Chapter 5: Wind and Waves (Part 2)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

“Seventh niangzi moved to the main courtyard only today, and it was also a sudden decision. It has not been even two shichens…” Cautiously, she gave voice to her thoughts. Not to mention Fifth niangzi’s outburst—clearly that had happened but a few sticks of incense ^[1]A stick of incense is sometimes used as a measurement of time. Depending on who/what/when/where/etc., this could mean anything from 5 minutes per stick to an hour per stick. Based on my limited research, this seems to be most commonly between 15 to 30 minutes per stick. See this article: What Is a Stick of Time? Understanding Its Meaning and Origins | Lulu Incense ago—how had Second Madam already become aware of this and even sent clothes over? 

Was this not a slap to Eldest Madam’s face?

Although Eldest Madam was smiling on the surface, her eyes contained a trace of disdain.

“Second Younger Brother’s Wife’s thoughts are more concentrated here in our residence than in her own. It is natural for her to get the news so quickly.” She gestured at the big bundle on the bed. “Eighth niangzi and Seventh niangzi have similar physiques. With this, there is no need to use Fifth niangzi’s old garments. And this would also prevent that yatou ^[2]丫头 (yātou) A way to refer to a young girl. It can be used deprecatingly but can also be used as a term of endearment. from creating a commotion, making people unable to rest at ease.”

Although Second Madam’s gesture was disgusting, it was well-intentioned. Liang mama opened up the bundle and took a look. Inside, there were only three or four sets of jackets ^[3]袄 (ǎo) refers to a lined jacket worn in ancient China, often made of silk, cotton, and/or fur, which comes in three types: a two-layered jacket with lining, a jacket stuffed/padded with cotton or other insulation, and a jacket made of leather/various animal hides. There are also long 袄 and short 袄, with the former having the hem fall around the knees and the latter with the hem around the waist/hips. and skirts, all of which were for the current season. The colors ranged from the blue-green of the sky to pale blue, and were very proper; while taking into account Seventh niangzi’s bereavement, they did not seem overly plain.

“Second Madam’s way of doing things is still the same. Seemingly methodical yet seemingly arbitrary.” She lowered her head and smiled. “There is no need for Madam to bother with her. Who could fail to understand her thoughts?”

“If I were to bother with her, then I would no longer have a single day of peace.” Eldest Madam’s words expressed nothing good, but she nodded towards Lichun. Lichun smiled, picked up the bundle, and walked out of the room. 

Liang mama had only been sitting with Madam for a brief time when Wang mama came in to report, “A member of the Wang Clan of Fujian is passing through Suzhou and has sent a notice ^[4]帖子 (tiězi) means post or inviation, and can refer to either a notice that someone is coming to visit your house or an invitation to come to an event someone else is holding. to Master, and also sent someone to come pay respects to Madam.”

The buzhengshi ^[5]布政使 (bù zhèng shǐ) refers to the head of a provincial civil administrative office, and was ranked just under the provincial governor. They were one of three branches under the provincial governor, with the other two branches being the judicial and military branches. See: buzhengshi 布政使, provincial administration commissioner Wang Clan of Fujian had been doing business in Fujian for many years, and was a well-known regional family. They also had a good relationship with Master Yang and were Master Yang’s subordinates. No matter what, they had to be accommodated.

Eldest Madam rose, dressed herself properly, and went to sit in the main hall. Just after she had spoken a few words and rewarded them with some gifts, there came a sudden clamor from the direction of the western side-courtyard.

She furrowed her brows, shooting a glance at Liang mama.

Liang mama smiled and said, “Please excuse the embarrassment. There are a few naughty kittens raised in the western side-courtyard. Oftentimes, they will cause a commotion.”

“The Madam of our family also loves cats. This time, when Master visited the Capital, he specially searched out several rare and precious marbled cats ^[6]See: Marbled cat – Wikipedia for her!” The pozi ^[7]婆子 (pó zi) refers to an older female servant. the Wang clan had sent to come pay respects was also a tactful person. After chatting for a few sentences with a smile, she rose and said her farewells.

The moment she left, Eldest Madam’s face dropped, looking displeased.

Behind the doors of a grand mansion, everyone went about their daily activities quietly and properly. A place that spent all day making noise and stirring things up would be a theater troupe, not a mansion.

Seventh niangzi was really too…. she had just moved into the western side-courtyard when there came such a loud ruckus. Could she have overestimated her? [Eldest Madam] had not yet asked someone to go over to check out the situation when Lichun entered the main hall. 

Behind her followed Fifth niangzi with an expression full of anger and Seventh niangzi with an expression of calmness. 

Eldest Madam’s expression turned even uglier. 

“Niang!” ^[8]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. The moment Fifth niangzi saw Eldest Madam, she rushed over and leaned against her knees, the picture of one who was naturally accustomed to being pampered and favored. 

Eldest Madam forcefully suppressed the urge to push her away, and stared at Lichun.

Lichun seemed to have been put into a difficult position, stammering and stuttering, unable to explain the situation clearly.

Seventh niangzi stared down at her toes, not saying a word.

“What actually happened?!” Eldest Madam was somewhat angered.

Lichun had no choice but to describe the entire situation in detail.

She had just carried the bundle to Seventh niangzi’s courtyard, and Seventh niangzi had just been supervising the maids in sweeping and cleaning the rooms and arranging the furniture. Because the cabinets had not been arranged properly yet, the bundle could only be temporarily placed on the bed. Lichun had pulled Bailu aside to inform her how many sets of clothes were inside, and of what color, and then reminded Seventh niangzi to not forget to thank Second Madam for the clothes when she next saw her. 

While Seventh niangzi was listening, Fifth niangzi arrived.

Fifth niangzi entered on her own, leaving her maidservant Guyu outside the door.

The moment she entered, she took out a pair of sharp scissors and rushed straight towards the bundle.

By the time Lichun and Bailu wrested the scissors from her, Fifth niangzi had already cut apart several sets of clothing, and even cut off half of Bailu’s braid when Bailu came forward to stop her. This was why there had been such a big commotion.

“Those are all my clothes! Even if I cannot wear them anymore, whether or not to throw them away or to cut them up is my purview!” Fifth niangzi said with her brows raised. ^[9]立眉 (lì méi) literally means to have brows that are standing up, but figuratively describes someone who is angry or confronting someone else, and may even carry a sense of righteousness or moral indignation. Her features were very eye-catching and beautiful, and even when she was so angry, there was a lively charm about her. “Niang—You say whether or not this is reasonable. Even if you were to take my clothes to give to someone else, you should still come and ask me first!”

Eldest Madam, supporting her forehead with her hand, gave a long sigh.

Liang mama had already stood up, not daring to say a word.

Seventh niangzi silently stood beside Lichun, listening to her reluctant recounting of the situation, showing no trace of either joy or anger. She acted as though this were an everyday affair, unworthy of surprise or shock.

Fifth niangzi glanced at her, then glanced at Lichun, then glanced at Liang mama. But she no longer dared to look at Eldest Madam.

Suddenly, someone lifted the beaded curtain at the entrance. Second niangzi had entered the room.

“Niang.”

“Second Elder Sister.”

“Second niangzi.”

Everyone made their greetings in quick succession.

Second niangzi carried a stern and cold expression. After paying her respects to Eldest Madam, she sat down below ^[10]This ‘below/beneath’ is not literally below or beneath, but in terms of the order of importance of the seats. As in, the Eldest Madam is sitting in the main seat, and Second niangzi is now sitting in the second most important seat. More precisely in English this might be translated as ‘beside’ but that loses the connotation that the seat she is sitting in is suitable for someone of a lower rank. From the POV of the person sitting in the main seat, the seats on the left are more prestigious than those on the right, and the seats closer are more prestigious than those further away. Second niangzi is sitting in the first seat on the left-hand side of Eldest Madam. the Eldest Madam, and shot a harsh glare at Fifth niangzi before turning to greet Seventh niangzi. 

“Why is Seventh Younger Sister standing? Sit down.”

Seventh niangzi raised her head to look at Second niangzi, and said softly, “Fifth Elder Sister has not sat down yet. As a younger sister, I dare not sit.”

“Your Fifth Elder Sister did something wrong. Of course, she dares not sit.” Second niangzi waved her hand, her expression softening somewhat. “Just go ahead and sit down.”

Seventh niangzi looked towards Eldest Madam.

Eldest Madam also managed to soften her furious expression and nodded towards Seventh niangzi.

Seventh niangzi moved to sit down below Second niangzi. ^[11]Meaning she moved to sit down next to Second niangzi. So she is now in seat #4. Seat #3 would be the one across from Second niangzi. She sat very properly, with her back straight, looking like a small slender stick of bamboo.

Eldest Madam looked again at Fifth niangzi, who remained nestled against her knees, and felt a surge of anger, hating iron for not becoming steel. ^[12]恨铁不成钢 (hèn tiě bù chéng gāng) is used to express frustration for someone for not living up to expectations.

“In that bundle were the clothes that your Second Aunt ^[13]婶 (shěn) is used to refer to Father’s Younger Brother’s Wife. — TL Note: I am considering just translating these relationship terms as they would be in English and then adding the long string of nuances in a footnote. sent over,” she explained gently. “Those were all expensive and premium quality materials—the fur used is even that of the gray squirrel. ^[14]灰鼠 (huī shǔ) refers to some type of squirrel whose fur was used as lining material for dresses, cloaks, jackets, etc. by the wealthy/nobles. It’s unclear exactly which type of rodent is meant, though. The value of each piece is in the range of hundreds of taels of silver.”

Fifth niangzi suddenly became uneasy, and Second niangzi twitched her eyebrows. She had thought that Fifth niangzi had cut up her own clothes, and that was why she had hastened over to the rescue.

Now it seemed that Fifth niangzi could not avoid punishment.

Second niangzi could not help but look towards Seventh niangzi. Unless Seventh niangzi comes forward to ask for mercy. If she were to ask for mercy [on behalf of Fifth niangzi], Mother would likely soften her heart and just scold [Fifth niangzi] a few times, and this matter could be considered over.

Seventh niangzi indeed fulfilled her wishes and opened her mouth to help Fifth niangzi resolve the situation. “Mother, for such a small matter, you need not become angry. Fifth Elder Sister just has a quick temper. It was I who was slow and stupid, and did not explain in time.”

Second niangzi’s heart quickened, and, as she looked at Seventh Niangzi, her gaze became more scrutinizing.

Although Seventh niangzi appeared calm on the surface, there was an unsuppressible sense of anxiety in her eyes.

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