Chapter 7
Chapter 7
With the knot in her heart unraveled, Third Sister’s health improved day by day.
By the time of her wedding, the ten-mile-long bridal procession was the envy of all Chang’an.
Although the Fan Family maintained a strict household, Young Master Fan proved to be a considerate and caring husband. Even after Third Sister gave birth to two daughters in a row, he insisted on not taking any concubines.
For a time, the saying “one should only marry a daughter of the Kong Clan” became the consensus among the young men of Chang’an. Even the maidservants who left the Kong Mansion were more favored during marriage negotiations than the daughters of ordinary officials.
Mother’s teachings became increasingly rigorous as she gradually handed over the management of the household affairs to me.
One day, news arrived of the passing of the Princess Consort of Nan’an, and Mother intentionally tested me.
“The Princess Consort practiced Buddhism during her life. Perhaps we should send a set of Buddhist scriptures carved in golden silk nanmu?”
I shook my head.
“The Princess Consort followed her husband to the battlefield in her youth and detested these empty formalities. It would be better to send a set of armor and weapons, polished clean and offered before her spirit; it would show more sincerity.”
Approval flashed in Mother’s eyes, and she asked again.
“Next month, Minister Li’s daughter is marrying far away to Huizhou. Should we ask the Imperial Consort to bestow some honors to give her face?”
I pursed my lips and remained silent, merely giving Qinglian a meaningful look.
The girl understood immediately. She bowed and said, “In my humble opinion, if Her Highness bestows too much, it might give rise to gossip. It would be better for Madam to step forward and gift a set of trousseau. It would not overstep etiquette, yet would still provide ample prestige.”
Mother clapped her hands and smiled.
“Excellent! A sensible mistress and a clever servant-this is how a great family should be.”
“What reward do you want, girl?”
Qinglian lowered her head, claiming she didn’t dare.
“I have only learned a little by being at Miss’s side. How could I dare ask for a reward?”
Mother turned the jade bracelet on her wrist and casually pulled out a hairpin to give to Qinglian.
“You know your place well. You will have your blessings in the future.”
It wasn’t until three months later, when Eldest Brother betrothed Qinglian to a merchant from Qingzhou, that I understood the deeper meaning behind Mother’s words.
To marry a wealthy merchant as a primary wife-was that not indeed a blessing?
It was certainly better than being a maidservant for life.
When Qinglian came to pay her respects to me, her expression was as calm as ever, showing not a hint of the joy of someone about to become a mistress of her own home.
I asked her intentionally, “How long have you been with me now?”
She curtsied slightly. “In reply to Miss, I have served at your side since the day you were born. It has been exactly fourteen years and five months.”
I leaned back in my chair, watching her respectful demeanor, and spoke.
“The Wen Clan sent someone to propose a match, and Eldest Brother has already agreed. In the future, you will be the matriarch of the Wen family; there is no need for such formal bows.”
Upon hearing this, she immediately knelt on the floor and said earnestly, “I have served Miss for many years and dare not harbor such presumptuous thoughts. I beg Miss to rescind the order and allow me to continue serving by your side.”
“Foolish.”
“Is being a young mistress not better than being a maid? You will have your own servants to wait on you then.”
She kowtowed repeatedly, her silver hairpin clinking against the floor tiles.
“Miss has been generous to me. My food and clothing have all been of the finest quality, more luxurious than even the daughters of ordinary families.”
“If I must leave Miss to serve some foul man, I would rather cut my hair and become a nun.”
Her forehead hit the white jade tiles with a dull thud.
Well, she knew how to read the situation.
I reached out to help her up.
“What nonsense is this? I have seen that Young Master Wen from behind a screen; he is upright and handsome. Your father has served at my father’s side for years. In my view, you and the Wen Clan are a good match.”
Qinglian was a domestic servant born into the household, and both her parents were managers in the Kong Mansion.
She had followed me since childhood and was most meticulous in her work.
I could guess Eldest Brother’s calculations. The more densely the web of marital alliances was woven, the more stable the foundations of the Kong Clan would be.
Since she was so loyal, I was willing to give her face. After informing Mother, I took her as my foster sister.
I also took some items from my own trousseau to add to her dowry.
On the day of her wedding, I personally went to the side gate to see her off, watching her enter the bridal sedan chair in her phoenix crown and embroidered robe.
I suddenly remembered when we were eight years old, and she fell into the pond while trying to pick a twin-lotus. She had held the lotus high above her head, a smile on her drenched face.
“Miss, the first twin-lotus of the year-I’ve picked it for you.”
In this world, women ultimately cannot escape the fate of being transplanted like flowers. Now, this lotus was finally going to be planted in someone else’s pond.