Fifth Miss had already fulfilled her assigned task and spent her days idling in First Madam’s quarters. When Hupo and the others arrived, she was not there.

It was Ziwei who received them.

She smiled and served the two of them tea: “Hupo, what a rare visitor!” Her tone held warmth, but no particular deference.

Before, Hupo had been First Madam’s person; now she was in Eleventh Miss’s household… They were all at the same level now. No — in terms of standing before First Madam, how could Eleventh Miss compare to Fifth Miss!

How could Hupo not read between the lines.

But such was the way of the world…

She smiled lightly: “I was actually hoping Fifth Miss could help us think something through, but it seems she has gone to First Madam’s quarters!”

Ziwei was faintly surprised.

Hupo explained: “As you know, our miss has not stepped outside her courtyard these past days, devoting herself entirely to embroidering the screen. But just this morning, First Madam called the seamstresses to come and take Eleventh Miss’s measurements. Four silk gowns, six overcoats, four embroidered pleated skirts, one plain skirt, one moonbeam skirt — plus four undergarments, four pairs of underpants, six pairs of shoes, and twelve pairs of stockings… In the past, Dongqing elder sister used to handle all of this. But Dongqing is now helping Eleventh Miss with the embroidery, and I didn’t want to disturb her. I thought Fifth Miss has the best eye for these things — even when First Madam makes new clothes, she often asks Fifth Miss to help advise — so I hoped she could give me some guidance too.”

Ziwei watched the flash of self-satisfaction in Hupo’s manner and let out a cold, inward laugh.

She hadn’t come to ask for advice at all — she had come to show off!

“Why not follow what our miss is having made.” Ziwei’s expression was bland. “This morning the seamstresses also came to Jiao Garden, saying it was on First Madam’s orders to make spring garments for Fifth Miss. Also four silk gowns, six overcoats, four embroidered pleated skirts, one plain skirt, one moonbeam skirt — plus four undergarments, four pairs of underpants, six pairs of shoes, and twelve pairs of stockings. Our miss has gone to see First Madam precisely about this matter — both to kowtow and give thanks, and to ask about First Madam’s preferences in fabric and color.” As she spoke, she lifted her teacup and took a delicate sip, then smiled: “Come to think of it, Hupo was in First Madam’s service and used to manage her clothing and jewelry — surely choosing fabrics for Eleventh Miss’s wardrobe would be entirely within her capabilities!”

Binju couldn’t help but frown at this.

Everyone said Hupo had a gentle and honest nature — so why had she come out with such boastful words since moving to Lvyun Tower!

“We just wanted to ask what colors Fifth Miss is having made.” Binju smiled and stepped in smoothly, not wanting Hupo to say anything else that might cause offense. “So that we don’t duplicate them — that would be rather awkward for everyone.”

That was fair enough.

The thought flashed through Ziwei’s mind, and she smiled: “Our miss’s intention is to have the silk gowns made in moon-white, madder red, pine green, and ginger yellow — one each. The short jackets and overcoats are to match these colors: one in rose red, one in pomegranate red, one in bright red, one in grape purple, one in grass green, and one in lotus pink. As for the skirts, the embroidered pleated skirts will be white — two with decorative borders and two without. The plain skirt in pea green, and the moonbeam skirt in deep purple. As for undergarments, underpants, shoes and stockings, those will naturally be the same as usual.”

While she spoke, Binju quietly committed everything to memory.

“Our miss also wants two bodice tops and two more moonbeam skirts.” Ziwei’s gaze flickered. “First Madam specifically instructed Sister Liu to help make them.”

Sister Liu was the most skilled seamstress in the Luo Mansion’s needlework quarters.

“That said, it’s only because our miss lacks Eleventh Miss’s embroidery skills — skills that are counted among the finest in all of Hangzhou,” Ziwei said, covering her mouth with her sleeve as she laughed, “that it was necessary to trouble Sister Liu — who, after all, is an accompanying maidservant of our First Young Mistress.”

This was plainly telling them: whatever Eleventh Miss has, Fifth Miss has too; what Fifth Miss has, Eleventh Miss may not necessarily have.

Binju’s face went pale. She did not blame Ziwei for her sharp words — she could only blame Hupo for being so ostentatious.

“Fifth Miss and our miss studied under the same teacher — it’s only that our miss took a greater liking to needlework, while Fifth Miss preferred calligraphy.” She smiled and said a few flattering words about Fifth Miss, then rose to take her leave. “You’re busy here too, and we still need to help Eleventh Miss choose fabrics and colors!”

Ziwei made no effort to detain them and sent them off with a manner that was neither warm nor cold.

On the way back, Binju thought of Hupo’s origins and could only suppress her irritation as she gently raised what had just happened: “…Our miss has always had a gentle and yielding nature. Whenever there is something good, she naturally defers to her sisters first — especially in matters of food and clothing, which she has never been particular about or placed much value on.”

Hupo listened and laughed: “It was entirely my fault. I never thought an offhand remark would cause offense with Ziwei. I hope she won’t hold it against us?”  — yet not a trace of genuine worry colored her voice.

Binju knew her words had not been taken to heart, and let out a quiet inward sigh.

She herself had no standing to reproach Hupo — but surely Miss did. Yet Miss was in the midst of embroidering the screen, and how could one distract her at a time like this. Better to wait until the screen was finished. If all else failed, she could keep a closer watch on Hupo herself going forward.

In the midst of these thoughts, the two had already descended from the covered walkway.

Hupo smiled at Binju: “Sister, if you have other things to attend to, feel free to go ahead! I’ll make a trip to Sister Liu’s quarters.”

Binju was startled: “What for?”

Hupo laughed: “Didn’t you say we needed to help Miss choose fabrics and colors? If we don’t go to Sister Liu’s quarters to see what fabrics and colors are available, how can we help Miss make her selections?”

Binju grew anxious: “You know perfectly well that I said that just as pleasantries — how can you take it as the truth? The people in our quarters have always kept to themselves and don’t go wandering about. If you have any business, go back and report to Miss first.”

Hupo laughed: “Miss is fully absorbed in the screen — we shouldn’t trouble her over such a small matter.” Without waiting for Binju to say anything more, she turned and hurried off toward the western quarters. “Sister, don’t worry — I’ll be back shortly!”

Binju stamped her foot, rushed after her, and physically pulled her back toward Lvyun Tower: “I’m not stopping you — it’s just that you need to report to Miss first!”

…

Eleventh Miss was at that moment embroidering purses.

Dongqing, sitting beside Eleventh Miss, was also embroidering a purse.

As she worked, she grumbled: “This year, everyone knows you’re rushing to finish the embroidered screen — they won’t think you rude for not sending gifts.”

Ever since Eleventh Miss’s needlework had improved somewhat, she would embroider a great heap of purses every year before the Spring Festival, to be presented on New Year’s Eve to the Luo Family relatives who came to pay their respects at the ancestral rites.

Eleventh Miss laughed: “I’m just switching tasks because I grew tired of the screen — giving my hands a rest.”

Dongqing quickly set down her own work and moved to help her to the bed to lie down: “If you’re tired, do rest.”

Eleventh Miss was about to smile and wave her off when a junior maid announced that Hupo and Binju had arrived.

Both were momentarily startled, and at once composed themselves. Eleventh Miss moved to sit at the embroidery frame, while Dongqing went to lift the curtain: “What is it?”

Binju and Hupo entered and relayed the matter — that Hupo had wanted to go to Sister Liu’s quarters and change the colors and fabrics for the garments Eleventh Miss had decided on that morning.

Eleventh Miss looked at Hupo’s open and unabashed expression and was silent for a moment before asking: “Why change them?”

Hupo smiled: “Miss, your figure is still slight, and your skin is fine and flawless, as delicate as porcelain — I thought I would select a few spring garments for you in softer fabrics and more subtle, refined colors of plain silk…”

Before she could finish, Eleventh Miss had already nodded: “You were the one in charge of clothing and jewelry in my mother’s quarters — naturally you have a better eye than the rest of us. You shall make the decisions on this matter.”

Hupo smiled in acknowledgment and departed.

Binju sighed: “Miss, you don’t know — Fifth Miss has chosen vivid and bright colors for her spring garments this time. If we follow Hupo’s suggestion and have everything made in soft, subtle shades, won’t that put us in direct competition with Fifth Miss? And that is the very thing you are most averse to.”

Eleventh Miss was briefly taken aback and asked Binju: “What colors did Fifth Sister choose?”

Binju described them in detail.

Eleventh Miss listened and began to smile: “What are you so worried about! Don’t forget — this entire matter was decided by Hupo.”

Binju half-understood, yet still felt something was not quite right about it.

She hesitated: “But regardless, she is now one of our household’s people. We can’t just let her go running about on her own like this, can we?”

Eleventh Miss listened and smiled with a hint of deeper meaning: “She won’t be running about recklessly.”

Binju was about to say more when Dongqing, who had been watching from the side, stepped forward with a smile: “Getting the embroidered screen finished promptly is what matters most right now. Everything else can wait until later!”

Binju could say no more. She curtsied and withdrew. But she couldn’t set it aside in her heart, and so sat in the side room listening to the sounds outside, waiting to ask Hupo about her visit to Sister Liu’s quarters.

Before long, she heard Nanny Xin exchanging greetings outside: “Hupo, you’re back!”

Binju stood up, smoothed her hair, and sat quietly waiting for Hupo to come inside.

The sound of footsteps drew closer — and then passed right by the door.

Binju was startled.

She rose and lifted the curtain to look outside.

She saw Hupo turn and enter the inner suite.

The inner suite had a staircase leading up to Tenth Sister’s quarters above.

Could she actually be going to Tenth Miss’s rooms?

The thought flashed through her mind, and she felt a jolt of alarm. Recalling what Hupo had said in Fifth Miss’s quarters just now, she became more convinced she had guessed correctly.

After a moment’s hesitation, Binju followed.

She had only climbed a few steps when she heard Hupo’s voice: “…just the stockings alone — twelve pairs.”

Then came Baizhi’s voice, made cheerful with some effort: “Eleventh Miss is at the age when she’s still growing — it’s not like our miss, who gets new ones every year; she has entire chests so full you can’t even fit your hand inside.”

“As though anyone is ever short of clothes!” Hupo laughed. “It’s just adding a few new pieces for the novelty of it!”

“Indeed!” Baizhi’s voice had grown somewhat strained. “Only our miss has an unusual temperament — when it comes to new clothes, she’d much rather have a few new books brought to her instead!”

“In that case, Tenth Miss didn’t receive new clothes this time?” Hupo’s voice carried a barely concealed note of excitement.

Binju was furious at this, and called up from below: “Miss is waiting for you to report back!”

Hupo said no more, laughed, and descended the stairs.

Binju turned to Baizhi with an apologetic expression: “She came from First Madam’s quarters…”

Before she could finish, Baizhi had already taken her hand: “Sister, say no more. I understand.”

“Perhaps the seamstresses have a great deal of work and are doing it in shifts,” she found herself offering Baizhi some comfort. “In a couple of days they’ll surely come to take Tenth Miss’s measurements.”

But Baizhi only gave a bitter smile: “The Misses in the household each receive their allowance of new clothing according to the established customs — I’m not worried that they won’t make Tenth Miss’s garments. It’s just that Tenth Miss is the elder, yet Eleventh Miss has been moved ahead of her… Our situation is already difficult enough as it is, and I’m afraid things will only grow harder from here.”

—