Madam Zhou and Madam Bei chatted casually. Ji Wuxia, her face flushed, looked down at Zhou Muxuan, lost in thought. Ji Meiyuan, while observing him, was also preoccupied with thoughts of Nan Jinxue. Ji Wushang, on the other hand, was only thinking about when her uncles could arrange for a doctor to examine Madam Bei's heart palpitations. For a moment, the atmosphere was harmonious and pleasant. Since the sisters were not yet married, they returned to their respective courtyards after a short while.
When Ji Tiankui heard that Zhou Muxuan had arrived, he took some time away from his busy investigation into yesterday's massacre in the capital and ordered his men to investigate. Then he went to catch up with Zhou Muxuan.
Madam Zhou watched the two of them walk away before turning to Madam Bei and saying, "What do you think of Mu Xuan?"
"Hmm. He looks refined and is a promising talent. He is also quite steady and humble. It's rare for the Zhou family to produce such a talented young man. If my husband can manage things in the court, he will surely be able to make a name for himself there."
My grandmother had three cousins who were all military officers. The eldest brother was Zhou Jinyu, a former subordinate of my grandmother's husband, the first-rank general Ji Beiyuan, who had just passed away two years ago. The second brother was Zhou Mixu, who had been serving as a general guarding the border with the Western Regions and was still highly regarded by the emperor. Zhou Gongmin was his eldest son and Zhou Muxuan was his eldest grandson. The third brother went to the battlefield many years ago and died on the battlefield, leaving no descendants.
Zhou Gongmin also had several younger brothers, each of whom started their own families and careers. Their sons were all outstanding military talents. However, Zhou Muxuan was the only one who was weak from childhood. His mother died in childbirth and entrusted her to her younger sister, Aunt Zhou, who is now Madam Zhou.
"Although Mu Xuan isn't my biological son, he's my elder sister's flesh and blood, and I've watched him grow up since he was little. He's quite well-behaved! My husband asked him about it privately the other day, and he said that Chun Gui is sure to achieve great success in the imperial examinations! If we pave the way for him soon, his future will be limitless. I'm sure many wealthy families will come to propose marriage to him in the future." Madam Zhou praised Zhou Mu Xuan as always.
"Look at your sharp tongue! Mu Xuan is such a good child, I'm afraid our family can't possibly be worthy of him?" Madam Bei pretended to be angry.
Madam Zhou pulled her aside and smiled, "Not at all! Who doesn't know that General Ji is feared by the enemy on the frontier and admired by all officials in the court! Even the Emperor values him highly. Don't be angry, I only wish for our two families to become related by marriage, so that we can become even closer and have a brighter future."
"That's more like it!" Madam Bei scolded Madam Zhou, then thought for a moment before saying, "I feel that Wu Shang is the most suitable. He will be of marriageable age next year, so now is the perfect time to exchange betrothal gifts and marriage certificates. Our family are civil officials, so we can help with Mu Xuan's affairs in the future! It's just that Wu Shang caused some unpleasant trouble a few days ago, and it's only now that things have calmed down."
Madam Zhou, of course, knew what had happened and had also heard the rumors, so she smiled and said, "Isn't everything over now? Wu Shang is already fourteen, what you said is just right!"
"This is also a reflection of Wu Shang's thoughts."
"Oh!" Madam Zhou chuckled, "What kind of parents care about their daughters' thoughts? It's always been the parents' arrangement and the matchmaker's words! Mu Xuan will be taking the imperial examination next year, it's getting late. His father sent word from the Ministry of Justice that they should get married on an auspicious day. Wu Shang is also getting on in years, when are we going to wait? And what about those younger sisters, we need to make plans for them too!"
"So soon? Wu Shang is getting married, but she's a bit weak and hasn't reached marriageable age yet, so she'll have difficulty conceiving. Shouldn't she wait until after her wedding to get married?" Madam Bei wondered why the Zhou family was in such a hurry.
"It won't be long. Once we arrive at your residence, we can recuperate for a while and then consummate our marriage and have children." Madam Zhou was eager to get married as soon as possible.
"Why the rush? Spring is the day of double happiness!" Madam Bei still felt it wasn't a good idea. She was worried about Wu Shang, and she needed to think it over carefully.
Seeing her hesitation, Madam Zhou gestured to the servants around her. Madam Bei led Madam Zhou into the main room, dismissed the servants, and then listened to Madam Zhou's account. Madam Zhou then recounted the events in detail.
When Doukou went in to change the tea, she noticed that both Madam Bei and Madam Zhou looked unwell. Madam Zhou remained silent for a moment before taking her leave. Doukou looked at Madam Bei and frowned. "Madam, is your heart palpitation acting up again? Should we call a doctor?" They were perfectly fine just a moment ago, how come the atmosphere is so different now?
"No need. You can leave now. I want to be alone." Madam Bei waved her sleeve.
Doukou wondered to herself, could it be because of Madam Zhou and Young Master Zhou from earlier?
Ji Wushang returned to Xinyuan and calculated the days. It was less than half a month until his grandmother's birthday. He thought it would be best to embroider a gold-threaded cloak for his grandmother. He had only finished half of it two years ago before putting it down. Now it was just right to take it out, tidy it up, and change the trim.
Having just gathered some fabric and done some embroidery, Ji Wushang realized her skills had become rusty. She frowned uncomfortably. Seeing this, Zhu'er quickly said, "Miss, don't worry. Aren't there some sewing teams? Why don't we just hire some to do it?"
"If you ask someone else to do it, you won't see your sincerity. My grandmother has been praying to Buddha for the past few years, and what she prays for is sincerity."
"Isn't Granny Fang, who cleans the yard, from a sewing school? How about we ask her to teach us?" Zhu'er thought.
"Very well then, call her in." Ji Wushang relaxed his brow.
"Yes." Zhu'er replied and ran out in a flash. Ji Wushang just laughed at her for being so impulsive.
A moment later, Zhu'er led in an old woman. Although her eyes weren't particularly bright, she knelt respectfully before Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang raised his head and said, "Granny Fang, Zhu'er said you're excellent at needlework?"
"This old servant dares not claim to be outstanding; Miss, you flatter me," said Granny Fang affectionately.
"Get up!" Ji Wushang said. "From now on, you don't need to sweep the yard anymore. Serve me and teach me needlework."
"Thank you so much, Miss!" Granny Fang hadn't expected to land this job. Working for Ji Wushang was dozens of times better than cleaning in the courtyard. Not only did she avoid the gossip of the other maids, but her monthly salary was also twice as much. It was enough for her own needs and she could even help support her family!
Meanwhile, Granny Fang sat to one side teaching Ji Wushang needlework. Ji Wushang embroidered a pair of mandarin ducks to try it out, and they turned out quite well. Granny Fang was satisfied with what she saw. Zhu'er and the other maids went to do their respective tasks. After a while, Ji Wushang felt tired, so she asked Granny Fang to leave and leaned back on the chaise lounge to take a nap.
At noon, Ji Wushang saw a lot of seafood on the table, including sea crabs, snails, and other delicious dishes.
"Are these sea crabs and snails newly purchased by the manor?" Ji Wushang asked, looking up.
"Yes, I heard the crabs and snails are plump! Steward Xue specially asked someone to buy them," Zhu'er replied with a smile.
Butler Xue? This time I'll give you a real scoop! Doesn't Ji Meiyuan like eating sea crabs and snails? "Second Sister must have ordered quite a lot, right?"
"Yes." Zhu'er was not happy to hear that. "I only took a little bit, and Baoqi glared at me and then took a lot! If Miss wants more, I'll get some for you right away!"
"No need, I won't eat. Give the crabs and snails to the maids in this courtyard, and you can have some too." Ji Wushang was already making plans in his mind, and ate the other dishes by himself.
After thanking Ji Wushang, Zhu'er distributed the crabs and snails to the maids.
After lunch, Ji Wushang had only taken a short nap when he heard someone run in. Ji Wushang opened his eyes and saw that it was Yue'er.
“Miss, I just passed by the North Garden and saw Madam Zhou and Young Master Zhou leaving. I noticed that Madam Zhou looked extremely displeased, and Young Master Zhou didn’t seem happy either! I leaned closer to listen and only heard Madam Zhou scolding Young Master Zhou for something, but I couldn’t hear anything else.”
Ji Wushang was genuinely puzzled upon hearing this. Wasn't he already having a headache over this marriage proposal? How did something else go wrong?
Yue'er leaned closer and lowered her voice, "Miss, I heard that the Zhou family is interested in our family... but looking at Madam Zhou and Young Master Zhou right now, I think something's going on inside!"
Ji Wushang looked on, lost in thought. He had heard that his older cousin was good, but he wasn't really interested. He hadn't lived like this in his previous life. He hadn't expected that after being reborn, everything would slowly change, and sometimes he didn't know what to do.
"Miss, what do you think? This might be the marriage between you and that young master Zhou. You're almost of marriageable age, and the maids all say it's you. I'm afraid you'll suffer after you marry him." Yue'er, grateful for the kindness shown to her, voiced her concerns.
Ji Wushang was also worried. In her past life, she had suffered greatly marrying Nan Jinxue; if she were to marry another ungrateful wretch in this life, she would rather shave her head and live a solitary life than endure this! A foolproof plan was needed. This matter should be thoroughly investigated to find out what exactly happened.
After thinking it over, Ji Wushang leaned close to Yue'er's ear and whispered a few words. Yue'er listened and nodded hurriedly, her eyes shining brightly. "Okay, Miss, I'll go and do it right away!"
Ji Wushang nodded slightly, seemingly lost in thought. He had only heard a little bit so far; to know the whole story, he would have to go and find out more first.
After Yue'er left, Ji Wushang called Zhu'er over, "Zhu'er, have Wu Mama make these pastries on this paper, and bring them to me when they're done." Wu Mama was a newly transferred cook who was in charge of the meals at Ji Wushang's Xinyuan Garden.
Upon hearing this, Zhu'er's eyes lit up immediately. "Snacks? If you like them, Miss, I'll have the kitchen make them."
"No need. These aren't all for myself. Have Granny Wu make some more varied dishes. I've already written them down in detail." The pastries on the paper were recipes she'd learned from ancient medical texts; she'd try them out now! She would never forget the poisoned bird's nest soup from last night! She'd already given these people a chance, but they didn't cherish it, so she had no reason to do so for them! Those who wronged her would be repaid a thousandfold!
Back in her bamboo garden, Ji Wuxia was still thinking about the young master Zhou she had just met. Aunt Bai rolled up the curtain and came out, seeing Ji Wuxia lost in thought, and asked, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
Ji Wuxia then told Bai about Young Master Zhou. After listening, Aunt Bai straightened her clothes and raised an eyebrow, saying, "I bet the Zhou family wants to form a marriage alliance with us. What, you've taken a fancy to that Zhou Muxuan? You're still too young!"
"Auntie, I'm not a child anymore. I'm thirteen, which means I'll be of marriageable age soon. I'm not a child anymore!" Ji Wuxia said coquettishly.
Aunt Bai frowned, thought for a while, and then said, "Back then, I also secretly let the maid overhear that Madam Bei planned to marry the eldest daughter to Zhou Muxuan. After all, Zhou Muxuan is a legitimate son, and he and your eldest sister are a good match."
“Aunt, look at that young master Zhou. He’s a refined scholar who has already passed the provincial examination and is just waiting to be married! His character is also excellent. If he passes the imperial examination, he’ll be a fifth-rank official or higher. If I marry him, I’ll become a noblewoman. If you, elder sister, get this advantage, what good husband can I expect in the future?”
“Well, Young Master Zhou is the legitimate son, while you are just a concubine’s daughter! Besides, we don’t even know if he can pass the exam,” Aunt Bai wondered.
"If she had already passed the imperial examination, would it even be my turn? My eldest sister is definitely destined for it!" Ji Wuxia sneered.
Aunt Bai looked Ji Wuxia up and down. She had never noticed that her second daughter would have such thoughts before! Indeed, she usually paid attention to her eldest daughter, Ji Meiyuan, and thought about Ji Meiyuan. Naturally, she had overlooked the one in front of her. Today, she was quite impressed.
However, Ji Wuxia is right. If Zhou Muxuan passes the imperial examination, it will be extremely easy for him to marry the legitimate daughter of a wealthy family! If they don't tie him down now, they might not have the chance later! Besides, she herself was originally a maid, and it's already a luxury for Ji Meiyuan and Ji Wuxia to marry into good families!
"So how do you plan to get your mother to betroth you to Young Master Zhou?" Aunt Bai asked. Although the two were discussing this, even she, as the aunt, didn't have any good ideas. Did Ji Wuxia have a good solution?
"I naturally have a good idea!" Ji Wuxia seemed confident, her eyes narrowed into slits as she smiled sarcastically.
Ji Wushang was sitting in the courtyard basking in the sun when Zhu'er led in several maids and servants. She said to Ji Wushang, "Miss, these are the new maids and servants. The ones over here are called Chunfeng, Xiahe, Qiuyu, Dongmei, Granny Zhao, Granny Qian, and Granny Rong. They are all quick and efficient. They were assigned by Steward Xue."
Ji Wushang looked up at the seven people standing to one side. They all seemed to be in good spirits. The maids were no more than eleven or twelve years old, while the three matrons were around forty. "Have these new servants been assigned to each courtyard?"
"Yes."
"Spring breeze, summer lotus, autumn rain, winter plum blossoms," Ji Wushang called out, and immediately the four maids replied in unison, "Your servant is here."
"You will all start as third-class maids. Any objections?"
"Thank you, Miss." The four maids knelt down to express their gratitude. It was the rule of the manor to be a third-class maid, so it was reasonable. Moreover, they knew from the moment they entered the manor that the servants in Miss Xinyuan received higher salaries than those in other courtyards. Now that they were assigned to work in Ji Wushang's courtyard, they were naturally happy.
"Granny Zhao, Granny Qian, Granny Rong."
“This old servant is here!” The three old women all knelt down.
"Just listen to what Zhu'er tells you to do. If you're good at something, just say so, don't hide it." Ji Wushang stretched lazily. "You newcomers should communicate more with the maids in the courtyard, and ask questions if you don't understand something."
"Yes," everyone replied.
After dismissing those people, Ji Wushang kept Zhu'er behind. "Zhu'er, are the pastries you asked Granny Wu to make ready?"
"I just went to urge her, and Granny Wu said it will only take a short while for the last dish to be finished before it can be served," Zhu'er said happily.
"Yes, that's very good." Ji Wushang had just finished speaking when Granny Wu came over with a plate of pastries in her hands. "Miss, the pastries have been made as you asked. Please have a taste."
Ji Wushang listened and sat up from the chaise lounge, instructing Granny Wu to place the pastries on the table in front of her. Under Granny Wu's hands, the pastries became translucent and glistening: red ones were peanut and jujube cakes, yellow ones were crispy fish skin melons, green ones were candied broad bean slices, purple ones were sweet potato and red bean cakes, and there were several other beautifully presented pastries. Looking at them, Ji Wushang grew increasingly satisfied and couldn't help but praise, "Granny Wu's skills are truly excellent; I want to eat them just looking at them."
Granny Wu was overjoyed to see this, as it was rare to be praised by her mistress. She smiled so broadly that her eyes disappeared from her mouth. "Then Miss, please try it! It's all thanks to Miss's excellent recipe. This old servant has never seen anything like it in my entire life!"
"Let me try some." Ji Wushang picked out a few pieces of fragrant cake and ate them, nodding with even more satisfaction. "These methods are from books. Without Granny Wu's skills, you absolutely couldn't make them!"
"Look at what Miss is saying, it makes this old servant feel like she's been flattered." These words made the maids working in the courtyard secretly laugh.
Ji Wushang selected some to keep, rewarded Granny Wu with silver, then dismissed her. He then summoned Zhu'er and gave her a few instructions.
Pearl frowned as she listened. "Are we really going to send them over? Those pastries are so delicious! Why are we giving them away?"
"Send it, hurry up and go!" Ji Wushang winked at Zhu'er, who then nodded, packed the pastries in a box, and took them out.
Ji Meiyuan was embroidering in the courtyard, rushing to finish a beautiful landscape painting for her grandmother's birthday. Just then, Baoqi, the head maid, brought in a box of pastries. "Miss, the eldest young lady sent some pastries, saying they were just made and she wants you to try them."
"Let me have a taste?" Ji Meiyuan glared at her, as if asking if she wanted to take her life.
Baoqi understood Ji Meiyuan's meaning and immediately placed the pastry box on the table. Then she opened it, and a fragrant aroma wafted out. Ji Meiyuan couldn't help but put down her embroidery and watched as Baoqi picked out a pretty red bean sandwich. "This servant will try it first."
Baoqi took a few bites, but he wanted to eat another piece, so he picked out a different color and ate it. He didn't want to put it down. Ji Meiyuan watched, her eyebrows furrowed. It was so delicious.
Those were just ordinary ingredients, and the kitchen table was full of them. How could they eat so deliciously?
"Miss, these pastries are really good, I want more!" Baoqi said, wanting to take another piece, but Ji Meiyuan coldly said, "That's enough!"
Immediately, Bao Qi stopped and looked at Ji Meiyuan. Ji Meiyuan saw that the yellow fish-skin crispy melon and the green candied broad bean slices looked very appealing, so she picked them up and ate them. She found that they were indeed top-quality and left a lingering fragrance in her mouth.
Ji Meiyuan thought to herself that Ji Wushang wouldn't stoop so low as to poison her with the pastries, and she figured Ji Wushang didn't have the guts to do so! So she started eating without restraint.
——
After a while, Ji Wushang saw Zhu'er return and asked how things went. Zhu'er said she had delivered it to Ji Meiyuan's courtyard and that she could see Ji Meiyuan eating some snacks from a distance. Ji Wushang smiled and told Zhu'er to leave. Now they were just waiting for Yue'er.
Yue'er finally returned. Ji Wushang let her come into the house with him before letting her speak.
Yue'er whispered the words to him, and Ji Wushang thought for a moment before writing a note on a piece of paper and handing it to Yue'er, saying, "Follow this prescription, go to the Miaoshoutang outside and pick up some medicinal herbs, then send them there."
"Miss actually knows medicine prescriptions? That's amazing!" Yue'er admired her from the bottom of her heart.
Ji Wushang laughed and said, "Isn't it just because I've read a few more books? It's not like I have any real skills." He couldn't let others know that he was slowly learning medicine, lest someone take advantage of him and stab him in the back without him even knowing it! Just as he was speaking, a maid announced that someone from the Right Prime Minister's residence had come to see Ji Wushang.
While Madam Bei was in the courtyard, she kept thinking about what had just happened between Madam Zhou and Young Master Zhou, and her mind wasn't really on anything. After a while, a maid announced that Ji Wushang had arrived, and Madam Bei immediately put on a smile and went to greet him.
Ji Wushang looked at Madam Bei, observing her expression. He had been thinking about whether to ask something, but he couldn't bear to. So he just started chatting about everyday things. Madam Bei also wanted to test Ji Wushang's intentions, but she ended up talking about this and that.
Ji Wushang was thinking about something else when he noticed that Madam Bei's face had darkened, and he became a little worried. So Ji Wushang stepped forward and gently massaged Madam Bei's shoulders. "Mother, have you been staying up too late lately? You probably need to get some rest."
Madam Bei felt quite comfortable from the massage and was about to speak when suddenly everything went black and she collapsed.
Doukou, who had just brought the tea, immediately put it down and hurriedly helped Madam Bei, saying, "Madam, Madam!" Ji Wushang was also shocked, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and call someone!" Upon hearing this, Doukou immediately went out of the inner room and called several errand boys to go out and fetch a doctor.