Chapter 52 - Lantern Festival (1/2)
Day by day, as spring began, the weather became better and better. And, just like the weather, a person’s mood would also seem to become better too. Jiang Su Su and Xia Yan’s treatment towards Jiang Ruan had become extremely courteous. Ever since she had been confined in her courtyard, there were no longer any sightings of Jiang Li anymore. Apart from the occasional encounters with 2nd yiniang and her frigid irony and scorching satire, the rest of her days were actually passed ordinarily and peacefully. It seemed like it should have always been this steady and calm.
Lu Zhu poured a cup of red jujube and lotus seeds tea[1]. And in the tea, was some of Sophora japonica[2] (Chinese scholar tree) nectar that had just been delivered to the kitchen; its glistening colour was extremely appealing. Propping up her chin with a hand, Jiang Ruan carelessly flipped through the book in her hand.
[1] Hóng zǎo lián zǐ chá ( 红枣莲子茶 ) – Part of Chinese life is enjoying and drinking tea, and it is an integral part of life where it is believed that tea drinking promotes health. Hence, tea is a common ingredient used in folk remedies and often times, to aid in alleviating problems such as gastric distention and fatigue. Lotus seeds are believed to be beneficial to dry throats, eliminate fatigue, increase mentality, improve brain health and tranquilise the mind while Chinese red jujubes (or commonly known as red dates) are believed to replenish and nourish blood, thereby improving blood circulation and lead to better liver, digestive function, balance of inner body energy and improved immunity.
[2] Huái huā ( 槐花 ) – The Chinese scholar tree or commonly known as the Japanese pagoda tree, it is said to have antibacterial properties, moreover, is able to clear internal heat and numerous other healing efficacies.
“Miss should stop and take a break as our young lady has already read for half a morning already.” Lu Zhu smiled, “those who aren’t aware would have thought that our Miss was planning to become the top scorer in the palace examination.”
Bai Zhi laughingly scolded, “you can even tease our young Miss, too. You’re becoming more and more unruly.”
Lu Zhu looked at Jiang Ruan and merely laughed, “but it is actually true, Miss, did nubi[3] clearly say something wrong?”
[3] Nú bì ( 奴婢 ) – This term is often used as a deferential term of address for one’s self as a slave servant. This term is also similar to the status of serfdom in the feudal times wherein many peasants were under a condition of debt bondage to their masters. Often, these servants were considered property or chattel that could be bought, sold or gifted with their contracts. Becoming a nubi is also a legal punishment for committing a crime or failing to pay a debt, however, in some cases, some people become slave servants in order to escape crushing poverty during poor harvests and famines as a way to help their families. More information about this can be found here, as the medieval Korean, Japanese and Chinese societies had similar social caste systems and cultures in certain ways.
Jiang Ruan looked upon her two quibbling servant girls before her and was about to say a few words but just then, she saw Lian Qiao walk in with a cold expression on her face. On a usual day, Lian Qiao would also be smiling without exception. To see this expression of hers, she definitely had encountered some problems. As expected, without waiting for Jiang Ruan to speak up, Lian Qiao had already started to speak. “Just now, nubi was walking by Yan Hua Yuan but was then called to a stop by furen’s trusted servant, Li momo. She said that our Ruan Ju was understaffed and furen had personally selected a few yatou, and after a short delay, they would be sent over. Bah! To even say that she had been content with her own position over these past few days, and sure enough, she has been uneasy instead and is harbouring bad intentions. So, she has decided to plant some staff in our courtyard.”
“You, could you speak a little softer.” Bai Zhi promptly urged, “the walls have ears.”
Lu Zhu frowned too, “this is truly too excessive then.”
Jiang Ruan chuckled and slowly picked up her cup. To borne such a banner of having ‘good intentions and thoughtfulness’ for her, to slant such false pretences towards her, as of yet, she could not refuse such advances. One could not always brazenly harbour suspicions of the madam who managed the household; Xia Yan had always been like this. Wrapped around her presumptuous requests were, unfortunately, a shiny and bright ‘packaged’ exterior, who truly knew what kind of vile and despicable intentions that she had underneath all of that?
All of a sudden, as if it was whispered in her ears, she seemed to recall what Zhou momo had said, “Eldest young lady, this old slave has something that must be said, even if one has to brave through death. At that time of furen’s death, it wasn’t at all by chance and was definitely related to that woman from Yan Hua Yuan. This old slave wanted to stay in the fu to continue to find some evidence but who could have known that I would have now fallen to such a state. These words of mine, perhaps the eldest young lady may not believe but this old slave has been with furen for so many years. What furen’s body condition was like, this old slave was extremely clear. At that time, the way that illness of hers appeared was fishy and the master neither cared nor questioned either. Eldest young lady, furen was definitely harmed by someone!”
With fingers unconsciously gripping the handle of the fine porcelain cup tightly, Jiang Ruan’s gaze had turned chilly. Xia Yan had something to do with Zhao Mei’s death, these words of Zhou momo’s, she did not believe to be false. If Jiang Quan also knew of this matter and yet, had been excessively tolerant about it until now, then in the days ahead, he could hardly blame her for being merciless.
As she thought of this, she then heard someone announce from outside, “Young Lady, Du Juan jiejie from Gui Lan Yuan has come.”
Du Juan smilingly walked in, “the old Madame has asked nubi to invite the eldest young lady to come over, there are some matters to settle.”
Jiang Ruan stood up and asked with a warm tone, “I have troubled Du Juan jiejie to make a trip here, we will now leave at once. Does Du Juan jiejie know of what the matter could be?”
Du Juan laughed, “Eldest Miss, please don’t address nubi as such, nubi couldn’t possibly be held in such regard. As to what the matter could possibly be, nubi is unclear too but can only notice that in these days ahead, the Lantern Festival should be taking place soon.”