Among the concubines, Yun Shi held considerable status.
Jiu Yue figured it was probably out of respect for the original wife.
Moreover, Yun Shi had a firm grip on the inner household, ensuring none of the other concubines had the chance to stir up trouble.
By now, Jiu Yue had washed her face and was standing idly in the courtyard. Since she couldn’t pretend not to see them, she stepped out to invite the group inside.
Madam Ning shot her another jealous glance. "No wonder you’re such a temptress, able to bewitch the master like this..."
Jiu Yue only caught the first half of the remark. She scratched her head modestly and grinned at Madam Ning. "Thanks for the compliment! You’re quite pretty yourself."
Madam Ning: "..."
Madam Ning eyed her warily and immediately fell silent.
This one was a master—a master of disarming with humility!
Yun Shi: "..."
Yun Shi glanced at Madam Ning, who now regarded Jiu Yue as a formidable rival, then at Jiu Yue, who was basking in the praise. A strange feeling flickered in her chest, though her expression remained composed.
"No need to go inside. We came mainly to check on you," Yun Shi said briskly, waving a hand. Her maid promptly went to summon the other three women from their rooms.
Jiu Yue hadn’t even combed her hair yet, standing there with it loose and unkempt, utterly unfazed.
Yun Shi: "...Perhaps you should go tidy up first?"
"No need," Jiu Yue waved it off. "I’ll be going back to sleep soon... You all wake up so early, huh?"
Being a concubine was this exhausting?
Madam Ning couldn’t hold back. "You think we want to? It’s because of you! Once the day heats up, we refuse to be out and about!"
Jiu Yue nodded agreeably. "Madam Ning makes a fair point."
Madam Ning, who had braced for a verbal duel: "..."
This time, Madam Ning was genuinely speechless.
Yun Shi didn’t scold her. Instead, she patiently explained to Jiu Yue that Song Lan had instructed them the night before to visit the new arrivals today and ensure they lacked nothing.
"However, the formalities for your entry as a concubine will take some time," Yun Shi sighed, taking Jiu Yue’s hand. "The master has been busy lately, and his birthday is in a few days. There will be social engagements for a while."
There were procedures for taking a concubine.
But Jiu Yue wasn’t here to be one, so the delay suited her just fine.
She smiled faintly, showing no discontent. "No rush. I’ll follow Madam Yun’s arrangements."
Yun Shi was taken aback. Based on Song Lan’s description last night, she’d expected a headstrong, ill-tempered girl. Yet this one seemed remarkably understanding.
"I’m glad you’re so accommodating." Yun Shi patted her hand, then glanced down. "These calluses must be years old."
Jiu Yue looked too. Besides the calluses, there were scars on her knuckles.
She didn’t shy away, answering candidly, "I’ve done all sorts of rough work... It’s not very pretty."
"Don’t worry. The master will reward you with some jade-skin ointment." Hearing footsteps behind her, Yun Shi released Jiu Yue’s hand and turned to see three unfamiliar faces approaching.
Jiu Yue noticed Yun Shi’s gaze linger on one of them, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.
Studying the trio, Jiu Yue pondered for a moment before joining them, standing together opposite Yun Shi’s group.
Yun Shi began with questions—names first, then a mix of concern and warnings. The gist was simple: serve Song Lan well, and they’d want for nothing. But once in the Song household, loyalty was non-negotiable.
The four listened quietly.
"These maids are assigned to you. If you need anything, come to Chunhe Courtyard." As Yun Shi spoke, her gaze drifted toward one person again. Unable to resist, she stepped forward and patted Qing Lian’s shoulder. "You look too thin. Let the kitchen know what you’d like to eat."
Qing Lian—the girl who’d been weeping last night—blushed, bowing hastily. "Thank you for your kindness, Madam Yun."
Yun Shi said no more, leading the others away.
Once they were gone, Qing Lian timidly approached Jiu Yue. "Hai Tang, do you think I’d look better plump or as I am now?"
"..." Jiu Yue sized her up. "Plump. Right now, you’re as scrawny as a monkey."
Qing Lian flushed. "Then I won’t compete for the master’s favor today. I’ll wait until I’ve gained weight... Help Lan and Zhu’er first!"
Jiu Yue turned to Lan and Zhu’er, who looked both sheepish and eager.
Jiu Yue: "...Alright."
The three returned to their rooms, but Jiu Yue lingered, staring at Qing Lian’s door. She couldn’t shake the memory of Yun Shi’s expression when she’d looked at Qing Lian.
It was almost... nostalgic.
Song Lan actually had eleven concubines.
But today, only Yun Shi and a few others had come to Qingfeng Courtyard to see Jiu Yue and the newcomers. These women had been in the Song household longer.
Now, leaving Qingfeng Courtyard, the group dispersed toward their own residences. Yun Shi and Madam Ning both lived in Chunhe Courtyard.
Normally, Madam Ning would chatter nonstop on the way back. Today, however, she was unusually quiet—so much so that Yun Shi found it odd.
"What’s wrong?" Yun Shi glanced at her, amused. "Did those young girls shake your confidence?"
Madam Ning snapped out of her daze, indignant. "Shake my confidence? I’m just as good as them!"
"Then why so distracted?" Yun Shi fanned herself lightly.
"It’s nothing..." Madam Ning sighed.
Yun Shi patted her shoulder but brought up a certain someone unprompted. "Did you notice that girl, Qing Lian?"
"Qing Lian?" Madam Ning thought for a moment. "The skinny one, second from the left? What about her?"
Yun Shi hesitated, then shook her head. "Nothing. She just seemed... pitiable."
Madam Ning suddenly halted. Watching Yun Shi enter the courtyard, she hurried after her and lowered her voice. "Sister Yun, were you thinking... she resembles the late madam?"
Yun Shi froze.
"Don’t speak of this," Yun Shi said gravely. "The young master returns today. Especially don’t mention it in front of him."
Madam Ning nodded quickly. "I understand."
Behind the bamboo grove, Jiu Yue plucked a leaf from her lips, her eyes glinting with intrigue.
Qing Lian resembled the madam—which madam?
The one who must never be mentioned before the young master... No doubt, Song Lan’s first wife.
