Early morning light barely filtered through as Yining was roused from her warm bed by Xuezhi. After downing a bowl of bitter medicine, chased with several sesame candies to mask the taste, she noticed Madam Luo already dressed and reciting Buddhist sutras while waiting for her.
The Luo family observed the tradition of morning and evening greetings. Soon, children and grandchildren would arrive to pay respects to Madam Luo.
Still groggy, Yining sat on a round stool as Xuezhi combed her hair. The faint sound of roosters crowing could be heard outside.
“Everyone will come to greet the Old Madam soon,” Xuezhi explained while styling Yining’s hair. “Since you live with her, you must observe proper etiquette.”
Yining, young and sleepy, tried to focus on her reflection in the mirror.
Young Yining’s mother had been renowned for both beauty and talent, evident in the child’s striking features. Even at this tender age, her skin was fair and delicate, her cheeks plump like steamed buns, and her features exceptionally refined. A small red mole at the end of her eyebrow added to her charm, making her look like an adorable good-luck doll.
Xuezhi styled her hair into two buns and adorned her with a gold necklace.
Madam Luo chuckled, watching the little girl rub her eyes with her chubby hands while perched on the armchair. “You went to bed so early last night, yet you’re still tired?”
Yining replied, “Grandmother, can one ever have too much sleep?”
Madam Luo teased, “You glutton and sleepyhead, just like a little piglet.”
Yining felt helpless; as a child, she couldn’t control her appetite or sleepiness. Moreover, after not sleeping for over twenty years, it was natural to crave rest. Madam Xu instructed Xuezhi to carry Yining as they followed Madam Luo to the main hall.
People had already begun to arrive for the morning greetings.
The Luo family had two branches: Yining’s father’s and her uncle’s. Yining’s uncle held a slightly higher official rank than her father, being a third-rank official. Her aunt, Chen Lan, came from a scholarly family. Yining recognized an elegantly dressed woman entering with two girls as her Aunt Chen.
The two girls, both Yining’s sisters and Chen Lan’s daughters, were the fourth sister Luo Yiyu, and the sixth sister Luo Yixiu. They greeted Madam Luo and sat down, dressed as impeccably as their mother.
Yining glanced at the two girls. Luo Yiyu averted her gaze, seemingly disinterested, while Luo Yixiu made faces at her. The two sisters from the elder branch had vastly different personalities. Luo Yiyu, proud of her status and well-read, contrasted sharply with the lively Luo Yixiu, who got along well with Yining but often clashed with her sister.
Soon after, Lin Hairu entered with the concubine-born Luo Yilian and Concubine Qiao’s son, Luo Xuanyuan. The three-year-old boy, led by his sister Yilian, greeted his grandmother in his childish voice.
Despite her dislike for Concubine Qiao, Madam Luo couldn’t help but dote on her grandson, pulling him into her lap affectionately.
Yining’s uncle arrived together with her father, Luo Chengzhang.
This was Yining’s first glimpse of young Yining’s father. Luo Chengzhang, nearing forty, had delicate, scholarly features and a slim build, appearing very refined. Her uncle, in contrast, had a more imposing presence.
Madam Luo inquired, “Why did you come with your elder brother today?”
Luo Chengzhang replied, “We were discussing Commander Lu’s visit to Baoding Prefecture.”
Madam Luo asked curiously, “You mean Marquis Lu Jiaxue of Ningyuan?”
Yining’s heart skipped a beat at the familiar name.
Her feelings towards her former husband, now the distant Marquis and Commander Lu, were complex. She certainly harbored hatred for his ruthlessness in killing her. But now, as a seven-year-old girl, she was worlds apart from the powerful second-rank military commander. Their paths were unlikely to cross again.
Luo Chengzhang nodded, “Yes, it’s him. The Emperor has sent Commander Lu to inspect Baoding. We officials must welcome him.”
“Lu Jiaxue is from a noble family and now holds the position of Commander. We can’t afford to slight him,” Madam Luo advised, having raised two officials herself. “However, you’re not among Baoding’s highest-ranking officials, so you needn’t worry too much about closely attending to the Marquis.”
“Mother is right,” Luo Chengzhang responded respectfully.
He then turned to Yining, frowning slightly at her lack of reaction. “Meimei, why haven’t you greeted your uncle and me?”
Yining suddenly realized she hadn’t greeted anyone who had entered.
Madam Luo, protective of her granddaughter, intervened: “Chengzhang, Yining is still recovering. Let’s forgo the formalities.”
Luo Chengzhang disapproved, believing Madam Luo’s indulgence was the root of Yining’s increasing arrogance. “Please don’t spoil her so. She’s becoming more and more unruly. Look at her sisters, Yiyu and Yilian. They’re cultured and graceful. Only she causes trouble daily, lacking the demeanor of a proper young lady.”
The overlooked Luo Yixiu shifted in her seat, trying to sit more properly.
Yining knew this father had always been strict with young Yining, often favoring the concubine-born sister Yilian.
Just as Yining was about to rise and pay her respects, another person entered, kneeling and greeting softly, “Grandmother, I hope you’re well. I apologize for my tardiness.”
As he raised his head, Yining froze momentarily.
The morning sun streamed through the latticed windows, its golden rays falling across his shoulders. He wore a light blue robe with subtle patterns, his tall, slender frame accentuated by his straight posture. His profile was handsome, though somewhat pale.
Years ago, she had caught a glimpse of him from afar, but then Luo Shen Yuan had been a cabinet elder, surrounded by admirers. She had overheard noble young ladies discussing the young minister’s gloomy demeanor and ruthless nature.
She never imagined that in his youth, this future powerful official could be so handsome, albeit with a hint of immaturity in his features. He was just an ordinary young man now, with no trace of the domineering aura he would later possess.
Before Yining could collect her thoughts, Madam Luo spoke slowly, “If you’re unwell, why trouble yourself to come pay respects?”
Luo Shen Yuan replied quietly, “It’s my duty, Grandmother. I wouldn’t dare neglect it.”
Madam Luo’s expression softened slightly as she nodded, “You may rise.”
Luo Shen Yuan stood, greeting everyone else before his gaze finally rested on Yining. He nodded slightly, “Seventh Sister.”
Yining smiled in response, “Third Brother.”
With everyone present, Madam Xu called for the meal to be served. The breakfast was lavish, with plates of various pastries—flaky biscuits, honey cakes, red bean and date rolls, steamed buns, and golden fried pancakes. There were also platters of preserved goose and duck meat, and each person had a bowl of bird’s nest soup, a bowl of congee, and two halved pigeon eggs.
Everyone ate in silence, observing proper etiquette. Yining observed the others: Yilian and Luo Xuanyuan, being concubine-born, sat next to Lin Hairu, with Yilian occasionally helping her younger brother. Luo Yiyu kept a watchful eye on Luo Yixiu, ready to glare at any sign of impropriety. Oblivious, Luo Yixiu asked a maid to fetch her a red bean and date roll from a distant dish.
Luo Shen Yuan remained silent throughout the meal, eating only the two dishes in front of him. Yining noticed he used his left hand for chopsticks and his right for the bowl.
Suddenly, Yining felt a loss of appetite.
This future powerful minister, who would one-day rival Commander Lu, seemed so downtrodden now.