Before she could finish gloating, Qiuli prodded her back with his fan, urging, "It's time to go to the appointment."
Right, they still had to go to Gu'an!
Zhu Changle waved her hand, causing the outer robe wrapped around her to slip down. Qiuli moved faster than Aunt Feng, using his fan to press on her shoulder and prevent the clothes from sliding further.
This action earned him some goodwill from Zhu Changning, who glared at his little sister again for her careless attitude.
"Keep glaring and your eyeballs will fall out," Zhu Changle teased, ignoring him. She tightened her robe, made a face, and ran off.
Zhu Changning was always at a loss when it came to her, but he could still handle the onlookers. He cleared his throat and said, "Rested enough? Let's continue."
These people were obedient, resuming their stances without a word.
Soaking wet as she was, Zhu Changle naturally didn't dare let her mother see her. She snuck along the wall from the front courtyard, and just as victory seemed within reach, a smile spreading across her face, she heard someone greet her, "This servant pays respects to Fourth Young Miss."
She didn't even need to turn around; hearing the word "servant" was enough to know who it was. Zhu Changle turned with a fake smile, "No need for formalities, go about your business."
As she was about to leave, Lady Qin noticed her ill-fitting outer garment and Qiuli standing nearby. A thought crossed her mind, and she stepped forward, saying, "Fourth Young Miss has no one to attend to her. This servant is not busy at the moment and can help you change clothes."
"No need, no need. I'm not used to being waited on. Go about your business," Zhu Changle wanted to run – this person certainly couldn't catch her – but considering her already poor relationship with her second sister-in-law, she decided not to add fuel to the fire and patiently dealt with the servant.
"Servants are born to serve the master's family. Let this servant attend to you," Lady Qin insisted, raising her voice.
Hearing the amplified voice, Zhu Changle understood. This person was doing it on purpose, trying to draw attention to her current state. Tsk, she really didn't understand her or her mother!
Thinking this, Zhu Changle discreetly waved at Qiuli, allowing Lady Qin to support her as they walked inside. She continued to be polite, saying, "I can change by myself in my room. You should go attend to Second Sister-in-law, don't delay her affairs."
"It's no delay. With Aunt Feng absent, it's only right that this servant attends to you," Lady Qin advised kindly. "If this servant may say so, it's not good for a young lady's health to be so wet."
If her voice wasn't so loud and there was a hint of sincerity in it, Zhu Changle might have believed she was genuinely concerned.
Lady Zhang came out of the room and approached, looking at her drenched state. "What have you been up to so early in the morning?"
"Just practicing, of course."
Lady Qin chimed in from the side, "This servant was about to fetch soup for the Young Madam when I saw Fourth Young Miss soaked like this. I thought the Young Madam's soup could wait, but Fourth Young Miss needs to change quickly to avoid falling ill. Moreover, the clothes don't fit well, so it's best to change soon."
It sounded reasonable and well-intentioned, except the tattletale tone was too obvious. Zhu Changle blinked innocently at her mother.
"The person wearing the clothes knows best if they fit or not. If Changle is willing to wear them, they must fit," Lady Zhang said, pulling her daughter's hair out from inside the robe. Her tone was calm, but it made Lady Qin's heart tighten.
"You're right, this servant overstepped," Lady Qin admitted.
"As long as you understand. Attending to Madam Xu is your duty. Other people's household matters have their own caretakers," Lady Zhang said sternly. This was a heavy rebuke – if it reached Madam Xu's ears, she could be accused of prying into the affairs of the eldest uncle and young miss, a serious offense. Lady Qin understood the gravity and promptly knelt to apologize.
"Enough. If there's a next time, I'll have no choice but to send you away, no matter how far," Lady Zhang brushed her sleeve. "You may go."
"Yes, this servant guarantees there won't be a next time." Lady Qin kowtowed resoundingly and retreated without raising her head.
Lady Zhang pushed her daughter back into the room. After helping her change clothes, she poked Changle's forehead, "Don't you usually run across rooftops? How did she manage to catch you?"
"I was trying to save some face for Father," Zhu Changle hugged her mother's arm, pouting. She didn't forget to tattle, "She purposely spoke so loudly, wanting everyone to come out and see me wearing men's clothes."
"You knew she did it on purpose, yet you let her have her way," Lady Zhang brushed off her hand and sat her down to comb her hair.
"I wanted to see you put her in her place, to let her know that Madam Zhu is not to be trifled with. She should cause less trouble now."
Lady Zhang tugged her hair, not too gently but not too hard. Hearing her daughter's yelp of pain, she massaged the spot. "If she really takes it to heart and manages to persuade that foolish woman in her household to behave, your sacrifice won't be in vain."
"I think she'll probably just remember that I got her scolded by you," Zhu Changle turned to hug her mother's waist, resting her head on her chest with a sigh. "I don't like this feeling. We never had these issues at home before."
"Everyone thinks differently. Besides using rules to constrain them, we can't get inside their heads to change them," Lady Zhang patted her back gently, looking down at her pouting darling. "You don't need to accommodate her. Even if she becomes the mistress of the household one day, she still won't have authority over her sister-in-law. Show the same spirit you use when beating Changning."
"I was just thinking she's had a tough journey too. My biggest flaw is being too kind," Zhu Changle looked up at her mother with a smile. "I've done well, haven't I, Mother?"
"Yes, you're good in every way, except perhaps you're a bit too comfortable beating your brother."
"You don't know how effective a good beating is. Second Brother is much more cooperative now," she added, noting that the distance between them had lessened. When she first returned home, her second brother only had eyes for his wife.
Lady Zhang rubbed her head, "Don't let yourself be wronged. It pains Mother to see that."
"Then show me more sympathy and give Lady Qin a good scolding. Second Sister-in-law is only at odds with me because of servants like her," Zhu Changle pleaded, nuzzling against her mother.
"Alright, Mother will deal with her."
Zhu Changle hugged her mother tightly, "Mother is the best."
So obedient, understanding, and capable – how could she not dote on her? Lady Zhang sighed inwardly, wishing time would pass more quickly. Her mother-in-law was right; if they couldn't remember kindness, remembering authority wasn't bad either, as long as it kept the household peaceful.
Meanwhile, Lady Qin was kneeling by the bed, begging for forgiveness.
"When I saw her wearing men's clothes, I thought it was an opportunity. I didn't expect the Madam to tolerate even this. I was too impulsive," she explained.
Madam Xu helped her up and asked, "Was she really wearing men's clothes?"
"I saw it clearly. The robe seemed to belong to that Master Qiu."
"I knew something was off. An unmarried man staying in the house every day, coming and going without restraint, together day and night – it's so improper. If this were in the Capital City and word got out, no family would want her," Xu Hanmei mused. "When my husband returns, I'll speak to him about it. He surely won't tolerate such behavior."
Lady Qin's mind raced. "The Second Young Master values propriety the most. It might not hurt to mention it, but watch his expression closely. If it seems unfavorable, don't press further."
"Don't worry, I understand him," Xu Hanmei assured her.
