Chapter 21: The Servant's Rise

  The Water Mirror Hall was originally a small three-bay hall on the east side of the main gate of Zining House, where Master Chen Yong used to receive guests and friends. After Master Chen's death, his son Chen Jiu did not want to occupy his father's old house, so it was left vacant. Later, Madame Ma thought it was a pity that the place was deserted, so she reported to Zhu Shi and had it converted into a meeting place for the stewards. The hall was originally equipped with a heating system, and the charcoal brazier was always replenished, making it warm on winter days. Therefore, whenever it got cold, all the stewardesses would love to stay here for a while to keep warm.

  It was just past dawn, and the sky was still dark. In the Water Mirror Hall, several servant women were already waiting. Compared to their usual chatter, the room was much quieter now, with people speaking in hushed tones, their faces filled with anxiety. Suddenly, the door curtain outside moved, and a sharp-eyed servant woman quickly stood up, beaming with smiles as she went to greet someone.

  "Mom Zheng, why did you come so early?"

  The several wives who were facing the door immediately turned around to welcome her when they heard it was Zheng Mama. Zheng Mama, wearing a deep blue satin jacket with a half-old and not new dark green woolen cloak on top, pulled the cloak up and swept everyone's eyes lightly before instructing: "Now that something has happened in the mansion and the second lady is also unwell, so the old lady sent three ladies to manage the household. We are the hundred-year-old Houmen, not an ordinary family that hasn't experienced anything. You are all old-timers in the mansion, don't think about the situation being bad and come up with some strange thoughts. I suppose you should also know that when the time comes, Green Lotus will accompany the three ladies over, and whatever is good or bad will be reported to the old lady."

  Everyone hastily said they didn't dare, and some who had previously spoken up in front of Zheng Mama cautiously inquired about the situation. Upon learning that Zheng Mama was going out to the Jin Wang Fu, those who still had worried expressions on their faces quickly changed them. After seeing the group off at the Water Mirror Hall, as they disappeared into the dark corner gate along the corridor, they finally turned back and exchanged glances and words in twos and threes according to their usual relationships.

  It wasn't long before Chen Lan arrived at the Water Mirror Hall with Hong Luo Xiang Fang and Su Mu Hu Jiao. At this time, the sky was still dark, but Lu E had been waiting for a while, and more than ten mothers-in-law had already arrived. However, Chen Huang and Chen Tai hadn't arrived yet. It wasn't until the copper kettle's dripping water had almost stopped that voices were heard from outside, followed by the door curtain being lifted high. Chen Lan put down his tea cup and looked up to see Chen Huang and Chen Tai entering one after the other, followed by a group of maidservants.

  Chen Huan glanced around the room, then walked straight up to Chen Lan and apologized for being late. He also apologized to Lu'e, while Chen Xiao just coldly said that he had been delayed on his way out. Chen Lan wouldn't make a fuss over such trivial matters, so he invited them to sit down together and listened to their stories.

  Yesterday, such a big thing had just happened, and now three misses have taken over the household chores. Although Zheng Mama had come to warn them earlier, Lü Yu still stood by, but it was inevitable that someone would harbor unusual thoughts. After several tasks were assigned, a housekeeper stepped forward and said: "Three misses, according to last year's precedent, each room's maid will receive 120 taels of silver for their spring clothes."

  The day before, Chen Lan had no intention of exposing the truth and gaining power - she had only recently figured out the situation in this household, and as for the rest, she was still unclear. If it were true that killing one would warn a hundred, Old Lady's side would naturally be delighted, but it was more likely that a momentary impulse would ruin everything. At this critical juncture, she had to be careful. However, when she heard the number 120 taels, she was still shocked in her heart.

  She hadn't even spoken yet when Chen Huo suddenly spoke up and said: "How can you want so much!"

  Chen Hu only seemed to realize his mistake when he saw everyone staring at him, and he said with embarrassment: "Third sister, don't laugh at me. I was just thinking that usually the monthly allowance for sisters is only two taels of silver. I didn't expect that just making clothes for the maids would require so much. Our family has just experienced a misfortune, so this large expense should be avoided if possible. Third sister, what do you think?"

  Chen Lan saw that Chen Huan was just staring at her and Chen Xiao, while Chen Xiao seemed to be completely oblivious, simply holding the hand warmer and sitting there in a daze. The wives and mothers-in-law below had different expressions: some were gloating, some were pursing their lips in disapproval, and others had an air of watching a good show, but not one of them spoke up to offer any advice. So, she naturally turned her head to glance at Lu'e.

  Lu'er was originally a good-tempered person, but just now the busy wife and mother hastily and quickly spoke of things, not giving the three young ladies any chance to react. At this time, she also heard about the one hundred twenty taels, which made her feel that these people were greedy and hateful. Therefore, she bent down and said in a low voice: "The fourth young lady just now was not unreasonable, it's not like usual times, putting it aside for the time being is not impossible."

  Just as Chen Lan was hesitating, a sudden commotion came from outside, and immediately the thick, sandy-colored plaid curtain at the front door was violently pushed open. A person stumbled into the room, almost simultaneously, two robust women followed, stretching out their hands to grab someone without saying a word.

  "Fourth sister-in-law, what are you doing? Can't you see the young ladies are busy with their tasks?"

  "It's already Chinese New Year and there's almost no rice left at home, can't I even ask the young ladies to make some excuses?"

  The one called Fourth Aunt was a woman in her fifties, with a sturdy waist and wearing a blue cotton garment that had been washed until it was white. At this moment, she struggled free from the two women who were trying to hold her back, lifted up her clothes and knelt down directly. For a while, the Water Mirror Hall was filled with buzzing discussions. She didn't care about these, knocked her head twice on the ground and then stood up straight.

  Chen Lan heard the loud thud and saw that the four women's foreheads were already somewhat purple, knowing that this was a real head-on collision, not the usual fake courtesy. He immediately asked: "What's going on?"

  "Three misses are upstairs, the youngest is from Chu Si's family. Originally didn't want to come here when things happened in the mansion, but now there's really no way out, can only stake this life to beg and plead!"

  When they heard the three words "I'd rather die", the two women who were originally going to pull her back immediately retreated, and the people who were pointing and discussing also immediately shut their mouths. The hall was silent for a moment. Chu Sihua looked around at these brightly dressed housekeepers with a sarcastic gaze, revealing an undisguised cold smile on his face.

  "Our family's old servant has been following the old master to guard Gansu, serving him for many years, killing people on the battlefield and drinking in the Hu camp. The scars all over his body can't be counted! I don't understand, our family's good things are all taken by those who are clever with words, while we who have shed blood are left behind and almost starved to death. It's not just our family, the East Wing's Erxi family, Ping Sanjia, West Wing's Lao Dejia, who followed the old master through life and death, now their descendants can't even compare to those who came later! When our family's men were fighting for their lives, where were those who are now enjoying good food and drink? Not to mention others, just yesterday something happened in the mansion, today these officials who are always showing off have an excuse to quietly leave and find another way out!"