Chapter 7: Private (Part 2)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

Seventh niangzi had the most new clothes: there was a complete collection of twenty-four sets of clothing for all four seasons of the year. Eldest Madam even allowed her to go pick out the materials from the warehouse herself. Seventh niangzi declined, shirking the opportunity by saying that she did not understand. Fifth niangzi, however, was in high spirits, pulling Second niangzi to find Yao mama and go to the warehouse to see the materials. Although she only had four sets of new clothing, she was still happy.

Second niangzi, who was indifferent, went with her. Seventh niangzi said her farewells and returned to the western side-courtyard.

Last night, having returned late, she had not held the initial meeting with the little maids and pozis. Therefore, she would meet them now.

Although Eldest Madam had been very harsh towards Ninth yiniang, there was nothing to pick at in the way Eldest Madam treated her. The four young maidservants who had been sent over were all clear-browed and bright-eyed ^[1]眉清目秀 (méi qīng mù xiù) is used to describe someone with attractive facial features. with the lowered brows and eyes ^[2]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. of obedient and honest people. The two pozi had honest and kind expressions and were fresh and tidy in appearance. 

Seventh niangzi said a few conventional niceties before letting them get to work. She herself returned to her chamber. After searching for a long while, she asked Lixia, “Where are my needle and thread?”

Bailu smiled, “They have all been stored in the western inner room.”

The western inner room had no round table. Beside the window stood a small beechwood table and chair set. Next to the chair were an embroidery stand and an embroidery frame, upon which were several bundles of dark-colored silk threads. These were dark-colored gold threads, which Seventh niangzi had never seen before.

Seventh niangzi could not help but raise an eyebrow towards Bailu.

“Yesterday, when Yao mama opened the warehouse to retrieve the embroidery frame, she brought these over along the way,” Bailu explained habitually. “If Seventh niangzi feels that these are not enough, then after these are used up, I will go ask for more.”

Gold and silver threads were of limited quantity in the warehouse and were strictly tracked. Seventh niangzi had been studying embroidery for over a year, but had never used such precious thread. Occasionally, when she saw Third niangzi and Fourth niangzi pretending to skillfully embroider flowers in the garden, they were also using ordinary silk threads. 

The young ladies of the main courtyard, even if they were concubine-born, were afforded more luxurious food, clothing, and other necessities than those residing in the concubines’ courtyards.

“I am just embroidering for fun,” Seventh niangzi said with a smile. “There is no need for such fine thread.”

“Ninth yiniang had superb embroidery skills.” Bailu inserted a needle wherever there was a crack, ^[3]见缝插针 (jiàn fèng chā zhēn) means to make full use of every bit of space or opportunity, being resourceful and meticulous. patting the horse’s hindquarters. ^[4]拍马屁 (pāi mǎ pì) is a colloquial phrase meaning to flatter or suck up to someone. “Back then, when her handkerchief was lost, the maidservants who found it all exclaimed that they could not figure out how the peach blossoms were embroidered on.”

“She was originally an embroiderer, after all.” Seventh niangzi gave a slight smile and lowered her head to twiddle with the needle. Lixia came over and sat down by her side, helping her select threads. 

Bailu was somewhat embarrassed for a moment, realizing that she had spoken out of turn.

“I still have half a pouch left to embroider,” Seventh niangzi said, lifting her head. “I intended this for Mother, but I am not sure what colors she prefers.”

This matter required consulting Bailu; after all, she came from the Eldest Madam’s room. Bailu, revealing a smile, sat down next to Seventh niangzi.

“Eldest Madam prefers more staid and dignified colors. A tea-brown base color with layered clouds ^[5]Likely something like this: Xiangyun (Auspicious clouds) – Wikipedia embroidered using dark-colored gold threads would be ideal. This would seem dignified yet luxurious.” As she spoke, Seventh niangzi took out a small piece of tea-brown official satin. Bailu paused.

“This material is somewhat inferior. I am not talented at embroidery—I will first practice before embroidering the designs on good material.” Seventh niangzi explained. Only then was Bailu relieved.

“Seventh niangzi embroiders well, refined and proper.” Having carefully observed Seventh niangzi’s movements, Bailu could not help but give praise.

It would be simply sleep-talking to describe a six or seven-year-old’s embroidery as astonishing and extraordinary, but it could be ascertained by the naked eye that Seventh niangzi’s embroidery was indeed very skillful.

The atmosphere within the room was harmonious.

The noon meal was served in each courtyard individually. After lunch, Seventh niangzi took an afternoon nap. Now that she no longer needed to serve Ninth yiniang, she had the free time. After waking up, she continued embroidering.

When it was almost time for dinner, Eldest Madam suddenly sent Lichun over with a plate of silver.

“Every young lady has her money box,” Lichun explained. “It is not yet time to distribute the monthly allotment, so this silver is for Seventh niangzi to use as pocket money.”

The implication was clear: what Second niangzi and Fifth niangzi had, Eldest Madam would not shortchange Seventh niangzi.

Seventh niangzi gratefully gave her thanks. “It is fortunate that Mother kept this in mind.” Then, somewhat embarrassed, she lowered her head. “Previously, there really was not much at hand.”

The truth was probably that she had never had enough at hand, was it not? The few people present were clear about this at heart. Lichun then took out another bundle. “These are Ninth ge’s clothes. You and Ninth ge are twin elder sister and younger brother… at some point, when you wear these, you can delight everyone.”

Seventh niangzi accepted the bundle and walked Lichun down the stairs. After coming back, she stared blankly at the pouch.

It was not shocking that Eldest Madam knew about the matter in which Fourth yiniang had sent her silver and she had returned it. After all, she lived right under Eldest Madam’s eyes; it would be strange if Eldest Madam did not know.

But why had Fourth yiniang put so much effort into helping her?

Knowing that she lacked silver, [Fourth yiniang] put a lot of effort into sending some silver her way, so that Eldest Madam had no choice but to bleed a little in order to silence any public criticism or gossip.

And had even pulled strings and built a bridge ^[6]牵线搭桥 (qiān xiàn dā qiáo) means to help make an introduction or facilitate a connection. to help her enter and be raised in the main courtyard…Fourth yiniang’s series of showy actions in her favor must have some purpose, right?

Seventh niangzi was but an unprotected and unsupported concubine-born daughter. If not for [Fourth yiniang]’s displays and affectations, she likely would not even have been able to enter the main courtyard. Was this sort of person worthy of Fourth yiniang’s show of goodwill?

Master Yang had even spent the last three nights resting at Fourth yiniang’s. 

Seventh niangzi felt very strange.

Not to mention, Eldest Madam, for seemingly no particular reason, suddenly sent over Ninth ge’s clothing. What intentions did she harbor?

No matter how Seventh niangzi pondered, she could not guess Eldest Madam’s thoughts.

If you were to say Eldest Madam was muddle-headed, she was actually an extremely meticulous person—big or small, all the matters she handled were done properly.

Yet if you were to say that Eldest Madam was not muddle-headed, then she had already entered the main courtyard. Why would Eldest Madam allow Fourth yiniang or Second Madam the opportunity to show their goodwill? She should have had everything prepared in advance, so that Seventh niangzi would be full of gratitude towards her.

Seventh niangzi stopped thinking about it.

“Since it has been sent, then just put it away,” she said serenely. ^[7]云淡风轻 (yún dàn fēng qīng) means light clouds and a gentle breeze, and is used to describe a peaceful/calm/unbothered/serene state. “Tomorrow, I will need to attend school. Bailu, what do the teachers talk about?”

Bailu smiled while putting away the needles and thread. The day had darkened, and it was no longer suitable to continue embroidering.

“The school has many teachers, both male and female. A shichen ^[8]1 shichen = 2 hours. Traditional Chinese timekeeping – Wikipedia in the morning is devoted to reading and literacy. Two shichens in the afternoon are devoted to embroidery.” 

Seventh niangzi furrowed her brows slightly, and Bailu said, “It matters not if you do not know any characters. Ninth ge is already this old, but he has also just begun his enlightenment.”

“I can read.” Seventh niangzi smiled. “It is just that I have never been to school, and never read much.”

Bailu could not help but raise her eyebrows.

“Ninth yiniang’s father is a xiucai ^[9]秀才 (xiùcái) referred to a scholar who had passed the second level of the entry-level imperial examinations in imperial China. See: Imperial examination – Wikipedia who started his own private school,” Lixia opened her mouth to say. Her tone was calm, showing no sign of gloating for being the one to know Ninth yiniang’s family background.

Bailu made a soft sound of acknowledgement.

Upon the mention of Ninth yiniang, the atmosphere within the room turned somewhat strange. Seventh niangzi sighed in her heart.

“Everyone says that Second Elder Sister is very knowledgeable—” She recalled the scene of Second niangzi leaning against the beauty couch while reading a book.

Bailu smiled. “A maiden cannot really be considered knowledgeable, but it is true that Second niangzi loves to read.”

Seventh niangzi took a look at the color of the sky, then stood up with the help of Bailu and headed towards the main hall.

She was neither early nor late. Eldest yiniang and Second yiniang had just arrived. Third niangzi and Fourth niangzi had come directly to the main courtyard upon getting out of school. Second niangzi, Fifth niangzi, and Ninth ge sat together next to Eldest Madam, joking around.

Seventh niangzi entered the room, hesitating somewhat: the area around Eldest Madam was already very crowded, and Third niangzi and Fourth niangzi were not seated according to hierarchy—Fourth niangzi was unconventionally sitting above Third niangzi—so no matter how she sat, it would seem improper.

Her heart was troubled, but she showed nothing of it on her face. She paid her respects to Eldest Madam, then greeted her sisters one by one.

Upon seeing Second niangzi, her attitude was very natural, not seeming particularly affectionate simply because Second niangzi had sent her several taels of silver. “Second Elder Sister, there is a matter in which I would like to ask for your help.”

Having spoken, Seventh niangzi took the seat below Second niangzi and sat down, resulting in her sitting above Fourth niangzi. 

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