DBB – Chapter 48: Persuasion

Back at the Linyan Pavilion, Qiaowei recounted everything that had happened in Xiexiao Courtyard to Song Yiniang.

Having heard it all, Song Yiniang frowned deeply. “So… they met Old Madam Ji, fine. But my two sisters—they’re not the type to be swayed by money alone. How did Old Madam Ji find out about the Mu family’s proposal? If that gets out, they certainly won’t agree to be part of Lan’er’s hairpin ceremony!”

And if they refused, finding suitable replacements on short notice would be no easy task.

Looking at it now, it seemed wiser to have Madam Wen serve as the Hairpin Inserter for Gu Lan. After all, Lan’er’s marriage couldn’t be delayed. And if Madam Wen could help secure a better match for her, then the matter of Mu’s concubine-born son would naturally be avoided.

But Madam Li and Madam Wen had never gotten along—choosing Madam Wen might offend Madam Li…

Thoughts churned in Song Yiniang’s mind. Once she made her decision, she went with Gu Lan to Madam Wen’s temporary quarters.

Madam Wen was inside working on her embroidery. Upon seeing Song Yiniang and Lan’er arrive, she quickly instructed a maid to bring out an embroidered stool.

“We’re just here for a little chat,” Song Yiniang said with a pleasant smile, picking up the embroidery hoop in Madam Wen’s hands. “This pattern is beautifully done.”

Gu Lan added her praise, “The stitching is neat and precise, the colors soft and elegant. I quite like this style!”

Madam Wen smiled. “Just something to pass the time… I wonder how Lan’er’s embroidery has come along these days?”

Song Yiniang sighed. “That’s a sore spot for her. The household hired Madam Xue, trained under the renowned Ji family, to teach Su embroidery—but she only instructs the Eldest Miss. Lan’er could only learn what little I could teach her.”

Madam Wen’s brow furrowed. “Even if Lan’er is a concubine’s daughter, she’s still a proper Gu family miss. How could they not assign her a proper embroidery tutor?”

Gu Lan tugged at Song Yiniang’s sleeve. “Aunt, please, let’s not talk about it anymore.”

But Song Yiniang continued, “That’s hardly the worst of it. When the Madam had ornaments made for Eldest Miss, Lan’er—who’s also about to have her hairpin ceremony—received nothing. Eldest Miss dares to beat and scold Lan’er’s personal maids at will, taking anything she wants. Lan’er is gentle by nature and doesn’t like to quarrel. But Eldest Miss never misses a chance to humiliate her. And I—I can do nothing to stop it…”

Madam Wen had no patience for bullies.

She let out a cold snort. “That Eldest Miss Gu is far too domineering!”

Song Yiniang added, “If Lan’er could marry well, she could leave this place and escape her torment. But a good marriage… is hard to come by.”

Madam Wen instinctively took Gu Lan’s hand. “Then there’s no need to worry. I’ll keep my eyes open. We’ll find you a proper match, Lan’er!”

She called herself “Aunt”—a sign of genuine affection for Gu Lan.

Gu Lan smiled softly. “You’re always so kind to me.”

After a pause, she added, “But Eldest Sister’s marriage hasn’t been settled either. Perhaps you could help her too?”

Madam Wen snorted. “Someone like her? I wouldn’t dare propose a match for her! I heard the Deputy Minister of Communications in Shandong was in the capital for his report and asked the Earl of Anyang to arrange a proposal—wanted Gu Jinchao as his second wife. He’s over forty, sure, but becoming the wife of a fifth-rank official isn’t something to scoff at. And yet your father turned him away with curses… Frankly, I don’t think Gu Jinchao is even worthy of him! And you—you still want to help her after how she’s treated you?”

Song Yiniang laughed. “Not to help her, of course. But if you could find someone who, on the surface, comes from a splendid family—just enough to get her married off—then we’d solve two problems at once. Her marriage would be handled, and Lan’er wouldn’t have to endure her anymore. Everyone benefits.”

Madam Wen understood at once.

What Song Yiniang truly wanted was to get Gu Jinchao married off. It didn’t matter who the man was. In fact… if he had a flaw or two, all the better.

Seeing that Madam Wen was silent, Song Yiniang smiled. “But today I actually came to ask if you’d be willing to serve as Hairpin Inserter for Lan’er. I’ve gone on and on about other things—apologies. I won’t trouble you with anything more. Would you be willing?”

Recalling all that Song Yiniang had said about how Gu Jinchao treated Lan’er, Madam Wen didn’t hesitate: “Of course I will.”

Meanwhile, Jinchao had just seen Old Madam Ji off at the gates.

Before getting into the carriage, Old Madam Ji had said to her, “Lan’er’s marriage is delicate—mishandle it, and it’ll ruin her. You must do your best to secure the match with the Mu boy. You’re clever—I don’t need to spell it out for you. If Lan’er is engaged to him, it’ll be like cutting off Song Yiniang’s arm. Then you’ll have nothing to fear.”

It was sound advice.

But Jinchao hesitated. Others might not know the Mu family’s son—but she did. If Gu Lan married him, her life would be one of ease and indulgence—but…

Still, an engagement between them would also benefit her. It would weaken Song Yiniang’s influence. If both sides gained from it, then she would do what she could to make it happen. What came after marriage was Gu Lan’s own fate.

She turned to Old Madam Ji. “I understand.”

Old Madam Ji gently patted her head. “As for your marriage, I already have plans. Our Chao’er must marry someone truly worthy.”

At the mention of Ji Yao, Jinchao thought of that pained, restrained look in his eyes—and found herself at a loss for words.

Old Madam Ji said nothing more. She sighed softly and stepped into the carriage. Jinchao watched as it passed through the carved archway gate before returning with Qingpu.

If Ji Yao were to marry her, she thought, even if he didn’t love her, he would still treat her well, never let her suffer.

But he would never touch her.

And she didn’t want a marriage like that. She didn’t want to force someone into her life.

Back at Linyan Pavilion, Song Yiniang had just persuaded Madam Wen to take part in the ceremony when Qiaowei came to fetch her to see the newly completed opera stage. She casually sent a newly assigned maid to inform Madam Li that Madam Wen had agreed to be the Hairpin Inserter, and that she should kindly accept their gratitude.

The young maid, Xiuqu, had just turned twelve by lunar reckoning and was newly assigned to Linyan Pavilion. She wasn’t yet familiar with the layout of the rear residence and wandered for a while before she finally found Madam Li’s quarters.

She walked in without knocking—right in the middle of a conversation between Madam Li and her daughter, Li Fu.

“…That second sister of mine—always pretending to be so warm-hearted, but her eyes are fixed on silver. I find her character quite questionable…”

Just then, Madam Li’s maid spotted Xiuqu’s figure peeking from the doorway and snapped, “Who’s there? Sneaking around like a ghost!”

 Xiuqu stammered, “It’s me, miss… I serve in Song Yiniang’s courtyard. I was sent to deliver a message to Madam Li.”

Madam Li’s expression tightened. So she and her daughter were overheard?

“Come in and speak.”

In stepped a small maid with a double-bun hairstyle. She knelt with a thump. “Greetings, Madam Li, Second Miss Li. Song Yiniang asked me to deliver this message: Madam Wen has agreed to be the Hairpin Inserter for Second Miss. She wishes to thank you for your kind offer.”

At the mention of Old Madam Ji’s lavish gifts to Gu Lan, Madam Li gave a cold laugh. “I understand. You may go.”

 Xiuqu raised her eyes nervously to Madam Li, but her icy gaze sent a chill down the girl’s spine. She quickly scurried out.

“Mother,” Li Fu said softly, “didn’t you say you were still considering whether to help Cousin Lan with the ceremony? Now that Second Aunt has agreed, why do you still look displeased…”

Madam Li sneered, “Your father outranks Madam Wen. By all rights, I should be the one chosen for the hairpin ceremony. Yet Song Yiniang picked Madam Wen without even consulting us. And then she sends a message through some impudent little maid? It’s truly insulting!”

Her voice wasn’t exactly quiet— Xiuqu, who was still outside, heard every word loud and clear. When she returned to Linyan Pavilion and reported back, she repeated Madam Li’s words exactly as she had heard them.

Song Yiniang’s face darkened. “Such a petty mind! She’s making a fuss over something so trivial.”

She sent Qiaowei to summon Gu Lan, saying she had something to instruct her about.

 Xiuqu remained in the room, not knowing where to place her hands or feet. Seeing the girl’s awkward posture, Song Yiniang—still simmering from Madam Li’s insults—snapped, “Why are you just standing there like a fool? Get out!”

 Xiuqu had never seen Song Yiniang so angry. Her eyes filled with tears as she quickly bowed and scurried from the room.

Gu Lan arrived within the time it took for a single incense stick to burn. Song Yiniang pulled her into the inner chamber, instructed Qiaowei to shut the doors, and began speaking in a voice just loud enough to carry through the panels:

“…You go and speak to her. If she’s dissatisfied with us choosing Madam Wen, then give her even more reason to resent Madam Wen. That’s what would serve us best…”

Gu Lan nodded. “It’s just a matter of playing favorites—flatter one while downplaying the other. As long as I talk to her sweetly, there’s no way Madam Li will stay angry.”

 Xiuqu, lingering nearby, suddenly felt she shouldn’t be hearing any of this—or rather, that she didn’t dare to hear it. She quietly slipped away from the inner room, stepped out of Linyan Pavilion, and wandered off with no one to confide in. She didn’t know any of the other maids there.

She strolled by the lake for a while and somehow ended up near Madam Li’s quarters. Just then, she noticed Yuzhu nearby, peeking in the direction of the two madams’ rooms.

What is Yuzhu doing here?

 Xiuqu remembered that they’d been friendly back in the service quarters—Yuzhu had once given her sticky rice candy. She stepped closer and tugged on her sleeve. “Yuzhu, you shouldn’t be spying on the madams’ rooms like that. If a senior maid sees you, you’ll get a beating!”

Yuzhu jumped. She’d been sent by her mistress to keep an eye on the madams’ quarters—how had this little maid caught her?

She quickly smiled. “My mistress just wanted me to see if Madam Li needed anything so she could send it over…”

Then she recalled seeing Xiuqu enter Madam Li’s courtyard earlier and asked, curious, “I saw you going in there, too. What were you doing?”

Xiuqu couldn’t detect the subtle trap in her words. Thinking of Madam Li’s harsh tone, she couldn’t help recalling her own humiliation—scolded twice in a row. The bitterness she had just suppressed resurfaced.

“I… I really shouldn’t talk about it… If Song Yiniang finds out I’m spreading things around, she’ll beat me to death with sticks! Qiaowei Auntie said so during training!”

Yuzhu’s eyes lit up. A mischievous idea formed in her head.

She grabbed Xiuqu’s hand and said, “Forget it, then. Want some candy? My mistress is so kind—she gave me a whole box of sticky rice candy the other day. I’ll share some with you!”

Xiuqu had nothing else to do for the moment, and it had been ages since she’d had a real conversation with anyone. She smiled and nodded.

Yuzhu pulled her back to her room, dug out a box of candy from under her pillow, and the two girls sat on the kang bed, swinging their legs as they ate.

“Do you like it?” Yuzhu asked. “I love pulling it apart into fine threads and eating it piece by piece.”

 Xiuqu nodded.

Yuzhu leaned in again. “I think you’re having a hard time with Song Yiniang. If there’s something bothering you, why not tell me? We can pinky swear it’ll stay between us.”

 Xiuqu shook her head vigorously. “No! Qiaowei Auntie said we’re not allowed to talk about anything that happens inside the courtyard!”

This girl may be a little slow, Yuzhu thought, but she’s obedient enough. She smiled again.

“Oh! I’ll bring my mistress’s cat for you to see. He’s so plump and fluffy—everyone adores him!” Most girls couldn’t resist soft, cuddly animals. At the mention of a kitten, Xiuqu’s interest perked up immediately.

Yuzhu dashed to the corridor, scooped up Baopu, who had been napping, and brought him back to her room—ignoring Baiyun, who called after her.

Baopu was placed on the bed, where he looked like a round ball of fluff. He stretched out a paw to swat at Xiuqu’s sleeve. She laughed and stroked the fur atop his head, watching as the little creature squinted in contentment.

“Your Qiaowei Auntie said not to tell any people. So just talk to the cat,” Yuzhu said with a grin. “Baopu can’t talk. He won’t repeat anything.”

 Xiuqu hesitated, then gathered Baopu into her arms. “Then I’ll talk to the cat… But you can’t eavesdrop!”

“I’ll stand guard outside the door,” Yuzhu said, eyes shining. “If anyone comes, I’ll let you know!”

At last, Xiuqu nodded. As she told her troubles to the cat, it didn’t feel like breaking Qiaowei’s rule at all.