Concubine Fei, as if knowing what Yu Jingxiu was thinking, smiled and explained: “Having been idle these days, I occasionally take Wu Niang to stroll in the garden. I saw the jade hairpins in the back garden had blossomed abundantly, yet no one picked them, and they fell all over the ground. It seemed such a waste. So I picked some that had already bloomed fully, thinking that summer is approaching, and I could make a few bottles of floral water for everyone to use. It’s fragrant and can also repel mosquitoes.”

Yu Jingxiu couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows.

He hadn’t expected her to know how to make floral water.

What surprised him even more was Concubine Fei’s attitude.

Last time, he had abruptly left her standing there, and from the situation at the time, Madam Fan must have been quite angry. Though she might not have punished Concubine Fei, she would certainly have scolded her. He hadn’t expected that not only was Concubine Fei not feeling sorry for herself, but she even had the mood to make floral water. Meeting him now, she didn’t utter a single word of complaint, appearing calm and elegant, showing considerable dignity in the face of humiliation.

Worthy indeed of being selected by his aunt.

Though her background might be lacking, her manners were not at all inferior to those of ladies from prestigious families.

Yu Jingxiu had always appreciated people with substance in their conversation and an elegant temperament.

Thinking this, he considered whether to chat a bit more with Concubine Fei.

As the thought crossed his mind, he saw Concubine Fei smiling gently, casually making small talk with him: “Is the Master going out? I see the weather today is sometimes sunny, cloudy. Be careful you don’t encounter rain on your way. It would be best to have the servants bring an umbrella.”

Yu Jingxiu nodded: “I have some urgent matters…”

Hearing this, Concubine Fei immediately exclaimed “Oh my!” showing some embarrassment, and hurriedly said: “Then I’ll go first, I won’t delay the Master from leaving…”

Yu Jingxiu felt instead that he was being somewhat unsociable and said: “A little delay won’t matter!” His expression appeared very gentle.

Concubine Fei took a long breath of relief and smiled: “That’s good, that’s good!” Yet she didn’t linger long, cursying to him before saying: “Then I’ll go first.” After speaking, she seemed to feel that her words were too abrupt and, fearing that Yu Jingxiu might think something of it, she smiled a bit sheepishly and added hastily, “I’ve asked Madam Wu to help make the floral water. If it turns out well, I’d like the Master to take a look. The Madam has said that the Master is extremely knowledgeable, not only well-read in various classics but also versed in inscriptions, calligraphy, painting, tea brewing, and wine making…” As she spoke, a flash of embarrassment crossed her eyes, and she said awkwardly, “Look at me, displaying my meager skills before an expert, forgetting that the Master is a connoisseur…”

Yu Jingxiu found her manner amusing and couldn’t help smiling: “I don’t know how to make floral water, I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you.”

“Really?” Concubine Fei showed a delighted expression upon hearing this, saying quite excitedly, “So there are things the Master doesn’t know.”

Yu Jingxiu couldn’t help saying: “Seeing your reaction, you seem quite happy that I don’t know something?”

Concubine Fei laughed awkwardly and said: “I was just afraid of embarrassing myself in front of the Master.”

Yu Jingxiu laughed heartily and said: “If you’re looking for an expert, your First Madam is the one. She not only knows how to make floral water but also agarwood incense.” At this point, his expression faltered, and he swallowed the words “if you want to learn, go ask your First Madam to teach you.”

It seemed a long time since Madam Fan had leisurely and contentedly led her maids in making incense, as she had done when she first married into the family.

Concubine Fei noticed his subtle change in expression and took the opportunity to take her leave.

Yu Jingxiu came back to his senses and sullenly left the courtyard.

Concubine Fei didn’t take the side alley to the back-covered rooms but instead went through the corner door beside the main house toward the back-covered rooms. On the way, she was bound to encounter the young maids from Madam Fan’s quarters.

She smiled and greeted the young maids, picking a few jade hairpin flowers with good color and form to give them to wear, then casually asked about Yu Jingxiu: “…I met the Master at the entrance? When did he return? It gave me quite a start. Had I known, I would have stayed in the garden a bit longer.”

One of the young maids with her hair still not done up quickly replied with a smile: “The Master just returned. He stayed for less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick before going out again.”

“Is that so?” Concubine Fei smiled slightly, not pursuing the topic further. Instead, she complimented the young maids, saying “the flowers look so beautiful on you,” and then returned to the back courtyard to knock on Madam Wu’s door.

Lianxin came to answer it.

Concubine Fei smiled, pointing to the small bamboo basket in her arms: “Just picked these. I’ve selected a few for Madam Wu, and you should see if there are any you like as well.”

Lianxin quickly thanked her with a smile and invited Concubine Fei in to sit.

Madam Wu, who had been sewing, heard the commotion and got down from the kang bed, inviting her to sit on it.

Concubine Fei didn’t stand on ceremony, drinking the tea Lianxin served, and asked Madam Wu to make floral water with her.

Madam Wu smiled and said, “I don’t know how to make such things. Besides, I still need to make some winter clothes for my father and brother. The weather is still cool these days, but once summer arrives, with sweaty palms, it won’t be possible to sew anymore.”

“That’s fine. You can just wait for my floral water then.” Concubine Fei wasn’t polite about it. She asked about Madam Wu’s hometown, and the topic gradually shifted to Yu Jingxiu, “I wonder what the Master has been busy with? Even in the capital, he hardly stays at home, going out every few days. Could it be that he has some social engagements?”

“I haven’t noticed,” Madam Wu truly hadn’t observed this. She smiled and said, “Perhaps the Master does have some engagements.”

After hesitating for a while, Concubine Fei asked: “Could you help me find out what the Master has been doing these days?”

Madam Wu was surprised: “I hardly leave the house; how could I find out for you?”

“Ask Madam Wu,” Concubine Fei said. “The Master’s activities must be known to people in the Wu family.”

Madam Wu immediately declined politely: “The Madam doesn’t like me to return to the Wu family. I didn’t even go back for New Year’s greetings. You know that.”

Hearing this, Concubine Fei furrowed her brow, her eyes dimming as she said in a low voice: “It’s not that I want to know what the Master is doing, but someone in my family has gotten into trouble and wants to ask someone from the Yu family to put in a good word. I was hoping to ask the Master to pass along a calling card…”

Madam Wu was quite surprised and said: “Isn’t there still the Madam?”

“If I dared to tell the Madam about this matter, I wouldn’t be in such a difficult position,” Concubine Fei smiled bitterly. “My family is in the wrong, so how could I ask the Madam to intervene? I understand this, but they are still my closest relatives, so I must try to help them somehow.”

Madam Wu apologetically said: “In this matter, I really can’t help.”

“Forget it,” Concubine Fei said magnanimously, waving her hand. “Perhaps this is just their fate. Let it be.” She then discussed making floral water with Madam Wu.

Madam Wu had resolved not to get involved in this matter. After chatting briefly, Concubine Fei took her leave.

Lianxin, while collecting the teacups, complained: “Madam, you surely can’t spend the rest of your life in the Yu household? Why not help Concubine Fei just once? Though the Madam doesn’t like you returning to the Wu family, she can’t forbid you from going back. During the Spring Festival, it was your own choice not to return…”

“What do you know?” Madam Wu, who was usually very tolerant of Lianxin, suddenly interrupted her coldly. “Stay out of Concubine Fei’s affairs in the future. She has her means; don’t help someone count their money after they’ve sold you out.”

“How can Madam speak like this…” Lianxin couldn’t help but mutter.

Madam Wu continued: “If she truly had nothing to gain, she would stay in her room all day. Going around like this every day, she’s hardly the type to sit still… In the future, you should think more carefully about things.”

Lianxin lowered her head without speaking, but in her heart, she became increasingly curious about what Concubine Fei was up to. Thinking that Concubine Fei didn’t have many people in her quarters, she kept an eye on Cai Rong, Concubine Fei’s maid, whenever possible. After a few days, she discovered something significant.

“Madam, Madam!” She rushed into Madam Wu’s room, shutting the door with a bang, and dragged Madam Wu, who was sitting on the kang sewing, into the narrow passage where the chamber pot was kept. Madam Wu was bewildered and didn’t know what to say, laughing: “In a room as small as a palm, even if you hide in the passage, anyone can find you just the same.” Then she teased her: “Have you gotten into some trouble? Don’t worry, your indenture is with the Wu family. If worst comes to worst, I’ll find a way to send you out of the mansion, and you can go straight to the Wu residence for help!”

“Oh, my dear Madam,” Lianxin stamped her foot, “the eunuch is more anxious than the emperor. Do you know what has happened in the main house?”

Hearing this, Madam Wu’s face darkened, and she said displeasedly: “What has Concubine Fei been telling you now?”

“It’s not Concubine Fei,” Lianxin hurriedly explained, “it’s Cai Rong.” She then whispered in Madam Wu’s ear, “Cai Rong says that the Master has taken over two thousand taels of silver from the First Madam intermittently these days, without saying what it’s for. The First Madam is very secretive about it. Mozhuang suggested that the First Madam ask the Master directly, but the First Madam said that she manages all of the Master’s money, and if she repeatedly questions the Master about his use of silver, not only would the Master be displeased, but if he gets angry enough, he might have his attendant keep his money in the future. Then she would have no idea how the personal funds are spent… The First Madam was about to have Chengxin ask around!”

What could Yu Jingxiu be doing that required so much silver in such a short time?

Madam Wu’s heart tightened, and she remained silent for a long time.

Lianxin anxiously asked: “Madam, what should we do? Should we also find someone to inquire about this…”

“No need!” Madam Wu instructed her, “We’ll just remain unchanged amidst all changes.”

Hearing this, Lianxin’s expression became somewhat panicked: “Madam, Cai Rong says that using so much silver without letting the Master and Madam know, the Young Master has either made a mistake in official business or is gambling outside…”

“Lianxin!” Madam Wu abruptly interrupted her, giving her a warning look, and said, “All this was told to you by Cai Rong, Concubine Fei’s maid, right? We haven’t seen or heard what’s happening. Concubine Fei is different from us. She has the support of the Madam, and if anything happens in the Yu family, she doesn’t need to hide. But it’s different for us. If something happens to the Yu family, even if the Wu family wants to drown us all in the pond, for the sake of appearances, they would first rescue us. Do you think it’s better to live this half-dead existence in the Yu family, or to return to the Wu family? Since you don’t know, let me tell you, the Yu family has never been at peace since their feud with the Zhao family began. Even if they overcome this obstacle, there will be another, and unless the Zhao family falls, the fate of the Yu family remains uncertain. You’re getting older each year, and if the Madam marries you off to a servant of the Yu family, your future will be tied to the Yu family’s honor… There are some things you should think through carefully!”