Chapter 20: A Visit

Meinang waited until the old lady had fallen asleep, then tucked the covers around her carefully before quietly getting up from the soft couch. Rui Xue helped her put on her shoes, and the two walked to the warm curtain to speak in hushed tones.

Meinang asked, “At this time… does the old lady plan to sleep through until lunch?”

Rui Xue replied, “The old lady hasn’t been sleeping well at night and wakes up early. If she sleeps now, she’ll skip the midday nap, and by evening, she’ll be able to rest well.”

Meinang smiled and said, “Rui Xue, you are so clever. Whenever it’s you, things always turn out for the better!”

Rui Xue blushed and quickly pulled back the warm curtain, laughing lightly, “You flatter me, madam. You are the wise one!”

The two of them walked to the corridor, and Meinang turned around to ask, “Rui Bao and Rui Zhu were they both serving the old lady before?”

Rui Xue hesitated for a moment before meeting Meinang’s gaze with her long, clear eyes. After a decisive moment, she answered softly, “There used to be six Rui Xue who served the old lady, starting from when they were about seven or eight. After years of service with Mama Ji, they became capable. When you gave birth to Heng Ge’er, you couldn’t focus all your attention on the master, so the old lady, feeling sorry for him, gave Rui Bao, who managed the clothes, and Rui Xue, who handled the food, to the master to serve him only in the East Garden study.”

Seeing Mama Ji walking over along the icy stone path, Meinang nodded to Rui Xue and said, “I understand. You don’t need to see me out, go ahead! I need to check on Heng Ge’er. I wonder if he’s awake yet.”

Mama Ji came closer and bowed, smiling, “Madam, don’t worry. Heng Ge’er is being held by the wet nurse, and he’s gone with the eldest madam. He’s sleeping in the eldest madam’s room now.”

“Oh dear! Heng Ge’er is always so clingy, I’m afraid he’s tiring his grandmother!”

Meinang laughed, then, accompanied by Cui Xi and Cui Jian, left the Jin Huatang.

However, instead of going to Madam Zheng’s courtyard, she decided it was pointless to go since Heng Ge’er had already fallen asleep. Madam Zheng, likely exhausted from caring for her grandson all morning, deserved a break. She would visit after lunch, when Madam Zheng could share her experience in household management.

After asking Cui Xi, Meinang learned that Xu Jun Ying had been summoned by the front yard steward as soon as he left Jin Huatang. There were guests visiting, and he went with his uncle Xu Xi Ping. Just a moment ago, someone from the kitchen had come to announce the banquet preparations. The midday meal would be served with the guests, and since her husband, Cui Xi, was home but had other social obligations, Meinang didn’t need to accompany him for lunch, so she had the freedom to make her own arrangements.

She decided to visit the courtyard of Third Madam Ning Rulan, so she asked Cui Xi and Cui Jian to accompany her to the Orchid Courtyard.

The Orchid Courtyard was a small but exquisite courtyard with a four-sided structure. The two side rooms had small attached rooms, while the main house was slightly elevated. The corridor around the courtyard was lined with potted orchids, and at the entrance, the maid Hong Ye greeted Meinang, saying with a smile, “Third Madam loves orchids above all else. When it rains or snows, she doesn’t care about anything else, just makes sure the orchids are safe. Madam, look at how many orchids there are in the corridor? But these are just a small part, there’s a warm shelter built at the back of the East room, and it’s filled with valuable orchids!”

Meinang gazed at the hundreds of orchids in the corridor, each pot a different variety, imagining the scene in the warm room. She couldn’t help but smile, shaking her head, “Your madam is truly obsessed with flowers.”

Hong Ye smiled lightly, “It’s not just our madam who’s obsessed, even Third Master is.”

Hong Ye was fair and beautiful, tall and slender, with a graceful walk and an effortless charm. If she wore more expensive clothes, she might even outshine the young ladies of the mansion.

Meinang playfully pointed at her, “You bold servant, daring to talk behind the backs of your masters!”

Hong Ye froze for a moment, then quickly bowed, “Please forgive me, madam. I was wrong.”

From inside, Ning Rulan’s voice called out, “Is the madam here? Please come in!”

The maid by the door raised the warm curtain, and Meinang gently pulled Hong Ye, laughing, “Look at you, you’re acting all pitiful. I was the one who said it first, and you just echoed me. What’s wrong with that? Who’s playing tricks on whom?”

Hong Ye blushed deeply but couldn’t argue, so she just smiled and followed Meinang into the room.

Sure enough, the room of Ning Rulan, a girl from a scholarly family, was arranged very differently from Meinang’s. While Meinang’s space was more comfortable and cozy, Ning Rulan’s was elegant, simple, and full of the refined atmosphere of a scholarly life.

Looking around, Meinang noticed two main items: a zither and books. And one more thing the paintings on the walls.

The artwork was entirely in the traditional style, featuring beautiful flower and bird paintings. Meinang particularly admired the one of mandarin ducks among peach blossoms. The vivid colors, yet not overly indulgent, evoked a warm and cheerful spring vibe, making her feel a strong urge to whisper sweet words to someone nearby.

Meinang said to Ning Rulan, “Entering your room makes me feel so elegant. It’s like I’ve become cultured all of a sudden!”

Ning Rulan, supported by Jin Shu, slowly got up from the bed and smiled, “Look at what you’re saying, elder sister. My whole life has been devoted to books. The East room is where Third Master spends his time, so I have no choice but to put some books in the bedroom, just to read whenever I feel like it.”

Meinang took her hand and sat beside her on a carved chair, with thick cushions underneath. Jin Shu handed a shining brass hand warmer wrapped in cotton cloth to Ning Rulan, who then passed it to Meinang.

“Madam, your hands must be cold. You just came in from outside, please warm them up.”

Meinang shook her head, “No need, you just touched my hand earlier, isn’t it warm enough? The sun is so nice outside. Rulan, you should go out and get some sun!”

Hong Ye brought in tea and said, “Madams, you must be careful! Liu Mama said, Women’s health is like childbirth don’t let them catch the wind!”

“Where is Liu Mama?” Meinang asked, sipping the tea.

Hong Ye replied, “Third Madam just sent her out on an errand…”

Meinang laughed and said, “While she’s away, I’ll take charge, bring two chairs to the sunniest spot in the courtyard, with thick cotton cushions on them, and then we’ll help you outside to bask in the sun!”

She looked at Rulan, who seemed surprised, and added, “Haven’t you read any books? Have you ever read one called “The Origin of All Things”? It says that sunlight can nurture all life, but also kill tiny creatures that we can’t see. These creatures live on our skin, clothes, and bedding, and the more they accumulate, the more likely they are to make us sick. If we don’t get enough sunlight, we’re more prone to illness. You see, men are usually healthier than us women because they’re often outside and have more opportunities to bask in the sun!”

“Really?” Ning Rulan seemed convinced. “I’ve never read that book. Elder sister, do you have a copy? Could I borrow it?”

Meinang smiled and helped her up, then had Jin Shu put a thick cloak around her before walking out with her, saying, “I read it back at my parents’ house, but it wasn’t our book. My brother borrowed it from someone else…”

“Such a pity!”