Enemies meet on a narrow path

Eventually, due to her poor constitution and the new environment Yang Mingzhu fell asleep. When she awoke again the servant girl, whose name she learned is Ru Hui came to help her get dressed. Ru Hui is her third rank servant girl and assists with personal items related to the young miss.

"Young Miss, your fever has subsided, the physician said that will do you good to come out of the courtyard and have a walk around. Let nubi dress you." Slightly in a daze Yang Mingzhu complies, waking up made her disoriented as she didn't recognize her surroundings, however seeing Ru Hui reminded her of her current situation. Ru Hui adorned her in a peach colored silk top and high waisted skirt with cloud embroidery. Her hair was left to flow around her with a few braids embellished with flowers as decoration. On her feet were pink cotton padded shoes with floral embroidery. She looked like a doll.

"Miss, nubi thinks you look very pretty." Who doesn't like hearing compliments? A broad smile made its way in Yang Mingzhu's face as she looked at herself in the bronze mirror, she was too young for makeup so Ru Hui did not put any on her. Yang Mingzhu herself also felt that makeup was unnecessary, she was just going for a stroll in the garden.

" Un, I think so as well. Ru Hui, where is Nanny Wu?" Nanny Wu [1] usually assists and takes care of Yang Mingzhu however she hasn't been seen for almost two days.

"Young Miss, Nanny took leave yesterday as the madame sent her out to purchase something for you, she also got permission to visit her family. She should be back today with the items." Following behind her young miss, Ru Hui, as well as another first rank servant girl [2] Lan Ning alongside her.

"Un," trying not to say too much lest she give away her identity, Yang Mingzhu keeps her eyes straight ahead as they venture into the garden using the memories of her predecessor. It's cold so Ru Hui made sure to dress the young miss in the Snow White fur fox coat that the master brought back as a gift for her. It does its job well in keeping her warm. She also has a hand brazier to prevent her from catching another chill.

"The chrysanthemum's [3] bloom so pretty this time of the year-

Yang Mingzhu's words were interrupted by an annoyingly high pitched voice. "Cousin I heard from concubine mother that you were sick. It's great to see that you are doing well!"

Yang Mingzhu stiffened and eventually turned her head to greet the owner of the voice. The fifth miss from the third branch Yang Meiling. In the original owner's past life, this young girl played a significant role in pushing her to her doom. Even at ten years old, schemes already seem from her pores like venom.

Yang Mingzhu's phoenix eyes squint in thought as she catches the flash of venom that quickly disappears from her fifth cousin's gaze.

'How delectably interesting.' Yang Mingzhu thinks. It seems as though growing up in the inner court will be anything but boring...

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[1]- Wet Nurse or Nanny (乳母, Rǔmǔ)

 • While not technically a "maid," the wet nurse would be a key figure in the young Miss's early years. For a noble family, the wet nurse would be a trusted, senior figure in the household.

 • She would ensure the young Miss's health and well-being, often being assigned to her at infancy and remaining with the family as the child grows.

[2]-Personal Maidservants (丫鬟, Yahuan)

 • Role:

These are the close attendants who assist the young Miss directly throughout her day.

 • Responsibilities:

 • Grooming and Dressing: Helping her with clothing choices appropriate for her age and status, and ensuring her hair and accessories are arranged according to courtly standards.

 • Daily Routines: Assisting with waking, feeding, and other personal care activities as needed.

 • Play and Companionship: Acting as both companions and role models, they engage in age-appropriate play and social interactions, subtly reinforcing proper behavior.

 • Reporting: Noting any issues or deviations in behavior and informing the senior attendant or the Miss's guardians, ensuring that all aspects of her upbringing are well-managed.

[3]-In ancient China, chrysanthemums (菊花, júhuā) held a special place in the aesthetics of noble courtyards and gardens. They were prized not only for their beauty but also for their symbolic associations with resilience, purity, and the scholarly spirit. Typically, chrysanthemums bloom in the autumn season—often from early October through November according to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar.