These words made everyone around Madam Zhong laugh. Madam Lu also chimed in, "Second Miss is so eloquent and knows how to talk. She can make the old matriarch happy."
The Miao mother lifted the red cloth from the tray, revealing four chubby little boys carved from yellow wax stone, some sitting, some lying down. One was lounging, one was gnawing on his foot, one was sucking his thumb, and another was grinning foolishly. Zhong Shi knew Zhenyu's thoughts, and although she smiled, she remained silent for a long time. Thinking that Zhong Shi couldn't see clearly because she was far away, the Miao mother quickly brought the tray closer and said, "Grandmother, look at these little boys, so precious and adorable."
Zhenyu smiled without saying a word, and kowtowed three times before getting up. Next was Zhenshu, who held up a pair of shoes and said, "This granddaughter is clumsy with needlework and thread, please forgive her, Grandmother."
As soon as Miao's mother took the shoes, she kowtowed three times firmly before stopping.
Next was Zhenxiu's turn. Besides a pair of shoes, she also prepared a silk fan with a floral design, the fan surface embroidered with a phoenix facing the sun. Next was the fifth daughter, Zhenyao, who also only brought a pair of shoes. Zhenyi presented her with a two-tone paddy field dress, which Su had sewn for her stitch by stitch. The seventh daughter, Zhenyan, was still young, so she simply stepped forward and kowtowed as if to imitate others.
Song Changzhong, the eldest son and grandson of the third branch of the Song family, was only fifteen years old this year, but he was as tall, strong, and robust as Madam Lu. He walked with a swift movement and spoke in a loud, clear voice. He knelt down and kowtowed three times, then just chuckled and remained silent.
Zhenyu and Zhenxiu looked at each other and laughed, thinking to themselves that this guy was really stupid. He didn't show his abilities when he should have, no wonder he hadn't been able to get ahead in Wen County all these years.
After the three daughters-in-law had finished bowing, Song Angu coughed lightly and said, "Son, please kowtow to your mother."
Zhong turned around and said, "That's enough, you're tired too, go back."
Song Angu laughed and said, "It's just a kowtow, and even my mother won't accept it. No matter how filial I am, how can I show my heart to her?"
The mother and son seemed to be at odds. Seeing the atmosphere in the room becoming increasingly tense, Madam Shen strode over, pulled Song Angu to kneel on the prayer mat, and said, "May our ancestor live a long life. We, husband and wife, will kowtow to our ancestor one more time."
After Song Angu finished his prayers, he stood up, straightened his clothes, and left without even greeting Madam Shen.
Zhong's face was dimly lit by the tall candlelight, and after a long while she waved her hand and said, "Alright, you should all rest early, and be sure to get up early tomorrow."
Each of the daughters-in-law was in charge of a task, tending to the kitchen fires and keeping all the courtyards brightly lit. They had to patrol the area constantly, and tonight they could only get a couple of hours of rest at most. Zhenyuan and her sisters also got up at dawn to dress up and serve Zhong Shi.
Today, Madam Zhong wore a dark brown swastika-patterned long satin jacket, with cranes and peaches embroidered on the collar. She was usually well-dressed, but due to her son's death, she did not wear such attire and was dressed simply in ordinary clothes.
The young ladies were adorned with mother-of-pearl hairpins and jade and pearl ornaments, their attire vibrant and beautiful, truly captivating. Zhenshu also changed into her new clothes and followed Zhenyuan and the others to the main room. She was slender and looked ordinary without makeup, but when she wore something pretty, she stood out from the crowd.
Zhong was not paying attention to the girls' clothes, and only glanced at them briefly before saying, "Tell the two older ones to come along."
Today she is to receive guests in the main hall of the outer courtyard, and she needs to bring a few young ladies to accompany her. This is partly so that the young ladies can meet her, and partly so that the wives who have come to offer their birthday wishes can see the young ladies.
Zhenyu hurriedly waved her hand and said, "I want to bring my fourth sister with me. She dressed up especially for today, Grandmother, look..."
Zhong glanced at it and nodded slightly, saying, "Yes!"
She helped Shuangshuang up and was about to leave when she saw Madam Shen walk in with a smile. She gracefully bowed and said, "Grandmother, the color of your clothes today is dignified and substantial, which makes you look even younger and more energetic."
Zhong asked, "How are things going in the kitchen?"
Madam Shen said, "The guests must have already had breakfast, so we have only prepared some snacks and soups. The lunch feast is ready now."
After saying this, he came over and helped her up, saying, "Let your wife escort the old lady to the outer courtyard!"
Zhong Shi remained silent, but also extended her hand. Shen Shi looked around and sighed, "The young ladies are all dressed so brightly and charmingly today, truly captivating. When the guests arrive, they will probably be most envious of the old matriarch's row of beautiful granddaughters."
Zhong said, "What's so special about that? It's fine to just take two or three to the outer room."
Madam Shen helped Madam Zhong up and said, "There are four seasons in a year, and there are plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Good things should come in pairs. Wouldn't it be better to have four?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhong pondered for a moment, then glanced back at the remaining young ladies. Zhenyi and Zhenyan, among others, all seemed too young and delicate to be seen in public. Only Zhenshu, adorned in a long robe with pink stamens and green stems, stood there gracefully. Her fair and delicate face, with almond-shaped eyes beneath thick eyebrows, was at the peak of her beauty. Yet, she possessed a sharp and refined spirit. Compared to her, Zhenyuan and Zhenyu all seemed too young and girlish. Only Zhenshu, standing there with such poise and elegance, truly embodied the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family.
But when Zhong recalled how the girl had been wearing a handkerchief just a few days ago, digging through rat holes and catching bats, and wondered if her hands had even been washed properly, her dislike for Zhenshu only deepened. She sighed inwardly, "I've poured so much effort into raising Zhenshu, and now she's just an ordinary girl. Zhenshu, this wild girl, was born in the countryside, and Su Shi never disciplined her, yet she dresses up quite well. Perhaps some things are innate and beyond human control."
He nodded and said, "Then take it with you."
Upon hearing this, Zhenshu hurried after her.
As the group traveled from Suihe Residence, Song Angu, accompanied by Changzhong, Changcan, Changgui, and several servants from the front courtyard, stood guard along the road. Upon seeing them from afar, they would kowtow and perform the grandest of rituals. After the ceremony, the servants went about their assigned tasks, and Song Angu also attended to the male guests who had come to offer their birthday wishes. Meanwhile, Madam Zhong sat in the main hall, awaiting the arrival of relatives and guests from various households to offer their congratulations.
On this day, the gates of the Song residence were bustling with carriages and people, and the interior was filled with lively chatter. At Suihe Residence, Zhong was accompanied by several ladies from the duke's and marquis's mansions.
Lady Yang, the second wife of the Duke of Du, also came to offer her birthday wishes. Her stepson had fled from Yingtian Prefecture for half a month, and the news was spreading like wildfire in the capital, but she remained indifferent.
Most of the young ladies from the Song family, as well as those from other families, had never seen this Duchess who had been raped by her stepson. Therefore, upon hearing that she was coming in person, they were all filled with curiosity and lingered in the main room of Suihe Residence, unwilling to leave.
The Duchess was only twenty-five or twenty-six years old. She had phoenix eyes, long eyebrows, narrow cheeks, and a pointed chin. In terms of appearance, she was nothing special. However, there was a bewitching quality in her eyes and brows, and her red lips were like cinnabar. No matter who she looked at and smiled at, there was a captivating beauty that could steal one's heart. If the women in this room were so alluring, it was no wonder that men would be bewitched and lose their lives upon seeing her.
Upon leaving Suihe Residence, Nie Shiqiu, ever the quick-witted one, remarked, "Duke Du is truly blessed; to be able to marry such a stunning beauty in his middle age."
Dou Mingluan said, "How dare you use the word 'exquisite beauty'? Do you even know what an exquisite beauty is?"
Tao Suyi said, "The Zuo Zhuan says, 'A beautiful woman is enough to seduce a man. If she is not virtuous and righteous, then disaster will surely follow. Therefore…'"
Nie Shiqiu turned around and continued, "So it seems that Duke Du's virtue and righteousness are insufficient to control this beauty."
Zhenyu and Zhenxiu burst into laughter upon hearing this. Their banquet was held at Zhenyu Academy, with Zhenyu accompanying them throughout. When the banquet ended at noon, the ladies of the various noble families naturally took their leave and went home. Only a few young ladies were reluctant to part, and Zhenyuan and Zhenyu saw them off all the way. Nie Shiqiu sighed, "The flowers have bloomed again, spring has passed again, and who knows when we will meet again."
Dou Mingluan laughed and said, "You should be enjoying the best of times right now, how can you utter such mournful words?"
Nie Shiqiu smiled but remained silent. Zhenyu and Zhenxiu escorted them all the way to the west gate and saw them board the carriage before reluctantly returning.
Because several of Zhong's old friends were staying overnight, Zhenshu and Zhenyuan both accompanied them. They stayed until dinner was finished, and after Zhong herself went to keep them company, they took their leave and returned to their small west courtyard. Once inside and behind closed door, Zhenshu quietly asked Zhenyuan, "Since we parted last time, have you heard anything about Zhang Rui?"
Zhenyuan shook her head and said, "It's only been a few days. Although the two prefectures have kept what happened at Guangji Temple a secret, he's on good terms with Dou Keming, I'm afraid..."
Zhenshu sighed, "That's it. I just heard from Old Madam Nie that Zhang Rui has asked someone to propose marriage to the Nie family. Everyone in the Nie family seems quite satisfied. I'm afraid they will be married soon."
Zhenyuan remained silent for a long time before finally sighing softly, "It's all fate, how can we force it? Never mind, you should go and rest, I'm going to sleep."
Zhenshu walked to the door and then turned back. She saw Zhenyuan lying on the bed with her back turned and bent over. She couldn't see what expression was on her face. She still comforted her, saying, "If a man chooses his wife based on his social standing, then he himself is not a good match."
Jung-won waved her hand and said, "Stop talking, go quickly."
From that day onward, the three-day grand banquet concluded, and everyone in the household was utterly exhausted. Zhenyuan and the other young ladies were alright, merely accompanying the matriarchs of various households for meals and tea, and taking short walks in the courtyard to stretch their legs. Su, Shen, and Lu, however, were busy all day long, attending to every need, their bound feet tumbling around until their legs were swollen and shiny.
After finally seeing off the guests on the evening of the third day, Madam Su, too lazy to even eat, returned to the small west courtyard and lay sprawled on the bed, sighing and saying, "This time, our second branch has also been loyal to our ancestor. I can see that she cherishes you all very much. When we bid farewell tomorrow, you should kneel before her and cry. Ask yourselves to stay and serve her. Let's see who is fortunate enough to stay."
☆, Chapter 18 Crossing the Mountain
Zhenyuan remained silent, while Zhenxiu continued to stay at Zhenyu's place. Only Zhenyi nodded repeatedly, saying, "Okay!"
Zhenshu thought bitterly to herself: It's really strange that someone would be willing to cry and beg to suffer.
The third wife, Madam Lu, was robust and hardy. She prepared her carriage early the next morning to bid farewell. Madam Zhong was also exhausted, but she nodded with difficulty and waved her hand, saying, "Go quickly and go back to your own homes to enjoy your retirement. You are all uncomfortable in this cramped place in the capital."
Madam Su held the handkerchief and glanced left and right. Seeing that the two old women beside Madam Zhong had gone out to see off the Lu family of the third branch, she quietly approached Madam Zhong and whispered, "Grandmother, Zhenyuan and the others are reluctant to part with you!"
Zhong was well aware of her intentions. She glared at Su and said, "They are in the prime of their youth, they're not even tired of novelty, it's good enough that they don't get tired of this old-fashioned me, how could I be reluctant to part with them?"
Madam Su thought that after standing in the rules for half a month, she could finally gain some favor from Madam Zhong. However, she didn't expect Madam Zhong to still speak in such a sarcastic tone. She was both annoyed and afraid, but she could only suppress her anger and say, "Zhenyuan is all grown up now. This time, we haven't had enough time and haven't found a good family for her. Grandmother, do you think you should keep her by your side to serve you day and night, and also..."
Madam Zhong said, "I have already said that I would find marriages for her in the capital. It was not you who asked me to do it, nor was it something I agreed to. Since they have stayed in my house for these days, I have fulfilled my filial duty to them. These are all unmarried girls of marriageable age. If something goes wrong with them here, it will not only affect Zhenyu's reputation, but I will also be unable to explain it to you."
She still insists on bringing up the Guangji Temple incident.
After biting her lip for a while, Madam Su said again, "Then what do you think of Zhenyi? She's so young, and she's always making people laugh, Grandmother..."
Madam Zhong picked up her cane and stood up, pounding the ground heavily as she said, "That's enough, I'm tired too. You should leave now. This mansion is too cramped for you to stay here permanently."
Madam Su followed behind, calling softly, "Ancestor..."
Without turning her head, Zhong went into the inner room.
Zhenshu couldn't bear to watch any longer and came over to help Su Shi, saying, "Mother, let's go."
Although Su Shi had been exhausted and worn out a few days ago, she had managed to hold on. But this time, she truly collapsed, her body limp, and Zhen Shu and Zhen Yuan helped her back to the small west courtyard. As soon as they entered the room, the two women helped Su Shi lie down on the bed. Zhen Shu was about to bend down and ask Su Shi if she was feeling unwell when Su Shi slapped her across the face, gritting her teeth and saying, "It's all your fault! If you hadn't angered the Marquis of Beishun's family and Zhen Yu, at least Zhen Yuan could still stay in the capital, you..."
Seeing her mother raise her hand to strike again, Zhenyuan quickly shielded Zhenshu, saying, "Mother, let's not argue and fight anymore. Let's go home peacefully, okay?"
Madam Su refused to listen and pushed Zhenyuan away, saying, "You are her granddaughter, how can she not care about you? Kneel down at the gate of Suihe Residence and cry, saying that you insist on staying. She will definitely soften her heart."
Zhenyuan shook her head and said, "I would rather marry into Huixian than kneel."
Zhenyuan was the eldest daughter, and Madam Su had never laid a finger on her. Now, furious, she merely poked Zhenyuan's forehead with her finger and said, "I've put so much effort into raising you to be successful, and you just marry a farmer in Huixian County. How can you face me like this?"
Zhenyuan lowered her head and remained silent. Zhenshu replied, "What's wrong with marrying a farmer? There are far more farmers than noble families in this world. Does every girl have to marry into a noble family and become a noblewoman? Why don't we see farmers dying childless? What's so good about the capital that makes Mother have to beg and plead like this again and again? Grandmother clearly dislikes our second branch of the family. If we keep making a scene, it will only make her dislike us more. Why don't we all pack up and go back to Huixian County to continue our carefree lives?"
Madam Su's face turned pale with anger, and she trembled as she said, "What do you know? Women like me live in the capital, surrounded by servants, using the finest cosmetics, and wearing silks and satins, yet they still look as beautiful as sixteen. But I can't even find decent clothes in this poor, remote place, and my cosmetics are all of the lowest quality. Compared to them, I feel so inferior. I'm already suffering because I have no children; if I were to die in this poor village, I might as well just kill myself."
She became more and more agitated as she spoke, and rammed her head against the bed railing. Zhenyuan and Zhenshu tried their best to pull her back and protect her, and then there was another round of crying and pleading. Just as they were making a fuss, Zhenyi pushed the door open and said loudly, "Mother, Fourth Sister is crying at the Ancestor's place, begging the Ancestor to let her stay. She asked Mother Lü and Mother Miao to bring her here."
As they were speaking, the door swung open, and sure enough, the two maids dragged in Zhenxiu, her face streaked with tears and covered in dust. These two maids were shrewd women; seeing Madam Su sitting on the bed with her hair disheveled, and the two young ladies in the room also covered in tears, they knew that the second wife was causing trouble again. So they coldly said, “Fourth Miss seems to have lost her mind. She was rolling around and making a scene in front of Suihe Residence, disturbing the old matriarch’s rest. The old matriarch specifically sent us to say that you came to offer birthday wishes, but now that the celebration is over, you should return to your hometown as soon as possible. Don’t keep crying and making a scene here, turning any remaining kindness into enmity, making future interactions even more difficult.”
Upon hearing this, the last spark of hope in Madam Su's heart vanished instantly. She knelt on the bed and said, "Tell the old lady that your daughter-in-law knows and will come to celebrate her birthday again next year at this time."
The two mothers gave her a cold look, then turned and left.
The mother and daughters of the second wife all watched as Zhenxiu was carried in. They saw Zhenxiu wipe away her tears, tidy her hair slightly, and then get up and run out.
Su sighed and said, "Alright, let's pack up and leave."
Zhao and his companions had prepared a carriage and were waiting outside early in the morning. Since Zhenyuan and Zhenshu had packed their belongings the night before, they only needed to tidy up their hairpins and powder on the dressing table before heading out.
After the others got into the carriage, Zhenxiu still hadn't come out. Su thought Zhenxiu had finally found a way to stay, so she urged the driver, "Let's go quickly."
Just as the coachman was about to whip the cart, a disheveled Zhenxiu emerged from the gate, sobbing and carrying a bulging bundle in her arms. She kept looking back at the mansion as she walked, but there was no one to see her off. She got into the cart with a sense of grievance, pushing Zhenshu off the cart.
When Madam Su saw Zhenxiu get into the carriage and fall asleep immediately, and that Zhenxiu was so fat and strong that she took up half the carriage by herself, she kicked her twice in anger and said, "Didn't you climb up the social ladder? Why don't you stay in the capital?"
Zhenxiu moved to the side and said loudly, "Isn't it all Zhenshu's fault? If she hadn't offended Second Sister, she would have kept me."
Su said, "Then what about you? You put..."
The coachman sat on the edge of the carriage, while Zhao He walked on the other side. Zhenshu, afraid the men in the outer courtyard would hear, called out loudly, "This is the street, let's talk about this when we get home!"
Madam Su was furious and secretly pinched Zhenxiu twice. Knowing there was a man outside, Zhenxiu deliberately screamed a few times in a high-pitched voice, making Madam Su roll her eyes in anger and whisper, "You wretched child!"
Zhenshu, at the age of sixteen, was returning to the capital for the first time and was about to leave. The sun had just risen, and the carriage passed through a bustling market street filled with people and lively chatter. Zhao He pointed to a shop and said, "I used to be an apprentice there; twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye."
Zhenshu looked back and saw a silver shop. She laughed and said, "I didn't realize Uncle Zhao was a silversmith."
Zhao He shook his head and said, "No, that used to be a calligraphy and painting mounting shop."
Upon seeing this, Zhenshu suddenly realized and said, "No wonder we never send our paintings and calligraphy outside for mounting; it turns out Uncle Song has this skill."
Zhao He said, “These days in the capital, I have visited many mounting shops and found that the mounting skills have not improved much, and are even worse than before. Many ancestral skills have been lost, which is a real pity.”
Zhao He was not originally a servant; he had married a maid who had come with Su as part of her dowry, and because he was constantly on the move, he settled in Song Anrong's house, usually addressing her as "brother." Two years ago, the maid passed away, and Zhao He is still alone.
Because of the heavy traffic, the car was moving slowly. As Zhenshu walked, she looked around at the shops. Suddenly, she saw an adult woman come out of a clothing shop and splash a basin of water on the ground. She hadn't yet combed her hair and her face was bare of makeup, so she had obviously just washed her face. Zhenshu suddenly realized, "The people in these shops probably live on the upper floors or in the inner courtyard. They use the outer room directly for business, which saves them the trouble of finding a place to live."
Zhao He said, "Merchants throughout history have all been like this."
After passing the East Market, another half hour's journey brought us to the city gate. Beyond the city gate, there was still a sporadic bustling activity stretching for thirty miles. Now that the world was at peace, the northern barbarians were secure, and a wise ruler had ruled for over twenty years, the capital was a scene of prosperity and tranquility.
Zhenshu was born and raised in Huixian County. Since childhood, she had only seen the sky above Caijia Temple and the bend of the Wei River. This trip to Beijing was the longest she had ever traveled and the most she had ever seen.
In her mind, the world was nothing more than the blue sky above, the clear stream below, and the locust grove behind the mountain. Now, she saw mountains upon mountains, buildings upon buildings, and the opulent, jewel-adorned mansion of the Marquis. Further out of the capital, the prosperity gradually faded within thirty miles, giving way to more and more impoverished villages and remote towns. The long robes and flowing skirts of the travelers were covered in dust, and their faces were dry. She recalled Su Shi's words in bed. Although she couldn't agree with them, she finally understood why Su Shi was so determined to keep her daughters in the capital.
This journey takes you from the capital through several counties, including Wen County, before finally reaching Hui County. The main road northwest of the capital passes through the flattest counties, still as fertile and prosperous as the capital itself. Wen County, with its towering mountains and steep ridges, is a difficult place to traverse. Therefore, passing through Wen County takes about two days. After passing Wen County and entering Hui County, Caijia Temple comes into close proximity.