How could Mrs. Pei interfere?
At the beginning, she did not favor this marriage. Nowadays, the Pei Family holds a high status in the capital, but that's due to the achievements of the main branch. As for the second and third branches, it's their fortune to enjoy the prestige.
Those with a conscience should be grateful and not harbor delusions, yet there are always some who want to leverage others' achievements for their own gain, which is despicable.
Take the third branch's current marriage proposal, for instance. What position does the woman's father hold? What position does the Third Master hold? Back then, Mrs. Pei recommended finding a family of equal standing to make future interactions smoother, but the Third Madam was not happy and insisted on her own way. Now that such a situation has occurred, she feels embarrassed and wants Mrs. Pei to help save face.
The honors and accomplishments of the main branch aren't meant for these sorts of matters.
Mrs. Pei promptly served tea to see the guest out.
The Third Madam was infuriated; she didn't dare say anything to her face, but once back in her own room, she murmured complaints about Mrs. Pei.
"Madam, the Yao Family…" Nanny Fang spoke carefully.
"What about the Yao Family?" The Third Madam responded irritably.
"They said the food from the third branch isn't tasty and asked the kitchen to start anew."
"Then let the kitchen prepare it again. Why bother me with such trivial matters?"
"They also said it's too hot and requested more ice for the room, otherwise they won't sleep well at night."
Ice is precious in the summer, and even the masters of Pei Mansion have a set allotment. Now to give more ice to the Yao Family means taking it from the Third Branch's share. This infuriates the Third Madam, yet she must still treat the Yao Family like revered guests.
Two days went by like this.
One day, when Qu Fulan was delivering medicine to Mrs. Pei, Heir Pei's letter arrived at her quarters.
In the letter, he mentioned that he heard of his third brother's upcoming nuptials and was returning, also instructing someone to prepare a wedding gift for his third brother. He expressed his concern for Mrs. Pei's health and mentioned that he brought many tonics for her, closing with inquiries about the mansion's recent situation, covering all aspects thoroughly.
Mrs. Pei beamed with joy as she held the letter, "Erlang has always been attentive and the most filial."
Due to Erlang's parents being away for long periods and having children later than the second branch.
Thus, the Princely Heir ranks second in the household, with the firstborn from the second branch.
Mr. Pei was already married and had a five or six-year-old child. Unfortunately, his wife died in childbirth early on, and while the family wanted him to remarry, Mr. Pei refused.
This made him seem quite devoted, at least in the eyes of outsiders.
Qu Fulan did not see it that way.
Because, from Hai Xia's words, Qu Fulan learned that although Mr. Pei did not remarry, he kept two concubines in his quarters.
The so-called concubines were maids used for physical needs, not even formal concubines.
Even so, many maids in the mansion vied to become Mr. Pei's concubines. After all, concubine maids held the highest status among maids, requiring no work other than serving their master.
Even Hai Xia thought Mr. Pei was quite commendable, though she lamented not having the fate to be a maid by his side.
While Qu Fulan did not agree with this notion, she did not see fit to dissuade it, as it was a common mindset among low-status women of this era.
"Actually, the Young Master is the best," Hai Xia added, "if not for certain tasks needing meticulous maids, the Young Master might not want a single maid, let alone any concubine maids. Most maids in the mansion aspire to serve beside him—it's a unique honor, even more respectable than serving Mrs. Pei."
Only then did Qu Fulan realize how popular Heir Pei was in the mansion, with many maids wanting to be his personal maid.
Was Hai Yue one of them?
"But I don't wish to be a maid beside the Young Master," Hai Xia continued.
"Why?" Qu Fulan asked, quite curious.
Logically, water flows downwards, and people seek upwards movement.
"You don't know, Heir Pei is indeed exceptionally good, with such a physique and looks that captivate. You might think Mr. Pei is handsome enough, but even he doesn't quite match up to Heir Pei."
Qu Fulan had seen Mr. Pei from afar and agreed that his looks were first-rate even in modern celebrity standards. If Heir Pei surpassed him, she couldn't quite fathom what level of beauty he maintained.
"With Heir Pei being so exceptional, I should want to work by his side, yet deep down, I'm afraid of him. Every time I face him, I don't dare to breathe heavily, so how could I brave working by his side?"
"Why, is Heir Pei very frightening?"
"Not exactly. He treats his subordinates well, but with one condition: they mustn't break his rules."
At this juncture, Hai Xia leaned close to Haitang's ear and whispered, "I once saw it myself, a careless servant ruined Heir Pei's matters, and Heir Pei immediately ordered them beaten to death, smiling as he did so."
At the time, Hai Xia was so frightened that her legs went weak. Heir Pei noticed her but did not make things difficult, yet she was scared from then on and wished to avoid him.
Qu Fulan understood, it was akin to matching descriptions in novels, where one could claim a life in casual conversation.
Not messing with such a person was wise for Hai Xia; even the slightest wayward thought could be detected, which would be mortifying.
Qu Fulan had a boss in modern times who could read people just as easily, and every interaction felt overwhelming, making her want to keep her distance.
People inclined to scheme dislike being seen through, partly due to lacking a sense of achievement but mostly an absence of security.
Days rolled by like the wheels of a cart.
Outside rumors spoke of the Pei Family's strict household traditions, making Miss Yao distrustful, fearing her future husband's quarters housed some unsavory seductresses. She wanted to handle them preemptively if possible.
After some investigation, it turned out there were no such seductresses in the third branch.
Credit goes to the Third Madam, who, to prevent the Third Master from taking concubines, selected maids who couldn't be less attractive. This also explained why the Second Miss found no well-featured maids in the third branch.
"Though the third branch has no seductresses, the old lady's quarters are full of them. I saw it when I went to pay respects, oh my, every maid there was more striking than the last."
The servant returned to report to her mistress.
Miss Yao frowned, "What's the point of having so many attractive maids in Mrs. Pei's quarters?"
"Mrs. Pei loves to keep beautiful girls in her quarters, claiming it's a pleasing sight."
"It's plainly vexing," Miss Yao replied, somewhat irritated. Although there were no seductresses in the third branch, Mrs. Pei's quarters had them, which left room for untoward ambitions among the maids in the future.
"Isn't it? There's even a pair of maids, one named Hai Yue and the other Haitang, who look like sisters, outshining all the others by far."
"Hai Yue, Haitang?"
"Yes, especially that one named Haitang. Miss, if you saw her, she would even put Miss Su to shame by a few degrees."
Miss Su was one of the five celebrated beauties of the capital.
Being called one was due to equal judgments in appearances, having no clear standout.
Miss Su's fame stemmed from her skills and looks, making her the most renowned among the five beauties.
If the servant claimed Haitang surpassed Miss Su, it meant she eclipsed all five celebrated beauties of the capital.
Having such maids at home could stir domestic trouble.
Miss Yao's face instantly darkened.