Chapter 95: Jade Interlocking Rings
In Ningguo Mansion, Granny Qin held the highest authority among the kitchen staff. When she spoke, who would dare not listen?
If Lianrong wanted to apprentice under Madam Jin to learn cooking, wouldn’t Granny Qin’s word alone suffice? Was there any need to offer silver or gifts?
It seemed Granny Qin had no intention of sending her granddaughter away; she simply wanted Lianrong to stay by her side in the Main Kitchen.
Calculating it this way, Granny Qin would select two apprentices, and one was certain to be her granddaughter.
Pear Moon and the others could only compete for the single remaining spot.
Faced with such fierce competition, Pear Moon dared not slack off. She hurried back to the small kitchen.
She had heard Granny Qin say that the assessment would test knife skills, mastery of heat, and ingredient selection.
Judging by past practices in the Main Kitchen’s selection process, candidates were usually tested on a few signature dishes.
Pear Moon pondered secretly: one dish showcasing knife skills and another demonstrating mastery of heat were absolutely essential.
Moreover, there needed to be some cleverness in ingredient selection.
She had practiced her knife skills diligently these days and had thought of several dishes to showcase them.
As for dishes that could highlight mastery of heat, she needed to think more carefully.
While she was deep in thought, she saw Granny Fan packing two food boxes and beckoning her over.
“I have a good task for you! Deliver these food boxes to the Tranquil Study. The Duke is sure to reward you!”
The Duke had returned from court but did not come to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, heading directly to the Tranquil Study instead.
He had been doing this for several days now—returning from court and handling official business in the study, only coming to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard for the evening meal.
In the past, when the young couple ignored each other, Shen Shi paid no attention to his meals.
But now that they were a proper married couple, she had to set aside some pride and make an effort to win him over.
According to Granny Zhao’s thinking, since he was too embarrassed to come during the day, Shen Shi should take the initiative to go to him.
The young couple was in the prime of youth, a time as sweet as honey. It was likely the master was just bound by propriety, pretending to be reserved.
How much official business could there be at court? Could he really be busy from morning till night, all day long?
But Shen Shi was ultimately too shy to lower her pride and unwilling to humble herself to accommodate him.
Now that they had consummated the marriage, if he wished to come, he would come; if not, so be it.
Only after Granny Zhao’s earnest persuasion did Shen Shi, following proper etiquette, send someone to deliver tea, snacks, wine, and dishes, all meticulously prepared.
As a result, not only Ning Yuanjun but even the maids throughout the mansion praised the young mistress’s virtue.
Delivering food to the Tranquil Study earned a string of reward coins each time, so the maids all vied for the task.
Pear Moon hurriedly took the boxes and went over. At the entrance of the study, she saw a young maid feeding birds and watering flowers.
Inside the study, only Jade Ink and Granny Zhou were present, clearly overwhelmed with work.
The steward’s office had sent several third-rank maids to handle miscellaneous tasks, run errands, and serve.
Perhaps to avoid impropriety, they were all young girls around ten years old, just beginning to grow their hair—rather clumsy and inexperienced.
“Sister, could you please announce me? The young mistress has sent me with wine and dishes.”
When the Duke was at home, Pear Moon dared not enter directly.
The little maid was flustered and busy, waving her hand and gesturing with her lips for Pear Moon to go in herself.
“Sister Xiao Yue, you’re not a newcomer who doesn’t know the way. Do I need to lead you? Just go in yourself and find Sister Jade Ink. Leave the food boxes in the main hall!”
Only then did Pear Moon follow the shaded bamboo path to the corridor. The surroundings were exceptionally quiet, and a crisp, refreshing fragrance filled the air.
Two gift boxes were placed by the doorway, likely intended for the Duke to send as presents.
Just as Pear Moon was about to call for someone, she suddenly heard Jade Ink speaking inside:
“Sending gifts to the inner quarters of the Tan family should at least have the mistress write a note—that’s the proper etiquette for official households. Sending me off empty-handed like this, I don’t know what you’re thinking. I’ve only just managed to placate the mistress these past two days; if she finds out, she’ll be furious again.”
Pear Moon, fearing she might be speaking with the Duke, quickly halted and dared not make a sound.
Unsure whether to advance or retreat, she indeed heard Ning Yuanjun lazily instruct: “Your mistress dislikes the Tan family. Don’t let her know.” After a long pause, he added softly: “After you deliver the gifts, seek out Miss Tan privately and give her a jade interlocking ring for me. See if she accepts it.”
Then came Jade Ink’s light laugh: “A jade interlocking ring isn’t anything rare—it’s even too heavy to use as a skirt weight. I won’t deliver it to Miss Tan; I don’t want her to think I’m shameless.”
The room fell silent for a moment before Ning Yuanjun chuckled again: “You have a point. Just do as I say. Show her this deerskin pouch first, then see if she’s willing to accept the jade ring. If she takes the ring, ask for the pouch back and return it to me.”
Had they spoken of anything else, Pear Moon might not have paid attention, but the mention of the deerskin pouch pricked up her ears.
That finely crafted kesi deerskin pouch—she had searched the guest quarters half the night for it.
She had assumed some maid had stolen it, never imagining the Duke had slipped it into his sleeve.
A young man, and a married one at that—how could he take a young lady’s personal pouch?
Before Pear Moon could fully process this, she heard Jade Ink’s voice, tinged with reproach.
“My lord, you’ve advanced far too quickly. What kind of behavior is this? That jade interlocking ring is something you’ve carried on your person—how can you secretly send it to a lady’s chamber? No wonder you’ve been restless, clutching that pouch ever since that night—so this is the foolish notion you’ve been harboring! When you bring about a great disaster, I fear my little life won’t be spared. Fine then, I might as well take this chance to go to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard and tell her, let her come and confront you herself!”
Before these words even settled, the sound of embroidered shoes scraping against the floor was heard from inside—Jade Ink had grown agitated.
“Who’s shamelessly pulling at you? If some little maid barges in and sees, they’ll say I truly bewitched you, inciting you to act lawlessly and commit such disgraceful deeds! You must resent me for living too long—you won’t rest until I’m turned to ashes, will you?”
Her tone, both reproachful and plaintive, carried a sob, so delicate and pitiable—she had never been like this before.
Ning Yuanjun replied with a gentle laugh: “We’re just playing around—why are you getting so worked up? Everyone knows you’re a proper person; when have you ever bewitched or incited me? You each live in separate courtyards, and with me protecting you, why should you fear her at all?”
Jade Ink let out a cold, sharp laugh: “She is the mistress of the Main Chamber, and I am a servant girl. Half a word from her tongue could melt my bones to dust—how could I not fear her? Fortunately, I’m already eighteen. In another two years, I’ll slip out of your household gate and live in secret.”
Ning Yuanjun asked her what she would do outside, to which Jade Ink replied coldly: “Go out and marry into a proper family—better than remaining your slave!”
Having endured several of her icy remarks in succession, Ning Yuanjun showed no anger, instead continuing to tease her playfully.
“In this household, I am the master. If I don’t permit you to leave, even your parents wouldn’t dare ask for you back. And no one would dare risk their life to come and marry you. I advise you not to entertain such notions—just spend this lifetime faithfully by my side!”
Jade Ink remained silent for a long while before suddenly choking back a sob and saying, “Out there, people praise you as a handsome and respectable young man, but little do they know that appearances can be deceiving! You’re nothing but a heartless, unscrupulous tyrant, born with a pretty face just to deceive others! My sister lost her life because of you, and now you want to keep me trapped in your room too—utterly devoid of humanity!”
Her sobbing cries were indeed heart-wrenching.
Before she could finish, the sound of the two of them pulling at each other could be heard. Ning Yuanjun hurriedly said, “Look at this ungrateful wretch! You’ve been with me since childhood, and even if you go out, you’ll only suffer hardships and humiliation. How could I bear to let you go?”
Jade Ink wept, “Suffering outside is better than enduring humiliation in your household! I’m falsely accused of being a seductress, and the mistress looks at me as if I were a thief. What satisfaction does that give you?”
Ning Yuanjun merely chuckled and urged her to leave quickly.
“If you’re afraid of the mistress punishing you, why not hurry and do this task for me? Once the new mistress enters the household, who will have time to mistreat you?”
Pear Moon had no intention of eavesdropping, but with the doors and windows of the three study rooms wide open, she couldn’t help but overhear.
The two of them cried and laughed for what felt like an eternity, nearly driving Pear Moon mad.
If she were to enter now, wouldn’t that be asking for trouble?
Holding the food box, she cautiously stepped backward, careful not to make the slightest sound.
But the cobblestone path was dotted with patches of thick, dark green moss, treacherously slippery.
Suddenly, her foot slipped, and she slid more than three feet away!