Chapter 30: Life is Getting Better and Better

Chapter 30: Life is Getting Better and Better

Today, Tang Mo had to visit Tang Yong's residence. After a bit of banter with Xin An, he tucked away his private silver and went to see his mother. Upon learning that he wanted to lend a hand to Tang Yaoming, Lady Wang was very supportive and prepared several items for him to take. "Although the Old Lady does not forbid our interactions, we cannot make such a grand spectacle. Add a few things yourself as you see fit, but do not lose your sense of etiquette."

Tang Mo complied and turned to leave. Watching his retreating figure, Lady Wang smiled with gratification. Thinking of the one still "recuperating" in Chunhua Courtyard, she felt that as a mother-in-law, she should also pay a visit.

In Qiushi Courtyard, after resting for a moment, Xin An instructed Chunyang to bring Nanfeng before her. "Did you hear everything?"

Nanfeng knelt before her, looking utterly lost. Xin An set down her teacup. "The Second Young Master told me to pair you with someone at my discretion. I see you are quite good-looking; these hands are well-kept, just like those of a young lady from a respectable family. I heard you are even literate. It would be a pity to simply pair you with a groom."

Nanfeng was filled with fear and anxiety. She was merely a maid purchased by the household; she had only gained the opportunity to learn a few words because of the Madam's grace in recent years, and her name had even been changed from Chunhua to Nanfeng, solely to better serve in the Second Young Master's courtyard.

She had thought she would be like Yingyue and Xueyu next door, but the Second Young Master had not taken her in, and now the Second Young Mistress had arrived. She was terrified that the Second Young Mistress would not tolerate her, which was why she was so desperate to stay.

If she could not serve in Qiushi Courtyard, where else could she go?

There was a groom in the household who would beat his wife whenever he was in a bad mood, using a horse whip. If she were treated that way...

"I beg the Second Young Mistress for mercy."

Xin An asked, "What did Mother say when she told you to serve the Second Young Master?"

Nanfeng kowtowed. "She told this servant to serve the Second Young Master with all her heart."

"Nanfeng, this word 'serve' does not merely mean serving him in bed. Is it possible you have misunderstood Mother's meaning?"

Nanfeng fell into a daze. Xin An spoke unhurriedly, "You are pretty, attentive, and clever. I see that the people in this courtyard respect you, and you organize things in an orderly fashion. You are capable. Being a manager is also a way of serving and easing the Second Young Master's burdens. Why are you so obsessed with becoming a concubine?"

"Your Second Young Master is, after all, the legitimate son of a Marquis's household, and he is to go to the Northern Commandery for training soon. With such a status, you might only ever be a chambermaid, just like Yingyue and Xueyu next door. Is that your ambition?"

Nanfeng's mind was in turmoil. Naturally, she did not want to be a mere chambermaid, but whether she became a concubine or not was not for her to decide. As a maid, she had no control over her own fate.

Unexpectedly meeting Xin An's gaze, she hurriedly kowtowed. "This servant does not wish to be a chambermaid; it is only that I have been possessed by foolish thoughts. I beg the Second Young Mistress to show me the way."

Xin An did not beat around the bush. "Then follow me. You will continue to serve in Qiushi Courtyard, but I will arrange different duties for you. I will speak to the Second Young Master myself."

Overjoyed, Nanfeng kowtowed again. "Thank you, Second Young Mistress! From this day forward, I am the Second Young Mistress's maid. I will serve you with all my heart and soul to ease your burdens. If I ever betray you, may I be struck by lightning."

Xin An chuckled. "Rise."

"As long as you perform your duties well, I will treat you generously. When the time is right, I will find you a reliable and respectable marriage, so that you may become a dignified primary wife and live a decent life."

A moment ago, she had been worried about being betrothed to a groom, but in the blink of an eye, a new path had opened up. Nanfeng wept, but this time her tears were filled with joy. "Thank you, Second Young Mistress."

Xin An instructed Chunyang, "Find her two suitable hairpins and earrings, and pick out some fabric to make her clothes. Starting today, she will serve by my side. Teach her some of the rules."

Chunyang nodded. Xin An then instructed Nanfeng, "Chunyang and the others have only just arrived at the Marquis's household following me; they are unfamiliar with many things. Explain things well to them."

"From now on, everyone in the inner courtyard is managed by Auntie Wang. You will assist her."

Nanfeng hurriedly agreed and followed Chunyang out of the room. Auntie Wang remained behind. "Is this Nanfeng reliable?"

Xin An leaned back. "She is just a girl who has hardly even stepped outside the gates of the Marquis's manor. She thought serving a master meant serving them in bed. Her worry was simply that if she couldn't serve them that way, she would be dismissed, or that I wouldn't tolerate her. That is why she was so frantic to secure a status."

"Furthermore, she was sent by Mother, so she must have been carefully selected and specifically sent to learn literacy. I have seen her these past few days; she is clever, unassuming, and efficient. It would be a waste to just dismiss her like that, isn't it? It would also be difficult to explain to Mother; those who don't know might think I am jealous and cannot tolerate her."

"You have seen the situation in the Marquis's household. I have some dowry, but I cannot simply sit and let it be consumed. I want to engage in some business, and I need someone to handle things outside. She is quite suitable."

Auntie Wang felt that Xin An was overestimating Nanfeng. "Just because she can read and write?"

"Literacy does not mean she knows how to do business."

"Who said I wanted her to do business?"

Xin An felt her throat was dry. "I want a bowl of white fungus soup to moisten my lungs."

"I will go have it prepared immediately."

In Auntie Wang's eyes, whatever Xin An wanted to eat or drink was a major matter, more important than anything else.

Just after Auntie Wang left, Chunlu arrived. Xin An let out a yawn and hurriedly helped her onto the soft couch to lie down, thoughtfully removing her shoes. "I woke up too early this morning. Nap for a little longer."

As she spoke, she removed the hairpins from her head to let her lie more comfortably. "This servant hasn't massaged the Young Mistress's legs in a long time. Why don't I try my hand now to see if my skills have grown rusty?"

"Alright, thank you, my Chunlu."

Xin An felt that life was becoming more and more enchanting. Before, in front of Tang Rong, she had to maintain her decorum and had never sat comfortably in her entire life; it was nothing like the comfort and freedom she had now.

As for whether Tang Mo would mind?

He had no decorum himself when he was in his room, lounging in his chair like a wilted vegetable. Would he even complain?

At this moment, the "wilted vegetable" had arrived at Tang Yong's residence. Tang Yong was very surprised to see him appear, considering that members of the Marquis's household rarely set foot there even once a year.

"Please, come in, Second Young Master."

Tang Mo spoke cheerfully, "Uncle can call me 'Second,' or even 'the boy Mo.' There's no need to be so formal."

Tang Yong was even more uncertain of his intentions. After a thought, he called him "Little Mo." He remembered that this boy used to have the childhood nickname "Shunshun," but he had stopped letting people call him that once he grew a bit older.

After sitting down, Tang Mo smiled to break the awkwardness. "I assume you know a bit about the affairs of the household. On the day of the tea ceremony, my mind was preoccupied, so I couldn't host you properly. You and Auntie left without even having a meal. My mother even mentioned it twice afterward; it was truly a lapse in etiquette."

"I came today first to apologize, and second to ask how my cousin Yaoming is doing, and if there is anything I can do to help."

He had brought apologies, and quite a lot of them, piled on the table like a small mountain. Tang Yong waved his hands repeatedly. "You had matters to attend to that day; it wouldn't have been convenient for your aunt and me to stay. It was just a meal—you can eat anytime."

He didn't dare stay because the Old Lady disliked it; this was an open secret that everyone understood tacitly. "And you brought so many things. Take them back later. There is no need for such politeness among family."