Chapter Sixty-Six: Plans

Xu Ruojin told Hemiao to rest well before discussing any further arrangements with her.

Madam Yang, meanwhile, did not remain idle. As soon as Xu Ruojin left, she summoned the stewardesses without delay. She ordered them to go to Li Qiuping’s quarters and, with the exception of Li Qiuping herself—who was pregnant—to give every maid and matron there twenty slaps each as punishment. She then selected a maid of pleasing appearance and figure and sent her to Xu Zilin to serve as his concubine.

Li Qiuping, terrified, screamed and tried to rush out to confront her mother-in-law. But when she heard a brief recounting from the matrons about the affair with Madam Du and Hemiao, she fell silent.

Madam Du and her daughter Du’er were beaten with sticks and expelled from the Xu family. Chen Cai went to the county office and explained the situation; thus, the divorce papers between Du’er and Hemiao were smoothly processed.

Gossip spread faster than anything else. Before the day was over, every teahouse and tavern in Zhonglin County was abuzz with talk of the incident.

Madam Yang took great care in arranging Hemiao’s remarriage. Although she did not think highly of Xu Ruojin, she could not deny the truth in the girl’s words. How Hemiao was settled reflected directly on the reputation of the Xu family, especially as there were many maids in the household, all watching closely. Most were indentured servants, but if this matter were not handled properly, her own reputation as mistress would suffer, and the servants might become slack or disloyal, which could only breed further trouble.

The master had already issued strict orders that rules must be firmly established in the household. Madam Yang dared not treat the matter lightly. Previously, when the master had no concubine, she had not felt so pressed, but now, with Liu Cui as a rival, she cherished the dignity and authority of the main wife all the more.

After her meal, Hemiao slept soundly through the afternoon and awoke to find it was already evening. That night, Xu Ruojin did not have Spring Grass keep watch but instead pulled Hemiao onto her own bed, talking quietly with her.

She knew Hemiao was still uneasy. It was better to tell her plans in advance.

“Second Miss, it’s all because of me that you’re troubled,” Hemiao said, her face full of guilt, her eyes fixed on Xu Ruojin, searching for any sign of hardship. “Has the mistress made things difficult for you again? Don’t be afraid. If you stand up to her, she won’t be able to do anything to you. After all, you are betrothed to the Zhang family.”

“I only understand that now,” Xu Ruojin replied, grasping her hand. “Don’t worry. I won’t ever let anyone bully me again. And since I now have some voice with Mother, I will never allow anyone to bully you either. I had no idea things had become so bad for you, but now I can speak up, I won’t let it happen again.”

“But I am not worthy to help you anymore,” Hemiao said, her face bitter.

“Don’t say that,” Xu Ruojin put a hand over her mouth. “I have my own plans.”

“But all your plans are for me. How could I possibly deserve for you to humble yourself before the mistress on my behalf?” Hemiao’s mind was filled with memories of the timid, frail Xu Ruojin she once knew. She could hardly believe the change in her. She thought all these efforts must only be excuses to cover up hardship.

“I have already discussed with Mother to arrange another marriage for you,” Xu Ruojin said. Hemiao’s eyes brightened. “I can be married as a proper wife?”

“No, no,” Xu Ruojin shook her head quickly. “Not as a companion to me.”

“It was foolish of me to hope…” Hemiao’s eyes filled with tears, not from bitterness, but moved by the Second Miss’s efforts and her own regret.

“Don’t misunderstand. Not making you my companion is also my wish,” Xu Ruojin said. Hemiao stared wide-eyed, and before she could speak, Xu Ruojin continued, “At first, I did think to have you as my companion, but after seeing everything today, I have completely changed my mind.”

“I am indeed unworthy to stay by your side,” Hemiao bit her lip, sadness plain on her face.

Xu Ruojin smacked her hand lightly. “Can’t you let me finish?”

“I’m listening.”

“My intention is to arrange another marriage for you, and I want you to help me with other matters,” Xu Ruojin confessed. “Hemiao, you are the one I trust most. Only you can do this for me.”

All disappointment vanished from Hemiao’s face, replaced by earnest attention. “Whatever you ask, if I am able, I will do my utmost.”

“I lack silver, so I need someone to help me manage business,” Xu Ruojin said quickly. “Even though I have some say with Mother now, to this day I have not seen any monthly allowance. The maids and matrons in the house look down on us because there’s no profit to be had from serving us. If it’s like this in the Xu family, it will be even worse elsewhere.”

Xu Ruojin sighed. “We are already looked down upon. If we cannot even give out wages, life will be much harder. I do not wish to live as a walking corpse. I would rather take a knife and end it all than live that way.”

“I understand, truly I do. Second Miss, to hear you think of these things now, I am more than satisfied,” Hemiao said, wiping away tears. She had tried to impress this idea on the Second Miss many times before, but Xu Ruojin had always been too frightened of the mistress to even think of an allowance, let alone a full meal. She had only been away a few months, yet the Second Miss had changed so much!

Xu Ruojin, with memories of her former self, understood everything Hemiao had done.

“So please, do not blame me for not making you my companion.”

“Then what kind of work should I do?” Hemiao’s mind raced ahead, as if her very reason for living was to serve the Second Miss.

“There’s no rush. I already have a plan, but it is not yet ripe. For now, take this opportunity to recover your health, and then we’ll find you a good family. This time, I will choose myself. I will never let you escape one pit only to fall into another, or I’d rather end it all.”

Xu Ruojin absolutely did not trust Madam Yang.

Her tone, full of determination, took Hemiao by surprise. Then she smiled with relief. “Second Miss, you truly have changed. I hardly recognize you.”

“Don’t say that. You will always be my dearest friend,” Xu Ruojin said, embracing her gently.

It was for the sake of her former self’s bond with Hemiao, and for her own need for a trustworthy ally.

As for Madam Yang forbidding her to leave her chambers before marriage, Xu Ruojin paid it no mind. She had another trump card—her father. If her father summoned her, what could Madam Yang do to stop it?

In truth, she looked forward even more to tomorrow’s arrival…