Chapter 242

Chapter 246: Undercurrents (Part 2)

Madam Tao slowly knelt before Eleventh Miss.

Her expression was somewhat numb: "This matter is entirely my fault. Whatever punishment Mistress Chun Ge deems fit is deserved. I only ask that you preserve some dignity for me in front of him. I will be forever grateful!" Her lips were tightly pressed together.

"It's good that Madam Tao still knows the importance of dignity," Eleventh Miss sat upright like a mountain, looking at Madam Tao. "Let's consider this matter closed. Madam Tao, you may go and rest now."

Madam Tao bowed and retreated.

Eleventh Miss sighed deeply.

She truly wished to maintain a harmonious relationship with those left behind by Eldest Miss, smoothly passing on this responsibility to Chun Ge's wife. But sometimes, things just don't go as planned.

The next afternoon, Fifth Miss arrived.

Upon hearing the maid's report, Eleventh Miss instructed Amber, "Keep your eyes sharp. If she tries to drag me into some business again, find an excuse to call me away."

Amber stifled a laugh and nodded, "Rest assured, Madam, I understand."

Only then did Eleventh Miss go out to greet Fifth Miss.

"It's been a while since Fifth Miss visited me. You could have just sent a message through the maids, why come in person?" She glanced at Fifth Miss's prominent belly, wondering if it might be twins.

"Nothing, nothing," Fifth Miss laughed. "Your brother-in-law, being a first-time father, is so nervous. There are still three or four months to go, and he's already hired a midwife to stay at home. The midwife advised me to move around more. So, he won't let me do any needlework anymore. Today it's Baiyun Temple, tomorrow it's Huguo Temple, like a revolving lantern. I've been feeling dizzy these days. Today, he said we should go to Huguo Temple again, claiming that was where he first saw me..." She covered her sleeve and laughed, her eyes half joyful, half shy.

Eleventh Miss was not one to spoil the mood.

She immediately smiled, "Fifth Brother-in-law treats Fifth Miss so well!"

"Oh, what's so good about it!" Fifth Miss cooed. "I can't really wander around all day like he says, neglecting the household. So, seeing the nice weather today, I used the excuse of tired feet to drop by your place—I remember you have many embroidery patterns. I want to make a pair of knee pads for your brother-in-law."

"Fifth Miss is so good to Fifth Brother-in-law!" Eleventh Miss smiled, helping her into the room and settling her on the kang. She instructed a maid to call Binju, "...tell her Fifth Aunt is here and needs embroidery patterns. Have her bring the basket of patterns."

The maid hurried off.

Amber personally served tea and snacks to Fifth Miss.

Fifth Miss looked at Amber, "This girl has grown more and more beautiful since she started serving you. Could it be that the food in the Xu household is especially nourishing?"

"Fifth Aunt flatters me," Amber responded with a smile, displaying a dignified grace.

Fifth Miss nodded approvingly and chatted with Eleventh Miss, "I heard Dongqing is getting married. Has the date been set?"

"Not yet," Eleventh Miss replied. "We've been busy with Tenth Sister's matters these days, so it's been delayed."

"There's no need for delay. Have Madam Tao handle it."

"After all, she's the first to marry from my household, so it should be a bit more dignified than others. But the dowry and such have already been arranged by Madam Tao."

After a few more words, Binju arrived with the embroidery patterns. They picked through them for a while, and Fifth Miss selected a few auspicious patterns like "Rising Step by Step" and "Three Successive Wins." Then, she winked at Eleventh Miss, "We sisters can talk without so many attendants. Let them go play! Consider it a reward from me for coming."

Eleventh Miss knew the main event was about to begin and sighed inwardly, dismissing the attendants.

Fifth Miss leaned on the kang table, whispering, "So? I heard your household's Qiao Lianfang is pregnant?" Her voice was very low, as if it were some great secret.

Eleventh Miss barely managed not to frown, "How did Fifth Miss know?"

Fifth Miss pursed her lips and smiled, "Is it true?" Her expression said, "Don't ask who told me, I won't tell you."

Who else could it be besides the Luo family?

Eleven Miss couldn't be bothered to investigate these matters, and even if she did, it wouldn’t make much difference. The real issue was the purpose behind Fifth Miss's visit.

She nodded: "Qiao Lianfang has just been found to be pregnant."

"Ah!" Fifth Miss sighed, "So what do you plan to do?"

"Take good care of Qiao Lianfang and ensure she has a smooth pregnancy."

"And what about your household matters?" Fifth Miss asked with concern.

Was she here to act as a mediator for the matriarch?

Eleven Miss speculated, pretending not to understand the implication in her words: "My household? What could possibly be wrong with my household?"

"You really need to think more," Fifth Miss said with a look of frustration, "The two concubines, Qin and Wen, are getting older, and now Qiao Lianfang is pregnant and can't serve... Don't you have any plans? I say, why not take in two or three young and beautiful maids? Take this opportunity to serve the Marquis well..."

Eleven Miss found this distasteful, treating it like a mosquito buzzing by her ear, responding with vague murmurs.

Just when she felt she couldn't bear it any longer, Amber came in: "Fifth Miss, shall I make you a fresh cup of tea?"

Fifth Miss reluctantly stopped talking and nodded at Amber.

Amber served fresh tea to both and brought in some fruit: "Fifth Miss, try these—apples from Shandong, oranges from southern Jiangxi."

Fifth Miss smiled and picked up an orange to smell.

After Amber left, she started again: "...Or, I could have your brother-in-law buy you a few Yangzhou 'skinny horses'? Do you know about Yangzhou 'skinny horses'? They are specially trained to serve as concubines in wealthy households. They are beautiful, gentle, and very obedient..."

It seemed she had gained quite a bit of knowledge since marrying Qian Ming.

Eleven Miss peeled an apple for her: "Fifth sister, eating apples is good for you!"

"Mmm!" She took a bite and continued, "...Or, you could take in someone from your own household. Someone loyal who can support you. I think Amber is good, Binju is also quite honest. It's a pity about Dongqing, you've already arranged for her. Otherwise, she would have been a suitable candidate. She's at the right age and is the most outstanding in appearance..."

She just couldn't stop talking.

While Fifth Miss was going on and on, Amber, listening from behind the curtain, was filled with anxiety.

She heard snippets like "Qiao Lianfang is pregnant" and "maids," and finally her own name and Dongqing's were mentioned... She also heard Eleven Miss murmuring in agreement.

She was momentarily stunned.

Yesterday, when Eleven Miss returned to her maiden home, she had followed and met Coral. Coral had pulled her aside to talk: "...Has Eleven Miss said anything to you? The matriarch is selecting maids for the Marquis among us? The matriarch placed you in Eleven Miss’s household, so why now... what's going on?"

"Sister, don't worry, the mistress treats me very well!" Amber smiled, "I manage most of the household affairs." Then, frowning, she added, "But, the matriarch selecting maids for the Marquis... I haven't heard about that." After a moment, she smiled again, "It's fine. Even if the Marquis wants to take in maids, our mistress would have to agree!" Seeing Coral still worried, looking like a little old lady, she teased her, "Is there someone who wants to serve our mistress, so they asked you to approach me?"

"Go on with you!" Coral laughed and pinched her cheek, "You silly girl, I'm just worried for you!"

Indeed, few maids end up well. To eventually be elevated to concubine status, one really needs a bit of luck. For those like them who dare not gamble, it's better to remain as honest maids.

She thought about what the mistress had said to her that night, and she vaguely felt that the mistress hoped she would be her right-hand woman, not a maid or concubine who serves with her looks. Whenever she thought about this, she felt proud, feeling that she was different.

But this was not something she could discuss with Coral—after all, it wasn't something spoken or written down.

What she had firmly believed in now seemed less certain.

No one understood the predicament the mistress was facing better than she did—for the past two months, even when the Marquis was in the mistress's room, her bed remained untouched.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but walk to the altar in the hall, folded her hands in prayer in front of the statue of Guanyin, and silently recited “Amitabha Buddha.”

She only hoped that the lady would reach her coming-of-age ceremony soon.

Once she reaches it, all these issues would be resolved.

Perhaps she could even seize the opportunity during Qiao Lianfang’s inability to serve and conceive a son…

“Amber, what are you up to?” Suddenly, Madam Tao’s voice echoed in the empty hall. “Are you praying to Guanyin for a good marriage?”

Amber was startled and quickly turned around.

“Why does Madam Tao move so quietly?” she chided. “You really scared me!” She glanced behind her and saw Madam Tao had come alone, realizing the young maids at the door couldn’t stop her because of her authority. She hurriedly said, “Fifth Miss has come and is having a heart-to-heart talk with the lady in her room.”

Madam Tao’s lips curled slightly in a knowing smirk. “Heart-to-heart talk? Either borrowing money or urging our lady to partner in business with her.”

Amber hesitated, not daring to comment.

“What brings you by, Madam Tao?” Amber asked politely. “The lady asked me to prepare dinner in the small kitchen. She plans to have Fifth Miss stay for dinner, so their talk might take some time. Would you like me to pass on a message for you?” She smiled warmly, chatting with Madam Tao as they walked out of the hall.

“It’s nothing urgent,” Madam Tao replied, smiling warmly. “The lady asked me to arrange Dongqing’s dowry. I’ve gathered all the items and made a detailed list. I wanted to present it to the lady for her approval.”

Remembering Eleven Miss’s orders, Amber stayed close, standing under the eaves to continue talking.

“In that case, once the lady’s free, I’ll have a maid let you know. How does that sound?”

Madam Tao thought for a moment and said, “Then I’ll trouble you for that.”

“No trouble at all,” Amber replied politely. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Madam Tao headed to the back rooms.

Amber immediately gathered all the maids and matrons working in Eleven Miss’s courtyard.

Standing on the five-step platform, she surveyed the courtyard, where everyone stood respectfully. She pointed at the young maid who had been on duty at the door. “Take her to Madam Cai in the laundry room. Tell her it’s my order—she’s responsible for washing all the mansion’s bedding. Let’s see if she dares to be lazy again!”

“Sister, I didn’t…”

The young maid turned pale, trembling with fear.

“You didn’t slack off? Then why, when the lady asked everyone to step aside, did you find it too tiring to stop Madam Tao? Isn’t that being lazy?”

Everyone in the courtyard was clever enough to understand who was being indirectly reprimanded.

No one stepped forward to plead for her; instead, most watched with probing eyes.

When the young maid, as Amber had said, was forced to wash all the mansion’s bedding day and night, the atmosphere in Eleven Miss’s room became much more disciplined.

Amber, however, breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the people who took the young maid away were two who were usually on good terms with her. Fortunately, she had lent three taels of silver to Madam Cai the other day… But without these strokes of luck, she really wouldn’t have known how to deal with the young maid.

She just had bad luck, running into this!

It seems the lady was right.

Only by fostering good relationships can one reap good results.

Of course, this was all later.

In reality, after dealing with the young maid and once Fifth Miss had left, Amber went straight to Eleven Miss’s inner chamber.