The He family was originally from Baishi Lake in southern Jiangsu. Since He Hong’s grandfather, Elder Statesman He, was currently serving as Keeper of the Imperial Stables, this branch of the family had settled in the capital. The He Mansion was a residence of several connected courtyards; Minglan had been there a few times before and knew that the household contained the elderly He couple, the second He household, and He Hong’s mother.
By the end of the sixth month the sun was already quite fierce. Minglan sat to the right of her grandmother, fanning a large cattail-leaf fan the whole way — one fan cooling two people. After swaying along in a carriage for nearly half an hour, they arrived. The He family’s manservants and matrons were already well acquainted with the Sheng household’s grandmother and granddaughter — the moment they saw them they came forward with welcoming smiles, supporting and guiding and holding up a shade umbrella as they led the two of them into the flower hall at the rear of the garden.
The He residence was rather far from the inner imperial city and had trees and shade planted all around. Stepping into the rear garden, Minglan felt a wave of coolness wash over her. She pressed her handkerchief against her cheek to dab away the heat, and asked Danju to check whether her makeup had run. Danju whispered: “You only have a thin coat of fragrant balm on — you haven’t even dusted with powder — so a little perspiration is no cause for concern.”
Xiaotao glanced sidelong at Minglan’s fine, smooth, virtually poreless skin and added: “Miss need not worry — there isn’t even any perspiration.”
They passed through a hanging flower gate and wound past the main residential courtyard, then stepped up into the flower hall at the rear. The hall had its windows open on all four sides; a large round table in the center was spread with various fresh fruits and pastries, and on either side stood soft wicker-woven chairs. At the upwind doorway of the willow-leaf side door, a copper basin had been placed on the ground with several blocks of ice inside — the melting ice created a cool breeze, and the room was beautifully refreshing. Both the old lady and Minglan straightened up at once with renewed vigor.
Old Madam He sat at the place of honor in the center, and was just laughing and rising to welcome her guests: “My old dear — is your health any better? Come, let me take your pulse first!” She reached out to take the old lady’s wrist, but the old lady swatted her hand away and scolded: “What kind of host are you? A guest arrives, and you can’t be bothered to offer a seat or tea, but you want to take the person’s pulse straightaway! What — are you afraid people won’t know you’re the daughter of a celebrated medical family?!”
The ladies standing around all laughed together. A middle-aged woman wearing a pale goose-yellow silk jacket embroidered with birds and flowers, and a plain-colored embroidered skirt, came over and lightly took hold of Old Madam He, smiling: “Old Lady does not know — my mother-in-law has been thinking of you every day at home; she has only just managed to have you here at last.”
With that she invited the Sheng household’s grandmother and granddaughter to be seated, and familiarly called to the maids to bring cooling summer drinks. Minglan first curtsied to this Second Madam He, then lightly turned to bow to He Hong’s mother standing quietly to one side, and finally sat down in a wicker chair at the lower end.
Once everyone had been seated, He Hong’s mother rose and bowed toward the old lady, her voice as fragile as a fading gust of wind: “I am so grateful to the old lady for her warm-hearted help — my sister’s family are well settled in that residence now, and I give my sincerest thanks on their behalf.” The old lady gently waved her hand and deflected: “Think nothing of it — people in this world must help one another along.”
He Hong’s mother was frail and thanked her several more times; her complexion looked somewhat pale and she drifted toward white. Old Madam He promptly called the maids to help her sit down.
Second Madam He was slightly full-figured, with a round chin, and spoke with great thoughtfulness — evidently a capable woman from years of managing the household. She smiled attentively and said: “I hear that your honored household will soon have a happy occasion — allow me to offer my congratulations in advance! When the time comes, Old Lady, you must not be stingy with a cup of celebratory wine for us!”
The old lady was quite relaxed in the He household and said teasingly: “As long as you bring a generous gift, by all means come!” Old Madam He laughed and scolded: “All those years ago you used to call money ‘that filthy stuff,’ and now the older you get the more greedy you’ve become — what is one to do with you!”
The old lady deliberately widened her eyes: “For that remark alone, you owe double!”
“That wedding cup of yours is far too expensive! Daughter-in-law, let’s not go!” Old Madam He also pretended to be willful.
Second Madam He stood by her mother-in-law’s side, gently plying a fan, and smiled: “Mother, don’t be hasty — your daughter-in-law can tell at a glance that there is a celebratory cup at the Sheng household that you will never miss, no matter how much silver it costs! When that day comes, you will be delighted to pay!”
There was a meaning between the lines of those words, and her gaze drifted across to Minglan where she sat at the lower end. Old Madam He and the old lady both smiled with the corners of their mouths.
Minglan had taken a seat directly in the path of the breeze — very cool — and had only just brought down the heat somewhat when she heard these words and felt her face burning all over again. She lowered her head and refused to speak. He Hong’s mother across from her, seeing her embarrassment, could not help saying lightly: “Second Sister-in-law!” Then she walked over and gently patted Minglan’s shoulder, saying warmly: “Good child, it’s cooler over there — come and sit somewhere else.”
Minglan obediently rose and moved to sit opposite with He Hong’s mother, who then took Minglan’s hand and began asking after her in a low voice — was she well lately, was she still doing needlework, she must not strain her eyes, and so on. Minglan felt the cool, dry palm of He Hong’s mother holding hers and found it very comforting and soothing, and answered each question gently and compliantly.
As He Hong’s mother talked, she studied Minglan carefully. The girl wore a soft pale willow-green knee-length gauze jacket over a snow-white satin patterned pleated skirt, and over all of it a thin brocade embroidered vest in dark green. Her jet-black hair was drawn up in a slightly tilted drooping-horse chignon, with hair left falling softly across her forehead, pinned with a pair of gold-and-silver twisted dead-flower kingfisher-feather hairpins set with southern pearls, with a small white jade coiled-flower crescent comb pressed into the back of the knot. She stood there like a little sprig of fresh green scallion, her face rosy and dewy-pink — so fresh one could almost bite into her. He Hong’s mother was charmed, and grew warmer and more affectionate toward Minglan by the moment. She leaned in to whisper a few reminders about taking care in the summer heat.
The old lady glanced sideways and saw how well He Hong’s mother and Minglan were getting along — her heart was both reassured and comforted. Lifting her eyes to look at Old Madam He nearby, she noticed that although Old Madam He was smiling, there were traces of darkness in her eyes — as if something weighed on her mind.
Outside the flower hall stood two tall gardenia trees. It was precisely the best season for them to bloom — their leaves a glossy jade-green, the flowers a moist white, and with every gentle breeze a wave of delicate fragrance floated into the hall. The ladies gathered inside drank fragrant tea and listened to the two old women reminisce. Second Madam He joined in from time to time with a witty remark, and everyone felt thoroughly at ease.
Laughter filled the flower hall. As the conversation drifted along, Old Madam He began speaking of He Hong, who had gone out to procure medicinal herbs, and her tone held considerable pride. She had just gotten to the point of saying to the old lady “Hong’er ought to be looking for a match,” when a matron hurried in to report: “The Madame Cao of the Cao household has arrived.”
At that, the hall fell as if a cold wind had swept through it. Old Madam He’s smile gradually faded, and her gaze swept down toward He Hong’s mother, who lowered her head and shifted in her seat with some unease.
Second Madam He saw her mother-in-law give a slight nod and called out clearly: “Well then, show her in immediately.”
Minglan raised her eyes to look at the old lady, saw her expression unchanged and unconcerned, and settled herself to stay quiet. After a short while, a matron lifted the curtain and two women entered. The first was a woman of about fifty, her face aged, and though she had plastered on thick powder she could not disguise the dark, yellow, rough complexion underneath — though her brows and eyes bore some resemblance to He Hong’s mother. Behind her was a girl of about seventeen or eighteen, her head lowered, her back bent and her head bowed, her frame so thin as to be alarming. She wore a garment of silver-red brocade satin, but the dark-gold embroidered trim at collar and cuffs had faded, clearly a worn and shabby article of clothing. The pair of hands exposed beyond her sleeves appeared gaunt and withered.
Old Madam He’s expression was displeased, and she sat there without a word, not making the slightest move to introduce anyone. He Hong’s mother had no choice but to rise herself and say somewhat awkwardly to the old lady: “This is Hong’er’s maternal aunt, and this is his cousin on the maternal side, known in the family as Jinxiu.”
Madame Cao hurriedly pulled her daughter forward to bow to Old Madam He and the old lady. Old Madam He gestured for them to rise and had Second Madam He see to chairs and refreshments. Once that was settled, Madame Cao set her mouth moving immediately — one moment praising the flower hall for its lovely scenery and brightness, the next flattering Second Madam He’s household management, saying the cooling drink was delicious and the pastries were appetizing too, and even pushing Cao Jinxiu to come forward and attend Old Madam He, refilling her tea and picking out fresh fruits — a ceaseless stream of flattery. Old Madam He remained cool and barely responded, the expression on her face growing a few degrees more penetrating.
He Hong’s mother, seeing this, became more and more nervous and dared not say a word; even Second Madam He fell relatively quiet.
Madame Cao continued to chatter on. Seeing Old Madam He take little notice of herself and her daughter, her speech gradually slowed. Old Madam He simply turned and spoke with the old lady on her own: “When Minglan comes of age in the ninth month, have you thought of whom you would like to perform the hairpinning ceremony?”
The old lady smiled and said: “Among all my old friends, you have the most blessings — naturally it should be you. I only wonder whether you are willing.”
Old Madam He had long had this intention — hearing this, she clapped her hands in delight: “Wonderful! Rest assured — I shall go and prepare a fine hairpin straightaway, one that will certainly do your precious granddaughter justice!”
Madame Cao saw the two of them carrying on their own conversation, taking no notice of herself and her daughter whatsoever, and could not help a surge of suppressed indignation. She immediately turned her attention to Minglan. Before Minglan could dodge, Madame Cao had seized her by the arm, and a burst of laughter followed: “Oh my — truly a girl carved out of jade! Look at these eyebrows, this figure…”
The old lady frowned at her flippant speech, which had now touched on Minglan. But Madame Cao continued regardless: “Tsk tsk — what a beauty! Now, our Jinxiu was also the sort everyone praised for her looks growing up, but she hasn’t had Minglan’s good fortune! From such a young age she suffered through that dreadful place, and now she doesn’t look in great form — but if she were given good food and drink and a period of recovery, she would surely lose nothing to anyone!” As she spoke she even reached out to touch Minglan’s clothing.
Minglan discreetly applied pressure with her arm, bent her elbow in one smooth motion, and lightly slipped free of Madame Cao’s grip, tilting slightly to one side to step away. She found it peculiar — Madame Cao and He Hong’s mother were two sisters, so how had one turned out to be like such a coarse village woman? Glancing sideways, she saw He Hong’s mother with an expression of mortified embarrassment — alternating red and white — able only to watch helplessly as her elder sister disgraced herself. Off to one side, Cao Jinxiu had her head bowed throughout. Minglan studied her for several looks and could see that her complexion was faintly dark, worn by wind and sun, further emaciated and frail — her appearance was truly nothing to speak of.
Since she was a guest, the He family could not very well say anything, and Madame Cao grew all the more pleased with herself. She then turned toward the old lady and said: “I hear that Old Lady and my younger sister’s mother-in-law are the closest of bosom friends. I shan’t be ashamed to say it outright — our Jinxiu and my nephew Hong’er grew up together, childhood playmates from the very beginning, and their bond, well… I’m not boasting, but when our family left the capital, Hong’er chased after us in tears calling out to Jinxiu! With a bond like that, our Jinxiu naturally…”
Old Madam He’s expression had already changed. She set her teacup down heavily on the table with a sharp “clang” — the lid had cracked against the tea table. Second Madam He and He Hong’s mother knew Old Madam He’s temperament: mild and cheerful in ordinary times, but when she truly lost her temper she had a fierce spirit — she dared even scold the old master. The two of them were immediately frightened into standing stiffly to one side.
Old Madam He’s heart was full of anger, but her face showed only a faint smile. She slowly reached up and unpinned from her own hair a blue lapis lazuli ruyi hairpin engraved with “happiness and longevity,” placed it on the tea table, and pointed at it, saying: “Madame, I have always wanted to give Jinxiu this child a hairpin — today, with everyone present, if Madame does not find it too plain, do take it.”
Madame Cao was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed — she stepped forward in small hurried steps, reached out, and accepted the hairpin, holding it up and exclaiming over it repeatedly. Old Madam He’s face wore a strange smile, and she said slowly: “Now that she has a hairpin, she should have Jinxiu pin her hair up when she gets home. Her dress and appearance should be adjusted as well — it is not fitting for a married woman to still be dressed like a young unmarried girl!”
At these words, it was as if a silent thunderclap had struck everyone in the room. Cao Jinxiu’s head jerked sharply upward, her eyes brimming with tears, and she stood rooted to the spot like a wooden post, unable to move. The expressions of everyone in the hall shifted dramatically.
With a “crack,” Madame Cao dropped the hairpin in her startled panic, and it fell to the floor in two pieces. Old Madam He turned her head and gave a cold smile at He Hong’s mother, whose face had gone white as death: “It appears your sister does not think much of this hairpin of mine!”
He Hong’s mother was also so frightened that her hands and feet were trembling. Unable to believe what she was hearing, she looked at Madame Cao — her gaze filled with shocked bewilderment. Madame Cao avoided her sister’s eyes, inwardly steeled herself, and then forced a smile back onto her face, saying to Old Madam He: “Old Madam, surely there has been some misunderstanding — my Jinxiu has not yet…” Old Madam He raised a hand and cut her off, then reached over and grasped Cao Jinxiu’s wrist, her fingers pressing precisely on the pulse point, and fixed her eyes on Madame Cao, smiling coldly.
Madame Cao suddenly recalled that her younger sister had once told her Old Madam He had studied medicine from childhood — whether a woman was a maiden or a married woman, she could tell simply by looking at the figure, and if she took the pulse, nothing at all could be hidden. Thinking of this, cold sweat broke out all over her, and she looked desperately at her younger sister, only to find that she too wore the expression of someone whose soul had flown away.
Seeing this, He Hong’s mother now understood everything clearly. Her mother-in-law had evidently suspected for some time, but had held back for her sake — yet now she had spoken openly in front of the Sheng household’s grandmother and granddaughter and Second Madam He, which was not only a clear public declaration, but also an indirect expression of deep displeasure with the Cao family. He Hong’s mother had been a young widow for over ten years. In all that time she had managed to get by in peace and raise He Hong properly — largely thanks to her mother-in-law’s support — and she had always held Old Madam He in deep respect and admiration. Seeing now that she was clearly angered, He Hong’s mother was frightened.
After that, no one had any more inclination to admire the flowers. The old lady made the pretext that she was not yet fully recovered, and left with Minglan. Old Madam He clasped her hand and said many words to her. Second Madam He walked them all the way to the gate, full of apologies, and had boxes packed up with common medicines for summer use to be carried along, before she respectfully bid them farewell.
After boarding the carriage, grandmother and granddaughter sat for a long time without speaking.
Minglan was thinking it through. The first time she met Old Madam He, she had felt only that the old woman had an open and direct character and was very easy to talk to. But thinking back now — Old Master He had been a great romantic in his younger days, with no shortage of concubines and attendants, yet after all these decades not a single illegitimate daughter had been born. And now in their old age, Old Madam He held the entire family in her hands: she could divide the family estate at will, and could determine how much property went to He Hong’s mother and her branch — husband, sons, daughters-in-law, not one of them had a second word to say. She lived her days with complete ease and freedom.
Today she had struck with a killing blow the moment she acted — how could a woman like this possibly be simple?! The inner quarters were like a refined and patient arena of competition. Those who ultimately survived were either born with exceptional good luck, like the grandmother of Yu Yan Ran — or they all had some ability.
After a long while, Minglan finally sighed: “It is a good thing Old Madam He is there.”
The old lady’s expression was profound, and her eyes flickered with a look that neither agreed nor disagreed: “In a match between two families, what is wanted is mutual willingness and joy on both sides. If it can only be held together by the force of an elder — that is not a good match at all. Let us wait and see — I don’t know yet what He Hong’s mother intends…”
…
At this moment, He Hong’s mother stood with a heart full of fear in Old Madam He’s inner chamber. The room held only the two of them, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law; the windows and doors were all tightly shut, and although the room was somewhat stuffy, He Hong’s mother still felt a succession of chills running down her spine.
“Have you lost your mind?!” Old Madam He brought a palm down on the tea table, making the teacup on top jump. “You knew full well what I intended, yet you went and told the Cao family about today’s gathering! What possessed you?! Don’t tell me you truly want Jinxiu to be your daughter-in-law?!”
He Hong’s mother looked flustered and shook her hands rapidly: “No, no, no — I do like that Minglan child — how could I…” Her eyes grew hot and her voice caught: “But my sister kept begging me over and over, and I just… My maternal family only has this one sister left!”
“You!” Old Madam He was furious and scolded: “Just soft-hearted! Let me be plain with you today — our He family does not look down on the poor and favor the rich. If, before the Cao family’s downfall, the Cao family girl and Hong’er had been formally betrothed, then even if it drew mockery, I would have accepted this granddaughter-in-law! But don’t forget — it was the Cao family who looked down on you, a widow with a young son, as having no one to lean on. In those days the Cao family put on quite the airs, saying repeatedly that they meant to marry their daughter into a superior family! Ha — and look at them now — their family has fallen, and they have come crawling back to remember that they have a younger sister, and that they have a nephew called Hong’er!”
At this point, Old Madam He raised her voice in fury: “And what is most contemptible — they dared to try to deceive our family! A woman who is no longer a maiden, and yet they tried to hide it and pass her off as intact! Truly hateful!”
He Hong’s mother began to weep, speaking haltingly: “Just now my sister told me — when they were in Liangzhou, the family was in truly desperate straits. Forced by circumstance, Jinxiu had no choice but to become the concubine of some military officer. Who could have foreseen that within only a few months there would be a general amnesty? The Cao family now bitterly regrets it all!”
“And so what?” Old Madam He fixed her with a stare. “First they nurtured foolish ambitions, and then they were deliberately deceptive — and you would still grant your sister’s wish and bring such a ruined and fallen girl into your son’s household as a wife?!”
A mother who has raised a son alone has always invested far more of her heart and soul than an ordinary mother, and He Hong’s mother’s desire to see her son succeed was indeed there — yet her character was gentle and yielding, and her ears were too easily influenced. When her sister wept and pleaded, her heart had softened. Now that everything had been laid bare, on one side was the bond between sisters; on the other, her son’s future. She was thrown into complete dismay.
In the end, He Hong’s mother dried her tears, raised her head, and said: “Mother, I have made up my mind — it is best that Minglan be my son’s wife. …But just before my sister left, she entreated me again, saying that even to let Jinxiu be a secondary wife would be good enough. Mother — what do you say?”
“Don’t even think about it!” Old Madam He brought her palm down heavily on the table once more. The words were bitten out through gritted teeth. But seeing He Hong’s mother startled out of her wits, she took pity on this daughter-in-law who had kept her widowhood through her young years, and softened her voice: “Daughter-in-law, think carefully — this match with the Sheng family is as good as it gets. Your father-in-law is old and will soon be retiring from official duty. When that happens, he and I will either return to the family home at Baishi Lake or follow his elder brother to his posting — and at that point, who can Hong’er rely on? You must find him an in-law family he can lean on! A well-born daughter of a great house is beyond our reach, a daughter of a lesser family is not respectable enough, and an ordinary family’s concubine’s daughter is beneath the mark — you yourself have been searching. Is there anyone more suitable than Minglan? Her father and elder brother are both serving as officials at court, the family is prosperous, and though she is a concubine’s daughter, her looks and character are of the finest quality. She is loved and cared for by her father, her elder brother and sister-in-law, and she was raised single-handedly by that old dear of mine. In future, even if the two of you are a small household on your own, she will be able to manage the household steadily, tend to her mother-in-law, and support her husband! I have been watching for many years — Minglan is the most fitting of all. And yet here comes the Cao family to spoil everything at this moment! A concubine?! Ha! The wife has not even entered the door yet and already a concubine has been arranged — I cannot face my old dear over that!”
He Hong’s mother had her heart moved by her mother-in-law’s words, and slowly wiped her tears dry. She looked up in a daze: “Mother is right — but… what will become of Jinxiu?”
Old Madam He said coldly: “She has her own parents — you are only her maternal aunt. You’ve done what was needed: found lodging, provided living expenses, found her work. Must you take care of the Cao family for the rest of your life?! Keep your fingers closed! I took a large share of the family property from your eldest and second brothers-in-law and gave it to you, a widow and her son — it is meant for Hong’er to build a life on when he comes of age, not for you to supplement the Cao family’s income. Son or the Cao family — weigh which matters more! The Cao family has men and sons, and all have hands and feet — must the whole family rely on the He household to feed them?! In this world there is only helping with emergencies — there is no helping with poverty. While I still have hold of the family estate it is fine, but when I breathe my last, with a soft nature like yours, if you haven’t found a reliable granddaughter-in-law, who knows whether all of this might not end up carrying the Cao surname! I’ve said everything there is to say — in the end it is you who is taking a daughter-in-law. Think it through yourself.”
These words were very stern and carried an implicit deeper meaning. He Hong’s mother was startled into silence and dared not say another word.
…