Chapter 19 Princess Huiwen
During the evening greetings, in front of everyone, the old lady indeed suggested that Ruan Bi learn how to manage the household from the first lady.
The First Madam paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Indeed, she should learn from her." She paused and said, "How about this, after breakfast every day, she can go to the council hall for half an hour, just like Second Sister. After that, she can be assigned some minor, unimportant tasks."
The council hall was located next to the main courtyard's hanging flower gate. It consisted of three small, back-facing rooms furnished only with some tables and chairs, and a few calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls. Every day at 8:30 AM, the First Madam would sit in the hall and listen to the reports from the stewards and managers of both the inner and outer courtyards, making decisions accordingly. Ruan Bi and the Second Miss would sit behind the screen and listen.
After listening for two days, Ruan Bi realized it was all trivial matters. She guessed that the First Madam must have instructed the stewards and managers not to discuss any serious business while she was around. Even so, she dared not be careless. The Second Young Lady kept a close eye on her, like a hawk.
In the mornings, Ruan Bi would learn how to manage the household affairs. After her afternoon nap, she would either do needlework with the Fourth Miss or spend time happily at the Old Madam's side. She would listen to her chatter with the daughters-in-law and servants, sometimes telling jokes or reading Buddhist scriptures to her. Once, the Old Madam asked her in detail what she had overheard in the council chamber, how the First Madam had handled it, and Ruan Bi's opinion. Ruan Bi answered each question and realized that the Old Madam's arrangement for her to learn how to manage the household was not only to cultivate her economic and worldly abilities but also to become her eyes and ears to monitor the First Madam. It seemed the First Madam understood this as well, and lately she had become much kinder to Ruan Bi.
On the fourth day, while slightly distracted, Ruan Bi suddenly heard the words "Fifth Sister". She was startled and listened carefully.
The First Madam asked, puzzled, "...What does the visit of the Han Prince's Assistant have to do with the Fifth Miss? Please start from the beginning."
The second steward, Luo Shan, said, "A couple of days ago, a man came to our door, saying that he had hidden his cousin, named Dongxue, in our household. She had sold herself into servitude to our household and served the Fifth Miss. I asked Granny He about it, and she said that there was such a person, but she had redeemed herself three months ago. I told him this, but then he said that Dongxue was brought back to the household by the Old Madam when she took the Fifth Miss to Tianqing Temple to offer incense..."
The First Madam said, "Nonsense! What kind of place is our Ruan family? Would we just bring anyone back to our residence?"
"That's right, that's what I said too, but he wouldn't listen, so I had to send him away. Unexpectedly, he came today with the Han Prince's official in charge of the palace, saying that Dongxue had already been given to the Han Prince as a concubine, and demanding that we hand her over. He also said that they have investigated thoroughly and confirmed that Dongxue, wearing a light purple dress, was indeed taken away by our Fifth Miss that day..."
The First Madam frowned, looked at the screen, and asked, "Fifth Girl, what exactly happened?"
Ruan Bi had long suspected that this matter would cause trouble, but she also assumed that the other party had no real evidence, and besides, she hadn't taken the person out herself. "Mother, I did see Dongxue at Tianqing Temple that day, but we only exchanged a few words before she left."
"What did you say?"
"She said her cousin wanted to send her to the Han King's mansion, and she was afraid and planned to run away. Since we were master and servant, she came to say goodbye."
The First Madam hesitated for a moment, then said, "Steward Luo, please convey what the Fifth Miss said to the Vice Minister of the Prince of Han's residence, and also tell him that there is absolutely no such person as Dongxue in our residence."
Steward Luo responded and left, never to return, presumably having already dismissed the Han Prince's Assistant.
Ruan Bi felt much more at ease.
I took a short nap at noon, and just as I got up, a maid from the old lady's courtyard came over and said that the old lady was looking for her.
Ruan Bi quickly led Xiu Zhi to Chunhui Hall. Upon entering the side hall, the old lady was talking to Zheng Mama. She beckoned to Ruan Bi and said, "Come here, I have something to ask you two. I heard that the Han Prince's Assistant came to visit Dong Xue. Did you hide her?"
Feeling guilty, Granny Zheng lowered her eyes and dared not reply.
Ruan Bi stepped forward and bowed gracefully. After the ceremony, she sat down and said, "Grandmother, where can we hide Dongxue? But that time someone was chasing her, and she begged me to give her Xiuzhi's clothes."
The old lady pondered for a moment and said, "I remember now. No wonder I felt something was strange that day. Why did Xiuzhi change her clothes?" She glanced at Ruan Bi and said sternly, "You are too bold. This matter involves the King of Han."
Ruan Bi said aggrievedly, "Grandmother, I am her former master, I can't help her. She asked me for a set of clothes, how could I not give them to her?"
Granny Zheng glanced at Ruan Bi several times, secretly admiring her. It was clearly Ruan Bi who had suggested Dongxue change clothes, yet she claimed it was Dongxue who begged. Although Dongxue ultimately escaped using Xiuzhi's clothes, the two versions of events conveyed vastly different meanings. The former implied that Ruan Bi had actively protected Dongxue, which would surely anger the Old Madam if spoken of directly. The latter portrayed her as a loyal and righteous mistress, making it difficult for the Old Madam to object. This Fifth Miss, she truly possessed a keen mind.
Sure enough, the old lady didn't know what to say. After a long silence, she said, "As long as it wasn't hidden by you, it's fine. Although the King of Han is domineering, he can't cause trouble for no reason."
“Grandmother, Zheng Mama and I are both sheltered women who don’t know anyone outside. Where could we have hidden Dongxue? Dongxue really did run away on her own.”
The old lady thought about it and agreed. She nodded slightly and said, "Let it go this time. Just be careful in the future and don't get involved in this kind of thing again. It would be troublesome if you got entangled in something."
Ruan Bi nodded.
The old lady patted the edge of the couch and said, "Come and sit down, let me hear what you learned today."
Just as Ruan Bi sat down on the edge of the couch, a maidservant announced from outside, "The First Madam has arrived."
The curtain rustled slightly as the First Madam entered. Her expression appeared calm, but her brows were slightly furrowed. She glanced at Ruan Bi before bowing to the Old Madam.
"Just now, someone from Princess Huiwen's residence came over."
"Oh?" The old lady sat up straight and asked, "Is there something you need?"
The First Madam glanced at Ruan Bi again and said, "They say the day after tomorrow is the Qixi Festival, and they would like to invite Fifth Sister to stay for two days tomorrow to accompany her granddaughter in the Qixi Festival."
The old lady asked in surprise, "Only Fifth Sister?"
The First Madam nodded, inwardly displeased. She had assumed the arrival of people from the Princess's residence was related to the Second Miss, but it turned out they were there to invite the Fifth Miss. "They're still waiting for news. What does Mother think?"
Although it was unclear what the eldest princess intended to do, it was undoubtedly a good thing. Without hesitation, the old lady said, "Then let Fifth Sister go."
After the First Madam withdrew, the Old Madam looked at Ruan Bi carefully and asked, "Fifth Girl, when you went to the Princess's residence together that day, did you say anything?"
"I only wrote one poem, and the Princess praised it highly."
"What poem?"
Ruan Bi then recited her poem. The old lady pondered it, then, lost in thought, concluded that Ruan Bi had caught the princess's eye and asked no further questions. She took Ruan Bi's hand and carefully instructed her on what to be mindful of when visiting the princess's residence, which Ruan Bi carefully remembered. Back in the east wing of Liaoyuan Garden, she asked Xiuzhi what she should do for the Qixi Festival. Although surprised, Xiuzhi told her everything, and then helped her pack two new outfits and many newly made embroidered items into a bundle.
The next morning, Princess Huiwen's residence actually sent a carriage to pick them up, which made all the young ladies extremely envious.
The carriage bore the mark of the Princess's residence, and pedestrians and other vehicles made way for it, making it much faster than last time.
After disembarking from the carriage, she boarded a sedan chair and arrived at the hanging flower gate. Cui Jiu led her inside, passing countless magnificent buildings and winding through the streets, until they stopped in front of a house. A large group of maids and nannies stood quietly at the door. One of the elegantly dressed old nannies stepped forward and whispered, "The princess is sitting quietly inside. She only instructed the young lady to go in alone."
Ruan Bi nodded, signaling Xiuzhi and Granny Liu to stand outside.
The old nanny pushed open the door, and Ruan Bi stepped inside, her eyes immediately lighting up.
This room was originally an open-air pavilion with wooden floors, completely empty except for a few areas. The side facing the garden had no windows or doors. Because of its elevated location, the entire back garden of the Chang Gong Mansion unfolded before one's eyes, with artificial hills and bamboo groves, lakes and clouds, winding corridors and lotus fragrance, lawns and bamboo groves... everything was exquisite and timeless, truly a picturesque landscape.
"Is it beautiful?" The eldest princess, still gazing ahead, asked in a low voice while sitting on the futon.
Ruan Bi gazed intently at the beautiful scenery before her, nodded, and sat down on the futon next to her.
The eldest princess, still looking straight ahead, said, "You forgot to bow to me and sat down without my permission."
Ruan Bi was taken aback, only then realizing that she had been so captivated by the beautiful scenery that she had indeed forgotten. Just as she was about to curtsy, she heard the Princess say, "Forget it, do I need such a curtsy from you? From childhood to adulthood, so many people have groveled at your feet. Every time you go out, you have to look at other people's backsides first. It's really meaningless. Besides, I just wanted to see if you, attracted by the beautiful scenery before you, would still remember those mundane affairs of the world."
Ruan Bi understood and smiled gently.
The princess turned to look at her, and seeing her bright smile, her heart lit up as well. She clapped her hands, and Cui Jiu entered.
The eldest princess asked in a low voice, "Have you gone to pick up Jingyi yet?"
Cui Jiu said, "I've already gone to pick them up."
Ruan Bi was surprised, then remembered that the princess's residence and the consort's residence were separate, and that the princess's residence was royal property, which would be returned to the royal family after the princess's death. She figured Jingyi must be living in the Duke of Dingguo's residence.
"Has Fifth Sister's accommodation been arranged?"
"It will be arranged at Qiuhua Garden."
The eldest princess nodded slightly and said to Ruan Bi, "Please feel free to stay. If you like, you can stay for a few more days. Just tell Cui Jiu what you want to eat or do."
Ruan Bi did not refuse and asked, "I would like to learn to ride a horse, is that alright?"
The eldest princess directly instructed, "Cui Jiu, remember to prepare a gentle horse for the Fifth Miss."
"yes."
Is there anything else you'd like?
Ruan Bi shook her head and said, "I can't remember right now."
"Let's think about it and then talk about it," the eldest princess said. "Cui Jiu, take the Fifth Miss to her residence. I'll sit for a while longer."
Ruan Bi bowed to her and left the quiet room. Cui Jiu led the way, walking deeper into the inner courtyard. Along the way, there were small bridges, flowing water, and a variety of flowers and trees, but she had no heart to appreciate them. What exactly was this princess going to do?
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