NOVEL NEXT That night, Sheng Hong wanted to drink through the night with Sheng Wei. Wang Shi accompanied Old Madame Sheng to talk. Before dinner, Mama Cui lead Minglan back, Danju and Xiaotao hugged two big bags of presents and there was still two coa.r.s.e-work maids carrying a chest behind.
Old Madame Sheng pulled Minglan to her side, rocking her like a little darling for a long time. She smiled “This time, our Ming’er is really rich. Tell grandmother, what did First Uncle send over?”
Minglan did not see it clearly from the start, opening up her little fingers to recall “There is… gold, satin, pearls, bracelets, erm… hairpins, more hairpins…… erm, still, still…” She said still for a long time and could not recite it in the end. Old Madame Sheng listened till her eyes turned white, she extended her finger and poked Minglan’s little head, with a strict face she said “… still, still you this little dummy!”
Minglan’s face turned red. Everyone laughed together.
Having said, Old Madame Sheng then asked Cuiping to instruct the maids to open the cloth and box to take a look- four bolts newly made satin, three bolts of brocade from Sichuan, Guangze designs were extremely bright and neat. Two sets of Four Treasures of Study[1] from Huizhou, a pair of pure gold sardonyx bracelets, a matching set of beaded gold hair pins, red round coral bead and all kind of coloured beads in a box. Five new types of rings and the remaining ones are all sorts of girly gadgets.
Old Madame Sheng frowned “This gift is a little too much.”
Wang Shi smiled “First Brother-in-law said that he has not seen them for many years and might as well make up for it.” Then she turned her head towards Minglan and said “You this silly child, everyone says can remember words quickly. Why can you not remember all these things? No wonder Old Madame says you are a little dummy!”
Minglan laughed a little while in embarra.s.sment, she is better at remembering numbers and law. Old Madame Sheng heard Wang Shi’s words, her eyes seem to have a flash of condemnation but she did not say anything.
Wang Shi continuously said to the Old Madame with a smile “Our Ming’er is a kind and generous child. When she was living at this daughter-in-law’s place, she wore whatever she was given, ate whatever she was fed with. She was never once picky and never coveted her sisters’ belongings. When she stayed together with Ru’er, food and toys are displayed everywhere but Ming’er did not even touch them once! No wonder the Old Madame loves you, still have some dignity.”
Old Madame Sheng lightly looked at Wang Shi and said without batting an eyelid “After Girl Hua marries, Madame must spend more energy to properly educate the remaining three. It is not good for the girls’ eyes to be too shallow, letting others belittle.”
Wang Shi immediately smiled with delight, who knows Old Madame Sheng said another sentence that seems to be unrelated “Girl Ming, just now after you left, you asked Xiaotao to bring over that bag of goldfishes gifted by your First Uncle. Why? Urgently show off to your older sisters?”
Minglan opened he
r eyes and answered, “It is not to show off, it is because I want to share it with older sisters.”
Wang Shi’s expression immediately became a little ugly. Old Madame Sheng smiled in an unfathomable way “Did your older sisters want it?”
Minglan shook her head and pouted “We endured the beatings together, naturally I ought to share the goldfishes. I asked Xiaotao to also bring along the ivory small scale. But Big Sister refused no matter what, she said First Uncle gave it to me alone and they all received one when they met First Uncle.”
Old Madame Sheng felt gratified “As expected Big Girl is sensible. This time Nephew has also added quite a bit of dowry to her, we need to learn to be sufficient.”
Wang Shi then left out a sigh of relief.
Minglan silently sighed. The words of these groups of women living in the inner households are filled with hooks. Once you are careless, you will be coiled around.
After a while, Old Madame Sheng instructed for food. Wang Shi normally return to her house to eat with her daughters, she then took the maids and said goodbye. Once she left the courtyard of Shou’an Hall, she immediately quickened her footsteps and hurriedly went towards Weiru Pavilion. The maids have not opened the curtains to the primary building, Wang Shi heard the voices of Hualan reprimanding Rulan.
“Why are your eyes this shallow, seeing those few gold ingots of Minglan and thinking of splitting half. Can it be that you have not seen gold ever?!” Hualan’s voice, Wang Shi heard till her eyelids jumped.
“First Uncle must be out of his mind, you and I are then born of Madame. What woman’s concubine girl, he still treated her seriously, for what reason did he give her so many gold ingots? They ought to be given to us!” Rulan retorted.
Wang Shi listened till her veins popped. She let Caihuan and Caipei watch the door and she marched and burst into the inner room with. She pointed at Rulan and loudly scolded “d.a.m.n girl, still do not to shut up! What nonsense is this, should have let Governess Kong beat you more the last time!”
Hualan, Rulan these two sisters are sitting on a pair of beautiful Chinese Crab chairs. Seeing that Wang Shi entered, they quickly stood up and bowed. Wang Shi held onto Rulan firmly and in a deep voice “From now on, not allowed to speak of what woman concubine-born. Did you forget about your Father?”
Rulan suddenly tensed up. Right, Sheng Hong is also concubine-born. Although she knows that she have said the wrong thing but she still refused to give in and said “At that time, Big Sister and my gold ingots are sent over by First Old Madame and absolutely did not have Concubine Lin’s portion. That gold lock of Four Older Sister is still added by First Uncle and First Aunty later. Did Mother not say this? First Old Madame detests mistresses and concubines the most. …… Even if First Uncle looked at the face of Father and favour Minglan, bestowing some small tokens is also sufficient. Acting what gold lock on the left and bag of goldfishes on the right, spoiling that brat and revolting behaviour! I see that gold lock of hers is more exquisite than mine!”
Wang Shi’s head hurt to no end and sat on the soft couch at once. Hualan saw the situation and walked over to strongly pinched Rulan’s arm. She softly said “Do you know what? That First Old Madame is the closest with our Old Madame. At that time, First Old Madame does not like Fourth Younger Sister, it is because of Grandmother. Today favouring Sixth Younger Sister, it is also because of Grandmother! To find fault, just have to blame yourself for not willing to be raised by Old Madame!”
Wang Shi looked at her eldest daughter like a treasure and turned her head to scold Rulan “Your Big Sister have said it correctly! I just asked around, at first your First Uncle only gave Sixth Girl the gold lock. It is Sixth Girl that is charming, very appropriate and filial in serving tea and paying respects. Your First Uncle then took out a bag of goldfishes, but what about you? Why do you not think, when has he not gift this and that to you sisters each time your First Uncle return. Hua’er is still okay but every time you see your First Uncle, you act like a bossy young miss. Lips are lazy and not eagerly attentive, acting like a terrible fussy person. All who sees you dislikes you!”
Rulan has never been scolded by Wang Shi in this way. Her little face turned red and said in anger “Who wants First Uncle to like me! Did Mother not say it, if not for Old Madame, First Old Madame would have already been divorced by First Old Master. If not for Father, where will First Uncle get such a big family property! First Uncle’s family received such a big favour from our family, taking so many things from them is just the basic. Why do I have to go fawn over First Uncle, he giving me things is a must!”
Only heard a rustling sound, Hualan stood up and chided in a stern voice “What nonsense is this? Still do not shut up, speak anymore and I will tear your mouth immediately!” Seeing her Older Sister’s face stern and eyes burning with rage, Rulan shut her mouth.
Hualan turned her body to Wang Shi and reproached “Really Mother, you obviously know Younger Sister’s temper is impulsive and you still dare tell her such words? If she were to lose her mind one day and talk wildly, Grandmother and Father will tear off your skin! At that time, that surnamed Lin will be even more pleased!”
At that moment, Wang Shi’s head felt like it was splitting. She supported her forehead on the soft couch with a face as if she had a stroke.
Hualan sat beside Rulan and guided her Younger Sister with her rare patience “It is true that Father and Grandmother helped First Uncle a lot but it is Minglan who is raised by Old Madame’s side. Father’s daughters do not stop at us. In a little while, I will have to marry out and at that time I cannot guide Younger Sister anymore. Ru’er have to think more by yourself in the future.”
Rulan’s lips moved a little and with a stubborn look. Hualan tried harder to be more patient “You and I are of the same mother. Even if we usually quarrel, can it be that older sister will harm you? In the future, do not quarrel with Molan easily. That d.a.m.n girl is used to being affected and her thoughts are cunning, it is inevitable that you will suffer loss. At worst, you do not play with her and if you are bored, go find Sixth Younger Sister. I see that she is not bad, although younger than you, her conduct and behaviour is more proper than you. It is just a few days, Old Madame has already treated her as a darling. Whatever good things are urgently given to her, you see that these few days Father has doted on her more!”
Rulan lowered her head and pouted in disapproval. She muttered “How can they be compared to us. They are concubine-born and have to curry favour by showing reverence to have a place. But I am born by Madame.”
Hualan exerted at once “That is right. We are born by Madame and but we have to take out the style of a legitimate daughter. Must not nitpick with those inferior concubine-borns!”
It was the start of May. A fine and sunny day, the weather was warm, suitable for marriage. The bride escorting procession blew and hit1 as they came to receive the bride. Flowers were hanging and there was red everywhere within the Sheng household, decorated to show joy. Minglan was pulled to dress up by Mama Cui early in the morning. Her hair was rolled into two round b.u.t.terfly buns and held up by a pair of red coral bead embed on the gold hairpin. She was dressed in a crimson b.u.t.toned lilytree brocaded long sleeved coat with gold embroidery and a white cloud patterned satin skirt, exposing the knees. Looking at the reflection, the little fat cheeks bulged into a smile, small small dimples at the corner of her mouth, remarkably like a festive doll.
When she went to Weiru Pavilion, Minglan saw Molan and Rulan were also in the same red and cheerful getup. On their chests hung the pearl necklace that Sheng Wei gave them. Afterwards, they said their goodbyes to Hualan in order.
Molan: “Wishing Big Sister to have happiness like the mandarin duck. Bonded in marriage in four seasons. Perfect happiness. Gloriously devoted to one another.”
Rulan: “Big Sister to have an opportune connection with the marriage partner. Hope Big Sister and Brother-in-law to be in perfect harmony, live a ripe old age together, prosperous in descendants like the luscious leaves on the many branches.”
Minglan: “…… The air in the capital is dry. Big Sister drank water often, good for the skin.” She really could not think anymore, can they just leave some idioms for her to say?
Hualan looked at Minglan, blinking, the little tears that she had a hard time brewing has disappeared.
After Wang Shi instructed a few more words, a mama that Minglan has not seen before walked out. She is dressed in a deep purple round embroidered ap.r.o.n. Hualan looked at her mother confused. Wang Shi’s expression seems to be a little evasive, she stammered “Inviting this Momo to give our young lady some words regarding the ceremony between husband and wife.”
Having said that, she led everyone to leave Weiru Pavilion. Minglan immediately understood, her heart suddenly thud, is it not x education? Thinking back to that year when Yao Yiyi’s older male cousin was sent on a penal sentence to develop Africa. When he left hurriedly he forgot to bring his vitality food- no less than ten g’s x videos. He let his little younger female cousin mail it over. Based on the habit of seizing any opportunity and the meticulous mind of a law professional, Yao Yiyi seriously watched it from the start to finish once through.
It is justified by that sentence- When one learns 300 Tang poems by heart, one is sure able to write poetry. It is possible that she can speak deeper and clearer than that momo. But seeing Molan and Rulan are all looking ignorant, it is not good for Minglan to seem intelligent, she could only pretend to be naive.
Quite a few ladies have arrived, Wang Shi then went to entertain the guests and conveniently brought along the girls to meet people. They were led in circles by the mamas in front of the female guests. Crimson coats reflecting that snow white tender small face, they were like the brightly-coloured flowers. Attracting others to sing high praises. Stretching their hand to cop a feel and then examining it close up.
It is merely a year since Sheng Hong took office at Deng Prefecture. The Sheng household and the local gentry ar
e still shallow friends. All the female guests vaguely know that one of the young ladies is a legitimate one but they just had to be dressed the same. It is also not good for Wang Shi to clearly indicate in front of everyone at this busy time. Thus every lady could only interest and touch. Those who likes delicate and pretty, all went to see Molan. Those who likes dignified and haughty all went to chat with Rulan. Everyone saw that Minglan is the youngest and born with jade snow cute, her movements and rules are natural and relaxed but her young body is round and short short limbs. Her actions lovable and childish, making others very fond of her and expectedly touched the most.
Do not know how many of these old little match girl coped a feel Minglan’s little face. Not only can she not scream molest, she still has to act out like she was very honoured. However being a little child is not entirely bad, at least Minglan could see the legendary Big Brother-in-law Yuan Wenshao before the bride.
The groom is twenty-years-old this year and belongs to the group that married late. He is born with a healthy appearance, his face is a little pale, reckon that he shaved last night thus there is only a bit of light green on his cheeks. He is dressed in crimson garments from head to toe and his appearance graceful. His eyes bright, manner steady. Standing beside His Excellency Father-in-law Sheng Hong who is ten over years older but fair and clear, he seems to be of the same generation.
Wang Shi pulled Yuan Wenshao’s hands to look at up and down for probably about half an incense. She looked at her son-in-law’s cheeks felt numb before letting go and then spoke to him about ‘taking responsibility’ and ‘entrusting’ for another half an incense.
After the ceremony, Yuan Wenshao brought his new bride up the boat, followed by Uncle Sheng Wei and the oldest Younger Brother Sheng Changbai to send the bride. Wang Shi cried and wet a few handkerchiefs at the front door of the Sheng household. Sheng Hong also felt his eyes ache a little.
That day, the Sheng household opened ten over tables for the banquet and added several tens of tables at Deng Prefecture’s famous Hongbin House. They were bustling with excitement until midnight then the guests left. The children have no part in the ancient time’s nightlife. Minglan was brought by the mama to Shou’an Hall early in the morning, her little fat hands covering her little mouth that repeatedly yawned. After Danju and Mama Cui got her into the bed properly, Old Madame Sheng and her little granddaughter lied on the bed together. She listened to little Minglan idly talk about the wedding situation outside. As she listened on, Old Madame Sheng hurriedly said “Ming’er, recite a marriage poem for Grandmother.”
Minglan was recently was at《Classic of Poetry》2 She thought for a while and picked the simplest poem and recited in a clear voice “The peach tree is young and elegant, brilliant are its flowers. This young lady is going to her future home and will order well her chamber and house.The peach tree is young and elegant, abundant will be its fruits. This young lady is going to her future home and will order well her chamber and house. The peach tree is young and elegant, luxuriant are its leaves. This young lady is going to her future home and will order well her family.”3
“Ming’er recited it really well.” In the darkness, Old Madame Sheng seems to softly sigh. Her voice is plastered with sadness and seems to be talking to herself “Ming’er do you know, when Grandmother was young, my favourite was that poem《Cypress Boat》4 Really memorised it in the morning and the night. But thinking of it now, it is not as real as《Peach Tree》A woman in her lifetime is really like a peach tree. Brightly-arrayed peach flowers, smoothly producing countless peach fruits, then that is a truly good fortune.”
Minglan was sleepy already, basically did not hear clearly what Grandmother said. Probably talking about planting peach, therefore, she replied in a daze “…… The peach tree is fine, if it cannot produce peaches, it must be because that soil is not good. Just change places to plant and earth, fertilise and water it again. It will work out in the end, unless the peach tree is dead, if not still able to continue planting ah…….”
When Old Madame Sheng heard it, she cannot help but be stunned. Thinking for a while and had a little smile. She looked at her little granddaughter and realised the little plump girl was already in a deep sleep. Her little face delicate and captivating, pouting her little lips and still softly exhaling. The Old Madame liked to watch the sleeping face of her little granddaughter, gently patting her one at a time.
That very night, Wang Shi drank a bowl of soup to soothe her nerves, her heart filled with worries for her daughter and dizzily went to rest. As for the intoxicated Sheng Hong, Concubine Lin has already bribed someone to help him to Linqi Pavilion. There she has already prepared hangover soup and hot towel. After resting for a while, the two xx. Concubine Lin saw that Sheng Hong’s mood is pretty good. According to her experience, Sheng Hong right now is the best time to speak to him and thus she prepared arguments to stage a play.
[1]. They are mainly used for calligraphy: Brush, Ink, Paper, Ink Slab.