Mo Zi was starting to find it hard to understand. She had always believed that among the women of the Qiu Mansion, those who appeared virtuous weren’t necessarily truly virtuous, those whose words sounded sweet didn’t necessarily have sweet hearts, and those who spoke kind words weren’t necessarily speaking truthfully. The entire household had become this way because Zhang Shi was the crooked beam at the top, causing all the beams below to naturally fail to stand straight. For the sake of their various interests, everyone had no choice but to conduct themselves cautiously.

Therefore, although Fourth Madam was praised by everyone in the mansion as a virtuous wife and filial daughter-in-law, the mere fact that Zhang Shi valued her made Mo Zi unwilling to truly believe she had a compassionate heart.

“Thank you, Fourth Madam.” But on the surface, she still displayed sufficient gratitude.

“No need for thanks. I’m merely following proper procedures.” Jiang Suxin looked directly at Mo Zi.

When she first entered the courtyard and saw Mo Zi, she thought she had been dazzled that night and mistaken her for a beauty. But upon closer examination, she discovered that her appearance wasn’t actually unattractive—it was just that her posture resembled a bird constantly ready to be startled by a bow, shrinking back and overly cautious, unable even to hold her head level.

“That’s still Fourth Madam’s kind heart. We really shouldn’t have come to trouble people during the treasury closing period.” The one who was truly humble was Bai He.

“There are reasons for it. Your mistress made the decision suddenly—departing tomorrow—what choice do you have about whether it’s appropriate or not?” If it were Zhang Shi, she would never sound as genuinely sincere as Jiang Suxin did.

Bai He hurried to thank her again.

“The sun is strong in the courtyard. I see the list contains quite a few items, so I estimate it will take An Shun’s wife some effort. You two should follow me to the main hall to wait.” Jiang Suxin turned around.

The purple-cloud-at-sunrise emerging-clouds skirt swayed, the pink silk-lined jacket embroidered with peach branches moved with the wind, and the double-strung pearl sash at her waist showed every pearl plump and full in the light—this Fourth Madam’s natal family was indeed wealthy. As Mo Zi thought this, she followed Bai He, walked into the hall, then fell back half a step behind Bai He and stood still.

“How old are you two?” As if casually, Jiang Suxin sat down to drink tea.

“This servant is twenty,” Bai He answered.

“Mo Zi is eighteen.” Playing clever tricks with forms of address might one day be seized upon, but Mo Zi was willing to take that risk.

“You’re both not young anymore. Bai He is even a year older than me.” Jiang Suxin married Qiu Si at sixteen when he was seventeen, and Qiu Si was only three months younger than Sanniang. “Among the dowry maids by my side, the oldest is also eighteen. Before the New Year, she was matched to the son of an outer courtyard steward and will soon be a mother.”

Jiang Suxin had been married for three years and still had no children. Fortunately, the only chamber maid she had taken in, Ai Lian, also hadn’t given birth, posing no threat to her position as the principal wife. One must know that while a principal wife could be harsh toward concubines and could even sell them to a broker without asking her husband, a concubine who gained status through bearing sons could firmly control her husband and might persuade him to divorce his wife. After all, having no heir was a man’s most legitimate excuse for divorcing his wife.

“That’s why everyone says Fourth Madam has a compassionate heart,” Bai He said with a beaming smile.

For this type of question-and-answer exchange, Mo Zi left it to Bai He to handle while she played the role of an inconspicuous second-rank maid.

“Sanniang is the same. She’s a daughter from a wealthy family with a generous dowry. Even if her age is slightly past the ideal, how could she worry about not marrying well? Yet she has you maids accompanying her without marrying. You must know, if a woman misses the right time, it becomes difficult to find a match.” Jiang Suxin spoke as if deeply concerned.

“Our mistress hasn’t yet found her destination—how could we servants think about marrying first?” Bai He used “we servants” to drag Mo Zi into the quagmire with her.

“What kind of talk is that? If Sanniang doesn’t marry for her entire life, will you also never marry?” Jiang Suxin pressed her index finger to her lips and laughed. “Such pretty and charming girls—wouldn’t that be too much of a waste? Tell me, what kind do you like? I’ll usually keep an eye out for you. Although your indenture contracts are in Sanniang’s hands, if there’s truly a good man seeking marriage, Sanniang won’t block it.”

“Fourth Madam jests. How could we maids have any say in whom we marry? When the master finds us clumsy and useless and wants to match us to someone and send us away, if we can find someone honest and kind-hearted, that would be our good fortune.” Bai He also smiled slightly.

This was called humble diplomatic policy. Mo Zi understood it, though she personally wasn’t willing to work hard at learning it.

Jiang Suxin lowered her hand and nodded. “You’re quite a sensible girl. I think Sanniang won’t treat you poorly.”

Bai He thanked Fourth Madam again.

“What about you, Mo Zi?” Jiang Suxin’s conversation turned, landing on Mo Zi.

Mo Zi’s head had been lowered for so long it was getting tired. Hearing Fourth Madam ask her, she raised it slightly by five degrees. “Mo Zi’s thoughts are the same as Sister Bai He’s.” Was this Fourth Madam really just making idle conversation? Circling around the maids’ marriage arrangements—wasn’t she asking in excessive detail? Besides, she and Bai He weren’t Fourth Madam’s maids.

“I truly envy your mistress. How did she train such understanding and well-behaved maids?” Jiang Suxin again covered her smile with her hand. “I must go back and ask thoroughly whether there are any honest and kind-hearted men to request you for.”

Just as Mo Zi and Bai He didn’t know how to respond to these words, An Shun’s wife led people carrying in a trunk, reporting that everything was ready.

Bai He seized the opportunity to say, “The maids in the courtyard are still waiting to pack the trunks. This servant takes her leave.”

“Go ahead, and give my regards to your mistress.” Jiang Suxin waved her hand, dismissing them.

The two each gripped a handle, and the trunk looked heavy and indeed felt heavy when lifted. They walked out of the treasury courtyard.

“Mo Zi, do you think Fourth Madam really wants to find someone for us with all that talk?” Whether it was her hands or her heart that felt heavy, Bai He was somewhat worried.

“Judging by how Fourth Madam praised you, I really can’t say for sure. I heard that when Fourth Madam married over, she brought two households of people who now help her manage her dowry shops and estates. Most likely there are young men of suitable age wanting to take wives. If Fourth Madam takes a liking to you, marrying over wouldn’t be a bad deal.” Although Mo Zi felt Fourth Madam’s concern came rather abruptly, it wasn’t worth making a big fuss over masters finding marriage matches for those below them.

“Why would she take a liking to me? She’s taken a liking to you.” Bai He spat once, thinking Mo Zi was deliberately teasing her.

“My good sister, if we two stand together, even a blind man would choose you.” Mo Zi was indeed teasing Bai He.

“Why would even a blind man choose me?” Bai He’s mind didn’t turn as quickly as Mo Zi’s.

“Because lotus flowers are fragrant.” Mo Zi giggled with laughter. Life had no human rights, so she could only find joy in bitterness.

“Oh, you!” Bai He glanced sideways at Mo Zi, her double eye-roll attack landing, then suddenly becoming clear and bright. “But whether Fourth Madam chooses anyone, she shouldn’t choose any of us four—we’re the mistress’s dowry maids.”

“Exactly. If you’re to marry, you should marry a chief steward in a prince’s mansion—now that would be impressive.” Mo Zi couldn’t stop laughing. Women throughout the world, regardless of high or low status, all wanted to meet a good man for life. She herself had no expectations, yet she also held such rustic thoughts as going with fate.

Bai He’s face turned red, glaring at Mo Zi from left and right. She wanted to hit her but couldn’t free her hands. She was about to argue back, the words already at her lips, but someone cut her off.

“Oh my, you two young ladies, I’ve been calling from behind until my throat hurts, but you just wouldn’t look back.” An Shun’s wife led two plump servant women hurrying over.

“Auntie An, we were talking. This path is narrow—just around the corner and there’s a wall between us, so we truly didn’t hear.” Bai He tried not to offend people if she could avoid it. “What is it? Did we get something wrong?”