Zijuan nodded and replied, "They said they’re delivering some midnight snacks to Master... Take your time, sister." With that, she was ready to leave.
Caitao stood behind Zijuan, and said sourly, "Sister, you’re truly fortunate, following behind the Lady, you can enter and exit the Master’s study freely, unlike me who gets stopped at the door." After speaking, she picked up the food box from the ground, and lazily said, "I still have to deliver something to Eighth Miss, take care, sister!"
Caitao’s words made Zijuan stop abruptly. She was shocked, as if a flash of insight streaked through her mind. Suddenly, her heart brightened, and within a moment, she revealed a radiant smile. Turning back, she warmly grasped Caitao’s hand and asked, "Sister, still not resting this late, it seems you’re truly effective before the concubine. If sister were to be sent away, the concubine would definitely be saddened for a few days." Zijuan’s attitude shifted as if having a heartfelt conversation, "Sister, once leaving the manor, do you have any plans?" Content originally comes from NoveI~Fire.net
Caitao didn’t sense Zijuan’s anomaly, only assuming she had suddenly thought of her own affairs, furrowing her brows, she replied, "To be honest with you, sister, given our concubine’s disposition, no matter how unwilling I am, she lacks the courage to intercede with the Lady, I can only resign to fate." Saying this, she began to wipe her eyes, "People are destined, sister’s fate is simply bitter!"
"Don’t say that, sister. The Lady has always been kind-hearted, see, late at night going over to Master’s study to discuss who to take to serve him at his new post. You might want to beg the Lady, you might be able to stay in the manor for a few more years!" As she spoke, she looked back towards the main house, with a mysterious demeanor, Caitao was startled, wiped her tears and asked, "Has the Lady decided which concubine to take to Yongzhou?" She wished their concubine could go, but lately seeing the means of the concubine, apart from delivering midnight snacks, no other tactics were employed, she feared there was little hope.
Zijuan nodded, her eyes flickering, and said, "In my opinion, taking any of the manor’s concubines wouldn’t be appropriate, the Lady might need to pick a maid from within the manor to serve alongside."
At this, Caitao’s eyes brightened. She was thinking of marrying Fugui, yet with Nanny Fang being so tight-lipped, no information could be gleaned. Marrying Fugui, she wouldn’t worry about future days, but Fugui, though free, was ultimately a servant. A bold idea suddenly took root in her mind...
If she were to follow the First Master, given her appearance and means, she might not compare to Madam Wang, but would far surpass their concubine.
With Caitao , Zijuan knew she had bet correctly. She pulled Caitao along a few more steps towards the depths of the garden, sighed, and with a hint of envy said, "I wonder which sister has such luck, First Master has a good disposition, treats people kindly, though a bit older, he’s in his prime. These years, I haven’t seen First Master change, he might remain as spirited and refined even when we’re old and faded."
Her heart started pounding, Caitao tightly clutching the food box, as if grasping her own fate. No matter her plans, she didn’t intend to reveal them to Zijuan, half-heartedly nodding, saying, "Sister speaks wisely, yet such matters concern the Lady, we can only ponder and admire in our hearts, there’s no room for us to speak."
Inwardly laughing coldly, yet outwardly showing signs of leaving, Zijuan said, "Indeed, that’s how it is!" Zijuan added, "I can’t chat further, the Lady asked me to fetch yam cakes, saying this matter must be concluded with First Master tonight. The days following, First Master will bid farewell to various colleagues, fearing he returns late to the manor, tonight might be his only free time." Saying this, she released Caitao’s hand and left the rock garden.
Caitao saw her out, and called from behind Zijuan, "Sister, take care, mind your step." Watching Zijuan’s figure slowly entering the main house, she stood by the rock garden for a long time without moving...
Zijuan carried the food box, following behind the Lady into the study.
The Lady didn’t let her in, so Zijuan waited outside with Nanny Fang for the Lady, standing quietly, she almost felt her legs trembling uncontrollably, as if they didn’t belong to her.
Inside, the First Master was changing his robe to go out, just lifting the curtain, he saw the Lady coming in from outside. His gaze slightly froze, and the Lady already smiled saying, "Master, heading out at this time? I guess my timing is inconvenient?" Master being familiar with her, could almost deduce his destination.
The First Master’s eyes flickered, yet stood at the door without inviting the Lady in for a talk, gently asking, "At this hour, is there something?"
"Look how you say it, so much happening in the manor tonight, I feared Master might grow hungry, delivering some yam cakes as a midnight snack." Saying this, she bypassed the First Master, lifted the curtain and walked in.
The First Master’s brows furrowed deeply, turned and looked at the Lady: "You’re here, surely there’s something, speak!" Words carried hints of displeasure towards her.
The Lady placed the box and food on the desk, turned to look at the First Master, "Is Master upset with me?" She displayed a pitiful expression, "For Second Master’s matter?" Seeing the First Master neither deny nor admit, inwardly laughing coldly, she said, "Master surely finds me speaking bluntly to Second Master, embarrassing him, is that it? Yet I’ve spoken no falsehood, Second Master at such a position should better understand than me, without rules there can be no order, maid matters in the manor have always been my duty, I strictly adhere to fairness, never bending the rules by favor." Walking up to the First Master, she lifted her head, "I’ve managed the household for many years, with a clear conscience, even if Master is upset, he should recall the good done."
The First Master didn’t reveal the expected emotion, instead, hands clasped behind, standing displeased at the door, "How could Second care about these, if he cares not, why would I grow upset over this?"
The Lady raised her brows, taking the opportunity to change the subject, "Then that’s well! I feared Master might resent me over this, being assured now leaves me relieved." Taking out the yam cakes from the food box, "Kept warm over the stove, sweet yet not cloying, Master should try."
Impatiently waving his hand, the First Master replied, "I never have the habit of midnight snacks." The Lady feigned realization, self-blaming, "I’ve overlooked that." Seeing her act thus, First Master directly said, "If there’s nothing further, retire early, I’m heading out for a walk."
"Master!" The Lady stopped him, earnestly gazing at him, placed on the table, opened the box, taking out an account book: "I’ve prepared some Silver Tael for Master, all stored in here for needs at the post." Flipping the account book in hand, "Within, there are account matters for Master to examine, brought back by Madam Wang from Yongzhou, discovered while tidying her quarters." Smiling, she added, "Quite an amount of good things, the likes I haven’t seen."