Chapter 40: Chapter 40 (Two Chapters Combined)

Chapter 40: Two Chapters Combined

It was the height of summer. After Yang Mo was rescued from the water, she recuperated at the Prince of Qing’s residence, while She Niang continued her studies with the princess. Although the Prince of Qing’s household remained silent, the Duchess of Fuguo paid a visit. The very next day, Yang Mo’s grandmother, Old Madam Yang, personally came to take her home.

When Yang Mo sent word that she was leaving soon and wished to give She Niang some gifts, asking her to come over, She Niang naturally declined: "Is Sister Yang leaving so soon? I’m afraid I’ll be departing in a few days myself. Please tell her to rest and not overexert herself. I’ll visit her another day."

Unexpectedly, Yang Mo was persistent, insisting on a meeting. Stepping out, She Niang found Yang Mo by a nearby rockery and exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Yang, are you fully recovered?"

"I’m perfectly fine. Now you can rest assured, having cleared me as an obstacle." Yang Mo’s grandmother had already informed her that since she was publicly rescued by the Duke of Fuguo’s son, and the Duke’s family was reputable, an engagement between the two families was only natural.

What was done was done. She only regretted falling into Pei Sheniang’s trap—this person was exceptionally patient, striking with precision, and possessed great strategic depth.

Even at this point, She Niang feigned ignorance: "Sister Yang, what are you talking about? I don’t understand. What obstacle? It’s not as if only one study companion can stay."

"Are you still playing dumb? Was it you who pushed me into the water?" Yang Mo accused.

She Niang retorted angrily, "At that time, the princess and I were stringing worms for bait. I was on the left, the princess in the middle, and you were standing on the right. How could I have pushed you? Besides, you’re the granddaughter of a Provincial Governor, while I’m just the daughter of a prefect. Why would I harm you for no reason? Even if you leave, I’m only a study companion. Who knows, in a few days, after my coming-of-age ceremony, my family might take me home too. You fell in by accident, and I kindly called the boatwoman to save you. Instead of gratitude, you blame me?"

Her words were firm and clear. Passing servants glanced around nervously. Yang Mo considered the distance between them at the time and realized that even if she questioned the boatwoman and the princess, it would be difficult to implicate She Niang.

So, she said, "You didn’t do it for that. It was clearly for the position of the Prince’s Consort."

She Niang shrugged: "I’m still just the daughter of a prefect. I know my place. You’re projecting your own ambitions onto others—it’s utterly unreasonable. I’m leaving."

As she turned to go, Yang Mo reached out to grab her, but She Niang shook her off, causing Yang Mo to stumble. She Niang then walked away calmly.

Yang Mo stamped her foot in frustration, wondering how Pei Sheniang could possess such strength.

She didn’t realize that Yang Mo had deliberately called her there, hoping Nanny Gong would overhear their conversation. To her surprise, even after her victory, She Niang showed no hint of joy. Her profound cunning left Yang Mo feeling utterly defeated as she departed.

Nanny Gong, of course, reported this to the Princess of Qing, who sighed, "She truly let a sure opportunity slip away. Since it didn’t work out, she should have maintained her composure, but instead, she blamed others."

"Do you think it really was Miss Pei who did it?" Nanny Gong wondered.

The schemes of women in the inner quarters were no laughing matter.

Hearing this, the Princess of Qing looked at her and asked, "Was it she who suggested fishing? Was it she who pushed Yang Mo?"

Nanny Gong quickly shook her head: "It was Lord Qiong of the Duke of Fuguo's household who suggested fishing. The princess agreed to go. Miss Yang fell in by accident, and it was Miss Pei who called for someone to save her."

"Exactly. Besides, if she truly is that formidable, we’d be better off not making an enemy of her." The Princess of Qing never underestimated anyone.

Nanny Gong concurred. With such cunning and strategy, and her father already a fourth-rank official before forty, her uncle a third-rank official, if she married well, her future would be limitless.

It was better to befriend her.

After Yang Mo left, She Niang and the princess grew even closer. However, around this time, her family came to take her home.

Yu Shi explained the reason to the Princess of Qing: "The Prince of Xiang’s household is somewhat related to us. Their Dowager Consort is celebrating her birthday and has specially sent a boat and people to take us there. We’ll trouble your household again once we return."

"How come I’ve never heard of this before?" The Princess of Qing was genuinely unaware of this connection.

Yu Shi then explained the relationship. Before coming, Pei Yiqing had told her that since their official rank was low, they needed to leverage connections. So she said, "To be frank, this Dowager Consort Hua is the birth grandmother of our Fifth Miss. She was accidentally separated from the family earlier, but my husband always kept it in mind and eventually found her. After recognizing her, we learned that she later became a concubine to the Old Prince of Xiang. Now that the Prince of Xiang has passed away, she misses the children. We plan to visit her to show our filial piety."

"I had no idea there was such a connection." The Princess of Qing was astonished. She prepared many parting gifts for Yu Shi and She Niang and said, "Coincidentally, our son is about to go to the Prince of Xiang’s residence to deliver an imperial edict. You can travel together."

Yu Shi was delighted: "That would be perfect. I heard from the Prince of Xiang’s nannies that the waterways are plagued by river pirates these days and aren’t very safe. Even an official on his way to assume a post was robbed and killed by water bandits. I was quite scared hearing about it. If we can travel together, we’ll be under your family’s protection."

The Princess of Qing smiled: "Our families have always been on good terms. This is only natural."

Thus, She Niang first followed Yu Shi back home. Once in the carriage, she stretched contentedly and leaned on Yu Shi’s shoulder, saying, "You came just in time. I was missing home."

"Actually, it’s your grandmother who acted quickly. As soon as our letter arrived, she personally sent boats with attendants and several nannies from the Prince of Xiang’s residence. You’ll meet them later," Yu Shi instructed.

She Niang nodded and recounted what had happened during her time at the Prince of Qing’s residence: "Not long after I arrived, Yang Mo tried to make me fall off a horse. Fortunately, the prince saved me, but I couldn’t let that slide. I knew she was afraid of water, so I thought I’d scare her with a worm to give her a taste of her own medicine. Unexpectedly, she lost her balance and fell in. Lord Qiong from the Duke of Fuguo’s family rescued her immediately, even faster than the boatwoman."

She wasn’t a particularly good person, nor was she particularly lucky—she could only rely on her own wits.

After hearing this, Yu Shi felt a lingering fear: "What if you had really broken your leg? That Yang girl got what she deserved."

"In the end, she even confronted me, probably trying to force me to admit something. As if I’d be foolish enough to say anything." She Niang thought to herself that she wasn’t that stupid. She wouldn’t have told anyone if it weren’t her mother.

Seeing her daughter like this, Yu Shi felt relieved. If her daughter were even slightly weaker, she would have been badly exploited. So she brought up another matter: "You know about your eldest sister’s passing. In your brother’s last letter, besides sharing good news, he also mentioned something."

"What is it?" She Niang asked.

Yu Shi motioned for She Niang to lean in and whispered to her. She Niang was surprised: "You mean my brother-in-law wants me to be his second wife?"

"Your brother said Xiao Tang’s intention is quite clear. Your father knows you have your own ideas, so he asked me to sound you out first." Yu Shi looked at her daughter, aware that her perspectives were different.

She Niang refused outright: "Mother, although our family isn’t among the high nobility, I still don’t want to be someone’s second wife."

She could barely be bothered to raise her own children, let alone someone else’s—that was out of the question.

Yu Shi said, "I’m afraid you might regret it. Xiao Tang will be a future marquis, a position of great prestige."

"No, Mother, please don’t try to persuade me. I won’t regret it. Given his status, he could easily marry someone else. Why does he want to marry me? Isn’t it because he thinks I’ll take good care of his children? But think about it—everyone has their biases. I can’t love someone else’s children more than my own, nor can I watch my own children be treated as inferior. So there’s really no need." In her previous life, She Niang had heard that the eldest son left by her sister was weak and incompetent, while the son of the impostor Yi Niang was clever and quick-witted and eventually inherited the marquis title.

Outsiders even praised the impostor Yi Niang for treating her stepson well, and so on.

She Niang had no interest in such false appearances.

Yu Shi smiled: "Since you’ve made your decision, that’s that. Since your grandmother wants us to visit Xiangyang for a while, let’s treat it as a chance to see more of the world and relax."

"I think so too." She Niang was very happy.

Going out for fun was different from her father taking up a new official post—she was quite excited.

On the other side, the Princess of Qing was speaking with her son about the Pei family: "Who would have thought Prefect Pei’s birth mother was actually a concubine of the Old Prince of Xiang? Now the Dowager Consort has sent boats to take the mother and daughter for a visit. Since you’re going to the Prince of Xiang’s residence to deliver the imperial edict appointing the heir, I’ve already told them you can travel together for mutual support."

"Why did you agree without asking me first?" Li Ju was genuinely surprised by this connection. No wonder Li Jue was the first among the imperial family to support Empress Dowager Pei.

However, given that they were going to the Prince of Xiang’s residence at this time, Li Ju added, "With such a long and dangerous journey, it’s probably not just for the birthday celebration."

"That’s not a big deal. Miss Pei is also from a distinguished family in Hedong. Her father is already the prefect of Hangzhou in the Liangzhe Province before turning forty. Not to mention this connection with the Prince of Xiang. I heard Dowager Consort Hua bore three sons for the Old Prince of Xiang and holds considerable status. Even if they have other intentions, it’s understandable." The Princess of Qing said this.

Li Ju thought it made sense. In his previous life, Empress Dowager Pei grew up in Jin and was naturally chosen as a concubine for the Prince of Jin. Now she was a study companion in their household, her father was in Hangzhou, and if she wanted to aim higher, she had to expand her connections elsewhere.

No wonder.

If she could marry Li Jue, that would be fine—he would feel relieved. So Li Ju smiled and said, "You’re right. I’ll travel with them for mutual support."

Surprised by her son’s willingness to agree, the Princess of Qing looked at him. Seeing not a hint of jealousy on his face, she began to suspect that her son might not actually like the Pei girl.

Meanwhile, discussions about She Niang’s marriage were just beginning. Back in their hometown, Old Madam Pei was also planning. Her son had been promoted to the third rank, which was certainly cause for joy, but the Prince of Jin’s residence was preparing to select concubines. The old madam thus sent all the unmarried girls in the family to a nunnery to avoid the selection.

In her view, Shun Niang had been set aside by the Prince of Jin in the book. Although Shun Niang’s father was now a third-rank official, she had heard that the Prince of Jin had a favorite concubine, Liu Shi, whose father held a high official position and was even more favored.

She didn’t want her granddaughter to repeat the same mistake. As for Third Sister, who was older and still unmarried, recent potential marriage offers had been unsatisfactory. Whenever people heard she was from the Pei family, those nearby who heard rumors would withdraw their interest.

But even so, she couldn't bring harm to Third Sister.

Naturally, Old Mrs. Pei wasn't idle either. She was determined to marry her granddaughter to either the Prince of Qing's son or the Prince of Xiang's heir. Since the Old Prince of Xiang had passed away, Scholar Fu had returned to the countryside to retire. Thinking of his connections in the Xiangwang Mansion, she sent him a sum of money, hoping he could help arrange for Shun Niang to marry the Prince of Xiang's heir, which would be ideal.

As for the Prince of Qing, she heard from her fourth son that her sixth son had been transferred to serve in Hangzhou Prefecture. However, her sixth son was cunning and slippery, and he had daughters of his own. If she didn't remind him, it would be fine, but if she did, he might seize the opportunity for himself.

Therefore, the only person she could rely on now was Scholar Fu.

Shun Niang, however, was unwilling. She was almost fourteen and said to her nanny Hong Ma, "My father holds a third-rank position. Surely the Prince of Jin's family wouldn’t select me. I don’t understand what Grandmother is thinking."

Hong Ma smiled and said, "The Dowager is just being cautious—better safe than sorry. You should listen to her; it’s for the best."

Shun Niang had no choice. Over the years, though she wasn’t as beautiful as Li Niang or She Niang, she had her own dignified elegance. Her father’s high official rank made her feel like a princess in the Pei family.

Her personality was quite simple and naive.

She knew her grandmother wanted her to marry well and had the means to make it happen, just as Fourth Sister, arranged by her grandmother, had married into the Marquis of Dingbei's household.

However, after entering the nunnery, she found it extremely dull and tedious. Third Sister, on the other hand, seemed fine. Having faced a troubled fate since childhood and being abandoned in a nunnery, she now found returning to the Shuiyue Nunnery surprisingly agreeable.

Then one dark and windy night, Shun Niang went out to see the night-blooming cereus and unexpectedly discovered a severely injured man. The man was accompanied by a deadly guard who forced her to fetch medicine. Terrified and weak in the knees, she quietly brought the medicine.

The deadly guard initially intended to kill her to silence her, but the injured man said, "Which family are you from? I will surely repay you generously. Please do not speak of what happened here."

In a moment of panic, Shun Niang didn’t know if the person they wanted to kill was her. Thinking of Third Sister, who had come with her, she quickly said, "I am the third daughter of the Pei family. My father is Pei Yiqin, the Deputy Qianhu of the Imperial Guards."

…

Meanwhile, to tell two stories separately.

On She Niang’s side, she was having clothes, luggage, a dressing case, and other items moved onto the ships sent by the Prince of Xiang's household—two medium-sized vessels. One was for bulky luggage, while the other was for her and her mother to live in.

Now, with the addition of Li Ju, the Prince of Qing's heir, who was traveling with two officials to deliver an imperial decree, the two officials stayed on the Prince of Qing's ship, while he stayed with She Niang and her mother.

This arrangement served two purposes: one was to have him protect Yu Shi and her daughter, and two was because he was only fourteen and still needed care. The Dowager Consort and the Princess of Qing were both concerned and specifically entrusted Yu Shi to look after him.

Her little brother, now one and a half years old, was utterly adorable. This was his first long journey, and he showed no signs of discomfort. He even imitated She Niang by fanning himself with a fan.

"Mother, it’s so hot today," She Niang couldn’t help but complain as she fanned herself.

Yu Shi smiled and said, "I heard from the heir that once we reach the next stop, he’ll have ice brought onboard. Just bear with it a little longer."

She Niang nodded. She thought that although the Prince of Qing's heir was young, he was thorough in his arrangements and took good care of himself. Even her brother, Pei Ji, when he went to the capital, brought five or six servants, whereas the heir only had one personal attendant. And because this ship was mostly occupied by women, he didn’t even bring that attendant along.

Sure enough, by noon, Li Ju had someone deliver ice.

Just then, Yu Shi personally cooked a few dishes and sent them to him. Li Ju ate in another cabin. He hadn’t had much of an appetite, but when he saw the light yet flavorful dishes Yu Shi had sent, he finished them all. Afterward, he decided to build a temporary ice cellar in the ship’s hold to store the ice.

He had someone find the coolest spot in the ship’s hold, bring bricks from a nearby kiln, stack them up, and then cover them with straw.

When She Niang heard about this, she said to Yu Shi, "When I was at the Prince of Qing's household, I heard that the heir is straightforward, values loyalty, and isn’t reckless—though he can be a bit strict. The princess often complained to me in private."

Yu Shi hinted, "I think the heir of the Duke of Fuguo is the reckless type."

"Yes, the boatwoman was right there, but he insisted on jumping into the water to save her. Yang Mo was extremely unwilling to marry him. If a marriage starts with reluctance, who knows if it will last a lifetime?" She Niang shrugged.

The ice cellar was built just in time because strong winds forced the ship to anchor in the river.

In hot weather, ice was indispensable, especially for children, who were prone to heat rashes.

Due to the ship’s stop, some nearby boat vendors rowed over to sell goods. Qiu Shuang said, "We used to live like this too, making the boat our home."

She Niang looked out and saw a girl about her age, dressed in rags, rowing a boat. On the bow were boiled peanuts, fish, shrimp, crabs, and eels.

She asked Qiu Shuang to call the boatwoman over. When she approached, She Niang noticed that although the girl was poorly dressed, her food was clean. She decided to buy a lot. But the boatwoman said, "Miss, I don’t want money. Could you spare a bolt of red cloth? I’m about to get married, and there’s no red cloth for sale in town."

She Niang was taken aback but immediately had Dong Mei bring a bolt of red silk for her. She added, "I also have a set of clothes that turned out too small for me. If you don’t mind, please take them too."

The young boatwoman thanked her profusely and left.

She Niang then had the boat food distributed to everyone. When she looked up, she saw Li Ju approaching. He looked at her and said, "That bolt of silk and the clothes you gave her could buy several boatloads of food. Besides, as a commoner, she probably can’t wear the clothes you gave her."

"She’s the same age as me. If I were in her place, born into a boat family, I would also hope to encounter a kind person someday. Besides, it was just a small gesture. If she sells them for money, I won’t blame her." She Niang didn’t expect him to come talk to her, nor did she want to boast about her kindness.

Li Ju smiled and said, "One’s birth is predetermined and hard to change. You could never be her."

"I truly hope that one day there will be no more distinctions between classes—no more military households or low-status registrations. Only when everyone is treated equally will the country be full of talents," She Niang said.

Li Ju couldn’t help but argue, "That’s a pipe dream. In previous dynasties, although the nine-rank system wasn’t strictly followed, social status was still largely determined by family background. Our dynasty has opened the imperial exams, but most successful candidates still come from scholar families. Isn’t that the case with your family? Our dynasty shares power with the scholar-officials."

"I know, but I still hope for it," She Niang said, aware of the principle of not discussing deep matters with acquaintances, so she didn’t press further.

Though Li Ju spoke of rigid class distinctions, the next day, when the young boatwoman returned, he bought some food from her and even gave her a pair of jade pendants from the congratulatory gifts the Princess of Qing had asked him to deliver.

She Niang looked at him and said, "Why aren’t you saying she can’t use them today?"

Li Ju replied, "I asked her and found out her mother is ill and weak, her younger brother is still small, and she’s been selling boat food with her father since she was ten. But her father died last year. The money from selling boat food is barely enough to get by, and it doesn’t even cover her mother’s medicine. She said she once worked as a pearl diver but stopped because it was too dangerous. Last night, she went into a deep pool and found a pearl to give to you. She also knew the clothes you gave her were worth twenty taels. She pawned them and can now afford a decent dowry."

With that, Li Ju took out the pearl, wrapped carefully in a handkerchief. She Niang’s eyes welled up with tears. "I always think there are many bad people in the world, but there are even more good people. See, isn’t that true?"

Li Ju was at a loss for words. He had witnessed She Niang’s tactics and knew she was no pushover, yet she was deeply moved by a boatwoman’s gratitude. He didn’t know how to describe her.

Fortunately, after anchoring for three days, the winds calmed, and the ship slowly continued its journey.

When they docked at the next port, the old maids from the Prince of Xiang's household smiled and said, "On our way here, we only stopped twice. We endured the journey just like that."

They implied that Li Ju had stopped too frequently. But She Niang knew it was because she had told him her younger brother was too young and couldn’t handle long periods of dried and preserved foods on the ship. So she said, "We’ll still make it in time for Grandmother’s birthday. Don’t worry."

The servants from the Prince of Xiang's household seemed friendly and carried themselves with dignity, unlike those from the Prince of Qing's household, who might not say pleasant things but gave practical gifts.

After docking this time, Li Ju sent someone to deliver many small toys for Pang Geer to play with. She Niang went out personally to thank him.

Li Ju thought to himself, "Don’t blame me for preventing you from marrying the Prince of Jin. It’s just that later, the Li family’s empire was usurped, and as a descendant of the Li family, I had to do this."

"If you marry the Prince of Xiang's heir, it wouldn’t be bad. Li Jue is easygoing—I’ve dealt with him before. He’s not the type to rest on his laurels, and he gets along well with others."

But he didn’t say any of this out loud. Instead, he said, "I just saw these and bought them on a whim."

"Thank you anyway," She Niang said with a smile.

Li Ju wasn’t used to such expressions. He turned away but then thought better of it and warned her, "Although you’re related to Dowager Consort Hua, I’ve heard that the Old Prince of Xiang’s second wife, the current Dowager Princess, has close ties with the Empress Dowager in the palace. The Dowager Princess and the Princess of Xiang have a strained relationship. She repeatedly urged the Old Prince of Xiang to disinherit the eldest son and appoint the younger one. Even the late emperor knew about this, which is why he summoned the Prince of Xiang's heir to the capital. Don’t get involved in their affairs."