Chapter 28

Chapter 28

"Dead?" Lady Zhen covered her chest, still in disbelief.

Mother Wei nodded. "Yes, Mother Wei hanged herself, and the sight was terrifying. I couldn't get all the details, but there are rumors that she tried to harm the young master. After being discovered, she died out of shame."

Even Lady Zhen hadn't expected Yan Jingzhao to be so much harsher than Lady Xie. His ruthlessness was truly chilling.

Lady Zhen then asked Mother Wei, "Did you see the eldest young master this morning? How did he look?"

Mother Wei replied, "I saw the eldest young master looking as usual. Earlier, I pretended to deliver something to Second Lady and saw him about to leave, laughing and chatting."

"This child, I originally thought he was just eccentric and arrogant, never imagining he could be like this..." Lady Zhen was, after all, a woman confined to the inner quarters.

After hearing Lady Xie's explanation, Yao Niang first found it unreasonable: "Mother Wei is the wet nurse of my brother. When he becomes successful, they would share his glory. Why would she want to harm him?"

Lady Xie said, "Things that seem unreasonable at first glance might not be so. Not everyone who does evil deeds plans meticulously. Most murders happen out of impulse, like Mother Wei. She is loyal to your grandmother. As your brother grows up and no longer relies on them, they naturally feel threatened. With their limited understanding, they probably still see your brother as a child, thinking I made him sick. They might have given him rhubarb for a few days, and then Mother Wei personally took care of him, stopping the rhubarb. When he recovered, he would naturally be grateful to her."

"Just because of this..." Yao Niang was speechless.

Lady Xie stroked her daughter's head and said, "King Chu Ping didn't expect that Wu Zixu, who escaped the massacre of the Wu family, would later destroy Chu and desecrate his tomb."

"Daughter will also be careful with those around her," Yao Niang vowed, fearing she might make mistakes that could harm her in the future.

Lady Xie waved her hand. "Being cautious is right, but don't let suspicion chill others' hearts. You need to find the balance yourself."

This was another way of teaching her daughter how to manage a household. Lady Xie feared her daughter would end up like Lady Guan.

The daughters of the Yan family often had an air of superiority, but they shouldn't be overly proud. Otherwise, it would cause problems in their future relationships, both within and outside the family.

Afterward, Lady Xie told Yao Niang, "These past few days, I've been eating pastries from the teahouses in the capital. The pastries here lack a light sweetness. I want to open a shop selling tea and pastries together. Once we settle down, I'll ask Brother Zhang to find a storefront."

"Mother, do you have suppliers?" Yao Niang asked curiously.

Lady Xie smiled. "Of course, business is built on connections. Rent from land depends on the weather, and usury can be profitable but risky. It's better to run a pawnshop or a silver house."

She preferred to start small to avoid overwhelming complications.

With the kitchen in the east wing now complete, Yao Niang noticed her mother resting her chin on her hand and asked, "Mother, aren't you cooking today?"

Lady Xie shook her head absentmindedly. "I just want to stay like this."

"Alright, then I'll practice the konghou for a while," Yao Niang said with a smile.

Yao Niang had grown accustomed to her mother's behavior. If she didn't play the instrument daily, she would become rusty. Today, she played "Luo Shen," using techniques unique to the konghou.

As she played, lost in music, Yan Jingzhao entered, playing his flute. The flute and konghou were always a perfect match. Yao Niang and her brother exchanged a smile and continued playing. After a while, they switched to another piece, captivating the servants.

"Eldest brother," Yao Niang stood up, preparing to bow.

Yan Jingzhao smiled. "When I heard you playing 'Luo Shen,' I couldn't resist joining in."

Yao Niang responded, "Sometimes music resonates deeply."

Traditionally, boys and girls over seven should not sit together, even siblings. Yan Jingzhao loved reading and was well-versed in literature. Today, the music stirred him.

"Your skills have improved greatly," Yan Jingzhao praised.

Yao Niang blushed slightly. "I still have a long way to go, yet you always compliment me. If you have time, you should teach me poetry. Your calligraphy is excellent, and your handwriting is beautiful. I envy you."

Everyone enjoys compliments, including Yan Jingzhao. Especially since his sister wasn't one to flatter, his heart felt warm.

"Yao Niang, if you have any questions, ask me," Yan Jingzhao said.

Yao Niang indeed had some questions. She remembered them well and showed them to Yan Jingzhao, who patiently taught her. He seemed eager to continue, but Yao Niang, being considerate, urged him, "Brother, you need to study for the provincial exams. Our studies are casual, but yours are serious."

Yan Jingzhao laughed. "Actually, rote learning isn't very useful. At twelve, my teacher had me teach my classmates."

Yao Niang clapped. "Brother is truly amazing."

"Alright, I'll go to the study now," Yan Jingzhao said, walking away quickly.

Soon, the Yan family settled into their new life, and the school resumed. Yao Niang continued to study with her sisters in the front courtyard. Qian Niang, who had recently arrived from Jin Ling, seemed to have changed.

Previously, Qian Niang showed talent in painting but didn't focus on it. In recent years, Yao Niang had almost caught up with her in painting, and now Qian Niang was working harder than ever.

Ying Niang commented, "Second Sister goes to bed early, extinguishing the lights by the hour of the rooster."

"Going to bed so early, I haven't even bathed by then," Yao Niang thought, knowing she couldn't sleep that early.

Qian Niang was a concubine-born daughter, raised between her birth mother and her stepmother, making her more mature than her sisters. Moreover, Aunt Yin's son had married a good wife, allowing her to focus more on her daughter.

This year, the eldest sister turned fourteen, and Qian Niang would soon turn thirteen, reaching marriageable age.

Especially after their father became the Vice Minister of Appointments, Lady Zhen and Second Lady lived together, attracting many officials' wives. Aunt Yin, having lost her parents early and relying on her maternal uncle, understood the importance of planning ahead. She advised her daughter to prepare early.

This preparation involved building a reputation. Among the four sisters, Lady Zhen would likely reserve the best prospects for Ying Niang. The most beautiful was Yao Niang, whose mother, Second Lady, had influence over their father. Even her brother, if he entered politics, could support her.

Even the eldest sister was a competitor, as the eldest daughter usually receives more attention. However, Yan Ningxin lacked the refinement and grace expected of a lady. She returned from Prince Qi's residence without mentioning it, showing she could let go easily.

But Yan Ningxin's upbringing lacked the guidance of a governess, allowing her to be free-spirited and less reserved than her sisters.

Therefore, Qian Niang realized that to stand out, she needed to present herself as a cultured, graceful, and virtuous lady before her sisters developed such awareness.

The first step was to showcase her talents, which would bring her fame.

This was also the reason she had recently started studying again. Her thoughts were simple: to choose the best possible husband, otherwise, as a minor daughter, she would be overshadowed and left with only the leftovers.

There were only four of them in the school, so Yan Ningxin and Qian Niang sat together, while Yao Niang and Ying Niang shared a seat.

Mr. Yu's lectures became increasingly profound, and they all listened attentively. In the afternoon, the teacher taught painting, and the lives of young ladies in Jin Ling or the capital did not differ much.

After class, Yao Niang yawned, "I haven't sat for so long in a while; I'm quite tired."

Qingdai came over to take her book bag and smiled, "Madam knows you were very tired from your first day of studies today, so she specially made zongzi. There are plain water zongzi, savory ones with salted egg yolk and meat, and sweet ones with red beans."

Yao Niang loved zongzi even when it wasn't the Dragon Boat Festival, so upon hearing that Lady Jie had made zongzi, she immediately stomped her feet, "I want to go home right now."

In an instant, Yao Niang was gone without a trace.

At such moments, Yan Ningxin envied Yao Niang immensely. No matter what, she had a mother who loved her dearly. With her fourteenth birthday approaching, it seemed no one in the mansion remembered, and she took a deep breath.

During dinner, Yan Yingqi visited Lady Jie and paused upon seeing the zongzi, "Isn't the Dragon Boat Festival still months away?"

Lady Jie smiled, "Our daughter loves them, and I had nothing else to do, so I made some."

"If only Yao Niang could learn your skills," Yan Yingqi said.

Lady Jie glanced at Yao Niang, "Cooking is just a mundane task. I think Yao Niang is very smart and will pick it up quickly if she tries a few times."

These skills can be learned casually after marriage. Lady Jie herself had gradually mastered them after getting married.

Yao Niang bit into a meat zongzi and wrinkled her nose, "Delicious."

"Even though it's delicious, don't eat too much," Lady Jie reminded her.

Then, she discussed the idea of opening a shop with Yan Yingqi, "I saw a good location, and the annual rent is about twenty taels of silver. So I want to lease it, half for a teahouse and half for selling pastries."

Yan Yingqi looked surprised, "You've already found a place?"

"Yes, in business, you have to act quickly. If we can open before the Dragon Boat Festival, it could be a big success," Lady Jie thought.

Yan Yingqi smiled, "Take my name card with you, and if you need to go out, just tell the steward. As for the rent, take it from my money box."

Lady Jie shook her head, "Why should I use your money?"

Yan Yingqi put down his chopsticks, "What's mine is yours. Any loss is on me, and any profit is yours."

Lady Jie smiled slightly.

Watching her parents discuss household matters, Yao Niang finished her meat zongzi and excused herself. After leaving, she walked several circles around her courtyard and drank some hawthorn water to aid digestion before feeling better.

About a month later, Lady Jie went out to look at the shop and quickly leased it for a year. She then hired a capable manager and staff with the help of intermediaries. She hoped to create a serene and quiet teahouse with moderate prices, so even small tables had partitions to avoid overcrowding.

Initially, there were many details to handle. Lady Jie set the prices, designed the oil paper for wrapping pastries, and opened the shop the day before Qingming, offering a promotion of buying one pound of pastries and getting half a pound of fried dough twists free.

Even though business was slow at first, Lady Jie remained undeterred.

During this month in the capital, Lady Zhen had taken Yan Ningxin, Qian Niang, and Ying Niang to several banquets, including one at Vice Premier Gong's residence and another at the Ministry of Appointments' banquet hosted by Lady Yan's superior's wife.

At these banquets, Yao Niang heard that Qian Niang's reputation had spread, and she was even invited to poetry gatherings.

This highlighted the disadvantage of Lady Jie. In Jin Ling, it was fine, but in the capital, Lady Zhen had connections with other officials' wives. Now that they were in the capital, invitations naturally went to her.

Ying Niang never expected that her supposed rival, Third Sister, would remain unknown while Second Sister rose to prominence. So she approached Lady Zhen, "I didn't expect Second Sister to be praised as a talented lady. They say she is clever and well-behaved. But she's just a minor daughter—"

"Ying Niang, stop talking nonsense. They are all your father's daughters; there's no difference," Lady Zhen scolded.

"But if they're the same, why can't Third Sister go?" Ying Niang felt she knew a lot. Although her mother treated everyone nicely on the surface, she hadn't taken Third Sister to any banquets.

Lady Zhen patted her daughter's head, "Your Third Sister belongs to the third branch. This is different from Jin Ling, where they can mix freely. If I take her out, others might ask questions, and I wouldn't know how to answer."

Although Ying Niang was jealous of Second Sister's prominence, she preferred Qian Niang over Third Sister.

Compared to Lady Zhen and her daughter's indifference towards Qian Niang, Aunt Yin and Lady Yu were delighted for her.

"Second Sister, this is great. Our daughters don't need to socialize much, but having such a reputation will make Father see you differently," Lady Yu said happily.

Aunt Yin nodded, "Your sister-in-law is right."

They avoided discussing marriage in front of an unmarried girl like Qian Niang, but their implication was clear. Even Aunt Yin added, "It would be wonderful if only invitations were sent to you."

"How could that be? People wouldn't offend anyone for no reason," Qian Niang laughed.

Aunt Yin waved her hand, "That's not offending anyone. Think about it, someone like Eldest Sister, who lacks talent, being invited would be a burden for her. For events like poetry gatherings, they invite those with talent. You helped Fourth Sister with her homework since childhood, so you were always the most outstanding."

Lady Yu, listening nearby, thought of Third Sister Yao Niang, who was also talented and musically inclined. Though younger, she was not inferior to Second Sister. Why didn't Madam take Third Sister along?

It seemed that despite the apparent harmony between Lady Zhen and Lady Jie, there were undercurrents beneath the surface.

Lady Jie understood the situation well. Lady Zhen deliberately excluded her daughter, likely harboring resentment. Her reasoning was solid: the invitations were addressed to the main branch, and taking the main branch's children was proper. As for Yao Niang, she belonged to the third branch, and taking her was a favor, not an obligation.

If Lady Jie complained to Yan Yingqi, Lady Zhen might take it out on Yao Niang, which Lady Jie couldn't bear. So she remained silent.

Yao Niang was both intelligent and proud. She felt discouraged about not being invited, but she refused to voice her disappointment, as it would seem she desperately wanted to go.

After the shop opened, Lady Jie called her daughter over, "I heard they've all been going out to meet guests except you. Do you feel sad?"

Yao Niang nodded, "Daughter wonders why they can go, but I cannot. But I decided to let it go. Those reputations mean nothing. I'm only eleven, and I don't have exceptional talent. It's better to focus on improving myself."

Lady Jie nodded slowly, "The reason I haven't spoken up is because the timing isn't right. Look at your brother; everyone knows he is Father's eldest son, and even Madam doesn't dare treat him poorly. This is not because of anything else but because he is a man, capable of becoming a general or a minister, whereas it's harder for you."

"Daughter understands," Yao Niang realized that women couldn't participate in the imperial examinations, making it difficult for her to achieve much.

Lady Jie smiled again, "Yao Niang, it's my status that has caused you trouble, but I promise you won't have to wait long to make a public appearance."

Yao Niang knew that everything Jie Shi did was for her, so she quickly said, "Mother, I've been to poetry gatherings in Jin Ling before, and actually, I don't really like them. There are very few who can truly write good poetry; most just fill the ranks, and some with strong personalities even demand flattery. Rather than that, I'd rather paint more. Initially, I thought my skills were lacking, but now I write poems every day and take them to Brother for his critique. I'm still far from being able to compose great poetry, so how could I dare show off in front of others?"

She spoke earnestly, and Jie Shi also feared that her daughter might indeed be gathering strength, so she said, "Your aunt is hoping we'll lose our composure. If I really begged your father to take you to someone else's house, he might even be impeached."

"Why would that be?" Yao Niang didn't understand.

Jie Shi stood up and said, "You've read books, and you've studied the *Spring and Autumn Annals*. It clearly states 'No prince shall have two consorts.' Even princes are not allowed to have co-wives. In the Han dynasty, 'disrupting the hierarchy between wife and concubine' was explicitly made a crime. In this dynasty, replacing a wife with a concubine is punishable by ninety strokes. In Jin Ling, I could still claim the identity of the third lady at banquets. But now in the capital, countless political enemies are waiting to catch us out. Even if they're not enemies, the censors can impeach us based on rumors. The imperial censors, though only seventh rank, are quick to impeach. Even if I got your father's agreement to take you out, it would likely end up causing us trouble."

For Jie Shi to beg Zhen Shi was even less possible. Even if Jie Shi bowed down, Zhen Shi wouldn't give her any favorable treatment.

"Daughter, whether I am legitimate or illegitimate, even I don't know," Yao Niang looked down at her hands.

Jie Shi felt pained but heard Yao Niang continue, "But although my status is ambiguous, at least I can say who my grandfather and father are. Mother, you must have suffered more than me all these years, right?"

She was simply worried about her mother. Even as a little girl, she understood that her mother meant she was not recognized.

The entire Yan family was like a stage, and once off the stage, the masters and mistresses were all actors.

Jie Shi hugged her daughter, "Mother has you and your brother, and that's enough."

"Not enough, not enough, Mother. Daughter will make sure you are recognized. I've heard of Han Qi, a famous Song dynasty chancellor, who was born of his father and a servant girl. When he became Chancellor, he had his mother posthumously honored as the Lady of Qin. Also, Nie Zhen, the maternal grandfather of Sima Guang, and poet Mei Yaochen were both born of concubines. Mother, though I may not be like Brother who can enter officialdom through the imperial exams, ancient stories tell of Ti Ying saving her father and Hua Mulan joining the army. Women are not inferior to men; I just need to stay in the inner chambers and improve myself for the future." Yao Niang spoke earnestly.

Right now, her power was too small. When one's power is small, one should lie low instead of seeking attention.

Jie Shi smiled through tears, "Good, I always believe in my daughter."

Even after Qian Niang participated in the poetry society and gained admiration with a painting, the third branch remained quiet.

Even Yan Jingzhao, who only cared about studying, heard that the eldest branch's three sisters went to banquets while his own sister stayed home writing, and he came to ask about it.

Yao Niang responded understandingly, "Brother, you know I'm not from the eldest branch. Here, it's different from Jin Ling. If I go out, will I be considered legitimate or illegitimate? And what will Mother be considered? So don't mention it to Mother anymore; it will only make her sad. Besides, I don't enjoy socializing every day."

"You little girl knows nothing about socializing," Yan Jingzhao saw Yao Niang's maturity and now understood the ruthlessness and selfishness of the third matriarch and the ill intentions of Zhen Shi.

So he promised Yao Niang, "Sister, I promise you that one day I will ensure that Mother and you will rise above this."

Yao Niang looked at her brother in surprise and asked uncertainly, "Brother, are you saying you're going to stand with us now?"

Yan Jingzhao smiled, "Of course."

Yao Niang smiled along with him.