"The Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching. Everyone in the capital knows about it, so how could I not be aware?"
"I've been pondering this for days and indeed have an idea, though…"
Gao Mama quickly responded, "Please speak freely, Niangzi. Old Madam said this birthday celebration is of utmost importance!"
"It's just that it requires considerable expenditure. I feared mentioning it might cause displeasure."
Gao Mama patted her hand and lowered her voice, "To be frank with you, Niangzi, Old Madam has explicitly stated she isn't afraid of spending money – she's only concerned about lacking originality!"
"If the household funds won't cover it, Old Madam will pay from her own purse! You should discuss this directly with Old Madam!"
Jiang Shiyao said, "Thank you for the advice, Gao Mama. Let me fetch the designs and accompany you."
She turned toward the inner chamber and instructed Mingyu, "Mingyu, I'm going with Gao Mama. Keep an eye on Fu'er."
Carrying the hastily completed sketches, Jiang Shiyao followed Gao Mama out of the courtyard.
At the corner, she glanced back toward her courtyard.
A subtle smile touched her lips.
The old madam's residence occupied the best location and had been renovated last year – naturally incomparable to Jiang Shiyao's palm-sized courtyard.
Beside the small pavilion, a pear tree was blooming beautifully.
Jiang Shiyao paused to admire it.
Gao Mama explained, "Young Lord had this transplanted last year. We thought it would take two years to establish, but unexpectedly it bloomed this year."
Jiang Shiyao replied, "I had one planted in my small courtyard too, but unfortunately it didn't survive."
That tree had also been planted at Zhou Congxian's instruction – perhaps it was simply fate.
Old Madam Zhou was chanting scriptures in the small Buddhist chapel, so Jiang Shiyao waited outside.
Upon entering, Gao Mama immediately made excuses to the old madam for Jiang Shiyao's delayed arrival.
Old Madam Zhou paused in her wooden fish percussion, "You old thing, since when do you plead others' cases?"
Gao Mama helped the old madam rise, "Nothing escapes your notice. The servants below have been somewhat neglectful, and Niangzi Jiang is too reserved to assert authority."
The old madam wasn't surprised, "With her temperament, she'd only survive under Jiyun's management."
"Have her come in."
Jiang Shiyao spread out several design sketches.
These were all works she had been forced to complete day and night in her previous life. Only this "Auspicious Beast Presenting Peaches" had been someone else's malicious suggestion meant to undermine her. In the end, she exhausted her efforts only for others to claim the credit.
"Old Madam, these are my humble ideas. Please review them."
Old Madam Zhou immediately favored the Auspicious Beast Presenting Peaches design.
"What was your concept for this one?"
Jiang Shiyao explained, "I once saw similar murals in the scripture cave at White Horse Temple. The colors were so vibrant, as if the auspicious beast had descended to earth."
"To achieve such colorful embroidery, we'd need snow silk from Yuzhou. And for the auspicious beast's eyes – as the saying goes, 'adding the pupils to the dragon's eyes' – ink jadeite would be most suitable."
Old Madam Zhou nodded, "Proceed with this."
"If this birthday tribute catches the Empress Dowager's eye, there will be additional rewards."
Jiang Shiyao appropriately feigned flattered surprise, "Thank you, Old Madam!"
As she rose, before her smile could fade, Zhao Shi, the Duchess, entered.
"Mother, when did planning for the Empress Dowager's birthday tribute become something I, the Duchess, cannot know about, while we consult with a junior's concubine instead?"
Jiang Shiyao bowed and stepped aside.
Old Madam Zhou's eyes turned cold, "The inner household affairs are complex. You needn't concern yourself with this matter."
Zhao Shi said, "I may not question it, but this birthday gift—are you preparing it for the Duke's residence or for the Song family?"
Old Madam Zhou retorted, "Zhao Shi, do not overstep!"
It was well-known within the residence that the Duchess and the Old Madam were at odds.
Especially regarding the marriage of the Young Lord, Zhou Congxian—the Old Madam favored Song Jiyun, while the Duchess had her eye on the granddaughter of the Grand Tutor.
The outcome was clear: Zhao Shi had lost.
Unable to have a say in her own son's affairs, she had long been simmering with resentment.
Now, for the Empress Dowager's birthday gift, the Old Madam bypassed Zhao Shi entirely and approached Jiang Shiyao, a mere concubine.
How could Zhao Shi not seize the opportunity to challenge her?
"Mother, as the one currently managing the household affairs, is it overstepping for me to inquire about the Empress Dowager's birthday gift?"
"Perhaps you should take back the household keys and hand them directly to your future granddaughter-in-law, Song Jiyun—that would be even better."
Seeing that an argument was about to erupt, Jiang Shiyao tactfully withdrew.
Gao Mama followed shortly after, calling out, "Niangzi, please wait."
"This is the silver the Old Madam has provided. If it is insufficient, you need only inform this old servant."
Jiang Shiyao looked at the heavy money bag. She wanted it, but now was not the time to take it.
Only by playing the long game could she catch the big fish.
"Please keep it for now, Mama. I will return to draft a list and trouble you to have the items purchased and delivered."
Seeing her discretion, Gao Mama readily took back the money. "Very well. Niangzi may prepare the list, and this old servant will arrange for the purchases."
Jiang Shiyao added, "Please return quickly, Mama. The Old Madam is advanced in years—we must not let her distress harm her health."
Gao Mama sighed in agreement. "The Old Madam anticipated this, which is why she specifically sent me to seek you out. No one else was informed."
Jiang Shiyao hinted, "Could it have been a careless maid in the courtyard who spread the word?"
Gao Mama firmly denied it. "When the Old Madam spoke to me, there was no one else in the room…"
She abruptly fell silent.
While the Old Madam's room had been empty, Niangzi Jiang's room had not!
So it was that treacherous little wench betraying her mistress!
Seeing the change in Gao Mama's expression, Jiang Shiyao knew her objective had been achieved.
"What is it, Mama?"
Gao Mama collected herself and forced a smile. "It is nothing. Niangzi, you may return."
Back in her courtyard,
Mingyu was playing sandbags with Fu'er.
She glanced furtively at Jiang Shiyao, then took Fu'er's hand and said, "Fu'er, your A-Niang is back. Where did your A-Niang go to play without you?"
Fu'er dashed over and hugged her mother. "A-Niang!"
Jiang Shiyao bent down and patted her head. "A-Niang went to pay respects to the Old Madam."
"Gao Granny likes Fu'er very much. Perhaps next time she will bring you candied hawthorn."
Mother and daughter cheerfully entered the room together.
Mingyu remained behind, frowning.
What was going on? Such a significant matter—the Old Madam bypassing the Duchess and directly approaching Jiang Shiyao—how could the Duchess have found out and not confronted her?
By the time He Mama finished preparing the fresh bamboo shoot soup, Gao Mama had sent someone to collect the list.
Jiang Shiyao directly divided half of the soup and had the young maid take it back for Gao Mama to enjoy.
Gao Mama examined the vibrant broth and took a sip. "Niangzi Jiang has a request of me."
The young maid did not understand.
"Her maid is disloyal, yet she was originally someone the Duchess forced into the Young Lord's courtyard and later assigned to Niangzi Jiang."
Incidentally, Gao Mama and Mingyu's mother were old acquaintances.
But Mingyu's mother had long been banished to the estate—now, they were likely pinning their hopes on this daughter to turn their fortunes around.
The little girl asked, "Is Auntie going to help Niangzi Jiang?"
Gao Mama scooped a bowl of soup and pushed it toward the little girl. "Help? Of course I'll help."
In the evening, the silk threads Gao Mama had purchased were delivered.
A box of brightly colored silk threads shimmered under the candlelight.
Jiang Shiyao threaded each strand onto the embroidery frame.
"Huh? These few spools aren't right."
"The shopkeeper must have taken advantage of Mama's lack of knowledge and secretly swapped them."
"Mingyu, take these threads to Gao Mama and explain the situation."
Mingyu reluctantly took the threads and left.
She never returned that entire night.
Early the next morning,
Gao Mama came in person again, bringing new silk threads and a maid.
"This is the maid Old Madam specifically assigned to you, Niangzi."
The new maid, Shuangjiang, bowed. "This humble maid Shuangjiang pays respects to Niangzi."
Jiang Shiyao waved for her daughter to come over. "Fu'er, this is Sister Shuangjiang. From now on, she'll play with you, alright?"
Fu'er immediately pulled Shuangjiang to go see her little rabbit kite.
Only then did Gao Mama continue, "Niangzi, rest assured. Shuangjiang is the most capable maid serving Old Madam."
Jiang Shiyao didn't ask about Mingyu's whereabouts. "I naturally trust Miss Shuangjiang. I just feel guilty that Old Madam had to part with her favorite."
Gao Mama smiled cheerfully. "Niangzi need not worry."
She then took out the money bag she had confiscated the previous day. "This old woman doesn't understand silk threads. I don't mind making extra trips, but I fear delaying Niangzi's important matters."
"Please keep this money."
Jiang Shiyao smiled faintly. This fish still wasn't big enough.
"Let Miss Shuangjiang keep it for now. Since Shuangjiang is Old Madam's most capable maid, she's naturally more suitable than I am."
She turned and called Shuangjiang back, who had been playing with her daughter.
Gao Mama nodded slightly and handed the money bag to Shuangjiang.
She didn't forget to admonish Shuangjiang on Jiang Shiyao's behalf. "Now that you serve Niangzi Jiang, she is your master. Serving your master well is your duty."
Shuangjiang bowed. "This humble maid understands."
The next day, Jiang Shiyao took Shuangjiang out to buy new silk threads.
In the carriage, she acted as if she didn't notice Shuangjiang's restless glancing around.
In her previous life, Shuangjiang had been specially prepared by Old Madam for Zhou Congxian, but there had been no opportunity to assign her to him.
Moreover, Shuangjiang had her own ideas and had developed mutual affection with a poor scholar who made a living copying books in Old Madam's bookstore.
After Song Jiyun entered the household, Shuangjiang was eventually promoted to concubine.
Within half a month, Song Jiyun caught her meeting secretly with the scholar in his outside residence.
Jiang Shiyao knew Shuangjiang was framed. The day before the incident, Shuangjiang had personally said the scholar was preparing to return home, and she was going to see him off one last time.
Shuangjiang had barely left when Song Jiyun brought people to block her.
In this life, with Mingyu already gone from her side, Old Madam naturally thought of placing Shuangjiang in her courtyard first.
Arriving at the embroidery shop,
After selecting silk threads for a while, Jiang Shiyao turned to Shuangjiang. "Dexing Lou isn't far from here. Would you mind going to buy some chestnut cakes for Fu'er?"
She added, "I won't bring money. I'll wait here for you to return and pay."
Shuangjiang startled and glanced back, then lowered her eyelids, her fingers nervously twisting a corner of her clothing.
Jiang Shiyao pretended not to notice her unease. "I promised Fu'er last night, but Dexing Lou is so popular. I'm worried if we don't get the chestnut cakes, Fu'er will be disappointed."
Shuangjiang hesitated briefly. "Alright, this maid will go now."
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Jiang Shiyao immediately headed toward the opposite side.
On the day of the Shangsi Festival, she hadn't finished inquiring about travel permits at the carriage and horse shop.
The shop assistant recognized her at first glance.
Jiang Shiyao got straight to the point, "How much for a travel permit?"
The assistant extended a hand, "Fifty taels each."
"So expensive?!" Jiang Shi Yao gasped.
If she hadn't managed to get some money these past few days, she wouldn't even be able to afford a travel permit.
The assistant didn't argue, merely continued smiling as he asked, "There's naturally a reason for the price. If you require, madam, we can also arrange for a merchant caravan leaving the city to take you to your desired destination."
Jiang Shiyao asked, "When can the travel permit be issued?"
The assistant replied, "The Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching, and I've heard there are even envoys from neighboring countries coming to court. The city gates are under strict security measures. For safety reasons, the earliest would be three months from now."
Jiang Shiyao took out fifty taels, "Fine, this is the deposit. I'll return then."
Three months later would also be the day when Zhou Congxian had married Song Jiyun in her previous life.
Perhaps this was fate.
As Jiang Shiyao left the carriage and horse shop, she happened to brush past Zhou Congxian who was riding by on horseback.
Seated behind him on the horse was Song Jiyun.
Song Jiyun said, "Brother Congxian, it's Niangzi Jiang."