Chapter 9 The first major event at the Pei residence is about to begin...

As the sun rises and the moon sets, the blue and white hues intertwine, and birds lightly skim across the lake's surface, rippling the water. Through layers of blue curtains, in the innermost part of the second-floor room, a figure rises and falls slightly on a hard wooden couch on the floor.

Huiyin was awakened by the noise from downstairs. Her long black hair was loose over her shoulders, and she lay on the bed looking exhausted. The noise from downstairs grew louder and louder, disturbing her sleep. She looked up at the sky; it was only dawn, and the sky was just beginning to brighten.

She got up and went to the window to look out. In the courtyard of the waterside pavilion, two rough-clothed maids were standing with their hands on their hips, cursing angrily. Yan Niang stood in front of the two women, occasionally shoving them, while Asang and Aheng stood by the gray wall, looking hesitant, unsure whether they should step forward to help.

Two rough maids, newly sent by Madam Pei yesterday, were hiding outside the left side room, whispering and watching the commotion. There were still sunflower seed shells on the ground.

"Pah! She's already someone's concubine and she's still putting on airs."

"What time is it and they're still sleeping? Do they think they're still some kind of precious princess?!"

Yan Niang retorted angrily, "It's only the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), and the Queen has not yet risen. You're already blocking the entrance to the Linshui Pavilion and hurling insults at her. Whose orders are you on your behalf?"

The one who was slightly taller, with slanted eyes, darted around for a moment before bracing himself on his hips and angrily retorted, "What instructions? As a concubine, serving one's mother-in-law is one's duty. Not to mention serving the lady of the house, one should be waiting in front of the mother-in-law's courtyard as soon as it gets light."

She was about to continue her tirade when she caught a glimpse of a figure emerging from the waterside pavilion. The newcomer was unadorned, her cheeks still flushed from just waking up. Perhaps the household hadn't yet provided her with any new clothes, for she was only wearing a plain-colored long robe, the sleeves hanging loosely.

"May I ask how this gentleman is addressed?"

The woman with slanted eyes tilted her head back and snorted, then gave a perfunctory bow: "My family name is Zhang, and everyone calls me Zhang Ao."

Huiyin nodded. The dawn of spring was no different from winter, and the chill seeped into her collar. She tucked her hands into her sleeves and nodded gently. “Aunt Zhang, last night Madam’s maid, Lihe, said that we should pay our respects at 7 p.m. today. Since you two have different opinions, I’d like to send someone to invite Lihe over to discuss things and see if we should listen to you or Lihe.”

Zhang was instantly speechless, stammering and unable to reply for a long time. Another maid beside her tugged at her sleeve and whispered in her ear, "Li He is the madam's personal maid. We can't afford to offend her."

"What are you afraid of? I don't believe she would actually dare to call for help. Besides, if she just slunk away like that, do you think she'll get the reward money from Miss He?" The two whispered among themselves.

Yan Niang turned around and draped the outer robe over Huiyin's shoulders. Seeing the two old women talking furtively in front of her, she reminded Huiyin, "These two old women are definitely up to no good. Young lady... you must be careful."

Huiyin's good sleep was disturbed, and she couldn't help but show some impatience on her face. Too lazy to listen to their arguing anymore, she directly ordered Aheng, who was standing next to her, "Go and invite Lihe from the Madam's courtyard."

Zhang Ao and the other woman froze, not daring to say anything more. They exchanged a glance, made up a few words, and slipped away. After the two women left, Yan Niang approached and asked, "Would you like to catch up on some sleep?"

Huiyin waved her hand, summoning the other four maids into the hall. She sat upright behind a low table, while Yanniang knelt beside her to serve her food. On the lacquered plate were five small vermilion lacquer dishes, a dish of bean paste, a bowl of millet porridge, sunflower soup, and roasted chicken with wheat cakes.

Adding a cup of berry drink, the food was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate. Huiyin ate her meal slowly and deliberately, the aroma wafting into the noses of Asang and the others kneeling below. Someone couldn't help but speak up: "Madam, what wrong have we servants committed? Please tell us."

Huiyin wiped her hands clean and said gently, "Half an hour has passed, and you still don't understand your mistake?"

"This servant truly does not know! Do you know?" the maid asked Asang and the others kneeling beside her.

Asang and Asang kowtowed together, their voices trembling: "We servants failed to stop those two, and they disturbed Madam."

The maid cried out again, "How can you blame us for this..." Seeing Huiyin staring coldly at her, her voice grew even softer.

Huiyin said coldly, "It is your duty to guard the gate, but you let others break in. Where were the four of you when Yanniang confronted them?"

"We are all in this together, for we are all in this together. Now that I am your master, my wealth is your wealth, and my misfortune is your misfortune. If you protect me, I will protect you in return."

“I am the kind of person who will not be trusted even once, but I will not punish you today because this is your first offense. I have heard that you have a strict maid named Tao, who was given to you by the Empress to help you manage the household. If you offend again, I will show no mercy.”

All four were stunned. Although Asang and Aheng were young, they were quick-witted. Upon seeing this, they immediately knelt down to pledge their loyalty, and the two maids behind them also kowtowed and begged for mercy. As for what they were thinking, that was unknown.

Huiyin didn't expect them to immediately defect; she merely wanted to give them a warning so they wouldn't dare to do it again. Having just entered the Pei household and not being favored by Madam Pei, if she were a servant, she would naturally have to observe the situation for a while.

"Let's go downstairs for dinner."

After dismissing everyone, Huiyin pressed her throbbing temples. She suffered from headaches; if she didn't rest well the night before, her head would throb the next day. Yanniang felt a pang of sympathy and advised, "Go back to sleep for a while; there's still some time before 7 PM."

Huiyin wrapped her arms around Yanniang, leaned against her back, and closed her eyes for a nap. "We have to see Pei Yu off later, so I'm not going to sleep."

The curtains swayed gently as the sun rose. Just when Yan Niang thought Huiyin had fallen asleep, she suddenly heard her whisper, "Mother Fu, from now on, call me Huiyin. I hate being called Lady Song."

Yan Niang covered her lips, her eyes glistening with tears, and nodded hurriedly, "Huiyin."

Huiyin changed direction, gazing absently at the shimmering lake. She needed to establish herself firmly in the Pei family before she could plan her next move.

——

As the hour of Xu approached, Huiyin led Yanniang and Asang toward Zhengyang Courtyard. On the corridor near the landscape garden, they bumped into He Jiaying, who was in a hurry. Behind her were four maids in short blouses and a maid in a brown cloth skirt.

Asang explained from the side, "The maids in the inner courtyard all wear plain cloth short blouses, while only the rough and sturdy maids in the outer courtyard wear brown cloth skirts. They cannot enter the inner courtyard without their master's permission."

Madam Pei still wore her hair in a high bun, just like yesterday, with two jade-inlaid gold hairpins and a white jade comb carved with bird and animal patterns in the center of her bun.

She was still wearing a layered, deep purple, three-layered, flowing dress. In truth, her features were delicate and her figure petite, not quite able to carry off this luxurious gown. She was better suited to a fresher, more elegant style.

Pei Yu wore no armor, only a black straight-hemmed robe with vermilion trim on the cuffs and dark embroidery on the hem. His attire was splendid, and his demeanor was composed. He lowered his head and approached Madam Pei, listening to her rambling, while fiddling with the jade hook belt at his waist.

Madam Pei kept talking to Pei Yu for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Huiyin was getting sleepy from listening, but Pei Yu showed no impatience and remained gentle.

He Jiaying, contrary to her usual behavior, knelt obediently to one side, pouring tea and water without uttering a word. However, she occasionally glanced at Huiyin, her eyes revealing an undisguised scrutiny.

Ignored by the Pei family, Huiyin obediently knelt behind the three. The plate of jujubes and cheese on the lacquer table was half empty. Huiyin listened to Madam Pei's rambling and Pei Yu's responses, while also looking at the decorations of the house and trying to figure out Madam Pei's preferences.

She likes gold and jade, bright colors, sweets, and...

"The Song family!"

Huiyin regained her senses and looked up to see Madam Pei staring at her. Pei Yu remained in the same position, his eyes unmoved, completely ignoring her, while He Jiaying looked gloating.

Madam Pei, her face contorted with anger, pointed at her and scolded, "Your son-in-law is about to go on a long trip, and instead of offering some words of advice and concern, what are you thinking about while daydreaming?"

Huiyin blinked, got up and took the brocade blanket that was placed to the side, knelt down in front of Madam Pei, covered her knees with the blanket, and said with great seriousness: "I just saw that you were covering your knees. The cold of early spring has not passed. It must be that the cold has entered your body. Please be careful, Madam."

Madam Pei's accusatory words caught in her throat as warmth spread through her knees, easing the cold pain deep within her bones. The young girl before her smiled slightly, her expression one of concern.

She instantly regretted her harsh words. Such a good girl should be cherished and protected from any hardship.

She held Huiyin's hand, regret welling up in her eyes. She didn't know how to make amends and wanted her to say a few more words to Pei Yu, who was about to leave.

Unexpectedly, Pei Yu glanced at Huiyin and interrupted Madam Pei, saying, "Mother, it's time for me to set off."

"But..." Madam Pei looked at her son, then at the silent Huiyin, caught in a dilemma.

Pei Yu walked outside, picked up the horizontal sword from the weapon rack, and looked back into the house. The three women were kneeling on the ground, looking at him. His mother and cousin's eyes were full of reluctance. Song Huiyin, on the other hand, had a calm expression and a perfectly timed smile on her lips. Her graceful demeanor was like a brightly colored painting of a beauty on the wall, captivating the heart.

He left a message and turned to leave.

"Don't worry, Mother, your son will definitely come back before the Shangsi Festival."

——

After the grueling farewell banquet, Huiyin couldn't wait to get back to Linshui Pavilion for some fresh air. Walking along the long corridor and turning through the carved stone archway, she saw He Jiaying, who had been waiting for a long time.

Just like when I met her this morning, she was followed by four maids in short robes, but the maidservant was nowhere to be seen.

Huiyin and Yanniang exchanged a glance, both understanding that the first major drama in the Pei family was about to begin; they just didn't know how He Jiaying would react. She stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Cousin Jiaying."

Today, He Jiaying wore a smoky pink double-curved skirt, which was about 80% similar to the old dress that Huiyin wore yesterday when she performed the concubine ceremony. Her face was pretty, and the smoky pink color made her skin look fair and beautiful, like a blooming begonia.

He Jiaying stepped forward with a sneer, her words mocking: "Cousin? You, a mere concubine, dare to call me cousin?"

Huiyin took two steps back and sincerely apologized: "I'm sorry, Miss He."

She didn't know what He Jiaying was planning to do. Besides, she had just gained some favor with Madam Pei, so she had to be humble and cautious at this time. The one who started the trouble could only be He Jiaying, not her.

He Jiaying continued to approach Huiyin, revealing her malice: "You really know how to please your aunt. No one would have thought that you, Song Huiyin, are even more skilled at flattering people than a lowly courtesan."

Yan Niang couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Miss He, my wife is your cousin's wife, how can you humiliate her by calling her a courtesan?"

"You're nothing but a lowly maidservant by Song Huiyin's side, yet you dare to lecture me!"

He Jiaying pointed fiercely at Yan Niang and ordered the maid behind her, looking smug, "Slap her twenty times to teach her a lesson and let her know who is really in charge of the Pei family."

"Who dares!"

Huiyin stepped forward; she was half a head taller than He Jiaying. The two stood face to face, and He Jiaying's arrogant aura was instantly suppressed.

He Jiaying glared at Huiyin without any attempt to hide her anger. Just as she was about to retort, she heard Huiyin say in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Why beat around the bush? Just say what you want to say."

He Jiaying was secretly delighted. Pointing to the stone pavilion not far away, she raised her chin arrogantly and said, "It's not a good place to talk. Let's go there to talk."

Huiyin looked in the direction she was pointing at the stone pavilion. The stone path was winding and led straight to the center of the lake. The stone pavilion was a typical pillar and beam structure, with several stone pillars supporting stone beams, all carved with cloud and thunder patterns. The beams were topped with a pyramidal roof. It was far from the shore and surrounded by open space.

He Jiaying only brought four young maids with her, so it wouldn't be difficult for her and Yan Niang to escape. But did she have to keep passively taking hits like this? There's no such thing as being able to guard against thieves for a thousand days, only being able to steal for a thousand days.

In the middle of the lake, by the stone pavilion, she gazed at the excitement in He Jiaying's eyes, wondering what she was about to do.

A note from the author:

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