Chapter 10: The Servant Girl

“Hey! You child!”

Ling Zhao vanished like a swift gust of wind. Lady Ling’s face immediately turned awkward, but she had no choice but to patiently comfort Meng Qingxuan: “Zhao’er is a boy of few words, with a mind just like your Uncle Ling’s—wholeheartedly devoted to state affairs. But then again, a young man with lofty ambitions is far better than those frivolous scoundrels who waste their days with brothel visits, gambling, and brawling.”

Meng Qingxuan forced a smile to mask her disappointment and bowed respectfully. “Aunt, you are right. It is important for Master Ling to focus on important matters.”

Lady Ling patted her hand gently. “There will be plenty of time ahead... Although this marriage is arranged by our families, we did ask Zhao’er’s opinion, and he personally consented. You need not worry.”

Meng Qingxuan’s cheeks flushed subtly as she whispered, “Yes, Qingxuan understands.”

“Since you’ve come today, why not take a stroll around the garden and get familiar with it early? The flowers are in full bloom now; feel free to enjoy them. You don’t need to accompany me.”

Meng Qingxuan nodded slightly. “Thank you for your kindness, Aunt. I will wander on my own.”

After Lady Ling returned indoors, a young maid hurried over and whispered, “Miss, I just asked the other maids around the garden. The Ling residence really did take in a woman of questionable standing, surnamed Xiao.”

Meng Qingxuan’s expression darkened a little. “Oh? Tell me more.”

The maid guided Meng Qingxuan toward the garden. Once they were out of earshot, she lowered her voice. “It’s said she used to be a merchant’s daughter—her family was once quite prominent. But this generation has fallen on hard times. Madam Xiao died suddenly during a business trip with the lady of the house, leaving only her daughter behind. Due to the family connection, Old Madam Ling took the girl under her wing and allowed her to live here.”

Meng Qingxuan’s face remained composed. “Just a fallen orphan girl—why would she be worth your notice?”

The maid glanced around cautiously, then leaned in closer. “This girl’s background isn’t simple. Word is she was betrothed to a Ling son from birth. By right, she should be the future wife of Master Ling.”

Meng Qingxuan was surprised. “You mean...?”

A gleam flashed in the maid’s eyes. “With her background, she could never become the main mistress. The Ling family claims she’s a distant relative, but whether or not she truly is, Old Madam Ling has the final say. It’s quite possible she’s already taken up residence in Master Ling’s chambers.”

Meng Qingxuan fell silent, thinking: Outside rumors say Ling Zhao is aloof and indifferent to women, but in a noble household, how could the young master not have a concubine? It would be only natural. This woman might very well be Old Madam Ling’s planted spy to keep an eye on her.

“Miss, if that’s really the case, you’d better be more cautious yourself.”

By then, they had reached the corridor. At a corner, a woman appeared, her gaze lowered, walking quickly. Though simply dressed, her beauty was striking, like a classic beauty modestly robed, impossible to hide her natural charm.

“Who is that?”

Meng Qingxuan pondered. At Master Ling’s coming-of-age ceremony recently, she hadn’t noticed any woman like her among the Ling family ladies. If she was not presentable...

Could she be that concubine?

Feeling a vague sense of alertness, Meng Qingxuan stepped forward and greeted, “Miss Xiao.”

Xiao Ming had risen early to assist Old Madam Ling at the Shou’an Hall with her medicinal meal. She was hurrying back to Lan Yue Pavilion to examine the ledgers secretly delivered by Steward Li when someone stopped her.

She paused and studied the young woman carefully—she did not recognize her. But seeing her refined attire and the freedom to stroll in the general’s mansion, she guessed her status must be respectable.

Yet how did this person know her?

Xiao Ming bowed nervously. “Greetings, Miss. May I ask who you are?”

So she was really the one surnamed Xiao!

Meng Qingxuan clenched her handkerchief silently. No wonder Old Madam Ling placed her here as a concubine. She truly had an unpresentable, flirtatious look—those shy, coquettish eyes, such a full bosom without a binding cloth. Which man could resist such a siren’s charm?

No wonder Master Ling was so cold toward her earlier.

At that moment, Meng Qingxuan’s maid stepped forward half a pace and said, “Miss Xiao, we are from the Meng family of the Marquis of Yongchang.”

So she was Ling Zhao’s fiancée.

Xiao Ming nodded slightly. “Miss Meng.”

Despite her immediate dislike, Meng Qingxuan was still the legitimate wife and could not lose her composure. She smiled gracefully and warmly. “No need for formalities. Why didn’t Miss Xiao attend Master Ling’s coming-of-age ceremony?”

“I was there that day, just seated in the corner. Perhaps because there were many people, Miss Meng didn’t notice me.”

That day coincided with the anniversary of Xiao Ming’s parents’ passing. She had no heart for the ceremony and quietly sat by the lake for half a day. It was then she happened to meet Mo Shichang, who comforted her for a long time.

“Miss Xiao is extremely beautiful. No matter where she sits, she would be the focus. I must be at fault for not seeing clearly. I suppose she must be favored by Master Ling?” Meng Qingxuan tested.

Xiao Ming suddenly realized the warmth in her tone and felt somewhat flattered. She too had her own thoughts. With that, she looked sincere and said, “Xiao Ming’s origins are humble, the family fallen, and having lost both parents, a year ago Old Madam Ling took pity and gave me shelter. I am truly grateful. But Master Ling often leads troops on expedition and is away from the residence for half the year. I’m afraid he hardly knows I exist, let alone favors me.”

Xiao Ming spoke with flawless logic, dispelling some of Meng Qingxuan’s suspicion.

“Where does Miss Xiao live?” Meng Qingxuan inquired further.

If she were a concubine, she should live in the same courtyard as Ling Zhao.

“In the west garden’s Lan Yue Pavilion. Though somewhat remote, it is quiet and elegant.”

Ling Zhao resided in the central garden’s Qing Yun Pavilion, while she lived in the west garden’s Lan Yue Pavilion. The nine-bend corridor of the general’s mansion made encounters rare unless arranged. Even as a concubine, it seemed she was not regarded highly.

Thinking so, a gentle kindness appeared in Meng Qingxuan’s eyes. “I have heard of Miss Xiao’s background. If there is ever anything Qingxuan can help with, please do not hesitate to ask.”

Xiao Ming gave a faint smile. “Thank you, Miss Meng!”

Meng Qingxuan quietly scanned the woman before her. Though lowly born and flirtatious in appearance, she seemed unlikely to stir much trouble in the future. Otherwise, she would not be so shabby—no lip rouge, no rouge powder, only a single pearl hairpin. No decent jewelry anywhere. It seemed Ling Zhao regarded her as no more than a balm for his frustrations.

Meng Qingxuan smiled. “I feel a kinship with you, sister. We should meet more often in the future.”

Xiao Ming smiled lightly and was about to take her leave when Meng Qingxuan pulled her hand back. “The day after tomorrow is Sister Mo Yuan’s birthday. There will be a banquet in the peach grove outside the city. You will attend too, right? We can talk more then.”

Xiao Ming pressed her lips. “Yes.”

After she left, the maid beside Meng Qingxuan whispered, “It seems this woman poses no threat to you, Miss. Master Ling merely treats her as a plaything. You can rest easy.”

Though the maid spoke thus, the more distant and unrelated things appeared, the harder it was to see through the hidden complexities.