RMBLCUCS – Chapter 30: Life is Getting Better
Today, Tang Mo had to visit Tang Yong’s residence. After exchanging a few teasing words with Xin An, he took his private savings and went to see his mother. When Wang Shi learned that he wanted to help Tang Yaoming, she readily agreed and prepared a few items for him to bring along. “Although the Matriarch does not forbid our interactions, we must not be too blatant about it. Add some things yourself, but be mindful of decorum.”
Tang Mo acknowledged her advice and left. Watching his departing figure, Wang Shi smiled in satisfaction. Thinking about the Young Madam in Spring Blossom Courtyard who was still ‘recovering,’ she decided it was time to visit her daughter-in-law.
At Autumn Harvest Courtyard, after resting for a while, Xin An instructed Chunyang to bring Nanfeng to her. “You heard everything?”
Nanfeng knelt before her, looking lost. Xin An set down her teacup. “Second Young Master has given me the freedom to arrange your future. I see that you have delicate hands, well-cared for like those of a noble lady. I’ve also heard that you can read and write. Marrying you off to a stable boy would be a waste.”
Nanfeng’s face filled with fear. She was merely a purchased servant girl. A few years ago, she had been fortunate to receive the Madame’s favor and was taught to read a few characters. Her name had been changed from Chunhua to Nanfeng,1 all in the hopes that she would serve Second Young Master better.
She had thought she would end up like Yingyue or Xueyu in the neighboring courtyard. But Second Young Master never accepted her, and now the Second Young Madam had arrived. Fearing she would be dismissed, she had desperately tried to secure her place.
If she could not remain in Autumn Harvest Courtyard, where else could she go?
There was a stable boy in the household who would beat his wife whenever he was upset, using a horsewhip to do so. What if she was given to him?
“Second Young Madam, please have mercy.”
Xin An asked, “When Mother assigned you to serve Second Young Master, what exactly did she say?”
Nanfeng bowed her head to the floor. “She told me to serve Second Young Master wholeheartedly.”
“Nanfeng, the word ‘serve’ doesn’t only mean warming his bed. Could it be that you misunderstood Mother’s intentions?”
Nanfeng was momentarily stunned. Xin An continued slowly, “You are beautiful, meticulous, and capable. I’ve noticed that the people in this courtyard trust you, and you handle tasks efficiently. You have valuable skills. Becoming a household manager is also a way of serving. Why insist on becoming a concubine?”
“Your Second Young Master is the legitimate son of the marquisate. Soon, he will be sent to train with the Northern Garrison. With his status, you would be nothing more than a chambermaid2 in his bed, like Yingyue or Xueyu in the neighboring courtyard. Is that truly what you desire?”
Nanfeng was conflicted. She certainly did not wish to be just a bed servant, but it wasn’t her decision to make. As a servant, her fate was never in her own hands.
Meeting Xin An’s gaze, she panicked and quickly kowtowed. “I do not wish to be a bed servant. I was foolish. Please, Second Young Madam, guide me.”
Xin An didn’t beat around the bush. “Then stay with me. You will continue serving in Autumn Harvest Courtyard, but I will assign you different duties. I will speak to Second Young Master.”
Overwhelmed with relief, Nanfeng bowed deeply again. “Thank you, Second Young Madam. From today onwards, I am your servant and will dedicate myself to your service. If I betray you, may the heavens strike me down with lightning.”
Xin An chuckled. “Get up.”
“As long as you fulfill your duties well, I will treat you generously. When the time is right, I will arrange a respectable and secure marriage for you, ensuring you live as a proper wife with dignity.”
Just moments ago, Nanfeng had feared being given to a stable boy, and now a new path had opened for her. Tears welled in her eyes, this time with joy. “Thank you, Second Young Madam.”
Xin An turned to Chunyang. “Find her a pair of suitable hairpins and earrings. Also, choose a fine fabric for her to have a new dress made. From today, she will serve by my side. Teach her the proper rules.”
Chunyang nodded. Xin An then addressed Nanfeng. “Chunyang and the others arrived with me and are still unfamiliar with many things in the marquisate. Help them understand the household matters.”
“From now on, Nanny Wang will manage the courtyard staff. You will assist her.”
Nanfeng quickly nodded and followed Chunyang out. Nanny Wang remained behind and asked, “Can Nanfeng be trusted?”
Xin An leaned back slightly. “She is just a girl who has never stepped beyond the marquisate’s gates, believing that serving the master means serving his bed. Her fears stem from worrying she won’t be needed if she fails to do so, or that I won’t tolerate her presence, which is why she was so eager to establish her position.”
“Moreover, she was chosen by Mother, carefully selected and even taught to read. I have observed her these past few days—she is discreet, efficient, and capable. To dismiss her so easily would be a waste, and it would also be difficult to explain to Mother. Others might think I am jealous and cannot tolerate her.”
“You have seen the situation in the marquisate. While I have a dowry, I cannot simply rely on it indefinitely. I want to start a business, and I need someone who can go outside on my behalf. She is a good fit.”
Nanny Wang was skeptical. “Just because she can read?”
“Reading doesn’t mean she can conduct business.”
“Who said I want her to do business?” Xin An felt parched. “I’d like a bowl of silver ear soup to soothe my throat.”
“I’ll have someone prepare it immediately.” To Wang Gugu, what Xin An wanted to eat or drink was of utmost importance.
As soon as Wang Gugu left, Chunlu arrived. Xin An yawned, and Chunlu quickly helped her onto the couch, gently removing her shoes. “You woke up too early today. Rest a little longer.”
She also removed Xin An’s hairpins to make her more comfortable. “It’s been a while since I last massaged your legs. Let me see if my skills have gone rusty.”
“That would be lovely. Thank you, Chunlu.”
Xin An felt more and more at ease in her current life. When she was with Tang Rong, she had to maintain perfect etiquette and had never even sat comfortably. Now, she could finally relax.
As for whether Tang Mo would mind? He himself had no sense of propriety, slouching in his chair like a wilted cabbage. Could he really criticize her?
At that moment, the ‘wilted cabbage’ had already arrived at Tang Yong’s residence. Seeing him, Tang Yong was surprised—after all, it was rare for anyone from the marquisate to visit.
“Second Young Master, please come in.”
Tang Mo grinned. “Uncle, just call me ‘Little Mo’ or ‘Old Second.’ No need for such formality.”
Tang Yong was even more uncertain about his intentions but decided to go along with it. “Alright then, Little Mo.”
After sitting down, Tang Mo broke the ice with a smile. “Uncle, I assume you’ve heard some things about what’s been happening in the household. On the day of the tea ceremony, I was preoccupied and failed to properly host you and Aunt. My mother even mentioned it twice afterward, saying it was quite impolite of us.”
“Today, I’m here to apologize—and also to ask about Cousin Yaoming. Is there anything I can do to help?”
He had brought a generous gift—piled high on the table like a small mountain. Tang Yong quickly waved his hands. “You had important matters to handle that day. Your Second Aunt and I wouldn’t have been comfortable staying anyway. It’s just a meal—there’s always another time for that.”
The real reason he hadn’t stayed was because the Matriarch disapproved of him—a well-known but unspoken fact. “And you really shouldn’t have brought all these gifts. Take them back later. We’re family; there’s no need for such formalities.”
- In noble households, it was common for servant girls to have their names changed upon entering service. These new names often reflected their new status, functions, or the expectations placed upon them. Chunhua (Spring Flower) is a more rustic and common name, typically found among lower-class women, such as servant girls and peasants, as it evokes simplicity and natural beauty rather than refinement.
By contrast, Nanfeng (Southern Wind), while still not a name suited for noblewomen, carries a slightly more poetic and evocative tone. It suggests elegance and fluidity, possibly chosen to elevate a servant’s status slightly or to indicate a more refined role within the household. However, it still lacks the literary and auspicious depth characteristic of names given to noble ladies, which often included references to jade, virtue, or scholarly ideals. ↩︎ - A tongfang (通房丫头), sometimes referred to as a chambermaid, was a personal maid who could be called to serve her master intimately but held no official status in the family. A concubine (妾), on the other hand, had formal recognition within the household, albeit beneath the legal wife, and her children could be acknowledged as part of the family lineage. ↩︎