This is quite interesting.
There's a saying that goes well, "Do not employ someone you mistrust, but when you do employ someone, trust them completely."
Since this Second Miss wants to use her, but at the same time looks down on her, she gives her a hard time right upon arrival to make it easier to handle her in the future.
But who told her that talent should be used this way?
When Liu Bei wanted to employ Zhuge Liang, he had to visit him thrice to show sincerity.
Modern company bosses also offer high salaries to retain talent.
This Second Miss, however, wants the horse to run but doesn't let the horse eat grass, disrespecting people.
How could the Second Miss not know someone has entered? She saw this girl the other day, albeit only from afar, and was already amazed by her beauty. She deliberately avoided looking when the person entered, but the girl was so extraordinarily radiant that the whole room seemed to glow, making it impossible to ignore her.
Yet, she still had to give the newcomer a taste of her authority and show her prowess. Now that it was about right, the Second Miss finally looked at the newcomer, pretending she had just noticed someone in the room.
"Oh, the person has already arrived. Why didn't anyone speak up to remind me?"
This was truly a meaningless remark, as Qu Fulan had already entered and offered her greetings after coming in. Unless someone was blind and deaf, they couldn't possibly not know.
But she spoke this way, and the people around acted blind, cooperating by saying, "It's our negligence, Second Miss, please forgive us."
Qu Fulan showed no change in expression, offering another courtesy.
No choice, since the first courtesy was ignored, she had to do it again.
Qu Fulan was not only beautiful but also had a sweet voice; however, the Second Miss frowned at the sound, reminded of a seductive woman in her family—a disreputable prostitute who flaunts her beauty daily to seduce her husband. The night maid mentioned that the young prostitute behaves even more disgracefully at night, indistinguishable from those in brothels.
This young prostitute was a gift from her husband's superior, so she couldn't act against her; otherwise, she would have killed her like the first concubine.
Now, this girl's beauty surpasses the young prostitute's, doing nothing but standing there, seemingly luring men.
She's a good candidate; after some training, she could retain her husband.
But such a lowly girl must not bear her husband's child. A bowl of child-ending medicine will nip any potential trouble in the bud.
The Second Miss turned to Qu Fulan: "How long have you been at the Old Madam's courtyard?"
Qu Fulan: "Replying to Second Miss, I've been at Fushou Hall for half a month."
The Second Miss asked, "What have you been responsible for on a regular basis?"
Upon hearing this, Qu Fulan was sure that the other person really didn't know she was preparing medicine for the Old Madam.
Qu Fulan replied, "I've cleaned the courtyard, tended the teapot, washed clothes, and now I prepare and brew medicine for the Old Madam."
The Second Miss did not grasp the depth of this, clearly showing her disdain for Qu Fulan, not caring much about what she said.
She went on to ask other questions, like how many family members she had, what her parents did, and what status she had when entering the residence.
After getting the answers, the Second Miss felt this girl was truly born for her purpose.
"My shoulders are sore from sitting. Come over and massage them for me."
This was said to Qu Fulan.
The others around her heard this and didn't think it was inappropriate. They were all servants, meant to serve others.
Qu Fulan stepped forward and massaged her shoulders for a while, making the other person squint comfortably: "You really know how to serve people. Start serving me from tomorrow; following me will bring you great fortune."
Qu Fulan lowered her eyes and said, "I serve the Old Madam and dare not have second thoughts."
The Second Miss sneered, not saying much more; after all, she was merely mentioning it, not asking for her opinion.
Just a small maid, she didn't even need to speak to the Old Madam directly, just notify Yueyuan.
"Call Yueyuan over; say I need to speak with her."
The servant obeyed and left, while Qu Fulan remained to continue massaging the Second Miss's shoulders.
When Yueyuan arrived, this was the scene she saw. She frowned slightly, unnoticed, then stepped forward to greet: "Second Miss."
The Second Miss didn't move, only adjusted her upper body slightly: "Sister Yueyuan, don't be so formal. Before I got married, we played together, and I always regarded you as an elder sister. Why have you become distant now? It must be because you have better friends, unwilling to be close to me anymore."
Yueyuan smiled and said, "Second Miss, what are you saying? You're the master, and I'm the maid; the family's rules mustn't be broken. Please forgive me, Second Miss."
The Second Miss laughed: "Forgive, forgive. I was merely joking with you, and look, you took it seriously. Please have a seat."
Yueyuan didn't decline and sat down directly.
The Second Miss saw this, her lips slightly tightened before saying: "I asked you here to discuss something, hoping you'd consider our long-standing friendship and help me."
Yueyuan said, "What does the Second Miss want to ask?"
The Second Miss said, "Don't worry about me laughing. How could a girl know the hardships of marriage before she's married? Good or bad, you learn after marrying. Without someone close, you have to face everything alone; the heartache is hard to express."
This unspecific talk left listeners puzzled, but Yueyuan knew what the Second Miss was talking about, though she pretended not to know. She was worried, unsure if the Second Miss had spoken with Haitang about the matter since there was no visible reaction from Haitang's expression.
The Second Miss didn't wait for Yueyuan's response; her words were merely an introduction to the main topic.
"Returning home, I thought I'd bring a maid along as a companion, someone close to discuss things with, so it won't be so lonely."
Yueyuan said, "Doesn't the Second Miss find it easy to bring a maid? There are many maids in the third wing; it's just a matter of a word from the Second Miss."
The Second Miss said, "If only a maid from the third wing were suitable. But choosing a maid takes chemistry, and not one there caught my eye. Now, I like this maid named Haitang and want to ask Sister Yueyuan to take her back. What do you think, Sister Yueyuan?"
Yueyuan glanced at Haitang unnoticed, seeing her with her eyes lowered, her emotions masked by long eyelashes, silently speaking louder than words.
"With any other maid, the Second Miss could take ten or eight without an issue, but this Haitang, I'm afraid the Second Miss can't take her." Yueyuan said directly.
The corners of the Second Miss's smile turned cold: "Why does Sister Yueyuan say this?"
Yueyuan explained with a smile: "Second Miss is unaware; the Old Madam's previous ailment flared up, and it was only thanks to this maid's timely treatment she was spared suffering. Later she noticed the Old Madam was troubled by insomnia, provided prescriptions, prepared medicine, and now handles the brewing. The Old Madam relies heavily on her."
The Second Miss frowned, genuinely surprised by this situation. This Haitang girl is actually a medical woman?
She recalled Haitang mentioning before about preparing and brewing medicine, realizing now what it meant.
"Isn't the residence employing a doctor? Why rely on a mere maid?"