Chapter Nineteen: Raising Funds

"Greetings to Second Miss. After such a long lesson, you must be tired, aren't you? I'll go instruct the kitchen to prepare an extra dish for you this evening. You need to nourish yourself well, otherwise the mistress will blame me for not taking proper care of you."
Madam Huang responded swiftly, immediately approaching Xu Ruojin with warm, attentive words.
Xu Ruojin smiled and bowed in thanks. "Madam Huang is always so considerate. I'll look forward to a good meal tonight."
"It's only right, no need for such courtesy, Second Miss. You're clever and diligent in your studies. If the mistress hears of it, she'll be even more pleased."
Madam Huang's words made Xu Ruojin's heart tighten. She instinctively glanced towards Xu Zimo, only to see him hiding behind Madam Huang, making some kind of faces.
Unfortunately, Xu Zimo's eyes were too small to discern any real expression.
Xu Ruojin couldn't quite grasp his intention, but Madam Huang's words had made her more cautious:
"Madam Huang, you flatter me too much. How could I have learned so well? If I manage to avoid being scolded, it's only because Tutor Wang is mindful of my mother's reputation. If you report the truth to my mother, I'm afraid I won't be able to swallow a bite tonight."
Xu Ruojin lowered her head, feigning embarrassment, missing the moment when Xu Zimo let out a sigh of relief.
Seeing Xu Ruojin's demeanor, Madam Huang smiled reassuringly. "Before the mistress, I'll be sure to speak well of you, Second Miss. Why would I go tattling? Tutor Wang is an official at the county academy, with high standards indeed. If Second Miss were to receive praise from him at the outset, you'd be a prodigy!"
"I knew Madam Huang couldn't bear to see me suffer. I must thank you many times over."
Xu Ruojin patted her chest in mock relief. Madam Huang didn't linger, but as they walked, she asked what dishes Xu Ruojin might like for supper.
Xu Ruojin named a few at random, and Madam Huang said she'd check with the kitchen. The two parted ways on the path, and Xu Ruojin returned to her courtyard with Chuncao.
Chuncao had been anxious and on edge all morning.
She'd intended to speak with Second Miss upon leaving, but unexpectedly, Madam Huang had appeared. Now, back in the courtyard, as she opened her mouth to speak, she saw Second Miss deep in silent thought. Her lips parted and closed again, and the words that remained unspoken weighed heavily on her heart.
After a moment's hesitation, it was Xu Ruojin who first noticed something was amiss.
"What's the matter with you?"
Xu Ruojin saw Chuncao's face flushed, her eyes already moist.
"Second Miss, please scold this servant. Your silence is even harder for me to bear."
With a thud, Chuncao knelt at Xu Ruojin's side. "I never meant to forget the items today. I nearly caused you to be punished. It was all my fault."

Xu Ruojin remembered and glanced around the room. "If you hadn't said so, I'd have forgotten. Has the young mistress left?"
"She has. She broke a few things in the courtyard before she left. I just finished tidying up."
Chuncao was astonished that Second Miss had actually forgotten about the young mistress. She'd thought Second Miss was considering whether to apologize.
Xu Ruojin had no intention of paying Li Qiuping any mind. Her thoughts were occupied with Madam Huang's probing remarks.
Yesterday, Biniangzi's unexpected arrival had caught her off guard. This morning, both Li Qiuping and Madam Huang had come by. As for Li Qiuping, Xu Ruojin felt no obligation—her motives were plain, simply to find fault.
But Madam Huang... Xu Ruojin regarded her with greater caution.
After all, she advised Lady Yang directly, and her opinions carried weight. Maintaining a good relationship with that old woman would be to her advantage.
In their conversation a few days back, she'd already mentioned "companions." She couldn't offer anything else; she lacked the means to propose a bargain.
Who knew what that woman's real intentions were?
She ought to find time to learn about Madam Huang's family. Know thyself and thy enemy, and you need never fear defeat. What she lacked most now was information—she was in the dark and isolated.
Xu Ruojin had intended to further ponder her next steps, but Chuncao's agitation beside her interrupted her thoughts. Chuncao knelt, confessing her fault, and Xu Ruojin found herself momentarily at a loss.
"Enough, get up. After all that commotion this morning, my head's still spinning. Just don't let yourself get flustered and forget things again."
Xu Ruojin helped Chuncao to her feet. She couldn't say she felt no blame at all, but Chuncao's willingness to admit her mistake pleased her.
After all, Chuncao was the only person left by her side...
Chuncao wanted to say more, but Xu Ruojin quickly interrupted her. "I have something I need you to pay attention to when you have spare time."
"Yes, Second Miss."
Chuncao was eager to please. She hadn't expected that after such a serious mistake, Second Miss would forgive her with just a few words. If it had been any other mistress, she would have been beaten or thrown out.
Chuncao wasn't a fool. She knew Second Miss wasn't in the best situation, but she still wanted a good life. She wasn't the scheming sort.
Second Miss treated her this well; if she didn't do her utmost in return, she'd never forgive herself.
"When you have the chance, help me find out about Madam Huang's family."

Xu Ruojin gathered her thoughts, her tone earnest. "She's shrewd and greedy, with high standards. We need to use our wits. And anything you hear about the household—tell me everything."
Chuncao nodded quickly. "I understand, Second Miss. You can rely on me."
Relieved, Xu Ruojin glanced around the room. Li Qiuping had indeed left it in a state of disarray.
The cold-faced man's words echoed in her mind: "Your room is truly a mess." Xu Ruojin's good spirits vanished.
So be it—let it be a mess. She had nothing left to lose; now it was time to fight back!
...
At that moment, Madam Huang was reporting to Lady Yang about the Second Miss. "I have already reminded Third Young Master to keep watch over his books and not to let them be borrowed so loosely. Though he didn't seem to quite understand, he nodded and agreed."
Lady Yang was annoyed. "Why not just be direct? Tell him not to lend the books to that girl—that would do it!"
"Madam, how could I be so blunt? Third Young Master is still a child, unaware of the subtleties. If, by accident, he let slip such words, wouldn't the master blame you?" Madam Huang's explanation drew a contemptuous snort from Lady Yang.
"The master? All these years, he hasn't bothered to ask a thing about that girl. If not for the Zhang family marriage, he'd have forgotten her entirely."
"In the end, Second Miss still bears the Xu name. Outwardly, you must exercise caution—do not give others cause for reproach."
Madam Huang's words drew a sigh from Lady Yang. "The master has been gone so long; who knows when he'll return? If things change with the Zhangs, what am I to do?"
"Didn't the master go to the capital to see Lord Yan? He should arrive any day now. The marriage is being brokered by Lord Yan himself. No matter what tricks the Zhangs play, they must still consider Lord Yan's reputation."
"Then we wait," Lady Yang said, biting her lip. "I'll let that little girl be lively for a few more days. Everything will be decided after we meet the Zhang family."
A maidservant rushed in to report, "Madam, the master has returned!"
Lady Yang's sorrow turned instantly to joy. She hurried from her seat. "The master is back? Where is he?"
"He's gone to Second Miss's courtyard."
Lady Yang nearly tore her handkerchief to shreds, her eyes red with anger. "Come, we shall go at once!"