“I am not the one in charge here, and neither are you!” Cheng Chun’s gaze gradually turned cold. “If Nanny Zhang believes I have spoken out of turn, why not take the matter to Fifth Master and argue it out there?”
Nanny Zhang pressed her lips tightly together, finally let out a cold snort, and turned to leave. Just before stepping out the door, she cursed in a voice deliberately loud enough for them to hear: “She’s nothing but a thing that serves others with her looks, yet she really thinks she’s something!”
“You…” Hongdou was so angry she was about to rush forward and argue with her, but Cheng Chun grabbed her hand.
Hongdou turned to look at Cheng Chun, whose face had paled, and said indignantly, “Mistress, why are you holding me back? I should go out there and give that old hag a good scolding!”
“Fifth Master told me early this morning that there are guests at the estate today. If we make a scene, wouldn’t that just embarrass him?” Cheng Chun patted Hongdou’s hand. “Nanny Zhang… she’s also a pitiful soul. There’s no need to get angry with her.”
“Pitiful? Her daughter didn’t want to be a concubine—it was Nanny Zhang who forced her into it!” Hongdou snorted. “The reason she bullies you like this is simply because she’s jealous that you’ve won Fifth Master’s favor, while her own daughter is still just a Tongfang!”
Hearing Hongdou’s words, Cheng Chun was momentarily at a loss for what to say. She found it simply unbelievable—how could someone choose not to be a proper wife outside but instead force her own daughter to become another’s concubine? It was truly baffling.
Seeing that Cheng Chun remained silent, Hongdou thought she might have spoken too harshly and cautiously said, “Mistress, I… I didn’t mean it that way…”
Cheng Chun paused for a moment, then smiled. “It’s all right.”
Only then did Hongdou breathe a sigh of relief.
It had been overcast and rainy for several days. The rainy season in Jiangnan was always like this—once it started, it seemed endless. Today, however, the weather was unusually fine, and Cheng Chun felt like going out for a walk. After hesitating for a long time, she finally said, “Hongdou, I’d like to go out for a stroll.”
Hongdou was taken aback for a moment, then smiled at Cheng Chun. “Alright, I’ll have someone prepare the carriage.”
“Shouldn’t we inform Fifth Master?” Cheng Chun asked, looking up at Hongdou in surprise.
Hongdou replied with a smile, “Fifth Master already instructed all of us. If you wish to go out, just make the arrangements. If you’ll be back late, simply send word. Otherwise, you’re free to do as you please.”
Cheng Chun was momentarily stunned, then nodded gently. “Then… let’s go out for a walk today.”
Hongdou naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
When they were about to leave, Cheng Chun looked at the carriage waiting there and sighed helplessly. “Our courtyard is already within the town. Why do we still need to take a carriage?”
In her earlier years, when Cheng Chun was still a young lady at home, she would walk back dozens of li during her breaks if she hadn’t bought anything, unwilling to spend a few coppers on an ox cart. Now, it was just a few streets away, yet they were taking a carriage back and forth.
The sound of the carriage wheels rolling over the blue brick pavement was exceptionally clear. Sitting inside, Cheng Chun felt a sense of unreality.
“What are you thinking about, Mistress?” Hongdou looked at Cheng Chun, noticing her thoughtful expression, and asked softly.
“In the past, when I worked at the medicine shop, whenever I heard such sounds, I knew that a wealthy family had arrived. Sometimes, out of curiosity, I couldn’t help but steal a glance. Back then, carriages and horses would pass by, and I would stand at the shop entrance, gazing longingly!” Cheng Chun smiled softly as she spoke.
“Now, Madam is sitting inside the carriage, while those outside stand on tiptoe, gazing longingly!” Hongdou said with a laugh. “Madam is a blessed person. You would never spend your whole life watching from beneath a carriage!”
Cheng Chun remained silent, only lifting the curtain to look outside. Sunlight fell upon her face, fair and lovely, strikingly beautiful.
Though only a few months had passed, walking along this street now felt like a lifetime ago.
Cheng Chun had the carriage stop in a corner, wanting to step down and walk a little. The coachman naturally said nothing, obediently halting the carriage and lowering the footstep for Cheng Chun to alight.
As soon as Cheng Chun stepped down from the carriage, Hongdou hurried to her side, opening the oil-paper umbrella she carried and holding it high above her head.
Cheng Chun was puzzled. “It’s not raining. Why use an umbrella?”
“Madam doesn’t know—this kind of sunlight is the most harmful. In no time, it can make one’s skin oily and shiny. In just a few days, this delicate, tender face will be ruined by the sun, turning old and dark, and looking quite unsightly!” Hongdou quickly explained.
“Can the spring sun really be so harsh?” Cheng Chun asked in surprise.
“Indeed! Look at those farmers tilling the fields in spring—they turn pitch black in just a few days!” Hongdou said with a smile. “If you want to stay fair and delicate, it’s best to avoid the sun whenever possible!”
Cheng Chun nodded, but her heart was filled with astonishment.
In the past, she had often seen young ladies from wealthy families strolling along the streets. Their skin was fair and their beauty striking, appearing as if they were born precious. Cheng Chun had always thought that was their natural endowment. Now, she realized that their innate beauty often relied on careful maintenance!
Seeing Cheng Chun silent, Hongdou thought she had said something wrong and cautiously asked, “Madam, did I say something inappropriate?”
Cheng Chun quickly shook her head. “No, I was just surprised. I always thought the fair, snow-like skin of wealthy young ladies was natural. I never imagined they always carried umbrellas when going out, avoiding the sun entirely!”
“Madam, you jest. You are naturally beautiful! Before entering the mansion, you braved wind and rain every day, yet your skin remains fair and tender, so very lovely. Many wealthy ladies cannot compare to even half your beauty!” Hongdou said with a smile.
Hongdou spoke from the heart, her words especially sincere, making Cheng Chun blush with embarrassment. She gently tugged Hongdou’s hand. “I understand. Please speak softly!”
Seeing Cheng Chun’s flustered expression, Hongdou found her even more endearing. But noticing her shyness, she refrained from further praise.
The two walked side by side along the street. Before entering the mansion, Cheng Chun had walked this path almost every day—sometimes to deliver medicine, other times to buy pastries for the shopkeeper.
Cheng Chun had a pleasant appearance, was shy and loved to smile, always beaming whenever she spoke to anyone. Everyone around her, regardless of age or gender, couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret when mentioning Cheng Chun.
Cheng Chun walked up to a rouge stall and lowered her head to look at the exquisite rouge boxes. She couldn’t resist picking one up to examine it closely. The stall owner was a young woman in her twenties, who quickly smiled and said, “Does the lady have a favorite rouge or powder?”