Chapter 10: Marchioness of Dingbei

Chapter 10 The Marchioness of Dingbei

Despite taking preventive medicine and drinking hot water, the inevitable still arrived. The next morning, she awoke feeling light-headed and unsteady, with a runny nose. Her body, usually robust, rarely fell ill. Though it was just a minor ailment, she felt distinctly unlike herself.

As she left for school, Madam Yu pressed her forehead against hers for a moment before saying, "No fever means it's nothing serious. You'll be fine in a few days."

"Yes, just a bit stuffy," She Niang sniffled.

Even so, she still rose early for her studies, while Li Niang slept in. At the school, Meng Jilan and Song Xianhui, as usual, were the first to arrive. Upon hearing She Niang had caught a cold, they showered her with warm concern.

Meng Jilan suggested, "You should still have a doctor examine you."

"We have ready-made remedies at home, so there's no need for a doctor. Besides, as long as there's no fever, it's fine," She Niang was well aware of her condition. Whether she took medicine or not, it would take about six or seven days to recover. Since her case wasn't severe, she just needed to be a bit more careful.

Just as they were speaking, Yue Niang arrived. Her time at the Marquis of Xinan's residence had shown her the stark difference between noble households and ordinary official families. By next spring, when the flowers bloomed, the two families would finalize their marriage arrangements. Consequently, she no longer competed fiercely like Yi Niang and Li Niang, who constantly sought favor with the matriarch.

Yi Niang and Li Niang arrived almost precisely on time—one because she had personally prepared breakfast for the matriarch in the small kitchen, and the other purely because she had overslept while primping.

Due to the bitter cold, classes were only held for half a day. After lunch, tailors arrived to measure them for new clothes.

Each received an inner jacket, an outer lined jacket, an overcoat, and a fur coat, along with two pairs of cotton trousers and two skirts. Madam Yu instructed the tailor, "A white silk jacket looks lovely with a red vest. Just stick to bright red or silver-red."

The Pei family was extensive, so visits from tailors and embroiderers always meant substantial business.

By the time the clothes were ready, She Niang had recovered from her cold. It was the Laba Festival, and the entire family gathered to eat Laba porridge. She Niang couldn't help but ask, "When will my brother return?"

Studying at the academy in such freezing weather was truly arduous.

It was worth noting that Pei Zhen from the main branch, only a year younger than her brother, studied at home under renowned tutors. Some might argue it was to toughen him up, but even for imperial princes, those with true promise were not raised in such a manner.

Even she, who jumped rope daily and was in excellent health, had easily caught a cold at home. How much harder must it be for her twelve-year-old brother, all alone?

Speaking of her eldest son, Madam Yu said, "Your brother won't be back until the end of the year."

"Mother, why doesn't Second Brother have to go to the academy? Even I, who jump rope daily and am so healthy, caught a cold. I can't imagine how Brother is managing all by himself," She Niang propped her chin in her hand, lost in thought.

Madam Yu also looked worried, but Pei Sixth Master said, "It's not good for a boy to be confined to the women's quarters. Your brother is studying at the academy to shed the arrogance of an official's son and to learn from his classmates. That's a good thing."

"Father is right. I was being narrow-minded," She Niang thought that even her father wouldn't openly criticize elders at home or question her grandparents' favoritism, as that would be unfilial.

But Pei Sixth Master also missed his son; he just didn't often voice it.

Li Niang pouted and said, "Father, Mother, we could send some Laba porridge and snacks to Brother."

Madam Yu replied, "We just sent him clean clothes and bedding the other day. Your brother said he'd be back in a few days and told us not to send anything else."

Seeing the mood turn somber, She Niang smiled and said, "Mother, I heard yesterday that the Marchioness of Dingbei is coming today. Will they ask you to play cards later? I've heard they're very good at it. Perhaps you shouldn't go."

Madam Yu laughed, "You little rascal, you're secretly implying my card skills are poor." After laughing, she added, "The Marchioness of Dingbei is indeed coming. Your Fifth Aunt has already arranged the banquet, so I only had a few bites earlier."

Speaking of the Marquis of Dingbei, Pei Sixth Master said, "I heard the youngest son of the Marquis of Dingbei wasn't chosen as the Imperial Grandson's study companion?"

"Such a coveted opportunity—even the imperial clansmen are vying for it," Madam Yu wisely didn't mention that the Marquis of Dingbei was no longer as influential as before.

In this dynasty, apart from a few marquises with hereditary iron warrants, other marquises had their titles reduced over generations or could only inherit for three generations. The Marquis of Dingbei was one of the latter.

The old Marquis of Dingbei was a founding meritorious general with brilliant military achievements, which earned him the title. The current Marquis of Dingbei was a nephew of Old Madam Pei. By the next generation, they could only inherit positions like military commander.

If the family didn't improve, they would have to rely on past glory.

Of course, the marquis's household was still much higher in status than the Pei family. But in the long run, her father's generation already had two jinshi degree holders, so their future might be brighter.

Yi Niang also received new clothes, but the Fifth Branch didn't eat together as a large family; usually, they ate separately.

Mama Chang smiled and said, "These clothes are made with traditional craftsmanship; no corners were cut."

Sui Sui, who had grown up with the real Third Miss, saw He Biyun usurping her position while Fifth Madam suffered in silence. He Biyun only wanted to be the young lady and had no intention of exonerating the real Yi Niang.

This made Sui Sui angry.

But she had spoken to Mama Chang privately, and Mama Chang advised her to be cautious and grateful to He Biyun, emphasizing how difficult things were for her.

Having spent many years in a nunnery, Sui Sui was no fool. She knew how to read situations and didn't want to provoke He Biyun, fearing she might be driven away. If that happened, no one would ever know what had happened to the young lady.

Thinking of this, she stepped forward and said, "Miss, I'll go to the sewing room to get a pattern for your shoes."

Yi Niang said, "Go ahead."

In the freezing cold, Sui Sui had nowhere else to go. Fortunately, she was on good terms with Lan Re, who served She Niang, so she went to find her. Lan Re earned a third-tier maid's monthly wage—just a string of cash coins—but occasional rewards from her mistress made life bearable.

When Sui Sui arrived, Lan Re was hiding in her room eating porridge. She offered a bowl, saying, "Qiu Ju and Dong Mei are serving Fifth Miss in the main room. I'm just having some Laba porridge here. Would you like some?"

"No, thank you. I've already eaten," Sui Sui smiled. She noticed Lan Re wearing a water-red fur-lined jacket with a velvet flower in her hair and said, "Your miss treats you so well."

Lan Re said, "Indeed. Every month, our miss sets aside two coins from her allowance to buy us flowers to wear or fruits to eat. She never scolds us. One day, when Qiu Ju asked me to stand night duty for the first time, the miss was worried I'd be cold and had Mama Xia bring me an extra quilt."

Sui Sui listened with tears in her eyes.

Lan Re quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking about how our young lady was like that too. She had a kind heart," Sui Sui couldn't help but feel sad remembering their time in the nunnery.

...

When She Niang heard Lan Re's report, she asked doubtfully, "Did she really say that?"

Lan Re confirmed, "Absolutely."

"How strange. Isn't she with their young lady now? Why mention the past?" She Niang had a vague suspicion but wasn't sure.

Just as she was about to ask more, Mama Xia urged, "Dear miss, you must hurry. We need to go to Mingyuan Hall together."

Originally, She Niang thought the Marchioness of Dingbei's visit would just involve some socializing among the adults. But the marchioness asked to see the young ladies of the family.

Mama Xia and the maids quickly helped She Niang change into new clothes and put on hairpins. Hearing Mama Xia's urging, She Niang put on her hood and hurried to the main room, but Li Niang hadn't arrived yet.

"I said there was no need to rush. Someone is always late," She Niang said irritably to Mama Xia.

Mama Xia smiled apologetically at Madam Yu, who sent someone to hurry Li Niang along. After nearly a cup of tea's time, Li Niang finally arrived. Madam Yu said sternly, "I don't care if you sisters quarrel at home, but outside, you must be modest and polite. Understood?"

She Niang quickly said, "Yes."

Li Niang, nudged by Mama Chen, put down her hand mirror and powder compact and said, "Yes."

Since they lived far away, Madam Yu was worried that if they arrived late, Old Madam Pei would think she was intentionally disrespectful. She urged, "Let's go, let's go. Don't delay."

She Niang looked at Li Niang, feeling that if she continued like this, she would eventually be disliked. Her current likability was thanks to Meng Jilan and Song Xianhui covering for her. But in reality, Meng and Song were very socially adept and kind to everyone. Li Niang, however, felt praised in her small circle and assumed it was the same elsewhere. Over time, this would surely make others find her insufferable.

Without conflicting interests, everyone naturally remains silent, but once conflicts arise, incompetence is held against you. Yet she wouldn’t voice these thoughts, as there was no need.

The three of them went out and joined the rest of the family from other households before heading together to Mingyuan Hall.

The Marchioness of Dingbei appeared to be in her thirties. She wore a vivid crimson robe with elaborate floral embroidery, a gold-woven skirt, and a headdress adorned with pearls and jade. The crown featured two pearl clusters, three half-open pearls, and eighteen emerald peony leaves, creating a dazzling sight that made quite an impression on everyone. It truly reflected the noble aura of a marquis’s wife.

Back when Emperor Guangwu was still a commoner, he once witnessed the grandeur of the Commander of the Capital Guard and couldn’t help but exclaim, “A man should aspire to be the Commander of the Capital Guard.” Similarly, the young ladies, upon seeing the magnificently dressed marquis’s wife, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—how wonderful it would be to attain the status of a noblewoman like her.

Old Madam Pei introduced, “These are your nieces. Some you’ve met before, while others you haven’t.”

She Niang quickly bowed alongside her sisters. The Marchioness of Dingbei promptly said, “They're all as fresh and lovely as spring onions. You truly know how to raise them well, Aunt.”

She then had someone bring out gifts on a tray—each receiving a pair of gold sleeve pressers. The young ladies accepted the gifts and sat down to chat.

The Marchioness of Dingbei brought up the matter of the study companion: “Although it didn’t work out, his father mentioned that securing a position in the Five-City Patrol Command would be a good alternative.”

“Hmm, that makes sense. Even if one becomes a study companion, it doesn’t guarantee sharing in the master’s good fortune. If the master makes a mistake, the study companion might end up taking the blame.” Old Madam Pei took a sip of tea, comforting her niece.

Still, she couldn’t help but ask, “So who was ultimately selected?”

The Marchioness of Dingbei replied, “One is the nephew of the Crown Princess’s family, and the other is the Prince of Qing’s son.”

Hearing this, She Niang sighed inwardly. In her previous life, the Imperial Grandson had a tragic fate—the emperor passed away, the crown prince ascended the throne but died shortly after, and the Imperial Grandson succeeded him. With a young ruler and a doubtful state, the Prince of Jin became the regent. Eventually, before the crown prince could personally rule, he suddenly died, and the Prince of Jin took the throne.

Fortunately, neither of the two study companions was implicated. The Crown Princess’s nephew was exceptionally skilled in battle and later earned a place in the Lingyan Pavilion for his contributions in pacifying the Western Regions. As for the Prince of Qing’s son, he originally married a daughter of the Chu family and aligned with them. After Empress Chu’s son, Crown Prince Zhangxian, died young, he, like the rest of the Chu faction, enjoyed Emperor Jianchang's confidence.

Of course, this Chu faction looked down on her, the empress. In her previous life, Esteemed Consort Guan even tried to marry her niece to the Prince of Qing as a second wife to win him over.

Snapping back to reality, She Niang noticed someone looking at her. She glanced up and realized it was the Marchioness of Dingbei, who gave a gracious smile and slight nod.

Mama Chen had thought Fourth Miss was a sure bet, but to her surprise, the Marchioness of Dingbei praised Sixth Miss for her innate nobility and Fifth Miss for her quiet elegance and exquisite features, yet never mentioned their Fourth Miss…

Had something gone wrong in between?