Chapter 84 Leaving the Pavilion (Part 1)

  On an autumn night, the moonlight is very bright, gently passing through the window lattice and falling on the green tiles, filled with peace and quiet.

  Staring at the magnificent red and gold brocade cheongsam hanging on the clothes rack, Eleventh Young Mistress couldn't sleep at all.

  Tomorrow I will be married into the Xu family, am I really prepared?

  She involuntarily rolled over.

  Wu Xiaquan came to Yanjing from Yuhang, not only for Luo Zhensheng's wedding, but also for hers - because there were two villas and two courtyards as dowry, so the old lady asked Wu Xiaquan to bring four concubines from his hometown in Yuhang. One of them was called Jiang Bingzheng, who was said to be the younger brother of Jiang's mother, thirty years old; one was called Liu Yuanrui, who was also thirty years old; one was called Wan Yizong, thirty-eight years old; and one was called Chang Jiuhe, thirty-two years old.

  Wu Xiaoquan's family had previously told her with pride that these four families were all chosen by her. Wan Yizong and Chang Jiuhe were good at farming, Jiang Bingzheng used to be the manager of Luo's Hangzhou store, but was driven out because he offended Tao Zongguan, who was in charge of Luo's business in Hangzhou. Tao Zongguan was a very sinister and cunning person, even Tao Mama had to be careful around him... As for Liu Yuanrui, he was a very honest person, and his farming skills were good too. The main reason they chose him was because his wife cooked delicious meals, and on important days like the Spring Festival or harvest time, Liu Yuanrui's family would always be in charge of cooking. They could let Liu Yuanrui's family take care of the house later on, and when they had nothing to do, they could go live in the house and have someone to take care of their food and drink.

  The eleventh girl smiled and thanked Wu Xiaquan's family, but she didn't go to greet the four families. Instead, she asked Huopo: "......do you know him?"

  Amber hesitated and said, "I know Liu Yuanrui. He was originally the head of the farm, a very honest person. Later, he was squeezed out by Xu's nephew... If it weren't for his capable wife who had connections with the Wu family, I'm afraid they wouldn't have been able to stay on the farm. However, she is skilled at cooking and often gets invited to help with weddings and funerals. As for Jiang Bingzheng, I don't know him personally, but I've heard that he's very lively. In the past, he even wanted to compete with Tao for the position of governor of Hangzhou Prefecture. Later, because he embezzled funds, Tao exposed him and had him kicked out to the farm. If it weren't for Wu's protection, Madam would have driven him out long ago." She paused for a moment, "This person can't even farm, and on the farm, he's always slacking off... Unfortunately, because of his connection with Wu, no one can do anything about him..."

  Eleventh Sister was surprised: "Why did Wu Xiaquan want to protect him?"

  "He married Wu Zongguan's niece."

  On one side was Jiang's mother, on the other was Wu Xiangquan, and he even competed with Tao for position. The background of Wang Bingzheng is quite complicated. However, whoever comes should have some skills. For example, Liu Yuanrui's wife, her husband's job was taken by Xu's nephew, but she still managed to get in good with the Wu Xiangquan family and eventually got sent to Yanjing as a concubine...

  Eleventh daughter slightly raised her chin.

  "I've never heard of Wan Yizong and Chang Jiuhu!" said Hu Po, "Do you want me to go ask around. The Liu Yuans' household should know."

  Everyone is no longer young, and people can tell what kind of personality someone has just by looking at them!

  "Never mind," said Shiyi with a smile, "this is just one side of Wu Xiaquan's family. Who knows how mother will arrange things."

  Amber fell silent.

  Eleventh sister suddenly thought of another matter.

  Yesterday, Mrs. Xu told her that the lady would let her bring four maids over.

  She thought for a moment, then sent Amber to call Dong Qing over. After that, she dismissed Amber and asked Dong Qing alone: "It's possible that only four of us can go in the end, what do you think we should do?"

  Dong Qing listened in a daze, hung her head, and after a long while said: "Miss, considering I've served you for so long, please, you... arrange a proper marriage for me!" As she spoke, tears fell silently down, forming a small puddle on the hem of her skirt.

  The eleventh girl couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

  Dong Qing had thought she was having a hard time and privately gave her some advice so that she would be mentally prepared.

  "Don't worry, I'll take you away first," she said with a smile to comfort Dongqing's anxiety. "I won't let you fall into the hands of Mother Yao."

  "Dong Qing nodded with tears in her eyes: 'Miss, I will repay your kindness by being a cow or a horse in the next life.'"

  "What do you want me to be a cow and a horse for?" Eleventh Girl couldn't help but laugh.

  She called Binju again to ask.

  Binju was straightforward: "Think of a way to keep Amber." He also came up with an idea, "Miss, why don't we do it like before and give Amber some laxatives..."

  "That's out of the question!"

  "What's to be done?" She frowned, "Just looking at her makes my heart feel hairy." After some thought, she told the eleventh daughter about the time Amber had shown off in front of the tenth daughter, "...You often tell us to be more tolerant. But she's pleased with herself just because of a few clothes. I'm afraid she'll cause trouble for you."

  "Uh-huh." Eleventh Sister smiled and nodded, "I know. I'll take care of this!"

  Binju let out a sigh of relief.

  Eleventh daughter asked Autumn Chrysanthemum.

  "Miss, I'll stay behind!"

  Eleventh daughter was quite unexpected.

  Qiu Ju smiled and said: "I want to go back to Yuhang. My mother, father and brothers are all in Yuhang."

  Knowing when to say what, knowing what she wants... Suddenly, Eleven couldn't bear to part with her.

  He took her hand and asked: "Is there anything you particularly want?"

  Chrysanthemum quietly let out a breath of relief.

  Although she knew that her master was not narrow-minded, letting her go like this still surprised her.

  She smiled: "I want to learn Miss's double-sided embroidery."

  It's impossible either from the past or the current situation.

  Eleventh Sister thought for a moment, then said: "I'll tell Manager Wu to have you sent to the Hangzhou mansion to be a servant. I'll also write a letter of introduction to Master Jian, and you can take my letter to find him. As for whether or not you succeed in your studies, that's up to your fate."

  Qiu Ju hastily knelt down and gave Miss Eleven three loud head knocks: "Miss's great kindness, I will remember for the rest of my life."

  It means letting her go back to Yuhang and reunite with her parents!

  When it was time to part ways, Eleventh Sister only then realized that Autumn Chrysanthemum was a pearl, unfortunately, she didn't realize it earlier.

  With a faint sense of regret, she asked Zhu Xiang: "...... Which four should I choose?"

  Zhū Xiāng's face was full of shock.

  She was a little maid, always following behind Qiu Ju or Bin Ju, so when she asked herself like this, she felt unexpected but also natural.

  Eleventh girl smiled and said, "You were introduced by Fifth Aunt, I can't leave you at home. But going to the Xu family, we are unfamiliar with the place, and being outsiders, we may encounter many things. At that time, if you several cannot become a cohesive unit, I fear it will be difficult to take a step forward. Let me ask you, what plans do you have in mind?"

  Zhu Xiang lowered her head, twisting her fingers for half a day without saying a word.

  The eleventh girl didn't urge her either, and quietly drank tea.

  "After a while, she said softly: 'Let Autumn Chrysanthemum stay! She still has her parents in Yuhang.'"

  The eleventh girl's heart trembled slightly, but she smiled and said: "Qiu Ju has been serving me since entering the mansion, I'm a bit reluctant to part with her. However, it's Hu Po..."

  Before she had finished speaking, Zhu Xiang had already lifted her head up.

  Her big eyes were filled with anxiety: "You mustn't... the mistress won't agree to it... Fifth Aunt is still in Yuhang, isn't she? Why not send me back to Yuhang instead? Someone has to attend to Fifth Aunt!"

  The eleventh girl looked at her and smiled slightly: "I understand."

  "Miss, don't worry, I won't tell anyone else about this."

  The smile of the eleventh girl deepened.

  In a few days, Mrs. Zhang introduced her to four maidservants she knew.

  Jiang Bingzheng was indeed a clever person, with a pair of very agile eyes. He and Liu Yuanrui, Wan Yizong, and Chang Jiuhe stood at the door, while the other three lowered their heads and didn't dare to raise them again. Jiang Bingzheng actually glanced at Shiyi Niang several times with his eyes.

  The eleven-year-old girl carefully observed the hands of the four people.

  Jiang Bingzheng's hands were white and neat, not like those of a farmer.

  Liu Yuanrui, Wan Yizong and Chang Jiuhé's hands all have thick joints and rough skin. But Wan Yizong is different from Liu Yuanrui and Chang Jiuhé. Wan Yizong's hands are washed very clean, while Liu Yuanrui and Chang Jiuhé still have mud left in their fingernails.

  She turned over again at the thought of these things.

  The rustling of clothes and skirts sounded very loud on this quiet night.

  "Miss, have you slept?"

  It was Amber who slept on the bed board asking her.

  "Not asleep!" said Eleventh Sister in a low voice.

  At this time, Amber usually has something to say to her.

  After a long while, Amber finally spoke up: "Lord Hou, it's like this... even if we've reached the heavens!" Her voice was light and barely audible, as if she wanted to blend into the moonlight. "I often hear people say that all grand feasts must come to an end... and also, those who climb high will fall hard... Lord Hou, you're not that kind of person, are you?"

  Xu Lingyi returned victorious, and the Emperor once again offered to grant him a noble title. Xu Lingyi wrote a long letter of gratitude, politely declining for the second time. The Emperor then rewarded Xu Lingyi with 10,000 taels of gold and 100 qing of good land.

  The lady just sneered coldly after hearing it.

  The old man sighed and said "what a pity".

  Who would have thought that Amber had such insight?

  A thought that had been lingering in her mind for a long time once again emerged in her heart.

  Eleventh girl turned sideways, propped her head on her arm and gazed at the amber on the bedside: "Do you know why mother gave you to me?"

  "I don't know." Amber's heart skipped a beat, "I've been thinking too, all my sisters are so clever. Maybe they think I'm stupid, so they sent me out." She turned her face to look at Eleventh Sister, her eyes glinting uncertainly in the darkness.

  "I don't know either." Eleventh Sister smiled and said, "However, since she chose you, she must have had her reasons. Now I want to ask you, are you willing to follow me?"

  It's not asking if she is willing to follow her to the Xu residence, but rather if she is willing to follow herself... There is an essential difference between them.

  "You don't have to answer me now!" Shíyī Niáng lay down again, "Think carefully and then answer me later!"

  Can't I just go back to Madame's place?

  She never had a choice.

  Entering the mansion as a maid was her parents' idea; going to serve by Madame's side was Mrs. Xi's idea; being transferred to Miss Eleven's quarters was Madame's idea... But she knew that she could only be single-minded - having two husbands would not end well, and being in Cao's camp with one's heart in Han's camp would also not end well.

  Amber smiled: "Of course I'll follow Miss." Her voice was neither fast nor slow, with a hint of solemnity.

  In the darkness, Shiyi's mouth corners slightly curled up as she turned over to sleep: "You have to remember what you said."