After an understated Lantern Festival, Wang Shi packed her luggage and headed north to Fengtian. All affairs of the Sheng Mansion fell under Hai Shi’s management. Since Hai Shi had already been involved in household matters for some time, the handover went smoothly enough. When one or two servants tried to be difficult, Hai Shi timed a bout of morning sickness most opportunely, then called in Rulan — who had often assisted Wang Shi in running the household — to help.
Whether it was the subtle moral influence of her beloved Jing Ge’er, or whether Rulan had simply grown up at last, combined with the fact that she had been thoroughly scolded by Sheng Hong and Wang Shi not long before and had nowhere to vent her fury, she unleashed her temper with full force and gave those servants a thorough tongue-lashing.
“You dim-witted creature! How dare you talk back to my eldest sister-in-law?! Were you this mouthy when my mother was in charge? It seems life has been too comfortable for you and you’re itching to be reassigned!”
“You were sent from the Wang Family as a dowry servant — the Wang Family’s accounts are known for their exactness. And yet this is the figure you present today? Is this how you bring honor to the Wang Family?!”
“Enough with the excuses! Strip her of her duties first! She’s clearly just begging to be disciplined — one good thrashing and everything will sort itself out!”
……
After that satisfying tirade, Hai Shi’s morning sickness subsided, and Rulan’s mood brightened considerably. She returned, full of tender feeling, to her embroidery work on her trousseau. Minglan stared at her, bewildered. After a long pause, she could not help saying, “Fifth Sister, you’re about to be married soon. You ought to be a little more magnanimous, so as to avoid…”
Minglan trailed off, unsure how to continue. Rulan finished for her quite comfortably: “So as to avoid them gossiping about me behind my back, is that it?” Minglan gaped at her. Since you already know that, why would you still…?
Rulan gazed with soft, tender eyes at the half-finished embroidery of ‘Mandarin Ducks Playing Among Lotus Leaves’ stretched across her frame. Without looking up, she said, seemingly out of nowhere: “That time you came with me to meet his family’s matriarch — what did you think of her?”
Minglan’s eyes darted away evasively, and she stammered, “Well… she seemed quite talkative, quite spirited, quite decisive…” In truth, she was extremely garrulous, very sharp-tongued, overbearing, and had a booming voice — but one could hardly say such things about Rulan’s future mother-in-law to her face.
Rulan lifted her head and gave Minglan a flat look, then said plainly: “That is not an easy mother-in-law to deal with.”
Minglan said nothing. But Rulan continued: “I’m not truly foolish. I know the difference between genuine kindness and pretense. When I went back to the Yuyuan ancestral home as a child, I saw how that wretched old woman of the Sun Family treated Cousin Shulan — and what a worthless scoundrel that Sun scholar was. Sixth Sister, all those warnings you gave me over the years — I did take them to heart. I’ve asked myself many times whether Jing Ge’er is truly good to me.”
Minglan watched the solemn expression on Rulan’s face and listened in silence. Rulan’s voice gradually softened: “I say Jing Ge’er is a good man because he has never hidden his family’s circumstances from me. His mother’s favoritism, his brother’s failings, the repeated delays to his own marriage — he told me everything. He also told me that the eldest daughter-in-law of his family would not have an easy time of it.”
“And yet you still…” Minglan said softly.
Rulan cut her off with a single sentence: “I told Jing Ge’er at the time — I will be filial to my mother-in-law and treat my younger siblings-in-law well. But there is one condition: he must stand united with me. As long as that holds true, I fear nothing.”
Something stirred in Minglan’s heart. Those words sounded remarkably familiar. She had heard something similar from Hualan once. She fell slowly silent. It seemed that the old discord between Wang Shi and Sheng Hong, and the humiliating defeat Wang Shi had suffered at the hands of Lin Yiniang, had left a deep and lasting mark on both daughters.
Rulan suddenly broke into a bright, cheerful laugh: “Jing Ge’er promised me that if anyone bullies me, he won’t take their side. At worst he’ll just walk away. So I thought to myself — I’d better start practicing my nerve and my voice now, so I don’t end up losing the battle when the time comes!”
Minglan did not know whether to laugh or cry, and simply shook her head. As for playing the fool to catch the tiger — who was the fool and who was the tiger remained to be seen.
“I know Fifth Sister will do well!” Minglan said sincerely.
Rulan rolled her eyes back at her and snorted coolly: “Naturally! All of you have married into grand families while I alone married below my station — I have every reason to make a good life of it, if only to keep you from laughing at me.”
Minglan gazed up at the ceiling in speechless exasperation. This was the fifth young lady of the Sheng Family. Every time Minglan felt even the slightest positive emotion toward Rulan — affection, admiration, sympathy — it never lasted more than five minutes before turning decisively negative.
……
The days passed one by one. Rulan only needed to concentrate on embroidering a few padded jackets and handkerchiefs for herself; her trousseau had largely been prepared by Wang Shi well in advance. Minglan, however, was nowhere near ready. The Old Madam had originally intended to wait half a year after Rulan’s wedding before letting Minglan marry, but now that circumstances had changed so suddenly, preparations had to be rushed.
A few days earlier, word had arrived from Yuyuan: in the twelfth lunar month before the new year, Cousin Jiu’er and Cousin Taisheng had wed. The congratulatory gifts sent from the capital had all been received safely, and all was well. The Old Madam had carefully questioned Yun’er — who had returned for the New Year — about Jiu’er’s dowry, and then, rousing herself with a burst of energy, she threw herself headlong into the task of preparing Minglan’s trousseau.
A trousseau was an exceedingly important matter for the daughters of officials and wealthy families in ancient times. In some of the most distinguished, illustrious households, preparations for a cherished legitimate daughter’s trousseau would begin the moment she first learned to speak — the elders gathering pieces one by one from the very start.
Even among trousseaux of comparable value, there were two approaches: the elaborate and the streamlined. The elaborate kind encompassed not only the maidservants, older female servants, stewards, and fixed properties sent as accompaniment, but everything from large pieces like beds, tables, cabinets, and chests, down to seasonal clothing, and even lacquered commodes with gold rims and bathtubs — taken to an extreme, some families reportedly prepared burial garments as well. The Old Madam and Hai Shi both possessed complete, impeccably ordered trousseaux of this kind, from head to toe.
But this was the minority. Many official families were constantly moving from one posting to another and had no time to accumulate a trousseau gradually. Others had only recently come into wealth and simply could not assemble a complete set of items in time. And so the most effective solution in the world — method number one thousand and one — had been devised.
Silver.
The Old Madam thought it over carefully. Apart from the antique bronzes and fine porcelain from the Jinling ancestral home, which were to be left to Changbai to pass on to the Sheng Family’s grandchildren, there was nothing she was unwilling to give Minglan. She took out the title deeds for farmland and shops from her trunks, presenting them one by one.
“…This estate is in the suburbs of the capital near Bai Tong River. All told, it amounts to roughly fifty or sixty mu of good farmland. The estate manager is your Nanny Cui’s husband — I’ve always found that couple honest and reliable. All of it will be included in your dowry. Next to the farmland is a small wooded hillside. It’s not large, but the fengshui is quite favorable. I bought it two years ago at the same time — Old Cui’s sons are looking after it, growing some fruit trees.” The Old Madam spoke at unusual length, then paused to question Minglan mid-sentence: “Stop daydreaming! … Do you still remember what your grandmother taught you about managing an estate?!”
Minglan snapped back to attention immediately and answered without hesitation: “Yes! One must rely on trustworthy people, and inspect regularly! Even the most honest servant, left without capable oversight over time, may inevitably develop other intentions — but one must not be excessively suspicious either, or the hearts of those below will grow cold.”
The Old Madam nodded with satisfaction, then sighed: “Next to that farmland, there used to be a large stretch of fertile fields confiscated from a condemned official — over a thousand mu in all. But it was too close to the Imperial Estate, and I thought it would be unwise, so I didn’t buy it. Had I known you would marry like this, I would have…alas!”
“It’s enough, it really is enough!” Minglan said quickly. Molan had only two mu of paddy fields and a plot of dry land. Even Hualan’s dowry estate had been no more than seven mu — though of course Wang Shi had given her other things as well.
“Enough? Enough for what?!” The Old Madam shot her a sharp look, and Minglan immediately shrank her neck into her shoulders. Unable to stand Minglan’s unworldly manner, the Old Madam continued on her own: “Then there are several shop fronts in Jinling and back in the hometown, looked after by your eldest uncle, plus shares in a few business ventures…”
“Grandmother!” Minglan finally could bear no more. Between the farmland and the wooded hillside alone, it already amounted to seven or eight thousand taels. She could not help interrupting: “This much silver would be more than sufficient for the daughter of a ducal household. I could never need all of this!… Besides, you must keep something for yourself. As the saying goes, ten thousand taels is no match for the silver kept close at hand — ow!”
A flick to the forehead struck Minglan’s brow. She clutched her head and burrowed into the bedding, while the Old Madam scolded loudly: “What a spineless creature you are! Do you think life in one of those grand families is easy? From the sisters-in-law, the mother-in-law, and the unmarried sisters-in-law at the top, to the stewards, maidservants, and older female servants at the bottom — not a single one of them is trouble-free! Once you’re inside, you’ll find plenty of uses for silver!”
Minglan understood her grandmother’s meaning, but shook her head: “Everyone outside already knows my standing — there’s no point in putting on grand airs for nothing. When the time comes, I’ll handle things as they are and count every coin carefully. But you, Grandmother — you’re getting on in years, and it would be better to keep more silver on hand.” Pretending to be foolish and playing dumb was, after all, the skill Minglan had honed to the finest point since her arrival in this era.
The Old Madam was deeply moved, yet still scolded: “I have money set aside for myself — you needn’t worry your head over it! It’s precisely because you’re marrying up that your dowry must be more substantial!”
Minglan thought of Hualan’s life in the Yuan household. Was she lacking in funds? And yet, was her life truly comfortable? Clearly, silver could not purchase regard and affection. Minglan looked squarely into the Old Madam’s eyes and said seriously: “Grandmother, hear me out. If I am blessed with good fortune, I will naturally not want for a comfortable life. If my fortune is thin, then however much dowry I bring, it will only end up benefiting others. Please keep more for yourself. Your health is not strong — if there should ever be inadequate care, or the servants below prove unreliable, won’t you feel better having money in hand?”
These were words that cut to the heart, carrying even a faint suggestion of ingratitude and disobedience. Minglan would never have dared say them except in such a moment. The Old Madam understood perfectly. Tears welled at the corners of her eyes, and she murmured quietly: “Don’t worry. They would not dare neglect me… And besides, I can see your eldest sister-in-law is a woman of proper conduct — she treats me with great filial respect. It is only you, you foolish child, I worry about…”
Minglan’s eyes grew moist. She forced a cheerful expression and smiled: “Little Xiaotao says there’s an old saying in her village: ‘Marry a man, marry a man — for clothing and for food.’ Your granddaughter has managed to marry up, after all. We won’t starve!”
At that, the Old Madam could not help but laugh as well. Then she composed her expression and said firmly: “Good! Since he went to such lengths and such schemes to get you, he had better not let you go hungry!”
The two, grandmother and granddaughter, talked for a long while. In the end, they settled that of the fixed properties, only the farmland and the wooded hillside would be included in the dowry, supplemented by a substantial sum in silver, along with several large trunks of valuable fabrics that the Old Madam had been storing for years.
A trousseau, after all, is a collection of objects. Once decided upon, it was settled. It was the people accompanying the bride that proved more troublesome.
When Hualan had married, in addition to the servants from her own Weirui Pavilion, Wang Shi had sent a girl named Caizhan as a dowry maidservant, while the Old Madam had given her beloved eldest granddaughter a girl named Cuichan. Nearly ten years had passed. Caizhan had been elevated to the status of Yiniang and given birth to an illegitimate eldest son, and was now the subject of Hualan’s suspicion and wariness. Cuichan, on the other hand, had married the most capable steward in the Yuan household and had become Hualan’s most trusted right-hand woman.
Molan was the exception — neither Wang Shi nor the Old Madam had sent extra people with her. She had simply brought along the servants from her own Shanyue Pavilion.
For the remaining two, Rulan and Minglan, Wang Shi followed the example she had set for Hualan: giving Rulan a girl named Caipei and Minglan a girl named Caihuan. The Old Madam gave the steadiest and most dependable Cuiping to Rulan. As for Minglan — Little Xiaotao and Danju had essentially come from the Shou’an Hall to begin with, and with the four girls surnamed Lv, who had all been trained by Nanny Fang, plus the girl Cuixiu, the Old Madam saw no need to send anyone else.
The girl Caihuan had apricot-shaped eyes and peach-bloom cheeks — quite a little beauty. The Old Madam took one look at her and was immediately irritated. She muttered furiously: “Goodness knows what she has in mind!”
Minglan hastened to reassure her: “In terms of looks, she’s not even as lovely as Ruomei — let alone your granddaughter, who could make fish sink and geese fall, outshine the moon and shame the flowers.”
The Old Madam lurched sideways and nearly toppled headfirst off the kang.
Back at Mucang Studio, Minglan kept turning the matter over in her mind, and at last said to Danju: “The Old Madam is selecting servants to accompany me as dowry staff. Go down and quietly ask the others — if any of them are reluctant to leave their parents, or if any already have a match in mind, they should say so now. Once this village is passed, there will be no turning back.”
Little Xiaotao, who was nearby, immediately piped up: “Danju’s elder sister and I will naturally follow our young lady!”
“That goes without saying!” Minglan shot her a look. “Hush — I’m asking Danju!”
Yet Danju’s face was a picture of difficulty, her fingers twisting together. Minglan was puzzled: “Do you mean to say you don’t wish to come with me? You may speak freely.”
Danju was startled and waved her hands in protest: “Not at all, not at all! How could I ever leave our young lady — it’s just… it’s about Yancao and Ruomei.”
Minglan’s brow furrowed slightly, and she said quietly: “Tell me. I imagine quite a few people have been coming to you with requests these past few days.”
Since her betrothal to Gu Tingye had been announced, her status had risen considerably, and a good number of maidservants, older female servants, and stewards were hoping to accompany her to the new household. Some had passed messages openly, some more covertly. Little Xiaotao was famously guileless — one could never be sure she would not bungle a message entirely. Luzhi had a sharp tongue; one would be lucky to escape without a scolding. That left gentle, kind-hearted Danju as the most obvious target.
Danju’s face remained troubled. She stumbled through an answer: “Ruomei… she was purchased from outside, and there’s also the matter involving Young Master Feng… she has only our young lady to rely on.”
Minglan deliberated in silence. Ruomei was the first candidate Nanny Fang had wanted to eliminate, on the grounds that she was attractive, literate, proud, and ambitious — in a household of that kind, she might easily develop dangerous aspirations and cause trouble.
“And Yancao? Wasn’t her mother already looking for a match for her?”
Danju’s expression grew more difficult still. She murmured quietly: “…She says she cannot bear to leave our young lady, and wishes to serve her a few more years.”
At that, even Minglan’s expression darkened.
Little Xiaotao finished making the bed, and moved slowly through the inner chamber with a blue-and-white porcelain incense burner, letting the scented smoke drift gently through the room. Hearing this, she turned her head: “Yancao’s mother came into the household a few days ago. They shut themselves in a room and talked for quite a while — so that’s what it was all about.”
Caught out without warning, Danju flushed with embarrassment.
Minglan cast a look at her. Danju stood with her head bowed. “You were simply too soft-hearted,” Minglan said quietly. Feeling unable to conceal it any longer under Minglan’s gaze, Danju murmured hesitantly: “We all grew up together. She said — we can’t go off to a comfortable life and leave our sisters behind.”
A weight settled in Minglan’s chest. After a long pause, she said: “Ruomei comes with us. Yancao stays.”
Danju was startled. Minglan glanced at her and continued: “…Starting tomorrow, have Luzhi take over her duties, and tell Yancao to prepare properly for her own wedding. We’ve had our bond all these years, and I will not shortchange her dowry.”
Danju gave her acknowledgment, but before lifting the curtain to leave, she could not help turning back: “Young lady — all these years, Yancao has been diligent and without fault.” Having served Minglan for nearly ten years, she knew that beneath Minglan’s gentle and approachable exterior lay a mind that, once made up, was rarely changed. Still, she could not help making one last effort.
“I know.” Minglan sat before her dressing mirror, propping one delicate, jade-white elbow on the table, and spoke slowly: “But the very fact that she harbored such thoughts is already wrong. In a household of that kind, even a person with no ill intentions might find ill intentions coaxed out of them. And she was never one with a firm resolve to begin with. This way, we can still part on good terms.”
She was not afraid of being deceived or betrayed. What she feared was being deceived and betrayed by those she trusted and cherished.
At the start of the second month, the lingering winter chill had already half retreated. On the day after Jing Ge’er and Changfeng entered the examination hall, Wang Shi returned from Fengtian. Though dusty from the journey, she could not conceal the brightness of her mood, her complexion rosy and pleased.
“Mother has had a bit of a cough lately and won’t come to see the two girls married, but she says once the weather warms, she’ll bring your maternal aunts and cousins to visit!” Wang Shi was animated with joy, and Sheng Hong listened with a smile as well.
On the large round table inlaid with begonia stone in the room lay piles of fluffy pelts and thick plush — all clearly of great value — along with several boxes of ginseng tied with red string. Wang Shi kept saying: “…Here, here — this is from your maternal grandparents for all of you young ones. Help yourselves to whatever you like! These were only just caught this past winter. Minglan, don’t just stand there staring — your maternal grandmother has been thinking of you especially. There’s a share for you in here too!” This return to her maternal home had been a great triumph. The old Wang patriarch had been persuaded by his youngest daughter’s pleading and tears, and mother and daughter had at last wept in each other’s arms, letting all past grievances dissolve.
Minglan smiled and stepped forward, joining Rulan in sorting through the thick, fluffy pelts — soft and warm to the touch, clearly the finest quality. She kept up a stream of compliments aloud, while privately thinking: knowing Wang Shi as she did, merely having good news for herself would not be enough to make her this elated. There had to be someone else’s misfortune to gloat over. Could it be that Cousin Wang and Cousin Kang had a troubled marriage, with strife between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?
Just as she was thinking this, Rulan suddenly leaned close to Minglan’s ear and whispered: “Sixth Sister, I don’t think Cousin Kang has had a very good time at the Wang Family!”
Minglan was inwardly delighted. She tilted her head and whispered back: “Great minds think alike!”