Qu Fulan glanced out the window. It was getting late. She closed her ledger and prepared to go out and find something to eat, just as someone came looking for her.
"Sister, dinner is ready in the front, and Young Master asked me to bring you over for the meal."
Qu Fulan closed the door and came out, walking alongside the little maid. "What’s your name?"
Being new here, she wasn’t familiar with anyone yet, nor had she had the chance to get to know them.
"My name is Douya. Everyone calls me Little Douya. I’m currently a third-class maid in the Lixiang Courtyard."
"Little Douya, how long have you been in Pei Mansion?"
The two chatted idly as they walked.
"At least a year and a half. I used to do odd jobs outside the second gate. Only after the Young Master returned was I transferred here."
A year and a half, and still a quiet little maid.
Qu Fulan showed no sign of it on her face, but she sighed inwardly. She understood why the Princely Heir suddenly noticed her. She thought that even though Heir Pei wasn’t around, he must be aware of what was happening in the mansion, and her actions had surely caught his eye.
Pei Mansion had a dining hall for the servants, but most of the maids needed to serve the masters first before they could eat themselves. However, not so many servants were needed during the master’s mealtime, so there was a situation where half ate first and half ate later.
The servants’ food was different from the masters’, except during festivals when there were extra dishes; usually, there were fixed numbers of several plain and several meat dishes.
With many servants in Pei Mansion, to avoid overcrowding, everyone would take their meals to their rooms to eat. As long as it didn’t affect their work or break the mansion’s rules, they could do whatever was convenient.
Back when Qu Fulan was in the old lady’s quarters, the few second-class maids would gather in the tea room to eat.
Now that she had become a first-class maid for the Princely Heir, she had to wait until he finished eating before she could eat.
But she was informed that the Young Master had gone to the old lady’s room to dine, so she didn’t need to follow and serve.
Little Douya brought her meal to her room, and Qu Fulan thanked her. Orıginal content can be found at 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁
Little Douya didn’t dare accept the gratitude, "This was instructed by the Young Master, not my doing. In our courtyard, just like the old lady’s courtyard, meals are delivered to the door daily, and we just take them over."
This made things much more convenient, and Qu Fulan couldn’t have been happier.
Returning to her room, she realized that her meal was different from before. She had seen the old lady’s "Manchu Han Imperial Feast," which was somewhat exaggerated, but the old lady’s daily food was abundant. Now her simple dishes and soup seemed almost like what the masters ate, just not as many varieties.
Was this the treatment for being a maid to Heir Pei?
The benefits were nice, Qu Fulan mused as she ate.
Meanwhile, over at Fushou Hall, the atmosphere was much more lively.
The second lady and her son Pei Yuan, along with Heir Pei, were dining with the old lady.
The eldest grandson’s marriage was arranged, making the old lady happy, and she ate a few extra bites. After the meal, everyone stayed to chat.
Pei Ji’an glanced at his elegant brother and joked, "Which family has brother’s marriage been arranged with? Have you seen the girl? What’s her personality like?"
Though he no longer needed to guard Lion Mountain, there was still much to do in the Capital City, so he was busy all day and hadn’t been home much, thus unaware even that his brother’s betrothal was near.
It wasn’t entirely Heir Pei’s fault for being uninformed; the matter had been settled so quickly, and since he wasn’t interested in the eldest’s remarriage, the booklet hadn’t been browsed much. Yesterday, the old lady brought the booklet and pointed out one saying it was quite good, asking his opinion, to which he simply agreed.
Before Pei Yuan had a chance to speak, the old lady cheerfully chimed in, "It’s a girl from the Qian Family, praised by the Spring Pavilion. She’s quite knowledgeable and gentle, truly good."
Pei Ji’an wasn’t impressed, thinking it had all been decided based solely on the matchmaker’s words. So he said, "One must see for oneself to truly know."
The old lady shot him a glance, "Do I need you to say that? Tomorrow, we’re going to Sunset Lake to see a play, and the two families have agreed to go together. If you want to meet your future sister-in-law, you can come along, but no causing trouble once you’re there."
Pei Ji’an smiled, "Old Ancestor speaks as if I have no manners."
The old lady wouldn’t be fooled by him, "Do you think I don’t know you’re a little monkey? Always mischievous since a child. Now that your brother’s matters are settled, have you got any prospects? Any suitable girls in that booklet?"
Alright, now the spotlight was successfully on him.
Pei Ji’an responded calmly, "I’m busy now, don’t have time for that."
The old lady wouldn’t let him go so easily, "You’re busy, but I’m not. I’ve already found good ones for you."
With that, she had someone bring the booklet over. The old lady took it, opened it to the ones she had favored, all marked and folded for easy access.
"How about this? A lady from the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites’ family, dignified in looks and good in character; what do you think?"
"Her looks don’t match my taste." Pei Ji’an glanced over it casually, his dismissive tone evident.
"Then this one? Outstanding appearance, cultured."
"How about this lively one? Her family is decent, a perfect match. Marrying her would..."
Pei Ji’an interrupted the old lady, "Old Ancestor doesn’t like me being too lively, yet would bring another lively one here to tear the house apart."
The old lady couldn’t help a scolding, "If this doesn’t work and that doesn’t work, what are you looking for exactly?"
Pei Ji’an pondered seriously, then replied, "At least find someone who pleases my eye and suits me in every way, making me willingly accept her."
"Isn’t this nonsense? Where in the world do you find someone who matches your every wish? With your standards, I’d never get to hold a great-grandchild in this lifetime."
Pei Ji’an laughed helplessly, "Old Ancestor kept asking, and when I answer, you don’t accept."
"Your requirements are too vague without specific criteria; how can one find someone like that?"
"I haven’t met anyone yet, so I can’t say clearly. Once I encounter such a person, I’ll certainly bring her home for your approval, Old Ancestor."
The old lady felt at a loss against this grandson. If he didn’t like someone and disagreed, there was nothing to do. Otherwise, even if he were forcibly wed, he might as well flee the Capital City on the wedding day and head to the borders, never returning, leaving the bride alone forever, which would harm the girl.
"Don’t be too picky. As you live together, you’ll naturally find compatibility."
This was the old lady’s resigned advice to Heir Pei as he left Fushou Hall.
Pei Yuan walked alongside his younger brother, "In our family, only you dare to speak to the old lady like that."
Pei Yuan’s tone carried a hint of envy. Didn’t he once have similar thoughts? Always hoping to meet someone suited to his wishes, yet bound by parental obligations with no reason to refuse.
Now, only his younger brother dares, along with the old lady’s indulgence. Their harmonious way of relating was enviable but unapproachable for others.