Jiang Bairou’s quarters were arranged in the northwest corner of Chunxi Courtyard, where Mingxia and Lü’e, two bedchamber maids, also lived.
The residence was arranged by Jiang Yunniang, and Song Wenling did not find it inappropriate. Other maids had no separate rooms; even if Jiang Bairou’s status were raised later, she would still live here.
But for now, Jiang Bairou was only a servant. The Jiang family had not allowed her to bring any maids with her, and her trusted attendants had all been sold off by the Old Madam. Feeling sorry for her, Song Wenling sent Mingxia to help tidy up.
“Thank you, elder sister.” Jiang Bairou slipped the gold bracelet from her wrist and placed it in Mingxia’s hand. “I’ve just arrived at Chunxi Courtyard and don’t know anything. I must trouble you to look after me.”
“I dare not accept being called ‘elder sister’ by you, Miss.” Mingxia refused at first, then accepted the bracelet. “Since you are so polite, I’ll keep it. We all know you will be different in the future. To be able to help you now is my good fortune.”
Jiang Bairou pulled Mingxia to sit down. Though she looked down on such bedchamber maids, she was isolated in the Song household and had no choice but to win Mingxia over. “Don’t say that. Right now, I’m beneath even you. Since we live in the same courtyard, we are sisters. Whoever prospers, it will be good for us all.”
“Very well, I’ll call you Sister Bairou from now on.” Mingxia glanced around. “I’ve finished cleaning the room. I won’t disturb your rest. If you need anything, call me.”
Jiang Bairou saw her out, then shut the door and immediately wiped her hands in disgust.
Sister Bairou? She was not worthy.
Looking at the simply furnished room, Jiang Bairou felt miserable. She longed for Song Wenling to give her a proper title soon. Only as a concubine would she have maids to serve her. She had never fetched water or poured tea herself. As she thought this, mocking voices came from outside.
Jiang Bairou went to the door to listen.
“Everyone says you’re kind and good‑tempered. I suppose you are—fawning over people, how could you not have a good reputation?”
“Lü’e, Second Young Master ordered me to go. We’ve never had a quarrel. Why speak so harshly?” Mingxia said, lips pressed tight.
“I want to. I enjoy it. I can’t stand sluts like you. Is that enough?” Lü’e sneered. “Do you think the one living in that room is any better? She was expelled from the Jiang family—who knows what filthy thing she did. She’s just like us, entering as a lowly servant. She’ll never be a proper Madam. Who is she to act superior, ordering others around?”
Lü’e spoke loudly enough for people outside the courtyard to hear, then returned to her room.
Mingxia stood awkwardly, glanced at Jiang Bairou’s room, saw no movement, and went back to her own quarters.
Inside, Jiang Bairou dug her nails into her palm until they bled, her face twisted with rage. The thing she hated most was being reminded she had entered under a lowly status. It was all Jiang Yunniang’s fault—hers alone!
Jiang Bairou raised a vase high, ready to smash it, but reason stopped her.
“Knock, knock.” Someone rapped at the door. Jiang Bairou hurried to open it. Nanny Sun told her to go sweep the courtyard.
Jiang Bairou froze. “No, Nanny, you don’t understand my situation. How can I do sweeping?”
“Why wouldn’t I understand?” Nanny Sun smiled coldly. “You entered as a servant, so you must work. Or do you expect to eat and drink for free? Let me remind you—your contract is in Second Young Madam’s hands. If you refuse, fine, but you won’t eat tonight.”
She emphasized the words contract. The warning was not only for Jiang Bairou, but also for the two bedchamber maids, so they would know: no matter how much Second Young Master favored Jiang Bairou, it was useless. Second Young Madam held her contract.
When Jiang Bairou heard the words *contract of servitude*, her expression instantly changed. Then she thought of how Song Wenling would pity her, and decided Jiang Yunniang was a fool—bullying her like this would only drive Song Wenling further away from Jiang Yunniang. It was just a bit of menial work. She would endure the hardship for one afternoon, then, when Song Wenling returned, she would make Jiang Yunniang suffer.
Putting on a helpless look, Jiang Bairou pitifully compromised. “Fine, I’ll do it.”
“Then come with me,” Nanny Sun said, leading the way.
Most of the people in Chunxi Courtyard had seen Jiang Bairou before. Seeing her actually doing the sweeping, they began whispering among themselves. But Song Wenling had already ordered that no one was to spread news of Chunxi Courtyard outside. No one dared risk it, so no one spoke.
Jiang Yunniang had a tea table set under the corridor. She sat drinking tea and eating pastries, while Jiang Bairou swept the floor.
That night, when Song Wenling returned and saw the blisters on Jiang Bairou’s hands, he was furious and immediately stormed off to confront Jiang Yunniang.
“What are you playing at?” Song Wenling kicked open the door, anger blazing.
“I’m only thinking of Second Young Master’s good,” Jiang Yunniang replied, lounging on the couch, too comfortable to move. “Do you think paper can cover fire? This afternoon, the wives of the second and third branches came to the courtyard. They surely saw Jiang Bairou. If I treated her like a young lady, what would they think?”
“You can’t make Jiang Bairou do rough work!” Song Wenling protested, seeing her blisters. In just half a day, she had been worn down like this. He worried even more—she was pregnant. What if something happened to the child?
Jiang Yunniang sneered. “If not rough work, then what? Mother‑in‑law said it was for my good, that it would give me a reputation for kindness. But I am not one to repay evil with virtue. Since she’s in my courtyard, she must work. If you pity her, take her to Mother‑in‑law. Surely she is too kind to assign Jiang Bairou chores.”
“Fine, you said it yourself. You venomous woman! From now on, I’ll never let Bairou stay with you again!” Song Wenling spat, then stormed out.
Only after he left did Qiuyue return, whispering, “Second Young Madam, you truly have a way. This afternoon, when the second and third branches asked, you looked reluctant. They must have seen you didn’t want this. By deliberately making Jiang Bairou work, you provoked Second Young Master’s pity. Now he’s taken her to First Madam. But First Madam can neither send her away nor keep her. She tried to scheme so you’d be scolded by the Old Master, but instead she’s been forced to keep Jiang Bairou. Perhaps tomorrow the Old Master will learn of it.”
“Tomorrow is the fifteenth. We’ll be the first to pay respects at Hui’an Hall,” Jiang Yunniang said. “Before Jiang Bairou returns, I must let Mother‑in‑law know I am not someone to be trifled with.”
“Very well, I’ll wake you,” Qiuyue said, helping her mistress wash and prepare.
Thinking of the early morning, Jiang Yunniang went to bed early. What surprised her most today was Lü’e’s insults toward Jiang Bairou. It seemed Lü’e didn’t just dislike her but despised all the women around Song Wenling.
That was fine. With Lü’e as such a firebrand, even if Jiang Bairou returned as a concubine, she would be tormented daily.
Jiang Yunniang slept soundly until dawn.
As she dressed, Nanny Sun came quietly. “Last night, as you instructed, I searched Jiang Bairou’s room. I truly found something.”
“What was it?” Jiang Yunniang asked.
“Several packets of medicine were hidden at the bottom of the cabinet. They contained astragalus, atractylodes, and other herbs.” Nanny Sun sent Qiuyue to guard the door so no one overheard, then lowered her voice. “Second Young Madam, you are young and may not know what these herbs are for. But when Madam Lu was pregnant with you, she was weak in blood and energy. I cared for her then, so I recognize them. Jiang Bairou’s medicine packets are for stabilizing pregnancy.”