CHAPTER 121: CHAPTER 121: TAKING ACTION (1)

Sujin, with tears in her eyes, looked at Madam Luo and said, "If you don’t fight for it, there are people who work hard every day. Lately, Madam Mei has been stewing supplements and delivering them to the study every night. She’s been visiting Lady more frequently too, and even Madam Xia, whom I visited yesterday, I saw her making clothes for First Master."

"Madam Xia?" Madam Luo was stunned, then immediately stood up, "Are you serious?" Madam Xia has always been aloof; the Master has ignored her for six years, and she has avoided him for six years. If it weren’t for Laiwang’s wife tricking her into the study a few days ago, Madam Xia wouldn’t have sought out First Master herself. Doing things like delivering soup, medicine, sewing clothes, or making shoes would be impossible for her.

Could it be...

Madam Luo got up and paced back and forth in the room. She thought of Sixth Miss. Could it be Sixth Miss who taught her to do this? Madam Xia might want to try again for the sake of her children?

Yes, Sixth Miss is at the age for marriage, while Seventh Young Master is still young. If she wants to do this, it’s not entirely impossible!

"Madam, what exactly do you plan to do? Say something."

Madam Luo frowned for a long while and waved Sujin away, "Go about your business, let me be alone for a while." Sujin wanted to speak but stopped as Madam Luo had already turned and gone into the room. She could only sigh and leave.

"Caitao, Manager Lai is picking a daughter-in-law in the mansion. Go and talk to your madam, have her visit Lady more for you. Fugui is a good kid, I see, honest and straightforward. If you marry him, Manager Lai will surely free you from servant status. You won’t have to serve in the mansion anymore; you’ll live like a lady, eating well and living well..." Nanny Cai downed the spilled wine on the table, wiped her mouth with her sleeve, and looked at Caitao with red eyes.

Caitao’s eyes lit up and she asked Nanny Cai, "Is what you’re saying true?"

Nanny Cai replied, "When have I ever deceived you? I tell you, nothing in this mansion escapes my eyes. If I hadn’t been dragged into it by Third Miss, I wouldn’t have been demoted from a second-class servant to a third-class one." She downed another glass of wine, gulping, as she spoke, "Third Miss thought she could marry into the Marquis Mansion, that Lady would look up to her, but she is confined in her room mending her bridal clothes, unable even to step out. Hmph! What bad luck I have to be caught up in this affair."

Caitao quietly rolled her eyes. If you weren’t always flattering Nanny Fang, how would you know these things? Anyone with eyes in the mansion can see it; the marriage with Count Wujin was originally set for Sixth Miss. It was Madam Wang who snatched it away with vile means. In her view, Sixth Miss was too weak, allowing Madam Wang and Third Miss to bully her, letting her marriage be snatched away!

But fortunately, Madam Wang was sent to the estate by First Master, and Third Miss’s life this year hasn’t been easy either, so none of them got any good out of it.

Her madam said such things shouldn’t be gossiped about outside. Fortunately, Eighth Miss is still young and didn’t get involved. Caitao was relieved and thought about what Nanny Cai said. Manager Lai has always been effective in the mansion and favored by First Master. She had seen Fugui too, not only is he good-looking but also honest. She thought he would find a young lady from a small household, but it turns out he’s choosing from among the maids in the mansion.

It seems she should go back and talk to her madam, ask her to speak to Lady. If she can marry Fugui, there will be someone influential when it comes to Eighth Miss’s marriage in the future.

"Keep drinking, Mama. Once I’m done with my task, I’ll report back to my madam." Caitao greeted Nanny Cai and hurried back to the East Cross Courtyard.

Madam Mei was indeed busy in the small kitchen. Caitao, without stopping, went to the small kitchen, washed her hands, and started assisting under the stove. Madam Mei saw her return and without lifting her head, kneaded the dough and asked, "Was it delivered? Does Eighth Miss like it?"

Caitao got up, lifted the pot lid, poured in some more water, and handed the ladle to the servant, smiling, "The young miss likes it very much, she ate nearly half in front of me."

Madam Mei laughed, the red gemstone phoenix hairpin on her round bun slightly swaying, "Once I finish this batch, if it tastes the same as before, tomorrow you can invite Eighth Miss over, and I’ll teach her in person."

Caitao laughed flatteringly but said nothing.

After Madam Mei finished her task and put the new cakes in the pot, Caitao casually mentioned, "I came from Eighth Miss’s place and passed by Zhui Garden. I heard the maids there talking about something rather lively."

Madam Mei, preoccupied, responded absent-mindedly, not intending to ask further, so Caitao silently rolled her eyes and smiled, "I overheard something related to First Master."

Seeing Madam Mei’s hands pause, she asked, "Did you hear clearly what it was about?"

Caitao thought for a moment and said, "They were talking about maids at marriageable age being released from the mansion and mentioned matching a maid for Manager Lai’s Fugui. First Master has also agreed to it."

"Matching a maid for Fugui?" Madam Mei stopped, showing a thoughtful expression.

Caitao felt a flicker of joy inside, knowing Madam Mei was interested. She continued, "I heard even Sister Zijuan has shown interest."

Madam Mei’s mind was now active; she knew even better than Caitao about Manager Lai’s status and abilities in the mansion, especially First Master’s trust in him. If her maid could marry him, they would become like family to Manager Lai, providing her someone to speak on her behalf in front of First Master!

Thinking about this, Madam Mei glanced at Caitao. First Master was about to return to Yongzhou, and although she visited First Master every day, his attitude remained lukewarm. If Manager Lai could put in a word, this matter would almost certainly be settled in her favor.

In three years, when she returned, Eighth Miss would be of marriageable age. She thought of Madam Wang’s extensive dowry and considered that she could also accumulate some dowry for Eighth Miss!

Madam Mei’s eyes gradually brightened, and her weak expression turned sharp with determined eyes.

"Caitao, later, take this pot of Ruyi Cake to Lady, and don’t rush back. Spend some time talking to Nanny Fang."

Caitao’s eyes lit up, her joy so intense that it was almost hard to contain. She nodded repeatedly in agreement.

The mansion was abuzz with talks about maids of marriageable age leaving the house and the situation regarding Fugui, while the Zhiqu Courtyard remained unusually quiet. Sixing anxiously paced in the courtyard, glancing at the main house, while Chunyan held her back, "Don’t make things more chaotic. The matter hasn’t been decided yet, and perhaps Miss has her thoughts. Don’t disturb her."

Sixing nodded with a worried face, glancing again at Siliu’s room in the wing, "It’s just that this dead girl acts so lifeless; I thought she truly didn’t care, but now she won’t even eat her meals."

Chunyan also showed a face of helplessness, and just as she was speaking, Xiqiu lifted the curtain and walked out, her face serene and calm, causing Sixing and Chunyan to breathe a slight sigh of relief.