Chapter Five: The Petty Man

While Xu Ruojin was enthusiastically preparing the things she would need for her classes the next day, Old Madam Chen was being thoroughly scolded by Madam Huang. She received not only a slap, but also had her monthly allowance docked for three months. Old Madam Chen dared not blame Madam Huang; instead, her resentment naturally shifted to Xu Ruojin. The reason was simple—she couldn’t afford to provoke Madam Huang.

Having lost her silver and her chance for illicit gains, Old Madam Chen was accustomed to pocketing the money meant for the second young lady. Now, with her hands suddenly empty, how could she not harbor resentment? She dared not stir up trouble openly, but covert tricks—those she had no qualms about.

After scheming for a while, Old Madam Chen swapped the evening tonic meant for the eldest young mistress, Li Qiuping, with a bowl of plain porridge, sending the tonic to Xu Ruojin instead. Though Li Qiuping came from humble origins and dared not cause trouble before Lady Yang, she was now a cherished member of the Xu household, for she was pregnant. Master Xu and Lady Yang were eagerly awaiting a grandson, so Li Qiuping enjoyed good food, drink, and treatment, her temperament growing more and more picky. She didn’t dare put on airs in front of Lady Yang, but showed no kindness to the servants.

Especially when she saw her bird’s nest porridge replaced by a bowl of vegetable porridge, she immediately summoned Old Madam Chen for questioning. Old Madam Chen was well prepared, replying with feigned grievance, “This old servant truly had no choice. The second young lady needs nourishment now—she’s soon to become a cousin-in-law to the Zhang family, the golden phoenix of the Xu household, and must be served the best. She scolded me harshly this morning, making me so ashamed I wished the earth would swallow me whole...

“But the household’s food allowance is fixed each day. I gave the tonic to the second young lady, and couldn’t conjure another bowl out of thin air. Eldest young mistress, you are kind-hearted and wouldn’t quibble over this.”

Sowing discord and fanning the flames—these were Old Madam Chen’s specialties.

Li Qiuping had no mind to consider whether Old Madam Chen was deliberately stirring trouble; it took her quite some time just to realize who “the second young lady” referred to. “You old thief, did you steal my bird’s nest porridge for yourself? That little girl couldn’t possibly be so bold.” Li Qiuping had been married into the Xu family for several years, but barely saw Xu Ruojin—a girl so quiet and withdrawn, how could she dare oppose her?

Li Qiuping’s suspicion prompted Old Madam Chen to raise her hand and swear, “If I speak a single false word, may I meet a dreadful end. If you don’t believe me, you can go see for yourself in the second young lady’s courtyard!”

Half in doubt, Li Qiuping nevertheless found the words persuasive enough to truly consider investigating.

“Fine! If you dare deceive me, I’ll skin you alive!” With that, Li Qiuping, accompanied by her attendants, marched toward Xu Ruojin’s courtyard. Old Madam Chen wore a pitiful expression, but inwardly she was delighted, eagerly anticipating how the second young lady would be scolded.

Xu Ruojin herself was lost in thought at that moment, staring at the bowl of bird’s nest porridge on her table, feeling as if a mouse was darting about in her heart—she simply couldn’t settle.

Spring Grass, standing nearby, didn’t know what to say. She was happy at first, thinking the second young lady was finally being valued by the mistress, to have received such a fine tonic. But seeing Xu Ruojin staring at the porridge in a daze, Spring Grass became anxious as well. Considering how the mistress had reprimanded the second young lady earlier, would she really give such precious nourishment? Even a bowl of chicken broth would have been rare.

“What did Old Madam Chen say when she brought the food today?” Xu Ruojin was suspicious and had to ask.

Spring Grass shook her head. “I thought it was getting late and wanted to check the kitchen, but before I could go, Old Madam Chen arrived at the gate with the food. She handed me the tray and left without saying a word.”

“Usually she waits for us to fetch bowls and chopsticks. Today she just tossed it to you and left?” Xu Ruojin scrutinized the bowl containing bird’s nest porridge—blue porcelain with floral carvings, far superior to her usual battered bowls.

Spring Grass was adamant. “She really didn’t say a single word. She even glared at me several times. I thought it was because Madam Huang had scolded her, so she was in a bad mood. I didn’t pay much attention…”

After pondering, Xu Ruojin asked, “Besides the mistress, who else does Old Madam Chen deliver food to?”

“I think she also serves the eldest young mistress. The eldest young mistress is pregnant.”

“Well, that explains it.” Xu Ruojin prodded the bowl of porridge. “I’m afraid this bird’s nest porridge wasn’t meant for us.”

“Ah?” Spring Grass panicked. “Then… what should we do?”

“What else? Eat it!” With that, Xu Ruojin lifted the lid and drank the porridge in one go.

Spring Grass stared in shock until Xu Ruojin finished and wiped her mouth. “You—you ate it all. What if they come looking for the misplaced food?”

“What else can I do? Whoever made the mistake is responsible. How am I supposed to know this bowl wasn’t meant for me? There’s no name on it, and even if there was, I can’t read it anyway.”

Xu Ruojin’s excuse was perfectly crafted.

Spring Grass was frightened and hadn’t yet figured out how the second young lady had suddenly grown so bold, when outside came a violent knock. “Is anyone there? Open the door at once—the eldest young mistress wishes to see the second young lady!”

Spring Grass shuddered, and Xu Ruojin’s expression was calm—her guess had been right, Old Madam Chen was causing trouble again.

Earlier, she had refrained from confronting Old Madam Chen too harshly, mindful of her status. She hadn’t expected the old woman to persist. Some people know when to back down, but with Old Madam Chen, no amount of beating would stop her from making trouble every so often. Xu Ruojin regretted being too lenient.

“Second young lady, what should we do?” Spring Grass was anxious, her steps faltering, eyes fixed on Xu Ruojin.

“Open the door.”

Xu Ruojin remained unruffled, seated calmly in the room.

Outside, the old woman’s shouting grew fiercer. “Why isn’t the door open yet? Has everyone died inside?”

“We’re coming, we’re coming.” Spring Grass hurried to the door, and as soon as she unlatched it, it was pushed open with force.

Spring Grass staggered, nearly falling, as a group rushed into the room.

The empty blue porcelain bowl sat on the table. The moment Li Qiuping entered, she caught sight of it, and her expression darkened immediately.

Catching Old Madam Chen’s glance, Li Qiuping snorted coldly. “Is everyone dead? Not a word of greeting upon entry—eat my food and then pretend to be dead? I want to see who’s bold enough to do this.”

“Eldest young mistress, please calm yourself—you are with child,” Old Madam Chen praised, exaggerating the situation.

Li Qiuping’s anger only grew. “Even if she’s a golden phoenix, she hasn’t left the Xu household yet—a wretched girl from humble origins, rescued from the water by a young master from another house, ha! Dares to put on airs before me? If she doesn’t give me a proper explanation, I’ll go straight to the mistress for answers!”