Chapter 9: Cold

Chapter 9: A Chill in the Air

In Old Madam Pei’s eyes, her only true sons were Eldest Master Pei and Third Master Pei, and only their offspring were her legitimate grandchildren. Yet, to Old Master Pei, all his sons, whether born of his principal wife or concubines, were his children, and all their descendants were his grandchildren.

Thus, when Old Master Pei bestowed gifts solely upon She Niang, everyone noticed that Shun Niang had received nothing. Before Old Madam Pei could voice a word, Nanny Xiang interjected, "I heard the jewelry set given to her was adorned not only with rubies and sapphires, but also cat's eye gems."

"What of it? She received it, and that’s that. Why act as if she’s never seen fine things, inviting ridicule?" Old Madam Pei appeared utterly unconcerned.

Born a daughter of the Marquis of Dingbei, she had brought a dowry of one hundred and fifty chests when she married into the Pei family. There was no exquisite jewelry she hadn't already seen.

Still, she wasn't entirely indifferent: "Shun Niang was raised at our side and has always been doted upon. I merely worry she might feel slighted. I recall possessing a set of gold-inlaid jade combs, a gift from someone. Take them to Shun Niang for her amusement."

Nanny Xiang smiled. "You truly cherish Sixth Young Lady."

Shun Niang’s elevated status was common knowledge, even accepted as natural by Madam Yu. She Niang, however, held a different view. She believed that while Old Madam Pei was free to elevate Shun Niang, she shouldn't expect everyone to revere her.

Since She Niang received this headpiece, Mama Xia and the others also walked with a newfound confidence. They no longer felt inferior when facing Mama Chen.

Mama Chen was Old Madam Pei’s trusted aide, while Mama Xia was merely a second-tier maid brought by Madam Yu. Their original standing was vastly different. Though Mama Xia had a somewhat quick temper, she usually deferred to Mama Chen in public, often only complaining behind her back. Now, seeing She Niang’s success, she felt her own spirits lifted considerably.

But She Niang would also caution them not to become overly complacent, lest they stir up unnecessary trouble and make her a thorn in the side of others in the household.

After this incident, those under her command grew even more trusting.

Before the twelfth lunar month, Madam Yu took She Niang and Li Niang back to her maternal home. The Yu family resided in Yuhua Hutong. Her maternal grandfather, Compiler Yu, had no sons, only two daughters.

The elder daughter married a scholar named Zheng, bearing him a son and a daughter. Uncle Zheng held the *juren* degree and served as an educational official in Tong'an County. Aunt Zheng accompanied him to his post, leaving their two children at the Yu family home.

Madam Yu’s birth mother had passed away, and her relationship with her stepmother was lukewarm. Moreover, she had originally been a substitute bride, yet unexpectedly won her husband’s affection. Master Pei, a son from an official family, had achieved the *jinshi* degree.

Naturally, this caused Madam Yu to harbor dissatisfaction towards her stepdaughter, though she maintained a facade of politeness.

Madam Yu, however, was very thoughtful. She brought gifts for both Compiler Yu and Madam Yu, and even for her cousins, Zheng. Cousin Zheng was exceptionally honest and gentle; he accompanied She Niang in solving word puzzles. Cousin Zheng, who loved to adorn herself, found much to chat about with Li Niang.

In her previous life, she had heard that Cousin Zheng never married, being somewhat too particular. It was only after she became empress and bestowed imperial favors upon various relatives that Cousin Zheng, leveraging her influence, finally married the daughter of an official.

Of course, this was something her sister-in-law told her when she entered the palace.

After lunch at the Yu family home, Madam Yu took the sisters back. On their way, they encountered a funeral procession, and their carriage pulled over to the roadside to wait. Curious, She Niang lifted the curtain to peek out. She saw a dense crowd, some in mourning attire, alongside monks and Taoist priests.

Li Niang also squeezed her head to the window. She often spoke without much thought, "So many bald people!"

"Ahem, those are people performing the funeral rites," Madam Yu said with a chuckle.

She Niang couldn't help but smile either, adding, "Mother, why do they invite both monks and Taoists? Wouldn't inviting just one type be enough?"

Without Mama Chen present, Li Niang seemed to join in the jest: "Yes, Mother, if they invite both, won't they fight?"

"Actually, it’s just for show, for everyone to see," Madam Yu said lightly.

She Niang hadn't expected Madam Yu to say such a thing. In her eyes, Madam Yu was the epitome of a traditional, virtuous woman—gentle and never conflicting with anyone.

That such a person would utter these words…

Upon returning to the Pei residence, Yue Niang, who had come back from the Marquis of Xinan’s estate, invited them to the second branch’s quarters. As She Niang descended, she stepped on her robe, getting it slightly damp. By the time Mama Xia returned with a hand warmer, she and Li Niang headed over together.

Yue Niang had prepared tea and snacks, along with gifts for them. She first looked at Yi Niang and said, "Third Younger Sister, you will reach the age of the hairpin ceremony next year. This hairpin is for you. It’s not worth much, just a token of my affection."

"Thank you, Second Elder Sister, for remembering me," Yi Niang said. Seeing Yue Niang in good spirits and hearing that Eldest Sister might help arrange a noble marriage for her—even that the two families had reached an understanding—it was no wonder she seemed to have shed her previous gloom.

Yue Niang then looked at Li Niang and said, "Here, this is imperially-made rouge."

She also gave She Niang two handkerchiefs: one with gold flowers on a red background, and the other with gold patterns on light gray. Shun Niang received three small gold and silver hairpins.

Everyone shared tea before returning. Unexpectedly, upon her return, She Niang felt a sore throat and instinctively knew she had caught a cold.

"Mama Xia, please go to my mother’s room and fetch the Jingfang Baidu San. I’ll take some, sweat it out, and I’ll be fine." A sore throat was a precursor to a cold, so it was best to prevent it early.

But Madam Yu herself came over. Learning that She Niang had a dry, sore throat, she said, "Since your throat hurts, how about having wontons for dinner tonight? I’ll make some myself later."

"Thank you, Mother." She Niang thought, *So this is what it feels like to be cared for. It’s wonderful.*

Madam Yu instructed Mama Xia and the others to take good care of her, then draped herself in a sable fur coat and personally went to the kitchen. She Niang took the medicine and grew drowsy. When she awoke, Madam Yu personally brought the wontons she had made.

The wontons Madam Yu made were somewhat different from those from the kitchen. Ordinary wonton soup was either fish-based or chicken-based broth, but hers was fragrant, hot, and brothy. After finishing a bowl, she felt her whole body warm up.

"Are they delicious?" Madam Yu asked with a smile.

She Niang nodded vigorously, still wanting more. "They’re incredibly delicious."

Usually, her young daughter acted mature for her age, but now she seemed more like a little girl. Madam Yu kissed her daughter's forehead: "Your father didn't want to come into your room, afraid your throat might be swollen and painful. Tomorrow, he'll get some ice from the icehouse and pour some cherry syrup over it. It'll be tasty and help reduce the swelling."

"Then thank Father too," She Niang said.

Madam Yu seemed to understand what her daughter was thinking and said, "When I gave birth to you, it was a near-death experience. Your father felt sorry for me and was afraid you wouldn't survive either. His heart was always anxious. But what parents in this world don't love their children?"

She Niang knew her own lingering issue—feeling that her father favored her older sister—so she was aloof toward Sixth Master Pei. She thought she hid it well, but her mother saw right through her.

But She Niang said, "Daughter understands, but Daughter just likes you more. You can't change my heart, can you?"

Madam Yu had never been so definitively chosen before. She looked at her daughter, moved, but said, "Be careful your father doesn't hear you."

Seeing her mother's smiling countenance, She Niang once again resolved to protect her at all costs.