Chapter 007
Chapter 7: Buddha’s Chosen wants a woman
The courtyard door was shut in a hurry, shutting out everything inside. Dong Chun and Xiu He leaned against the door panel, staring at each other, hearts pounding like drums.
Dong Chun whispered, voice shaking: “Sister Xiu He, the Eldest Grandson Young Master… he will not beat or scold Xiao Man, right? People say he is Buddha’s Chosen reborn, merciful and kind.”
Xiu He gripped her wrist hard and hissed: “Buddha’s Chosen? I have been in this manor for years. I have never seen him let any woman go into his rooms alone.”
Her thoughts spun. “Could it be that when we delivered scriptures, someone damaged the Eldest Grandson Young Master’s most valued copy?” Then she frowned at herself. “But tonsured folk should care for emptiness. Why be angry over a book? Or is it that Xiao Man kept nodding off the other day when she took sutras to him, ruined a scripture, and was caught?” She sighed. “That girl is careless.”
No matter what, they could not leave Xiao Man alone in there.
Xiu He decided at once and tugged Dong Chun toward the back yard: “Come. We will get Old Madam. Only Old Madam can hold the Eldest Grandson Young Master in check.”
She did not dare imagine what would happen to Xiao Man if he truly grew angry.
Old Madam came at an unhurried pace, supported by a maid.
She looked at the closed door, then at the anxious Xiu He and Dong Chun, yet her face showed no haste. At her signal, Xiu He pushed the door open. Inside, Lin Qing Xuan sat by the window, turning a string of prayer beads. Xiao Man stood three steps away, head down, like a clay statue that had lost its soul.
Old Madam entered with a light smile, breaking the silence as she said: “Tell me, who made my eldest grandson unhappy?”
Lin Qing Xuan rose and bowed: “Grandmother.”
Old Madam sat and studied him kindly: “Your color looks much better these days.”
Clever as ever, Xiu He slipped out.
Dong Chun set down the tea and also backed out, tugging Xiao Man along. The door closed again.
Old Madam lifted the cup and stirred the floating leaves with the lid, then asked plainly: “Speak. What is it about?”
The Young Master was silent a moment, then answered: “Grandmother, I would like to ask you for someone.”
Old Madam’s hand stilled. Ripples spread across the tea.
This grandson had been pure and withdrawn since childhood. Only manservants served in his courtyard. He had never attached his heart to anything.
She suddenly recalled the comment of Great Master Shi Neng.
Love Trial.
Could it be here?
She asked steadily: “Whom do you want?”
He said, just as steady: “Xiao Man.”
Old Madam looked at her grandson deeply, wanting to read something on that face without sorrow or joy.
There was nothing.
At last she nodded: “I understand.”
“She is close to the end of her indenture deed. We still need to ask her will and see if she is willing to stay.”
“Go back first,” Old Madam added without lifting her lids, still brushing the cup with the lid. “I will ask the girl and give you an answer.”
Lin Qing Xuan bowed and left without another word. His back looked thin, yet it carried a decisive will that would not be refused.
The door closed. The room seemed a shade darker.
Old Madam called, voice calm: “Xiu He.”
“I am here,” Xiu He answered, stepping in to stand with hands lowered, heart in her throat.
Old Madam asked, level as before: “Have you seen Xiao Man grow any thoughts she should not have? Or has she gone to the Master’s courtyard on her own?”
Xiu He’s heart jumped and she replied at once: “No. She only carried scriptures a few times, and that was by your order.” She paused, then added carefully, “Old Madam, you know our tempers best. Xiao Man’s indenture will end in a few days. Today she even said her aunt has found her a match. She wants to leave soon and asked me to plead with you.”
Old Madam tightened her fingers on the cup. “Oh? Truly no other thoughts at all?”
“If you wish, Old Madam, you can ask her yourself,” Xiu He said, pushing the hot potato back where it belonged.
“Have her come in.”
Xiao Man shuffled in, head bowed so low it nearly touched her chest.
Old Madam went straight to the point, voice cool: “The Master just asked me to send you to his courtyard to serve. Do you agree?”
“No.” The word jumped out before Xiao Man could stop it. She froze, then realized her mistake and sank to her knees, voice shaking: “Old Madam, I only mean that my indenture deed is ending, and I am of marriageable age. It would not be proper for me to serve in the Eldest Grandson Young Master’s courtyard.”
She kept her head down, not daring to let Old Madam see one flicker on her face.
“I heard from Xiu He that your aunt found you a match,” Old Madam said, tone light as if in casual talk. “Tell me which family. I will have people inquire. That will ease my mind.”
The words felt like a blade against Xiao Man’s throat.
She had no such match.
She stammered, tongue tangled: “Thank you for your care, Old Madam. The Four Pillars of Destiny are not even written yet. It is not settled.”
“You know the Auspicious Cloud Residence never uses girls to serve.” Old Madam’s voice stayed light, but every word fell heavy across Xiao Man’s back. “He was about to take tonsured ordination. If the whole household had not stopped him, he would already be a disciple of the Buddhist order. The First Madam has tried every trick to send people into his courtyard. Did even one succeed?”
“Now he asked for you himself. If the First Madam learns of it, do you think you can still walk out of this manor?”
Xiao Man could not stop trembling.
[What can I say? That in my dream I already slept with your eldest grandson, and he cannot be a monk now?]
The longer she stayed silent, the bigger the secret looked in Old Madam’s eyes.
“This maid only wants to leave the household to honor my aunt and uncle,” Xiao Man cried as she knocked her head to the floor until it bruised. “I have no improper thoughts at all. Please, Old Madam, grant me this. Please, Old Madam, grant me this.”
Old Madam watched quietly and said nothing.
Only when Xiao Man grew dizzy from bowing did Old Madam speak at last: “Xiu He.”
“I am here.”
“Go to the accounting room and bring back Xiao Man’s indenture deed.”
“Then go to the Eldest Grandson Young Master’s Auspicious Cloud Residence and tell him I feel tired. Ask him to come keep me company for a chat.”