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Chapter 42: I Am That "Noble Lady"
After being thoroughly startled by Young Mistress Huo Yingyun earlier, Xiangwu had spent the rest of the time feeling somewhat dazed and restless.
She kept thinking about how she had become the Marquis’s bedchamber maid. If the Young Mistress ever found out, she would surely be furious. Heaven only knew how she would treat her then!
Yet, Xiangwu knew there was no turning back for her now. All she could do was rely on the Marquis, hoping he would show her enough favor and compassion to keep the Young Mistress from bullying her.
Fortunately, the Marquis seems to treat me quite well...
As her mind wandered, the crabs were brought up.
It was still a bit early in the season, so the crabs were quite small. But when Xiangwu picked one up, she was pleasantly surprised to find it bursting with roe, bulging right against the shell. Peeling it open, her eyes lit up with unexpected joy.
Precisely because the crab was small, the abundant roe felt like an extra delight. She took a gentle bite, letting the mounded roe melt into her mouth. The rich, savory flavor flooded her palate, filling her heart with pure bliss.
In an instant, Xiangwu completely forgot the displeasure brought on by the Young Mistress.
What did it matter if the Young Mistress was angry at her? Could staying by the Young Mistress’s side ever afford her crab roe this delicious?
At best, she would have only been able to suck on a few crab legs and claws just to get a passing taste! It really was so much better to be the Marquis’s bedchamber maid!
Greedily taking another bite of the delicious roe, Xiangwu was so overcome with satisfaction that tears almost welled up in her eyes.
It’s just so good.
After gobbling down three in a row, she happened to catch sight of the waiting-woman standing nearby to serve her. This immediately reminded her of the times when she used to serve the Young Mistress.
Back then, she would stand to the side, her mouth watering with craving, forced to pretend as if nothing were amiss.
Pausing, she asked the woman, "Would you like to try one?"
The servant woman was slightly taken aback and looked at Xiangwu in surprise. "This... this would never do!"
She clearly knew her own place. How could she possibly eat such a luxury? She quickly added, "Noble food is meant for noble people. Only a noble lady like you, Miss, is fit to enjoy such a delicacy. I’m just a common worker from the manor, I wouldn't dare touch it. My status is humble; I am unworthy."
Xiangwu froze for a moment upon hearing those words.
In truth, wasn't her own status just as humble? How was she worthy of such fine food? It was only because she served the Marquis that she got to taste a bit of the fine dining and luxury.
To think that being a maid who gained the favor of a powerful man could feel this marvelous!
She then asked, "Is the Marquis in the estate?"
The servant woman shook her head. "That, this servant wouldn't know."
Xiangwu asked again, "Does the Young Mistress have any of these to eat over at her place?"
The woman hesitated briefly before replying, "No. Before the Marquis left, he only instructed us to serve them to you, Miss. Over at the Young Mistress’s place, since no one gave orders, there are naturally none."
Xiangwu nodded and said nothing more, lowering her head to eat another two or three.
The crabs were indeed delicious, filling her with delight. However, Xiangwu knew she couldn't overindulge. Since they were small, eating five or six was plenty; any more and her body might not be able to take the cold nature of the food.
So, she instructed, "Take these back to the kitchen to be warmed up, and see if you can send them over to the Young Mistress. But don't say they came from me—just say the kitchen sent them over on their own."
The servant woman glanced at Xiangwu and nodded. "Yes, Miss."
A short while later, the crabs were sent out. The woman then served Xiangwu some hot jujube tea, which had a slice of ginseng added to warm her body. Xiangwu drank it until a light sweat broke out on her face, making her feel thoroughly comfortable from head to toe.
Having nothing to do at the moment, Xiangwu struck up a casual conversation with the woman. She learned that the woman was named A'niu, had actually learned to read in her early years, and had married a scholar. Later, when her husband passed away in a tragic accident, she had sold herself into servitude just to afford a proper burial for him.
Seeing that A'niu spoke pleasantly and carried herself with proper decorum, Xiangwu took a liking to her. She wanted to chat with her a bit more, but then realized the woman might find it strange coming from her, so she let it drop.
After all, in the eyes of others, she was a "noble lady," not a "maid." Even if she still considered herself a maid in her own heart, she had to try her best to maintain her composure and keep up appearances.
Moments later, a servant came up to report: "The crabs have already been delivered to the Young Mistress. We didn't mention they came from you, Miss. The Young Mistress was quite delighted with them and is currently preparing to entertain a few guests with them."
Hearing this, Xiangwu finally let out a sigh of relief.
Although she didn't like the Young Mistress, the other party was, after all, the Eldest Miss of the house, while she was merely a servant. Even though she had received a bit of favor by serving the Marquis and was able to enjoy such precious delicacies, she still felt somewhat uneasy deep down. Now that she could share some of the crabs with the Young Mistress, without letting her know, so as not to hurt her pride, she felt much more at peace.
Of course, she had no idea that over at Huo Yingyun’s side, receiving those crabs had brought her immense joy, allowing her to put on quite a show of prestige in front of her friends.
Huo Yingyun, however, was no push-over. She secretly had someone inquire about the origin of the crabs, only to discover that the "distinguished guest" had instructed the kitchen to give them to her. Waves of emotion naturally stirred in her heart.
Just at that moment, Chu Tanyun and the other young ladies were praising the exquisite flavor of the crabs, remarking how the Marquis of Dingyuan’s estate was indeed unlike anywhere else, to be able to feast on such fine crabs at this time of year was truly a rare treat.
Feeling a surge of pride, Huo Yingyun recalled the "distinguished guest" staying in the Bamboo Building and suddenly found her much less disagreeable.
She thought to herself: If this woman truly becomes my father’s future second wife, perhaps I should consider getting along with her. She seems to know how to handle things and treats me quite well.
If I win her over now and use the opportunity to bring up my own marriage prospects with this 'stepmother-to-be,' it might actually do me more good than harm.
With this calculation in mind, she even began pondering how to build a good relationship with this "honored guest from the Capital."
After a moment's thought, she remembered she had an embroidered fan with her. It was one that Xiangwu had spent a great deal of effort embroidering for her last year. The landscape and poetry delicate on it were refined and exquisite; anyone who saw it praised its beauty. She had been reluctant to use it regularly, only taking it out occasionally to admire it. She had brought it out on this outing specifically because she was meeting Chu Tanyun.
She reasoned that if she was given ordinary gold or silver jewelry, a lady from the Capital might not even glance at it. After all, someone from the imperial capital would have seen it all, and sending something tacky would only make her a laughingstock. It would be much better to... simply give this fan to the "distinguished guest from the Capital"!
An exquisite piece like this might not even be easily found in the Capital. As for wanting another one for herself, she could simply have Xiangwu embroider another later—at worst, it would just take a bit more time.
Huo Yingyun immediately had her maid, Lanruo, wrap the embroidered fan neatly in a silk handkerchief and instructed her to deliver it to the "distinguished guest from the Capital."
Receiving her orders, Lanruo went over to the Bamboo Garden and asked the guards to announce her arrival first.
Knowing that one shouldn't strike a smiling face, the servant boy naturally went upstairs to inform Xiangwu.
When Xiangwu heard that the Young Mistress was sending her a gift, she was thoroughly surprised and found it utterly ridiculous. It was the absolute last thing she could have ever anticipated!
She leaned over the window frame to take a look, and when she saw that the person sent over was none other than Lanruo, she found the situation even more absurdly unbelievable.
She pondered for a moment, reasoning that if she refused this gift, the Young Mistress might return home even more enraged, believing Xiangwu was looking down on her. Her only choice was to accept it for now, wait until the Marquis returned, speak with him, and then decide what to do.
She immediately ordered her servants to fetch it. Yet when the servant woman brought it up to her, Xiangwu was caught between absolute shock and sheer amusement.
It was actually the very embroidered fan she had made herself!
She remembered this fan vividly. The Young Mistress had demanded all sorts of specific details, forcing Xiangwu to expend a great deal of effort and burn through an ungodly amount of lamp oil to finish it. The moment it was done, the Young Mistress had whisked it away.
Never in a million years could she have guessed that through such a bizarre turn of twists and turns, this item would find its way right back into her own hands!
Amidst her sentimentality, Xiangwu also found the whole situation utterly absurd. Looking at the fan she had once personally crafted, she couldn't bear to part with it again. Thinking that it must be fate for it to return to her like this, she decided she might as well just keep it for herself!
What she didn't know was that after Lanruo delivered the embroidered fan, she went back to report to Huo Yingyun. Huo Yingyun was, of course, immensely pleased with herself, feeling as though she had "accomplished a great feat." She even rewarded Lanruo for her efforts, leaving Lanruo thrilled beyond measure.
Xiangwu had fully intended to bring the matter up to the Marquis whenever he returned. Unbeknownst to her, over the next two days, there was not a single trace of the Marquis to be seen. Even Baijian was nowhere to be found.
Left with no choice, Xiangwu continued residing in the Bamboo Building. Fortunately, she was showered with an endless array of delicacies every single day, including fine bird's nest soup. It was so delightful that Xiangwu was practically losing herself in luxury.
The only drawback was that the Young Mistress was staying outside the Bamboo Garden, which made Xiangwu hesitate to wander about freely. She could only occasionally take small strolls within the garden's immediate grounds.
After two days passed like this, Huo Yingyun finally packed up her things and departed for home.
Only then did Xiangwu heave a genuine sigh of relief. Just as she was thinking she could finally wander around and explore, Baijian and Zhuyi arrived with a contingent of guards and sedan chair bearers, announcing that they were here under the Marquis’s orders to escort her back to the estate.
Hearing this, Xiangwu couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt: Going back to the estate... am I returning to be a maid by the Young Mistress's side again, or am I staying by the Marquis's side?
She looked toward Baijian in confusion, but Baijian maintained an entirely expressionless, stern visage.
"Sister Baijian..." Xiangwu called out softly.
Baijian kept her eyes fixed elsewhere, acting as though she hadn't heard Xiangwu's call at all.
Xiangwu was perplexed. She wondered why Sister Baijian was ignoring her. Could it be that I've offended her somehow?
Baijian had naturally caught Xiangwu’s look of confusion, but glancing sideways at Zhuyi and the guards nearby, she kept her face stiff and held a completely blank expression.
Xiangwu was even more bewildered, but she obediently climbed into the carriage anyway.
Halfway through their journey, a carriage coming into the city from the suburbs broke down, blocking the road. Xiangwu’s carriage was forced to come to a halt as well.
Zhuyi stepped over to inspect what was happening.
Right at that moment, Xiangwu heard a voice call out: "Miss Xiangwu—"
Perplexed, Xiangwu looked left and right, but only saw Baijian standing beside the carriage, looking ahead with a grim, solemn stare, appearing entirely unlike someone calling her name.
Even more mystified, she looked front and back.
Just as she was looking around, she heard another soft whisper: "Miss Xiangwu."
This time, Xiangwu was certain—the sound was coming from Miss Baijian, who hadn't even spared her a single glance!
Xiangwu was utterly baffled: "Sister Baijian, what's wrong with you?"
Staring forward with a blank face while her mouth talks to me... why is she acting so bizarrely?
In truth, Baijian was frantic inside.
She was desperate to explain everything clearly to Xiangwu and clear up her misunderstanding.
The infuriating thing was that Zhuyi had been ordered to keep an eye on her, strictly forbidding her from talking too much with Xiangwu.
And because she was unwilling to explain that long series of awkward misunderstandings between herself and Xiangwu to Zhuyi, this was the only way she could manage it.
Baijian whispered: "Miss Xiangwu, listen carefully to what I’m about to say."
Xiangwu immediately nodded: "Sister Baijian, say whatever you need to say."
Baijian: "First, don't look at me. Pretend you're ignoring me."
"Oh?" Xiangwu complied quickly, looking off toward another direction and pretending not to pay attention to Baijian. However, her ears perked up higher than ever.
Why is Sister Baijian being so secretive? Is she about to reveal some major secret to me? Could it be related to the Marquis? Otherwise, she wouldn't be acting like this!
Taking a deep breath, Baijian lowered her voice and spoke rapidly: "Miss Xiangwu, you must listen clearly. I am a servant by the Marquis’s side, BUT—"
However, misfortune struck.
Just as she reached the word "BUT," Zhuyi walked back over.
Zhuyi scrutinized Baijian with a suspicious glare.
Baijian glared right back at her.
Zhuyi raised an eyebrow, probing Baijian with an inquiring look.
Baijian took a deep breath and immediately resumed her cold, expressionless mask.
Xiangwu waited for quite a while, but Baijian never got to finish the rest of her sentence. Glancing at Zhuyi, Xiangwu quietly stepped back into the carriage.
Once inside the carriage, Xiangwu thought to herself: What Sister Baijian wanted to say was probably, 'Even though I serve by the Marquis's side, I definitely have no intention of competing with you for anything, and we can go on being good sisters.'
Touched by the thought, Xiangwu reflected: Sister Baijian truly is a wonderful older sister after all.
She secretly resolved in her heart that she must tell Sister Baijian later that she felt the exact same way!
Upon returning to the Marquis’s Manor, Xiangwu was not sent back to the Young Mistress’s courtyard. Instead, she was settled directly into a private courtyard.
This courtyard was located right alongside the main residence where the Marquis lived. What's more, there was a small side door in the yard that opened up directly to the Marquis's quarters.
Xiangwu was completely overjoyed at this arrangement; she couldn't be more satisfied.
To have a whole courtyard entirely to herself instead of having to serve at the Marquis's beck and call day and night—this was a million times better than anything she had dared to imagine before!
After settling in, she was shocked to discover that she actually had handmaidens and servants waiting on her. Two young maidservants approached her timidly, asking her to grant them names. Xiangwu could hardly believe it, she was giving maidservants their names, when she still felt like a maidservant herself!
Fortunately, Xiangwu quickly composed herself. Remembering how her young mistress used to handle things back in the day, she put on a dignified front. After a moment's thought, she named the two girls Yuebai and Xiahong—classic terms straight out of the rhyme books. Xiangwu figured that choosing names like these wouldn't embarrass her or lower her standing.
Upon hearing their new names, Yuebai and Xiahong were thrilled. They stepped forward hastily to express their gratitude, "Thank you, Miss, for bestowing these names upon us!"
Soon after, four older servant women came forward to offer their greetings. The one leading them was none other than Qiu Nian. Only then did Xiangwu learn that these four women were also assigned to serve in this courtyard alongside her, which delighted her even more. Qiu Nian, in particular, had always struck Xiangwu as spoken-well and thoroughly reliable; having her nearby to assist was a huge weight off her mind.
Before long, the four servant women and two maidservants settled into their respective roles. They attended to Xiangwu before bustling about the courtyard, tidying and cleaning with immense vigor.
Xiangwu sat by the window lattice, gazing out at the courtyard that now inexplicably belonged to her. The servants and maidservants bustling back and forth addressed her as "Miss" with every turn, treating her with utmost respect and propriety. To her, this was something she could never have imagined, a leap to the top practically overnight.
Gazing out from the window frame, she took in the yard. There stood an old jujube tree, now sprouting tiny specks of white blossoms alongside fruit no larger than rice grains. It looked as though they’d be ready to eat by next month. When the time comes, I can pick a few and make drunken jujubes for the Marquis. Maybe he'll like them?
She bit her lip, lost in thought. The good life she enjoyed now relied entirely on the Marquis. If he was pleased with her, she could live even better, so she had to do everything she could to flatter and please him.
Then she suddenly remembered the pouch she had been embroidering. Because she had left in such a rush, she hadn't managed to bring it along, leaving it behind in her former young mistress’s room. She began to wonder if she ought to go back and retrieve it. Beyond that, there were a few of her dresses, as well as the gold bracelet and pearl hair flowers the Marquis had gifted her. Those were absolute musts to fetch back.
But is it convenient for me to go back right now? After all, I left without saying a word to anyone...
Hoping to consult Baijian or Zhubi, Xiangwu looked for them, only to find neither anywhere in sight. There was simply no one around to ask. As for the maidservants and older servants by her side, they were even more clueless, taking all their cues from "Miss Xiangwu." Seeing their bewildered expressions, Xiangwu suddenly realized that she was no longer that obedient little maidservant who had to take orders from everyone. In this courtyard, she was the master.
Even if she stepped outside this courtyard to serve the Marquis as nothing more than a low-ranking bed-chamber maid, within these walls, she held sway. Xiangwu had no choice but to settle down for the moment, resolving to ask when the Marquis or Baijian eventually visited.
Who could have guessed that two days would pass in pure comfort? She was served delicious food, fine drinks, nice clothes, and daily swallow's nest—literally being pampered like a prize pig. The only downside was that she saw neither the Marquis nor Baijian, and even Zhubi was nowhere to be found.
Xiangwu grew restless. Poor since childhood, she had worked daily after being taken in by her adoptive parents, and coming to the Marquis’s estate meant the same life of hard labor and serving others. Being waited on hand and foot while doing absolutely nothing made her feel like she was rotting from idleness.
Thinking back to her pearl hair flowers and gold bracelet, her heart ached terribly. She couldn't just abandon them!
After a moment's hesitation, she changed into a plain, inconspicuous dress. Without bringing any maidservants or older servants along, she slipped out on her own.
Along the way, she hardly ran into anyone and made it smoothly to the exterior of her former mistress’s courtyard. Just as she was pondering how to get inside or how to explain her situation, given that she had vanished for a few days without a word and people were bound to pry, she happened to spot Lanruo walking out.
Upon catching sight of Xiangwu, Lanruo gasped in surprise. "Xiangwu?! Weren't you taken away and sent out of the estate?"
"Huh?" Xiangwu blinked.
"It's true! I heard people say you committed some offense and were dragged out. Yueqing and the others and I even had a good cry over it! What happened to you? How are you back?" Lanruo scrutinized Xiangwu's attire. "You're dressed so brightly today, where did these clothes come from? What on earth is going on?"
Xiangwu felt a headache coming on. Unsure how to explain her bizarre predicament, she offered a vague answer: "I was away for a little while, but now I've been called back to serve again."
Lanruo didn't doubt her for a second, assuming Xiangwu had simply returned to serve by their young mistress's side. Overjoyed, she pulled Xiangwu by the hand. "Did you forget? It was your birthday a few days ago! I even made a purse to give you, but then you suddenly disappeared!"
Hearing Lanruo mention it, Xiangwu finally recalled the date. Right... the day I was whisked away from the Marquis's estate happened to be my birthday. She had completely forgotten about it.
Delighted to see Xiangwu again, Lanruo chatted away about this and that as she pulled her into the courtyard.
It was noon, the usual hour for afternoon naps. Aside from two dozing older women at the entrance, no one was around, allowing Lanruo to slip inside the room with Xiangwu unobstructed.
Closing the door behind them, Lanruo whispered, "It's Yueqing and Huameng's turn to attend to the young mistress today, so they're in her room. Let's wait and see if we can find a good moment for you to go speak with the young mistress. Try to get yourself assigned back here! If you ask me, serving directly under the young mistress is still the best gig in this estate. Sure, she has a bit of a temper, but as long as we're careful, life isn't too tough."
Xiangwu bit her lip, mulling over how to explain things to Lanruo. "Actually, I don't really want to come back right now either. After all, waiting on someone is waiting on someone no matter where you are. When it's convenient later, I’ll tell you all the details."
Lanruo, however, didn't really take it to heart. Her mind was still entirely focused on filling Xiangwu in on all the recent happenings in the residence.
"You probably have no idea, but a huge event has gone down in the residence!"
Xiangwu was surprised. "A huge event? What happened?"
She had been away from the residence for a while, and ever since she got back, she’d been staying in that little courtyard—eating, drinking, and sleeping. She truly had no clue what was going on outside.
Seeing Xiangwu’s clueless expression, Lanruo realized she was completely out of the loop, which made her all the more eager to spill the tea. She immediately launched into the story.
"After you left, Miss was naturally pretty furious, though she didn't take it too seriously at first. Later, when Miss went out on an outing with everyone, she bumped into a noble lady."
"A noble lady?" Xiangwu’s eyes widened.
Lanruo grinned with an air of mystery. "Yes, a noble lady! I heard she came all the way from Yanjing, supposedly to stay by the Marquis's side, maybe even as his second wife! Anyway, her status is impossibly grand. Where she lives, what she eats, what she uses... none of it is something the likes of us could ever compare to—"
Listening to this, Xiangwu suddenly felt that something was off. "Where... where is this noble lady staying?"
Lanruo grew even more smug. "Do you remember that bamboo garden at the Hundred Flowers Manor in the suburbs? The one with all those books hidden away, known for being a cultured, elegant spot? That noble lady is living right in the bamboo tower! What's more, she’s so kind-hearted! She actually had someone specifically deliver early-season crabs to Miss to enjoy. Naturally, Miss was delighted and even sent a return gift."
Xiangwu fell completely silent. The "noble lady" in Lanruo’s mouth... was actually’her’?!
A wave of guilt and utter embarrassment washed over her.
Lanruo chuckled and said, "You probably don't know this, but I was the one who delivered the gift to that noble lady! And she actually accepted it! Because of that, Miss even gave me a reward! Look, let me show you—"
Lanruo was beaming with joy, but Xiangwu could barely bring herself to look her in the eye.
How on earth was she supposed to accept that she had become the "noble lady" in the mouths of Lanruo and their young mistress?
If they ever found out that this so-called noble lady was actually her... well, Lanruo might survive the shock, but Miss would probably die of sheer rage on the spot.
Xiangwu looked at Lanruo with a troubled face, desperately trying to figure out how to explain her predicament.
Before she could form a single sentence, Yueqing burst inside, full of vim and vigor.
Upon spotting Xiangwu, Yueqing was also caught off guard, but she quickly shifted back to her excited state to share the gossip she had just dug up. "Lanruo, remember we mentioned that a noble lady was staying in the courtyard right next to the Marquis?"
Lanruo nodded repeatedly. "Of course I remember! I was just telling Xiangwu about it. What about it?"
Yueqing gasped out, "Oh my goodness! Miss finally had someone inquire about it! Word has it that this noble lady is actually an embroidery prodigy! She’s been devoutly practicing Buddhism since childhood and was specially invited here to embroider a birthday tribute for the Empress Dowager!"
"Huh?!"
Xiangwu was even more stunned. ‘Are they talking about me? Since when did I become a devout, embroidery-prodigy noble lady who's been practicing Buddhism since childhood?!’
Lanruo was baffled too. "Is that so? So she’s not from Yanjing after all?"
Yueqing nodded gravely. "That's right! But she's still a lady of great distinction. I heard that because of her skill in embroidery, she’s to stay by the Marquis's side to serve him. Right now, the Marquis has specially prepared a courtyard for her, complete with servants to attend to her every need!"
As they spoke, both girls couldn't help but sigh with envy. Turning back to look at Xiangwu, they shook their heads in sympathetic agreement.
"Look at you, stitching away for nothing without getting a single reward. You only have yourself to blame. Why did you suddenly get dismissed anyway? Seriously, what happened to you?"
"Xiangwu’s problem is just being too simple-minded. All she knows is how to bury her head in her embroidery. How could she possibly understand any of this?"
Xiangwu tried to explain in a small voice, "But... the noble lady you guys are talking about, she's actually—"
However, right in the middle of her sentence, a young maid nearby blurted out in utter surprise: "Huh? Xiangwu, why are you back?"
Her outcry was so loud that quite a few people nearby heard it.
It so happened that Huo Yingyun was just stepping out of her room, standing on the veranda to play with her bird, when the words caught her ear.
Huo Yingyun had been in a fairly decent mood, but hearing this made her brow furrow immediately. "Xiangwu is back?"
The people around her hurriedly confirmed it. Huo Yingyun, of course, ordered for Xiangwu to be brought up to her.
Xiangwu had no choice but to follow the crowd over to Huo Yingyun.
She felt a headache brewing. ‘Technically, I’m serving by the Marquis's side now, which makes me one of his personal staff. Even Miss should show a bit of courtesy to the servants directly under the Marquis... If Miss tries to be mean to me, should I bring up the Marquis as a shield?’
Huo Yingyun looked at the girl standing before her, a subtle chill sinking into her heart.
She was just a servant girl who had mysteriously vanished a few days ago. Huo Yingyun hadn't cared much at the time, only annoyed that Xiangwu had left a piece of embroidery unfinished, forcing her to make other maids patch it up.
And now she had actually dared to reappear. If she had just reappeared, that would be one thing. But why did this little servant girl look so much more refined than before?
Her eyes seemed to pool with glistening water, and her skin was so supple and glowing it looked like it could be pinched to yield moisture.
Huo Yingyun’s expression darkened slightly. "Well, well," she said in a cool, detached voice. "You're a runaway servant, how dare you show your face back here?".
After being thoroughly startled by Young Mistress Huo Yingyun earlier, Xiangwu had spent the rest of the time feeling somewhat dazed and restless.
She kept thinking about how she had become the Marquis’s bedchamber maid. If the Young Mistress ever found out, she would surely be furious. Heaven only knew how she would treat her then!
Yet, Xiangwu knew there was no turning back for her now. All she could do was rely on the Marquis, hoping he would show her enough favor and compassion to keep the Young Mistress from bullying her.
Fortunately, the Marquis seems to treat me quite well...
As her mind wandered, the crabs were brought up.
It was still a bit early in the season, so the crabs were quite small. But when Xiangwu picked one up, she was pleasantly surprised to find it bursting with roe, bulging right against the shell. Peeling it open, her eyes lit up with unexpected joy.
Precisely because the crab was small, the abundant roe felt like an extra delight. She took a gentle bite, letting the mounded roe melt into her mouth. The rich, savory flavor flooded her palate, filling her heart with pure bliss.
In an instant, Xiangwu completely forgot the displeasure brought on by the Young Mistress.
What did it matter if the Young Mistress was angry at her? Could staying by the Young Mistress’s side ever afford her crab roe this delicious?
At best, she would have only been able to suck on a few crab legs and claws just to get a passing taste! It really was so much better to be the Marquis’s bedchamber maid!
Greedily taking another bite of the delicious roe, Xiangwu was so overcome with satisfaction that tears almost welled up in her eyes.
It’s just so good.
After gobbling down three in a row, she happened to catch sight of the waiting-woman standing nearby to serve her. This immediately reminded her of the times when she used to serve the Young Mistress.
Back then, she would stand to the side, her mouth watering with craving, forced to pretend as if nothing were amiss.
Pausing, she asked the woman, "Would you like to try one?"
The servant woman was slightly taken aback and looked at Xiangwu in surprise. "This... this would never do!"
She clearly knew her own place. How could she possibly eat such a luxury? She quickly added, "Noble food is meant for noble people. Only a noble lady like you, Miss, is fit to enjoy such a delicacy. I’m just a common worker from the manor, I wouldn't dare touch it. My status is humble; I am unworthy."
Xiangwu froze for a moment upon hearing those words.
In truth, wasn't her own status just as humble? How was she worthy of such fine food? It was only because she served the Marquis that she got to taste a bit of the fine dining and luxury.
To think that being a maid who gained the favor of a powerful man could feel this marvelous!
She then asked, "Is the Marquis in the estate?"
The servant woman shook her head. "That, this servant wouldn't know."
Xiangwu asked again, "Does the Young Mistress have any of these to eat over at her place?"
The woman hesitated briefly before replying, "No. Before the Marquis left, he only instructed us to serve them to you, Miss. Over at the Young Mistress’s place, since no one gave orders, there are naturally none."
Xiangwu nodded and said nothing more, lowering her head to eat another two or three.
The crabs were indeed delicious, filling her with delight. However, Xiangwu knew she couldn't overindulge. Since they were small, eating five or six was plenty; any more and her body might not be able to take the cold nature of the food.
So, she instructed, "Take these back to the kitchen to be warmed up, and see if you can send them over to the Young Mistress. But don't say they came from me—just say the kitchen sent them over on their own."
The servant woman glanced at Xiangwu and nodded. "Yes, Miss."
A short while later, the crabs were sent out. The woman then served Xiangwu some hot jujube tea, which had a slice of ginseng added to warm her body. Xiangwu drank it until a light sweat broke out on her face, making her feel thoroughly comfortable from head to toe.
Having nothing to do at the moment, Xiangwu struck up a casual conversation with the woman. She learned that the woman was named A'niu, had actually learned to read in her early years, and had married a scholar. Later, when her husband passed away in a tragic accident, she had sold herself into servitude just to afford a proper burial for him.
Seeing that A'niu spoke pleasantly and carried herself with proper decorum, Xiangwu took a liking to her. She wanted to chat with her a bit more, but then realized the woman might find it strange coming from her, so she let it drop.
After all, in the eyes of others, she was a "noble lady," not a "maid." Even if she still considered herself a maid in her own heart, she had to try her best to maintain her composure and keep up appearances.
Moments later, a servant came up to report: "The crabs have already been delivered to the Young Mistress. We didn't mention they came from you, Miss. The Young Mistress was quite delighted with them and is currently preparing to entertain a few guests with them."
Hearing this, Xiangwu finally let out a sigh of relief.
Although she didn't like the Young Mistress, the other party was, after all, the Eldest Miss of the house, while she was merely a servant. Even though she had received a bit of favor by serving the Marquis and was able to enjoy such precious delicacies, she still felt somewhat uneasy deep down. Now that she could share some of the crabs with the Young Mistress, without letting her know, so as not to hurt her pride, she felt much more at peace.
Of course, she had no idea that over at Huo Yingyun’s side, receiving those crabs had brought her immense joy, allowing her to put on quite a show of prestige in front of her friends.
Huo Yingyun, however, was no push-over. She secretly had someone inquire about the origin of the crabs, only to discover that the "distinguished guest" had instructed the kitchen to give them to her. Waves of emotion naturally stirred in her heart.
Just at that moment, Chu Tanyun and the other young ladies were praising the exquisite flavor of the crabs, remarking how the Marquis of Dingyuan’s estate was indeed unlike anywhere else, to be able to feast on such fine crabs at this time of year was truly a rare treat.
Feeling a surge of pride, Huo Yingyun recalled the "distinguished guest" staying in the Bamboo Building and suddenly found her much less disagreeable.
She thought to herself: If this woman truly becomes my father’s future second wife, perhaps I should consider getting along with her. She seems to know how to handle things and treats me quite well.
If I win her over now and use the opportunity to bring up my own marriage prospects with this 'stepmother-to-be,' it might actually do me more good than harm.
With this calculation in mind, she even began pondering how to build a good relationship with this "honored guest from the Capital."
After a moment's thought, she remembered she had an embroidered fan with her. It was one that Xiangwu had spent a great deal of effort embroidering for her last year. The landscape and poetry delicate on it were refined and exquisite; anyone who saw it praised its beauty. She had been reluctant to use it regularly, only taking it out occasionally to admire it. She had brought it out on this outing specifically because she was meeting Chu Tanyun.
She reasoned that if she was given ordinary gold or silver jewelry, a lady from the Capital might not even glance at it. After all, someone from the imperial capital would have seen it all, and sending something tacky would only make her a laughingstock. It would be much better to... simply give this fan to the "distinguished guest from the Capital"!
An exquisite piece like this might not even be easily found in the Capital. As for wanting another one for herself, she could simply have Xiangwu embroider another later—at worst, it would just take a bit more time.
Huo Yingyun immediately had her maid, Lanruo, wrap the embroidered fan neatly in a silk handkerchief and instructed her to deliver it to the "distinguished guest from the Capital."
Receiving her orders, Lanruo went over to the Bamboo Garden and asked the guards to announce her arrival first.
Knowing that one shouldn't strike a smiling face, the servant boy naturally went upstairs to inform Xiangwu.
When Xiangwu heard that the Young Mistress was sending her a gift, she was thoroughly surprised and found it utterly ridiculous. It was the absolute last thing she could have ever anticipated!
She leaned over the window frame to take a look, and when she saw that the person sent over was none other than Lanruo, she found the situation even more absurdly unbelievable.
She pondered for a moment, reasoning that if she refused this gift, the Young Mistress might return home even more enraged, believing Xiangwu was looking down on her. Her only choice was to accept it for now, wait until the Marquis returned, speak with him, and then decide what to do.
She immediately ordered her servants to fetch it. Yet when the servant woman brought it up to her, Xiangwu was caught between absolute shock and sheer amusement.
It was actually the very embroidered fan she had made herself!
She remembered this fan vividly. The Young Mistress had demanded all sorts of specific details, forcing Xiangwu to expend a great deal of effort and burn through an ungodly amount of lamp oil to finish it. The moment it was done, the Young Mistress had whisked it away.
Never in a million years could she have guessed that through such a bizarre turn of twists and turns, this item would find its way right back into her own hands!
Amidst her sentimentality, Xiangwu also found the whole situation utterly absurd. Looking at the fan she had once personally crafted, she couldn't bear to part with it again. Thinking that it must be fate for it to return to her like this, she decided she might as well just keep it for herself!
What she didn't know was that after Lanruo delivered the embroidered fan, she went back to report to Huo Yingyun. Huo Yingyun was, of course, immensely pleased with herself, feeling as though she had "accomplished a great feat." She even rewarded Lanruo for her efforts, leaving Lanruo thrilled beyond measure.
Xiangwu had fully intended to bring the matter up to the Marquis whenever he returned. Unbeknownst to her, over the next two days, there was not a single trace of the Marquis to be seen. Even Baijian was nowhere to be found.
Left with no choice, Xiangwu continued residing in the Bamboo Building. Fortunately, she was showered with an endless array of delicacies every single day, including fine bird's nest soup. It was so delightful that Xiangwu was practically losing herself in luxury.
The only drawback was that the Young Mistress was staying outside the Bamboo Garden, which made Xiangwu hesitate to wander about freely. She could only occasionally take small strolls within the garden's immediate grounds.
After two days passed like this, Huo Yingyun finally packed up her things and departed for home.
Only then did Xiangwu heave a genuine sigh of relief. Just as she was thinking she could finally wander around and explore, Baijian and Zhuyi arrived with a contingent of guards and sedan chair bearers, announcing that they were here under the Marquis’s orders to escort her back to the estate.
Hearing this, Xiangwu couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt: Going back to the estate... am I returning to be a maid by the Young Mistress's side again, or am I staying by the Marquis's side?
She looked toward Baijian in confusion, but Baijian maintained an entirely expressionless, stern visage.
"Sister Baijian..." Xiangwu called out softly.
Baijian kept her eyes fixed elsewhere, acting as though she hadn't heard Xiangwu's call at all.
Xiangwu was perplexed. She wondered why Sister Baijian was ignoring her. Could it be that I've offended her somehow?
Baijian had naturally caught Xiangwu’s look of confusion, but glancing sideways at Zhuyi and the guards nearby, she kept her face stiff and held a completely blank expression.
Xiangwu was even more bewildered, but she obediently climbed into the carriage anyway.
Halfway through their journey, a carriage coming into the city from the suburbs broke down, blocking the road. Xiangwu’s carriage was forced to come to a halt as well.
Zhuyi stepped over to inspect what was happening.
Right at that moment, Xiangwu heard a voice call out: "Miss Xiangwu—"
Perplexed, Xiangwu looked left and right, but only saw Baijian standing beside the carriage, looking ahead with a grim, solemn stare, appearing entirely unlike someone calling her name.
Even more mystified, she looked front and back.
Just as she was looking around, she heard another soft whisper: "Miss Xiangwu."
This time, Xiangwu was certain—the sound was coming from Miss Baijian, who hadn't even spared her a single glance!
Xiangwu was utterly baffled: "Sister Baijian, what's wrong with you?"
Staring forward with a blank face while her mouth talks to me... why is she acting so bizarrely?
In truth, Baijian was frantic inside.
She was desperate to explain everything clearly to Xiangwu and clear up her misunderstanding.
The infuriating thing was that Zhuyi had been ordered to keep an eye on her, strictly forbidding her from talking too much with Xiangwu.
And because she was unwilling to explain that long series of awkward misunderstandings between herself and Xiangwu to Zhuyi, this was the only way she could manage it.
Baijian whispered: "Miss Xiangwu, listen carefully to what I’m about to say."
Xiangwu immediately nodded: "Sister Baijian, say whatever you need to say."
Baijian: "First, don't look at me. Pretend you're ignoring me."
"Oh?" Xiangwu complied quickly, looking off toward another direction and pretending not to pay attention to Baijian. However, her ears perked up higher than ever.
Why is Sister Baijian being so secretive? Is she about to reveal some major secret to me? Could it be related to the Marquis? Otherwise, she wouldn't be acting like this!
Taking a deep breath, Baijian lowered her voice and spoke rapidly: "Miss Xiangwu, you must listen clearly. I am a servant by the Marquis’s side, BUT—"
However, misfortune struck.
Just as she reached the word "BUT," Zhuyi walked back over.
Zhuyi scrutinized Baijian with a suspicious glare.
Baijian glared right back at her.
Zhuyi raised an eyebrow, probing Baijian with an inquiring look.
Baijian took a deep breath and immediately resumed her cold, expressionless mask.
Xiangwu waited for quite a while, but Baijian never got to finish the rest of her sentence. Glancing at Zhuyi, Xiangwu quietly stepped back into the carriage.
Once inside the carriage, Xiangwu thought to herself: What Sister Baijian wanted to say was probably, 'Even though I serve by the Marquis's side, I definitely have no intention of competing with you for anything, and we can go on being good sisters.'
Touched by the thought, Xiangwu reflected: Sister Baijian truly is a wonderful older sister after all.
She secretly resolved in her heart that she must tell Sister Baijian later that she felt the exact same way!
Upon returning to the Marquis’s Manor, Xiangwu was not sent back to the Young Mistress’s courtyard. Instead, she was settled directly into a private courtyard.
This courtyard was located right alongside the main residence where the Marquis lived. What's more, there was a small side door in the yard that opened up directly to the Marquis's quarters.
Xiangwu was completely overjoyed at this arrangement; she couldn't be more satisfied.
To have a whole courtyard entirely to herself instead of having to serve at the Marquis's beck and call day and night—this was a million times better than anything she had dared to imagine before!
After settling in, she was shocked to discover that she actually had handmaidens and servants waiting on her. Two young maidservants approached her timidly, asking her to grant them names. Xiangwu could hardly believe it, she was giving maidservants their names, when she still felt like a maidservant herself!
Fortunately, Xiangwu quickly composed herself. Remembering how her young mistress used to handle things back in the day, she put on a dignified front. After a moment's thought, she named the two girls Yuebai and Xiahong—classic terms straight out of the rhyme books. Xiangwu figured that choosing names like these wouldn't embarrass her or lower her standing.
Upon hearing their new names, Yuebai and Xiahong were thrilled. They stepped forward hastily to express their gratitude, "Thank you, Miss, for bestowing these names upon us!"
Soon after, four older servant women came forward to offer their greetings. The one leading them was none other than Qiu Nian. Only then did Xiangwu learn that these four women were also assigned to serve in this courtyard alongside her, which delighted her even more. Qiu Nian, in particular, had always struck Xiangwu as spoken-well and thoroughly reliable; having her nearby to assist was a huge weight off her mind.
Before long, the four servant women and two maidservants settled into their respective roles. They attended to Xiangwu before bustling about the courtyard, tidying and cleaning with immense vigor.
Xiangwu sat by the window lattice, gazing out at the courtyard that now inexplicably belonged to her. The servants and maidservants bustling back and forth addressed her as "Miss" with every turn, treating her with utmost respect and propriety. To her, this was something she could never have imagined, a leap to the top practically overnight.
Gazing out from the window frame, she took in the yard. There stood an old jujube tree, now sprouting tiny specks of white blossoms alongside fruit no larger than rice grains. It looked as though they’d be ready to eat by next month. When the time comes, I can pick a few and make drunken jujubes for the Marquis. Maybe he'll like them?
She bit her lip, lost in thought. The good life she enjoyed now relied entirely on the Marquis. If he was pleased with her, she could live even better, so she had to do everything she could to flatter and please him.
Then she suddenly remembered the pouch she had been embroidering. Because she had left in such a rush, she hadn't managed to bring it along, leaving it behind in her former young mistress’s room. She began to wonder if she ought to go back and retrieve it. Beyond that, there were a few of her dresses, as well as the gold bracelet and pearl hair flowers the Marquis had gifted her. Those were absolute musts to fetch back.
But is it convenient for me to go back right now? After all, I left without saying a word to anyone...
Hoping to consult Baijian or Zhubi, Xiangwu looked for them, only to find neither anywhere in sight. There was simply no one around to ask. As for the maidservants and older servants by her side, they were even more clueless, taking all their cues from "Miss Xiangwu." Seeing their bewildered expressions, Xiangwu suddenly realized that she was no longer that obedient little maidservant who had to take orders from everyone. In this courtyard, she was the master.
Even if she stepped outside this courtyard to serve the Marquis as nothing more than a low-ranking bed-chamber maid, within these walls, she held sway. Xiangwu had no choice but to settle down for the moment, resolving to ask when the Marquis or Baijian eventually visited.
Who could have guessed that two days would pass in pure comfort? She was served delicious food, fine drinks, nice clothes, and daily swallow's nest—literally being pampered like a prize pig. The only downside was that she saw neither the Marquis nor Baijian, and even Zhubi was nowhere to be found.
Xiangwu grew restless. Poor since childhood, she had worked daily after being taken in by her adoptive parents, and coming to the Marquis’s estate meant the same life of hard labor and serving others. Being waited on hand and foot while doing absolutely nothing made her feel like she was rotting from idleness.
Thinking back to her pearl hair flowers and gold bracelet, her heart ached terribly. She couldn't just abandon them!
After a moment's hesitation, she changed into a plain, inconspicuous dress. Without bringing any maidservants or older servants along, she slipped out on her own.
Along the way, she hardly ran into anyone and made it smoothly to the exterior of her former mistress’s courtyard. Just as she was pondering how to get inside or how to explain her situation, given that she had vanished for a few days without a word and people were bound to pry, she happened to spot Lanruo walking out.
Upon catching sight of Xiangwu, Lanruo gasped in surprise. "Xiangwu?! Weren't you taken away and sent out of the estate?"
"Huh?" Xiangwu blinked.
"It's true! I heard people say you committed some offense and were dragged out. Yueqing and the others and I even had a good cry over it! What happened to you? How are you back?" Lanruo scrutinized Xiangwu's attire. "You're dressed so brightly today, where did these clothes come from? What on earth is going on?"
Xiangwu felt a headache coming on. Unsure how to explain her bizarre predicament, she offered a vague answer: "I was away for a little while, but now I've been called back to serve again."
Lanruo didn't doubt her for a second, assuming Xiangwu had simply returned to serve by their young mistress's side. Overjoyed, she pulled Xiangwu by the hand. "Did you forget? It was your birthday a few days ago! I even made a purse to give you, but then you suddenly disappeared!"
Hearing Lanruo mention it, Xiangwu finally recalled the date. Right... the day I was whisked away from the Marquis's estate happened to be my birthday. She had completely forgotten about it.
Delighted to see Xiangwu again, Lanruo chatted away about this and that as she pulled her into the courtyard.
It was noon, the usual hour for afternoon naps. Aside from two dozing older women at the entrance, no one was around, allowing Lanruo to slip inside the room with Xiangwu unobstructed.
Closing the door behind them, Lanruo whispered, "It's Yueqing and Huameng's turn to attend to the young mistress today, so they're in her room. Let's wait and see if we can find a good moment for you to go speak with the young mistress. Try to get yourself assigned back here! If you ask me, serving directly under the young mistress is still the best gig in this estate. Sure, she has a bit of a temper, but as long as we're careful, life isn't too tough."
Xiangwu bit her lip, mulling over how to explain things to Lanruo. "Actually, I don't really want to come back right now either. After all, waiting on someone is waiting on someone no matter where you are. When it's convenient later, I’ll tell you all the details."
Lanruo, however, didn't really take it to heart. Her mind was still entirely focused on filling Xiangwu in on all the recent happenings in the residence.
"You probably have no idea, but a huge event has gone down in the residence!"
Xiangwu was surprised. "A huge event? What happened?"
She had been away from the residence for a while, and ever since she got back, she’d been staying in that little courtyard—eating, drinking, and sleeping. She truly had no clue what was going on outside.
Seeing Xiangwu’s clueless expression, Lanruo realized she was completely out of the loop, which made her all the more eager to spill the tea. She immediately launched into the story.
"After you left, Miss was naturally pretty furious, though she didn't take it too seriously at first. Later, when Miss went out on an outing with everyone, she bumped into a noble lady."
"A noble lady?" Xiangwu’s eyes widened.
Lanruo grinned with an air of mystery. "Yes, a noble lady! I heard she came all the way from Yanjing, supposedly to stay by the Marquis's side, maybe even as his second wife! Anyway, her status is impossibly grand. Where she lives, what she eats, what she uses... none of it is something the likes of us could ever compare to—"
Listening to this, Xiangwu suddenly felt that something was off. "Where... where is this noble lady staying?"
Lanruo grew even more smug. "Do you remember that bamboo garden at the Hundred Flowers Manor in the suburbs? The one with all those books hidden away, known for being a cultured, elegant spot? That noble lady is living right in the bamboo tower! What's more, she’s so kind-hearted! She actually had someone specifically deliver early-season crabs to Miss to enjoy. Naturally, Miss was delighted and even sent a return gift."
Xiangwu fell completely silent. The "noble lady" in Lanruo’s mouth... was actually’her’?!
A wave of guilt and utter embarrassment washed over her.
Lanruo chuckled and said, "You probably don't know this, but I was the one who delivered the gift to that noble lady! And she actually accepted it! Because of that, Miss even gave me a reward! Look, let me show you—"
Lanruo was beaming with joy, but Xiangwu could barely bring herself to look her in the eye.
How on earth was she supposed to accept that she had become the "noble lady" in the mouths of Lanruo and their young mistress?
If they ever found out that this so-called noble lady was actually her... well, Lanruo might survive the shock, but Miss would probably die of sheer rage on the spot.
Xiangwu looked at Lanruo with a troubled face, desperately trying to figure out how to explain her predicament.
Before she could form a single sentence, Yueqing burst inside, full of vim and vigor.
Upon spotting Xiangwu, Yueqing was also caught off guard, but she quickly shifted back to her excited state to share the gossip she had just dug up. "Lanruo, remember we mentioned that a noble lady was staying in the courtyard right next to the Marquis?"
Lanruo nodded repeatedly. "Of course I remember! I was just telling Xiangwu about it. What about it?"
Yueqing gasped out, "Oh my goodness! Miss finally had someone inquire about it! Word has it that this noble lady is actually an embroidery prodigy! She’s been devoutly practicing Buddhism since childhood and was specially invited here to embroider a birthday tribute for the Empress Dowager!"
"Huh?!"
Xiangwu was even more stunned. ‘Are they talking about me? Since when did I become a devout, embroidery-prodigy noble lady who's been practicing Buddhism since childhood?!’
Lanruo was baffled too. "Is that so? So she’s not from Yanjing after all?"
Yueqing nodded gravely. "That's right! But she's still a lady of great distinction. I heard that because of her skill in embroidery, she’s to stay by the Marquis's side to serve him. Right now, the Marquis has specially prepared a courtyard for her, complete with servants to attend to her every need!"
As they spoke, both girls couldn't help but sigh with envy. Turning back to look at Xiangwu, they shook their heads in sympathetic agreement.
"Look at you, stitching away for nothing without getting a single reward. You only have yourself to blame. Why did you suddenly get dismissed anyway? Seriously, what happened to you?"
"Xiangwu’s problem is just being too simple-minded. All she knows is how to bury her head in her embroidery. How could she possibly understand any of this?"
Xiangwu tried to explain in a small voice, "But... the noble lady you guys are talking about, she's actually—"
However, right in the middle of her sentence, a young maid nearby blurted out in utter surprise: "Huh? Xiangwu, why are you back?"
Her outcry was so loud that quite a few people nearby heard it.
It so happened that Huo Yingyun was just stepping out of her room, standing on the veranda to play with her bird, when the words caught her ear.
Huo Yingyun had been in a fairly decent mood, but hearing this made her brow furrow immediately. "Xiangwu is back?"
The people around her hurriedly confirmed it. Huo Yingyun, of course, ordered for Xiangwu to be brought up to her.
Xiangwu had no choice but to follow the crowd over to Huo Yingyun.
She felt a headache brewing. ‘Technically, I’m serving by the Marquis's side now, which makes me one of his personal staff. Even Miss should show a bit of courtesy to the servants directly under the Marquis... If Miss tries to be mean to me, should I bring up the Marquis as a shield?’
Huo Yingyun looked at the girl standing before her, a subtle chill sinking into her heart.
She was just a servant girl who had mysteriously vanished a few days ago. Huo Yingyun hadn't cared much at the time, only annoyed that Xiangwu had left a piece of embroidery unfinished, forcing her to make other maids patch it up.
And now she had actually dared to reappear. If she had just reappeared, that would be one thing. But why did this little servant girl look so much more refined than before?
Her eyes seemed to pool with glistening water, and her skin was so supple and glowing it looked like it could be pinched to yield moisture.
Huo Yingyun’s expression darkened slightly. "Well, well," she said in a cool, detached voice. "You're a runaway servant, how dare you show your face back here?".
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