Nalan Mingzhu fell
Spring has arrived, flowers are blooming, yet we cannot sing and laugh. The Empress Dowager has passed away, and you still dare to laugh? All the deposits for New Year's operas and wine were wasted.] The Emperor has said, no acting, no marriage, and the length of the ban will decrease according to the rank of your family and the closeness of your relationship to the royal family.
Shujia didn't care. She didn't have a deep affection for the Grand Empress Dowager, whom she had met three times, or perhaps she hadn't had time to develop any feelings for her. However, she had a good impression of the Empress Dowager, whom she had also met three times. Not being able to pick and choose was a good thing; it gave her plenty of time to plan her future.
Such a relief was a bit unfair to the old lady who seemed to have a good impression of her, but it was an undeniable fact that the old lady's death had a positive impact on her. At least the aunts' demands on her in all aspects were not so urgent. They had originally planned to teach Shujia how to dress herself in the new year - starting with combing her hair.
Feedback from all sides indicates that even if one successfully overcomes all the hurdles during the grand selection and enters the palace, it's unlikely that one will have so many staff members to serve one person. At this point, personal skill is crucial. While everyone assumed the grand selection would be next year, preparations should begin this year at the latest. This is how Shuxian managed it.
Now, there's plenty of time, so I can take my time. Shujia breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want to be wearing her face like a wall every day before her eleventh birthday. Makeup techniques these days are really terrible, and this is the most intolerable thing! Or rather, the generation gap in aesthetic standards regarding makeup is too severe.
As she gets older, it is impossible for her to not wear makeup. It seems that the most important thing she should do is to prepare a set of makeup tools.
I really didn't expect that nowadays she didn't even have room to show off this - there were actually a lot of makeup tools these days, including all kinds of small brushes. Even if they were a little different from the makeup brushes of later generations, it would be easy to customize them to suit her preferences, after all, there was a handicraft foundation.
Shujia put away the things Xiluo's people had sent her. She didn't want to use them yet. She was at the age where she looked beautiful even without makeup, and she had been pretty good at applying makeup in her previous life. It was just that she hadn't done it in over a decade, so she needed to try it out to get the hang of it.
However, these relatively easy tasks could be put aside for now. If she could avoid the audition this time, she could just pretend to be sick next time. Shujia was confident that she could survive two auditions based on her age. This time, it was fate that prevented her from making it, but next time, she could just fall short on her own. Then, getting sick would be easy.
I felt relieved, and when I went out with Xiluote for social events, I moved more calmly.
Like now.
As I grow older, many people who were once only in the profiles of relatives and friends gradually appear before my eyes. Among them is the person who is celebrating his birthday today, Gushan Ezhen Dong'e's wife, Borjigit.
It was February, and the women of the family had gathered. While it should have been a feast of flowers and music, the mourning period for the Grand Empress Dowager was a brief one. Even if one ignored the laws of the land, considering the Grand Empress Dowager was Dong'e's aunt, a close relative, and the Borjigit family perhaps even had a kinship, they couldn't afford to feast or cause trouble; they just sat and talked.
If you could get a seat at a house like this, you'd be considered a prominent figure in the capital. Prince Xin was Chani's nephew, and anyone from the Duoduo clan who was still able to move and had a decent relationship with him would come and sit with him. Even someone with poor math skills couldn't count the number of people there.
Xiluo Te's rank was not low, yet she only got a chair here. However, when Shujia arrived, she was surrounded by people for a while - she rarely appeared at such occasions. Women could not listen to opera, so they had to gossip.
Led by Xilut, she kowtowed to Borjigit, climbed up from the mat, and stood properly. Borjigit seemed quite interested in the little girl: "Is this your girl? She's grown so big now. Come here and let me see her." Shujia walked over honestly. Today, she was wearing a flower pot bottom and holding a handkerchief, which was a small test of the results of her aunts' teaching.
Borjigit was in her forties, of average appearance, with fine lines around her eyes, though she was well-maintained. Shujia felt the hands holding her were dry. This was Shi Wenbing's aunt, not much older than Xilut. Generation and age were such strange things these days.
Borjigit's eyes were small, rather narrow, and she looked Shujia up and down with a smile. Shujia generously let her look, still having some confidence. Borjigit said, "She's a good girl. How old is she?"
Shujia smiled and replied, "Twelve."
Borjigit then asked about her favorite foods and activities. Shujia's hobbies were actually staying home and taking a walk when she had a seizure (a hobby she'd now reduced to slow strolls in the garden). She wasn't particularly particular about food or entertainment. She simply said, "I'm not very picky. As long as the flavor isn't strong, anything's fine."
Just those two words, and then another person arrived to pay their respects. The birthday gifts had been delivered in advance; this time, they were simply expressing their stance. Soon, the room was full. Prince Xin's wife, though a junior, held the highest rank, and sat opposite the Borjigit family. The others took their seats, taking into account their status.
When Xin Jun Wang's wife saw Shu Jia, she asked, "Whose child is this? She looks unfamiliar." Duoduo had eight sons, and his sons had sons, more than one. It was normal for them to have so many children that they wouldn't recognize all of them. Xin Jun Wang's wife was simply puzzled. This little girl seemed quite dignified and must have been well-educated. She should remember her after meeting her.
Borjigit said, "You didn't know this? This is the granddaughter of the third lady." Princess Xin calculated the age and seniority, and immediately reacted. She said to Xiluo Te angrily, "Such a good girl is hidden at home, and we only see her now." She took off a bracelet as a gift.
During the period of mourning for the Grand Empress Dowager, people kept their clothes and jewelry simple and plain. So, the wife of Prince Xin said, "It's not worth much. Take it and play with it. I'll give you a gift when I see you again. It's an unfortunate timing, so don't worry about it."
Shujia took it with a smile. Glancing over the jewelry, she saw that even though it was simple, she had chosen the most elaborately decorated piece. Believing the Prince's wife had spoken, she said, "I appreciate your kindness, not its value. Regardless of what it is, it's because you love me." At a time like this, there was really no point in being picky, right?
Prince Xin's wife was delighted: "Oh, this girl has such a sweet mouth."
All the women in the room praised the little girl for her generosity. Xiluo Te felt proud and smiled.
At a glance from the birthday man, the palace steward quickly rushed to prepare a proper and respectable gift for Prince Xin's wife. Borjigit also brought her own. As host, Borjigit took Shujia's hand and introduced her to the other female relatives one by one—most of whom had husbands with yellow belts. Before they came, Xiluo Te had given her a quick refresher on the kinship chart. Shujia compared the names and began to memorize the faces.
Shujia began to attract a crowd of onlookers. Firstly, she was a pleasing sight, and secondly, the birthday boy and the highest-ranking official had also expressed their fondness for her, prompting everyone to capitalize on the situation. When Fei Yanggu, the wife of Duoduo's youngest son, heard that Shujia had become quite adept at sewing, she asked if she had made the purse she was carrying herself.
Shujia said, "I did it for fun when I was free." Zhaojia came over to take a closer look and said, "Oh, the stitches are so even and dense." After saying that, she tied it back for her herself, and the other female members of the family began to discuss the fashionable embroidery styles.
These women were so idle that their conversation was all over the place. The discussion of embroidery led to a discussion about Chani's family, a skilled needleworker. Zakdu's step-wife, Yitemo, said, "It's a pity that my fourth sister-in-law went to Fengtian and couldn't come today." Chani was Duoduo's fourth son.
Now, it's good. From the time when Chani played a role during the Three Feudatories period, was purged after the war, and finally became the Fengtian General's gossip, it has even been linked to the current government.
Shujia stood beside the Borjigits, listening to their chatter. Through analysis, she concluded that the current fiercest factional struggle was between Ming and Suo. Other factions also existed within the court, including Tang Bin, who wasn't Suo's supporter, but had a serious problem with Mingzhu. Gao Shiqi and others were also caught in the middle. The women's reports were fragmented, focused on who had offended whom, lacking any systematic analysis. Shujia quietly worked on this task.
Chani's wife, Hesheli, was the daughter of Soni. These people were emotionally inclined towards Soni's faction, especially since they were connected to the crown prince. However, the women still admired Mingzhu. He was a man of sharp vision and talent. His wife was the daughter of Ajige, who was equally clueless. Mingzhu married Jueluo, not only gaining no advantage but also suffering from the consequences. Even so, he was able to rise to prominence. Most importantly, he treated his wife well!
Prince Xin's wife held her handkerchief against her chin. "So, the prince said back then...it was he who recommended Peng Chun to be the deputy governor-general, along with Sabsu. They both made great contributions to the fight against Russia over the past two years."
Speaking of Peng Chun, someone remembered that Peng Chun seemed to have a daughter, about eleven or twelve years old. Zhao Jia asked Shu Jia to confirm, and Shu Jia said, "Is she the daughter of the Dong'e family? I've seen her once or twice in the Cining Palace. She's quite quiet and pretty."
There is also such a thing.
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You can't talk about people behind their backs; what you say will come true. Just two days after the birthday celebration, Mingzhu was impeached. This was a major event, known to all the women in the inner chambers. The rich and powerful must socialize, and socializing requires being well-informed. Gifts are given according to social status; getting it wrong and having to fix it can be embarrassing.
Censor-in-Chief Guo Xiu accused Mingzhu of eight serious crimes, and if Kangxi had wanted to, he could have used these as legitimate excuses to strangle Mingzhu. However, Kangxi ultimately relented, and Mingzhu retained his title of Grand Secretary. However, it was Yu Guozhu, Kerkun, and Fulun, members of his faction, who suffered the most. In short, Mingzhu's faction was severely weakened, and half of its power collapsed.
The Suo Clan was at its peak of power, and the stab in Mingzhu's back was actually due to Suo Etu's reconciliation with Xiong Cilü and Xu Qianxue, of whom Guo Xiu was a student. The details were far too complex, and Shujia couldn't understand any more.
She only knew one thing: the prince's life would be difficult.
According to the paradox analysis method, with Mingzhu and the others around, even if the Crown Prince didn't suffer a major loss, Kangxi would still protect him. Comparatively, of all his sons, Kangxi loved Yinreng the most. Everyone had seen the Empress Dowager's final instructions, which arranged her own affairs. Yet, during the time Kangxi was nursing her, she must have told him countless times of her concern for this motherless child. How could Kangxi not be moved?
If Mingzhu had made even the slightest provocative move at this point, Kangxi would have instantly dealt with her. And so, she did. Without Kangxi's backing, who would have dared to single out Mingzhu like this? And to have it approved right off the bat, claiming it hadn't been rehearsed, was an insult to the audience's intelligence.
But once the pearl disappeared, it seemed that no one could threaten his beloved son anymore. The entire court showed their loyalty to the crown prince, and the only ones who had to face Kangxi directly were the crown prince and Soetu. The blood and tears of countless deposed crown princes over the past five thousand years tell us that this was the beginning of tragedy.
I vaguely remember watching a science and education program that refuted a claim. It was said that humans, from the moment sperm is formed, have been in a competitive environment, vying for a chance with hundreds of millions of sperm, on a first-come, first-served basis. This perception is actually wrong. As the largest cell in the body, the egg's wall is very thick. Those who arrive first are martyrs, having used their lives to break through the wall, leaving them with no strength to continue. They sacrifice themselves to pave the way for those who follow.
Similarly, we can use this analogy. The throne (the crown prince) is the egg, and the competing princes are the slugs. The eldest prince and his foes were foolish enough to help others pave the way, ultimately benefiting the fourth prince. Therefore, whether it's the one being deposed or the one who deposed, everyone else ultimately benefits. It's a case of the snipe and the clam fighting, only to have the fisherman profit.
When the disciplinary decision was made in March, Shujia observed two seconds of silence for the tragic brothers, and then she could no longer laugh.
Her teacher, Mr. Jiang, took the exam in March and failed. The exam was supposed to be held in February, but first the national mourning, then the party strife, delayed it for a full month. Mr. Jiang still failed, and dejectedly returned to teaching. Just in time, Guanyinbao could officially begin his education.
Mr. Jiang looked ashamed: "I am not good at learning, I am really ashamed." Shi Wenbing thought it was normal. There were many people with white hair who took the exam in their seventies and eighties: "Sir, why don't you teach my child in my humble home for the time being, and try again next time." Mr. Jiang shook his head and said: "I have no intention of taking the exam again. I just hope that my child can have a bright future." The implication was that he didn't want to mention it anymore.
When Shujia heard that he was coming, she wanted to ask Xiluote for permission to go back to class: "My younger brother is still young, so it's easier for him to learn. I won't take up much of the teacher's time. I just ask when I don't understand something. No one has commented on my writing recently." Xiluote thought that it would be a long time before Shujia would run for election, so it was necessary for her to continue to maintain her cultural cultivation, so she agreed.
Shujia's happiness was short-lived. In April, when it was time to celebrate her birthday, Huashan, with a smile that wrinkled his face, announced to everyone, "From now on, our family is under the Manchurian flag!"
By digging!
The palace gate copy Hua Shan distributed clearly stated: "The Ministry of Revenue has replied to the petition of my uncle, Tong Guogang, the First-Class Minister of the Interior, stating that my clan is Manchu and requests that I change my clan name to Manchu. This request shall be granted… Former Minister of the Interior and Prince Consort Hua Shan and others have submitted a petition stating that my clan is Manchu and requests that I change my clan name to Manchu. This request shall be granted, and Hua Shan and his clan members shall be transferred to the Manchu register. However, Hua Shan's Zhengbai Banner has five lieutenants, numerous civil and military officials, and students and able-bodied men under his command. This makes it inconvenient to change all of them, and they shall remain under the Han Army."
Is this... officially becoming the Upper Three Banners of Manchuria? The most powerful and influential part of the nation. Kangxi really thought highly of the Shi family and approved it together with his uncle's family.
Shujia quite suspected that her Mafa and Tong Guogang had some little secret.
Xiluo Te became more strict with Shujia. Hua Shan had already opened up a gap, and she had no reason not to urge her daughter to work harder in order to make further progress.
Shujia felt she needed to talk to her family—she really didn't want to be picked on like a carrot or cabbage. If she didn't understand the significance of changing to the Manchurian flag, all these years of her life would have been in vain.
The breakthrough point chosen was the Xilut clan, a housewife who was easily fooled: "Mother, why are you all acting so strangely these days? Why are you so attentive?"
Xiluo Te said, "Girl, do you really not understand or are you just pretending not to understand?" She pulled her over and sat beside her. "Join the Manchu banner and wait for your chance to be selected, and your future will be better." Shujia said in a muffled voice, "I don't want that kind of future." Xiluo Te's face immediately turned serious. "Where did you hear such nonsense?"
Shujia realized that the tone was not right and hugged Xiluote's arm: "Mother, think about it, your future is in your hands..." She pointed her finger upwards, "you don't know whether it will be a dragon or a phoenix in your hands... Wouldn't it be better to live like your elder sister? No one dares to bully you. Even if you set rules, it would be better." If he really had to wear a yellow belt, and his title was higher than that of his mother's family, he would really be a bullied daughter-in-law.
Xiluo Te remained silent and looked at Shujia seriously: "You have grown up and are now at the age where you know how to think."
Shujia felt relieved, only to hear Xiluo Te continue, "You're still confused! How can it be the same?! Once the marriage is arranged, your husband's family can't do anything to you. If we arranged the marriage ourselves, we wouldn't have such a grand occasion."
Arranged marriages, it turned out, were a golden sign. Shujia was speechless. She wasn't foolish enough to say, "Let the emperor arrange for me to marry the one I like." The selection of concubines was for the emperor's own family to choose wives and concubines. Others had no chance, and the emperor had neither the mood nor the energy to interfere in other families' affairs. To try to do that was to ask for trouble.
Xiluo Te said sternly, "Go back and learn the rules!" Her voice was soft, but the weight of meaning was palpable. Shujia shuddered and argued, "If this is really an arranged marriage, who knows what will happen. What if it goes wrong... I don't want to be someone's concubine... I..."
Xiluo Te's expression softened for a moment, and she said firmly, "You are the legitimate daughter of the Earl's Mansion, so you are different from others! Don't make random guesses."
This road is blocked! Even though Xiluo is a housewife, she is also the CEO who manages the entire family business part-time. She is not so easily fooled.
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Back in the courtyard, Chunxi and Xiaxi had already packed their bags, ready to go home. After the mourning period for the Empress Dowager, they would marry. Today, they had kowtowed to Shujia and were about to pack their bags and leave. Making wedding dresses, putting away all the needlework, and bedding would all take time. The Shi family had no shortage of servants, so they generously allowed them some free time.
After they kowtowed, Chunxi said to Shujia, "Miss, we have taught Hongxiu and the others everything we should teach you. Take care of yourself. Perhaps I can still serve you in the future." Xiaxi said, "I have handed over the key. Please light it later. Don't do needlework at night. It hurts your eyes." Chunxi said, "Read less. If you want to read, light more candles and read books with large print..."
Shujia said, "Look at what you're saying. I'm still in this family, for a while... You're still part of this family, too." She felt a little melancholic, but not sad. She planned to talk to Xiluo Te in two years and let the two girls continue to stay in her room. These two had taken care of her since they were little, and just looking at them made them feel more approachable than the others. She figured they'd be labeled "Second Lady's maids" if they went elsewhere. Others, like Wendu, had their own trusted aides, so it would be better to find a way to keep them under her name forever, so they could maintain their respectability and feel more at ease with her.
Before leaving, they knelt down together again: "That was the rule before, and thank Miss Xie for speaking for us." With Shujia's intervention, the future husbands of both of them had the potential to become managers and were considered promising young men among the servants in the Shi Mansion. Shujia took note and hinted to a few literate people.
Shujia raised her hand and said, "Wait." She had almost forgotten that she had prepared some gifts for them. Shujia had plenty of fine fabrics in her room; back in Hangzhou, there was no shortage of them. Although she didn't socialize much, she had met the old lady quite often during Xiluo Te's confinement, and had received many various kinds of tapestries and small jewelry. She selected four rolls of bright red satin, two for each person, and a set of gold jewelry for another.
Chunxi and Xiaxi both waved their hands and said, "It's too expensive."
Shujia said, "I know whether it's valuable or not. If you say it's valuable, I'm afraid it's not worth it. I just want to give it to you. You've been with me for ten years, which is longer than the time you've been with your own sister. You came out of my room, so I have something to accompany you."
In their daily interactions, they were like master and servant, and they really didn't treat them as outsiders. Now that she was getting married, her conditions allowed her to marry only servants, and Shujia also wanted to support them.
"It's such a happy occasion, why are you crying? As long as I'm here, you can't run away." He said in a teasing tone, stretched out his left hand, and made a grasping gesture with his palm facing up.
Chunxi burst into laughter and said, "You were good when you were little, but now that you've grown up, you can actually make people laugh."
A maid came to the door and whispered, "Young lady, it's time for them to go home. Young lady, it's time for you to take a break. You still have things to do in the afternoon."
After saying goodbye, Shuangxi felt less sad and more confident, and went back with his things.
Shujia lay in bed, thinking. Her mother wanted her to marry well, which was understandable. Living past her twenties was practically impossible; her family had already arranged a marriage for her. The problem now was that she could only find a husband among the bannermen. She couldn't even get along with anyone before marriage—there was no chance at all. She didn't even have a cousin. She had no aunts or uncles, and her uncle's cousin's son was already a regular. Even if her brother had guests, there was no way they'd meet him in the backyard. Marrying blindly was truly horrible.
There were also a host of other issues. Those from less privileged backgrounds wouldn't agree, while those from more privileged backgrounds were bound to have multiple wives and concubines. Shujia felt melancholy. In her eyes, her brother was already a fine young man, yet wasn't he already surrounded by women shortly after his marriage? He seemed respectful to his wife, but having another woman besides her was, in itself, the greatest disrespect for her.
She, currently a student of the Guarjia clan, was destined to settle for a less rotten persimmon among a pile of rotten ones. If she was even more unlucky and met someone who was completely rotten, her life would be like a coffee table.
No, she'd definitely be sick for the next Grand Examination! The Grand Examination took place in spring, and winter and spring were peak season for epidemics. A two-month illness wouldn't be surprising, at most, people would sigh, "Bad luck." If she really wanted to target a member of the imperial clan, there was no way around it. An emperor like Kangxi, with his feudal roots, wouldn't tolerate her "rebellion" or "bullying" the royal family. Shujia clenched her fists. If she went to another family, with her family background and some effort, she had a good chance of dealing with her husband.
The abacus jingled as Shujia fell asleep contentedly.
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