Chapter 22: Gathering Loyal Confidants

Early the next morning, Tantai Jing departed the manor. Tantai Shanchang had specifically dispatched Manager Hu to accompany her, while he himself hurried off to the academy. Lady Ye and her two children had all been placed under house arrest; Tantai Shanchang could not afford for them to cause any further trouble for him at such a critical time.

Tantai Jing reclined comfortably against the white-based, green-patterned soft cushions of the carriage, a faint smile on her lips as she listened to Nanny Xu speaking with Madam Zou.

Madam Zou was the wife of Manager Hu and had originally been a dowry maid for the late Lady Dong. Years later, she was wed to Manager Hu, who was then only a second-rank overseer. Over the last decade, while Manager Hu had risen to become the manager of the Tantai estate's outer courtyard, Madam Zou had been relentlessly suppressed by Lady Ye due to the latter’s resentment toward the deceased Lady Dong.

Following yesterday’s events, the servants and maids in the manor had all begun to stir. They sensed that the Third Miss, Tantai Jing, was no longer the person she once was. Everyone believed that once the Third Miss returned from the Dong family estate, the Tantai manor would surely undergo a transformation.

Madam Zou had not served in a prominent position for some time. Having been relegated to the sewing room by Lady Ye, she had spent her days working with fabric and thread, rarely interacting with others. Now, suddenly finding herself in the presence of Tantai Jing, she appeared somewhat reserved.

Nanny Xu took Madam Zou’s hand and said, "These past few years have been hard on you. I remember when you were by the First Mistress's side, you always detested needlework. To be sent there so abruptly, you must have been very uncomfortable."

"What are you saying, Nanny? As servants, we do whatever our masters command. There is no such thing as being comfortable or uncomfortable!" Madam Zou had been a head maid for Lady Dong and was quite close with Nanny Xu, but she felt ill at ease speaking freely in front of the Third Miss, fearing that any misstep might shatter the flickering hope she had just begun to feel.

Seeing Madam Zou glancing toward Tantai Jing from time to time, Nanny Xu sighed, "The Third Miss said early this morning that she wanted to bring those who served the late mistress back to her side. But you know how formidable the current mistress is—just look at the injuries on the Third Miss, and you will understand. Fortunately, the bitterness has passed. The Master spoke to the Third Miss yesterday; once she returns from the Dong family, she will take charge of the household affairs. By then, we will surely find better placements for all of you!"

"Is what you say true, Nanny?" Madam Zou’s eyes lit up. She had been able to follow Lady Dong to the Tantai manor as a dowry maid simply because she was honest and reliable, and Lady Dong had treated her well, arranging her marriage to Manager Hu.

Earlier, when her husband told her that good days were coming, she had been skeptical. She thought that no matter how capable the Third Miss was, she was still only a twelve-year-old girl, and a mute one at that—hardly someone who could hold her own. Who would have guessed that in just two days, the Third Miss would become the true mistress of the Tantai estate?

"Why would I lie to you? Who do you think decided you should come along to serve today? It was the Third Miss herself!" Nanny Xu pushed a plate of hibiscus osmanthus cakes on the small table toward her and asked, "The Third Miss intends to promote you to be the head matron of the grand kitchen. What do you think?"

"The kitchen? Head matron?" Madam Zou’s eyes widened with joy, as if they might brim over with tears. She asked, unable to believe it, "Is it true, Nanny? Can I really be the head matron of the kitchen?"

In this manor, there were only two positions with the most lucrative perks: the procurement office and the kitchen. Madam Zou could never have imagined that such a windfall would fall upon her, and her face was a mask of sheer disbelief.

"Why would I lie? You are already here in the carriage, aren't you?" Nanny Xu smiled kindly. "I remember when you were with the late mistress, you were quite knowledgeable about food. That is why I recommended you for the kitchen. Are you willing?"

"Willing, willing! Of course, I am willing!" Madam Zou exclaimed, beaming.

However, before her excitement could fully settle, her expression dampened. "But the current head of the kitchen, Mistress Yang, is a formidable woman. I fear I may not be able to compete with her."

Nanny Xu gave a cold, dismissive laugh. "Who serves in what capacity is decided by the master, is it not? As long as you are willing, leave the rest to me. Just wait to take your place as the kitchen manager!"

After the incident at the academy, Tantai Jing had resolved to completely purge the inner household. She had not slept all night, having Nanny Xu identify every reliable person who could be of use.

Others aside, Manager Hu was the chief manager of the outer courtyard, and Tantai Jing could not bypass him. Furthermore, since Madam Zou had been a maid for Lady Dong and was essentially born into the Dong family service, betrayal was impossible for her.

Seeing Madam Zou agree, Nanny Xu gestured toward the cakes. "Eat. You don't need to read the Third Miss's face. She knew you favored these and specifically saved them for you!"

Madam Zou was overwhelmed by the favor. She took a few small bites but did not finish them. Looking sheepishly between Nanny Xu and Tantai Jing, she asked, "Has the Third Miss gifted this plate of cakes to me?"

Tantai Jing smiled slightly and nodded. Madam Zou had come from the Dong family and had seen plenty in her time; it was truly tragic that in just three years, Lady Ye had forced her into such a petty, timid state.

Madam Zou bit her lip, thinking of what her husband had told her the day before, and spoke softly, "Then, may I wrap these cakes up and take them home?"

Tantai Jing raised an eyebrow, puzzled by her behavior. She looked at Nanny Xu. Even if Madam Zou had been harshly oppressed by Lady Ye, she shouldn't be acting like a village woman. Could Nanny Xu have misjudged her? It was only a plate of cakes; surely someone of Madam Zou’s background wouldn't be so shortsighted?

Nanny Xu’s expression darkened. It was one thing to promote Madam Zou, but she needed to be capable of rising to the occasion. Seeing her like this, she said with slight displeasure, "What are you doing? Is your cupboard so bare that you are starving? No matter how much the current mistress cuts your wages, your monthly allowance should still be plenty!"

Madam Zou looked embarrassed and replied, "It is not for me, but for my daughter. I have a young daughter, eight years old, who was sent away by the mistress to the farmstead. That farm is in the middle of a desolate mountain, and she sees nothing good there. I just ache for her..."

Tantai Jing understood at once. No matter how scarce things were at the farm, there was no reason for Madam Zou to be this desperate unless she was trying to attract sympathy and attention to have her daughter brought back to serve by her side.

Since she intended to make use of Manager Hu’s family anyway, having their daughter serve her would bind them further to her cause. She was in need of more maids, so it mattered little. At worst, it would just be an extra mouth to feed.

Tantai Jing traced a few characters on Nanny Xu’s palm. Nanny Xu immediately said, "Why haven't you kowtowed to the Third Miss yet? She says that once we return from the Dong estate, she will have your daughter brought back to serve in the Liruo Courtyard. Your daughter has been blessed with eight lifetimes of good fortune."

Madam Zou kowtowed repeatedly, thinking that her husband had been right: the Third Miss would surely take in her daughter, Ming-ya.

Tantai Jing, however, closed her eyes slightly. Would her grandmother still treat her as kindly as she had in her previous life? Would she, just as before, cut ties with her and forbid her from ever stepping foot in their home again?