Chapter 5: Turmoil

Chapter 5: Turmoil and Waves

The next day, Sixth Master Pei presented She Niang with a fine wolf-hair brush, claiming it had been inconveniently tucked away in his luggage the day before. She Niang suspected this was merely an excuse, but she accepted it with delight nonetheless.

She recalled how, in her past life, she had fought for her parents' affection and fairness, often having to argue her case to secure equal treatment. Deep down, she always felt her parents showed favoritism, which made her vow to prioritize self-love in this life. After eventually becoming the Princess Consort and Regent, and later Empress, even the once-estranged main branch of the Pei family bowed to her, fearful of her displeasure. The Pei family genealogy even dedicated a separate biography to her. Thus, she learned early on not to overthink others' opinions and to focus on her own well-being.

Now, she sought surface-level fairness to secure her standing. Whether her parents truly treated her equally in their hearts mattered little to her—after all, a noble person judges by actions, not intentions.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching the next day, classes were canceled. Madam Yu took Li Niang and She Niang to pay respects to Old Madam Pei. As they stepped out, they encountered Fifth Madam with Yi Niang, who had just returned home. The two groups merged, with the adults walking ahead and the young ladies side by side.

Yi Niang observed the two girls from the sixth branch, slowly recalling their names. From a maid, she had learned that Li Niang was named for her striking beauty, while She Niang’s name came from her difficult birth, where her mother, Madam Yu, had faced the agonizing choice between her own life and the child’s. Fortunately, both survived, hence the name "She," meaning "to relinquish."

Despite her youth, She Niang possessed remarkable grace and beauty. Though her features were less pronounced than her sister’s, she still had delicate eyebrows and lovely eyes.

"How do you two usually pass your time, sisters?" Yi Niang asked with a smile.

Li Niang replied, "Mostly studying, not much else. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Third Sister, we can study together."

She Niang reflected that Li Niang appeared genuinely warm and sincere—a trait she herself lacked. Li Niang often seemed scatterbrained, putting others at ease, while She Niang always seemed ready for battle, striving to appear unapproachable. Though this saved her trouble, it made her seem stern.

Should she emulate Li Niang’s demeanor? No, she decided. Changing one’s nature was difficult and risked appearing inauthentic. It was better to appreciate such qualities in others. Just as she had been rivals with Esteemed Consort Guan and Noble Consort Liu in her past life, she could still acknowledge their strengths.

Initially, Yi Niang had thought to befriend She Niang, given her youth and apparent maturity. But along the way, she noticed She Niang rarely spoke, often regarding others with a scrutinizing gaze, making her hard to approach. In contrast, Li Niang seemed guileless.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, her brother Pei Ji returned, filling the sixth branch with festive joy. This was She Niang’s first time seeing her brother since her rebirth. In her memory, he was tall and imposing, but now he was just a gentle youth seated beside their mother, speaking softly.

"Brother~" She Niang felt a sudden shyness, hesitant to approach.

Pei Ji turned and saw his younger sister hiding behind the door. His heart softened instantly. "She Niang, why aren’t you coming over?"

"I was afraid you wouldn’t recognize me," She Niang said with a giggle as she walked over.

Pei Ji playfully tapped her head. "Nonsense! At the Dragon Boat Festival, I brought you butter abalone pastries. Have you forgotten?"

"Oh, right, I remember now," She Niang scratched the back of her head.

Pei Ji then turned to Li Niang. "How’s your zither playing? I heard your studies are good, but your zither skills lag."

"I’ve improved a lot now!" Li Niang declared with feigned confidence.

Everyone laughed. Mama Chen sighed affectionately, "Oh, my young lady, please don’t say that." A beautiful person with a minor flaw often seemed more relatable.

Li Niang then pleaded with Madam Yu, "Mother, I want to raise a Bichon Frisé. Could you buy one for me?"

Madam Yu was about to agree but glanced at She Niang. "Would you like one too?"

She Niang shook her head quickly. "No, I’m afraid of rabies." Once, she had been nipped by a small dog owned by Madam Huo. A nanny examined it and said since it didn’t draw blood, just applying ointment would suffice. But She Niang remained fearful for over two decades before finally letting go.

"What’s rabies?" Li Niang asked, wide-eyed.

"Though it might not be the best time to mention it, rabies is what happens when a mad dog bites you. It’s like how some people keep parrots but might catch parrot fever and die. You can keep one, just don’t bring it near my room." She Niang didn’t oppose others having pets; she was simply afraid of animals herself.

Li Niang pouted. "Dogs are so adorable, especially Bichon Frisés—they’re tiny and cute. How could anyone not like them?"

She Niang didn’t respond, remaining silent.

Madam Yu, feeling awkward, interjected, "Since it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, let’s head to the garden now."

From her perspective, her younger daughter seemed less agreeable, though she wasn’t wrong. Meanwhile, her elder daughter was often tactless, speaking without considering others’ feelings.

She Niang didn’t think Li Niang was truly foolish. Li Niang was well-liked in the household, able to act out without drawing criticism, and her studies were decent—proof she wasn’t unintelligent. Truly foolish people would be disliked.

The Mid-Autumn Festival passed joyfully. Second Aunt Lu had arranged for opera performances and acrobatics, creating a lively atmosphere.

After the festival, however, Madam Lu fell ill. Old Madam Pei put the eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Meng, in charge of household affairs. Madam Meng was less skilled in management compared to Madam Lu, who, though strict with servants, had kept things orderly.

Fortunately, Madam Meng had help from Meng Jilan, who single-handedly managed daily meals for all branches, expenses, and night patrols. Her thoroughness earned widespread praise.

Who managed the household mattered little to She Niang now, as it involved burdensome trivial matters that required constant attention from the adults.

Soon, however, problems emerged. Meng Jilan, not being a true master of the house, didn’t dare discipline the long-serving servants too harshly. This led to widespread gambling, even causing delays in opening the garden and main courtyard’s side gates. Eventually, the fourth, fifth, and sixth branches joined forces to complain.

Thankfully, Old Madam Pei was fair-handed. She intended to transfer management duties to Madam Huo, but Madam Huo declined, citing her illiteracy. Thus, Madam Cao took over.

She Niang’s room was adjacent to the fifth branch’s, which soon became bustling with activity. Unlike Madam Meng, who delegated everything to her niece and remained uninvolved, Madam Cao was energetic and hands-on.

It was said that the eldest madam was very angry and summoned Meng Jilan for a reprimand. Meng Jilan, feeling wronged, couldn’t hold back and argued that the old servants had been two-faced all along—she was merely following established practices.

Madam Meng knew it wasn’t her niece’s fault, so when an invitation from the Marquis of Xinan’s estate arrived, she ensured Meng Jilan received one too, likely as compensation.

Three Pei family young ladies attended—Second Miss, Third Miss, and Meng Jilan—accompanied by Madam Meng. She Niang didn’t mind staying behind; the youngest attendee was nearly thirteen, and the outing seemed geared toward matchmaking. Instead, she stayed in her room stringing jasmine flowers with Mama Xia.

Meanwhile, Li Niang complained to Mama Chen, "Why can they all go while we’re stuck here?"

Mama Chen chuckled. "Best not say that in front of the madam, or she’ll scold you for being unreasonable. There will be plenty of opportunities later. Your father is a proper imperial scholar—how could others compare?"

"Don’t say that, Mama." Though Li Niang had often followed Mama Chen’s advice to gain favor, she didn’t blindly obey everything.

Mama Chen immediately apologized, "This servant spoke out of turn."

"Hmm, I’ll work on an essay first. All the women in our family excel at writing—I can’t fall behind," Li Niang said.

"Good, that’s the spirit. I’ll prepare a jasmine and rose infused drink for you," Mama Chen replied.

At dinner, She Niang wore the jasmine bracelet she had spent an hour making. With every movement, its fragrance wafted through the air. A court lady from Jiangnan had taught them to make these using ribbons, making them even prettier.

"Mother, do you like it? I spent an hour stringing it!" She Niang waved her wrist.

Madam Yu noticed immediately and praised, "My younger daughter is so clever and skilled—it’s beautiful!"

"Do you really like it? If you do, I can give it to you," She Niang offered, knowing the jasmine would wither in another hour anyway, and her mother seemed genuinely fond of it.

"You’d really give it to me?" Madam Yu teased.

She Niang nodded. "Yes, but only if you truly want it. Don’t just regift it, or I won’t give you anything in the future."

Whenever she gave her mother something, if her sister wanted it, her mother would hand it over or save it for her sister. In her past life, She Niang hadn’t known how to express her frustration as a child, but now she could.

Madam Yu laughed. "You little rascal, once you give a gift, you can’t control what the recipient does with it."

"That’s not how it works. If you don’t want it, I won’t give it to you," She Niang retorted, raising an eyebrow.

Sixth Master Pei, who was standing nearby, quickly interjected, "She Niang, how can you speak to your mother like that?"

"Mother, I misspoke just now. Please don’t take it to heart." She was no longer the empress now—she had to say what needed to be said and knew when to back down.

Mama Chen, who was serving behind Li Niang, thought to herself, *Why has Fifth Miss suddenly become so aggressive? In the past, she would only throw tantrums but never act like this.*

Of course, Madam Yu wouldn’t hold it against her daughter. A moment later, when She Niang took off her own jasmine bracelet and stood up to help her put it on, her heart melted completely.

Even when she went to bed at night, she couldn’t bear to take off the jasmine bracelet.

As for the three young ladies who attended the Floating Wine Cup Banquet, all returned disappointed. Yue Niang was quite indignant, while Yi Niang, who had thought her poetry was excellent, ended up in last place. If even the main branch’s daughters fared this poorly, needless to say, Meng Jilan didn’t stand a chance.

Yue Niang remarked, "I’ve finally seen the truth—we were all just there as decorative extras. It seemed fair on the surface, but the outcome was already arranged."

"So, the winner must be a young lady from the Marquis of Xinan’s household, right?" She Niang guessed.

Yue Niang asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

"Isn’t it obvious?" She Niang thought it was plain as day. Even in the imperial examinations, the children of officials could pull strings—such things were commonplace.

But she knew Yue Niang wasn’t upset because she thought her own poetry was unfairly judged; rather, she felt that as a relative of the Marquis of Xinan’s family and the granddaughter of the Vice Minister of Rites, she deserved a place of honor.

Yi Niang had hoped to make a grand impression but didn’t even get a chance to sit at the main table.

...

In September, She Niang’s father was appointed to a vacancy as a Secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, meaning he would now serve as an official in the capital. The joy on Madam Yu’s face was unmistakable, and even Li Niang and She Niang were delighted.

At school, Yi Niang, who had returned from their hometown, studied alongside them. However, She Niang was somewhat puzzled to see that she was well-versed in both poetry and prose, with talent not inferior to that of Meng Jilan or Yue Niang, girls her own age.

Yue Niang also expressed doubts, saying to Madam Lu, "Mother, you’ve always said Third Sister was raised in a nunnery and lived a simple life. How is it that she knows so many characters and is skilled in playing the guqin and chess?"

Having relinquished her management duties due to poor health, by the time Madam Lu recovered, the authority had already passed to the Fifth Branch. Those servants who once flattered her had long since switched their allegiance to Madam Cao, who was overturning old rules everywhere and even had her former subordinates punished. Preoccupied with how to reclaim her management role, her daughter’s words reminded her.

Third Sister seemed ambitious—how could she have acquired such skills while living in a nunnery? It occurred to her that the anniversary of the former Fifth Branch wife’s death was approaching. Madam Cao was most sensitive about others bringing up her status as a successor wife and rarely mentioned the first wife.

This was indeed something she could use to her advantage.