Chapter 10, please be at ease

On the second day, Xie Moru got up earlier. The early spring morning was still chilly, so Zhang Momo had already found a thick cloak for Xie Moru to wear. She also instructed Zitong to prepare the lantern and asked Jingwei to assist the young lady, as it was dark outside and she should not fall.

Old Madam Zhang felt that what the young lady of her family said made sense, so she relaxed half of her worries and quietly said, "Any family is fine, as long as it is not that one."

Xie Moru saw a small basket of cherries and a small basket of bayberries, both fresh and delightful. She stood up and said, "Thank you, Sister Sulan, for making this trip. It is getting late today, so I trouble you to express my gratitude to Madam Xie on my behalf. I will personally thank her tomorrow morning." A little maid from the Cuckoo Courtyard came to take the fruits, and Zitong invited the two little maids accompanying Sulan to go play. Jingwei brought over a bamboo chair and smiled, "Sister Sulan, it is rare for you to come over, so please sit down and have a cup of tea." Zitong invited the two little maids accompanying Sulan to go play again. Jingwei brought over a bamboo chair and smiled, "Sister Sulan, it is rare for you to come over, so please sit down and have a cup of tea."

Xie Moru does not understand, "What am I angry about?"

Old Madam Zhang personally saw Su Lan off, and upon turning around, she saw Xie Moru adding water to the lark. She smiled and said, "Our Second Master is truly capable; this is what it means to be a seventh-rank official."

After Su Lan indicated, the two young maidservants behind her brought forward the items they were holding and smiled, "Just now, our esteemed imperial concubine rewarded some fresh fruits from the young eunuch, as they are quite rare fruits from the southern region. The lady has divided the items, and these two baskets are for the eldest young lady."

Jingwei returned and said, "When I arrived at Mr. Ji's courtyard, I saw the second young lady accompanied by her maid, carrying two baskets of fruit. It seemed that they were about to go out"

What clever birds are there in Mrs. Xie's courtyard? Su Lan still showed great interest, "I heard that the lark is very clever with its beak"

Xie Moru said, "The empress has bestowed gifts, it seems that tomorrow the lady will enter the palace to express her gratitude."

Mrs. Xie probably just choked Xie Moru, she said lightly, "There is nothing much here, it is so cold in the morning, since you have already come to pay your respects, you may return now. You still have to go to school later."

Su Lan could not discern Xie Moru's emotions, yet Xie Moru was able to perceive what was on Su Lan's mind. She said lightly, "I understand your good intentions, elder sister"

Xie Moru laughed upon hearing such absurd talk, turned a page of the book, and said, "Don't listen to people's nonsense; it is all unfounded."

Xie Moru smiled, "In the past, it would be almost time to get up, so you can rest assured, Mama."

Old Madam Zhang inquired in detail about the greetings from the eldest daughter of the Jing family. Jing Wei was on the verge of tears, her eyes slightly red. "The young lady went a bit too early; the madam had not yet finished her meal. She directly had our young lady pay her respects and then sent her back. The eldest master, the second master, the second young lady, Young Master Zhi, Young Master Lan, and Young Master Yu were all dining with the madam, and she didn't even say a word to keep the young lady for a meal. It was still the second master who smoothed things over with a few words for the young lady, and then she returned."

Xie Moru smiled faintly, and what relevance did the Zhang and Li families have with her? It was truly a marriage alliance between the Xie and Ning families, and it was not she who would be embarrassed.

Jingwei continued to pick up the half-tangled embroidery thread, smiling, "Sister Sulan came all the way to deliver something; it would be truly impolite if there were not even a cup of tea."

Su Lan smiled and said, "Miss, you are gracious, and it would not be proper for us to be rude."

Xie Moru stood up and took Su Lan to see a performance of the lark. Su Lan spoke a few words, and since the Songbai Courtyard could not do without her, she took her leave.

Xie Moru has always preferred to walk alone without the need for anyone to attend to her. The sky still holds a trace of the night’s darkness, infused with a deep shade of blue. The morning breeze is filled with the refreshing coolness of dew on the lotus and foliage, creating a very comfortable atmosphere. Xie Moru gently closes her eyes, savoring the tranquility of the morning.

Mrs. Xie, upon hearing the maid's report, smiled and said, "Why have you come? Did I not ask Su Lan yesterday not to come and pay her respects?"

Jingwei said, "Miss, do you think the second young lady has gone to the old lady San's place"

Xie Moru said, "Select two good dishes to send to Mr. Ji. These two types of fruit cannot be kept for long. The rest you can share among yourselves."

Su Lan hurriedly said, "I was just speaking casually. In fact, my lady instructed me to tell the young lady that there is no need to pay her respects tomorrow morning. However, I was thinking that in the past on such days, the second young lady would always go over a bit earlier..."

How should I respond to this? I can't just say I came over to sell my face, nor can I say I was too lazy to come before... Of course, if Xie Moru had a carefree personality, she might have playfully said she came to her grandmother's to have breakfast, and that would have been a lighthearted way to brush it off. However, Xie Moru is truly not that kind of person, and she cannot say such charming words. She said, "I went to bed early last night, so I woke up early this morning. I thought, since Madam always leaves at dawn, and knowing Madam is at home, I should come to pay my respects." Saying this, she formally paid her respects.

One day, while Xie Moru was resting, Zhang Momo brought in freshly made red bean cake and quietly said to Xie Moru, "I heard from Xu Pozi in the big kitchen outside that the lady has taken a liking to a girl from the Ning family. My dear, what do you think about this matter..." Zhang Momo could not continue speaking, but her eyes were filled with deep concern

Xie Moru let out a barely audible sigh

Xie Moru was unaware that she had caused Zhang Momo some heartache. After having wisteria porridge for breakfast, she asked Zhang Momo to fry wisteria fish for lunch, and suggested that they pick flowers tomorrow to make some wisteria cakes. After giving a long list of instructions, she noticed it was time, so Xie Moru took Jingwei and wisteria to attend class at Huazhang Hall. At Huazhang Hall, she encountered Xie Moxiu, who comforted her by saying, "Elder sister, please do not be angry"

In the morning, feeling refreshed and not tired, the wisteria in our courtyard has bloomed. It is just the right time, with the sky clear and the flowers pristine, to pick some to make porridge. As she spoke, she personally saw off Xie Moru as she left.

Xie Moru slightly bowed her head, Su Lan then sat down, Jing Wei brought over the tea, Su Lan stood up to receive the tea, and smiled, "How could I dare trouble you with this?"

The master and servant were conversing when Su Lan from the Songbai Courtyard came over to deliver something. The maid respectfully ushered Su Lan in. Knowing that Su Lan was one of Madam Xie's top maids, Zhang Mama quickly got up to greet her, smiling as she said, "Miss Su Lan, what brings you here today? Is there something you need?"

Jingwei said, "Old Madam Zhang has gone to see her off."

Xie Bo said, "Since you have come, let us dine together"

Xie Moru, please go quickly and return swiftly. When she returned to the Du Juan Courtyard, Zhang Momo assisted her in putting on her cloak and also inquired, "Has the lady left?"

Su Lan is actually well-meaning; she is an intelligent person. Being the chief maid of Madam Xie, her intelligence is beyond question. She is also quite diplomatic and does not flatter those above her just because she has gained favor with Madam Xie. Instead, she often takes care of the younger maids and occasionally speaks up for those who have made mistakes, thus earning her a great reputation within the household. Su Lan feels that the relationship between Madam Xie and Xie Moru is always rather distant. Whenever Madam Xie mentions Xie Moru, she sighs. Su Lan thinks that the eldest young lady is not as gentle as the second young lady. If she could be more attentive in front of Madam Xie, it might ease the situation a bit. Therefore, she has spoken up more, but seeing Xie Moru's indifferent demeanor, Su Lan feels somewhat uncertain.

Xie Mo You's beautiful eyes were filled with regret, "We did not know that elder sister had gone over in the morning; otherwise, we would have definitely waited for her to arrive before having our meal"

This is the first time Xie Moru has come to send Mrs. Xie out in the early morning. Mr. and Mrs. Xie are having their meal, while Xie Song, Xie Bai, Xie Mo You, Xie Zhi, Xie Lan, and Xie Yu, who are all their children and grandchildren, are seated at the lower end. Since Xie Mo You and a few others are still quite young, they are gathered around the table, creating a very harmonious atmosphere

Su Lan smiled, "Yes, Madam must prepare to leave by dawn tomorrow. It would be just right for the young lady to go over early and see Madam off."

Jingwei smiled and said, "Things awarded by the palace are never lacking in quality; even this headpiece seems to have been measured with a ruler for its neatness." Outside, people said that the eldest daughter of her family was difficult to get along with, but in Jingwei's view, Xie Moru was indeed not hard to serve. Xie Moru had a good temper, no bad habits, never treated the servants harshly, and was quite generous. Such items awarded by the palace were easily shared with them, the maids, with just a word. It was said that the duties in the Cuckoo Courtyard were not lucrative, yet in terms of clothing and food, they were no worse than those in other courtyards. As for these fresh fruits, it was likely that even the head maid of the Peony Courtyard could not get her hands on even one. There was no way around it; in the Peony Courtyard, apart from the eldest master and Concubine Ning, there was also one young lady and three young masters. Two baskets of fresh fruits were merely for the masters to taste; how could there be any left for the servants? On the other hand, in their Cuckoo Courtyard, things were always plentiful. Jingwei actually found it strange; the eldest master did not come to the Cuckoo Courtyard even once a year, and the master and mistress showed no particular favoritism towards their daughter, preferring the lively second daughter instead. Moreover, most of the household affairs were managed by Concubine Ning. It was said that the Cuckoo Courtyard was in decline, yet, something happened. Whatever was in the Pine and Cypress Courtyard, the Cuckoo Courtyard had an equal amount, and it had always been more than the Peony Courtyard. Jingwei indeed found it strange; the eldest master did not come to the Cuckoo Courtyard even once a year, and the master and mistress showed no particular favoritism towards their daughter, preferring the lively second daughter instead. Moreover, most of the household affairs were managed by Concubine Ning. It was said that the Cuckoo Courtyard was in decline, yet, something happened. Whatever was in the Pine and Cypress Courtyard, the Cuckoo Courtyard had an equal amount, and it had always been more than the Peony Courtyard. Many people praised Concubine Ning for her virtue, but Jingwei thought that in the matters of the household, it was ultimately the mistress who had the final say. How the Cuckoo Courtyard was supplied was naturally determined by the mistress's rules; whether it was abundant or scarce had nothing to do with Concubine Ning.

This is also the case. Granny Zhang looked at her young lady with affection, truly seeing her as good in every way. Granny is old and always needs to give a few reminders to feel at ease.

Xie Moru smiled, "I will head out now, Mother, please rest a little longer."

Xie Moru smiled and said that Su Lan was speaking the truth; she indeed had not been there before. However, since Su Lan had said so, it would be inappropriate not to go. After all, it was merely a matter of getting up a little earlier, which would not interfere with breakfast. She did not mind and instead asked, "Has Second Uncle been appointed to an official position?"

Xie Moru said lightly, "Second Uncle is a newly appointed top scholar, and it's not as if he cannot find a wife. Is it true that in the capital city, only his family has daughters left? Marriage is a union of two surnames; since there is already a Ning surname in our family, to have Second Uncle marry another Ning would be a waste, wouldn't it?" This is not just a waste of high-quality resources like Xie Bai and Second Uncle, but even the daughters of the Ning family should not be subjected to such wasteful practices. I really do not understand what these servants are spreading around.

Xie Moru nodded to indicate that he understood

Indeed, Granny Xu spoke with great detail, and I have heard that these days the family is busy preparing for the betrothal. Currently, it is Aunt Ning who is assisting Madam Xie in managing the household; if another Second Madam with the surname Ning were to come... Although the offerings to the Cuckoo Courtyard have never diminished in the slightest over the years, Granny Zhang has no fondness for Aunt Ning at all. Her main concern is for her eldest daughter.

Su Lan did not expect Xie Moru to suddenly ask this; without a moment's thought, she replied, "The Second Master has already been appointed; he is now a seventh-rank Hanlin editor."

Old Lady Zhang let out a deep sigh, unsure of what to say, but her heart ached for the eldest daughter of her family

After the banquet celebrating Xie Bo's success, Xie Moru's life returned to tranquility. Meanwhile, the servants of the Xie family became increasingly engrossed in one round of gossip after another regarding Xie Bo's marriage prospects. Today they praised the daughter of the Li family, and tomorrow they would speak highly of the young lady from the Zhang family. Even the usually quiet Cuckoo Courtyard caught wind of a few rumors.

At that moment, Jingwei presented the cherry bayberries, and Xie Moru asked, "Has it been sent to mother?"

A seventh-rank official is not considered a high rank, and in the imperial capital, it is merely a minor position. However, Xie Bai's official title was obtained through the examination for the top scholar, which is indeed quite remarkable

Xie Moru could not help but gaze at the lark hanging in the corridor and said, "This is the lark that my second uncle gave me"

"Madam said it was cold in the morning, and after I had made my greetings, she asked me to return. " Xie Moru took a sip of tea, instructed someone to hang the lark in the corridor, and then went to the garden for a walk to exercise

Xie Moru cast a glance at Xie Moyou, smiled, and said nothing. Xie Moyou wanted to say something more, but Xie Moru had already turned around to sift through the books. Mr. Ji had also arrived, and Xie Moyou found it inappropriate to continue speaking, so she had to give up.

Due to the presence of a favored concubine's daughter in the palace, Madam Xie frequently visits the palace. The process of entering the palace is cumbersome, requiring her to leave by the fifth watch. On the days when Madam Xie goes to the palace, she usually instructs that there is no need to go and pay respects. Xie Moru, being an honest person, would not go; however, it is said that Concubine Xie Moyou often goes to see Madam Xie off. Now that Sulan has mentioned this, Xie Moru finds it difficult to refuse, so she simply replies, "That is fine."

It is probably so. Xie Moru pinched a cherry and put it in her mouth; the offering was indeed quite good, not only visually appealing but also of excellent taste.

Xie Moru thought for a moment and felt that she actually should not have come this morning. She had never attended before, and her sudden appearance was indeed surprising; not only was it inappropriate, but it also led others to mistakenly believe she had some special purpose. The table was already full, and the originally warm and cheerful atmosphere of the meal was clearly disrupted by her presence. Xie Moru said earnestly, "Second Uncle, when I said I had breakfast late, it was not a polite excuse; I truly had it late. When I came out, the maid was already preparing breakfast for me. I will return now." After saying this, she bowed slightly and turned to leave. Xie Moru said earnestly, "Second Uncle, when I said I had breakfast late, it was not a polite excuse; I truly had it late. When I came out, the maid was already preparing breakfast for me. I will return now." After saying this, she bowed slightly and turned to leave.

Xie Moru felt that sitting down would disturb the dining atmosphere of Mrs. Xie and the others, so she tactfully left. However, she did not expect that after her departure, the dining atmosphere worsened even further. Minister Xie used his chopsticks a couple of times and then stopped eating, and the others found it difficult to continue as well. After rinsing their mouths and drinking tea, they attended to those who needed to enter the palace and those who needed to attend court.

Xie Moru said, "I will use the time I spend on breakfast later when I return."

Such words can only be spoken by Xie Moru. Fortunately, someone came to her aid. Xie Baixiao asked, "Moru, have you had breakfast?"

Jingwei smiled, "Are you saying that if I go to your place, you won't have tea for me to drink"

After indulging in a moment of daydreaming, Jingwei once again instructed the young maid to prepare two plates of fruit and personally delivered them to Mr. Ji