Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Master Huideng
The Pei Family’s young ladies had arranged to visit the garden today to admire the flowers. After walking for a while, they searched for a place to rest.
The Third Miss suggested, "Let’s go sit at the Biri Pavilion. The scenery there is uniquely beautiful."
The Biri Pavilion is a pavilion near the courtyard of the old madam and the Lixiang Courtyard. It sits atop a small hill, with three separate hexagonal pavilions, each exquisitely built and offering delightful views.
Sitting there in the summer not only provides shelter from the sun but also affords a higher vantage point to enjoy more beautiful sights.
It is the perfect choice for strolling in the garden.
This suggestion was immediately agreed upon by everyone.
The group headed up the hill, with the last in line leisurely following—none other than Miss Ying Man’er, who was lodging at the Pei Mansion, along with her personal maid, Xiao Hu.
Ying Man’er was a child from a poor family but relied on some past familial connection with the Pei Family to thick-skinnedly seek refuge there, hoping to find a good marriage prospect.
"Look at those concubines’ daughters fawning all over Third Sister, not one of them even noticing me."
Ying Man’er was someone with lofty ambitions and typical of someone whose station didn’t match her desires. While staying at the Pei Mansion, she considered herself a legitimate lady of the house, intolerant of being slighted by others.
"Third Sister is the legitimate daughter of the second house; there is a difference between legitimate and illegitimate. It’s only natural people fawn over her," Xiao Hu timidly said.
Ying Man’er knew well that this maid lacked ambition, but she didn’t expect her not to dare even go along with her words, which displeased her greatly. She couldn’t help but speak sharply, "What legitimate and illegitimate distinction? The old madam said there’s no difference between them. Besides, when I entered the mansion, the old madam herself said that all my treatment would be the same as the other young ladies."
Xiao Hu said nothing further; some things are merely said, but in reality, can it really be the same?
For instance, regarding legitimacy and illegitimacy, when it comes to marriage discussions, many still nitpick origins; illegitimate daughters ultimately cannot marry as prestigiously as legitimate ones.
Moreover, this young lady was lodging at the Pei Mansion. Although her treatment seemed the same as the real mistresses, in actuality, none of the maids or servants truly regarded her as a genuine mistress. They would only act when given some silver coin as tips.
Real is real, and fake is fake; ultimately, they are not the same.
Xiao Hu was originally a small maidservant in the mansion, and due to her lack of ambition, she was assigned to serve Miss Ying.
Ying Man’er saw that her maid had turned turtle-like again, not daring to join her in grumbling. Her anger was stuck in her throat, hard to release, difficult to bear, and very uncomfortable.
Just then, the others had already reached the pavilion and were looking for a maid to serve tea. Ying Man’er was unwilling to let her own maid serve others, and upon seeing a maid passing by in the distance, she immediately called out, "You there!"
The unfortunate one called was Qu Fulan.
Heir Pei had instructed her to deliver tea leaves to the old madam and the other two households. Such errands required her personal attention to show importance and couldn’t be left to a mere errand maid.
Who would have thought that upon her return, she would be intercepted by the young ladies strolling through the garden?
"What does Miss Ying need?" Qu Fulan did not act haughtily due to her position as the Heir Pei’s maid and approached courteously.
It was only upon seeing her up close that Ying Man’er realized it was Qu Fulan, who was indeed the maid at the side of the Young Master, not a maid just anyone could compare to. Her attitude immediately softened, "Oh, it’s Fulan Sister. Third Sister and others are sitting at the pavilion, but there’s not a single maid to serve tea and water. I shall have to trouble Fulan Sister a bit."
Though her tone softened, no matter how high a maid’s standing, she could never surpass the mistress. Thus, Ying Man’er had no qualms about ordering Qu Fulan around.
She felt instead that having the Heir’s personal maid serve her afforded her some prestige.
After Qu Fulan ascended to the pavilion, Xiao Hu couldn’t help but tug on Ying Man’er’s sleeve, "She belongs to the Heir. How could you order her around, Miss?"
Ying Man’er found this maid’s timidity laughable, "She is a maid, and I am a mistress. Why shouldn’t I order her around?"
Xiao Hu bit her lip, knowing she couldn’t out-argue this young lady, thus fell silent again.
And so, when Qu Fulan reached the pavilion, the Third Miss was a bit surprised, "Fulan Sister, what brings you here?"
The term "sister" wasn’t simply based on age but was a title of respect. As the first-tier maid at the Heir Pei’s side, everyone addressed her as Sister.
Qu Fulan first bowed, then said, "The Heir has returned with some fresh tea leaves and asked me to deliver them to each household. On my way back, I noticed there weren’t enough people attending here, so I came over."
The Third Miss hurriedly said, "How can there not be enough people to attend? It’s rare for Second Brother to be home today; he surely won’t be without attendants. Fulan Sister, you should hurry back."
Since she was already there, it wouldn’t do to leave without serving, so Qu Fulan smiled, "It’s not urgent. It’s just that my tea-making skills can’t compare to Sister Yueyuan’s. Even the Heir says I can’t make tea, so please don’t mind."
The Third Miss laughed, "Second Brother is very particular. We’re not picky."
By this time, Ying Man’er had also come up, seated to the left of the Third Miss, eyeing Qu Fulan up and down before smiling, "Fulan Sister’s outfit is really something."
Actually, everyone had noticed previously—Qu Fulan was dressed in Cicada Wing Gauze, a light and airy fabric most favored by young ladies in summer. However, this material was not only expensive but scarce, not something anyone could wear just because they wished.
In the current circumstances at the Pei Mansion, besides the old madam, only Second Brother had it; no one else did.
So when such a costly material appeared on Qu Fulan, the young ladies in the mansion were not unshocked; it was just that no one dared say anything.
If she could wear it, it must be with Second Brother’s permission. If Second Brother allowed it, what could they possibly say?
Yet it was inevitable for them to feel a twinge of envy, wishing they could be treated as she was by Second Brother.
To Ying Man’er’s words, Qu Fulan merely smiled silently and quietly brewed tea.
Ying Man’er’s jealousy was much stronger than that of the other young ladies, "Fulan Sister’s earrings are also a rare item. Second Cousin really treats you well, doesn’t he? He might have given you all the good things from his room?"
Qu Fulan smiled, "Miss Ying jests. The Heir likely fears I won’t bring him honor outside and has thus given me a few nice things to uphold appearances."
The Third Miss also supported, "Second Brother is always generous. He often gifts us lovely items during various festivals."
Ying Man’er had received such gifts too, and it was precisely because she’d seen that the Heir’s gifts were all excellent that she was envious.
Fearing Ying Man’er might say anything else inappropriate, the Third Miss hurriedly changed the subject.
"I visited Second Sister the other day, and her condition hasn’t improved. The old ancestor says it might be some evil spirit and wants to invite a master for a ritual, and it’s Master Huideng, indeed."
"So it’s actually Master Huideng? I’ve heard of his deeds, truly a venerable and highly respected person. But isn’t he always in the temple, rarely descending the mountain?"
"Perhaps it’s Second Sister’s fortune; Master Huideng has come down for experience this time and will stay in the Capital City for several days. Isn’t Second Brother Master Huideng’s disciple? The old ancestor said to have Second Brother invite him, and Master Huideng will surely honor the request."
Qu Fulan’s eyelid twitched slightly upon hearing this.
In novels, this Master Huideng is a highly formidable person.
Hopefully, he wouldn’t see through her as a soul from another world and then burn her with fire.