Chapter 2 Every time she met Pei Zan, something good happened to her…
Chapter Two
The Pei family was not very large; the collateral branches had all separated, and the only remaining direct descendants of the ancestral home were the eldest son, second son, and third daughter born to Old Madam Pei.
The eldest son passed away many years ago, leaving only the first wife, Madam Shen, to manage the household affairs.
The second son, Pei Huajing, is still alive, but he hasn't made any significant achievements in his official career. Instead, he went into business and has a son and a daughter. His daughter, Pei Miaoyi, is married, and the third young master, Pei Zhiyuan, is still studying at the county school, waiting for the day he passes the provincial examination and participates in the imperial examination in the spring.
As for Old Madam Pei's third daughter, she was Consort Pei, the woman in the capital who had given birth to two princes.
With members of the imperial family and high-ranking officials in the household, it's no wonder their family was so prominent and even their servants were promoted to high positions.
On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the day Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, the household distributed Laba porridge made with longan, jujube rings, red beans, and Job's tears. Everyone, whether master or servant, was able to share a bowl, so as to share in the joy of Buddha's blessings.
Madam Shen, the first wife, was having porridge with her mother-in-law, Old Madam Pei, in the main courtyard.
Before Shen could finish a mouthful of porridge, Old Madam Pei put down her spoon and said earnestly to her eldest daughter-in-law, "Zan-ge'er has not returned to the mansion for many years. If we continue to live apart like this, I'm afraid he will become estranged from the mansion."
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen chuckled and comforted the old lady, "Mother, you're joking. Zan-ge'er is the most filial son. How could he be estranged from the household? You know that the Governor's Office is busy with military affairs. Without orders, how could he leave the military post without permission? He's finally come back to celebrate the New Year with us. It's clear that he misses Grandmother."
Old Mrs. Pei snorted, her face full of complaints as she faced her shrewd daughter-in-law: "Don't try to fool this old woman... I know Zan-ge'er wasn't born from your womb, so it's understandable that you harbor some resentment towards him. But he is still your legitimate son, and he's almost twenty-seven years old now, still without a family or children, all alone! What young man his age doesn't even have a concubine or wife? Even if you don't care, you should at least arrange for him to have a maidservant and a child. If Zan-ge'er is respectable, wouldn't you, as his mother, have more face in public?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Shen's face turned ugly.
The old lady wanted to have a grandson, and in her panic, she blurted out that she would even agree to the request of the eldest son of a concubine who was the source of the family's troubles.
Thinking of that old incident, Madam Shen finally lost her appetite.
He casually drank a couple of mouthfuls of porridge and then left under the pretext of helping Pei Zan decorate the Jade Dust Courtyard.
When Madam Shen left the main courtyard, she couldn't help but complain to the wet nurse beside her: "The old lady has really gone mad... Is it that I don't want to be close to this boy? It's clearly that boy who is arrogant and goes against me! You didn't see his two faces. On the surface, he treats me, his legal mother, with respect, but in reality, after he entered officialdom, his official power is very oppressive. Not only has he refused to return to Jiangzhou to visit his family for many years, but every time he comes back, he doesn't even pay his respects to me. He is deliberately distancing himself from me."
In fact, Pei Zan was not Shen's biological son, but the eldest son born to a concubine.
It should have been a good thing for the mother to gain status through her son, but the concubine, whether out of resentment or a desire to consolidate her favor, injured the eldest son of the Pei family. From then on, the eldest son's line died out, leaving only this one son.
After marrying into the Pei family, Shen was essentially living the life of a widow, and naturally, she vented her anger on this ignorant concubine.
Before the New Year was over, the concubine was beaten to death in the inner courtyard by Madam Shen with a copper wire whip dipped in salt.
It is unknown when it began, but Pei Zan stopped paying his respects to the main house on New Year's Eve. It is likely that the matter of the underworld was leaked, and the mother and son eventually became enemies.
Knowing that Pei Zan was a man of deep thoughts and harbored resentment for killing his mother, Madam Shen hesitated and dared not continue to try to curry favor with him.
The wet nurse patted Shen's back to help her catch her breath. Once Shen had recovered, she was about to continue, "I thought before that Shen comes from a family of scholars and gentlemen, so letting him marry Jia'er wouldn't be a disgrace to him. But in the end, this man sent Jia'er back to Jiangzhou, and she didn't even get to see him... He probably resents me!"
Shen Jia is Pei Zan's cousin, eight years younger than him, and in the prime of her life. However, Pei Zan refused to even see her. Upon hearing the name card of the Shen family, he immediately dispatched a team of secret guards to send her back to her family.
The wet nurse comforted Madam Shen, saying, "Perhaps the eldest young master has been too busy with the imperial examinations and official career these past few years to take care of the family. After all, he is the only legitimate grandson of the eldest branch, and the burden of the entire clan rests on his shoulders. He should strive forward. Besides, the eldest young master is not stupid. If it weren't for your kindness and the good fortune of being the legitimate son, how could he have such a splendid career? The eldest young master is too grateful for your kindness to resent you."
The wet nurse's words made sense, but Madam Shen was skeptical.
Seeing that her master had taken it to heart, the wet nurse continued, "Young master is virtuous and doesn't even have a maidservant in his room, so of course he doesn't understand love. Since you are his legal mother, Madam, take this opportunity to arrange a few maidservants for him. If the young master accepts them, he will know the benefits of having a close confidante in his room."
The wet nurse was giving Madam Shen a way out. After all, Pei Zan was now a high-ranking official in charge of the border region, and if Madam Shen continued to treat him as that insignificant son of a concubine, she would suffer sooner or later.
It would be better to take advantage of the year-end to let the mother and son reconcile, and then place a few beautiful concubines in the household to win over Pei Zan, whisper sweet nothings in his ear, and help his maternal grandparents' family.
Shen also realized what was going on... The Shen family had repeatedly reminded her not to offend Pei Zan, who held a high position and great power, and she really shouldn't have gone against him anymore.
Although pleasing this boy was humiliating for her, it was also very beneficial.
Ms. Shen reluctantly swallowed her anger.
Since the legal wife can't interfere, sending a few things over should be enough to avoid offending Pei Zan's stepmother.
Having thought this through, Madam Shen understood the situation.
She went back to her room and summoned several clever and quick-witted maids to examine her closely.
Ziyan was born with fair skin and a beautiful face, and her breasts were full, which was exactly the kind of charming appearance that men liked.
Green Pearl was tall and slender, and her voice was as melodious and pleasant as a nightingale singing in a valley. Just one soft murmur could melt half of a person's shoulder.
Madam Shen was very satisfied with the two maids. She raised her hand and inserted a gold hairpin into the girl's hair, one on each side.
“When Zan’er returns to Yuchen Courtyard in a couple of days, you all must be careful to serve him. If he gives any of you a concubine, I will take charge and elevate that person to the rank of concubine.”
After hearing this, Green Pearl and Purple Smoke exchanged a glance, then knelt down with great joy, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam. We will do our best to serve the young master!"
If they weren't servants of the Pei family, they wouldn't even have the luxury of seeing Pei Zan. If they could be taken in by such a powerful official, not to mention having a son or daughter, they could be elevated to the status of concubines, living alone in a corner of the inner quarters, and enjoying a life of ease, wealth, and endless luxury!
They must have been incredibly lucky to get such a wonderful job!
-
That night, Lin Rong also received a bowl of steaming hot Laba porridge.
While the porridge was still warm, she took it to the kitchen and asked Granny Zhao, who was in charge of purchasing, for a small spoonful of white sugar, as payment for helping Granny Zhao carry fish and meat when she went out today.
Granny Zhao lowered her head, narrowed her aged eyes, and looked Lin Rong up and down.
Strangely enough, although Lin Rong worked in the Pei family as a cleaning maid in the outer courtyard, she still received a monthly salary of one tael of silver, which was enough to keep her from living in poverty. However, she was frugal and thrifty, and she did not buy cosmetics or hairpins. She even wore the coarse cloth clothes distributed by the servants in the mansion, and she did not complain even though the trousers were too short.
Zhao Pozi originally thought Lin Rong wanted to save money to send home, but she had lost contact with her family long ago, and she didn't know why she was so frugal.
Lin Rong didn't explain.
She had been in the Pei family for ten years. Back then, her father sold Lin Rong to a slave trader in exchange for food rations in order to support his younger brother.
Although Lin Rong was only five or six years old at the time, she could never forget that she was a little girl who was stripped naked and examined, and then, like a mule or horse, her jaw was held in place and her teeth were carefully examined.
Fortunately, although Lin Rong was thin, she had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and her appearance was quite clean. The steward of the Pei family bought her for fifteen taels of silver and signed a contract of servitude.
Even if someone is beaten to death by someone with such a contract, the government will not intervene.
Lin Rong had saved up for many years, and with her monthly allowance and various rewards, she had thirteen taels of silver in her hands.
Lin Rong was just a lowly maid in the outer courtyard. She did not hold any important position and was not favored by the master of the mansion. As long as she could raise fifteen taels of silver, she could ask the steward of the mansion to release her from slavery and free herself from her status as a slave.
Lin Rong dreamed of leaving the Pei family. She wanted to sneak away to the countryside, cultivate a field, build a thatched hut, and live a carefree life, without having to live in fear, suffer hunger, or be treated like a dog by her master, who would threaten to kill her at the slightest provocation.
Lin Rong is having a lucky year; she bumped into the eldest young master Pei Zan returning to the mansion, and she expects to receive an extra reward.
Lin Rong couldn't help but smile, then remembered that piece of sleeve that smelled of sandalwood... The young master was simply her lucky star; every time she met Pei Zan, something good would happen to her!
Thinking of this, Lin Rong felt hopeful for the future, and even the sweet porridge she ate tasted sweeter.
Another half month passed, and Lin Rong suddenly noticed that many of the maids in the outer courtyard had started wearing red and green, and even adorned themselves with velvet flowers.
Lin Rong did the math and realized there were still about ten days until New Year's Eve. Even if she wanted the servants to dress up in a festive and lively way, the date didn't seem right.
Before she could figure it out, Green Pearl, the maid from the First Madam's courtyard, approached Lin Rong: "Rong'er, come here."
When Lin Rong saw the gentle and kind head maid, Lü Zhu, she quickly ran over and asked, "Sister Lü Zhu, it's been a long time."
Logically speaking, how could Lin Rong, a lowly maid, possibly get involved with the head maid of the inner courtyard?
However, it was once the story of how Green Pearl ate walnut paste and suffered an allergic reaction, nearly fainting in the snow. Lin Rong was running errands for her mother-in-law and happened to pass by Green Pearl's side. She helped the unconscious Green Pearl up and called a doctor for her, thus saving Green Pearl's life.
From then on, Green Pearl recognized Lin Rong as her younger sister and took good care of her when she did chores at the mansion.
Green Pearl pinched Lin Rong's cheek and said to her, "I have to go to the Madam's office later, so I don't have much time to chat. To make a long story short, are you going to run errands for Granny Zhao today?"
Lin Rong was a kind-hearted girl. She would go out shopping with Granny Zhao every day, never asking for any extra money or tips. She was always focused on helping people carry things, and no one knew what kind of benefit she was hoping to get. She was often ridiculed by the maid in her room.
Lin Rong didn't expect anything in return; she just wanted more opportunities to go out.
"Is there anything you'd like to bring, sister?"
Green Pearl handed her a piece of paper covered with writing in ink, and stuffed two taels of silver into her hand, saying, "Help me buy some things, just buy what's on the list."
Lin Rong looked at the neat handwriting on the paper, her cheeks flushed, and she whispered, "Sister Green Pearl, I... I can't read... Could you draw one for me?"
Green Pearl was surprised for a moment, but then she laughed and said, "Then I'll read it to you, but you must remember it! If you really can't, ask Granny Zhao who's with us, or ask the shopkeeper. There's bound to be someone who can read."
Lin Rong nodded, listening attentively to Green Pearl's instructions.
Upon hearing that Fuchuntang's rouge and face powder cost five qian of silver, Lin Rong's almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise: "So expensive?"
That's five months' worth of her monthly allowance!
"Of course." Green Pearl couldn't help but chuckle and whispered to her, "I'll be serving the young master's maid in the future, so naturally I need to use some high-quality cosmetics, otherwise he'll dislike me."
Green Pearl couldn't contain her excitement and whispered some things to Lin Rong, such as that they were ordered to serve Pei Zan, and if they could win the young master's favor, they would be promoted to concubines and live a life of luxury in the inner quarters!
Lin Rong asked suspiciously, "But being a concubine isn't that good, is it? There's always the mistress above you, keeping you in check..."
She had witnessed the Second Madam beating and scolding the concubine; the concubine had been slapped several times and didn't dare utter a sound.
Green Pearl thought that Lin Rong hadn't figured things out yet, so she didn't bother with her and just laughed: "That's still better than being a wife in a poor family. Alright, I have to go do my work now. Don't forget my rouge and hairpin."
"Okay, I'll definitely buy it for you, sister." Lin Rong, with the money in her pocket, quickly walked away.
She thought of Green Pearl's words and imagined what it would be like for Green Pearl to become the young master's concubine.
Indeed, only a beautiful girl like Sister Lüzhu is worthy of the ethereal Pei Zan.
The eldest son is quite the womanizer, having so many concubines and embracing so many women.
Unlike her, who will eventually be redeemed and leave the manor, all she needs to do is find a husband.
Lin Rong will treat her husband well, and the two of them will live happily together, making their lives smooth sailing.
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Three Years After Divorce
Spoiled noblewoman x High-class beauty
Su Chan was born into a wealthy family and was spoiled and beautiful.
One day, while hunting in the mountains, she saw a minor official from the capital region. His arms were sunburned red as he put down the yellow register of household records and went to the fields to help poor households with their farming.
The minor official's name was Rong Yunqing. He came from a poor family and his home was bare. However, he was exceptionally beautiful, with delicate features and a fair complexion.
Su Chan, aroused by his beauty, deliberately used the excuse of "falling into the water and being harassed" to force him into marriage.
As a result, the Su family was disgraced and resented their son-in-law Rong Yunqing for being despicable and lowly, almost severing ties with Su Chan.
After marriage, Rong Yunqing, due to his low rank and lack of influence, coupled with his upright and inflexible nature, suffered from suppression by political factions and was sent to Shanyang as an official.
Although Su Chan was reluctant to leave her family, she had no choice but to accompany her husband to his new post.
Those years in Shanyang were a nightmare for Su Chan.
She only realized the hardship of marrying down after she lost her life of luxury.
Rong Yunqing's salary was meager, and although he tried his best to support his wife, he still could not satisfy Su Chan.
Su Chan had had enough of wearing the same few hairpins over and over again, and only changing her clothes once every six months. After three years of marriage, she also seemed to have grown tired of Rong Yunqing's handsome face.
"I want to go back to my parents' home, and I want a divorce from you."
When Su Chan brought up the matter, Rong Yunqing was only slightly taken aback before calmly agreeing.
-
Three years after the divorce, Su Chan returned to her pampered and wealthy life, and had long forgotten about Rong Yunqing.
Until one day, during a power struggle within the imperial court, the Su family made the wrong bet, resulting in the entire clan suffering misfortune and being demoted to commoners.
Su Chan fell into the dust; not only were her hair ornaments and fine clothes confiscated, but even her house was seized by the officials.
The Su family members went their separate ways, leaving Su Chan homeless. Finally, she thought of her ex-husband, Rong Yunqing, who held a high-ranking position.
That night, Su Chan put on the plum blossom hairpin that her ex-husband had carved himself, and arrived at the door with a charming smile.
"Rong Yunqing, I have nowhere to go... Can I stay at your house for a while?"
Rong Yunqing stood tall and elegant, and quietly glanced at his ex-wife.
As always, he pondered for a moment, then replied calmly, "Okay."
[Reading Guide]
The female lead is bad, and the male lead is a virgin.
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