Chapter 53 "When the mistress enters the house, you should..."
A mahogany octagonal table had been set up in the flower hall. Shi Maotong sat in the main seat, with Liang Ye to his right and Mrs. Zhou to his left, followed by Shi Yuanji and his wife and children.
Mrs. Zhou said with some regret, "Rui'er went to Hua'er's house to play. Otherwise, she should have come to greet Ye-ge'er. Speaking of which, the last time you children met was more than ten years ago." She smiled at Liang Ye and said, "I suppose you've forgotten. You were only a few years old back then."
Liang Ye nodded slightly: "That's right, I only vaguely remember meeting my cousin Yuanji and cousin Minghua."
Mrs. Zhou followed up, "Rui'er was still in my arms at that time! Of course you didn't see her."
Liang Ye nodded: "We will meet again someday."
Seeing Liang Ye's calm demeanor and impeccable politeness, Shi Yuanji knew there was still a lingering unease in his heart. Raising his cup, he smiled and said, "Ah Ye, I toast you. In the imperial examination the day after tomorrow, you will surely achieve the highest honors with ease."
Liang Ye raised his cup in thanks: "Thank you for your kind words, brother."
Shi Yuanji put down his wine cup and said casually, "You don't need to worry about any of the trivial matters while you're staying at my house. Cangfengzhai is next to the back garden, right next to the back gate. You can just go out through the back gate whenever you want. Going through the front gate is just a longer route."
“I am truly grateful for the kindness of my aunt and brother. However, I had already discussed with my grandfather the plan to purchase a residence in the capital. Once things are settled there, we will move there eventually, so it is not appropriate to keep bothering you here for too long.”
Mrs. Zhou smiled and said, "Even if it is an inconvenience, what's the harm? This is your uncle's house and your maternal grandparents' house, there's no need to say such formal things."
Liang Ye looked at her and smiled faintly.
Shi Maotong spoke in a deep voice: "It is only right for a man to stand tall and establish his own household. However, there is no need to rush. There are not many vacant courtyards in the capital at present. The layout and location need to be carefully considered." He glanced at Shi Yuanji: "Since you are from the Construction Department, you should also take good care of and help your cousin in establishing his household."
Shi Yuanji smiled and agreed.
Outside, a felt curtain was drawn, and Madam Sheng clasped her hands in front of her abdomen and said gently, "Master, Madam, Miss Shanhe has arrived."
Mrs. Zhou called out, "Let her in."
Liang Ye, who had been sitting quietly with his eyes lowered, couldn't help but raise his gaze. A large crimson felt curtain swayed, and a figure in lotus-root pink quickly emerged. She wore a brocade jacket with a geometric pattern and a pale yellow skirt embroidered with gold thread, beneath which two plain satin cloud-patterned shoes were faintly visible. As Shanhe approached with her head bowed, she revealed that Shanhe's long, dark hair was styled in a single bun, adorned with a jade plum blossom hairpin and a small lotus-shaped ornament, but no other jewelry. At first glance, Shanhe appeared slender and graceful, her demeanor delicate and elegant, unlike a maidservant, but rather a young lady from a noble family.
Shanhe stood at the lower end, curtsied, and said, "This servant greets Master and Madam."
Mrs. Zhou smiled and said, "Get up. Come closer."
Shanhe moved two steps closer as instructed, still keeping her head down and looking obedient, extremely careful and respectful.
Mrs. Zhou said, "Look up, let me take a closer look."
Shanhe felt like a monkey on a stage, having to do whatever others told her to do.
She raised her face. Mrs. Zhou and the others all looked over, and saw a fair, oval face with two thin, flat eyebrows that curved slightly in the middle, below which were a pair of clear, bright almond-shaped eyes. Her nose was fleshy at the tip and had a slender, straight bridge, a sign of good fortune. Her lips were rosy and slightly pursed, revealing a hint of restraint.
Mrs. Zhou's gaze swept over the girl's face twice before she smiled and said, "She is indeed a well-behaved child, and she looks quite composed."
Shanhe couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Two years ago, the Shi family looked down on her for being lowly, but now they were praising her for being neat and composed.
Meanwhile, Shi Maotong and his son Shi Yuanji glanced at it briefly, then quickly looked away and continued eating and drinking.
Liang Ye's gaze remained fixed on Shanhe. He noticed her pale face and the way her fingers were clutching her clothes, and knew she was nervous. He smiled and said, "Although she is a maid in the household, Shanhe is quiet and has some education. She used to serve in Rongxi Hall, and my grandfather always liked her very much."
Mrs. Zhou listened carefully and, after considering his meaning, replied, "If that's your grandfather's wish, then that's even better."
Shanhe was stunned, and suddenly realized that Liang Ye was using the deceased Old Master Liang as an identity for her, implying that she was given to him by Old Master Liang, and that she was a maidservant in his room with a clean background! She bit her lip and couldn't help but glare at him hatefully.
Liang Ye acted as if he hadn't seen it: "Grandfather always doted on us two brothers."
Mrs. Zhou had already asked Mama Sheng to bring over a carnelian bracelet. Smiling, she took Shanhe's hand and was about to give her the bracelet when she suddenly noticed that Shanhe already had two gold bracelets on her wrist. She couldn't help but exclaim with a chuckle, "These two gold bracelets are so bright and shiny that they make my carnelian look rather insignificant."
Shanhe hurriedly lowered her head to speak, but a burst of laughter came from outside the curtain: "What's unsightly? Tell me quickly, sister-in-law!"
Everyone turned to look, and saw a beautiful woman leading two girls through the curtain. The woman was adorned with gold and silver, her ornaments jingling and tassels swaying as she walked. Behind her were two girls; the one in front had a round face and a full nose, and was very pretty; the one behind had a pointed face and narrow shoulders, and kept her eyes down, not daring to look at anyone.
Upon seeing that the women were relatives of the deceased, Liang Ye rose to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Mrs. Shi smiled and pressed him down, saying, "These are your two cousins; there's no need for such formalities." She smiled and led Meng Chiying and Meng Chijin closer, saying gently, "These are Chiying and Chijin. They were studying when you came at noon, so I didn't get to see them."
Liang Ye had no choice but to step forward and greet the two of them.
Madam Sheng had already asked someone to add more chairs, and Mrs. Zhou got up and helped Mrs. Shi to sit down. When they reached Shanhe, Mrs. Shi looked her up and down and said, "Where did this girl come from? I've never seen her before."
Mrs. Zhou smiled and said, "Where is the person in Ye Ge'er's room?"
Mrs. Shi's smiling face stiffened, and she couldn't help but glance at Shanhe, her tone indifferent: "Oh, the person in Ye-ge'er's room. He's not married yet, and you've already put someone in the room so early?"
Upon hearing this, and seeing that she had specially brought her own daughter, Chiying, and Chijin, the daughter of her maid, Mrs. Zhou couldn't help but ponder her intentions. Mrs. Zhou smiled and said, "It's getting late. Ye'er is now of age, and it's only natural to have someone by his side who understands his needs. Besides, this is also his grandfather's wish."
Mrs. Shi sat down, her gaze falling on Shanhe, her tone indifferent: "Since it's the old man, then so be it. What's your name? How old are you? Where do you live? What do your parents do? Are you currently Ye-ge'er's maid, or do you have a formal title?" She paused, then slowly forced a smile, feigning kindness and consideration: "Don't take it personally. Ye-ge'er is my younger sister's child. Now, only he and Shao-ge'er remain in the Liang family. The old man, the madam, and I cannot neglect them."
Liang Ye sneered inwardly, silently drinking his wine to conceal his expression.
After Mrs. Shi's words, everyone present lost their appetite. Liang Ye disembarked that morning and visited the Meng and Ouyang families during the day, especially the Ouyang family. Originally, he was going to pay his respects to Attendant Ouyang himself, but Shi Maotong said that Mrs. Zhou and Shi Yuanji had brought Liang Ye's family here today, causing Steward Lin to return empty-handed, which was a disgrace to Steward Lin and thus an insult to Attendant Ouyang. Steward Lin reported back, and Attendant Ouyang would inevitably question them. Therefore, Shi Maotong and his son prepared generous gifts and went to the Ouyang residence with Liang Ye to "apologize."
Ostensibly an apology, it was actually an attempt to forge a relationship. Shi Maotong now held the position of Vice Minister of War, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Personnel, which had always been clearly separate from the Secretariat and the Chancellery. Now that Liang Ye had climbed the social ladder by becoming the Vice Minister of the Secretariat, it naturally opened a path for the Shi family to befriend the Ouyang family. This was another reason why the Shi family was so quick to repair their relationship with Liang Ye.
Besides his mentor, Lord Ouyang, the only thing that could be used against Liang Ye was his marriage. Madam Zhou's wife, Shi Mingrui, Madam Shi's wife, Meng Chiying, and Meng Chijin (born to a concubine) were all of beautiful age and seeking suitable marriage partners. A young man like Liang Ye was undeniably handsome, and as for his future, even if he were foolish, Lord Ouyang and Shi Maotong would do their best to support him, especially since he was inherently ambitious, intelligent, and diligent. Furthermore, the Liang family was simple and honest; Liang Ye had no parents-in-law to support, and only a brother with a nominal title and limited prospects. Although he had married a female slave, she lived far away in Mizhou, so it didn't matter much. Giving their daughter to him would mean no need to serve in-laws or deal with household affairs, and the second wife's family would certainly be weak. This was truly a perfect match, one that couldn't be found even with a lantern in the entire capital.
The only slight imperfection is the young woman named Shanhe standing before everyone.
Logically, for someone of Liang Ye's age, having a concubine wouldn't be unusual. However, this Miss Shanhe was someone Liang Ye himself had brought up at the dinner table, in front of his uncle and aunt. Madam Zhou then had Shanhe brought over. Seeing Shanhe's elegant demeanor and beautiful appearance, she knew she was no ordinary maid. Madam Zhou, under the pretext of admiring a carnelian bracelet, intended to observe Shanhe's appearance, but instead noticed her slender, jade-white fingers, suggesting she was not used to hard labor and might even be somewhat knowledgeable. When she went to put the bracelets on Shanhe, she noticed two gold bracelets on her wrists, exquisitely carved and pure gold, far beyond what someone of her status should possess. Madam Zhou pondered carefully, guessing that the bracelets were either a gift from the former Master Liang or from Liang Ye himself. Either way, it was clear that Miss Shanhe held a high position in Liang Ye's household.
With such a beautiful concubine in the house, the mistress who later married into the household had to be careful.
Mrs. Zhou thought this to herself, but remained outwardly calm, watching to see how Shanhe would deal with Mrs. Shi.
Shanhe bowed respectfully before replying softly, "My name is Shanhe, I am seventeen years old. I used to be Liang Shao's wife, but now Liang Ye has taken me away to be his prostitute."
But she didn't say that. In such a situation, if she did, not only would she anger that man, but she might not even know how she died. She felt she had mastered Caixiang's way—survival was the most important thing.
So Shanhe simply bowed respectfully and said softly, "This servant's name is Shanhe. I am seventeen years old. My parents died early. Now I serve under you, sir, and I dare not hope for anything else."
Liang Ye sat opposite him, his eyes reddened by the wine, but his voice was firm: "Now that my grandfather is in mourning, it is not appropriate to take a concubine or anything like that."
Mrs. Shi looked at Shanhe deeply, understanding Liang Ye's meaning. She narrowed her eyes and said slowly, "This is the right way."
During the ensuing family dinner, Mrs. Shi took the lead, focusing on Liang Ye's affairs and her conversation with Meng Chiying. Meng Chiying was pretty and spoke in a sweet voice, especially fond of lively gatherings, making her a very likable person. Shi Maotong also adored this niece. Shanhe, on the other hand, was neglected and assigned by Mrs. Zhou to be a serving maid, standing by and attending to others. However, throughout the meal, everyone kept glancing at her, intentionally or unintentionally. After the dinner, everyone returned to their rooms, chatting about their own private matters. Because it was getting late, Mrs. Shi and her two daughters stayed at the Shi family's house.
Back at Cangfeng Courtyard, Liang Ye was somewhat confused due to the wine he had been drinking. He dismissed Cai Xiang and the others who came to serve him, leaving only Shan He to attend to him. Hot water was already prepared, and Shan He, carrying his clothes, was about to leave when the man in the bathtub, his forehead propped up, looked at her with a drowsy smile: "Where are you going?"
"Don't you know how to serve the master a bath?"
Shanhe had her back to him and lowered her head: "Why would you lie to them, sir?"
"Lies?" He chuckled. "Which word is 'lies'?" He knew what Shanhe was insisting on and was too lazy to play games with her. "Grandfather did indeed like you when he was alive. Because of the mourning period, I really couldn't take you as a concubine. Which word is 'lies'?"
Shanhe's voice lowered: "When the lady said it was grandfather's idea, the eldest master shouldn't have tacitly agreed to it..."
Liang Ye rested his forehead on the edge of the tub, silently watching her back, his lips pressed tightly together. Suddenly, he raised his hand from the water and said gently, "Shanshan, come closer."
Shanhe clenched her fists tightly around the clothes, not wanting to move.
"come over."
Shanhe had no choice but to turn around and walk towards him. Once she stood in front of Liang Ye, she spoke softly, "Master, we had an agreement. I am willing to be a maid by your side, as long as you give me a place to stay. I cannot and dare not accept any other empty titles."
Liang Ye chuckled softly upon hearing this. He extended his hand to Shanhe, looking at her with a smile: "Shanshan, why? Is giving you a proper status something you wouldn't be doing yourself a disservice?"
Shanhe placed her hand in his palm, lowering her eyes: "No, sir. Concubines can be included in the family genealogy, I don't want my name—"
"Alright," he cut her off sharply, "Don't let me hear his name from your lips. Understand, Shanshan?"
He took her hand and pulled her closer to him. Shanhe's clothes quickly became soaked with water, heavy and swollen. After the kiss, Liang Ye reluctantly released her, his hand falling to her waist, easily untying her tightly bound belt.
His hand slipped inside, his words continuing: "Don't worry, taking a concubine won't happen anytime soon. It's just an excuse to appease the people in this household. Shanshan, didn't you notice? Both Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Shi have two daughters."
Shanhe felt the large, moving hand and couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"They're trying every possible way to find a good husband for their daughter. What about you, Shanshan? Don't you want to?"
Her clothes hung loosely on Shanhe's body. Liang Ye suddenly yanked hard, and Shanhe fell into the tub. He easily peeled away the bothersome clothes, leaving only a thin white linen shirt, soaking wet, clinging to her smooth skin. He looked down at the person huddled in his arms, stroking her wet hair with a touch of tenderness, and sighed, "Shanshan, you have no name, no status, nothing. What will you do when the mistress enters the house?"
Shanhe's clear eyes, moistened with tears, returned his gaze. She thought to herself, "By the time the mistress enters the house, I will have already escaped this cage and forgotten who you are."
She said, "Don't I have an old man?"
Liang Ye smiled contentedly, lowered his head, and kissed her chest again.
“So you must take your medicine and eat on time every day and take good care of your health.” He patiently sucked and chewed, his words slowly spilling out from between his teeth, “You must have a child before the mistress enters the house.”
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Author's Note: The next chapter is about Liang Shao going off to play in the wild; it's a personal growth story, and he won't have any scenes with Shan Shan (important!). He'll only be indirectly related to Shan Shan and Liang Ye. It's also quite long. When he returns and meets Shan Shan again, everything will have changed drastically. Updates every other day.
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