Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen: Entanglement

There is a saying, "We are of the same root, yet we treat each other with such harshness." To be honest, compared to Ten Miss, they had merely moved from the ground to a bamboo mat—only slightly better off. That’s why Eleven Miss had shown great forbearance toward Ten Miss. However, Amber was a troublemaker, stirring up unrest among them.

With resentment in her heart, Binju went to Eleven Miss’s quarters and happened to see Amber discussing clothes with Eleven Miss: "...We’ve made clothes for you and Fifth Miss first. We haven’t started on Ten Miss’s yet. But I’m not sure if Twelfth Miss will have her clothes made after you or after Ten Miss. She’s been quite busy lately."

Eleven Miss’s eyes sparkled, but she only smiled. Binju, however, turned pale, and the goodwill she had felt toward Amber during the banquet in the warm pavilion vanished instantly.

Seeing the situation was tense, Dongqing found a task for Binju: "I need to help Miss divide the money and make pouches. You go to Xu Mama’s place—Miss has been up all night rushing to embroider the screen, and we’ve used a lot of the silver frost charcoal. Ask her to give us more."

Binju had no choice but to nod and go.

Eleven Miss then picked up her needlework, signaling that she was going to start embroidering.

Amber pretended not to see and used fire tongs to stir the charcoal in the brazier, saying with a smile, "I also heard that these days, Ten Miss has been copying Buddhist scriptures for the matriarch. She wants to finish them before the New Year so that the matriarch can take them to Cien Temple on the ninth day of the first month for Guanyin Bodhisattva’s birthday!"

Hearing this, Eleven Miss was slightly surprised, "And what about First Aunt’s place…?"

"According to Coral Sister, it was because First Aunt asked Ten Miss to copy the scriptures that Ten Miss then thought of the matriarch, who is also a devout Buddhist," Amber said with a smile, "Ten Miss also said that when she was younger, the matriarch doted on her, and she didn’t realize it. Now that she’s grown up and has been studying with tutors, she understands how good the matriarch has been to her. The matriarch said, ‘People learn to be more discerning through reading,’ and now Ten Miss knows right from wrong!"

A look of surprise flashed in Eleven Miss’s eyes, "Did she say this in front of the matriarch?"

Amber added two more pieces of charcoal to the brazier and smiled, "Of course, she said it in front of the matriarch. Coral Sister was there to serve them!"

Unexpectedly, Ten Miss had started to lower her head and flatter the matriarch. But was it too late for such last-minute efforts?

Eleven Miss pondered, and Amber continued, "To be honest, it’s been quite lively at the matriarch’s place these days. Fifth Miss has been by the matriarch’s side all day, and Ten Miss often joins in to add some fun. Even Twelfth Miss has been visiting more often, chatting with her two older sisters after their morning and evening greetings, which brings the matriarch much joy."

Eleven Miss was astonished and then bitterly amused.

So, she’s still the favored one, isn’t she…?

Amber carefully observed Eleven Miss’s expression but continued speaking, "It’s getting late. I’ll go see if Qiu Ju has brought back Miss’s meal. Miss has been working so hard; we must get something good to eat. This afternoon, I’ll also visit Sister Liu’s shop to check when they’ll start making Ten Miss’s clothes… so we can be prepared!"

Eleven Miss smiled, "Yes, we should be prepared."

Amber, hearing this, brightened, her eyes shining like stars in a summer night, "Miss, I’ll go prepare then!"

Eleven Miss nodded.

Amber left with a light step, and just then, Zhuxiang arrived.

She knelt and reported, "Miss, Fifth Aunt has come!"

Eleven Miss was quite surprised.

Thinking back, not long after she had woken up, one night she was suddenly awakened by the sound of sobbing. Opening her eyes, she saw a stunning white-robed woman sitting by her bed wiping her tears. She was stunned, thinking she had encountered something bizarre and terrifying, and she didn’t dare move. When she overheard Dongqing speaking to the woman, she realized that this was Lüshi, her birth mother in this lifetime.

Seeing how Lüshi only dared to secretly show concern for her daughter, Eleven Miss immediately felt pity for the pitiful woman who was so fragile and helpless.

Later, when she saw Fifth Aunt cutting her gold ornaments into small pieces to give to Dongqing to buy precious medicinal herbs like ginseng and bird’s nest to nourish her body, she was even more moved.

So, after understanding her situation and the matriarch’s personality, she maintained a certain distance from Fifth Aunt. Fifth Aunt, sensing Eleven Miss’s growing distance, remained silent and compliant, never visiting unless absolutely necessary.

There must be something important for her to come here.

"Please invite Fifth Aunt in immediately!" Although Eleven Miss was anxious in her heart, her face showed no sign of it as she smiled and instructed Zhuxiang.

Binju hurriedly ushered Fifth Lady in.

Dongqing stepped forward to greet her with a bow, and Fifth Lady nodded distractedly before asking Eleven Miss, "How much longer will it take you to finish this folding screen?"

Seeing her worried expression, Eleven Miss was slightly surprised and asked, "Are you asking me to help with any embroidery?"

"No, no!" Fifth Lady quickly denied, her face taking on a hesitant look.

Eleven Miss gave Dongqing a knowing look.

Dongqing smiled and led Binju out, saying, "I'll get a cup of tea for you, Miss."

Fifth Lady nodded absentmindedly. Once the two had left, she spoke before Eleven Miss could say anything, "You're too honest, and you’ll keep putting yourself at a disadvantage."

Eleven Miss felt a bit confused.

"You spend all your time embroidering this folding screen at home, while Fifth Miss and Ten Miss are keeping the matriarch company... You need to be more careful!"

When it comes to being cautious, there are few in this household slower than Fifth Lady!

Eleven Miss couldn't help but laugh.

Unexpectedly, even Fifth Lady, who usually stayed out of worldly affairs, knew that Fifth Miss and Tenth Miss had been favored by the matriarch recently and was anxious for Eleven Miss...

Fifth Lady looked at her with a reproachful expression. "Please don’t dismiss what I’m saying. I only want what’s best for you." Her eyes reddened as she continued, "It’s all my fault. Someone as sharp as you, how unlucky to be born to me..."

It wasn’t something she could choose!

Eleven Miss hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe Fifth Lady's tears and comforted her, "If I hadn’t been born to you, I wouldn’t have the life I have now. Please don’t cry. I understand. Embroidering the folding screen is also a way to show filial piety. The matriarch is a sensible person; she will understand my efforts."

Fifth Lady felt much better after hearing this. "You're right. The matriarch has a clear understanding of what is good, bad, wrong, and right."

Eleven Miss was already accustomed to her birth mother's high regard for the matriarch. She comforted Fifth Lady a few more times, sipped the hot tea Dongqing had served, and after Fifth Lady felt much better, she took her leave.

Eleven Miss personally saw Fifth Lady out of Green Bamboo Pavilion, but as she looked up, she saw Binju and Qiu Ju standing in an octagonal pavilion with twelve steps outside Green Bamboo Pavilion. Qiu Ju looked disdainful, while Binju appeared very serious.

Amber had said she was going to urge Qiu Ju to fetch the meal, so why were Qiu Ju and Binju talking here?

She glanced up at the sky.

Dark, ragged clouds hung in the sky like torn fabric, making it hard to tell the time.

The two also noticed Eleven Miss and came over together to greet Fifth Lady.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Fifth Lady, she left with the assistance of a young maid. Qiu Ju also parted from Binju, saying, "I'll fetch the meal tray!"

After Qiu Ju left, Binju escorted Eleven Miss back to Green Bamboo Pavilion.

"Didn't Amber ask Qiu Ju to fetch the meal?"

"She did," Binju replied. "But she ran into me and we chatted for a while."

Eleven Miss nodded slightly, appreciating her straightforward answer.

Binju's cheerful, considerate, and upright nature made Eleven Miss like her even more the longer they spent together.

"Miss, there’s something important I need to tell you."

"Joy flickered in her eyes, which filled Eleven Miss with delight. She couldn't help but murmur softly, 'Is it because of the concubine...?'

Binju nodded.

They stepped out of Green Bamboo Pavilion once more and headed to the pavilion where Binju and Qiu Ju had been talking earlier. From this vantage point, they had a clear view of the surroundings, making it impossible for anyone to eavesdrop unnoticed.

'Qiu Ju went back to ask her mother,' Binju said seriously. 'Her mother said that First Concubine was born into servitude, but her parents passed away early, and she relied on an uncle for survival. After her uncle remarried, his new wife couldn’t tolerate her, so she found a way to enter the mansion as a servant. Because she was beautiful and had a gentle temperament, the late matriarch placed her in the main master's quarters. Everyone in the household liked her very much. As for Second Concubine, she fled here during the great flood and sold herself into servitude. She started by sweeping the outer courtyard but somehow caught the attention of the nephew of the former chief steward, Niu Anli, who was in charge of the accounts. With Niu Anli's influence, she transferred from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard's flower house, managing the warm house flowers. Soon after, she gained the matriarch's favor when she delivered flowers and was moved to the main master's quarters. Both of them served in the main master's quarters for five or six years, rising from lower-ranking maids to senior maids. After the matriarch entered the household, she decided to take both women as concubines.'

Niu Anli was Xu Xiaoquan's predecessor. After Xu Xiaoquan became the chief steward, Niu Anli requested to have his name removed from the household register, and his entire family moved to Yangzhou. However, even though Niu Anli had left the Luo family more than ten years ago, the women servants still spoke of him affectionately. It was clear that he had good relationships in the Luo family.

Eleven Miss, however, frowned slightly as she listened.

It seemed that First Concubine was somewhat honest, while Second Concubine was more scheming. Either way, such personalities were not uncommon in the Luo family mansion.

'Miss, there's one more thing!' Binju's voice was very low. 'Qiu Ju said that when her mother mentioned Second Concubine, she spoke with contempt.'

Eleven Miss perked up upon hearing this. 'Do you know why she was contemptuous?'

'She said that Second Concubine was a vixen who caused the death of Niu Anli's nephew.'

Eleven Miss's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Binju.

'Niu Anli's nephew was waiting for Second Concubine to be free, but instead, she was taken into the main master's quarters. Heartbroken and furious, Niu Anli's nephew threw himself into a well! Qiu Ju's mother also believed that Niu Anli's departure was linked to this incident.'"