Chapter Fifty-Four: Has Willow Something on Her Mind?

After accompanying the Old Madam for dinner in the main house, it was time for her to leave, yet she still hadn’t seen a trace of either Cui Liu or Cui Yu. Not even a little maid had been sent from the Plum Courtyard, which was highly unusual. Although Liu Qin found it odd, she betrayed nothing in voice or expression. Everyone in the main house assumed she had other arrangements and paid it no mind. Cai Xia wanted to escort her back herself, but Liu Qin declined. Instead, her cousin, Jiang Li, volunteered to see her safely back to the Plum Courtyard.

At the entrance to the Plum Courtyard, Jiang Li did not go in. He was exhausted, and Liu Qin urged him to return and rest early. Only after watching Jiang Li leave did Liu Qin enter. The courtyard was quiet, with only a single little maid stationed at the main room’s door. Upon seeing Liu Qin, the maid greeted her with a smile and called into the house, “Sister Cui Yu, the young lady has returned!”

Cui Yu heard the voice and lifted the curtain, stepping out with a smile. “You’re back, miss. When it grew dark and you still hadn’t returned, I guessed you must be with the Old Madam. I meant to fetch you myself, but Sister Cui Liu insisted she would go and told me to wait here. Normally, running such errands is my task—looks like I’ve managed to shirk my duties today.” Only after chattering for a while did she notice Liu Qin had come alone. Startled, she asked, “Eh? Where’s Sister? Why didn’t she come back with you?”

Liu Qin felt all the more uneasy but kept her composure, replying vaguely, “She’s behind. Today exhausted me, Cui Yu. I want a bath.”

“Certainly, miss.” Cui Yu responded, turning to instruct the little maid, “Xiao Hong, tell the kitchen matrons to bring two buckets of hot water.”

The little maid at the door agreed and went off.

Liu Qin entered the room and lay down on the couch. She truly was tired—not from squatting in a horse stance, but from all the gleeful hopping about and mischief earlier.

Cui Yu came in, rummaging through the wardrobe for fresh clothes for her bath. Liu Qin considered a moment, then glanced in Cui Yu’s direction and asked casually, “Cui Yu, has Sister Cui Liu seemed preoccupied lately?”

“Preoccupied?” Cui Yu paused, turning to face Liu Qin, her expression thoughtful. “No, I don’t think so. At least, I haven’t noticed anything.”

Liu Qin suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. If Cui Yu hadn’t noticed, who would? Cui Yu was so absentminded—asking her was probably futile. But there was no one else to ask; only Cui Yu and Cui Liu were closest to her. So she pressed on patiently, “Don’t you think Sister Cui Liu has been different lately?”

Cui Yu thought carefully, then seemed to realize something. “Now that you mention it, she has changed. She doesn’t smile as much or talk as often. She was never one for many words, but before, you’d hear a few at least. Now, except in front of you, she’s almost silent. Oh, that’s right—lately, she often sits by the window lost in thought. I’ve seen it several times, called her name, and she didn’t even respond. I was curious, as I heard a fellow townsman came looking for her a few days ago. I thought maybe something happened at home, but when I asked, she said no, so I didn’t pursue it. Could something have happened after all?”

Liu Qin didn’t know either, but it seemed she would have to ask Cui Liu herself. If there truly was some trouble, she would do all she could to help. Not only had Cui Liu raised her with care, sharing a bond like that of mother and sister, but even for an ordinary acquaintance who came to her for help, Liu Qin could hardly refuse.

Cui Liu had been sold into the household years ago, and still had a brother at home. Occasionally, someone would bring her a letter, so she kept in touch with her family. But Cui Yu knew well that the letters were always full of grievances and tales of hardship, ultimately to ask for money. Every time, Cui Liu’s hard-earned savings were emptied, and only when there was nothing left would things settle for a time. Cui Yu had once felt indignant on her behalf, but Cui Liu would only smile bitterly and say, “We share the same parents. How can I bear to see my brother go hungry or cold?” Even when left penniless, at least she could eat and stay warm in the household, much better than her brother’s circumstances. Cui Yu couldn’t argue—her own situation was similar, sending most of her earnings home. At least her family showed some care, sending things during festivals, unlike Cui Liu, who gave everything and received nothing, not even a word of thanks.

As the two spoke, they heard voices in the courtyard. Cui Yu went to look and saw two matrons arriving with water, while Xiao Hong directed them to carry it into the side room. Satisfied everything was in order, Cui Yu returned and lifted Liu Qin to take her to the side room.

The side room was connected to the inner chamber of the main house by two doors—one leading to the main house, the other outside—making it convenient for the maids to bring water in and out, and for Liu Qin’s personal use. In truth, the side room served much the same function as a modern bathroom, with screens dividing the area: one side held the large wooden bath barrel, the other the chamber pot and washbasin.

Liu Qin preferred to bathe without a maid’s help. Cui Yu settled her inside and was about to leave when she recalled Xiao Hong’s earlier words. “Miss, just now Xiao Hong said she ran into Sister at the gate, but a little maid called her away, saying the matron at the second gate had a message for her. Someone was waiting for Sister there, so she went along and asked Xiao Hong to let you know.”

Someone waiting for Cui Liu at the second gate—who could it be? Could it have something to do with her recent mood? Liu Qin thought for a moment and instructed Cui Yu, “Go and see who’s looking for Sister Cui Liu.”

Cui Yu understood her lady’s meaning and agreed. Before leaving, she cautioned Xiao Hong, “Miss has sent me on an errand. You stay here—don’t leave for even a moment. If Miss calls, answer at once. And unless she calls you, don’t go inside, no matter what. Be careful not to anger her—do you understand?”

“Understood,” Xiao Hong nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ve been here long enough to know Miss’s rules.”

Everyone in the Plum Courtyard knew Miss Liu Qin despised being disturbed during her bath or when using the chamber pot. She was otherwise easygoing, but on these two matters, she was exacting. Once, a little maid eager to prove her devotion entered the side room without permission and happened upon Liu Qin relieving herself. Seeing Cui Liu and Cui Yu absent, the maid thought to seize an opportunity, insisting on staying to attend her despite the smell. This provoked Liu Qin’s fury, and not long after, the maid was transferred elsewhere.

Cui Yu nodded; she had only emphasized the point because Xiao Hong was diligent and obedient, and she feared the girl might inadvertently offend the young lady. Having instructed her, Cui Yu left for the second gate.

At the second gate, Cui Liu had already arrived. Upon hearing she was wanted, she guessed it must be her fellow townsman, Chen Zhi. She had not wanted to see him, but worried he might have brought news from home, she came reluctantly, hoping to find out quickly and return.

To her dismay, today Chen Zhi had been drinking. Standing beneath a tree by the gate, he exuded a strong smell of wine that reached Cui Liu from afar. She frowned, wanting nothing more than to turn and leave, but since she was already there, she forced herself to ask, “Why did you send for me? Did my brother send a letter?”