Chapter 13

Ruyi blocked the door, and Sister E reached out to push her aside. “This is grown-up business. Go play with Yanzhi and Jixiang. Once you start your duties, you won’t have this kind of free time.”

Ruyi had grown up well-fed and tall. Though only twelve, she was already taller than Sister E. Standing firm at the doorway, Sister E couldn’t move her at all.

Instead, Ruyi grabbed Sister E’s wrist and gently pressed her down to sit on the kang (heated brick bed). “I’m not meddling in grown-up business. I’m just handling my own. I know how good a position at Songhe Hall is. But even if you pave the way with real gold and silver, I might not go far down that road.”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Sister E said. “I watched you grow up. Your looks, abilities, cleverness, and eloquence—all outstanding. Compared to those four girls from the Lai family, you’re not a bit inferior.”

Ruyi accepted the praise without a trace of modesty. “Yes, yes, I’m good at everything. But over the years, you’ve taken me to the inner gate and told me about all the ups and downs inside. I’ve thought about it often. In the inner compound, if you want to rise, if you want respect, what’s the key?”

She counted off on her fingers: “Looks? Talent? Cleverness? Eloquence?”

Ruyi shook her head. “It’s none of those. The most important thing is connections. At Songhe Hall, the stewards from both East and West Manors are all stuffing their own daughters in. How can I compete with them in terms of connections?”

Sister E didn’t deny it. “You’re right. Everyone relies on connections. If your connections aren’t enough, what then?”

She pulled the bundle from her chest and shook it. “Then we use money. Money can make connections and clear a path.”

Ruyi didn’t argue directly. She sat closer and said, “You’re right—money can pave the way and get me a position at Songhe Hall. But then what?”

She pointed across the way at Jixiang, who was cracking melon seeds and chatting with Yanzhi. “Last year, you arranged for Jixiang to be Third Young Master’s study companion. But after he got drunk and messed up, Aunt Hua’s youngest son took over his job that very afternoon. These are good posts—one radish per hole. If I’m lucky enough to get in, but others are eyeing my spot, and I make a single mistake or someone frames me, and I get kicked out of Yiyuan—wouldn’t all your efforts be wasted?”

Sister E was clearly ready to go all in—selling everything if needed—to secure Ruyi’s future. But Ruyi felt her family had already done more than enough. Even a real daughter wouldn’t receive more care.

Yet the more Sister E did for her, the more hesitant Ruyi felt. She weighed herself again and again in her mind and concluded she wasn’t worth such a sacrifice. That kind of love was too heavy for her to bear.

Sister E said, “You haven’t even started the job and you’re already saying such discouraging things. You’ve got brains. Not like my disappointing son—he hadn’t even secured his post and he was already getting carried away. Last year with that black cotton stuffing scandal, if you hadn’t come up with the idea for your Uncle Goose to borrow the sharp tongue of someone from the Lai family and expose the problem, the tainted cotton wouldn’t have been burned, and who knows how many more would have fallen sick.”

Ruyi thought to herself, Actually, I sabotaged Jixiang’s job on purpose too…

But with that reminder, Ruyi had a new idea.

She said, “Sister E, everyone is throwing money to squeeze into Songhe Hall. Even if we throw in ours, we might not outbid the others. We could end up losing both the money and the chance. Instead, let’s try another way. That branch of the Lai family—the one called Lai Shou—they only have sons and grandsons, no daughters or granddaughters. Yiyuan has already been completed, so they should have some free time now. What if…”

If you don’t have connections, then create them. That’s better than throwing money blindly.

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Zhang Huangqin Street, East Manor.

Though both residences were bestowed by the imperial family, the East Manor was the eldest branch and housed the Zhang family ancestral hall, so it was a bit larger than the West Manor.

When the Zhang family matriarch, Lady Jin, left the palace and waited for Yiyuan to be completed, she stayed with the eldest branch. After all, she held the title of Marchioness of Shouning.

That evening, after Lady Jin had finished dinner, her long-time servant from the Lai Shou branch prepared to leave and return home for the night, as usual.

Being a servant, she exited through the west corner gate.

Before she came out, the East Manor servant boy Zhao Tiezhu had already run ahead to give the signal. “Big Brother! Lai Shou is about to come out! Get ready!”

Zhao Tiezhu had met Jixiang when they worked in the warehouse at Yiyuan. They’d even sworn brotherhood. Based on their strength rankings, Jixiang was the eldest, so Zhao called him Big Brother.

Upon receiving the signal, Jixiang ran to the corner of the street, where his father—Sister E’s husband—was waiting with a horse-drawn carriage.

Jixiang said, “Dad, hurry and drive the cart. Lai Shou is on her way.”

Sister E’s husband tossed Jixiang a string of coins. “Here, take it and treat your brothers to a good meal.”

Jixiang pocketed the money and went to the gatehouse at the west corner to wait.

Sure enough, Lai Shou came out. The cold northern wind blew and snowflakes danced in the air. She tightened her silver mink coat and looked around, “What’s going on? Where’s my carriage?”

Zhao Tiezhu stepped forward cheerfully. “Lai Shou, your carriage was ready earlier, but while hitching the horse, we noticed a cracked wheel. It’s not safe to ride. Why don’t you sit in the gatehouse for a bit? I’ll get another cart for you.”

Lai Shou frowned, “Those outside carriages are filthy. What if they have lice? Aren’t there any other carts or sedans in the manor?”

Zhao Tiezhu kept a smiling face and said, “Yes, we do have carriages, but lately there have been lots of guests, and the weather’s bad too. All the carriages are out transporting people and haven’t returned yet. As for sedan chairs—there’s one available, but with all this snow, if one of the carriers slips and drops you, Mama, I wouldn’t be able to bear the blame.”

Just then, Auntie E’s husband “happened” to drive by in a carriage and called out loudly, “Isn’t that Lai Shou from the West Residence up ahead?”

By the light of the ox-horn lantern at the gate, Lai Shou squinted and took a closer look. “And you are?”

The man sitting on the shaft of the carriage took off his sheepskin hat, revealing his whole face. “Sky-Mother doesn’t remember me? I’m Auntie E’s husband, Uncle E!”

The moment he mentioned “Sky-Mother,” Lai Shou instantly remembered—only one person ever called her that.

She chuckled, “Oh, it’s you—the number one henpecked husband of the West Residence.”

This Uncle E had helped her get rid of Lady Zhou’s maid, Zhou Fugui, in Yiyuan, which had really pleased her.

At that moment, Ruyi lifted the curtain of the carriage to help Auntie E down. Auntie E laughed, “What a coincidence, running into one of our own from the West Residence. Lai Shou, are you heading home? If you don’t mind, why not take our carriage and let my husband drop you off?”

Without waiting for a refusal, Ruyi and Auntie E flanked Lai Shou and ushered her into the carriage.

Lai Shou, being older, couldn’t tolerate the cold well. If she caught a chill, how could she serve the old matriarch? Even though she knew this all felt a bit too coincidental, she still got into the carriage.

Zhao Tiezhu and Jixiang saw the carriage depart, exchanged grins, slung their arms over each other’s shoulders, and went off to eat.

Inside the carriage was a brazier, warm as spring. There was even tea being kept warm on top.

Ruyi poured the tea.

Lai Shou quickly said, “I don’t drink tea at night—it keeps me from sleeping.”

Ruyi presented the cup with both hands and smiled, “I know. This isn’t regular tea—it’s almond and jujube tea. It’s sweet and helps with sleep.”

Lai Shou took it, took a sip, and found it smooth and pleasant. A warm stream flowed into her belly, spreading through her body. She took several more sips, and Ruyi promptly refilled her cup.

“This tastes quite nice,” Lai Shou said. “How did you know where I live?”

Auntie E replied, “Shilaonian Alley, a three-courtyard mansion. You used to be a titled lady outside the palace—who wouldn’t know?”

As the former stewardess of a great family, Lai Shou had lived more comfortably than many officials.

Recently, she’d heard no shortage of flattery. Now that she was warm and relaxed, she slowly set down her teacup and said, “Auntie E, you’ve always been a straightforward person. Just tell me—what do you want from me?”

“It’s for my little niece here.” Auntie E gently pushed Ruyi forward. “I don’t have a daughter of my own, so I’ve always treated her as one. Just look—her looks, her talents, even this almond jujube tea is her handiwork. Not bad, right? Don’t you think she’s qualified to be a third-class maid serving the old matriarch?”

“Oh, so that’s what this is about,” Lai Shou said with a chuckle, leaning against the headrest. “You’re burning incense at the wrong shrine. I don’t have the say in picking servants for Songhe Hall. That’s up to Madam Laifu, the housekeeper’s wife from the East Residence, and Miss Furong, who used to live with the old matriarch in the palace.”

“I know that,” Auntie E replied with a friendly smile. “But with you right in front of me—why should I go chasing after someone else? Back when you were managing things in Concubine Hua’s quarters, you were the one who picked me to be the Third Young Master’s wet nurse. I’ve never forgotten that kindness. In my heart, I’ve always considered myself your person.”

She leaned in closer and said, “You don’t have any daughters or granddaughters serving inside and you live outside the estate. But if you had someone of your own by the old matriarch’s side, wouldn’t you have a much better handle on all the comings and goings?”

Lai Shou remained unmoved and asked, “How do you know I don’t have someone inside?”

Auntie E froze. Was she offended?

Ruyi quickly stepped in, “Lai Shou is already like a matriarch herself. Who are we to presume anything about your arrangements? It’s just that Auntie E and Uncle both owe you a debt of gratitude. You lack for nothing, so they don’t know how to repay you. They thought that if someone by the old matriarch’s side could act as your eyes and ears, it’d be a good thing.”

“Well now,” Lai Shou said, amused. “What a silver tongue you have.” She eyed Ruyi. “But you’re lighting the wrong fire under this cold stove. In the year of Yiyuan’s renovation, I’ve made more enemies than I can count— even the Marquis’s wife from the East Residence. And yet, I’m still standing. Why? Because I’m impartial and put the old matriarch’s interests first. No one can touch me. I’m like a loyal minister at court.”

What she meant was that she intended to remain a “loyal minister”—no cliques, no backdoor deals.

The message couldn’t be clearer. Auntie E started to lose hope. Not enough money to buy influence, and no connections to lean on—were they really at a dead end?

Even if things didn’t work out, it’d still be good for Auntie E to realize the futility and stop wasting money. Trying to ease the mood, Ruyi quickly said, “Indeed, who could be more loyal than you? We judged your loyal heart with our worldly minds. We have too many selfish thoughts, unlike you—so pure and dedicated, focused solely on the old matriarch.”

Lai Shou chuckled, “Child, where’d you learn all this flattery? You sound like some fawning minister from a play.”

Ruyi, young and fearless, joked back, “Mama guessed right—I picked it up from a storyteller in a teahouse. Just parroting what I heard.”

Ruyi lifted the carriage curtain and glanced at the street outside. Then she continued refilling Lai Shou’s tea. “We’ve already passed Xisi Archway—it’s almost Shilaonian Alley now. It’s a cold winter night; have another sip to warm up before you get out.”

The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the Lai residence on Shilaonian Alley.

Uncle E jumped down from the carriage shaft and set a stool on the ground. Ruyi and Auntie E helped Lai Shou step down from the carriage using the stool.

Lai Shou straightened her thick coat. Ruyi and Auntie E didn’t immediately return to the carriage—they stood respectfully in the snow, watching Lai Shou head home.

They had come with an agenda… but…

Lai Shou paused, turned back, and waved them over. “Come on in. You brought me home—surely I can afford to serve you a cup of tea?”