Chapter 24: Tools

What Xu Ruo Jin did not know was that though she had grown up in the Xu family all these years and taken the Xu surname, her name had never been entered into the family genealogy. The reason was simple: she was not born of Lady Yang, and thus was not a legitimate child. Children born to concubines were not included in the family records; even though Lady Yang came from a merchant family, she observed the same traditions.

Thus, over the years, since Xu Yaohui had never raised the matter, Lady Yang continued to treat Xu Ruo Jin as a child of secondary status and saw nothing amiss in doing so. But now, Xu Yaohui intended to take all three children to make offerings before their ancestors—a clear sign that he would list Xu Ruo Jin under Lady Yang’s name, formally recognizing her status and entering her among the legitimate offspring.

With Xu Ruo Jin’s birth mother gone and no one else to rely on, she remained ignorant of all this. Xu Zi Mo, still a child, understood nothing either. Besides Xu Yaohui and Lady Yang, only Xu Zi Lin realized what was happening.

Xu Zi Lin narrowed his eyes at his father, then glanced at Xu Ruo Jin, who looked utterly bewildered. Lady Yang’s face was filled with malice, barely held in check and ready to burst forth. It was left to the eldest son to smooth things over.

“Allow me to congratulate Father on your impending promotion!” Xu Zi Lin’s words sliced through the awkwardness, turning Lady Yang’s thoughts to her husband’s advancement. Trying to hide her anticipation, she quickly asked, “Sir Yan has agreed to help you?”

Xu Yaohui nodded slightly. “If possible, I will be transferred to the neighboring county as assistant magistrate, but all will be decided next year.”

“So we’ll be leaving Zhonglin County?” Lady Yang was a little surprised. Xu Yaohui frowned, “Do not let such talk spread. If the county magistrate hears of it, he might think me self-serving.”

“Who dares spread such news and block your good fortune? Everyone keep your mouths shut, and if anyone dares speak carelessly, I’ll rip out their tongue!” Lady Yang threatened, her gaze sweeping the room.

The servants, faces alight with happiness, all hurried to assure her they would not dare.

Only Xu Ruo Jin remained in a daze.

She could not quite follow the conversation. What did her father’s promotion have to do with ancestor worship? At first, Lady Yang had glared at her with resentment; then, as soon as her elder brother mentioned their father’s promotion, Lady Yang’s expression cleared and her displeasure was suppressed.

And who, exactly, was this Sir Yan?

Xu Ruo Jin sensed a disparity in the information she possessed. She looked toward Xu Zi Mo, but her third brother was lost in his own world, his gaze already fixed on the banquet table.

Suddenly, she realized a great problem: there was no one who could answer the questions in her heart.

This inability to seek knowledge was thoroughly vexing. Even more so was her status as a mere scapegoat—no one cared to pay her any mind.

The banquet was set, and Xu Yaohui invited everyone to eat. This time, there were no separate tables; Xu Ruo Jin was summoned to the main table as well.

“Let us set aside the rules for today. We are all family, and though everyone is usually busy, tonight I simply wish for us to share a reunion meal.”

With Xu Yaohui's words, Lady Yang dared not cause trouble, though she continued to cast icy, hateful glances at Xu Ruo Jin, more venomous than ever.

The meal passed swiftly in silence, for one does not speak at table nor in bed.

Afterward, Xu Yaohui withdrew to his study, while Lady Yang, still unsatisfied, dismissed the children and followed to attend upon him.

Xu Zi Mo was eager to return to his quarters for a nap and vanished in a flash. Xu Ruo Jin, still muddled by confusion, nearly tripped several times on the way back, if not for the support of Spring Grass.

“Second Miss, what’s wrong with you today? You nearly scared me to death—just now you almost walked straight into a tree!”

Spring Grass was sweating with fright and, forgetting all propriety, simply took her mistress by the arm and hurried her along.

“Spring Grass, before you came to the Xu family, did you serve in other households as a maid?” Xu Ruo Jin realized Spring Grass was the only person she could ask, so she ventured the question, though she did not expect much.

“I’ve been sold from place to place these years. All I pray for is not to be made a concubine.”

“Did you understand what Father was saying just now? Why do I feel Mother hates me even more?”

Xu Ruo Jin’s gaze was earnest, making Spring Grass pause. She glanced around to make sure no one was near and whispered, “Let’s talk when we get back!”

Xu Ruo Jin’s eyes widened; she hadn’t expected Spring Grass to truly understand. She grabbed the maid’s hand and hurried back, startling Spring Grass nearly out of her wits.

Once in the courtyard, Spring Grass had not yet recovered when she found Xu Ruo Jin staring at her, waiting for an explanation.

“To be honest, Miss, it’s because you had me inquire after Madam Huang, so I caught wind of these matters. Coupled with the rumors about your engagement to Young Master Zhang, I’ve pieced things together.”

“The master taking you to pay respects to the ancestors means he’ll record you under the lady’s name, granting you the status of a legitimate daughter. No one will dare call you an outsider again, and even when you marry you’ll have a proper standing. It’s a good thing for you.”

“No wonder Mother hates me more. What’s good for me, she certainly can’t accept,” Xu Ruo Jin let out a long breath. “Hate me if she must—after all, this benefits me.”

“But what’s the connection between ancestor worship and Father’s promotion?” she pressed.

Xu Ruo Jin continued to watch Spring Grass, who began counting on her fingers. “Let me tell you what I’ve heard lately, and you can decide for yourself, Miss.”

“Go on.”

“Your matchmaker is Sir Yan. Over a decade ago, he was the county magistrate of the neighboring county, and our master was then only his attendant. Now Sir Yan is an assistant minister at the Ministry of Revenue; Young Master Zhang’s father was just transferred to the same ministry, and the Zhang family patriarch is an official at the Ministry of Personnel…”

“Though Young Master Zhang is not the legitimate grandson, the old patriarch is fond of him and intends for him to stay in Zhonglin County to watch over the ancestral home.”

Spring Grass ran out of fingers, and her thoughts grew muddled. “You see what this all means?”

“So I’m nothing but a bargaining chip,” Xu Ruo Jin laughed bitterly. “No wonder the Zhang family, even if they dislike me, must consider Sir Yan’s reputation.”

One link following another, layer upon intricate layer. Only, Xu Ruo Jin could not understand—if Sir Yan truly wished to forge ties with the Zhang family, why not marry off his own daughter? Why choose her instead?

There must be more to it, but such matters were beyond the reach of a woman like herself.

Spring Grass’s face was troubled. “Don’t think that way, Miss. At least things are turning to your advantage now…”

“Advantage?” Xu Ruo Jin glanced at her still-dilapidated quarters. “At least here I can survive; if I truly marry into the Zhang family, who knows whether I’ll live or die.”

Spring Grass frowned, unable to grasp her meaning.

Xu Ruo Jin looked at Spring Grass. “You’re an honest one. If I told you that Young Master Zhang once pushed me into the lake and I nearly drowned, would you believe it?”

Spring Grass was horrified, her face turning pale. “Then… what should we do? Why didn’t you tell the master or the lady?”

“Even if they knew, do you think they would change their minds?” Xu Ruo Jin thought of the cold-faced man who had saved her and felt unsure whether to be grateful or resentful.

She shook her head and muttered to herself, “If I truly wish to change my fate, I can rely only on myself!”