Chapter 102: Deliberately

After speaking, he turned and headed back to the East Courtyard. Bao Yu followed him, but as he did, a scroll he was holding fell to the ground. He wanted to pick it up but couldn’t free up his hands. Seeing that the marquis had already walked a fair distance, he quickly called out to Cui Jian, “Pick this up for me.”

Cui Jian, feeling anxious about when the “first wife” might return, completely ignored him and turned to leave. The younger maids followed suit, paying him no attention.

Bao Yu was both anxious and frustrated, exclaiming, “You… you all…”

At that moment, Rui Zhu came running over from the moon gate and said, “The marquis sent me to fetch some items.”

Bao Yu asked her to pick up the fallen scroll and handed her a few other items he had been carrying, saying, “Good thing you came. I didn’t know what to do nobody else would help. That scroll is something the marquis likes, and they wouldn’t even pick it up.”

Rui Zhu glanced over at Cui Jian and the others and remarked, “They’re no longer part of the family, of course they wouldn’t help.”

Although she spoke softly, one of the younger maids, Pinger, with sharp ears, overheard and immediately responded, “Rui Zhu, explain yourself! Who’s family, and who’s not? Who refused to help him pick it up? Did he even ask anyone specific to pick it up?”

The young maids trailed behind Bao Yu, their voices loud and clear, filling his ears with endless questions. Although he heard the words, their meaning escaped him.

Rui Zhu turned pale, snapping back, “You little brat! What did I say? I didn’t say anything!”

“You did! You said ‘not part of the family.’ My ears are perfectly fine!” Cui Jian pointed at Rui Zhu, demanding, “What do you mean? Recently, the rooms in the Qing Hua Courtyard have been renovated. What’s that for? “First Madam” told us not to gossip, yet here you are spreading rumors! So there’s a new wife coming, right? And a new concubine as your supporter? Are we being kicked out now? Is our madam no longer part of this family? Everyone, did you hear what Rui Zhu from the East Courtyard said?”

“Yes, that’s what Sister Rui Zhu said,” the maids chorused in agreement. Rui Zhu burst into tears, while Bao Yu, feeling that he might have caused a stir, quickly tried to slip away. But Cui Jian blocked his way, her gaze soft and her lips curved in a slight smile, “Brother Bao Yu, you heard that, didn’t you?”

Bao Yu looked at her, his face red, and stammered, “I… I didn’t hear… I heard…”

The young maids laughed out loud, and Bao Yu, leaving the tearful Rui Zhu behind, practically ran away.

When he returned to the East Courtyard, Xu Jun Ying had already changed clothes. Rui Bao came in and hung up the official robe. Xu Jun Ying asked Bao Yu, “What’s all the noise over there? They’re chattering nonstop.”

Setting down the items and calming himself, Bao Yu reported truthfully, “Rui Zhu said something she shouldn’t have, and the younger maids got into an argument with her.”

“What did she say?” Xu Jun Ying asked.

Looking uneasy, Bao Yu replied, “She said, ‘They’re almost no longer family,’ which made the young maids start arguing. They said… that a new wife was coming, and that “First Madam” would be driven out… I think Cui Jian purposely used Rui Zhu’s words to stir things up. By tomorrow, the whole manor might know. So when “First Madam” leaves the East Courtyard, it won’t be her choice, but…”

“Is this the outcome Cui Jian wants?” Xu Jun Ying chuckled. “You’ve guessed wrong. You may go now. Rui Bao, stay.”

Bao Yu left, closing the door behind him. Rui Bao stood nervously, head down, as Xu Jun Ying tapped the table with his finger, saying, “Why would Rui Zhu say such things? Tell me what you’ve overheard.”

Rui Bao slowly knelt down, “Marquis…”

Xu Jun Ying said, “There were eight maids close to the old lady, all by her side since they were eight years old. She dotes on you all and even allowed me to have you and Rui Zhu here. Do you think I would make things difficult for you? You and Rui Zhu have never truly been separated from Jinhua tang. Everything that happens here reaches them. This is my only question about Jinhua tang. Will you not tell me?”

Sobbing slightly, Rui Bao replied, “Forgive me, Marquis. When Nurse Ji asks about this place, we have to answer. I don’t know exactly what Rui Zhu said, but two days ago, we went to celebrate Rui Xue’s birthday. While chatting, Rui Xue mentioned that “First Madam” had a good nature and was already making plans to offer the main residence in Qing Hua Courtyard to the new wife and move to another courtyard herself…”

Xu Jun Ying frowned, “She discussed this with the old lady? And the old lady approved?”

Rui Bao replied, “That seems to be the case. Otherwise, Rui Xue wouldn’t have said it.”

Xu Jun Ying nodded, “Alright, you may go. From now on, interact with the other maids respectfully, but keep conversations to a minimum.”

“Understood,” Rui Bao replied.

Meinang had yet to go to Jinhua tang, so Cui Jian sent a servant to inquire about any news and prepared a box of pastries for Cheng’er to deliver to “Third Madam’s” courtyard to offer her well wishes. They also wanted to confirm whether “Third Madam” had visited Jinhua tang, so that if the marquis inquired upon his return, they would be able to make proper arrangements.

Wang Mama, accompanied by Pinger, was in charge of overseeing everything from the West Courtyard to Qing Hua Courtyard. When Meinang returned to Qing Hua Courtyard, she asked a few questions before going inside to freshen up. Cui Si and Cui Xi took the bags they were carrying and handed them to Cui Jian, who stored them. Wang Mama, after taking a look around, felt reassured and went with Cheng’er and Pinger to the kitchen to prepare food.

After finishing, Meinang sat with her maids, one was reading, another was doing embroidery, and another knitting. Meinang began to chide Cui Jian, “What was the point of making such a fuss? To gain sympathy? I’d rather this be handled quietly and quickly. Now, just watch he might refuse to let me leave.”

Cui Jian twisted her hands, her eyes misty, “I don’t want you to leave Qing Hua Courtyard. Why should we be forced to move out of the main courtyard for another? You are the legitimate wife, and she… who is she? A secondary wife granted by the emperor, but it’s still later than you. If you have to leave, you should do so with dignity from the main courtyard, and in the proper status as the lady of the household.”

Meinang was stunned, and even Cui Si and Cui Xi looked at Cui Jian in surprise. Outside, Xu Jun Ying had lifted the curtain but had not stepped inside, only hearing Meinang say, “You truly surprise me, Cui Jian. I knew you were clever, but I never thought you had such character.”

“What does character mean?” asked Cui Si.

“It means she’s very different,” Meinang explained.

“And am I like anyone else?”

“You’re also unique… never mind, it’s hard to explain.” The group laughed as Xu Jun Ying, putting the curtain down, gestured to the servants to announce his arrival.

The maid called out loudly, “The marquis has returned.”

Inside, everyone immediately calmed down. Tonight, they hadn’t reviewed the accounts from the guest house. Meinang came off the couch, and Cui Jian helped her slip on embroidered shoes. The three maids lined up behind her and greeted the marquis.

Meinang said, “Did you dine at Jinhua tang, marquis? Did you hear the good news?”

Xu Jun Ying nodded, “Third Madam is expecting. My third brother asked me to express his thanks on her behalf.”

Meinang smiled, “That’s very kind of him. She has been of great help to me in the past, I didn’t thank her either.”

Xu Jun Ying glanced at the maids standing in a row and said, “Won’t anyone offer me a cup of tea?”

Cui Si hurried to prepare tea, bringing a cup to him shortly after. “Marquis, please enjoy.”

Xu Jun Ying looked at Meinang, “You’re not having any?”

Meinang shook her head, “I haven’t had dinner yet. I’ll have some soup later.”

Xu Jun Ying looked at Cui Jian and asked, “Why didn’t you dine at Jinhua tang?”

Cui Jian looked down, and Meinang explained, “I visited Rulan to chat, and other sisters in law came to congratulate her. With all the talking and laughing, I missed mealtime. Jing Yu and cousin Yu were there, so it was fine.”

Xu Jun Ying suddenly asked, “Those pills Ling Xu Zi gave you for pain relief do you still have any?”

Meinang’s heart skipped a beat, but she feigned confusion, “What pills? For whom? Do you mean the ones you gave me the other day?”

“Yes, the pills Ling Xu Zi gave me. Do you still have them?”