Yang Mingzhu's tiny feet lead her toward the mirror. It isn't very large in shape, but it is round and extremely shiny. This hardens Yang Mingzhu's previous notion that her family is rich. Only rich merchant families or nobles of ancient China can afford bronze mirrors. Gazing astounded at her reflection, she realizes how much of a beauty she's going to be. Even though she is only 5 years old, this body is undeniably cute. If this was the modern world, surely she would be a high paying child model.
"I'm quite satisfied with this vessel that I've possessed, it is very good-looking." With a round face, chubby cheeks, swordlike eyebrows, and innocent eyes, she looks like a porcelain doll.
Bao Chenghua was too caught up in admiring her reflection, that she didn't hear the footsteps of one of her courtyard's servants, as they made their way to the entrance of her boudoir.
"Young miss, may Nubi [1] please enter?" The servant outside the door softly knocks. This scares poor Yang Mingzhu, and she holds her hand to her heart to calm down. It is time for her first performance.
"Yes, you may enter." She made sure to lay down in the position she woke up in, lest the maid become suspicious.
When the maid enters, her head is bowed. Yang Mingzhu takes this time to scrutinize her. Her hair is styled in a half up half down with a discreet headband used as a decorative feature. Yang Mingzhu smiles at that, given the appearance of the maid, surely her mistress should be favored in the household?
On closer inspection, the servant girl is also wearing a light blue, cotton silk blended Ru Qun [2]. It's of excellent quality fabric, though Yang Mingzhu can't pinpoint what type. In single stitches along the hemline and collar of her uniform is floral embroidery of peonies, giving a sense of youth and immaturity. Feeling the drop in temperature in the room, Yang Mingzhu guesses the reason for the maid's choice of fabric, it's to keep warm during the winter months. On her feet, occasionally brushed by her ankle length skirt, are almond shaped leather shoes for ease of movement during household chores.
Yang Mingzhu almost claps her hands at her sudden realization. 'Yes, this maid is well taken care of, this means I definitely have some level of influence in the manor.' However, as she had not finished looking through all of the original owners memories, she's unaware of the hidden battles and intense struggles of the inner court that led to the previous young miss' demise.
In the maid's hands is a bowl of hot soup. The scent coming from the warm concoction is strange, so Yang Mingzhu questions the maid on its origins.
"What is that?" She asks. Her voice is high pitched resembling that of a tiny mouse squeaking.
"It's your medicine, young miss. The imperial physician said that you have contracted the wind cold [3], so the old madam ordered for us to bring you fermented soybean soup, as per the physician's orders." Fermented soybean soup helps to nourish the body, stimulate qi and because of their warmth properties it's good for expelling the cold. Her tone is respectful but her words bring a shudder to Yang Mingzhu's frail body.That's because she has been a victim of the soup's foul taste during her reformative years in her past life. 'Sigh,' Yang Mingzhu rubs her round cheeks in despair. Hopefully, the maid was smart enough to bring something sweet along with her.
The maid comes closer with the hot soup in her hand and carefully feeds it to her sick master. Slowly the little girl in the bed takes a sip of the medicinal concoction. With every swallow she makes, her small face twists into an unbearable expression. The maid almost loses her composure at the sight of her young miss making a fuss, 'adorable,' she thinks. The weird taste in her mouth makes her stomach churn in agony, but she must go through with it. When all of the soup is gone, the maid takes out some candied Hawk thorn fruits [4] and gives it to her young mistress to eat. She feels pity in her heart when she witnesses her young miss' painful expression.
Yang Mingzhu's eyes alight with happiness. That candy in front of her, is like a light at the end of a dark, murky tunnel. She hastily plops one of the savory candies inside of her mouth. Her twisted expression immediately relaxing as a result. 'Ah, sweet instant relief,' her small lips tug upwards in a smile , and her phoenix eyes narrow jovially, revealing two deep dimples on her rosy plump cheeks.
'Mmm so delicious. I could get use to living like this.' Yang Mingzhu's head is filled with thoughts on how much food she can extort from her family in this life. As a professional foodie, this is a must.
After completing her duties the young maid, that looks to be around 11 years old, stands up from the kneel that she had been in to feed Bao Chenghua.
"You may leave." Yang Mingzhu says. She refrains from saying the servant girl's name because she doesn't know it. A faint blush creeps up her neck at the thought, hoping the maid doesn't notice her awkwardness.
She really needs some time to recuperate and sort through the memories of the original owner.
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A/N
[1]-servants or maids often referred to themselves as "nubi" (奴婢) to indicate their lowly status and to show respect and submission to their masters. The term "nubi" (奴婢) literally means "slave" or "maidservant".
[2]-襦裙 (Rú Qún) – A set of tunic and skirt. A basic and simple style worn by nubi.
[3]- "wind-cold" (风寒, fēng hán) refers to a specific type of cold illness caused by the invasion of cold and wind into the body. it is treated by warming the body and promoting the expulsion of cold.
[4]- candied hawthorn (known as "tanghulu") is seen as comforting when Offering candied hawthorn to someone after they've taken a bitter medicine also has a comforting aspect. It may serve as a way of softening the unpleasant experience of taking bitter medicine, especially for children or elderly patients, making the medicine a bit more bearable.