Chapter 23: Rewards

Pear Moon’s nose had stopped bleeding, but it remained red and swollen, resembling a monkey’s bottom.

Aunt Cao, seeing the mark on her face, told her to rest in the back and not come out.

But Pear Moon had pondered the matter all night and rose early, unwilling to rest.

Last night’s nuptial wine ceremony had ended with items being smashed and a commotion in the bridal chamber—this would certainly not be left unresolved.

The matter would be dealt with sooner or later; it could not simply be overlooked.

Given Shen Shi’s ways, she would inevitably favor Angelica Orchid and Fragrant Grass, pinning all the blame on Jade Ink.

Jade Ink had the Young Master’s protection and likely wouldn’t face severe punishment.

With only four maids in the bridal chamber, Pear Moon had no intention of becoming the scapegoat.

Early in the morning, when she saw the matron from Brocade Prosperity Hall arrive, she had already devised a plan.

While Shen Shi held authority in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, Madam Ning still managed the household affairs of Ningguo Mansion.

Shen Shi had been acting against Madam Ning’s wishes in every matter these past few days—what mother-in-law could tolerate such behavior?

Though Pear Moon was young, she had heard of the principles by which women in the inner household secured their positions.

Madam Ning indulged her daughter-in-law not out of genuine affection for Shen Shi, but for the sake of her son.

Now that she had discovered her son was being mistreated by Shen Shi, Madam Ning would no longer allow it to continue.

Pear Moon intended to seek a path through Brocade Prosperity Hall, first clearing herself of blame, and ideally, adding fuel to the fire in front of Madam Ning.

If Shen Shi sought trouble in the future, Pear Moon would have a patron and a way out.

Coincidentally, today was the fifteenth of the month. Seeing that the large stove was boiling soy milk and drying tofu skins, Pear Moon volunteered to make Tofu Skin Buns.

Since Shen Shi was ill and not eating breakfast, two stoves in the kitchen were idle, so Aunt Cao agreed.

Making Tofu Skin Buns was a tedious process, but fortunately, her godmother Madam Liu had taught her step by step, and Pear Moon excelled at it.

She prepared two types of fillings: one vegetarian and one meat-based.

The vegetarian filling consisted of various mushrooms and wild fungi, finely diced and stir-fried in vegetable oil until fragrant, then mixed with northern tofu, cooked vermicelli, green leek leaves, daylily flowers, shredded ginger, and a dash of sesame oil for aroma.

The meat filling included seasonal fresh vegetables, along with finely diced shrimp, fish, and ham.

When Jade Ink came to fetch breakfast, Pear Moon gave her two steamers of the meat-filled buns and packed a separate box of the vegetarian ones, saying she intended to send them to Brocade Prosperity Hall as a gesture of filial piety to Madam Ning.

“If the Young Master doesn’t go to pay his respects to Madam Ning, sending a box of vegetarian snacks to express his sentiments would be a good idea.”

Jade Ink suddenly remembered it was the fifteenth and, seeing Pear Moon’s meticulous efforts, understood her intentions.

“Madam Ning is fasting today—it’s thoughtful of you to remember. I’m too busy today, so why don’t you deliver them for me? When you reach Brocade Prosperity Hall, give the box to Sister Hong Rong. She and I are very close, so you can tell her anything.”

This was exactly what Pear Moon had hoped for. She quickly bowed in gratitude to Jade Ink, snatched a packet of fine rose-flavored crispy candies from Autumn Abundance, and hurried off with the food box.

When she arrived at Brocade Prosperity Hall, Madam Ning had just risen, and several matrons were reporting to her.

Hong Rong came out with a young maid to receive the items.

As the most favored among the first-rank maids in Brocade Prosperity Hall, even the Young Master addressed her as “sister,” and her demeanor was far more imposing than Jade Ink’s.

Pear Moon eagerly called her “sister” and, fearing she might not recognize her, specifically mentioned that Jade Ink had asked her to deliver the items.

Hong Rong had grown up with Yu Zhu and Jade Ink as fellow household-born servants in Ningguo Mansion, and they had been close since childhood.

Noticing Pear Moon’s swollen nose, Hong Rong frowned and asked a few questions about the incident in the bridal chamber.

Pear Moon had been waiting for this opportunity and quickly told the truth, adding that Shen Shi’s maids had been bullying them.

“The young mistress is a kind-hearted person, but Angelica Orchid and Fragrant Grass harbor ill intentions and bully us because we’re young. Seeing that Sister Jade Ink treats us well, they even dared to bully her.”

She only scolded the maids Zhi Lan and Xiang Cao, but her words implicitly pointed to Shen Shi’s indulgence.

Hong Rong understood the situation perfectly. Raising a hand to stop her from speaking further, she instructed a young maid to take the food box and candies, then casually took out a pouch and handed it to Pear Moon.

“I need to attend to Madam’s hair and cannot speak with you further. Madam is aware of all these matters. There’s no need for a child like you to be afraid. Return to your duties early.”

Seeing that she had accepted the crispy candies, Pear Moon knew the matter had some hope.

Noticing a lotus-shaped silver ingot inside the pouch, she felt even more assured.

Returning to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, Pear Moon kept the silver ingot and tossed the pouch to Autumn Abundance.

The pouch was made of goose-yellow satin with a five-colored parrot embroidered on the clasp, which finally pleased Autumn Abundance.

Just after finishing breakfast, Pear Moon saw Steward Sun Cai’s wife from Brocade Prosperity Hall leading people carrying rewards into the courtyard.

Shen Shi was feigning illness, and Granny Zhao was also keeping out of sight. Zhi Qing hurried out to greet them.

Steward Sun Cai’s wife was not only the head of Brocade Prosperity Hall but also Madam Ning’s trusted wet nurse and sister-in-law, effectively half the household manager.

Zhi Qing quickly bowed and led her into the Main Chamber to see Shen Shi.

Phoenix Ripple Courtyard had five main rooms. The eastern side housed a study, a music room, an incense room, and a tea room for Shen Shi’s reading, playing the qin, and leisure activities. Daily living and resting took place on the western side.

The innermost part of the western side was the Warm Pavilion, featuring a Jiangnan-style mother-of-pearl inlaid carved canopy bed with golden hooks holding embroidered curtains. Outside the curtains was the Dressing Room, furnished with a dressing table, a dressing case, and a wardrobe, with a soft couch against the wall. Beyond the Green Gauze Cabinet was the Side Hall, used for daily meals and activities, and outside its door was the Second Hall.

Normally, when Steward Sun Cai’s wife visited, she should have been invited into the Warm Pavilion for conversation.

But Shen Shi was resentful toward her husband and, by extension, her mother-in-law. She had the curtains of the Warm Pavilion drawn, saying only, “I am unwell and have not yet washed or dressed. Please ask Mama Sun to sit outside.”

Understanding the hint, Steward Sun Cai’s wife stopped in the Dressing Room.

A seasoned veteran among stewards, she concealed her displeasure, not even sitting down.

“Madam intended to come personally to see you but feared tiring you, so she refrained. If the young mistress rests for a day or two and recovers, that will be fine. If not, please summon the Manor Physician early. The spring weather is unpredictable.”

Shen Shi remained silent, feigning illness, while Zhi Qing hurriedly bowed and responded on her behalf.

Steward Sun Cai’s wife said little more. Exiting the Main Chamber, she summoned all the maids and elderly servants. Her assistants brought out a box of silver and a small steelyard, distributing rewards according to rank.

“You worked hard during last night’s Nuptial Wine Ceremony. Madam sent me to distribute rewards. The amount is modest; please do not laugh.”

Stewardesses and first-rank maids received one tael each, while the rest received five mace each.

Even Pear Moon received five mace of silver—something unprecedented.

Previously, when Madam Ning distributed rewards to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, they were handed over to Shen Shi in a lump sum for her to distribute as she saw fit. Coarse maids were not included in the ranks, so Pear Moon had never seen any reward money before.

Today, however, they went through the trouble: two wives recorded names and weighed the silver, distributing it individually, a process that took a full half-hour.

Zhi Qing sensed something amiss but could not read Steward Sun Cai’s wife’s expression. She quickly sent someone to fetch Granny Zhao back.

Pear Moon also noticed something unusual. Clutching her silver, she secretly rejoiced. Seeing several large chests still in the courtyard, she wondered what other rewards might be inside.

As she pondered, she heard Steward Sun Cai’s wife say with a smile, “Among the elderly servants and maids of Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, who originally came from our estate? Step forward and let me see.”

At these words, everyone exchanged uncertain glances.

Pear Moon and the others, originally standing at the back, quickly squeezed forward with a few coarse maids to bow.

These individuals were uniformly dressed in coarse cloth, clearly indicating they held no desirable positions.

Those assigned to the kitchen were considered fortunate; those in miscellaneous courtyards faced even filthier and more exhausting tasks, such as daily floor washing and cleaning chamber pots.

Steward Sun Cai’s wife smiled and said, “Working in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard is hard, and Madam Ning knows it well. She rewards each of you with a bolt of Summer Cloth to make summer clothes.”

Pear Moon couldn’t help but take a sharp breath, and after a moment, she knelt with the others to express gratitude.

Compared to five qian of silver, a bolt of cloth for each person was indeed a generous reward.

Autumn Abundance and Huan Huan were so delighted they couldn’t close their mouths, while several old women hurriedly clasped their hands and chanted Buddha’s name, saying Madam Ning was considerate of their circumstances.

While they were rejoicing, those who had accompanied the Shen family as dowry servants whispered among themselves.

Steward Sun Cai’s wife then said to the lower-ranking servants with a smile, “A bolt of cloth isn’t worth much; we who wear silk and brocade don’t even care for it. But if these low-ranking maids and old nannies don’t have decent clothes, it would seem as if the household is stingy.”

Zhi Qing was a sensible person, and her face immediately paled, yet she had no choice but to force a smile and agree.

After Steward Sun Cai’s wife left, Pear Moon carried her cloth and followed the others back to the kitchen courtyard.

But her ears were sharp, and she heard from inside the Main Chamber, Shen Shi crying her heart out.