Her entire life, meeting the young madam and becoming her mistress was the greatest fortune she could ask for.
Xiao Qi reached up and touched the hairpin in her hair. Her gaze swept over Cai Qing, and only then did she notice that the dress Cai Qing was wearing was woven silk from the south.
In Xiliang, woven silk from the south was reserved for the nobles of the imperial palace. For a mere servant like Cai Qing to be able to wear such fabric was simply unbelievable. Xiao Qi couldn't help but look at Cai Qing a few more times.
"Hurry and come with me to see the young madam."
She had almost forgotten. The young madam had specifically instructed Xiao Qi to bring her along after changing clothes.
It was all her fault for getting carried away with showing off and forgetting the important matter. She then tugged Xiao Qi along, quickening their pace.
"Young madam, this servant has brought Xiao Qi."
Hearing the sound, Feng Jin put down the embroidery in her hands and raised her eyelids to look at Xiao Qi.
Changing into new clothes made her look much more presentable. With her previous attire, one could easily believe she was a beggar fleeing famine.
"Gold adorns the Buddha, and clothes adorn a person. Changing clothes makes a whole person seem different."
"Your name is Xiao Qi, isn't it?"
Xiao Qi blinked, then quickly nodded behind her. "This servant's name is Xiao Qi."
"That's quite an unusual name. Do you have other siblings at home, and you're the seventh, so you're called Xiao Qi?"
"This servant is an orphan and doesn't know how many sisters she has. This name was given to her when she entered the palace at the age of seven, hence Xiao Qi."
"A pitiable soul. It's not a good name for a grown girl. Since you're with me now, you belong to me. How about I help you pick a new name?"
"This servant will obey the young madam's command."
After a pause, Feng Jin said, "The rain clears after a shower on Phoenix Mountain; the wind is clear, the sunset is bright. From now on, you shall be called Chu Qing. Do you like the name 'Clear After Rain'?"
"This servant likes it. Thank you, young madam, for bestowing this name."
Though she didn't understand the meaning of the poem, she knew it was a good name. She finally had a proper name.
Feng Jin wrote the four characters for "rain clears after a shower" on paper and handed them to Chu Qing.
"Young madam, this servant is illiterate."
Chu Qing looked at the four elegant characters on the paper but didn't understand their meaning.
"These four characters are 'rain clears after a shower,' which perfectly matches your name. You are still young, and it will be easier to learn to write. When we return to the capital, I will teach you slowly."
Had she heard correctly? The young madam said she would teach her to read and write. For a mistress to teach a servant to read and write...
"You're so happy you're stunned. Hurry and thank the young madam."
Seeing her frozen for a long time, Cai Qing reminded her and gently touched her shoulder.
Chu Qing snapped back to reality. "This servant kneels to thank the young madam."
"Cai Qing, take her down to eat something first. For the next few days, let her share a room with you so you can teach her."
"Yes, young madam. Come with me first."
Cai Qing and Chu Qing descended one after the other. Feng Jin watched their retreating figures, her eyes filled with an unfathomable gloom.
In a short while, Ling Mo Han walked in. Upon seeing Feng Jin, he immediately began to inquire, "I heard you took in a palace maid from Xiliang?"
"Yes. Didn't you see her when you came in? Cai Qing is leading her. Her name was Xiao Qi before. I've given her a new name, Chu Qing. Is it nice?"
"You really intend to keep a Xiliang palace maid by your side? Don't end up being sold and not even know it."
He really couldn't understand what Feng Jin was thinking, to voluntarily take in a Xiliang spy. The people of Xiliang must be overjoyed beyond measure right now.
"You're such a mood killer. I can guarantee you that Chu Qing will never be a spy. Moreover, she will be of help in the future. Don't forget our prior agreement. The time hasn't come yet, so you must not act without authorization."
Worried that Ling Mo Han might not honor their agreement, Feng Jin reminded him.
"I will naturally honor the agreement, as long as you don't insist on stopping me when the time comes."
"This young lady keeps her word like gold. I will be the same as you!"
Feng Jin said sarcastically, giving Ling Mo Han a disdainful glare before turning and returning to her room, shutting the door heavily behind her, creating a distance between herself and Ling Mo Han.
She took out the handkerchief that Cui'er had given her from her sleeve. On the back of the handkerchief were written the names Xiao Qi and Zhen Zhu, and the black ink was smudged by tears.
It seemed these two were very important people in Cui'er's heart.
This was why, the moment she saw Xiao Qi, she couldn't wait to take her back. She was certain Xiao Qi would play a significant role.
"Young madam, Xiao... Chu Qing, this servant has settled her."
Cai Qing almost misspoken the name. She stood beside Feng Jin for a moment before tentatively asking, "Young madam, why did you want Chu Qing? If she is a spy from Xiliang, wouldn't keeping her here be like inviting a wolf into the fold?"
The thought of Chu Qing possibly being a spy from Xiliang sent a shiver down Cai Qing's spine, and she couldn't help but tremble.
"You're thinking quite a lot now. Good. You've improved compared to before. You know to ponder these matters, so it seems I haven't taught you for so long in vain."
"Young madam, what if she really is a spy? Why don't we send her back?"
Keeping her close would be a hidden danger. It would be best to send Chu Qing away.
"She's already been taken in, and her name has been changed. Tell me, how can I send her back, and how would I do it?"
She had no intention of sending Chu Qing away. Now that she had taken the person in, there was no question of sending her back.
So much time had passed, and there had been no movement from Xiliang. It seemed Granny Sun also had no intention of letting Chu Qing return, and was likely planning for Chu Qing to act as a spy under her and help gather intelligence.
If that were the case, she could simply play along and pass false information to Xiliang, sowing confusion. It would serve a dual purpose, and that much more reason not to send Chu Qing away.
"Young madam, do you truly intend to keep Chu Qing?"
"Yes!" Feng Jin nodded firmly, dispelling Cai Qing's thought of trying to persuade her further.
"If you have nothing else to do, go and talk more with Chu Qing. Foster a good relationship. You will be working together in the future, so you must not have any conflicts."
"Yes, young madam."
Since the young madam had said so, it seemed she had made up her mind to keep Chu Qing. Anything more she said would be futile. All she could do was be more vigilant of Chu Qing in the future.
If she noticed anything unusual, she had to inform the young madam immediately.
"Young madam, this servant will take her leave now."
With a plan in mind, Cai Qing hurried away. She had to get back and keep an eye on Chu Qing, to see what her movements were.