NOVEL NEXT That four little maids are all below ten, two of them younger than Minglan, two older. Their names to distinguish them: Er’ya, Zhaodi, Xiaohua and Niu’zi.[1] Old Madame Sheng smiled and let Minglan give them a new name. Minglan has some experience in this, Xiaotao’s name was given by her. This four might as well be called ‘Li’zi, Lizhi, Pipa, Guiyuan’,[2] the entire set of fruits. How orderly.
When she was just about to open her mouth, Danju lightly coughed from the side and said with a smile “The two older sisters by Fourth Young Lady are named Luzhong and Yunzai. Heard that it came from the books, no wonder that it sounds pleasant and refined.”
Xiaotao who stood beside Danju used her eyes to express her despair over her name. Old Madame Sheng and Mama Fang teased Minglan with a smile yet not a smile, causing her mind to be in chaos. Is it not just Tang poetry, who does not know?
Under great distress, Minglan immediately flipped a poetry book and looked for a poem quickly. Gao Chan is good right, as impressive as Li Bai? That person is immortal of poetry all right![3] Minglan stood in the middle with infinite grandiose. She pointed at the small-sized girl “You are called Yancao.” Pointing at the skinny girl “You are called Bisi.” Pointing at that tender and shy girl “You are called Qinsang.” Finally, that neat and bold girl is called Luzhi.[4]
Danju is the most considerate, immediately went forward and accommodated “Young Lady gave such good names, pleasant and good-looking. Moreover, the four of them are green, Xiaotao and I are red.[5] Thank you, Young Lady for favouring these two stupid ones.”
After she spoke, she still pulled Xiaotao along to bow to Minglan. Minglan more or less found her self-respect back. Xiaotao is also very happy and followed to sing praises “Yes, Older Sister Danju and I still can be eaten, they cannot be eaten.”
Minglan: ……
Old Madame Sheng immediately laughed on the couch, happily watching the children make a scene. The four new girls covered their mouths and softly laughed, Mama Fang sat on the small stool and smiled. She thought with agreement: since the coming of this Sixth Young Lady, this Shou’an Hall is really good.
Old Madame Sheng became more cheerful as the days go by, perhaps her heart is at ease, her body is also much better. Sheng Hong is very happy, frankly saying that wanting to raise a child is right, Old Madame has the energy to govern the house already. It has not been long since the change in personnel within the Sheng household’s inner residence, Changbai has returned from sending Hualan off. Because Sheng Wei and Changwu still have to remain in the capital to do work, Changbai returned first. There is also another skinny old mister who came- Scholar Zhuang.
Sheng Hong has already begun to invite Mister Zhuang into the household to teach a few years before, sending gifts in many carriages, writing abundant dozens of earnest letters. To no avail since Mister Zhuang had extensive teaching reputation, the rate of students becoming worthy of respect is high, causing his business to be very good and always busy. A few months before, Mister Zhuang celebrated his seventy birthday, drank too many cups in happiness at the banquet and unfortunately caught a cold. He lied in bed for a few months, the physician proposed that he should go to a place with warm climate and recuperate. Jiangnan is too far, Prefecture Deng is just nice.
Mister Zhuang touched his weary old body that barely weighs anything and felt that his old life is important. Thus he agreed to Sheng Hong’s invitation and followed Changbai from the capital. Together wit
h him there is also a confident woman,[6] their daughter has already been married far away to Jinzhong, it is unclear whether the son is ceremonial official or registrar official in a southern county. Sheng Hong specially opened a little courtyard on the west side of the household, refurbishing it for several days to let Mister Zhuang and wife stay.
The two elderly couple’s servants who accompanied them were merely just two or three but there are twenty thirty big chests in the wagons, each and every heavy. After Minglan heard the report from busybody Xiaotao, she lamented: seems like being a private tutor in the ancient times is very profitable.
Inviting Mister Zhuang, Sheng Hong originally did it for the studies of the two oldest sons but after Governess Kong’s profound education, he felt that he should not waste the benefits from having qualified teachers. Thus he respectfully discussed with Mister Zhuang and added a sum of money to count in the three girls and the youngest Little Boy Feng to sit in.
The day before school opens, Sheng Hong and Wang Shi called the children before them to warn them. Firstly it is Changbai and Changfeng. Sheng Hong as usual start to speak from prosperous society peace citizens to bring honour to the ancestors, saying a few words in the middle about faithful patriots and such. The two big boys bowed their heads and replied yes.
“Mister Zhuang’s knowledge is excellent, although he is a little old but he is well-known quick creativeness. He taught people for ten over years and is the clearest regarding taking the imperial examinations. You guys must properly ask for advices, cannot be lazy! Must not depend on your achievements and talents and then show off and be haughty. If I were to learn of it, I will immediately break your bones!”
This were Sheng Hong’s concluding remarks, harshly and sternly reprimanding. According to the Confucian school of thought, fathers cannot be friendly towards the sons and the best is to beat them thrice a day but towards the daughters who in the future will become part of another family still can be a little friendly. When Sheng Hong turned to the three daughters, he looked more friendly. “Although it is said that girls do not study till they are politically astute but to conduct oneself in the society, sensibility is the most important. It is also good to know more principles so as to avoid being mocked for your small-mindedness. I have already discussed with Mister Zhuang, from now on you three will attend classes in the morning and need not attend the afternoon classes on essay writings and regulations in taking examinations.”
When Sheng Hong said these words, Wang Shi’s face turned a little green. She herself is illiterate, as for what is wet and dry it is even more foreign to her. It is still alright when they were newlyweds but as the days go, it is inevitable for Sheng Hong to be a little gloomy. He posed himself to be refined and scholarly so when he sighs ‘the moon waxes and wanes’ facing the moon. Even if he does not expect his wife to immediately pair it with ‘there is joy and sorrows, parting and reuniting’, he expects her to understand that her husband is lamenting that the world is transient and not talking about irrelevant things like ‘today is not the fifteen, it is obvious that the moon is not round’![7]
As time pa.s.ses, Wang Shi became aware that she is spoiling the scenery in this aspect thus she proactively advocated for her daughters to study. Hualan is still okay but Rulan is completely like her. In other aspects, she is still quick-witted but only detests the books. Being forced to learn a few words everyday, simply cannot be compared to Molan who recites and composes poems everyday. Thinking till here, Wang Shi’s expression became constrained and said “What your Father said is right, it is not for you girls to learn poems and essays these superficial things but it is honourable to learn some principles. In the future when managing the household, there is style!” Molan lowered her head eve more, Rulan breathed a sigh of relief.
Sheng Hong felt that Wang Shi’s words were not anything wrong and then did not say anything. He suddenly remembered something “When going to classes, the three of you must not wear that big gold necklace.” Turning towards Wang Shi “The scholars usually feel gold and silver are only material goods. The three gold necklaces Big Brother gave are especially dazzling, it is still okay when receiving guests but when meeting mister it is showing off.”
Wang Shi nodded “Then do not wear it.” Thinking for awhile and said to the girls “It is not good for you three sisters to dress up differently from one another when meeting the same person. Did Old Madame not make three jade locks the day before? Wear your respective jade locks, it is said that jade is the n.o.blest of the rocks. Mister Zhuang will certain like it.”
Sheng Hong is very satisfied “What Madame said it right, it is good this way; … but, does Ming’er have a piece of jade?” Looking at Minglan as he spake, his gaze is somewhat apologetic.
Wang Shi smiled “The days Ming yatou spent with me were short, I have also overlooked. It is still Old Madame who is attentive, specially searching for a block of top-notch jade from her own house and sent the treasure house’s master craftsman to carve. I see that it is superb, the colour is warm, texture sleek and the craftsmanship is both meticulous and beautiful. See that it is better than the jades of Fourth yatou and Fifth yatou. In the end it is the Old Madame, the things she takes out is better than most!”
Minglan lowered her head and silently sighed: oh woman oh woman, will you die if you do not hide these profound words when you speak?
These profound words are not deep, everyone understands. The boys were still okay, Rulan immediately shot her eyes over, Molan who had her head down raised it to look at her. Sheng Hong knew what Wang Shi meant and said without changing his expression “You are the legitimate mother, you ought to be more concerned about the yatous’ affairs. Now you still need Old Madame to fix your negligence, it really should not have happened.” He saw that Wang Shi bit her lips and her eyes revealing her non-acceptance, Sheng Hong added “Never mind, anyways Ming yatou is being raised by Old Madame’s side and can only inconvenience you more.”
The couple looked at each other intimately and then became silent.
Minglan silently supplemented-
Sheng Hong unspoken words were: Being the legitimate madame, all of the children are supposed to be under your care. Is it still logical to favour one and discriminate other?
Wang Shi’s said in the heart: You b.a.s.t.a.r.d,[8] they did not come out from my belly and was also not raised by me since young. For what reason I should still spend money and effort, for not giving them a hard time, I can be considered a holy mother already but why did your mother also learn that.
Sheng Hong’s concluding speech: Forget it, do not want you to raise the child. Everyone will look for their own mother. Minglan’s biological mother has already died, just depend on Grandmother will be fine. You should also speak less rubbish.
Finally, Sheng Hong spoke a few words with Changdong. This child is only four or five years old. His birth mother Concubine Xiang was originally Wang Shi’s maid. As before relying on the legitimate house for a living, her son is considered to be raised by Madame. This little boy is usually timid since he is neither legitimate or favoured, Wang Shi also did not make things hard for them mother and child and merely ignoring them.
When she went out, Minglan saw Concubine Xiang who was waiting at the door. She looked docile and respectfully low-profile. When she saw Changdong came out, she cheerfully went to receive him and warmly led the little boy out. Minglan suddenly felt: compared to the deceased Concubine Wei, she is considered fortunate.
After Hualan got married, Rulan moved into Weiru Pavilion. After Sheng Hong finished lecturing, Rulan then gloomily returned to the chambers. Kicking the marble and ebony Ruyi stool and then threw herself onto the bed, using her strength to tear the embroidered satin pillow. Behind her, Wang Shi entered and saw what was happening. She scolded “d.a.m.n girl, why are you going crazy?!”
Rulan got up with a surprise and loudly said “Never mind that Fourth Old Sister s.n.a.t.c.hed my jade lock away, that is because Concubine Lin is capable. For what reason even Minglan that little girl has surpa.s.sed me? I might as well be raised by another!”
Wang Shi grasped on her daughter’s arm firmly and dragged her to the bedside to sit. She flicked Rulan forehead and scolded “Did your Father not make up for it with another jade necklace afterwards? The jade colour was above Molan’s, you this discontented thing! Minglan’s was given by the Old Madame, you are the one who was unwilling to go to Shou’an Hall, who can you blame?”
Rulan fiercely said “I am from the legitimate line, whether or not I go and please Grandmother, she must treat me as the most important. Now after a few days, she has been deceived by Minglan and actually not distinguishing between legitimate and concubine already. Still speaking of what rules and etiquette, do not make me laugh! A concubine-born little girl, it is enough to give food, still treating her as a daught
er of an affluent family! I heard people say that other families treat the concubine-born daughters as a maid, selling and beating at will. Which family will provide like this!”
Wang Shi was extremely angry, by the side, Housekeeper Liu Kun handed a cup of tea with a smile. While she made the group of young maids leave, she tidied the mess on the floor and said “Young Lady is still young and ignorant. Only those merchant and farmer families who do not know etiquette treat the concubine daughters inhumanely. The more distinguished the family, the more they would treat the young ladies equally! Must know that young ladies are delicate guests, who they will marry in the future is still unknown. When Madame was still at her parents’ home, there are two distant female cousins, one legitimate the other concubine. That family treated the young miss the same. When it came to discussing marriage, the legitimate older daughter married a prestigious rich family and the concubine daughter married a poor scholar. But the heavens have unexpected circ.u.mstances, who knows that prestigious rich family actually declined and in return, everything went on smoothly for that poor scholar, family property flourishing. That concubine-born daughter is also kind, remembering the affections from the past and then frequently helping her maiden family and legitimate sister’s family financially. Afterwards, even the children of her legitimate sister were cared by her till they reached adulthood and got married.”
Rulan fumed as she listened on and coldly laughed “Mama Liu is also cursing to be same as that legitimate older sister?”
Wang Shi slapped Rulan’s back and scolded “You this tactless thing, Mama Liu is our people and what she said are all considerate words. What Mama Liu is saying, the more distinguished the family the more you cannot allow others to gossip, unmarried girls should be treated all the same. But you, striving to excel all the day long yet you have no capabilities and unable to get the liking of Master and Old Madame. It is fine if you cannot learn from Big Sister but also learn from Minglan!”
Rulan became gloomy and shut up. She thought of something “Did Mother not say that Old Madame does not have anything for us to curry favour for, why this moment she can take out gold and jade? Spending it so generously.”
Wang Shi also became gloomy “A rotten ship still has three catty of nails. It is me that is muddle-headed, guess she still has some retirement fund.”
Thinking for a while and patiently persuaded her daughter “You this child really cannot tolerate others, your Sixth Younger Sister has never vied or fight with you and you actually cannot tolerate. You also do not have skills, afraid that you have to suffer greatly in the future. Anyway, at the end of the day, why do you have to vie with them. Just like your Older Sister, your status is there, it is certain that you would marry better than them, live more comfortably than them. What are you fighting for now? If not for nothing, you would cause your Father’s dislike. Even if you have to act, you also act out a harmonious sisterhood out!”
Rulan seems to be a little persuaded, nodding her head with difficulty.
[1]. 二丫(Er Ya): Second girl; 招弟(Zhao Di): Recruit Younger Brother, parents would usually name their daughter Zhaodi in hopes of having a son next; 小花(Xiao Hua): Little Flower; 妞子(Niu Zi): Little Girl
[2]. 李子(Li Zi): Plum; 荔枝(Li Zhi): Lychee; 枇杷(Pi Pa): Loquat; 桂圆(Gui Yuan): Longnan
[3]. Li Bai is famous poet and widely considered to be the immortal of poetry.
[4]. 燕草 (Yan Cao): Consolida ajacis; 碧丝 (Bi Si): a plant used commonly in hair products; 秦桑 (Qin Sang): Mulberry tree; 绿枝 (Lu Zhi): Green branches
[5]. The red would refer to fruits while green means plants. 丹橘 (Dan Ju): Red mandarin orange; 小桃 (Xiao Tao): Little peach
[6]. 师娘 (Shi Niang): Wife of a teacher
[7]. Wane is translated from the original 圆缺 (Yuan Que) meaning lacking in roundness
[8]. 你丫的 (Ni Ya De): It is a curse word originating from Beijing, meaning illegitimate child