Su He was momentarily stunned by the shout.
What was Baozhu yelling about?
If she was a lowly wench, what kind of fine creature was Baozhu herself? They were all servants scraping a living in the Princess’s Mansion—why demean each other?
Forget it. She must remember Qiu Yun’s words and not provoke Baozhu.
She lowered her eyes, once again adopting that obedient demeanor.
“Su He, don’t think that just because Master regards you highly now, you can get cocky. Master will soon be arranging a marriage—a proper wife carried in a grand sedan chair, a noble lady from a high-ranking family whom you’ll only be allowed to serve on your knees. A seductress like you isn’t even fit to carry Lu Xiaojie’s shoes.”
Lu Xiaojie? Among the capital’s eight great families, the Lu family was the most prominent, having produced two Empresses and three favored imperial consorts. The one currently renowned throughout the capital was the Lu family’s legitimate daughter, Lu Lingxue. With such a background, she was indeed a match for Pei Yan.
Seeing Su He distracted, Baozhu thought she had struck a nerve and grew even more smug.
“If you dare seduce Master again, watch your worthless life.” She stepped forward and viciously pinched Su He’s face.
Su He never expected Baozhu to resort to violence! And this pinch was excruciatingly hard—she felt as if a piece of flesh had been torn from her right cheek, the pain burning fiercely.
“Baozhu sister, it’s getting late. Let’s not delay our duties.” Qiu Yun frowned slightly and quickly stepped forward, shielding Su He.
“Qiu Yun, I advise you to open your eyes and make sure you don’t side with the wrong master. You’re meant to serve by the future madam’s side. If she finds out you’ve been mingling with such a seductress, how will you face her?” Baozhu stared at Qiu Yun, lecturing her bluntly.
“As servants, we must devote ourselves wholeheartedly to whomever Master assigns us to serve. How dare we pick and choose our masters? Baozhu sister, mind your words.” Qiu Yun’s tone hardened slightly as she continued, “Besides, Miss Su now resides in the Bamboo Garden and is someone Master personally keeps by his side. If you injure her face, aren’t you afraid Master will punish you?”
Baozhu was left speechless, yet she didn’t dare retort to Qiu Yun’s words. Instead, she vented her anger on Su He, shooting her a fierce glare before quickening her pace with the others.
“Endure it. It’ll be fine once Master returns.” Qiu Yun sighed in relief, taking out a handkerchief to wipe Su He’s face. The delicate cheek was bruised purple and green from the pinch, the skin broken and oozing beads of blood.
Su He covered her cheek and offered Qiu Yun a reassuring smile. “I’m fine.”
Even in a place like the Su residence, wolves and jackals abounded—how could there be any fewer fierce tigers and leopards in the Princess’s Mansion? She had no intention of making enemies with these people. Once she got through this period and found a way to leave the Princess’s Mansion, all would be well.
“Go fetch some medicinal ointment and deliver it to the Bamboo Garden.” Qiu Yun called over a young maid, instructing her to get the medicine while she herself dared not leave Su He’s side for even a moment.
Under Princess Chang’s protection, Baozhu had always been this arrogant within the Princess’s Mansion. She was loyal, efficient in her duties, and highly trusted by Princess Chang. Even the mansion’s head steward regarded Baozhu with respect, let alone Qiu Yun and the others, who dared not easily offend her. Now that Baozhu disliked Su He, apart from keeping a close watch, Qiu Yun had no other way to help Su He.
After walking for nearly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the group arrived at the Jinnan Garden on the South Side of the Princess’s Mansion.
The four matrons sent by Princess Chang were already waiting here, ready to set rules for them in four aspects: clothing, food, lodging, and conduct. Among the four matrons, Matron Cui was the leader, clearly a formidable and difficult character to deal with. She was already over fifty, with a long, pale face, and wore a pair of plain silver earrings inlaid with jade shaped like eggplants. When she spoke, the earrings swayed back and forth, making her face appear even longer.
“His Lordship prefers light and simple tastes, so your daily meals should also be light. Avoid greasy and strong-smelling foods that might annoy His Lordship. His Lordship enjoys quiet, so you must speak softly and walk with light steps.” Matron Cui circled the girls a few times, her gaze settling on Su He’s face. She frowned with distaste. “You’re the one who ate five pieces of braised pork at the banquet the other day, aren’t you?”
“Such a disgraceful thing, eating like a pig, as if you’ve never had a proper meal before,” Baozhu sneered unkindly from the side.
The other girls couldn’t help but glance at Su He, their expressions varied. How could a young girl eat so much and still not gain weight?
“From now on, each meal must not exceed half a bowl of rice, and you are only allowed one piece of meat per meal,” Matron Cui stared at her coldly. “Of course, if you don’t care about winning His Lordship’s favor, then eat as much as you like.”
Su He pursed her lips, cursing inwardly. How could she possibly be full with just half a bowl of rice? If that were the case, she would have to escape sooner rather than later.
“Especially you. For today’s lunch and dinner, you are exempt from staple foods. Two slices of boiled tofu and three pieces of green vegetables will suffice,” Matron Cui added.
Su He gasped inwardly. She could tolerate her face being pinched, but she absolutely could not go hungry!
Qiu Yun gently shook her head at Su He, signaling her not to speak up. They could return to Bamboo Garden to eat after finishing the etiquette lessons.
“Now, tell me, what are each of you skilled at?” Seeing Su He yield, Matron Cui finally stepped away.
“I can sing and dance.”
“I can play chess and write poetry.”
“I can play the zither.”
The young girls stepped forward one by one to explain their talents, and finally, all eyes turned to Su He.
“What about you?” Matron Cui urged.
Su He thought carefully and said, “I can do all of these.”
“What thick skin,” Baozhu mocked unkindly. “Do you think you can bluff your way through? You know very well what you learned in the Su family.”
It was true that Su He had never formally studied music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. While refined arts were beautiful, the simple tricks common folk knew were also quite charming.
For example, her grasshopper made of grass had also caught Pei Yan’s attention, hadn’t it?
“I really can,” Su He said with a serious expression.
“Fine, then show us,” Baozhu sneered.
Su He took a bamboo leaf from her sachet, wiped it clean with a handkerchief, folded it in half, and placed it between her lips. Lowering her long eyelashes, she calmed her mind and focused her breath, blowing a cheerful little tune. This tune was taught to her by her mother when she was still alive, singing of the scenery of a small town in Jiangnan.
In Jiangnan, there is a small stream, its waters clear and murmuring,
Sunlight dances on the ripples, fish leap and twine together.
My love waded across the water, parting for ten long years,
Looking back at the road home, moonlight shines on the pine forest at dusk.
“Not bad, quite pleasant.” The sound of applause came from not far away.
Everyone turned to look and saw that Pei Yan and his entourage had returned at some point. He stood in the center, surrounded by others, with a tall, elegant man beside him who was as gentle and refined as a clear breeze.
“Your Lordship, Master Lu,” everyone quickly curtsied in greeting.
To be traveling with Pei Yan and bearing the surname Lu, this must be the eldest son of the Lu family, Lu Zhaolin. It seems the marriage alliance between the two families has indeed been put on the agenda, as Pei Yan and his future brother-in-law are already growing closer.
Pei Yan’s cloak was still draped over his shoulders, and he held a riding crop in his hand, looking as though he had just returned to the mansion. The path in front of Jin Nan Garden led to the stables of the Princess’s Mansion, suggesting they had just come from there.
“What happened to your face?” Pei Yan pinched her chin with his fingers, forcing her to look up.
Baozhu’s expression instantly turned panicked, and she kept shooting glances at Su He.
Su He desperately wanted to retaliate on the spot, but she knew that even if she vented her anger in the moment, once Pei Yan was away from the mansion, Baozhu would surely seek even harsher revenge. Therefore, this matter absolutely could not come from her own lips.
“So this is that Su family concubine-born daughter you brought back?” Lu Zhaolin stepped forward, sizing up Su He, and chuckled softly. “She is indeed quite lovely. My sister is going to be jealous.”