The Little Bedmaid Just Wants to Get By - Chapter 3

Even if she didn’t get promoted, why a demotion?

Mu Hui was dissatisfied. “We’ve waited on the Second Master for so many years. Even if we don’t get credit for it, we should still be awarded for our hard work. How could we get demoted like this?” 

Bi Xin walked over. “These were the Lady’s words. If you’re dissatisfied, you can take it up with her. We’re merely following orders.” 

Of course, Mu Hui dared not question the Lady. She changed her approach. “The Second Master has always been picky. Only we know his preferences after serving him for so many years. If we change roles so suddenly, the Second Master may not be able to get used to it.”

Xiang Tao, who looked the most alluring out of the three, covered her mouth as she laughed. “What are you saying? Since we are here now, naturally, the Second Master will be satisfied. Both of you can spare your worries.” 

Bi Xin smiled condescendingly. “Take serving tea, for example. Who hasn’t done this before? But if we do it, it would surely be more pleasing to the eyes and heart, you understand?”

Guan Yuan felt that she had a point. Whatever a beautiful woman did, it was pleasing to the eyes and heart. It was just that the Second Master was a bit…Thinking about it, she felt it was better to give them a heads up. “The Second Master’s tea was handled by me all along. It’s a good thing that you’ll take over from now on, but he has some specific preferences, such as…” 

“Hey. It’s just tea preparation, why are you being so arrogant? Why don’t you go look in the mirror? What right does a third class maid have to lecture us?” Xiang Xin and Xiang Tao replied snarkily, unwilling to listen to her. 

Guan Yuan was helpless, but since she wasn’t good at arguing, she could only meekly respond, “Then…alright then. I worried too much.” 

Bi Xin said, “Actually, the two of you won’t stay here for long. We were just worried that we wouldn’t know where things were being kept in this court. Once we’re more familiar, you’ll still have to leave. After all, the Second Master’s reputation was destroyed by the likes of you. It’s quite a show of mercy that you weren’t all beaten and sold. To prevent such a thing won’t happen again, the two of you are forbidden from approaching the Second Master’s house. Not even a single step, got it?”

Mu Hui had no way of refuting them. She could only hang her head and remain begrudgingly silent.

Guan Yuan had missed her chance to be assigned elsewhere. On top of that, she had even been demoted, which meant that her monthly salary would decrease by quite a bit. At first, she was devastated, but once she heard that she wouldn’t have to wait on the Second Master any longer, wouldn’t even be allowed to step near the main house, her heart skipped back to life. 

Her salary might have decreased, but so did her workload. Since she would no longer be reprimanded daily, it made no difference whether she left this court or not. 

With this thought in mind, her days suddenly seemed hopeful. 

She quickly nodded, afraid that they would change their minds. “I got it, I got it. We will definitely stay far away from the Second Master.”

Mu Hui couldn’t bear it. “Did the Second Master agree with your arrangement?” 

Bi Xin smiled coldly. “It looks like you’re not convinced. You could always complain to the Lady that we’ve stolen your work, and that you’re the best at serving the Second Master, how does that sound?”

Guan Yuan pulled at Mu Hui’s sleeve forcefully, diffusing the situation with a smile. “We’re convinced, we will listen to everything Bi Xin jiejie says.” 

Mu Hui lowered her thin brows, glaring at her hatefully. She said soundlessly, “Sycophant!”

Bi Xin eyed her calmly. “That’s all for now. In the future, the two of you need only care for the plants and birds and so on. When we call for you, answer quickly. When we don’t call for you, make yourselves scarce. Now begone.”

Guan Yuan smiled gleefully. “I understand, Bi Xin jiejie, we’ll go feed the birds now.” 

After the two of them retreated, Mu Hui shoved away Guan Yuan’s hand that was pinching her sleeve. “I never knew you were such a coward.”

Guan Yuan felt wronged. “It’s for your sake too. If we really brought this matter to the Lady, wouldn’t we be the ones at a loss? This arrangement is pretty good, unless you seriously want to face that temperamental master every day?” 

Mu Hui side-eyed her. “The Second Master is only temperamental towards you. He’s very good to me. As long as I do my job well, he never scolds me.”

“Sure sure sure” Guan Yuan puffed up her cheeks. “It’s all because you do your job well, and I don’t, alright?  We all know you’re the most meticulous, but what does it matter? Does the Second Master care?” 

The question broke through Mu Hui’s defenses. She deflated at once. “Now that you mention it. Shui Ling arrived in the same year as me. She fixed all of the Second Master’s socks and shoes, but the Second Master didn’t even spare her a glance when she left.” 

“Forget her, even if the both of us left, he wouldn’t wrinkle his brow. Why should we care about such a cold hearted person? Let them do whatever they want. It’s all over once we get through a few more years.” 

Guan Yuan’s consoling words calmed Mu Hui’s agitation significantly. Together, the two watered flowers and fed birds. Occasionally, they glanced over to watch the higher-ranked maids working non stop while they languished comfortably. 

In the early evening, Dou Zhao returned from the Eastern Palace. The moment he entered the court, Xiang Xin was waiting at the door with a freshly-brewed cup of tea. Smiling as she bent her knees in a half-kneeling position, she raised the cup above her head. “Welcome home, Second Master. You have worked hard. Please have some tea, Second Master.”

Dou Zhao halted his steps. He asked, “Who told you to serve tea this way?” 

Xiang Xin was stunned. She straightened quickly and smiled, “Since it’s my first time serving Second Master, I thought this would be more respectful. If Second Master doesn’t like it, I will not do this again.” 

Dou Zhao retrieved the tea, but the moment he lifted it up, he lowered it again. “Did you brew this?” 

Before she arrived, Xiang Xin specially learned some techniques to brew tea. Thinking that Dou Zhao wanted to praise her, she said gleefully, “Yes, I knew Second Master liked longjing*, so I took care to brew it with water from the Hui spring. Please enjoy, Second Master.”

“Can this be enjoyed?” Dou Zhao raised his hand. The tea cup and saucer fell to the ground. An exquisite, top-quality piece of Ge ware celadon smashed into dust.  

Shocked, Xiang Xin fell to her knees, taking no notice of the shattered ceramic. “Forgive me, Second Master.”

“Didn’t Guan Yuan tell you the rules?” Although his actions showed that he was angry, his face was calm, his voice impassive. 

Xiang Xin dared not lift her head. “No, she didn’t tell me.”

Dou Zhao paused. “Don’t you have a mouth? If she didn’t tell you, couldn’t you ask?” 

Xiang Xin trembled in fear. “Yes, this servant is to blame.”

Dou Zhao immediately ordered Guan Hai to call Guan Yuan over, impatience clear on his face. “I don’t have time to question your negligence. Tell her the rules for brewing longjing.”

Looking at the spilled tea and shattered pieces on the floor, Guan Yuan didn’t have the courage to ask how she had been negligent. She steeled herself and stepped in front of Xiang Xin. 

Xiang Xin started getting up, but Dou Zhao stopped her. “Did I say you could get up? Kneel and listen!” 

Guan Yuan bit her lip, feeling sorry for her. She was saying all along that this master wasn’t easy to serve, but they didn’t listen. Sigh!

“The Second Master only drinks longjing in the morning on rest days, and only when brewed with last year’s rainwater. When the water starts to bubble, pour a little into the pot. The first brew must be poured away immediately. Once the second brew starts to take on color, pour it into a white jade cup until it is seven-tenths full. Then, it must be served as quickly as possible. After the master has finished…”

“That’ll do.” Dou Zhao interrupted her. “You can teach her the rest later. I just wanted her to know that she has just wasted my good tea.”

Xiang Xin was so embarrassed that her face was beet red. She remained folded over on the floor, not daring to say a word. 

Presently, Bi Xin stepped forward. “Second Master, why not rest inside the house? It’s quite hot at this time of the day.” 

Without sparing another glance for Xiang Xin, Dou Zhao turned and entered the house. But the moment he stepped in, he raised his eyes and saw that there were two lotus flowers and a lotus leaf protruding from the Long Quan celadon vase at his desk. 

The residence in Chang Zhi court was well-ventilated and spacious. The three rooms in front were unwalled, with bookshelves of every color dividing up the space instead. The unobstructed view of the residence filled the eyes with books and scrolls of every kind. An immense long desk stood in the middle room. On it were brushes, paper and a chess board, as well as some chess books that he was studying. 

The placement of the items remained unchanged, with the two jade green celadon chess containers giving a touch of life to the desk. The introduction of the lotus flowers added an elegant aura, making the entire house feel airy, as if the breeze from the lotus pond had been brought along as well. 

This was specially prepared by Bi Xin. Together with the other new maids, she had toiled for an entire day to rearrange the interior and exterior of the house. Before, the house was clean and tidy, but also cavernous and lifeless. Thus, they decorated it with plants and flowers. The ostentatious location of this vase of lotus flowers was prepared according to Dou Zhao’s preferences. 

Bi Xin knew that Dou Zhao would be pleased with this, so when she saw that he was angry, she quickly ushered him into the house, hoping that these flowers would improve his mood. 

Dou Zhao stared at the flowers for a long while, then surveyed the decorations all around the house. He said to Guan Hai, “Do you know what to do?” 

Guan Hai nodded. He walked forward and picked up the vase. “Which one of you picked the lotus flowers?” 

Since Bi Xin had instructed Xiang Tao to pick the flowers, she should have been the one to respond. However, she had always been astute. Seeing that the situation didn’t seem right, she signalled with her eyes to Xiang Tao, who was standing at the side. 

Xiang Tao was overjoyed, thinking that Bi Xin wanted her to take the credit instead. She eagerly stepped forward. “This servant picked the flowers for the Second Master.”

Guan Hai extracted the lotus flowers and threw the bunch at her face. “If you picked it just say so. How dare you say you picked them for the master. Did the master ask you to pick them?” 

As the flowers pelted her face painfully, Xiang Tao couldn’t help but cry out. “I didn’t do it on purpose, it was Bi…”

“Shut your mouth. You should admit your mistake and learn from it. Why are you crying?” Bi Xin interjected loudly, sending her another signal with her eyes, telling her to take the blame.

Bi Xin dared not continue. She replied begrudgingly, “I understand.”

Ignoring their silent interaction, Guan Hai said sternly, “Remember this, lotus flowers are the Second Master’s most beloved flower. Since he loves them, he can’t bear for them to be damaged. Whoever damages them must kneel by the lotus pond for five minutes at noon daily for a full seven days to apologise to the lotus flowers, got it?”

Kneeling by the lotus pond for five minutes in the middle of the day? And for seven days? Xiang Tao almost fainted. She did everything she could to get this position so that she could be the Second Master’s bedmaid. After seven days, she would be burnt to a piece of charcoal, how could she still show her face? 

Xiang Tao couldn’t help but cry. “I can’t, Second Master! This servant can’t go under the sun.” 

Guan Hai asked, “Why not?”

Xiang Tao couldn’t care about anything else right now. “I…The Lady sent me over to please the Second Master with my appearance. If I become dark under the sun, how can I serve the Second Master?” 

Her explanation made sense. Not knowing how to handle the situation, Guan Hai looked at Dou Zhao awkwardly. 

At this, Dou Zhao finally turned around. He glanced briefly at the two maids in the room, then smiled coldly. “So, did all of you come with these intentions?”

Bi Xin knelt hurriedly. “This servant wouldn’t dare!” 

Dou Zhao smiled. “Let’s do it this way. Call all the maids over, and I will ask them one by one.” 

“Yes!” Guan Hai answered, and left to summon them. 

Very soon, all maids ranked third class and above were gathered. 

Dou Zhao first asked Bi Xin, “I heard that all of you consented to being sent here. So, what made you want to come to my Chang Zhi Court?”

Bi Xin was incredibly sharp. She immediately came up with a model answer. “This servant respects the Second Master’s talent, and only wishes to serve at the Second Master’s side. It is the honor of this servant to be able to stay at Chang Zhi Court.”

With her template answer, Xiang Tao, Cai Ju and Cai Me, who answered afterward, didn’t dare be rash. They all gave a similar answer. 

At Mu Hui’s turn, she gave a practical answer. “I’ve served the Second Master for a long time, and am afraid of working somewhere unfamiliar.” 

Finally, Dou Zhao focused his eyes on Guan Yuan. “How about you?” 

Guan Yuan was at a loss. 

I…I didn’t even want to stay…

— 

* A type of green tea, known for its sweet, mellow taste