"Why doesn't Auntie seek refuge with a powerful man? You know, it's easier for men to rise to prominence than it is for women," Xiao Man said slowly.
He Qingyi gave a wry smile. "Eldest Miss, please don't mock me. I am merely a woman of the inner chambers. Though my ambition is sky-high and I wish to realize my full potential, which man would give me the opportunity? But Eldest Miss is different. You are also a woman, and you understand the difficulties women face. You wouldn't look down on me, nor would you obstruct me. Therefore, I am willing to pledge my allegiance to you."
"Get up," Xiao Man said, helping He Qingyi up with a gentle push.
"Has Eldest Miss agreed to take me in?"
"Since you've put it this way, if I refused, wouldn't I seem unfeeling?" Xiao Man said with a smile. "Besides, we will soon be family. It is improper for you to kneel."
He Qingyi's expression remained unchanged. "Did Eldest Miss guess?"
"The General's mansion needs a mistress, but Father has been hesitant to make a decision. The person originally arranged has also quietly withdrawn, likely out of concern for my safety. If Auntie were to enter the household, Father would likely feel much more at ease."
"Eldest Miss, please rest assured. My entering the General's mansion is firstly to serve Eldest Miss better, secondly, to escape the control of others as soon as possible, and thirdly, to have an opportunity to demonstrate my abilities," He Qingyi stated truthfully.
"What does Auntie wish to do?" Xiao Man pulled He Qingyi to sit down, and Qiu Tong brewed fragrant tea and served it.
"Eldest Miss must know that I come from a family of imperial physicians. My ancestors were all imperial physicians to the court, and I have been fond of studying medicine since childhood. However, because I am a woman, I cannot learn the secret medical arts of my family. The skills I have already learned cannot be used, and I can only be confined to the inner courtyard, tending to herbs. I wish to be a female doctor who saves lives and heals the injured. I want everyone in the world to know that women can also become outstanding doctors."
"Isn't it easy for Auntie to learn more profound medical skills?" Xiao Man picked up her teacup, blew away the foam on the surface, and said slowly, "In a few days, I will introduce you to a formidable master."
He Qingyi's eyes lit up. "I knew Eldest Miss would not laugh at me."
"I like women who have aspirations and ideas. In the future, as we will be family, we must support each other and help each other succeed," Xiao Man said gently. "I do not wish for the General's mansion to be in chaos. Do you understand, Auntie?"
"I will certainly not disappoint Eldest Miss."
"Third Concubine." Yin Zhu stopped the Third Concubine.
The Third Concubine smiled at Yin Zhu and sidestepped to enter, saying as she walked, "I've come to see Eldest Miss."
Yin Zhu blocked the Third Concubine's path again. "Third Concubine, Miss has a guest."
The Third Concubine heard this and toyed with the handkerchief in her hand. "It's not an outsider. I heard Eldest Miss was feeling unwell from drinking too much. I was worried Eldest Miss would have a headache upon waking, so I specifically asked the kitchen to simmer a hangover soup and send it over while it's hot for Eldest Miss to drink."
"Third Concubine is thoughtful. Eldest Miss has already had hangover soup," Yin Zhu continued to block the way. When Xiao Man was discussing matters with someone, unless Xiao Man permitted it, even the Second Miss could not intrude into Xiao Man's room.
The Third Concubine twisted the handkerchief in her hand. "Miss Yin Zhu, please inform her, tell her I wish to see her, will you?"
"Concubine, please sit and have some tea. Miss is not free at the moment." Yin Zhu, with a pleasant smile, led the Third Concubine to sit in the side hall.
The Third Concubine was very eager to know what He Qingyi was discussing with Xiao Man, but she also knew that Water Moon Pavilion was not a place for her to run wild. "Miss Yin Zhu, why did Madam He of the He family come to see Miss so early in the morning?"
"This servant does not know," Yin Zhu replied with a placid smile.
The Third Concubine's expression became slightly awkward and she continued, "That He Qingyi is not one to be placid. I don't know what her intentions are. Last time, she colluded with the Old Madam and nearly took Eldest Miss's life. I am truly uneasy. Miss Yin Zhu, please allow me to go and see Eldest Miss."
"Concubine, please be at ease. Ying Xue and the others are guarding Eldest Miss. If anyone intends to harm Miss, they will not be able to leave this Water Moon Pavilion."
"Indeed, with Miss Ying Xue's skills, an ordinary person cannot harm Eldest Miss. However, He Qingyi comes from a family of imperial physicians. If she wishes to harm someone, it may be difficult to detect."
"Concubine, please rest assured, Miss will be fine."
The Third Concubine picked up her tea, pretending to drink, but her heart was filled with doubt. She always felt that Eldest Miss had changed. The Third Miss had done many things behind her back to harm Eldest Miss, yet Eldest Miss was now increasingly tolerant of the Third Miss. And He Qingyi's visit truly made her uneasy.
She had mentioned several times to Eldest Miss about elevating her to the position of wife, but Eldest Miss had always brushed her off. Today, no matter what, she had to make Eldest Miss agree to this matter, otherwise, if a new mistress entered the General's mansion, where would they, mother and daughter, have a place to stand?
The Third Concubine had expected He Qingyi to leave soon, but unexpectedly, He Qingyi stayed until after lunch before departing. She had no choice but to leave first and wait for He Qingyi on the path that led out of the mansion.
He Qingyi still maintained her composed demeanor. The Third Concubine found He Qingyi's superior attitude unbearable. "You're just an unmarried jinx who will never find a husband. What are you so proud of?"
He Qingyi glanced at the Third Concubine without a word. In this General's mansion, the most easily seen through was this Third Concubine, with all her thoughts written on her face. Xiao Man had always been tolerant of her because she knew that even if this person had ill intentions, they wouldn't lead to anything serious.
The other two concubines were different. Concubine Lin came from a brothel and was skilled in worldly affairs; her schemes were no less than those of women in deep inner courts. As for the Fourth Concubine, it was rumored that she came from the Immortal Music Pavilion. She neither competed for favor nor flattered, appearing to be indifferent to worldly affairs. However, He Qingyi understood that this Fourth Concubine was the most difficult person to deal with in the General's mansion.
"Farewell."
The Third Concubine had expected He Qingyi to curse her out, but instead, the woman merely gave her a faint glance and left, as if one had thrown a punch only to hit cotton, finding no purchase.
The Third Concubine stared at He Qingyi's retreating figure, both angry and vexed. "What are you so proud of? You're just a woman waiting to be married, what's there to be proud of?"
Coincidentally, Concubine Lin, accompanied by a maid, was going to the kitchen to fetch the old hen soup she had simmered for the Fourth Miss. She encountered the Third Concubine, who was full of anger, and immediately smiled. "Oh, isn't this my sister? Why does my sister look so unhappy?"
The Third Concubine flicked her handkerchief. "Someone has come to seduce the General, and you can still smile."
Concubine Lin did not get angry upon hearing this. "Not everyone can be the mistress of this General's mansion. Someone like me, who comes from a brothel, will never be able to take the position of mistress. I can only watch as others take it. If I were like my sister, with a clean background, I would definitely fight for it."