After entering the main room, the two elderly maids stepped forward to introduce themselves in turn. The first maid who had answered earlier was surnamed Huang. She was the most capable household manager serving Lady Lu Yuxin, the current family head of the Lu family in Lan Province, and also their Second Young Lady.
The other one, Elderly Maid Deng, was originally a young lady from a scholarly family in Lan Province. After her family’s decline, she was sold as a servant to the Lu family. The previous Old Madam had greatly valued her, and she was now in charge of teaching etiquette to the younger generation of the Lu family.
If it was just about daily care, Aunt Lu could have simply sent a few ordinary maids and servants. But given these two women’s special status, how could Qin Wan truly command them? Upon learning their identities, Qin Wan understood Aunt Lu’s intentions. One was a capable manager who served as her right hand, and the other was responsible for teaching proper etiquette to the family’s young ladies. By sending these two without coming herself, she wanted to assess whether this Princess Consort was worthy of being Yan Chi’s wife.
Though Qin Wan disliked being looked down upon, she could understand Aunt Lu’s position and didn’t feel resentful. However, to be tested before even meeting in person – she wondered what other difficulties awaited her when they reached Jian Province. Qin Wan sighed inwardly and sat up even straighter.
Although Elderly Maids Huang and Deng were meeting Qin Wan and Yan Chi for the first time, they were old acquaintances of Xun Niang. After paying their respects and making introductions, the two tactfully withdrew. Using the excuse of helping Xun Niang prepare the evening meal, they privately inquired about many things. Compared to the stern and rigid manner of the two elderly maids, Xun Niang was much more friendly, naturally praising Qin Wan one sentence after another. The two elderly maids felt uncertain and discussed in whispers after leaving the kitchen.
“This Princess Consort comes from a Marquis’s household, but she grew up in Jin Province. Her parents died early, so she likely didn’t receive proper guidance. Though her appearance is indeed fine and her bearing not lacking, we cannot know her true intentions,” said Elderly Maid Deng.
Elderly Maid Huang frowned and said, “From what we observed, His Highness cherishes her deeply. This marriage was bestowed by the current Empress Dowager. You know about the matters of the Rui Prince’s Manor – there must be a reason behind the previous Prince’s death. Now our Young Master has been labeled a traitor. The current Emperor’s intentions are clear enough. With the Marquis’s household still in the capital, although the Princess Consort has followed His Highness south, we must carefully discern whether her heart is true or false. This is what Second Young Lady is most concerned about.”
Elderly Maid Deng nodded, “I understand and will do my utmost duty. However… you’ve also noticed His Highness’s devotion to the Princess Consort. I fear that even if we notice something, His Highness won’t heed our warnings…”
Elderly Maid Huang narrowed her eyes and gave a cold smile, “The First Young Lady left only this bloodline, and our Second Young Lady has remained unmarried all these years… His Highness is not only His Highness but also our Lu family’s legitimate cousin. Second Young Lady would do anything to protect this bloodline.”
In the main room, Yan Chi held Qin Wan’s hand and said, “Not long after Father’s incident, Aunt sent a letter. She originally wanted to come to the capital but was held up by family matters. Later when we reached Chu Province, she sent a second letter, learning we were heading south and saying she wanted to send people to assist us. I wrote back then declining her offer.”
Every day on their journey, Yan Chi had to read many letters and send many replies. However, he usually only told her about news from the capital and arrangements in the Xi and Jian Provinces. If she didn’t ask, he wouldn’t explain everything in detail. Regarding military matters, she wouldn’t understand much even if he explained, and Qin Wan naturally wasn’t one to actively inquire.
“Then why didn’t you tell me about this before?” Qin Wan glared at Yan Chi.
Yan Chi smiled, “The last time I saw Aunt was more than four years ago. Aunt has a somewhat peculiar temperament. If we hadn’t encountered major trouble in the capital, she wouldn’t have actively sought us out. When she wrote offering to help us then, I naturally didn’t want her to risk danger. I also didn’t know she would go to Jian Province. I thought after declining, she would stay in Lan Province, and we wouldn’t meet for some time. Who knew she would have people waiting here.”
“Most of the Rui Prince Manor’s properties are officially registered. The places we’ve stayed during this journey south are almost all part of Mother’s dowry. These properties still have old retainers of the Lu family. Aunt must have followed this trail, certain that we would stop here.”
Yan Chi spoke slowly, but Qin Wan listened with alarm. “So she only knew you were going to Jian Province, yet had people waiting here for you?”
Yan Chi nodded, “Yes. In my letter, I didn’t say much, only told her not to worry. This matter is grave, and it would be unwise for the Lu family to become involved.”
After a pause, Yan Chi continued, “Aunt is now the head of the Lu family, and though she’s nearly forty, she has remained unmarried. You should know that in these times, it’s very difficult for a woman to remain unmarried for half her life, especially while carrying such heavy responsibilities. That’s why I had no intention of letting her help.”
Qin Wan had heard Yan Chi mention this Second Young Lady Lu before, but only now, seeing the people Aunt Lu had sent, did she feel shocked. As Yan Chi said, in these times it was extremely difficult for a woman to remain unmarried. Not only would she face ridicule, but it also violated clan customs. Forget about society – even parents and siblings wouldn’t agree. Qin Wan frowned and asked, “Why did she never marry?”
Yan Chi shook his head, “I don’t know much about the Lu family’s internal affairs. Since I became old enough to remember, I’ve only met her a few times. The first time I saw her, she was already the Lu family head. My maternal grandfather had only two daughters. She could have taken in a son-in-law, but all these years she has firmly refused.”
Qin Wan frowned, growing curious about this Aunt Lu.
At dinner time, the two elderly maids personally attended Qin Wan and Yan Chi’s meal.
Usually, Qin Wan and Yan Chi didn’t need anyone to attend their meals, at most having Fu Ling nearby. But now with two strangers present, not only Qin Wan but even Yan Chi felt somewhat uncomfortable. Moreover, the two elderly maids provided true formal service – every dish Qin Wan wanted to eat was served by Elderly Maid Huang, and any soup she wanted to drink was ladled out and placed within reach by Elderly Maid Huang. Qin Wan, being waited on like this, almost felt like an invalid. Furthermore, Elderly Maid Deng stood like a stern deity to the side, her gaze constantly falling on Fu Ling and Bai Ying. She frowned when Fu Ling served tea with slightly rippling water and frowned again when Bai Ying served fish with its tail facing Yan Chi…
Under her watchful eye, Bai Ying and Fu Ling barely dared to breathe.
Qin Wan felt uncomfortable, and Bai Ying and Fu Ling felt even more so. Especially Fu Ling, who had never properly learned formal etiquette. Now, thinking of herself as Qin Wan’s attendant, she wanted to perform perfectly, but she was naturally careless and scattered. Moreover, Qin Wan was not a harsh mistress, which allowed her to become somewhat lax. Seeing Elderly Maid Deng’s manner, Fu Ling stood with her hands folded in front, her back as straight as green bamboo.
Although Qin Wan and the others maintained their composure, Yan Chi still felt it inappropriate. He put down his silver chopsticks and said gently, “The two elderly maids need not attend here. Please go rest and chat with Xun Niang.”
The two elderly maids exchanged glances, and Elderly Maid Huang said, “We dare not disobey, but before we came, the Second Young Lady instructed us to take care of His Highness and the Princess Consort’s daily needs as meticulously as we would attend to her.”
Qin Wan continued sitting and drinking her soup, but Yan Chi fixed his gaze on Elderly Maid Huang. When Yan Chi wasn’t smiling, he had an inexplicable forceful presence, let alone when he was staring directly at Elderly Maid Huang. Immediately, Elderly Maid Huang’s heart began to tighten. Qin Wan put down her soup spoon and smiled, “Both elderly maids are capable people in Aunt’s service. We appreciate Aunt’s kind intentions, but we dare not have such important servants providing personal attendance. That would show disrespect from us juniors toward Aunt. His Highness fights on battlefields, and I was never demanding of close servants when in the inner chambers. Therefore, the elderly maids need not worry about our daily care being inadequate. It’s getting late, and we must travel tomorrow. Please go have your meal and rest.”
While Yan Chi remained silent with his sharp gaze, Qin Wan’s gentle words provided the two elderly maids with a graceful way out. Elderly Maid Huang’s lips twitched slightly, “Yes… the Princess Consort is considerate of us. We thank His Highness and the Princess Consort. In that case, we shall withdraw.”
The two elderly maids didn’t linger, bowing and withdrawing.
As soon as they left, Fu Ling let out a long sigh of relief.
Qin Wan gave Fu Ling a reproachful look, then turned to ladle soup for Yan Chi, smiling, “It seems Aunt is very worried about us.”
Yan Chi accepted the soup bowl and said helplessly, “My aunt’s personality is somewhat… anyway, you’ll understand when you meet her in Jian Province. If she treats you poorly in any way, just tell me. I won’t let the Lu family’s people mistreat you.”
Qin Wan blinked, “Am I so easy to bully?”
Yan Chi reached out to wipe some soup from the corner of Qin Wan’s lips, “Of course not. It’s just that I haven’t seen Aunt for many years, and Father once said that Aunt’s temperament rivals that of any man – she’s quite formidable.”
Qin Wan raised her eyebrows, unsure whether to be curious or wary.