Chapter 34: A Flower Blooming in the Mud

Chapter 34: A Flower Blooming in the Mud

"My surname is Pei, with the given name Zhang," he said.

"I’m just a scholar, not worthy of your concern, Miss."

"You are truly a strange person," the young woman said, looking up at him. "If you didn’t want me to concern myself with you, you could have simply not told me. Your words and actions don’t match—so which should I believe?"

Pei Zhang, usually smooth in his dealings, was left speechless for the first time when questioned by the lady.

He had thought she would ignore him, but she took the two copper coins from his palm without hesitation and placed them before the shopkeeper.

"Here, payment settled," she said.

She turned and bowed to him with a smile, "Mr. Pei, thank you for today. Leave your address so I can repay you later."

"Miss, you make it sound like I’m fishing for a favor, which puts me in an awkward position."

The shopkeeper, wrapping the book, added, "Indeed, it’s just two copper coins, why all the drama..."

The young woman retorted with a smirk, "Then perhaps the shopkeeper should return the money to me? It’s just two copper coins after all."

The shopkeeper shut up, annoyed.

Pei Zhang, accustomed to seeing women who were gentle and submissive, was amused by this eloquent lady for the first time and smiled, "Miss, you have a depth of character. Even in tough times, the clouds will clear, and you’ll see the light."

She was dressed in fine clothes though she couldn’t even produce fifteen copper coins. He chose not to speculate on the private affairs of a wealthy family, but she must...

She has had a hard life.

In these hard times, men can still leave home to achieve greatness and make a name for themselves. Women, however, are mostly confined to the home, and even if they are talented, it’s hard for them to showcase their abilities outside.

"Thank you for your kind words."

Her laughter was pleasant, and even though he couldn’t see her face clearly, he felt that her smile must be bright and unrestrained.

She said, "A small kindness deserves a big return. Pei Zhang, I will remember you."

"Are you a scholar going to the capital for the imperial examination?"

He replied, "Thanks to the Emperor’s grace, I’m heading to the capital for this year’s special exam."

She exclaimed in admiration, "Wow, you’re amazing! So young, and already heading to the capital!"

He gave a bitter laugh, "All I have are my books. I’m not worried about you laughing at me, but with the spring examination approaching, all my classmates are buried in their studies, and I... I can only rent books to read here."

"As long as you learn from them, it doesn’t matter if you rent or buy the books. If you think about it, you’re actually saving money."

She told him seriously, "Don’t underestimate a young man just because he’s poor. I see you are dignified and seem to have great ambitions."

"Same to you, and thanks for your kind words."

"Hey, I mean it—don’t doubt me."

She said word by word, "The world is unfair and tough, but as long as one is willing to strive and dare to fight, even in the mud, one can struggle and rise up to live a decent life."

"Maybe one day, you’ll become a high official and make history."

He whispered, "Alright. I’ll remember that, Pei."

"With such a generous spirit, Miss, you are bound to have a smooth and prosperous future."

...

Pei’s head was pounding, and the strong scent of camphor seemed to offer no relief.

It was just an elusive dream; he couldn’t even see the face of the girl in his dream, yet he clearly remembered every word she said and the impact she had on him.

She said: Don’t belittle a young man in poverty.

She said: Live with dignity.

She said: He’ll leave his mark on history.

Pei was a man who kept his thoughts to himself; the hardships of his youth had shaped his cautious and reserved nature. Despite reading so many books of sages, he still sometimes complained about fate, yet he was suddenly awakened by a girl.

She was like the brightest flower in a murky pond, drawing him, who was also stuck in the mud, irresistibly closer.

When he woke abruptly from the dream, there was no flower, no girl, and it felt like a piece of his heart was missing, leaving him with a sense of loss.

It was all because the dream was too real, making him wish to linger in it, unwilling to wake up.

Pei rubbed his temples and walked to the bookshelf. His slender fingers lingered in front of "Discourse on the Equality of Things" for a moment, but ultimately, he did not take it. Instead, he pulled out "Strategies of Jiangnan" and a book on tea, "The Classic of Tea."

***

Jiang Wanrou tightened the discipline in the entire mansion, and with Lu Feng away on a long journey, the Lu residence was enveloped in a heavy atmosphere. Even the usually playful Third Master was much quieter, staying in the mansion all day.

The ginseng tea she had impulsively asked about that day actually revealed some issues.

Jingguang Courtyard had only one proper master, and with no opportunity for advancement on Lu Feng’s side, the maids could only curry favor with Jiang Wanrou. Her tea was always freshly brewed and warm.

Last time, the tea was stale, and when Cuizhu went to inquire, it turned out that the person who brewed the tea was not the usual maid from the tea room but someone from elsewhere, who had just started serving that day. This enraged Cuizhu, who scolded them harshly and punished the entire tea room by docking their monthly wages.

The maids in the tea room complained, "Cuizhu, please don’t be upset. If it were an ordinary person, we wouldn’t dare let them touch the mistress’s tea even if we had a hundred guts. That person... was from the second wife’s room."

"The second wife personally brought her here, and we didn’t dare to stop her. She eagerly brewed the tea, and just as you came to hurry us... well, it was just unfortunate timing!"

During Jiang Wanrou’s pregnancy, the mansion was generally peaceful, with the only disturbance being a disagreement between the second and third wives over a maid.

The maid was actually the Zhou family’s distant relative who had fallen into hardship. She had been enslaved due to her involvement in Prince Gong’s case. She usually stayed in the second wife’s courtyard, where no one made her do menial tasks like serving tea or water. She wasn’t lodged with the maids but had her own little room, like a distant guest.

If it weren’t for the Third Master’s outrageous behavior causing a huge uproar, no one would have noticed her.

The girl refused to become a concubine and attempted to hang herself with a white sash, but fortunately, she was saved. After recovering for a while, she ran to Zhou Ruotong in tears and said she was willing to serve in Jingguang Courtyard, even as a lowly cleaning maid.

She was afraid the Third Master would come again, and in the entire mansion, only the first wife could protect her.

Zhou Ruotong had initially viewed this distant relative as a burden, but her refusal to become a concubine even at the cost of her life earned Zhou Ruotong’s respect. Coming from a scholarly family, Zhou Ruotong felt that the girl’s current hardship did not tarnish the Zhou family’s reputation.

So she personally went and sent the girl to Jingguang Courtyard. She’d meant to visit Jiang Wanrou, but Jiang Wanrou was taking a nap, so she left a message: "This maid will stay here and serve my elder sister-in-law on my behalf. Today is inconvenient, but I will visit again another day."

With the second wife personally delivering her, what could the maids do? The girl’s status was awkward, neither master nor servant, and no one wanted to take her in. Finally, she was sent to the remote tea room, and on her first day brewing tea, she happened to encounter Jiang Wanrou asserting her authority.

"It was a series of unfortunate events; the maids in the tea room were in a difficult position."

Cuizhu scolded them in the tea room but pleaded earnestly for them in front of Jiang Wanrou, "Madam, the second wife personally brought her here; they were left with no choice."

"Enough, I understand."

Jiang Wanrou massaged her temples. Zhou Ruotong had sent this particular person over, not only making it difficult for her staff but also leaving her uncertain about how to handle the situation.

A distant relative of her second sister-in-law, Zhou Ruotong had once personally told her, "She was originally a young lady from a wealthy family." If she hadn’t known, it might have been different, but now that she knew, how could she keep the girl as just a tea-serving maid?

The Jinguang Courtyard had no shortage of food. If it were as before, she might have treated her as a guest and let her stay without duties. But now, with her advanced pregnancy, she was too weak to manage and didn’t feel at ease keeping such a person close.

The girl’s family had been caught up in the Prince Gong case, resulting in their confiscation and exile. And wasn’t it Lu Feng who had overseen the Prince Gong case? Whether out of caution or pettiness, she’d rather be overly cautious than regret it later if something happened.

Cuizhu said tentatively, "Madam, that girl—that young lady—is still waiting in the tea room. Should we call her in for you to meet?"

Jiang Wanrou glanced at Cuizhu sideways, "Do you think your mistress has nothing better to do?"

Even a formal guest in the mansion would have to bring substantial gifts, make a formal visit, and wait for hours before they could see the mistress of the Lu family. A servant in such an awkward position wasn’t worth Jiang Wanrou’s attention.

Her belly was growing larger. At just six months, it was already as large as a typical woman’s at seven or eight months. When she wasn’t receiving visitors, she could wear loose, comfortable robes, her hair tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, feeling relaxed. But when entertaining guests, she had to dress up. Even though no one dared to criticize her, she didn't want to show her fatigue in front of others.

The old ancestor had sent people several times, saying she wasn't allowed to go to Chunhui Hall before giving birth. Jiang Wanrou smiled as she touched her belly. Everyone said the old ancestor was getting senile, but she thought there was no one in the entire mansion more clear-headed than the old ancestor.

After some thought, she said, "Send someone to the second sister-in-law and tell her that I don't need any more people. Let the girl go back."

"Third Master may be flirtatious, but he isn't the type to force others. I'll talk to him later. If the second sister-in-law is really worried... send the girl to Chunhui Hall. Grandmother is kind and benevolent, and she will surely protect the girl."

This matter didn't weigh on Jiang Wanrou's mind. She was now fully occupied with Lu Feng's trip to the south of the Yangtze River. After sending three large chests, she added some more bits and pieces, and time passed quickly.

When Lu Feng returned to the mansion with the chill of the night, Jiang Wanrou had already taken a nap.

"You're finally back."

Jiang Wanrou rubbed her sleepy eyes and placed his cold hand under the blanket to warm it.

"I've never been out of the capital, ah—"

She yawned and, suppressing her drowsiness, said, "I've only heard of the south of the Yangtze in plays. I heard it's a rich and prosperous place. I thought that place wouldn't lack food or clothing, so I didn't prepare much. Husband, see if there's anything missing, and I'll add it."

A trace of tenderness appeared on Lu Feng's stern face as he said gently, "It's enough. You've prepared very thoroughly."

Pei Zhang had sent a list he had compiled. Lu Feng marveled at Pei Zhang's meticulousness, never expecting that his wife's preparations would be almost as good as Pei Zhang's. Except for something like flint, which she might not have seen before, she had considered everything.

He gently brushed away the stray hair on her forehead and said, "Sleep. I'll take a look at you and sleep in the study tonight."

Jiang Wanrou had trouble sleeping in the later stages of her pregnancy. Lu Feng often returned late at night and didn't want to disturb her, so he frequently slept in the study.

"Don't— You're leaving soon. While you're still in the mansion, spend more time with me and the child."

Jiang Wanrou struggled to sit up. The thin blanket slipped off her body, and one of the buttons on her nightgown had come undone from her sleep, revealing her fragrant shoulders and soft, pale chest.

"Hu—"

"Alright, alright, I'm being naughty. No need for my husband to lecture me. I understand."

Jiang Wanrou waved her hand. She had slept a lot during the day and didn't have much sleep at night. Now, startled by Lu Feng, she had even less desire to sleep.

She casually pulled her nightgown up and said to Lu Feng, "Husband, I'm thirsty."

Lu Feng got up and poured her a cup of tea. Jiang Wanrou took a sip and frowned slightly, "Husband, it's too hot."