Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Testing the Waters
In the Lixiang Courtyard, besides Qu Fulan as the head maid, there were also second- and third-class maids along with grannies and nannies, amounting to a dozen or so people. However, these individuals were not allowed to approach the main residence without a summons and could only reside in the northwest corner, far from the main house.
Qu Fulan was different. Her bedroom was in the same courtyard as Heir Pei’s, and her treatment had drastically changed from before. Every season, she received four different sets of clothes, each matched with corresponding accessories, all in complete sets.
Now that she had just arrived, embroideresses came to tailor her clothes. As for the matching accessories, there were people tasked with purchasing them, and she only had to enjoy the results.
With money, even ghosts can be made to grind grain. Before the evening, her clothes and accessories were all prepared.
"Fulan, Young Master wants you to change into the new garments and then go to the study to find him."
A few young maids surrounded her, dressing her up—from the intricate garments to the hair styling and then adding the headpieces and accessories.
Once the dressing was completed, Qu Fulan looked at her attire. On her head was a falling bun, with pearl earrings, a Xiangqi lower skirt, and a Ziqi upper ru. She appeared graceful and elegant, light and free.
Had she not known her status as a maid, she might have thought she was the daughter of some wealthy family.
Though not adorned with gold and silver, everything she wore was made of the finest materials, capable of rivaling the young ladies of the residence.
Such extravagant attire for a maid was simply too luxurious.
Yet, Qu Fulan said nothing. The extravagance of a nobleman’s heir was not something ordinary people could understand, even the maids around him had to be presentable.
The Young Master’s old nanny noticed and was slightly surprised. Such a young person, yet she could remain so calm, not dazzled by the opulence before her. She reminded her once more of many of the Young Master’s preferences.
Mostly about what the Young Master liked to eat, what type of tea he drank, what kind of clothes he wore, covering all habits that needed attention.
The Princely Heir did not like others getting too close, and these tasks would be the responsibility of a close maid in the future.
Qu Fulan walked through the long corridor, crossed the bridge, and arrived in front of a secluded study surrounded by bamboo. She raised her hand to knock gently, "Young Master?"
Upon receiving permission, she pushed the door open and walked in.
Inside the study, the decor was elegant. Incense smoke curled gracefully from the incense burner. On the bed by the window sat a noble and refined young man holding a book. His demeanor was elegant, exuding a refreshing and graceful charm with an enduring allure.
If those noble ladies saw such an Heir Pei, they might scream uncontrollably.
Qu Fulan’s expression remained calm as she approached and saluted, asking, "Did the Princely Heir call for me?"
Heir Pei set down the book and pointed to the seat opposite the low table, "Sit down and play a game of chess with me."
Qu Fulan: "..."
Does every ancient person know how to play chess? Otherwise, why would he directly ask her to play without confirming if she knew how?
"Please forgive me, Princely Heir, I do not know how to play chess." This time, she wasn’t being modest; she truly didn’t know. Busy with earning money in modern times, she never had the leisure to cultivate such an elegant hobby.
He didn’t seem to mind, as he had already taken the chess box from the side. "It’s fine, I’ll teach you."
With that, he held a white piece and started, explaining the rules as he went.
Qu Fulan hesitated but went along. She initially thought this literary game would be frustrating for her. Without an interest in it, even the best teacher couldn’t make her learn it.
She expected that Heir Pei would soon lose patience in teaching her.
Unexpectedly, it might have been due to Heir Pei’s excellent skills and teaching that she slowly grasped some principles, managing to play an entire game with the Heir, though she ultimately lost. But it was better than knowing nothing.
Yet, Qu Fulan knew Heir Pei had deliberately gone easy on her, as there was no need to play all his cards against a complete novice, or else she might have lost even more miserably.
The second game began soon after, and this time she could manage to play without detailed hints from Heir Pei.
"You’re learning fast; you seem smarter than others in many aspects." He said.
From where did he conclude that she was smarter in many aspects? Qu Fulan didn’t dare acknowledge, "It’s because the Princely Heir teaches so well."
He rested his chin on one hand, leisurely placed a piece, "I’m curious, besides your skills in medicine, what else are you good at?"
Qu Fulan regarded this as a kind of interview. Naturally, an interviewer needed to know the candidate’s abilities before deciding on employment.
Since Heir Pei intended to employ her, he needed to know her skills to assign tasks accordingly.
"Besides medicine, I am most proficient in commerce."
Qu Fulan had carefully thought about it. To gain merits by Heir Pei’s side, medical skills were useless; he wasn’t like Mrs. Pei, old with various health issues.
She could only approach from other angles, striving for an opportunity to negotiate with Heir Pei.
And the breakthrough was commerce.
Great endeavors require funding in all aspects. War requires funding, and cultivating personnel requires funding.
Heir Pei had his own private assets to supply when necessary.
But with so many daily tasks, the field of commerce must be lacking in talent, and she didn’t mind filling that void.
"You know how to manage commerce?" He expressed surprise.
"Yes, I used to help my mother manage her dowry industry and learned a bit along the way."
"Where is your honorable mother from?"
Qu Fulan raised her gaze to meet his eyes. His casual expression suggested it was just a passing question. She lowered her eyes, "My father was from Qingyang Luhe Town Xiangyang Village and moved to town for commerce. He met my mother, and after marrying, they settled in town. Later, first came the plague then the famine, and they both passed."
The book mentioned that the Luhe area indeed experienced plague and famine, leading to large population upheavals. Many left to settle elsewhere, making original homes untraceable.
Choosing such a location for concealment was ideal.
As expected, Heir Pei fell into silence, only speaking after a moment, "My condolences."
Qu Fulan replied, "Thank you for your concern, Princely Heir, but it’s been so long, I have already come to terms with it."
Another game ended, unsurprisingly she lost again.
Heir Pei did not continue but instead pointed to some account books beside the bookshelf, "Since you are skilled in business, look at these ledgers first. Let me see your capabilities."
Qu Fulan agreed. She did not expect things to go so smoothly. From his words, as long as she demonstrated proficiency in handling the accounts, she might help him in commerce.
Once involved in commerce, she’d have more chances to leave the mansion unlike before, where leaving was a luxury.
She spent the entire afternoon engrossed in the ledgers in the study room; the room was empty except for her. So focused, it was only when her stomach growled did she realize she was hungry.
She didn’t know her every move was under surveillance.
When that person went to report the situation, they said, "She sat there looking at the account books all afternoon, and didn’t move the ’important’ letters in the bookshelf, not even glancing at them."
Heir Pei slightly furrowed his brow.