Chapter 1: A Visit (Part 2)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

At this moment, a young girl of five or six appeared, rubbing her eyes, led into the room by that maidservant. She was wearing a sky-blue jacket decorated with swastika symbols ^[1]See: Swastika – Wikipedia; the ancient Buddhist symbol and not the 20th century Nazi bastardization. and had two little buns atop her head. Although the clothes she was wearing were worn-out and the patterns were also out of fashion, they were very clean. Looking at her, she could be considered somewhat adorable.

Wang mama smiled. “Seventh niangzi, do you still recognize me?”

Seventh niangzi raised her eyes and gazed sleepily at Wang mama. After a moment, she crouched down and bowed in greeting. “Greetings to Wang mama.”

“Seventh niangzi is overly polite.” Wang mama hurriedly stood up to avoid Seventh niangzi’s bow. The smile on her face became ever more evident.

Ninth yiniang waved towards Seventh niangzi. Seventh niangzi snuggled up to her, with her big eyes moving to and fro, sometimes looking at Ninth yiniang, sometimes looking at Wang mama.

Wang mama suddenly felt that she and Ninth ge’er were very similar.

This pair of twin elder sister and younger brother are still twins, she thought, and suppressed her previous arrogance somewhat.

“Wang mama came this time specifically to see Little Seven, ^[2]小 (xiǎo) here is used as a term of endearment for Seventh niangzi and could generally be used in the same way as a term of endearment for someone of a younger generation. right?” There was a trace of weariness in Ninth yiniang’s voice. “It is not that I am boasting, but Little Seven is truly very smart. In the future, she will not cause much trouble for Madam.”

Wang mama hurriedly replied, “Whether or not Madam will be the one taking care of her has not yet been decided. Madam only told me to come visit Ninth yiniang to ask Ninth yiniang if there are any year-end gifts to be sent to your maternal home.”

Ninth yiniang’s maternal family lived just outside the city. Every year, at the year-end, they would bring one or two rounds of autumn winds. ^[3]打一两回秋风 (dǎ yī liǎng huí qiū fēng) literally means to make or bring a few rounds of autumn wind, but idiomatically, it means to go around asking for money/favors/gifts in the guise of visiting or catching up with friends or relatives. A trace of embarrassment flashed across Ninth yiniang’s face. She lowered her gaze towards the gold bracelet on her hand. Her lips moved a few times, but when she was just about to speak, she swallowed her words back down.

Wang mama had gotten used to saying mean-spirited and unkind words, and did not feel that anything was wrong. She remained sitting peacefully and looked at Seventh niangzi. Seventh niangzi remained snuggled into Ninth yiniang’s side. Her big eyes were still moving between Ninth yiniang and t Wang mama, when suddenly she suppressed a laugh.

“What is Seventh niangzi laughing at?” Wang mama asked in a gentle tone.

Seventh niangzi replied crisply, “I am laughing at Lixia for being clumsy. She wanted to move the small stove but failed.”

Wang mama and Ninth yiniang could not help but look towards the little maidservant who had brought over the tea.

The little maid had her rear high in the air as she tried to lift the small stove, but there was a medicine jar atop the stove. No matter how hard she tried, she could not lift it, and black ashes had covered her face.

Wang mama and Ninth yiniang smiled at the same time. A trace of pity flashed across Wang mama’s eyes.

Within this large mansion, the most destitute and neglected people were the mother and daughter pair of Ninth yiniang… Wang mama was the favored figure next to Eldest Madam. Usually, she would be welcoming and sending off guests, and the people she interacted with were all those respectable yiniangs with social standing. She had rarely seen such a stark scene.

After this smile, the next words came more easily. Ninth yiniang looked at Wang mama and pleaded, “I will not survive for many more days. I may not even make it until the end of this year… Let Little Seven follow Madam. Only if she lives with Madam can I, as a mother, rest assured and close my eyes.”

Tears welled up in Seventh niangzi’s eyes. Ninth yiniang smiled and rubbed her head. She fumbled about with her left hand and touched the gold bracelet on her right. Expending great effort, she pulled it off and handed it to Wang mama.

“If mama could say a few nice words in front of Madam…”

Wang mama hurriedly pushed Ninth yiniang’s hand away. “I dare not make this decision. When we servants do things, we abide by our duty.”

It was unknown where Ninth yiniang found the strength, but she leaned over to clasp Wang mama’s hand and pushed the gold bracelet onto her wrist. “Mama has no need to be polite with me.”

She sent a glance at Seventh niangzi, and Seventh niangzi crisply said, “Mama, there is no need to be polite.” She thought for a bit, then added another sentence. “Little Seven will rely upon mama’s care.”

Wang mama no longer refused. Grasping the heavy gold bracelet, she smiled slightly and said, “To tell the truth, Madam also has this intention. After all, Seventh niangzi and Ninth ge’er are twins. It would be more lively if they were raised together.”

Ninth yiniang immediately looked as if her every wish had been granted. “Now that mama has said this, the heavy stone in my heart can finally be laid down.” ^[4]This is just a metaphorical way to express relief or the lifting of a burden. The heavy stone represents the worry or burden. She rubbed Seventh niangzi’s head. “Little Seven, go retrieve that peony you embroidered and show it to Wang mama.”

Seventh niangzi obediently left. Lixia, silently following after her while lugging the small stove, also left. Ninth yiniang frowned at the maid who had brought over tea. “Qiufeng, go follow Lixia. Do not let her drop the medicine jar.”

Only then did Qiufeng understand that she was to leave as well. She moved slowly and even cast a few reluctant glances at Wang mama before leaving the room.

Now that the number of occupants had been reduced by three, the room suddenly became much more spacious. The sunlight had finally shone into the room through the window paper, which scattered the pouring light, until it seemed that Ninth yiniang’s visage had gained some color.

“These days, I have been hanging on, waiting for mama,” Ninth yiniang said slowly. Wang mama had accepted her gold bracelet, and therefore would complete tasks for her. This raised her spirits significantly, and her lips even carried the hint of a smile. “It is just that… a while ago, the Fourth yiniang also came a few times.”

Wang mama’s eyes immediately narrowed. “Fourth yiniang came as well?” She felt that her tone had been too emotional, and so she quickly spoke again. “Fourth yiniang has been very busy lately. It is surprising that she would step through the southern side-courtyard doors.”

“Fourth yiniang also has a kind heart.” Ninth yiniang lowered her head, slowly twisting the smaller silver bracelet on her left hand. “My illness worsens as it gets colder. The physician has already spoken; it is unlikely that I will last till the end of the year. Fourth yiniang came to ask me if Little Seven should be placed in her courtyard and raised there.”

In actuality, Ninth yiniang’s illness was not so serious that she had no chance to live past the end of the year. It was just that she needed a hundred-year ginseng as the guiding medicine ^[5]药引 (yào yǐn) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concept that some specific medicines/herbs can be used to direct the medicinal effects of other herbs to a certain meridian to help enhance efficacy and reduce side effects. to prolong her life.

Wang mama seemed to be unaware of this aspect and sighed. “Ninth yiniang’s illness has dragged on for many years.” She then gazed inquiringly at Ninth yiniang. “If Ninth yiniang has already agreed to Fourth yiniang, then it would be difficult for me to say anything.”

Ninth yiniang gave a slight smile and pointed towards the gold bracelet on Wang mama’s wrist. “If I had agreed, would I have needed to ask Wang mama for a favor? It is just that it is indeed difficult for a concubine-born daughter to enter Madam’s courtyard. I have never had much status. One fears… Madam may not agree to my request.”

According to the rules of the Qin Dynasty, concubine-born daughters raised by the legal wife were to be treated as di ^[6]嫡 (dí) meaning legitimate, i.e. either the main wife or of the main wife. daughters when discussing marriage. When getting married, their dowries were as opulent as those of di daughters. Therefore, to be raised by the legal wife could be considered a heavenly honor for a concubine-born daughter. Wang mama did not fail to understand this truth. She cast her eyes around, and then she smiled.

“Ninth yiniang is overly gracious. Even though you have been ill all these years, you still are Ninth ge’er’s biological mother. Even if it was just in consideration of Ninth ge’er, Madam would treat Seventh niangzi differently. ^[7]另眼相看 (lìng yǎn xiāng kàn) means to view someone or something in a new light or to treat someone differently. Generally, this means to view/treat with more respect or attention than otherwise. To tell the truth, today, I came with the intention of bringing Seventh niangzi to meet Madam.”

This time, Ninth yiniang gave a smile of true relief.

“In the future, Little Seven will rely on Wang mama’s care.” She sighed, then began coughing again. “This child is taciturn. When mama is free, please teach her more about how to get along with others. In the future… Little Seven will surely repay Wang mama.”

Wang mama glanced out the lattice window. Through the only glass panel of the window, she saw Seventh niangzi standing in front of the western side-room, holding an embroidery frame and looking towards the room. Vaguely, one could see the anxiety present on her face.

From the bottom of her heart, she felt somewhat superior, and the corners of her lips twitched upwards.

“Does that need to be said? Ninth ge’er’s twin elder sister—I will certainly take exceedingly good care of her.” She stood up. “If Ninth yiniang has no other orders, shall I take Seventh niangzi to see Eldest Madam now?”

Ninth yiniang also gazed out the window.

A smile appeared at the edge of her lips. In that smile, there was sadness, expectation, and a small bit of confidence.

“Little Seven will not cause you any trouble,” she said softly before coughing again. “Please look after her!”

<< Previous Chapter | Index | Next Chapter >>