Chapter 23: Chapter 23 (Two Chapters Combined)

Chapter 23: Two Chapters Combined

As July drew near, even Hedong Commandery, typically arid, experienced several days of continuous drizzle. Xia Mama, in charge of the kitchen, specially sent over four kinds of delicate pastries that morning, fearing She Niang might go hungry.

After breakfast, She Niang hurried to the school. In the entire Pei household, only the children of the sixth branch were still attending classes.

Sitting in the classroom, listening to Lady Duan lecture on poetry while the rain pattered outside, was a delightful experience. However, the interlude brought on drowsiness. Li Niang had already buried her head in her arms, fast asleep, while She Niang propped her head up, dozing off.

When classes finally ended, She Niang noticed Li Niang was also heading back with her today and found it odd. "Aren't you going to the Old Lady's place today?"

To be honest, She Niang had considered persuading Li Niang to stay home, but the Old Lady's financial inducements made her reconsider. Unless Li Niang was truly indifferent to such things, it would be extremely difficult to sway her, so She Niang let it be.

Besides, in her previous life, Li Niang's marriage to Wang Pan wasn't bad. She couldn't entirely alter someone's life based on her own wishes, and currently, she had no leverage to make Li Niang listen to her.

As for Chen Mama, it was also difficult to act against her. After all, Chen Mama was Li Niang's wet nurse. Although she often stirred up trouble, it was ultimately a matter of loyalty to her mistress.

Li Niang said, "There are a few nuns at the Old Lady's place today, so it's not convenient for me to go."

Elderly women often favored the teachings of Buddhism and Daoism, so She Niang didn't give it much thought. However, Li Niang added, "Let me tell you, these aren't ordinary nuns. I heard they often frequent noble households. Even the newly enfeoffed Princess of Jin seeks them out."

The Princess of Jin? So the Prince of Jin had already departed for his fiefdom.

Yes, it was about that time.

In this life, if she didn't marry the Prince of Jin, she had only two choices: either get engaged and married early, or not be in Hedong Commandery at all. The first option was out of the question—marriage wasn't like buying cabbage; marrying just anyone would be worse than following her previous life's path. The second option was to wait until her father's mourning period ended. If her father could secure an external appointment, she would follow him. The second option seemed more feasible.

After the sisters returned, they first went to Yu Shi's residence. Yu Shi was splitting threads, and Cao Shi was also there doing needlework. She Niang sat down and helped Yu Shi with the thread splitting. She was quick and skilled, earning praise even from Cao Shi: "Children have such sharp eyes and nimble hands. My eyesight is starting to fail these days."

"Fifth Sister-in-law, you're too kind. Your needlework is the best in our family. By the way, are you planning to make shoe uppers? What kind of shoes are you making?" Yu Shi asked, her hands still busy.

Cao Shi replied, "I'm planning to make a pair of height-differing shoes. The soles will be white, and the uppers will be lake blue with silver thread. I'll also embroider a narcissus pattern on the uppers. I've already drawn the design."

Yu Shi said she would make a pair too.

Needlework was an essential skill for women in the inner quarters. While outer garments like riding breeches, waistcoats, and jackets could be made by tailors or embroiderers, intimate clothing like undergarments and socks often had to be made by themselves.

The most skilled needleworker around She Niang was Gui Fang, who made all her intimate garments.

Unexpectedly, Third Sister Yi Niang was also very good at needlework. She Niang asked curiously, "Third Sister, how are you so skilled at needlework?" She knew that Chang Mama was only average at it.

Yi Niang explained, "Which of the nuns at Shuiyue Convent doesn't know how to sew? Some even rely on it for a living. Many embroidery shops hire people like us to do needlework."

"I see," She Niang said.

She Niang had only asked casually, but Cao Shi felt that Yi Niang's words implied that the family had neglected her. She bristled momentarily but suppressed her anger since they were in company.

She Niang noticed and quickly changed the subject: "I think Third Sister is good at everything—needlework, medicine... Mother, I should learn more from Third Sister in the future."

Yu Shi agreed, "Yes, you should really learn more from your Third Sister. Otherwise, you'll remain as unruly as a little monkey."

Hearing this, Li Niang sulked. She Niang was her own blood sister, yet she was so close to some country cousin from another branch. She squeezed closer to She Niang and said, "Fifth Sister, let's go dye our nails with balsam flowers later."

"Sure," She Niang said with a smile.

Li Niang cheered up again.

After doing some needlework, the rain outside stopped. Cao Shi and Yi Niang left first, while Yu Shi stayed to have a meal with her two daughters. During the meal, Yu Shi said, "The servants' monthly wages have been reduced. If any of your attendants are short on funds, tell them to come to Cui Lan."

"Mother, it's been three months since Grandfather was buried. Are we still short on money?" She Niang asked.

Li Niang complained, "We have fewer dishes to eat, and no new clothes are being made. I'm still wearing last year's clothes. Now we even have to cover the servants' allowances."

Yu Shi thought to herself that this was why She Niang had advised her not to take on the responsibility. Even family members might not understand, let alone outsiders.

But she still explained, "We have to cover the additional medical expenses for your Second Uncle—bone-strengthening and nourishing medicines. Your Second Aunt also says she's exhausted herself for the family, consuming bird's nest and caterpillar fungus like daily meals. The medical expenses are flowing out like water."

She Niang thought to herself that this was why, in her previous life, the Pei family had split shortly after she was chosen as the Prince of Jin's concubine. The division hadn't been fair, and preparing Li Niang's dowry and her own had been incredibly difficult.

She Niang thought: Normally, Old Master Pei had served as an official for years and came from a noble family. How could the inheritance have been so meager? Either the division happened too late, or the second branch had taken advantage of the situation to line their own pockets. With Second Uncle in his current state, who knew how much they had extracted under his name?

But when it came to dividing the family estate, unless the elders brought it up, it was inappropriate for the younger generation to mention it.

That evening, when Pei Yiqing arrived, Yu Shi brought up the matter: "Even the girls are complaining about being short on money now."

Pei Yiqing had been listening idly while fanning himself, but at the end, he had a sudden idea. "With all this discontent, isn't it the perfect time to bring up dividing the family estate?"

Yu Shi looked at him. "That may be true, but who will bring it up? I don't think the Old Lady has any intention of dividing the family."

"She has plenty of her own dowry and has taken control of the Old Master's private assets. Now that she only has Eldest Brother as her son, the clan's assets mean little to her. She even uses the family's resources for her own meals and clothing to curry favor. But for side branches like ours, these assets are the foundation of our livelihood." Pei Yiqing had long wanted to break away.

An early division meant an early distribution of the family property, which would be beneficial.

Yu Shi asked, "What does Fourth Brother say?"

"He's been bribed. Now that Second Brother is paralyzed, Fourth Brother has taken over managing outside matters and gives me vague responses." Pei Yiqing faced the same problem as She Niang: Fourth Brother was benefiting and even embezzling money, so he had no intention of leaving.

Now, Pei Yiqing was isolated and found it difficult to speak up.

Yu Shi said dejectedly, "If even Fourth Brother won't speak up, who can we turn to? Let's just get by."

"I think the servants, lacking money, will inevitably make trouble. Let's see if they regret it then." Pei Yiqing slapped his armrest, as if foreseeing what would happen.

Pei Yiqing's words soon came true. The old woman guarding the east corner gate had originally been under Lu Shi. When Lu Shi was in power, her faction had lived well. This old woman's sister-in-law had once managed the kitchen, so food was never a concern. Now, the kitchen was managed by the sixth branch's Xia Mama, and the old woman's monthly allowance was gone—she couldn't even afford a jug of wine.

She could tolerate these hardships, but when her grandson fell ill, her daughter-in-law pawned her dowry hairpins and rings and still didn't have enough money. The old woman went to beg Lu Shi for help, but Lu Shi was too preoccupied with Yue Niang's dowry to bother with a mere servant.

Because of this, the old woman, who had previously been strict about not letting unauthorized people in, now left the gate wide open, making it convenient for clandestine lovers to come and go.

For example, Lu Shi's maid, Xiao Qin, was twenty-two years old. Because Lu Shi found her capable, she had never let her out to marry. Xiao Qin had a lover—Cong'er, a servant of Eldest Master Pei. Cong'er spent twenty coins to enter through the gate, and the two found an empty space to kiss and caress.

After a while, Xiao Qin tied her clothes and said, "I need to hurry back. If she wakes up and finds me missing, she'll scold me again."

Cong'er was dissatisfied. "I say you should have been let out to marry long ago. How much longer will she keep you like this?"

"What can I do? The people around her aren't very capable." Xiao Qin tidied her hair, still worried.

Cong'er said fiercely, "Since she treats you like this, why don't we drag her down with us? That damned widow has no shame."

Xiao Qin quickly replied, "She's the mistress, and I'm a servant. How can we bully her? Don't think like that. I'm satisfied just being able to see you like this occasionally."

Cong'er glanced at her. "Third Mistress must have plenty of money. Since neither of us is getting a monthly allowance from the Pei family anymore, why not steal some money and run away to start over elsewhere?"

"No, that's not right," Xiao Qin refused. She still knew better. If two servants were caught, it would be the end of them.

Cong'er had no choice but to say, "Let's play it by ear."

While Xiao Qin and Cong'er still had some sense, others, who had lost their heads, secretly stole from their masters. There were countless more such cases.

She Niang also heard that a jewelry set from Yi Niang's place had gone missing and was listening to Sui Sui say, "These were made last New Year—each young lady got a pair of gold-inlaid jade hairpins featuring bees chasing flowers, but ours are missing."

"We must find them quickly," She Niang said, aware that after the mourning period, the family would no longer provide them with expensive jewelry. Her father had commissioned some pieces for her from out of town.

Unlike her and Li Niang, who still had their parents to support them, Yi Niang was neither cherished by her father nor loved by her mother. Without jewelry in the future, she would lack dignity.

Yi Niang said to She Niang, "I don't want to make a big fuss. I still have some other pieces left."

When the fake Yi Niang entered the household, everyone had given her gifts and clothes, which were all kept. The real Yi Niang, having grown up in a nunnery, had few material desires and was in mourning, so she didn't need much. If she hadn't been moved to check today, she wouldn't have noticed the loss.

She Niang glanced at her and said, "Third Sister, who manages your jewelry? Even if you don't want to make a scene, you should still be cautious."

"It's my wet nurse, Nurse Chang," Yi Niang replied without suspicion.

She Niang, however, had her own ideas about this. Nurse Chang knew about the fake Yi Niang and had been quite devoted to her, unlike Sui Sui, who sometimes let her dissatisfaction show. In cases like theft, unless it was a robbery, it was often an inside job. Otherwise, how would a servant dare to boldly enter a young lady's room?

Even if they did, how could they take the hairpins without anyone noticing?

When she returned to her own quarters, She Niang instructed Qiu Ju, "You're in charge of my jewelry now. If anything goes missing, I'll hold you responsible."

Qiu Ju smiled and said, "Don't worry, Miss. I keep the keys on my person at all times."

"Good. As the saying goes, poverty breeds villainy. With no monthly stipends being paid, many are looking to make ends meet. But don't worry—if my father is restored to office, we'll have our own household. My mother said monthly stipends will be paid as usual then," She Niang said, trying to reassure the servants. If they could endure for a year or two, things would improve.

Qiu Ju and Dong Mei were pleased to hear this. As head maids, they had saved quite a bit of money and received gifts during festivals, so they could manage for now. With She Niang's promise of a better future, they felt more at ease.

Even the younger maids, Lan Re and Gui Fang, looked forward to leaving eventually.

After calming her own servants, She Niang spoke to Li Niang and advised her to be cautious. Li Niang had her own methods—she gave away her snacks and old clothes as rewards.

Meanwhile, in the second branch, Lu Shi discovered a box of scented tea and two bolts of silk were missing. Having had experience managing households before, she pressured and threatened the servants until she found the culprit, whom she had Meng Shi have them beaten.

These incidents left Old Madam Pei feeling exhausted. She summoned Meng Shi and reprimanded her. Meng Shi explained her difficulties: "Our family's funds used to be sufficient, but Second Uncle's medical expenses cost one to two hundred taels of silver monthly. With this extra expense and Second Daughter's dowry to prepare, we have to draw from the communal funds. There's no other way."

Funerals were a major expense, and illnesses with medicine costs were another. With six branches in the family, daily food and drink expenses added up.

Truthfully, Meng Shi wanted an early division of the family. Since the old master had passed away, it was time to divide the estate.

Otherwise, the second branch would keep taking advantage, and complaints would keep mounting.

Old Madam Pei said, "We must handle this with care. How much is short for the servants' allowances? I'll make up the difference."

"Old Madam..." Meng Shi thought, what about next time?

When the old master was alive, the family was thriving, and no one would have suggested dividing the estate. But now, it was clear that some were growing resentful.

Cao Shi, in particular, couldn't help complaining when she saw the second branch enjoying bird's nest, ginseng, and abalone: "We only get four dishes per person now—even less than a country gentry. Meanwhile, the second branch eats so well. Someone who lies in bed all day gets to enjoy such luxuries—what a waste."

Her words were harsh, and Yu Shi felt it was inappropriate since the second branch was still family.

Huo Shi, however, saw things clearly. Cao Shi had brought very little dowry and had to maintain appearances after marriage. Though she seemed no different from the others, there was a disparity. Especially since Cao Shi had once miscarried—at her age, and being strong-willed, she naturally hoped to build up her health well to conceive again.

As the three sisters-in-law chatted, She Niang thought that an early division would be for the best. Otherwise, forcing everyone to live together would only lead to more complaints.

In her previous life, her mother had already passed away at this time, so they were too absorbed in grief to notice these things. Now, with her mother still alive and viewing things from a more mature perspective, she realized the six branches had long been at odds, and her own parents also wanted to divide the family.

In her previous life, the division didn't happen because her mother died, and her father was too preoccupied to remarry. But for the sake of her and her sisters, they needed a female elder to care for them, so her father never brought up dividing the family—perhaps he never had the chance.

Now, everything was different.

She Niang pretended not to understand and asked Yu Shi, "Mother, why aren't the people in the Western Residence as financially strained as we are?"

"There are fewer people in the Western Residence—only two branches. Of course, life is easier for them," Yu Shi said with a laugh.

The speaker may have meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart. Cao Shi thought to herself that if they divided the family, her husband could return to his job at the Imperial Guards and be promoted to Deputy Thousand Household or Thousand Household. Life would surely be much better then. Otherwise, if the second branch used up all the money, what would be left for them?

After Huo Shi and Cao Shi left, Yu Shi no longer treated She Niang as a child and whispered, "Your father wants to divide the family."

"Then why doesn't he?" She Niang asked, puzzled.

Yu Shi said, "Old Madam hasn't brought it up. We're too insignificant to suggest it."

"Mother, Father can't suggest it, but what about Uncle and Aunt? Don't forget—Second Uncle from the second branch is a major expense, Second Sister's dowry is paid from the communal funds, and if Third Sister gets engaged, her dowry will also come from there. All this money passes through Aunt's hands—wouldn't she feel the strain?" She Niang glanced at Yu Shi.

The eldest uncle was Old Madam Pei's eldest son and most trusted. What if he suggested it?

Yu Shi thought it made sense and hugged She Niang. "Our She Niang is such a help to your parents."

She then sent someone to the study to fetch Pei Yiqing and told him She Niang's idea. Pei Yiqing tapped the table. "That could work. Do you know any of Sister-in-Law's servants?"

"I'm quite familiar with Shi Shun's wife. She came to me a few days ago to get two bolts of red plum-patterned satin," Yu Shi said.

Pei Yiqing smiled. "Good. Plant a few suggestions in her ear. I have leverage over Elder Brother's servant, Cong'er. We can approach from both sides—this is perfect timing."

"Cong'er? How did you get leverage over him?" Yu Shi looked at her husband.

Pei Yiqing whispered that he had gone out one evening to enjoy the moon and compose poetry but accidentally came upon something scandalous, giving him leverage over Cong'er. Now he could compel Cong'er to do his bidding.

Yu Shi looked at her husband. "You're something else."

"What choice do we have? We need to make our move soon. Su Dongpo once said, 'I will grow old buying land in Yangxian, always for the love of rivers and mountains.' Let's buy a house near mountains and water and live our own lives," Pei Yiqing said, gently touching Yu Shi's cheek, his heart full of hope.

Whenever he thought of how his mother had been sold off like livestock while he stood helpless, how could he ever consider the Pei family his home?

Yu Shi naturally didn't object.

But at that moment, Old Madam Pei summoned Yu Shi to discuss Li Niang's marriage.

Old Madam Pei was not one to endure discomfort. Though it was oppressively hot outside, it was cool inside—so much so that Yu Shi felt she needed an extra layer of clothing.

Old Madam Pei said with a smile, "I called you here to discuss Li Niang's marriage. Our family is related by marriage to the Marquis of Dingbei's household—my natal family. You've met them. Though they're not the most powerful nobility, they're a good family. I think this match is quite suitable. What do you think?"

Consultation? What was there to discuss with the sixth branch? She could simply decide as the family head.

She had originally planned to bring it up after the mourning period, but with the Prince of Jin departing for his feudal estate, Old Madam Pei felt uneasy and wanted to settle Li Niang's engagement quickly.

"Old Madam, we are deeply grateful for your concern for Li Niang, but we are still in mourning. How can we discuss marriage? Let's wait until the mourning period is over," Yu Shi said. She could endure unfair treatment herself, but for her children, she would argue her case.

She had tactfully declined, but Old Madam Pei insisted, "It's fine. We can decide during the mourning period and formalize the engagement afterward."

Yu Shi was becoming somewhat annoyed but managed a smile. "Old Madam, this isn't something I can decide."

"What? I'm trying to arrange a favorable match for you, and you're unwilling?" Old Madam Pei said with a stern expression.

She feared that one day Shun Niang might become empress, but history books would say she was not as good as that other Empress Pei.

If Shun Niang were of the right age, she would have gotten her married off earlier, but Shun Niang was only eight years old and not yet at the age for marriage.

Thinking of this, she glared fiercely at Yu Shi, who was almost frightened to tears but still said, "Third Sister hasn't even been betrothed yet, and now you're arranging a marriage for Fourth Girl. I'm afraid Fifth Brother will blame you."

It wasn't like Yu Shi to come up with an excuse like that. Old Madam Pei was taken aback upon hearing it—yes, she had indeed been a bit too hasty.

Yu Shi quickly found an excuse to slip away. After leaving, she ran into Shi Shun's wife. She had been hesitating earlier, but now she felt she had to say something. Pei Yiqing, needless to say, gave some instructions to his servant boy Cong'er.

Meng Shi, who was already worried about money, heard from Shi Shun's wife: "The old madam wants to arrange a marriage for Fourth Girl. Sixth Wife was saying that a wedding to a marquis' house would require at least eighty-eight dowry chests, if not a hundred. She also said the family pot has to cover it in advance and hinted that Third Sister's turn might be coming soon."

"What? Li Niang is only eleven or twelve years old. Isn't this too rushed?" Meng Shi held her forehead.

Shi Shun's wife replied, "It's all Second Branch's fault for starting this. Everyone wants to take advantage of the public funds. From what the sixth mistress said, the old madam might even dig into her own private savings for Fourth Girl."

Upon hearing this, Meng Shi felt uneasy. When her husband returned, the couple discussed the matter. Eldest Master Pei said, "Today, my servant overheard many people criticizing us behind our backs, calling us stingy. But have we ever been like that?"

Knowing how much her husband valued face, Meng Shi said, "There's nothing we can do. Since the family hasn't divided, managing the household is a thankless task—everyone is asking us for money. Now the old madam insists on arranging a marriage for Fourth Girl, and the family pot must prepare thousands of taels for the dowry. Where am I supposed to get that money?"

Eldest Master Pei sighed, "The servants are becoming harder to manage. It's because there are too many people and too many opinions. If this continues, it might even affect my career. In that case, it's better to divide up the household."

Meanwhile, Old Madam Pei was about to bypass Pei Yiqing and his wife to directly arrange the marriage with the Marquis of Dingbei's household when her eldest son arrived—to discuss dividing the household.

"What? Divide the household? I won't allow it," Old Madam Pei said.

Eldest Master Pei knelt and said, "Mother, if we don't divide the household now, everyone will be gossiping about us even worse. The elders outside are already saying our family mistreats servants and lacks discipline. The various branches are in an uproar, and the fourth branch is embezzling money. If this continues, we'll lose face and any respect we have left!"

Old Madam Pei was heartbroken. She had dedicated herself entirely to the Pei family, yet her son was betraying her? How was she supposed to take that?