Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Mind Your Own Business
Ying Man’er set a rather heavy cap on this, and most people wouldn’t know how to deal with it.
Qu Fulan didn’t yet realize that Ying Man’er had her sights set on the second household, so she couldn’t fathom the intention behind her words, but that didn’t stop her from responding sarcastically.
"Such joking words from Miss Ying, it’s fine to say them in front of me. Who doesn’t know in the Pei Mansion that the second madam is in charge? And she manages everything in an orderly manner. If others heard your words, they might think you have a grievance with the second madam. I’m merely following the Princely Heir’s instructions to fetch something, and yet Miss Ying attributes the second madam’s credit to a maid like me. I can’t accept that." Qu Fulan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and spoke with a playful tone.
Ying Man’er’s smile at the corner of her mouth stiffened, then she quickly said, "Sister, that’s not what I meant, I just got overly anxious."
Qu Fulan said, "There’s no need for you to worry, Miss. With the second madam’s exemplary precedents, even if the Young Master takes back the management rights in the future, I’m confident the Pei Mansion can be managed smoothly without neglecting the esteemed guests of the manor."
The term "esteemed guests" really offended Miss Ying, for, after all, she wasn’t from the Pei Mansion. Let alone being considered relatives’ relatives, she didn’t even count as an esteemed guest. Even if she were the old madam’s own granddaughter and wanted to stay at the Pei Mansion, it would only be as a guest.
Ying Man’er didn’t dwell on this issue anymore, as it wouldn’t be beneficial to say too much before she became the Young Lady, so she began to talk about the purpose of her visit.
"You’re right, sister. After all, I am dependent on others, inevitably sensitive. I hope you’ll forgive me and not make fun of me."
"Miss Ying overthinks it."
"Sister is so understanding, no wonder the Princely Heir entrusted you with important tasks. If I could be half as capable as you, I wouldn’t have any worries in this life." Ying Man’er sighed.
Qu Fulan didn’t want to get entangled further, so she said directly, "With your noble status, Miss, there’s no need to compare yourself to maids like us. It’s overwhelming for me. If there’s nothing else, I’m afraid I must return to Lixiang Courtyard."
Ying Man’er finally got to the point, saying directly, "I might as well be honest with you, sister. The reason I’ve come to seek you today is that I have a favor to ask of you. Please, sister, be generous and help me out."
Having said that, she stood up and solemnly bowed to Qu Fulan.
Qu Fulan hurriedly stepped forward to support her, "Just say whatever you need, Miss. There’s no need for such a grand gesture. If others see this, they might think I’m being overly arrogant as the Princely Heir’s maid, and even if the Princely Heir knew, he might ask for the reason."
Ying Man’er, seeing that despite her actions, the other party still didn’t agree immediately, but instead mentioned the Princely Heir, a person she was naturally afraid of inquiring, couldn’t help but speak up.
"It’s my oversight. Please, sister, take a seat while I explain slowly."
Qu Fulan sat down and stoically waited for her to speak.
Without further delay, Ying Man’er said directly, "Sister, you know my family’s situation is difficult, and now I’m of marriageable age. When it comes to family background and status, I have nothing to offer. How could anyone be willing to marry someone like me? Yet, as a woman, who doesn’t wish to marry someone respectable? Now that I’m living at the Pei Mansion, with its prestige, I hope to find a good match. However, without a matching family background, it would only bring about numerous troubles. After marriage, would I still need to bother the Pei Mansion with everything? I worry day and night about this, not knowing what to do. Luckily—"
As she spoke, tears began to fall, and she wiped them with a handkerchief, glancing unobtrusively at Qu Fulan, who remained expressionless, causing Ying Man’er to grit her teeth and continue, "Luckily, when the ’Flower Garden Ode’ opened, I witnessed your skills. So many delicious dishes, all crafted by you, were truly admirable. You don’t know, sister, that during the days you fainted, ’Flower Garden Ode’ was packed every day. Even the old madam praised your ability."
"So I thought, if I could be half as capable as you, learn a few delicate dishes, and a type or two of milk tea, I could write home and teach my parents. If they pick up these skills, business would surely improve, and I could follow suit. In the future, when discussing marriage, at least I wouldn’t be without a respectable family background."
Qu Fulan: Oh, two people now, everyone’s longing for her culinary skills.
After she finished speaking, and Qu Fulan didn’t respond, Ying Man’er understood it wouldn’t be that easy; otherwise, how could there be such ceremonious etiquette and preparations of lavish gifts?
"I know saying this puts you in a difficult position, sister. If I had any other hope, I wouldn’t dare trouble you. But now I’m truly at a dead end, hoping you’ll have mercy. This is a small gift for you, sister, and I hope you’ll accept it with a smile."
With that, she took a brocade box from her wide sleeve, placed it on the stone table, and pushed it towards Qu Fulan.
Qu Fulan didn’t even glance at the gift box, smiling at Ying Man’er, "Your words, Miss, indeed put me in a bind."
Upon hearing this, Ying Man’er quickly grasped Qu Fulan’s hand, "I know it’s difficult, but I only ask for a bit of your compassion, sister. I don’t greedily wish to learn all your skills, just a course on milk tea, and a few homestyle dishes, and I would be more than content."
She started crying again as she finished.
"My parents work extremely hard, sleeping only an hour or two a day, rising before dawn to work. Even so, they earn little year-round. I often feel heartache, only blaming myself for being useless, unable to help share their burdens. I always hope to one day assist them, not letting them work so hard, and earn a substantial income."
Listen, how filial; because of her heartache for her parents, she wishes to learn a few skills and teach them to make their lives less difficult.
But why should I fulfill your filial piety?
Of course, such words couldn’t be said so bluntly; it wouldn’t sound good if spread. So Qu Fulan said,
"It’s not that I don’t want to help. You know, Miss, that I am now the Princely Heir’s maid and do his bidding. Everything about me belongs to the Princely Heir. Without his orders, I cannot make decisions on my own. Let me ask him when I return. If the Princely Heir agrees, I will certainly tell you everything I know. How about that?"
Ying Man’er’s smile stiffened slightly, knowing that not even the Princely Heir, let alone the old madam, would agree to this. Hearing Qu Fulan’s words, she understood clearly that she was deliberately refusing to teach her skills.
Yet she couldn’t reveal it directly, so she appealed emotionally and rationally, saying, "Dear sister, if I had the slightest bit of alternative, I wouldn’t shamelessly make this request. Now that I’ve made it, it’s because I don’t want the old madam and the Princely Heir to find out. Otherwise, what would they think of me? Living in the mansion, not showing filial respect to the old madam and instead thinking of my own parents at home—how could I marry well if this got out?"