Siqi, Second-Rank Maid

“Sister Yongxue, greetings. I am here on the prince’s orders to bring someone…” Zigao followed the young woman’s words and led Lingran into the main hall.

From the moment the woman in the water-red jacket appeared, Lingran surmised her status must be akin to Ping’er by Wang Xifeng’s side. Her dress and adornments set her apart from the other maids, yet Zigao addressed her unmistakably as a servant.

The arrangement of the Yihong Hall differed from anywhere else Lingran had seen. In the center stood a large round table, the walls hung with various calligraphic scrolls and paintings, and four finely dressed young ladies sat around the table. Among them, the one clad in a dark green high-collared robe, from beneath which a black skirt peeked out, commanded the most presence. As Lingran entered, her eyes were drawn to her at once.

This woman’s hair was swept up entirely, adorned with a few simple gold hairpins, revealing a flawless forehead. It is said that beauty lies in the brow, and hers, paired with her face, was perfect. Though still youthful, the grave, mature green robe she wore lent her an air of commanding authority—a woman of strength.

The maid Yongxue addressed her, “Third Madam, Eunuch Lu has come on His Highness’s orders.”

So this was the renowned Third Madam, Sun Min! Lingran followed behind Zigao, respectfully saluting.

Before Sun Min, a heap of account books lay atop the table. She was toying with the abacus beads, clearly checking the accounts. Seeing them enter, she set aside the ledger and greeted them with a gentle smile. “How is His Highness? Has he returned from the palace?”

Zigao replied, “His Highness is well. He returned from the palace early this morning.”

A lady seated on the other side of the table interjected, “But no one reported His Highness’s return at the second gate. Where did he go?”

She wore a gold robe with peacocks and peonies embroidered on the wide sleeves, golden hair ornaments pinned into her elaborate bun, her hair swept back to show her temples, and her ears adorned with bright jade earrings—an air of formality about her. Yet, her features were unremarkable, her frame large, her skin coarse, more like a matron of thirty than a young lady.

Zigao replied, “Madam, His Highness went directly to the Prime Minister’s residence to pay his respects to the old Prime Minister. He only just returned from the gardens.”

Lingran glanced at the other two ladies. Both wore simple gauze jackets, one in pink-white and the other in pale yellow. Their eyes were bright, their smiles dazzling, fresh as dew, but Lingran could not tell which wives they were.

After answering the grandly dressed madam, Zigao turned to Sun Min. “This is a maid His Highness brought back from the gardens. She used to serve at Lanzeshanfang. I leave her to Third Madam’s disposal.”

“Oh?” The four ladies were clearly surprised; eight eyes landed immediately on Lingran.

Lingran felt uneasy under their varied gazes. Was it really so shocking to bring back a single maid?

The grand madam snorted, “What is this? Lately, the eunuchs keep sending young girls over. The one at Fangyue Pavilion is still waiting to consummate her marriage! Third Sister just sent a few off to the palace with accompanying gifts—the house has yet to settle, and here comes another!”

But Sun Min only smiled graciously. “Elder Sister, didn’t you hear? Zigao said His Highness brought her back himself!”

“What?” The grand madam’s eyes widened, staring at Lingran as if flames shot forth from her gaze.

“If His Highness brought her, does he have any orders? Where should she be assigned?” Sun Min’s question was gentle.

Zigao answered truthfully, “None. It was said Young Master Hongxiao took a fancy to her, so His Highness brought her over.”

“I see.” Sun Min nodded, and the ladies’ faces seemed to ease at once.

Suddenly, the young lady in pink spoke up, “Third Sister, I heard the Fangyue Pavilion just sought a maid from the Prime Minister’s mansion. My sister and I share a residence, and our servants are half as many as others. My room lacks a second-class maid. This one is fair and delicate—why not assign her to Spring Ze Manor?”

Sun Min studied Lingran a moment and, finding nothing amiss, smiled. “If you say so, Seventh Sister, I have been remiss. If Elder Sister has no objections, you may take her.”

The grand madam cast Lingran a contemptuous glance. “I certainly don’t want such a frail, sickly thing in my rooms. She looks like a pale beauty about to waste away.”

Lingran thought indignantly, How do I look sickly? I’m just petite and perfectly healthy! Of course, she had no say in her own fate and could only grumble privately.

And so the matter was settled.

Perhaps it was news of His Highness’s return, but none of the ladies could sit still. Three rose to take their leave of Sun Min.

Lingran was escorted out of Yihong Hall by her two new mistresses. The pair looked strikingly alike—clearly sisters. They each already had two maids with them. As soon as they left Sun Min’s quarters, the beauty in white gauze said to one of her maids, “Su Ping, go to Danhuai Hall and let them know we’ve prepared green plum wine for His Highness. I’ve personally made walnut pastries, and my sister has just mastered the Tartar dance. Invite His Highness to dine with us tonight.”

Su Ping answered crisply and left.

The competition for the prince’s favor reminded Lingran of ants swarming a piece of meat fallen to the ground—a shiver ran through her at the thought.

Spring Ze Manor was vast, with lakes and fields, neat rows of green vegetables in the garden beds, and willow trees planted everywhere by the lakeside and around the houses, giving the place the air of a tranquil villa.

The sisters, eager to greet their husband, wasted no time. As soon as the Seventh Madam reached the lakeside cottage, she said to a maid waiting at the door, “This is our new second-class maid. Take her to the servants’ quarters, teach her the rules and the things we sisters do not allow, and she can attend us tomorrow.”

Lingran bowed, silent, and followed the maid.

The servants’ quarters stood at the edge of Spring Ze Manor, built to look like a country farmhouse, complete with bamboo fencing. Lingran couldn’t help but think of Da Guan Yuan’s Fragrant Rice Lodge; there was a certain resemblance in spirit.

Inside, she found the floors laid with wood, the windows bright and spotless. Each room held five beds. Two maids inside were just getting up as they entered. One, hair disheveled, asked, “Is this the new girl? What time is it now?”

After the ordeal with Xu Shanquan, Lingran had been on her feet more than half the day, had missed lunch, and now, in a strange place, her mood was low, and she looked quite dejected.

The maid who brought her said, “The chickens are roosting; it’s dusk.”

The other two began washing up and changing clothes. The maid introduced herself, “I’m Yanyan. These are Qumei and Cai’er. We all live here and serve as second-class maids. We take turns on night duty.”

Lingran now understood the two maids slept during the day because they were on night shift.

They asked Lingran’s name, introduced themselves, and Qumei and Cai’er said they’d go fetch food, which suited Lingran perfectly. She cheerfully asked them to bring extra, earning herself two disdainful looks.

Yanyan, more helpful, stayed in the room to explain things.

“Our place is different from others. There are two mistresses here—Sixth Madam Liang Hengbo and Seventh Madam Liang Qingcheng. Both were once courtesans on the Qinhuai River, so as servants, we must never mention words like ‘singer,’ ‘dancer,’ or ‘prostitute’ in their presence.”