Meixiang, who had intended to step closer, abruptly halted and hastily covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief, her brows and eyes clearly showing an expression of disgust.
Xie Linlang found this quite amusing and deliberately coughed heavily twice more.
Meixiang retreated several more steps before saying, “Third Miss, Madam says you will soon have your coming-of-age ceremony and should have your own residence. I have already ordered the servants to clean up the courtyard where Concubine Zhang used to live. Would you like me to find a few servants to help you move your belongings?”
Although this was something she had long anticipated, Xie Linlang’s expression of sorrow and confusion was perfectly measured, making it unmistakably clear to Meixiang.
“Then I’ll trouble Sister Meixiang.”
Seeing that she was obedient and not causing any trouble, Meixiang cheerfully called two servants to enter.
“Then, Third Miss, take your time packing. If you need anything, have Xiao Qiu come find me.” With that, Meixiang gracefully left.
She wasn’t particularly keen on dealing with Xie Linlang—what use was there in befriending someone with so little fortune?
Xiao Qiu, standing to the side, was dumbfounded. She couldn’t understand why Madam would suddenly want Third Miss to move to Qiushui Pavilion. It was true that the place was where Concubine Zhang used to live, but ever since the concubine passed away, the masters of the manor had considered it unlucky, and it had nearly fallen into disrepair.
And now, on such a snowy day, Third Miss was being forced to move there!
Xiao Qiu looked worriedly at Xie Linlang, only to see that although her face showed no smile, it also held little sadness.
Xie Linlang quietly watched as Xiao Qiu directed the two servants to pack her belongings. She kept her silver in a jewelry box, carrying it herself, but her clothes and commonly used furniture had to be handled by the servants.
Xiao Qiu bundled Xie Linlang up in layer upon layer of clothing, leaving only her eyes visible as they stepped out of the main courtyard.
Servants and maids on duty from various places occasionally cast glances their way—some curious and sympathetic, but most simply watching for amusement.
Amidst these complex gazes, Xie Linlang took a step out of the main courtyard, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief.
Qiushui Pavilion was located in the southeastern corner of Xie Manor, quite a distance from both the front courtyard and the main courtyard where Madam Xie resided. It could almost be considered the manor’s cold palace.
Standing outside the courtyard, Xie Linlang silently calculated the distance from Qiushui Pavilion to the main kitchen, worrying that she would have to spend time every day this winter reheating meals over a charcoal stove.
Madam Xie was adept at maintaining appearances. Now that she had driven Xie Linlang out of the main courtyard, she couldn’t very well assign only Xiao Qiu to serve her as before. When they arrived, two servants and a slightly younger maid were already waiting in the courtyard.
Seeing her enter, they hurried forward to bow: “Greetings, Third Miss. We are here to serve at Qiushui Pavilion as ordered by Madam.”
Since Qiushui Pavilion was somewhat remote, having a few more people around wasn’t a bad idea. Xie Linlang gladly accepted: “Since you were sent by Mother, you may rest assured and serve here. Xiao Qiu, from now on, you will be in charge of Qiushui Pavilion.”
Although Xiao Qiu had served her mistress for some time, this was the first time in two or three years she had experienced the role of a senior maid. Seeing the others standing with bowed heads, she suddenly felt a bit nervous.
But thinking she must not embarrass Third Miss, she steeled herself and said, “First, move all the young lady’s trunks and boxes inside. Then, boil some hot water to make tea for her.”
Xie Linlang looked around Qiushui Pavilion. Although it wasn’t as refined as other parts of Xie Manor, it wasn’t dilapidated either—perfectly suitable for living in.
Moreover, having her own courtyard now meant she could move about openly without fear of punishment for accidentally offending her Legal Mother or eldest sister.
Xie Linlang herself was quite content, but Xiao Qiu’s parents came looking for her that very evening, calling her outside: “Your mother has asked someone to find you a position in the Eldest Young Master’s courtyard. Tell Third Miss tomorrow, and I’ll take you there.”
Although Xiao Qiu’s parents were house-born servants, they only did menial labor, so a maid’s position by a legitimate daughter’s side was beyond their daughter’s reach.
Back when Madam Xie had brought Xie Linlang to the main courtyard, Xiao Qiu’s mother had thought that, no matter what, she was still a mistress, so she sent Xiao Qiu to serve by Xie Linlang’s side. But who could have guessed that this mistress would be so incapable? Just as she was about to have her coming-of-age ceremony and discuss marriage, Madam Xie had driven her out of the main courtyard.
What good future could someone despised by Madam Xie possibly have? So Xiao Qiu’s mother hastily pulled strings to secure a menial servant job for Xiao Qiu in the Eldest Young Master’s courtyard.
Xiao Qiu was stunned by the sudden news. She had just enjoyed a taste of being a senior maid today.
She tried to be tactful: “Mother, all the people around Third Miss are new. If I leave now, she won’t be able to adjust. She’s already so pitiful—I don’t want to leave her at a time like this.”
Xiao Qiu’s mother, exasperated, jabbed her finger hard against Xiao Qiu’s forehead: “You’re too kind-hearted. Look around the entire manor—who else is willing to serve in Qiushui Pavilion?”
Because of Xiao Qiu’s insistence, her mother could only compromise: “Then wait another month. After one month, you must come with me to the Eldest Young Master’s courtyard.”
Xiao Qiu smiled and nodded in agreement. She didn’t think about what would happen a month later; for now, it was enough that she was still serving in Qiushui Pavilion.
Third Miss was a good person who never scolded or hit servants on a whim. Over the years, every one of the young maids who had been assigned to serve in various places had been punished by their mistresses—except for her.
Xiao Qiu felt that if she were moved elsewhere and faced daily scolding or beatings, she truly wouldn’t be able to bear it.
And so, Xie Linlang settled into Qiushui Pavilion. Every day, she did needlework, read books, and counted her silver, living a relatively quiet life. The only downside was that Second Miss Xie Yujing seemed to have caught some strange illness, frequently coming to her Qiushui Pavilion to linger.
…
When the twelfth lunar month arrived, the plum blossoms in the capital bloomed.
Qing’an Marquis Manor finally sent a matchmaker to Xie Manor to propose marriage.
The entire Xie Manor was filled with joy, and even Xie Linlang, living in Qiushui Pavilion, could feel the festive atmosphere. In the midst of this joy, her appetite improved, and she ate half a bowl more rice than usual.
In the mid-afternoon, Xie Yujing came to her courtyard again, her eyes red as if she had been crying. But Xie Linlang acted as though she didn’t notice, casually discussing what pattern to embroider on her handkerchief.
Xie Yujing looked at Xie Linlang, who knew nothing, and a flash of hatred crossed her eyes. Without Xie Linlang asking, she began speaking on her own:
“Third Sister, you don’t know, do you? Today, Qing’an Marquis Manor sent someone to propose marriage to Eldest Sister. Soon, Eldest Sister will be the wife of the heir to the marquisate.
The heir is dashing and handsome, the kind of husband all the noble ladies in the capital dream of.
As sisters from the same family, with Eldest Sister having such a wonderful marriage, aren’t you envious, Third Sister?”
Xie Linlang looked up with a puzzled expression: “Second Sister, there’s no need to worry. Mother will arrange marriages for both of us. Even if they can’t compare to Eldest Sister’s, they won’t be too bad either.”
It was pure nonsense.
Xie Yujing was so taken aback by this foolish remark that she lost all desire to continue speaking. Fine, why bother arguing with a fool?
Xiao Qiu had just brought in freshly boiled water to make tea for her two mistresses when she saw Second Miss walk out with a cold expression.
She was utterly confused. “Miss, what happened to Second Miss?”
Xie Linlang: “No idea. Probably in a hurry to go see Concubine Hu.”