Zhou Shaojin suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and followed Nanny Shi forward. A young maid dressed in a crimson vest with pale green piping came over with a smile. “Nanny Shi, you’re back!”
She curtsied to Old Madam Guan and Zhou Shaojin. “Old Madam! Second Young Miss!”
Zhou Shaojin didn’t recognize her. Seeing that she was only fourteen or fifteen years old, with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, her eyes sparkling with laughter, fresh and charming, quite outstanding, she couldn’t help but take a few extra looks.
Old Madam Guan was clearly familiar with this young girl and smiled. “Zhenzhu, we haven’t seen each other for some time. You’ve become even more beautiful.”
“I dare not accept Old Madam’s praise,” the maid called Zhenzhu said with a smile. “The Old Madam is waiting for Second Young Miss. I didn’t expect that you would come as well, Old Madam…”
Before she could finish her sentence, another maid walked over.
She wore a light blue plain Hangzhou silk vest, was seventeen or eighteen years old, with an oval face and willow-leaf eyebrows. Her jet-black hair was styled in a coiled bun, adorned with a gold-inlaid hibiscus stone apricot flower hairpin. Her smile was gentle and her manner dignified, completely different from Zhenzhu in every way.
Zhou Shaojin couldn’t help but wonder silently.
What did the other maids in Old Madam Guo’s quarters look like?
“Old Madam!” She performed a curtsy to Old Madam Guan and said, “Our Old Madam didn’t expect you to come in person. If there were any lapses in courtesy, please be forgiving, Old Madam.”
“So it’s Biyu!” Old Madam Guan laughed a few times and said, “I came uninvited, so what does it have to do with your Old Madam? Quickly get up, no need for excessive courtesy.”
The maid called Biyu stood up with a smile and said, “Old Madam, our Old Madam requests that you first go to the hall for tea.”
Old Madam Guan nodded and said to Zhou Shaojin, “This is Biyu, a maid by the Old Madam’s side. You’ll inevitably need to trouble her in the future.”
Zhou Shaojin smiled and addressed her as “Miss Biyu.”
A flash of surprise crossed Biyu’s eyes. She quickly curtsied and said, “Second Young Miss honors this servant too much.”
Her tone was very modest, making Zhou Shaojin feel favorably disposed toward her.
The group continued forward.
At the end of the covered walkway was a two-story building with five bays. The walls were pure white, the window frames and door panels were vermilion red, covered with tender yellow gauze. In front of the door was a grape trellis, with blue and white porcelain large vats placed on either side—one cultivating water lilies, the other raising ornamental carp. It was very imposing yet refined.
A maid wearing a lilac-colored vest with bean-green piping appeared to lift the curtain for them.
Only then did Zhou Shaojin notice that Old Madam Guo’s quarters had already changed to bamboo curtains.
The slightly yellowed bamboo curtain had purple spots—clearly a Xiangfei bamboo curtain of some age. And the corner ornaments were actually two emerald jadeite lions playing with embroidered balls, each the size of an infant’s fist!
The bright green jadeite was of excellent quality, the exquisite carving lifelike. Not only were the lions’ playful expressions clearly visible, but even the auspicious flower patterns on the embroidered balls they held could be seen distinctly.
Zhou Shaojin was shocked.
In her previous life, during the first year after she married into the Lin family, for her mother-in-law’s birthday, she had specially gone to the capital’s largest silver shop, Yongfusheng, wanting to order a decorative piece for her mother-in-law. After picking and choosing for half the day, she had finally selected a piece of jadeite about the size of these lion-and-ball ornaments, with water quality not as good as these, and it had cost nearly two hundred taels of silver…
Everyone said the Third Branch was wealthy, but she had never seen such extravagance as the First Branch.
No wonder when people spoke in front of Old Madam Guo, they would consciously or unconsciously lower their voices.
Zhenzhu lifted the curtain ahead. Zhou Shaojin followed Old Madam Guan into the hall.
But before everyone had steadied themselves, Old Madam Guo, supported by a maid wearing a lilac-colored plain vest with multicolored piping, walked in from behind the central hall.
Zhou Shaojin saw that this maid was about the same age as Biyu, but had long eyebrows and delicate features, skin as white as snow, and a gentle temperament—another kind of beauty. She couldn’t help but silently praise in her heart.
This Old Madam Guo was truly interesting.
She was stern as a person, and her residence was solemn, yet the maids around her were each charming in their own way, like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with their own merits worth praising.
Over there, Old Madam Yuan had already begun exchanging pleasantries with Old Madam Zhuang: “…I didn’t expect you would come. Don’t leave at noon, stay here for the midday meal.”
“Wonderful!” Old Madam Guan said with a smile, appearing very familiar with Old Madam Guo. “Last time I had honey-glazed squab at your place, I’ve been thinking about it ever since. Today I can taste it again.”
“Don’t worry!” Old Madam Guo said with a smile. “Today there’s not only honey-glazed squab, but also the crispy lamb ribs you love, and hot-and-sour soup.”
Upon hearing this, Biyu seemed about to speak but stopped herself.
Old Madam Guan smiled at her and said, “We two have finally met, so don’t worry about all that. If the Jing First Madam blames you later, just say it was I who wanted to eat it!”
It was nearly summer now. Honey-glazed squab was a sweet dish, lamb ribs had a strong flavor, and hot-and-sour soup had too pungent a taste. Even the Fourth Branch wouldn’t easily make these three dishes for Old Madam Guan, let alone the First Branch.
Being able to manage Old Madam Guo’s diet, she must be one of the most senior maids at Cold Jade Retreat.
Biyu smiled with pursed lips and served them as they sat down.
Zhou Shaojin, however, was worried about the midday meal.
She wondered if she would encounter Yuan Shi, who might come to serve her mother-in-law during the meal.
A maid wearing a deep purple plain vest led several younger maids to serve them tea and refreshments.
This maid had thick eyebrows and large eyes, smiling before speaking, appearing lively and quick-witted—also an outstanding figure.
Having already seen Zhenzhu, Biyu, and the maid in lilac clothing, Zhou Shaojin was no longer surprised and was less curious.
After the two elderly ladies finished talking, she stepped forward to pay her respects to Old Madam Guo.
Old Madam Guo looked her over and revealed a kind smile.
Zhou Shaojin didn’t know where she had gained Old Madam Guo’s approval. She could only stand there with a reserved smile.
Old Madam Guo asked her, “What sutras do you usually read?”
People who didn’t understand Buddhist teachings would typically choose to read the “Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s Fundamental Vows Sutra,” after which they would follow their trusted Chan masters and choose to read either the “Infinite Life Sutra” or the “Amitabha Sutra,” the “Samantabhadra Bodhisattva’s Vows and Practices,” and other sutras. Only when one’s understanding of Buddhist principles had advanced considerably would one read the “Shurangama Sutra,” and only after understanding the “Shurangama Sutra” could one read the “Lotus Sutra” and the “Diamond Sutra.”
Considering her actual situation, Zhou Shaojin cautiously said, “I usually enjoy reading the ‘Amitabha Sutra.'”
Old Madam Guo nodded slightly and said to Old Madam Guan, “For the Bathing the Buddha Festival, I’ve already hand-copied a ‘Diamond Sutra’ to offer to the Bodhisattva. I’ll have Second Young Miss help me copy a ‘Shurangama Sutra’!” Then she said to Zhou Shaojin, “If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can come ask me.”
The “Shurangama Sutra” had ten volumes and was very long…
Zhou Shaojin was sweating inwardly but outwardly responded respectfully and softly with “Yes.”
Afterward, Old Madam Guo personally took her to the sutra-copying location—a two-bay Buddhist hall located beside the Taihu stone rockery in the back garden of Cold Jade Retreat.
The Buddhist hall had painted glazed windows on all four sides, rosewood beams and pillars, a gold-plated Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara statue, incense sticks as thick as a child’s arm, and offering plates for fresh fruit that were seven or eight inches across. Compared to Old Madam Guan’s small Buddhist hall, this place was more like a side hall of some temple with flourishing incense offerings.
Perhaps due to a lack of security, Zhou Shaojin preferred her grandmother’s small Buddhist hall.
Old Madam Guo pointed to the large desk with scrolling grass and paneled teeth design beneath the east window lattice, and the armchair with a rattan-yellow kudzu cloth cushion, saying, “That’s prepared for your sutra copying. If you feel uncomfortable, we can change to another place.”
Zhou Shaojin had originally thought that even if it wasn’t good, she would make do. But remembering how in her previous life she had made do with everything and never received a word of praise from her elders, only making herself suffer, and considering that she would be copying the entire “Shurangama Sutra,” which would take at least half a year, she immediately changed her mind.
After thinking for a moment, she stepped forward and pushed open the window.
Outside was a large locust tree that towered above the eaves, thick enough to require two people to encircle it. Its canopy spread like an umbrella, covering the roof of the side building, casting the entire room in deep green. Looking into the distance, she could see half the lake’s reflection and faintly make out the pointed lotus leaves.
Zhou Shaojin could imagine what a cool and refreshing scene this would be in summer.
Looking at the desk again, the Huizhou ink, Duan inkstone, and Xuan paper were all of the finest quality.
She was very pleased and said with a smile, “This is very good.”
Old Madam Guo watched her push open the window, smiled and nodded, then pointed to the maid in the lilac vest and said to Zhou Shaojin, “Her name is Feicui. If you have any matters in the future, just give her instructions.”
Upon hearing this, Feicui stepped forward to pay her respects to Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin exchanged a few pleasantries with her, saying things like “I’ll have to trouble you in the future, elder sister.” Feicui hastily said “I wouldn’t dare.” Old Madam Guo then pointed to the one wearing the purple vest and told Zhou Shaojin her name was “Manao.” Manao naturally paid her respects and greeted Zhou Shaojin. After everyone had exchanged courtesies for a while, Zhou Shaojin had thus become acquainted with all four senior maids by Old Madam Guo’s side.
According to Old Madam Guo’s intention, calling Zhou Shaojin over today was merely to familiarize herself with the environment. The formal sutra copying would begin after the eighth day of the fourth month. She said, “In any case, it’s only two or three days until the Bathing the Buddha Festival, so this little time won’t matter. Your studies mustn’t be neglected either. Attend classes at the Jing’an Study in the morning, and after the noon rest, come to my place to copy sutras.” She also said, “If the weather has already become hot, come directly for the midday meal, and I’ll have a room prepared for you.”
Zhou Shaojin had originally planned to set aside an additional hour and a half each evening to finish copying the sutras more quickly, and had no intention of staying long at Cold Jade Retreat. She was about to decline when Old Madam Guan smiled and said, “This is excellent, and saves me from worrying.”
She had no choice but to swallow the words that had reached her lips.
Old Madam Guo and Old Madam Guan began discussing the Bathing the Buddha Festival: “Nephew’s wife Yi said that Shi’s wife is pregnant and needs to stay home to be looked after, so only her mother-in-law will go with us. The Third Branch is leaving nephew’s wife Lu at home, saying she needs to help out at the Second Branch. Third Sister-in-law is bringing young Jia to go with us. How many people are going from your side? I need to make arrangements!”
This was rather convoluted. Zhou Shaojin sorted it out before understanding.
Nephew’s wife Yi referred to the First Madam Yi of the Second Branch, who was also Cheng Shi’s mother. And Shi’s wife referred to Cheng Shi’s wife, Zheng Shi.
She had married into the Cheng family five years ago and three years ago gave birth to the eldest son Cheng Geng, who was also the first child of the great-grandson generation in the Cheng family, and moreover, a boy.
In her previous life, the child Zheng Shi was carrying was also a son, born when eating crabs in the ninth month. This had delighted the Second Branch’s old ancestor so much that she had even gifted Zheng Shi a plot of land as private property.
Presumably the Second Branch didn’t want to offend the First Branch but couldn’t swallow this insult either, so they could only use this as an excuse to keep First Madam Yi, who managed the household affairs, at home.
The Third Branch, as always, offended neither side—Cheng Jia and her grandmother Li Shi would go to the temple with Old Madam Guo, while Cheng Jia’s mother Jiang Shi would remain at home under the pretext of “in case the Second Branch needs help.”