Hai Chun had already learned from her sister that Haitang was bound by a Death Contract as a maid, destined to a life of servitude, which is why she spoke mockingly.
"You're so noble, you're a lady of the house, we're all just maids and servants. Then why don't you go back to being your wealthy miss, why cling shamelessly to the Pei Mansion to be a maid?" Hai Xia mocked.
Doesn't everyone know each other's situation?
Those who work as maids usually come from families that are poor, struggling for food and clothes; if their conditions were a bit better, they wouldn't willingly send their daughters to be maids.
That Hai Chun, not a household-born child, yet insists on squeezing into the Pei Mansion, isn't it just that her family can't afford to keep her, so she's sold to be a maid?
Everyone is a maid, what gives her the confidence to think she's above others?
Hai Chun was choked with anger at the ridicule: "You..."
Hai Xia continued: "Since you're a maid, then do your duties diligently for your master. Always retreating to your room to rest, not allowing interruptions, really think you're a pampered miss with no noble status but noble ailments, I spit on it!"
Hai Chun trembled with rage, pointing in Hai Xia's direction, but unable to utter a word in rebuttal.
Having a second-grade maid sister, and parents who are stewards in the mansion, indeed, Hai Chun had to be wary of Hai Xia.
Hai Chun harbored deep resentment, waiting until she rises in rank to deal with everything.
When the day comes that she becomes the favored one in front of the old madam, then she'll see how to handle them!
The maids in the room continued their laughing and chatting, days passed just like that.
One day, Hai Xia skipped in from somewhere, saw Qu Fulan, and said: "Sister Haitang prepared medicine for the old madam? Perfect timing, Second Miss is returning today, she'll come to pay respects to the old madam, follow me then, show yourself in front of the masters, you'll surely earn some reward."
Due to her parents working as stewards in the mansion, Hai Xia performed errands for various masters, sometimes delivering messages or items, earning rewards and staying informed of the daily happenings in the mansion, knowing all the latest news.
Qu Fulan is different; she stayed every day in Fushou Hall tending to the medicinal pots, feeling trapped in a "never stepping outside" kind of way.
Actually, this isn't good, Qu Fulan understands that being too isolated from news isn't wise.
But she has no choice, being merely a maid without any background or support, surviving as she does is already fortunate enough, what more can she aspire to?
Fortunately, things aren't bad, with a "little messenger" like Hai Xia, she can learn the mansion's latest happenings promptly.
The "Second Miss" referred by Hai Xia is the legitimate daughter of the third house, because she married far away in Pingzhou which is distant from the capital, this is her first homecoming after half a year of marriage, naturally, it should be grand.
However, the novel doesn't mention this Second Miss.
Because the protagonist in the novel is still recovering from injuries in bed, and without scenes of the protagonist, these parts are briefly noted.
Now that Qu Fulan is living in reality, everything happening daily is genuine.
Those not mentioned in the novel, Qu Fulan doesn't know their character, and doesn't dare to rashly stand out or make an impression, fearing the consequences may harm her.
Thus, she declined Hai Xia's goodwill under the pretext of being busy.
While speaking, Second Miss arrived at Fushou Hall to pay respects to the old madam.
Many maids gathered to see the excitement, leaving the tea room unattended, and the person originally overseeing the tea stove seeing Qu Fulan not attending the event, asked her to manage the tea stove.
Qu Fulan agreed.
She heard from Hai Xia, that the second and third madams and others were present, including the other young misses and masters, making the main hall of Fushou Hall lively.
With so many masters, her standing as a third-grade maid, with a fragile beauty already a target of sabotage from colleagues, striving to show face would be humorously an idle pursuit.
Besides, with so many masters, naturally there are many maids to serve, her presence wouldn't be missed, and furthermore, the masters need tea, making it impractical to leave.
When Yueyuan came to fetch something, she saw only Haitang in the tea room and spoke up.
"Haitang, come here."
Qu Fulan looked up, seeing Yueyuan, she got up and approached, saying: "Sister Yueyuan, do you have any instructions?"
Yueyuan is the favored senior maid by the old madam's side, also the leader among the maids in the old madam's courtyard, it can be said that aside from the old madam, her words hold the greatest sway.
Yueyuan smiled and said: "It's Second Miss's homecoming today, everyone at the front has received rewards, why didn't you go?"
Qu Fulan said: "My tongue is clumsy, afraid I won't speak well before the masters, better to stay here and watch the tea."
Yueyuan was a bit surprised, she's seen countless maids, for the first time seeing one not actively vying for the favor of the masters.
If it's an ordinary maid, it's understandable, since not all maids can approach the masters, yet she has gained favor with the old madam, now serving her, a rare opportunity to show herself wouldn't even be a point of contention.
But it's rare for her to have this sincere heart, even at such a moment, still diligently attending her duties, clearly showing her character.
Such maids who stick to their duties are what masters favor most.
"Let it be, you girl labor daily brewing medicine for the old madam, I'll leave a share of the reward for you later."
Qu Fulan modestly refused, yet the other party didn't heed her and left.
The Second Miss and others stayed at Fushou Hall until dusk before leaving.
Qu Fulan had finished brewing the medicine, when she went to deliver it, Yueyuan pointed at her and said to the old madam.
"Old Madam, just look at this girl, while other maids are rushing to offer diligence for rewards, she alone remained in the tea room tending the stove, luckily I left her a share of reward, or else she'd be disadvantaged."
The old madam smiled and said: "Such an earnest child, admirable that at a young age she can honestly and diligently perform her duties."
Qu Fulan promptly said: "The other sisters are also honest and diligent, just this maid is too clumsy, afraid of poorly serving the masters' sight."
The old madam was amused, saying to Yueyuan.
"Listen to this maid's words, if she's clumsy, other maids wouldn't be suitable to be seen, such sensible children are rare, many are unaware of propriety, vying for profit, teach her well in the future."
Yueyuan smiled and replied: "Understood, old madam."
After speaking, she reminded Haitang, foolishly standing, "Haitang, quickly thank the old madam."
No matter how effective Yueyuan's words are, they can't surpass a word from the old madam.
Now the old madam's meaning is obvious.
Qu Fulan understood well the implication of the old madam's words.
The term "teach" signifies elevation.
She just didn't expect it to happen so swiftly and smoothly.
"Thank you, Old Madam!"