The Second Old Madam finished speaking. The hall fell into a complete silence. The expression on the Old Patriarch’s face was nothing like it had been just moments before.
“Second sister-in-law need say no more. The Earl’s manor still values its dignity. Our younger generations also pursue principle and strive in their careers — we cannot afford to lose face like this.” The Old Patriarch spoke up. His beard trembled slightly as he continued: “I had originally thought the two households shared the same roots and there was some old sentiment between us. Now I see I was deceiving myself. Please leave.”
His words hardened somewhat, making his position clear.
Although the Old Patriarch had lived his life in a somewhat muddled fashion, on matters touching the family’s reputation and the prospects of his descendants, he was not so easily deceived.
The Old Madam had indeed, just moments ago, been somewhat turned around by the flattering words — and the prospect of imperial kinship, a World Heir’s secondary consort position, a concubine’s child raised as legitimate, all the supposed advantages piled up so densely were not without a certain allure. And Zhu Jie’er was only an illegitimate girl after all. She had truly let it cloud her head.
But now, hearing the Old Patriarch speak, she came back to her senses.
The more she thought about it afterward, the more alarmed she felt. If Pei Ruotang were a woman easy to deal with, how could it be that there wasn’t even a concubine-born son in the World Heir’s rooms? The World Heir would one day inherit the Commandery Prince title — that was what the Shangshu manor had married their eldest legitimate granddaughter into that household for. But with Pei Ruotang having injured her body and being unable to fulfill that duty, and with the Shangshu manor unwilling to see the World Heir take a concubine from another noble family — losing the right to the firstborn son to another — they had set their sights on the Earl’s manor.
The Old Madam’s heart seized in alarm. If she had nodded just then, how would her two grandsons have been able to hold their heads up? Would it not invite mockery from the scholarly community — that the brothers had sold their sister for personal advancement, ruining decades of hardship at their books in an instant? This was a scheme to push the Earl’s manor into the mud.
The Old Madam’s face drained of color. Only now did she realize she had nearly been led step by step into a trap by the second branch. She raised her hand, trembling as she pointed, and said: “What a vicious heart…”
Yet unexpectedly, the Second Old Madam showed no anger at being exposed. Without any loss of composure, she smiled steadily — though the smile was tinged with scheming — and said: “Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law have truly misunderstood me. I only felt that my granddaughter’s husband is a fine man, of high and noble standing, with a secondary consort position still available in his household, and shared it with you — how does that amount to malicious intent? In any case, Zhu Jie’er is only my grandniece — whether she goes or not, it is for Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law to say. A World Heir of an Anping Commandery Prince, thirty years old without a son, taking a secondary consort — everyone knows that is entirely as it should be. The Shangshu manor taking the initiative, choosing another fine woman from within the family — who is there to say anything against it? People would only praise Ruotang for being sensible.”
With one turn of speech, the Shangshu manor had brushed itself clean.
“Since Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law are fond of their grandniece and unwilling to see her suffer any hardship, then let us not speak of this at all — consider it as though I never raised it, and there need be no falling out. Let us keep on just as we always have.” The Second Old Madam shifted the subject, saying: “I hear Bingyuan nephew completed his studies at the Imperial Academy and has been posted as an official? Being an official these days is no easy business either — Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law ought to remind him to tend more to his connections, and things will go more smoothly for him.”
She then added: “And I hear the two grandnephews are quite promising as well — passing the prefecture examination at such a young age, fine young talents. They will surely both be entering official life in the future. If their great-uncle can be of any assistance, Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law need only say the word, and we will do our utmost.”
“Look at this old woman of mine, getting on in years and liking nothing better than chattering away. But, well — we are all old bones now. What else is there to talk about? Left and right, it is only about doing all we can for our grandchildren, making plans for them early, helping them build connections and smooth their paths, hoping they will have more hands to help them and more roads open to them — so they can go far. Ha ha ha. Is that not so, Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law?”
The Second Old Madam spoke on and on without pause or rest. She picked up the teacup on the table and took a deliberate sip, remarking with an air of ceremony: “Excellent early-spring Dragon Well — this new tea truly has a mellow, full fragrance.”
She clicked her tongue in appreciation, then continued: “Speaking of tea, there is a funny little story about my grandson-in-law, one that makes you feel he’s a childish sort. Last summer, when the weather was sweltering and dry, he had servants brew a fine pot of tea to let cool before he went out, saying he would drink it when he came back. Who knew that some blind fool of a servant went and drank it on him. The World Heir flew into a temper, had the servant given a full thrashing right then and there, and said, ‘Who gave some other person the right to touch my tea that I’d had brewed’? Just like a child grabbing and fighting over things. Ha ha ha. Would you say that’s funny or not?”
Only that old woman in the hall could find the matter amusing enough to laugh.
She was, after all, a woman who had been through things alongside the Shangshu official. The Old Patriarch and Old Madam, who had spent their days quietly within the manor, were no match for her. And what was more, the Second Old Madam had come fully prepared — first she had come with honeyed words and soft approaches, nearly winning the Old Madam over. When that failed, she turned to force, using the name of the Anping Commandery Prince’s manor to apply pressure on the Earl’s manor.
A Commandery Prince title was conferred by bloodline; a foothold in the capital was maintained through military merit and official achievements.
These words, as they sank in, sent the Old Patriarch and Old Madam’s hearts lurching one fright after another. Now that they understood the Shangshu manor’s intent, what use was it? Could they contend with the Commandery Prince’s manor? For a moment they were speechless and did not know what to say.
Seeing the two of them in such a state, the Second Old Madam softened her tone again by a few degrees and said: “I understand the difficulty for Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law. It is nothing more than worrying that if it gets out that Zhu Jie’er has gone as a concubine, it would sound poorly and damage the Earl’s manor’s reputation. Actually, there is a solution that works for all parties involved.”
“Although the Anping Commandery Prince’s manor is located in the capital, the yamen where the World Heir manages his affairs is in Baoding Prefecture. Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law can simply tell people outside that Zhu Jie’er has been promised to a family somewhere outside the capital — have her carried out in full celebration and ceremony. After a few years, when she has borne a son and is elevated by his status, she can return to the Prince’s manor together with her husband. By that time, who would still have anything to say? If there are still concerns, simply have Zhu Jie’er registered as the eldest legitimate daughter of some minor official in Baoding Prefecture — that is not at all difficult to arrange.”
“The World Heir is not simply looking for a concubine — if that were the case, there would be no shortage of people lining up to offer one. The reason he sought out Zhu Jie’er specifically is that he values the distinction of the Pei family’s bloodline, and a son born of it would be sufficiently illustrious.”
The Second Old Madam spoke of these underhanded schemes with complete composure, her expression unchanged. If she had not experienced them herself, she must at the very least have witnessed them firsthand — otherwise she could not speak of them so fluently and knowledgeably.
Outside the back door of the reception hall, Lin Shi, Concubine Shen, Pei Shaohuai, and others were listening with mounting alarm. They had originally assumed that once the Old Patriarch and Old Madam refused, the Shangshu manor would abandon the idea. But this cunning old woman had come entirely prepared, deploying one set of arguments after another, leaving the Old Patriarch unable to keep up.
Pei Shaohuai thought to himself: the Old Patriarch and Old Madam had already seen through the Shangshu manor’s malicious intent. Their hesitation and indecision came down to this — in the face of the clan’s future prospects, they did not love or value Zhu Jie’er, this illegitimate granddaughter, quite enough.
“We cannot use Huai Ge’er and Jin Ge’er’s futures as a wager.” Lin Shi said to Concubine Shen. “At least not before my husband returns to the capital — we must not let this venomous old woman get a grip on the Earl’s manor. Go and have Zhu Jie’er take to her bed claiming illness, and I’ll try to go in and interrupt things — to buy some time until my husband returns and can make the final decision.”
Concubine Shen nodded and hurried back to Fengyu Pavilion in a flustered rush.
Lin Shi composed herself, circled around to the main entrance, and stepped into the reception hall.
“Greetings to Father, Mother, and Aunt.” Lin Shi performed her courtesy, then said to the Old Patriarch: “Father, just now a message came from Fengyu Pavilion saying Zhu Jie’er has accidentally fallen into the water and fainted. Perhaps…”
Before Lin Shi could finish, the Second Old Madam rebuked sharply: “You, as the first madam of the Earl’s manor, ought to know some propriety. When elders are in conversation, how dare you step forward and interrupt? A small matter like that — you handle it yourself. What need is there to come at this moment? If word spread, it would only make the Earl’s manor a laughingstock for its lack of manners.”
She then turned toward the Old Madam, smiling, and said: “Elder Sister-in-law, since I happen to have witnessed it, let me give her a word or two of correction on your behalf — it is for her own good. Please don’t hold it against me.”
She had given Lin Shi no opening at all.
“Aunt’s reprimand is well-placed.” Lin Shi was still unwilling to give up, and quickly said: “Father — Zhu Jie’er’s marriage…”
“Insolent.” The Second Old Madam continued to exert her authority. “You are eavesdropping on your elders’ conversation and you dare act as though nothing is amiss? What kind of upbringing is this?”
This time, the Old Patriarch spoke up in a firm voice: “The affairs of our Earl’s manor are not the concern of a sister-in-law from a separated branch.”
This gave Lin Shi some ground to stand on, and she managed to finish what she had been trying to say.
The Second Old Madam said: “Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law need not make such a commotion. I have only put forward a suggestion. If you are unwilling regarding Zhu Jie’er’s matter, I will leave right now — it is no great matter. Our two households will continue on just as they have always been.”
Outside the back door, Pei Shaohuai thought of what Jin Ge’er had said to him just a few days ago — that Zhu Jie’er was not confined within the inner chambers, that she was more driven and capable than any man, that she dared to go against the grain of the world. How could a spirit like that be one belonging to an ordinary, common fish? How could he bear to stand by while his sister was tormented and degraded?
Whether for his own sake, or for Zhu Jie’er’s, or for the sake of this manor that sheltered them all — Pei Shaohuai could not stand aside and do nothing. His mind raced rapidly, searching for an effective way to drive this venomous old woman away. The Second Old Madam was formidable and seasoned. If he barged in recklessly, he would only be routed just as his mother had been.
At just this moment, Jin Ge’er came running up, drenched in sweat, and when he saw his elder brother, he was still out of breath as he asked: “Elder Brother — what has happened? Just now I saw Mother rushing back in a great panic, with all the doors of her room shut tight, and Sister is crying…”
Pei Shaohuai had his plan. He said: “Younger brother Jin — for Third Sister’s sake, just do as I say.”
In this moment, the brothers stood united. Jin Ge’er didn’t ask why — he simply gave a firm, resolute nod.
“Go and have Chang Zhou set fire to that small separate study room in the back courtyard. Take every care to stay safe.”
“Elder Brother, rest assured.”
With those words, Jin Ge’er didn’t even pause for breath — he turned and ran off again.
Chang Zhou and Jin Ge’er acted decisively and swiftly. Before long, smoke began rising from the direction of the small study room. And within the Earl’s manor, someone cried out in alarm: “Fire! Fire!”
It was at exactly this moment that Pei Shaohuai stepped into the reception hall. He performed his bow with proper courtesy, and then said: “Your grandson heard the news of a fire in the manor from outside and rushed in without restraint — I beg your forgiveness. For the sake of Great-Aunt’s safety, I would ask the Great-Aunt to first return to the Shangshu manor. Once the fire is extinguished, she may come again another day. If any mishap were to befall her, it would be our Earl’s manor’s fault.”
The Second Old Madam raised an eyebrow and fixed her gaze on this boy of ten-odd years. Pei Shaohuai did not flinch — he stared right back.
The Second Old Madam looked outside and said: “It is no more than a small fire. There is nothing to be alarmed about.”
Pei Shaohuai retorted: “A small fire, fanned by a strong wind, can still become a raging inferno. They say it can consume not just one manor, but ten or eight all linked together — and reduce them all to ash in a single blaze. The strategy of the burning chain of ships followed exactly this principle.” He spoke with intent.
“There is no wind right now. It will take no more than a few buckets of water.”
“If fires under Heaven could all be put out so easily, why would there be so many cases of people being consumed by their own flames?” Pei Shaohuai shot back, and continued: “The three cousins in the second branch bear the names Ye, Yu, and Wen — all characters carrying the nature of fire. One can only presume Great-Uncle chose these names hoping the family would blaze with vitality and see the clan flourish — surely Great-Aunt understands this very principle?”
By this he was also making a veiled remark — that the Shangshu manor’s fire was one that would consume itself.
“What a sharp and formidable tongue you have.”
But Pei Shaohuai had no wish to spar with her further. He turned directly to his grandfather and said: “Grandfather — Great-Aunt is concerned about the fire at the Earl’s manor and refuses to leave. That is touching in its way. Yet this is by no means how the Earl’s manor treats its guests. With Great-Aunt’s safety in mind, your grandson believes it would be best to send Great-Aunt back to the Shangshu manor with all haste, so that no accident might befall her.”
The Old Patriarch, already somewhat clearer-headed, saw that his grandson had gone to such lengths and seized such a moment at great effort — and immediately said: “Someone come — escort the Shangshu Madam back to her manor.”
Nanny Shen stepped forward at the right moment with a few coarser serving women, and respectfully invited the Second Old Madam to leave.
“There is no need. I will show myself out.” The Second Old Madam rose to go, but did not forget to leave a threatening parting remark: “Elder Brother and Elder Sister-in-law, do take good care of yourselves in the days ahead.”
……
……
Two days later, Pei Bingyuan came hurrying back to the capital’s Earl’s manor by the waterway.
He stormed straight back to Zhaolu Courtyard in fury. Lin Shi dared not say much; so Pei Bingyuan asked his eldest son Pei Shaohuai directly. Upon learning all of what had happened, from beginning to end, he erupted in righteous anger.
The man who was ordinarily gentle and modest was now so enraged he was grinding his teeth, letting loose a torrent of uncharacteristically coarse words.
Pei Bingyuan went to the Old Patriarch and Old Madam’s courtyard and made a tremendous scene, with no small measure of foul language thrown in. In this household, he was the only child who could raise such a commotion with the Old Madam and Old Patriarch. Lin Shi sent all the servants away and stood outside the courtyard with Pei Shaohuai, listening to the noise from inside.
From within:
“The moment that old witch opened her mouth, you should have grabbed a broom and chased her out the door. Instead you let her spew that much rubbish — is selling off a daughter to curry favor something our Earl’s manor is capable of? They don’t need their face — I still need mine.”
“If you had agreed, then forget about me ever serving as an official again. Forget about Shaohuai and Shaojin going to their studies. The whole family might as well take up bowls and go begging at other people’s doors — forget the family name, forget the future.”
And to the Old Patriarch: “Ever since the last business of Shaohuai and Shaojin going to study at the Shangshu manor, I told you they meant no good — they can’t be counted as family. But you had to keep mentioning them today, mentioning them tomorrow, and now they’ve caught us in a scheme? At the time, he had no way to stay in the capital as an official, and he despised and envied you for it — you were still holding out hope for brotherhood between you. How laughable.”
And to the Old Madam: “Stop going on day and night about noble and high-ranking families. Does Mother have any idea what position the Earl’s manor occupies among the nobility right now? Lian Jie’er married into the Xu family, I’m out serving as an official, the grandchildren are studying — isn’t all this to draw closer to the scholarly and literary world? If Zhu’er truly went as a concubine, what ‘literary world’ are we talking about? I’d say it was a disgrace.”
“You’re afraid of them? Then let them try taking me, Pei Bingyuan, out of the picture first, and then come and have ideas about my daughter. You there, praying to the Buddha and asking for blessings every day — are you afraid they’ll snatch away your Buddha too?”
“I’m not leaving. I’m not going back. I’m not taking up my post anymore. Let me sit right here every day and keep watch over all of you, so you don’t lose your heads again.”
……
The Earl’s manor finally had a few days of peace and quiet.
Zhu Jie’er was, after all, still young. Having been so thoroughly frightened, she truly fell ill, and lay in bed for two or three days.
On this day, Huai Ge’er and Ying Jie’er came to see her. Zhu Jie’er first gave her younger brother a proper and heartfelt thank-you, then said with a self-deprecating laugh: “These past few days, lying in bed and thinking it all over — to think that something like this could actually frighten me into falling ill. That really is too timid of me. It hardly seems worthy of the fire the two younger brothers set for my sake. Once I thought of it that way, my courage came back considerably, and naturally the illness started going away too.”
She then said: “From now on, I ought to act with more boldness. I shouldn’t keep restraining myself and letting others walk all over me.”
Pei Shaohuai said with a smile: “Third Sister is absolutely right. Go ahead boldly — the bolder you grow, the harder it will be for others to bully us.”
In their hearts, the family all understood: after this incident, Zhu Jie’er’s prospects for marriage had in truth grown considerably harder. Anyone who expressed interest was likely to be suppressed by the World Heir. But no one said this aloud.
……
The next day, the capital grew lively. Word spread from person to person through all the people of the city, saying —
The Empress Dowager had issued a decree: with the investiture of the Imperial First Son drawing near, a virtuous and worthy young woman must be selected as his consort. The Ministry of Rites was to post notices throughout the capital and beyond, to all officials and common households great and small, that well-bred young women of good family, between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, should be sent by their parents to come before the court for selection — one principal consort and two secondary consorts to be elevated together.
Shortly after, there was also a decree that the Imperial First Princess had come of age, and that the Palace’s Six Bureau lacked female historians and female scholars to oversee ancient and modern books, calligraphy, painting, and antiquities. The Ministry of Rites was to select women from among the common people, aged between ten and eighteen, who could read and write and were also versed in arithmetic — forty or fifty in number — to enter the palace for education and appointment.
As expected, before half a day had passed, the Ministry of Rites had posted the announcement throughout the city.
In the current dynasty, since its founding, it had been customary to select fine women from among common families to enter the inner palace, so as to prevent the powerful and noble from using the inner palace to interfere with affairs of state. Across the successive reigns, the women at each Emperor’s side had all come from common households, with no daughters of high officials or noble families among them.
The Ministry of Rites conducted rigorous selection by layers, placing primary emphasis on deportment and upbringing, temperament and conduct — with birth and family origin of comparatively lesser weight.
These tidings naturally also made their way into the Earl’s manor, but no one paid them particular heed. The court selecting consorts and palace women was something seen in years past as well.
In the main hall, Pei Bingyuan was bidding the family farewell, preparing to return to Yuchong County that day to attend to official matters.
Zhu Jie’er, who had fully recovered from her illness, came out from Fengyu Pavilion and into the main hall, her eyes holding a look of resolve. Pei Bingyuan had assumed his daughter was coming to see him off, and was just about to draw her aside for a few private words of advice — “Father will have arrangements for your marriage in mind” —
But before he could finish, Zhu Jie’er suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud and, looking up at her father, implored him: “Father, Zhu’er begs you to send your daughter to the Ministry of Rites to be considered for selection — whether she succeeds or not, your daughter wishes to try. It is not wealth or glory that your daughter seeks. It is that your daughter has been schemed against and oppressed, and if she does not strike back, her heart cannot be at peace. Since a woman must always depend on a man, let it be one she can depend on wholeheartedly and willingly. Your daughter wishes to look inside those high walls — and even if she ends up a servant or fails the selection, your daughter will never regret it!”
Zhu Jie’er pressed her forehead to the floor and said: “Father, please give your daughter a chance. Daughter asks for nothing else.”
Noble and titled households were ordinarily not permitted to enter the selection. Yet the Jingchuan Earl’s manor had gone three generations without an official — with some scheming, it might not be impossible.