It was her greatest fortune in this life to have met the young madam as her mistress.
Xiao Qi reached up to touch the hairpin in her hair, her gaze taking in Cai Qing before her. Only then did she notice that the clothes Cai Qing was wearing were woven brocade from the south.
In Xiliang, woven brocade from the south was reserved for the noble ladies of the imperial palace. For Cai Qing, a mere servant girl, to be wearing southern brocade was simply beyond belief. She couldn't help but glance at Cai Qing a few more times.
"Hurry and come with me to see the young madam."
She had almost forgotten. The young madam had instructed her to bring Xiao Qi to see her as soon as she changed her clothes.
It was all her fault for getting carried away with showing off and almost forgetting the important matter at hand. She pulled Xiao Qi along, quickening her pace.
"Young madam, this servant has brought Xiao Qi."
Hearing the sound, Feng Jin put down the embroidery in her hands and lifted her eyelids to look at Xiao Qi.
After changing clothes, she looked much more pleasing to the eye. Her previous attire could easily be mistaken for that of someone fleeing famine.
"Buddha relies on gold for adornment, and man relies on clothing. Changing clothes makes a person look completely different."
"Your name is Xiao Qi, isn't it?"
Xiao Qi blinked in surprise, then quickly nodded behind her, "This servant's name is Xiao Qi."
"That's an unusual name. Do you have other brothers and sisters at home, and were you called Xiao Qi because you were the seventh child?"
"This servant is an orphan and doesn't know how many sisters she has. She was called Xiao Qi because she entered the palace at the age of seven."
"You are indeed to be pitied. It's not a good name for a girl as she grows older. Since you are now with me, you are my person. Shall I help you choose a new name?"
"This servant will obey the young madam's every command."
After a pause, Feng Jin said, "Phoenix Mountain after the rain, clear skies, gentle breeze, bright sunset clouds. You shall be called Chu Qing from now on. Do you like the name Chu Qing, meaning 'clear skies after the rain'?"
"This servant likes it. Thank you, young madam, for the bestowed name."
Although she didn't understand the meaning of the poem, she knew it was a good name. She finally had a name of her own.
Feng Jin wrote the four characters "Yu Hou Chu Qing" on a piece of paper and handed it to Chu Qing.
"Young madam, this servant cannot read."
Chu Qing looked at the four elegant characters on the paper but didn't understand their meaning.
"These four characters are 'Yu Hou Chu Qing,' which perfectly matches your name. You are still young, so it will be easier to learn calligraphy. When we return to the capital, I will teach you slowly."
Had she heard correctly? The young madam actually said she would teach her to read and write. A mistress teaching a servant girl to read...
"You're so happy you've gone silly, hurry and thank the young madam."
Seeing her motionless for a long time, Cai Qing reminded her, reaching out to touch her shoulder.
Chu Qing came back to her senses, "This servant bows in gratitude to the young madam."
"Cai Qing, take her to eat something first. For the next few days, let her share a room with you, so you can teach her."
"Yes, young madam. Come with me."
Cai Qing and Chu Qing went down one after the other. Feng Jin watched their retreating figures, her eyes holding a trace of inexplicable dimness.
In less than a moment, Ling Mo Han walked in. Upon seeing Feng Jin, he began to question her, "I heard you took in a palace maid from Xiliang?"
"Yes, didn't you see her when you came in just now? That's her, led by Cai Qing. She was called Xiao Qi before, and I gave her a new name, Chu Qing. Is it nice?"
"You actually intend to keep a palace maid from Xiliang by your side? You might end up being sold without even realizing it."
He really didn't understand what Feng Jin was thinking, to voluntarily keep a spy from Xiliang by her side. The people of Xiliang were probably overjoyed.
"You always say things that spoil the mood. I can guarantee you that Chu Qing will absolutely not be a spy, and she will be helpful in the future. Don't forget our prior agreement; the time hasn't come yet, so don't act on your own."
Fearing that Ling Mo Han would break their agreement, Feng Jin reminded him.
"I will naturally abide by our agreement, as long as you don't insist on stopping me when the time comes."
"This lady's word is as good as gold, and I will be the same as you!"
Feng Jin retorted sarcastically, glaring at Ling Mo Han with disdain before turning back into her room, slamming the door shut and keeping a distance from Ling Mo Han.
She took out the handkerchief Cui'er had given her from her sleeve. On the back of the handkerchief were written the names Xiao Qi and Zhen Zhu, and the black ink was blurred by tears.
It must be that these two were very important people in Cui'er's heart.
That was why, the first time she saw Xiao Qi, she had eagerly requested to have her. She was certain Xiao Qi would be of great use.
"Young madam, Xiao... Chu Qing, this servant has settled her."
Cai Qing almost mispronounced the name. After standing beside Feng Jin for a moment, she tentatively asked, "Young madam, why did you take Chu Qing in? If she's a spy from Xiliang, isn't keeping her here like a sheep entering a tiger's den?"
The thought that Chu Qing might be a spy from Xiliang sent a shiver down Cai Qing's spine, and she couldn't help but shiver involuntarily.
"You're thinking quite a lot now. It's good; you've improved. You know how to consider these things, so it seems I haven't taught you for so long in vain."
"Young madam, what if she really is a spy? Perhaps we should send her back."
Keeping her close would be a hidden danger. It would be best to send Chu Qing away.
"She's already been taken in and her name changed. How do you expect me to send her away, and how?"
She never intended to send Chu Qing away. Now that she had taken her in, there was no question of sending her back.
So much time had passed, and there was no movement from Xiliang. It seemed Sun Momo also didn't intend for Chu Qing to return, and was likely planning for Chu Qing to stay with her as a mole to help gather information.
If that were the case, she could go with the flow and pass false information to Xiliang, confusing their intentions, which would kill two birds with one stone. In that case, she absolutely could not send Chu Qing away.
"Young madam, do you truly intend to keep Chu Qing?"
"Yes!" Feng Jin nodded firmly, dispelling Cai Qing's idea of trying to persuade her further.
"If you have nothing else to do, go talk to Chu Qing more and cultivate your relationship. You will be working together in the future, so you cannot have conflicts."
"Yes, young madam."
Since the young madam had decided this, it seemed she was determined to keep Chu Qing. Anything she said would be in vain. She could only be vigilant towards Chu Qing and report any unusual behavior to the young madam promptly.
"Young madam, this servant will take her leave now."
With her mind made up, Cai Qing hurried away. She had to go back and keep an eye on Chu Qing, to see what she was up to.