Chapter 2: Jade Ink
Pear Moon stood up and called her “Sister Jade Ink,” quickly replying, “The longan soup will be ready in less than half an hour.”
Jade Ink was only eighteen, plump and gentle, with a kind and approachable demeanor.
When she saw Pear Moon’s face clearly, her smile gradually turned serious. “Was it Fragrant Grass who hit you?”
Pear Moon smiled without answering, and Jade Ink didn’t press further.
She only offered a word of advice: “Don’t be afraid. Their arrogance won’t last long.”
Pear Moon poured her a cup of Longjing tea. “Sister, don’t worry. I won’t provoke her.”
The Tranquil Study next to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard was overseen by Jade Ink alone as the only maid.
When there were household tasks she couldn’t manage, she would call Pear Moon to help.
Not only did she give tips each time, but she also treated Pear Moon to snacks, so Pear Moon felt very close to her.
That afternoon, when delivering tea to the Young Lord, it was also Jade Ink who had asked Pear Moon to go.
Having received a full tael of silver as a reward, Pear Moon wanted to thank her.
“Sister, try these pastries—they’re freshly made!”
Green tea pastries paired best with Longjing tea, so Pear Moon placed two pieces on a famille-rose porcelain plate.
Jade Ink tasted them and praised, “You, child, have both looks and skills of the highest order. It’s such a pity you’re stuck as a kitchen hand. If you were in the Tranquil Study, it would save me a lot of worry.”
Seeing Jade Ink sitting leisurely, likely with nothing urgent to attend to, Pear Moon continued the conversation. “Three years ago, there were several people in the Tranquil Study. Why is it only you left now?”
Jade Ink took a sip of tea and spoke softly, “Before the Young Master married, the Tranquil Study was a separate courtyard with twelve maids. After the Young Mistress married into the family, the study was placed under Phoenix Ripple Courtyard. When the Young Master went off to war, the Young Mistress said there was no need for so many people and even wanted to send me away. It was only because Old Madam spoke up that I was allowed to stay. Since I came from Old Madam’s quarters, the Young Mistress made an exception and promoted me to first-rank maid.”
So Jade Ink had been assigned from Old Madam’s quarters and shared a childhood bond with the Young Master.
If even a maid like her was almost dismissed, Shen Shi’s methods were truly severe.
Pear Moon felt somewhat disheartened and disappointed.
Jade Ink noticed her sadness and took her hand, speaking gently, “When you delivered the tea earlier, I mentioned to the Young Master that I wanted to transfer you to the study. But the Young Master said that regarding matters of the inner household, he couldn’t overstep the Young Mistress. I thought his reasoning was sound, so I didn’t press further. I’m sorry you had to endure this grievance.”
“I should thank you for going to the trouble, Sister!” Pear Moon was deeply grateful that Jade Ink had spoken up for her.
The rules of Ningguo Mansion dictated that men managed external affairs while women managed internal ones. Asking for a maid without going through his wife could easily lead to rumors of lechery, something the Young Master couldn’t afford to do.
After chatting a bit more, Jade Ink prepared to take the longan soup away.
The Young Master suffered from nightmares, a condition likely worsened by his years of bloody battles on the frontier. The longan soup was meant to soothe his nerves.
Pear Moon fetched a double-layered celadon soup container, pouring the longan soup into the inner layer and filling the outer layer with hot water to keep it warm for two hours. She worked efficiently, without the slightest delay.
“It’s too difficult to stand out in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard. Changing to another courtyard might be better,” Jade Ink sighed before leaving.
This reminded Pear Moon that instead of struggling in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, she might as well find another path.
Watching Jade Ink walk away, she immediately began to ponder.
Among the maids in Ningguo Mansion, the best positions were serving in Old Madam’s or Madam Ning’s courtyards.
Old Madam was elderly with few affairs, making the duties lightest.
Madam Ning managed the household’s finances and social engagements, offering plenty of opportunities for extra benefits.
Both places were nearly impossible to enter, even if one tried desperately.
The courtyards of the young masters and misses were arranged by their parents, leaving little room for outsiders.
Aside from the masters’ residences, there were the various administrative offices.
Within the inner quarters of Ningguo Mansion, there were four main service departments: the Laundry Room, the Storehouse, the Main Kitchen, and the Embroidery Room.
The Storehouse and Laundry Room didn’t employ maids, so they could be ruled out.
The Embroidery Room had the most first-rank maids, all of them clever and skilled with their hands.
Unfortunately, Pear Moon was not adept at needlework. Having done rough labor for a long time, her hands were somewhat coarse.
The only department that suited her skills and that she liked was the Main Kitchen!
If it were a desirable post that everyone competed for, Pear Moon probably wouldn’t be able to get in.
The Main Kitchen was smoky and fiery—young girls wouldn’t ordinarily go there to suffer, so wouldn’t the competition be minimal?
Even more coincidentally, Pear Moon’s godmother also worked in the Main Kitchen. This matter was likely to succeed!
Finally having a plan, Pear Moon’s mood brightened, and she showed a few genuine smiles.
Originally thinking the banquet would last until the first watch, who knew that as soon as the lamps were lit, Fragrant Snow came panting back.
Probably pressed for time, she skipped the scolding and simply pushed Pear Moon out.
“Still not scurrying back to the kitchen? Waiting for a reward?”
In truth, Pear Moon was eager to return early.
Just as she reached the kitchen entrance, she saw maids and matrons with joyful faces, crowding around as Shen Shi returned.
They carried embroidered wedding curtains, hundred-sons embroidered quilts, and some held red candles and incense burners.
The festive atmosphere was as if they were preparing a bridal chamber.
Three years ago, when the Young Master went off to war, the young couple hadn’t consummated their marriage. Tonight, they were likely to make up for the wedding night.
Pear Moon was watching the commotion when someone slapped her hard on the back.
It turned out to be Huan Huan, carrying a food box, just about to bring her meal.
In the small kitchen of Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, there were three coarse maids.
Huan Huan was a year younger than Pear Moon, plump in appearance.
There was also Autumn Abundance, about the same age.
The three girls shared a small room: a kang bed against the wall, a set of table and stools on the floor—that was all their belongings.
They had already eaten, so Pear Moon dined alone.
As soon as she entered the room, Huan Huan saw the five-finger mark on her face: “Was it Fragrant Snow who hit you? That’s too bullying! Relying on being the Eldest Young Madam’s dowry maid, she acts fiercer than the mistress!”
Pear Moon signaled her to lower her voice.
Who knew that Autumn Abundance, who was weaving knots on the kang, laughed loudly: “Tsk tsk tsk, still playing the righteous defender? I’m laughing so hard my nose is crooked! Bring the lamp over here!”
Autumn Abundance was sharp-tongued and fond of sarcasm, a different temperament from Huan Huan.
There was only one oil lamp in the room. Autumn Abundance leaned over to snatch it and, seeing the red mark on Pear Moon’s face, snickered.
“Who told her to get the easy job! If Fragrant Grass didn’t hit her, who would?”
“When our own people are bullied, all you do is talk nonsense!” Huan Huan couldn’t stand it.
Pear Moon didn’t want to bring it up again and continued eating silently.
Autumn Abundance snatched the oil lamp and sat back down to weave knots.
Huan Huan was so angry she spat and cursed, swearing to make Fragrant Grass break out in boils all over.
After a little while, Autumn Abundance started being sarcastic again:
“Fragrant Grass’s own elder sister is the first-rank maid Angelica Orchid, who serves the Eldest Young Madam. Xiao Yue’s sworn elder sister is the first-rank maid Jade Ink from the Tranquil Study. Since the two elder sisters can’t fight directly, Fragrant Grass had to hit Xiao Yue instead.”
Pear Moon tried to pretend she didn’t hear, but Autumn Abundance wouldn’t let it go: “Don’t believe me? First-rank maids have to compete too!”
Beyond first-rank maids, the next step to compete for was chamber maid.
Pear Moon’s heart stirred, and she slowly set down her bowl and chopsticks.
Jade Ink was bestowed by Old Madam, had served the Young Lord since childhood, and was clearly meant to become a chamber maid.
Angelica Orchid was the most beautiful among the Eldest Young Madam’s dowry maids, so becoming a chamber maid was also justified.
While the Young Master was away from the mansion, naturally all was peaceful.
Once he returned, those two would become sworn enemies.
After all, only one chamber maid could be elevated at a time.
Pear Moon’s heart sank. Fragrant Grass was foolish and easy enough to handle.
But her sister, Angelica Orchid, was different. With just a few words whispered in the First Mistress’s ear, Pear Moon would be in trouble.
It seemed the matter of switching courtyards had to be done quickly.
“Would you like to wipe your face with cool water?”
Huan Huan brought over a basin of water, and Pear Moon quickly thanked her.
“Are you stupid? Use boiling hot water! Tomorrow it’ll be even more swollen and red!”
Autumn Abundance set down her knotting work to fetch boiling water, scolding Pear Moon for being a fool.
Tonight, the master was celebrating his wedding night, and tomorrow all the servants would have to kowtow and ask for rewards.
By leaving the red mark on her face, she was setting a trap for Fragrant Grass.
Early the next morning, half of her face was swollen high.
When she entered the kitchen to prepare breakfast, the aunties and matrons all laughed at her.
Pear Moon said nothing, wrapping little wontons by the dough table.
Just as she was busy and overwhelmed, the head stewardess, Granny Zhao, suddenly arrived.
Her face was dark as water, her brows tightly knotted.
“Who is Pear Moon?”
Surprised and hesitant, Pear Moon raised her flour-covered little hand.
“Take her away!”