Chapter 4: The Letter-Shaped Earrings
The water smelled fragrant and sticky.
One whiff, and it was clear—it was water mixed with shavings oil and beeswax.
Early in the morning, just as Yu Luoying stepped out of the hall, she was met with a basin of intensely aromatic water.
"Yuzhong! Are you out of your mind? Washing your hair here?" The housekeeper, Auntie Wang, hurried over and yanked Yuzhong aside.
"Madam! Yuzhong didn't mean it!" Yuzhong, her wet hair draped over her shoulders, dropped to her knees in panic. "Madam, I woke up early today and thought that since Master was still resting in your room, I could take the chance to wash my hair. But I was worried he wouldn't hear me if he woke, so I brought the basin to the doorway… I didn't realize Madam was coming out when I poured the water..."
"You certainly have a way with words," Yu Luoying said quietly, her eyes sweeping over her soaked skirt. Suppressing her anger, she continued calmly, "Your hair-washing supplies are rather extraordinary…"
"Madam, this beeswax was a gift from the Master!" Yuzhong's voice trembled even more.
"Indeed. I gave it to her. It's nothing too valuable," a lazy voice interrupted from behind her.
Yu Luoying turned to see a tall, handsome man leaning casually against the doorframe, his eyebrow arched in amusement.
"You're up, Master?"
"Yes. With all this noise, how could I not be?" He chuckled and then said to Yuzhong, "Look at you—such a mess! Apologize to Madam and leave."
"Thank you, Master!" Yuzhong quickly shot him a grateful glance, her voice turning sweet. "Madam, this is all my fault! I'll be more careful in the future!"
A wave of displeasure swept through Yu Luoying's heart. This maid, nearing twenty, had a curvy figure suggesting she'd been with a man before joining the Lian household. Around the wives, she appeared meek and proper, but the moment she saw the Master, her demeanor transformed—waist swaying like a willow branch, cheeks blooming pink, eyes brimming with water, or perhaps, desire. Still, her pitiable appearance left Yu Luoying no choice but to let it slide.
"This is your last warning. Next time, I won't let it go! And remember—beeswax is meant for hair care. Using it in water is wasteful. Don't squander it again. Off you go."
The morning was off to a troublesome start.
After changing her clothes and heading to the dining room, Yu Luoying learned from Xiaofeng that the second Madam, Su Caiyun, was unwell and wouldn't join them for breakfast.
Over the years, Yu Luoying had maintained a cordial relationship with Su Caiyun. Ever since Lu Qiaoqiao entered the household, their bond had grown stronger, like sisters. She promptly instructed Auntie Wang to prepare some congee for Su Caiyun, then went to accompany Master Lian Zheng at the table.
Master Lian, however, enjoyed a lively meal and had someone summon Lian Heng and Lu Qiaoqiao to join them. Yu Luoying, hungry but patient, had to wait for the two to arrive, which took ages.
Once breakfast was finally over, and Lian Zheng was sent off to work, Yu Luoying still had to go over the daily household accounts and menu arrangements with Auntie Wang.
After finishing these tasks, she exhaled deeply.
"Being a virtuous, capable lady of the house isn't easy," Lian Heng sighed wistfully.
"You're not a child anymore. In a couple of years, you'll become a lady of your own household," Yu Luoying teased affectionately.
It's true—her mother married her father at sixteen. Could it be that in this ancient time, she'd have to deal with another man?
"Is it possible not to marry?" Lian Heng blurted out. In her past life, marriage had been a nightmare—a constant reminder of men's awfulness.
"Absolutely not!" Yu Luoying's response was uncharacteristically firm.
"But—"
"No buts! A young lady must—" Before Yu Luoying could launch into a lecture based on The Rules for Women or The Admonitions for Women, her nursemaid, Aunt Luo, burst in, panting heavily.
"Madam, I saw the Third Madam—packing her things and sneaking out of the estate!"
Being rather rotund, Aunt Luo always spoke breathlessly after running.
"Are you sure?" Yu Luoying frowned.
"Absolutely! She even glanced around nervously as she left, as if afraid of being seen!" Aunt Luo nodded vigorously.
"She has no family nearby, so where would she go with her belongings?" Yu Luoying mused.
"Could it be… Oh, Madam, I dare not speculate! But you must be vigilant!" Aunt Luo hesitated, then blurted out her warning.
Yu Luoying fingered the cat's-eye stone ring on her hand, her mind racing.
Could it be that three women sharing one husband wasn't enough for Lu Qiaoqiao? Her display of magnanimity last night—could it have stemmed from someone else capturing her heart? While Yu Luoying wouldn't mind Lu Qiaoqiao leaving, any scandal would tarnish the family's reputation.
With that thought, Yu Luoying's heart tightened.
"I'll be careful. You may go," she finally said to Aunt Luo. "And remember—don't spread baseless rumors. It'll anger Master and harm the Lian family's name."
"Yes, Madam. I understand."
"Mother, don't overthink this. Father and the Third Madam are deeply in love… There's nothing to worry about," Lian Heng chimed in.
"Deeply in love…" Yu Luoying let out a bitter laugh. "Perhaps I am overthinking. Still, it's better to stay alert."
She stepped outside, her mind troubled, only to notice the bright sky darkening.
Before lunch, Lu Qiaoqiao returned, humming a carefree tune:
"When you scold me, I take it as sweet nothings;
When you hit me, I treat it as playful teasing;
When you mock me, I take it as terms of endearment…"
Her nonchalant demeanor irritated Yu Luoying even more.
As soon as Lu Qiaoqiao entered, Yu Luoying, her expression grim, asked, "Third Madam, where have you been?"
"I went to see an old acquaintance. It's nothing serious," Lu Qiaoqiao replied with a smile.
Yu Luoying found her sincerity convincing but added, "That song you were singing—isn't it rather inappropriate in this household?"
"Oh, but it's such a lovely tune! Besides, I didn't sing it outside," Lu Qiaoqiao retorted.
"How would I know where you've been singing? After all, it's your specialty!" Yu Luoying shot back coldly.
"Yes! I am skilled in singing! So what? As long as the Master likes it!" Lu Qiaoqiao snapped, then provocatively resumed singing:
"I love the way you scold me sweetly;
I love the way you tease me charmingly…"
"You insolent—!" Yu Luoying's cheeks flushed with anger.
The tense atmosphere was interrupted when Yuzhong entered, her hair styled prettily, and reported, "Madam, the new clothes are ready. Shall I bring them over for you to try?"
"After lunch," Yu Luoying replied curtly.
As Yuzhong turned to leave, Lian Heng stopped her. "Wait—your hairstyle looks lovely. Where did you learn it?"
"I styled it myself, Miss." Yuzhong stepped forward demurely.
Lian Heng examined her closely and then noticed something peculiar about her earrings.
From afar, they looked like ordinary hoops, but up close, the design resembled a letter—a Greek letter, Omega (Ω), to be exact.
"What is it, Miss?" Yuzhong asked nervously.
"Nothing," Lian Heng said, her brow furrowed. "By the way, what was your former employer's trade?"
"They were cloth merchants in the neighboring county," Yuzhong replied.
"Very well, you may go," Lian Heng waved her off.
How did Yuzhong come to own such an unusual pair of earrings? Omega wasn't common in the Ming Dynasty. A sense of unease crept over her. She'd always had sharp instincts—hopefully, this time, they were wrong.
After lunch, she planned to investigate further.
Meanwhile, the two Lian wives had their own concerns. Watching Yuzhong sway gracefully out of the room, Yu Luoying remarked coolly, "Sister, you might want to mind your own behavior. I've said all I can. Don't be surprised if soon, yet another newcomer catches the Master's eye."
Lu Qiaoqiao laughed. "You're worried about Yuzhong? That's ridiculous! The Master would never look at her. Sister, you overthink things!"
Moments later, Yuzhong's flirtatious banter with the servant, Jixiang, could be heard from the courtyard.
As they spoke, the sound of Yuzhong flirting playfully with the servant Jixiang echoed from the gatehouse.
Lu Qiaoqiao clapped her hands, laughing. "That Yuzhong—she's only capable of this kind of thing! Sister, you worry far too much!"
Yu Luoying sneered. "Of course, I don't have your tricks to inspire confidence." With that, she swept out of the room.
Indeed, wherever women gathered, drama followed.
That noon, Lian Heng went with the Second Wife's maid, Xiaofeng, to deliver lunch to Su Caiyun's room. When they arrived, they were met with an unusual scene: Su Caiyun, visibly agitated, was pointing at Yuzhong and shouting angrily.
"Second Madam, you mustn't get worked up while you're unwell!" Lian Heng quickly stepped forward to calm her. What had Yuzhong done this time? The Second Madam was usually gentle and rarely scolded the servants.
Su Caiyun, pale-faced with flushed cheeks, pointed to a piece of clothing on the floor and exclaimed, "That wretch! She's as spineless as a feather! I told her to shorten the sleeves on this garment, but she wouldn't listen! She even talked back to me—mocked me! Don't think just because you serve in the Master's study, you can become his concubine! Dream on! As if the Master would ever take a liking to you!"
Lian Heng frowned deeply and scolded, "Yuzhong, where do you get the nerve to defy the Second Madam? She's still unwell! If her condition doesn't improve tomorrow, you'll bear the responsibility! Go and alter the garment as you were told!"
Blushing, Yuzhong stammered her apologies and hurried away.
Remembering the matter of the earrings, Lian Heng followed after her and called her to stop, only to discover something startling—
The letter-shaped earrings were gone!
"Strange! I just saw you wearing those unusual earrings. Why have you taken them off? Where did they come from, anyway?"
Yuzhong timidly looked up and replied in a soft voice, "Miss, those earrings... I found them some time ago. Just now, when I went to fetch water at the well, I accidentally dropped them in!"
"Is that so?" Lian Heng regarded her with suspicion. How convenient.
"Yes, Miss. Things that don't belong to you never truly stay yours. I'll go alter the Second Madam's garment now!" Yuzhong curtsied and hurried away.