Chapter 14: Home at Last

Chapter 14: Home at Last

Once all the candidates for palace ladies were selected, the imperial court began arranging for the ladies to leave the palace. Those who were not chosen would return to their hometowns, while those who were chosen would receive their appointments shortly from the Ministry of Rites.

When they returned to the palace next time, they would be official concubines.

The Fan family's carriage had been waiting outside the palace gates. Auntie Kang, Yan Ran, and Leng Xiang stood by the carriage, eagerly awaiting her arrival. Seeing Fan Xueyao emerge from the palace, they quickly surrounded her and helped her into the carriage. They asked anxiously if she had been selected, but Fan Xueyao only smiled in response. The three immediately understood and broke into wide grins, showing their gums.

The carriage stopped in front of the Fan family's main gate. With the help of the servants, Fan Xueyao stepped out of the carriage and entered through the main gate, passing through the second gate, and arrived at the flower hall. The entire household gathered there, and as soon as they saw her, they rushed forward in unison, asking, "Were you selected?!"

"Selected," Fan Xueyao replied with a gentle smile.

"Oh!" Everyone in the room was beaming with joy, and Li Rong, holding Fan Xueyao's hand, half-laughing and half-tearfully said, "Good child, you truly have great fortune!"

Fan Yelin's handsome face was filled with smiles, and he clapped his hands excitedly, calling for the servants to prepare a grand feast for tonight, so the whole family could celebrate together!

The servants happily carried out the order, spreading the good news throughout the house on their way to the kitchen. Soon, the entire Fan residence was filled with joy, and people were running around to share the news.

After the initial excitement subsided, Li Rong turned to her husband and said, "Let's go to the main house to inform Mother. She has been waiting for the news and shouldn't wait too long."

Fan Minghui was overjoyed and had completely forgotten about it. Only when his wife reminded him did he remember. He composed himself and said, "Let's go together. We'll have dinner there anyway."

Everyone from the main house then moved to the main courtyard. That night, the Fan family was bustling with activity, and even the usually estranged second and third houses were smiling and offering congratulations. Words of praise poured in like rain, almost overwhelming the main house.

That evening, when Fan Xueyao returned to her courtyard, Leng Xiang and Yan Ran hurriedly attended to her bathing.

"After I enter the palace, our courtyard will be without a mistress. I've been thinking that you two are not getting any younger and should be matched up. Instead of leaving it to others after I'm gone, why not let me arrange it now while I'm still here? I want what's best for you and won't let you suffer. If you're not willing, I won't force anything on you." As she slowly combed her hair, scented with jasmine oil, Fan Xueyao spoke softly.

"To avoid any misunderstandings, tell me now if you have anyone in mind. If you do, I'll arrange it for you these few days."

Leng Xiang blushed and looked down shyly.

Yan Ran, however, continued to dry her damp hair, smiling and saying, "Lady, whatever you decide is fine. We've served you since we were young and know your character well. Ten years of loyalty wouldn't lead you to mistreat us."

Fan Xueyao chided with a smile, "Always saying such sweet things. If I arranged something you didn't like, you'd surely resent me. Tell me, which boy do you fancy?"

Leng Xiang's eyes darted around, hesitating for a moment before leaning close to whisper something in Fan Xueyao's ear.

Fan Xueyao was slightly surprised and asked, "Why him? He doesn't seem particularly outstanding or lively."

Leng Xiang, her face flushed, explained, "I just find him honest. Last time, Hongxia tried to give him a handkerchief, but he refused outright. Later, he came back with a plain piece of cloth, asking me to embroider a handkerchief for him."

Hongxia was a maid serving the second lady, not particularly pretty but with a voluptuous figure. Many young servants fawned over her, giving her flowers and fabrics. Thinking of someone who could refuse her so firmly, Leng Xiang found him genuinely honest.

Fan Xueyao nodded but didn't immediately agree. "I'll call him tomorrow to see how things are at home. If it's suitable, I'll arrange it for you two."

Leng Xiang responded happily with an "Ah," giggling as she continued to massage Fan Xueyao's feet.

Yan Ran glanced at her, amused but secretly envious.

Fan Xueyao looked at Yan Ran and asked, "Now that Leng Xiang has someone in mind, what about you, Yan Ran? Do you have anyone you fancy?"

Yan Ran paused, biting her lip, and remained silent.

"Whether you choose someone or not, you need to tell me so I can arrange it for you," Fan Xueyao gently encouraged.

Yan Ran's heart raced, and with determination, she confessed, "I do have someone in mind, but my status is low, and I don't deserve him."

"You were trained by me, skilled in embroidery and abacus, read many books, and know a little about music and chess. What kind of person could possibly be unworthy of my Yan Ran? Tell me, which family's son is he?" Fan Xueyao already knew who it was but pretended to be displeased with Yan Ran's self-deprecation.

Yan Ran hesitated for a long time before speaking softly, "There's a Li's Wine Shop in the market. The owner is upright and kind, and I admire him greatly. But I am of low status, and marriages between noble and commoners are forbidden, so we can never be together."

"Really him?!" Leng Xiang exclaimed, "Isn't he an old widower?"

Yan Ran glared at her, spitting, "Mindless girl, he's only in his twenties."

"Someone in their twenties is an old widower..." Leng Xiang muttered under her breath.

Fan Xueyao, who already knew the truth, wasn't surprised. She had known for a while that Yan Ran had someone in mind but hadn't pressed the issue. She thought Yan Ran would bring it up eventually but realized that Yan Ran was too honest to consider freeing herself from servitude.

Yan Ran was seventeen, bought as a maid from outside. She was originally destined for a brothel but was saved by Fan Xueyao. For ten years, she had served her faithfully. Therefore, Yan Ran considered Fan Xueyao her benefactor and served her wholeheartedly.

If a servant wanted to buy their freedom, they typically needed to pay twenty years' worth of food and clothing expenses plus the purchase price. This might be difficult for ordinary families, but Fan Xueyao had always been generous with her maids. Ten years of monthly allowances and bonuses would be more than enough.

Yan Ran never mentioned this because she felt that asking for freedom would betray her benefactor. Even though she had saved enough money over ten years, she never considered freeing herself to marry the shopkeeper.

Realizing this, Fan Xueyao sighed and chided Yan Ran, "Silly girl, you've served me for ten years with all your heart. How could I not be grateful? Since you two are meant to be, I'll help you. Tomorrow, I'll talk to the empress and free you from servitude so you can marry the shopkeeper."

Yan Ran was stunned, her face expressionless, and then she suddenly knelt down, "Thank you, Lady! Thank you, Lady!" Tears streamed down her face. Yan Ran, usually calm and composed, had never shown such emotion. It was both pitiful and endearing.

Seeing Yan Ran's reaction, Fan Xueyao knew how much the shopkeeper meant to her. Loving him so deeply yet unwilling to leave her, she chose to follow her benefactor and repay her kindness. This showed how devoted Yan Ran was.

Feeling touched, Fan Xueyao helped Yan Ran up and said, "You've served me for ten years, and now you're getting married. I won't let you go without proper dowry. Tomorrow, I'll send someone to the Prosperous Silver Shop to pick out a beautiful set of jewelry for you."

Leng Xiang pouted, "Lady, you can't favor Yan Ran alone. I've also served you since I was young."

"Don't worry, I won't forget you. You'll also have a grand wedding," Fan Xueyao reassured her with a glance.

The three of them laughed and joked late into the night before retiring to bed. Leng Xiang and Yan Ran laid down on small mats near the window, ready to attend to Fan Xueyao if needed.

With only a month left before entering the palace as a concubine, Fan Xueyao cherished every moment with her family. She worked to resolve the conflicts between her mother and sister-in-law, privately suggesting that if her brother and sister-in-law couldn't conceive within two years, they should choose one of her maids to bear children.

If the maid was honest and loyal, she could be freed and made a concubine. If not, she could be dismissed or neglected. If her sister-in-law eventually conceived, the concubine's children would remain secondary to the legitimate heir.

This was a common practice, and the Fan family had been lenient with Chen Shi, tolerating her inability to conceive for years without taking other measures. Chen Shi felt grateful and guilty but had resisted the idea of bringing in a concubine. Hearing Fan Xueyao's suggestion, she agreed immediately.

Solving her brother's issue, Fan Xueyao felt relieved. Now that the main house was strong and her mother was more assertive, the couple was happy, and the matriarch and the second and third houses posed no problems.