Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Design Draft

Zi Wei and Zi Yuan bustled about, serving tea and bringing in stools. After a while, the three of them finally settled down to chat.

"This is a draft drawn according to the matriarch's wishes earlier," Wu Xiaquan's wife said as she handed a piece of thick paper to Fifth Miss. "The base is carved from yellow rosewood with a design of Peng Zu and his 800 sons, and the frame is made from chicken-wing wood..."

"Why didn't you use yellow pear wood?" Fifth Miss interrupted. "Since the base is made of yellow rosewood, using chicken-wing wood for the frame might clash with the base."

Yellow rosewood was more yellowish in color, while chicken-wing wood tended to be darker red.

"You're right," Wu Xiaquan's wife replied. She had once been a senior maid to the matriarch and had developed a basic appreciation for art through her studies and writing. "We considered other options. One was to replace the base with zitan to match the color of the chicken-wing wood frame. But yellow pear wood is hard to find these days, let alone zitan. That option is clearly not feasible. Another option was to replace the base with chicken-wing wood, so the frame and base would be made of the same material, which would be ideal. My husband happened to remember that we had some usable stock at home. But when we tried to retrieve it from the storeroom, we found out it had been carved into the God of Longevity and given as a birthday gift for the mother of Magistrate Huang from the Zhejiang Provincial Judiciary. The matriarch made the decision in a hurry, and we couldn't find any suitable wood on the market. We left messages with several trusted wood suppliers, but we haven't received any responses yet."

Fifth Miss frowned. "Who decided this? It's so improper. Does Mother know?"

Sensing Fifth Miss's dissatisfaction, Wu Xiaquan's wife quickly put on a smiling face. "The matriarch is aware. She just didn't go into as much detail as you are asking."

The usually clever Fifth Miss's expression turned serious. "Mother is very particular and has entrusted this matter to the three of us. If anything goes wrong, we'll all share the responsibility. There are some things I have to say..."

Although Wu Xiaquan was the steward of the Luo family, his wife did not serve at the Luo family mansion. She usually accompanied the matriarch, chatting and running errands. The matriarch seemed to like having someone like her around. Although she wasn't as reliant on her as Xu Mama, she still trusted her to some extent. Therefore, the entire Luo family gave her some respect out of deference to the matriarch.

Eleven Miss inwardly sighed at Fifth Miss's lecturing tone.

Everyone acted according to the matriarch's wishes. Sometimes, Fifth Miss was too eager.

For instance, in this matter, Wu Xiaquan's wife had initially explained the design of the screen, but Fifth Miss objected and raised a series of concerns. Later, when Fifth Miss asked, "Does Mother know?" Wu Xiaquan's wife replied, "The matriarch didn't ask in detail..." All of this was a subtle way of telling Fifth Miss that the matriarch was aware of this matter.

Noticing the forced smile on Wu Xiaquan's wife's face, Eleven Miss quickly interrupted Fifth Miss's lecture and asked with a smile, "Mother Wu, the size of the screen won't change, will it?"

Eleven Miss's intervention was a welcome relief for Wu Xiaquan's wife, who quickly responded with a smile, "If it's any larger, it would look clumsy; if it's any smaller, it would seem too light. The size will remain the same."

"Then, Sister, you can start writing based on this size!" Eleven Miss said with a smile as she looked at Fifth Miss. "There are still more than three months until the date to present the birthday gift. We can start working on it. If we find suitable wood later, we can then carve the base and make the frame for the screen."

Wu Xiaquan's wife couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Look at Eleven Miss, polite, gracious, and careful not to offend anyone—truly tactful. Unlike some people who think they are good at making others laugh but don't realize that people who are good at speaking often say very little. A half-empty bottle rattles the loudest, while a full one remains quiet. Thinking that the matriarch likes her, she really starts to see herself as a legitimate miss!

"That makes sense," she said with a smile, siding with Eleven Miss. "The wood suppliers in Hangzhou Prefecture are the most reputable. They do have stock, but it just doesn't meet our requirements. If necessary, we can make do by piecing together a few pieces of wood."

Fifth Miss noticed the fleeting look of sarcasm in Wu Xiaquan's wife's eyes and realized she had spoken too much.

She felt a surge of anger.

These servants, emboldened by the matriarch's favor, didn't even show proper respect to the young misses... It was all because she wasn't born to the matriarch... When Eldest Miss was at home, although she was young, she remembered things clearly.

Once, Eldest Miss found the red bean paste filling in the tangyuan too sweet and spit it into the bowl. Wu Xiaquan's wife picked it up and ate it, saying with a smacking sound, "Luckily the eldest miss doesn't like it. It's a bargain for me." She looked like a tail-wagging dog...

Fifth Miss's hands tightened into fists.

A young maid came in to ask, "Fifth Miss, where should lunch be served?"

"We've been talking for so long, I forgot to check the time," Fifth Miss said with a long sigh, her smile even brighter. She took out her pocket watch and said, "It's getting late. Both of you, stay for lunch!" She then instructed the young maid, "Go tell the kitchen to prepare the favorite dishes of Eleven Miss and Mother Wu."

Considering that things were still undecided, she wasn't sure if there would be a meal prepared for her at the matriarch's place. If she went home, she would have to light a fire and cook rice. It was better to eat at Fifth Miss's place.

Wu Xiaquan's wife smiled. "Then I'll trouble Fifth Miss."

Everyone ate from the communal kitchen, and each meal had a set menu. To order extra dishes, one had to pay out of their own pocket.

Fifth Miss smiled. "Don't worry, it won't eat me out of house and home."

Eleven Miss was a little hesitant.

Before the young maid could leave, she suddenly said, "Eleven Miss, are you worried that things in your room haven't been settled?"

Eleven Miss was taken aback by her remark.

She was indeed worried about the matters in her room...

But she couldn't tell Fifth Miss about it.

She was afraid that Fifth Miss would think she valued Amber more than her—though it was true.

Sure enough, Fifth Miss turned to look at Eleven Miss.

But before Eleven Miss could respond, the young maid continued, "Eleven Miss, please rest assured. Binju arrived early. She saw that you were talking with our young miss and didn't dare to interrupt. According to her, everything in your room has been arranged by Dongqing—Amber's lodging has been prepared, and she's been brought back to Green Bamboo Pavilion. The kitchen has also added special dishes to welcome Amber back. Please feel free to have lunch here with us."

Her voice was clear and articulate, and her words were well-organized. Everyone's attention, including Fifth Miss's, was drawn to her.

The young maid, who looked to be about eight or nine, hadn't yet had her hair styled. She had almond-shaped eyes and rosy cheeks, wearing a light green cotton jacket, standing gracefully like a fresh bud on a willow branch in early spring.

Wu Mama looked at her with admiration and said with a smile, "Whose maid is this? She is pretty and clever with words."

The maid smiled and stepped forward to bow, introducing herself, "My name is Zhuotao. Since Qiu Ling fell ill, the matriarch instructed us to send her home to recover. Xu Mama arranged for me to take her place. Zhao Sheng from the account office is my elder brother. I have come to Fifth Miss's room and have learned the rules from the elder sisters, understanding proper conduct. I do not deserve the mama's praise."

"Zhuotao!" Wu Mama said with a smile, "To me, you look more like a willow than a peach!"

Zhuotao, being quick-witted, immediately replied, "Thank you, Mama. I also feel that this name is not good. Perhaps Mama could give me a new name so that I may also benefit from your good fortune."

Her quick wit made Wu Mama smile broadly. "That's not my place. You should ask your young miss about that."

Zhuotao then knelt before Fifth Miss. "Please give me a name, young miss."

"Who taught you to do this?" Fifth Miss said with a helpless smile. "Your body and name are given by your parents. In my room, we don't stand for this." She then added, "Quickly go to the kitchen and arrange for the meal!"

Zhuotao agreed and turned to arrange the meal.

Wu Mama watched her leave with a smile. "It's true what they say, 'Only those of a kind come together.' This maid is indeed a quick talker."

After the meal, Eleven Miss couldn't help but yawn.

Fifth Miss was slightly startled.

Eleven Miss said apologetically, "I'm used to sleeping at this time every day, even in winter. That's why I didn't want to stay for lunch here."

The small displeasure that Fifth Miss had felt earlier vanished, and she said with a smile, "Since that's the case, why don't you take a nap on my bed!"

"Let Zi Wei make us a cup of strong tea!" Eleven Miss said with a smile. "The screen matter is still urgent. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep peacefully."

Fifth Miss nodded with a smile and, together with Eleven Miss and Wu Mama, went to the study, where they asked Zi Wei to make some strong tea.

After discussing some details, Wu Mama was about to report to the matriarch. "...so as not to make the matriarch anxious." She took the paper drafts that Fifth Miss thought were the best.

Fifth Miss understood clearly and stood up with a smile. "Then let's go together—it will be good for Mother to see the drafts I've drawn. She can choose which one she likes, and Eleven Sister can embroider according to that."

Eleven Miss couldn't help but smile wryly.

The two of them were sparring, and now she was caught in the middle.

However, she would not refuse an opportunity to claim credit for something like this.

"I also want to know which design Mother likes the most!" Eleven Miss smiled and said as she followed them to the Matriarch's quarters.

From afar, a young maid greeted them and lifted the curtain for them to enter.

Upon entering, they saw Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt sitting on small stools next to the Luohan bed, talking with the Matriarch.

Eldest Aunt Duan and Second Aunt Yuan had originally been senior maids by the Master’s side. After the Matriarch married into the family, she decided to make them concubines. Eldest Aunt gave birth to Second Miss and Third Miss. Second Aunt gave birth to Second Master. Eldest Aunt’s daughter, Third Miss, died at the age of three. Second Aunt’s son, Second Master, lived only two days. Third Miss was born prematurely and had been sickly since childhood. At the age of fifteen, the Matriarch arranged for her to marry an illegitimate nephew from her maternal family. She died within three years without leaving any children behind. A daughter from a concubine’s family was adopted to perform the funeral rites for her.

Since then, Eldest Aunt followed Second Aunt in observing a lifelong vegetarian diet. The Matriarch also specially hired a vegetarian cook for the two concubines. As lay practitioners, the two concubines had not been serving the Matriarch directly for several years.

Why were they suddenly accompanying the Matriarch and chatting today?

Eleven Miss was curious but did not dare to show it on her face. Smiling, she followed Fifth Miss in greeting the Matriarch and the two concubines, then stood quietly half a step behind Fifth Miss.

Both elder sisters-in-law had started graying early. Eldest Aunt looked plump and kind, while Second Aunt looked thin and somewhat stern. But whether it was Eldest Aunt or Second Aunt, they both smiled slightly at Eleven Miss.

The Matriarch also smiled kindly at Eleven Miss.

Fifth Miss signaled Wu Xiaquan's wife to take out the drafts. "We’ve been discussing a few designs and would like Mother to help decide!"

The Matriarch’s other young maid, Luo Qiao, took the drafts from Wu Xiaquan's wife and handed them to the Matriarch.

The Matriarch glanced at them and passed them to Eldest Aunt. "Could you also take a look? Which one do you think is best?"

Eldest Aunt accepted them with a smile but said, "You know I’ve been having more trouble with my eyes in recent years. Let Second Aunt take a look!"