Chapter 3: Visiting the Sick (Part 2)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

After dinner, Ninth yiniang leaned against the pillow, napping intermittently. Qiufeng had slipped off to who knew where. Only Lixia remained, diligently decocting medicine in the corridor.

Ever since that day when Wang mama had come, she had only decocted medicine in the corridor. Ninth yiniang had said many times that “We do not have much manpower here, and there are not that many rules to be followed.”

Lixia only replied, “We cannot allow Ninth yiniang to lose face.”

That day, when Wang mama had come, a sense of superiority had shone from the backs of her eyes. This arrogance could be understood by anyone in the Yang Mansion. An unfavored concubine, such as Ninth yiniang, when compared to Wang mama, was as influential as the dirt underneath one’s feet.

Only when she saw the small stove in the room had her eyes shown pity: only under abject poverty would one have moved the stove into the room. Otherwise, even if one could focus on one side, one could not focus on the other.

Some people could become accustomed to contempt, but could not stand pity.

Seventh niangzi was one such person. Lixia, too.

Ninth yiniang sighed, and did not persist. She gazed at the ‘beauty shrugging shoulders’ vase atop the small cabinet, and confusion gradually grew in her eyes.

Seeing this, Seventh niangzi hurriedly asked for advice. “Yiniang, what exactly does Fourth yiniang want to do?”

Ninth yiniang coughed gently a few times, gazing lovingly at her daughter. The rims of her eyes warmed slightly. If not for the fact that she had not yet died, Eldest Madam would have definitely taken her into the main courtyard as well… Alas, this worthless life was harder to lose than expected.

“There has always been deep meaning in Fourth yiniang’s movements,” she said thoughtfully. “This time, she pulled Third niangzi over and spoke for so long. From what I have heard… it seemed as if she were trying to help us.”

Seventh niangzi did not understand at all.

That Ninth yiniang would not remain alive for long was a truth that everyone understood. Seventh niangzi even secretly suspected that Ninth yiniang would pass away as soon as Seventh niangzi moved into the main courtyard after the new year. She had been ill for six years, from the time she gave birth till now. No matter how strong a body she had originally possessed, it would have been hollowed out by now. Right now, the only worry that kept her from letting go were Seventh niangzi’s resulting whereabouts.

By reason, the Yang family had only Ninth ge’er, a single male child. As Ninth ge’er’s elder twin sister, she still had some special privileges. At the very least, Eldest Madam, when considering where to have her raised, would not casually stuff her into [the courtyard] of a random concubine or bed-companion. ^[1]通房 (tōng fáng), literally meaning of the same room, refers to a personal maid who served a male master very very closely—so closely, in fact, that she served him in bed. This role was below that of a formal, recognized concubine, but above ordinary maids. She had to consider Ninth ge’er’s feelings as well as the Master’s feelings…. After all, she was the twin elder sister, there must be some level of loving the house and the attached crows. ^[2]爱屋及乌 (ài wū jí wū) means to love the house and even the crows on its roof. It means that if you truly care for someone, you’ll also develop affection for anything/anyone associated. Perhaps, the grace [of being raised in the main courtyard] would be finalized the moment Ninth yiniang closed her eyes for the final time.

Eldest Madam was so narrow-minded that she was not willing to even allow Ninth yiniang to die with ease.

Seventh niangzi secretly twisted her lips. 

Having said that, even if Eldest Madam were indeed so narrow-minded as that and did not want to see Seventh niangzi, it was also understandable: her existence might be a reminder to Eldest Madam that she was not Ninth ge’er’s biological mother, sticking an additional thorn into Eldest Madam’s heart.

But, no matter what, Eldest Madam would not permit Fourth yiniang to raise her… her enemy was already powerful enough. If Fourth yiniang were to obtain her, she would certainly dress her up to the nines and bring her around to visit all the relatives and friends, wordlessly spreading how harshly Eldest Madam had previously treated this mother-daughter pair. And she had always been able to influence Eldest Master. If, at that time, Eldest Master were to be disturbed, it would be difficult for the Eldest Madam to explain herself.

That was why Wang mama had come so swiftly, and also why she had accepted that gold bracelet so decisively.

Seventh niangzi had already figured these aspects out on her own. What she did not understand was why Fourth yiniang would give such an invisible helping hand, and why she had come to visit today.

In the deep backyard of the mansion, ^[3]深宅大院 (shēn zhái dà yuàn) refers to the large, walled compound of aristocratic families, and is associated with the complex family politics within. there was no such thing as altruistic kindness. For Fourth yiniang to do this, it must indeed further her own interests.

Ninth yiniang sighed.

“It is useless to think too much.” She coughed twice. “We can only resign ourselves to the actions of others… including resigning ourselves to being controlled by Madam. Madam has been raising Ninth ge’er and will not be too heartless towards us. Is it not the case that she had you come back and accompany me till the New Year?”

Eldest Madam had been quite considerate in this matter. Originally, she had been so anxious that she wanted [Seventh niangzi] to pack up that very night. Seventh niangzi had still been reluctant to leave. Now, she could stay till after the New Year, which was great.

At the very least, Ninth yiniang could see another year.

Her heart soured.

Although Ninth yiniang had never been favored and had never been well off, towards this daughter, she had always strived to provide the best and had always been generous.

Ninth yiniang gazed at her daughter. Her heart was filled with relief. 

“Now that Eldest Madam is willing to speak up, I can be at ease,” she softly said. “Madam… she is actually quite soft-hearted.” That was why her struggles always ended up in an awkward state, neither fully resolved nor entirely unsettled.

Eldest Madam lacked a person with ideas by her side. When Eldest niangzi had been here, Eldest Madam’s actions were methodical and disciplined. The moment Eldest niangzi had married out, it was as though the main courtyard had fallen into chaos. Neither the biological Second niangzi nor Fifth niangzi could be relied upon. Ninth ge’er… one heard that he was a guileless ^[4]天真无邪 (tiān zhēn wú xié) means to be naive, pure, and innocent, without the slightest hint of evil, deceit, or corruption. one.

This situation was perfect for Little Seven to come to the forefront!

After a few gestures of goodwill and a few displays of loyalty, Eldest Madam would naturally come to appreciate Little Seven’s value. Little Seven no longer had a mother. In the deep backyard of the mansion, ^[5]深宅大院 (shēn zhái dà yuàn) refers to the large, walled compound of aristocratic families, and is associated with the complex family politics within. the only one she could count on was Ninth ge’er, and transitively, only Eldest Madam. If Ninth yiniang were Eldest Madam, she would have taken her in and raised her delicately a long time ago—saving herself the trouble of needing to win her over.

But this was not in line with Little Seven’s temperament.

Ninth yiniang looked at her daughter with a smile.

Little Seven had a pair of large, black eyes, which were extremely lovely. Although her features were still very childish, it could be seen that she had the makings of a beauty. There was a shadow of Master Yang about her brows, but she was also extremely similar to Ninth yiniang.

Delightful. Ninth yiniang thought. It is not that I am biased. Little Seven’s appearance is truly delightful.

Her temperament was steady, she also had schemes, and she was not one of those frivolous types who would lose their reason the moment they were provoked… Once she entered the Eldest Madam’s room, she should be able to grow up safely. At that time, when discussing marriage, Eldest Madam would, for the sake of Ninth ge’er, definitely find a relatively good match.

The life of a woman—was it not just thus?

“No matter what, being able to be raised under the Eldest Madam is your blessing. In the future… you will also have a higher status.” She spoke with some difficulty. “Look at Eldest niangzi, the dowry that she brought with her was worth tens of thousands of silver. The Eldest Madam is not stingy in matters of money.”

Only towards this pair of mother and daughter had she spent many years deducting money and making things difficult, for the sole purpose of forcing Ninth yiniang to death.

“When you enter the main house, she will treat you well.” Ninth yiniang’s thinking could not have been more lucid. “You have to be obedient… listen to Eldest Madam’s words, and listen… to Ninth ge’er’s words.”

Seventh niangzi’s eyes were filled with tears.

“I am a concubine-born daughter. Ninth ge’er is a di-born ^[6]嫡 (dí) meaning legitimate, i.e. either the main wife or of the main wife. son… I will naturally listen to Ninth ge’er’s words,” she obediently replied.

Ninth yiniang was relieved: Little Seven was not that kind of person, but hearing her say those words herself was an extra layer of assurance. Little Seven would not try to get close to Ninth ge’er, would not cause difficulties for Ninth ge’er, and therefore would not bring trouble to herself.

“Be good, no need to waste your breath on petty quarrels.” Her awareness was already somewhat fuzzy, but she continued to give instructions. “Endure for a time, and the winds and waves will settle….” ^[7]忍得一时，风平浪静 (rěn dé yī shí, fēng píng làng jìng) is a proverb encouraging patience in the face of adversity.

Oh, how she wanted to see what Ninth ge’er looked like!

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