Chapter 17: Variables

Chapter 17 Unexpected Turns

She Niang prevented her mother, Yu Shi, from intervening, but she herself would not remain idle. For instance, when Yue Niang came to inquire, She Niang bluntly stated, "Nowadays, even meals at home are divided by status. I truly don't understand why a family needs such distinctions. The court distributes salaries based on official positions, but I wonder what criteria our family uses?"

"Younger sister, that's too strong," Yue Niang thought to herself, realizing her mother had mishandled things and that She Niang was not to be trifled with—her words were as sharp as a knife.

She Niang, of course, had to speak for herself. If Yu Shi spoke on her behalf, it would become an adult matter, easily leading to resentment. As a child, she could voice any grievances directly; at the very least, people would fear her speaking out, and her treatment might improve.

After this discussion with Yue Niang, everyone had the same meal by dinnertime.

After dinner, the paternal grandaunt also brought her two granddaughters over. Old Madam Pei invited them all to chat together.

Li Niang nudged She Niang and asked, "Do you know what the two girls from the second uncle’s family are like?"

"I don’t know." Given She Niang’s current status, she naturally wouldn't know. But in her previous life, she was quite familiar with them and even interacted with them often.

Exiting the western courtyard and passing through two covered walkways, they arrived at Old Madam Pei’s residence.

Seated beside Old Madam Pei was a plump, fair-skinned old lady who looked kind and amiable. This was the second Old Madam Weng. Weng’s daughter-in-law, Liu Shi, seemed to be cast from the same mold—also round and soft like a glutinous rice ball.

Liu Shi also hailed from a local prominent family, albeit a collateral branch. After marrying in, she gave birth to one son and two daughters. Her husband served as the local county assistant magistrate, making him something of a local power.

However, the fact that She Niang and her sister had not been betrothed after coming of age was somewhat related to Liu Shi. Liu Shi’s eldest daughter had an affair after marriage, was caught in the act, and the scandal became public.

At this moment, Liu Shi’s two daughters stood neatly behind her, paying their respects to Yu Shi.

Liu Shi introduced them, saying, "This is my eldest daughter, Ling Rong, and my younger daughter, Ling Yi."

Yu Shi also introduced her own sisters. After introducing Li Niang, she pulled She Niang forward and said, "This is my youngest daughter, ranked fifth in our eldest branch, named Langhuan, with the childhood name She Niang."

"According to Yi Shizhen’s 'Records of Langhuan,' Langhuan is a blessed land—a fine name," Liu Shi praised.

She Niang smiled and said, "Aunt, you flatter me. I dare not accept such praise."

Then, they overheard the second Old Madam say to Old Madam Pei, "Sister-in-law, the young ladies in your family are all so well-mannered. Our two girls truly pale in comparison."

Old Madam Pei waved her hand and said, "Sister-in-law, please don’t say that. Your Ling Rong is known as the number one beauty in Hedong. I’ve even heard about it in the capital."

The second Old Madam modestly declined a few words, but in her heart, she was immensely proud. Her eldest granddaughter was exceptionally beautiful, wise, and, thanks to her uncle’s connections, had secured a good marriage—to the eldest son of the Shanxi Commandery’s Assistant Commissioner.

At this time, Lu Shi brought hot tea, and the adults began discussing the funeral arrangements.

Yue Niang took the sisters to the side room to chat. Pei Ling Rong had always held herself in high regard. After all, she was born into the prestigious Hedong Pei family, which had produced officials for generations. She was doted on by her parents and elder brother, and she herself was both beautiful and intelligent—already far beyond the reach of ordinary people. Yet, today, upon meeting the young ladies of the eldest branch, she felt somewhat inferior.

Even the youngest, She Niang and Shun Niang, carried themselves with natural grace.

Since no one knew each other well yet, they merely made small talk—discussing what books they had read, what foods they liked, and so on.

After chatting for no more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the second Old Madam took her leave, and Old Madam Pei dismissed everyone. She Niang and Li Niang followed Yu Shi back together. The two sisters chatted along the way, while Yu Shi smiled gently. Walking behind them, Yi Niang narrowed her eyes.

"Chang Mama, are you saying my mother sought out the sixth aunt before she died?" Yi Niang asked.

Chang Mama nodded. "Precisely."

Yi Niang said, "I will get to the bottom of this sooner or later."

The Pei family had escorted the spirit back home and would hold forty-nine days of funeral rites, inviting many monks and Taoists to perform the ceremonies. Thanks to the use of ice during the journey, Old Master Pei’s body had not decomposed. When She Niang came to mourn, she saw incense smoke swirling around, and the men of the family were keeping vigil on straw mats.

Lu Shi was arranging places for the monks and Taoists to perform their rites when she suddenly felt a palpitation and fainted.

Old Madam Pei took charge on the spot: "We can’t put all the responsibilities on one person’s shoulders. Everyone will be exhausted that way. Eldest daughter-in-law, you’ve always been frail, so I won’t assign you other tasks. You’ll be responsible for receiving the noble ladies and ensuring proper etiquette. Fourth daughter-in-law, you will assist her. As for sixth daughter-in-law, you’ve always been modest and generous. It’s time for you to start managing the household affairs. Otherwise, when your husband becomes an official, will you still be clueless about everything?"

The task of managing the household, which had been declined, ultimately fell to Yu Shi.

She Niang was never one to fear major events. She said, "Mother, since you’ve taken on the responsibility of managing the household, I will accompany you. Firstly, I can learn some management skills, and secondly, there’s strength in numbers—I can keep you company."

"Good," Yu Shi said, touched by She Niang’s concern. Though it was childlike talk, she was deeply moved.

Little did she know that She Niang wanted to accompany her to figure out what exactly had gone wrong with Yu Shi in the middle of all this.

With Old Madam Pei’s instruction, the tally was quickly handed over. Lu Shi thought that having Yu Shi manage the household was better than having Cao Shi do it. Yu Shi was gentle-tempered and not overly power-hungry.

As for Cao Shi, although her confinement period had ended, Old Madam Pei felt she caused too much trouble and thus did not consider her at all. Cao Shi deeply resented Yi Niang for exposing the matter, causing her to lose face, and she grew to hate her stepdaughter even more.

Setting aside Cao Shi’s situation, the first thing Yu Shi did after receiving the tally was to arrange locations for the monks and Taoists to chant scriptures.

Both Chen Mama and Xia Mama suggested several places, but Yu Shi found none of them suitable.

She Niang then said, "Mother, have the stewards bring the Yangshi Lei plans. Based on those, we can consult experts to determine the best locations. Once the sites are surveyed, we can begin the ceremonies."

"That makes sense. Chen Mama, have someone bring the Yangshi Lei plans," Yu Shi said. Problems that seemed very difficult to her often found quick solutions through her daughter.

After Chen Mama left, She Niang stepped forward again and said, "Mother, for the monks’ and Taoists’ meals, the scriptures they chant, the incense, and the ritual instruments—we need to assign two groups to oversee these. One group specifically responsible for the monks, and one group specifically responsible for the Taoists. Have you decided on the people? If not, you could ask the second aunt and fifth aunt to recommend some of their trusted people."

Yu Shi thought it over and found the plan excellent. It could foster goodwill with both branches, ensuring they wouldn’t cause trouble openly, at least. Moreover, by gathering all their trusted people in one place, if there was a shortage of personnel, she could directly assign her own people.

Cui Lan immediately went to relay the message. When Lu Shi saw that Yu Shi respected her so much, unlike Cao Shi who would scold before even starting, she smiled and said, "Your mistress is very cautious."

"Second Madam, you may not know, but our mistress says she’s being forced into this. She only wants to get through Old Master’s funeral and return the management authority later. She’s already overwhelmed, so she sent me to seek your advice," Cui Lan said tactfully.

After hearing this, Lu Shi provided a list of several people. Cui Lan noted them down and went to Cao Shi’s place to deliver the same message.

By then, Yu Shi had already decided to have the monks chant the "Great Compassion Mantra" in the main hall of the spirit room and to hold Taoist rites in the Listening to the Qin Pavilion.

At noon, She Niang and Li Niang accompanied Yu Shi for a meal. Li Niang disliked the cold wind and had no interest in taking on responsibilities, so she naturally did not join She Niang in accompanying Yu Shi to handle the tedious household affairs. But She Niang did not blame her sister.

After all, during their time together recently, Li Niang had often shown concern for her, which was better than expected. Moreover, as the saying goes, "Oranges grown south of the Huai River are oranges; those grown north become trifoliate oranges." While innate nature is important, in their previous lives, she and Li Niang were raised by different people, so external factors were also significant.

Besides, this was not the time for internal strife. They should unite against external challenges.

Under Yu Shi’s management, the meals were plentiful, but they dared not serve lavish dishes that might be seen by others. During the journey, the post stations had turned a blind eye, but now, with people coming and going, everyone ate vegetarian meals. Only after the forty-nine days would they be able to eat meat again.

However, Yu Shi had barely taken a few bites when someone came to report that the Princess of Kangping and the Prefect’s wife had arrived, requesting her to instruct the kitchen to prepare tea and meals.

Old Master Pei had once been a likely candidate for the Grand Secretariat. Although he passed away suddenly, the Hedong Pei family was still a prominent clan.

But She Niang knew this was likely the last glory of the Pei family. Yu Shi set down her bowl and chopsticks to personally arrange the tea and meals, while She Niang continued eating with Li Niang.

After the meal, She Niang still felt uneasy about her mother and decided to go find Yu Shi.

But Li Niang asked, "Why are you going out now?"

"I have my reasons for going out. Do you want to come with me?" she asked.

Li Niang shook her head. "No, it’s chaotic outside. It’s more comfortable indoors."

She Niang nodded absentmindedly and went out with two maids. She first went near the kitchen but heard that her mother had gone east. She quickened her pace but still did not see her mother.

There was a deaf old woman who saw her and began waving her arms excitedly. She Niang said to Qiu Ju, "She must be hungry. Go to the kitchen and bring her two yellow millet cornbread buns."

The deaf old woman was said to have served Old Concubine Hua and was formerly very capable. After Old Concubine Hua was driven out, she, being deaf and mute, was kept on because of her skillful hands, especially in repairing jewelry.

However, she was only allowed to stay in the old residence. With her disheveled hair, everyone took her for someone easy to bully and made her collect night soil.

Seeing Qiu Ju return shortly with the yellow millet cornbread buns, the deaf old woman wolfed them down hungrily. She Niang, leading her two maids forward, asked them, "Do you know anything about Old Concubine Hua?"

Qiu Ju quickly shook her head. "Although I was born into the household, I am too young to know about such things."

Dong Mei, however, hesitated slightly. "I have heard some vague rumors, but they may not be true."

"What have you heard? Never mind, we can discuss this later when we return," She Niang said with a smile.

Suddenly, as she reached the side room ahead, she saw Mama Chang and Cui Xiu standing guard there and hurried over.

Cui Xiu and Mama Chang quickly greeted her, explaining that Third Miss and Sixth Wife were inside talking and had asked them to keep watch outside.

She Niang’s heart skipped a beat. Could the twist lie here?