Chapter 3: Presenting the Iron Rice Bowl

“Madam, this is the gift list delivered by Chen Guanlou. Please take a look.”

The steward presented the gift list.

Liu She took the list, glanced at it, and let out a light laugh. “He’s surprisingly generous.”

Ten taels of silver as a gift was nothing to Liu She’s eyes. But given Chen Guanlou’s current circumstances, to part with ten taels meant he had emptied his purse—truly a gesture of sincere intent.

“Madam, will you help him?” the maid Xiujuan asked cautiously.

Liu She cast a sidelong glance at Xiujuan, lips curling in a half-smile. “Oh? Have you taken a fancy to him?”

Xiujuan admitted openly, “Madam, you speak as if it’s strange. Such a handsome young man—who wouldn’t like him? But I don’t care for his looks. What’s rare is that someone from the Chen clan still strives to rise, unashamed of the Tianlaomiao’s lowly station. Madam, are you saying he’s too unpolished?”

Liu She chuckled coldly. “Xiujuan, has anyone ever resisted my advances before?”

“Never. All the others were lustful beasts, utterly base. Only Chen Guanlou was different.”

“Yet he remains unmoved by my charms. This boy will one day rise far beyond his station. Tell me—should I help him?”

Xiujuan grew instantly cautious.

She couldn’t directly say yes, but saying no felt dishonest. She could see Chen Guanlou truly valued this post at the Tianlaomiao.

She chose her words carefully: “Since you’ve accepted his gift, you ought to let Master know.”

Liu She nodded. “Wise. Master’s rule is: take money, do the job. But ten taels is too little. This matter…” She smiled. “Let’s wait until Master returns.”

…

In the evening, Liu She’s husband returned home after a long day. Liu She greeted him warmly, wrung out a hot towel for him to wash his face and body, then massaged his shoulders.

Once he was comfortable, a fine banquet was laid out. The couple sat shoulder to shoulder, eating and drinking together.

“Master came home late today.”

“Those gossiping, wicked old maids in the household have been slacking off and spreading lies. They reached the elder son’s ears, and the Grand Master found out—he flew into a rage. I spent the day calming him down and selling off those gossips. That’s why I’m late.”

Liu She was taken aback. “The Hou Fu is a family of virtue. How could they sell off servants? Won’t that damage their reputation?”

“The Grand Master was truly furious. No one could stop him. ‘Family of virtue’ is just words.” Liu She’s husband snorted, lifted his cup, and drained it.

Liu She quickly refilled his cup. “I have something to tell you too. Guess who came today.”

“Who?” Liu She’s husband asked indifferently.

“Chen Chengzong. Do you remember him? The one who worked at the Tianlaomiao, a bit slow-witted.”

“He’s been dead for years,” Liu She’s husband recalled.

“He had a son—he’s grown now. His name is Chen Guanlou. He came today, bringing dried duck, dried chicken, and cured meat, plus a pouch of silver. Quite sincere. He wants to take his father’s post at the Tianlaomiao. But his father’s position was already taken. Master, should we help him?”

Liu She mentioned it casually, never pausing her chopsticks as she kept piling food onto her husband’s plate—as if serving him was the real matter, and Chen Guanlou merely an afterthought.

Liu She’s husband sipped his wine. “What do you know of this Chen Guanlou?”

“He’s one of the few in the Chen clan with ambition. But his branch is five generations removed from the Hou Fu. I say—don’t help him. You gain nothing by helping him.” Liu She spoke firmly.

Liu She’s husband had no intention of helping—but her words made him change his mind.

“Helping him isn’t hard. Just one word.”

“But we should at least notify the Hou Fu,” Liu She muttered. “I don’t enjoy currying favor with the Second Young Mistress. I took only ten taels—and now I have to run errands? What a loss.”

Liu She’s face was sour, clearly annoyed at being burdened. But her husband chuckled, pulling her close. “You said Chen Guanlou is one of the few in the Chen clan with ambition. It’s just one word. Help him.”

“What future is there in working at the Tianlaomiao?”

“Who can say? What if one day someone important ends up imprisoned there? With him inside, there’ll be some protection.”

“Pah! The Hou Fu has been prosperous for a hundred years. Don’t speak such nonsense.”

“My lady is right. Then it’s your duty to go to the Second Young Mistress and inform her. We help the Chen clan’s son—let the Hou Fu remember our favor.”

Liu She shot him a sideways glance and huffed. “Fine. I’ll do it. I’ve set my eyes on a set of head ornaments…”

“Buy it. Buy it all.”

…

Several days later, Chen Guanlou learned his post at the Tianlaomiao was secured. A heavy stone lifted from his chest. He went to the Liu residence to thank them—but neither Liu She nor her husband was home. Only the maid Xiujuan received him.

Xiujuan refused his gift. “When you have money, bring a more respectable gift to thank us. That will show true sincerity.”

Chen Guanlou thought it over and agreed. But he didn’t take back his gift—no one returns a gift once offered.

Xiujuan couldn’t refuse him further and accepted the gift.

His elder sister heard he had secured the post and cried, “Buddha bless you!” That same day, she brought meat and vegetables back to the Chen home.

Chen Chengzong had left behind little silver, only a single-story courtyard two alleys from the Hou Fu and a few streets from the imperial offices—equivalent to prime real estate in the heart of the capital.

Even during the family’s hardest times, they never sold it. A wise choice. Otherwise, Chen Guanlou would have had to rent a place.

Chen Guanlou’s elder sister was named Chen Xiaolan. She was in her late twenties, the classic modest, virtuous maiden, married to the youngest son of Su Dacheng, a city gate clerk. Her life was tolerable—she ate meat every few days—but she had little money.

When Chen Xiaolan handed Chen Guanlou a pouch of silver, he refused outright.

Others didn’t know how she lived in the Su household—he knew perfectly well. When she first married, he was still a child and lived with her in the Su home for two years. He had seen how she bowed and scraped, how she endured her mother-in-law’s cruelty and her sisters-in-law’s scorn. He remembered every insult.

The Su brothers hadn’t divided the household. All earnings went to Su Dacheng’s wife, who then doled out allowances. As the youngest daughter-in-law, Chen Xiaolan never touched the money. Only because her husband, the favored youngest son, had some personal funds, did she have any spending money at all.

These coins were hard-won from her husband’s pocket. How could he possibly take them?

“Sister, don’t worry about me. I eat three meals a day at the yamen and wear uniforms year-round—I have no place to spend money.”

“Nonsense! Even if food and clothes are free, you still need money for social ties. When you work at the yamen, you can’t be too isolated. Your father was too solitary—he had no one to help him when trouble came.”

“Social ties? Don’t worry about me. When I get my salary, I’ll treat my colleagues to meals—I won’t be stingy. Besides, everyone in the yamen already knows my situation. They know I have no money now—they won’t expect me to host them yet. Sister, take this back. If your mother-in-law finds out, she’ll make a scene.”

Chen Xiaolan hesitated. “Really won’t you take it?”

Chen Guanlou shook his head firmly. He had already decided: before his salary came, he’d stay at the Tianlaomiao and spend not a single copper.