Chapter Sixty-Eight: That’s Just How the Girl Is

Wang Yunshu’s words had exactly the desired effect. The concubine Fang Pin’s face changed instantly, and she said, “I thought something was off when I saw you chasing after the Prince at the White Cloud Monastery yesterday. Now it seems there are no rules left in Wanxiang Garden! Any servant girl can come and go as she pleases! Anyone can try to seduce the Prince whenever she wants?”

The first half of Fang Pin’s words were directed at Lingran, but the latter part was aimed directly at Sun Min, with a meaning as clear as day: she was accusing Sun Min of poor management of the household.

Chen Mengjie nodded in agreement, glaring menacingly at Sun Min as well.

Lingran glanced over and saw Lu Zigao standing with an old eunuch to one side. They both seemed used to such scenes and did not speak up for her, which made her inwardly anxious.

Unexpectedly, Sun Min laughed graciously and said, “You all may not know yet, but I came early myself to check. The Prince has never summoned servant girls before, but today he specifically asked for this one to serve him. What could I say to that?”

At Sun Min’s words, Fang Pin’s expression turned even more severe, her face twisting as if she were about to devour someone. Chen Mengjie shot a sidelong glance at her, her eyes full of unspoken meaning. Wang Yunshu’s face darkened, looking as though she would force someone to drink poison if she could.

Lingran felt a chill run down her spine. She had thought she had found a good post, and Lu Zigao had said the ladies would all try to curry favor with those close to the Prince. But she hadn’t expected that the very sight of another woman getting close to Chu Yu would turn these women green with jealousy; there would be no curry favoring here! She’d be lucky to get out alive without falling victim to their scheming.

She was about to explain herself when Fang Pin exploded at Sun Min: “And yet a little temptress can land such a cushy job? If all the women in the Prince’s household start following this example, what will become of us? If you don’t rein her in, how can you call yourself the mistress of this house?”

Sun Min, though she had all the bearing of a formidable matron, spoke without the force of Lady Wang Xifeng. She simply replied, “What am I to do? If Concubine Fang has something to say, why not take it up with the Prince himself?”

Fang Pin was left speechless, her face changing color several times. She shot Lingran a venomous glare before demanding of the old eunuch and Lu Zigao, “When exactly is the Prince coming back?”

Lu Zigao shook his head. The old eunuch, with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, replied, “Your Ladyship, the Prince left no word.”

Fang Pin paused. Wang Yunshu interjected, “These days the Prime Minister is on duty at the palace. After court, the Prince is likely to stay and discuss state affairs with him. I doubt he’ll be back anytime soon.”

Chen Mengjie said, “Why not just send someone to wait at the second gate for him? No need for us all to sit here twiddling our thumbs!” She gave Lingran one last sidelong look, nodded to the others, and left with her own maid.

Sun Min smiled gently. “This is quite common. No need to wait. The Prince only spends five or six days a month here in the garden. Let’s all go back.”

Wang Yunshu shot Lingran a cold smile, then said to Fang Pin, “I hear she came from Spring Ze Manor. Let’s see what the Liang sisters have to say about that.”

But Fang Pin tossed her handkerchief. “I’m not going. They’re no better than the rest!” she huffed and stormed off.

Wang Yunshu gave Sun Min an awkward smile and also excused herself.

Once they’d all gone, Sun Min took Lingran by the hand with a smile and led her inside, saying, “Don’t mind them. Where there are many people, there’s bound to be gossip. I see your clothes are dirty—do you have nothing clean to change into? Now that you’re a senior maid, I’ll have someone make you some new ones.”

Lingran forced a smile, thinking to herself that what she really needed right now was something to eat.

Sun Min continued, “I’ve already heard some rumors from yesterday. Whatever the reason, since the Prince has kept you in his quarters, you must serve him with all your heart, understand?”

Lingran replied obediently, but found Sun Min’s matronly airs a bit much to take, despite her gentle manner. No wonder Fang Pin was always at odds with her.

Sun Min then asked Lu Zigao about Lingran’s specific duties. He answered in detail. After a moment’s silence, Sun Min instructed Lingran to organize the Prince’s clothes and belongings, to prepare them in advance according to the weather, so that when the Prince wanted to change he wouldn’t have to rummage through the upstairs closets. She also reminded her that the Prince’s mood affected his appetite, so she must take special care in choosing dishes for him...

All in all, Sun Min’s instructions made her seem a model wife and mother, thoroughly familiar with Chu Yu’s habits and speaking with the intimacy of a proper consort.

Lingran only wanted to escape her endless advice and nodded repeatedly.

Fortunately, after nearly half an hour, a stewardess arrived to say that the chief eunuch from the Office of Rites was at the Yi Hong Hall with a gift list for Sun Min to review. These were all offerings sent before the Ghost Festival from various noble houses, the Eastern and Western Bureaus, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Six Ministries.

Having seen Chu Yu’s wardrobe storeroom, Lingran could easily imagine the scene of officials presenting their tributes. It seemed he was as generous in accepting gifts as he was in accepting beautiful women. She mused that, compared to him, her own love for money was paltry indeed.

Sun Min departed with the stewardess, leaving Lingran to beg for food from Lu Zigao.

But Lu Zigao pointed to the old eunuch and said, “This is Wang Shen, Chief Steward of our Prince’s household. Go pay your respects.”

Lingran, face full of misery, bowed to Wang Shen.

Wang Shen, putting on airs, launched into a lecture on the importance and gravity of personally serving the Prince. Only when a young eunuch announced at the door, “The Prince has arrived!” did he break off with a surprised, “Why is the Prince back so early today?” and hurry outside.

At that moment, Chu Yu’s magnetic, distinctive voice rang out: “No visitors. I don’t care if it’s calling cards from outside or any of those women in the garden—they’re all to be turned away. They come begging to see me every day, but if they’re not tired, I am!”

Lingran, still a maid at heart, forgot her hunger and hurried after them to the entrance of the Danhuai Hall, just in time to see Chu Yu stride in, brimming with vigor.

Today, he was impeccably dressed: a pristine king’s cap adorned with pearls and silver wings, a black dragon-and-python robe overlaid with sheer white gauze, a black rhinoceros belt inlaid with five neat pieces of white jade, a white sachet embroidered with golden dragons dangling on one side, and a double-dragon jade pendant with a faint, ghostly sheen on the other. The delight on his flawless face was unmistakable; clearly, he had received some good news.

No matter what, when the master is in a good mood, it’s always a blessing for the maids. Lingran thought that since he was back, it must be midday, and perhaps, while serving him lunch, she might even get to sample some of the leftovers.

As soon as Chu Yu entered, his gaze fell upon her. Her face was clean, but she was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, with a conspicuous, large stain at her side. His temper flared instantly. Had his household fallen into such poverty that his personal attendants had nothing clean to wear? He snapped, “Is this the standard for the maids in my quarters?”

...III will be launching tomorrow, so today there will be at least two chapters for everyone. Previously, I said I’d alternate between double and single updates, but some readers objected—and quite rightly so. If someone is impatient with my writing, they won’t care how many chapters I post. Since there are still readers who care, I must work harder. I’ll strive for at least 6,000 words a day unless something special comes up, in which case I’ll give notice. Thank you all. Also, I’ve noticed that more than one male reader is following along!