Chapter Two: Teasing Ziling

Update Time: 2013-05-08

On an early winter morning, Yue Lianyu was draped in a shimmering white silk inner robe, embroidered with delicate butterfly patterns. Her long, jet-black hair tumbled loosely down her back as she leaned casually against the window sill. With hands as fair and lustrous as jade, she carefully caught the snowflakes swirling outside. Her long lashes fluttered, and within her lively eyes lingered a trace of melancholy.

Her father had been missing for a full month now. The family’s men stationed beyond Phoenix Ridge had sent no word, and her elder brother, newly burdened with family affairs, was so busy he was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps it was better this way—no news was the best news. At least, those lurking fiends dared not act openly, cowed by the lingering awe of her father’s reputation. The lesson from seven years ago was enough to last them a lifetime. If they ever dared harm her brother again, she would never let them off lightly!

“Miss, how can you sit by the window like that? At the very least, put on a cloak. It’s only the start of winter—if you catch a chill, the young master will blame Ling’er again...”

A faintly reproachful voice sounded behind her. Yue Lianyu pursed her lips almost imperceptibly, then unclenched her little fist, which she hadn’t even realized she’d been making. “Ziling, I’ve discovered something strange lately.”

Ziling placed a pale yellow, subtly patterned outer garment on Yue Lianyu’s shoulders and shut the window, asking curiously, “What strange thing?”

“I’ve noticed...” Yue Lianyu glanced mischievously at Xiangling’s back and declared loudly, “There’s a young nursemaid who’s suddenly appeared by my side...” With that, she hopped away nimbly, distinctly feeling Ziling’s body stiffen. Imagining Ziling’s face shift from confusion to blankness and then to anger, she burst out laughing, forgetting all decorum.

“Miss... you...” Ziling turned around, stamping her foot in exasperation as she watched her lady laugh uncontrollably.

“What could be so amusing to make Miss so happy, so early in the morning?” Lan Shui entered, carrying a food box. Seeing the bright light in Lianyu’s eyes, she couldn’t help but feel her own spirits rise.

Ziling, looking aggrieved, approached Lan Shui. “Sister Lan, Miss teased me for being like a nursemaid. Do I really seem that way?” She took the food box and set it on the sandalwood table.

“She’s not wrong... always fussing and chattering... you could rival Madam Dou in the kitchen,” Yue Lianyu retorted, pouting provocatively at Ziling. “Careful, you’ll never find a husband that way...”

“I plan to stay with Miss. If you don’t marry, it’s not my turn either. By the way, did you keep Young Master Lingxi’s jade pendant safe? Don’t lose it—it was hard enough to snatch...” Ziling replied leisurely.

Yue Lianyu’s animated face froze in an instant.

“All right, enough from both of you. This is no way for mistress and maids to behave! Luckily, we’re alone in this courtyard—if anyone else saw, who knows what stories they’d spin!” Lan Shui, sensing trouble, hurried to smooth things over, shooting Xiangling a stern look. “Hurry up and set out breakfast, then help Miss wash and dress.”

Realizing she’d spoken out of turn, Ziling quickly bowed her head and busied herself.

“Miss, the young master just sent word through Qingfeng—the household affairs are more or less settled now. You’ve had a hard month, but from today on, you don’t have to stay cooped up in the courtyard every day...” Lan Shui had barely finished before Yue Lianyu’s gloom vanished and she brightened with delight.

“Really? Then what are we waiting for? Xiangling, why are you just standing there? Hurry, help your lady wash up and change. I’ve paced every inch of Lanxiang Garden a thousand times this month. If I hadn’t wanted to avoid troubling my brother, I’d have sneaked out ages ago! And forget breakfast—we’re going to Ruixiang House for hotpot at noon. I’m dying for it...”

She turned to Lan Shui, coaxing, “Sister Lan, could you please help me with a simple hairdo? Ziling’s hands are clumsy—it always takes ages.”

As she gazed at Yue Lianyu’s eager, greedy little face, Lan Shui couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Her lady was still the same simple-hearted girl as before, and that was a blessing. “The young master also said that the eldest young lady will be home in a day or two. He asked you not to get too carried away.”

“That’s wonderful... Big Sister is finally coming home. This is her first visit since she married and returned... I’ve missed her so much...” Yue Lianyu took the embroidered handkerchief Ziling handed her, wiping her hands with a beaming smile.

“Oh no! Ziling, Sister Lan, we have to hurry. If Big Sister sets out early, she’ll be home by midday. We need to go have hotpot and be back before she arrives, or she’ll scold me again... Quickly, quickly...”

“Sister Lan, when you see the eldest young lady, you must tell her everything Miss said today...”

“Don’t you dare! I’ll say it was all your idea... let’s see how Big Sister punishes you...”

Lan Shui and Ziling were clearly accustomed to their young mistress’s lively, unpredictable ways. Though they teased her, their hands moved all the faster as they prepared for the day.