She naturally had to be vigilant of an individual who showed up so suddenly.
Xiaoyu said, "Yi Ling is also a courtesan here at the Flower House. However, she’s not well-known, perhaps due to her less than pleasing appearance. Hence, she isn’t top-ranked and makes fewer public appearances."
Xin He asked, "Even if her appearances are infrequent, shouldn’t I have seen her at least once? I’ve pretty much scanned over all the girls in the Flower House once over. How could I have missed only her?"
"Madam may not know, but it seems Yi Ling and Miss Qiao Qiao do not get along. Originally, even though Yi Ling has some charm as a courtesan in the Flower House, Miss Qiao Qiao is the top bill. Naturally, Madam Chen favors Qiao Qiao, and indulges her in her treatment of Yi Ling. Some time ago, Miss Yi Ling offended Miss Qiao and was relegated to doing a servant’s chores. Your not having seen her is quite normal."
Xin He raised an eyebrow, "So, after such a long time of not seeing her, today she happens to come serve me tea? Even if she’s doing a servants job, she shouldn’t be the one serving me, right?"
Since Qiao Qiao was on guard against Yi Ling, deliberately suppressing her, and even preventing her from having any opportunity to meet Ji Xinhe, if Ji Xinhe had seen her, she would not have missed it.
Under such circumstances, even if Qiao Qiao had arranged for Yi Ling to do a servant’s chores, she wouldn’t be so foolish as to let Yi Ling serve her tea. The only possibility...
Xiaoyu said in a low voice, "The one who originally prepared tea for madam wasn’t her. They said she tripped somehow, and right now she can’t walk. So, Yi Ling took on her work."
Xin He’s expression didn’t show any surprise. Instead, she felt that it all made sense. She must have guessed this situation already.
Xin He took a sip of her tea, and then said casually, "Indeed, appearances can be deceiving. This Yi Ling seems to know her way around things."
"Does madam still plan to use her?"
"Of course, why shouldn’t I? Right now, there’s nobody in this Flower House who’s more suitable to sing that song. If I decided not to use her just because of this trivial matter, wouldn’t that be a pity? Besides, it’s not a bad thing to have a girl who is capable. At least she’s not dumb. We’ll see if she can apply her abilities properly. After this Oiran competition ends, let’s observe a little more," Xin He said.
Xiaoyu nodded, "Madam is right, what about Miss Qiao Qiao..."
Xin He took a deep breath and said, "She’s preparing her performance herself, there’s no need for me to worry about that. They have a personal grudge, I don’t need to interfere."
"Yes."
Xin He let out a long sigh, it’s true that where there are people, there are ripples. Previously, she was in the midst of those ripples. Now, even though she is outside looking in, they are still in play.
——
A little maid ran hurriedly into Qiao Qiao’s room and whispered a few words in her ear. Qiao Qiao’s face immediately changed, "What did you just say?! That mean woman actually dared to go and see the owner herself? How could she possibly have the chance to get close to him?"
"The maid who sends tea suddenly got injured and gave her an opportunity. They say that now, the owner has agreed to let her perform an independent act!"
Enraged, Qiao Qiao stormed out of the room and headed straight for Yi Ling’s room
But before she could kick down the door, she saw Yi Ling opening it first. A big smile on her face, "Miss Qiao Qiao? What a coincidence! Did you need something?"
Qiao Qiao only curled her lip disdainfully, "So you’ve shown your hand, using such dirty tricks to gain an opportunity to perform, and you think you’re worthy!"
Yi Ling’s smile became even sweeter, "Whether or not I’m worth it, that’s for the owner to say, not us. If Miss Qiao Qiao feels wronged, why not go and reason with the owner, instead of coming here upset, and venting on me?"
"You!" Qiao Qiao gritted her teeth, pointing at Yi Ling’s nose, "Don’t you dare be smug! Do I not know what kind of goods you are? Don’t think that just getting on stage means it’s all over. If you get on stage and no one watches you, that will be the sad part!"
Yi Ling blinked innocently, "Let’s wait and see after the Oiran competition. If you can’t outshine me, Miss Qiao Qiao, wouldn’t that be awkward?"
"What did you say?!" Furious, Qiao Qiao raised her hand to slap her.
However, Yi Ling suddenly looked behind Qiao Qiao, looking startled, "The owner."
Qiao Qiao froze.
Turning around, she indeed saw Xin He standing there.
Qiao Qiao, holding in her anger, unwillingly gave a little bow, "Owner."
Xin He glanced at Yi Ling. In her lowered eyes, there was a flash of triumph.
Xin He said calmly, "Use less tricks, focus more on preparation."
It was unclear whether she was speaking to Yi Ling or Qiao Qiao.
Yi Ling noticed that things weren’t going as she had imagined. For a moment she was stunned, when she looked up, Xin He had already turned and walked away.
In the end, Qiao Qiao stomped her foot angrily and also left.
Upon leaving the Flower House, Xin He climbed onto the carriage for her to ride home, closed her eyes tiredly, and asked Xiaoyu, "Do you notice anything unusual about what just happened?"
Xiaoyu replied solemnly, "Looking at it, it appears that Miss Yi Ling is smarter than Miss Qiao Qiao."
"And more cunning too," Xin He slightly curled her lips in mockery.
"What does Madam think?"
"Qiao Qiao is temperamental, but shallow in thought. Yi Ling appears to be good natured, but she thinks deeply. Neither of these two are easily managed. You should keep an eye on them, especially... Yi Ling," Xin He said solemnly.
Where there are women, there are conflicts.
She manages this Flower House, and while the courtesans listen to her, managing their relationships requires finesse. If conflict erupts, it could affect the business at the Flower House.
She knew this, so she was watching closely. But with matters being as they were, she was unable to be everywhere. She had no time to deal with these trivial matters, so she could only ask Xiaoyu to keep an eye on things.
Xiaoyu nodded her head, and said seriously, "I understand."
When she got home, she found out that Marquis Mu Houchu was not there. He had gone out on official business and would not be back until nighttime.
Xin He was feeling warm again, so she coaxed Xiaoyu into bringing her a bowl of chilled tea.
Xiaoyu couldn’t help but chuckle, "Madam, you’ve already had two cups at the Flower House today."
"He’s not here now, and won’t be back until the evening. Don’t worry, just go!"
Helpless, Xiaoyu finally said, "When he questions it later, you’d better not blame me."
"How could I possibly say?" Xin He giggled.
In the end, Xiaoyu was no match for Xin He. She reluctantly brought over the cold tea. Just as Xin He had drunk half of it, Shulan rushed in and said, "Madam, the master is home!"
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