Chapter 4: Newcomer Benefits

“Damn it, I spent five taels of silver on the gift money and didn’t even get to taste the most expensive pigeon egg,” Hu Yong muttered under his breath, frustrated at coming away empty-handed.

“That’s because you were showing off,” Lai Shangrong snapped irritably.

Jia Rui retorted with a smirk, “I told you from the start, the amount of gift money matters a great deal. For guests at our outer table, one or two taels are more than enough, three or five qian is a modest token of goodwill—it’s perfectly reasonable. But you insist on pretending to be rich, not afraid people will laugh at you as a nouveau riche with no roots?”

Hu Yong was the son of Hu, the former official of the Jing Province, originally destined for a civil service career. But since his learning was mediocre, the imperial exams were out of reach. His father advised him to mingle with the sons of nobles and princes, hoping he could change course and build some connections early.

Hu Yong himself entertained the same idea. Being unmarried, he thought it unnecessary to be overly concerned about legitimate birth status when it came to marriage. As long as he could wed a daughter from a noble family and secure a dowry of several thousand taels, he could live a life of ease and luxury.

His top choices were Shui Qi of the Northern Jing Prince’s Mansion, Huo Sijia of the Southern An Prince’s Mansion, Jin Sha of the Western Ning Prince’s Mansion, and Mu Ting of the Eastern Ping Prince’s Mansion—all unmarried and highly desirable.

Yet Hu Yong knew his lack of talent and modest family background would likely keep him from their favor. Even Shui Qi, notorious for her wild reputation and countless scandals, was beyond the reach of a mere minor scholar like himself.

Thus, Hu Yong turned his sights to the Jia family’s Three Springs, especially the young lady Yingchun. He had secretly learned that the dowry from the Jia family’s matron, Old Madam Shi, would be substantial—at least one or two thousand taels, even if modest compared to others.

As for Shi Xiangyun of the Marquis of Zhongjing’s household, Hu Yong instinctively dismissed her. Orphaned since childhood and forced to make her own clothes late into the night, she simply couldn’t bring much dowry to the table.

Hu Yong’s transparent scheming was difficult to conceal. Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng deliberately seated him at a table under the canopy by the outer edge, clearly indicating their disfavor.

Already rankled, Hu Yong grew even more furious when Lai Shangrong and Jia Rui spoke to him with disdain.

However, Lai Shangrong was the son of the steward of the Rongguo Mansion and the pride of the Lai family. To offend him was to offend the entire Lai clan and, by extension, the two noble families of Rong and Ning.

Hu Yong dared not provoke him, and so he ignored Lai Shangrong’s taunts.

But Jia Rui was merely a distant branch relative of the Jia family, orphaned, with his elderly grandfather Jia Dairu barely scraping by as a private tutor. With Hu Yong’s status, he need not tolerate Jia Rui’s insolence.

“If I have no roots, then do you?” Hu Yong shot back. “When we arrived, you kept calling Lady Lian sister-in-law so warmly, yet when it came to the gift money, you stammered and only managed to cough up five qian in loose silver. So you were just hoping to freeload Lady Lian’s feast, weren’t you?”

Young men drinking often bickered drunkenly; it was nothing unusual.

But Hu Yong inadvertently struck at Jia Rui’s deepest insecurity, provoking his alarm and then furious rage.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Jia Rui growled, shoving Hu Yong twice.

They quickly came to blows, knocking over bowls and chopsticks across the table.

“Damn it, I didn’t even get to eat the pigeon egg in my bowl.”

“Wah, my big chicken drumstick!”

“Stop fighting! You’ve spilled soup all over me!”

To avoid further harm, the crowd was forced to disperse. Wu Tiande rose and, blending into the throng, showed no sign of his presence.

But when a glass wine cup flew dangerously close to a child’s eye, Wu Tiande’s conscience stirred. He gracefully caught the cup with his skillful hands.

Who threw it in the chaos, he never saw—and preferred not to know.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Jia Lian noticed Wu Tiande’s deft intervention. His heart had been on edge, fearing his nephew Jia Jun would lose an eye and that this banquet would bring endless trouble for the couple.

Jia Jun, a direct descendant of the Rong household, was the beloved son of Lady Lou, the sister-in-law. If his eye were injured at the feast, the lawsuit would surely reach the Grand Madam’s ears.

How could Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng still claim competence and command respect before the Grand Madam if this happened?

Seeing Wu Tiande handle the crisis, Jia Lian breathed a sigh of relief.

“Why are you all standing there like fools? If someone’s drunk, why not get them to the study early on?” Jia Lian scolded his attendants.

Soon, five or six young servants—Long’er, Zhao’er, Xing’er, Shou’er among them—pulled Hu Yong and Jia Rui apart and forcibly dragged them from the Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

The couple, Lai Wang’er and his wife, quickly tidied the scene and reset the feast.

“Hahaha, everyone, please return to your seats. Let’s continue drinking,” Jia Lian cheerfully invited, though his face remained strained.

The disturbance had come and gone swiftly.

Jia Lian’s sullen expression and the incident’s root—over that pigeon egg—meant Wu Tiande was indirectly implicated.

After all, the trouble started because Wu Tiande had greedily devoured ten pigeon eggs at once, leaving none for others.

Wu Tiande planned to find a reason to excuse himself to Jia Lian later.

Just then, a chubby little maid emerged and walked straight toward Wu Tiande.

“Isn’t this Feng’er from Second Master Lian’s household? Why is she out here?” Jia Qin asked, surprised.

“Who else could it be? No one else is as plump and round as her,” Jia Yun affirmed.

Hearing their gossip, Feng’er scowled at the two distant Jia relatives, vowing to teach them a lesson and ruin their schemes if given the chance.

“Who told you to talk behind my back?” she thought fiercely.

Seeing Wu Tiande, Feng’er asked, “Are you the Wu Junior Officer of the Divine Machine Camp?”

“That would be me,” Wu Tiande bowed.

“Please follow me inside. The Grand Madam and Lady Lian mentioned you just now and sent me to fetch you. They have some questions for you. If you have time, please come along,” Feng’er said.

“Thank you, miss, for leading the way,” Wu Tiande replied calmly.

Inside, he found a kindly old lady sitting on a couch, surrounded by several young maids. The slender, elegant Lady Lian Wang Xifeng was not present—likely with other ladies in a separate room.

Wu Tiande bowed and greeted, “Respectful greetings to the Grand Madam.”

“Good, good, we’re all family here. Please, no need for formalities,” the Grand Madam said warmly.

“Your grandfather Wu Dingjun once served as the head of the captain’s personal guard for Commander Wang. I met him once or twice. Once, when he fought Jiao Da of the Ning household, he took twenty taels from me as a wager. He certainly had skill. You’re his grandson—I assume you’re quite capable,” she said.

“You flatter me, Grand Madam,” Wu Tiande replied modestly.

“Some years ago, you and your two brothers died protecting your lord on the battlefield. Such loyalty and courage are praise-worthy. When Commander Wang sent you to study at the Jia family’s charity school, I thought to invite you here to talk. But the household’s affairs kept me busy. If not for someone mentioning you just now, I might have forgotten,” she continued.

“Thank you for your concern, Grand Madam. I’m but a humble person unworthy of such kindness,” Wu Tiande said.

“No need for humility. We haven’t cared enough for you. Your brothers’ loyalty saved Prince Wang Zida. Our Jia family owes you a debt. Otherwise, the Jia and Wang families might have grown distant, and Lady Feng wouldn’t have married Master Lian. I think Lady Feng failed in her duties. Since her father was explicit, the task should have been fulfilled properly—not dismissed with only a hundred taels. Isn’t that neglectful?” The Grand Madam’s tone grew stern, whether truly angry or merely putting on airs before Wu Tiande.

“Grand Madam, you misunderstand. It was my own choice. A hundred taels is no small sum; one could buy several young maids with that outside,” Wu Tiande smiled wryly.

The Grand Madam could say Lady Lian mishandled matters, but Wu Tiande did not dare agree.

Frowning slightly, she sighed, brushing her hair back. “Well, if both parties agree, I won’t say more.”

She then inquired, “Where do you live now, De’er? Is there anyone to care for you?”

Wu Tiande bowed, “I still reside on Little Huazhi Lane, in a house the Wang family kindly granted me. I’m young and able to look after myself. Thank you for your concern, Grand Madam.”

“Poor child. You’re decent but alone without care. Frankly, Wu Xindeng’s wife is irresponsible—how could she leave such a good nephew alone? In this bitter cold, without a maid to attend you, if you fall ill, how could we not worry?” she said.

Then she addressed a nearby maid, “Amber, fetch that little girl Lady Lai sent me last time. I have instructions for her.”

Amber replied, “Please wait, Grand Madam. Qingwen is still playing with Master Bao and the others in the green gauze cabinet. I’ll call her over now.”

Wu Xindeng’s heart skipped. It seemed the Grand Madam intended to assign Qingwen to him.

He thought, how fortunate to have a gift upon arrival in this strange world.

Soon, Qingwen lifted the curtain and entered. About ten years old, she wore a light green silk jacket and water-red floral trousers. Though her features were delicate and lively, her movements were agile. Seeing the Grand Madam, she hurried forward and greeted, “Grand Madam summoned me. What are your commands?”

Wu Tiande silently noted, “Pretty enough, voice sweet and gentle. Sadly, too young—only fit to be a maid for now.”

The Grand Madam took Qingwen’s small hand and stroked it. “You’re nimble and straightforward—a good girl. If not for special circumstances, I wouldn’t part with you. But Wu Tiande is alone and needs someone attentive to care for his medicine and daily needs. You seem the most suitable. I appoint you to serve him well. Take good care of his health and behave properly—don’t let me down.”

Qingwen was surprised but dared not refuse.

Originally purchased by Steward Lai from outside and given to Lady Lai as a personal maid, Qingwen’s beauty and skill in needlework impressed the Grand Madam when she visited the Rong household. Lady Lai then transferred her to the Grand Madam, who now held Qingwen’s contract. Her life was like a floating leaf, her fate in others’ hands.

Lowering her head, Qingwen replied, “Thank you for your orders, Grand Madam. Qingwen will serve with all her heart and not slacken.”

She then approached Wu Tiande and respectfully kowtowed three times, confirming their master-servant bond.

“No need for such formality,” Wu Tiande quickly said.

The Grand Madam nodded, then instructed Amber, “Fetch two bolts of fine fabric and some common medicinal herbs. Let Qingwen take them to him—this is a token of my care.”

She continued, “Prepare your things and go today. It’s best to start attending to him early.”

“Don’t be fooled by De’er’s youth. He is now a small banner officer of the Divine Machine Camp in the capital, seventh rank, commanding ten men. If you take good care of him, you may well become a general’s favored concubine, living in luxury, adorned with gold and jewels,” the Grand Madam added, painting a bright future that made the young girl’s eyes shine.