The Young Mistress’s Little Romance in the Duke’s Mansion 11

Chapter 11
Gu Xiyan instructed Qiusang to deliver the rose dew to Meng Shuhui and Ye Erxun. Not long after, Qiusang returned with a message that both parties were extremely pleased and had expressed their gratitude repeatedly.
This rose dew was originally a tribute from the Dashi Kingdom, distinct from the local rose water. Such a precious item was typically enjoyed only by high-ranking officials, imperial relatives, and nobility. Even within the Jingguo Duke’s mansion, it was considered rare.
Meng Shuhui naturally could not bear to use much of it. She tasted only a little before carefully storing it away, thinking it might have other uses in the future.
—If they reached a dead end, she could perhaps pawn it.
When people fell to such a state, they often could not bear to enjoy things themselves. They wanted to save and hoard every good item for emergencies.
Ye Erxun also found the item excellent and specifically asked Qiusang to convey his thanks.
Mentioning this, Qiusang pursed her lips and smiled mischievously. “Second Master Ye was truly overly polite. He did not just thank me; he also asked about the Young Mistress’s situation in the mansion, showing great concern in his words. However, at the end, he instructed this servant never to repeat these words to the Young Mistress, fearing it would only add to her worries.”
Hearing this, Gu Xiyan felt grateful toward Ye Erxun. Yet, beyond gratitude, she could not help but sigh.
She understood that her monthly allowance of five taels and items like this rose dew were hers only because she remained here, guarding the memory of Lu Chengyuan. As long as she stayed, the Duke’s mansion could not withhold her monthly silver or the supplies for seasonal festivals.
Since she received these benefits and guarded the household for Lu Chengyuan, she had to do her duty day by day and could not harbor other thoughts.
Counting on her fingers, she had married into the Duke’s mansion at sixteen. After only half a year of newlywed bliss, she became a widow. She had endured such days for only two years, yet she felt her heart had died and turned cold, as if she had suffered for two hundred years.
Now, she was only nineteen. When would her suffering end?
To be honest, she had naturally liked her deceased husband, Lu Chengyuan. If he were alive, they would have been inseparable, and her mind would have been filled with him.
But he was dead!
The love of the past had faded during two years of bitter endurance. Memories had become distant and blurred. The clear, desolate emptiness stretching to the horizon was vivid. She could even see herself entering a coffin.
Gu Xiyan looked out the window blankly.
At this moment, she thought of Lu Chenglian and his words.
The spring breeze was bright and beautiful. The colorful tail of a kite drifted between them. He stood in wide robes and large sleeves, his dark eyes looking deeply at her.
He had said, “But I happen to like it.”
This single sentence was enough to make her toss and turn, unable to sleep, and to fill her nights with many fantasies.
Her dull life was too oppressive and difficult. Seeing even a hint of bright color made her restless.
She could not withstand even a slight provocation from him!
Gu Xiyan leaned weakly against the window frame, raising her hand to cover her eyes.
She knew she should not take the bait and dared not have any fantasies about this man.
Who was he? The Emperor’s nephew, the Empress Dowager’s grandson, Princess Ruiqing’s only son. A famous general who had achieved distinguished military fame at a young age. He was the pride of heaven whom everyone in the Duke’s mansion respected.
Currently, there were two women in his quarters, Ying Tong and Peibai, both possessing first-rate beauty and character. As for his future marriage, Gu Xiyan had heard some rumors. It was said that the Empress Dowager intended to strengthen family ties by marrying a current princess to him.
Even if Lu Chenglian did not marry a princess, he could choose any daughter from ducal or marquis families.
And what did she have? Although she possessed some beauty, beauty was the least valuable thing and could not withstand the erosion of time.
Thinking this, she found herself ridiculous. Perhaps she was flattering herself. He might have only taken verbal advantage. Who knew what would happen in the future?
Others might not take it to heart, yet she was already tossing and turning. It was laughable.
Gritting her teeth, she pushed the matter aside and began to consider the future.
Meng Shuhui had mentioned taking on odd jobs to supplement the household income. Gu Xiyan thought she could help with some work as well. Since Ying Tong had asked for embroidery patterns, she felt she could draw more.
Ying Tong wanted bamboo patterns. Gu Xiyan naturally dared not sell those directly, but she could draw other unique designs. She could ask Meng Shuhui to inquire at outside clothing shops to see if they wanted them. If they did, she could earn some copper coins to subsidize their expenses.
Of course, this matter must absolutely not be known by anyone in the Duke’s mansion. If it spread, the people in the mansion would likely be furious.
So, she calmed her mind and focused on drawing. Knowing that Ying Tong intended to embroider these onto fabric and that Lu Chenglian preferred simplicity, she did not dare make them too flashy. She drew seven or eight bamboo patterns in a standard style, varying in density, each with its own charm.
After burying her head in drawing for several days, she finally finished. She carefully placed the drawings in a wooden box and instructed Qiusang to deliver them to Ying Tong.
Actually, she was somewhat anxious when sending them, fearing they would be disliked. However, when Qiusang returned, her face was full of smiles, looking quite proud.
Gu Xiyan quickly asked how it went. Qiusang said, “Miss Ying Tong liked them very much. She only said the drawings were excellent and asked me to tell the Young Mistress that she had taken trouble, and that she would definitely come to thank her in person tomorrow.”
Gu Xiyan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed her drawings were indeed good.
If these patterns could catch Lu Chenglian’s eye, perhaps she could really sell them outside. It would count as a skill.
Qiusang added, “Miss Ying Tong also stuffed a handful of copper coins into my hand, saying it was a reward from their master.”
Speaking, she took them out. The copper coins were contained in a green sachet used for the Zhonghe Festival, which was bulging.
Qiusang poured them onto the table. Clattering, many copper plates spilled out. She smiled and said, “Quick, count them and see how many there are!”
Gu Xiyan looked at the brand-new copper plates. The characters “Hongfu Tongbao” were shiny, indicating they were newly cast this year, specifically for rewarding servants. At first glance, there seemed to be over two hundred wen.
Gu Xiyan helped stack and count them. In the end, they counted two hundred and twenty wen.
Qiusang was overjoyed. “So much!”
Gu Xiyan was also secretly surprised. She now understood the value of money well. Two hundred wen was not easy to earn. For example, her sister-in-law had worked hard all morning picking wild vegetables and selling them in the city, earning only thirty wen.
Ying Tong, merely a maid, gave over two hundred wen casually. Her spending was excessively generous.
Qiusang also sighed with emotion. She had originally looked down on Ying Tong, but now, suddenly receiving a reward, she felt overwhelmed with favor and found Ying Tong more likable.
Who could hold a grudge against money?
However, thinking again, she felt it was absurd and ridiculous. “Young Mistress, what kind of world is this? She is just a maid, yet she spends so lavishly.”
After the initial surprise, Gu Xiyan quickly understood. “It is reasonable. A high official’s servant holds the rank of a third-grade official. Miss Ying Tong serves Third Master. Third Master has a noble status and a promising future. If Miss Ying Tong is taken into his chamber in the future and bears him a son or daughter, her fortune will naturally be incomparable to ordinary people.”
Hearing this, Qiusang seemed hesitant to speak. She glanced at Gu Xiyan but ultimately swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue.
Actually, some things were not for a maid to say.
She could only sigh and handed the green sachet to Gu Xiyan. “Young Mistress, please keep this money safely.”
She knew that Ying Tong had given her this reward because of Gu Xiyan’s favor, as a reward for the drawings.
Gu Xiyan smiled and said, “Since it is a reward for you, keep it yourself.”
Qiusang muttered, “Forget it. The Young Mistress is not as well-off as before. You always have to help your sister-in-law’s side, and there are two small ones to feed. Two hundred plus wen—Young Mistress, keep it for your use.”
These words made Gu Xiyan’s heart ache. She smiled at Qiusang. “You have followed me all this time, living a plain life without gaining any benefits. Now that you have finally received this reward, if I take it, who knows how you will cry in secret. Keep it yourself.”
Qiusang had followed Gu Xiyan since childhood and knew her temperament. She understood that Gu Xiyan was speaking sincerely.
Moved and feeling a sourness in her heart, she finally snorted with a laugh. “In that case, this servant has truly gained a huge advantage! The Young Mistress worked hard drawing, yet I earned the money. If I accept this money, don’t regret it later!”
Hearing this, Gu Xiyan chuckled and waved her handkerchief at her. “Taking advantage and then acting innocent—that describes you perfectly. Go, get back to work!”
After seeing Qiusang off, Ying Tong took out the seven or eight patterns to examine. The more she looked, the more she liked them.
She smiled and said to Peibai, “In the past, the Sixth Young Mistress was very dull and silent. Who would have thought she had such skills? The drawings are excellent. If we embroider these onto pouches or the hems of robes, won’t it add color?”
Peibai said, “Just do not let outsiders know. Otherwise, it will not look good if it spreads.”
Ying Tong pursed her lips and smiled. “Naturally. We will just say they are ready-made patterns bought from outside.”
She examined the patterns in her hand with satisfaction and instructed, “Later, search through the chests. Pick a few decent items to send to the Sixth Young Mistress. We must return her favor.”
Peibai, however, remembered something and whispered, “I vaguely heard the other day that the Sixth Young Mistress’s sister-in-law dresses very shabbily. The mother and three children rent a small courtyard outside to live in. Their life is tight, relying entirely on the Sixth Young Mistress’s private assistance. Since we want to thank her, it would be better to be practical. Choose some items that can help in an emergency. That would be more thoughtful.”
Ying Tong nodded. “Exactly. I saw her sister-in-law some days ago. She indeed seemed to come from a humble family. Her speech and behavior were somewhat restrained, as if she was used to doing rough work.”
Peibai thought for a moment. “Last month, during the twelfth lunar month, items rewarded by the palace were stored in the east wing cabinet. I vaguely remember there were ambergris slices, white wax, and some rare items like pepper and mercury. We do not need them right now anyway. Why not pick one or two items to send to the Sixth Young Mistress? Just say they are sitting idle. This would fulfill our obligation.”
Ying Tong pondered briefly. “In my opinion, white wax is the most appropriate. She can either use it herself or sell it for silver to subsidize household expenses. It benefits both sides.”
Once the two maids had agreed, Peibai took a young maid and went to the side room to pack the items. Ying Tong played with the drawings, thinking about how to embroider and use them.
She was so immersed that she did not notice Lu Chenglian entering the room.
When she finally sensed something and looked up, she saw Lu Chenglian had entered and was draping his outer robe over the screen rack.
Ying Tong quickly stood up, bowed respectfully, and said softly with a smile, “Third Master has returned early today.”
Lu Chenglian said, “Two days ago, when I paid respects to Mother, I heard her cough a few times. I will go check on her later.”
Ying Tong smiled gently. “This servant naturally remembers Master’s instructions. I have already asked the kitchen to prepare rock sugar, white fungus, and loquat paste stew. It is keeping warm now and will be sent to Her Highness shortly.”

She had originally come from Princess Ruiqing’s quarters, personally trained by the Princess. Thus, she was naturally more attentive and considerate regarding the Princess’s daily life and diet than ordinary maids.
Hearing this, Lu Chenglian nodded slightly. Then, his gaze casually fell to the side, where several drawings were placed.
He said indifferently, “These drawings have a certain charm. Where did you get them?”
At that exact moment, Peibai walked in excitedly, holding a package of white wax. Suddenly seeing Lu Chenglian in the room, she quickly stopped in her tracks. Hearing his question, she felt somewhat uneasy in her heart.
Ying Tong, however, remained smiling and calm. She replied unhurriedly, “The other day, Master praised that pouch. This servant took note and, after some inquiry, learned that the pattern came from a shop outside. So, I simply asked someone to find a few more similar ones. This servant observed that these sketches share the same elegance as that pouch. I thought that if we tailor a new robe for Master using this rain-after-sky-blue Hangzhou satin and embroider a touch of ink bamboo on the hem, would it not be elegant and unique?”
Lu Chenglian glanced at Ying Tong. The silk skirt she wore today was clearly made from newly obtained fabric. It was from the same batch as the item sent to the pawnshop, just in a different color.
He said indifferently, “This skirt looks good.”
Hearing this, Ying Tong’s face flushed slightly. She smiled and said, “This is made from the fabric from last time. Master said you did not like it and gave it to us, so I simply made this pleated skirt.”
Lu Chenglian nodded slightly and instructed, “In the evening, I will pay respects to Mother and dine with her. Do not prepare a meal for me.”
Finishing his words, he left directly.
Ying Tong and Peibai looked at each other, both feeling puzzled.
Peibai said, “I feel that Third Master is acting a bit strange today.”
Ying Tong was also confused. She looked down at her skirt. “He said he did not like it before, but now he praises it as good. That is indeed strange.”
Peibai said, “If he had said so earlier, this fabric would certainly have been saved for his use.”
Ying Tong frowned and shook her head. “I feel it is not just about the fabric.”
Their master would not show displeasure over a piece of fabric. Whatever could appear on his face must be a matter of great importance.