Chapter Forty-Eight: Charcoal Fire

As the days passed, the air grew colder. Su Li Luo, attended by her maids, was dressed in thick garments and, before stepping outside, wrapped herself in a heavy cloak. Liu Zhu, following orders, knocked on the housekeeper’s door. The housekeeper greeted her with a lukewarm attitude, but Liu Zhu was unfazed, smiling as she said, “Nanny, the days are cold. I’ve come to collect the supplies for the young lady’s rooms—surely it’s time to burn charcoal for warmth?”

The housekeeper nodded, replying, “The charcoal for the young lady’s rooms has long been prepared. There it is, in the corner; take it away yourself.” Liu Zhu eyed the basket of charcoal in the corner with some difficulty. “Nanny, would you please send someone to help me carry it? I can’t manage it alone.”

Looking at her slender arms and legs, Liu Zhu knew it was a struggle to carry the heavy basket back to the young lady’s quarters. The concern showed plainly on her face.

The housekeeper snorted softly, “If you can’t carry it, why didn’t you bring someone with you? My hands are full as it is; I have no time to help you.” With that, she left, leaving Liu Zhu to gaze helplessly at the charcoal basket.

Having no other choice, Liu Zhu half-lifted and half-dragged the basket outside. Just then, she encountered a young servant boy who, seeing her predicament, helped carry it partway. When they reached the entrance to Su Li Luo’s courtyard, he set the basket down and whispered, “Liu Zhu, you’d better call someone to take it in. I’m not allowed to enter the young lady’s quarters.”

Liu Zhu nodded, thanking him warmly. “Thank you so much today. I’ll fetch someone right away—could you watch over it for me?”

Liu Zhu moved quickly, returning with an elderly nanny. The young servant, seeing them approach from a distance, departed before they reached him. Liu Zhu let the elderly nanny carry the charcoal inside and resolved to thank the boy properly another time.

Once the charcoal was brought indoors, the nanny took out the brazier, lit the fire, and tossed several chunks of charcoal inside. Soon, the room filled with acrid smoke, causing the maids and nannies to cough uncontrollably. Su Li Luo noticed the stinging smell and tears pricked her eyes. “Cough, cough—Liu Zhu, what’s happening?” Seeing the white smoke billowing from the curtains, she came over, concerned.

Liu Zhu and the nannies had already extinguished the fire with tea. Seeing Su Li Luo, Liu Zhu helped her sit, opened the window for ventilation, and explained, “Miss, I fetched the charcoal, but as soon as it burned, it started to smoke. I don’t know why.”

Just then, Nanny Chang entered, carrying a bowl of bird’s nest porridge. Seeing the mistress and maids exchanging glances, she asked in confusion, “Miss, what’s going on? Why is the window open? It’s cold—be careful not to catch a chill. Liu Zhu, quickly close the window.”

“It's too stifling in here, Nanny. Let’s leave it open for some fresh air first.” Su Li Luo felt her throat ease and the acrid smell dissipate.

Nanny Chang, noticing the basket of black charcoal and the wisps of white smoke from the brazier, set the porridge on the table. She crouched and examined a piece of charcoal closely before saying, “Miss, which careless servant sent this charcoal? How could you use such low-quality fuel?”

Su Li Luo looked puzzled. Nanny Chang explained in detail, and Su Li Luo finally understood: the smoky charcoal was typically given to the servants, while the maids and nannies serving the young ladies used better fuel.

Su Li Luo gazed at the charcoal, her expression uncertain. After a moment, she softly said, “Liu Zhu, go and ask about this charcoal.”

Liu Zhu obeyed and soon returned, standing respectfully. “Miss, the housekeeper said the household is short on funds this year. The other young ladies’ rooms are the same—it wasn’t meant to single you out.”

“Is that so?” Su Li Luo gave Liu Zhu a cool glance. Liu Zhu shivered and hesitated before speaking again. “Miss, there’s something I’m not sure I should say…”

“Speak plainly. Did you hear something else?” Su Li Luo understood; it was surely her stepmother’s handiwork.

Liu Zhu paused, then continued, “I heard that Madam sent all the best charcoal to Song He Courtyard…”

“So that’s it. We granddaughters must bear a little hardship—Grandmother’s health is more important. What about Mother?” Su Li Luo’s eyes held a mocking smile; she didn’t believe Yao Ruoshui, as mistress of the house, would neglect her own daughter.

“Madam manages the household—she won’t be lacking. The second and fourth young ladies live in her main quarters, so…” Liu Zhu relayed everything she had learned.

“So that’s how it is. Having a mother is truly a blessing; I suppose Third Sister also has her own mother’s support and fares better than I do.” Su Li Luo spoke coolly. Liu Zhu, seeing her expression unchanged, couldn’t tell whether her mistress was angry or indifferent.

“Perhaps, Miss. Should I try to plead with the housekeeper…” Liu Zhu’s words were cut off by Su Li Luo.

“No need. The housekeeper isn’t on our side—why let others laugh at us? Nowadays, money matters most.” Su Li Luo lowered her eyes, staring at the basket of charcoal in a daze. After a while, she waved her hand. “Take it away. We can’t endure smoke for the sake of warmth.”

Liu Zhu felt uneasy, her face pale as she directed the nannies to carry the charcoal away. Nanny Chang lifted the lid from the porridge and advised, “Don’t be upset, Miss. Your health matters most—it’s just a bit of charcoal. Have some bird’s nest porridge; I watched over the kitchen as it simmered for you.”

Su Li Luo looked at the steaming porridge, a dimple appearing on her cheek. “Nanny, you’re always so thoughtful.”

She ate neatly but quickly, finishing the small bowl in no time. Nanny Chang tidied the dishes and closed the doors and windows firmly, leaving Su Li Luo to rest in peace.

Su Li Luo frowned deeply, pondering, “Only when trouble comes do you realize how precious money is. I’ll have to find a way to earn more, or I won’t even afford good charcoal.” Glancing sideways, she saw a military treatise she had taken from the ancestral hall.

She walked over and picked up the book, flipping through it idly. Suddenly, her hand stopped at several pages, as if she had discovered something. Her demeanor changed; she bent over, nearly lying atop the table.

Upon closer inspection, the pages of the treatise seemed odd—marked with lines and place names. She stared intently, murmuring, “This looks so familiar… What could it be? Could it be a map?”

With a gasp, Su Li Luo carefully tore out the pages, laid them flat on the table, scrambled their order, and rearranged them according to the lines. Once set, she contemplated quietly, whispering in disbelief, “Could this be a treasure map?” Fearing anyone else might hear, she covered her mouth and glanced around. Finding herself alone, she finally relaxed.