Susu woke up to the aroma of food, still a bit groggy, and it took her a while to realize where she was.
At the table, three young girls were taking out dishes from a food box, placing bowls and chopsticks softly as not to disturb Susu's sleep.
One of the girls turned around and saw Susu awake, making an exaggerated expression, "Oh my heavens, you sleep so soundly. We left some snacks for you at noon and nothing was touched. We thought something happened, so we called Sister Zhen Zhu over and asked Nanny Qin to check on you, only then did we know you were just asleep."
The other two girls came over as well, sitting on either side of Susu's bed.
The one in the green vest touched Susu's forehead, speaking gently, "You had a slight fever at noon, Nanny Qin said it's nothing serious, you're just exhausted recently."
The other girl shot a look at the one who caused a fuss, "Don't scare Susu, you act like a firecracker," then she said to Susu, "I'm Ning Cui." She pointed to the gentle-voiced girl in the green vest, "This is Bisi."
The lively girl scooted over, "I'm Liu'er. We three are about the same age, all ten. You are Susu, seven years old, right? Sister Zhen Zhu kept reminding us not to bully you. Heaven knows, am I that kind of person?" Her antics made all three laugh uncontrollably.
Seeing Susu laugh, Liu'er continued, "No wonder the Old Madam likes you. People often say Sister Liu Li from the First Madam's courtyard is beautiful, but I think once you grow up, you'll be even more beautiful." She patted Susu's shoulder, "Don't worry, the Old Madam is very kind-hearted, she'll definitely make sure you are well taken care of."
Liu'er understood Nanny Qin's words, born weak and without enough food or clothing, needing gradual care to recuperate. Luckily she entered the Song Family and met the Old Madam, otherwise, no household would want a maid like that.
At that moment, Susu's stomach growled, making her face flush with embarrassment.
Always the brisk one, Ning Cui pulled Susu to the dining table, "You didn't have lunch, you must be hungry. Thanks to you, Sister Amber gave us her share of dishes today, better eat them before they turn cold."
Susu looked and saw two meat dishes, two vegetarian dishes, and a soup: sauteed tenderloin, stir-fried shrimp, stir-fried mung bean sprouts, stir-fried greens, sour bamboo shoots and chicken skin soup, along with a large bowl of mushroom and chicken congee and a plate of mantou the size of baby fists, which left Susu momentarily stunned. If even the dishes for the great maidens at the Song Family were this good, what must the masters be eating?
Ning Cui assumed Susu hadn't seen such food before, and seeing her only briefly stunned but not greedily eyeing the food, she thought a bit more highly of her and smiled, "Go ahead and eat, the elder sisters usually eat in the Old Madam's quarters and often share their dishes with us younger maids."
The four started eating, and the other three took the opportunity to secretly observe Susu, noticing her dining etiquette was excellent, as she chewed slowly, giving off a comforting feeling deep down, and they couldn't help but acknowledge she was truly a scholar's daughter.
The three were all born to the household, considered among the gentler of the young maids, with their families holding some standing.
Liu'er was the granddaughter of the chief steward at Song Mansion, her father a close aide to the oldest master; Ning Cui's father managed the Old Madam's estate outside, and her mother was formerly a great maid by the Old Madam's side; Bisi had an aunt in charge of the embroidery room, responsible for all the clothing distributed in the household.
They didn't look down on maids from the outside, but some lacked the most basic dining etiquette.
Unexpectedly, this girl caught the Old Madam's eye, not only directly assigned as a third-class maid but also able to follow Sister Amber and receive care from Sister Zhen Zhu, placed in their room.
Hearing of Susu's background, seeing her good looks, and seemingly nice temperament, along with her demonstrated decorum, slightly put them at ease.
Their paths were already set, but having someone unruly would've been unsettling.
After the meal, Liu'er and the others packed a pouch for Susu as a welcome gift. Susu didn't know how to respond at first, but perceptive Bisi, noticing her hesitation, urged, "Take it, when the Old Madam gives you nice things, remember us."
Ning Cui laughed, "Bisi is the sharp-minded one, getting an Old Madam's gift when you're just giving a pouch."
Only then did Susu accept, finding small items within the pouches, likely rings or earrings, it was no surprise that the Song Family was wealthy when even third-class maids exchanged gifts of such value.
The bowls and food box were placed at the door for the rough maids to collect, as the four sat chatting, Liu'er asked, "Susu, do you really know how to read?"
The other two looked at her just as curiously, a hint of expectation in their eyes.
Though literature was prevalent in Jiangnan, with many scholars, the Song Family were merchants, lacking that foundational background.
The young masters of the Song Family attended school, and the young ladies were lavishly taught music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but few among the household staff could read.
Susu, after some mental deliberation, replied, "My father taught me. If you wish to learn, I can teach you, though my knowledge isn't extensive."
Even Bisi's eyes widened, "You'd really teach us to read?"
Under the three's expectant gazes, Susu nodded, "For sure, just get some brush, ink, paper, and inkstone."
Liu'er excitedly responded, "Tomorrow I'll ask Sister Zhen Zhu for leave to see my grandfather. I'm sure I can get those paraphernalia. You'd really teach us?" Susu had to assure her again, "Really, as true as Zhen Zhu."
Later, Liu'er fetched water from the small kitchen, tipping the rough maid a few coins to help carry it twice to fill the tub. Finally, Susu enjoyed a nice hot bath, with Ning Cui attentively washing her hair, thankfully no lice as it was winter, or Susu would have gone mad.
The four washed their faces, feet, rinsed their mouths, and chatted before each went to bed. Having slept so much, Susu couldn't fall asleep right away, lying in the soft bed, her thoughts wandering.
She'd read her share of stories where maids climb the ranks, mentally prepared for such scenarios, yet today's experiences proved her overthinking.
The chief maid wasn't harsh, and her young maid roommates were friendly, apart from the alert looks in the morning reminding her to be mindful, everything felt like a dream.
It wasn't until later that Susu realized how much a blessing it was to be assigned to the Old Madam's courtyard.
In her youth, the Song Family's Old Madam too was a maid from a large household. Having been noticed by a young master for a mistress role, she was determined to marry out as a legitimate wife and fought to leave the household.
She later married what was then just a salt merchant, the old master of the Song Family. Literate and educated, she and the old master built the vast family business together, having two sons and a daughter, a true model among maids.
Who would have thought, after her sons' marriages, the two daughters-in-law not only distanced themselves but also prevented their children from being close to their grandmother, with rumors circulating in the household, speaking ill of supposedly turning masters into servant-like figures.
In those times, the old master still alive, beat several old concubines and servants to death, leading both sons and their wives into constant feuds, nearly resulting in divorce.
It took the Old Madam's intervention to settle the matter, but since then, hurt, she never again grew close to the daughters-in-law or grandchildren, finding joy only within her courtyard, treating her maids and old servants all the more kindly.