“Cai Huan, go and hurry up the eldest young miss — stop dawdling; the master is already waiting,” Wang Shi said, standing before a large mirror of polished yellow brass, turning this way and that while two small maids fussed over her from head to toe. She wore a deep crimson gold-and-silver damask front-opening long jacket, with a honey-yellow wax plum blossom gold filigree trembling ornament pinned diagonally in her hair.

“Mother, don’t rush — here I am.” With the sound of her voice, Hualan lifted the door curtain and entered, a vivid red ruby magpie-on-plum-blossom hairpin at her temple matching her mother’s colour, and on her body a rose-gold-and-deep-rose thick silk squirrel-fur jacket — the richness of its hue set off the girl’s face to a luminous pink radiance. “Mother — just now I saw that Nanny going in a great hurry toward Minglan’s room. Could it be that you intend to bring Minglan along? Perhaps she could be excused — her health is not strong, and she went to bed after supper this evening; she’s probably already dozed off by now.”

“Dozed off, indeed — tonight she has no choice but to come,” Wang Shi said flatly.

Hualan looked at her mother and lowered her gaze, thinking for a moment; she quietly dismissed the two small maids, then stepped forward to Wang Shi’s side and asked carefully: “Mother — could this be about the Elder’s wish to take a young girl to live with her?”

Sure enough, Wang Shi let out a cold sound through her nose: “That old woman and her calculations — she thinks I don’t know what she is planning! I had barely managed to rein in that fox spirit for two days, and now she is already thinking about how to promote her! I kept quiet about it at first because I thought the Elder has had nothing to do with her all these years and would not want that woman’s daughter. But now — hmph! Truly like mother, like daughter! That lovely fourth daughter of yours — she has been attending on the Elder every single day these past few days, serving tea and water, lowering herself and cooing pleasantly, putting every effort into amusing and flattering her. By now, Shou’an Hall inside and out is singing her praises to the heavens — all saying she is the most devoted and filially virtuous of all the grandchildren. My guess is that tonight your father is going to push the Elder to make up her mind.”

Hualan’s expression grew thoughtful: “So Mother is planning to put Minglan forward and have the Elder take her instead?”

“Sooner let anyone have her than that fox spirit!” Wang Shi snapped.

Hualan thought for a moment, then raised her voice: “Cai Pei, come in!”

A small maid in a sapphire blue cloud-patterned damask outer vest entered and curtsied: “What are your instructions, Young Miss?”

“Go — tell Nanny Liu to tidy up Miss Rulan as well. We shall all go together to visit the Elder this evening,” Hualan said. Wang Shi’s expression tightened; Cai Pei answered and went out.

Wang Shi said quickly: “What are you bringing Rulan along for?”

“Does Mother know what I mean to do?” Hualan asked, very calmly.

Wang Shi looked at her daughter for a long moment, then let out a quiet sigh: “I know perfectly well that Minglan would be of no use. But — but how can I bear to send Rulan? Her temperament was spoiled early on by my indulgence; she has never been properly trained or educated. How is she fit to endure the hardship of the Elder’s quarters?”

Hualan bit the inside of her lip and leaned close to her mother’s ear, murmuring softly: “And would you rather watch that woman succeed?”

Wang Shi set her jaw. Hualan saw that her mother was swaying toward it and pressed on: “Even if Mother were to put Minglan forward, one word from Father would send her right back — ‘The Elder’s wish to take a young girl is only to dispel her loneliness; sending a sickly child over there would only tire the Elder out.’ What answer is there to that? Only Rulan will do. First: sending your own daughter to be raised by the Elder shows well in Father’s eyes and earns a name for virtue and filial piety. Second: Rulan’s nature is spoiled and willful; some time under the Elder’s eye would bring her into better order. Third: if it is Molan that the Elder takes in, there is every chance that after a few years she and Lin Yiniang will grow close again — but if the Elder takes in Rulan, how could there be any intimacy between them? This accomplishes three things at once.”

Wang Shi’s expression shifted; she seemed to waver. Hualan added one more word: “Shou’an Hall is right here within the compound — if you miss Rulan, you can go to see her whenever you like, and if you are anxious, you need only assign some reliable and trusted matrons and maids. Is there any way Rulan would actually suffer hardship there?”

Wang Shi walked it through in her mind several times, then steeled herself. When she went out the door, she brought both Rulan and Minglan with her. Sheng Hong was waiting in the outer room; he looked somewhat taken aback to see such a large party emerging — adults, children, great and small — and Wang Shi smiled and said: “The doctor said today that the Elder is much recovered. This seems like a good opportunity to bring the young ones along as well, so they can offer their respects and express some concern for the Elder. Little Changdong is too small, so we’ll leave him.”

Sheng Hong nodded.

The party set off from the main courtyard, maids and matrons clustering before and behind, with two nannies in the middle each carrying Rulan and Minglan on their backs, making their way on foot to Shou’an Hall. When they arrived, they found Nanny Fang waiting at the entrance. Sheng Hong and Wang Shi went forward to exchange a few pleasantries with her and were promptly shown into the room.

In the center of the chamber stood a tall copper warming brazier in the form of the Diamond-Holder Buddha — cloud and mist drifted from its vents within, and the underfloor heating was running at full warmth. By the window was a kang, spread with a thick stone-blue pile blanket; Sheng Lao was reclining on it, a double-flower lucky-cloud embroidered pillow propped behind her, and draped across her was a large ginger-yellow auspicious-peony patterned blanket. On the kang was also set a small lacquered scroll-waist side table with mother-of-pearl inlay, upon which were arranged cups, bowls, dishes, and spoons, along with various refreshments and medicines.

Sheng Hong and Wang Shi entered and paid their respects to the Elder, followed by the children. After receiving their bows, Sheng Lao had a maid bring in two straight-backed cross-chairs with thick padded cushions, along with a number of warm padded stools; everyone sat down in proper order. Sheng Hong smiled and said: “Seeing today that the Elder is much improved and in better spirits, we brought the young ones along to pay a call — I only hope we haven’t disturbed your rest.”

“When did I become so delicate? It was only a touch of cold. I’ve taken more medicine these past few days than in the last several decades put together!” Sheng Lao wore a deep-coloured silk headband with a double-happiness and silver motif; her face still held some pallor, and her voice was still thin, but her mood was clearly good.

“They do say illness arrives like a landslide, but departs like drawing silk. The Elder has always been in excellent health; this was all brought on by the exhaustion of the move. It would be best to use this time to rest and recuperate thoroughly and take a few more strengthening tonics,” Wang Shi said warmly.

“I am fine myself — it is you two I am sorry to have troubled, running yourselves back and forth. You haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in days, and I can see you’ve both lost weight. That is my fault,” Sheng Lao said mildly.

Wang Shi quickly stood up: “Mother, you must not say such things — it would put your daughter-in-law entirely to shame. Attending to the elders and keeping watch over their medicines is simply the duty of a daughter-in-law. How could it be anything else? I am deeply grateful, and your daughter-in-law is overwhelmed.”

Sheng Hong, seeing Wang Shi being so respectful, looked on with satisfaction.

Sheng Lao smiled faintly and waved a hand, her gaze drifting to the latticed window: “I have actually been feeling better these past two days. This morning I even opened the window for a while and looked out at the snow.”

Hualan smiled: “The Elder’s courtyard has a clean and unadorned feeling to it. If you were to plant some red plum blossoms, the red blooms against the white snow would be quite beautiful. The Elder once taught me to paint red plums when I was small — even now, the arrangement of things in my rooms follows what you taught me back then.”

A few traces of warmth crept into Sheng Lao’s eyes: “When a person gets old they grow lazy and reluctant to move about. It is you young girls who are at the age for dressing up and making things pretty — how could I, an old woman, compare?”

In the midst of this pleasant exchange, the door curtain flipped up and a maid entered carrying a tray, a small figure following closely at her side. Wang Shi looked up — and it was Molan. The smile on her face immediately froze halfway.

Molan came forward with a pretty and charming smile, lifted from the maid’s tray a white-bottomed shallow lotus-flower porcelain bowl with auspicious cloud pattern, and said with a smile: “Old Ancestress — this is a glutinous rice and golden jujube broth, freshly stewed. It is warm, sweet, and soft, and gentle on the digestion. Drinking it before sleep will moisten and soothe the lungs perfectly.” She carried it to Sheng Lao’s side, and Nanny Fang took it over.

Watching this performance, Wang Shi felt an itch starting in the roots of her teeth. Sheng Hong, however, felt his eyes growing rather moist. Hualan gave an imperceptible little disdainful toss of her head. Rulan and Minglan both had the glazed look of people struggling to stay awake.

Sheng Lao took a spoonful of the stewed honey jujube and smiled gently: “Just look at this child — I told her she need not come, and she came anyway. The weather is so cold; I was afraid she would catch a chill, but what could one do when she is so devotedly filial.”

Nanny Fang was still lifting spoonfuls of the jujube up to her, and she smiled along, saying: “I am not exaggerating when I praise her — the Fourth Young Miss truly has a thoughtful and devoted heart. When the Elder coughs, she comes to pat her back; when the Elder’s brow furrows, she is already holding out a teacup. I have served the Elder for nearly half a lifetime, and even I am not this attentive and careful.”

Sheng Hong said warmly: “Being able to attend upon the Elder is Molan’s good fortune. In the end, she is the Elder’s own granddaughter — what is a little effort? Molan, you must continue to serve the Elder well.”

Molan answered sweetly that she would, smiling with gentle warmth. Wang Shi also smiled and said: “That is true — after all, it was Lin Yiniang who was by the Elder’s side for so many years; Molan has been steeped in it all her life, naturally knowing the Elder’s preferences and habits, and so of course she is well suited to attend on the Elder.”

At these words, everyone in the room faltered. The atmosphere cooled. Molan lowered her head and said nothing; the rims of her eyes had grown faintly red.

Sheng Hong paid no attention to Wang Shi. He shifted slightly forward and spoke directly: “As I mentioned to the Elder before — you are getting on in years and your quarters can feel very solitary. It would be better to have a young girl living with you. I wonder what the Elder’s thoughts are now?”

Sheng Lao shook her head: “I have grown used to living quietly alone. I wouldn’t want the child to be bored and miserable here. There is no need.”

“Mother saying this only makes me more uneasy,” Sheng Hong continued. “This time Mother has been through a serious illness, and the reputable doctors of Dengzhou all say that a considerable part of the illness is rooted in suppressed spirits and a troubled heart. Living alone for so many years, with not a single person to talk to — the liver and spleen become blocked, and that brooding melancholy cannot find release. Too much solitude is not good for an elderly person; one cannot keep shutting the courtyard gate. And so the physician from Baohe Hall, Dr. Bai, recommended that you have a gentle and obedient young child to keep you company: it would dispel loneliness on the one hand, and not be taxing on you on the other. And besides — you are so well-read and learned; a child fortunate enough to receive your guidance would be quite blessed indeed.”

Sheng Lao could see that refusing was no longer tenable and sighed softly. She glanced around the room at everyone present, looking rather resigned: “Which child do you think would suit to come and live with me?”

Sheng Hong was greatly pleased: “That is entirely for the Elder to decide as she pleases — find one who is gentle and agreeable, one who pleases your heart; then your days will have a little more flavour to them.”

Wang Shi smiled and added: “Exactly so — there are so many girls in the household, surely one will be to your liking. It is thanks to her time at the Elder’s side that Hua’er has developed such fine understanding today. As for little Ru’er, she is a handful, and Minglan knows nothing of the world — if the Elder were willing to guide and instruct them, it would truly be their great good fortune.”

Sheng Lao looked at the husband and wife sitting before her with their very different expressions, sat up a little straighter on the kang, and said: “Let me ask the children themselves.” She looked first at Molan and asked: “Mo Jie’er — I am asking you: would you be willing to come and live here with me?”

Molan’s face was faintly flushed. In a soft and gentle voice she answered: “I am willing a thousand times over. To say nothing of the fact that the Elder is my own grandmother and it is the grandchildren’s duty to be filially devoted — the Elder has seen so much of the world and possesses such kindness and magnanimity; she has shown Molan a depth of grace and favour beyond reckoning. Molan would be glad to receive some instruction and guidance at the Elder’s side. And of all the sisters left, I am the eldest after Elder Sister. It would not do for me to stay idle while my younger sisters bear the burden.”

Wang Shi smiled and said: “Mo Jie’er has certainly come a long way — all those justifications, thought up in one breath.”

Sheng Lao nodded, then turned to look at Rulan: “Ru’er — tell me: would you be willing to come and live with your grandmother here?”

Young Miss Rulan had been dozing and was caught entirely off-guard when her name was suddenly called. She scrambled to her feet, looked around in all directions, and stood there completely bewildered. Wang Shi broke out in a cold sweat, immediately regretting that she had not coached her daughter on what to say before leaving the house — she had never imagined the Elder would pose the question openly and in front of everyone. There was nothing to be done now but let her daughter improvise.

Sheng Lao saw Rulan’s utterly blank expression, smiled, and asked again. Rulan turned her head to look at Wang Shi even as she sputtered haltingly: “…Why would I have to come and live here?… Are you also going to come?… Can I bring all my things?”

Sheng Hong, though he had already settled on his preferred choice in his mind, could not watch this without wincing, and scolded sharply: “The Old Ancestress is doing you an honour by asking you here — how can you behave with so little propriety?!”

Rulan was scolded by her father, and her eyes immediately brimmed with tears, her small face flushing scarlet — she was clearly about to cry outright. Wang Shi was pained but did not dare go to her in front of everyone; Hualan quietly moved over, led her sister back, and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her face.

Sheng Lao smiled and waved the matter aside, then turned her head to the last remaining child: “Ming’er — come here, come on out. That’s right — step forward. Don’t be afraid of Grandmother asking you a question: do you want to come and live here, to live together with Grandmother?”

The counterfeit Minglan — that is, Yao Yiyi’s current self — had also been dozing just a moment earlier, but she was fully awake by now. Unlike Rulan’s embarrassing situation, her alertness had been restored through long experience: anyone who has studied law knows that law and politics are inseparable, and the grueling, seemingly endless ordeal of political theory classes had left her with battle-tested conditioning — she had drooled her way through enough of those lectures to have achieved a second stage of mastery, by which she was perfectly capable of being called upon at any moment, even mid-doze, and responding with complete clarity.

The skill cultivated from a lifetime of strategic napping in her previous life had proven, unexpectedly, just as useful in this one. When her name was called, Minglan shifted calmly to the front and answered: “Yes.”

It had the same tone as: someone asking her whether she’d prefer the hind trotter of the pig or the front trotter — and she, very composedly, answering: the head.

Sheng Lao appeared to have been caught off guard. She paused, then looked around at the room. The expressions of Sheng Hong and his wife and the young misses were all the same — it was evident that the image of Sixth Young Miss as a slow and simple soul had taken deep root in everyone’s minds. Even Liu Dehua had had to announce a formal press release when he transitioned from idol-type to serious actor — and this Sixth Young Miss had not even thought to put out a preview?

The Elder was quiet for a moment, cleared her throat, and said: “Ming’er — then tell me: why are you willing to come and live here with me?”

Wang Shi felt a flash of nerves. The Elder and this foolish little girl had barely exchanged a handful of words — how on earth was Minglan supposed to explain herself? One could hardly say it was a matter of the two of them having an unspoken spiritual bond, such that their affection was deeper than gold.

Minglan really did not want to play the guileless innocent — it felt false. But humanity’s greatest virtue is making peace with reality, and even if she were a creature from Mars, she would still have to follow local customs when in Rome.

And so, suppressing the inner cry of self-reproach, Minglan said in a soft, halting little voice: “Father said — the Elder got sick because no one was keeping her company. With someone keeping her company, the Elder won’t get sick. Getting sick is very uncomfortable — you have to drink bitter medicine. Elder, please don’t get sick.”

This answer was quite perfect — combining both artistry and practicality. The room fell completely silent. Sheng Lao felt something warm move in her chest. Sheng Hong felt, once again, a wave of deep parental satisfaction. Wang Shi let out a quiet breath. Hualan held onto a private sliver of hope. Molan suddenly perceived that among her siblings there was a hidden dragon or crouching tiger she had underestimated. Rulan was falling asleep again. And Minglan, for her part, had thoroughly soured herself on herself.

She had the most sincere admiration for those formidable veteran actresses in their forties who could still play eighteen-year-old ingenues with unwavering commitment. Their spirit — and their gums — must truly be made of something extraordinary.