Xian’er remained silent, so Aunt Gu quickly interjected, “Xian’er, Miss Sima is of noble status. How can we let her sit on such a small stool? The teaching chair that the young teacher uses would be much more fitting for Miss Sima’s stature. Why don’t you bring it out for her?”
As the guest, Xian’er had endured the provocation from the old maid, but when Aunt Gu sided with the outsiders, she finally snapped. “Hmph! Aunt Gu, you sure have a big mouth. That’s a teaching chair, meant only for the teacher. Not just anyone can sit there—it depends on whether they’re worthy. Besides, that chair was specially made by Fifth Young Master for Sixth Young Miss. If some ignorant person damages it, will you take responsibility, Aunt Gu?”
Though Aunt Gu didn’t recognize the chair’s value, she had heard from the villagers that the furniture used by Sixth Young Miss was extremely expensive. Even if she sold everything she owned, she couldn’t afford a single leg of that chair. Xian’er was also sharp-tongued, and Aunt Gu had never won an argument with her. Realizing this, she fell silent, not daring to speak further.
“Hmph! Just a bunch of country bumpkins. What status does my young lady have that she wouldn’t be worthy of your shabby chair?”
“Gu Ma, mind your manners.”
Lin Fang had observed everything clearly. Though she was inside the classroom, facing the door, she remained hidden in the shadows. The others stood under the bright sun and hadn’t noticed her yet, giving her time to study the newcomers.
Xian’er’s rebuke to Aunt Gu was, in truth, quite rude—it insulted both the guest and her servants. Yet, none of them showed any reaction, nor did anyone speak up for their young lady. As for Miss Sima, her face was obscured by her veil, making her expression unreadable. The old maid, Gu Ma, had been impudent for a while, yet Miss Sima only now spoke to stop her. *Interesting.*
“Yes, this old servant knows her mistake,” Gu Ma said, though her expression was full of disdain.
Miss Sima gave a subtle glance to the two older maids. One of them spread a cushion on the small stool and helped Miss Sima sit down. The other maid held a woven bag, from which she retrieved a porcelain cup, poured tea from a pot, and handed it to Miss Sima. Throughout this, neither Gu Ma nor the two younger maids lifted a finger to help.
After sipping her tea and resting for a moment, Miss Sima addressed Xian’er. “Xian’er, I’ve heard that your young lady teaches dozens of students at once, tailoring her instruction to each individual. Is that true?” Her tone was gentle, showing no anger at Xian’er’s earlier rudeness.
Glaring at Aunt Gu, Xian’er inwardly cursed her for bringing these guests to the schoolhouse and disturbing her young lady, who had finally felt well enough to go out today. Outwardly, however, she replied, “Yes, Miss Sima. My young lady has an extraordinary memory—she remembers every student’s unique traits. She treats everyone fairly, never looking down on the slow learners nor favoring the quick ones. She adjusts her teaching to each person’s needs.”
Though her tone remained neutral, anyone could hear the pride in Xian’er’s words.
Aunt Gu chimed in, “Yes, yes! Miss Sima, our young teacher is truly remarkable.” She hurried to say something nice, fearing that if Xian’er truly held a grudge against her, she’d have a hard time in the future, given Xian’er’s sharp tongue and fiery temper.
Miss Sima then asked, “May I step inside the classroom? Don’t laugh at me, Xian’er, but I’ve never set foot in a schoolhouse before in my life.”
Xian’er hesitated. Her young lady was inside the classroom. If Miss Sima entered and saw her, it would seem impolite that her young lady hadn’t come out to greet the guest—especially since Aunt Gu’s loud mouth had already announced Miss Sima’s arrival. Yet, refusing Miss Sima entry would be difficult, as Xian’er herself had just come from inside.
At that moment, Qi Shi emerged from the classroom and asked, “Xian’er, is the hot tea ready? Sixth Young Miss seems about to wake up. If she wakes and finds no tea, Fifth Young Master will have your hide when we return.”
“Yes, I’ll go boil water right away!” Xian’er replied anxiously, darting into the kitchen.
Aunt Gu gasped. “Master Qi? You’re here? Is the young teacher inside as well?”
Tan Liu and Qi Shi had once taught martial arts to the villagers together. Though Qi Shi now served as Lin Fang’s personal attendant, leaving the daily training to Tan Liu, the villagers still habitually called him “Master Qi.”
Ignoring Aunt Gu, Qi Shi gave a slight bow to Miss Sima and said, “My young lady has been unwell lately. She grew tired after walking to the schoolhouse and fell asleep without realizing it. She couldn’t come out to greet you, Miss Sima. Please forgive her.”
Miss Sima replied, “No need for apologies. It’s we who have disturbed your young lady’s rest. Please go attend to her—sleeping while sitting is an easy way to catch a chill.”
While Xian’er had been talking outside, Qi Shi had slipped out through the classroom’s back window, entered the adjacent bedroom through another window, and fetched a thin blanket. There was no need to explain this now, nor was there any risk of being caught.
With another slight bow, Qi Shi returned to the classroom. She had genuinely feared her young lady would catch cold—after her recent bout of illness, Lin Fang had become especially sensitive to the cold. Though it was still early autumn and quite warm, she often felt chilly in the shade.
Inside the classroom, Lin Fang found it amusing how Qi Shi and Xian’er had improvised their little act. She had merely given Qi Shi a look, yet Qi Shi had come up with the idea of pretending she was asleep—even invoking Lin Wu’s name to pressure Xian’er. Lin Wu and Xian’er got along famously; he had never once threatened to “have her hide.” Xian’er’s quick response showed that everyone had a talent for acting.
A small red clay stove in the kitchen always held an iron kettle. Opening the stove’s vent would quickly bring the water to a boil. Xian’er brewed a pot of black tea and carried it into the classroom on a tray. Lin Fang had a habit—whether the weather was hot or cold, she always liked to drink slightly scalding black tea upon waking. A single cup soothed her stomach wonderfully.
By the time Lin Fang leisurely stepped out of the classroom, Gu Ma and the two younger maids in the courtyard were visibly impatient. The two older maids, however, stood quietly behind Miss Sima, their expressions calm.
“My apologies, Miss Sima. I fell asleep and had no idea we had guests. I’ve been terribly rude,” Lin Fang said, feigning embarrassment.
Miss Sima rose from the stool and replied apologetically, “Please don’t stand on ceremony, Miss Lin. It’s I, Ru Su, who have disturbed you.”
*Simá Rúsù?* The name was elegant and refined, yet Lin Fang couldn’t shake the feeling that it carried a hint of melancholy.
In this world, a young lady’s name wasn’t something to be shared lightly with strangers. Yet since Miss Sima had introduced herself so openly, it would seem petty not to reciprocate. Approaching her, Lin Fang smiled and said, “You’re too kind, Miss Sima. It’s I, Lin Fang, who have been discourteous.”
The skin on Miss Sima’s exposed hands was unusually pale—so much so that Lin Fang could even see the fine white hairs. A strange thought crossed her mind: *Could she have albinism?*
Simá Rúsù seemed to notice Lin Fang’s gaze and quickly tucked her hands into her sleeves. Gu Ma, meanwhile, scoffed and turned her head away.
If this young lady truly had albinism, then Lin Fang’s stare had indeed been impolite. Even if it had only been a glance, people with such conditions were often hypersensitive to others’ gazes. Judging by Gu Ma’s attitude, Simá Rúsù must not be well-treated at home—even the servants dared to look down on her. Lin Fang felt like she’d stumbled into some dramatic tale of family strife, with all the classic tropes of favoritism and neglect.
Drawing on her past life’s habit of comforting special patients, Lin Fang immediately instructed, “Qi Shi, tidy up the resting room. The heat is exhausting—Miss Sima must be tired. Please invite her inside to rest. Xian’er, go to Old Li and see if there are any watermelons left. Bring one back to quench Miss Sima’s thirst.”
Turning to Gu Ma, she added, “Madam, the watermelons we grow here are quite large. My maid is small and not very strong—she might not be able to carry one alone. Would you mind helping her? If you’re thirsty, you may have some watermelon before returning.”
Gu Ma had long grown weary of babysitting Simá Rúsù. She had only been assigned to watch her by her mistress, who had ordered her never to leave Simá Rúsù’s side. When Lin Fang suggested she go fetch a watermelon, Gu Ma was about to refuse—until Lin Fang mentioned she could eat some first. The thought made her waver.
Watermelons had only been introduced to the region in recent years. They were difficult to grow, yielded low harvests, and were thus quite expensive. Most commoners couldn’t afford them, and even wealthy families didn’t eat them often. For a servant to have watermelon was a rare privilege. Given that she served an unfavored, illegitimate daughter, Gu Ma hadn’t tasted watermelon in ages. After a brief hesitation, she agreed.
Once Gu Ma and Xian’er had left, the two younger maids stared longingly at the courtyard gate. Lin Fang smiled. “You two may go to the fields and have some watermelon too. Just remember—watermelon is cooling. Don’t overeat, or you might upset your stomach.” In other words, they could eat as much as they liked.
The little maids eagerly dashed off without even a word of thanks. Simá Rúsù apologized, “Miss Lin, please forgive them. I haven’t properly disciplined my servants. Their manners are lacking.”
Lin Fang waved it off. “No matter. They’re just children, still at an age where they love to play.”
She then asked the two older maids, “Would you two like to go as well?”
They curtsied and shook their heads. “Thank you, Miss Lin,” they said, remaining where they stood.
Once inside the resting room, Simá Rúsù immediately removed her veil and shook her head vigorously—like a dog shaking off water. Lin Fang, caught off guard, was splattered with sweat. Wiping her face with her sleeve, she grumbled, “Honestly, for a young lady, you have no sense of decorum. How many times must I tell you? Stop imitating my Qiūqiū!”
“Hmph! Who’s older—your Qiūqiū or me? Clearly, it’s your Qiūqiū who’s copying *me*!”
The moment the words left Simá Rúsù’s mouth, both girls froze, staring at each other in shock. That exchange had been a running joke between Lin Fang and her best friend in her past life—one she hadn’t used in years. How had Simá Rúsù known the exact response?
Simá Rúsù recovered first. Turning to her maids, she said, “You two, step outside. Don’t come in until I call you.” Then, to Lin Fang, “Miss Lin, would you mind asking your attendant to leave as well? I have something private to discuss with you.”
At Lin Fang’s nod, Qi Shi hesitated. This was their first meeting with Miss Sima, and they knew nothing about her. But seeing the confidence in Lin Fang’s eyes, Qi Shi finally withdrew, closing the door behind her.
Alone in the room, Lin Fang opened her mouth to speak—but Simá Rúsù raised a finger to her lips, then leaned in to whisper, “We’ll talk later. My so-called father will be here soon. Remember—help me stay here.”
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