After hearing Madam Wu’s words, Lianxin’s face alternated between red and white. After a good while, she finally said in a muffled voice: “Then, if by chance the Master truly has some issue outside… we should make preparations early.”
“Naturally,” Madam Wu said, smoothing the wrinkles in her clothes that Lianxin had caused by pulling her. “Without Concubine Fei’s approval, Cai Rong wouldn’t have told you these things. By rights, we should also go to the First Madam’s room to inquire about what Chengxin has said. But as I’ve said, Concubine Fei has the support of the Madam, while we have the Wu family behind us. If we make a mistake, it’s a domestic affair of the Yu family, and the Wu family’s influence cannot reach that far. If Concubine Fei makes a mistake, the Madam is the matriarch of the Yu family, so it’s natural for her to intervene. Besides, Concubine Fei is more anxious than we are. In this matter, you only need to follow Cai Rong. When it’s time for us to step forward, Concubine Fei will naturally come to seek our help.”
Seeing that Madam Wu, who usually didn’t involve herself in anything, not only spoke clearly and logically but also had sound advice on what to do, Lianxin felt reassured and couldn’t help but look at Madam Wu with newfound respect.
Madam Wu smiled bitterly. She thought that no one in this world was more foolish than anyone else; it was just that circumstances forced people to bow their heads. She then thought of her younger sister who, although married to a merchant, was valued for her literacy and accounting skills. From the moment she entered the family, her mother-in-law had kept her by her side to learn household management. Moreover, she had given birth to a son soon after marriage, finally turning her bitter life sweet. With this thought, the slight discomfort in Madam Wu’s heart dissipated like smoke. She returned from the passage, calmly sat on the kang bed, and while making winter clothes for her brother, wondered if she should also make winter clothes for her nephew, whom she had never met and who was only ten months younger than her brother.
Meanwhile, seeing no response from Madam Wu, Concubine Fei clenched her hand, hidden in her sleeve, into a tight fist.
After some thought, she asked Cai Rong: “Is Chengxin still in the First Madam’s room?”
Cai Rong nodded.
Concubine Fei sighed: “I was planning to give a bottle of floral water each to the First Madam and Miss Zhen, but I’m not sure if Miss Zhen can use it. I wanted to ask the First Madam, but it seems I’ll have to wait a while.” She then instructed Cai Rong, “As soon as Chengxin leaves, come and let me know.”
Cai Rong agreed immediately and kept watch on the activity in the main courtyard.
After about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, Cai Rong came running in: “Madam, Chengxin has left.”
Concubine Fei then took the previously prepared Daphne floral water and went to Madam Fan’s quarters.
When asked, Chengxin had professed ignorance, and when pressed further, he had deflected by saying, “These days I’m only responsible for the Master’s ink and brushes; everything else is handled by Duanyan.” This had made Madam Fan both anxious and angry, so how could she be in a good mood? Seeing this, the servants naturally moved cautiously, walking on tiptoes.
When Concubine Fei arrived, she sensed the oppressive atmosphere, with everyone showing signs of caution. She quietly asked the young maid who lifted the curtain for her: “What’s happened?”
The young maid trembled at her question and hurriedly said: “I don’t know anything! I don’t know anything!”
“Look at you! I was just asking casually,” Concubine Fei smiled. “If there’s something you can’t say, would I force you to tell me?”
A trace of gratitude appeared in the young maid’s eyes, and she quickly announced through the inner room’s curtain: “Concubine Fei is here.”
There was no response from the inner room for a while. Just as Concubine Fei thought Madam Fan would refuse to see her, Mozhuang’s voice suddenly sounded in her ear: “Please ask Concubine Fei to come in!”
The young maid hurriedly lifted the curtain for Concubine Fei.
Concubine Fei softly thanked the young maid before smiling and entering.
Inside, there were only Madam Fan and Mozhuang. Madam Fan was reclining on the chaise lounge in the room, while Mozhuang sat on a brocade stool beside her. They were sitting close together, as if sharing confidential matters, though both of their expressions seemed somewhat grave.
Seeing Concubine Fei enter, Madam Fan didn’t even raise her eyelids. It was Mozhuang who spoke on her behalf: “What brings Concubine Fei here?”
Concubine Fei maintained her warm and gracious smile. As she took out the floral water contained in a glass bottle, she said: “Having nothing to do, I noticed the Daphne flowers in the garden were blooming beautifully. Following the Madam’s example, I picked some Daphne to make floral water. To my surprise, it turned out well. I thought of sending some to the First Madam and Miss Zhen. However, Miss Zhen has always been frail and is still taking medicine, so I wasn’t sure if she could use it. I’ve specifically brought it here to ask the First Madam and Miss Mozhuang for their opinion…”
Madam Fan, reminded of the clothes Concubine Fei had made for Yu Jingxiu, felt a sense of disgust. She coldly glanced at her and was about to disdainfully refuse when Concubine Fei opened the bottle of floral water. The room was immediately filled with the unique fragrance of Daphne flowers. Madam Fan’s spirits lifted upon smelling it, feeling that her headache had significantly improved. She swallowed her refusal but still casually instructed Mozhuang: “Accept it! Show it to the Imperial Physician, and if it can be used, send it to Miss Zhen.”
Mozhuang responded with a “Yes.”
Madam Fan then extended her hand, signaling Mozhuang to pass her the tea, which was also a hint for Concubine Fei that she could leave.
Unexpectedly, the usually astute Concubine Fei seemed not to notice and stood there smiling: “Speaking of which, I encountered an incident while picking the Daphne flowers.” Without waiting to see if Madam Fan was interested in hearing, she continued directly, “Old Woman Liu, who manages the flower beds—does the First Madam remember her? When I was picking Daphne flowers, she was complaining to Madam Li, who was on duty. She said her old man had been constantly complaining of back pain these days, but she was busy transplanting and grafting flowers in the garden, so where would she find time to accompany him to see a doctor? So she let her old man go to the doctor by himself. Her old man returned, saying the doctor had diagnosed it as an old ailment that required daily acupuncture to heal. Otherwise, as he aged, he might become bedridden and unable to get up. Old Woman Liu was terrified upon hearing this, but unable to leave her duties, she gave her old man the key to the silver box, allowing him to seek treatment first. To her surprise, when she finished her work in the garden and went to check, all their years of savings had been spent. She panicked and hurried to the doctor to inquire about the condition. Only then did she discover that her old man hadn’t been seeking treatment at all these days but had become infatuated with a widow living next door to them…” Before she could finish, she noticed Madam Fan and Mozhuang exchange a glance.
A smile quickly rippled across Concubine Fei’s lips but disappeared without a trace like a small stone falling into a lake: “At the time, I just listened. But today, Cai Rong told me that Old Woman Liu’s husband had beaten her and even wants to divorce her!” She laughed and said, “First Madam, don’t you find it amusing? At their age, aren’t they afraid of ridicule? Besides, Old Woman Liu’s husband is short, thin, and small. Only Old Woman Liu cherishes him like a treasure. That widow is probably just trying to coax some money out of him…”
Madam Fan’s expression immediately turned very unpleasant. She rebuked Concubine Fei: “Women should avoid being gossipy. When did you become like those lower-class old women who spread rumors?”
These words made Concubine Fei’s face alternate between red and white. She mumbled: “I saw everyone talking about this and thought to share it with the First Madam to make you smile…” Then she hurriedly added, “First Madam, I won’t dare to do this again.”
Madam Fan’s expression softened slightly, and this time she said directly: “If there’s nothing else, you may return to your room.”
Concubine Fei curtsied and returned to her quarters, but she instructed Cai Rong: “In front of the First Madam, I couldn’t properly give something to Miss Mozhuang. I have another bottle of rose floral water here. Although it’s not as good as the Daphne, it still has a pleasant fragrance. Go to the front courtyard and chat with the sisters in the First Madam’s room. Look for an opportunity to give this floral water to Miss Mozhuang.”
A woman’s love for beauty made Cai Rong bring the floral water to her nose as soon as she received it, confirming its pleasant fragrance. She agreed with a smile and went to the main courtyard.
Shortly after, she returned.
“Madam,” Cai Rong pouted, “I don’t know what the First Madam sent Miss Mozhuang to do, but as soon as I approached, I was scolded by Miss Mozhuang…”
“Oh!” Concubine Fei raised her eyebrows and said, “Perhaps Miss Mozhuang was in a bad mood today! You know, when serving, one sometimes inevitably suffers some grievances. Don’t take it to heart. We’ll wait until Miss Mozhuang is free another day.”
Hearing this, Cai Rong smiled, nodded happily, and put the floral water in her trunk. However, despite several attempts to find an opportunity to give it to Mozhuang, she never encountered her. When she asked others, everyone only knew that the First Madam had instructed Mozhuang to handle some matter, but no one could clearly say what the matter was.
After a few days passed like this, it started to rain. The rain pattered against the leaves, making them rustle, while water from the eaves fell like threads, splashing everywhere.
Everyone huddled indoors, either sewing or chatting, and by evening, they all retired to bed early.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the main house.
In the quiet of the night, it seemed even more clamorous.
Those who heard it were startled. Those who wanted to curry favor or considered themselves dignified quickly dressed and went to see, while the lazy ones hid under their blankets, pretending not to hear.
Concubine Fei hurriedly instructed Cai Rong to light a lamp: “Let’s go see as well. Perhaps something has happened to Miss Zhen…”
Cai Rong dared not be negligent and quickly helped Concubine Fei dress. She also took an umbrella and accompanied her to the main house.
On the way, Cai Rong looked back.
Madam Wu’s room was completely dark.
Cai Rong couldn’t help but snort lightly, holding the umbrella more towards Concubine Fei’s side.
The rain fell diagonally, quickly wetting half of her body.
Cai Rong didn’t mind. When they reached the corridor of the main house, she realized that although the main house was brightly lit, the doors were tightly closed, and from inside came Madam Fan’s shrill voice, though what she was saying couldn’t be heard.
Several maids and old women who had arrived earlier stood to the side, looking terrified and not daring to make a sound. Some people had simply slipped back to their rooms.
Cai Rong sensed trouble and hurried to pull Concubine Fei away.
However, Concubine Fei stepped forward and knocked forcefully on the main door: “Master! First Madam! What has happened?” She also called out to Mozhuang, “Miss Mozhuang, quickly open the door, it’s Concubine Fei!”
Cai Rong became anxious and called out “Madam,” but at that moment, the door creaked open.
Mozhuang stood there with a cold face, blocking both the light from the hall and the entrance to the hall: “What are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping…”
Cai Rong saw a flash of determination cross Concubine Fei’s brow as she pushed Mozhuang aside, walking in while saying: “Master, First Madam, what’s happening?”