Chapter 13: Effective (Second Update)

Chapter 13: Taking Effect (Part Two)

She Niang’s words to her parents weren't meant to incite immediate conflict or a scramble for wealth. Rather, she wished to impress upon them the importance of vigilance and independent judgment in all matters.

Pei Yiqing and Yu Shi shared her sentiment. "The Old Master has only just passed, and the Old Madam is already behaving this way. Yet, who dares to speak out? She is, after all, an elder, and with filial piety paramount, it’s difficult for anyone to voice dissent."

"I was just thinking how quickly She Niang reacted. I always thought she was just a child," Yu Shi confessed, still astonished by her daughter’s perceptiveness.

Pei Yiqing, however, remained unperturbed. "I told you before, Empress Mingde was much the same. Perhaps our She Niang also possesses a noble destiny. As the saying goes, 'capability isn't about age.' We shouldn’t underestimate these children."

Yu Shi nodded emphatically. "I never imagined I could give birth to such a remarkable child."

Her birth mother, a merchant’s daughter, despite her wealth and support of the Yu family, had always lived a life of humility and deference. This upbringing had instilled in Yu Shi a cautious and yielding nature. Therefore, she was determined not to stifle her children’s personalities or condemn them to a life of constantly seeking others’ approval, as she had.

Thus, she welcomed Li Niang’s unreservedness and She Niang’s fearlessness—qualities she saw as far superior to her own.

She simply hadn’t anticipated She Niang’s impressive grasp of laws and regulations at such a tender age.

Regarding Old Madam Pei’s clandestine transfer of Old Master Pei’s private assets, Pei Yiqing stated, "We won't get any of that money anyway. Let the children know, but caution them against speaking of it outside, lest it bring trouble upon us."

"I never thought the Old Madam would act this way," Yu Shi murmured, having always held Old Madam Pei in high regard for her integrity.

Having served as an official for many years, Pei Yiqing had witnessed the intricate complexities of human nature, observing how many outwardly respectable individuals harbored sordid intentions.

By the fifth day of the funeral, Meng Shi fell ill. With her indisposed, everyone naturally assumed Lu Shi would assume control of household management, as she had previously. It would have been a straightforward transition. However, Old Madam Pei entrusted the task to Yu Shi.

"Old Madam, I am not capable. I cannot manage the household well. Please leave it to my sisters-in-law," Yu Shi quickly demurred.

Old Madam Pei insisted, "Your second sister-in-law fell ill last year, your third sister-in-law has Third Son to care for, and your fourth sister-in-law is barely literate. I have no choice but to trouble you with this."

Thus, Yu Shi had no option but to accept the responsibility.

Li Niang was overjoyed for her mother, but She Niang felt no such happiness.

"She Niang, why aren’t you happy that Mother is managing the household?" Li Niang inquired, puzzled.

She Niang looked at Yu Shi and explained, "It’s not that I’m unhappy about Mother managing the household; rather, I find it quite strange. Second Aunt was clearly eager for the role, yet Grandmother deliberately chose Mother over her. Returning from the capital to Hedong by land requires navigating treacherous mountain paths and crossing rivers at noon, when the yang energy is strongest. In the event of rain, the coffin must be covered with oilcloth, and the pallbearers must wear straw shoes for traction. If the coffin is stored overnight in a temple or mortuary, male family members must be arranged to keep the incense burning. These are just a few of the many complications. While troublesome and mentally taxing, with Father and Mother working together, it can be managed. What I fear is that you are being set up as a target. Eldest Aunt, as the eldest daughter-in-law, would have faced no opposition from Fifth Aunt if she were managing the household. But with you in charge, Fifth Aunt might not be pleased, and Second Aunt will be even more so. Moreover, Fifth Aunt is currently expecting. I heard from the Fifth Branch that she is still taking medicine. If she remains well throughout the journey, all will be fine. But if anything happens to her, Mother, you will be the first one blamed."

The Fifth Aunt’s capacity for causing trouble far surpassed Second Aunt’s.

"Especially since you have both sons and daughters. Even if you don’t wish to contend, resentment can lead to conflict."

This wasn’t knowledge She Niang possessed from a past life, but rather an intuition honed by years of living in the palace.

Yu Shi hesitated, "But your grandmother has already entrusted this to me in front of everyone."

"It’s alright. If Mother truly must do it, my siblings and I will all help," She Niang said with a smile.

Li Niang also nodded eagerly in agreement.

The two sisters had been getting along relatively well these past few days. After leaving Yu Shi’s room, She Niang even sketched a pattern of a frolicking dog for Fanxue and promised to embroider a handkerchief with the design for her.

"But the eyes need silver thread. I remember you have some. Go back and look for it, and while you’re at it, bring me a packet of sugar beans," She Niang instructed Li Niang.

She couldn’t constantly antagonize Li Niang. Without Chen Mama, Li Niang had become much more compliant. It was like dealing with disliked concubines in the palace—one had to find a comfortable way to coexist.

Eager for She Niang to embroider the handkerchief, Li Niang personally went to retrieve the items. Unexpectedly, Chen Mama had returned.

Chen Mama had been keeping vigil the previous night and had rested for half a day. When she came to Li Niang’s room and saw her eagerness to visit She Niang, she couldn’t help but remark, "When did you become so close with Fifth Miss?"

"She Niang is embroidering a handkerchief for me," Li Niang replied, feeling a touch of guilt for some reason.

Chen Mama smiled. "I’m glad to see you sisters getting along. Sixth Master and Madam will be pleased to see it too."

Seeing that Chen Mama didn’t object, Li Niang felt relieved.

However, Chen Mama added, "I just returned from the mourning hall. Old Madam gave Sixth Girl a set of seven gold accessories to wear. If you had been there, given how much Old Madam dotes on you, she would surely have given you a set too."

"Alright then, I’ll go later. It’s too cold now," Li Niang said. Although she desired the beautiful accessories, she glanced at the weather and added, "It’s too cold. I’ll go tomorrow."

She Niang waited for a while before Li Niang finally arrived. She said nothing, simply handed over the thread and instructed, "Sit for a while."

Li Niang sat at She Niang’s dressing table, adorning herself. Both sisters possessed jewelry boxes, though Li Niang’s was more extensive, as she was older and had received gifts from Old Madam Pei. Still, She Niang’s collection was also impressive.

Particularly striking was a pair of earrings with feather-like beads. Li Niang tried them on and exclaimed, "Wow!" before asking She Niang, "Where did you get these earrings?"

"I strung these beads myself," She Niang replied.

Li Niang didn’t dare take them but asked, "Can I borrow them for a few days?"

"Of course, just don’t lose them," She Niang said with a smile.

Li Niang was delighted. After hesitating for a moment, she secretly told her sister, "If we visit Old Madam often, she’ll give us rewards."

She Niang hadn’t expected her to share this.

Perhaps Li Niang wasn’t as selfish as she had thought. She Niang whispered, "I don’t need them."

"Why not? We can go together," Li Niang said, wanting company.

She Niang shook her head. "I won’t go. If you drag me along, everyone will find out, and Old Madam will feel too embarrassed to give you anything privately. It’s better if you go alone and keep it quiet."

This was something Li Niang had never considered. She felt a twinge of guilt at her sister’s generosity. "I only told you because you’re my sister. I didn’t tell anyone else."

She Niang smiled.

During dinner that evening, She Niang heard that Yu Shi had declined managing the household, citing discomfort. She was surprised her mother had listened to her, given that she was just a child.

Relieved of the burden, Yu Shi felt much lighter and even ate an extra bowl of rice.

With Yu Shi stepping down, Lu Shi naturally took over the household management. Lu Shi regained control of the management tokens, her expression brimming with indescribable joy.

Yue Niang said with a smile, "Congratulations, Mother, on regaining control of the household."

"Your Sixth Aunt is quite sensible. She took the initiative to tell me she couldn’t handle it and used poor health as an excuse to decline. But I don’t know what Old Madam was thinking. I’ve always managed the household before—why pass it to someone else?" Lu Shi couldn’t help but feel resentful.

It was indeed strange. Yue Niang couldn’t help but say, "I really don’t understand Grandmother’s reasoning sometimes. You once told me Grandmother deeply resented Old Concubine Hua, so why is she now promoting Sixth Aunt and arranging Fourth Girl’s marriage into the Marquis of Dingbei’s household?"

Lu Shi glanced at her daughter, also feeling that Old Madam Pei was biased. "If she really wanted to arrange a marriage alliance, why didn’t she marry you into the Marquis of Dingbei’s household back then? That would have spared your sister so much worry."

Speaking of her sister, Yue Niang said worriedly, "Previously, Sister relied on Grandfather’s favor in the household. Now that Grandfather is gone, who knows what will happen? She’s never been able to control her wild husband."

Having spent some time at the Marquis of Xinan’s household, Yue Niang understood her sister’s situation.

The usually strong-willed Lu Shi wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "Everyone says your sister married well, but no one considered that her husband is uncontrollable, with a house full of concubines. Fortunately, your sister endures it."

Mother and daughter cried together, but with the Second Branch once again holding household authority, their sorrow was somewhat mitigated.

Meanwhile, Cao Shi of the Fifth Branch heard that Yu Shi had handed the management tokens to the Second Branch and personally came to say, "My dear sister, how could you give it to her? That’s like putting a rat in the rice bin."

Yu Shi simply replied, "What else could I do? I don't understand anything about running a household. I'd only end up embarrassing myself."

Cao Shi replied, "You're just being too cautious. If you ask me, there’s nothing to be afraid of."

"Just consider me timid then. I was never cut out for such good fortune—I never even dreamed of it." Yu Shi had taken She Niang’s words to heart. With so many people eyeing the household management authority, it was better not to take it at all than to risk being harmed later. It was a troublesome responsibility.

The two exchanged a few more words about household management. Worried that Cao Shi would keep bringing it up, Yu Shi changed the subject and asked how her pregnancy was progressing.

Cao Shi patted her belly. "Same as always. The physician says it’s alright."

If it was alright, why was the medicinal smell in her courtyard so strong? But Yu Shi didn’t point it out.

**

Family Shrine

Nanny Xiang was reporting on the latest developments in the inner household: "The Second Branch wife took the tally and started managing things with great energy. But from what Xiao Mei passed on, it seems she’s implying that you’ve been favoring Sixth Branch."

Old Madam Pei, kneeling on a prayer cushion, suddenly opened her eyes, which had been closed moments earlier. "What does she know? I’ve heard that Old Sixth has been pushing to divide the family estate. Fourth Branch and Sixth Branch share the same mother, and Fifth Branch is also a concubine-born branch. If those three branches unite in wanting to split, our family will fall apart."

Nanny Xiang thought the old lady’s move was quite shrewd. By having Sixth Branch’s wife manage the household, she could drive a wedge between those three branches, preventing them from uniting.

But unexpectedly, Sixth Branch’s wife wouldn't take the offer. Instead, the Second Branch wife happily accepted the responsibility, disrupting the old lady’s plan.