The Young Mistress’s Little Romance in the Duke’s Mansion 15

Chapter 15
Yingtong had勉强 forced out those apologetic words, fully expecting Gu Xiyan to respond with gentle reassurances, saying there was no need to take it to heart. That would have given her a graceful way out, allowing them to exchange pleasantries and consider the matter settled, so she could return to report to Third Master.
But… She lowered her head and waited for a long while, yet Gu Xiyan made no move.
Puzzled, Yingtong looked up and saw Gu Xiyan’s face flushed red, her hands tightly clenched, her body trembling slightly, as if she were furious.
Startled, Yingtong quickly said, “Is Madam blaming this servant?”
Gu Xiyan took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down from that surge of emotion. Then she shook her head weakly and murmured, “It has nothing to do with you. I’m just, just—”
She was simply angry at Lu Chenglian!
He truly did not treat his chief maid as an outsider!
Seeing Gu Xiyan in this state, Yingtong felt bewildered. She thought to herself that since she had come to apologize, Gu Xiyan was putting on great airs, and now was speaking nonsensically. It seemed she had indeed misjudged her in the past.
However, under Third Master’s orders, she dared not act arrogantly. She had no choice but to lower her tone and speak humbly: “Madam, did I say something inappropriate to anger you so?”
Gu Xiyan gave a bitter smile before saying, “Sister Yingtong has always been kind to me. How could I blame you? I’m just—”
She shook her head and sighed lightly. “I am truly ashamed. I shouldn’t have made you go through the trouble of bringing me this white wax.”
Yingtong remained confused. After a moment’s thought, she assumed that since Gu Xiyan was the Young Mistress of the Third Branch, she considered herself the master of the house. Perhaps she was embarrassed to receive aid from others and thus lost face, which caused her anger?
If that were the case, it was rather laughable.
Though she thought this, Yingtong showed nothing on her face and continued to offer gentle comforts.
Gu Xiyan slowly regained her composure. With Yingtong present, she felt too embarrassed to mention Lu Chenglian further, so she spoke vaguely: “This white wax is far too valuable. Even if Third Master ordered you to bring it, I should not accept it.”
Yingtong hurriedly said, “Madam need not worry about it at all. Our Third Master receives rewards like flowing water every day. The West Wing Room is piled high with them, and many fine items are left to rot from neglect. How could we possibly care about such trivial objects?”
Hearing Yingtong mention “Third Master,” Gu Xiyan felt even more ashamed. Moreover, Yingtong’s tone seemed somewhat arrogant, as if Lu Chenglian had specifically sent her to flaunt his wealth.
Finding it somewhat amusing, Gu Xiyan steeled herself. Since she had already gone this far, she might as well go all the way. She simply accepted the gift.
After chatting for a while, Yingtong prepared to leave. Before departing, she added a warning: “Madam is reasonable and understands propriety. However, there are still some sensitivities between our Third Master and you. If people learn the details, it will inevitably cause gossip and trouble. It is best to be cautious in all matters.”
She was referring to the embroidery pattern incident, but Gu Xiyan’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
Her face burned with shame, and she frowned, displeased. “What nonsense are you saying, Sister Yingtong? This concerns my own reputation. How could I not be aware of it? Do I really need your reminders on this matter?”
Seeing her reaction, Yingtong felt relieved instead. She smiled and said, “Please do not be angry, Madam. It was this servant who spoke improperly. Please forgive me. The sky is darkening now, so this servant will take her leave. Madam, please stay.”
Once Yingtong had left, Gu Xiyan stood there watching until she disappeared into the distance. Then, holding herself together with difficulty, she returned to her room. Reaching the side of her couch, her legs suddenly gave way, and she collapsed onto it.
How had things come to this?
She had only asked Lu Chenglian for a favor. So far, they had exchanged only a few words and tugged at each other’s sleeves. They hadn’t even held hands; at most, they had caught each other’s scent. Yet now, it seemed as if the entire household knew, and a maid had come running to confront her.
Those who didn’t know better would think she was already keeping a secret lover!
Covering her burning cheeks, she thought, Yingtong didn’t even bother to hide anything. She spoke so openly and boldly, and strangely, she didn’t seem jealous at all. Who knows what she was thinking?
She was destined to become one of Lu Chenglian’s concubines in the future, yet now she was helping him pursue a widow?
Lu Chenglian’s chief maid was truly too virtuous.
Buried beneath her brocade quilt, Gu Xiyan let her thoughts run wild, filled with anxiety. What if the news spread? How would she handle the aftermath?
She knew very well what fate awaited a widow who lost her chastity.
At that moment, Qiusang pushed the door open and entered. Peering over, she saw Gu Xiyan lying motionless and grew worried. “What’s wrong, Madam? What did Yingtong say earlier?”
Gu Xiyan replied weakly, “Nothing…”
Qiusang became even more concerned. She hurried over and placed her hand on Gu Xiyan’s forehead. “What’s wrong, Madam? Are you ill? Or did Qiutong say something offensive to upset you so?”
Frowning suspiciously, she lowered her voice. “Could it be because of Third Master? What did Qiutong say? Who does she think she is, daring to challenge Madam here!”
Gu Xiyan knew she must have misunderstood. She glared at her immediately. “What nonsense are you spouting? If you keep talking like that, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
Seeing that Gu Xiyan still had some spirit left, Qiusang relaxed. Puckering her lips, she smiled. “Madam, you never scold this servant usually. The moment you scold me, I know that Madam is either feeling guilty or shy!”
Gu Xiyan: “You—”
Amused and exasperated, she found herself speechless. Recalling her entanglement with Lu Chenglian and Yingtong’s words, she felt utterly ashamed.
Just then, Qiusang noticed the white wax on the table. “Eh, what is this?”
Gu Xiyan snapped irritably, “Yingtong brought it, saying it was for us! Quite a large bundle!”

Qiusang, however, was overjoyed. She hurriedly opened the brocade bundle and, upon seeing the white wax inside, clicked her tongue in amazement. “Did she really give all this? So generous!”
Gu Xiyan had no desire to engage, but Qiusang enthusiastically began counting the wax sticks. There were three bundles in total, amounting to roughly thirty sticks.
Counting on her fingers, Qiusang calculated, “Although I don’t know the market prices well, I can make a rough estimate. For white wax of such high quality, each stick must be worth at least three hundred wen. Doesn’t that add up to nearly nine taels of silver?”
Gu Xiyan said闷声ly, “These were bestowed by the Imperial Palace, making them far more precious than those available outside.”
Reminded by Gu Xiyan, Qiusang examined them closely and indeed noticed the bright yellow seals on the wax. Having served alongside Gu Xiyan, she recognized a few characters and understood that this indicated they were imperial manufactures.
Stroking the seal on the wax, she sighed, “I truly wish I could work for Third Master, even if it were just as a sweeper!”
The gap between one maid and another was wider than the gap between a maid and a dog!
Gu Xiyan remarked, “You are becoming increasingly improper!”
Qiusang muttered, “What did I say that was wrong?”
She harbored some grievances: “We are all part of the Duke’s Mansion. Madam is a legitimate Young Mistress, staying here to mourn for the Duke’s son. Yet, comparing people only brings despair. The maids in his household casually bring out such a large bundle of white wax, while what do we have here?”
Gu Xiyan had no choice but to say, “She said that Third Master ordered her to send it.”
Qiusang: “Huh?”
She looked at Gu Xiyan in confusion. “Madam, what does that mean?”
Gu Xiyan didn’t know what to say. In truth, since Qiusang had always been by her side, nothing could be hidden from her. Qiusang clearly already understood the situation.
However, knowing something and having it spoken aloud were two different matters.
Turning her face away, Gu Xiyan said闷声ly, “Anyway, that’s what she said. I don’t understand the meaning behind it either.”
Qiusang nearly jumped in frustration. “How can he do this!”
Gu Xiyan was already worried, and Qiusang’s words only added to her anxiety. “Who knows what he is thinking!”
Qiusang was frantic. “If there are rumors, then, then—”
If the news truly spread, not only would Gu Xiyan, the Young Mistress, suffer, but the maids serving her would likely be the first to face punishment. Who wouldn’t be afraid?
At this point, Gu Xiyan calmed down instead. She reassured Qiusang, “In truth, there is no substance to these claims. Without evidence, if anyone says anything, we can simply claim they are slandering us. As for Third Master, he had Yingtong deliver this white wax openly, without hiding anything. If anyone asks later, we can just say that Yingtong asked me to paint a few pictures, and this is a gift of gratitude. That sounds reasonable enough.”
Qiusang thought about it and agreed. “Yes, yes, that’s exactly right.”
Gu Xiyan sat up, recalling Yingtong’s words with a cold sneer.
She needed to be more careful in the future. This man appeared deep and calculating, yet he couldn’t keep things to himself. The next time she met him, she must ensure her words left no room for misunderstanding or leverage.
Looking at the white wax on the table, she said softly, “Let Third Master and Yingtong do as they please. After all, this white wax is a precious item, unavailable in the outside market. How could we refuse such a fine gift just because it might cause trouble?”
In her heart, she planned to give some to Meng Shuhui. In case of future difficulties, the white wax could be pawned for silver.
She also considered giving some to Ye Erxun, as scholars needed good wax the most.
However, remembering Lu Chenglian’s words, she abandoned the idea.
Clearly, Lu Chenglian had already taken notice of Ye Erxun. Since the wax bore the inscription of imperial manufacture, it was too conspicuous. If someone with ulterior motives saw it and reported it to Lu Chenglian, he would surely be displeased.
She no longer wished to deliberately curry favor with Lu Chenglian, but she certainly did not want to offend him either.
Amidst these wandering thoughts, Meng Shuhui arrived.
Gu Xiyan quickly pulled herself together and shared the news she had received from Lu Chenglian.
Meng Shuhui listened with mixed surprise and joy. “If that’s the case, it is truly wonderful news!”
She nearly shed tears. “My brother from my maiden family is an honest man. He has taken great care of me these past two years. I only hope he can recover.”
Seeing Meng Shuhui’s happiness, Gu Xiyan suddenly felt it was worth it.
Saying so many flattering words to Lu Chenglian was worth it, at least because he could indeed help her get things done.
Her parents were gone, and her brother was gone. Only this sister-in-law, nephew, and niece remained. They were her closest kin. For the sake of these three, what harm was there in dealing with Lu Chenglian?
However, recalling Lu Chenglian’s words, she reminded Meng Shuhui, “Sister-in-law, you should ask later whether Second Master Ye helped inquire about our case.”
Meng Shuhui replied, “He did mention it, saying he would help look into it. What’s wrong?”
Gu Xiyan then relayed Lu Chenglian’s words to Meng Shuhui, who was also startled. “That is indeed inappropriate. I will tell Second Master Ye immediately that there is no need for his trouble.”
Gu Xiyan said, “Yes, we must not entrust the matter to two parties.”
She then mentioned the matter of the coastal defense post to Meng Shuhui. Meng Shuhui paused, then lowered her head and gave a bitter smile. “If there is an official explanation, that would be good. We can all feel at ease.”
Gu Xiyan wanted to cry but held back fiercely. “Mm, getting some silver money would also be good.”
As they spoke, she handed the white wax to Meng Shuhui. Meng Shuhui was naturally puzzled. “This is from the Imperial Palace, isn’t it? Why is there so much? This item is very expensive. Why are you suddenly giving this to me?”

Gu Xiyan did not wish to elaborate, so she spoke vaguely, “It was distributed by the household; each branch received some. I thought you could keep it, Sister-in-law. In case of an emergency in the future, it can be pawned for silver.”
Meng Shuhui replied, “There is no need for that. I have been thinking recently that the days ahead are long, and I cannot always rely on your support. After all, there are three mouths to feed. I must find a livelihood for myself. So, I asked around and actually found some leads.”
She explained in detail. She had originally planned to sell fresh fruits and vegetables, but that business proved difficult. Thus, while continuing to take in needlework, she sought out several clients and accepted jobs copying books.
Smiling, she said, “Among them, there are many who need old paintings restored or copied. I fear I cannot paint well enough, so I was thinking that you could help me with the painting later.”
Gu Xiyan’s eyes lit up. “That would be wonderful! I will help you.”
Meng Shuhui smiled. “Good. For now, you help me paint. If the results are good, then later you—”
She stopped halfway through her sentence.
Gu Xiyan’s status was different, after all. As the Young Mistress of the Duke’s Mansion, how could she take on such work to earn money? Helping her now was merely lending a hand.
However, Gu Xiyan was enthusiastic. She pulled Meng Shuhui aside to ask for details and learned that the job paid about two taels of silver.
Meng Shuhui smiled and said, “Usually, the pay isn’t this high. Second Master Ye helped introduce me to a good client. Seeing that I have good calligraphy and pitying my situation as a widow with orphaned children, they showed extra consideration and offered this price. However, the copying must be done slowly; it will likely take one or two months.”
Gu Xiyan exclaimed, “Earning two taels of silver is quite a sum!”
Meng Shuhui agreed. “Yes. Among the tasks, some require copying old paintings. If I hired someone else to paint them, it would probably cost at least one tael of silver. By helping me paint, you are essentially helping me earn that money.”
Earn money! One tael!
Gu Xiyan’s heart nearly soared with excitement.
She said eagerly, “Sister-in-law, I will help you paint! We must not let outsiders earn that one tael!”
Seeing her money-grubbing expression, Meng Shuhui burst out laughing. “Alright, I will rely entirely on you for this work!”