Chapter 2: Main Courtyard (Part 1)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

“Later, when you meet Madam, do not be nervous.”

Wang mama led Seventh niangzi along the corridor, advising her as they walked.

“You rarely meet with your sisters, so later, it is possible that you will not recognize them. At this time, the only ones in Eldest Madam’s room are likely to be Second niangzi and Fifth niangzi. Both are your elder sisters, so pay attention to your manners.”

“Yes.” Seventh niangzi softly responded. She held Wang mama’s hand, and looked left and right all along the way, showing no signs of nervousness or anxiety.

Wang mama felt that this was somewhat strange and unexpected.

Since Seventh niangzi was born, she had been living with the Ninth yiniang in their ancestral hometown in the northwest. ^[1]See: Northwestern China – Wikipedia Only last year had they come to Suzhou. And just as they arrived in Suzhou, the Ninth yiniang fell ill. Seventh niangzi spent her time from dawn till dusk nursing an invalid, and even when she was free, she rarely stepped out of the courtyard. Even the Eldest Madam had only seen her once during the New Year the previous year. Such a young, small child was soon about to meet an unfamiliar di mother… Why did she show no signs of apprehension?

Was it that she was too smart to be afraid, or was she too stupid to understand fear?

Wang mama suddenly began to doubt her presumptuous decision [to bring Seventh niangzi to greet Madam]. What if this Seventh niangzi was a stupid one…. 

Surely the Ninth yiniang had not failed to understand her own daughter? Wang mama took another glance at Seventh niangzi, and felt that she was thinking too much. Ninth ge’er has a bold and unfettered temperament. It could be that there was a natural connection between siblings, and this Seventh niangzi was also a brave one.

Though her thoughts had turned this way, she still gave one more reminder.

“If you make a fool of yourself in front of Madam… you will be in great difficulty.” She deliberately spoke with a few points more fierceness than usual. “Although Madam is kind and generous, the matrons next to her are not as easy to talk to. Hitting the palms, not being allowed to eat dinner—those are all considered light punishments!”

Seventh niangzi still appeared wholly unbothered. She raised her gaze towards Wang mama and spoke lightly, “Understood, mama. I will not lose your face.” ^[2]丢脸 (diū liǎn) refers to the loss of dignity, goodwill or honor, or bringing shame, disgrace, or embarrassment.

Wang mama suddenly felt as though she could no longer see through Seventh niangzi. ^[3]看透 (kàn tòu) means to see through something, and, here, it metaphorically means to be able to understand another’s thoughts and emotions.

They passed through the Baifangyuan and entered the main courtyard. In the main courtyard was a group of maidservants currently carrying bundles and boxes of furs and silk out. As they moved the items, they laughed. “Eldest niangzi is still of the same temperament. She seems to want to take all the good things from her husband’s family and send them all to her maternal family.”

Wang mama spoke with a hint of pride. “Your Eldest Sister is also a concubine-born daughter, and was also raised by Madam… Look at the holiday gifts she sent back! Even such a large courtyard can hardly hold them all.”

Seventh niangzi tilted her head and looked towards the large wooden boxes and the baskets upon baskets of lychees and grapes, and nodded with envy.

Wang mama suddenly felt that she once again could see through Seventh niangzi. ^[4]看透 (kàn tòu) means to see through something, and, here, it metaphorically means to be able to understand another’s thoughts and emotions.

They entered the main courtyard through the door at the back of the courtyard. The main courtyard was different from the southern side-courtyard. The main hall ^[5]堂屋 (táng wū) refers to the largest and most important room in a courtyard, and is generally used for receiving guests, holding ceremonies, etc. Kinda similar to a modern living room. was at the center of the courtyard. Coming off of the roof were two or three discrete layers of tiles. The figurines atop the roof were carved delicately and pasted with gold foil. Under the sunlight, their bright shine caught the eye.

A maid came out to welcome them. She smiled and asked Wang mama, “Why has Wang mama come so early today? And whose child are you holding the hand of? I think she is very cute.”

Wang mama stiffened her face. “This is Seventh niangzi.”

The maid made a sound of surprise and hurriedly bowed to Seventh niangzi with a smile. “This servant Lichun greets Seventh niangzi.”

  Seventh niangzi smiled and tilted her body sideways. ^[6]This is to avoid half the bow, i.e. she does not feel that she is worthy enough to accept a full greeting. “Greetings to Elder Sister Lichun.”

Lihcun also smiled sweetly. She was wearing a brand new tender-yellow satin jacket and a sky-blue jacquard ^[7]提花 (tí huā) refers to the concave and convex pattern of textiles formed by the interlacing of warp and weft threads. The most similar English term for this is probably jacquard. horse-faced skirt. ^[8]See: Mamianqun – Wikipedia Everything that she wore and used was delicate and exquisite. Standing next to Seventh niangzi, she was the one who seemed more like a young lady. “Seventh niangzi rarely comes to the main courtyard. Blame me for my clumsy eyes ^[9]眼拙 (yǎn zhuó) means that the eyes were clumsy and is often used as somewhat of an apology for not recognizing someone / admitting an oversight. in failing to recognize you. Madam has just risen from her afternoon nap and has not yet partaken of any snacks… I will go report right now.” Speaking thus, she turned and quickly entered the main hall. As Wang mama accompanied Seventh niangzi in standing there, maids came in and out to ask for advice.

“Wang mama, should these furs be stored in the small warehouse or the official warehouse?”

“Madam said to store the lychees in the cellar, and to take them out to entertain guests during the New Year. But this basketful of lychees is already half-black. Mama, what do you think should be done?”

“Dear mama, this bolt of satin arrived with a section that was already dirty. I will cut off that dirty section, all right? It will not be the usual full weight. Mama, please do not come looking for us.”

Seventh niangzi understood that Wang mama was a favored person next to the Madam. Wang mama acted with self-importance ^[10]端架子 (duān jià zi), literally meaning ‘holding up the frame’, means to ‘put up airs’  or ‘acting pretentiously’ and has the connotation of arrogance or showing off. and responded to these queries half-heartedly. ^[11]有一下没一下 (yǒu yī xià méi yī xià) describes something as happening in an irregular or half-hearted manner. Literally, it means ‘sometimes there, sometimes not’.

“Store these in the official warehouse. Madam is not impressed by this type of material.”

“Distribute these amongst yourselves. You little hooves ^[12]小蹄子 (xiǎo tí zi) literally means ‘little hooves’ but is understood as a derogatory term for young women who are seen as too bold/charming/flirtatious/ambitious. Used to express disdain. have gotten such a bargain.”

“Cut it  and set it aside. No need to store it in the warehouse. Later on I will ask Madam what to do with this—You are all getting more and more careless with your work. This gold-threaded qilin-patterned brocade costs dozens of taels of silver per bolt. Do you think it was just casually acquired?”

The maids lowered their eyes ^[13]低眉顺眼 (dī méi shùn yǎn) literally translates to having ‘drooping brows and obedient eyes’ and describes submissive/docile and deferential/humble behavior. and went back to work. It seemed that although Wang mama was a favored person next to the Madam, she had poor interpersonal relationships with the other servants.

Seventh niangzi stood for a while, until Lichun came out with a smile.

“Seventh niangzi, quickly go in. Madam heard that you have arrived and was very happy. Mama, Madam said to tell you to oversee these little hooves in putting the New Year gifts into the warehouses, and then come in later to reconcile the accounts.”

Seventh niangzi cast a lingering, reluctant glance at Wang mama. Wang mama suddenly felt a sense of responsibility. She squeezed Seventh niangzi’s shoulder, then released her, watching as Lichun led her into the pitch-black main hall. Only then did she turn to watch the young maids moving things. 

Once Seventh niangzi entered the main hall, her eyes saw only darkness and nothing else. Lichun guided her around a folding screen, and only then did the room brighten again—the side of the main hall facing the main entrance was fitted with dazzling glass windows.

Lichun led her around a curio shelf ^[14]多宝格 (duō bǎo gé) is a shelf usually with treasures or collectibles, etc. put up for display. Here is an example of such a shelf from Baidu. This type of furniture became popular during the Qing Dynasty, specifically during the Qianlong era. before lifting the beaded glass curtain and guiding Seventh niangzi into a bright bedroom with a smile.

In the bedroom, either standing, sitting, or lying down, were six or seven people. Seventh niangzi glanced around and saw two girls dressed as young ladies seated on chairs. The two or three older women dressed as servants were either sitting on small stools in front of the chairs or standing behind the bed. In the center of the room was a grand rosewood canopy bed lacquered in gold and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. A young boy was lying on the bed while a richly-dressed, auspicious-faced ^[15]This is just a way of saying someone has a round/plump face. I guess maybe it’s considered a good thing/fortunate if you had extra to eat back then? middle-aged woman sat at the bedside, speaking to him in a gentle voice.

“Even your Seventh Younger Sister had come. Still not getting up? Why are you still lazing about?”

Seventh niangzi lowered herself to her knees with exceedingly proper manners, kowtowed ^[16]See: Kowtow – Wikipedia and raised her head to say, “Little Seven pays respects to Madam.”

Only then did Eldest Madam turn her gaze towards Seventh niangzi. Her eyes contained some smiling intent. “Oh, you have grown so big.”

Seventh niangzi once again rose and turned towards her two older sisters. “Little Seven pays respects to Second Elder Sister.”

“Little Seven pays respects to Fifth Elder Sister.”

The cold-faced Second niangzi simply stood up and nodded, accepting her half curtsy. The charming Fifth niangzi rolled her eyes, snorted, and turned her head away without even looking at her.

Seventh niangzi remained calm and composed. ^[17]安之若素 (ān zhī ruò sù) means to accept hardship or change with calm and composure, i.e. having emotional resilience. She rose, bowed her head, and with her hands respectfully clasped, stood at Eldest Madam’s left-hand side.

Eldest Madam’s gaze when looking at Seventh niangzi contained a few additional points of astonishment. She had not expected that Seventh niangzi would respond so appropriately, without a single flaw.

“Little Seven, you should sit.” Eldest Madam gave a smile and turned back to cajole the child on the bed. “Ninth ge’er, look, Little Seven’s appearance is just like yours. It is only that you are a bit taller.”

That little boy sprang up in a flash and stared at Seventh niangzi with his grape-like black eyes, sizing her up from head to toe.

“Niang ^[18]娘 (niáng) means ‘mother’ but has the connotation of intimacy. In general, it is a respectful term for mothers and women of an older generation. is lying to me.” He pouted. “This person is clearly just as tall as me.”

“What do you mean ‘this person’? This is your Seventh Younger Sister.” Eldest Madam said, smiling. She shot a side glance at Fifth niangzi. “Do not be led astray by your Fifth Elder Sister. She is unruly, and you follow her to be equally unruly.”

Fifth niangzi humphed. She folded her hands and lifted her head high. Eldest Madam rolled her eyes at her, and spoke again, “All day long, I hear the two of you bickering. Fifth Elder Sister does not even understand how to yield to her younger brother.”

Ninth ge’er [heard these words] and puffed up with self-satisfaction. Eldest Madam continued, “Ninth ge’er also does not know how to behave. Fifth Elder Sister has a bad temper, and you just learn from her—wait till your father hears about this. Be careful, or he will beat you with a paddle.”

Seventh niangzi had a slight smile around her lips as she sat stably and quietly, listening to the profound mother-son relationship between Eldest Madam and Ninth ge’er.

Eldest Madam found her [lack of reaction] uninteresting.

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