Chapter 30: Dying of Embarrassment

“Those things like flower arranging, tea tasting, and incense appreciation may seem useless, but once you enter a respectable household, they take on a different meaning.”

“In Bianjing, daughters of all prominent families learn these arts from their maids from a young age, never missing a single lesson.”

“Even if they don’t become the lady of the house someday, these skills add a touch of dignity during matchmaking negotiations, so the effort is necessary.”

Wang Ruofu especially agreed with Madam Sheng’s words.

When she was kept at home awaiting marriage, the Wang family had also specially hired maids to teach them these elegant arts.

The maid was strict, requiring the identification of twelve different fragrances in a single tea brew and the arrangement of one flower in nine distinct postures; even a slight mistake meant starting over.

Thus, Wang Ruofu craned her neck and asked, “Mother, have you already decided on who will teach the girls?”

The old lady smiled faintly. “Back when I lived in the palace, there was a palace maid by the name of Kong who was very close to me.”

“Mother, you mean the palace’s Maid Kong?!” Wang Ruofu was startled by the name, nearly dropping her teacup.

Sheng Hong’s lips twitched as he looked at the old lady with wide eyes in surprise.

Madam Sheng’s noble background and dignified demeanor were well known. She had been adopted by the Dowager Empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty, lived in the palace for a time, and had been close friends with Empress Jing’an of the previous dynasty.

Maid Kong was a descendant of a collateral branch of the Kong clan. She had risen from palace maid to female officer and spent decades rotating among the six palaces in that role.

After resigning from palace service some years ago, her gentle temper and patient nature made her a preferred tutor in several prominent households, including those of the Duke of England, the Duke of Lingguo, and the Marquis of Xiangyang.

Currently, very few families in Bianjing could afford to hire Maid Kong, let alone the Sheng family.

“That’s right. If you two are willing to part with the children once they settle in the capital, I will invite her to the mansion to properly teach the girls their manners.”

“If anything is done poorly, let her wield the board and punish them harshly. Don’t spare their feelings and disgrace my reputation.”

Wang Ruofu knew well the weight of Maid Kong’s authority and nodded repeatedly with a forced smile.

“Of course. To be taught by Maid Kong is a blessing for any girl.”

Elsewhere, Hualan leaned against the soft couch in the clinic room, staring blankly out the window.

The winter sunset filtered through the carved window lattice, casting mottled light and shadow across her face.

Rulan sat at the nearby round table, lazily reading the Thousand Character Classic.

Unable to contain her impatience, she occasionally tilted her head, dipping her finger into the tea to draw idle patterns on the table.

Her personal maid Caizan brought a cup of hot tea and smiled softly, “Miss, look—Fifth Miss is almost asleep from reading.”

Hualan glanced sideways at her and snorted, “This girl always gets lazy whenever she reads!”

“Yesterday, Sixth Miss was practicing her writing here for a long while, sitting straight-backed without a single complaint.”

Though Rulan was her biological younger sister, not only Hualan but even the usually stern Changbai favored Minglan more.

The reason was simple: Rulan was raised by Wang Ruofu and spoiled into a rebellious and capricious child who hated being scolded.

Whenever Hualan took on the role of elder sister to lecture her, Rulan would pout and stomp away.

If Changbai tried to advise her with Confucian principles, she would simply ignore it, even hiding to avoid seeing him.

Meanwhile, Minglan was obedient, sensible, and delicately charming. While Hualan practiced embroidery, Minglan quietly sorted threads by her side and diligently copied the calligraphy and books Changbai gave her.

Over time, Changbai even lamented why Minglan wasn’t his own sister.

“Fifth Miss is still young; she’ll grow up sooner or later,” Caizan said with a smile.

Hualan scoffed, “Sixth Miss is even younger by a year, yet she always acts like a noble daughter to annoy Rulan.” She then turned her head away, ignoring Rulan.

Caizan stepped closer and whispered into Hualan’s ear, “Miss, I just passed by the old lady’s room and overheard the Zhao family’s young master preparing for the imperial exam in the main house. It seems they mentioned encountering river bandits on their way to the capital…”

“What? River bandits?!” Hualan’s almond-shaped eyes widened, her voice trembling slightly. “Did Zhao Han… did he get hurt?” She quickly added, sensing something amiss, “Is my uncle all right?”

Caizan shook her head. “I saw the old lady and master speaking calmly. I believe they are both fine.”

“I didn’t expect you to care so much about the Zhao young master…” Caizan covered her mouth and laughed, a sly glint flashing in her eyes.

Hualan’s jade-like face immediately flushed with two rosy clouds.

“I’m not caring about him. I just asked casually,” she hurriedly denied.

Seeing this, Caizan’s smile deepened. She leaned in half a step and lowered her voice, “Yes, yes, whatever you say, Miss.”

“If the Zhao young master knew you cared so much about him, he might…”

Before she could finish, Hualan interrupted sharply.

“Don’t talk nonsense. You’re losing all sense of propriety. If anyone overheard, I’d be utterly mortified.”

Noticing the faint pink tint spreading over her neck, Caizan realized she was truly flustered and smiled, shifting the conversation back to Rulan.

——

By mid-February, fresh patches of green could be seen everywhere in and around the capital. Tender buds quietly sprouted on the weeping willows along Jinming Pond.

With the imperial exam approaching, the street near the examination hall bustled with hurried scholars. Inns were overflowing with candidates, and even tripled prices couldn’t deter those seeking lodging.

Gu Tingye knew Zhao Han was busy preparing for the exam and had refrained from disturbing him in recent days.

As for the exam supplies, before Zhao Han could instruct Changqing to buy anything, Sheng Wei had meticulously prepared every detail and sent them over.

Fine lake brushes, Hu ink, Xuan paper, Duan inkstones—even candles specially made for the exam hall.

Tonight, the moonlight was exceptionally clear, illuminating the blue stone path in the courtyard with a gentle glow.

Proper etiquette did not extend to commoners; the customs of merchant families could not compare to those of scholarly gentlemen and were matters closed behind doors.

Sheng Wei specially instructed the kitchen to prepare a light and delicious meal and invited Shulan and Pinlan so the four could dine together.

During the meal, Pinlan’s eyes darted playfully as she smiled brightly, “I heard from my grandmother that the imperial exam lasts three whole days and nights, and candidates eat, drink, and relieve themselves all inside the examination hall.”

“The examination cubicles are low and narrow; some can’t even stretch their legs when sleeping. Those with weak constitutions sometimes have to be carried out right after finishing.”

“If you’re unlucky enough to get a foul-smelling cubicle, it’s really bad luck. Though the weather is still cold, being right next to the latrine means you can’t avoid the stench.”

“Brother Zhao, you must bring plenty of scented sachets.”

Sheng Wei hurriedly picked up a duck leg for her and mockingly scolded, “Close your crow’s mouth. Nephew Zhao is exceptionally talented and will surely get a superior cubicle.”

Pinlan stuck out her tongue, whispering, “I’m just worried…”

“Miss Pinlan makes a good point; you should definitely bring extra sachets,” Zhao Han laughed in agreement.

Seeing him back her up, Pinlan immediately adopted a different expression.

Shulan smiled softly, her eyes sparkling with gentle warmth.