Bai Fei Wan had no idea when things had ended yesterday; when she woke up, it was already noon the next day.
She didn’t know what Jin Wang had done, but when she got up, Xiaoqin and Xiaqiu were gone. Two new maids had arrived, both in their early twenties. One was named Qingtan, the other Qing Huai.
She liked both new maids very much; they were worthy of being Jin Wang’s people.
Qingtan appeared mature and steady, her work methodical. Having been here for just one morning, she had already put Qingya Courtyard in perfect order, and even Zi Zhu and Ziyu had become much more proper under her influence.
Qing Huai was tall and rather simple and honest, with great strength. When Bai Fei Wan asked how strong she was, she had directly lifted Zi Zhu and Ziyu, one in each hand, scaring the two of them. Bai Fei Wan couldn’t help but want to laugh whenever she recalled the scene.
With the spies from the other women of the mansion gone from Qingya Courtyard, Bai Fei Wan felt the air itself was much fresher. She could finally take out and use the things she had brought from home.
Bai Fei Wan had someone clear out a side room on the right, where she wanted to store her things.
Many things were unavailable in ancient times, which was inconvenient, so while at home, Bai Fei Wan had made her own shampoo, body wash, and many other daily necessities.
She never took these things out to make money, only using them for her family. Hers was just an ordinary family; an innocent man gets into trouble for possessing a treasure.
Even in the peaceful socialist system of the modern era, there were some capitalist madmen who regarded the law as nothing, let alone in this ancient time where princes and nobles were greater than the heavens.
If she were to sell these things, in this strictly hierarchical ancient society, if others wanted what she had, her family would have no room to resist and would simply disappear from this world without a sound.
Therefore, her family only engaged in less conspicuous businesses, very ordinary trades like clothing and jewelry.
Being too outstanding would mean cutting into someone else’s cake, and people would become envious. Without a background or a backer, one could only be bullied.
After Bai Fei Wan’s design and renovation, it was finally ready by the afternoon of the next day. It looked like a small laboratory, just without the full range of modern equipment, but it was enough for her needs.
She did this to have a plausible origin for some of the things she might give to Jin Wang in the future.
Bai Fei Wan had already informed Qingtan and the others that none of them were allowed to enter this room without her permission.
In the evening, after dinner, Bai Fei Wan remembered that tomorrow was the fifteenth of the month. She had to go pay respects to the Wangfei. It would be her first time meeting the other women of the mansion, so it was best to learn about them in advance.
So she summoned all four maids. Looking at Ziyu and the other two, she asked, “Tomorrow I have to go pay respects to the Wangfei. It’s my first time meeting the other masters of the Prince’s mansion. Do you know about them? Tell me, so I can avoid any problems tomorrow.”
The three exchanged glances, and Qingtan stepped forward. “Master, let this servant speak. This servant entered the mansion the year the Prince established it, so I am fairly familiar with things here.
“The Wangfei is from the residence of the Duke of Tang. Her body was damaged during the birth of the commandery princess, and her health has been poor ever since. She only requires us to pay respects on the first and fifteenth of the month.
“Consort Dong is from the Piaoqi Grand General’s Residence. Concubine Qiao is the granddaughter of Minister Qiao of the Ministry of Personnel. Zhang Shufei is the daughter of Minister Zhang of the Ministry of War.
“Concubine Yu was a handmaiden to Noble Consort Chen, the Prince’s birth mother. The Imperial Concubine saw that she looked fertile and gifted her to the Prince as a servant concubine. She was promoted to Shufei for giving birth to the eldest young master.
“Consort Su is the granddaughter of Censor Su. Consort Lu is the illegitimate daughter of Minister Lu of the Court of State Ceremonial. Consort Ye’s family are wealthy merchants from Jiangnan.
“There is also a Consort Chen, who was also gifted to the Prince by Noble Consort Chen for looking fertile. Nan Shiqie is the daughter of Minister Nan of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.”
They chatted a little more, and seeing that it was getting late, she sent them back to rest.
She woke up early the next day. Sitting before her vanity mirror, she said, “Ziyu, give me a simple and elegant style. Just use that emerald green buyao, nothing else.”
“Yes, Master.”
After everything was ready, Bai Fei Wan walked out of her room. “Qingtan, you will accompany me to pay respects. Zizhu, you stay here.”
“Yes, Master,” Zizhu and Qingtan replied.
As she walked through the main garden, she saw two people approaching from a side path. Qingtan whispered a reminder, “That is Consort Ye.”
Consort Ye also saw Bai Fei Wan and quickened her pace to her side. “You must be Sister Bai. You are so beautiful, the most beautiful person I have ever seen.”
Hearing Consort Ye praise her like this, Bai Fei Wan felt a little embarrassed. “Elder Sister Ye is also very beautiful.”
Ye Yuxi nodded. “Mmm, yes, I’m beautiful too, just not as beautiful as you. You are truly gorgeous. Can I come find you for fun in the future? Are you also going to pay respects to the Wangfei? Let’s go together then.”
“Alright, you can.”
Ye Yuxi did all the talking on the way, staring at Bai Fei Wan as she spoke, with Bai Fei Wan occasionally chiming in.
They soon arrived at the Wangfei’s courtyard. Ye Yuxi quieted down, completely losing her earlier chattering demeanor and looking quite demure.
They had arrived rather early; the others were not yet there. The two sat quietly and waited.
Before long, people began to arrive one after another. Upon entering, they all sized up Bai Fei Wan without a word, and no one initiated a conversation.
It wasn’t until Nan Shiqie arrived. The moment she entered, she saw Bai Fei Wan sitting near the entrance and said sarcastically, “Well, well, isn’t this Sister Bai? What a rare guest. You can finally come to pay your respects.”
Bai Fei Wan ignored Nan Cai’s words.
Seeing that she was being ignored, Nan Cai was about to get angry.
Concubine Qiao’s voice came from behind. “Nan Shiqie, you’re certainly brazen. I could hear your voice from far away. What, do you think this is your own courtyard?”
Hearing Concubine Qiao’s words, Nan Shiqie became a little scared. “This servant wouldn’t dare. This servant was just, just…”
“That’s enough. Hurry up and take your seat. Don’t block my way.”
Consort Dong was the last to arrive.
Only when everyone was present did the Wangfei emerge from a side room and take the seat of honor. Her gaze swept over everyone, pausing for a moment on Bai Fei Wan and Consort Dong. She took a sip of tea before speaking slowly.
“All my sisters are here today. Let’s all get to know one another. We are all sisters from now on. We must live in harmony and serve the Prince well. We absolutely must not let jealousy and bickering disturb the peace of the rear courtyard.”
Consort Dong spoke with disdain, “As long as Your Highness can do so yourself, I believe the Prince’s mansion will surely be a picture of harmony.”
Hearing Consort Dong’s words, the Wangfei grew a little angry. “This Wangfei will naturally treat all my sisters with tolerance.”
Then she turned to Bai Fei Wan. “This is Sister Bai’s first time paying respects with everyone. Stand up and let everyone get to know you. If there is anything you don’t understand, you can ask everyone.”
Hearing the Wangfei call her name, Bai Fei Wan thought, So the fire has been directed at me after all. She didn’t know why the Wangfei was hostile towards her; she hadn’t offended or disrespected her. She quickly stood up and greeted everyone.
Everyone just watched Bai Fei Wan like it was a good show, not saying a word. No one wanted to be the one to stick their neck out.
These old hands of the Prince’s mansion knew this was the Wangfei’s usual trick: using them as her pawns, hoping to use their hands to make things difficult for Bai Fei Wan.
Although Consort Dong also disliked Bai Fei Wan, she disliked the Wangfei even more and would not do as she wished. So she didn’t take the bait, merely looking casually at her newly manicured nails.
The hall instantly fell silent, with Bai Fei Wan just standing there.
Seeing that no one was speaking, Nan Shiqie couldn’t help but jump out again. “Perhaps Sister Bai doesn’t want to be friends with us, which is why she delayed so long before coming to pay her respects.” She covered her lips with her hand and giggled.
Servant concubines who had not been bedded were not required to pay respects to the Wangfei. This was because princes and nobles generally had many servant concubines, and not everyone who entered the mansion would be favored, so this unwritten rule came to be.
Seeing someone step forward to speak, the Wangfei smiled but feigned a serious tone. “Sister Nan, don’t tease Sister Bai.”
She then looked at the standing Bai Fei Wan. “Sister Bai, don’t mind what Nan Shiqie said. She’s always been one to joke.”
Then she looked at everyone. “Since you all know each other now, get along well from now on and bear heirs for the Prince sooner rather than later.
“Alright, it’s about time. You may all leave. Xi Er should be waking up now. This Wangfei must go take care of her.” After speaking, she glanced at Consort Dong.
She and Lady Dong had entered the mansion together. Their family backgrounds were comparable, but she had been one step ahead and became the Wangfei, while the other was merely a consort.
But to appease the Dong family, they had entered the mansion on the same day, which was simply an insult to her as the Wangfei. If she allowed her to have a child, it would be hard to say if she could keep her position as Wangfei. So, on the second day when Consort Dong came to pay her respects, she had given her a sterilization drug that the Imperial Physicians couldn’t detect.
And to this day, Lady Dong still didn’t know that she would never have a child of her own in this lifetime. The thought of this made her feel much better, and she walked away haughtily.
Bai Fei Wan waited until everyone else had left before starting to walk out. When she reached the outside of the courtyard, she saw Consort Ye waiting there.
Seeing Bai Fei Wan come out, Ye Yuxi quickly waved. “Let’s go back together.” On the road, Ye Yuxi was not as cheerful as she had been on the way there. The two walked in silence until they parted at the rear garden.