Chapter 70: Meeting an Acquaintance

A Yuan celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival while in her postpartum confinement, and by the time A Man was a month old, it was already September.

The two golden osmanthus trees in the courtyard were in full bloom, their fragrance rich and all-encompassing.

Even while in confinement, A Yuan kept herself busy. She had Auntie Qian and Su Mengyun pick osmanthus flowers to dry and make into fragrant sachets.

The remaining petals were stuck onto fans adorned with osmanthus petals, and with a slight movement of the wrist, one could catch a whiff of the fragrant breeze. The scent lingered on fingertips and hair.

The sachets and fans adorned with osmanthus petals from Jinxiu Workshop sold exceptionally well, and the money came in steadily. By year's end, A Yuan had gradually recouped her earlier expenses.

"Tomorrow, our A Man will be a month old. The neighbors are all eager to see her. How about I take charge and reserve two tables at the restaurant tomorrow to properly celebrate her full moon?"

Hui Gu wasn’t one for big, noisy gatherings, but since A Yuan was planning to stay long-term in Osmanthus Lane, it was important to build good relationships with the neighbors.

A Yuan naturally had no objections. "I’ll leave it all to you, Auntie Hui."

"Alright, then I’ll go have A Yan reserve the tables right away!"

Hui Gu hurried out, and soon Zhou Yan took some money to Fuman Restaurant.

"Lin Ma, isn’t that Zhou Yan down there?"

At a window seat on the second floor of Fuman Restaurant, a man who resembled a pimp glanced down and pointed at Zhou Yan, speaking to the woman beside him.

The woman addressed as Lin Ma followed his gaze and, upon recognizing the familiar face, a look of confusion briefly crossed her shrewd face.

"Wasn’t Zhou Yan supposed to be in the capital, serving as an official? Why is he in Suzhou?"

Back then, she had allowed Hui Gu to leave because of Zhou Yan. Although Chunyan Lou served the nobility and had deep connections, they wouldn’t risk offending a future high-ranking official over a mere instructor.

But now, seeing Zhou Yan here in plain clothes, Lin Ma felt a surge of anger, as if she had been deceived.

"Go find out why he left the capital."

"Yes."

...

A Man’s full moon celebration was a lively event, with neighbors bringing gifts.

Some brought a pound of brown sugar, others a basket of eggs, and there were those who gave cloth, rice, or flour. Though not extravagant, the gifts were heartfelt.

It was the first time A Yuan felt the warmth of ordinary people’s lives.

A Man was placed in the rocking cradle, her beautiful and well-behaved appearance endeared her to everyone who saw her.

Hui Gu greeted the guests, her smile widening as she saw how much everyone loved A Man.

A Yuan’s public identity was that of Hui Gu’s distant niece. Later, when her pregnancy became noticeable and Hui Gu could no longer hide it, she explained that A Yuan had separated from her husband and, with both parents deceased, had nowhere else to go but to seek refuge with her.

Though the neighbors loved to gossip, A Yuan’s gentle nature and her establishment of an embroidery workshop made them eager to find work there, so they naturally didn’t want to offend her.

The full moon celebration was a success, and after her confinement, A Yuan grew tired of staying in bed.

She heated water for a proper bath, feeling refreshed and as if she had been reborn.

As autumn set in, Suzhou’s social gatherings increased, and young ladies began ordering new clothes. Jinxiu Workshop received a steady stream of business.

During her confinement, Hui Gu forbade A Yuan from doing any needlework. The moment her confinement ended, A Yuan picked up her embroidery frame again. Hui Gu couldn’t stop her and teased her for being a little money-grubber who couldn’t sit still.

A Yuan smiled softly. She had A Man to support, and no amount of money was ever enough. How could she afford to be idle?

Fresh out of confinement, she brought Su Mengyun to Jinxiu Workshop.

Meanwhile, Lin Ma's people had also uncovered the truth.

"Madam, Zhou Yan offended a noble in the capital and was stripped of his rank by the Emperor, which is why he returned to Suzhou."

"Oh? Stripped of his rank, no wonder..."

Lin Ma reclined on the chaise longue, with a maid massaging her legs.

Hearing the brothel servant’s report, she narrowed her eyes, deep in thought.

The servant paused before adding, "Guess who else I saw, Madam? You’ll never believe it."

"Out with it, stop beating around the bush."

Lin Ma kicked him, sending him sprawling to the ground.

There were other maids and servants in the room, and he felt embarrassed. He had meant to flatter her but ended up angering her instead.

The servant laughed nervously, "I saw A Yuan. She’s also in Suzhou."

"A Yuan? Are you sure?"

Lin Ma’s eyes snapped open. A Yuan was the most beautiful “skinny horse” (a term for young girls trained in arts and skills for wealthy patrons) in Chunyan House and the one she had personally trained and was most satisfied with.

Back then, when the Marquis of Anning was looking for someone, she had selected a group, and only A Yuan, Bi Wu, and Qiu Wen remained.

Once they entered the noble households, concubines and maids were seldom allowed to leave. A Yuan showing up in Suzhou was highly suspicious.

"Are you absolutely sure it’s A Yuan?"

Lin Ma suspected he was lying to curry favor, but the servant knelt on the ground, almost swearing an oath.

"Absolutely true! Two days ago, her daughter’s full-month celebration was held, and she invited the neighbors. I saw her at the street corner."

A Yuan had been confined for a long time and hadn’t gone out. If it weren’t for investigating Zhou Yan, they wouldn’t have discovered her.

Lin Ma snorted coldly, "Well, well, well, they all think they’ve sprouted wings and can do as they please once they leave Chunyan House. Let’s go and see her."

Regardless of why A Yuan left the Marquis’s household, she was once a part of Chunyan House.

Lin Ma had come to Suzhou to provide women for the Suzhou Prefect. However, this Prefect Song was very picky, and none of the “skinny horses” she sent had impressed him. They were all sent back.

Just as Lin Ma was at her wit’s end, she suddenly discovered A Yuan, as if heaven had sent her a godsend.

...

A Yuan spent the day at the embroidery workshop, helping Auntie Qian receive many customers.

The dresses they had made earlier had already been worn by young ladies attending banquets. A Yuan's exquisite craftsmanship, combined with the fashionable styles from the capital, made the young ladies stand out among the crowd, boosting Jinxiu Workshop's business.

She stood behind the counter, noting down the customers’ orders, when suddenly the light dimmed.

A Yuan thought another customer had entered and quickly looked up to greet them, but her face turned pale when she saw who it was.

"Madam Lin..."

"I didn't expect your business to be doing so well, A Yuan. The embroidery skills were all learned back at the House of Chunyan, weren't they?"

The woman was dressed richly, her hair adorned with ornate hairpins and jewelry, and A Yuan was deeply afraid of her, to the core.

She clenched her hands, gathering her courage to step forward, "I have already left the House of Chunyan. If you're here to shop, you're welcome. If not... please leave."

"Leave? Ha! You've got some nerve! I didn't expect that after not seeing you for a few years, you've really grown some guts!"

Madam Lin sneered; she couldn't stand defiance. When A Yuan first entered the House of Chunyan, she had been beaten by her countless times.

Those who fall to the bottom don't need pride. It took her thirteen years to completely train A Yuan into a docile and obedient girl, and now, just a few years later, she had changed.

Madam Lin's eyes were like a venomous snake, fixed tightly on A Yuan's face, "Since you grew up in the House of Chunyan, you will always be a person of the House of Chunyan. Now, I have a good place to send you for a life of ease. Pack up and come with me."

"I won't go!"

A Yuan's voice was hoarse. There were others in the embroidery shop, and seeing the commotion, they all turned to look.

Madam Lin looked at her coldly, threatening, "Do you want me to send you back to the Marquis of Anning's estate?"

She didn't believe A Yuan had left openly. With A Yuan's looks, no man would be willing to drive her out.

But she didn't care about any of that; all she cared about was whether she could fetch a good price for A Yuan again.