At dusk, a carriage stopped discreetly at the side gate of Jin Wang Manor.
“Bai Zhuzi has arrived. Please alight from the carriage.”
Hearing the young servant’s voice from outside, Zi Zhu pulled the curtain open from within and jumped down. She then turned and reached out a hand to help her mistress out of the carriage.
Bai Fei Wan stepped down and took a deep breath, her gaze quietly sizing up her surroundings. Although it was only a side gate of the prince’s mansion, it still looked quite magnificent.
Zhang Momo, standing to the side, took in Bai Fei Wan’s actions but paid them little mind.
She simply said in a flat tone, “Bai Zhuzi, please follow this servant.” With that, she turned and walked into the manor.
Bai Fei Wan followed the momo inside. What greeted her was a winding path flanked by exotic flowers and rare herbs, creating a beautiful natural landscape.
Walking further in, she saw a lake filled with lotus flowers. Beside the lake were rockeries and flowing water, and on the opposite side stood a pavilion. Further ahead, pavilions and towers were scattered in a picturesque arrangement. It was truly a new vista with every step.
After walking for about a quarter of an hour, they stopped at the entrance of a small courtyard.
A maid inside saw Zhang Momo and knew her new master had arrived. She immediately came to the gate to welcome them.
Seeing the maid at the gate, Zhang Momo turned to Bai Fei Wan. “Bai Zhuzi, you have arrived. You will be living here from now on. The Wangfei has already had people tidy up inside, so you may go in and rest directly.
“These maids are here to take care of you, Bai Zhuzi. The Wangfei said that you must be tired from your journey, so there is no need to go and pay your respects to her. If you need anything, Bai Zhuzi, you can send a maid to inform the Wangfei.
“His Highness is rather busy, but he will come to see you when he has time. You just need to settle in and live here peacefully. Don’t overthink things. The masters of the rear courtyard are not permitted to go to the front courtyard without His Highness’s consent.”
“Alright, I understand. Thank you for informing me, Momo. Please also thank the Wangfei on my behalf,” Bai Fei Wan said, then gave Zi Zhu a meaningful look.
Zi Zhu quickly stepped forward and placed a purse in Zhang Momo’s hand. “You’ve worked hard, Momo. My master has just arrived, so we won’t invite you in for tea. This is from my master for you.”
Zhang Momo discreetly squeezed the purse, and the expression on her face softened considerably. She said to Bai Fei Wan, “Bai Zhuzi, you should first rest well in the manor and get used to the environment. As for paying respects to the Wangfei, it will be fine to go after His Highness has come to see you.”
Bai Fei Wan smiled and replied, “Alright, thank you for the advice, Momo.”
Seeing that Bai Fei Wan showed no sign of displeasure, Zhang Momo was even more satisfied. “Very well, I must return to report to the Wangfei, so I won’t disturb you any longer, Bai Zhuzi.”
“Alright, take care, Momo.”
Watching Zhang Momo walk away, Bai Fei Wan looked up at the courtyard’s plaque: Qingya Courtyard. She then walked inside.
Zi Zhu hurried in after her, saying to the maids at the gate, “You all come in as well.”
Upon entering the small courtyard, she saw that the layout was quite nice. The courtyard was spacious, with three main rooms and three rooms in each of the east and west wings. There was also a small flower garden next to the buildings.
The three main rooms were interconnected. The rooms inside looked spacious and bright. The central room was a small reception hall, the one on the left was a small study with a couch for lounging and reading, and the one on the right was her bedroom.
The bed was a Ba Bu Bed. After all, the Prince would occasionally come to sleep here, so the bed certainly couldn’t be subpar. In the outer part of the bedroom, there was also a daybed.
Although the entire place wasn’t very large, the layout was simple and clear. Overall, it was very good, much better than she had imagined. She was quite satisfied.
After touring the rooms, Bai Fei Wan came out and sat down at the stone table in the courtyard.
Seeing their master come out, the maids hurried forward, kowtowed, and greeted her. “We servants pay our respects to our master.”
Looking at the kneeling maids before her—three besides Zi Zhu—she said, “All of you, rise.”
She looked at the maids. “What are your names? Where did you serve before, and what are you skilled at?”
One of them, a maid with delicate features but a calculating look in her eyes, said, “This servant is Xiaoqin. I used to work in the main kitchen. When I heard that master needed people here, I volunteered to come. This servant knows how to cook.”
“This servant is Ziyu. I used to be a sweeper in the front courtyard. This servant knows how to style hair.” The young maid had a round face and looked small and short. She spoke with a cheerful smile, looking very festive.
Another, dressed differently from the other two and appearing to be a married woman, said, “This servant is Xiaqiu. I was formerly in the laundry house. I’ve come to do miscellaneous tasks for master.”
“Mm, good. Now that you are here, just work hard. I don’t have many rules here, just one thing: do your own jobs well, and do not speak of things in this courtyard that shouldn’t be spoken of outside. Otherwise, I will not keep you here.
“This is Zi Zhu. She has been with me since childhood. From now on, Zi Zhu will be in charge of my chambers. No one besides Zi Zhu is to enter my room.
“Ziyu will be responsible for styling my hair and managing my personal affairs. For now, Xiaoqin will help Xiaqiu manage the affairs outside.”
“Yes,” the maids replied in unison.
Bai Fei Wan then looked at Zi Zhu, who gave each of them a pre-prepared purse.
“Alright, go on and tend to your duties. I need to rest. Zi Zhu, you should go rest too. We can finish unpacking tomorrow.” Realizing she hadn’t bathed yet, she turned and asked Ziyu and the others, “Is it possible to take a bath now?”
“Yes, it is, master. We will go call for water for you now,” they said, and the three of them withdrew.
Before long, the water was ready. She had them all leave. Even after being here for so long, she still wasn’t used to having people around when she bathed. She went inside, took a bath by herself, and then fell asleep blissfully on the bed.
Meanwhile, Zhang Momo returned to the main courtyard to report to the Wangfei about Bai Shiqie.
Listening to the momo’s report, the Wangfei stroked her teacup and said nonchalantly, “Momo, what do you think of Bai Shiqie?”
“Replying to Your Highness, Bai Shiqie seems rather quiet for now. She looks more clever than those other two,” Zhang Momo said, thinking of the two who had entered the manor two days prior.
“I’ve arranged for her to be in a more distant courtyard. I hope she’s a quiet one. Otherwise, with her looks, I’m afraid the manor will be in for another round of trouble.”
“No matter what she is like, you are the Wangfei. She can never surpass you.”
“That may be so, but just looking at them is vexing.” Saying this, she touched her own belly. “Momo, do you think I can get pregnant again? If I give birth to a son, will Father Emperor and Mother Imperial Concubine stop sending people to the manor’s rear courtyard?”
Zhang Momo had watched the Wangfei grow up. Seeing her like this, the momo stepped forward and put an arm around her shoulder. “Your Highness, it will be alright. At least you still have the Princess. Consort Dong hasn’t even been pregnant once.”
The Wangfei grasped the momo’s hand. “Right, I still have Xi’er. Dong is merely a consort, yet she harmed me during childbirth, making it difficult for me to conceive again. She hasn’t gotten pregnant herself—this is her retribution.”
“Exactly. Your Highness, don’t think too much. Focus on recuperating. No one else in the rear courtyard is pregnant either. There are only two children in the manor right now, and the Eldest Young Master’s health is not good. Try to look on the bright side. A child will come eventually.”
“I know, Momo. I’m so lucky to have you.” Her thoughts then turned to the two who had entered the manor two days ago. “How are things with Zhang Shufei and Nan Shiqie?”
“Those two have been clamoring to see His Highness. Nan Shiqie even tried to go to the front courtyard with gifts, but she was stopped by Steward Yu.” Thinking of Nan Shiqie, Zhang Momo felt a sense of disgust and disdain. She had been told on her first day that the masters of the rear courtyard were not allowed in the front courtyard without permission, yet she still refused to listen.
“Mm, have people keep an eye on them. Report anything immediately.”
“We have our people placed in all the courtyards. They will report any issues promptly.”
“Tell them to be discreet and not get discovered.”
“Yes, I will tell them to be careful.”
The Wangfei nodded and waved her hand, dismissing the momo. She then continued to drink her tea.