38 Elder Sister

Yang Hua could do nothing about it. Atzu had truly become a second Lingbo; she was as unfathomable as the sea and even more headstrong. Since both she and Xiao Liu were accustomed to obeying Lingbo, they were naturally kept firmly under her control.

However, Atzu was also like Lingbo in that she did not tell lies. When she said she knew what she was doing, she really did. According to the customs in the capital, the final banquet before the New Year—the Mountain Alum Banquet—was essentially a mere formality, often coinciding with the holiday season. Thus, Cui Jingyu’s Orchid Banquet was the last true gathering before the New Year. Its grandeur went without saying, but the key was that the host was Cui Jingyu, the "Top Scholar" of the Flower Message Banquet. There was not a single noble lady in the capital who would miss it.

In fact, this turned out to be a good thing, as Cui Jingyu’s invitations were widely distributed; all the prominent families in the capital and the generals of the Northern Defense Army received one. The Ye family was no exception.

Lingbo naturally intended to go. Not only that, but she also critiqued Cui Jingyu harshly: "Well done, Cui Jingyu, you act as if you're selecting a concubine, sending invitations across the entire capital. You’ll have days to regret this."

Her scolding was not for the sake of venting—if she wanted to vent, why not do it to his face? In reality, she was trying to provoke Qinglan into going with her. But Qinglan remained as still as an ancient, undisturbed well, saying calmly, "I am going to the temple to pay respects to the Buddha today. I have already asked Yueqi to look after you."

Lingbo tried a desperate, final struggle: "Sister Han still has matters at home; it wouldn't be right to trouble her, would it?"

Her delivery was so obvious that even Qinglan, who wasn't quick-witted, smiled.

"Yueqi has always been more spirited when in a crowd; there is nothing wrong with that." Seeing the undisguised disappointment on Lingbo’s face, she smiled and patted her shoulder.

To Atzu, the Ye Lingbo who could do anything was, in her eyes, merely her own little sister who liked to scheme.

"Don't be upset. I will bring you back some paulownia leaf rice cakes from the temple," she said with a smile.

"I’m not a child anymore; who wants to eat that?" Lingbo said dismissively. But she eventually softened, adding, "Bring two with red bean paste for Atzu; she doesn't like things too sweet."

"Alright."

With her plan to provoke Qinglan failing, Lingbo had to attend the banquet alone. Unexpectedly, a last-minute issue arose: Atzu decided she didn't want to go, claiming she was a bit tired. Lingbo felt her forehead and, finding no fever and seeing that she seemed fine, assumed she was truly exhausted and left her behind. Fortunately, Qinglan wasn't leaving for the temple until the afternoon, so she could look after Atzu at home during the morning.

Once Lingbo left, only Qinglan and Atzu remained. Qinglan was still instructing the kitchen to prepare a restorative soup for Atzu when, upon turning around, she saw Atzu climb off the bed and kneel on the floor.

Qinglan was startled, sensing there was something serious to be said. She dismissed the maids and helped her up, saying, "What is the matter? Why are you kneeling like this? The floor is cold; be careful of catching a chill. Whatever it is, can't we talk about it properly?"

Atzu lowered her head and told her about her situation with Wei Yushan, though she didn't tell the whole truth, omitting the parts where she had been calculating. It sounded more like a common story of young love blossoming at the Flower Message Banquet, complicated only by the involvement of the Ye family and Cui Jingyu. When she reached the part about being caught by Shen Biwei and ordered to confess to her sister, she blushed deeply.

Qinglan laughed at the story.

"I wondered what it was; so it's just this." She pulled Atzu to sit on the edge of the heated brick bed and said, "A graceful lady is a good match for a gentleman. The Flower Message Banquet was meant for young men and women to meet, so it's nothing to worry about."

She was different from Lingbo. While Lingbo was protective of Atzu out of family loyalty, Qinglan was truly like clear moonlight shining upon the mountains, possessing a natural gentleness and inclusivity. Under that tender gaze, the knots in Atzu’s heart seemed to melt away.

"But meeting in private and sending away the servants is not the conduct of a gentleman from a noble house. This was Yushan’s negligence, not your fault. Just remind him to be mindful in the future," Qinglan continued, unhurriedly.

"What about Sister Lingbo...?" Atzu hesitated.

"It's fine, I will talk to Lingbo." Seeing Atzu’s expression change, she knew she was afraid of Lingbo and smiled, patting her hand. "Don't worry, I will tell her slowly. Even if she gets angry, you have me."

Atzu finally felt at ease, looking as if a great weight had been lifted.

"Is this why you didn't go to the banquet today?" Qinglan asked with a smile. "I thought you were truly tired."

"I felt a bit too embarrassed to go," Atzu said, hanging her head.

"Why be embarrassed by this?" Qinglan asked.

"He admires General Cui so much that he misunderstood you. You have been so kind to me, and he offended you; I don't want to be with him anymore," Atzu said, pouting.

Qinglan was amused.

"That is just a child's tantrum. He likes you, and you like him—that is enough." Her eyes were calm. "The matter between me and Marquis Cui is our own; it should not affect the two of you."

"No, my eldest sister and second sister are the people I hold dearest. If he is rude to you, he is being rude to me. I will not forgive him," Atzu insisted stubbornly. She glanced at Qinglan and added, "If General Cui isn't good to you, I won't respect him either. He wouldn't be able to stand that, so we might as well end it early."

Qinglan dismissed her own servants but didn't dismiss Atzu’s maid, Yang Hua, who was listening nearby. If she had initially thought Atzu was only confessing to Qinglan out of fear of Lingbo, she now understood everything.

This cousin had truly grasped the essence of her second mistress.

Having grown up in the Ye household, Yang Hua knew the eldest mistress better than anyone. Her mistress was as dignified as a Bodhisattva, and her kindness was just as profound. She seemed gentle and graceful, but she possessed the character of a noble lady—soft on the outside and firm on the inside. No one could sway her once she had made up her mind, and the vicious schemes of the inner chambers shattered against her. Even the Confucian principles that Master Ye spoke of externally were not as upright as her conduct.

For someone who was neither swayed by soft tactics nor broken by hard ones, the only path was the one the second mistress had perfected—a path the young cousin had now mastered.

As Lingbo had said, Qinglan was the best sister in the world, even possessing a motherly radiance.

Using Cui Jingyu’s power to persuade her wouldn't work, for she was not a person who pursued profit. Using the old flame of the past to move her wouldn't work, for she wouldn't even explain the reason for breaking off their engagement years ago.

But if Atzu and Wei Yushan were truly trapped by the "old grievances" between her and Cui Jingyu, there was no doubt she would negotiate privately with Cui Jingyu, with both elders putting on a facade of kindness to create a friendly environment for the "children."

Sure enough, Qinglan said, "Why go so far? Although he and I broke off our engagement, we are still considered friends, and our families can still associate. Don't be foolish, you and Yushan. I will find a time to talk it out with the Marquis."

The twenty-four Flower Message winds blew, and as spring blossomed, every meeting held a story. Especially since they were "old acquaintances" who had once been betrothed.

"Then, will you attend the Cui family banquet today, Sister?" Atzu asked, seizing the opportunity.

As soon as these words left her lips, Yang Hua felt uneasy. The intention was good, but Atzu was too impatient. After all, she was only sixteen; she was not as seasoned as the second mistress. Sure enough, Qinglan’s brow furrowed.

But being young had its advantages; a small boat is easy to turn. Seeing the situation turn, Atzu immediately put on a look of innocence, appearing as if she regretted her slip of the tongue.

Qinglan’s heart was honest; how could she have imagined that Atzu had "learned to be bad" from Lingbo?

So she did not suspect anything else and simply said, "I'm afraid it's too late for today. Let's wait until after the New Year."

Cui Jingyu was currently riding high, and hosting this enfeoffment banquet was, to some extent, intended for her to see. The thought of having to take the initiative to speak to him made Qinglan feel troubled.

Now that he was a Marquis, why was his temper still exactly the same as it was back then? So difficult to deal with.

She sighed internally, feeling a sense of melancholy. Seeing Atzu watching her, she smiled to reassure her, fearing she would worry about her own situation with Wei Yushan. "It's fine. The Flower Message Banquet lasts a long time, and Yushan is young. Dragging it out a bit will only reveal his true character. This is a life-long decision; one shouldn't be hasty, you know?"

Atzu wasn't worried about Wei Yushan at all, but she kept up the innocent act. "I know."

"Alright, then there is nothing else. Don't worry, I will talk to Lingbo slowly." Qinglan stroked her hair and instructed her maid, Chunming, "I will go pay my respects to the Buddha tomorrow instead. I'll stay at home and keep you company for the day so you don't feel restless."

"Alright."

After soothing Atzu, Qinglan walked out, her expression darkening slightly. She was gentle in front of Atzu, but she was, after all, the mistress of the house and possessed her own authority. Yang Hua, being quick-witted, followed her out and knelt down as soon as she caught Qinglan’s glance.

Atzu was young and didn't know better, but Yang Hua, as her head maid who was well-versed in the rules of the capital, was responsible.

Though benevolent, Qinglan never broke the rules lightly.

"You have committed a grave error. Tell Mother Yang that your salary will be docked for three months, and all the accompanying servants will have their salaries docked for one month. Once that is done, replace them with a new group of people from my quarters to look after Atzu. When the mistress makes a mistake, you should advise her; if you cannot persuade her, you should tell us. You are a head maid, and you handled this very foolishly. It doesn't look good for Mother Yang either. You don't have to say anything if she asks, but you are not to repeat this."

"Yes." Yang Hua knew she was doing this to preserve her mother’s reputation—the housekeeper who managed the entire Wutong Courtyard couldn't have her daughter taking the young mistress to meet a man in private; it was truly against the rules. So she lowered her head and said, "Thank you, Eldest Mistress, for your mercy."

Qinglan seemed to be thinking about something else, and punishing them was just a secondary matter. She sat down at the tea table in the passage. Yang Hua, being sharp, immediately stopped the housekeepers who were coming to report matters and personally poured a cup of tea for her.

If Lingbo’s intelligence was quick and circuitous, Qinglan’s way of thinking was more like the officials at court—she planned before acting, always considering the causes and consequences. Therefore, she spoke less and was usually very quiet, but she was always steady and reliable, the backbone of the Wutong Courtyard.

Qinglan took the tea, sipped it, and pondered for a moment, likely considering how to unravel the hot potato Atzu had placed in her hands. Seeing Yang Hua waiting on her, she asked, "In your opinion, what kind of person is Wei Yushan?"

Yang Hua knew she valued her opinion, so she thought for a moment before saying, "The young Marquis's talent and appearance are, naturally, beyond reproach, but as for his temperament..."

Qinglan understood what she meant.

"Yushan’s temperament is impulsive; that hasn't been the case for just a day or two," she frowned. "It is also because he didn't have a good role model; when the beam is not straight, the rafters will be crooked."

The Eldest Mistress was always strict with herself and lenient with others. Although she didn't even speak to Marquis Cui these days, her tone when mentioning him inadvertently still betrayed that she viewed him as one of her own. No wonder the second mistress and the cousin were determined to tie the red string.

Yang Hua sighed inwardly and tried to suggest, "I think, perhaps the Eldest Mistress could send an invitation..."

"Even if I send an invitation, it will have to be after the New Year," Qinglan said, picking up her tea again. "You may go first. I will think carefully about how to handle this matter."

Although it was after the New Year, there was at least a date. Yang Hua was happy; although her salary was docked, the four people in her family were all employed, and the Ye family was generous to their servants—the New Year rewards would more than cover a year's salary. Thus, she didn't feel the sting and was happy that there was progress in the Eldest Mistress's affairs.

Since the Madam passed away, it was the Eldest Mistress who had sacrificed the most and contributed the most to the family. They said the eldest sister is like a mother, but in Yang Hua’s eyes, the Eldest Mistress was like a father, holding up the house and carrying the entire Wutong Courtyard on her shoulders. Compared to that incompetent father, Master Ye, she was the true pillar. Yang Hua felt pained that she had delayed her own marriage and was even mocked by the snobbish ladies of the capital because of it.

So even after being punished, Yang Hua was happy and couldn't help but admire the cousin’s maneuvering. She had actually turned a mistake she was caught in into such a good opportunity.

But she didn't know that the part worthy of her admiration was yet to come.

Retiring from Qinglan’s side and returning to her room to wait on Atzu, she saw Atzu reading by the window. She went up to pour a cup of tea, and seeing Atzu look at her inquiringly, she whispered, "The Eldest Mistress called me over and asked me a few questions."

"You were punished, weren't you?" Atzu knew Qinglan well and had already prepared a small silk bag filled with heavy silver ingots. "Take this and make up for the docked salaries. You take it; even if you don't want it, the others will. It's the New Year season, and I can't let everyone suffer because of me."

Qinglan and Lingbo were considerate of their servants and rarely used corporal punishment, opting for salary deductions, which Atzu knew well.

"I can't," Yang Hua said quickly.

"Take it. If you don't take it, they will. During the New Year, how could I face everyone if they were punished because of me?" Atzu said. "Besides, there is one more favor I need you to do."

"What favor?"

"Have the carriage driver go to the Cui family’s enfeoffment banquet. Wei Yushan hasn't seen me for these few days; he must be anxious."

"Does the Mistress want to put the young Marquis's heart at ease?"

Atzu just smiled.

"Tell him that I have confessed everything to Sister Qinglan regarding our affairs. Sister Qinglan is magnanimous; she forgave me and covered for me. I feel ashamed and am staying home to reflect on my mistakes, so I won't be attending the banquet. If he has anything to say, please ask Sister Qinglan to pass it on to me."

Yang Hua’s eyes lit up. "The Mistress is brilliant."

Atzu smiled, her face reflected in the sunlight from the window—clear and beautiful, like a blooming peony.

That fool Wei Yushan, he was determined to act against Sister Qinglan and had been so offensive. Once he realized he owed Sister Qinglan a huge favor, and one that he would keep owing, let's see if he still dared to be rude to her.

Since she wanted to tie the red string, she naturally had to clear the thorns from the path, turn enemies into friends, and pave a smooth road ahead.