Chapter 8: Enlightenment (Part 1)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

Second niangzi’s eyes flashed, “Oh?”

“I hear that Second Elder Sister loves to read.” Undeterred by her cold attitude, Seventh niangzi smiled. “Tomorrow will be my first day at school, and I am not sure what the teachers will be teaching. I would like to ask Second Elder Sister to lend me a few books so that I may prepare.”

Eldest Madam gazed mildly at Second niangzi.

“It is but reading a few miscellaneous books to pass the time.” Second niangzi expressed her disagreement. ^[1]不以为然 (bù yǐ wéi rán) means to express disapproval or disagreement, and not agreeing that something is correct or true. “The most important matters for we maidens are not to be found within books.”

Seventh niangzi somewhat aggrievedly lowered her head, showing a rare instance of a young girl’s temperament.

Third niangzi naively smiled. “Fourth Younger Sister, you have several books too, do you not? Why not lend them to Seventh niangzi to read?”

Fourth yiniang glanced at Third niangzi but did not speak. A trace of triumph flashed through Second niangzi’s eyes along with a trace of disdain. For a moment, the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward. Eldest Madam could not help but look towards Seventh yiniang.

Seventh yiniang fondled her hair, as if having not heard Third niangzi’s words, and smiled at Seventh niangzi. “Seventh niangzi, Sixth niangzi is just about to begin learning the Four Books for Women. ^[2]See: Four Books for Women – Wikipedia If you do not mind, after heading back, I will have Sixth niangzi send a few beginners’ enlightenment books to you.”

Sixth niangzi smiled guilelessly. ^[3]天真无邪 (tiān zhēn wú xié) means to be naive, pure, and innocent, without the slightest hint of evil, deceit, or corruption. “Yes, Seventh Younger Sister, A Jade Forest For Young Learners ^[4]幼学琼林 (yòu xué qióng lín) is one of the essential texts for beginners in Ancient China, specifically in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The content is written in parallel prose and is relatively easy to memorize, and covers topics ranging from astronomy and geography to food, clothing, and daily life. is exceptionally interesting!”

Seventh yiniang had been brought back from the capital by Master Yang. Generally, she was not too close to any of the other concubines, and she was also neither close nor distant with Eldest Madam. Although their relationship could not be considered intimate, there were also no flaws to pick at. Sixth niangzi was seven this year, and had been born with an outstanding visage very similar to that of Seventh yiniang: a true beauty. Her temperament, which had always been innocent and kind, had gained Eldest Madam’s favor.

Eldest Madam smiled, while Second niangzi pouted but did not speak. Fifth niangzi, who, with wide-opened eyes, was looking bemusedly at everyone, also smiled and asked Seventh niangzi, “Seventh Younger Sister, are you literate? Can you even understand A Jade Forest For Young Learners?”

Although Fifth niangzi was arrogant and pampered, she still knew a few characters. It was just that she had never put her heart into this matter. Eldest Madam descended from generations of scholars and put significant effort into the education of her few daughters. When she was six, she already recognized a few thousand characters. ^[5]Not sure how many characters are necessary to be considered highly literate in Ancient China, but for modern Chinese, a number typically thrown around is that if you know 3500 characters, then you’ll be able to read 99.5% of generic writings. 2000 is enough to be considered literate. More may be needed for specialized fields. And also, even though there are over 80,000 Chinese characters, even most college graduates only know about 8000. 

Seventh niangzi silently sighed in her heart. 

Truly, there were many disputes in aristocratic families. A simple matter of borrowing books could be leveraged by Second niangzi to create such a big disturbance.

Although Third niangzi looked quick-witted, she was, in actuality, quite foolish. With a single, casual sentence from Second niangzi, she inserted the needle at the first crack she found ^[6]见缝插针 (jiàn fèng chā zhēn) means to make full use of every bit of space or opportunity, being resourceful and meticulous. and began expressing goodwill towards Seventh niangzi, which in turn brought Fourth yiniang’s scheming intentions to light. By now, who could fail to see that Fourth yiniang intended to win over Seventh niangzi? Seventh yiniang, who was kind-hearted, had come out to smooth the matter over, picking up the script of a good person.

Fifth niangzi did not understand a single bit of these undercurrents and only knew how to seize Seventh niangzi’s weakness and make fun of her.

She had not even thought matters through. If Seventh niangzi was truly illiterate, would she ask her sisters to lend her books?

Seventh niangzi smiled. “Fifth Elder Sister, I do know a few characters. It is just that I am clumsy and slow, and am afraid of making a fool of myself in front of the teacher, and so wanted to make preparations earlier.”

Her words were spoken to smooth things over and keep the peace, but Fifth niangzi did not appreciate her good intentions. With a raised eyebrow, she was about to speak again.

Suddenly, Second niangzi smiled and said, “Sixth Younger Sister, you are already about to learn the Four Books for Women? Time passes so quickly. Two years ago, when you first began going to school, you even held A Jade Forest For Young Learners upside down, and when the teacher wanted to turn it right side up, you held on tightly and refused, no matter what.” As she spoke, she covered her lips and laughed.

Everyone joined in the amusement and laughed along. Fifth niangzi’s words did not make it out of her mouth. Ninth ge looked first at this, then at that, then pinched Fifth niangzi, asking in a whisper, “Fifth Elder Sister, are you studying the Four Books for Women as well?”

Fifth niangzi blushed a bit. Although she was smart, she spent three days fishing and two days drying the nets. ^[7]三天打鱼两天晒网 (sān tiān dǎ yú liǎng tiān shài wǎng) means to lack perseverance and to do something inconsistently. Even though she was two years older than Sixth niangzi, she had not yet completed learning the Four Books for Women.

“Currently studying.” She began to act coquettishly towards Second niangzi. “Second Elder Sister, please guide me more! I have many things that I do not understand!”

“Your Second Elder Sister is busy embroidering her dowry; when would she have time to mess around with you?” Eldest Madam said with curved brows.

A hint of envy flew through Fourth yiniang’s eyes. Coincidentally, it was seen perfectly by Seventh niangzi, who lowered her head with a slight smile, her brain spinning.

Second niangzi’s engagement was with Sun Liquan, the eldest grandson of the Marquis of Ding’guo’s Sun Family, in the capital. The engagement had been set two or three years ago. During the final month of last year, the Sun family had sent someone to select a wedding date ^[8]See #5 in Chinese pre-wedding customs – Wikipedia and the date was set as the last month of this year. Since then, Second niangzi had stopped attending school and devoted herself to carefully embroidering her dowry in Youhuangli. ^[9]TL Note: This is the name of her bower. 

Once Second niangzi married out, the next step would be to begin discussing marriage for Third niangzi and Fourth niangzi. Proper order should be observed between seniors and juniors. ^[10]长幼有序 (zhǎng yòu yǒu xù) is a line by Xunzi (philosopher) – Wikipedia emphasizing that seniors and juniors should respect hierarchy and order in their relationships. Fifth niangzi’s marriage would only be settled after that of her elder sisters…

Suddenly, Seventh niangzi somewhat understood Fourth yiniang’s desires.

She raised her head and took a glance at Fourth yiniang. Fourth yiniang was smiling, but her gaze was somewhat blank; her mind seemed to have wandered to who knows where.

Third niangzi’s brows and eyes brimmed with joy as she teased Second niangzi. Second niangzi was somewhat shy yet somewhat happy, biting her lips and turning her head away. Ninth ge, who did not understand any of what was happening, was making a fuss on the side, but the scene was quite lively.

Fourth niangzi, Fifth niangzi, and Sixth niangzi all remained silent. The topic of dowry was indeed of little concern to unmarried daughters such as them. 

“Alright, everyone may leave.” Eldest Madam’s smile had not yet faded. “You sisters should also go and rest early after eating. Tomorrow, Master Huang will be coming, so you must muster plenty of energy.”

Everyone began chuckling again.

Seventh niangzi, somewhat confused, looked blankly around at the group.

Sixth niangzi, who was sitting across from her, began to explain in detail in a soft tone. “Master Huang is our embroidery master. Just last December, we severely angered her, and she vowed that she would never come back and teach us this year.”

Everyone began laughing again. Eldest Madam pointed at Sixth niangzi with an expression that seemed both exasperated and amused. “If it were not for you bringing the four treasures of the study ^[11]See: Four Treasures of the Study – Wikipedia into the embroidery room and then also spilling them on Master Huang, how would she have been angered so? I even had to take the trouble to send additional year-end gifts.”

Sixth niangzi leaned against Eldest Madam and began to act coquettishly, creating a scene of familial happiness.

This was the harmonious and joyous scenery that greeted Master Yang as he entered the inner rooms.

“What have you been speaking of that has made you so happy?” He stroked his beard and chuckled.

“Father!” The children all stood up and performed their greetings. Fourth yiniang’s smile suddenly brightened and became more charming. Eldest Madam gave a lazy bow. Seventh yiniang moved forward and helped Master Yang remove his outer robe before leading him into the clean room. 

Within a short while, Master Yang had changed into a set of clothes the color of pure and upright bamboo, and walked out of the clean room. Seventh yiniang came out holding his official robes and handed them to Lichun. 

“Master came back early today!” Eldest Madam greeted him. Second niangzi, Fifth niangzi, and Ninth ge all rose and moved to sit on the two rows of screen-back armchairs ^[12]太师椅 (tài shī yǐ) is a type of traditional Chinese armchair., making space for Master Yang.

Master Yang naturally sat down next to Eldest Madam, smiling as he patted her knee.

“You also know that the yamen ^[13]衙门 (yámén) was the government office or administrative headquarters in imperial China, where officials worked, heard cases, and managed local affairs. It functioned as the court, police station, and administrative center all in one. is reopening now and we will need to attend banquets. In the entire year, it is always the first month that is the busiest.” As he spoke, he moved his gaze across the concubines behind Eldest Madam, smiling at Fourth yiniang. “Why do I not see Eighth yiniang?”

“She has been suffering from severe morning sickness the past few days, and so I have asked her not to leave her chambers. It is of utmost importance for her to stay in bed and care for the fetus.” Eldest Madam said. “After the meal, you should go visit her.”

This was as expected. Master Yang had few children under his knees. If Eighth yiniang were carrying a son, then she would be a great contributor to the Yang clan.

It was only that with the example of Ninth yiniang before her, perhaps Eighth yiniang wished that she were carrying a daughter.

Fourth yiniang’s eyes sparkled. “I had conveniently visited Eighth yiniang earlier. She mentioned that she wanted to eat something sour tonight.”

Eldest Madam did not care too much. “Then have the kitchen send some pickled plums over.”

Seventh niangzi lowered her eyes. The matters of the backyard had always been under the purview of Eldest Madam. Even Master Yang could not say too much. That Fourth yiniang dared to interject in such matters showed just how much Master Yang doted upon her.

Master Yang nodded. “After all, she is one person with two bodies. She needs careful care indeed.” He cued Fourth yiniang, “She is someone who came from your courtyard. Whether or not you are busy, you should still go visit her more often.”

“Yes,” Fourth yiniang responded crisply, then added, “Madam sends people to check on Eighth yiniang every day. It can be seen that she is very attentive.”

Master Yang regarded Eldest Madam in an increasingly tender manner.

Second niangzi was somewhat shocked, and she looked at the large gold-inlaid eight-treasure ^[14]See: Ashtamangala – Wikipedia self-striking clock ^[15]自鸣钟 (zì míng zhōng) is a mechanical clock, a subset of Striking clock – Wikipedia, that automatically chimes at set intervals. It was first introduced to China by Jesuit missionaries in the Ming Dynasty. in the corner of the room.

Her movements were somewhat exaggerated, and Eldest Madam said, “It is time for each courtyard to dine. Master, where do you plan to dine tonight?”

“I will just stay in the main courtyard.” Eldest Master did not care all too much. “Everyone may disperse and go enjoy their meals.”

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