Chapter 4: The Unlucky One

Chapter 4: The Ill-Omened One

In the morning, they studied the "Classic of Poetry," and in the afternoon, the tutor selected passages from the "Analects" and "Mencius" to lecture on. She Niang, feeling the gentle breeze in the classroom and listening to the lesson, grew drowsy. Turning her head, she noticed Li Niang and Shun Niang’s heads beginning to nod like pecking chicks.

Finally, when classes ended, She Niang yawned as she stepped out. Qiu Ju and Dong Mei helped carry her study materials and books, and they soon arrived home. Unexpectedly, Mama Xia said with a smile, "Fifth Miss, let’s change your clothes first, then head to Mingyuan Hall. There’s a welcome banquet today, and the mistress has already gone ahead."

"Is it for Third Miss?" She Niang found it odd. Third Miss’s maternal family wasn’t prominent; if she warranted such a grand reception, she wouldn’t have been forgotten back in their hometown for so long.

Sure enough, Mama Xia shook her head. "How could it be for her? It’s for our Sixth Master. He’s returned."

So it was her father returning. She Niang understood.

"Then let’s hurry. After we’re done, leave two people to watch the door, and we’ll go straight there," She Niang said.

In the past, they always rushed her frantically, only to end up foolishly waiting for Li Niang. What was the point of that?

Mama Xia hesitated slightly. "Should we send someone to hurry Fourth Miss along?"

"What’s the point of hurrying her? Whoever finishes first goes first. Otherwise, I might as well take a nap and leave after she’s done. Let her wait for me too. Let’s see if she’ll wait for me…" She Niang said.

A child with temper, principles, and boundaries commands respect, even if they’re young.

Mama Xia and the maids didn’t dare breathe too loudly. Although Mama Xia often nagged She Niang usually, seeing her like this now, she silently went to prepare the clothes.

She Niang finished quickly and headed out immediately, while the servants following her felt uneasy.

Soon, they arrived at the small flower hall of Mingyuan Hall. The place was already packed with people, layer upon layer. In the innermost area, several people were seated. The main seat was occupied by a lean, spirited old man who looked quite ethereal. She Niang knew this was Old Master Pei. Beside him sat a plump old lady in a deep purple jacket and skirt, who was none other than Old Madam Pei.

Below them sat the sons and daughters-in-law of the Pei family in order. There was no seating for the younger generation. However, Old Madam Pei noticed She Niang entering and said to Pei Sixth Master with a smile, "Your little daughter is here."

Pei Sixth Master was originally an extremely handsome man, with somewhat feminine features, while his elder brother, Fourth Master, looked more masculine. At this moment, he looked at his daughter before him. She wore a pink satin lapel garment inside, with a butterfly-and-flower clasp at the collar, and over it a patchwork vest. Her hair was styled in twin buns, each adorned with a gold-and-silver plum blossom hairpin, and gold gourd earrings dangled from her earlobes.

When he left, his daughter was only about four years old, with sparse hair. Now, she had the poised bearing of a young lady, dignified and graceful.

Pei Sixth Master beckoned his daughter closer. It wouldn’t do to hold her on his knee like when she was little, so he merely sighed emotionally. "My little girl has grown up. Is everything well at home?" After a pause, he asked, "Why didn’t I see your sister?"

Mama Xia and the others grew tense. A family like the Pei’s valued rules above all, especially the order of seniority. If Fifth Miss said anything negative about her sister, even if justified, it would be seen as a fault in Sixth Master’s eyes, inviting ridicule from outsiders.

Unexpectedly, their young mistress smiled slyly. "I heard Father was back and wanted to see you first."

Pei Sixth Master was quite pleased to hear this.

She Niang wasn’t truly seeking her father’s favoritism; she was merely giving others a taste of their own medicine. If Li Niang could gain everyone’s indulgence through her eccentricity, then She Niang would be eccentric too, refusing to heed anyone’s orders.

In her previous life, she had firmly held the position of empress for nearly thirty years, and it wasn’t just due to her status.

Pei Sixth Master couldn’t keep talking to his daughter, so the adults moved on to other matters. She Niang stood with Yue Niang and Shun Niang. Yue Niang took a piece of cake from her sleeve and stuffed it into She Niang’s mouth. "Have this to fill your stomach first."

"Thank you, Second Sister." She Niang found that Second Sister was actually quite easy to get along with. Though she had a fiery temper, she did everything openly, unlike those who schemed behind others’ backs.

They had only been standing for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea when Li Niang hurried in. Madam Yu scolded her, "Your sister has already arrived. What were you dawdling for?"

Li Niang came over sulkily and said to She Niang, "Why did you come alone?"

"Who told you to always be so slow? If you were faster, we could have come together. If you’re slow again, I’ll leave as soon as I’m ready. To be honest, waiting for you every day has made me stand so much I’ve grown legs of different lengths," She Niang half-joked, half-complained.

Without Mama Chen by her side, Li Niang was much more subdued. "Next time, I’ll be on time, okay?"

She Niang smiled. "Don’t make promises now. Let’s see if you can wake up early tomorrow."

Mama Chen watched from not far away, thinking to herself that Fifth Miss was quite shrewd—previously, she would complain but still wait for Fourth Miss, but now she had quietly come on her own.

Of course, these minor issues between sisters were trivial compared to the family banquet that was about to begin.

The young ladies were cherished guests at home, and due to the imperial selection of consorts, every official’s daughter had the potential to be chosen, so women held quite high status at home.

When they took their seats at the banquet table, Old Madam Pei said with a smile, "It’s perfect that Third Girl has returned today. Earlier, I saw she was tired from her journey and let her rest for a while. In the future, you sisters must get along well."

With that, a young lady walked in gracefully, wearing a bright red diagonal closure dress with a gold dragonfly clasp at the collar. Her hair was styled in elaborate clouds, and her features were exquisite.

Fifth Mrs. Cao said to Yue Niang, "Second Miss, this is our Third Girl. Please take care of her."

She Niang and the other younger sisters stepped forward to greet Third Miss Yi Niang. Pei Yi Niang quickly said, "Sisters, please, no need for such formality."

Having lived in a nunnery for so many years, she hadn’t become timid or submissive. Instead, she was confident and poised, no less than the girls raised in the Pei family, and her table manners were impeccable.

She Niang had Qiu Ju serve her a piece of cherry pork and glanced around. This was the grandeur of a great family, but after her grandfather passed away, the entire household would disband.

After two rounds of the meal, it grew late. Since they had to pay respects to Old Madam Pei the next day, everyone returned to their rooms. After She Niang got back, Mama Xia had someone bring a basin of water for her to soak her feet. Sighing with emotion, she said, "Young Miss, you’ve truly grown up now."

"Mama, do you know why I’m like this?" She Niang looked at her wet nurse.

Mama Xia was puzzled.

She Niang smiled. "You’ve nursed me since I was little and always had my best interests at heart. If I don’t stand up for myself, others will look down on you too. Although brothers should be friendly and sisters harmonious, if an elder sister is caring, the younger sister will respect her. Fourth Sister always expects me to accommodate her, and she gets all the good things. That won’t happen anymore."

On the way back, She Niang had learned that Li Niang had written to their father asking for gifts, so he had brought her two bolts of Shu brocade, while She Niang got nothing. She didn’t expect her parents to favor her, but she wanted fairness on the surface.

Just like in her previous life, the emperor’s beloved wasn’t her, but she didn’t seek special treatment either. Whatever other empresses had, she wanted something similar.

But she didn’t share these details with the servants. If you got too close to them, they became disrespectful; if you kept your distance, they resented you.

Seeing She Niang’s calm and composed demeanor and her touching words, Mama Xia felt convinced.

After washing up, She Niang threw on her clothes and went to do her homework.

The courtyard was brightly lit that day. Pei Sixth Master had returned and, seeing his lovely wife, felt even more inspired. Without further ado, they tumbled into bed and fulfilled their marital duties.

Madam Yu nestled in his arms and said, "Why did you only bring something for Fourth Girl and nothing for our Fifth Girl? They’re sisters; it’s not good to show favoritism."

"I forgot. I only received your last letter, and in it, Li Niang asked me to bring something," Pei Sixth Master said.

Madam Yu smiled. "The children are growing up. You haven’t been home for so many years; you mustn’t favor one over the other."

Pei Sixth Master quickly said, "I wouldn’t dream of it. I understand. I have a fine wolf-hair brush; I’ll give it to our She Niang tomorrow."

"Yes, that’s how it should be. It’s just a pity our Ji brother is studying at the academy, or our family could be reunited," Madam Yu missed her son dearly.

When she first married into the family, she gave birth to the Pei family’s eldest son, which elevated her status. She gained her husband’s affection and her in-laws’ respect, but the child was raised by his grandparents.

Pei Sixth Master knew Madam Yu was gentle and modest, with a placid temperament. He said pityingly, "Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. Ji brother will definitely return. Don’t worry. If not, I’ll send someone to fetch him personally."

Madam Yu dropped the subject and said, "Third Girl only brought two servants with her. It must have been hard for her."

"Fifth Sister-in-law probably isn’t happy about it," Pei Sixth Master said with a meaningful smile.

After he spoke, he noticed Madam Yu looked blank, as if she hadn’t understood.

In the side chamber of the Fifth Branch, the third young lady, Pei Yi Niang—no, He Biyun—sent someone to check outside. Seeing that no one was eavesdropping, she said to Yi Niang’s wet nurse and maid, "Nanny Chang, Sui Sui, Yi Niang saved my life. Before she passed, she hoped I would take care of you both. Let the three of us work together to clear her name. In the future, I will make sure everyone knows she was not an ill-omened person but one blessed with great fortune."

Nanny Chang and Sui Sui knew that if not for He Biyun bringing them away, those in the capital would have left them to suffer and labor in the nunnery. They recalled how their young mistress, once as innocent and lovely as fresh snow, had been suddenly slandered as ill-omened and sent to the nunnery, where she was forced to endure immense hardship at such a tender age.

He Biyun was originally the daughter of a minor official (Scribe) from Jinzhong. It was said she had been betrothed to the son of a Hanlin Academy Reader-in-waiting. However, just before her wedding, a local ruffian got hold of her intimate undergarments and suggestive verses she had handwritten. The He family, strict adherents of Neo-Confucianism, imposed rigorous discipline on their women. As the scandal had already spread, the family planned to send her to a nunnery and quietly strangle her. By chance, Yi Niang, passing by, witnessed this. She set a fire nearby and helped He Biyun escape.

Unfortunately, Yi Niang later died while gathering herbs. He Biyun, being very clever, then brought the two of them to the capital.

The two promptly replied, "We will follow your instructions in all matters."

"Then from now on, do not address me incorrectly. I am now your true third young lady, Pei Yi Niang," He Biyun stated solemnly.