Friday, June 28, 2019
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Chapter 9 - Livelihood (1)
The distance between the Old Madam's courtyard and Rosebush Courtyard was, but one incense stick. Today, however, Fang Mama felt the road was longer than usual.
After returning to their courtyard, Yuxi dismissed all the servants, bringing only Fang Mama into her room.
Fang Mama then took hold of Yuxi's hand while crying out, "Miss, what will happen to you should this old servant leave?" Her husband had died early. The relatives who lived in Ning jia, don't know what happened or where they are now. Leaving the Han Fu, Fang Mama did not know what she could do. For the future, Fang Mama was worried and distraught.
Yuxi had thought about it. If Fang Mama were to leave the Fu, then she might have a hard time. After all, people fear the emptiness of doing nothing. Therefore, Yuxi is ready to make plans for Fang Mama. When people have something to do, the time goes by faster. Just as she was experiencing that emptiness in her past life, she had embroidery to passed the time. Yuxi held Fang Mama's hand before speaking, "Mama, Old Madam wants to release you, maybe that is a good thing for us."
Fang Mama dully asked, "Miss, what do you mean? You said it is a good thing to leave?"
Yuxi whispered, "Mama, you know that I am in a tight situation. Once you are released, you can open a shop outside. If you do, my financial situation will improve and I will have an easier time inside the Fu."
Fang Mama didn't know what to say. "Miss, don't say that we have the money to open a shop; even if there is money, what can this servant do?" She didn't know the first thing about operating a shop.
Yuxi laid out her plan. "Mama does not remember, but you can make steamed buns¹ and dumplings², right? You can make money by opening a steamed bun stall." Though making money is not easy, but for Fang Mama, it was just right. If you have something to do, you won't have time to think about things.
Fang Mama smiled bitterly. "Miss, how does a business like that do well?"
"Mama, your steamed buns and dumplings are so delicious, they'll make money. I have confidence in you, Fang Mama." After a pause, Yuxi said, "Once outside, Mama can make money for me. Then in the future, I have an income. Hence, I do not have to worry about not being able to reward the servants."
Fang Mama was impressed with Yuxi's plan. "But what if this servant can't manage to make money?" Leaving was a foregone conclusion so being able to help the Young Miss was a good thing, hitting two birds with one stone. Only, she was worried that she would lose money.
Smiling, Yuxi said, "We are only opening a small steamed bun stall, it won't cost much. Beside, I believe in your cooking. Mama, you should have confidence in yourself."
Though Fang Mama had confidence in her cooking, she had no confidence in doing business. After all, she never had to manage a business. But she understood that this plan of Yuxi's was the right one for her.
After waiting for Yuxi to leave, the Old Madam turned to Luo Mama. "What happened?" Just now, though Luo Mama had not reported everything, Yuxi did not openly expressed her grievances to the Old Madam.
"During the interrogation, it came out that the contaminated things were given by an old servant of Concubine Rong. As for why Concubine Rong tried to harm the Fourth Miss, the servant Moyun was not clear."
The Old Madam continued to turn the prayers beads in her hand. Although there was not much evidence, it was still obvious that Concubine Rong had a hand in this situation.
"What excuses did that servant give?" If it is only for money, that servant would not obey Concubine Rong. The reason is simple; once it is found out that a servant was plotting against a master, than not only that servant, but their whole family would be executed.
Luo Mama whispered, "Moyun and Xue Guan's youngest son had a beginning and an end." The so-called 'beginning and end' was of course a private love affair. But the servants was the master's property. Without the consent of the master, to have an affair. And more so, Moyun was still a close servant of Yuxi. This has become a serious matter. The reputation of a Young Miss is soiled, death would not be enough.
The prayer beads stopped moving. "Sell that to the mines." Having a private affair, plotting to harm to the master; an immediate death would be too cheap.
Luo Mama face remained impassive. After the Old Madam stopped speaking, she carefully opened her mouth to asked, "Old Madam, how to deal with the son of Xue Ming?"
The Old Madam calmly ordered, "let them go to Zhuangzi." Xue Guan's mother, Xue Ming, was the Old Madam's wet nurse so she was benevolent toward him. But that had let him get a big head. Daring to break the rules, to look the other way for his son; can only impose punishment.
Qiu-shi heard that the Old Madam had punished Xue Guan and was surprised. "What happened?"
Xue-jia was the Old Madam's confident. If it was not a big deal, the Old Madam would not send them to Zhuangzi village.
Li Mama shook her head. "In the early morning, the Fourth Miss had send a tied up servant to the Old Madam. This matter should be related to Xue-jia."
Qiu-shi did not understand. "Even if that servant did something, it still should not involved Xue-jia!"
In the midst of questions, Liu Yin walked and reported, "Concubine Rong was recently confined to her courtyard by Old Madam."
Qiu-shi became more and more aware that something odd had happened. Obviously, the matter can't be separated from Yuxi. "In the end, what happened?"
Well, speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao will appear³. While speaking about the matter of Yuxi, a servant girl reported that she had come. Yuxi came to talk about Fang Mama starting a business, but they did not know a thing about managing a shop so had came to consult with her Great Aunt who was more familiar with it.
When Qiu-shi saw Yuxi, she asked, "Yuxi, why did you send Moyun to the Old Madam's courtyard this morning?"
So Yuxi narrated the tales that occurred so far, of how Moyun was reaping her own karma. "Aunt also know my temper. Even if Moyun made a mistake, I will scold her at most. But just because she was scolded a few times, she would take up such a poisonous method? That is too much, so to say."
Now Qiu-shi knew the reason why the Old Madam had confined Concubine Rong. "That poisonous woman." Such a heavy hand, not even letting off a 4-year old child.
Yuxi agrees that Concubine Rong is a poisonous woman, but she still hope to get rid of this poisonous woman.
Qiu-shi can guess that Concubine Rong wanted to harm Ning-shi, but she did not dare tell Yuxi. She only softly asked, "What did you come over for?"
Yuxi told her about Fang Mama starting a shop.
Qiu-shi was quiet for a moment before speaking, "It is not easy to open a shop, Yuxi."
"Aunt, I understand that opening a shop is not easy, but I'm not starting a shop to make money. I only wish to find something for Fang Mama. Ning-jia is gone and Fang Mama is being released. But where can she go? These are small things. What I'm afraid of is that once Fang Mama leaves, she will think too much and harm her body." After a pause, Yuxi continued, "Aunt, opening a shop is to find something for Fang Mama to do, so that she will not think too much."
"Is this your idea or Fang Mama's idea?" If it was Yuxi's, then this child had a big heart.
"It's my own thoughts. Fang Mama also agree with me. Aunt, I don't know the first thing about opening a shop. I hope Aunt can help me start."
Qiu-shi listened and felt it was interesting. Smiling, she started to explain to Yuxi, "There are many things to considered when opening a shop. For example, where will it be located? The scale of business is large and you have to think about those in the same business..."
After listening, Yuxi carefully considered it. "Aunt, the shop should not be too big. Also, the rent in the West and East is so expensive. This won't do."
Qiu-shi smiled upon hearing Yuxi's respond. "Aunt didn't know that Yuxi knew so much. You've considered the important things very well. The area of the West and East is very expensive, a year rent cost at least a thousand gold. The steamed bun shop should not begin there." If they opened shop there, afraid won't be able to make rent.
"Where does Aunt think is the most appropriate?"
Qiu-shi thought for a moment. "The area of the South is more a ordinary neighborhood. The people are not as rich as the West, but they are not poor. As long as the steamed buns are delicious, there should be no worries of no customers. I think you can open a steamed bun shop in the South." The shop is small and the rent is not too expensive. If not done well, there shouldn't be too much loss. If done well, there is time later to expand and scale up.
TL Notes:
1. Steamed Buns
2. Dumplings
Chapter 8 - Moyun
Yu Yan had gone first. She had picked four servants that did not seem particularly outstanding yet were at least pretty to look at. When it was Yuxi's turn, there were not many left.
Yuxi looked around seriously before speaking, "step forward".
Six little girls heard so stepped forward. Yuxi then casually asked some questions, such as their situation at home and their skill sets.
Yu Yan snorted. "Fourth Sister, what game are you playing now?" It's only picking servants, why did she need to wait for Yuxi to finish? Yet Yuxi was taking this so seriously.
Yuxi did not pay attention to Yu Yan. Soon, she picked three girls from the group. These three servants had something in common, they had bright and clear eyes.
Back at Rosebush courtyard, Fang Mama was confused. "Miss, why did you only choose three servants? Our courtyard has six vacancies."
Yuxi whispered, "Chose quality over quantity."
The three new servants still needed to learn the rules of the courtyard so they did not come serve Yuxi directly.
The next day, Yuxi did not expect for Moyun to come back so early. In her past, Moyun had left very early thus she did not have much of an impression of Moyun. After all, she was only four years old, how did she know to look at people?
Looking at Moyun, Yuxi was startled. Moyun stood tall and graceful. She was wearing a simple indigo dress yet it could not hide her clean appearance. This pretty servant before her was probably one of the moles.
Yuxi suppressed the surging emotions in her heart and asked with concern, "How is your mother's illness?"
Moyun gratefully answered, "My mother is better now, thank you for Young Miss's grace." Moyun is Yuxi's personal servant, of course she would understand the state of Yuxi's finance.
"It's fine. But you look so pale, go and rest first."
After Moyun left, Yuxi expression turned overcast and gloomy. Although Moyun appeared wan and sallow, she can clearly see that her hands were white and smooth. Her fingernails were also clean and trimmed neatly, obviously carefully maintained. If she really was looking after her ill mother, then where would she find the time to look after her hands?
Yuxi thought for a moment before turning to Fang Mama. "I recall that Moxiang has a younger sister, does she resemble Moxiang?"
Fang Mama shook her head. "I have not seen them."
"Then let's take a look. If they do, then quietly bring them in. Don't let anyone else know."
Fang Mama was somewhat puzzled. "Miss, what are you going to do?"
Yuxi spoke of her suspicions and also of her plans. "Mama, do not let others know about it. You have to do this yourself."
Fang Mama became worried. "Miss, if you are mistaken about the matter, then the Old Madam will likely punish you for it."
Yuxi is not worried about being punished. "Don't worry, Mama. I am still young. If the Old Madam gets angry, the most she would order is to have me confined to Rosebush Courtyard." The Old Madam had never liked her, but she would not kill her for no reason.
Fang Mama hesitated for awhile before finally agreeing.
Yuxi sighed softly. While Fang Mama was loyal, she was not taught nor understand how to scheme. Therefore it would be best that she obtained experiences by Yuxi's side.
The relationship between Moyun and Moxiang was close and they were sharing the same room. Upon returning, Moyun would obviously return to that same room.
In her dreams, Moyun heard the sound of a door opening. Waking up, Moyun saw the door to the room was open. Moyun felt her hair stood on its ends as goosebumps littered her skin. She remembered very clearly that she had locked the door before going to bed, and now the door was wide opened.
Just as she sat befuddled, she saw a female figure clothed in white near the door, drifting toward her. Moyun then quickly huddled near the corner wall, her whole body shaking.
Then the ghostly figure muttered, "why do you wish to harm me?"
As she looked at the terrifying face of the female ghost, she hated that she could not faint. When the female ghost climbed on the bed while reaching for her, Moyun finally kneel down and begged, "Moxiang, I did not know there was something wrong with the perfume sachet¹. I didn't mean to harm you. You let me go, I beg you, let me go. I will burn paper money for you every year, I will burn a lot of paper money!"
The female ghost eagerly asked, "what perfume sachet?"
Opening her mouth, Moyun started to speak before finding it was strange. Staring at the white figure, she asked sharply, "Who are you? You are actually pretending to be a ghost."
Silently standing at the door, Yuxi was observing what was happening in the room while Fang Mama had already rushed in the room. Striding toward Moyun, she grabbed ahold her before demanding answers.
"What perfume sachet? What bad things?"
Moyun saw Fang Mama at the door, but did not understand the situation. Regardless of how many times Fang Mama questioned her, Moyun was frightened and kept repeating 'do not know'.
Yuxi walked in and looked at Moyun. "Are you speaking the truth?"
Moyun immediately squatted on the ground. "Miss, this servant just now was scared and confused. Miss, this servant is wrongly treated."
Aware that there was little use in questioning Moyun, Yuxi had people quickly tied her up. After dawn, she directly headed to the main courtyard. The Old Madam might not want to see her, but she can't allow bad people near her.
When the Old Madam had finished getting dress, she saw Feicui walked in and announced, "Reporting to the Old Madam, the Fourth Miss had came with a tied up servant girl, Moyun. This servant is not aware of what Moyun had done that Fourth Miss would take such actions." Feicui is the cousin and the sister-in-law of Moyun's aunt, thus, the two can be considered as related. In fact, the relationship in the Fu was complicated, with many people sharing the same blood as each other.
The Old Madam frown. Although she did not like Yuxi, she understood that Yuxi would not come and parade her tied-up servant for no reason. "Let them come in."
Upon entering the room and seeing the Old Madam, Yuxi immediately kneel down. "Grandmother, Granddaughter is unfilial for disturbing Grandmother this early in the morning. But this Granddaughter is incompetent and cannot handle this important matter herself. Only can request Grandmother to help."
Sweeping the dust off her sleeves, the Old Madam slowly straightened her skirt before speaking. "What happened?"
Yuxi, who had prepared herself the night before, began speaking, "The days before my struggle with smallpox, Moyun had made me a beautiful perfume sachet." The meaning of her words is self-evident.
Moyun was confident that Yuxi would hand her over to Qiu-shi to deal with. For this reason, she had prepared many excuses. But when she realized that Yuxi had actually looked for the Old Madam, she knew she was finished. Qiu-shi was soft-hearted, she would not be ruthless. So it was not possible that with a few words from the Fourth Miss would she be executed. The worst outcome would probably lead to being sold. But it was different with the Old Madam. If the matter was confirmed, even without evidence, she would died without a burial.
The Old Madam's hand silently fisted, but she calmly asked, "And then?"
"After questioning Moju, Granddaughter was told the perfume sachet was taken away by Moxiang after Granddaughter came down with the illness."
Not looking at the struggling Moyun, the Old Madam continued to question Yuxi. "Why do you doubt your own servant girl?"
"Grandmother, Granddaughter is very confused. Granddaughter does not often step out of Rosebush Courtyard yet Granddaughter was still infected by smallpox. Then when returning to Rosebush Courtyard, Granddaughter was informed that Moxiang had passed away from smallpox. Something about that is not right." A pause, before Yuxi continued her suspicions of Moyun.
The Old Madam looked at Yuxi, very surprised. She didn't think that Yuxi would gain some intelligence after her illness. "Luo Mama, take that down for questioning." Interrogating can only go so far, it is better to use some force.
Less than half an incense stick later, Luo Mama came back to report. "Reporting to Old Madam, that servant had claimed that because the Fourth Miss had scolded her for a mistake, she had put a few dirty things in a perfume sachet."
Yuxi felt a flash of anger as it was obvious that her life was being schemed against yet the Old Madam was taking it lightly. Her life is also a life, wasn't it?
Sweeping a glance towards the dissatisfied Yuxi, the Old Madam slowly open her mouth. "The Mama by your side is also getting older, she should also be released." Not to mention that Fang Mama could not even manage such a big mess, she is also likely to indulged and spoil Yuxi.
Yuxi was dumbfounded, did not punish Concubine Rong, but instead want to drive away her Fang Mama?
The Old Madam didn't care about Yuxi's reaction. She only looked to the side and said, "Hongshan, you go to the Rosebush Courtyard with Fourth Girl." Hongshan was a secondary servant of the Old Madam. Her meaning was clear, Hongshan was to leave with Yuxi.
Hongshan grew pale, but nevertheless, obeyed the words of the Old Madam so went to stand beside Yuxi.
At this time, Yuxi was not in the mood to look at Hongshan. She was thinking about when Fang Mama would be expelled from the Fu. In her past life, not long after being released, Fang Mama had contracted an illness from being so stressed that she soon passed away. But it can't happen again. Yet she knew it was useless to ask the Old Madam to retract her order. She had to be the one to solve the problem herself. For the first time, Yuxi felt how incompetent she was. Concubine Rong wanted to trapped Yuxi yet had entrapped Fang Mama instead.
When the Old Madam saw Yuxi's quiet desire to plead for Fang Mama, her eyebrows wrinkled. But looking at the dispirited Yuxi, the Old Madam did not speak as the little girl had already stood up.
Understanding that the Old Madam wanted to release her, Fang Mama wanted to rushed back to the courtyard to plead with her. But Yuxi took her hand and whispered, "Mama, head back to Rosebush Courtyard." The Old Madam will not change her orders. Going back in would only incite a severe reprimanding.
Hongshan did not have much regards for Fang Mama, but Yuxi's conduct had surprised her. It seems that nowadays, the Fourth Miss really had changed. No longer timid or gloomy, she really had a change of heart.
Although Hongshan regrets not being able to stay with the Old Madam; after all, she has more status than the Fourth Miss. But she didn't think too much as the Old Madam had given her orders. For now, the Fourth Miss was only four years old. She will only have to serve her for 5-6 years then when she has reached the marrying age, she can asked to be release.
TL Note:
1. Perfume sachet; small, embroidered bag that held herbs/potpourri.
Previous Next
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)