Chapter 33: The Deeply Scheming Dowager Lady

Since it was the Dowager Lady who wished to see someone, Zhuying could not stand in her way. He was well aware of Chuxiu’s true identity, and knew that the master had just arranged official household registration for her; yet he had not expected this matter to alarm the Dowager Lady herself.

No sooner had Chuxiu departed with Steward Yun than Zhuying went to the study to report the matter to Yun Ci.

Leaving Zhiyan Pavilion, turning through winding corridors, Chuxiu followed Steward Yun back toward the outer courtyard of the Yun estate. Ancient trees towered overhead, strange rocks rose from the earth, the mountains embraced the water, and the corridors twisted with the paths. This time, Chuxiu managed to maintain a calm demeanor, eyes lowered, mind focused, unflinching and serene.

Yet, as they walked, Chuxiu began to wonder—was the Dowager Lady not summoning her to her own residence? This was not the path to the inner quarters; rather, it seemed to lead toward an open and spacious garden.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Steward Yun finally brought Chuxiu to their destination. On an archway of white marble were inscribed four large characters: “Fragrance and Moonlight Pavilion.” From within the garden came faint sounds of women’s laughter.

True to its name, the moment they reached the archway, a delicate fragrance floated out—floral, yet reminiscent of the powders and perfumes favored by women, or perhaps a blend of all these. As Chuxiu stepped through the gate behind Steward Yun, the laughter within abruptly fell silent.

Steward Yun halted, bowing with utmost respect. “Dowager Lady, First Miss, Second Miss—Miss Chuxiu has come to pay her respects.”

At these words, Chuxiu felt several gazes settle upon her. Keeping her head bowed, she glimpsed two hems of gauze skirts—one pale pink, one lavender. These, no doubt, belonged to the two young ladies Steward Yun had mentioned.

The air grew tense. It seemed to be the girl in lavender who let out a soft exclamation—one whose meaning, Chuxiu could guess.

“Xiangrong, Muge, you may leave now.” A mature, gentle voice sounded—kind, yet authoritative.

“Xiangrong (Muge) takes her leave,” came the simultaneous, impeccably courteous replies, and the two young ladies withdrew.

So these were the daughters of the Yun house, Yun Ci’s half-sisters—Yun Xiangrong and Yun Muge. Chuxiu noted their names quietly and made her bow in turn.

The Dowager Lady did not speak again until Yun Xiangrong and Yun Muge had gone, then, in a soft tone, ordered, “Raise your head.”

Chuxiu dared not disobey, lifting her chin slowly to face the Dowager Lady, though her eyes remained downcast. She knew well that for a servant to meet their mistress’s gaze was a grave discourtesy.

A scrutinizing gaze fell upon her once more, accompanied by a low command—not from the Dowager Lady, but from a matron at her side: “You are permitted to lift your eyelids.”

Obedient, Chuxiu raised her eyes and looked upon the Dowager Lady, seated in her place of honor. Near fifty, her countenance was dignified, with faint lines at the corners, her attire devoid of excess ornamentation. She wore the stately cloud-bun favored by noblewomen, her only adornment a pair of exquisite, luminous earrings that betrayed their uncommon value.

Though the Dowager Lady’s robe was woven of shimmering brocade, embroidered with subtle gold-threaded clouds and floral motifs, Chuxiu sensed she was not a woman of ostentation. Instead, her manner exuded gentle tranquility, wisdom, and the quiet grandeur of one who had seen much of the world.

Were these qualities not contradictory? Yet, in this legendary woman, they blended seamlessly.

—The Dowager Lady of the Yun estate possessed not only the bearing of a great house’s mistress, but the keen insight and decisiveness of one who steers the affairs of the world. Chuxiu’s first impression was of someone long accustomed to command.

At that moment, the Dowager Lady was also appraising Chuxiu, her gaze deep and unreadable—at once fathomless and thoughtful, yet with an air of detachment.

Chuxiu was puzzled, unable to divine the Dowager Lady’s thoughts. She was, after all, a mute servant girl—surely of little consequence to a woman who had ruled with an iron hand for half her life.

Likely, it was only maternal concern that had prompted this personal inspection. But had she passed the test?

The garden was utterly silent, each person lost in their own thoughts. The fragrance of flowers drifted in on the early spring breeze, and as Chuxiu breathed it in, a sudden anxiety fluttered in her chest.

How much time passed, she could not say. At last, the Dowager Lady spoke gently, as though in passing: “Since the Marquis has brought you here, I trust you know your place. Serve with care from now on.”

So brief a charge, with neither warning nor sermon. Chuxiu was surprised, momentarily stunned, then bowed her head quickly in assent.

She found herself almost grateful for her affliction; had she spoken, her thoughts might have betrayed her and brought censure.

The Dowager Lady, seasoned in reading people, missed none of Chuxiu’s subtle anxieties. She took up a teacup, sipped calmly, and called, “Madam Chi.”

The matron, standing nearby, approached Chuxiu and produced a small embroidered box. “These adornments are a set—the bracelet went to Qianyun, the pendant to Danxin, and this pair of ‘Bright Moon’ earrings the Dowager Lady now bestows upon you. Aren’t you going to thank her?”

Understanding the implication, Chuxiu accepted the box with both hands, bowing deeply in gratitude.

The Dowager Lady revealed nothing more, only instructing, “You may go.” Her voice was cool, her thoughts inscrutable.

Chuxiu dared not linger and withdrew. Only at the door did she glance back at the garden—flowers and greenery abounded, but what caught her eye was the grand octagonal opera pavilion facing the Dowager Lady, its eaves like swooping bats, resplendent and imposing.

Now she understood: this “Fragrance and Moonlight Pavilion” was the Yun family’s venue for banquets and opera. That the Dowager Lady had chosen to receive her here carried a subtle message—she was not yet worthy of entering the family’s private quarters.

Chuxiu smiled wryly at her own overthinking and resolved to trust Yun Ci. She brushed aside such concerns and, upon leaving the garden, saw that Steward Yun Zhong had been waiting at the gate.

Steward Yun’s gaze fell on the box in Chuxiu’s hands and he smiled, “The Dowager Lady has always been generous to her servants, and as the Marquis’s favored maid, you’ll find the household treats you with new respect.”

Chuxiu smiled in acknowledgment.

“Do you remember the way back to Zhiyan Pavilion?” Steward Yun asked, eyes crinkling with amusement.

Chuxiu nodded, indicating the route they had taken with deft gestures.

Surprise flickered across the steward’s face. “That’s rare! The Yun estate’s halls and gardens are winding and endless—many servants take half a year to find their way. From ‘Fragrance and Moonlight’ to ‘Zhiyan Pavilion’ is five turns and four corridors; you’ve only walked it once and already remembered it all!”

He gave Chuxiu a long, searching look, then sighed softly, “No wonder…”

Chuxiu only half understood the praise, and with a slight bow, mouthed, “You flatter me.”

The steward laughed. “Even if you know the way, I must accompany you. It was the Marquis who summoned you, but I intercepted you on the Dowager Lady’s orders—I owe him an apology in person.”

Chuxiu could not help but admire the steward’s tact and capability, feeling all the more respect. As she followed him back toward Zhiyan Pavilion, they had only gone a few steps when she saw Zhuying pushing Yun Ci’s wheelchair from the other direction.

Clearly, they were not coming from Zhiyan Pavilion.

Chuxiu thought nothing of it, but Steward Yun’s eyelid twitched. That direction—had the Marquis gone first to the Dowager Lady’s garden? He blamed himself for not explaining clearly; the Marquis must have been concerned for the mute girl and made an unnecessary trip.

Quelling his anxiety, the steward moved ahead and bowed respectfully. “I was just about to escort Miss Chuxiu back to Zhiyan Pavilion,” he said, pausing before adding, “The Dowager Lady summoned her in haste, and I did not have time to inform you. I beg the Marquis’s pardon.”

Yun Ci’s expression was mild, his smile faint. “No matter, you may go.”

The steward withdrew at once.

Chuxiu smiled and approached, offering a bow.

Yun Ci glanced at the box in her hands and asked with a smile, “A gift from my mother?”

Chuxiu nodded.

“A pair of earrings, then?” he asked, visibly relieved.

Chuxiu’s eyes widened in surprise; she opened the box and presented it to Yun Ci. The faint fragrance of freshly washed hair drifted toward him, and he inhaled lightly, then smiled. “This is my mother’s favorite set—she gave the bracelet to Qianyun, the pendant to Danxin, and now these earrings to you.”

His gaze shifted to Han Chu’s delicate earlobes, where he spotted the tiny piercings and remarked, “Why not put them on?”

Now? Chuxiu’s eyes widened further in silent question.

“Or do you want me to put them on for you?” Yun Ci’s eyes followed the line of her earlobe to the ends of her dark hair.

Chuxiu shook her head vigorously. In truth, she did not care much for earrings, finding them cumbersome. But since Yun Ci had spoken, she could only comply.

Yun Ci took the box from her hands, removed the earrings, and placed them on her palm.

Chuxiu took one and slipped it into her left ear with ease. But when she tried the right, no matter how she attempted, it would not go through. After several tries, her ear grew red, but still the earring would not fit.

Had the piercing closed? Chuxiu wondered anxiously.

“Let me,” Yun Ci said at last, sighing with a hint of amusement as he stood from his wheelchair and reached for the earring.

For some reason, Chuxiu’s first instinct was to take off the earring she’d already put on her left ear, clutch them both behind her back in silent resistance.

“Do you dare refuse your master’s command?” Yun Ci said, even more exasperated. “It’s only earrings—why the reluctance? Weren’t you fine this morning?”

This morning… he meant when he washed her hair.

Now, both of Chuxiu’s ears burned red. It was just earrings—far less intimate than having her hair washed, yet she felt awkward, especially here in the Yun estate.

She was a new servant, and though she had the master’s favor, it was best to avoid arousing suspicion.

Resolved, Chuxiu bit her lip and gestured to Yun Ci that she would take her leave. Without a backward glance or waiting for his reaction, she hurried off, clutching the earrings, even forgetting to retrieve the box.

“Master, I’m not sure Miss Chuxiu can find her way back…” Zhuying reminded him, settling Yun Ci back into his wheelchair. She was new here, unable to speak, exceedingly beautiful—asking directions wouldn’t be easy.

Yun Ci was unconcerned, watching Chuxiu’s retreating figure with a smile. “See how briskly she walks? I think she knows her way.”

Zhuying said no more and wheeled Yun Ci back toward Zhiyan Pavilion.

The semi-circular door of “Fragrance and Moonlight Pavilion,” carved with openwork flowers, was perfect for hiding someone. Madam Chi watched through the archway until the Marquis and his attendants had gone before returning to report to the Dowager Lady.

After hearing the account, the Dowager Lady pondered a moment before asking, “You think she resembles her, too?”

Madam Chi nodded. “She does, very much.”

“No wonder Ci’er brought her back,” the Dowager Lady replied obliquely, then rose and left Fragrance and Moonlight Pavilion on her own.