Chapter Fifty-Seven: Saving Her

Watching Spring Grass leave the courtyard, Xu Ruojin took some time to calm herself. She returned to her room and waited patiently; the matter was already set in motion, and beyond that, she could do nothing more.

Whether it would succeed or not was up to fate.

Before she could settle her mind and ponder over the new medicines Dr. Cen had prescribed, the sound of quarrelling erupted from the courtyard.

“…Sneaking about instead of working, what are you peeking into the room for? Do you still want to watch Second Miss? Get out of here!” The voice belonged to Red Apricot.

Xu Ruojin sighed helplessly.

Red Apricot was always known for her sharp tongue and forceful manner. Coming from Lady Yang’s household, she carried a certain pride. In just two days, she had managed to dominate the courtyard, her voice ringing out as she barked orders.

White Plum and Starfruit were born into the household, so even though they hadn’t served their mistress before, they understood the hierarchy to some extent. Xiao Ke, however, was bought from outside, and found Red Apricot’s temperament unbearable. Now, after being scolded, she couldn’t help but retort, “I only saw Sister Spring Grass leave and worried Second Miss might need something. What’s wrong with looking? Why is it fine for you to stand at the door but not anyone else?”

“You dare compare yourself to me?” Red Apricot pointed at her own nose and sneered. “You can’t even read a single character, and your mind stalls over counting silver. With your clumsy ways, you think you can serve by Second Miss’s side? Hah! Look in a mirror. I told you to tidy the small kitchen, and after two days, it’s still a mess. You were bought to work, not to freeload in the Xu family!”

“It’s only a small place with a few pots and utensils, what more could I tidy?” Xiao Ke protested, stubbornly, “You just know a bit more than I do, that’s all. I’ll learn, and I won’t be worse than you! I may not read or count silver, but my cooking is better than yours.”

“If you cook so well, go find work in the main kitchen. Why are you here in Second Miss’s courtyard?” Red Apricot looked her up and down with suspicion. “You’ve got a sly heart and bold nerves. I think you’re just trying to worm your way closer to Second Miss for your own gain.”

“You… How can you say that about me?” Xiao Ke’s face reddened with anger, nearly in tears.

White Plum, seeing things escalate, hurried forward to intervene.

Red Apricot crossed her arms, surveyed the three girls, and lectured sternly, “You’re here to serve. If you haven’t learned the rules or manners, and still have the nerve to talk back, then pack your things and go home. Don’t embarrass Second Miss by lingering here!”

“Whether we stay or leave isn’t up to us, is it, Sister Red Apricot? I imagine your own position isn’t so secure either,” White Plum retorted.

White Plum then turned to the tearful Xiao Ke, “Let’s go work. No need to make trouble for ourselves here.”

Xiao Ke nodded and followed her, Starfruit trailing behind. Red Apricot snorted, arms still folded, and sat by Xu Ruojin’s door to work on her shoe soles.

Xu Ruojin listened for a while, rolled her eyes, and exhaled.

With that temperament, how could Lady Yang ever tolerate Red Apricot?

Thinking of the three girls, Xu Ruojin returned to her desk and called out, “Red Apricot.”

The curtain lifted and Red Apricot entered, “Second Miss, what are your instructions?”

“Spring Grass has gone out. Help me here,” Xu Ruojin gestured to the scattered papers on her desk.

Red Apricot paused, then nodded and began sorting the papers: scribbled pages together, neatly written ones together, and prescriptions in another pile.

Xu Ruojin watched as she folded them neatly.

“What was all the noise outside just now?” she asked.

Red Apricot seemed to expect the question. “None of them are sensible. If I don’t scold them, they won’t learn. If you think I’m not managing them well, Second Miss, I can hand everything over to Spring Grass.”

“I haven’t said anything yet, and you’re already sulking,” Xu Ruojin scolded her.

Red Apricot pouted, “I just thought you might find it hard to speak, so I’d say it first.”

“There’s nothing hard about it. If I see you’re doing wrong, I’ll tell you. Why should I cater to you?”

Xu Ruojin’s words brought a flush to Red Apricot’s cheeks; she bit her lip and remained silent.

“You’re not young anymore. If you find someone you like, when I have the authority, I’ll see you married,” Xu Ruojin said.

Red Apricot was stunned, then shook her head. “No one.”

“What are your plans, then?” Xu Ruojin waved her to sit and chat. Red Apricot didn’t hesitate, settling onto a small stool and propping her face in her hands. “I just take one day at a time. When Second Miss tires of me, you can just find me a household and send me off.”

“Don’t you find such days dull and tasteless, with no ambition at all?” Xu Ruojin asked.

Red Apricot shook her head. “Forgive me for speaking frankly, Second Miss. Servants don’t get to choose their fate. Aren’t you also without choice?”

“I disagree with that,” Xu Ruojin replied, lifting her tea cup. “Whatever family we’re born into is the work of heaven, but not having a good birth doesn’t mean we should passively wait for life to end. Even if I have no choice, I want to find flavor in my days. Seeking joy for oneself is the real skill. Complaining brings only frustration to oneself; others won’t care about your misery.”

Red Apricot pondered, “Let me think on it some more.”

“Whatever you do is up to you. I’m just chatting,” Xu Ruojin said.

Her words unsettled Red Apricot. Though she tried to hide it, her face still bore a look of resentment towards fate.

Such matters couldn’t be resolved in a few words, so Xu Ruojin, having said what she wanted, turned to ask about Xiao Ke, White Plum, and Starfruit.

“How do you see those three?” she asked.

“It’s hard to say for now, but all of them are watching you closely,” Red Apricot replied insightfully.

Xu Ruojin smiled, “I’ve handed them over to you. Do as you see fit…”

“Second Miss,” Red Apricot’s face was puzzled, “Do you trust me so readily?”

After all, she was new to the service.

“I trust you,” Xu Ruojin answered briskly, feigning a threat, “If any of them hurt me, I’ll strangle you myself.”

Red Apricot, who had been sullen, couldn’t help but laugh.

Xu Ruojin, feeling weary, lay down for a nap. Yet this rest brought a dreadful dream.

It was as if the cold-faced man had appeared again that night: she woke suddenly in the middle of the night, saw a dark figure, and those eyes sliced across her like knives, jolting her awake.

She felt cold sweat on her body and wiped her brow.

Ever since the cold-faced man appeared, she’d been shadowed by anxiety. At night, whenever she rose, she always felt as if someone lurked nearby.

But this was the first time she’d had a nightmare—what was happening?

He had saved her, but left her with this lingering dread. She couldn’t tell whether the cold-faced man was truly good or evil.

She wiped her brow with a handkerchief and heard voices in the courtyard—Spring Grass had returned.

Supper was long past, so Xu Ruojin sent Red Apricot to fetch the saved dishes for Spring Grass, and drew Spring Grass into her room.

Seeing Spring Grass’s swollen, red eyes, it was clear she had been crying.

Xu Ruojin’s heart sank and she quickly whispered, “Did you see He Miao?”

Spring Grass nodded firmly. After a brief hesitation, she dropped to her knees and pleaded through tears, “Second Miss, you must save her. Sister He Miao’s life is truly unbearable…”