Chapter 15: Pawn
This day, Madam Song had just finished dressing and grooming when a guest arrived.
“Little Madam, the Second Miss Cui is here,” a maid announced.
“Please have her go to Ruyi Pavilion!” Madam Song said. “We need to change the gauze window in this room shortly, so no one can sit here.”
Willow catkins start to fly in late March, and the gauze window gets a thick layer stuck to it within two days, requiring it to be removed and cleaned every few days.
Ruyi Pavilion is a waterside pavilion with doors and windows on all sides, connected to the main building by an arched bridge, making it very suitable for entertaining guests in spring and summer.
Cui Baozhu loved wearing red, and today she was still in a red dress, with a hairpin adorned with pink butterflies on her head. She looked presentable, but unfortunately, she wasn’t fair enough.
Madam Song greeted her warmly, smiling, “I was just telling them yesterday how I hadn’t seen you these past few days, I missed you so much. It’s perfect timing that you’ve come today.
The other day, her uncle sent me some new tea. Let’s have some together.”
“Little Madam is too kind to me,” Cui Baozhu said with an even more radiant smile. “The weather is getting hot, so I embroidered a round fan for Little Madam. It’s not very well done, but if you don’t mind, please use it!”
“You are too modest. Everyone knows that the Second Miss Cui is the most nimble and skillful. So many people praise you! Moreover, this round fan requires great skill, not just anyone dares to attempt it.” Madam Song always spoke highly of others, making them feel completely satisfied.
“I heard Little Madam was ill a few days ago. Coincidentally, I had some family matters, so I couldn’t come to visit,” Cui Baozhu said. “Seeing you today, you seem a bit thinner.”
“It was nothing serious, I’m already mostly recovered,” Madam Song said dismissively.
Cui Baozhu’s maid was taken by Liuyun to stroll in the garden. Guests are always entertained, and maids are no exception.
“By propriety, as an outsider, I shouldn’t discuss matters within your household, but I feel your Madam is truly… unusual,” Cui Baozhu said after taking a sip of tea. “That day, in front of so many people, she deliberately embarrassed you.”
“Who told her to be the main Matriarch? I am just a concubine, how dare I compete with her?” Madam Song maintained her amiable expression, her tone tinged with helplessness. “As it is, the Madam will be hosting everyone in a few days, and I must ensure they prepare well.”
“She’s clearly trying to use everyone else’s presence to make herself look good. I refuse to go. Does she think she can hold a knife to my throat and force me?” Cui Baozhu said indignantly. “It would be best to tell everyone that if they can avoid coming, they should. Let her be ignored! See who ends up embarrassed.”
“No, don’t do that!” Granny Yang quickly intervened. “If you do, she will blame Little Madam for everything, saying we deliberately told people not to come.”
“But we can’t just let her have her way! If we do, she’ll only become more arrogant. Where does that leave Little Madam?” Cui Baozhu spoke to Madam Song with utmost sincerity. “She’s only famous in name. For so many years, she hasn’t handled any of the household affairs; it’s all been managed by Little Madam.”
“Second Miss Cui, you couldn’t be more right. It’s just that our Little Madam is kind-hearted and gentle. Coupled with her status, she can only be manipulated by her,” Granny Yang said with a worried expression, but also a sense of helplessness.
“Alright, let’s stop talking. Why should we trouble our guest with our household worries? It’s not proper hospitality,” Madam Song said with a forced smile. “Second Miss, please have another cup of tea. This tea is truly excellent.”
Madam Song and Cui Baozhu talked for quite a while, and she even invited her to stay for a meal.
Cui Baozhu declined, saying she had been there for a long time and should be going back.
Madam Song then asked Granny Yang to escort her out.
“Second Miss, please take your time,” Granny Yang respectfully accompanied Cui Baozhu as they walked out.
“Granny Yang, the Old Madam and the First Madam in the East Courtyard…” Cui Baozhu hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“They will be back in a few more days!” Granny Yang looked at her with understanding. “Don’t worry, Little Madam has always kept Second Miss’s matters in mind. We just need to find a suitable time to convey the message.”
“I’m not…” Cui Baozhu trailed off. “I was just asking…”
It turned out that Cui Baozhu had taken a liking to Gong Yu’an, the second son of the Gong Family’s main house. Her feelings could not be hidden from Madam Song, who was adept at understanding people’s hearts.
“However, you know that both young masters of the main house are determined to marry only after they have achieved official positions,” Granny Yang said as she walked slowly with Cui Baozhu. “They won’t openly discuss marriage, but if there is mutual interest, waiting a year or two is nothing.”
Her words made Cui Baozhu’s heart rise and fall like a bucket in a well.
But after all, she was a young lady, and many things were too embarrassing for her to say.
“In any case, our Little Madam has taken a liking to you. She often tells us that you are truly a virtuous helper, the kind one finds only with a lantern,” Granny Yang said without stinting on flattery. “We will certainly do our best for you.”
Cui Baozhu immediately gave her a grateful look. In fact, her eagerness to find a husband was not due to a lack of shame, but because of real difficulties.
Her birth mother had passed away, and her father had remarried. This stepmother was very capable, not only managing the inner chambers impeccably but also helping her father navigate his official career.
However, their family’s foundation was ultimately shallow. Although they had some money, it was nothing compared to truly wealthy families.
Therefore, they could only think of other methods to please their superiors.
Her personal maid accidentally overheard her stepmother discussing plans to marry her off to the Marquis Fengxian’s foolish son.
This would establish a prestigious connection, and the Marquis Fengxian’s family would surely help her father, especially since families of a certain standing in the Capital City were reluctant to marry their daughters to a fool.
Cui Baozhu was terrified and had nowhere to turn, naturally wanting someone to help her.
But looking around, her elder sister, who was born of the same parents, was already married and not in the Capital City. Apart from her, there was no one in the family to discuss this with.
And she believed Madam Song was a good person, and Gong Yu’an was a gentle and refined gentleman, worthy of entrusting her future to.
If she could form a marriage alliance with the Gong family, it would surely be better than marrying the Marquis Fengxian’s foolish son.
Although the Gong family’s influence was not as great as his family’s, their sons were not foolish, and they were well-educated. If they achieved official positions, wouldn’t that bring glory as well?
It so happened that Madam Song saw through her intentions and wished to win her over. She felt like a drowning person grasping a lifeline, unwilling to let go no matter what.
“Alas, perhaps it’s true that good things come to those who wait! Little Madam originally planned to discuss this matter after the Old Madam returned from worshipping Buddha, but unfortunately, that troublesome person has returned. With her here, it’s hardly Little Madam’s turn to discuss the young masters’ marriages,” Granny Yang sighed.
Cui Baozhu’s heart sank upon hearing this. Indeed, once Wen Mingqian returned, she would likely seize the Mistress of the Household position. Then Madam Song would be no different from other concubines. If she wasn’t the housekeeper, how could she have any say?
Her friendship with Madam Song would surely offend Wen Mingqian, and she might even interfere.
If Madam Song couldn’t help her, who else could?
She would rather die than marry that fool!
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