Chapter Sixty-Five: Seeking the Near and Reversing the Distant
Back in the east wing of Liaoyuan Garden, Ruan Bi called Xiuzhi over.
Xiuzhi took the bundle and, upon hearing that they were going to the Second Miss's courtyard, was truly displeased. She muttered, "Miss, the Second Miss is a madwoman. Why should we go and provoke her?"
Ruan Bi said dismissively, "If she's crazy, it's because I've driven her crazy. So how could seeing her bring me bad luck? It's her seeing me who's going to cause trouble."
Xiuzhi tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "What you said seems to make some sense, but I feel uneasy whenever I see the Second Miss's face."
When they arrived at Shaohua Courtyard, where the second young lady lived, they were stopped by the old woman guarding the gate, who said that the second young lady was sick and could not receive guests.
When I greeted her this morning, Ruan Bi heard that she was sick, but she didn't know if it was a real illness or a fake one.
After thinking for a moment, Ruan Bi led Xiuzhi to the First Madam's courtyard.
After walking a little further away, Xiuzhi said with a grin, "It seems that the second young lady really has run into bad luck. She deserves it, she deserves what she said. Miss, I'm not afraid to tell you, yesterday she went crazy in the carriage, and I really wanted to kick her out. And when she threw gold at you, I really wanted to go up and slap her."
Ruan Bi smiled and said, "You've become increasingly bold these days."
Xiuzhi stuck out her tongue and said, "It's all because the girl spoils her."
"So it's still my fault?"
“No, it’s my blessing.” Xiuzhi’s expression darkened slightly. “Miss, do you know? My mother said that she can redeem me in another year. I used to be eager for her to come and redeem me and take me home as soon as possible, but now… I can’t bear to part with you, Miss. Speaking of which, most of the money for my redemption was given to me by you, Miss.”
Ruan Bi liked her cheerful and lively personality very much, but she also felt a little sad. After a moment of silence, she said, "It's always better to be a daughter in your own home than to be bossed around in someone else's house. Besides, if you go back, we can see each other more often."
The last sentence was actually quite vague. Putting aside where the two would marry in the future, even if they married different people from different families, how could they have any interaction? However, Xiuzhi was still somewhat comforted by this and took a deep breath, saying, "Let's not talk about this. Do you know who picked up the gold that the second young lady threw at you?"
"who?"
"It was Sister Lin, who was in charge of tending the flowers and trees, who picked it up. She didn't dare keep it and gave it to the First Madam. As a result, the First Madam only rewarded her with three hundred coins. At lunchtime, I heard her complaining to a few of her close maids that she should have taken a bite out of it back then."
As they spoke, they arrived at the First Madam's courtyard. She was talking to several of the head wives, and when she saw her coming, her expression changed slightly. She quickly dismissed the wives with a few words. However, she didn't ask her to sit down. Instead, she took the teacup from Baozhen's hand and slowly stirred the tea leaves with the lid.
Ruan Bi was tired of these shallow tricks to intimidate people. She gestured for Xiuzhi to hand over the bundle and said, "Mother, this is the draft of the 'Auspicious Clouds Picture of the Queen Mother of the West.' Fourth Sister compiled it and asked me to give it to Second Sister. I just went to Second Sister's courtyard and heard that she is sick and cannot receive guests for the time being. I think it would be better to give it to Mother for safekeeping."
While fiddling with the tea leaves, the First Madam was plotting how to subtly frighten the Second Miss and seek justice for her. She hadn't expected the Second Miss to come for this reason, and was startled. Her hand holding the teacup trembled, almost spilling the tea. Calming herself slightly, she looked up at Ruan Bi, then at the bundle, and gave Baozhen a wink.
Baozhen took the bundle, placed it on the table next to her, and opened it.
The First Madam peeked over and saw about ten pictures rolled up in a ball. She put down her teacup, picked up one of them, and unfolded it to look at it. On the Xuan paper, the Queen Mother of the West was depicted in flowing robes, her face strikingly similar to the Empress Dowager, yet exuding an air of carefree immortality. This very embroidery brought the Second Miss unparalleled glory, yet it also sowed the seeds of endless trouble.
Last night, the Second Miss recounted the entire Chrysanthemum Gathering at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion in detail. When Xie Mingzhu and Han Lu pressed her for answers, a cold sweat broke out on her back. She had been so careless, preoccupied with guarding against the Fourth and Fifth Misses, that she hadn't considered guarding against her "best friend" who knew the Second Miss so well. Fortunately, they had no evidence, only baseless speculation, which Ruan Bi quickly deflected with a few words. She thought Ruan Bi would try to take advantage of her kindness, but instead, she presented the complete draft. With the draft, from then on, the painting of the Queen Mother of the West and auspicious clouds was undoubtedly the Second Miss's work, and no one could question it, not even the Fourth Miss. But why did she do this?
The First Madam used a piece of drawing paper to conceal her ever-changing expression, and the swirling questions in her heart. Why was Fifth Sister doing this? What was she thinking? What was her purpose? What kind of person was she really? She realized she had never understood her, and was becoming increasingly unable to comprehend her; this feeling unsettled her, and even a little frightened her.
Not only her, but Xiuzhi was also very puzzled. She hadn't known what was in the bundle before, but when Ruan Bi mentioned it, she suddenly realized that it was a draft of the painting of the Queen Mother of the West amidst auspicious clouds. The second young lady was acting like a madwoman; why would the young lady still grant her wish?
“Mother, I said yesterday that I would send Han Lu and Xie Mingzhu a copy of the painting. I think it would be more appropriate for my second sister to handle this matter.”
"Hmm." The First Madam responded softly, calming herself, and handed the draft to Baozhen. She said casually, "Fifth Girl, you and Fourth Girl have both become sensible, and I am very pleased. Brothers and sisters, living together day and night, are bound to have their share of disagreements, just like teeth. If we forget the bond we grew up together because of these squabbles, then we are putting the cart before the horse. Let's not dwell on the past. Now you have finally grown up and understand that sisterly unity is invaluable, which is a good thing. Baozhen, go and get out the two new bolts of brocade I just received and give them to the two young ladies."
As Ruan Bi listened to her incessant chatter, which shifted all the blame onto the Fourth Miss and herself, she couldn't help but secretly admire her. When it came to the ability to distort the truth, the First Madam was second to none.
Baozhen turned and went into the room next door. She returned a moment later, carrying two bolts of brocade. They were red with subtle gold patterns and had a bright sheen. Although they were not as good as the scattered flower brocade that Princess Huiwen had given her last time, they were still quite nice. It was rare for the stingy First Madam to take the initiative to return the brocade, so Ruan Bi naturally did not refuse. She gestured for Xiuzhi to take it and said, "Thank you, Mother."
The First Madam raised her teacup, took a small sip, and asked in a seemingly casual tone, "Please sit down. It's been a while since we've had a proper conversation. I didn't even know you had such an expensive potted plant called 'Spring Water Green Wave' in your room."
Ruan Bi chuckled, thinking to herself, "The First Madam is indeed ruthless towards her illegitimate daughter. She just received such a great favor, and now she's already plotting against her again." It seemed that in her eyes, the sixteen sample drafts and two bolts of brocade were a simple transaction, a clean break with no debts owed. She then said calmly, "It was a gift from Sister Xiuping. When it arrived, the flowers were just buds. I didn't know it was so precious. It was only yesterday, when Second Sister mentioned it to Princess Jingyi, that I learned it's a very difficult variety to cultivate."
The First Madam said, "This variety is indeed difficult to cultivate. I haven't seen a fine specimen in several years. Second Miss said that the one in your room is of excellent quality, and I'd like to take a look at it too." Ruan Bi was slightly taken aback and hadn't quite come to her senses when she heard her instruct Baozhen, "Baozhen, go to the Fifth Miss's room and bring over Spring Water Green Waves. Be careful not to drop it."
Baozhen responded and left.
What exactly did she mean? Ruan Bi didn't understand for a moment, so she remained silent.
The First Madam then asked Baoli to serve her tea, and they chatted casually.
After a short while, Baozhen entered carrying chrysanthemums, looking as if she had just been dressed as a jade maiden, bringing everything in the room to life. The First Madam's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "Excellent, excellent! Truly, they are of superb quality." Taking the flowers from Baozhen's hands, she gazed at them intently, "Fifth Girl, I like this pot of flowers. Let me keep it here for a few days to admire."
Ruan Bi suddenly realized that while her curiosity about the flower's origin was indeed due to who had given it to her, her primary reason was to possess it. However, this was probably not the ultimate reason. After all, it would be unbecoming of a legitimate mother to possess a concubine's daughter's prized flower. Most likely, she wanted to use the flower to curry favor with Gu Jingyi, or perhaps even the Prince of Jin, since Gu Jingyi had mentioned that she had requested it as a gift for him.
If this flower were to return to the Prince of Jin's hands, what would his expression be? Ruan Bi found it amusing and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Mother, I've heard that those who are intentional are kept at a distance, while those who are not are drawn closer. Offering flowers to the Buddha might invite the wrath of a powerful deity, and trying to please others might only lead to embarrassment. Therefore, I always remind myself to be true to myself and not to try to please others, because it might bring the opposite result."
The First Madam was stunned by what she said and looked at her in confusion.
Ruan Bi stepped forward, took the potted plant, "Spring Water Green Waves," from her hands, and said with a smile, "Mother, I also like this potted plant very much, but please forgive me for not being able to part with it." With that, she turned and left.
She walked to the door, and only then did the doctor come to her senses. Her face turned bright red, and she said, "You...stop."
Ruan Bi ignored her and lifted the curtain to go out. Xiuzhi followed closely behind. After leaving the First Madam's courtyard, she let out a long sigh, glanced back at Xihe Courtyard, and said uneasily, "Miss, is this appropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it? Disrespectful to elders? Heh, she has to be worthy of being an elder first."
Xiuzhi pouted and said, "The First Madam really went too far. Speaking of which, you, Miss, why did you give the manuscript to the Second Miss? She's treated you so badly, and you still went along with it?"
"Xiuzhi, I am not doing this to please her."
"Then why?"
Ruan Bi smiled and said no more.
Why send the draft of the Queen Mother of the West's Auspicious Clouds painting to the Second Miss? There are three reasons. First, deceiving the emperor is a serious crime. The Ruan family is already declining, and if they suffer another blow, they will surely be destroyed. Although she dislikes the Ruan family, she currently has no choice but to rely on them. Once she loses their protection, her future will be bleak. For example, if the Prince of Han wants to take her as a concubine, she will be powerless. Therefore, this root of trouble must be eradicated. Second, to guard against the Fourth Miss reporting her. Although she doesn't plan to do so now, it doesn't mean she won't in the future. If something happens to Aunt Lin, or if the Fourth Miss's hatred for the First Madam deepens, and she eventually reports the Ruan family to protect herself, the draft in her hands will become evidence. Third, it's also to make the Old Madam remember her favor one more time. As for the First Madam and the Second Miss, she never expected them to thank her. The First Madam hates her as much as she hates the First Madam, and the Second Miss hates her no less than the Fourth Miss hates the First Madam.
Whether the First Madam understood Ruan Bi's words or if she had only intended to possess it herself, in any case, she didn't mention Qing Shui Lü Bo to the Old Madam, leaving Ruan Bi's prepared explanation completely forgotten. However, when the Old Madam heard that Ruan Bi had given the manuscript to the Second Miss, she held her hand, looked her up and down for a long time, and said regretfully, "If only you were a man."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
