Chapter Six: Personnel Matters

  In Chen Lan's memory, at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the world was in chaos and heroes rose together. In the end, Zhu Yuanzhang emerged and took over the world. However, in today's history, that poor-born Zhu Yuanzhang had no chance to rise to prominence. It was Lin Changhui, a commoner from a humble background, who swept across the land and established the Great Chu. After establishing the Chu Dynasty, he first investigated land ownership and fixed taxes, then encouraged industry and commerce, and continued the open sea trade of the Song and Yuan Dynasties. However, even the best system cannot withstand human corruption. Now, 150 years after the founding of the country, it is already far inferior to what it was in the past.

  Now that she knew the history of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang and Chu Taizu Lin Changhui, Chen Lan naturally became more vigilant and cautious, and some of her original plans were put away. Having roughly understood the general environment, her thoughts turned to herself.

  The Yangning Marquis Manor was a noble family with a long history, and when the country was founded, they were granted ten houses of slaves. Later, when they were promoted from earl to marquis, they were granted another ten houses of slaves. Over the past hundred years or so, these people have multiplied and grown in number, forming a large group. If they weren't constantly sent out, it's likely that even the largest manor wouldn't be able to accommodate them. It's precisely because of this that although there are enough servants in the manor to go around, each master of the house doesn't have many maids at first.

  The young ladies and masters all had no first-class maids, only two second-class and four third-class. The small maids who did miscellaneous chores in the courtyard were numerous. Now, Zhu Shi added another second-class maid to each of the young ladies' sides, saying that after the new year, she would add another one. Mrs. Ma, who was in charge of household affairs, was naturally the most worried. If the second-class maids were added, how could the third-class not be added? As a result, Chen Lan only heard that Mrs. Ma's Water Mirror Hall, which was in charge of household affairs, was busy every day with people recommending others, self-recommending, inquiring, and discussing...and never had a moment to rest.

  For several days, except for going to the Zhus' residence in the morning and evening, Chen Lan didn't leave her house much. Chen Yan also went to school every day and could only come visit her at night. However, Jinxiu Pavilion was no longer as quiet as before, with all sorts of people coming and going constantly.

  During her convalescence, Zhu's family had only sent Zheng Mama over once, but now it was almost every other day that a maid came to deliver things - sometimes a plum blossom-shaped box filled with pastries, sometimes high-quality bird's nest from another household, and sometimes small trinkets for decoration. With the unusual care from Zhu's household, the second and third branches of the family also frequently sent people to visit, especially Second Branch's Zhu Mama who not only personally delivered the previously missing monthly allowance but also repeatedly apologized and explained that the wife in charge had already been dismissed from her position.

  Chen Lan felt that these attentions were somewhat inexplicable, but for now she was still unfamiliar with human affairs and this era, so she really had no time to spare. Moreover, she still had books to read, so she just pretended to be indifferent, but taking a walk in the courtyard every morning and evening was a fixed routine. In this large mansion where every move was watched by countless people, morning and evening exercises were just a luxury, and she could only use walking as exercise to train her somewhat frail body.

  In the morning, I went to Zhu's place to pay my respects and returned. As usual, she was reading a book in the eastern wing of the house. She had only read a few pages when Hong Luo came in. She put down her book and smiled, asking: "Sister Hong Luo, it's been three days since you arrived, are you getting used to it?"

  Although Hong Luo was not as stunning as Zhen Rong, she was also elegant and refined. Among the many young maids in the Jinxiu Pavilion, none could compare to her. She was also very particular about her appearance, usually wearing simple clothes with only two small jade earrings on her ears and a silver bangle on her wrist, which Chen Lan had jokingly told her not to imitate his own simplicity. Now standing in front of Chen Lan, she couldn't help but compare his plain attire to the luxurious tastes of Chen Bing and Chen Xuan, and she secretly sighed.

  With such a face and figure, if she were born in the second house, she would be a legitimate and noble lady, how could she be so helpless and dependent in the main house?

  "Qinfang sister took me to meet everyone, and they all got along well. Besides, the Jinxiu Pavilion is quiet, so I can still do a lot of extra work every day, and I've done quite a bit of needlework in my spare time."

  Chen Lan nodded and continued reading, only to say after a while without lifting his head: "Yun'er has always been sharp-tongued, when she gets angry, no one can escape being scolded by her, just don't take it to heart."

  Hong Xuan originally came in to serve tea because Qin Fang was not around, but when she suddenly heard this sentence, she was taken aback and her heart tightened. Although the maid beside Old Lady was polite, generally speaking, she would be married off to a servant. The maids beside Miss were initially second-rate at most, but after they came of age, they would be promoted two ranks, mostly filling in the gaps left by the original second-rates who had been promoted. Therefore, she had long expected that someone would not look favorably on her. Indeed, Qin Fang was still good to her, but Yun'er often gossiped about her behind her back, and she just pretended not to hear it.

  She smiled and said: "Yuner is just young and a bit more lively, that's all."

  "Sister is again framing me in front of Miss, what? My temperament has always been like this, and no one has ever said anything about it before."

  As they spoke, the curtains of the study were lifted high, and soon only Yun'er walked in. She smiled and glanced at Hong Luo with a hint of a smile, then walked to the desk with her head held high, smiling as she placed the stack of books on the table: "Miss, these were just sent in by Fourth Master. He's really thoughtful, Miss mentioned wanting to read, and he found so many."

  She said as she opened her palm, and on it was a small silver ingot: "Fourth Master also said that the silver given to him by Miss was not used up. He originally wanted to find someone in charge to help, but after speaking out, that person took the initiative to visit. Not a single cent was spent, and many good things were said. Miss's injury has healed, and Fourth Master has been looking more spirited these past few days."

  Chen Lan casually handed the silver hairpin to Hongluo, and when she turned her head, she saw Yun'er staring at Hongluo, so she asked in a seemingly careless tone: "Where did you get these books?"

  "It was at the second gate." Yun'er saw Chen Lan ask herself, and hurriedly smiled and replied, "I happened to be going that way on an errand, I saw Fourth Master talking to a woman at the gate, so I went up and asked him two questions, and then took these books from him."

  Chen Lan nodded, and without asking anything else, Yun'er retreated. Hong Luo poured water, seeing that nothing was amiss, also followed her out of the room. About a quarter of an hour later, Qin Fang returned, first mentioning the matter of making up for the delayed monthly allowance, and finally whispering: "I've inquired and found out that it's because Mother Zhu is substituting for Second Madam to distribute the silver money, so this month's allowance not only arrived late but also was less than usual. It's just that Miss won't make a fuss about it. This time, seeing Old Lady being affectionate towards Miss, she hurriedly paid out the silver to fill our shortfall."

  When she heard this, Chen Lan remembered it in her heart, but knew that Aunt Er was now in charge of the household, and others might not know about it, they just didn't dare to speak out. So, after nodding, she asked Xuanfang: "How has Hongluo been these past two days?"

  "Hong Luo is gentle and courteous, doing things with propriety, but at first glance, it's hard to tell. Xian Fang thought carefully for a moment, but could only say this much, then shook her head again, "She's an outsider, serving the old lady for just one year and was promoted from third rank to second rank, she must be extremely intelligent, I'm stupid and useless, can't fathom her temperament."

  Chen Lan wasn't surprised by what Xiang Fang said. She had managed recruitment and training before, so she could only see that Hong Luo was a very opinionated person, with an inexplicable stubbornness. After smiling, she jokingly asked Xiang Fang a few questions. The master and servant chatted for a while, then Chen Lan suddenly asked again: "Have you reminded Yun'er not to always clash with Hong Luo?"

  "Yuner knew that the young lady was not unaware, with her high spirits and sharp tongue, but in the past, when something was missing from the courtyard, she would always go out of her way to argue for it, even if it meant losing face. She would often quarrel with me too, let alone someone who suddenly appeared above her. However, all she said about Hongluo was that she was bought from outside and her family background was unknown, not as reliable as a daughter born at home. I had scolded her a couple of times, but she just said that the young lady liked to put everything on her face, and if she had any other thoughts in her heart, it would make her uneasy. At this point, I couldn't say anything more."

  Chen Lan raised the corner of his mouth, picked up the small covered bowl, and gently filtered out the tea leaves on top with the lid. He took a sip and said softly: "It's not wrong to put everything on her face, I just hope she can be softer. Hong Luo is someone given by the old lady, you and I should still show her respect, if Yun'er always gives people attitude, what will others think? Alright, next time you choose two intricate embroidery tasks for her to calm down, if she doesn't listen, tell me again and I'll find a way. Also, in the future when Fourth Brother comes, pay attention to her."

  Everything made sense until the last sentence, when she suddenly felt a shock. Thinking carefully, every time Chen Yan came over, Yun'er was always in front of him, either serving tea or chatting with him. Although Fourth Master is only eleven and Yun'er is thirteen, who knows what might happen when they grow up a bit more. So, she took a deep breath to calm herself down and curtsied to show respect.

  "Yes, I understand."

  In the evening, as usual, everyone went to the Lianxiang Institute after dinner to ask for Zhu's well-being. The large warm pavilion was naturally crowded with people, including Yangning Hou Chen Jue, who rarely appeared. However, he himself seemed to know that his dark eye circles and tired face were too conspicuous, so he just nodded and hastily retreated. After he left, the second lady, Ma Shi, couldn't sit still either. Zhu knew what was going on in her mind, excused herself as being tired, and went to bed to rest. Before long, everyone in the room dispersed.

  As they left the Lianxiang Institute, Chen Yan naturally took Chen Lan's hand. Chen Lan had also gotten used to his affection over the past few days and let him be, walking with him to the corner where a row of bright tile-roofed lanterns could be seen in the distance, along with the lanterns in front and back, illuminating the entire road brightly. As they walked, Chen Yan kicked up a small stone and said casually, "Sister, once I become an official, we won't have to worry about what others think..."

  He hadn't finished speaking when he felt his hand being pinched hard, and he couldn't help but look up at Chen Lan. Chen Lan glanced around to the left and right, then winked at Xinfang. Xinfang quickly walked forward and started talking to the woman who was carrying the lantern in front, while Hong Luo had been lagging behind from the start, chatting with two third-class maids, seemingly not having heard the previous muttering at all.

  "Fourth brother, do you know that in our Yangning Marquis Manor for over a hundred years, how many people have passed the Imperial Examination as Xiucai, and how many people have passed the Imperial Examination as Juren or Jinshi?"

  Chen Yan heard a low voice from his sister beside him, he was stunned for a moment, and then said uncertainly: "There are not many scholars, there are probably four or five jinshi, as for the imperial examination, it seems that only the first uncle's ancestor, and two distant relatives."

  "What official positions did these three jinshi hold?"

  Chen Yan racked his brains, then shook his head in confusion. At this time, Chen Lan grasped his hand and said slowly, "You don't know, nor is it strange, because almost no one remembers them. The first uncle was extremely hardworking, but still didn't pass the second-grade imperial examination until he was over 40 years old. He was then appointed as a county magistrate, gradually accumulating seniority and rising through the ranks. By the time he passed away more than a decade later, he had only reached the rank of fourth-grade prefect. As for those two distant relatives, they struggled on their official paths and retired with no more than fifth-grade status; not one of them became an official in the capital. Do you know why our family, being a marquis's household, can't produce many civil officials?"

  Seeing Chen Yan shake his head again, Chen Lan let out a soft sigh and stopped to tidy up the cloak that had been blown awry by the wind. Only then did he say in a low voice: "Our family is a hereditary marquis, with many connections in the military over the past hundred years. Therefore, if our children want to make a career through reading books, not only will they not enjoy the family's protection, but they will also be implicated by the family name."

  Against Chen Lan's expectations, Chen Yan surprisingly just tilted his head and thought for a moment before somewhat understanding, even nodding in agreement. However, he then asked strangely: "Sister, why did you always force me to study in the past..."

  "Before, I wanted you to be more diligent, so that we wouldn't be looked down upon at home, but now the situation is different."

  Looking at the small frown, Chen Yan's face was full of strange expressions, but Chen Lan couldn't explain too much. These days, apart from those books, she had been inquiring about the ancestors of the Chen family. If Zheng Mama hadn't mentioned that Madame Ma wanted to move the young masters out, it would have been fine, but since she did, she had to plan ahead and take action before anyone else did.