Chapter 8: Waking from Drunkenness

Meinang was heavily intoxicated and slept until late in the afternoon the next day. Still smelling of alcohol, Cui Xi had already asked the servants to prepare a fragrant bath for her. Meinang soaked for a while, then dressed in a pink embroidered jacket with peony flowers, paired with a pomegranate red eight-panel skirt. The delicate, elegantly colored jade tassels of the outfit swayed gently as she moved, her slim figure exuding grace and beauty. Her clothes fit her perfectly neither too tight nor too loose a testament to her natural beauty and refined taste in fashion. In the past, she was very particular about her attire, from fabric to style, always demanding the highest quality.

Having been ill for some time, Meinang had not worn these clothes in a while, but they still smelled fresh and fragrant, without any sign of mildew. Meinang was puzzled, and Cui Xi smiled, explaining, “Don’t worry, madam. Last night, while you were asleep from the wine, we took out your regular clothes, washed them, and carefully ironed them. Afterward, we dried them in the incense cabinet and aired them with your favorite rose scent before putting them back in the wardrobe. Since you gave birth to Heng Ge’er, you haven’t had much new clothing or jewelry, so these are the only few outfits you have left, and they were all prepared long ago…”

At this point, Wang Mama and Cui Xi suddenly started coughing loudly. Meinang looked at them curiously, and Cui Jian quickly explained, “Oh dear! Wang Mama and Cui Xi must have caught a chill from sitting too long last night. Quickly, go add some clothing, lest you get sick and bring trouble to Madam!”

Wang Mama smiled awkwardly, “Yes, yes, indeed, the weather is cold, and one shouldn’t sit too long… Madam’s clothes were neatly hung in the wardrobe, and last night we washed and reorganized them, then carefully hung them back. Cui Xi, remember to take care of these things!”

As Meinang wasn’t paying attention, Wang Mama glared at Cui Xi. Cui Xi lowered her head, responding, “Yes!”

Just then, a little maid named Cheng’er came in, holding a large food box with both hands. She cheerfully called out, “Grandma, eat while it’s hot! Today, we have sturgeon soup, pearl rice, and a bamboo chicken… there are many dishes!”

Cui Jian quickly took the food box from her hands, scolding, “Little brat, I told you to make fish porridge, and here you are bringing rice! And it took you so long!”

Meinang, who was hungry, remarked, “I don’t feel like porridge, I want rice!”

Cheng’er, with her hair styled in two buns and a red satin ribbon wrapped around them, looked very cute as she tilted her head and said, “Cui Jian, it’s not that I didn’t listen. I did ask to make fish porridge, but when I was in the kitchen, Spring Moon from the main house saw how the kitchen maids were ignoring me, so she scolded them, saying that they should not neglect the food for the Grand Madam. She insisted on making rice and a few good dishes for you, that’s why it took me so long.”

Hearing that the kitchen staff had treated them coldly, Cui Xi became angry and pulled Cheng’er over, demanding, “Who was it? Was it that old Liang woman again? Last time, Cheng’er couldn’t even bring back a bowl of porridge. If you hadn’t met Spring Moon, you probably wouldn’t have come back with anything! We always have to go and overturn their tables before they’ll start cooking for us in Qing Hua Courtyard!”

Cheng’er explained, “Today, they were actually quite busy. I heard that the old lady from the Bai family came back, feeling sick from her travels, and was asking for white rice porridge with various small dishes. The Grand Madam is having quite a feast with fifty-plus dishes for lunch, and there are more planned for dinner!”

Meinang, hearing this, thought to herself: “My goodness, being the Grand Madam sure makes getting a meal complicated! How many servants does the kitchen need to handle all these tables?”

Cui Jian laid out the meal, which included hot sturgeon soup, a clay pot of rice, sliced bamboo chicken, several small side dishes, and a serving of sturgeon soup that Spring Moon had personally ladled out.

Meinang took a sip of the soup, savoring its freshness and richness, and then tried the fish porridge, which was also sweet and delicious. She handed it to Cheng’er, saying, “Take this to the wet nurse, feed Heng Ge’er while it’s hot, and be careful with the bones!”

Cheng’er hurried off with the porridge, and Meinang turned to Wang Mama, asking, “Will the Lord be joining us? Should we wait for him?”

Wang Mama hesitated, then said, “No need to wait. The Lord is unlikely to join us today… You’ve always had a delicate constitution, and your meals were different from his. You usually had porridge, while he prefers meat, and since he’s busy with official duties, he often eats at the East Garden.”

After finishing her soup, Meinang slowly ate a small bowl of rice that Cui Lian served her. While eating, she asked Wang Mama, “I noticed a couple of rows of houses on the right side, past the water pond and the stone mountain. Are those part of our Qing Hua Courtyard? Who lives there?”

Wang Mama and the other maids exchanged looks, and Cui Xi spoke up, “Madam, you must have forgotten. I’ll just tell you everything.”

Meinang picked up a chicken leg and said, “Take your time, but I’d rather hear everything clearly from you than remain in the dark!”

Wang Mama cleared her throat, “Those houses are where Yi Niang and Xiu Niang live. After the Lord returned from the frontier, and you had just given birth to Heng Ge’er, the old lady arranged for them to serve as concubines. Originally, they served the old lady and were like sisters. Later, when Yi Niang became pregnant, both of them were promoted to concubines. Unfortunately, Yi Niang suffered a miscarriage a few days ago and has been bedridden ever since. Xiu Niang stays with her, and the Lord has allowed them to remain in their room until Yi Niang recovers.”

Meinang choked slightly, and Cui Xi quickly offered her some tea, but Meinang asked for warm water instead. Cui Jian offered her some fish soup, “You should drink the fish soup, it’s good for your health and still hot!”

Meinang shook her head, “I’ve had a bowl already, that’s enough. Leave some for the rest of you, all of you have worked hard, so we should all replenish together. Come on, sit down. Since only you all are here, there’s no need for any formalities. Just relax.”

The maids looked at each other, unsure, but they finally sat down after Meinang insisted. The meal continued quietly as Meinang served dishes to the maids, including rabbit meat for them and a chicken leg for Wang Mama. “This is for Cheng’er, she’s a bright and cute little girl,” she said with a smile.

Wang Mama wiped her eyes with her sleeve, “When Madam married, only I, Cui Xi, Cui Xi, and Cui Jian followed you. The family also bought two ten year old maids, Cheng’er and Ping’er, to accompany you. They are well-behaved and hardworking, often running errands and delivering messages.”

Meinang nodded thoughtfully, “Just tell me plainly, are we the Qin family considered of a lower rank than the Lord’s family? My dowry surely wasn’t much?”

Wang Mama lowered her head with a sigh, “Not much at all. Though the Qin family has served as officials for generations, we were always low-ranking civil servants. The master was always frail, and only the older brother and you remained after he retired. His health worsened, and before your marriage, the family fell into hard times. The wedding was modest, with only a few servants and no substantial dowry. The Lord didn’t mind, but the elders in the family treated you coldly, as though you were a beggar’s daughter. But you remained strong, and after marrying the Lord, your status improved. However, you spent a lonely time here, and no one showed you respect.”

Meinang looked at Wang Mama and the maids, who were now looking down in embarrassment. She smiled faintly and said, “It doesn’t matter. I believe things will get better from now on. I’ll try to make sure you won’t suffer any more hardships!”