The servants set off firecrackers along the way, Caiyun struck a gong with a wooden club, and Concubine Zhao handed out celebration money to everyone she met. They had barely gone half a li before she had scattered three taels of silver, yet she felt no pang of regret.
Since ancient times, a mother's standing had risen with her son's. When Huan'er amounted to nothing, they had all wagged their tongues. Now that he had become a General Banner in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, were they going to forbid her from showing off? There was no such justice under heaven.
At a turn in the corridor, Jia Zheng paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, a jumble of emotions churning within him.
Though born of a concubine, the boy was still his son, and he ought to have been pleased. Yet whenever he thought of the coarse, filthy Embroidered Uniform Guard, anger welled up in him.
"He knows to better himself, yet refuses to apply himself to his studies. A brute who flourishes spears and cudgels will never amount to anything. The Jia Family is a lineage of poetry, propriety, and high office, yet it has produced an unfilial son with a taste for killing at such a tender age!"
"That foolish woman has ruined her concubine-born son. I must cultivate Baoyu properly. He must take the rightful path of the imperial examinations and bring honor to his father."
Jia Zheng muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, Yuanyang, the senior maid who attended the Ancestors, came into the courtyard. At the sight of Jia Huan, she smiled.
"Young Master Huan, the Old Madam is calling for you."
"Oh." Jia Huan agreed to go.
The great courtyard residence had five successive compounds, with carved beams and painted rafters wherever he looked. Covered galleries on either side connected the side rooms, while flowers and greenery outside the courtyards vied in beauty. Parrots, thrushes, and other birds chirped on the windowsills. As Jia Huan passed through the festooned gate, he heard cheerful laughter from the main courtyard.
Although he lived in Rongguo Mansion and was also Jia Mu's grandson, Jia Huan never saw the Ancestors except during festivals and the New Year.
The hall was filled with a flutter of women and lingering fragrance, each young lady dressed as prettily as a flowering branch. An elderly woman sat in a chair with a wool blanket across her knees. Her hair was silver, her spirits vigorous, and her face kindly. This was the woman at the helm of the Jia household, a first-rank Imperially Invested Lady honored by the court.
As soon as Jia Huan entered, the hall fell quiet. Several pairs of eyes turned toward him at once. Jia Baoyu rested both hands on the Old Madam's shoulders and eyed Jia Huan sidelong.
"Greetings, Grandmother." Jia Huan bowed.
Jia Mu studied him closely, gestured for him to rise with both hands, and nodded in satisfaction.
"My fine grandson! So young and brave, rooting out villains and evil. You've brought honor to our Jia household!"
Though she paid little attention to the son born of Concubine Zhao, his former spinelessness had hardly seemed a deliberate act. Had he been tarnishing his own reputation to conceal his abilities, or had recovering from a serious illness brought him to his senses?
Of course, it was a good thing regardless. A younger generation striving to advance was a sign of prosperity. Still, she did not expect a concubine-born son to glorify the family name. The family's future must rest with Baoyu.
"Ancestors, those bald donkeys were vicious fiends who committed every imaginable evil. If not for Brother Huan, who knows how many more innocent lives they would have ruined? Everyone on Zhongling Street and Ningrong Street is singing his praises. They say Rongguo Mansion has an upright family tradition and is sure to reap blessings for generations."
Wang Xifeng chimed in from beside her, her voice as pleasing as silver bells.
"Young Huan has made something of himself." Jia Mu smiled still more brightly at this, then said warmly:
"You have only one maid to attend you. How will that do? Choose whichever one you like, and I'll send her over."
Jia Huan's expression did not change. Had she only now remembered how unfairly she favored the others?
"Qingwen!" he blurted out without a moment's thought.
The hall instantly fell silent.
The women all looked toward a corner, where a maid stood with an oval face, a delicate nose, and a cherry mouth, her lips tinted rose-red with rouge. Her skin was snow-white and her eyes brimmed with life. She was Qingwen, one of Jia Mu's most cherished maids.
Qingwen's beauty far surpassed that of the legitimate-born daughters sheltered in the chambers of powerful households outside.
"No!" Jia Baoyu flew into a rage, jostling Jia Mu's shoulders. "Ancestors, you promised to put Miss Qingwen in my rooms!"
Jia Mu remained silent.
Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and the others each had their own thoughts. According to the Old Madam's intentions, Qingwen was poised and presentable, and was meant to become Baoyu's concubine.
Seeing this, Jia Huan spoke unhurriedly.
"Grandmother, if I can't even manage to ask for a maid, who knows how people outside will laugh at me?"
When his words fell, not even a crow or sparrow could be heard.
In the past, everyone would have dismissed this as Young Huan talking nonsense. Now, however, even Lin Daiyu could tell he had deliberately put the Ancestors on the spot, leaving her no graceful way down.
Wang Xifeng glared at Jia Huan with her phoenix eyes, then let her gaze rest on Qingwen's face. Displeasure immediately stirred within her. Challenging the Ancestors over a mere maid!
"Qingwen, from now on you'll attend Young Huan." The smile faded on Jia Mu's aged face. Since he had put it that way, she could not refuse, however reluctant she was. After all, she had made the offer herself, in front of everyone.
But the faint affection she had just felt for Jia Huan vanished without a trace.
No manners, no flexibility, no consideration for others. How far could he possibly go?!
Jia Huan remained expressionless. He cared nothing for the Ancestors' opinion.
"Yes." Qingwen nodded her pretty head, a trace of sadness deep in her eyes. It was not that she disdained Young Huan, but being passed around like a piece of merchandise inevitably filled her with sorrow.
Outside the hall, Concubine Zhao wore a troubled expression. Qingwen was certainly beautiful, but she had too much pride, too haughty a temper, and did not get along with others. She did not behave like a servant at all. How could she possibly attend Huan'er properly?
"I'm a little tired." Jia Mu rubbed her temples. Yuanyang, Amber, and the other maids helped her back into the inner room, and before long they brought out Qingwen's bond of servitude.
"Ancestors, I want Miss Qingwen!" Jia Baoyu's face flushed crimson with anger as he ran into the inner room to throw a tantrum.
"Sisters-in-law, I'll take my leave."
Holding the bond of servitude, Jia Huan looked toward Wang Xifeng and Li Wan, then left the hall.
Qingwen followed him.
Behind them remained the women's whispered conversations and Baoyu's sobbing, wheedling pleas.
Just outside the festooned gate, Jia Huan turned to stare at Qingwen behind him. She truly deserved her place at the head of the second supplementary register of the Twelve Beauties: a lovely face, curves front and back, and a slender waist.
"What are you staring at?" Qingwen stepped back half a pace, her face wary.
"Oh, you wretched girl! Don't you know the difference between master and servant?"
Concubine Zhao came running up and immediately demanded:
"Huan'er, give me her bond. I'll discipline her!"
Qingwen bit her lower lip and retorted:
"Ever since entering this household, I've never clung to anyone's high branches. You used to be the one others scolded, and now you're taking it out on me, aren't you? When I'm in a good mood, I'll serve Third Master Huan his tea and water. When I'm not, I won't bother with him. If you can't stand me, you might as well beat me to death."
"You-you-you..." Concubine Zhao blazed with fury. "Huan'er, did you ask for a maid or an ancestor to worship?"
"What's all this shouting?" Jia Huan glared at Qingwen. "She's my mother. Speak to her respectfully from now on!"
"She's infuriating!" Concubine Zhao clenched her handkerchief.
"Hmph!" Qingwen turned her face away.
"Jia Huan!"
An angry voice came from behind them.
With the tear tracks still wet on his face, Jia Baoyu gazed longingly at Miss Qingwen's retreating figure. Such a kind girl was going to be ruined by that brute Jia Huan. At the thought, another wrenching pain gripped his heart.
"What do you want to say?"
Jia Huan walked over and stared at Big-Faced Bao.
Jia Baoyu spoke each word with deliberate emphasis.
"Give Miss Qingwen back to me, and I'll still play with you. I'll take you along whenever I go out for fun or stroll through the streets, and I'll send you a share of any delicious food I get."
"If you insist on making Miss Qingwen serve you, our bond as brothers is broken. I'll be sick of you every time I see you!"
Jia Huan nodded.
"I couldn't ask for better."
Brief and to the point. Having said his piece, he left.
"You'll regret this!" Jia Baoyu's fingers trembled with rage.
Back in their own courtyard, Qingwen stood beneath the veranda, while Caiyun pouted, feeling rather jealous.
Concubine Zhao looked at the two of them and issued her instructions.
"Caiyun, you're our first-class maid. She's a second-class maid, and she'll have to take her cues from you. Your monthly allowance will be twice hers."
"From now on, let her do the rough work, cleaning the rooms and washing clothes. Caiyun, you'll comb Huan'er's hair, wash his feet, and massage his shoulders. You'll sleep inside, and she'll sleep outside."
Only then did Caiyun's lips curve upward, a little pleasure appearing in her eyes.
Without lifting her eyelids, Qingwen said coldly:
"Whoever enjoys washing other people's feet can do it. I'm perfectly happy washing clothes!"
"You're still talking back?" Concubine Zhao glared at her.
Qingwen glared back. "Young Huan asked for me by name. If you dislike me, hurry up and send me back to the Old Madam. Don't use me to vent your anger and throw your weight around."
She did feel a tiny bit pleased with herself. After all, among so many outstanding girls, Young Huan had named her without a moment's hesitation.
"Come here!" Seeing Jia Huan enter the courtyard, Concubine Zhao pulled her son into a secluded spot and lowered her voice.
"That wretched girl is notorious for her lofty airs and arrogance. Are you deliberately asking for trouble? You even upset the Old Madam over her. If you ask me, hurry up and trade her for Xiren or Sheyue. That fellow Baoyu will certainly agree."
Jia Huan replied with perfect composure.
"The Ancestors are upset? As long as I'm comfortable, that's enough!"
"Qingwen doesn't scheme. She's straightforward and speaks her mind. As long as she doesn't go too far, don't stoop to quarreling with her, and certainly don't argue with her all day."
"Pah! You just like her because she looks like a little fox-spirit!" Concubine Zhao spat softly. "If that's what you say, then I won't discipline her anymore."
Jia Huan nodded.
"That's how it should be. All right, I'm off to the office."
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