Chapter Five: Paying Respects

“The kitchen woman is simply unbearable! The food is like this—how are we supposed to eat it?” complained Que’er, the little maid beside Qin Mingyue.

Qin Mingyue glanced at the table: the dishes were the same as before. Not only was she tired of eating them, but on such a cold day, the oil had congealed into lumps, making them utterly inedible.

The servants in the Jia household loved to watch and wait before serving dishes. Seeing that Qin Mingyue had remained quiet for some time, and that Jia Zheng had not visited for a while, they began to neglect her side of the estate.

It seemed she would have to get Jia Zheng to visit more often; otherwise, the servants here would hardly bother preparing proper meals for their courtyard.

Qin Mingyue had wanted to open a small kitchen in the courtyard, but such privileges were reserved only for someone of the rank of Grandmother Jia or Lady Wang. As a mere concubine, how could she possibly have the authority to open one?

Fortunately, little Jia Huan was still in the nursing stage. Otherwise, with children so delicate, eating these cold and stale dishes would surely upset his stomach.

“Let’s warm these cold dishes over the stove for a few days,” Qin Mingyue said, not intending to make a fuss in the kitchen. If she caused a scene, it would only please Lady Wang, who surely would not let the matter pass unnoticed.

“Auntie, the charcoal for the courtyard hasn’t been delivered this month; there’s only a few days’ worth left,” the young maid Que’er said bluntly. Though only about ten years old and often scolded by Qin Mingyue’s former self, she remained loyal.

Not only had no servants brought charcoal this month, but what little was delivered was of poor quality—fragmented and smoky. Qin Mingyue had sent someone to exchange it, only to be told that the household was short on charcoal and that supplies were prioritized for the old madam and master. After that, they ignored her.

The charcoal they were using now was purchased by Qin Mingyue herself with her own allowance. With the month’s charcoal and allowance yet to arrive, they couldn’t wait any longer—especially not for little Jia Huan.

Watching her chubby son smile foolishly with his little mouth, Qin Mingyue felt a surge of tenderness. She couldn’t bear to see Jia Huan suffer from the cold, so she had secretly stayed up at night tending to her few potted plants for nourishment.

Lady Wang was waiting for Qin Mingyue to make a scene in her courtyard, but as evening fell, there was still no sign of trouble.

“Could it be that this flirtatious woman has truly cultivated herself by copying Buddhist scriptures for several days?” Lady Wang mused, recalling how since Qin Mingyue left confinement, she had never managed to take advantage of her, and had even suffered some setbacks. Could bearing a son have truly enlightened her?

“I heard last month’s charcoal was bought by that flirtatious woman using her own allowance, so this month her allowance was deliberately delayed. She really shouldn’t be able to endure it—there’s still a little boy in the courtyard!” Zhou Ruijia was equally baffled.

“Be more careful; don’t let anyone catch a flaw. That little bitch still carries Jia blood! I’ll find another way to stall the master for a few days. Let’s see how long she can hold out!”

“Don’t worry! If they really cause trouble, it will only prove they are in the wrong. We’re just prioritizing the old madam and master. At worst, the servants act on their own—we can’t be blamed,” Zhou Ruijia said, clearly experienced in such matters. Previously, whenever Aunt Zhao quarreled with servants and lost face, it was her doing. But this time, it hadn’t worked, which puzzled her greatly.

Meanwhile, Jia Zheng was examining his eldest son’s studies. Jia Zhu, only eighteen, was already composed and elegant. He answered Jia Zheng’s questions not only correctly but also with insightful reasoning.

Pleased, Jia Zheng gave a reserved remark: “Not bad, but you must study harder.”

“Yes, Father, I will heed my teacher’s guidance and be diligent,” Jia Zhu, sensing he had yet to fully satisfy his father, resolved to study even more diligently.

Their thoughts diverged, and soon Jia Zheng sent his son away.

After the examination, Jia Zheng stood abruptly, feeling a sudden ache in his back and waist. Spending so many hours daily in the study should have made this normal, but since visiting Qin Mingyue’s courtyard a few days ago, he hadn’t felt such fatigue—yet the old heaviness had gradually returned, making him somewhat uncomfortable.

At that moment, Jia Zheng had not connected this feeling with Qin Mingyue’s household, only feeling a vague sense of melancholy.

Just as he was about to head toward Qin Mingyue’s courtyard, Zhou Ruijia arrived with a maid to dissuade him: “Master, madam wants you to see the second young master. He’s been crying uncontrollably. The old madam suggests you rest tonight in madam’s quarters to calm the boy.”

This successfully dissuaded Jia Zheng from visiting Qin Mingyue’s side.

Though puzzled by the eldest son’s sudden eagerness to seek his academic advice and the frequent crying of Baoyu, he gave it little thought. After all, they were his legitimate sons and deserved careful attention.

Qin Mingyue was not surprised when she heard from Que’er that Jia Zheng had been summoned to Lady Wang again. Otherwise, how could the servants openly sabotage her household? Luckily, the few potted plants in her room were budding and would bloom in a few days. Selling them would help cover the courtyard’s expenses.

At night, she got out of bed and carefully inspected the plants. Two camellias were no longer as they had been; their leaves were lush and green, and flower buds hung heavily on the branches, about to bloom brilliantly and auspiciously.

Qin Mingyue planned to have Zhao Guoji secretly take the flowers out to sell the next day. As a concubine, she couldn’t go out freely—and with Lady Wang making her copy Buddhist scriptures daily, she had little time to leave.

Thinking of this, Qin Mingyue grew frustrated. Spending four hours a day copying sutras was too time-consuming. She needed a plan. Having already become a thorn in Lady Wang’s side, she would not suffer in vain.

“Respectful greetings to the master and madam!” Qin Mingyue deliberately came to pay respects before Jia Zheng left, hoping to annoy Lady Wang. If she was to copy sutras daily, she might as well make it unbearable, so she wouldn’t know when this ordeal would end.

Lady Wang’s previously pleasant mood, thanks to Jia Zheng resting in her quarters, vanished instantly.

“Get up. You’re never this early,” Lady Wang said disdainfully.

“Madam asked me to come pay respects and copy sutras to calm myself. Naturally, I obey. But little Brother Huan is still young. If I stay away too long, he cries uncontrollably. So, I came early to finish copying sooner and return to him,” Qin Mingyue explained calmly.

Her concern for her child reminded Jia Zheng of when little Jia Huan was adorable, stirring a flicker of fatherly love and some guilt for not having visited in a long time.

“Brother Huan is at a stage when he cannot be separated. Sutras can be copied anytime. Why not wait until he’s older before letting her come to madam’s quarters? What do you think, madam?” Jia Zheng’s suggestion resolved Qin Mingyue’s problem instantly, leaving Lady Wang helplessly displeased but forced to agree.

“Fine. Since Brother Huan can’t be separated, go back and accompany him. No need to serve here anymore,” Lady Wang, having suffered a defeat, glanced at Qin Mingyue with irritation but decided to keep her distance to prevent Jia Zheng from being swayed.

Qin Mingyue, inwardly pleased that such a simple goal had been achieved, left without looking back.