Chapter 10: Confusing True and False (Part 1)

Translator: Tygris
English proofreader: 247Reader

Seventh niangzi very quickly finished changing into Ninth ge’er’s clothes.

She and Ninth ge’er originally already looked almost identical, and now, at such a young age that it was difficult to differentiate between boys and girls, when she wore the sapphire-blue bamboo-leaf patterned straight-cut robe ^[1]直缀 (zhì zhuì) is a long robe/tunic that is characterized by a straight cut is was worn as everyday attire in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. that Ninth ge’er often wore, along with a small silver crown ^[2]冠 (guān) upon her head, it seemed as if a second Ninth ge’er had stepped in front of everyone. Lichun’s eyes lit up at the sight.

Seventh niangzi had a faint suspicion in her heart, but she did not voice it. She only smiled at Lichun, who then pulled her out of the courtyard.

“Second Madam is in the main hall speaking with Eldest Madam,” Lichun said as they walked. “When you see her, there is no need to pay your respects right away. Eldest Madam often jokes around with Second Madam—there will be two Ninth ge, and Second Madam will be asked to tell them apart.”

Seventh niangzi understood the situation.

Second Master Yang Haixi had been just a newborn when his parents passed away, and he grew up following after Eldest Master. In the first few years when Eldest Madam had just married in, she had treated and brought up the Second Master as her own son. When he was young, Second Master was terribly mischievous. Even Eldest Madam could not remember how many times she had chased after him with a bamboo stick. It was not until Eldest Master passed the Imperial Examinations ^[3]金榜题名 (jīn bǎng tí míng) refers to how after passing the highest level of the Imperial Exams, one’s name was posted publicly on a ‘golden list’ that was the official list of successful candidates. and entered official service that Second Master finally settled down and shut himself away to study in earnest. After ten difficult years of diligence, he succeeded in becoming a jinshi ^[4]进士 (jìn shì) referred to a scholar who had passed the highest and final level of imperial examinations in imperial China. See: Imperial examination – Wikipedia and Jinshi – Wikipedia and was now serving in the Hanlin Academy. ^[5]翰林院 (hàn lín yuàn) or the Hanlin Academy was a prestigious institution established during the Tang Dynasty. Historically, in order to become a powerful, influential figure next to the Emperor, one must come through the Hanlin Academy. This is generally the case regardless of one’s family background.

Second Madam was the bride whom Eldest Madam had personally arranged for Second Master. In a way, she could be considered a distant cousin ^[6]表妹 (biǎo mèi) refers to a younger female cousin connected to a maternal side. So all the cousins on mom’s side would be 表 (biǎo) and any cousins on dad’s side that are related through a female relative, i.e. an aunt, a grandma, etc., would all be considered 表 (biǎo). Generally, assuming children follow the father’s surname, any cousin with a different last name is considered a 表 (biǎo) relationship. of Eldest Madam. Although her family was not as wealthy as Eldest Madam’s, they too came from generations of scholars.

Unfortunately, the main branch had always struggled in the matter of heirs. Eldest Master was already at the age of understanding the decrees of Heaven ^[7]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 but had only one son—Ninth ge—under his knees. In the second branch, however, Second Madam barely married in before birthing three sons for Second Master in quick succession. A few years ago, before Ninth ge was born, Eldest Master had considered adopting one of those boys to be registered under Eldest Madam’s name. 

When the Yang clan had first risen to prosperity, they had possessed nothing more than a small two-courtyard house and a few hundred mu ^[8]亩 (mǔ) is a traditional Chinese unit of area, where 1 mu is approximately 666.67 square meters aka  7175.98 square feet aka 0.165 acres. of farmland. Now, however, the main branch possessed wealth in the tens of thousands. Eldest Master had held the position of the Governor ^[9]总督 (zǒngdū) in ancient China was a high-ranking provincial official often holding both civil and military authority, and they are considered one of the powerful figures under the Emperor. of Jiangnan for a full seven years. Seven years ago, he had been the Assistant Administrator ^[10]参政 (cānzhèng) is a historical official title for a deputy or assistant to top provincial or central officials. Literally, the two characters together mean someone who participates in governmental affairs. of Jiangnan…which was also an official post so lucrative it practically dripped fat. Comparatively, Second Master was still a poor Hanlin scholar in the capital. The main branch even regularly supported the second branch financially.

How could the second branch be unwilling?

But, coincidentally, just at that time, Ninth ge was born. From then on, an unspoken rift formed between Second Madam and Eldest Madam.

Although Seventh niangzi resided in the southern side-courtyard, she still knew that Ninth ge had fallen ill several times, each time shortly after Second Madam had paid a visit.

It was a bit too coincidental.

Seventh niangzi suddenly settled her worries: what she feared was never Eldest Madam asking something of her—rather, it was Eldest Madam asking nothing of her.

As long as there was something to ask of her, then there was room for her to show her worth, meaning that there would be room for her to negotiate and therefore a chance to rise.

As she followed Lichun into the main hall, she revealed a brilliant smile.

Lichun shot her a look of surprise mixed with admiration, then pressed her lips together and led her into the western secondary room.

The western secondary room was where Eldest Madam received guests, as in outsiders, not family. That alone showed how distant relations had become between Eldest Madam and Second Madam. 

Eldest Madam saw Seventh niangzi arriving and revealed a joyous smile.

“Ninth ge, come over!” She called in a warm and gentle tone, stretching out her hand.

Seventh niangzi happily pitter-pattered over and nestled into Eldest Madam’s arms. A faint scent of sparrow-tongue ^[11]雀舌 (què shé) is a type of green tea made from delicate, tender buds, the shape of which leads to the name of sparrow tongue. This tea is known for its fragrance. Due to its limited production, the price is very high. fragrance drifted from Eldest Madam, and the brilliant brocade patterns of baoxiang flower ^[12]宝相花 (bǎo xiàng huā) is an ornate composite floral motif. Example from Baidu. motifs swayed back and forth before her eyes.

“Ninth ge.” The middle-aged woman seated below Eldest Madam greeted her with a pleasant smile.

This was a delicate-featured woman, who looked just past thirty. She wore a ginger-yellow satin jacket trimmed with fine gray squirrel fur, and a pale blue horse-faced skirt ^[13]See: Mamianqun – Wikipedia that draped gracefully over her knees, with the tips of her shoes faintly visible beneath it. She appeared dignified and noble, yet carried a touch of warmth and approachability.

Seventh niangzi only smiled but did not respond.

Eldest Madam’s eyes glimmered with a look of satisfaction, and she beckoned to Lichun.

Lichun pressed her lip together, suppressing her smile, and before long she returned with Ninth ge in tow.

Ninth ge was dressed exactly like Seventh niangzi. The moment he entered, he dashed straight into Eldest Madam’s arms, nearly bumping into Seventh niangzi.

Seventh niangzi quickly shifted aside to make room for him, and the two little ones nestled against Eldest Madam, facing one another and gazing intently into each other’s eyes.

“Oh my, these two siblings look so alike,” Second Madam said with a laugh, patting the arm of her screen-back armchair. ^[14]太师椅 (tài shī yǐ) is a type of traditional Chinese armchair. “So, which one is actually Ninth ge?”

Ninth ge, unable to control his impulse,  turned and called out to Second Madam, “Second Aunt!” ^[15]婶 (shěn) is used to refer to one’s father’s younger brother’s wife.

Seventh niangzi also hurriedly followed. “Second Aunt!”

Their vocal inflections, voice, and tone were exactly the same.

Eldest Madam revealed a faint trace of a satisfied smile as she approvingly patted Seventh niangzi on the shoulder. Seventh niangzi, resisting the urge to shrink away, lifted her eyes and smiled at Eldest Madam in a coquettish and charming yet brazen and confident manner, pretending to be Ninth ge.

Ninth ge grew somewhat unhappy. With his large round eyes fixed upon Seventh niangzi, he bit his lip without saying a word.

Second Madam took all of this in and gave a small smile. She opened her arms towards Ninth ge and said, “Come Ninth ge. Come to your Second Aunt—Second Aunt will dote on you.”

Luckily, Ninth ge did not go over, nor did he respond to Second Madam’s coaxing. Second Madam could only beckon towards Seventh niangzi instead. “Ninth ge, Second Aunt mistook you—it is all Second Aunt’s fault. Look, Second Aunt brought you something good.”

Eldest Madam could no longer hold back and burst out into a satisfied laugh.

Seventh niangzi also revealed a smile and walked to Second Madam and performed a proper greeting. “Seventh niangzi greets Second Aunt.”

Second Madam was stunned—wide-eyed and speechless. ^[16]目瞪口呆 (mù dèng kǒu dāi) means to be dumbfounded and speechless in shock. It took her a long time before she managed to squeeze out a strained smile. From her waist, she took out a piece of mutton-fat jade upon which was carved a pair of fish and handed it to Seventh niangzi, saying, “A first-meeting gift from your Second Aunt.”

Whatever the relationship was between Second Madam and Eldest Madam, Second Madam had indeed shown her kindness. Knowing that she lacked proper clothes, she had even sent a few sets over. Seventh niangzi lowered her gaze with a gentle smile, accepted the jade pendant, and said, “Thanking Second Aunt.”

Ninth ge also stood next to Eldest Madam and said in greeting, “Ninth ge greets Second Aunt.” But he did not approach Second Madam.

Eldest Madam waved her hand. “You siblings can go outside and play. This afternoon, you may skip your lessons. It is rare for Second Madam to come.” Her words carried a trace of derision, but Second Madam seemed not to have heard anything, remaining peacefully seated with a gentle smile.

Although she said to go play outside, in reality, they only moved from the western secondary room to the eastern side room. This was where Eldest Madam spent the majority of her time. The bed in the eastern secondary room was the one Ninth ge slept in.

The eastern secondary room and the eastern side room were separated by only a single set of green gauze screens. Any movement from Ninth ge would be known to Eldest Madam at once. The furnishings in the eastern side room were, in fact, simpler and plainer than those in the eastern secondary room.

Seventh niangzi only now knew what it meant to be a bright pearl held in the palm of one’s hand. ^[17]掌上明珠 (zhǎng shàng míng zhū) is equivalent to being the apple of one’s eye.

At first Ninth ge did not pay attention to Seventh niangzi, instead busying himself with his building blocks on the warm alcove by the window. But after all, he was still young, and his shyness quickly faded. He scooched over to Seventh niangzi, looking at her from all angles, and presented her with an invitation. “Come play with building blocks with me?”

Seventh niangzi glanced at the young maidservant waiting at the side. Ninth ge introduced, “This is Xiaoxue. Niang had her come serve me.”

Xiaoxue had a round face and a round head and could not be considered beautiful, but was very adorable. She curtsied towards Seventh niangzi then spoke, “Seventh niangzi, do play with Ninth ge for a while. When his elder sisters are not here, he is very bored.”

Seventh niangzi could only pick up the building blocks and play with Ninth ge. She could not help but be curious, “How come you do not need to go to class this afternoon?”

Ninth ge fell silent, and Seventh niangzi also did not speak. Only then did she hear the faint sound of approaching footsteps. Before long, Lichun came in carrying a plate of cherries. Smilingly, she handed it to Xiaoxue. “A rare treat brought by Second Madam.”

She looked at the twin siblings with their heads bent together over the building blocks, her eyes full of smiles. “At a glance, one really cannot differentiate between Ninth ge and Seventh niangzi.”

Ninth ge suddenly blinked his eyes at Seventh niangzi, then lifted his head and, imitating Seventh niangzi’s tone of voice, softly said, “Elder Sister Lichun, I am Seventh niangzi.”

Seventh niangzi could not keep her emotions suppressed and burst out in loud laughter.

Lichun laughed so hard that she nearly doubled over, and Xiaoxue, who was arranging cherries by the side as she laughed, accidentally spilled the entire dish onto the floor.

Her face turned pale in fear—cherries were worth their weight in gold this early in spring.

A faint trace of relief flickered across Lichun’s face.

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