Qiu Sanniang was practicing calligraphy, still with her scattered manner of practicing one line then resting.
Mo Zi ground ink beside her. Because the person practicing wasn’t focused, the ink grinder couldn’t spread the ink evenly either, so naturally she could only grind a circle then also rest.
However, though the two appeared casual, their ears were perked up.
Outside the study, the newly arrived senior maid Hong Mei was teaching the newly arrived maids the rules.
When Qiu Sanniang had taken Hong Mei to thank the old Princess Dowager for her favor, Hong Mei hinted there that the young maids in Mozhi Residence weren’t clever enough and clumsy-handed. The old Princess Dowager immediately ordered them all replaced, and incidentally even the servants and old women were sent out of Mozhi Residence, saying they might as well select fresh ones to avoid crooked grass bending with the wind, thinking themselves veterans and fawning over whoever the masters favored.
This batch was found through the capital’s best employment agent, personally selected by Qiu Sanniang. The menial young maids’ names used “zhi” as their generation character, suffixed with spring, summer, autumn, winter, rain, snow, clear, and warm. Three second-rank maids used “mo” as their generation character, named Mo Yan, Mo Yu, and Mo Xin respectively.
“Mozhi Residence, Mozhi Residence—here you must work more and speak less.” Hong Mei mixed Mozhi Residence’s name into her admonitions, which made some sense. “Usually you must listen to instructions. What words can be said and what cannot—weigh them clearly yourselves. If I hear any chaotic gossip about the masters, I’ll immediately report to Mistress, and even if it’s just one person’s fault, this entire batch of you will all be sold together to the employment agent. Mistress is generous, but she’s not a temperament for you to casually take advantage of. Do your work well, keep your mouths shut tight, and naturally you won’t be treated unfairly…”
Bai He, Lu Ju, and Xiao Yi stood under the corridor, listening with great relish.
Qiu Sanniang turned her gaze back. “So noisy—it’s keeping me from practicing calligraphy in peace.”
“Isn’t she establishing rules? I think what Hong Mei’s saying makes quite a bit of sense. Since ancient times, much of the trouble in inner quarters comes from loose tongues stirring things up.” Mo Zi smiled rather openly.
Qiu Sanniang saw this and said coolly, “Just because Hong Mei arrived, you’re this happy? By rights, she ranks above you—you should feel somewhat uncomfortable. Moreover, now there are three more second-rank maids.” According to Prince’s mansion rules, in the young mistresses’ courtyards, if there were no elderly servants or old women, maids should be four first-rank, four second-rank, and eight third-rank.
“What do I have to fear? In any case, bearing the title of dowry maid, in all matters Miss—no, Mistress—you protect me.” This master-servant pair in the study could joke with each other quite well. Because Mo Zi was the only one who could read books, discuss calligraphy, and critique paintings together with Qiu Sanniang.
Qiu Sanniang made a show of rolling her eyes. “So I’ve become your shield?”
Mo Zi smiled and blinked. “Is that Miss feeling sorry for this old retainer?”
Qiu Sanniang was amused and laughed, then turned serious again. “In your view, can this Hong Mei be used?”
“Why couldn’t she be used? She came bearing the old Princess Dowager’s banner, wanting to borrow Miss’s hand to suppress Jin Si. That Jin Si holds the eldest son born of a concubine. If Xiao San divorces Miss again and has no legitimate heir, he’d have no choice but to make the concubine-born legitimate, and Jin Si would naturally rise to the position. How could the Prince’s mansion, a family that loves face so much, allow a room maid to become the primary wife? Though Miss’s family are merchants, your ancestors held court positions—you may not compare to young ladies from famous noble families, but you’re still well-matched for Xiao San. In my view, the mansion’s elders will help Miss suppress Jin Si no matter what this time. If Miss doesn’t succeed, they’ll become frantic. Hong Mei’s arrival is perfectly timed—everyone knows she’s a favored person before the old Princess Dowager. Miss was already too lazy to bother with these household squabbles. Having her stand behind Miss offering advice, use what can be used—it saves Miss from operating over this.” In the end, one sentence: Hong Mei’s arrival wasn’t a bad thing.
Qiu Sanniang had a fiery temperament. Smart as she was, she disdained using it on household scheming. Back when her conflict with Zhang Shi escalated, it was because of her open mockery and sarcastic refusal to bow in retaliation—the entire mansion could smell the gunpowder. Making this young lady ruthless was simple. Making her swallow her anger was nearly an impossible task. If Mo Zi followed at her side, she could still use some clever tactics to persuade her toward cold treatment, but Bai He and the others were completely useless for this.
This Hong Mei was someone who thrived in all directions. She was extremely respectful toward Qiu Sanniang. Toward the four main dowry maids, though Mo Zi ranked one level below her, she was still friendly. But toward other maids, she strictly used rules to handle matters. Even that Jin Si seemed to fear her ability to speak before the old Princess Dowager and was polite and courteous.
“Hearing you say this, is she even more clever than you?” Qiu Sanniang heard Mo Zi’s long string praising Hong Mei.
“That’s natural. Hong Mei has served the old Princess Dowager since childhood. The people and affairs of this Prince’s mansion—if not knowing everything, she’s certainly more familiar than me. If we can make Hong Mei genuinely loyal to Miss, household matters won’t need me anymore, and I can retire having accomplished my mission.” Damned household scheming—Mo Zi was actually quite sick of it. In her view, it was truly being too well-fed with nothing better to do. With no gym or such places to exercise, a group of women living too affluently,偏yet having no particular pursuits, could only amuse themselves at each other’s expense.
“Precisely that sentence—must make Hong Mei genuinely loyal. Otherwise, do you think I enjoy underutilizing talent, confining you here with no silver to earn? Though this Hong Mei can be used, she’s only for matters within the mansion. Our own business must remain airtight, conducted secretly from her. Two estates in my dowry are on the surface, but the Wangqiu Tower business cannot let my mother-in-law know. If there are any other businesses in the future, we can only pick some unimportant small profits to slowly inform the elders about.” Qiu Sanniang’s considerations were thorough. If they knew she had major businesses, disapproving of a daughter-in-law being too outgoing was one thing, but inviting others’ covetousness was another. “However, you’re half right about something. Mission accomplished and retiring. If this Hong Mei can temporarily help me in this Prince’s mansion, you can focus exclusively on outside matters. It’s been five or six days now—can’t leave the mansion, can’t receive news—my heart is extremely vexed.”
This was what Mo Zi had anticipated. Her expression showed no excitement at all; instead, she played devil’s advocate slightly. “It’s not good for me to go out, is it? If少字Hong Mei asks—”
Qiu Sanniang interrupted her. “If she asks, just say I sent you to handle business at the estate. I see this Prince’s mansion has no other benefits except that it’s large enough—going out for half a day or a full day, people can’t even find you.”
“That excuse can’t be used often either. Once or twice is fine, but three or four times, Hong Mei will definitely become suspicious.” Mo Zi thought—people aren’t stupid either.
“At worst, just say I assigned you woodworking. Close the door and no one can disturb you. As the mistress, I’m happy to be partial and protective—if Hong Mei doesn’t even have this much awareness, I’ll have difficulty using her.” Qiu Sanniang had decided.
“Miss speaks truly.” Mo Zi smiled. Seeing the ink marks on the paper had dried, she asked, “Continue practicing calligraphy?”
Qiu Sanniang was about to say no when she suddenly heard Hong Mei’s pleasantly surprised voice outside.
“Third Master has arrived!”
“Third Master comes and she’s so happy about it?” Qiu Sanniang picked up the brush she’d been about to put down. “If she wants to replace Jin Si, I absolutely won’t stop her. Truth be told, if Xiao San takes in a few more, at least not everyone will be staring at me.”
Mo Zi burst out laughing, affecting her wrist-turning motion and spattering a few drops of thick ink. “Miss’s words make sense. Why not—Miss could also adopt Fourth Mistress’s approach from your maternal home?”
“If that Xiao San is willing, I’ll help him—just give me peace and quiet.” Qiu Sanniang’s outside business had no one managing it now. Though Mozhi Residence was remote enough, it wasn’t cold enough. The elders’ constant inquiries were one thing. Hong Mei insisted on establishing rules—the little concubine came daily to attend her meals, killing her appetite. She had to keep Xiao Yi constantly watching to guard against any eventuality.
“Miss, once married, one cannot have peace and quiet.” Only by becoming a nun could one have peace. “According to rules, Jin Si’s pair of children should both be raised at Miss’s side. I guess Hong Mei or the Princess will bring this up before long. When that time comes, Miss will have to be a mother too. The beautiful life is just beginning.”
As Mo Zi spoke, she gloated, rarely showing such a mischievous smile.
Seeing her getting carried away, Qiu Sanniang reached out and—drew a stroke across her face, from the bridge of her nose to her right cheek. The appearance was quite comical, and she couldn’t help laughing heartily.
Mo Zi raised her sleeve to wipe it, but someone refused to let her.
“Wait, don’t wipe—let me look.” Xiao San pushed the door open and entered.
“Young Master is so mean—a face smeared black, what’s there to see?” Mo Zi ignored him and wiped anyway.
“Ai, I only wanted to see if the clerical script of the Han Dynasty’s Yellow Gate令Commandant written on a face might have wild and unrestrained intent.” Xiao San looked at Mo Zi’s face again. “Wiping won’t get it clean anyway—why not let me examine it carefully?”
“Why must Young Master look at my face? There’s a large sheet of Miss’s just-practiced Han Yellow Gate Commandant clerical script—you can look at it character by character magnified right under your eyelids.” Mo Zi pointed at the rice paper under Qiu Sanniang’s hand.
Xiao San made two sounds of acknowledgment and actually walked to Qiu Sanniang’s side, bending to look. “Third Mistress plays chess well—didn’t expect your calligraphy to also be excellent.”
“Not only is the calligraphy excellent, but the qin playing is excellent, and painting is excellent.” Mo Zi imitated a matchmaker for once.
Qiu Sanniang squinted at Mo Zi, meaning for her to talk less.
True enough. Miss Yingying had feelings for Zhang Sheng, so naturally she was grateful to the matchmaker Hong Niang for making the connection. Qiu Sanniang toward Xiao San—two “threes” bumper cars, no marital reality, only the name of husband and wife, currently still in the just-getting-acquainted stage.
“In broad daylight, you came looking for me—is there something?” Qiu Sanniang already knew Xiao San had been demoted to a leisurely minor editorial clerk position, spending most of his time reading in Jingquan Pavilion.
“I just went to Mother’s place and happened upon Aunt Yu showing Mother a poem. I thought it quite good. Aunt Yu said you wrote it? These past days I’ve been absorbed in reading and forgot you just entered the household—so I came to apologize.” As Xiao San spoke, he called for Qingque to enter. “This is my page boy.”
“Qingque pays respects to Third Mistress.” Qingque held a scroll, handed it to Xiao San, then dropped to both knees in a formal bow.
Qiu Sanniang had Qingque rise and said to Xiao San, “It wasn’t a poem I wrote—Mo Zi recited it, and I merely wrote it down once. As for apologizing—that’s unnecessary. Reading books is like playing chess or qin—once you enter the realm, there is no self.”
Seeing Qiu Sanniang speak straightforwardly without losing sincerity, Xiao San couldn’t help but laugh heartily. “Excellent—’no self’!”
Mo Zi felt these two could actually converse well together. Accidentally, she interjected again, “I hear Young Master also practices clerical script. I wonder between you and Miss, whose calligraphy is better?”
“We’d have to compare to know.” Xiao San became interested. “Third Mistress, what say you?”
“Let’s talk after eating. When hungry, I have no interest in competing.” Sanniang was competitive. “Mo Zi, have them set the table. You don’t need to attend here anymore—go do whatever you should do.”
Two instructions, one explicit, one implicit.
Mo Zi smiled and withdrew.