Chapter Five: Undercurrents

As everyone knew, Second Miss Lu was gentle by nature and the most proper of all. To put it kindly, she was a true lady of a great household; more bluntly, she was as wooden as a post. When faced with difficulties, Second Miss Lu would either remain silent—so others assumed her consent—or discuss matters softly and politely. She never raised her voice at the servants, let alone threw a cup at her wet nurse.

Though Nanny Qian was reluctant to admit it, she was rather afraid of the young lady at this moment.

When the young lady questioned her, Nanny Qian shuddered. “That little wretch, that lowly girl, is in the woodshed.”

She had intended to launch into a tirade about Hongxing’s lack of discipline, but faltered and told the truth. Fearing Lu Yalan would pursue the matter, she bent lower and pressed on, “Hongxing broke the rules and was punished, but don’t worry, miss—she’ll be back to serve you in a few days.”

“Bring her here.”

“But, but isn’t this improper? You’re still unwell, and if she offends you further, the old madam won’t let her off.”

“I said, bring her here.” Lu Yalan’s tears streamed down, yet her tone remained even as ever, betraying nothing of the fury that had just seen her throw a cup.

This composure only made Nanny Qian more fearful.

“Yes, I—I’ll fetch her right away.”

“If anything happens to her, none of you will escape unscathed.”

Nanny Qian nodded frantically and hurried out.

Lu Yalan sat back on the bed, drained. She had been ready to force her way through if Nanny Qian tried to stop her, but to her surprise, a little assertiveness made the woman back down immediately.

Only now did Lu Yalan realize it was she herself who had always kept herself confined. She clung to rules, believing they would protect her, yet others only needed to invoke those very rules to suppress her, leaving her powerless even to protect the one person truly loyal to her—Hongxing.

Why not be a little reckless, live a little happier? She was just an old maid who’d been rejected in marriage; at worst, she’d cut her hair and become a nun. What was there left to fear?

Thinking of that free-spirited girl in her mind, Lu Yalan felt a surge of determination.

Her body was weak, and the ordeal left her sweating, but she dared not sleep. Not seeing Hongxing safe kept her uneasy. She wiped her tears, lay back, and waited.

She waited all the way until dinner.

The maid brought in plain porridge and small dishes, her every move cautious, so unlike her usual manner.

Lu Yalan spoke coldly, “Tell Nanny Qian that if she doesn’t bring Hongxing soon, I’ll go find her myself.”

Hearing the message, Nanny Qian wiped her brow anxiously; she dared not disobey openly at such a time.

The young master had already dismissed many at Yilan Garden; most of those who remained were kin to the ones sent away, and all held a grudge against Hongxing, the instigator. The twenty strokes of the rod were real and merciless—the beating was so severe that Hongxing fainted before it was over.

If Hongxing were brought before the young lady in such a state, Nanny Qian could well imagine the fate of everyone involved.

They had to wash away the blood, bandage the wounds, change her into clean clothes—it was no wonder it took so long.

When Hongxing was finally brought before Lu Yalan, she was still unconscious. Lu Yalan rushed forward to feel her breath, breathing a sigh of relief when she found it.

Nanny Qian stood by uneasily. In the past, no matter what she did, the young lady would never show her displeasure—this time, it was clear she would no longer play dumb. Nanny Qian regretted her haste; there had been many opportunities before, why did she act so rashly now?

Nanny Qian wasn’t worried about her own position being shaken—her real concern was her granddaughter, still locked in the outer courtyard’s woodshed.

Hongxing remained unconscious. Afraid the caretakers would be careless, Lu Yalan ignored Nanny Qian’s pleading and personally cared for Hongxing in the outer room.

Nanny Qian, sweating profusely, forgot all about pleading for her granddaughter.

The young lady’s illness and the young master’s midnight summons of the doctor could not be kept secret. If any of the masters came to visit and saw such a scene, all the servants would be implicated.

“Miss, how can you keep a half-dead maid in your own rooms? It’s against all propriety! Besides, you’re still unwell; let me take care of Hongxing so you can rest and recover.”

Seeing Hongxing’s injuries, Lu Yalan’s heart blazed with fury, though it wasn’t as bad as she had feared. With proper care, Hongxing would recover.

Relieved, she felt her exhaustion deepen. Unwilling to argue further, she only said, “Nanny Qian, have some pity on me, still ill as I am.”

Nanny Qian opened her mouth but dared not press as before. She curtsied and excused herself, planning to seek Second Concubine’s counsel come morning.

Lu Yalan’s convalescence was more relaxed than ever. The old madam sent gifts several times, the young master sent people to check on her, and the master himself sent little trinkets every few days. With all three principal masters expressing their goodwill, the servants followed suit.

Yilan Garden, once quiet, bustled with activity. The servants’ gossip now included not only stories of Second Concubine punishing someone or the fourth and fifth concubines being jealous, but also tales of servants bullying their mistress in Yilan Garden.

Taking advantage of her illness, Lu Yalan indulged herself and refused to see visitors, leaving Nanny Qian to handle them.

Nanny Qian was run ragged for half a month before things finally quieted down.

During this time, Axing and the others remained locked in the woodshed. Nanny Qian, anxious, repeatedly asked Lu Yalan to intercede with the young master for their release, but she deflected each time. Nanny Qian dared not protest openly, but resentment festered in her heart.

When things calmed, Nanny Qian seized a chance to approach Second Concubine, recounting Lu Yalan’s recent actions in detail and asking her to deal with Hongxing and save her own granddaughter.

Second Concubine reclined on her armchair, admiring her freshly done nails, raising her brows at the tale.

She had tried to visit during the illness but was turned away at the door. She hadn’t thought much of it—she knew Second Miss’s temperament well. Even if unwell, she would never trouble a visitor. Yet, to be refused entry was a first.

This was interesting. Had the wooden Second Miss finally awakened?

Second Concubine said nothing, and Nanny Qian dared not speak, only standing by nervously.

Second Concubine shifted to a more relaxed pose, playing with a delicate Western mirror, palm-sized and exquisitely clear. It folded up for easy carriage and was a coveted luxury among Shanghai’s socialites, limited in number. In Yancheng, Second Concubine had only ever seen one at the military governor’s daughter’s house. Owning such a piece made her the center of every gathering—a treasure worth a fortune.

This mirror was a gift from Third Miss.

Admiring her reflection—fair skin, red lips—she compared her fingers to her face. The bold red lacquer, paired with matching lipstick, was striking; such a color was unique in Yancheng.

Putting away the mirror, Second Concubine looked at Nanny Qian. “Second Miss is your mistress, after all. Her gentle nature is a blessing for you servants, yet you take advantage, acting without restraint. You didn’t even notice when she was ill. Really, you should thank Hongxing—if not for her, Second Miss would be dead, and when Old Madam intervened, do you think any of you would be spared?”

At the mention of the ever-stoic Old Madam, Nanny Qian shivered and knelt, crawling to Second Concubine. “Cousin, please save our Axing! The Qian family only has this one girl left, and we’re counting on her to marry in and continue the family line. Cousin, the Qian family cannot end with me. Please, you must help us!”

Seeing Second Concubine unmoved, Nanny Qian gritted her teeth. “I am Second Miss’s wet nurse; I have standing in this house. Even Old Madam wouldn’t dare touch me lightly. If you help save Axing, I am yours to command. If you dislike Second Miss, I’ll handle her for you. Nearly everyone in the Lu household is on good terms with me. If you wish to suppress Second Miss, you won’t have to dirty your own hands.”

Second Concubine wasn’t surprised. Old servants like these were shrewd; to underestimate them was to court disaster.

Satisfied with what she’d achieved, Second Concubine’s demeanor softened. She took Nanny Qian’s arm affectionately and patted her hand in faux comfort. “Now, don’t say such things. We’re family. By seniority, you’re my elder; how could I not help? Rest assured, you’ll see Axing married and settled.”

“Second Miss may look wooden, but who knew she could be so ruthless? You raised her from infancy, and over a trifle she’d sever your family line. Such a cruel heart is hardly the mark of a well-bred lady.” Second Concubine’s eyes gleamed. “It seems we’ve all been fooled. We thought her gentle, but she’s utterly heartless—just as the saying goes, it’s the quiet dog that bites.”

Nanny Qian’s hatred for Lu Yalan grew.

Previously, Second Concubine had hinted at wanting her help to suppress Second Miss, but Nanny Qian knew well: with Second Miss in charge, she ruled Yilan Garden and was respected by all. If Second Miss fell from grace, she’d be just another old servant in the Lu household. She had no intention of undermining her own position for an outsider, so she pretended not to understand.

But now, Nanny Qian clenched her teeth. For your sake, I offended Second Concubine, yet you won’t let go of trifles. If you won’t remember old ties, don’t blame me for being ruthless.

...

During this time, Lu Yabai was busy brokering a large grain deal with Mu Zhenshan, the warlord in charge of Yancheng. Every detail required care, but when things were finally settled, he was heading home for a rest. As he passed the artificial hill, he overheard a few servants gossiping, mentioning Second Miss. He stopped instinctively.

“... Second Miss is too cruel, not even sparing her nanny’s own granddaughter.”

“She’s so calculating, hiding it all these years, but now she’s showing her true colors.”

“Yes, you never really know a person. Still, she’s got no senior relatives to support her, so she has to keep a low profile. But a fake is a fake.”

Lu Yabai frowned. “Zhuzi, go find out what’s going on.”

Zhuzi ran off and soon returned. “The servants are saying that Second Miss locked her nanny’s granddaughter in the woodshed for a mistake and intends to have her flogged to death.”

“But I was the one who ordered them locked up. What does this have to do with my second sister? Let’s go to Yilan Garden and see.”

Though recovery from illness is slow, Lu Yalan improved with remarkable speed—perhaps her spirits lifted, her complexion grew brighter.

Hongxing was also up and about. As she put it, she was tough as old leather; as long as she wasn’t dead, she’d be on her feet again soon.

The early spring garden was bare, but mistress and maid, both in good spirits, wandered about cheerfully. Hearing someone call out, they turned.

“Brother,” Lu Yalan greeted him with a smile, “what brings you here?”

Lu Yabai paused, then smiled back. “I had some free time and thought I’d check on you. How are you feeling?”

“I’m completely recovered. I haven’t had a chance to thank you for looking after me while I was ill.”

“There’s no need for thanks between siblings. As your brother, it’s my duty to take care of you.”

Lu Yalan’s eyes grew moist, and she lowered her head quickly.

Her brother had always been good to her, bringing back treats and trinkets, but Nanny Qian had said that though the main and second branches of the Lu family shared a surname, they were separate households, and men and women should keep their distance after the age of seven. The young master was only a cousin; she shouldn’t be too close to him. She believed it, and so gradually grew distant from her brother. Later she realized Nanny Qian had her own motives, but bound by rules and feminine reserve, she hadn’t the courage to mend the relationship.

Now, hearing his words, she felt only warmth and remorse.

Clenching her fists, she encouraged herself. “Since brother puts it that way, does that mean I can save my thank-you gift?”

Lu Yabai was taken aback, then realized his sister truly was livelier than before. His smile broadened. “That won’t do. A favor’s a favor—you owe me an embroidered sachet.”

“All right.”