Chapter 5: Zhuangzi

Cui’er was deeply conflicted. Although she found Yan Yan a bit shallow, she still thoroughly disapproved of Yan Yan’s generous act of tossing a whole gold ingot to her. “Miss, you’re not wealthy; you should keep this money for yourself,” she protested.

Yan Yan shot her a glare. “Just take it when I tell you to. Besides, it’s not for you anyway.” Cui’er sighed. “Wu Tong will handle things with care, Miss. You don’t need to worry about him.”

Yan Yan had already risen, about to head into the inner rooms, but hearing this, she sat back down. “Tell me, why are you so sure Wu Tong will be careful with this matter?” Though her words were casual, her gaze was full of implication.

Cui’er’s cheeks instantly flushed. She lowered her voice, “Miss, please don’t tease your servant!”

Yan Yan couldn’t help but laugh, but then she composed herself, speaking earnestly, “I’m not teasing you. I’m teaching you to be clever. Don’t think that just because Wu Tong is fond of you right now, he’ll treat your mistress’s affairs as his own. Take this gold to him, and say you especially begged for it, and that you praised him to me as being so capable. And when you say it, make sure your face is full of admiration.”

Though Yan Yan spoke with ease, Cui’er was skeptical. “It sounds so simple when you say it, Miss, but why is it that when Ninth Master comes, you…”

Yan Yan feigned indignation, “You really are getting more and more unruly. How can my situation be the same as yours? You’re the apple of Wu Tong’s eye. If you so much as show a hint of longing, he’ll be over the moon. But what am I in Ninth Master’s eyes? So there’s no comparing your case to mine!”

Cui’er looked at Yan Yan with puzzlement, finding herself unable to follow her mistress’s logic. Yan Yan, growing impatient, waved her hand. “Go on now. And remember to buy a few decent sets of clothes for Wu Tong—of course, you should get yourself a few as well. Don’t spoil the man too much.”

Though Cui’er picked up the gold, she hesitated, uncertain. “Miss, you’re not thinking of giving up on Ninth Master, are you? Lady Wanyan was right about one thing: you still need a child to rely on.”

Yan Yan was taken aback and looked up at Cui’er. Seeing her maid’s worried gaze, Yan Yan realized the girl truly trusted her. She smiled, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure your wedding is splendid.”

Cui’er blushed again and stamped her foot. “Miss, you’re getting more and more improper.” With that, she stopped arguing and went off to find Wu Tong.

Yan Yan smiled to herself, then took the box in her hands and went into the inner room.

Yan Yan didn’t have much to her name. After all, the body’s former owner had never been favored, and she’d already given away much of what little she had just to get hold of those vegetables. So the two gold ingots sent by Lady Wanyan, while not a windfall, were a timely relief. Yan Yan desperately needed funds to strengthen her position—whether to win Ninth Master’s trust or to prepare for a future escape.

Yes, Yan Yan was planning to flee this place. She had no intention of being someone’s concubine for life, especially not to a venomous man like Ninth Master, who, according to history, wouldn’t live past his forties.

So, when the time was right, Yan Yan intended to make her escape. But when would that be? She wasn’t sure—only that it wouldn’t be now. She didn’t want to trouble herself with the specifics; she simply needed to be well prepared before the opportunity arose.

Ideally, Yan Yan hoped Wu Tong could help her find a national chain of restaurants. When the time came for her to head inland, she’d have a reliable contact. She packed the small stack of basic books from her bookshelf into a trunk. Clearly, the previous owner was no scholar; these books were just for show. But Yan Yan had no desire to turn herself into an illiterate—she needed to keep learning.

About an hour later, Cui’er returned. She said nothing about her meeting with Wu Tong and simply joined Yan Yan in packing their belongings. At dawn the next day, three carriages set out for the northern estate, carrying Yan Yan and Cui’er.

Of course, Yan Yan didn’t have enough possessions to fill three carriages. In fact, she and Cui’er only used one—the other two were loaded with those precious vegetables.

The carriages trundled along for half a day before reaching the estate. Yan Yan knew that Ninth Master’s residence was located near what would be Dongsi Shitiao in the future. Since they had traveled west, it was likely this estate was in the same direction as the Changchun Garden, Emperor Kangxi’s favorite retreat.

Yan Yan’s lips curled in satisfaction. Clearly, her suggestion to contribute vegetables for the Emperor’s birthday had been effective. The thought made her beam so broadly that the old woman sent to greet her was left gaping in astonishment. To be exiled here and still smile so cheerfully—her mistress truly had a heart of steel.

Meanwhile, Yan Yan strolled around the estate, thoroughly enjoying herself. The property wasn’t large, but upon arrival her smile grew even wider. Why? Because all around the estate were vegetable gardens—an arrangement clearly made with care by Ninth Master. Whatever else could be said, the fact that he’d listened to her advice showed he wasn’t entirely stubborn.

How could Yan Yan not be pleased? If Ninth Master recognized her abilities, she would likely enjoy more freedom, making it even easier to escape when the time came. The thought nearly had her grinning from ear to ear. The old woman’s eyes nearly popped out of her head, and Cui’er had to remind her softly, “Miss, do you have any instructions?”

Yan Yan finally composed herself and glanced sidelong at the old woman who’d been by her side. “What sort of work do you usually do here?” she asked.

Cui’er almost wanted to cover her face in exasperation. Her mistress could be so shrewd one moment and so clueless the next. Asking such a question would only make the woman think she was looking for faults and planning to take over.

Sure enough, the old woman looked embarrassed. “Oh, just cleaning and odd jobs, nothing specific. Since you’ve come such a long way, Miss, would you like to bathe first? I’ve already had water prepared.”

Yan Yan smiled lightly and didn’t pursue the topic. Instead, she pointed to a large patch of open ground ahead. “What’s that space intended for?”

At this, the old woman’s face changed dramatically. As it happened, she was the wet nurse of Du Feng, who had, through Lady Wanyan’s connections, been put in charge of the estate. She had arranged for her entire family to move in, planning to dig a pond there in the spring to raise a few fish—both to send as tribute to Ninth Master and as an excuse to request more money from the household.

Who could have foreseen that someone like Yan Yan would be sent to the estate, and that before she’d even had a chance to settle in, she’d already asked about that particular plot of land?