Chapter 3: Lamentation

Spring Swallow looked at Aunt Lu Er's grim face and leaned slightly forward

It is said that Xianglan struck Aunt Lü Er with a door latch, and publicly searched her clothes, humiliating her. Aunt Lü Er was so furious that she stomped her feet in the room, thinking that when Uncle Lü Er returned from his duties, she would have a good cry about it. Just as she was grinding her teeth in anger, she suddenly heard a sound at the door, with a voice saying: "Is anyone home? Miss Chunyan has returned!"

The old woman, having received money, was all smiles as she dragged the young girl away. Once the door was closed, Aunt Lu Er said: "Why have you returned home in such good spirits? You came back just in time; you don't know, something just happened..."

The spring swallow straightened her body and, wiping her tears, said: "It is not that easy. The master is rarely at home; sometimes he goes to the capital, sometimes to Yangzhou. Just when he manages to stay at home for a few days, he calls that flirtatious maid, Huamei, to serve him, or he goes to the parrot's room, treating me coldly, not even regarding the madam. Recently, the master has been in the capital, and I heard that the madam has married him off to a beautiful and gentle concubine. The madam was stunned for a long time upon hearing this, holding my hand and saying: 'Yaner, although we are master and servant, our bond is like that of sisters. Even those maids who came with the dowry are not as close to me as you are. I feel an inexplicable affinity when I see you.' The parrot, with her seductive demeanor, has never been to my liking, but now our situations are the same; the master does not favor me, and I have no words to say. I can only hope that the one I admire will catch the master's eye, but who would have thought you are also a pitiful person."

The spring swallow first turned pale upon hearing the news, but later her face flushed red. Aunt Lu Er tucked her scattered hair behind her ear and softly said: "The first month is the most unstable, and it is the easiest time to have a miscarriage..."

Whoever wanted to cry out "Wow" first was Spring Yan, who burst into tears. Aunt Lu Er was startled and asked repeatedly. Spring Yan covered her face with a handkerchief, shaking her head while crying. Aunt Lu Er pulled her into the inner room and sent the three children out to play. Spring Yan then wiped her tears with the handkerchief and said: "That little vixen, Ying Ge, is already a month pregnant!"

Upon hearing this, I became furious and said to the matriarch, "That parrot has been bullying us to the point of disrespecting the matriarch. You are a virtuous person, yet I cannot tolerate this. " The matriarch, with tears streaming down her face, replied, "Even if you cannot bear it, you must endure. Who told my belly to be uncooperative? I see that in the capital, the master is marrying a concubine again, and I heard she is the daughter of a scholar, exceptionally beautiful. In this case, there is even less place for the two of us. Currently, the parrot is the one in the master's favor, so you should avoid her to prevent seeking your own demise..."

The spring swallow, with tears streaming down her face, said: "The eldest lady has been in the house for four years without producing anything; what can she say? The old lady's rewards have all been given, and she has even sent two old women and two daughters-in-law to take care of that little foot. Additionally, two young maids have been assigned for rough work, almost matching the splendor of a young lady. Furthermore, there are silver and jewelry—brand new gold headpieces and gold and silver bracelets. It is also said that as long as the child is born, regardless of whether it is a boy or a girl, she will be treated as a concubine of the *Tu* *Shu*..." Saying this, she bent down and cried out on the kang.

You have a great-aunt who was originally a midwife in the manor. When I served in the manor in my early years, I followed her for a while. If one wishes to prevent a pregnant woman from giving birth, there are numerous methods available, such as using wolf and tiger medicines, abortion injections, or certain foods that are incompatible. Just adding two or three additional ingredients is sufficient for that little wretch to endure.

The spring swallow raised her eyebrows and said: "Is there any way? Could it be that I can pull the seeds from the parrot's belly into my own?"

The spring swallow took a handful of money from her sleeve and stuffed it into the old woman's hand, maintaining a composed demeanor as she said: "Please, madam, take the little girl back to the carriage and wait for me. Use this money to buy some wine and food first."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Lu Er became anxious. The parents of the parrot were also working in the mansion, and initially, there was no issue. However, since both families' daughters had been taken as concubines by the master, they became antagonistic towards each other, exchanging cold jibes and veiled insults whenever they met. There were even several instances where they came to blows, harboring deep-seated hatred. If the parrot were to elevate her aunt first, Aunt Lu Er would feel utterly humiliated, even more so than if Xianglan had struck her a few more times. She then patted Chunyan on the back and said, "Since that little harlot is pregnant and can no longer serve the master, you must quickly win his heart. Have him stay in your room for a few nights, and if you have a son soon, you can also elevate your aunt!" If the parrot were to elevate her aunt first, Aunt Lu Er would feel utterly humiliated, even more so than if Xianglan had struck her a few more times. She then patted Chunyan on the back and said, "Since that little harlot is pregnant and can no longer serve the master, you must quickly win his heart. Have him stay in your room for a few nights, and if you have a son soon, you can also elevate your aunt!"

The parrot is also a concubine of Lin Jintai, the master of the Lin family. Although it entered the household two months later than Chunyan, it outshines her in every aspect. While Aunt Lu was momentarily distracted, Chunyan exclaimed with resentment: "I refuse to accept this! Among the master's three concubines, in terms of appearance and figure, what do I lack compared to that little minx? Even the madam holds me in higher regard, treating me with more affection than the others, always promoting me. The master originally loved me and gifted me several pieces of jewelry and clothing, but he has been bewitched by that little flirt, who has wrapped him around her finger. That shameless minx can only sing a few tunes to please the gentlemen, a vulgar type akin to a common courtesan. Elevating her to the status of a concubine would be a disgrace to the Lin family!"

Aunt Lu Er was anxiously pacing back and forth, as the future of her entire family depended on her eldest daughter's fortunes. If her daughter were to lose favor to someone else, the good days for the Lu family would come to an end. Not to mention that the parrot's family had always been at odds with the Lu family; if they were to dominate every situation, it would be difficult for not just her daughter, but for the entire family to find their footing. She clicked her tongue and said, "Is there really nothing that the formidable and powerful madam can do?"

Aunt Lu Er was so delighted that she scratched her ears and cheeks, clapped her hands and said: "I was wondering who it was? It turns out our family's phoenix has returned!" She gestured for her to come inside and was about to pour tea for the accompanying woman.

The spring swallow was startled, feeling all the hairs on her body stand on end, and whispered, "What if this gets found out..."

As Chunyan spoke, she took the warm tea that Aunt Lu Er handed her and drank it all in one go, tossing aside the handkerchief that was wet from her tears. She pulled out another one from her sleeve and wiped the corners of her eyes, saying: "There are so many people in the mansion with dirty hearts waiting to see me make a fool of myself. Ying Ge is always flaunting his waist and holding his belly in front of me! Every day it's either fish or chicken; one moment he complains that the food is too salty, and the next he says the soup is too bland. The little kitchen is always rushing to prepare this and that, afraid of falling behind. If I want a bowl of something else, I have to endure disdainful looks and read their expressions... My heart feels so blocked, yet I have to keep a smile on my face. If I don't go home and have a good cry, I won't be able to carry on with life. Every day it's either fish or chicken; one moment he complains that the food is too salty, and the next he says the soup is too bland. The little kitchen is always rushing to prepare this and that, afraid of falling behind. If I want a bowl of something else, I have to endure disdainful looks and read their expressions... My heart feels so blocked, yet I have to keep a smile on my face. If I don't go home and have a good cry, I won't be able to carry on with life."

When Chunyan stepped out of her home, she felt refreshed, having re-styled her hair and applied some rouge and powder to her face, though her eyes were still slightly swollen. Xianglan came out carrying a wooden basin to dispose of dirty water and happened to see Chunyan standing at the courtyard entrance, turning around to speak with Aunt Lu Er, so she quickly hid behind the grape trellis.

Aunt Lv Er pondered for a moment, her expression darkening as she said: "Even if we can't catch you in the act, we cannot allow her to give birth while pregnant!"

Aunt Lu Er said: "She is pregnant, what did the eldest lady say?"

Aunt Lu Er hurriedly opened the door, and there stood her eldest daughter, Chunyan, at the entrance. She was wearing a lilac-colored coat adorned with phoenix and chrysanthemum patterns, with a golden hairpin featuring droplet beads and two agate hairpins in her hair. Her ears were adorned with jade earrings, and her wrists were encircled with gold and silver twisted bangles, exuding an air of wealth and elegance. However, she appeared somewhat haggard, her face thickly coated with powder to enhance her complexion. Beside her stood an elderly woman, and behind them was a little girl, around seven or eight years old, holding a bundle in her arms.

As she watched the spring swallows leave in the carriage, Xianglan shook her head, splashed the water from the basin with a wave of her hand, and turned to enter the house

Aunt Lu Er snorted and said, "Be more thorough, who can find out? Do you think the old lady and the madam are clean? The big house is very dirty; who hasn't had blood on their hands?" As she spoke, she held Chunyan's hand tightly and said earnestly, "My good girl, I have known since you were little that you are different from your sisters, beautiful and clever. Now that you have entered the mansion as the master's concubine, you are on the verge of becoming half a master of the Lin family. The madam is also promoting you; this is a heaven-sent opportunity! The latter half of your parents' lives, your siblings, and your own dignity for a lifetime all depend on these few years. Your third uncle manages a herbal medicine shop; I will ask him to prepare some medicine for you... Hmph, the same for that little wretch, and the same for you to secretly put in the master's teacup, ensuring he will care for you more at night."

The eldest daughter of the Lü family was seen the least. Previously, she lived in Jingyue Monastery, and by the time she returned to secular life by jumping over the wall, Chunyan had already been in the household as a maid for several years. She vaguely remembered that Chunyan was a beautiful girl and had once remarked to Xue that Aunt Lü, who was a poor bamboo, had actually produced good shoots. Xue replied that Aunt Lü had also been beautiful in her youth, but after giving birth, she became as fat as a sow.

Now, looking at Chunyan again, her luxurious attire makes her appear even more charming than before. Her originally delicate and fair face is coated with a thick layer of powder, adding a touch of allure. With a twist of her water-snake waist, she resembles a favored maidservant in a wealthy household. Xianglan pouts, having heard from the gossip of the aunts that Chunyan, in order to make new and exquisite clothes and to adorn herself with beautiful hairpins, has nearly exhausted her monthly allowance and the rewards from her master. The clothes and jewelry she does not favor are only brought home to give to her parents and younger siblings. Xianglan thinks to herself, if only she were willing to send more money home for the family's livelihood, why would Aunt Lu steal from their house every day?