Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve: Reaction (Part Two)

There was a customary rule in the Luo family mansion that all rooms would be locked just before the hour of You (5 PM).

At the end of the hour of You (5 PM), Luoqiao returned to Zhiyun Court.

The young maids quickly took her umbrella, helped her out of her wooden clogs, and welcomed her inside.

Another young maid handed her a hand warmer.

She shook her head and instructed, “Fetch water for me to wash my face. I need to go back to the matriarch’s quarters to report.”

The young maids did not dare to delay and promptly brought clean clothes for her to change into, along with hot water for her to wash her face. They redid her hair, and seeing that everything was in order, Luoqiao picked up a warm hand warmer and warmed herself for a moment before heading to the matriarch’s room.

Concubine Third was leading a few young maids around the hall room’s fire pot, doing needlework. Seeing Luoqiao, she smiled and said, “Is the gathering over? Why have you returned so early?”

Luoqiao smiled, “It’s not over yet. Coral and the others are having a great time with drinking games!” She then stepped forward and looked at the work in Concubine Third’s hands, “This carp is embroidered so vividly. Is it for Fifth Miss?”

Ke Yiyan’s eyes revealed a hint of tenderness. “I have nothing to do, so I’m making a skirt for Fifth Miss. It will be just in time for her to wear next spring.”

After exchanging a few words with Ke Yiyan, Luoqiao headed upstairs to the matriarch’s bedroom. “I need to pay my respects to the matriarch!”

“The matriarch is speaking with Aunt Xu right now,” Ke Yiyan, not lifting her head, continued embroidering the carp. “She said to wait if you have anything to discuss.”

“The real phrase is ‘see no one,’ isn’t it!” Luoqiao chuckled to herself, though her expression remained bright and cheerful. “There must be young maids waiting by her side. I’ll just make a brief appearance. If the matriarch asks, she won’t think I’ve been out there partying without a care for time.”

Ke Yiyan looked up and smiled. “That’s true,” before lowering her head again to continue her work.

Luoqiao tiptoed up the stairs.

The upper floor was eerily quiet. Only a young maid sat by the fire pot, holding a hand warmer, dazing by the staircase. The yellowish light from the eastern bedroom’s door curtain stretched long, casting a lonely silence across the dark brown wooden floor.

Hearing light footsteps, the young maid looked up suddenly and smiled when she saw Luoqiao.

Before the young maid could speak, Luoqiao instructed, “Go and announce me. The matriarch is waiting for my report!”

The young maid hesitated for a moment, then quietly walked to the curtain and announced her presence.

“Let her in!” The matriarch’s voice carried an unconcealable weariness.

Luoqiao adjusted her clothes, then entered.

All the usual maids and older women in the room were gone, and only an eight-cornered palace lantern was lit on the cabinet near the bed. The small light illuminated the five-bat embroidered shoes at the foot of the bed, while the lacquered high cabinets around cast dark shadows, looming toward the light like ferocious beasts ready to pounce, instilling fear.

“You’re back,” the matriarch leaned on a large pillow at the head of the bed, her fair face half-hidden by the bright red silk curtains, appearing vague. “Aunt Xu, please bring her a seat.”

Aunt Xu, sitting by the bed, smiled and brought a small stool to place beside the bed.

Luoqiao curtseyed and thanked the matriarch, then sat gingerly on the small stool.

“How was the situation there?”

The matriarch sat up straight, her sharp eyes gleaming in the darkness.

Luoqiao paused, then carefully said, “When I arrived, I saw Wu Xiaquan’s family members…” She glanced at the matriarch, trying to discern her expression, but it was too dark, or perhaps the matriarch showed no sign, and Luoqiao gained nothing. “Also, our Coral, Jade, Tortoiseshell, Azalea, and Violet. From Twelfth Miss’s room, there were Yutong, Yu Huai, Bai Zhu, and Jin Zhu. From Eleventh Miss’s room, Dongqing was accompanying Wu Xiaquan’s family members, along with Amber and Coral, while Binju and Qiu Ju, Zhuxiang were serving. There were four flavor dishes, four cold dishes, four hot dishes, ten main dishes, and one soup. I left before the banquet concluded, so I didn’t see what the main dish was.”

“Has there been any movement from Fifth Miss and Tenth Miss’s rooms?” The matriarch’s voice grew cold.

"Luoqiao hurriedly said, 'I heard that Fifth Miss sent Zi Wei from her room with two packs of Xinyang Maojian as a congratulatory gift; Tenth Miss sent Bai Zhi, who gave a pouch and a sweat towel as her gift.'"

The matriarch was silent for a moment before saying, "You may withdraw."

Luoqiao rose and walked out with her head bowed and her hands at her sides.

The matriarch then asked Xu Mama, "What do you think?"

"Madam has a clear understanding," Xu Mama said with a gentle smile. "There's no need for me to intervene."

The matriarch sighed and patted Xu Mama's hand. "In the end, it's just the two of us left."

Xu Mama was touched, a glimmer of moisture in her eyes. "Madam, don't say such demoralizing words. You have a large family and many descendants; there's no one in Yu Hang more blessed than you."

The matriarch sighed again and sank back against the large bolster. "I wonder if they are up to the task?"

Xu Mama rose, supported the matriarch's back, and gently helped her lie down by adjusting the bolster.

"There's no one in this world who isn't capable. It's just a matter of how you use them!" she said in a gentle, unhurried voice, with a calming steadiness. "The eldest Miss is the most intelligent person I've ever known. She'll have thought of everything you have, and even things you haven't. You are the one who raised her; I've watched her grow up. At this time, if we don't help her, who will? Even if you don't trust your own judgment, you should trust the eldest Miss's vision. Besides, she's been in the capital for a few years now, dealing with a different crowd of wealthy people; her perspective has changed significantly. You should just put your heart at ease and live comfortably." As she spoke, she tucked in the corner of the quilt.

"Dongqing, sleep with me tonight!" The matriarch said with a smile. "It's been a long time since we've had such a chat."

Xu Mama smiled. "It's been many years since I've slept at the foot of your bed, Madam. I miss it." She then went out to call a young maid to roll out the bedding.

At that time, the warm pavilion was bustling. Dongqing gave a nod to Binju and quietly returned to Green Bamboo Pavilion.

"The matriarch received a letter from the eldest master after her afternoon nap. Before she could finish a cup of tea, the third mistress of the West Mansion came to discuss the ancestral land with her. Du Wei announced her." Dongqing and Eleven Miss sat by the fire. "It was a windy day, and someone had opened the window lattice by the staircase. When she entered, the curtain hit the doorframe with a loud bang. The matriarch threw a teacup at her, which nearly hit Du Wei's head."

The Luo family had divided once during the time of the old master. The old master took the East Courtyard of the Luo Mansion, and a younger brother of the old master took the West Courtyard. People started calling them the East Mansion and West Mansion.

Eleven Miss stirred the red-hot silver frost charcoal in the fire with a fire iron.

That means the matriarch, after receiving the letter from the eldest master, was so angry that she took it out on the maid who lifted the curtain.

"The letter from the eldest master was received after dinner," Dongqing organized her information. "Because the matriarch had thrown a fit in the afternoon, everyone was on edge. At that time, Feicui was attending to her. After receiving the letter, the matriarch said nothing, holding the letter in her hand. She walked around the room a few times and then called for Xu Mama. The two of them talked alone for most of the night."

Eleven Miss was astonished.

Was the matriarch the type to remain calm in the face of significant events? Or had she guessed wrong? Even if she had guessed wrong, could both the first and second mistresses have guessed wrong too? Could Wu Xiaquan's wife have guessed wrong as well?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but start pacing around the room.

This banquet was supposed to be a test. Fifth Miss, Tenth Miss, and Twelfth Miss all behaved as usual. What was unusual was Wu Xiaquan's wife and Luoqiao—both were overly enthusiastic and precisely the ones who could best gauge the matriarch's thoughts. Especially Wu Xiaquan's wife, who worked within the inner quarters and was on good terms with every room and courtyard. Her husband was the chief steward of the Luo family, managing all external affairs. She should have the most up-to-date information...

Eleven Miss stopped in her tracks.

"What about Madam Wu? Did she do or say anything strange?"

Dongqing was slightly startled and pondered for a moment before hesitatingly saying, "Madam Wu was listening to us the whole time..." She suddenly remembered, "Oh, right! In the middle of the drinking, Madam Wu asked me to accompany her to the restroom. She pouted and said something very strange."

Seeing Eleven Miss's tense expression, taking Wu Xiaquan's wife's words so seriously, Dongqing thought for a moment and repeated exactly what Wu Xiaquan's wife had said, "She said, 'It's more joyful here. At home, I'm often alone and feel very lonely. My old man is always busy robbing Peter to pay Paul, with no time to even look at me. It's pleasing one person while offending another. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. This morning, Luoqiao summoned me to see the matriarch. When I returned, I was frowning and troubled. Unlike Lu Yonggui, who followed the eldest Miss to Yanjing, he bought a house in the capital after a few years and is living the life of a Beijing resident. Truly, a prime minister's gatekeeper is like a seventh-rank official! I'm too lazy to look at his face, so I took this opportunity to enjoy myself outside. Otherwise, he might think I have nowhere to go but the inner quarters.'"

Robbing Peter to pay Paul... caught between a rock and a hard place... summoned by the matriarch... returned frowning and troubled... unlike Lu Yonggui who followed the eldest Miss to Yanjing... too lazy to look at his face... took the opportunity to enjoy myself outside...

What exactly was Wu Xiaquan's wife trying to convey?

"They are both close to the matriarch!"

"What could be so important that she would risk angering the matriarch by hinting at it?"

Eleven Miss was lost in thought.

"When we got back to the warm pavilion (a cozy room), Luoqiao had already left. Feicui was giving Lianqiao a hard time."

"Oh!" Eleven Miss said, snapping out of her thoughts, "What exactly did she say?"

Dongqing chuckled softly. "You know how they’ve always been at odds with each other. It looks like Lianqiao messed up while she was on duty, and Xu Mama slapped her, leaving a bruise on her face. She hasn’t been able to show her face in public for a few days—Feicui couldn’t hide her satisfaction."

Eleven Miss found herself lost in thought again.