Early in the morning, Mi Niang sat up suddenly, but she didn't know where she was. She was used to getting up early because she had to go to the girls' school. Now she had just arrived in Jiangxia, and although she didn't have to go to the girls' school, she still woke up at this time.
Xia Lian was doing needlework beside the bed. The maids had to make everything they wore and used by themselves. The Second Madam was definitely not the kind of person who would punish servants for being mean, but she only had one rule: servants had to be diligent.
As a young lady, Mi Niang often does needlework until the second or third watch of the night, let alone the maids.
Xia Lian stayed beside Mi Niang's bed, doing needlework while taking care of the young lady. If she was thirsty or wanted to get up to urinate, they had to serve her.
Seeing Mi Niang wake up, she hurried forward and said, "Miss, you are awake. Is your mouth dry? Do you want me to bring you some tea?"
Mi Niang shook her head and asked again, "Have my mother and the others woke up?"
"The Second Madam has gotten up. She told the servants not to wake you up and asked you to sleep a little longer. Miss, do you want to sleep a little longer?" Xia Lian tucked the quilt for Mi Niang.
"Then I'll stay crooked for a while."
Mi Niang immediately leaned on the pillow, closed her eyes and slept for a while. When she woke up again, it was because of a small hand pinching her nose.
When she opened her eyes, it turned out to be Yuheng. He was sleeping next to her, and his two little hands were either touching her eyes or his mouth, as if he was her toy.
Second Madam Ding smiled and said, "Lazy girl, I cooked rice porridge today. Your father went to buy fried dough sticks early. I asked someone to heat it up. Hurry up and eat it."
Mi Niang stretched and giggled, then let the maids help her wash and dress. At home, she only wore a lilac-colored top with a pearl white skirt, and had her hair braided with two fashionable silk flowers.
There were egg drops in the rice porridge, the fried dough sticks were fried until bright yellow, and the dough balls were even better. Aunt Ding was happy to see her daughter eating with relish.
After having a full meal at Wuhuang Temple, Mi Niang took Yu Heng for a walk in the yard to help digest the food. She then carefully looked at the yard given to them by the Li family. Although it was not big, it was exquisitely decorated everywhere, and the carvings on the windows were very careful.
The nobles like to pay attention to small details, so they don't like nouveau riche who always wear gold and silver on their bodies and laugh at them wantonly.
While strolling around, someone knocked on the door. Erniu asked at the door and found out that it was the second wife of the Li family who sent a maid.
The man was holding a box in his hand. When he saw Mi Niang, he was surprised and praised her: "Yesterday, they said Ruan Xiaolian came to our house. It happened that our wife had a guest and didn't have time to visit. It's just right that our second wife sent me here to make amends."
Mi Niang smiled and said, "You are so polite. My mother is in the room. I will take you in."
The man followed Mi Niang in and repeated what he had just said to Second Madam Ding. Second Madam Ding also said, "There is no need to do this. We have just settled down. We will go to pay our respects to the Second Madam later."
When people praise you, you really think you are something special.
The visitor put down the box, and Mrs. Ding asked someone to give her a reward. After she left, she opened the box and saw that it was a set of colorful small lidded cups from a Cheng kiln.
Mi Niang smiled and said, "It's just right for us to use to entertain guests."
Second Madam Ding shook her head and said, "I am most afraid of this kind of social interaction between big families. Sometimes the bonuses given to servants are beyond their means. Mi Niang, when you have learned to play the pipa, come back and do not visit their family too often."
That's true. Besides, Mi Niang is used to her freedom at home and doesn't want to be restricted.
So, these few days, I put away the paints and took Ding Erniang and Yuheng to paint a picture.
Mrs. Ding Er smiled so hard that she couldn't stop. Yu Heng put his hands on his hips and pointed at the person in the painting and said, "This is me, this is me."
"Mom, after it dries, let's frame it so Heng can look at it when he grows up."
The maids showed puzzled expressions: "The people in your paintings are like looking into a peephole."
They were truly full of admiration. Mi Niang was okay as she was good at observing people. When drawing a figure, the most important thing was to capture the character's characteristics.
Besides, she really put a lot of effort into writing and painting, and almost all the money she earned from needlework was used to buy paints.
Normally, Mrs. Ding would never forget to do her housework for any reason, but today she went to check on them from time to time. When Ruan Jiading came back in the afternoon, she realized that they had just had their meal.
Mrs. Ding Er apologized, "My daughter drew a picture for me and Heng Ge'er, but I forgot about it while looking at it. It's all my fault."
Sure enough, after Ruan Jiading looked at the painting and then at Mrs. Ding's second wife, he felt that the expression in the painting was too similar. For a long time, everyone's impression of Mrs. Ding's second wife was that she was weak, frail and thin.
But in the painting, she appears kind, beautiful, and even determined.
Ruan Jiading said with a hint of jealousy: "Your daughter is so good to you."
Mrs. Ding, who used to be modest, was very proud this time: "Our Mi Niang has always been very filial."
Later, she mentioned that Madam Li II had sent a gift today, and added, "Very polite."
Ruan Jiading smiled and said, "This is normal. We used to be very polite in our family, but later on, the etiquette was broken and the harmony was ruined."
"Let's not talk about the rules. Our Mi Niang is going to learn pipa tomorrow, and she just went to look up the music score to practice. She asked me, since our family has come to the provincial capital, can we go and see the Huanghe Tower Guqin Stage? Otherwise, if others ask her about it in the future, she will be embarrassed to say that she has been there." Second Madam Ding looked at her husband.
Ruan Jiading squeezed her hand and said, "If Mi Niang had asked me, I wouldn't have agreed so quickly, but since it was Shujun who asked me, I agreed without even thinking."
When Mi Niang brought Pipa to Madam Li's place, Madam Li had already met with the housekeepers and was drinking tea.
"Greetings." Mi Niang bowed slightly.
Mrs. Li smiled and said, "I haven't played the pipa for a long time. Why don't you play a piece for me first?"
This was a test of Mi Niang's ability. Mi Niang was not humble. She pondered for a while and then began to play "High Mountains and Flowing Water". A normal person with high talent can learn the pipa in five years, but Mi Niang had been learning it for almost three years and practiced diligently. She played the "High Mountains and Flowing Water" very smoothly.
This surprised Madam Li. After the song was over, she said, "I see that you are very good at rolling your fingers. You are already very good. I thought you could only practice "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon" and "Shou Ting Hou" at most. I never thought you could play "High Mountains and Flowing Water"."
Normally, the most difficult pieces for pipa are "Spring River Moonlight Night" and "Ba Wang Xi Jia". The reason why Mrs. Li was called Li Dajia was because she played "Ba Wang Xi Jia" very well, which shows that she put a lot of effort into it.
Even if it was her, it would be impossible for her to play "High Mountains and Flowing Water" at the age of nine. This made Mrs. Li wonder, could this girl really be a genius?
Listen to Mi Niang's story: "I was originally practicing "Yang Chun Bai Xue", but the finger rolling was said to be difficult. I thought nothing is difficult if one sets his mind to it. I am also a fool, so I could only think of some foolish ways. So I rolled my fingers a thousand times every day. Later, my teacher saw that I had mastered it, so he taught me "Gao Shan Liu Shui".
Madam Li nodded. "In that case, I will teach you "Song of the Frontier" and "Spring in Tianshan Mountain". Learn these two pieces this year. If you can practice well, we will start learning "Ba Wang Xi Jia" next year."
"Okay." Mi Niang agreed happily.
Aunt Sun brought a feng neck pipa for Madam Li, who began to tune it first. While tuning it, she couldn't help but laugh and said, "I haven't tried it for a long time. I don't know how to play it again."
As her fingers moved, Mi Niang watched as Madam Li seemed to have become a different person, just like a frivolous businessman turning into a noble scholar.
Of course, Mrs. Li does not look like a shrew on a daily basis, but through her skills, perhaps Mrs. Li was also a talented and beautiful woman when she was a concubine.
When the song was over, Mi Niang clapped her hands and said, "You play really well."
Madam Li brought the music score to her. Mi Niang understood it after taking a few glances. It was not that she was a genius, but that she had to dance for the emperor in her previous life, so she pondered over it every day. Therefore, she was able to memorize the music score and learn the dance very quickly.
She tried playing it once and found it a little intermittent, so she humbly asked Mrs. Li for advice. Mrs. Li was stunned at this time.
Fortunately, she was a very shrewd person, so she suppressed her surprise and gave some pointers on how to play the tune.
After Mi Niang had memorized it, she tried to play it again. Madam Li was generous in giving her some pointers on the parts she was unfamiliar with. Later, when Mi Niang was about to leave, she still felt unsatisfied.
Mi Niang remembered her mother's words and left after finishing her studies. She did not stay long and thought about how to please others.
Besides, she has never been a person who likes to please others. Her future is half related to her father's future, and has nothing to do with the Li family.
After returning, he practiced for a day. The next day, Ruan Jiading took his family to Huanghelou. It was the first time for him to have a banquet in a restaurant and he also bought a book.
On this day, Mi Niang always hoped that it could last longer. They watched the sunset and the people passing by the river...
Even after returning home, Mi Niang felt very happy.
Chun Tao smiled and said, "Sister, you are in great spirits today. There are so many stairs in the Huanghe Building, and you climbed up all by yourself."
"You also know that it's a rare opportunity for me to go out with my parents and see the famous places of interest. How can I not be happy? I'm afraid that I won't be able to go out as I get older," Mi Niang sighed.
The maids also knew that what the young lady said was the truth. As personal maids, they had to behave themselves, let alone their master.
The next day, Mi Niang took a day off, practiced the song, and went to Madam Li again the next day.
This time, Madam Li was not so serious. She asked Aunt Sun to accompany her. Aunt Sun explained, "Our old lady is turning sixty this year. A few years ago, we didn't have a celebration because of our old grandfather's death. This time, we are celebrating the mourning period and the birthday, so our lady is busy now."
Mi Niang smiled and said, "If that's the case, it's my fault. I'll go back first. I'll ask you for advice when you're free later."
"Nothing, I just finished my work." Mrs. Li walked in and said with a smile.
Seeing this, Mi Niang had no choice but to play a piece. This time it was better than the first time, but she still needed to practice more.
Mrs. Li pointed out the inconsistencies in her singing, and Mi Niang played it again.
Then he continued, "I know that Madam treats me very well and tells me everything she knows, but as the saying goes, a loyal minister must come from a filial family. Since your family is going to celebrate your birthday, this is a big event. My pipa needs regular practice anyway, and I just want to practice it myself first. When I am proficient, I will come to you for advice."
Mrs. Li refused again, but seeing that Mi Niang was determined to do so, she pretended to be ashamed and agreed.
After Mi Niang left, Madam Li said, "This girl is very opinionated about everything. If it were someone else, they would probably be hesitant and have to ask the elders to make the decision."
Aunt Sun was in charge of the household for Madam Li and had many eyes and ears. She knew everything about whom Madam Li wanted to hear gossip. She saw Madam Li mention Miss Ruan who had just left.
She then said, "This girl went out for a trip the day before yesterday. I heard that she is also very good at painting. It is said that her paintings look like real people."
"Alas, who wasn't so poetic when they were young?" Mrs. Li wiped her face, it was a pity that in the end it was overwhelmed by the daily necessities of life.
Mi Niang was very happy because she didn't have to go to Madam Li. And Second Madam Ding wanted to teach her how to cook, so she followed her mother to learn.
"You don't have to learn to cook every dish, just learn a few of the main dishes and that's it."
This was completely a way for her to slack off. After learning vegetables for a while in the morning, she would start practicing calligraphy and painting. She would take a nap for an hour and then get up to read and play the pipa.
However, as the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching and the weather was getting hot and humid, Mrs. Ding also asked Mi Niang to make some five-poison sachets.
The family started making rice dumplings. Generally, people in Jiangling eat plain rice dumplings, and Grandma Ding also made plain rice dumplings. The Li family sent a lot of rice dumplings, so Grandma Ding sent back a pot of salted duck eggs.
"Mom, I don't know why other people also pickle duck eggs, but they are not as delicious as yours."
"Just like you are better at studying and painting than others, I just use my brain more."
Mi Niang tilted her head and smiled. Although she was illiterate and could not read, she understood more than anyone else.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the Li family began to prepare for Mrs. Li's birthday banquet. Mi Niang's family also prepared birthday gifts. Ruan Jiading had already ordered birthday peaches and noodles from outside. Second Mistress Ding heard that Mrs. Li was a Buddhist, so she just asked her daughter to copy a Buddhist scripture and send it to her.
"Mom, don't you want to embroider?"
If they had paid more attention, embroidering a Buddhist scripture would have better reflected the Ruan family's intentions.
But Mrs. Ding Er smiled and said, "Why bother with that god? If it was to embroider Buddhist scriptures, we would have to work day and night. You practice calligraphy every day, so copying a Buddhist scripture now is also like practicing calligraphy."
She looked at Mi Niang and said, "As for the Li family, it's enough to have your father's friendship. Your father knows what to do."
Mi Niang curled her lips: "That's great."
This was the first time that Mi Niang met the old lady of the Li family. She looked very young, with not a few white hairs. She had a headband inlaid with jasper on her head, and looked very pampered.
After Second Lady Ding led Mi Niang and Heng Ge'er to kowtow, Old Lady Li listened to the maids' whispers and then said, "So you are Ruan Xiaolian's family. Are you used to living here now?"
"Thanks to the old lady, everything is fine. I should have greeted you, but we are from a small family and I am afraid of violating the rules."
Mi Niang secretly thought that her mother was really amazing. The Li family was not very kind. They saved her son, and only Madam Li was polite on the first day. She taught her to play the pipa twice in total, and then pretended to be busy, leaving Mi Niang with no choice but to say that she couldn't do it.
In these matters, Second Wife is a woman, and her feelings are more sensitive, so naturally she feels disrespected.
So at this time, when you say that the Ruan family is a small family and has not come to pay a visit, the implication is that you are talking nicely but in fact you are looking down on our Ruan family. So what if you are a noble family, the Li family, we have had three officials in four generations in the Ruan family, and we are not someone you can treat lightly.
Madam Li secretly thought that this was not good. You know, the old lady was a person who cared a lot about face, otherwise she and her two sisters-in-law would not have such a hard time choosing a daughter-in-law.
Of course, she didn't look down on Mi Niang. In fact, she still liked this talented girl very much. However, learning the pipa was not a big deal. The big deal was the host's birthday banquet!
"Mrs. Ruan is too modest. Your Ruan family has three dukes for four generations. If it weren't for Ruan Xiaolian's enthusiasm, you wouldn't have formed a relationship with our Li family. Since you live here, if you have anything you want, just tell Guan'er's mother."
It is obvious that the Ruan family has set up a courtyard and lives alone without spending any money on the Li family. But now this statement makes it seem like they are living under someone else's roof.
Mrs. Ding Er smiled and said, "Originally, my girl came here to learn pipa from Madam Li. I dare not trouble your family. When she learns, I will fulfill my long-cherished wish. As for my husband's enthusiasm, alas, it's just a small effort. The ice is so thick in winter, who wouldn't be afraid? But my master has been good at swimming since he was a child, and he is also a scholar. If he didn't help the dying, wouldn't it be a joke? Please don't praise him."
Mi Niang applauded when she heard this. Until now, the Li family has never openly mentioned the fact that Ruan Jiashang saved Li Guan, as if the Ruan family was trying to curry favor with him.
To put it mildly, it is negligence; to put it more seriously, it is arrogance.
Mrs. Li, who was already old, was most afraid of hearing the word "death". How could she, who was old and experienced, not understand the implication of Second Madam Ding's words?
Yes, in the freezing snow, he jumped into the river to save people. This is a great favor, but you treat him as a poor relative.
Although the Ruan family is still a noble family now, if he enters the court in the future, he will have the Ruan family to help him. There is also the Empress in the palace. Even if there is no Empress, there is still the Second Duke.
We all interact with each other on an equal footing, but you treat us as poor relatives. The Li family has only met Mrs. Li so far.
Old Madam Li laughed. She was angry inside but couldn't show it now.
Mrs. Li smiled and said, "Mi Niang is a very smart child. I have taught her several times and she has a very high level of understanding!"
"I need you to teach me more carefully." Second Madam Ding also smiled, without any of the sharpness she had just shown.
The meaning of Second Grandma is very clear. She didn't ask you to teach at first, but your family insisted that you teach. Even if you were asked to teach, you didn't teach well. Is it because your family has something going on every day? Or is that an excuse? If you don't want to teach, just tell her earlier. It's not like she can't find someone else to learn.
Mi Niang secretly gave her mother a thumbs up, and then she understood what it meant to take action when the time is right.
They lived closest to the Li family and arrived the earliest. After greeting, they were arranged to sit at the bottom.
Soon the Li family's house was filled with guests, including many people from the Li family, as well as people from the families that had married into the Li family, and the families of Mrs. Li and the second wife.
"Mrs. Song is here."
From the expressions of the people around her, Mi Niang roughly knew that Madam Song should be of a very high status. Soon, a very dignified old lady appeared at the door and was invited by Madam Li to sit in the seat of honor.
The two old men exchanged only a few pleasantries, but the girl brought by Old Madam Song was very eye-catching. She was tall, with beautiful features, and her every move showed that she was well-educated.
"This must be the fourth daughter of your family. She is truly the daughter of a Hanlin scholar. She is extremely noble."
When everyone praised her, Fourth Miss Song also smiled humbly.
From time to time, another girl named Huang came in. She was three inches tall and as soon as she came in, Mrs. Li praised her: "This girl's feet are wrapped really well."
Mi Niang found it horrible that she had to bind her feet just for the sake of a so-called marriage. She had bound her feet in her previous life, and it was a life that was simply inhumane, where she couldn't even walk much.
In order to please the emperor, she not only endured foot binding, but also had to dance with her bound feet.
I felt pain at first, but later I just felt numb.
Miss Huang looked humble, but actually there was pride in her eyes. She also looked at Miss Song's feet from time to time.
At this time, it is said that Mr. Li Qin appointed him to be a reader in the Hanlin Academy.
Everyone flattered him, and the atmosphere became more heated.
So much so that Mrs. Li asked someone to order more dishes on the spot. It must be said that the Li family's banquet was still excellent. People in Huguang mostly like spicy food, and Mi Niang herself can't live without spicy food.
But for fear of getting a pimple on my face, I always restrain myself. But today, because I had been hungry for a long time, my appetite was really great at the table.
She ate in silence, while the people at the table started gossiping. One person said, "I think the eldest lady of the Li family has fallen in love with the fourth lady of the Song family. The gift she sent to them was very expensive."
"This is not surprising. The Song and Li families are well matched and have similar ages and looks."
"No, Miss Huang was also praised by the old lady and the second lady."
…
It turned out that both Miss Song and Miss Huang came here to compete.
Heng was young, and Erniu was afraid that he would make trouble if he stayed here for too long, so he was taken back by Erniu. But Ding Erniang was worried about her son, so she took Mi Niang away early.
Anyway, they have achieved the purpose of coming to celebrate the birthday.
On the way back, Mrs. Ding asked Mi Niang, "What do you think of what my mother said today?"
Mi Niang knew that her mother was beginning to treat her as an adult. She said she was asking for her opinion, but in fact she was testing her. So she smiled and said, "I think what you said is very good. Seeing that Li Guan is alive and well now, the Li family has long forgotten the tragic situation when he almost drowned and no one saved him. It was clearly them who asked us to learn the pipa, but they acted like we were begging for money. Madam Li was just trying to save her face. This old lady didn't even mention our life-saving grace. It can't be said that she despises the poor and loves the rich, but she has forgotten the pain after the wound has healed."
Now that their son is well again, they have long forgotten the life-saving grace.
"Also, what mother said was to make it clear in advance that our family is not here to curry favor with the rich and powerful. This is for both father and daughter."
Mrs. Ding Er smiled and said, "You are quite a clever little fellow."
Mi Niang shook her head: "I think you see things more clearly than my father." In her previous life, my father thought that the noble families were trustworthy and that they had a good family background, so he used the fact that she saved his life to ask for a marriage.
The Li family didn't care that Mi Niang didn't get along with her later, but they just wanted to distance themselves from her. After their savior died, they ignored the orphan girl, which showed that her family was not a good one.
However, in just a few months, the mother saw through the true face of the Li family. After this incident, everyone's relationship became more polite and pure, and her daughter would not be gossiped about.
Second Madam Ding shook her head: "It's not that I can see clearly, but the Li family is not a place that ordinary people can enter. It's not easy to be their daughter-in-law."
"It has nothing to do with me anyway. I am a little girl from Jiangling, with a plain family background and no bound feet. I wish no one would recognize me." Mi Niang said with a smile. She stood out in Jingzhou Prefecture to make connections and protect her parents. Now that her parents are far away from the troubled places and are by her side, she just wants to live a simple life.
But many things often go against one's wishes. The more you want to be in the spotlight, the less likely you are to be in the spotlight. The more you want to be calm, the less likely you are to be calm.
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