Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The heat of July was intense, with the recent rains now replaced by scorching sun and not a breath of wind. Even the vendors' calls were subdued under the relentless sun. The leaves of the willow trees provided shade for several cicadas, their buzzing a constant hum.

At this hour, a carriage appeared near Donghua Lane. A woman in her forties stepped out, wearing a green silk robe with a red sash and adorned with a gold hairpin. She looked quite respectable.

She walked into Donghua Lane and knocked on the door of the third house. The servant who opened the door smiled, "It's Aunt Zhu from the matchmaker's."

Aunt Zhu returned the smile, "Yes, it's me. Is your mistress at home? I've just come from the Yan family in Xinghua Lane, entrusted by the third matriarch to bring good news."

The servant, already informed, welcomed Aunt Zhu inside, leading her through two arched gates. Aunt Zhu marveled inwardly at the Guan family's reputation as "the Guans serve the emperor like the Zhous did." Despite their wealth, their home remained simple and unostentatious.

In the parlor, a lady in her forties sat regally, her oval face framed by a straight nose and slightly pursed lips. Even in the sweltering heat, she wore a meticulously arranged lilac robe embroidered with cranes.

Aunt Zhu bowed respectfully, "Madam Scholar, I pay my respects to you."

Madam Guan's stern face softened with a smile, "Aunt Zhu, please don't be so formal."

After some pleasantries, Aunt Zhu explained her purpose, "I am here on behalf of the Yan family to propose a marriage for their eldest son. He is fifteen, handsome, refined, and exceptionally intelligent. He has already entered the Imperial Academy..."

Madam Guan understood that this was merely a formality; in wealthy families, marriages were usually arranged privately before the matchmaker was called. Her father-in-law was a chancellor, and her husband a scholar. The Yan family was also prestigious; the eldest son's grandfather was the Left Governor of Henan, and his father was a vice-minister in the Nanjing Ministry of Rites. The only drawback was that the eldest son's mother, Lady Jie, was not the main wife. However, this could be advantageous since Lady Jie managed the third branch but lacked official status, making it easier for her daughter to take charge upon marriage.

...

In the early morning, the sun had just risen, and the heat was still mild. The morning glory flowers on the wall bloomed in shades of crimson, pink, purple, and blue, but they would wilt by noon.

The servants carrying ice hurried along the shaded path, passing through dense foliage until they reached the Crimson Snow Pavilion. The pavilion, with its blue bricks and black tiles, exuded elegance and grandeur.

Two maids in white robes embroidered with bamboo leaves and plum blossoms took the ice basin. Another maid lifted the bamboo curtain, revealing windows covered with green gauze, making the room bright and clean. They proceeded to the north chamber, where the mistress resided. Behind a golden parrot screen, a young woman sat by a sandalwood bed, sewing by the light.

She wore a pale moon-colored robe, her dark hair loosely tied with a silver hairpin. This simple attire accentuated her luminous eyes and graceful demeanor. She was Lady Jie, the second wife of Yan Yingqi, the vice-minister of the Nanjing Ministry of Rites.

Lady Jie, though thirty-one, retained her beauty and charm. She glanced at the sun and rose to draw back the peach blossom curtains, then gently woke her sleeping daughter, "Third Sister, it's time to get up. You have lessons today, and Mr. Yu is waiting."

Yao Niang sat up, hugging her mother's arm, "Mother, even though it's hot during the day in the northwest, it cools down at night. Jin Ling is unbearably hot. Last night felt like being roasted."

Lady Jie stroked her daughter's head affectionately, "Your room is farther away than your sisters', so you need to wake up earlier."

Yao Niang sighed, "Alright, I'll get up."

The Yan family in Jin Ling consisted of three branches living together. The first and third branches were born of the same mother, while the second was a concubine's child. The eldest son, Yan Yingqi, inherited both branches. His first wife was Princess Linzi, the daughter of Prince Qi, chosen by the first branch. The third branch chose Lady Jie, a cousin's daughter from the Dongshan Jie family.

Princess Linzi and Lady Jie entered the household on the same day. Lady Jie bore the eldest son, Yan Jingzhao, while Princess Linzi gave birth to a daughter years later. The first branch, anxious about the lack of heirs, brought in Concubine Yin as a secondary wife. Concubine Yin bore a son and a daughter after Princess Linzi's death.

Princess Linzi's death did not elevate Lady Jie to the position of primary wife. Instead, Yan Yingqi remarried Lady Zhen, the daughter of the Zhongshan Wujixian Zhen family. Lady Zhen bore children and promoted her maid, Concubine Feng, who also had a son.

Lady Zhen's faction was strong, but Lady Jie, after bearing the eldest son, lost her subsequent children. Finally, she had a daughter, Yao Niang, whom she cherished deeply. A fortune-teller predicted that Yao Niang would bring great fortune.

Due to these complex relationships, Yan Yingqi lived in the first branch with his wife and concubines, while Lady Jie lived in the third branch with her children, serving the third matriarch.

This was why Lady Jie urged her daughter to rise early. After dressing, Yao Niang left with her maids, Red Sleeve and Qingdai. They soon encountered Yan's second and fourth daughters, Qian Niang and Ying Niang. Qian Niang, a year older than Yao Niang, was the eldest sister in the household, born to Concubine Yin. Ying Niang, the youngest daughter, was born to Lady Zhen.

"Second Sister, Fourth Sister," Yao Niang greeted them with a smile.

Qian Niang, always quiet, said little. Ying Niang, however, chattered incessantly, "Third Sister, I heard the eldest brother is getting engaged? Have you met his future bride?"

Yao Niang shook her head, "I've only been back for a month. The engagement was arranged when my grandfather visited the capital and met Scholar Guan. We are from the same hometown, so the match was made."

Ying Niang laughed, "I always thought someone like the eldest brother should marry a celestial beauty."

Yao Niang smiled without responding. She was not close to her elder brother, who was raised by the third matriarch. Even her mother had a distant relationship with him.

Her grandmother showed favoritism, allowing her brother's friends to visit while forbidding hers. Now, Yao Niang understood the disparity more clearly.

"Third Sister, look at my bracelet," Ying Niang waved her wrist.

Yao Niang saw a pair of bracelets made of agarwood inlaid with gold beads forming "longevity" characters. She nodded, "They are beautiful and auspicious."

Ying Niang adjusted her sleeve, "Of course, they were given by Grandmother. Second Sister has a pair too. Second Sister, show Third Sister yours."

Qian Niang's bracelet was adorned with gemstones, using filigree work and set with rubies, sapphires, and turquoise. She showed it to Yao Niang, saying, "Grandmother gave us these to wear when meeting guests."

Yao Niang did not receive such gifts. Though they were sisters, they belonged to different branches. Yao Niang addressed the patriarch and matriarch of the first branch as her uncle and aunt. As a child, she had complained about the unfair treatment, but now she kept her grievances to herself.

In the northwest, her grandmother bought many precious stones for the future bride, leaving nothing for her.

Qian Niang glanced at Ying Niang, realizing her intention to show off. She knew Ying Niang could afford to be careless, being the daughter of the primary wife. But for her, it could cause trouble. The matriarchs of the first and third branches were not on good terms. Her father wanted to inherit the third branch's wealth, so he treated the third matriarch well. If Yao Niang complained, it could lead to conflict.

She tried to change the subject, but Yao Niang spoke, "My uncle sent some abalone and barracuda from Dongshan. The white jade loquats and black mulberries are delicious. I'll send some for lunch."

Qian Niang realized Yao Niang was retaliating quickly.

Among the sisters, Qian Niang was born to Concubine Yin, who had no family support. Ying Niang's mother, though from a prominent family, had lost her father and siblings. In contrast, Lady Jie's family resided in Taihu, and her father valued her greatly. The third matriarch had arranged her marriage, ensuring her position.

Therefore, Yao Niang's maternal family, the Jie family, feel deeply guilty towards the Jie clan and have always treated them well.

Yao Niang, of course, knew that Ying Niang was deliberately showing off, and she naturally would not let her be smug about it.