Chapter 26: East Garden

With a smile, Meinang watched the maidservants banter, while Nanny Wang hesitated to speak. Meinang asked, “What is it, Nanny?”

Nanny Wang replied, “The young mistress has to get ready, eat breakfast, and then head to the Zi Yun Hall for business, sitting from the early morning until nearly noon. This responsibility came up suddenly, and she’ll be busy managing records and accounts for the next few days. She likely won’t have time for young Master Heng, and perhaps not even for the young master. Now that she’s better, she should ideally be joining him for meals every day.”

Meinang nodded thoughtfully, “You’re right, it’s been too distant. Keep an eye on the time starting today, arrange for us to share a meal whenever possible.”

Nanny Wang smiled and agreed, “Understood!”

Meinang continued, “You’re my nurse and now in charge of the Qing Hua Courtyard. You need to establish some authority here. The Old Madam is planning to assign more maids and servants, but most will likely be her own people. Keep them out front for gate keeping and cleaning, they shouldn’t be in the inner courtyard. Let’s keep only our people close by. Over time, I’ll bring in some younger girls to train myself. As for the two concubines, they don’t need to come to me unnecessarily. Regarding the East Garden… we’ll deal with it slowly. If Miss Zheng or Miss Zhuang comes by, and I’m not around, have them wait in the Small Flower Hall. They don’t need to go into the East Garden that’s where the young master studies and practices martial arts. Though they’re cousins and familiar with each other, they’re grown now and should observe some decorum.”

Nanny Wang nodded, and Meinang blinked mischievously, “Come to think of it, I barely remember what the East Garden looks like. I should go see it!”

Cui Si chimed in quickly, “You should have gone there sooner. Rui Bao and Rui Zhu act like they own the place; they practically rule the garden. The young master spoils them, letting them do as they please. They act like they’re the masters, even telling the older servants what to do. One autumn, we tried to pick some osmanthus branches for a vase, and the maids stopped us, saying we needed their permission first.”

Meinang raised an eyebrow, “Does the young master really indulge them that much? Have you seen it yourself?”

Cui Si replied, “Oh, everyone’s seen it! Those two girls do nothing but embroider, drink tea, and arrange flowers all day. The young master is rarely home, and when he is, they only have to serve him tea. The rest tidying, meal serving, clearing dishes is left to the older servants. He has a few long-time attendants, like Bao Ju and Bai Zhan, who take care of everything else.”

Meinang laughed, “Well, they are young girls, entitled to a bit of pampering. You don’t do hard labor yourselves. As long as they don’t overstep and look down on others.”

Cui Si retorted, “Oh, but they do! They came from the Old Madam’s household, and they think they’re above us in every way. They manage the young master’s affairs without so much as a glance toward us. One night, when the young master came to check on you, they met him with lanterns in the middle of the courtyard, as if afraid to get too close.”

Meinang gave her a look and asked Nanny Wang, “The East Garden belongs to Qing Hua Courtyard, right? Isn’t it still part of the inner courtyard? How do Bao Ju and Bai Zhan come and go freely?”

Nanny Wang explained, “Most people can’t enter directly, but Bao Ju and Bai Zhan can. They’re house born servants who grew up with the young master, even accompanied him in the army. They earned some military recognition, so they use the side gate near the training grounds.”

“There’s a side gate in the East Garden?” Meinang asked.

Cui Xi confirmed, “Yes, there’s a gate by the training grounds that leads to the outer courtyard. It’s usually locked and guarded, but the young master uses it for guests.”

Meinang seemed to consider this. “Has breakfast been served yet?”

“Cheng’er has already gone to call for it,” Cui Xi replied. “It should be here soon. Time to get ready!”

“Help me dress, and have breakfast delivered to the East Garden. I’ll eat with the young master today.”

Both Cui Xi and Cui Jian looked slightly surprised, but Nanny Wang approved, “Just as it should be! The young master was drinking last night. You should check on him.”

In the East Garden, inside Wen Jin Pavilion, Rui Zhu and Rui Bao stood side by side, directing servants to bring hot water into the inner chamber, preparing for the young master’s bath after his training. Rui Zhu counted the buckets, nodding approvingly after four, “That should be enough for his bath.”

She then instructed two young maids, “Check the kitchen and make sure the young master’s breakfast arrives on time. If it’s even slightly cold, you’ll regret it!”

The maids hurried off, returning soon after. Surprised, Rui Bao scolded them, “That was quick! Don’t think you can slack off.”

One of the maids, Fang’er, replied, “I saw Cui Si from the main house, Cheng’er is bringing breakfast for the young master.”

Hearing this, Rui Zhu, who had been picking out clothes, came over and slapped Fang’er’s head. “Who asked you to go? Just go do it! Why would the main house send breakfast here? They don’t even know his tastes. Go!”

As she raised her hand to hit her again, Rui Bao suddenly called softly, “Rui Zhu!”

Turning around, Rui Zhu froze Cui Si and Cui Lian were standing in the doorway, smirking coldly.

Cui Si remarked, “Quite generous, Rui Zhu! You were just about to let the servants eat the breakfast from the main house. This meal was prepared by the young mistress herself, especially to eat with the young master.”

Rui Zhu flushed with embarrassment, hugging the young master’s clothes tightly and standing there, unsure of what to say. Rui Bao quickly tried to save face, “Sister Cui Si”

Cui Si pulled her hand back sharply, “Your birthday is in April, and mine’s in March. Get it right!”

Looking flustered, Rui Bao grudgingly called, “Sister Cui Si!”

With a disdainful look at Rui Zhu, Cui Si noticed Cui Jian’s nudge and quickly stepped aside with her. They bowed and announced loudly, “Young mistress!”

Rui Zhu and Rui Bao, startled, knelt at the door just as Meinang walked in, heads lowered, murmuring, “Welcome, young mistress.”

Meinang looked them over. They were fifteen or sixteen, well-dressed, with a certain elegance but without any jewelry that would outshine the family. Unlike Cui Xi and the others who called her “young mistress,” they addressed her as “young madam,” which subtly set them apart.

Nanny Wang frowned, “Of all places to greet her, you blocked the doorway? Stand aside!”

The two girls quickly moved, and Meinang walked into Wen Jin Pavilion. She glanced around with a faint smile, “This place is spotless cleaner than my own rooms! Truly impressive work, you two. Cui Xi, Cui Si, take notes from them.”

Rui Bao and Rui Zhu curtsied and stammered, “Thank you, young madam.”

With a calm smile, Meinang replied, “Inside the Qing Hua Courtyard, I don’t mind what you call me. But outside, please be clear, lest anyone wonder who you mean.”

The two girls, heads lowered, responded in unison, “Understood, young mistress!”

Meinang pointed to Rui Zhu, “What’s that in your arms?”

Startled, Rui Zhu replied, “The young master’s clothes for after his bath.”

“So, you keep his clothes warm for him this way? Very thoughtful! But, won’t that wrinkle the clothes? The young master could be embarrassed to be seen in creased clothing.”

Blushing, Rui Zhu stammered, “I I’ll fetch another set.”

Meinang replied nonchalantly, “No need. He drank last night, so this blue-green robe should brighten him up a bit. Cui Xi has a way with ironing. Get it ready; he’ll wear it shortly.”

Cui Xi took the clothes and hurried off. Meinang then headed toward the training grounds, saying, “Let’s wait for the young master. I’m a bit hungry myself.”