Chapter 53

Xiu Hua had already been gone for three days, but the sun still rose as usual, and life went on without much change. However, subtle changes had occurred. Qing Wen and She Yue became more proactive, and the group of young maids below them bustled about all day, though no one knew exactly what they were busy with. Whenever Xu Hao’s gaze fell upon them, there were always one or two maids working diligently.

For three days, Qiu Xiang had neither eaten nor drunk, constantly muttering that she would not marry and would continue to serve the young master. This statement spread, and everyone praised her loyalty. Xu Hao felt somewhat guilty about this, and his temper became worse, often scolding people. She Yue, being timid, stayed far away, but Qing Wen paid no heed and even came closer when he scolded more fiercely.

The Xu family had certain customs for the New Year, mostly involving repeated banquets, opera performances, Lantern Festival celebrations, and fireworks displays, which need not be detailed here.

One day, the old matriarch summoned him. As soon as Xu Hao entered the courtyard, he saw Yue Lan grinning at him and nodding meaningfully toward the room.

Confused, Xu Hao let the young maid lift the thick curtain and stepped into the room. A wave of heat hit him, making his throat dry, so he quickly took off his cotton cloak.

Yue Lan took it with a smile and whispered, "There's good news today, hehe!"

Xu Hao smiled at her and asked with his eyes what it was, but Yue Lan shook her head and didn’t say more. He had no choice but to enter the flower hall and then go directly to an inner room with a heated kang, where he greeted the old matriarch. His second sister Cui Lan and Lü Zhu, with their hair flowing over their shoulders, wore crimson silk jackets, black shoulder capes, and light pink lantern silk pants, without skirts, and knelt on the kang, smiling at him.

The furniture was all made of rosewood, and on the opposite wall were four New Year paintings of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. On one side was a large screen, and on the other side were various antique jade objects. The windows were adorned with interesting paper cutouts, and on the window sill was a gold-threaded silver long-necked porcelain vase with a few red plum branches. In the center was a finely carved and gilded lacquer kang table.

The old matriarch said softly, "Come sit by me."

"Yes." Xu Hao sat beside the old matriarch, the warmth from the underground heating was just right, and he comfortably crossed one leg.

The old matriarch slowly said, "I called you here for two reasons. The first is to ask about the renovation of the North Courtyard, which has been quiet. The second reason, we'll talk about later."

Xu Hao calmly replied, "We'll see after the festival, Grandmother, don't worry. At this time of year, even if we did it ourselves, we couldn't find any craftsmen."

"That's true, so we'll wait a bit longer." The old matriarch was reasonable and understanding, her face smiling, "You did well with Qiu Xiang. It should be a clean break; hesitation leads to trouble. Your father and your uncles never did anything disgraceful when they were young. If they liked a maid, they could say it openly. Would the elders not approve? Sigh! Speaking of this, I can't help but scold your mother, who guards your father like a thief. If it weren't for her fertility, I would have had your father divorce her long ago for the seven grounds of divorce."

Still dwelling on these old matters? Xu Hao found it amusing. The old matriarch laughed again, "But your mother has one good point: she can make me happy. In the end, I've turned a blind eye to her, letting her guard that small family tightly. I'm too lazy to argue with a monkey."

"That's your magnanimity, Grandmother." Xu Hao smiled.

"Indeed." The old matriarch's eyes twinkled, and she beckoned. The second-in-command maid, Zhu Lan, walked gracefully over. "Among the eight Lan maids by my side, only Yue Lan and Zhu Lan remain. Zhu Lan is the most beautiful and the best at serving, skilled in all kinds of needlework. What I like most is that she has never been competitive, always diligent and hardworking. I've always been reluctant to part with her, but now I'm giving her to you, so you won't lack a caring person to serve you after Qiu Xiang leaves."

Xu Hao felt strange. Back then, the eight maids by the old matriarch's side, with Qiu Xiang being the youngest and following him early, he hadn't thought much of it. Now, thinking about it, except for one who died of illness, three of the remaining six became personal maids to his three brothers, one became his third uncle's concubine, and now Zhu Lan was to follow him. It felt odd, like the eight daughters of a family marrying the family's masters.

If it were before, he would have been repulsed, but now he didn't feel that way. The old matriarch certainly had her own intentions, but mostly to give the maids a respectable future. After all, even a seventh-rank official at the prime minister's door!

In fact, he couldn't refuse, so he slowly nodded. "Let's make it clear, I'm not married yet and don't want to get into any romantic entanglements before marriage. Maids are just maids."

The old matriarch smiled. "Of course. Without my permission, anyone who tries to seduce you will be expelled."

You say that so easily, Xu Hao thought, but he didn't believe it. Suddenly, he grinned. "There's something I need your approval for."

"Go ahead, what is it?"

Xu Hao said, "Qiu Xiang's return was an innocent involvement. She has been crying every day, even talking about suicide. Since I have proven my innocence, Qiu Xiang should also be given a fair treatment. Let Zhu Lan be the head maid, and Qiu Xiang can return as a second-class maid. This way, everyone will be happy."

The old matriarch was taken aback, frowning. "The silver has already been given, and it was decided in front of the whole family. How can we go back on our word? No."

Xu Hao smiled. "I'm just a child, not a gentleman, and I have the right to change my mind. Sending Qiu Xiang home was my attitude at the time, and bringing her back now is my current attitude. This will also show that our Xu family treats our servants with kindness and loyalty. Don't you think so, Grandmother?

Moreover, since Qiu Xiang and I have no connection, whether she marries or continues to be a maid is her choice. It's also our mutual right and freedom. Water under the bridge refers to wives, but maids are just workers. It's normal to rehire them after they leave. Do we have a rule that once a servant leaves, they can never return?"

Xu Hao spoke quickly and urgently, like a tongue twister, and the old matriarch was a bit confused. She said involuntarily, "We don't have such a rule. A maid can return to work even after marriage."

"Then that's settled. Even if Qiu Xiang made a mistake, the sages say that acknowledging and correcting a mistake is enough. Why push someone to the brink? If Qiu Xiang jumps into a well in a moment of despair, I'll regret it for life."

Another burst of fast talk, Xu Hao glanced out the window, thinking it was time. At that moment, Qing Wen rushed in, shouting, "It's terrible, Qiu Xiang swallowed silver and tried to commit suicide."

Everyone, including Xu Cui Tao, was shocked. Xu Hao jumped up, asking anxiously, "How is she? How is she?"

"I don't know." Qing Wen shook her head in panic.

"How could she be so foolish? I was just pleading for her with Grandmother. Sigh!" Xu Hao looked sad and hurriedly said to the stunned old matriarch, "Since it's come to this, I'll go see her. If she's dead, there's nothing to say. If she's alive, I hope Grandmother will grant my request."

At this critical moment, what could the old matriarch say? She nodded with a complex expression.

Xu Hao excitedly clapped his hands, turned coolly, and left with Qing Wen. The remaining women stared at each other, Yue Lan and Zhu Lan with red eyes, extremely anxious.

After a long while, the old matriarch suddenly burst out, "This Hao is a hundred times more despicable than his monkey-like mother. He tricked us all into giving him silver. Don't be sad, they're all in on it together."

Yue Lan and Zhu Lan exchanged shocked glances and burst into laughter. Xu Cui Tao also realized and giggled, leaving Lü Zhu confused. The old matriarch continued to grumble, but everyone gradually understood and burst out laughing.

When this news spread, the ladies and concubines in each house all scolded the third son for being truly shameless, but they couldn't get their silver back.

That night, Zhu Lan entered the Bamboo Garden, and Qiu Xiang, who had failed to commit suicide, also returned. Facing her good sister who had taken her place, Qiu Xiang looked aggrieved, and the other maids were all dissatisfied. Now it was Xu Hao's turn to be troubled.

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