The year Xie Chen married, Madam Xie placed a woman in his chambers. Xie Chen had just turned sixteen then, and the bedchamber maid, Lin Shi, had been transferred from Madam Xie's own attendants. She was a year older than Xie Chen, gentle in temperament and dependable in her work. Xie Chen accepted her without comment. He could not be said to dote on this bedchamber maid, but he gave her all the consideration her position called for: her full monthly allowance, clothes for every season, and gifts at festivals and the New Year. Later, Lin Shi was raised to the rank of concubine and given a small courtyard of her own in the rear quarters. Xie Chen occasionally visited her there, sometimes staying the night, sometimes leaving after only a cup of tea. Concubine Lin knew her place, too, neither competing nor grasping for anything. She tended a few pots of orchids in her courtyard and lived a quiet, peaceful life.
After Xie Chen married, his principal wife, Li Shi, treated Concubine Lin quite generously. Li Shi was the legitimate daughter of Censor Li, her maiden name Wenwen, and she was cheerful and broad-minded. In her very first month after marrying into the household, she had new furniture sent to Concubine Lin, and never left her out of the gifts at festivals and the New Year. Li Shi herself enjoyed a harmonious marriage with Xie Chen; the young couple were deeply affectionate. When Xie Chen stayed up late reading official documents in his study, she would bring him a bowl of snow fungus soup and set it beside his hand. Rather than urge him to stop, she would sit nearby doing needlework. When Xie Chen looked up at her, she would smile and say, "Keep reading. I'll sit with you for a while." She kept him company through many late nights, and Xie Chen grew accustomed to seeing her profile whenever he looked up.
Now Xie Ning had reached that age, too. He was fifteen, only a year younger than Xie Chen had been when he took a bedchamber maid. Madam Xie had been turning the matter over in her mind for some time. Her thinking was that, rather than let Ning'er know nothing when he married, she might as well place a suitable woman in his chambers now to teach him about intimate matters. Then, when he married his principal wife, he would not hurt the young woman through clumsiness.
That day, after lunch, Madam Xie sent someone to fetch Xie Ning from the Drill Ground. Xie Ning had just finished practicing with his staff. His head was covered in sweat, the back of his clothes was soaked over a large patch, and he was still wiping his face with his sleeve as he entered. Madam Xie told him to sit and poured him a cup of tea. Xie Ning picked it up and gulped down half a cup. As he set it down, he saw his mother smiling at him. He knew that smile; she wore that expression whenever she had something serious to discuss with him.
"Ning'er, you're not so young anymore," Madam Xie began. "At your age, your eldest brother already had a woman in his chambers. I'd like to arrange one for you, too."
Xie Ning's face flushed at once. The red spread from the base of his neck to the tips of his ears, even coloring the skin behind them. He knew what his mother meant. The older brothers in the household who had come of age all had bedchamber maids-his eldest brother and several of his male cousins had all gone through this. He lowered his head and stared at the tea stems floating in his cup, rubbing his fingers back and forth along the rim without speaking.
"If you're willing, I'll make the arrangements for you to take one. You needn't trouble yourself; I'll choose her." Madam Xie paused, then added, "That way, when you marry, you won't know nothing and end up hurting your wife."
Xie Ning lifted his teacup and took another sip. There was no water left in it, but he went through the motions of drinking from the empty cup without even noticing. The rim struck his teeth with a soft clink. After a long while, he mumbled that he would leave it to his mother. As soon as he finished, he stood up, said he had not put away his staff at the Drill Ground, and turned to leave. He went so hastily that his shoulder brushed the doorframe on his way out. Madam Xie watched his retreating figure disappear through the doorway, then shook her head with a smile.
Madam Xie leaned against the back of the couch, holding her teacup as she thought for a while. In truth, she already had someone in mind. That maid called Xiao Ya had been in the household for almost a month. Nanny Zhou had trained her well; she had learned the rules nicely and was diligent in her work. The girl had good natural looks, with regular features, and she was honest, not the sort to harbor crooked intentions. Most importantly, Ning'er did not object to her. Last time at the Drill Ground, Nanny Zhou had seen with her own eyes how Ning'er had taken the initiative to speak to her. The boy was straightforward by nature and would not spare so much as a glance for someone he disliked. That he had greeted Xiao Ya of his own accord meant that, at the very least, he did not dislike her. Of course, she was a little older than Ning'er, but that suited well enough: an older girl would be more sensible and know how to care for someone.
"Someone come here," Madam Xie called, setting down her teacup. A maid outside answered and came in. Madam Xie told her to fetch Nanny Zhou.
Nanny Zhou arrived quickly. Standing before Madam Xie, she listened to what her mistress had in mind and nodded. "That girl has promise. She learns quickly, notices what needs doing, and conducts herself properly. Last time I sent her to bring tea to the second young master, she never once looked where she shouldn't, from beginning to end, nor did she deliberately linger. When the second young master spoke to her, she answered appropriately, neither servile nor timid."
"Then let it be her," Madam Xie said. "Find a time to speak to her. There's no need to make arrangements in a hurry; just let her know what to expect first. We'll see to it after this winter." Nanny Zhou bowed and assented, her steps a little lighter than usual as she withdrew. She had been training Xiao Ya for almost a month and had grown fond of the girl herself. If Xiao Ya could stay at the second young master's side as a bedchamber maid, it was not impossible that she might later be raised to concubine. For that girl, this was an excellent path.
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