Chapter 244

Chapter 244: Xin An: Will They Make Me Move Out?

Such a grand happy event next door reached Madam Wang and the Grand Matron quickly, and the Grand Matron in particular smiled so broadly that two new lines of wrinkles appeared; regardless of whether the children in Chun Hua Courtyard are distinguished or not, they already hold the advantage in sheer numbers.

Three pregnancies at once meant that, whatever happened, there was a strong chance of a son; at that thought, the Grand Matron could not sit still.

With three expectant mothers gathered, the Grand Matron praised them again and again, her gaze moving from one belly to the next in deep satisfaction, and she instructed Madam Wang on the spot to increase Chun Hua Courtyard’s monthly stipends: “Also assign more people to serve, and the kitchen must not be negligent.”

Madam Wang was equally delighted as she replied with a smile: “Mother, you are truly thorough. The eldest daughter?in?law already has ample staff; just add two attendants to each of the two concubines’ rooms. As for caring for the pregnant ladies, we can only trouble Auntie Cai to take extra pains.”

Auntie Cai felt her spine straighten with new confidence, thinking that Chun Hua Courtyard was enjoying a stroke of great luck; she accepted the task solemnly, then spoke with a troubled face: “This old servant will serve the ladies with all my heart. It is only that Chun Hua Courtyard is not as spacious as Qiu Shi Courtyard. If each concubine’s room adds two more attendants, it will be crowded. Why not add one first to each room, and when the vacant plot in the rear is expanded, then add more staff?”

[Madam Wang sneered inwardly: This is slipping poison into the Grand Matron’s ear.] How large Chun Hua Courtyard was, could she not know?

She answered coolly: “Maidservants have always shared rooms several to a chamber; if everyone wants a room of her own, no number of rooms would suffice. The two concubines are pregnant, which is important, and attendants must not be reduced. You are an old hand of the marquisate; you must also warn those below not to use seniority to bully newcomers. All serve the masters; there is no high or low among them.”

Auntie Cai kept a respectful face and said that Chun Hua Courtyard already had four maids to a room, which was very crowded. Madam Wang knit her brows slightly, thought of something that still required discussion with the Grand Matron, and concluded: “Then arrange one for now.”

The Grand Matron said little more; she only charged Auntie Cai to attend carefully to the ladies of the courtyard and to keep the lower ranks in line so no trouble arose.

When they left Chun Hua Courtyard, [the Grand Matron’s joy diminished a degree]. With so many pregnant women in the same courtyard, without someone truly capable to keep order, who knew how much trouble might be stirred up.

“How about that Cui Ping?” she asked.

Madam Wang replied: “She is indeed capable. The second daughter?in?law intends to send Auntie Wang, who serves by her side, back to the Xin household to manage outside affairs; these days she is gradually handing certain duties over to Cui Ping.”

The Grand Matron felt a twinge of regret. With Chun Hua Courtyard in a muddle, she had wanted to ask Cui Ping to sit in town there for a few months. Madam Wang took the initiative to broach it: “Mother is thinking of assigning Cui Ping to Chun Hua Courtyard?”

“It was only a question. You saw the people in that courtyard; where women gather, trouble comes easily, and all the more when three pregnant women are together.”

Supporting her arm, Madam Wang counseled: “Though I helped invite Cui Ping, her monthly pay is covered by the second daughter?in?law herself; it has never gone through the household accounts. Strictly speaking, Cui Ping is not under the marquisate’s command.”

“Auntie Cai is an old servant of the house, and the eldest son trusts her. If we add a steward aunt to Chun Hua Courtyard at this moment, the eldest will inevitably overthink it,” she added quietly: “It may only stir up more trouble.”

The Grand Matron nodded and walked on. After only a few steps they reached the main gate of Qiu Shi Courtyard. From the threshold they could hear laughter within and the barking of a dog, and she sighed to Madam Wang: “That one has a big heart.”

Madam Wang smiled and said: “Children are a matter of fate; perhaps the right moment has not yet come.”

“The eldest will one day inherit the marquisate; his children are the most important. As for the second couple, let them do as they will,” the Grand Matron said.

The Grand Matron then checked herself and disagreed: “They are brothers of the same household and married on the same day; how can we not be anxious?”

“Do not speak in terms of what is important or unimportant,” she added at once. “You are their mother; if your child heard that, his heart would turn cold.”

Madam Wang helped her inside, [feeling more and more unsure of the Grand Matron’s mind; at times she even thought the Grand Matron treated Tang Mo reasonably well]. “It does us no good for you or me to be anxious,” she said softly. “If the two young ones are in no hurry, there is nothing we can do.”

“Speaking of it, if the eldest had married earlier, his child would already be ready to begin lessons, would he not?”

Tang Rong was five or six years older than Tang Mo; they had put off the wedding to share a wedding day so they could wait for Xin An to come of age. Unfortunately…

At that thought the Grand Matron said no more. Entering, she found Xin An teasing the dog and could only be helpless. Xin An came up smiling to greet them: “Grandmother, Mother.”

Seeing the dog tethered, Madam Wang nodded in approval: “I meant to remind you, but you have been one step ahead and tied him up already.”

Xin An laughed and explained: “This dog loves to run wild and is always dashing into the next courtyard. With things as they are now, of course he must be kept on a lead. I will let him loose again after the gates are closed for the night.”

The Grand Matron had only visited Qiu Shi Courtyard on the second day after the wedding; after the recent rumors she could not help surveying the courtyard with a keener eye, then joked: “You manage this courtyard well; it is spacious and handsome. No wonder you are reluctant to come to Grandmother’s place.”

Xin An put on a playful pout and said: “Grandmother dotes on me and is always giving me rare and precious things. Mother says if I go to Grandmother’s a few more times I will empty Grandmother’s storeroom. In the end there will be people saying I covet Grandmother’s treasures and only know how to toady and curry favor.”

She added, smiling: “Do you think I do not want to go to Chun Rong Hall? I like the meals there most. I love dining with Grandmother; when I eat alone, nothing tastes good.”

The Grand Matron looked toward Madam Wang, and Madam Wang explained: “I only warned this girl because I heard the people below wagging their tongues. She does not understand, and you are indulgent with the younger generation, giving her all the good things. The mouths below are cheap and will invent tales about her.”

“I should like to see who dares be that bold,” the Grand Matron said. She did not need to guess who was displeased, but she felt that what Xin An received was only what she deserved: she delighted the Grand Matron, and the Grand Matron was happy to give; besides, how many things had there really been? “Pay no mind to the lower ranks’ idle chatter. If you are wronged, come to Grandmother; Grandmother will stand up for you. Without you at my table, my food has no savor.”

Xin An beamed and hugged her arm: “I knew Grandmother loves me best.”

Madam Wang also smiled at the side, [her feelings growing ever more complicated].

The three of them sat beneath the eaves to converse over tea. After some light talk and laughter, Xin An lowered her voice and leaned toward the Grand Matron to whisper: “Grandmother, lately people have been saying that Eldest Brother’s courtyard is too cramped and that he ought to be living here in our Qiu Shi Courtyard. Now that there are two more expectant concubines, will they make me move out of Qiu Shi Courtyard?”

“I am already used to living here,” she added.

Her directness was unexpected, and the Grand Matron answered instinctively: “Who would dare make you move? Live here in peace; there are other courtyards in the household. If anyone gossips again, they must be punished severely.”

Xin An looked moved: “Grandmother is so good to me.”

The Grand Matron smiled and patted the back of her hand: “Pay no heed to wagging tongues. While Grandmother is here, no one will bully you.”

Xin An hurried to pour her a cup: “Grandmother, have some tea.”