Chapter Two: Temper

After forcing down several bowls of medicine, Xu Ruo Jin ended up squeezing onto the broken bed with Spring Grass for the night. It wasn’t that Spring Grass had forgotten her place as a servant, but in this room, aside from this battered bed with a single thin quilt, there wasn’t even a felt rug to spread on the floor.

Xu Ruo Jin was not one to fuss, nor did she have the right to do so; thus, she simply shared the bed with Spring Grass. Spring Grass herself knew that to insist on propriety at a time like this would be nothing but hypocrisy, so she lay down at the very edge of the bed and soon fell asleep.

That night, Xu Ruo Jin did not dream at all; her sleep was deep and undisturbed. When she awoke the next morning, even before opening her eyes, she heard the sound of quarreling outside the door, mingled with the crowing of a rooster.

“…Second Miss’s health is frail, as you well know. She’s already swallowed countless bitter medicines these days, and now there’s only a bowl of thin porridge and pickles for her? How could that possibly nourish her back to health?” Spring Grass’s face was furrowed like a wilted cabbage as she pleaded, “Please, have some mercy. At the very least, give us another bowl of porridge. If Second Miss recovers faster, won’t Madam be pleased?”

“Our master is only the county scribe—how much silver does his monthly stipend bring in? Second Miss has already cost plenty in doctors and medicine these past days, and now she’s picking and choosing, refusing even the porridge?” The kitchen matron, Old Chen, swept her gaze up and down Spring Grass, her tone dripping with sarcasm: “You’ve only waited on Second Miss for a single night and you’re already currying favor. Even if you’re hoping to follow her into the Zhang family and become the young master’s concubine, you needn’t be in such a hurry, need you? And now you dare shout orders at us? Look at yourself—do you really think you’re worthy?”

“You—you talk nonsense!” Spring Grass flushed bright red, tears welling in her eyes. Yet, when she looked at the bowl of burned porridge and pickles, she truly did not know how to bring it inside.

But Old Chen cared nothing for these things. She knew only that Madam did not care for the Second Miss, and any silver allotted to nurse her health was, in truth, meant only to restore her so that she could be presented to the Zhang family. Most of the money for her supposed recovery found its way into Old Chen’s own pockets.

She didn’t even wish for Xu Ruo Jin to get better. The worse Second Miss ate and the slower her recovery, the longer Old Chen could line her purse. Ideally, she’d be bedridden up until her marriage into the Zhang family.

“Old Chen…” Memories surfaced in Xu Ruo Jin’s mind, making her well aware of Old Chen’s character. Gritting her teeth, she quietly propped herself up.

“Aren’t you going to take the food in? I’m waiting to fetch the empty bowls. A set of crockery costs ten copper coins; I can’t afford to pay for broken dishes.” Old Chen’s tone was sharp and impatient. Swallowing her anger, Spring Grass could only carry the food inside.

Turning around, she saw Xu Ruo Jin standing by the door. Spring Grass quickly set down the tray and rushed over to help her. “Second Miss, why are you up?”

Xu Ruo Jin was so weak that the short walk from the bed to the door left her legs trembling. Glancing at the food set aside, she shot Old Chen a cold smile.

“The weather is fair today, and I heard you bringing breakfast, so I thought I’d come out to take a look.” Xu Ruo Jin’s steady gaze made Old Chen uncomfortable. The Second Miss had rarely shown her face before, let alone looked at her directly—why did she seem so different now?

Xu Ruo Jin continued to fix her with that unblinking stare. Old Chen, caught off guard, soon grew impatient. “Second Miss, you’re still frail. Best eat your breakfast quickly—left out so long, it’ll soon go cold.”

Clearly, not one servant in this household respected her. Xu Ruo Jin pushed such thoughts aside and straightened her back. “You’re right. But it occurs to me that I haven’t paid my respects to Mother in some time. Wasn’t I just taught the rules of proper households a few days ago, so as not to shame myself before the Zhangs? Now that I can walk about, I ought to uphold filial piety and go kneel before Mother.”

She turned to Spring Grass. “Bring the breakfast—we’ll go to Mother’s courtyard.”

Spring Grass, taking her at her word, gaped in astonishment. The Second Miss was barely steady on her feet—how could she possibly make it so far? She was about to urge caution when Xu Ruo Jin pinched her hand sharply, signaling her to keep quiet.

Stunned, Spring Grass nodded and reached for the breakfast tray.

Old Chen was stupefied—take breakfast to pay respects to Madam? That would bring her nothing but trouble! Flustered, she rushed to block their way. “It’s a long walk, Second Miss—how could you possibly manage? Madam ordered you to rest in your rooms and not stray about.”

“Oh…” Xu Ruo Jin drew out the word. “So Mother wants me to recuperate?”

She glanced at the tray’s congealed porridge and pickles. “Mother is right, of course. I’ve been drinking all manner of precious medicines these days; how could I possibly stomach more tonics, isn’t that so?”

“Yes, yes, that’s just what Madam said,” Old Chen replied, her confidence wavering.

“Well then, I must all the more go and thank her for her kindness.” Xu Ruo Jin called to Spring Grass again, “Bring the breakfast—we’ll go eat in Mother’s rooms.”

“Madam’s been busy since dawn and has no time for you,” Old Chen insisted, planting herself in Xu Ruo Jin’s path.

Xu Ruo Jin sidestepped her. “I won’t trouble Mother; just a bow of gratitude and I’ll return.”

“Madam never rises early—she’s not even awake yet! Why cause a scene?” Old Chen’s patience was fraying. “Second Miss, you know your place here. Madam doesn’t wish to see you—why insist on going and inviting a scolding?”

“Mother doesn’t wish to see me?” Xu Ruo Jin pointed to herself, feigning disbelief. “I don’t believe it. I’ll ask her myself why she shuns me. I had hoped to honor my parents properly after my marriage—why does she despise me now? Is it truly my mother’s will, or is someone deliberately sowing discord between us?”

Old Chen immediately thrust out her arm to bar the way and shouted, “You must not go!”

But as soon as the words left her lips, she caught the mocking, superior glint in Xu Ruo Jin’s eyes—she knew then she’d been played for a fool. Yet Old Chen dared not take the risk; all at once she realized she couldn’t be sure if Second Miss would truly go to Madam, and she regretted her careless speech, which might be used against her.

If Madam were to hear of it, all her years of service would count for nothing. Madam might not care for Second Miss, but she still cared for appearances.

The courtyard fell silent but for the wind rustling the sparse grass. Spring Grass was still shaken by what had just happened, but as Xu Ruo Jin gripped her hand, forbidding her to speak, she could only listen to her own heart pounding wildly.

At last, it was Xu Ruo Jin who broke the silence.

“My, I’ve dithered so long that breakfast’s gone cold. Old Chen, you have such a kind heart—could you bring us a fresh bowl?”

Old Chen froze, then collected herself. Though resentful, she could only grit her teeth and pick up the tray, muttering as she left, “I’ll fetch a new one. Some people are just born to serve…”

As soon as Old Chen was gone, Spring Grass let out a long sigh of relief. But the moment she let go of Xu Ruo Jin’s arm, the girl swayed and nearly collapsed. Spring Grass hastened to steady her. “Second Miss, please be careful.”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Let’s just go back and wait.”

Xu Ruo Jin had overestimated her strength. Just a few words of sparring with Old Chen had left her sweating and weak; if she were forced to down another bowl of that slop, she’d surely die before she ever married.

It was clear that rebuilding her health must come first—everything else would have to wait.

Before long, Old Chen returned with a new breakfast. Though it was far from luxurious, lacking bird’s nest or abalone, it was a hundred times better than what they’d been given before.

Mistress and maid ate in silence, while Old Chen, brooding over having been outwitted by a mere girl, could not swallow her indignation. As soon as she had left Xu Ruo Jin’s shabby courtyard, she hurried straight to Madam Yang, opening her mouth to complain:

“Madam, Second Miss has grown quite a temper!”