Chapter 20: An Unpleasant Parting
Pear Moon pretended to wake from her faint and immediately shrank into Jade Ink’s embrace, putting on a frightened expression.
Seeing that she was unharmed, the Young Lord instructed Jade Ink, “Take care of her for a few days. Make sure her injuries don’t worsen.”
Jade Ink nodded in agreement and helped Pear Moon to her feet, leading her out.
The Young Lord’s tone was gentle yet cold, and Pear Moon knew he would not pursue the matter further.
The thought that this beating would go unavenged left a bitter taste in her mouth. She wished she could grab something and give Fragrant Grass a beating too.
But Pear Moon was not the only one feeling bitter.
Shen Shi, seeing her husband treat a lowly maid with such kindness, felt as though she had swallowed bitter herbs. Tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
Seeing her cry again, Granny Zhao could only lament her lack of resolve.
No matter how Granny Zhao winked, gestured, or signaled, Shen Shi refused to take another step forward. Instead, she turned her face away, refusing to look at the Young Lord.
Anxious and unable to worry about anything else, Granny Zhao stepped forward with an apologetic smile. “Since Xiao Yue is not seriously hurt, please, Son-in-law, enter the room and share the Nuptial Wine with the young lady.”
The Young Lord remained seated on the soft couch, glancing sideways at Fragrant Grass and Angelica Orchid without a word.
Seeing his reaction, Granny Zhao knew he was not finished with tonight’s matter.
She had long resented Angelica Orchid for her seductive ways and knew Fragrant Grass was foolish. Seizing the opportunity to dismiss them both, she aimed to placate the Son-in-law first.
“Those two are careless in their duties, and the young lady often scolds them. Why not send them to the miscellaneous courtyard? Keep them out of the room to avoid troubling the young lady and Son-in-law.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Angelica Orchid and her sister panicked.
Tasks in the miscellaneous courtyard involved fetching water and cleaning chamber pots. Fragrant Grass, as a third-rank maid, might manage, but Angelica Orchid was a respected first-rank maid and had even been elevated by Shen Shi to chamber maid status. How could she accept such a demotion?
Angelica Orchid crawled forward, clutching the hem of Shen Shi’s skirt, and cried out in protest:
“I have served the young lady since childhood and never made any serious mistakes. Who have I offended to be treated so cruelly? What is Granny Zhao’s intention in sending me to the miscellaneous courtyard now? I beg the young lady to stand up for me!”
Her pleas and tears moved Shen Shi, who was reluctant to let her go.
Seeing Shen Shi’s reluctance, Granny Zhao cursed inwardly at her lack of judgment and urgency. She scolded sharply, “The young lady and Son-in-law’s nuptial ceremony is of utmost importance. How dare you two refuse punishment? Get out now! What are you clinging to?”
Angelica Orchid clung to Shen Shi, and seeing Granny Zhao would not relent, she cried out accusingly, “You are so confused, old woman, siding with outsiders instead of your own! I am the young lady’s confidante. What reason is there to dismiss me without cause? Are you driving us away so others can manipulate the young lady?”
Her words not only insulted Granny Zhao but also implicated Ningguo Mansion.
It was as if everyone from the husband’s family meant harm, and only Angelica Orchid was protecting Shen Shi.
Granny Zhou sneered coldly, while every sensible maid and matron from the Shen family gasped in shock.
Jade Ink, who had just led Pear Moon to the doorway, quickly turned back to see how Angelica Orchid would be dealt with.
Others might have let it slide, but Granny Zhao was furious, her temper flaring. She immediately ordered someone to drag Angelica Orchid and her sister out.
“Wait.”
Unexpectedly, Shen Shi stopped her.
With a cold expression, Shen Shi took two steps forward and stood before the Young Lord.
“Fragrant Grass is young and foolish. If my husband dislikes her, so be it. But Angelica Orchid is my personal attendant. I find her beautiful, clever, and sensible, and I intended to keep her in the room to serve you. If my husband insists on using them as scapegoats, I do not understand your meaning!”
At this point, she was already weeping uncontrollably, forcing back sobs as she continued, “Since I married into your household, I know not what fault I have committed to provoke my husband’s anger. If I have erred, I beg you to point it out directly. There is no need to vent your displeasure on my dowry maid, secretly shaming me in this manner!”
Having spoken, she bowed her head, covering her mouth as she wept, like pear blossoms glistening with rain.
Granny Zhao had long furrowed her brows upon seeing her like this.
Today’s incident was clearly caused by her maid’s misconduct, which had angered the Young Master.
No matter whose wife she was, she should have first dismissed the maid, placated her husband, and only then brought up other matters.
Moreover, the Nuptial Wine and Consummation ceremony was unlike any other day.
This young mistress was usually pampered, but how could she put on airs and contend for face with her husband in the bridal chamber?
Granny Zhao was utterly helpless, yet she still had to cover for her own young lady, urging the two to enter the room and sit on the bed for the nuptial wine ceremony.
“The Young Master only saw those two maids as ignorant and feared you would be wronged, young mistress. Please do not overthink it!”
Hearing this, Shen Shi was convinced he was using the maids to shame her, her heart filled with humiliation and anger, unwilling to listen to anyone’s words.
She was fighting for this very breath of dignity and naturally refused to comply with Granny Zhao. Instantly, her face turned cold as she wiped away her tears, sharply ordering her two first-rank maids, Angelica Orchid and Zhi Qing.
“What are you still standing there for? Hurry and have someone tidy the Warm Pavilion, remove all those useless things. From now on, any maids not from my own quarters are to be driven to the kitchen and utility yards. My Shen family is not lacking in maids—there is no need for these little imps in my rooms or courtyard.”
Upon hearing this, Jade Ink and Pear Moon quickly stepped over the threshold and stood outside the room.
Pear Moon felt that the term “little imps” must refer to her.
The Young Lord, however, showed neither anger nor irritation upon hearing these words. He leisurely walked to the doorway before turning back with a smile, saying, “The chamber maid my virtuous wife prepared for me is likely beyond my fortune to enjoy. Let her serve you instead.”
With these words, he ignored Granny Zhao’s attempts to stop him, gave a cold laugh, flicked his sleeves, and departed.
The nuptial wine ceremony had ended with the husband striding away, leaving everyone in the room stunned.
It was Granny Zhou who, adhering to propriety, bowed to Shen Shi and advised, “This old servant speaks out of turn. Today, the Young Master was at fault, but you, Madam, were also too stubborn. He is someone who yields to softness, not force. Had you spoken even a single gentle word, he would not have been so obstinate. Well then, tomorrow, before Madam Ning, he shall apologize to you, Madam.”
Thus, the nuptial wine ceremony ended in discord.
The silver lining was that the entire table of meat, fruits, and pastries was distributed among the serving maids by Granny Zhou.
Pear Moon’s nosebleed had stopped, and the injury on her head was not serious. She hurriedly thanked Jade Ink, urging her to return quickly to the study.
Jade Ink, however, was in no rush to leave. She took Pear Moon’s hand, chatting and laughing.
“I haven’t thanked you yet, and here you are, you little imp, thanking me. Back in the bridal chamber, it was your quick thinking to hold onto Fragrant Grass tightly, preventing her from dropping the jade cup. Had it shattered then, I fear I would have been beaten to death.”
Pear Moon quickly shook her head, covering her sore nose as she mumbled nasally, “That would never have happened. The Young Master trusts Sister Jade Ink and would never let you suffer an unjust accusation.”
Pear Moon understood the Young Lord’s affection for Jade Ink, which was why she spoke this way.
Her little face tilted upward, her nose bright red, which amused Jade Ink.
Seeing no one around the corridors, Jade Ink sighed softly.
“Xiao Yue, we are servants, and our masters are noble. If he shows us even a sliver of affection, we cannot bear it. Yet even if we hold twelve parts of affection for him, to him, it is as light as a feather.”
Pear Moon was stunned for a moment, though she had long understood this in her heart.
Ningguo Mansion was the estate of a hereditary noble family, and the Young Master was a scion of imperial nobility.
Every extra glance he cast her way could earn her the envy of many, but it might also invite jealousy.
If she wanted to climb higher, it would be best to leverage his influence, but relying on him entirely was out of the question.
Once Pear Moon had reasoned this through, her heart felt a little lighter.
Returning to the small room, she saw several plates on the table, all filled with leftovers snatched from the nuptial wine ceremony.
There were smoked chicken, braised duck, rosy goose breast, joy-of-union pastries, reunion cakes, and two plates of dried and fresh fruits.
Autumn Abundance was gnawing on a chicken leg, having torn off a wing for Huan Huan. Seeing Pear Moon enter with her nose stuffed, she slapped the table and jeered:
“Look at her! Every time she gets beaten, she manages to turn it into something clever—she’s even made a dignified affair out of it!”
Pear Moon’s nose ached, and she couldn’t be bothered to argue. She didn’t touch the fruits or pastries either, simply climbing onto the kang to lie down.
Afraid she might truly be upset, Autumn Abundance picked up a piece of goose breast with her chopsticks to coax her: “I’ve just heard a fresh bit of gossip. Do you know why the Young Master is so protective of Jade Ink?”
Hearing this, Pear Moon finally perked up, turning over and sitting up.