A Bedchamber Maid

"You used to be a proud, high-spirited girl yourself."

"You jest, Madam. Proud and high-spirited? How could this servant deserve such words? My eyes were high but my hands were low, and I didn't know what was good for me, that was all."

Lin Yunwan saw her in a new light. "You really don't spare yourself."

Zhu Qing gave a bitter smile. "This servant has learned her lesson. Back then, I relied on my position as the heir's bedchamber maid and didn't know how high the heavens were or how vast the earth was. When I saw the heir neglecting you, Madam, I took an inch and demanded a mile, daring to offend you... Otherwise, I wouldn't have ended up like this."

Lin Yunwan recalled the past as well. "You were the heir's bedchamber maid, so it would have been difficult for me to deal with you."

"But you were unlucky. You had been at the Marquis's Residence for so many years and were a longtime member of the household, yet you embarrassed me while I was managing it. If the old madam hadn't punished you, there would have been no way for the new bride to establish her authority, so she could only punish you severely."

Zhu Qing kowtowed. "I was young, headstrong, and ignorant then. I really have repented."

Lin Yunwan nodded. "Let's not speak of the past. On this visit, I've already mentioned taking you back to the old madam. Think it over. Are you really willing?"

Zhu Qing was overjoyed and said through her tears, "I'm willing! I'm willing!"

"Go change your clothes first. You really aren't presentable as you are. Once you've washed and dressed, I'll explain the details."

Tao Ye took Zhu Qing next door.

Ping Ye watched Zhu Qing leave and said in puzzlement, "Can this estate really change a person so completely from the way she used to be?"

"When Miss Zhu Qing left, I was still young, but I remember how she held her chin so high and never looked us in the eye. I never imagined she would be in such a wretched state now."

Lin Yunwan said, "Anyone who went from a first-rank maid to a laborer on an estate would be the same."

Even so, when she had first seen Zhu Qing, she had been shocked too. The difference was simply too great. She had thought Zhu Qing would remain aloof and proud, living like a lotus that emerged from the mud unstained. But she hadn't; she had bowed in the end.

"Madam."

Zhu Qing came back after changing her clothes. Tao Ye had also applied a little makeup for her, and she looked like a different person again. Her figure was broader than before, but she was still slender in a womanly way. Her looks were not what they had been, but she had a different kind of charm.

Lin Yunwan looked her over and said, "You were always outstanding in both looks and talent. Once you've returned to the residence and had some time to recover, you'll still stand out."

Zhu Qing hurriedly shook her head. "No, I don't want to stand out anymore."

She knelt and said, "I only want to follow you, Madam, and look to you for every command."

Lin Yunwan said calmly, "Then you can't have your wish."

Zhu Qing's heart tightened. She really couldn't let this hard-won chance to survive slip away!

Lin Yunwan said, "I don't know whether you've heard about affairs at the residence while you've been here on the estate. There are two adopted sons in the household, but the heir has no biological children of his own. Since you've served the heir before, I'm thinking of elevating you to be his concubine."

"Given your former position, you should have become the heir's concubine anyway."

Zhu Qing looked cautiously at Lin Yunwan, uncertain whether Madam was testing her.

She said, "I... I haven't coveted the heir. I only want to be your maid, Madam."

Lin Yunwan dispelled her doubts. "As you think, the heir would rather have adopted sons than a legitimate son. Rather than choose another girl to bear the heir a child by a concubine, I might as well choose you. You understand the benefits in your heart. The drawback is that you'll have to fight for what you want yourself."

Zhu Qing was struck senseless with joy.

"I... I..."

She had refused to marry on the estate even on pain of death, precisely because she had seen the splendor of the Marquis's Residence and been with a noble man. She could no longer bear a farmhand.

"I'm willing."

Zhu Qing spoke firmly.

Lin Yunwan dismissed Zhu Qing. She also wanted to choose another pretty maid, so she instructed Nanny Yuan, "Make it clear that she would be entering the residence to serve the heir. She must be willing."

Nanny Yuan smiled. "You worry too much, Madam. They all scramble to enter the Marquis's Residence as maids. And to serve the heir, at that—who wouldn't be willing?"

Lin Yunwan said no more.

But after looking and looking, they found no suitable candidate, only seven or eight girls fit for odd jobs.

"Mother."

Lu Chang'gong came back drenched in sweat from playing.

Lin Yunwan rewarded the Estate Steward, saying he had taken good care of Lu Chang'gong, then told Lu Chang'gong to wash up.

Lu Chang'gong took some fruit from inside his robe and said he had picked it himself.

Lin Yunwan instructed Ping Ye, "Wash it clean. We'll eat it tonight."

Zhu Qing came over and said, "Madam, I'll wash it."

Lin Yunwan nodded, and Ping Ye let Zhu Qing take it.

There was suddenly a new face beside his mother, but Lu Chang'gong didn't even look at her, as though he didn't care.

Lin Yunwan explained to him, "She used to serve the heir. She's coming back with us this time and will continue serving him. Perhaps she'll give you a younger brother someday."

Lu Chang'gong wasn't interested.

Everyone set off back the next day. Rather than returning directly to the Marquis's Residence, Lin Yunwan took Lu Chang'gong on a detour to his former home.

"Go and have a look."

Lin Yunwan patted Lu Chang'gong on the shoulder.

He looked at the little courtyard not far away, his lips pressed tight. He wanted to go, but didn't dare.

"Go on. I'll wait for you."

Lu Chang'gong's eyes reddened. "Thank you, Mother! I'll be back soon."

He trotted off.

Afraid something might happen to him, Tao Ye quietly followed him.

Before long, Lu Chang'gong came back, his spirits very low. He didn't say a word.

"So soon?"

Lin Yunwan asked in surprise. Tao Ye gave her a look, so she asked no more.

Only after they returned to the Marquis's Residence did Tao Ye tell Lin Yunwan in private, "There were already women's clothes in the courtyard."

Lin Yunwan was taken aback for a moment. "When Chang Gong was adopted, the Lu family gave his birth father a very generous sum of silver. His former wife died, his son was adopted into the Marquis's Residence, and he had silver in hand. It's only natural that he would remarry."

"Chang Gong's birth father is in poor health too, and he needed someone to look after him in any case. Having a new wife doesn't necessarily mean he no longer misses Chang Gong."

She lowered her head, holding her teacup without drinking.

Tao Ye said, "That may be true, but Young Master Chang Gong was still hurt."

Lin Yunwan sighed. "Send him a bowl of Five Marvels Calming Soup tonight."

"Yes."

Lu Chang'gong was very good at hiding his thoughts. When he came to Drooping Silk Hall for lessons the next day, he was as focused as ever and didn't appear distracted in the least.

That only made Lin Yunwan more worried. She feared he would make himself ill by keeping everything bottled up.

"If you're sad, take a rest. Don't force yourself to carry on."

Lu Chang'gong shook his head. "I'm not sad." He looked into Lin Yunwan's eyes and said, "I'm very happy. I used to feel guilty, but I won't anymore. Now I can devote myself wholeheartedly to being filial to you."

Lin Yunwan was shaken.

In her previous life, she had never heard a single word like that from Qing!

"Madam, Eldest Young Master, please have some tea."

Zhu Qing came in to serve tea.

Elevating a concubine still required Lu Zhengliu's own consent, so it wasn't easy to accomplish. They would take it one step at a time. For now, Zhu Qing would serve in her courtyard, doing whatever was needed, for a while.

But Lin Yunwan already had a plan.