Chapter 68: Forget

Meinang, along with Cui Xi and Cui Si, returned to the Hou residence at an hour just before noon. They entered through the side door, walked along the narrow alley, and into the western courtyard. Old Lady Lin was there to greet them, but she didn’t recognize Meinang, who was disguised with a mask and dressed as a maid. Lin merely said in a low voice, “It’s quiet in the garden now, the other maids are already heading back to Qui Hua Court.”

Cui Xi pulled a pouch from her sleeve and handed it to Lin. “Here’s some small silver. Take it and enjoy some wine. The old madam is sentimental. After waking from her illness, she forgot everything except for those who kept vigil for her. Now that she’s in charge, as long as you all keep doing well, she’ll remember.”

Lin muttered a prayer and took the silver, her eyes narrowing into a slit as she smiled. “Ah, we old servants were the ones who kept the old madam alive. It must have been good karma from our past lives. When she first woke, she radiated golden light, so beautiful, and the fortune teller said she’s a lucky star reincarnated. Once we saw her, our fortunes changed.”

Meinang rolled her eyes: “So this is how legends are made?”

Cui Xi was in high spirits and joking with Lin, “Isn’t your luck great? Your nephew now drives the carriage for Qui Hua Court. He only works every few days, but he gets a full monthly wage. Doesn’t that sound better than working as a laborer? Your second daughter used to be just a lowly kitchen maid, but she somehow ended up beside Cai Mama, overseeing the storerooms. Her salary has quadrupled, and in the future, she might become the house manager. If you were younger, you could do that job too.”

Lin wasn’t convinced. “I’m not that old yet. I could be the house manager too. If I were in charge of the night watch, I’d have those troublesome old servants under control. Liu Mama can’t manage them, but if it were me hmph, I’d teach them not to gamble or drink on the sly.”

Cui Xi started to say something, but Cui Si interrupted, growing impatient. “Let’s go. The old madam is busy. Liu Mama is in charge of the night watch, and her reports go straight to the third madam. The old madam doesn’t concern herself with these small matters.”

Lin wanted to say more but stopped when Cui Si gave her a sharp look. Cui Xi consoled her, “I’ll speak on your behalf. Whether it succeeds or not, I’m not sure.”

Lin smiled broadly. “Thank you, Miss Cui Xi. If you ever need anything, just call for me. I’m always willing to help.”

“I’ll remember,” Cui Xi said, urging Lin to get back to her duties.

The three women quickly walked through the western courtyard, which was deserted. They took quiet, secluded paths, crossing the curved bridge and walking through the long corridor. Before long, they had returned to Qui Hua Court.

Old Mama Wang called for a maid to bring warm water. “The old madam is up and ready to bathe and change.”

Cui Xi and Cui Si went to change, while Cui Jian, who was with Meinang, helped her bathe and dry her hair. When Meinang had finished dressing, they heard Mama Wang’s voice from outside, “The third madam has come at just the right time. The old madam is feeling better, has gotten out of bed, and is now ready to receive visitors.”

The maid lifted the curtain, and Ning Rulan walked in with a smile. Meinang met her at the door and led her to the soft couch.

“You’ve been working all morning, why not rest? Instead, you’ve come here to visit me,” Meinang said.

Ning Rulan studied Meinang carefully and smiled. “You look well, much better than me. What’s wrong? Are you secretly napping and leaving me all alone in Zi Yun Hall? It was so boring, I nearly went mad.”

Meinang pretended to be displeased. “You say that? Why don’t you try taking a nap for me and see how it feels? My body aches all over from lying down for too long.”

Ning Rulan quickly apologized. “I was just joking. Don’t be upset. Is your head still hurting?”

Meinang replied, “No, just a bit dizzy. The whole room seems to be spinning. I took some medicine, and it’s only now starting to get better.”

Ning Rulan clapped her hands. “I know that feeling. My sister in law had it after giving birth to her first child. She didn’t sleep well and got dizzy too. A doctor gave her a prescription, and after a few doses, it was gone. You probably didn’t take care of yourself well when you had Heng Ge’er, and now you’ve got this lingering issue. I’ll go back to my family and get that prescription for you.”

Meinang hurriedly said, “I’ll be fine after taking the pill. There’s no need for you to make a trip.”

Ning Rulan shook her head. “It’s no trouble at all. It’s only a short ride. If the streets aren’t crowded, it’ll take no more than half an hour.”

She reached out and took a small bundle from Jing Shu, who handed it to Meinang. “Here, I brought you some tea. It’s a gift from home. There’s both red and green tea. Drink them slowly, and I’ll bring more when I have a chance.”

Meinang opened the bundle, smiled, and said, “Look at this fine packaging. It’s like imperial tribute tea. Thanks to you, I can enjoy the tea that only the royal family drinks. The only people in our family who are even close to royalty are the old madam and the master.”

Ning Rulan smiled softly. “Not all royal tea is the best. Do you remember when we were in the old madam’s room and Zhuang cousin was making tea? The Empress gave it to her, and she was so proud of it. But when I tasted it, it was just old tea.”

The two women laughed. In this moment, the sophisticated Ning Rulan became just like any other woman gossiping with her sister in law. In front of other wives, she was reserved, but with Meinang, they laughed and chatted easily.

Meinang sighed. “This illness of mine isn’t just from having Heng Ge’er. I’ve had it since I was a girl in my family. The doctor said it was due to blood deficiency. Whenever I get anxious or nervous, it acts up. I’ve been so determined to run the household, but I’m afraid that if things get busier, I’ll fall ill more often, and I’ll end up tiring you out too.”

Ning Rulan reassured her. “I’ll be going back to my family soon to get that prescription. If it doesn’t work, we can have Master Hou ask the same doctor to come check on you. As for household matters, if it were anyone else, I wouldn’t involve myself. But since it’s you running the household, I’m happy to help. For routine tasks, that’s fine, but for big things like money withdrawal, it has to go through you first.”

Meinang nodded. “I’ll speak to the accountant. For amounts under fifty taels, you can sign with your own handwriting.”

Ning Rulan’s eyes gleamed. “You trust me this much? Your last maid worked for the first madam for years, and never once did she touch any money.”

Meinang smiled. “If she were to follow me, I’d never let her touch the money either. That’s how it is between people. Trust is the most important thing. But don’t get too happy. I’m giving you more responsibility because it frees me up a bit. I’ll have fewer things to worry about.”

Ning Rulan laughed. “So, you want me to always be the one worrying?”

Meinang smiled. “I’m letting you take care of things so that I can rest a bit. It’s good for both of us.”

Ning Rulan smiled warmly. “You’re the best, Meinang.”

Meinang grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “I remember when I used to play the qin and study, but now I’ve forgotten everything. Maybe one day, I’ll come to your place and borrow some books, or practice some music.”

Ning Rulan laughed. “There’s not a single book in your room. I’ll bring you some next time I’m free. Your qin is missing too. If I had it, I could teach you. You may forget the tunes, but the technique you practiced as a child should still be there. A little practice, and you’ll remember.”

Meinang looked at Old Mama Wang. “That’s true. I used to love reading and playing the qin. How is it that there’s not a single book in this room?”

Old Mama Wang’s expression shifted slightly, but before she could speak, Cui Si replied, “The old madam used to love reading. Before the master returned, she would go to the East Garden study to read and paint. At that time, our young miss was always with her, and she wouldn’t even let us into the room, not even through the moon gate.”

Meinang nodded, deep in thought. “So that’s how it was.”

Old Mama Wang saw her growing quieter and said, “I’ll go ask the servants to bring some books, Miss Mei.”

Meinang waved her hand. “No need. I’ll go later. You should rest as well. Let’s not burden ourselves too much.”

Ning Rulan turned to Meinang. “Your health is the most important. We should take things slow.”

Meinang smiled and turned her attention to the tea set in front of her.