing her worn clothes, showed clear disdain. She turned away as if not seeing Xiang Lan and said to Cao Li Huan, “Young Lady, I picked these flowers from the garden just now. They’re perfect for making rouge after bathing, and there are some peach blossoms we can put in a vase to enjoy.” Xiang Lan sighed inwardly, sensing that her days in Luo Xue Wu might not be easy.
Cao Li Huan had Huai Rui bring a wooden box containing several new handkerchiefs. She selected two and gave them to Xiang Lan, saying, “Embroider these handkerchiefs. I drew the patterns yesterday – they’re on the dressing table. The sewing box is in the table drawer.” Just as Xiang Lan was about to get the patterns, Cao Li Huan added, “Take the handkerchiefs and do your embroidery in the side hall.” She then led Hui Er and Huai Rui into the bedroom.
Xiang Lan lowered her head and said, “Yes.” She gathered her materials and went to the side hall, sitting on the couch to begin embroidering according to the patterns. The designs were simple – one was a treasure vase, the other a longevity peach. Xiang Lan carefully selected the colors and began stitching. Laughter occasionally drifted from the bedroom, and if she listened carefully, she could hear people chatting.
Xiang Lan put down her embroidery frame and rubbed her neck, thinking: “In any respectable household, when a new personal maid arrives, they usually give some gifts – perhaps some accessories or old clothes. Though they might speak sternly to set expectations, they usually show some kindness to their servants. This young lady hasn’t given any rewards, instead speaking harshly and assigning work, chatting and laughing with her two maids while sending me to this room – clearly showing intentional exclusion. Of the two maids in Luo Xue Wu, Hui Er, who has served the young lady since childhood, is more arrogant than humble – likely to be difficult. Huai Rui, given by the Old Madam, though quiet, seems close to both mistress and fellow maid. The young lady probably favors her because she came from the Old Madam’s quarters. My father is just a third manager at an antique shop, and I have no support in the household. If the young lady shows some kindness in return for my diligent work, life might not be too hard; but if she’s unreasonable, things will be difficult…”
She turned to look out the window, where Aunt Liu was sweeping fallen flowers into the flowing stream with a large broom. Thinking of how she had once been a noble lady herself, now reduced to being a maid, having to be careful and mindful of others’ expressions, she felt like those red petals falling into the stream – drifting with the current, fate beyond her control. She couldn’t help feeling melancholy but then thought: “My current situation is a hundred times better than being exiled to the frontier and dying in a foreign land. What is there to be ungrateful about? I’ve already experienced glory and wealth, survived family destruction, and lived another life without drinking Grandma Meng’s soup. If I can’t overcome these small hardships, those years of experience will be wasted. Besides, in this world of ups and downs and uncertain fate, who knows what destiny holds? When I was a Chief Minister’s daughter, could I have imagined becoming nothing but dust? Similarly, though I’m just a little maid now, who’s to say there won’t be a day when I rise again!”
After this self-encouragement, Xiang Lan’s melancholy dispersed like dust in the spring wind. She regained her spirit, picked up her embroidery frame, and began stitching again, one stitch at a time.