Quanzhou is located in southern Fujian, with a prosperous population and abundant resources. Sheng Hong served as Tongzhi here for several years, assisting in the management of local salt, grain, river engineering, water conservancy, as well as clearing military registration, pacifying civilians and other affairs, and made many political achievements. In the past few years, the prefect has changed three times, but he has been promoted in rank while in office. Sheng Hong is quite good at getting along with people and has good relations with many local gentry and officials. When they heard that Lord Sheng was going to be promoted, everyone vied to hold a banquet for him in the past few days. Sheng Hong could not refuse, so he entertained people for several days and entrusted the task of packing up the family and moving to his wife Wang.
In the past few days, the maids and housekeepers in the mansion were shuttling back and forth in the east courtyard where Wang lived like crucian carp crossing the river. Wang had swept away the depression of the past few years and was busy as a whirlwind. In the afternoon of this day, Wang had just finished sorting out the general situation of things, asked a few personal maids to count the remaining items, and then went into the inner wing to talk with Liu Kun's wife.
Against the wall inside stood a large square couch, covered with fine woven twill and heaped with thin brocade silk. Two girls, about five years old, slept soundly side by side on it. Two older maids, perched on small stools beside the couch, gently fanned the girls. Seeing Wang Shi enter, they quickly rose and bowed. Wang Shi waved her hand, intent on not disturbing the girls' nap. She walked over to the couch to take a look. One girl was plump and plump, sleeping with a charming and innocent air. Wang Shi's brows relaxed, a smile forming in her eyes. She glanced at the other girl. While her features were beautiful, her face was pale, evidently from a lack of energy. She looked frail, her brows furrowed even in her sleep. Wang Shi sighed softly, tucked the thin brocade blankets around the girls, and then went to recline on a rattan chair.
Liu Kun's wife asked two maids to go out and watch the door. She walked up to Wang and found a small round stool to sit on, but Wang pulled her back and asked her to sit on the rattan chair next to her. Liu Kun's wife declined and sat down.
"Madam, you have been very busy these past few days, busy inside and outside. Now everything has been almost collected. This morning, a message came from Dengzhou saying that the inner house of the government office over there has also been cleaned up, just waiting for you, Madam, to go there and move in. To be honest, although Master Wei and my master are cousins, they are better than ordinary brothers. I don't know how much money Master Wei has spent. This is a great favor." Liu Kunjia said warmly.
"Master Wei's father and my late father-in-law are brothers. Master Wei and Master Wei are of similar age. They studied together in the family school of Duke Lingguo. After leaving the family school, they became disciples of Lord Yang. Oh, Lord Yang was still a reader in the Hanlin Academy at that time. Uncle Bo was doting on a concubine at that time and didn't care about the miserable life of Master Wei and his mother. My old lady took good care of that old sister-in-law and nephew. Because our master was born out of wedlock, he had a hard time before he was raised by the old lady. He and Master Wei had the same fate, so the two brothers were the closest. Although Master Wei did not enter the officialdom, he managed the household well and had a lot of wealth. He did not care about money. Master and my brother from my mother's side were both officials, and they would be able to take care of his descendants in the future. It wouldn't matter if he spent some money." Wang was quite pleased.
"Madam, even if you think so, please don't say it in front of the master. You must thank Master Wei for his kindness. Don't always mention what happened to Madam's family. Don't forget how Aunt Lin fanned the flames." Seeing that Wang's old habit had come back, Liu Kun's wife quickly reminded her.
Wang was displeased: "That slanderous and hateful vixen!"
Liu Kunjia didn't know how to respond, so she changed the subject and said with a smile, "Is the Sixth Miss doing well with Madam? When I heard the Master personally carrying her all the way from the lotus pond that day, I knew the Sixth Miss would definitely follow Madam."
Wang glanced at the girl on the couch and said, "This girl has lost her biological mother. Sooner or later, she will be born to me. I know this, but I just can't swallow this anger. When the lowly maid surnamed Lin gave birth to children, why didn't the master consider me as the legitimate mother? Why didn't he give the children to me to raise? He said that blood ties are hard to part with, and let Concubine Lin raise them herself. Now that Concubine Wei is dead, he remembers that I am the legitimate mother. I wanted to hang him and delay it for a few days, but who knew that as soon as the decree was issued, the master came to my room with this girl in his arms and put the child down without saying a word. I was scared, so I didn't dare to say anything and accepted the child."
Liu Kun's wife chanted a Buddhist verse and said with a smile, "Madam, you are compassionate. This is the right thing to do. No matter how many concubines the master has, Madam is always the legitimate mother. This status cannot be surpassed. It was Madam Lin who deceived the master before and broke the rules. Madam, you just need to manage the household and educate the children well. I think the master is going to punish Madam Lin this time. Madam, you must keep your composure and act like the wife of the principal house. Don't lose your composure."
"What's the point of doing this? It's just a lot of noise, but little action. That lowly maidservant is his sweetheart, how could he bear to let her go?"
"Madam, please don't say that. I think something's wrong this time." Liu Kunjia shook his head and leaned forward. "Madam, do you still remember Die'er with Concubine Wei?"
Wang nodded. "That girl was quite a hot-headed girl. She actually dared to question Aunt Lin to her face. She stood up for her master and it was a good thing for Aunt Wei and her sister. I don't know what happened to her afterwards."
Liu Kunjia whispered, "My husband heard from outside that Aunt Lin chased Die'er to the farm, and then Lai Fu, who was with the master, took her away and put her in the west courtyard. When the master was free, he questioned Die'er in detail for half an hour, and then Die'er was sent to the old lady's discretion. I don't know where she is."
Wang was very interested and asked, "Is this true? If so, why is the master so silent?"
Liu Kunjia stood up, took a fan, stood beside Wang Shi, and gently waved it for her. She said, "I'm afraid that Concubine Lin's sweet talk has persuaded the master to soften his heart again. But even if it's just a few servants being beaten and sold, it would be good to reduce Concubine Lin's prestige. Madam, you can take advantage of this opportunity to do something."
Wang remained silent, calculating in her heart. Seeing Wang's expression, Liu Kunjia hesitated and spoke, "There are just some things I don't know whether I should say or not. If I say them, I'm afraid Madam will blame me for being rude. If I don't say them, I'll feel guilty about failing to live up to the old lady's trust. I feel uneasy."
Wang quickly grasped Liu Kunjia's hand and said softly, "What are you talking about? You and I were raised together, nursing the same mother. We're as close as sisters. You married a few years before me, and I should have brought your entire family with me as companions. But your in-laws are managed by your mother, so we've only been apart for a few years. Tell me whatever you want to say."
Liu Kun's wife smiled and sat down next to Wang again. "Look at what you said, Madam. The old lady loves you the most. When you got married, so many capable people came with you. But my father-in-law was an old man that the old lady was used to, so he stayed in the palace to grow up. When the old lady heard that Concubine Lin had given birth to a boy, she was so anxious that she couldn't sleep all night. She called me over that night and gave me detailed instructions for a long time. Then she sent my husband and me and the other children here. What's the reason, Madam? Isn't it because she's worried that you'll be bullied by your in-laws and that Brother Bai will be treated coldly? It's really pitiful to see the love of a mother in the world."
Wang sighed, "It's all my fault for being unfilial. Even at my age, I still need my mother to worry about me. Thanks to you coming here and persuading me every day, I finally got over my stubborn temper and made peace with the master. You also taught me to take a concubine for the master to curb Aunt Lin's arrogance. Speaking of which, it was you who found Aunt Wei. You have a good eye for people. She's beautiful but not prone to making trouble. Aunt Lin has been much quieter since she came into the family a few years ago. This time, it's all thanks to you that that lowly servant got into trouble."
"This is all Madam's blessing, and has nothing to do with me. But the death of Concubine Wei is just the beginning of the story, and there is still a last stroke missing. We don't know how the master will deal with Concubine Lin. Maybe he will be fooled. We can't let this go." Liu Kunjia said.
"Hmph! If the master doesn't punish that slut and continues to pamper and protect her as usual, then I'll lose all my face and simply expose the matter to the public. I'll ask the censor to report the master for favoring his concubine and killing his wife and disregarding human life. Let's see how he can continue to serve as an official!" Wang slammed the table and snorted coldly.
"Oh, my dear, the old lady is afraid of your stubborn temper. That's why she couldn't sleep all night! Please don't say such angry words. It hurts others and hurts yourself!" Liu Kunjia waved her hands and urged anxiously, "If you do this, will you and the master still be together? Will Brother Bai still have a future? How will you live in the future?"
Wang immediately lost her temper and gritted her teeth, saying, "Then what do you say we should do? Before I got married, my mother only taught me how to manage the household, but never told me how to manage a concubine. And this concubine Lin isn't just any other concubine. She can't be beaten or sold, and she's from the old lady. I'm really frustrated."
"Madam, please have a cup of tea to calm down and listen to what I have to say." Liu Kun's wife poured a cup of warm tea and handed it to Wang. "Although the master certainly acted inappropriately, the old lady said that the lady was also wrong."
"What have I done wrong? Does it count as hiring actors and buying prostitutes for the master?" Wang was still indignant.
Liu Kunjia laughed and said, "Look, Madam, you are speaking in anger again. That day at the uncle's house, the old lady carefully questioned the several big maids around Madam, and then told me that Madam, you have made three mistakes, and asked me to go back and tell Madam. I am so brave that I will be the one to tell you today. When Madam was just married, Madam sent away the two maids of the master's room without saying a word. The master and the old lady didn't say a word. In those years, Madam was the only one in power. Not to mention that the old lady treated Madam politely, the master and the old lady also treated each other with respect. Madam's first mistake is that she lived too long. "When you're happy, you can't help but get carried away. You want to take charge of both domestic and external affairs, and you want to make all the decisions about the master's money and personnel. You always say what you mean, and all you talk about is the Wang family, the old master, and the uncle. How can the master feel comfortable with this? What man doesn't like a woman to be submissive? Who doesn't want a gentle and loving wife? The master is not a useless and cowardly man. Everyone says that our master has a bright future. Madam, you give the master a hard time and give him face from time to time. How can the master be close to you and not have other thoughts?"
Wang leaned back in her chair dejectedly, thinking of the beautiful scenery of her wedding day, and couldn't help feeling sad. All her sisters in the boudoir envied her for her good marriage. Although her husband's family was not powerful, they were wealthy and of noble origin. She didn't have to obey her mother-in-law and had no concubines to bother her. Her husband was a handsome man with outstanding talents and a smooth career. It was not impossible for her to become a lady of an imperial family in the future.
Since when, the master has become more and more indifferent to her and no longer speaks to her. She is only concerned with being stubborn and wants to take over the Sheng Mansion. When she is in high spirits, Concubine Lin suddenly appears out of nowhere. She makes one mistake after another and lets Concubine Lin become more and more powerful.
Liu Kunjia looked at Wang's expression coldly, knowing something was up, and continued, "The old lady said that since ancient times, women have been dependent on their husbands after marriage. The wife is not trying to win the master's heart, but is only thinking about money and other people. This is putting the cart before the horse."
After a while, Wang nodded and slowly took a sip of tea.
Liu Kun's wife felt relieved and picked up the fan beside her and slowly fanned herself again: "Madam is a straightforward person. How could she have known the cunning tricks of those vixens, causing Aunt Lin and Master to have a secret affair without knowing it. If she had discovered it earlier, and secretly reported it to the old lady before the matter became a big deal, she would have married Aunt Lin off immediately and Master would have been unable to get angry. But she waited until the matter became too serious, and even if Madam had made a fuss, it would have been useless. This is Madam's second mistake."
Wang smiled bitterly. She regretted this matter at the beginning. She only blamed herself for being careless and never caring about her mother-in-law's affairs.
Liu Kunjia continued, "Finally, and most importantly, the old woman said, Madam, you yourself are not well-mannered and polite, so you can't speak in front of the master."
Wang was unconvinced and was about to argue, but Liu Kunjia gently held her shoulder and soothed her, saying, "Madam, don't be impatient. Listen to me slowly. The old lady said that as a daughter-in-law, you don't set rules with your mother-in-law. You don't pay her visits morning and night, and you only visit her three or two times a month. Each time you go, you have a cold face and say very few words. Your mother-in-law takes care of her own food, clothing, and shelter, and you don't worry about anything. If this gets out, it would be a great act of filial piety. Madam, you could have a hundred reasons with the master, but you wouldn't be able to say anything about this one. No matter how cold the old lady is and how she dislikes being disturbed, you should always fulfill your courtesy and filial piety."
Wang was speechless. This sentence hit the nail on the head. In fact, many people in Quanzhou had secretly discussed the relationship between their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Several good ladies had also talked to her about this, advising her to be more filial to her mother-in-law to avoid being criticized. She didn't take it to heart at the time. The old lady exempted her from paying her respects every day, and she happily obeyed.
Seeing Wang's eyes flickering, Liu Kun's wife knew what she was thinking, so she said leisurely, "Being filial to your mother-in-law always brings good things. The first is your reputation. Back then, Master Wei's father also favored his concubine over his wife, but Madam Wei served her mother-in-law so well that everyone in Jinling knew her filial piety, and Master Wei could do nothing about it."
Wang Shi thought this made perfect sense, so she kept silent. Liu Kun's wife then spoke up, "Secondly, Master has done some things that are not in accordance with etiquette. You can't criticize him, but Old Madam can. Back then, Master wanted to promote the farm and shops for Aunt Lin, and as soon as you opened your mouth, people would have accused you of being jealous and intolerant. But if Old Madam had been willing to say a few words, things wouldn't be like this today."
Wang slapped the armrest of the rattan chair and exclaimed softly, "That's right. I was really confused at the time. I only knew how to quarrel with the master and the mistress, but I didn't grasp the weak spot. It was all in vain, and it just gave that lowly servant a chance to profit. Fortunately, you woke me up today, and I now know the reason. Everything in the past was indeed my fault."
Liu Kun's wife quickly added fuel to the fire: "It's good that Madam has thought it through today. Let's not talk about what happened before. We must plan carefully in the future and not let others plot against us in this muddled way."
Wang sighed deeply, held Liu Kunjia's hand, and choked up, saying, "I usually only knew how to show off my power, but I didn't expect it to come to this in the past few years. You will have to help me out in the future."
Liu Kun's wife quickly turned aside and said that she was not worthy of it. The master and servant were just being polite to each other when one of the little girls lying on the square couch moved slightly. Classmate Yao Yiyi loosened her numb legs and opened her eyes a little to look at the little girl who was sleeping like a pig next to her, Sheng Rulan. She was snoring softly, and it seemed that she was really asleep.
Yao Yiyi swore to Mudslide that she had not meant to eavesdrop. She had woken up a long time ago, but was just too lazy to move or talk, so she continued to lie there with her eyes closed. Unexpectedly, these two old ladies actually treated this place as a chat room, talking about everything from moving house and raising a daughter to love and hate. The more they talked, the more excited they became, and the more immersed they became in the plot. Yao Yiyi was embarrassed to wake up.
All I could hear was Liu Kun's wife still saying, "...Our master is not a fool. He's doing well in officialdom and he knows what's going on. Madam, you must not play tricks on him, or it will only lead to bad things. You are a straightforward person. How can you compare with Aunt Lin's roundabout and seductive tricks? What's most important to you now is to be virtuous and obedient. You must be filial to the old lady. I see that the master respects her very much. Even if you can't visit her morning and evening, you must go to her every now and then to pay your respects and ask about her well-being. Even if you have to put on an act, you must do it properly. You must raise the sixth young lady well. The master feels very guilty about Aunt Wei. The better you treat the sixth young lady, the more she will remember how Aunt Wei died. It will also show your virtuousness and kindness. Over time, the master's heart will be won back."
Yao Yiyi felt that the Liu Kun family's words were too artistic. Her words of advice could be summarized as follows: Madam, take a look at yourself in the mirror. We must be down-to-earth and realistic. It is basically impossible for you to compete with Aunt Lin in feminine charm and "hmm" and "ah". But don't worry, if you can't be Andy Lau, you can be Ouyang Zhenhua. You just need to serve your mother-in-law and take care of the children. You can play the family card and the moral card and go the nanny route. You still have a chance of winning.
Liu Kun's wife hadn't finished her words yet: "...The Sixth Miss hasn't eaten or spoken much these past few days. Madam, you should be very concerned. The Sixth Miss is just a girl and won't get a share of the family property. You can just prepare a dowry and give it to her. It won't bother Madam at all, and it can even keep the Fifth Miss company, right?"
Yao Yiyi closed her eyes tightly. She didn't want to wake up anymore. It was really embarrassing for her, a promising young person, to fall to such a state. Moreover, this skin didn't seem to be in harmony with her. It made her sick all the time and she didn't even feel hungry. Yao Yiyi, who refused to accept the reality, was still in a passive state of slacking off.
【Author has something to say】
In both the Ming and Qing dynasties, concubines were divided into noble and lowly categories. Noble concubines typically included nieces brought with the wife upon marriage (the most expensive, though largely uncommon during the Ming and Qing dynasties), free women taken into the family (the second most expensive), and concubines who had already given birth (the third most expensive). Sometimes, this also included women gifted by elders or superiors (these were relatively less expensive). These concubines generally could not be bought, sold, or abused. At most, they could be expelled if no longer wanted, usually without a divorce letter, but sometimes a document of severance would be required. However, maids with indentures, prostitutes, or purchased concubines were considered lowly concubines and could be bought, sold, abused, or even subjected to more severe punishments.
A maidservant must first be given a face-opening before she can be considered a "tongfang" (passenger maid) and can be called a "girl". Only after being promoted to a concubine can she be considered a concubine. So, even if Miss Xiren had sex with Baoyu, it didn't count as anything before any formal procedures. That's why Qingwen mocked her, "You haven't even earned the title of a girl, but you keep saying 'we' are together". But even if Xiren was promoted to a concubine, she could only be considered a lowly concubine before she gave birth to a child. Aunt Zhao looks very miserable, but she is actually a noble concubine. As for my favorite sister Ping'er, she was still just a "tongfang" (passenger maid) until Gao E continued the story. Wow.
(That's about it, please don't delve into it. If you do, please stay calm.)
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