The old dowager was rather moved by Qin Huining’s words. There were indeed many girls in the manor, and the third miss was coming of age soon. Her marriage to Earl of Jianan’s second son was all but agreed upon. If stamped with the layer of gold that was the tutelage from a palace mama… it would indeed be good for all the girls in the manor.
But the difficult part was that the empress had sent Zhan-mama to teach Qin Yining. The decree hadn’t included anyone else. It was one thing if they were close with the mama. She would agree with some gifts of gold and silver. Teaching one was the same as teaching a group after all, but they weren’t that familiar with each other, so it wasn’t proper to request something like this.
In addition, it was uncommon for the empress to personally designate a mama to teach the official daughters of an imperial subject. This was an honor solely awarded to the main branch of the family; there was no reason to share it with the other branches. The old dowager found herself caught between a rock and a hard place. She wanted all of her granddaughters to benefit, but didn’t want to offend anyone.
“Old Dowager.” Qin-mama entered with a smile just as her mistress was busy racking her brain. “Third Madame has arrived.”
The old dowager arched an eyebrow, resting her pipe on the white porcelain ashtray to the side. The clink of the brass pipe and porcelain meeting resonated loudly in the room. “What’s she doing here so late at night?”
Qin Huining adroitly fetched a large towel to wipe the old dowager’s feet and helped her back into white socks. Another maid came discreetly in to spirit away the wooden tub filled with water. When the third madame entered, she just so happened to see Qin Huining helping the old dowager into her boots.
“Old Dowager.” The third madame made her greeting and smiled immediately after. “Niece Hui is surely the most caring of all the children in the manor. I am truly ashamed in front of her.”
The old dowager was so amused that she started chuckling, and laughingly hectored, “You rascal! You’ll make a joke of yourself, complaining in front of your niece like this!”
Qin Huining also joined in with a dainty laugh, but rolled her eyes hard inside. It’s everyone for themselves when it comes to filial piety and pleasing the old dowager. Who can you blame but yourself for not coming earlier? However, the girl also knew that the third madame held a certain degree of status in front of the old dowager.
Although the third senior master was concubine-born, he helmed the family branch that acted as the economic lifeline of the Qin family. The third madame was also quite generous as well, giving the old dowager many gifts from the third branch.
Compared to the haughty senior madame with the lofty family background, and the cunning, quiet second madame always plotting away at something, the old dowager actually liked the third madame the most.
Qin Huining didn’t want to offend this harbinger of wealth either, so she dutifully put on a smile.
“You’re joking, Third Aunt. I just happen to live a bit closer and managed to get here earlier, is all. You care for this family more than all of us juniors, so please don’t laugh at me like this.”
“How would I ever? Niece Hui was personally raised by the old dowager and has a deep understanding of manners, as well as a filial heart. With the truest of hearts, it’s no wonder niece Hui has such a deep relationship with the old dowager.” The third madame sat down on the garden stool that Qin-mama brought over with a slight smile. “Old Dowager, I hear that Zhan-mama, on orders from the empress, has taken up residence in Jade Bamboo Veranda?”
Qin Huining smiled when she heard this topic being brought up. Looks like I have an ally. She didn’t want Qin Yining to monopolize this prime resource. She too wanted to make use of it, and it was likely that the third madame was here on behalf of her own daughter, Qin Jianing.
The old dowager also understood the third madame’s intentions and gave her brass pipe with its accompanying tobacco pouch to Qin-mama. “Darling Hui was just talking to me about this.”