Chapter 2

Chapter Two: Sisters

According to Miss Eleven's estimation, the Luo family mansion covered about thirty acres of land. To the east was Zhiyun Hall, in the center was Sizhi Hall, and to the west was Shuangxing Court. Behind Shuangxing Court, there was a sluice gate that drew water from the outer river to form a lake. Beyond the gate was a small courtyard with about ten rooms, called Linfang Hall. To the east of Linfang Hall was the Luo family mansion's back garden.

The Green Bamboo Pavilion was located in the northwest corner of the back garden.

Miss Eleven, accompanied by Binju, left the Green Bamboo Pavilion with Yao Mama and crossed the corridor connecting the Green Bamboo Pavilion and Zhiyun Hall. They soon arrived at Zhiyun Hall.

As they entered, they encountered Xu Mama leading four or five maids and older women out.

Xu Mama was the most capable person by the mistress of the house's side, assisting her in managing the household's finances and personnel. Yao Mama, on the other hand, helped the mistress with daily affairs.

Miss Eleven bowed slightly and greeted, "Mama."

Yao Mama and Binju stepped forward to greet Xu Mama, warmly saying, "What brings you here today?"

Xu Mama, in her forties, was fair and plump. Despite being the most trusted person by the mistress of the house, she always had a smile for everyone, making her well-liked by all in the Luo family mansion.

With a smiling greeting to Miss Eleven, Xu Mama returned the courtesy to Yao Mama and Binju, and then said, "The mistress sent me to deliver oil money to Cian Temple."

Yao Mama was surprised, saying, "Isn't the abbot of Cian Temple coming to collect it?"

Xu Mama smiled, "The mistress wants to light a perpetual lamp."

Yao Mama found it even stranger.

Cian Temple was over twenty miles away, requiring a whole day for a round trip. If they were going, why start so late?

Before Yao Mama could ask more, Xu Mama had already started chatting with Miss Eleven, "...Thank you for your thoughtfulness, especially sending Wintergreen to bring me some soybeans."

Miss Eleven smiled politely, "It's nothing special, Mama. Don't stand on ceremony!"

"You are too polite," Xu Mama smiled, "Last time, it was Wintergreen's sister-in-law who came, wasn't it? You also gave me two jars back then. I said, whose skill is this? I've never eaten such delicious pickles in my forty-some years..."

Both had duties—one summoned by the mistress, the other on an errand for the mistress—so they didn't linger, exchanging pleasantries before parting.

Yao Mama led Miss Eleven to the east room on the first floor of Zhiyun Hall, where the mistress usually sat and rested. "Miss Eleven, please sit. I'll inform the mistress!"

She left Miss Eleven and Binju, heading upstairs. The young maids served tea and snacks to them.

Binju couldn't help but examine the room's furnishings.

A black-lacquered Luohan bed, adorned with a tiger-skin cover, dominated the room, and a cloisonné Wenwang ding (an ancient Chinese cauldron) and incense box were placed on the small table. On the high tables on both sides were Chinese evergreen stone bonsai, and a master chair draped with a chair cover of blue fabric with golden python patterns stood by the glass partition. The polished floor tiles reflected their images like a mirror.

Usually, Wintergreen accompanied Miss Eleven to Zhiyun Hall, but this time, Miss Eleven brought her along.

The room's setup was vastly different from the last time she had come.

The last time, everything was white with mourning, which made her heart uneasy. This time, there was a cold elegance that made her feel a sense of inferiority.

Thinking of what she hadn't had the chance to say in front of Miss Eleven and seeing the young maids had retreated outside, leaving only her and Miss Eleven in the room, Binju couldn't help but step forward a few paces and whispered, "Miss Eleven, if by any chance... Wintergreen's matter can't be avoided... you should agree!" Her eyes filled with tears, shimmering with unshed emotion, "Wintergreen specifically asked me to tell you this. We will need to ask for favors in the future; it's not worth upsetting the mistress over such a small matter..."

Miss Eleven remained silent, her gaze fixed on the teacup with a design of the Immortal Maiden offering longevity.

Binju, who had been with her for three years, knew that although Miss Eleven seemed amiable, once she made up her mind, not even nine bulls could drag her back. She softly advised, "If you care for Wintergreen, you could take her and her husband as your personal attendants after you marry."

"Be careful of eavesdroppers," Miss Eleven's gentle reminder made Binju's face turn red.

Binju realized she had spoken too soon and quietly nodded, standing behind Miss Eleven without another word.

To be a lady-in-waiting!

The two maids had a good plan, but even if they were driven to this as a last resort, it wouldn’t be up to them to decide. It would likely require a great deal of effort to arrange.

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile.

There were many servants in Zhiyun Pavilion, and several concubines who often sought favor with the matriarch, creating a lively atmosphere. However, as she walked through the house today, she only saw a few young maids, all of whom seemed somewhat cautious... It felt like the calm before the storm.

Could it be that Yao Mama had said something to the matriarch?

Just like last time, when she had led the matriarch to believe that Yao Mama’s nephew was relying on Yao Mama’s position to spy on the inner chambers... Did the matriarch send her attendants away to teach her a lesson?

Eleven Miss’s mind raced.

This morning during the daily greeting, the matriarch was perfectly fine. She even smiled and said that the yam cakes Eleven Miss made were delicious, asking her to make more and bring them tomorrow. She also rewarded her with a gold-inlaid jade hairpin with a blue stone inlay... If anything had changed, it must have happened after she left, but Yao Mama was watching her closely, preventing her from slipping away. Otherwise, the matriarch’s second-rank maid Coral, who has always been close to Dongqing, might have been able to tell her something.

Thinking of this, she touched the gold-inlaid jade hairpin with a blue stone inlay she had deliberately put on before coming... She hoped the matriarch would see the hairpin and remember her years of obedient and gentle service.

Although Eleven Miss was planning in her heart, her body was like a tight string, constantly aware of her surroundings.

After a while, she smelled a faint sandalwood incense and heard light footsteps and the rustling of skirts.

The matriarch, who had been a devout Buddhist for years, always had the scent of sandalwood on her...

Eleven Miss quickly stood up and saw the curtain sway as a girl in a red cotton gauze jacket helped a tall and dignified woman inside.

Behind them followed seven or eight maids and older women, including Yao Mama.

"Matriarch!" Eleven Miss greeted her with a smile and gently supported the other arm of the woman.

"Look at you two!" The matriarch's smile was warm and kind, "As if I'm too old to walk."

"Mother is still young, how could you not walk?" The girl in red flattered her, "We just wanted to take this opportunity to be close to you, you can't expose us." Her innocent and naive tone made her sound cute and charming. Then she asked Eleven Miss with a smile, "You agree, right, Eleven Sister?"

"Yes, Fifth Sister." Eleven Miss smiled back at her, seemingly appreciating her cheerfulness and liveliness.

This girl was Eleven Miss’s older sister, Fifth Miss. Their brother, Fourth Young Master Luo Zhensheng of the Luo family, shared the same mother.

Their mother, Concubine Ke, was the third-ranking concubine. She had been a personal maid serving the matriarch since before she was married and was later elevated to concubine status. Even after giving birth to a son and a daughter, she continued to serve the matriarch diligently. She rested on a daybed just outside the matriarch’s bedroom. The matriarch treated her kindly and raised Fifth Miss and Fourth Young Master as if they were her own children, just like Eldest Miss and First Young Master. They were treated with special affection.

Seeing the sisters being affectionate, the matriarch’s smile grew more satisfied.

She first comfortingly patted Eleven Miss’s hand and then pointed her index finger at Fifth Miss’s forehead, "You’re so capable! Daring to tease your younger sister in front of me!"

Her words carried a kind of indulgent affection, and Fifth Miss didn’t take the matriarch’s words seriously, giggling as she asked Eleven Miss, "Mother says I teased you, did I?"

Eleven Miss didn’t answer, just covering her mouth with her sleeve and laughing.

Fifth Miss then tugged at the matriarch’s sleeve and whined, "Look, look, Eleven Sister has nothing to say. You’re just partial, afraid that Eleven Sister might suffer a little. Why don’t you pity me too, treating me the same as Eleven Sister?"

The matriarch was amused by her childishness. She took Fifth Miss’s hand and sat down on the Luohan bed, "Alright, alright, alright. I wronged our Fifth Miss and made her suffer." She then instructed a young maid to bring a stool for Eleven Miss.

"It’s true!" Fifth Miss pouted and sat casually on the Luohan bed, but when she saw the maids bringing tea, she got up and handed a cup to the matriarch, "Mother, tea!"

The matriarch smiled and accepted it.

Fifth Miss then handed another cup to Eleven Miss, "Eleven Sister, tea!"

Eleven Miss quickly stood up to receive it.

Fifth Miss poured herself another cup, then squeezed onto Eleven Miss's stool and spoke loudly enough for the matriarch to hear, "Look at this tea... When I came earlier, it was Longjing, and now it's Wuyi. Mother is really playing favorites!"

Her words amused everyone in the room.

The matriarch pointed at Fifth Miss and said to the people behind her, "Look, look, how did I end up with such a little troublemaker that keeps me on edge all the time."

Fifth Miss, hearing this, nestled into the matriarch's arms, saying, "If the little troublemaker doesn't bother the Queen Mother, then who should it bother?"

The nearby maids and older women laughed, adding, "That's because the matriarch spoils her."

The matriarch clutched her forehead and sighed, "Oh dear, oh dear," with a look of mock exasperation.

For a moment, the room buzzed with laughter and chatter.

Eleven Miss sat nearby, covering her mouth with her sleeve and laughing softly.

Seeing this, the matriarch asked her seriously, "I heard from Master Jian that you've mastered double-sided embroidery?"

The Luo family had hired tutors to teach their daughters academics and invited the most famous embroidery master, Master Jian, from Hangzhou Prefecture to teach needlework at home. They also had the older women from the kitchen teach the family's signature dishes.

Eleven Miss thought about it for a while and chose to focus on needlework and culinary skills.

Dongqing couldn't help but worry, "Many women excel at needlework and cooking, but poetry and painting are what truly set someone apart..."

"Given my situation, doing my best is what matters most," Eleven Miss said, waving her hand to signal Dongqing not to say more. "If I weren't worried that the matriarch would think I'm incapable and look down on me, I wouldn't bother with needlework or cooking at all." From then on, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to learning embroidery from Master Jian. Master Jian, pleased with her dedication, taught her joyfully and even passed down her unique skill of "double-sided embroidery" to Eleven Miss.