Wu Xiaoquan’s wife, having heard Fifth Miss’s tone of dissatisfaction, immediately put on a smiling face. “Madam Senior Mistress does know. It is just that she did not inquire as thoroughly as Fifth Miss.”

The usually sharp-tongued Fifth Miss’s expression changed at that moment, and she said with a solemn air, “Mother is most particular about propriety, and she has entrusted this matter to the three of us. Should anything go wrong, none of us would be able to shirk responsibility. There are things I cannot leave unsaid…”

Although Wu Xiaoquan was the Luo Mansion’s chief steward, his wife did not actually serve within the Luo Mansion itself. She ordinarily hovered about Madam Senior Mistress, keeping her company with idle conversation or running small errands on her behalf. Madam Senior Mistress seemed to enjoy having such a person around; though she did not rely on her as heavily as she did on Nanny Xu, she nonetheless placed some degree of trust in her. For this reason, everyone throughout the Luo household showed her a measure of respect.

Eleventh Miss listened to Fifth Miss’s lecturing tone and could not help but quietly sigh inwardly.

Everyone acted in accordance with Madam Senior Mistress’s wishes, and at times, Fifth Miss was simply too eager and impulsive.

Take this matter, for instance. Wu Xiaoquan’s wife had described the appearance of the folding screen from the very beginning; it was only Fifth Miss who had objected and enumerated a string of difficulties. Then Fifth Miss had asked whether “Mother knew about this,” and Wu Xiaoquan’s wife had replied that “Madam had not inquired in detail”… All of it, every last bit, was a roundabout way of telling Fifth Miss that Madam Senior Mistress was indeed aware of the matter.

Noticing a faint stiffness creeping into Wu Xiaoquan’s wife’s smile, Eleventh Miss cut in and asked with a grin, “Nanny Wu, the dimensions of the screen are settled, are they not?”

Eleventh Miss’s interjection had spared Wu Xiaoquan’s wife from further lecturing, and she was naturally glad of it. She quickly replied with a smile, “Any larger and it would look unwieldy; any smaller and it would seem frivolous. The dimensions are fixed.” Her tone was exceedingly warm.

“Then, Elder Sister, you may go ahead and write the characters according to these dimensions!” Eleventh Miss said, beaming at Fifth Miss. “There are still more than three months before the birthday gift must be presented. Let us begin the preparations now. Once a suitable timber is found, there will still be plenty of time to carve the screen stand and construct the frame.”

Wu Xiaoquan’s wife could not help sneering inwardly.

Just look at Eleventh Miss — warm and courteous, magnanimous and gracious, giving offence to no one in word or deed. Now *that* was what one called perfect social grace. Not like certain people, who thought that making others laugh was the same as knowing how to speak, not realizing that those who truly know how to speak often say very little, while those who do not know how to speak chatter on endlessly for fear that others might not notice their incompetence — rattling away with one unreliable thing after another. It was just like a half-filled bottle that sloshes and makes noise, while a full bottle is always perfectly still… Fancying herself beloved by Madam Senior Mistress and actually taking herself for a legitimate daughter!

“Quite right.” She agreed with Eleventh Miss, all smiles. “Those timber dealers are the most capable in Hangzhou Prefecture, and they do have stock on hand; it simply does not quite meet our requirements. Should it truly come to it, we could fall back on a second option and piece together several planks — it would serve just as well.”

Fifth Miss caught the flash of contempt that crossed Wu Xiaoquan’s wife’s eyes, and her heart gave a start. She realized she had spoken too much.

The next moment, a surge of silent indignation rose within her.

These wretched servants — relying on nothing more than Madam Senior Mistress’s favor, they did not even show proper deference to the young mistresses… And it all came down to the fact that she was not Madam Senior Mistress’s own flesh and blood… When Elder Sister Yuan Niang was still at home, Fifth Miss had been young, but there were things she remembered with perfect clarity.

On one occasion, Elder Sister Yuan Niang had found the red bean filling in the glutinous rice dumplings too sweet and had eaten only half before spitting the rest back into the bowl. This very Wu Xiaoquan’s wife had picked up the bowl and eaten it herself, clicking her tongue in satisfaction, saying it was fortunate that the First Young Miss did not care for them, so they would not go to waste. The way she had acted was exactly like a dog wagging its tail…

Her hands, without her realizing it, had twisted tightly together.

Just then, a young maid came in to ask, “Fifth Miss, where shall lunch be served?”

“We were so caught up in conversation, I quite forgot to check the time.” Fifth Miss let out a long breath, and the smile on her face grew even more radiant. She produced a pocket watch and glanced at it. “Indeed, it is a little late. The two of you must stay and have lunch together!” She then instructed the young maid, “Go tell the kitchen that Eleventh Miss and Nanny Wu are dining here, and have them prepare the dishes that each of them favors.”

Thinking that she had not yet settled matters and would not know whether a meal had been set aside for her at Madam Senior Mistress’s quarters when she returned — and that going back to her own home would mean lighting the stove and rinsing the rice — it was far better to simply eat here with Fifth Miss.

Wu Xiaoquan’s wife smiled. “Then we shall impose on Fifth Miss’s hospitality.”

Meals here were paid for from the communal household budget and came with a fixed amount each day. If one wished to add extra dishes, one had to pay out of one’s own pocket.

Fifth Miss laughed. “Rest assured, a meal will not ruin me.”

Eleventh Miss, however, felt a moment of hesitation.

The young maid had not yet left when she suddenly spoke up. “Eleventh Miss, are you worried that things back in your room have not been properly arranged?”

Eleventh Miss was quietly startled.

She was indeed worried about things back in her room…

But she could not say so to Fifth Miss.

She feared Fifth Miss would think she valued Hupo more than she valued her — even though that was, in fact, the truth.

Upon hearing this, Fifth Miss turned her gaze toward Eleventh Miss as expected.

But before Eleventh Miss could explain, the young maid had already continued, “Eleventh Miss, do not worry. Binju Jiejie arrived a good while ago. She saw that you and our Young Miss were still talking and did not dare to interrupt. She said Dongqing Jiejie has already taken care of everything in your room — Hupo Jiejie’s quarters have been tidied, she has been brought back to Lvyun Tower, and the kitchen has even prepared extra dishes in her honor. Please eat at ease here with us!”

Her voice was clear, her words nimble and well-ordered, and everyone’s gaze was naturally drawn to her — Fifth Miss’s included.

The young maid appeared to be no more than eight or nine years of age, her hair still unbound in the style of a young child. She had almond-shaped eyes and rosy cheeks, and wore a pale green cotton gauze jacket. She stood there neat and slender, as tender and fresh as the new buds on a willow bough in the third month of spring.

Wu Xiaoquan’s wife looked at her with delight and smiled. “Whose girl is this? What a lovely face, and such a clever tongue.”

The maid smiled, stepped forward, bent her knees in a curtsy, and introduced herself cheerfully. “This servant is called Zhuo Tao. Qiu Ling Jiejie fell ill and Madam Senior Mistress ordered her sent home to recover, so Nanny Xu arranged for me to fill her position. The Zhao Sheng in the accounts room is my elder brother. Since coming to Fifth Miss’s room, I have followed the elder sisters and learned proper conduct, which is why I know my place. I dare not accept Nanny’s praise.”

“Zhuo Tao!” Nanny Wu laughed. “Looking at you, you do not look like a peach at all — more like a willow!”

Zhuo Tao was exceedingly quick-witted and immediately replied, “Many thanks to Nanny. I have always felt this name did not suit me. Perhaps Nanny could help me choose a new one, so that I might also enjoy a share of Nanny’s good fortune.”

Those few words made Wu Xiaoquan’s wife beam with laughter. “That is not my place. You will have to ask your Young Miss.”

Zhuo Tao then knelt before Fifth Miss. “This servant respectfully asks Young Miss to bestow a name.”

“Who taught you that?” Fifth Miss wore an expression caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation. “Your body and skin are given to you by your parents, and so is your name. Such things are not to be done in my room.” Then she added, “Now go to the kitchen and pass along the order for our meal!”

Zhuo Tao complied obediently and turned to relay the instructions.

Wu Xiaoquan’s wife watched her retreating figure and smiled. “This truly proves the old saying: birds of a feather flock together. This maid is sharp-tongued and straightforward as well.”

—

After the meal, Eleventh Miss could not help stifling a yawn.

Fifth Miss paused, slightly surprised.

Eleventh Miss said with mild embarrassment, “I have grown accustomed to sleeping at this hour each day, even in winter. Which is why I did not wish to stay and eat at Elder Sister’s…”

The faint unpleasantness Fifth Miss had felt over Eleventh Miss’s earlier reluctance to stay melted away entirely. She smiled. “In that case, come lie down on my bed for a little rest!”

“Let Ziwei Jiejie steep us a cup of strong tea!” said Eleventh Miss with a smile. “The matter of the screen still takes priority. I would not be able to sleep soundly otherwise.”

Fifth Miss smiled and nodded in agreement, then went with Eleventh Miss and Wu Xiaoquan’s wife to the study, where she called for Ziwei to brew a pot of strong tea.

After the three of them had discussed and settled on several details, Wu Xiaoquan’s wife prepared to go and report to Madam Senior Mistress — “…so as not to make Madam Senior Mistress anxious.” As she rose to go, she took with her all the paper drafts of the designs Fifth Miss had deemed most suitable.

Fifth Miss saw through it clearly. She stood up and said with a smile, “Then let us go together — it is a fine opportunity to let Mother look over the paper drafts I have drawn and see which one she prefers, so that Eleventh Sister will know which one to embroider.”

Eleventh Miss smiled wryly to herself.

These two were locked in a contest of one-upmanship, and had managed to drag her into it as well.

Yet she would not refuse the chance to share in the credit.

“I too would like to know which design Mother likes best!” Eleventh Miss said with a smile, and followed them to Madam Senior Mistress’s quarters.

From a distance, young maids were already greeting them and lifting the door curtains for them.

When they entered, they found First Yiniang and Second Yiniang seated on low stools at the edge of the daybed, keeping Madam Senior Mistress company in conversation.

First Yiniang Duan Shi and Second Yiniang Yuan Shi had both originally served as senior maids beside First Master. After Madam Senior Mistress had married into the household, she had arranged for them to be taken as concubines. First Yiniang had borne Second Young Miss and Third Young Miss; Second Yiniang had borne Second Young Master. Second Young Miss had passed away at the age of three, and Second Young Master had survived only two days. Third Young Miss had been premature and had been sickly from birth; at the age of fifteen, Madam Senior Mistress had arranged her marriage to a concubine-born nephew of her own family. She had died of illness within three years, leaving no children behind, and so the daughter of a concubine had to be adopted under her name to perform the mourning rites.

From that time onward, First Yiniang had joined Second Yiniang in observing a strict vegetarian diet. Madam Senior Mistress had even specially engaged a vegetarian cook to prepare separate meals for them. As lay Buddhists keeping vows at home, the two yiniangs had ceased attending upon Madam Senior Mistress several years ago.

Why, then, had they come to keep her company in conversation today of all days?

Eleventh Miss found it strange, yet did not dare let a single trace of it show on her face. Smiling, she followed Fifth Miss in paying her respects to Madam Senior Mistress and the two yiniangs, then stood quietly half a step behind Fifth Miss.

Both yiniangs had gone prematurely white-haired. First Yiniang was of a rounded build and appeared amiable; Second Yiniang was slender and had a somewhat severe look about her. Yet regardless of which one it was, upon seeing Eleventh Miss, both smiled faintly at her.

Madam Senior Mistress looked on with a smile as well. “She did nothing more than embroider a sutra and offer it at Ci’an Temple on your behalf, yet the sight of her fills you with such joy.”

First Yiniang smiled. “She was willing to learn the sutras alongside us — how could we not be fond of her?”

At those words, Eleventh Miss’s cheeks flushed faintly, and she lowered her head.

Madam Senior Mistress looked at Eleventh Miss and smiled — warm and kindly.

Fifth Miss then gestured to Wu Xiaoquan’s wife to produce the paper drafts. “The few of us discussed a number of designs and would like to ask Mother to make the final decision!”

Luo Qiao, Madam Senior Mistress’s other senior maid, took the paper drafts from Wu Xiaoquan’s wife and presented them to Madam Senior Mistress.

Madam Senior Mistress glanced at them and passed them to First Yiniang at her side. “Help me look these over — which design is best?”

First Yiniang took them, smiled, and cast a quick glance. “Madam knows my eyesight has grown worse and worse these past few years. Best let Second Yiniang take a look.”

—