"It's just past 1 a.m., Miss, are you thirsty? There's tea heating on the stove, I'll bring it to you." Chunyan said, draped in an overcoat and speaking from the Warm Pavilion through the cotton gauze partition.
Xiqiu felt sleepless, but didn't want to get up immediately, so she closed her eyes and turned over: "I'm not thirsty, go to sleep quickly to avoid catching a cold."
Chunyan yawned but still poured a cup of hot tea from the teapot and placed it on the stool by the bed, dimmed the lamp slightly before returning.
Xiqiu lay on the bed, quietly looking at the canopy overhead, thinking through all sorts of possibilities, even considering Master Puning of Puji Temple, but ultimately felt her thoughts might be too excessive. After all, she had Third Miss and Fourth Miss above her, no way it could skip them to her. Yet, thinking that she must get through this, she felt troubled for not having a reliable way. Adding to that, Siliu's visit to Seventh Brother the other day, mentioning that the two senior chambermaids in his room were frivolously flirting, made her agitated.
In the morning, there were noticeable dark circles under her eyes, but given her young age, it didn't matter much. She sat on the bed with her clothes on and summoned the most reliable Chunyan to give instructions: "Go notify Nanny Fang, tell her Siliu's medicine is insufficient. Go personally to the pharmacy to check. After stepping out, go to Lamp Grass Alley to gather intelligence—find out aside from hosting Lady, where else has the Minister's wife been visiting these days. Check who aside from Lady and the concubines from the Minister Mansion, have been frequently visiting lately."
Though Chunyan didn't understand the reason behind Xiqiu's instructions, she knew Xiqiu always had her reasons, and with a serious expression, she nodded and went to carry out the task.
Xiqiu breathed a sigh of relief, and after grooming, headed towards Zhui Garden, where she encountered the entourage surrounding Tong Xiyang.
At that moment, Tong Xiyang saw her and couldn't help but stare at her with fiery eyes, as if wanting to devour her: "I remember Sixth Sister used to visit at 5:45 AM, why are you so late today?"
Seems like you came early!
Xiqiu didn't intend to say much, casually replied: "Slept late."
Tong Xiyang stood in front of her, the red gold and jade hairpin on her hair was exceedingly dazzling: "Sister, it's better to wake up early, lest you become lazy and neglect your embroidery work, which would be a serious loss."
She hinted at something unsaid, Xiqiu's face turned cold: "Sister's words are somewhat improper, even though we are just of lower status, we are still noble ladies. What you said might make some think sister is an embroideress."
Tong Xiyang was so angry she laughed instead: "Then I wish you a smooth life, never having to embroider handkerchiefs like an embroideress again."
Xiqiu curled her lips with a hint of a smile: "Sister doesn't have much skill, not as fortunate as Sister."
"Sister is good at this, most clearly understood person." Tong Xiyang laughed behind her sleeve, a peacock-like beauty, alluring.
Xiqiu bowed slightly: "Sister must go to the Lady to serve the meal, fearing not understanding the rules, hope Sister will guide much."
The light words instantly stiffened Tong Xiyang's straightened back.
No matter how noble, just a daughter of a concubine, the legitimate ladies can sit and eat with the mistresses, but they must stand to serve in order to please.
Tong Xiyang's face turned pale, and by the time she recovered, Xiqiu was already gone.
Xiqiu entered Zhui Garden, Tong Xiyan and Tong Xiyu were already there, one holding a handkerchief, the other cradling soap to serve Lady's grooming.
"What's going on today, why did everyone come so early."
Tong Xiyang, who arrived shortly after, took the teacup from the maid's hand, eagerly handed it to Lady: "Your daughter hasn't seen mother for two days and misses her dearly, so came over as soon as dawn broke. Perhaps several sisters and daughter have the same thought."
As if that proud nobility was just an illusion.
Lady was in exceptionally good spirits today, allowing Zijuan to style a fashionable cloud-like bun, wearing a hairpin made of red gold and ruby pomegranate flowers on the right and a green jade shuttle on the left, dressed in a brown cloud-patterned flower robe, exuding wealth and harmony, she sat on the bed with a smile: "Coming so early, you probably haven't had breakfast, later eat here with me. Today your eldest sister is returning, you've not seen her for a long time, enjoy the sisterly reunion."
The Misses quickly nodded in agreement.
The concubines came to pay respects.
The first to come in was Tong Xiyu's birth mother, Lady's companion, Madam Mei, following her was Madam Xia. She was from Suzhou, with delicate Jiangnan femininity in her brows, a pair of enchanting eyes glistening in motion. She wore a peony-colored embroidered orchid robe, her embroidered flower skirt like a spring breeze entering as she walked in, brightening everyone's eyes.
Even Xiqiu, who often saw her, couldn't help but marvel at her own mother's beauty.
Some beauty cannot be hidden even by coarse, plain clothes.
Lady's eyes moved, looking at the subsequent entry of Madam Luo. Besides the attendant Madam Wang, this Madam Luo had stayed the longest, but due to being gifted by a superior, her fate was not elevated, rather turned most convoluted. She bore Fifth Miss who died at three, and the following year carried Sixth Young Master only to miscarry at less than seven months, and the Mrs. said she likely couldn't bear children again.
"Take a seat, the master is soon returning to the Capital for duties. Recently, I learned from the letter that Madam Wang is pregnant and is on her way back to the Capital. With the arrival of the concubine, I am quite busy. Help me and keep an eye."
Xiqiu furrowed her brow, noticing a flash of resentment in Madam Luo's eyes.
She felt a chill, an illusion of looming conflict.
As her thoughts flashed by, Madam Mei already rose first, her sharp face full of fawning smiles: "I have no skills, but am adept at caring for others, Sister Xia is steady, Sister Luo clever, certainly won't fail Lady's expectations." Her brows were gentle, in a deep blue jeweled floral small jacket, honey-colored horse-face skirt, with two red gold plum blossom hairpins in a round bun, seeming older than Lady by several years.
The synergy between mistress and servant. Madam Xia followed suit, standing to promise, leaving Madam Luo no choice but to rise.
"Third girl is grown, since her concubine's body is unwell, when she returns, you should move over for a while, convenient for care-taking."
Xiqiu saw Tong Xiyang's face quickly fill with joy, eagerly thanking.
Madam Luo's mouth pulled into a sardonic smile, Madam Xia turned ashen, only Madam Mei remained unchanged, standing with head lowered.
After the concubines exited, Nanny Fang appeared from behind the curtain full of smiles: "Lady, Eldest Miss and her husband have arrived."
Lady stood up, personally pulling aside the curtain, feeling improper, returned and sat back on the felt-covered bed, instructing Nanny Fang: "You personally go to welcome them."
The concubine led Xu Tianqing in, asking: "Has Xihua returned?"
The Misses rose to greet, and after greeting Xu Tianqing, seated themselves.
Lady laughed: "Just notified this morning about the return, and here they are by this hour."
The concubine also looked forward eagerly: "Indeed, didn't know when she set off, crossing half the Capital from Nanzhou Square, afraid tiring our son-in-law without rest."