Chapter 5, The Elder's Gift (Part 2)

At this moment, Zhu's smile deepened a little: "Alright, today is the day we all agreed upon, and each one of you has come to scheme against me! Listen to what Lan said, just pick someone at random; is it possible that even a cleaner in my house is better than any of you?"

As soon as the topic shifted to this, Chen Lan immediately recalled what Mother Zheng had mentioned earlier. She discreetly glanced over, only to find that Mother Zheng was not paying attention to her. Instead, her expression slightly tightened as her gaze was directed towards a maid behind Zhu. It became apparent that not only Mother Zheng, but also the others in the room were observing that direction.

Chen Lan declined a couple of times, but feeling somewhat embarrassed, she eventually agreed. After bidding farewell, she left the house with Qin Fang and the newly arrived Hong Luo. Stepping out from the warmth of the room heated by the kang, she couldn't help but shiver despite having put on her cloak. Exiting through the courtyard gate and walking along the narrow path to the corner, just as she was about to reach the Zining Residence of the second house, she suddenly heard a call from behind. Turning around, she saw a maid hurriedly approaching with a large coat in hand.

Miss San, just now the old lady asked what kind of warm clothing you wore when you came in. The servants replied, and the old lady said it was too thin, immediately instructing the maid to rummage through the boxes to find this crane cloak. As the girl spoke, she unfolded the cloak and smiled, saying, "This was a gift from the Princess of Jin last winter. Since the old lady has many garments and the colors are too bright, it has been left unworn. This is made of rose purple silk on the outside and gray squirrel fur on the inside, making it very light and warm. Miss San is weak, so you should wear it now."

After Chen Lan finished speaking, she did not look at the astonished Qinfang, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. For her now, the simple backgrounds of the people in the room did not matter; it was the act of specifically seeking out talent that was ostentatious. Moreover, among the four second-tier maids, three could be taken away by her sisters, yet Zhenlong still had a few pieces of needlework that had not been completed, requiring her to stay with the old lady for a few more days. How could things be so coincidental

It seems that the old grandmother is also unwilling to let the second branch take all the benefits for themselves

Upon recalling the past when she was punished by Mama Zhu to kneel under the sun with a blue brick on her head in Madam Ma's courtyard, Qin Fang couldn't help but shiver. However, seeing Chen Lan's bright eyes made her feel somewhat better, yet she still shook her head: "Miss, there is no need to go against the Second Madam; after all, she is the legitimate head of the Hou residence."

Chen Lan then raised her head and saw that only Qin Fang was in the room, with no commotion outside. She looked at Qin Fang without responding to the previous topic and suddenly asked directly: "When I asked the old lady for someone, you seemed rather unwilling?"

Compared to the grandeur of Liao Xiang Yuan, when Chen Lan now looks at her own Brocade Pavilion, she cannot help but smile self-deprecatingly, thinking that even the charcoal fire here is not as vigorous as that place. After taking off the crane cloak and changing into a simple padded coat, she carefully examines it in her hands and finds that it is indeed brand new.

Hearing Chen Lan say this, Mother Zheng chimed in from the side, saying: "This is indeed true. The old lady has managed the household for decades; even a maid sweeping the floor has her own rules and regulations, which naturally makes her better than those playful young girls. The third young lady indeed needs someone to keep her in check. Last time, when I went to visit with the Zhu family, it was only a short while before she came out, and she was so angry that she called all the maids together for a scolding."

Qinfang was taken aback and quickly shook her head vigorously, then knelt down on both knees and said: "I dare not!"

Oh? Zhu raised her eyebrows, then relaxed them. "Well then, let Hongluo go. She is of the same age as Zhenlong, and they are close friends. With Zhenlong gone, it would be lonely for her to stay."

Today, having just recovered from illness, I ventured out for this trip, accompanied by *Tu* and *Shu* Chen Lan, merely to avoid raising suspicions about etiquette. Additionally, it was an opportunity to meet people and assess the situation. As a result, on my way back, I ended up bringing home a box containing four gold hairpins and a second-class maid. Now, I have been specially pursued to receive a crane cloak, which makes me increasingly feel that something is amiss

Upon hearing this, Qinfang's eyes turned red. She placed the box beside the begonia tree and knelt down: "Thank you, Miss, for trusting me. I only feel that since today is the day to choose a maid, you should, like Second Miss, personally select one. Hongluo, after all, was bought from outside; she has no roots, no foundation, and no connections in the household, unlike Zhenlong. Zhenlong's father was a capable steward for the late marquis and now manages the two largest silk shops in the estate, handling the most money. Although Hongluo gets along well with Zhenlong, because she came from outside, the others in front of the old lady are quite envious of her. What use is it for someone like her to follow the Miss?" Although Hongluo gets along well with Zhenlong, because she came from outside, the others in front of the old lady are quite envious of her. What use is it for someone like her to follow the Miss?

While Chen Bing expressed his gratitude, Zhen Long also hurriedly bowed. Observing this scene of filial piety, Chen Lan stood up and said: "The old lady cherishes my second sister, and I would like to benefit from it as well. Previously, when I was recuperating, Mama Zheng and Mama Qian came to visit me and happened to see that the maids in the courtyard were behaving inappropriately. The old lady knows me well, and without a proper person to oversee them, my courtyard is likely to become even more chaotic. I sincerely request the old lady to kindly select a sister from the house for me, considering my earnestness."

With her suggestion, Zhu naturally took a good look at Chen Lan, nodded, and said: "Very well, Lan'er is tired today, so let her go back and rest properly. Let the three sisters stay with this old woman."

At that moment, she waved her hand and said, "Enough, I already know all this. After lying in bed for a month, I've come to understand that if others do not hold anything against me, I naturally will not hold anything against others. I will endure what I can, and for what I cannot endure, I can certainly devise a way to deal with it effectively."

It was nearly noon at this moment, and after some laughter and conversation, a maid approached to quietly ask Mother Zheng if the meal was ready. Mrs. Zhu happened to overhear this and could not help but instruct that her granddaughters be kept behind, so as to add to the liveliness. Upon hearing this, Chen Lan instinctively rubbed her temples, revealing a hint of fatigue. Indeed, Mother Zheng glanced at the young ladies and reminded them that Chen Lan had just recovered from her injuries.

Madam Xie

Only then did one see the girl named Zhenlong, with an oval face and a medium build, her features as picturesque as a painting. She wore a small blue satin jacket over a green banana cloth tunic, which further accentuated her fair skin like jade and her eyes like morning stars, making her truly exceptional. At this moment, noticing that everyone was looking at her, she inevitably felt a bit self-conscious and hurriedly lowered her head. Zhu turned her head and looked at her with great interest, then asked: "Since Bing'er wants you, would you be willing to go?"

Over the course of this month, Chen Lan has generally grasped the situation within the Hou residence, leading her to a thorough understanding of how difficult her circumstances are. Among the second and third-tier maids in the house and the young maids in the courtyard, none of them were by her side when their parents were still alive. Even Qin Fang has only served her for about three years; due to her honest and straightforward nature, as well as her loyalty on ordinary days, she has naturally become the most capable.

What is this!" Chen Lan pulled Qin Fang up and reproached, "I know you well enough. When Mama Zheng came to visit before, you were asleep because you hadn't rested for several days and naturally felt drowsy. In the future, you need not be so timid when you see her; the more you fear her, the more imposing she becomes. Now that we are in my courtyard, does she still dare to punish you as she did when you were just a little maid?"

In her memory, she held only reverence for the Zhu family ancestor, with no sense of closeness. The Zhu family regarded her, this granddaughter, as ordinary, certainly not comparable to the younger generations of the second and third branches. Yet today, there was an unusual level of attention given to her, which could not be explained by any notion of recovering from an injury or pity. When she heard that the old lady had said there was no need to express thanks, she allowed the maid to assist her in getting dressed, and just as the maid was tying the laces, she noticed two old women peeking from the direction of Zining, but they quickly withdrew.

After hearing these words, Chen Lan felt that this girl before her was quite to her liking. Being honest meant not taking matters into one's own hands, being reserved yet not ostentatious. As for being useless, being able to observe these things was not merely a sign of loyalty. Therefore, she smiled and nodded at Qin Fang, saying: "What you said is correct; you are indeed a meticulous person. Let's not overthink these trivial matters. Since Hong Luo has arrived, you should first help her get acquainted with the surroundings and show her some respect. She is from outside, so she will naturally feel a bit out of place."

Upon hearing these words, Zhenlong hurriedly knelt down, not raising her head, and said: "I will obey all of your wishes, esteemed elder."

Well then," Zhu turned her head, looking at Chen Bing with a half-smile, "You have gained an advantage this time! However, I still have a few sewing tasks she is working on, so you will have to wait a few more days before you can take them back.

Although Hongluo is a second-tier maid in the Zhu family, among the young masters and misses in the Hou residence, the highest rank they can have is also second-tier, which naturally leads to different perceptions. The previously left Yuner and others came out to greet her, and upon learning that Hongluo was personally requested by their master from the old lady, everyone was somewhat stunned, especially Yuner, whose eyes flickered. When Chen Lan instructed her to prepare a place for Hongluo to settle in, she finally came to her senses and responded, then led her out.

Unable to persuade Chen Lan, Qinfang could only sigh and agreed to this matter. She then asked, "In the house, it is originally my responsibility and Yun'er’s to manage a few matters. What does the young lady intend for Hongluo to handle?"

For this reason, since Mother Zheng had already hinted, she promptly followed Chen Bing to request a servant from the Zhu family. Unexpectedly, it seemed that the Zhu family had already made arrangements in advance; in addition to giving her Hong Luo, they also provided Chen Yan and Chen Xi each with a maid.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room, except for Zhenlong, laughed and expressed their gratitude, all acknowledging the old lady's concern for her granddaughter. Several maids also came forward to bow. Seeing that the three individuals, apart from Zhenlong, had each moved to stand beside the new master, Mrs. Zhu turned to Mama Zheng beside her and said: "Lan'er has just recovered from her injury, and her courtyard is too far away. Just relying on Hongluo alone may not be sufficient to keep things in order. You should often go over there to check on her, to ensure that no one reprimands her maids for their improper behavior, which would upset her."

Before the people in the room could react, she pointed at Chen Yan and Chen Xi and said: "And you two, since both sisters have spoken, I have agreed, and I cannot neglect you. Chengxin and Mingdang will be given to you sisters, to avoid anyone saying I am biased. Moreover, you are both grown up now, and having only two second-class and four third-class is not enough. For now, let’s add one more, and later, after the New Year, we can add another. The third-class ones are easier to manage; we can gradually add them as we find suitable ones."

Qinfang approached with the jewelry box and asked softly, "Miss, should these two pairs of gold hairpins be kept in their original place?"

As the girl mentioned, this crane cloak is both light and warm, with a rose-purple silk surface embroidered with peony patterns in gold thread, and the edges outlined with cloud patterns in black thread. The lining made of silver fox fur is entirely soft and plush, far warmer than her own zhangrong cloak. As she wore this newly acquired crane cloak and passed by the entrance of Zining Residence, she caught a glimpse of several people in the courtyard secretly watching her, gradually forming an understanding in her mind. Upon returning to the Jinxiu Pavilion and entering her own room, she finally let out a long sigh.

Chen Lan merely smiled: "The second elder sister is leaving, the one beloved by the old lady. I feel embarrassed, so I can only ask the old lady to casually point out a sister for me. Surely, the old lady would not show favoritism."

Since she is the old lady's person, let her manage the jewelry and silver money