A period of silent sitting ensued before the old lady asked her daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter to leave. She sat dazed on the couch, prompting Zhen Zhu, Jade, and Agate to comfort her.
Amber then lifted the curtain and came out, laughing, "Thank you, Old Mrs. Song, for picking up such a treasure like Susu. She can read and write, and she can do arithmetic too."
As Amber spoke, she showed Old Mrs. Song a page written by Susu. "Look at this, it's much prettier than the chicken scratch of Dong Song. Tomorrow take it to Housekeeper Qiao (Grandpa Liu'er), and he won't have us standing guard anymore."
Old Mrs. Song laughed when she heard this, "Don't tease Dong Song too much; she might go complain to her grandma and only give you salt to eat in the future."
Dong Song came out and said, "If Old Mrs. Song doesn't mind, my grandma will stop giving Sister Amber even the salt."
Amber pretended to nestle next to the old lady, coaxing her to say, "But I can't bear to." Then looking at the account book Susu copied, she praised it repeatedly and called Susu over. Seeing her thin and frail figure, she said, "Good child, Sister Amber ought to reward you properly." Then she added, "Amber, you mentioned getting some boxes of trinkets for the little maids to play with the other day, give your sister some good ones, and pack a parcel of bird's nest for her."
Susu stood by the old lady, her eyes full of admiration. "I've heard that bird's nest is a good thing; I won't eat it, let the old lady have more."
Upon hearing such childish words, the old lady and the surrounding maids laughed dotingly. "Silly child," the old lady said, "since you know bird's nest is good, eat more of it; it's not something we're short of."
Though Susu's words were mostly made in jest, her gratitude towards the old lady was genuinely sincere.
Susu had always been someone who believed if you are kind to her, she would repay you even more kindly. She had made up her mind to be the best maid, hoping one day her master would grant her freedom, and so she felt justified in her playful antics, telling a joke that ancient people could understand, leading to laughter.
The old lady, while laughing, said, "You little girl, you're such a tease."
Just then, Nanny Qin entered. Seeing the old lady so cheerful, she listened to Agate recount the joke and laughed as well. "No wonder they say the old lady has eyes like a hawk."
Nanny Qin, along with Dong Song's grandma, who managed the small kitchen in Sui'an Hall like Nanny Xing, had been the old lady's maids since they were young. Though she had married earlier, her husband unfortunately died of illness within a few years, leaving no children. Nanny Qin then returned to serve the old lady. Being skilled in medicine, whenever a maid or womanservant in the mansion fell ill, they would seek her help, and she never refused, earning her a good reputation.
The maids and Nanny Qin kept the old lady company playing mahjong, while the second-class maids occasionally served tea and water. The little maids outside weren't bothered by the cold, kicking shuttlecocks and playing hopscotch. The third-class maids chatted idly in the side room, somehow bringing up Susu.
"Sigh, Ning Cui, is that little maid really so good? Just after arriving, she outshines us, and Sister Amber even brought her into the inner rooms. Such a privilege."
Ning Cui, only ten years old herself, felt a bit uncomfortable about how highly the old lady and the sisters regarded Susu. But remembering how earnestly Susu had offered to teach them literacy, she felt ashamed of her petty thoughts. Listening to the remark, she sneered, "Susu can read and write, winning the old lady's favor, which is her talent. Any privilege she has is given by the old lady. If you're not happy, go tell her."
Bisi, worried about being overheard from inside, quickly said, "Alright, stop talking. Sister Zhen Zhu doesn't allow us to speak carelessly." Hearing this, everyone quieted down, knowing that Sister Zhen Zhu disliked maids gossiping. But aside from Ning Cui and Bisi, the other third-class maids were somewhat hostile toward Susu.
After copying accounts for an hour, Amber let Susu out to play with the little maids. Susu, not really inclined to play, watched Ning Cui and Bisi making pockets and paid no attention to others' subtle glances.
Soon, Sister Amber came out with a rather large carved redwood box. "The old lady said it's almost New Year; take some jewelry to play with and dress up cheerfully," she said, placing the jewelry box on the table. "Everyone pick four items!" The little maids gathered around the table, chattering, "I want this, I want that," but Susu, being small, didn't join them. She waited until everyone had chosen before casually taking four pieces.
Amber watched the scene coldly yet approvingly. Seeing that everyone had finished choosing, with half a box of jewelry remaining, she casually handed it to Dong Song, who stood behind her, then gave Susu a large pocket and an oil paper package. "The old lady praises your handwriting; this is a reward for you." She then looked at the other little maids and said, "If you do your tasks well, the old lady will naturally reward you too."
Upon hearing this, everyone realized that being a maid of the first rank was no idle task. The fact that Sister Zhen Zhu hadn't come out to admonish them for gossiping had already given them face. The third-class maids who had stirred trouble with Ning Cui had changing expressions, but Amber paid them no mind and simply called in the rough maids and womenservants outside, rewarding each with two pieces of jewelry.
There wasn't much for the third-class maids to do, given the old lady's distant relationship with her daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter, and even less for passing messages. Sister Zhen Zhu also didn't allow them to wander freely. Sometimes, when the second-class maids had nothing to do, they'd teach them some skills like hairdressing, makeup, making tea, and embroidery. Ning Cui would learn from Dong Qing in the tea room, while Bisi followed Agate, who had just advanced to the first rank.
The old lady had lunch around noon, following the same routine as in the morning. Liu'er had not returned. After lunch, it was the old lady's routine nap time, during which the little maids could return to their rooms for a rest.
Ning Cui, Bisi, and Susu returned to their room and put away their rewards. Susu opened the oil paper package to reveal a parcel of fine broken bird's nest, still of high quality. Susu said with a smile, "We'll eat together, don't say the old lady rewarded with good things and I don't think of you." She then opened the large pocket to reveal several pieces of jewelry, all of good quality, especially a string of tourmaline beads that didn't seem meant for a little maid, knowing Sister Amber had specifically chosen it.
Susu laid them out on the table, "Take what you like; I'm being generous just this once," she said, making Ning Cui and Bisi feel both touched and amused, neither refusing, each choosing one they liked and picking one for Liu'er as well.
In the afternoon, instead of copying accounts, Susu joined Dong Song to organize the outer storeroom of the warehouse. The work wasn't heavy but required meticulous care, as every item had to be checked and logged, with any shortages noted. By the end of the afternoon, they were quite exhausted. As for the old lady's private storeroom, Sister Amber handled it personally, with even Dong Song only observing and not touching anything.