The courtyard gate bustled with noise as if something joyous had occurred. Greetings, servants coming and going, and matrons busy arranging banquets – all this commotion gave Concubine Qiao a headache.
Two days ago, Lin Hairu had Qiao serve her and Luo Chengzhang during breakfast. Qiao stood for hours without being offered a seat, an indignity she hadn’t suffered in years. Her face darkened, but she maintained her usual weak and pitiful demeanor in front of Luo Chengzhang. How could she sit without the mistress’s permission? She leaned on a maid, feigning weakness. Luo Chengzhang, preoccupied with his nephews’ examinations, paid her no attention.
Qiao returned with a gloomy expression and claimed illness the next day. By afternoon, she genuinely developed a headache.
Now reclining on her chaise lounge, Qiao found some comfort resting on a jade pillow. A young maid knelt beside her, gently massaging her temples with cooling oil. The noise outside intensified her headache.
“What’s all that racket about?” she asked a maid who had just entered.
“Concubine, our young master has passed the provincial examination! The household is celebrating, and many officials have arrived,” the maid replied.
Qiao closed her eyes wearily. “Passing the exam was expected for Luo Huaiyuan. Why such a commotion? It’s hardly a grand occasion…”
The maid grinned, “Concubine, they’re celebrating Third Young Master’s success, not the eldest’s. I heard Third Young Master ranked first in the exam. Second Madam even had servants distribute copper coins and candy at the gate. Many maids rushed to collect them!”
Qiao’s eyes snapped open, her lethargy vanishing. She glared at the maid coldly. “What did you just say? Who passed the exam?”
Frightened by Qiao’s severe gaze, the maid stammered, “Our… our Third Young Master… He’s the top scholar. I heard it from Hong’er in Second Madam’s quarters…”
“Such important news and no one thought to inform me!” Qiao’s fatigue disappeared, her forehead pulsing. She stood up and ordered the massaging maid, “Go fetch Biyi for me!”
Biyi was her senior maid.
After the maid left, Qiao paced the room, her heart racing.
When she learned of Luo Shengyuan’s adoption by Lin Hairu, she didn’t react much. He was just a concubine-born son, hardly remarkable. Even Luo Chengzhang paid him little attention.
Everyone treated Luo Shengyuan oddly because of his vicious birth mother.
Qiao closed her eyes briefly.
How had Luo Shengyuan suddenly passed the exam and become the top scholar?
If he had passed before, she might have sent a congratulatory gift, hoping for future support for her son Xuan’er. But it happened after his adoption by Lin Hairu.
Qiao felt extremely agitated.
Biyi arrived quickly, terrified of punishment for not reporting such significant news promptly.
She knelt immediately, but Qiao remained silent for a long time. Finally, she asked softly, “Has the Second Master returned?”
“Someone’s gone to inform him. He should arrive soon,” Biyi answered swiftly.
Qiao took a deep breath and instructed, “Go fetch my daughter. Have her dress well to accompany me to the Old Madam’s. Bring Xuan’er too.”
Biyi complied immediately.
Outside, guests created a lively atmosphere. Yining and the others were busy as well. Mrs. Gao from the same alley visited with her daughter Gao Xian. Chen Shi received them with the other women. They set up a banquet in the flower hall for the female guests. Mrs. Gao, who rarely socialized with the Luo family or Lin Hairu, now chatted amiably with Lin.
Mrs. Gao, like Chen Shi, hailed from Jiangnan. Her father had been an imperial tutor. She asked Lin Hairu about Luo Shengyuan’s studies and potential betrothals.
Lin Hairu, distracted, replied vaguely, “I don’t manage his studies, and I don’t think he’s betrothed yet.”
Yining, hearing this, became alert. Mrs. Gao’s questions seemed to hint at ulterior motives.
She glanced at the poised Gao Xian. This renowned Baoding lady was as beautiful as her fourth sister. At fourteen, she was tall and graceful. Her sweet voice was shy yet dignified when she spoke, displaying a more noble upbringing than Luo Yiyu.
No wonder Mrs. Gao was eager – a young top scholar was quite a catch.
Old Madam Luo returned from the front courtyard, and Mrs. Gao rose to greet her.
Old Madam Luo, looking tired, smiled and gestured for her to sit. Mrs. Gao, frustrated by Lin Hairu’s vague answers, turned to question the Old Madam. However, the Old Madam skillfully deflected, neither agreeing nor refusing.
Just then, a maid announced that Concubine Qiao had arrived with Xuan’er to pay respects.
Old Madam Luo’s expression cooled.
Concubine Qiao entered with Xuan’er, who ran to embrace his grandmother, sweetly calling out to her.
Mrs. Gao praised, “So this is Xuan’er! He’s indeed sturdy and adorable!”
Xuan’er, clinging to Old Madam Luo’s arm, said innocently, “Grandmother, I heard Third Brother passed the exam. I’ve come to congratulate him!”
Since Xuan’er’s lie, Old Madam Luo had felt uneasy around the child. She patted his head perfunctorily, saying, “Your Third Brother is entertaining guests outside. He’ll be here later. Go play with your sister for now. Don’t disturb Mrs. Gao.”
Hearing this, Concubine Qiao’s smile stiffened.
She knew Old Madam Luo despised her – what legitimate wife would respect a concubine? She never expected the Old Madam’s favor. But she hadn’t anticipated that the Old Madam would now disdain Xuan’er as well…
As evening approached, the busy day continued with the household in an uproar. Yining, bored, watched turtles eat fish in a vat with Luo Yixiu. Gao Xian, unable to engage with the younger girls, conversed elegantly with Luo Yiyu, finding common ground.
After dinner, with the Gao family still present, Old Madam Luo had servants bring out dominoes. The four women formed a perfect table. Lin Hairu, clueless about the game, looked pleadingly at Luo Yining.
She now blindly trusted Yining, as if the girl should know everything.
Yining, proper in her previous life, had never dared to indulge in activities the grandmother disliked, let alone gambling. She was equally at a loss. Fortunately, Old Madam Luo anticipated this and called Mama Xu to guide Lin Hairu, allowing the game to proceed.
Gao Xian and Luo Yiyu sat beside their mothers, observing the game.
For noble ladies with idle lives, such pastimes were their main entertainment.
Just as the game entered its second round, a servant announced the Third Young Master’s arrival.
Mrs. Gao perked up, holding her domino for a long moment. She looked up to see a tall, slender figure enter. He was exceptionally handsome, with steady, composed steps and an imposing presence.
Yining noticed Gao Xian’s cheeks flush as she lowered her head upon seeing Luo Shengyuan.
Gao Xian hadn’t expected the young top scholar to be so dashing.
Old Madam Luo introduced them: “This is Mrs. Gao from our neighboring alley, and this is Miss Gao.”
Luo Shengyuan nodded to Mrs. Gao, then looked at Gao Xian, seeming to pause.
Gao Xian said softly, “Greetings, Brother Luo.” Her beautiful eyes were gentle and captivating.
Yining, still watching the turtles, thought her third brother’s romantic entanglements were developing too quickly. First, her eldest aunt’s two maids, and now the Gao family’s daughter. Judging by Mrs. Gao’s pleased expression, she seemed eager to claim Luo Shengyuan as her son-in-law immediately.
As the Gao women returned to their seats, Xuan’er insisted on dragging Luo Yilien to Luo Shengyuan, reaching out his little hands. “Third Brother, Xuan’er wants a hug! Xuan’er wants a hug!”
Yining’s lips twitched slightly. Spoiled by Concubine Qiao, Xuan’er normally wouldn’t even look at Luo Shengyuan. Now he wanted to be held? Surely Concubine Qiao had put him up to this. Being a child, Luo Shengyuan couldn’t refuse outright.
Luo Yilien also smiled gently. “Third Brother, congratulations once again.”
Luo Shengyuan patted Xuan’er’s head and smiled. “Third Brother’s hands are sore, so I can’t hold you now.” He looked up and noticed the person he truly sought was kneeling with Luo Yixiu on the luohan bed, observing a blue porcelain vat on a tall table.
He hadn’t heard what he wanted to hear but heard plenty he hadn’t expected.
Luo Shengyuan approached Luo Yining and whispered behind her, “Are these turtles so fascinating that you won’t even look at me?”
Yining raised her head. She had been aware of Luo Shengyuan’s presence but hadn’t joined the crowd congratulating him.
“The turtles are indeed fascinating,” Yining smiled. “Just as Wang Yangming contemplated bamboo, Yining contemplates turtles. Don’t you think they’re worth observing?”
Seeing her reference to the “bamboo contemplation” story, Luo Shengyuan tapped her head lightly. “Enough contemplating turtles. Come with me.”
Yining, unsure of his intentions, looked up to find everyone in the room watching her.
Luo Shengyuan took her hand and led her out.
Only then did Gao Xian notice Yining. She had heard from her mother about this girl left behind by the previous Second Madam. Being neither the current Second Madam’s daughter nor famous in Baoding, Gao Xian hadn’t paid her any attention.
How could this daughter of a former wife be so close to the new top scholar? Gao Xian glanced at Luo Yiyu beside her.
Luo Yiyu explained coolly, “She’s my youngest sister, Luo Yining, Grandmother’s favorite.” She offered no further information.