Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

A rope breaks at its weakest point; what you fear most is what will happen!

When the matchmaker returned, she brought not only six or seven young girls, but also an older girl who was graceful and beautiful. After the usual pleasantries and flattery, Xiu Luan chose four maids, pulled Liu Ye'er along, and led the group away.

Madam Xu smiled and said, "Fengxian, you're getting heavier now and need help. This big one is the most diligent, so take him back and use him!"

Fengxian laughed in exasperation, "Mother, we don't lack manpower in my courtyard. The family rule is that each daughter-in-law needs two people, and I don't have enough! You, could it be that you've found a husband for Yumei and are going to send her off to live with you?"

Madam Xu chuckled dryly a few times, "I thought she was still a safe choice, so I spent twenty-eight taels to buy her for you. You've always worked hard, and you should have someone you like by your side. Don't be so polite, this is just a token of our appreciation from your father-in-law and me!"

Fengxian smiled sweetly at her mother-in-law, "Thank you for your kindness, Mother! But the rules of the house cannot be broken! Liang'er and I have enough servants in our rooms, but my third brother doesn't even have a maid. The old women in Mother's room are too clumsy to serve him properly! I'm sorry to trouble my third brother. Since Mother thinks this girl is quite good, then let him use her for now. We'll buy another one later. We can't break the rules. My third brother has been with Father-in-law for the past two years, and we've all been careless. Please forgive us, Mother!" As she spoke, she bowed to Madam Xu. Fengxian's words were ruthless and precise, and Madam Xu was truly frightened: her third son had always been favored by her husband and was engaged to the magistrate's daughter. If she really forced this wonderful girl into the marriage, her husband would probably tear her apart. She hurriedly said, "My third son is still young, there's no rush..."

"What do you mean 'little'? They're already engaged. When the bride arrives, and they see that both my older brothers have maids but he doesn't, won't they blame us for being biased? Luckily, Mother bought such a good one. We'll pick another good one later to make up the numbers first. If he's not satisfied, we can always change it later!"

Madam Xu was truly anxious. "The third son must be the magistrate's daughter. If we let her into his house first, wouldn't that anger our in-laws?"

"Mother, does Third Brother's new room not even need a maid?" Fengxian asked in surprise.

Madam Xu was speechless for a moment; it seemed her words and Fengxian's were not the same thing. She couldn't understand why her eldest daughter-in-law couldn't grasp it! Fengxian actually understood, much more than that! But she insisted on pretending to be ignorant!

"No, she's not suitable! The third prince rarely comes back, so we don't need a maid for now. You're not well, so you should have someone else to take care of you!"

"Thank you for your love, Mother. If anyone needs someone to take care of them, there's someone who needs a more attentive person than I do! It's just that we've all been too careless; we've never thought about him!"

Everyone's curiosity was piqued. The old lady and Liang'er were both looking at her. Xu asked her reluctantly, "Who is it?" She thought Fengxian must want to push the person to the old lady. She could stop the person from being given to the third son, but could she stop the old lady from being given to the old lady?

Fengxian said solemnly, “My father-in-law has had a hard life, braving wind and rain, and has endured countless hardships to build this great family fortune. Now that he is getting older, he is not the same as when he was young. When he goes out, there is not even a caring person to look after him. It would be better to give her to him so that she can accompany him when he goes out and take care of his daily life, so that he can have a hot cup of tea and a hot meal.”

Mrs. Xu was stunned, not expecting Fengxian to pull such a stunt. She couldn't bring herself to refuse, nor could she agree. A hush fell over the room, and the atmosphere became extremely tense.

The focus of the argument—Tang Chunrong—shrank back into a corner, head bowed. Madam Xu had actually bought her long ago, but her entry into the household was delayed because she needed to learn singing and dancing. She had secretly seen Ruihong twice—he seemed like a gentleman—and was quite satisfied. Things didn't seem so simple; he was said to be the eldest master, then the third master, then the master—it was all uncertain!

Old Mrs. He was furious. Did Xu think she was dead, stirring up trouble time and time again? Xu looked at her pleadingly time and again, but she pretended not to see it. Du Liang'er, on the other hand, buryed her head in the sand like an ostrich.

Madam Xu seemed to realize she'd messed things up; she'd shot herself in the foot. She was a little puzzled—how had her husband gotten involved in this mess? She and Zhou Ma had spent half a year plotting and trying, but it all seemed to have been for naught! As for arranging a concubine for her husband, she didn't react as strongly as Fengxian; she just couldn't swallow her anger! She couldn't understand it at all. Could it really be that Fengxian was smarter and more capable than her?

Fengxian's words struck a chord with the old lady. No one understood better than her how much her son had toiled and suffered for the family. It seemed like being a high-ranking official or a lowly guest was all too easy; everyone only saw the thief eating meat, but who saw the thief getting beaten? Who knew the hardships of his life on the road? She really should find someone for her son to accompany him and serve him; it was kind of Fengxian to think of that.

Master Liu neither refused Fengxian's kindness nor her malice. He didn't hold a banquet for the concubine he bought; the old lady rewarded him with fifty taels of silver and a few pieces of jewelry. Madam Xu accepted the tea offered by Fengxian. Master Liu arranged for her to live in the study—a quiet corner in the southeast of the Liu residence—and gave her a young maidservant.

Tang Chunrong was initially a little disappointed, but she was quickly overjoyed—Master Liu's composure and experience put her at ease. She played the pipa and sang a little tune, gazing tenderly at her beloved. It was just a cup of tea, yet Master Liu was already drunk. The red gauze lampshade cast a soft, diffused glow on the floor, and the bed curtains hung quietly. The charcoal in the large brazier burned quietly, making the room warm and cozy.

Middle-aged people carry heavy burdens and must be strong. Every strong person has a vulnerable softness within, seeking a haven to shelter it. Master Liu had seen many beauties whose singing and playing surpassed Chunrong's, but when had he truly enjoyed it? A life of pleasure and intrigue couldn't be truly enjoyable. Chunrong's soft, sweet tunes washed away his weariness, allowing him to relax and take a short nap.

A snow fell silently, covering the entire earth, and the weather suddenly turned much colder. Fengxian and Liuye sat facing each other on the kang (a heated brick bed). The kang was warm and cozy, making one drowsy. Fengxian was embroidering a red bib, with golden five poisonous creatures surrounding a "福" (fortune) character, very delicately crafted. Liuye lingered nearby embroidering a handkerchief, feeling quite stifled.

Xiangmei brought in a large box of dried longan. "Young mistress, the dried longan harvest is here this year, and we got a double portion!" she said, placing the box on the kang table. Fengxian picked up a longan, peeled it, and put it in her mouth, chewing it slowly. It was very sweet, very sweet!