Chapter 17: The Troublesome Servant

Chapter 17: The Troublesome Servant

"Lady, Nanny Yan is here."

Lin Yunwan instructed, "Let her in."

Nanny Yan entered with the ledger in hand, smiling, "Lady, what are you busy with so late at night?"

Setting down her brush, Lin Yunwan replied, "I'm preparing lesson materials for the two boys."

Nanny Yan glanced over and saw on the windowsill table, a copy of 'Zhu Zhi Tie' and another blank Xuan paper book, densely filled with small characters.

The lady indeed takes great care in preparing for Young Master Qing.

Holding the ledger, she approached, advising, "Lady, you must be careful and take care of your health."

Lin Yunwan nodded and instructed Tao Ye, "Bring a bowl of Qingfeng Yulu."

Nanny Yan initially didn’t want to drink, but upon hearing this elegant name, she sat down again.

Tao Ye served the Qingfeng Yulu tea.

Nanny Yan, savoring the fragrance and taking a sip, couldn’t stop praising, "This is truly delightful!" She restrained herself from drinking more, adding, "If I had come in the morning, I would have definitely finished this bowl of tea from the lady."

Tao Ye gently explained, "Nanny, feel free to drink. This is Pu'er tea, which warms and nourishes the spleen and stomach, and won’t affect your sleep at night."

"Is it really that wonderful?"

Nanny Yan, holding the teacup, drank it all.

Seeing her enjoyment, Tao Ye seized the opportunity to add, "Pu'er tea is best after three or four brews. You’ve come at just the right time; a bit earlier or later and you would have missed it."

Nanny Yan felt even happier, as if she had stumbled upon a bargain.

Finally, she felt somewhat embarrassed about handing over the ledger approved by the Old Lady to Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan, however, showed no reaction, treating it as just another routine task.

Once Nanny Yan left, Lin Yunwan opened the ledger and, as expected, found what she was looking for.

Ping Ye said with a smile, "The Old Lady really did cancel Qiao Da's task of trimming the bamboo! He’s definitely going to make a fuss now."

Tao Ye expressed some concern, "I just hope Qiao Da doesn’t go overboard and cause trouble for the lady."

Lin Yunwan remained unconcerned, calmly stating, "Although Qiao Da is hot-tempered, he’s not unreasonable."

The remaining Qingfeng Yulu tea was drunk by Ping Ye.

In the Shou Tang.

Having enjoyed the Fenglu tea at Chui Si Tang, Nanny Yan felt obliged to speak well of Lin Yunwan.

She mentioned to her mistress, "Reducing the tasks of others is not a problem, but Qiao Da is quite tricky."

How could the Old Lady not know? But she was also at a loss.

"Then tell me, if not Qiao Da's tasks, whose should we cut? Everyone proposed is close to me. If I can't even take care of my own attendants, and now that I'm not managing the household, in a few more years, I'll truly be like a deaf and mute old woman."

"You're right. I'm just worried that Qiao Da might cause trouble for the lady, which wouldn't look good."

The Old Lady was not concerned about this, asserting, "Yunwan is more capable than you think. She can handle this minor issue. Besides, wasn’t she brought into the family to manage the household? If she can't handle this, she doesn't deserve to be the Lu family's matriarch."

The Old Lady had become accustomed to being a hands-off manager over the years, unaware of the difficulties of running a household.

Nanny Yan couldn't say much in response.

"Go to the side room and inform them. Once the lady finishes the ledger, someone will be sent to serve her. Tell her to be more compliant from now on. Start by assigning her Xiliu to assist."

"Yes."

Nanny Yan made another trip to see Ge Bao'er.

"Xiliu is a second-tier maid from the Old Lady's quarters. She's familiar with the mansion's rules. If you're unsure about anything, ask her first. Don't rush to provoke the Old Lady."

"Your primary role in the Lu family should be to serve the Old Lady well. Everything else will be handled by the lady of the house, so don't concern yourself with other matters."

Ge Bao'er, usually very obedient, stood quietly in the room, listening to Nanny Yan’s message.

Although Nanny Yan didn’t have a high opinion of her, she dutifully conveyed the message and left.

After leaving Xiliu behind, she departed.

"Miss, I am Xiliu."

A young maid entered, nearing the age of hairpin ceremony, as slender and graceful as a willow by a clear stream, her name reflecting her appearance.

This name was given when she entered the mansion, selected by the stewardesses based on the maids’ seniority in the house. 'Xi' was a character chosen by the lady of the house, sounding very pleasant.

She was quite proud of her name.

Ge Bao'er curiously sized her up, then said, "You're younger than me, so I'll treat you like my younger sister."

Xiliu, flattered and surprised, responded, "I dare not! You are the mistress, and I am just a maid."

Ge Bao'er smiled, took her hand, and invited her to sit together, saying, "What maid? I am just another person in this mansion. Since you will be with me every day, I'll treat you as my sister."

Xiliu, feeling her sincerity, hesitantly agreed.

"Nanny Yan just said you should teach me about the mansion's rules and the customs of marquis families. Tell me quickly." She didn’t want to make a fool of herself again, especially after not understanding something as simple as the brush dumpling!

The Lu family's hierarchy was actually quite complex, but due to the Old Lady having only one legitimate son and grandson, and the other branches being dispersed, the Marquis's mansion seemed more tranquil.

Xiliu began with the most important aspects, then explained some basic rules.

Ge Bao'er caught on to something.

"Xiliu, did you just say a mistress can change a maid’s name?"

Xiliu, taken aback, nodded and said, "Yes."

Ge Bao'er smiled at her, "I haven’t read much, so I find your name a bit difficult to pronounce. I'll change it for you, how about calling you 'Wuer'?"

Xiliu opened her mouth, looking at her.

Ge Bao'er asked in confusion, "Can't I change it?"

Xiliu quickly waved her hands, "No, no, you can."

Ge Bao'er joyfully exclaimed, "Then from now on, I'll call you Wuer."

Xiliu had no choice but to agree.

Ge Bao'er, in good spirits and seemingly just out of curiosity, asked, "Nanny Yan mentioned the allowance for me as a young lady; what are the usual allowances for ladies in the mansion?"

Xiliu, well-informed, started explaining, counting on her fingers, "The room will definitely need redecorating. When the eldest miss lived here before, her accommodations were much more luxurious."

The eldest miss, Lu Zhengliu's half-sister, had been married off for many years.

As a child born out of wedlock, her treatment in the house couldn’t compare to that of a legitimate daughter.

Yet, that level of treatment still fascinated Ge Bao'er.

"A screen inlaid with mother-of-pearl... a carved dressing mirror... clothes hangers made of chicken-wing wood, even the cushions are wrapped in silk."

After Xiliu went to rest, Ge Bao'er muttered to herself, looking around her current quarters. It was a hastily arranged side room, long unoccupied, with only a simple bed and a trunk, even less than a servant's room.

"It doesn't really matter."

Ge Bao'er consoled herself, believing her time would come.

The next morning, Ge Bao'er rose early to cook in the kitchen.

Usually, she only prepared a dish for the Old Lady, but today she was diligent, making five portions. She sent one to each master's residence in the mansion.

The Old Lady, always well-informed, knew everything.

Seeing Ge Bao'er's eagerness, she asked coldly, "What exactly are you trying to do by sending food to Yunwan’s quarters?"

Even if misunderstood, Ge Baor didn't feel wronged.

She earnestly said, "If the Madam is truly committed to educating Qing Ge'er, I have no concerns. Since I have joined the Lu family and become your niece-in-law, as the mistress of the house, you are my mistress too, and I should support you wholeheartedly."

Old Madam Lu scrutinized her, somewhat skeptical.

Ge Baor didn't care how the Old Madam viewed her, focusing instead on serving the meal, "Please eat before it gets cold."

Old Madam Lu silently accepted the porcelain bowl.

She didn't believe Ge Baor could endure for decades, just waiting for an opportunity to outlive Lin Yunwan.

Hopefully, if trouble does arise, Lin Yunwan, considering Ge Baor's generally honest and submissive nature, might tolerate her.

\\

As soon as the decision about the responsibilities was announced, Qiao Da indeed made a fuss.

"How dare you meddle with Qiao Da's duties! I was earning my stripes while you were still playing in the mud!"

"Bring your father! Bring your ancestors! Let's see if they dare to act high and mighty in front of me!"

"If I don't teach you a lesson today, you'll forget the prestige of Qiao Da from the past!"

The steward, overwhelmed by the commotion, invoked Lin Yunwan's authority, saying, "Stop the nonsense, it was the Madam's decision. We're just following orders."

"Nonsense! Anyone might have revoked my duties, but definitely not the Madam!"

"My contributions to the marquisate are well known to the Madam! She understands and sympathizes more than anyone!"

"I want to see the Madam! I demand to see her!"

The steward scolded him, "Keep it up, and I'll have you tied up! Do you think you can barge into the inner quarters where the women reside?"

Seeing Qiao Da refuse to calm down, the steward quietly hinted, "It's not related to the Madam, but she too is under constraints. It's all because the Old Madam wants to accommodate the new cousin..."

"Knowing the Madam treats you well, can't you understand her difficulties?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Da became even more frenzied.

"What nonsense cousin! A distant hussy dares to cross Qiao Da! I'll skin her myself!"

The steward was at his wits' end.

"He's gone mad! Someone, tie him up! Gag him."

"Dare to tie up your great lord and see what happens! Ah, howl howl—"