Chapter 6: Paying Respects (Part 1)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

Eldest Madam sighed, tapped Fifth niangzi on the head, and waved her hand.

Fifth niangzi hurriedly curtseyed towards Eldest Madam before rising and moving to sit across from Second niangzi. 

By now, it was almost dinner time. Respects needed to be paid in the morning and the evening. ^[1]晨昏定省 (chén hūn dìng xǐng) means to serve parents before bed at night and to visit them in the morning to ask about their well-being. This was a daily etiquette for serving parents in the old days. It comes from the first chapter of the Book of Rites. It was just about time for the daughters of each room ^[2]房 (fáng) could mean either a branch of a large extended family, or it could refer to an officially recognized wife, if one of the branches has more than one officially recognized wife. Or even more generally, like here, it can be used to refer to the ranks of concubines. to come pay respects to Eldest Madam.

Eldest Madam took a sip of tea and was just about to open her mouth and speak when the sound of Ninth ge’s cheerful laughter came in through the door.

Ninth ge had reached the age of enlightenment. ^[3]开蒙 (kāi méng) refers to the beginning of a child’s formal education. These past days, in the afternoon, he needed to go study with the teacher ^[4]Historically, 先生 (xiān shēng), with characters literally meaning ‘one who was born before’, refers to one who is older/wiser/more learned. It was used as an honorific title for scholars, educators, and intellectuals, especially when associated with the Confucian school of thought. For the more modern definition, see the first entry under ‘Men’ in Chinese titles – Wikipedia. The historical definition is closer to Sensei – Wikipedia in Japanese, which was a term adopted from Chinese, possibly through ancient Korea. The term 先生 still carries the historical meaning in some Chinese dialects. for two or three shichens. ^[5]4 to 6 hours. See: Traditional Chinese timekeeping – Wikipedia Eldest Madam had taken great pains to find him an extremely kind and gentle teacher, and so every time Ninth ge finished his studies for the day, he was in a great mood.

“Niang! Niang!” He barged into the main hall, and threw himself into Eldest Madam’s arms. “Today, Teacher praised me for writing my characters well!”

Ninth ge’s small face was adorably round, and his big eyes sparkled as he smiled excitedly.

Eldest Madam’s expression immediately relaxed. “Ninth ge is such a good boy!”

Ninth ge smiled proudly before climbing down to pay respects to his elder sisters.

“Second Elder Sister, Fifth Elder Sister, Seventh Elder Sister!”

Second niangzi was very fond of Ninth ge, and waved at him to come over to her side. She took out a handkerchief and wiped off a dark stain from his nose.

“Next time, be more careful when writing. Do not spill the ink everywhere.”

Ninth ge chuckled happily, then, seeing that Fifth niangzi’s expression did not seem right, he quietly asked Second niangzi, “Second Elder Sister, what is wrong with Fifth Elder Sister? Did she anger Niang again?”

Fifth niangzi’s originally stiff and chilly expression softened as Ninth ge’s timid attitude coaxed a smile from her. “You little thing, are you saying bad things about me? Come here, let me pinch your face!”

Ninth ge shielded his face, refusing to go over no matter what. Fifth niangzi then personally went to capture him. The elder sister and younger brother pair ran around the room, laughing nonstop. 

Seventh niangzi could not help but reveal a smile. The atmosphere in the room imperceptively relaxed. 

Lichun breathed a sigh of relief. She was the one in the most difficult position. She could not avoid reporting Fifth niangzi’s matters to Eldest Madam, but she was also fearful that Eldest Madam would become angry and Fifth niangzi would blame her.

She walked to Eldest Madam’s side with a smile and spoke humorously while giving her a back massage. ^[6]捶 (chuí) refers to one of many Chinese massage techniques and involves rhythmic pounding with the fists. This could be wrong, but the description reads similar to Tapotement – Wikipedia. 

After a short while, the concubines had all arrived.

Eldest yiniang was first to arrive. She smiled as she greeted Eldest Madam and the young ladies, before moving to stand behind Eldest Madam.

Fifth yiniang and Seventh yiniang arrived together, side by side. ^[7]联袂而至 (lián mèi ér zhì). 联袂 (lián mèi) means to have connected/joined/touching sleeves, and 而至 (ér zhì) can be understood as ‘and arrived’. Seventh niangzi was even holding onto Sixth niangzi’s hand. Sixth niangzi paid her respects to Eldest Madam, and then curtsied towards her elder sisters. Seventh niangzi also stood up to curtsy towards Sixth niangzi, and moved down by a seat, allowing Sixth niangzi to sit above her. Eldest Madam furrowed her brows slightly, but said nothing.

Fifth yiniang and Seventh yiniang both performed proper kowtows towards Eldest Madam, before rising and standing in an orderly fashion. The few concubines glanced at each other and smiled, nodding towards one another.

After all, the Yang Clan was a wealthy family in Jiangnan. Effort must be put into maintaining appearances.

In Eldest Madam’s room, meal time had always been two ke ^[8]刻 (kè) is 1/100 of a day, or 14.4 minutes, or approximately 15 minutes. See: Traditional Chinese timekeeping – Wikipedia after the start of the Time of Shen. ^[9]~3:30PM. See: Traditional Chinese timekeeping – Wikipedia or our page on Timekeeping in Ancient China. Usually, around one ke past the start of the Time of Shen, ^[10]~3:15PM the various concubines and young ladies were dismissed and allowed to return to their own rooms. Only after it had reached a solid few minutes after one ke past the start of the Time of Shen did Fourth yiniang, along with Third niangzi and Fourth niangzi, arrive in the main room.

“I have arrived late. May Madam punish me.” Fourth yiniang perpetually had a smile on her face. Third niangzi and Fourth niangzi both paid their respects to Eldest Madam. Third niangzi’s face was still full of joy, but Fourth niangzi’s expression was as stiff as a board, showing not the slightest hint of a smile. Those who were not in the know might even think that someone owed her some valuables and had not yet returned them.

Eldest Madam, with a slight smile, said a single sentence, “I understand that you are busy,” and brushed over the matter. Fourth yiniang kowtowed towards Eldest Madam and greeted the young ladies before speaking to Seventh niangzi. “Seventh niangzi has moved to the main courtyard today? Have you grown accustomed?”

Seventh niangzi quickly smiled and replied, “I am quite accustomed,” then chose not to continue speaking with Fourth yiniang.

A burst of sparks flashed through the edges of Fourth yiniang’s eyes. With a smile, she moved to stand behind Eldest Madam. 

Eldest Madam took a look at the clock and asked, “Is Eighth yiniang feeling unwell again?”

Liang mama hurriedly replied, “Today, when people were dispatched over to ask, they did not mention anything.”

The moment these words landed, Eighth yiniang, breathing heavily and supporting herself on a young maidservant’s hand, walked into the main hall.

“…Just as I was stepping out the door, I began to vomit again. It caused so much trouble that I needed to change my clothes before I could come over. May Madam forgive me,” she said pitifully, and moved as if she were going to kneel.

“You are pregnant, there is no need to kneel,” Eldest Madam hurriedly said.

This year, Master Yang was on the verge of reaching the year of understanding the decrees of Heaven. ^[11]知天命 (zhī tiān mìng) is a reference to Confucius’s Analects, referring to the age of 50. See: 知命之年-Wikitionary He had seven daughters, but only Ninth ge, this lone seedling. If Eighth yiniang could give birth to a son, Eldest Madam would be very happy as well. 

Eighth yiniang stood up and delicately and weakly moved to stand behind Eldest Madam. Eldest Madam asked these daughters about their progress at the clan school, and then said to Seventh niangzi, “Tomorrow, you should go with your elder sisters to school. You are already six, and should learn to recognize a few words.”

Seventh niangzi stood up and replied with lowered eyes, ^[12]低眉顺眼 (dī méi shùn yǎn) literally translates to having ‘drooping brows and obedient eyes’ and describes submissive/docile and deferential/humble behavior. “Yes.”

Eldest Madam, seeing that there were no major matters, allowed everyone to disperse.

Eldest yiniang always stayed behind to serve Eldest Madam during her meals, and therefore did not leave. Eighth yiniang was the most delicate and frail, and had already walked some distance away, supporting herself on her young maidservant’s shoulder, without waiting for the Eldest Madam’s words. Her pregnancy was the equivalent of a golden immunity token; ^[13]免死金牌 (miǎn sǐ jīn pái) is a golden token granted by the Emperor that could exempt the bearer from the death penalty. additionally, Eldest Madam would not bother to argue with her over this matter.

Fourth yiniang was also about to take her daughters with her and leave. When Third niangzi rose, she said towards Seventh niangzi with a face full of smiles, “Seventh Younger Sister, on such a chilly day, why are you wearing such thin clothes? I have a squirrel-gray cloak that I have outgrown. If you do not despise it, Elder Sister will send it to you when I get back?”

Eldest Madam raised an eyebrow. Eldest yiniang and Second yiniang lowered their heads and said nothing. Second niangzi glanced at Third niangzi—her gaze as sharp as the edge of a knife.

To be honest, this matter could not have been hidden from anyone.

Seventh niangzi sighed in her heart, then stood up, smiled, and held Third niangzi’s hands. Third niangzi looked back at her with some surprise.

“Mother has already found the craftsmen from Xianxiufang to make new clothes for me, and they should be ready within a few days. Seventh Younger Sister appreciates Third Elder Sister’s kindness.” Seventh niangzi revealed a sincere smile. “Tomorrow, when I go to the clan school, I will be relying on Third Sister’s care.”

Third niangzi was somewhat flustered. Only when Fourth yiniang shot her a glance did she smile and pull her hands back.

“What words are these? We are one family—it is natural to take greater care of each other.” She seemed to cast an elusive glance towards Fifth niangzi, then curtsied towards Eldest Madam, before leaving the main hall with Fourth yiniang and Fourth niangzi.

Fifth yiniang and Seventh yiniang also hurriedly retreated and left the main hall as though they were fleeing.

Fifth niangzi, from the beginning till the end, had not dared to raise her head. Eldest Madam glanced at her, then sighed again.

Fortunately, Seventh niangzi was sensible! Otherwise, would she not have lost all face? If this matter were to get to Master Yang, she would also leave a bad impression.

“Let us eat,” she said tiredly. “Lichun, send Ninth ge’er to go wash his hands.”

<< Previous Chapter | Index | Next Chapter >>