Ruan Jian suddenly spoke in a small voice, catching Ruan Mianmian off guard. She turned to see that all color had drained from Yun Niang’s face. In panic, Yun Niang grabbed her son’s hand tightly and said, “Jian’er, listen to Mother carefully—while we’re here, you must never mention your Uncle Jiang. Not a single word, understand? This is a matter of life and death.”
Ruan Jian’s eyes were full of confusion, but he obediently nodded anyway. Then Ruan Mianmian said gravely, “If you mention Uncle Jiang even once, someone will come and arrest him. You’ll never see him again for the rest of your life.”
“I won’t say it—Mother, Sister, don’t worry, I’ll never mention Unc… not one word.” Ruan Jian clamped both his hands over his mouth, eyes wide with fright.
“Just endure for now,” Ruan Mianmian sighed softly, pulling him into her arms. “I won’t let you and Mother stay trapped in this mansion forever.”
Yun Niang turned her head toward the window, her eyes shimmering with tears.No wonder… no wonder Mother, though clearly fond of Uncle Jiang, never dared to cross the line. It was because this immense mountain—the Duke’s mansion—was always looming behind her, ready to crush her at any time.
For a moment, the three sat in silence. Suddenly, a crisp voice called from outside, “Madam, the kitchen has sent over the meal. Shall I serve it now, or would you prefer to wait a bit?”
“Serve it now,” Ruan Mianmian replied, stepping out the door. There stood a slender young girl of about seventeen or eighteen, with an oval face and eyes that naturally smiled. She looked calm and pleasant. Ruan Mianmian asked curiously, “And you are…?”
“Replying to the young lady,” the girl said respectfully, “this servant is Fangcao. Madam assigned me to serve you as your chief maid. The others will come soon, but since I was free, I thought I’d come ahead to assist, since Madam and the young lady just returned and have no one attending to you yet.”
Fangcao was quick and clever. As she spoke, she took the two food boxes from the kitchen maid and entered the room. Swiftly and neatly, she laid out the table and dishes.
Soon, a few more maids and matrons arrived. Fangcao introduced them one by one: “This is Mama He, this is Mama Gong, and these are maids Xi Que, Guihua, and Qiulan. Including me, we six will be attending Madam here. There are also servants assigned for cleaning and heavy chores in the courtyard.”
After the introductions, everyone paid respects to their new mistress. Yun Niang, seeing that her children hadn’t eaten since morning, quickly brought them to the table.
Ruan Jian glanced around uneasily. “Why are people standing here watching us eat? It feels strange.”
Ruan Mianmian said softly, “You all may leave us to eat on our own.”
Fangcao quickly replied, “Begging pardon, young lady, I don’t mean to disobey on the first day, but you should start getting used to this. It’s nothing unusual. In the future, when you enjoy your great fortune, one meal will have ten or twenty attendants serving you. You might as well start practicing now.”
Ten or twenty people to serve one meal? What—are they grooming me for the Empress’s throne?
Ruan Mianmian raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She merely turned to her brother. “You heard that? Get used to it early.”
“…Okay,” Ruan Jian muttered gloomily, resigned, and began eating.
Fangcao seemed about to speak again, but Yun Niang said gently, “They both grew up in the countryside—wild habits are hard to change. Let them be for now; you can teach them gradually later.”
“Yes, Madam,” Fangcao replied quickly.Ruan Mianmian cast her a sideways glance and thought, As expected of a trusted maid—no arrogance at all. Smart and well-trained.
After the meal, Guihua and Qiulan had already prepared hot water. Fangcao and Xi Que helped the three of them bathe and change clothes. The sun was sinking toward the west.
Yun Niang couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. Her son was fine, but her usually lively and sharp-witted daughter was far too quiet.
Once she found an excuse to dismiss Fangcao and the others, she helped Ruan Mianmian change clothes while speaking softly, “Mianmian, I know you must be frightened—that’s why you’ve been so silent. Don’t be afraid. Your father is still the Duke; he may not like you, but he wouldn’t harm you. Life here won’t be as free as in the countryside, but otherwise, it’s not bad. Just look at that lunch—we had several meat dishes! Even during New Year’s, we never had so much.”
“Don’t worry, Mother, I’m not afraid.”
Ruan Mianmian gently hugged her. “But you know as well as I do—now that we’re back here, there’s no more freedom like before. And since we still don’t know what these people really want, I have to stay cautious. From now on, I might seem different, but don’t worry—that’s my camouflage.”
“Camouflage?” Yun Niang repeated, confused, yet faintly understanding.
“Yes. Some insects and butterflies look exactly like leaves or grass—you can’t tell them apart unless you look very closely. That’s what I mean. I’m still your daughter, but here, I’ll blend in with the rest of the Duke’s daughters, observe quietly, and plan carefully to protect us.”
“Mianmian…” Tears welled up in Yun Niang’s eyes again.Ruan Mianmian quickly wiped them away with a handkerchief. “Don’t get emotional, Mother. This is just what a daughter should do.”
Yun Niang: …
“Miss, Madam, Sixth Young Master—it’s time to go pay respects to the Old Madam,” Fangcao’s voice came from outside.
Ruan Mianmian straightened Yun Niang’s collar and said calmly, “Let’s go. I think it’s time we found out what this is all about.”
Yun Niang gripped her daughter’s hands tightly, nervous, but Ruan Mianmian’s gaze was steady and composed. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’m here.”
Yun Niang: …
The newly refreshed mother and children entered the Shouxi Hall once more, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
Madam Chang smiled approvingly. “Indeed, clothes make the person. When Mianmian first arrived, even in simple dress, her beauty shone through. Now that she’s properly adorned, she’s even more radiant. Good—worthy of being a Ruan daughter. In all the capital, few can match that face.”
“Thank you for your praise, Madam,” Ruan Mianmian said, lowering her head modestly, her expression shy and demure.
Madam Chang, clearly pleased, pulled her close and gestured toward two women seated upright across the room. “These are Aunt Wan and Aunt Fang from the palace. Go greet them. From now on, your bearing and manners will all depend on their instruction.”
What? So they really are sending me into the palace? But isn’t the current Empress already from the Ruan family? What now—are they trying to add a noble consort on top of that?
Ruan Mianmian screamed inwardly, but her face remained calm as she gracefully approached the two women and curtsied with perfect poise.
Aunt Wan nodded slightly. “Her posture still needs work. Half a month is a short time, but since this is Her Majesty the Empress’s command, we’ll do our utmost. However, the young lady must be prepared to suffer a bit.”
(End of Chapter)