The late autumn wind swept through the Marquis's Mansion, carrying withered leaves past the side gate. Lüluo crouched under the veranda to feed the parrot, yet her peripheral vision remained fixed on the moon-gate of the West Side Courtyard. Since the recent poetry and painting competition, the maids in the mansion had been whispering behind their backs, saying that Liu Shiyao’s Mingyao Silk Shop was struggling, yet her maid, Xiaocham, had suddenly begun wearing a jadeite bracelet.
"Sister Xiaocham has been running to the side gate quite often lately," the old woman feeding the birds whispered, leaning closer. "Yesterday, I saw her clutching an oil-paper parcel to her chest. It looked like snacks from Zuixian Pavilion."
Lüluo raised an eyebrow. The parrot suddenly flapped its wings and squawked, "Xiaocham is stealing! Xiaocham is stealing!" Lüluo tapped the birdcage gently. "Don't talk nonsense. Sister Xiaocham was just delivering things to the kitchen." Before she could finish, she saw Xiaocham skulking toward the side gate, her sleeves bulging as if hiding something.
Chapter 108