“You’re saying Xiao Erlang knows about the Hongyu shipyard.” After hearing Mo Zi’s general account, Qiu Sanniang hadn’t grasped the key point. “But he’s not a boatman and won’t do business with us. The shipyard is a legitimate enterprise—what does it matter if he knows?”
Mo Zi sat up straight, looking at Qiu Sanniang, speechless at her complete ignorance about ships. Yet she had to say, “Didn’t you hear clearly, employer? I drove him off the ship using somewhat impolite words.”
“I know. It’s not the first time you’ve driven him off, and I think he was looking for trouble himself—he deserved to be scolded. Why bother with him?” If it weren’t for Mo Zi being capable enough, if it had been someone more timid, she wouldn’t have obtained that valuable pearl. “I was wondering why he keeps fixating on you. When he didn’t know you were a girl, that was one thing, but now that he knows, he shows no discretion at all. Back then, when Wei Liu’niang was desperate to be with him, he denied it completely. I originally believed he was innocent, but seeing him act like this now, with another woman seeking death over him, it must be because he’s too careless and doesn’t know restraint, making people misunderstand that he’s interested, which is what attracts such trouble.”
Mo Zi smiled faintly. “In these matters, only those involved know what’s in their hearts—we can’t understand. Miss Mochou said she’d jump in the river and did so. She has the courage to seek death but not the courage to let go. Yet truly, there’s no shortage of fine grass anywhere under heaven, and lovers can be found everywhere in the world.”
Qiu Sanniang burst out laughing. “Wrong, wrong. It should be: there’s no shortage of General Xiaos anywhere under heaven, and wild wolves can be found everywhere in the world.”
The two laughed together for a while.
Hong Mei and Bai He came in. Seeing Qiu Sanniang and Mo Zi each seated separately, sipping fragrant tea with joyful expressions and boundless happiness, the vexation of being confined dissipated along with them as they too broke into smiles.
“Mo Zi is still the most capable. As soon as she returns, Madam’s mood improves.” Hong Mei replaced the tea with hot tea. “Bai He, we must catch Mo Zi and never let her go off on her own again.”
Qiu Sanniang said cheerfully, “Good. You try it—keep her for one night and I’ll give you each five taels of silver. Otherwise, you each give me five taels of silver.”
Mo Zi wasn’t worried and said calmly, “Don’t gamble with Madam so casually. You’re bound to lose. On one hand you’re thinking about taking five taels of silver, on the other Madam will chase me away. If I really stay the night, Madam won’t sleep tonight, heartbroken over the silver.”
Qiu Sanniang spat and grabbed an account book, throwing it at Mo Zi. “Don’t act like you understand me so well. I used to be stingy because I was in a wolf’s den, never knowing what tomorrow would bring. Now that I’m married, what’s mine is still mine, and I’m capable of taking a share from my husband’s family too. Would I still calculate things tael by tael? Help me check this account book for errors or omissions. I’ve bought half a shipload of goods—departing at the end of this month. Should be able to fill it in time. Oh, what I said last time still stands. If you have spare cash, I’ll clear out a small cabin for you. Put whatever you want in it—I’ll tell Zhao Liang.”
“I don’t need a small cabin—I can’t stock that much cargo.” Her private savings had long broken through eight taels and three qian, though she was still far from a thousand taels. “Bai He, Hong Mei, why don’t we several pool together a share? If we lose, it won’t be too terrible, and if we profit, everyone shares.”
“But I have absolutely no idea what goods to stock.” Hong Mei was the lively one.
Bai He, being more senior, said, “Why would we need to worry? With Madam and Mo Zi making decisions, we just need to contribute our share.”
“Well, that’s not quite it either. I’ll make a list, and after everyone discusses what to add or exclude, then we’ll stock up.” Mo Zi got up and took an abacus from the shelf. “Tonight I won’t leave. When it’s time to sleep, call Lu Ju and Xiao Yi to discuss together. Tomorrow when you win the ten taels from Madam, remember to give me a share—I stayed specifically for this.”
“Listen well, all of you. This kind of opportunity won’t come more than a few times in a lifetime—small investment, big profit. With silver on your person, your backbone and confidence will be strong. When it comes time to marry, you’ll be the ones choosing, not them choosing you. My girls from Qiu Sanniang don’t become concubines, don’t become servant wives in anyone’s household. Either marry sincere, free men, or live well without marrying at all. I have no plans to find you servants or attendants from within this mansion. While you don’t have such thoughts yet, let me make this clear to you now. If we’re looking, we’ll look outside, for good ones who will make you principal wives.” For the first time, Qiu Sanniang voiced her plans for the maids’ marriages. Though it sounded domineering, it was actually her way of expressing affection.
Mo Zi’s position was to loudly applaud such words from Qiu Sanniang. Not becoming a concubine, not becoming someone’s servant wife, choosing free men—every condition was Qiu Sanniang striving for the greatest happiness for the humble-born Bai He and Hong Mei. When Qiu Sanniang had originally tried to matchmake her with Yuan Cheng, it was also because he hadn’t yet taken a wife. This woman with a fiery personality and shrewd, worldly ways had extremely lovable and admirable qualities.
Hong Mei and Bai He both blushed.
Mo Zi teased them. “Ah, you’re not saying anything—have you set your eyes on someone in the mansion? If you ask me, servants and attendants truly aren’t worthy of you, but the Prince’s mansion guards could be considered. That Captain Xiao Min isn’t bad. He stayed with us in Lujiao Alley for over a month. According to Uncle Tian, his grandfather and the old Prince were as close as brothers. They were once master and servant, but freedom was granted long ago. Though four generations of his family live in Xiao Mansion, they’re equal to branch family members with the Xiao surname, owning property, land, and money, yet without the frivolous extravagance of noble families—quite a solid household. Xiao Min is nineteen this year, unmarried, with no concubines or bedwarmers. He’s highly skilled in martial arts and well-educated too. Before long he’ll join the military, and a military officer position is certain in his future.”
Qiu Sanniang thought of that Xiao Min who had dared to show her displeasure, and her eyes lit up. “This one is truly not bad. If either of you takes a fancy to him, I’ll make an exception.” Can’t reject everyone completely.
Hong Mei shook her head repeatedly. “What is Young Master Min’s status? He’d be more than adequate to marry an official family’s young lady—how could we dare to think of him?”
“What status?” Mo Zi disagreed. “His grandfather tells stories that start from not having enough to eat, being so poor he had to beg, then selling himself into servitude. Once you have silver and Madam returns your indenture contracts, you can equally become wealthy young ladies. Status? It’s earned by oneself.” Though merchants had low status, merchants could buy official positions and status. In short, once wealthy, external things would be within easy reach.
Bai He and Hong Mei’s eyes nearly popped out—what kind of talk was this? Utterly unheard of.
Qiu Sanniang looked at Mo Zi for a long while. “Though shocking and unconventional, it’s not wrong. Since ancient times, emperors and generals have all had humble origins. Today’s maid, tomorrow’s phoenix—who can say it’s impossible?”
Mo Zi shrugged. Shocking and unconventional, so this was just talk among close friends. She never expected to change this era—she only wanted to, within the range ancient people could accept, maximize her—brainwashing! Therefore, seeing Hong Mei and Bai He shake their heads like rattle drums, she didn’t feel regret. After all, having received education in serving masters since childhood and growing up in such an environment, they couldn’t possibly break free so quickly.
“Forget it. If you feel you’re not worthy of him, I still think he’s just a military man without appreciation for refinement.” Qiu Sanniang ended this playful talk.
The two senior maids breathed sighs of relief. One said she needed to prepare dinner, the other said she’d help, and they quickly fled.
“Useless.” Qiu Sanniang pursed her lips.
“Take it slowly.” Mo Zi was unhurried and began working the abacus beads.
“After dinner, go to Weifeng Residence.” Qiu Sanniang noticed Mo Zi’s hand trembled and smiled mischievously. “What? Weren’t you the one who came running to tell me you’d caused trouble? Rather than wait for someone to come to our door, why not be generous, invite him to dinner, speak plainly, and from then on he’ll be his water general and we’ll build our ships, neither interfering with the other.”
Mo Zi thought to herself that if one dinner could settle things, she would have paid out of her own pocket long ago.
“Though I don’t know much about the shipyard, I know perfectly well that warships can only be built by official shipyards—that industry rule is crystal clear to me. Even if your shipwrights’ skills surpass heaven, he can’t violate the Ministry of Works’ regulations.” The righteously principled Xiao Erlang valued state law above all. Though Qiu Sanniang hadn’t had much contact with this second uncle, she knew quite a bit about him.
“That’s true, but he is an official after all, and officials protect each other. These rules—aren’t they decided by them? If he uses force, we can’t fight back.” What if they secretly arrested her, tortured her severely, and forced her to build ships? Wouldn’t she be miserable?
“It seems this marriage of mine isn’t such a loss after all. No matter what, given that I’m his younger sister-in-law, he won’t openly break with us. And as long as he takes a roundabout approach, we can evade.” Qiu Sanniang smiled radiantly. “I need to treat Sanlang a bit better.”
Blatantly planning to use a honey trap? Mo Zi wondered if the price wasn’t a bit steep, but what she said was, “How are Madam and Third Master getting along lately?”
“Not particularly well. Just as you said, we need to wear each other down slowly.” Qiu Sanniang’s slender hand slid over a tasseled hair ribbon. “However, every time he enters the study and sees me working the abacus, his face grows darker by the day. I’m betting I won’t lose.”
“Doesn’t Third Master suspect where these account books came from?” Mo Zi thought Xiao Yi had brought them in.
“Cen Er has the accountant deliver them to the courtyard gate. If there are matters to consult about, he can also send messages in—seems like he’s tacitly permitted it.” Not letting her go out, yet not completely cutting off outside contact—this puzzled Qiu Sanniang.
Mo Zi was also stunned. “You’re saying the young master still lets you manage outside affairs?”
“I don’t know what he’s scheming. Thinking about it gives me a headache and I still can’t figure it out.” Qiu Sanniang worked the small gold abacus, competing with Mo Zi over who was faster.
Mo Zi laughed. “The young master can’t let go and can’t bear to part with you—contradicting himself. He said he’d promote me and not let me help you run around outside, but it seems he hasn’t told the elders either.”
Qiu Sanniang gave her a look. “I think he’s afraid I’ll make a scene with his parents, forcing him to agree to separation, so he’s giving me some sweetness while delaying to think of more ruthless methods. He replaced all the people in the outer courtyard. Who knows what kind of people he brought in—maybe he mixed in a few spies to catch me in something.”
“They’re all people accustomed to serving at my side. They’re no one’s spies and take orders only from me.” Xiao San suddenly entered the room, his scholarly, handsome face wrapped in distress. Seeing Qiu Sanniang, his eyes instantly brightened, but because Qiu Sanniang didn’t look at him, his gaze dimmed again.
Mo Zi didn’t want to be involved and took the account book and abacus to take her leave.
But Qiu Sanniang wouldn’t allow it. “We’ll talk our talk, you check my accounts properly. What if I made an error? We’re talking about tens of thousands of taels of silver here.”
Under Xiao Sanlang’s cooling gaze, Mo Zi sat back down in her original spot.
A third wheel—quite bright.