“Not at all!” Dongqing laughed. “Compared to before, I now eat and sleep freely, sew needlework when I have idle moments to pass the time — I live like a pampered young lady. How could I find it dull?” She then reached into the platform bed cupboard and took out a wrapped bundle. “I made Madam two pleated skirts — let’s see if you like them!” As she spoke, she unwrapped the bundle to reveal rose-red and deep crimson brocade inside.
“You’re giving me more things again.” Shiyiniang laughed as she shook one of the skirts out.
The rose-red one was embroidered with dark blue mottled bamboo; the deep crimson with green plum blossoms.
“Both are beautiful,” she said with a smile. “I like the rose-red one better.”
Dongqing smiled and set it aside: “The Old Marchioness is getting on in years and loves bright colors — sometimes you ought to dress accordingly.” She spoke in the tone of an older sister.
Shiyiniang smiled with pleasure and thought of how Dongqing used to remind her like this all the time. She glanced at Lvyun and the others, gestured for them all to withdraw, and began to speak of private matters with Dongqing.
“Counting the days, your youngest sister should be married by now, shouldn’t she?”
Last time the First Master had returned to Yuhang, Jiang Mama from the First Madam’s side had gone along. Hupo, Dongqing, and the others had all sent letters home through Jiang Mama. When the First Master returned, Jiang Mama had also brought back the soybean paste made by Dongqing’s mother. Shiyiniang had eaten it mixed with rice two great bowls’ worth at the time — even Xu Lingyi had said it was good. But this paste had to be fermented before the Winter Solstice, and having missed the right time, Dongqing found herself without ingredients no matter her skill. Shiyiniang had no choice but to keep for herself the paste she had originally intended to give as gifts.
Dongqing nodded: “Married into a good family.” Jiang Mama had mentioned the circumstances of each household when she returned. “The husband-to-be is an only son — the family has over fifty mu of good farmland and runs an oil press.” Then she smiled: “When you think about it, it is partly thanks to Madam… the family had originally thought our household was a little thin in resources, but once they learned I was serving in Madam’s presence, they agreed to the match.”
Shiyiniang smiled and nodded.
As long as no harm was done to anyone, she did not mind if her name was put to use by others.
“Time passes so quickly. In the blink of an eye — once the New Year turns, you will be twenty-one years old by count.”
Dongqing flushed at these words and lowered her head slightly, running her fingers over the copper thimble on her hand.
“I have always kept your matter in mind.” Shiyiniang lowered her voice. “What do you think of Wan Daxian?”
Dongqing suddenly raised her eyes, her expression somewhat flustered: “Madam, what are you saying… I don’t understand!” And she lowered her head again.
Shiyiniang found her expression rather odd. It did not resemble the bashfulness of a girl hearing her own marriage discussed — it held surprise, and within that surprise, a hint of fear.
She recalled that she had previously arranged for Dongqing to go to Jinyu Lane on purpose, precisely so that she could see Wan Daxian with her own eyes. Had she misjudged the man? Was there something wrong with Wan Daxian?
“I see him as presentable in looks, and you are close in age.” Shiyiniang spoke as she watched Dongqing’s expression carefully. “He has no family wealth to speak of, it’s true. But a good man does not live off his parents’ fortune, and a good woman does not rely on her bridal trousseau. I deliberately placed him in the accounts room — with his temperament, within three to five years he should be able to stand entirely on his own. I wonder who will have the fortune to marry him…”
Dongqing’s color shifted between pale and flushed, in ways that were hard to read…
Shiyiniang was already quite certain — she was not wholly favorable to this arrangement.
She gave a quiet sigh and changed the subject: “When I was ill, I depended entirely on you and Binju’s wholehearted care. Our bond is unlike an ordinary one. If you have anything on your mind, come straight to me. Whatever it may be, I will always stand on your side…”
A trace of shyness appeared in Dongqing’s expression.
Perhaps there was someone she had her eye on…
Shiyiniang’s heart stirred gently, and she continued softly: “If you feel awkward telling me, telling Hupo or Binju is just the same.”
Dongqing said nothing, and turned her face slightly to one side, the blush on her cheeks deepening.
Shiyiniang simply felt a little regretful.
She had thought Wan Daxian was quite a fine young man.
After a few more words, she rose and returned to her room, and called Hupo over: “Go and sound out Dongqing — find out what she truly has in mind.”
Hupo smiled and poured her tea: “We go round and round in a place no bigger than a palm. How could any of us have Madam’s eye for seeing people? Of course we defer to whatever you say.”
“You cannot put it quite like that,” Shiyiniang said with a smile. “If everything in this world came down to conditions and calculation, there would not be so many lovesick young men and heartbroken women. I always hope that I can bring things in line with what each of you wishes, so that everyone will have their happiness.” These words were enough to make Hupo’s face flush quite rosy.
“Tonight I will go and feel out Elder Sister Dongqing. She cannot afford to delay any longer. Otherwise the idle gossip in the household will only grow.”
“Idle gossip?” Shiyiniang was surprised.
Hupo hemmed and hawed a little: “It’s nothing much. People are saying that Elder Sister Dongqing and Elder Sister Binju are both getting on in age — why have they not yet been matched. I just told them there is no suitable candidate.”
“Someone asked you?”
Hupo nodded: “Nanny Shi from Fifth Madam’s side.”
“There truly is no one suitable,” Shiyiniang sighed. “I always feel no one is quite worthy of you.”
“What do you mean, ‘worthy’ or ‘not worthy’?” Xu Lingyi’s voice broke into the room without any forewarning.
Hupo quickly helped Shiyiniang down from the bed platform. Xu Lingyi, however, was looking at the newly hung turmeric-yellow fine kudzu curtain: “It’s all sorted so quickly.”
Shiyiniang and Hupo curtsied to him. She then invited him to sit on the platform bed and smiled as she poured the tea a little maidservant had brought and offered it to him herself.
Xu Lingyi returned to the previous thread: “What were you talking about?”
Hupo withdrew with a thoroughly flushed face.
Xu Lingyi found this strange.
Shiyiniang smiled: “We were just talking about Dongqing and Binju — both are no longer young, and I’d like to find matches for them, but there’s no one suitable.”
Xu Lingyi nodded, unconcerned: “Just tell Steward Bai — there should be men in the household of a fitting age and upright character.”
If only marriage were something so easily settled!
Shiyiniang was genuinely afraid he might take an interest and casually arrange both girls’ marriages without care. She smiled and steered the conversation elsewhere: “It is rare for my Lord to come early today — why not call Siyu Ge and Zhen Jie’er to come along, and let us go to Mother’s quarters a little earlier.”
Xu Lingyi thought it over: “All right — going earlier, I can also talk with Mother about Zhen Jie’er going to the Western Mountain.”
Shiyiniang sent a little maidservant to relay the message, and she and Xu Lingyi sat and exchanged some household talk. When Xu Siyu and Zhen Jie’er arrived, the whole party went together to the Old Marchioness’s quarters.
The Old Marchioness was very pleased to see them come early. After Zhun Ge had paid his respects to Xu Lingyi and Shiyiniang, she drew them into conversation: “…The Fifth has brought back firecrackers this big—” she spread her hands to show the size— “and is planning to set them off in front of the ancestral hall during the New Year’s Eve rites…”
Shiyiniang thought ahead to the moment when Xu Lingyi would need to speak privately with the Old Marchioness about Zhen Jie’er — having herself there would certainly make it harder for mother and son to talk freely. So she caught Xu Siyu’s and Zhen Jie’er’s eyes, and at the right moment took Zhun Ge’s hand: “Mother, I’ll take Zhun Ge to the main hall to kick the shuttlecock.”
The Old Marchioness smiled and nodded: “Go on, go on!” The look she gave Shiyiniang was fond, warm with a trace of indulgence.
Xu Siyu and Zhen Jie’er, of course, said they wanted to go too, so Shiyiniang led the three children out the door.
“Blood ties are blood ties after all,” the Old Marchioness said with a smile, watching the curtain sway behind them. “Zhun Ge, standoffish as he is with strangers, has only needed three or four months to be chatting and laughing freely with Shiyiniang.”
Xu Lingyi was momentarily struck by the thought.
He himself was also not the kind of person who was easily approachable — yet after only three or four months, it seemed he had already grown quite used to having Shiyiniang around… and moreover took rather unrestrained delight in teasing her…
At this realization, he gave a slightly uneasy sound of agreement.
The Old Marchioness, noting his somewhat distracted manner, then glanced at the curtain now hanging still and quiet, and smiled.
……
Shiyiniang led the three children to the main hall and they gathered around to watch Zhun Ge kick the shuttlecock.
Zhun Ge was delighted, showing off one trick after another.
Surely they weren’t called out here simply to watch Zhun Ge kick the shuttlecock?
Xu Siyu was quite puzzled.
Zhen Jie’er was a little anxious.
What would Father say to Grandmother? If Grandmother knew it was her stepmother who had spoken on her behalf — would she fault her stepmother for it? In the moment, she had been caught up worrying over her second aunt, and had not thought about the position this put her stepmother in… Her smile began to feel a little forced.
Sensing the strangeness in his older brother’s and sister’s manner, Zhun Ge came to a stop, his eyes full of bewilderment, his little head tilted to one side as he looked at them oddly: “What is wrong with you? Did I kick it badly?”
Hearing Zhun Ge ask them, both still had a trace of bewilderment lingering in their eyes.
Shiyiniang quickly stepped forward and patted Zhun Ge’s head, smiling to reassure him: “No, no. We were just surprised by how well you kick the shuttlecock.”
“Really!” Zhun Ge’s smile instantly brightened.
“Indeed!” Shiyiniang smiled and took his hand. “You have been kicking for so long — are you tired? Why don’t we go to the east side room to rest and then kick some more?”
“I’m not tired,” Zhun Ge said cheerfully. “I want to keep kicking.” He looked eager to show off.
Shiyiniang saw that his little face was rosy but his forehead bore no sweat, so she knew he was telling the truth. She let go of his hand and stood smiling warmly to one side.
Zhun Ge heard her and nodded repeatedly, kicking the shuttlecock with even more enthusiasm.
Then a burst of clapping rang out.
Everyone turned in surprise toward the sound and saw the Fifth Master, Xu Lingkuan, standing at the door curtain with the Third Young Master, Xu Sijian, both of them applauding.
“Zhun Ge — who would have thought you kick the shuttlecock so well!” The Fifth Master’s tone was genuine, and it was clear from the sound of it that he meant every word.
Zhun Ge laughed and ran toward the Fifth Master: “Fifth Uncle, Fifth Uncle — have the big firecrackers been set up yet?”
The Fifth Master scooped Zhun Ge up with both arms, gave his little nose a playful pinch, then set him down and exchanged greetings with Shiyiniang.
Shiyiniang returned the courtesy and chatted with him pleasantly: “Fifth Master went out today to buy firecrackers.”
“Indeed,” the Fifth Master replied courteously. “Just now I went with Jian Ge’er to put all the firecrackers away in the storeroom — to make sure none of the young attendants accidentally light them and cause trouble.”
Shiyiniang nodded with a smile and explained where everyone was: “My Lord is in the inner room speaking with Mother.”
This being the case, the Fifth Master could not very well go in, so he and Shiyiniang stood on either side of the room. Xu Siyu and Zhen Jie’er stepped forward to pay their respects to him; Xu Sijian came forward to pay his respects to Shiyiniang as well, then took hold of Xu Siyu and asked: “Second Brother, have you seen my elder brother? I went out early this morning with Fifth Uncle to buy firecrackers, and when I came back there was no sign of him. His two personal attendants are also gone, and Mother and Qiuling aren’t in the room either. I asked everyone else, and they all said they didn’t know…”
Xu Siyu smiled, his expression carrying a touch of playful amusement: “Ah — this afternoon the Zhongqin Marquis’s household came to deliver New Year gifts. The nannies came in to pay their respects to Grandmother and mentioned in passing that the eldest young miss of that household has been paying devotions to the Pox Goddess for the past few days. Third Aunt became quite worried and took Elder Brother back to her family’s home. Who knows whether they will be kept to dinner at the Zhongqin Marquis’s residence!”
Xu Sijian, hearing that his mother had taken his elder brother to their maternal grandmother’s home, stood with his mouth open in dismay, and said unhappily: “Why didn’t they wait for me to come back!”
Xu Siyu laughed: “Greedy — you want everything.”
Everyone laughed at that.
Shiyiniang, however, gave an inward sigh.
It appeared the Third Madam had still not given up.
In great families, the distinction between legitimate children and those born of concubines was shaped not only by birth but also by the degree of education received.
For sons of concubines it was a somewhat different matter — they had the chance to receive the same education as legitimate sons, to move in and out of the household, to form friendships, and thus to transform their way of thinking and alter the course of their lives. But daughters of concubines were altogether different. They never ventured beyond the inner gates; they learned from their mothers, or from aunts and sisters-in-law. Even in households that engaged a private tutor, it was usually an elderly man well past sixty, brought in to have them read the *Biographies of Exemplary Women* and learn a handful of characters — that was considered sufficient, and little more was taught. And that was in the south, where literary culture flourished. In the north, many daughters of prominent families were forbidden to learn characters at all, and their conduct and manner depended entirely on what their mothers imparted in word and deed. A principal wife usually looked down on and suppressed the daughters of concubines, and did not offer them equal educational opportunities. Even when equal opportunity was technically available, those around them would often treat them with deliberate or unconscious negligence — and in time, these girls would first lose their own confidence and composure, and their every movement would lack that unhurried ease, making it very difficult for a truly striking figure to emerge among them. As for the birth mothers — the Yiniángs — they were typically of humble origins and limited experience, and could offer little help in this regard. The result was that the great majority of concubine-born daughters were unremarkable, and families with any standing were reluctant to take one as a daughter-in-law: first, because it did not bode well for the next generation, and it was especially difficult to properly educate daughters in such a household; second, because these young women had limited capabilities and would struggle to manage the daily affairs of a family.
By the same logic, this was also why a principal wife typically harbored wariness toward a concubine of good breeding. Unlike those women of lowly origin, who had already lost their standing before the contest even began and could be brought to heel by a few sharp words from a mistress, these women would often seek ways through children and the securing of favor to change their circumstances — thereby threatening the interests of the legitimate children and shaking the very foundations of the household.
In an era that placed so much emphasis on matching equals, this was also why legitimate daughters were unwilling to marry sons of concubines. Being matched as equals referred not merely to wealth — far more, it referred to the family’s character and the level of education one had received.
No matter how illustrious the Marquis of Yongping’s household might be, the Third Master, Xu Lingning, was still only a son born of a concubine.
Never mind a boy like Xu Siqin, whose parents had modest means — even if it were Xu Siyu in his place, the Zhongqin Marquis’s family would not possibly give their eldest legitimate daughter to marry into this branch.
While everyone was in the midst of this lively gathering, Xu Lingyi lifted the door curtain and stepped out: “All of you, come in.”
His expression was calm, his voice warm and even. The Fifth Master felt reassured and stepped forward with a cheerful smile, calling out “Fourth Brother” with warmth, then quickly said: “All the firecrackers are bought and back — I’ve had two attendants standing guard over them specifically. On New Year’s Eve, the first, second, and third days, and the fourth night, there will be another seven attendants dedicated to setting off the firecrackers. Nothing will go wrong.”
Xu Lingyi nodded with a smile: “Well done.”
The Fifth Master immediately lit up like a child who had just been praised.
Shiyiniang could not help pressing her lips together with a quiet smile.
Xu Sijian took the opportunity to step forward and pay his respects to Xu Lingyi. Then the whole party entered the inner room. Once the Fifth Master and Xu Sijian had bowed to the Old Marchioness and everyone had sat down according to seniority, the Fifth Master went through the firecracker arrangements once more for the Old Marchioness, and added at the end: “…Fourth Brother also thought it was good!”
The Old Marchioness laughed heartily: “Good, very good.”
A little maidservant came in to announce: “Third Young Mistress and the First Young Master have returned!”
“Back so soon!” the Old Marchioness said with a smile. “Come in, come in!”
The Third Madam and Xu Siqin lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing everyone gathered, both were somewhat taken aback.
After the greetings were exchanged, the Old Marchioness asked with concern: “How is the Xian Jie’er of the Gan Family?”
“Oh,” the Third Madam said with a laugh, “since we knew of it, it would not do to not go and see her. It was simply a matter of showing proper care.” She did not answer the Old Marchioness’s question directly.
The Old Marchioness gave a faint smile, did not press the matter, and instructed the Fifth Master: “The household stewards will be going tomorrow to Hongteng Hutong to deliver the New Year gifts to your father-in-law. You go along in person and pay your respects to him. It has been some time since your father-in-law has seen you and Danyang.”
The New Year gifts to the Luo Family and the Gan Family had already been sent the day before.
The Fifth Master respectfully answered: “Yes.”
The Third Master then came over and invited Xu Lingyi and the Fifth Master to go offer prayers to the Kitchen God.
The Fifth Master beckoned to the younger children: “…Come on, come get some candy.”
The children laughed and followed happily.
The Old Marchioness dismissed the Third Madam: “…Go and change your clothes and come back to eat.”
The Third Madam answered and went out. The Old Marchioness drew Zhen Jie’er and Shiyiniang aside to speak with them: “…My thought is that Yizhen is alone on the Western Mountain, lonely and without companionship — let Zhen Jie’er go and keep her company. What do you think?”
Shiyiniang felt a small stirring in her heart.
Clearly it had been she herself who had spoken to Xu Lingyi about Zhen Jie’er wanting to go to the Western Mountain to stay with Second Madam — yet Xu Lingyi, before the Old Marchioness, had presented it as his own idea. And the Old Marchioness, perhaps worried that saying it was Xu Lingyi’s idea might make Shiyiniang feel set aside, had now pulled the matter back and directed it toward her.
“Mother, this is a fine thing.” Shiyiniang felt a quiet warmth of feeling. “I will go speak with Zhen Jie’er at once. When do you think she should set out?”
The Old Marchioness inclined her head gently: “Tomorrow there are New Year gifts to send to Yizhen… let it be tomorrow, then. Set out at the start of the Si hour tomorrow.”
Shiyiniang nodded: “I will follow Mother’s wishes in all things.”
……
While the Old Marchioness and Shiyiniang were speaking, Hupo was also speaking with Dongqing.
“Elder Sister — what is it you have in mind? If you won’t tell me, how am I to help you!” Hupo said with a slight knitting of her brows.
Dongqing kept her head down over her needlework and would not open her mouth.
Seeing this, Hupo let out a feigned sigh: “I truly don’t have the same bond with you that Binju has.”
Having had things put in these terms, Dongqing felt she had no choice, and she lifted her head with a strained smile: “That is not what I mean.” But she still would not say what the reason was.
Hupo had no choice but to take Dongqing’s hand: “Good Elder Sister, don’t fault your younger sister for speaking bluntly. Think about it — how many mistresses are there who would personally come to your room and sit down to discuss things with you so carefully? Nine times out of ten, it would just be one word and you’d be sent on your way. Truth be told, this is also your own fate with Madam. But there are times, Elder Sister, when you must also think about whether something is right or not.”
This was putting it rather firmly.
Dongqing said quickly: “I do understand that. It is only that, face to face with Madam, I truly did not know how to say it!”
Hupo heard this and smiled: “Just tell Madam what is in your heart — what is there that cannot be said?” She then teased: “Could it be that Elder Sister has set her heart on some handsome young man, and is afraid that if Madam presses you on the matter you won’t be able to account for yourself, and so you dare not say anything?”
“Away with you,” Dongqing laughed and gave Hupo a light shove.
Hupo laughed all the harder.
The atmosphere in the room lightened.
Dongqing relaxed as well.
“I’m not sure I take to Wan Daxian’s way about him.”
Hupo was momentarily surprised: “I see him as very presentable.”
Dongqing was unimpressed: “What use is a man being presentable? What matters is whether he has the ability to provide for a family.” Her gaze grew heavy as she spoke. “If you end up with someone like my father — my mother was beautiful and virtuous, and where did it lead her in the end? To selling off her own children.”
Hupo had heard before that Dongqing had an older brother who had been given away to another family to be a live-in son-in-law when he was five years old.
Hearing this, the smile faded from her face as well.
“Wan Daxian is someone Madam took notice of — she surely thinks very highly of him. I don’t know how he presents himself before Madam. But as for me, the last time I went to Jinyu Lane, he…” She reached that point and seemed unsure how to continue, and paused.
Hupo felt a start in her heart: “Don’t tell me he was… forward with you in speech?”
“No, no, nothing like that,” Dongqing said quickly. “He was deferential and attentive, and quick to read expressions — the moment he caught the slightest hint that I might like something, he would immediately go and see to it…” She lowered her eyelids. “There was simply not a trace of a man’s manner about him.” Hupo burst out laughing: “He was only standing before a girl like a heavenly being and was all flustered, completely devoted to making you happy in every little way…”
Dongqing’s face went crimson with embarrassment at Hupo’s teasing tone, and she reached out and struck her: “What nonsense are you saying!”
Hupo laughed even harder.
But Dongqing’s expression turned somewhat bitter: “You and I are not the same. You were born into service here — you entered the household and went straight to work in the First Madam’s room. I am different. I was sold in — no roots, no backing, not a single person to talk to. Back then, it was only because no one was willing to go look after the ailing Madam that the work fell to me.” She then brought up the time when Nanny Yao had tried to marry her off to her nephew. “…Speak plainly — in the First Madam’s household, Lianjiao is one in ten thousand, and Luoqiao is no lesser person either — why was I the one they dared to set their sights on?”
Hupo’s smile faded.
Dongqing went on, bringing up the time when they had held a welcome-back gathering for Hupo: “…The same ten taels of silver — why could Fifth Young Mistress put together a whole table of dishes, and we could not?” A trace of wistfulness flickered in the depths of her eyes. “What it came down to, in the end, was that Madam at that time had no one to lean on. Even those women servants with some standing dared to look right through us. Now look at things…” She trailed off with a hesitant expression.
Did something happen that I don’t know about?
Hupo, puzzled, slipped closer, leaning in: “Good Elder Sister, we are speaking of private matters — what is there to be cautious about?”
Dongqing still hesitated for a moment, then finally lowered her voice: “When I last went back to the Luo Family, I heard Luoqiao say that ever since the First Master returned home, he has been spending every night in Fifth Yiniang’s room. The First Madam found out and specifically sent Sixth Yiniang to go wait upon him — and the First Master ended up… The First Madam was so furious she knocked over all the medicine Nanny Xu had reverently prepared!”
Hupo was taken aback.
When she herself had gone back to the Luo Family, she had not heard Shanhu mention any of this. Shanhu had only told her that the newly married Fourth Young Mistress was quite formidable — when she spoke, she had her reasoning all laid out, and was willing to concede on small matters. She had not only brought the Fourth Master thoroughly in hand, but even the maidservants and women servants of the household did not dare carry on with airs before her. She had quite eclipsed even the First Young Mistress’s standing, one way or another…
“When you think it through — is it not all because the Eleventh Young Miss of those days is now the Marchioness of Yongping!” Dongqing’s expression was tinged with wistfulness. “I have, with great difficulty, escaped my sea of bitterness — I have no wish to fall back in again!”
“Then what is it that Elder Sister means?” Hupo was somewhat at a loss.
Dongqing, knowing that Hupo had come on Madam’s behalf to ask, weighed her words carefully: “A true man — whether standing, sitting, rising, or walking — should be decisive and vigorous. The way Wan Daxian carries himself, I truly find discomforting to look at… I have no wish to have further dealings with this person!”
Hupo felt herself in quite a dilemma.
How was she to take this back to Madam?
Wan Daxian was someone Madam had noticed — it could not simply be that Dongqing found him discomforting to look at and therefore did not wish to marry him. How many marriages in this world were entered into with both parties willing? Even Madam herself had married and come here doing what she must, carefully and cautiously making her way alongside the Marquis day by day.
Dongqing read Hupo’s expression clearly enough; that was precisely why she had not said any of this to Shiyiniang — she had the same misgiving.
“If I tell people I find Wan Daxian disagreeable to look at and therefore won’t marry him, Madam will likely think I have lost my mind. But if I were to make up some fault of Wan Daxian’s — if Madam took it to heart, that would only harm Wan Daxian… I may not like this person, but I cannot go around speaking ill of him just to serve my own purposes… I truly don’t know how to put any of this to Madam!”