Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Song Yun was truly startled. It took him a moment to grasp the old madam’s intention, but… just moments ago, no one else had been subjected to such scrutiny. In an instant, he was overcome with fear and a profound sense of unease. He yearned to flee, to escape this living room brimming with laughter and cheer.

But he couldn’t run. Song Yun stood frozen. Wei Shi, initially taken aback, quickly shot him an urgent glance upon seeing his stunned, motionless state.

*Hurry up.*

Song Yun immediately cast a pleading look her way. Although his mother had spoken with Wei Shi, ensuring she would look after him, he saw only helplessness in Wei Shi’s eyes. Indeed, even if Wei Shi wished to help, she could at most offer a few words; defying her master’s command was out of the question.

Sure enough, seeing his hesitation, Wei Shi stepped forward. With hands adorned by a pair of jade bangles, she gently unfastened the top button of Song Yun’s collar.

Song Yun desperately fought back the urge to cry. Wei Shi then positioned herself directly in front of him, shielding him from view. Song Yun allowed two tears to fall, forcing the rest back down. He felt Wei Shi’s fingers quickly brush his cheeks, wiping away the moisture.

Soon, his outer robe was removed, followed by his padded trousers, leaving him in only plain white inner garments. Thankfully, the masters showed no intention of making him undress further.

His neck felt bare, and Song Yun sensed his pheromones permeating the room.

A shiver ran down his spine, and he trembled.

The madam inquired about Song Yun’s pheromones. As a neutral, she couldn’t discern them well and had relied on Wei Shi’s descriptions for the previous candidates. Wei Shi smiled, stating they were merely common floral and fruity notes, making Song Yun seem unremarkable.

For the others, Wei Shi had usually offered a word or two of praise, so Song Yun knew she was trying to help him.

Unfortunately, the madam didn’t seem displeased by this. Perhaps, as a neutral, she didn’t grasp the significance of pheromones and thus paid them little mind.

"Turn around." Someone—he wasn’t sure who—spoke, and Song Yun obeyed.

Behind him were all the scrutinizing gazes, while before him knelt a crowd of people—half relieved they hadn’t been subjected to such inspection, the other half wondering if they would have passed muster.

They had him turn back.

Their expressions seemed satisfied. Song Yun stole a glance and quickly confirmed his assessment.

"This child looks promising, well-suited for childbearing," remarked an old maidservant beside the old madam.

"Really?" the madam asked idly.

"This old servant has seen hundreds of Kun Ze; I can tell at a glance," the maidservant replied with a warm smile.

Song Yun didn’t fully understand matters of childbirth, but the comment turned his stomach. Though he hadn’t eaten all morning, he felt a twist of nausea. He couldn’t help but glance at Wei Shi again, his eyes pleading for help.

But then the old madam pointed at Wei Shi and said to the madam, "You trust her judgment, don’t you? Wasn’t she the one who picked this one for you back then?"

Song Yun immediately averted his gaze. It dawned on him that Wei Shi must have gone through the same ordeal he was enduring now.

Wei Shi, however, seemed unfazed. Her voice remained gentle, laced with a practiced, warm smile: "It was all thanks to the wisdom of the old madam and Nanny. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the fortune to serve you."

Perhaps it was Song Yun’s imagination, but he thought he detected an undercurrent of bone-deep bitterness beneath Wei Shi’s pleasant tone.

As she spoke, Wei Shi casually stepped forward, swiftly picking up Song Yun’s fallen garments and draping them over his shoulders.

Song Yun quickly dressed, making sure every last button was secured.

"It’s no empty praise—this one you have is truly exceptional. I knew just by her face that she was destined for greatness, with the gentlest temperament," the old maidservant continued with a smile.

"She’s so good I almost wish I could have her accompany Cheng’er," the madam joked, speaking for appearances.

"You flatter me, madam. I’m hardly worthy of such praise," Wei Shi protested meekly.

Song Yun felt like crying again.

"Don’t worry," the old madam reassured, patting the madam’s hand. "We’ll find Cheng’er a few good ones too. If not here, then from our household. Failing that, we’ll buy some—there are always good ones to be had."

The surrounding maidservants murmured in agreement.

"You’re too kind, Mother," the madam said gratefully.

After some more idle chatter, Wei Shi seized an opportunity to interject, "Madam, while he seems adequate in other respects, I fear he’s a bit slow-witted. He might not know his place and could cause trouble."

She was trying to help him again, Song Yun realized.

But the madam brushed this aside. "Stupidity isn’t an issue. What matters is beauty, obedience, and breeding potential. What use is intelligence? Did I choose you for your cleverness?"

Wei Shi faltered for a moment before replying, "Of course... the madam considers every angle."

Song Yun kept his head bowed, listening as the madam’s words confirmed her approval of him. There was no escaping it now. Sure enough, Nanny Wu directed him to kneel alongside the other selected candidates.

Lowering his gaze to the floor once more, Song Yun allowed himself a discreet, despairing grimace when no one was looking. Tears welled up again, silently dripping onto the black marble patterns.

Another quarter-hour passed in uneasy silence before the madam finished inspecting everyone. She had the chosen few line up for a final review, then nodded in satisfaction and summoned a maidservant. "Give each of their families a string of cash as a reward."

Noticing the flickers of delight on some faces, the madam sipped her tea and added with a smile, "The imperial selection process involves several eliminations. Though we’re but a minor household, we can't decide in just one sitting."

Song Yun sensed the others' spirits dampen at her words.

The madam seemed pleased with their reaction. Song Yun knew masters enjoyed watching servants vie for favor. She turned to Wei Shi and said, "Take these to your quarters for now. Instruct them in decorum when you have time, and bring them back in a few days for Cheng’er and me to see again."

Wei Shi bowed. "As you wish, madam."

Thus, Song Yun and the others followed Wei Shi out of the main hall in single file.

*

Wei Shi’s residence wasn’t far—a small courtyard near the southeastern corner of the garden called the Moon-Store Pavilion.

Though Song Yun had spent some years in the inner quarters as a child, he’d never been bold enough to explore freely and thus had never been here before.

Passing through a narrow moon gate, they walked along a slender corridor before reaching the central hall—three rooms facing forward, flanked by side chambers. The tiny courtyard boasted bamboo and plantain trees, already verdant in spring, complemented by a weathered Taihu rock that lent the space an air of secluded tranquility.

Behind the central hall stood a row of servant quarters. A maidservant emerged from one of the doors, holding up the curtain to usher them inside.

There were four of them in total. Wei Shi led them into a clean, well-appointed room, clearly prepared in advance. Against one wall was a long heated kang bed, large enough for five or six people. Bedding, pillows, and washing implements were all neatly arranged.

Wei Shi treated them kindly, smiling as she urged them to make themselves comfortable. After a few instructions, she thoughtfully had breakfast served.

Once she left, the four quickly began whispering among themselves. All being guileless youths, they relaxed considerably once food arrived, gathering around the kang table to eat.

Having gone all morning without food, Song Yun was ravenous. The meal Wei Shi provided was of good quality for servants—fish, meat, and steaming white rice. Though not as refined as what he usually ate with Ruan Hang, it was timely, and Song Yun piled his bowl high.

They soon exchanged names and backgrounds. Only one face was familiar to Song Yun—Xue Ying, the first maid from Miss Eleven’s household. The other two were the daughter of the firewood shed’s Nanny Song and the younger sister of the kitchen’s provisions maid Chen. Neither had served in the inner quarters before, so the madam’s instruction for Wei Shi to teach them decorum mainly applied to these two.

All four were peach-blossom complexioned, of similar age. Song Yun and Xue Ying maintained their composure, while the other two couldn’t hide their excitement. Nanny Song’s daughter, though timid, was strikingly beautiful—far too lovely for someone condemned to the firewood shed.

As they ate and chatted, they quickly became fast friends.

Song Yun remained quietly preoccupied, thinking of his mother and how worried she must be.

But after the initial shock and a full meal, he had calmed considerably. He knew that even if the madam approved of him, it was ultimately up to the eldest young master, who was a man of his word. There was no way he would be chosen to accompany the young master in marriage.

In the afternoon, the same maidservant returned, smiling as she called for them to the central hall.

Wei Shi sat in the seat at the head of the room, with a Nanny standing below.

"This is Nanny Jiang. Starting today, she will teach you the rules. You four can play anywhere in the courtyard, but don’t leave it without permission. The east and west wing rooms are occupied by Ninth Miss and Miss Eleven, both of whom are very easygoing, so there’s no need to fear them."

Wei Shi added a few more words about the affairs of the courtyard, informing them where the washroom and firewood shed were located. She stayed gentle throughout before entrusting them to Nanny Jiang and leaving the main hall.

Thus, the entire afternoon was spent listening to Nanny Jiang instruct them on the manor’s rules. These were things Song Yun had long been familiar with, so he merely stood there feigning sleep, which Nanny Jiang generously ignored.

By evening, Wei Shi finally called Song Yun over alone.