Chapter 8: Enlightenment (Part 2)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

After he had spoken, everyone rose and curtsied. Lichun picked up Ninth ge while Second niangzi, Fifth niangzi, and Seventh niangzi led their servants. Like a school of fish, they all proceeded into the clean room. 

On that topic, no maidservants other than those of the young ladies in the main courtyard were allowed into the main hall, including those of the concubine-born daughters.

When Bailu moved to stand next to Seventh niangzi, Third niangzi’s glance towards Seventh niangzi clearly contained a trace of jealousy.

After washing and having dinner, Master Yang and Eldest Madam entered the bedroom, leaning in close as they conversed. Ninth ge had been sent to Fifth niangzi by Eldest Madam. “Take your younger brother to play for a while.”

Fifth niangzi was unavoidably curious. “What matters are there that need to be specially hidden from Ninth ge?”

Eldest Madam had not spoken yet when Ninth ge crisply responded to his elder sister. “Likely, the aunt ^[1]Word used here refers to aunt from the maternal side. from the Xu ^[2]许 (xǔ). The family surname. TL Note: There are several common last names with the pinyin XU. If another one shows up in this story I will find some way to differentiate. For now I will just use “Xu”. family sent a letter.”

Eldest Madam smiled, rapping her knuckles against Ninth ge’s head. “You chatterbox.”

Eldest Madam’s maiden family was the Qin clan, which was also a prestigious and wealthy household. Her several sisters had all married well. Eldest Madam’s elder sister married into Duke Ping’s Xu family and gave birth to a legitimate heir. Now, she was the matriarch of the Xu clan.

The Yang clan was a wealthy Jiangnan family, and the Xu clan was an influential noble family in the capital. It was natural for the two families to be close. When it came to letters from the Xu family, Master Yang would always have Eldest Madam look them over.

Fifth niangzi no longer continued asking. Pulling Ninth ge, she walked out. “Ninth ge, let us go solve the Nine Linked Rings puzzle.” ^[3]See: Baguenaudier – Wikipedia

“Alright!” Ninth ge was very excited.

Eldest Madam watched them leave with a smile before asking Eldest Master, “I hear that the outer quarters ^[4]前院  (qián yuàn), literally front courtyard, is where the public-facing area of the residence, where the men are. sent another three young beauties in?”

Eldest Master seemed somewhat awkward. “Last time, Prince Yue had me go drinking with him, then conveniently gifted a set of triplet sisters. It would not have been good for me to refuse.”

When an official rose to the rank of Master Yang, many people would want to send women to his bed. He could be considered relatively self-disciplined in this aspect, only accepting in situations when he could not refuse. Naturally, he dared not refuse a gift from Prince Yue.

Eldest Madam’s expression warmed slightly. Taking the letter from Master Yang’s hand, she began to carefully peruse it. 

Early the next day, Xianxiufang sent over several sets of clothing. Seventh niangzi changed into a dark green jacket embroidered with golden calendulas and an onion-yellow colored pleated skirt to pay respects to Eldest Madam. Upon seeing her, Eldest Madam was very pleased.

“You have dressed up beautifully. This is what a proper daughter of the main courtyard ought to look like,” she praised, her eyes curving up.

Liang mama and Wang mama both chimed in, “Seventh niangzi has grown increasingly distinguished since coming to the main courtyard.”

Anyone who comes into money would naturally begin appearing more distinguished. Seventh niangzi laughed coldly at the bottom of her heart, but her face presented a somewhat embarrassed expression. “Mamas are laughing at me.”

Ninth ge ran out from the inner rooms, almost running face-first into Seventh niangzi. The two were both startled. Eldest Madam pointed towards Seventh niangzi and asked Ninth ge, “Does Seventh niangzi look like you?”

“Yes,” Ninth ge answered in a muffled tone.

They were twins. That they looked similar was a truth that no one could deny.

“Are the clothes Seventh niangzi is wearing pretty?”

Seventh niangzi had her hair in two buns on either side of her head. With her silk flower accessories and the jacket and long skirt she wore, she looked like a jade maiden who had just stepped out of a painting.

“Quite pretty,” Ninth ge said.

“Then how about you dress up like this, too?” Eldest Madam asked with her eyes curved.

Everybody began to laugh. 

Master Yang came out while buttoning his middle clothes. ^[5]中衣 (zhōng yī) is a traditional inner garment worn between undergarments and outerwear. This is a simple, basic piece of clothing that is an essential part of Hanfu. Lichun followed behind, covering his shoulders with a casual-styled sky-blue outer robe. “Ninth ge, what do you think?” 

He casually rubbed Seventh niangzi’s head.

Lowering her head, Seventh niangzi retreated to sit at the side

Ninth ge unconsiously followed after her, tilting his head as he scrutinized her.

“No.” He shook his head as he turned to give Eldest Madam a reply. 

Eldest Madam revealed a smile. “Why not?”

“I am a boy, I do not need to be pretty,” Ninth ge replied crisply, running towards Eldest Madam. “Niang, do you not agree?”

Everyone began laughing again. Walking in, Second niangzi and Fifth niangzi smiled.

“We heard your voice the moment we entered the courtyard.” Fifth niangzi pointed a finger at Ninth ge. 

Ninth ge humphed. “Fifth Elder Sister is bullying me! I am no longer going to pay attention to you!”

Fifth niangzi and Ninth ge quarreled every few days, but not long after an argument, they would reconcile so sweetly that they seemed to be one person. Only towards Ninth ge did Fifth niangzi have this type of patience.

Seventh niangzi felt a pang of sourness in her heart. She rose and entered the west inner room for breakfast.

After the meal, the concubines and young ladies came to pay their respects to Eldest Madam. The room was filled with people, and there was such a loud cacophony that Seventh niangzi felt that she had a splitting headache.

Being the matriarch of a large family was not an easy job.

Eldest Madam and Fourth yiniang were discussing the matter of attending the Zhong family’s banquet.

“Based on reason, I should bring Third niangzi with me to broaden her horizons. Unfortunately, the children of the Zhong clan are all at their ancestral home. If Third niangzi were to go with me, she could only stay by my side. I fear that she would feel restricted.”

Fourth yiniang’s smile was somewhat forced. “Madam naturally acts in Third niangzi’s best interests. I am but a concubine—what do I know?”

These words were somewhat off. Master Yang shot her a glare.

“Third niangzi is still young. Next year, when she’s fourteen, it still won’t be too late to begin discussing marriage,” he said to her unhappily. “At that time, I will personally choose a good family for her.”

Seventh niangzi felt that Eldest Master was a very interesting person.

Third niangzi, shy, got up and hid in the west inner room. The small group of unmarried daughters all entered the west inner room, then all pricked up their ears to listen to the proceedings outside.

Eldest Madam was somewhat annoyed. “Third niangzi is already thirteen this year. That also cannot be considered young—Fourth yiniang, you might as well make a decision yourself.”

Fourth yiniang’s voice was somewhat anxious. “Master, that was not what I meant… Sigh, it is true that Third niangzi was birthed by me, but in the end, she was raised by Eldest Madam. If you make the decision, that will be sufficient.”

She spoke this way, but Fourth yiniang was the true person in charge of the Yang family. 

In the early years, Eldest Madam’s health had not been very good, and so the matters of the inner quarters had all been handed over to her to manage. It was only once Ninth ge’er was born that Eldest Madam’s desire to take over the household matters reignited. 

If Third niangzi’s marriage were not discussed with Fourth yiniang, Eldest Madam would definitely not be able to explain herself to Master Yang. 

Seventh niangzi could not help but glance at Third niangzi.

Third niangzi was so bashful that her entire face was flushed red, and her usually cheerful eyes shone shyly. At thirteen or fourteen years of age, she had a graceful figure. It was just that her face was a bit too round, but that did not keep her from being a charming young lady.

In modern times, this would be the age of first love. But here, it was already the age to discuss marriage!

Seventh niangzi shook her head, then felt that someone was watching her. She turned her head to find Ninth ge sitting atop a round stool, staring curiously at her with rounded eyes. 

Wang mama walked into the west inner room. “Young ladies, it is time to go to school.”

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