There's a saying in the storybooks, "Only when the ground is warmed can one cause a ruckus in the Heavenly Palace."
Lu Nianfu, considering herself a newcomer, dutifully woke up early, freshened herself, and had a small pastry to sustain her before going to pay her respects to Madam Fang.
Madam Fang had not yet arrived, so only two concubines were seated in the small sitting room.
The two women wore thick clothing but still appeared to be shivering. The winters in the capital were truly cold, especially on these early mornings. Lu Nianfu, thinking of the warmth of her own bed, couldn't help but pull her warm sleeves tighter.
In her sleeve was a hot water bag that Qingmiao had filled for her.
Seeing her, the two concubines quickly stood up, "Greetings, Eldest Young Madam."
"You two concubines need not be so formal, please sit."
"You sit first, sit here."
Lu Nianfu, her eyes still heavy with sleep, did not stand on ceremony and sat down immediately. The small sitting room was quite cold, and Lu Nianfu whispered, "Nianfu is new here and does not understand many things. I will have to trouble you two concubines for your guidance."
As she spoke, Qingya handed each of them a pouch filled with several gold leaves. A gentle shake produced a pleasant metallic chime.
The faces of the two concubines brightened. The one in pink said, "Guidance is too much to ask. If Eldest Young Madam needs anything, just command it."
Being a concubine was not an easy position, especially for a concubine of the Marquis of Guangling.
The Marquis of Guangling was not a man of deep affection, and Madam Fang, the principal wife, was extremely formidable. They had been given contraceptive medicine in their early years, and had no hope for their futures. All they wanted was to have some money in their pockets so they could live comfortably in their old age.
Lu Nianfu asked softly, "May I know what time Madam usually wakes up?"
The one in apricot replied, "Madam expects us to be here by the beginning of Chen Shi (07:15), but she generally does not appear before Chen Zheng (08:00). And since Eldest Young Madam is paying her respects for the first time today, it will certainly be delayed by another half an hour. We have quite a wait ahead of us."
Damn, was Madam Fang sick or something?
This was too much of a hassle. Waiting for her for an hour—think of all the things she could accomplish in that time!
Not to mention how cold it was. She felt an urge to throw it all up and leave, but she couldn't. It was only natural for a daughter-in-law to pay respects to her mother-in-law. Since she was here today, she had to complete the task no matter what. At worst, she could pretend to be sick tomorrow.
However, waiting like this was not a solution. So, she beckoned Qingya and whispered instructions in her ear.
Before long, Qingya returned, carrying a brazier filled with the finest silver-thread charcoal. The small sitting room gradually warmed up, and the two concubines were filled with gratitude.
Lu Nianfu had no great interest in winning them over, but having someone to talk to when bored was a good way to pass the time.
She even took the opportunity to have Qingya go back and fetch two plates of pastries and three cups of tea.
Madam Fang had expected to see three women shivering from the cold, but instead, she saw three women comfortably eating, drinking, and warming themselves by the fire, and was immediately displeased. "What are you doing?"
Lu Nianfu replied innocently, "We're not doing anything, Mother. You're finally here. I've been waiting here since early this morning, and my backside is sore from sitting on this chair."
"You're the only one with such delicate sensibilities."
Qingya said, "Madam, you may not know, but the chairs my young lady sits on are covered with silk cushions. The chairs here are really too hard. But it's alright, tomorrow, this servant will bring my young lady's cushions, and then even sitting for several hours will be no problem."
Madam Fang: ...
So, she, a merchant's daughter, actually had complaints about waiting a little longer. She really thought too highly of herself.
Madam Fang snorted, "Bring them if you wish. Why is there a brazier lit in this room? Don't you know it produces smoke?"
Lu Nianfu said, "Mother, please don't worry. Your daughter-in-law was afraid of offending you, so she specifically asked the steward to get the finest silver-thread charcoal. Alas, these servants are too careless. The mistresses were waiting here, and they didn't even think to light a brazier. If anyone were to fall ill, wouldn't it be said outside that you intentionally tormented people, making them pay their respects early in the morning and not even allowing a brazier, thus leaving them to freeze?"
That was precisely the case.
Wasn't this how every mistress behaved? Madam Fang felt not the slightest bit in the wrong and said huffily, "A brazier is such a trivial matter, and you're making such a fuss about it? However, don't use silver-thread charcoal next time; it's too expensive."
"If Mother does not mind, that would be for the best." The superior silver-thread charcoal was worlds apart from ordinary charcoal. Madam Fang was quite stingy, and she didn't buy much of the superior silver-thread charcoal. If Lu Nianfu were to use it every day, she would have to pay for it herself.