Chapter 7: Private (Part 1)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

“This was also sent over by Second Elder Sister?” Seventh niangzi asked calmly. From her voice, one could detect neither joy nor anger.

Bailu was shocked as well.

Lixia walked in carrying a plate of grapes. Having heard the last of Seventh niangzi’s words, she replied, “This was sent over by Fourth yiniang. I originally did not want to accept it, but Shuangjiang said that accepting or refusing was Seventh niangzi’s decision to make.”

There was a trace of grievance in her voice. Shuangjiang was sharp-tongued; it was likely that she had said many unpleasant words.

“Return it.” Seventh niangzi’s voice was as chilly as the winter wind. “What else did she send over?”

Lixia hurriedly shook her head, then pointed towards a bundle on the bed. “Second niangzi first sent over a set of couplets, then sent over some clothes once again. We have not opened them yet.”

It seemed that Fifth niangzi’s tantrum could not be hidden from anyone. Second niangzi had a good understanding of the situation.

Seventh niangzi smiled and shook her head. “Elder Sister Bailu, I will need to trouble you to make a trip and return this platter of silver.”

A sense of admiration for Seventh niangzi grew within Bailu.

Fourth yiniang had certainly had ulterior motives in sending this platter of silver over.

If Seventh niangzi were to accept it, in the future, not only would she be kept in check by Fourth yiniang, but also, if Master Yang came to know of this matter, it would become a pretext for criticism. If Eldest Madam were to lose face, who else would she vent her anger upon other than Seventh niangzi?

This silver must absolutely not be accepted.

She picked up the silver and exited the courtyard.

Only then did Seventh niangzi and Lixia settle down to talk.

“Lixia.” Seventh niangzi sat down next to the table, calling the young maidservant to her side with a pleasant expression. “You have not suffered any injustices today, have you?”

Lixia smiled, but did not speak.

Seventh niangzi favored these aspects of Lixia: she could maintain her composure, she disliked lying, and she was fairly honest.

“We have just arrived and are still finding our footing. ^[1]初来乍到 (chū lái zhà dào) describes someone who just entered a new environment and has a connotation of humbleness and vulnerability. Suffering grievances is only natural,” Seventh niangzi said slowly. “You should follow Bailu more often and learn more of her mannerisms and demeanor. Do not take that matter regarding Fifth Elder Sister to heart. No matter who comes to ask you, you must not say anything much.”

If someone were to catch hold of a slip of the tongue, and this matter were to be made known, then even if Fifth niangzi were to lose face, she would not gain any honor herself. Moreover, ultimately, this matter had occurred because she had been unable to explain things clearly in time. If Eldest Madam were to be biased and think that she wanted to see Fifth niangzi make a fool of herself, then it would be impossible for her to get away unscathed.

Even if Lichun were there and could say a few words in her favor, there was no proper explanation for this matter.

Lixia blinked her eyes and nodded. It was unclear if she accepted the words or not.

Seventh niangzi could not help but sigh.

In a wealthy family, there was no lack of disputes.

She lowered her eyes, “Open the bundle sent over by Second Elder Sister.” Second niangzi’s kindness differed from that of Fourth yiniang, and must be accepted.

Lixia moved over to unpack the bundle, shaking open each piece of clothing for Seventh niangzi to see.

The clothes sent over by Second niangzi, though the materials were not as expensive as those sent by Second Madam, were of the perfect size. There was a ginger-yellow satin jacket that Seventh niangzi liked very much, and she intended to try it on immediately.

Lixia shook that piece of clothing, and a few small pieces of something rolled onto the floor, striking against the bluestone floors with crisp and clear sounds. She picked them up and showed them to Seventh niangzi.

There were four miniature silver ingots.

“About four taels worth.” Lixia weighed them in her hand before placing the silver ingots on the table. Then, she shook open the remaining two sets of sky blue and dark red clothing. From the jacket of the sky-blue set fell another two silver ingots.

Seventh niangzi held onto these six taels of silver, feeling emotional.

That night, when Bailu came back, she stuffed two taels towards Bailu.

“Thank you for coming to the rescue today,” she said in a reserved manner. “I am not as wealthy as my other sisters. You take these two taels first; if it is insufficient, then when the end of the month comes and the monthly allowances are distributed, I will make up for it.”

Bailu panickedly pushed Seventh niangzi’s hands away. “It was not that much. Moreover, this was something that this servant should have done.”

“This is something I must pay.” Seventh niangzi was insistent. “Quickly accept it; otherwise, at the end of the month, I will give you four taels.”

Bailu could not help but let out a ‘pfft’ of laughter and accepted the silver from Seventh niangzi. 

Seventh niangzi then pulled over a small box and, directly in front of her, placed the remaining four taels of silver inside.

This was an old and worn box made of camphor wood. Aside from the miniature silver ingots, its interior was empty.

Seventh niangzi smiled at Lixia and Bailu. “The days must be lived. Here in the western side-courtyard, let us live them better and better as time goes on.”

Lixia happily responded in the affirmative. Back at the southern side-courtyard, Seventh niangzi had not possessed even the slightest amount of private money.

Bailu’s eyes were slightly dim. Although it was not an explicit rule, in the main courtyard, each young lady’s monthly allowance was four taels. Not only was this two more taels than the allowance of young ladies in the concubines’ courtyards, but additionally, when Eldest Madam remembered them, she would often send them extra spending money. Second niangzi’s money box was stuffed to the brim. Many times, when she went to deliver money, Second niangzi would casually reward her with half a silver ingot.

She gazed at Seventh niangzi, illuminated under the candlelight, and smiled once again. Seventh niangzi had spoken truly; the days would get better and better as time went on.

The next day, after Seventh niangzi rose and dressed, Liang mama personally sent over two sets of clothes.

“Originally, this should have been sent over last night, but there was a delay. I altered it a bit, and it should be a proper fit,” she said with a smile.

Seventh niangzi thanked her repeatedly. “Thank you, mama, for keeping this in mind.” Altering clothes was not an easy task. Even if Liang mama had someone else alter them, and she herself brought them over as a favor, Seventh niangzi still had to thank her.

Liang mama looked at the sky-blue jacket hung upon the screen partition, her eyes flashing.

“This was sent over by Second Elder Sister yesterday.” Seventh niangzi smiled with some embarrassment. “Second Elder Sister is cold on the outside but warm on the inside.”

Seventh niangzi’s words were pleasant to the ear. It had begun as an awkward situation, but, based on her words, it now seemed that Second niangzi had a particularly warm heart. Liang mama, with curved brows, patted Seventh niangzi’s hand. “It is good that Seventh niangzi thinks this way.”

After speaking, she went back to the main hall. Eldest Madam was still lying upon the bed. To the side, Ninth ge was putting on clothes. He was exceptionally clumsy, but refused the help of others. Eldest Madam’s eyes were full of smiles.

While Ninth ge left to wash up, Liang mama recounted Seventh niangzi’s words. “This one knows how to speak.”

Eldest Madam nodded. “That she see matters like this means that Second jie’s kind intentions are not in vain.” She leisurely sat up. Liang mama moved forward and untied her sleeping robe, and helped her put on her inner garments. ^[2]See: List of hanfu – Wikipedia “Have Xianxiufang prepare the clothing for all four seasons. These past few years, Fourth yiniang has been in charge of the matters of the inner courtyard, and was not remiss in withholding the silver allotted to that mother-and-daughter pair. Look at what Seventh niangzi is wearing! Even if a few more sets were to be made this time, Second jie and Fifth jie would not say much.”

Liang mama cautiously said, “Fifth jie is also clamoring to have new clothes made.”

“Nonsense!” Eldest Madam got off the bed. “I have not yet settled the score with her in regards to yesterday’s matter. After the meal, have someone go over and beat Guyu a few times to let her understand the seriousness of this matter—she is already this grown, yet still has no sense of propriety.”

“…Yes.” Liang mama said nothing more. If this matter were to happen to any other girl, then it would not be resolved simply by giving a servant girl a brief beating. Truly, Eldest Madam doted excessively upon Fifth niangzi.

“Might as well make a few sets for each of the sisters.” Eldest Madam once again changed her mind. “Second jie is at the age to discuss marriage. She will need additional sets of clothes and accessories when she goes out with me. While they are at it, make a few sets for Fifth jie to prevent her from kicking up a fuss again.”

What else could Liang mama say?

And therefore, after the meal, none of the three girls went to the clan school. Xianxiufang’s embroiderers had come to take their measurements for the new clothes.

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