Minglan was not always this introverted and quiet, thinking back on those times when she was a good child diligently keeping the Five Disciplines and Four Beauties. Whether it was wearing the Red Scarf, entering into the Girl Scouts or into the Communist Youth League, each time she would be ranked first. Although she was never chosen as the class representative but she has always been elected as a representative for various committees. When she was in the publicity committee, she was praised ingeniously for using the blackboard. When she was in charge of the organisation, she led everyone to visit sick teachers. When she was the English Language representative, she led morning reading everyday. When she was in the homework committee, she even successfully organised and streamlined the process to copy homework. Except for that one time in 5th Grade, when she became the cultural recreation committee member and was inexplicably forced to step down halfway. Even then she was still almost always a good student that teachers liked and trusted.
Minglan never thought at this point that her luck would take a dive. When she moved from Wang shi’s place to Old Madame Sheng’s place, only Xiaotao who was more foolish than her was willing to follow. Once the other maids heard that they were to follow her to Shou’an Hall, they either called in sick or requested leave, worst still some begged their families to put in a word so they didn’t have to follow. The mama that was serving her was already shouting that she was aching all over and could not serve anymore.
“Xiaotao, why are you willing to follow me?” Minglan asked with hope.
“Can I not…… not follow?”
She had a feeling that her world had transformed and that she was in dire straits, emotions of sadness and emptiness rushed head-on. Minglan pulled along Xiaotao’s hands, leaving in dejection. She felt, it was not that she was incapable of fighting, but rather like one had been allocated into a clan that practices favouritism, no matter how much effort you expend, at the end of the day you’re still a second class citizen. Why was there a need to expend so much effort and make no progress. Sigh! It’s probably better to take a better look at her new surroundings.
The central building in Shou’an Hall has five rooms, the one in the middle is called Ming Hall, the rooms at the sides were Shao Rooms and Ci Rooms respectively. There were still several rooms for the maids to reside in, a veranda at the front and a lean-to at the back. This was the typical arrangement of ancient chinese courtyards. Ming Hall is somewhat similar to a modern living room and the Shao and Ci Rooms are either leisure rooms or bedrooms. The Old Madame herself sleeps in the Shao Room on the left and let Minglan settle into the Ci Room on the right. In the middle of the Ci room was a partition of a pear tree carved fan, therefore Minglan’s rooms were also called the Lihua Cabinet.
Mama Fang only started decorating last night and they were plain and simple. Every decorations were in cool hues of pale green, dark green and navy blue. The only warm color was Minglan’s bedroom which was a bright apricot yellow.
Once she was settled, one of the Old Madame’s maid, Cuiping passed a message saying that the Old Madame would like to see Minglan. Thus Minglan obeyed, she saw that the Old Madame had a black thick brocade blanket with eight lucky flowers draped on her shoulders and she was half leaning on the couch. One roll of Buddhist scripture and several sandalwood rosaries were placed on a cloud shaped white jade table with gold thread embedded to the side of her couch.
She saw Minglan and waved her hands hurrying her over. Minglan had paid respect a few times and knew proper etiquette. First, she gave greetings then consciously kept bowed at a forty-five degree angle before the Old Madame, raising her head to wait for instructions. Old Madame Sheng saw her overcautious grownup appearance, smiling she pulled her up to the couch and warmly said “You will be the fourth child I have raised, the first three all do not have any affinity with me, we are still unsure about you? Let us talk first, you need not adhere strictly to etiquette. Whatever you feel like saying, say it, it’s even alright if you speak out of turn.”
Minglan widened her big big eyes and nodded. She did not plan on lying, compared to these ancient woman who remained in this inner residence for their whole lives, these little schemes of hers will not measure enough to carry their shoes.
“Do you know how to read?” Old Madame Sheng asked.
Minglan shook her head and said in a small voice “Big Sister originally wanted to teach me《Rhythm of Enlightenment》 . She just taught the first two lines, then she was locked up to embroider her dowry. Mama Liu has been very strict and Big Sister could not slip out.”
Amusement shone in the eyes of Old Madame Sheng, she then asked “Do you know how to write?”
Minglan smiled bitterly internally. She obviously was literate but was not definite if she was taught in this place thus she said in a small small voice “Only knows a few words.”
Old Madame Sheng allowed Cuiping to carry in paper and a brush to let Minglan try writing a few words. The ink has already been grinded, Minglan short arms pulled back her sleeves, extended her tiny palms and held onto the brush slightly trembling. When she was young, she was at a Youth & Children Center and took calligraphy classes for two weeks during summer vacation. She only learned how to write a handful of lousy words and the way to hold the brush.
She used her five short fingers to ‘control, press, hook, crown, support’, steadily holding onto the brush in her palms and wrote a trembling ‘human’ character. Then wrote a few simple words, ‘of, too, no, already’ etc.
Once the Old Madame examined Minglan’s posture, she and praised her inwardly. Although this child is still young but her her arm and wrists were correct, suspending the wrist and arms raised, back straightened and concentrated. However because the person is small and weak in strength, the words were not very elegant. After Minglan wrote all the two three stroke characters she could remember, the last she also wrote a disorderly black mess. The Old Madame moved closer to carefully identify and unexpectedly it was the complicated strokes of the word ‘Sheng’.
“Who taught you to write?” The Old Madame asked, she remembered that Concubine Wei was illiterate.
Minglan wrote till she was perspiring, using the back of her small hand to wipe sweat off her brow, she said “It is Fifth Older Sister, she taught me through tracing red characters.”
Old Madame Sheng laughed “Taught you through tracing red characters? More likely it is, she had you write on her behalf so she can run off and be mischievous.”
Minglan went red in the face and did not reply, thinking that this group of ancient women were really too fearsome.
“Then who taught you this ‘Sheng’ word? The tracing paper should not have had it.” The Old Madame pointed at that unrecognisable black lump and asked.
Minglan thought deeply “It is everywhere in the house, on the lanterns, on the letters, En…… also on the sides of Big Sister’s dowry chests.”
Old Madame Sheng nodded her head in satisfaction and cupped Minglan’s small face. Once she touched, she immediately creased her brows. A young child of this age usually would eat to their fill and their cheeks would be all chubby but not a bit of flesh could be pinched from Minglan’s cheeks.
Thus with a serious face, she said “From now on, you ought to properly have your meals and medicine and are not allowed to fool around at my place.”
Minglan felt that she must explain herself, in a small voice “I have been eating, never had any leftovers, just not gaining meat.”
Old Madame Sheng with a warm look but a serious face said “I’ve heard that you often vomit your medicine.”
Minglan felt very wronged, pinched the corner of her clothes and in a quiet resolved tone said to “I do not want to vomit but my stomach does not listen to me. I have no choice in this ah…… I myself vomit before I even know!”
The amusement in the Old Madame’s eyes flourished and pulled apart Minglan’s small hands and helped her smoothen the corners and in a serene voice said “Not only does your stomach not listen to your words, I’m afraid that even your maids also do not listen to your words. I heard that this time only one small maid came along with you?”
Old Madame Sheng had been lonely for a long time, however today she had been amused by one thing after another and cannot help but feel it was incredulous. Furthermore, she did not expect the weak child in front of her to actually answer with a serious face “Big Sister once told me, water flows deeper but humans must walk to high places but no matter where I go there may not be many who are willing to follow me.”
“Then why did you agree to come here? I am a vegetarian, there is no meat to eat here.” Old Madame asked.
“Eating meat is not important, however the blessing to be able to have peaceful meal is enough.” Minglan muttered while shaking her head strongly.
A young child and her thoughts filled with much disappointment at the world. Old Madame looked at the small girl for a while then also shook her head. She embraced Minglan and sighed “You’re only skin and bones, it might be better to still eat meat.”
Truthfully Old Madame thought that they were pretty alike.
五讲四美 (Wu Jiang Si Mei): A numbered policy of People’s Republic of China. Five disciplines: decorum, manners, hygiene, discipline, morals. Four beauties: beauty of mind, language, behaviour, environment. Though the policy has one last part 三热爱 meaning three loves: love for the motherland, socialism and the Chinese Communist Party.
小大人 (Xiao Da Ren): It could either mean grownup or a little child behaving like an adult
Poems and Couplets written that are easy for children to learn how to read.
The different techniques when doing chinese calligraphy.
Wrist and elbow off the table when writing large characters.
Old Madame Sheng appointed a new old female servant for Minglan, surnamed Cui. She was plump and not of many words but gave off a friendly atmosphere. When she carried Minglan she was extremely gentle. Old Madame noticed Xiaotao and Minglan, both servant and master, one more foolish than the other, so she appointed a young maid, Danju from her side to Minglan. Once Danju began serving, Xiaotao immediately felt inferior. She was merely just a year older than Minglan but was very earnest and attentive towards Minglan’s needs. Xiaotao was bought from outside whereas Danju was raised in the household. Her parents tended to land on the outside, but because there were too many children they were unable to manage. Thus she entered the household at a young age, after that she caught the eye of Mama Fang and was selected to serve in the Shou’an Hall.
Old Madame Sheng was from a Marquis household and although her lifestyle is simple but she kept by strict rules. Every word and action were in a strict and orderly fashion and the maids here were more honest than others. Also, Minglan had the soul of an adult and naturally would not act naughty or mischievously. Once Mama Cui took over, she praised to Mama Fang that the Sixth Young Lady’s nature was honest and sincere and was very easy to serve.
Every night before bedtime, Danju diligently prepared a blanket warmed over a copper heater. Minglan lazily let Mama Cui change her into pajamas, carry and slip her comfortably into the warm blanket, later she was gently coaxed to sleep by light patting. If she woke up in the middle of the night and was thirsty or wished to use the toilet, once Minglan summoned, mystically a servant would appear to tend to her needs. On the second morning when Minglan woke up, a steaming warm towel had already been prepared and there was a basket covering small cups of warm jujube tea. Firstly servants gently massaged the towel over the forehead and cheeks and when she was more alert Mama Cui held onto the dazed Minglan and helped her to the tea. Mama Cui then washed her face, rinsed her mouth, dressed and helped comb her hair. Little Danju would attentively be at her side assisting fastening her belt, buttons as well as putting on socks and shoes. Finally she was ready to pay her respects to Old Madame Sheng.
Minglan felt every moment since waking up was like moving through clouds and flowing water, natural and appropriate, not the slightest bit of harshness perceptible. Xiaotao was rooted dumbstruck not being able to lift a hand. Minglan had still yet to come to her senses, even when she was standing before Old Madame’s couch to give morning greetings, she felt fuzzy and warm inside and it wasn’t just because her clothes were thick. She thought to herself, waking up on winter mornings isn’t so terrible after all.
Heavens! Minglan had been in this world for so long but this was the first time that she enjoyed this special luxury where she didn’t have to lift a finger. Oh corruption! Oh depravity! Minglan deeply admonished her own degenerate lifestyle!
After paying respects to Old Madame, the Old Madame embraced Minglan on the couch, letting her bask warmly while waiting for others to come pay their respects. Shortly after, Wang shi attended with the children excepting Molan and Changfeng attesting that they claimed to be sick. Wang shi pretended to be concerned about their welfare and Minglan stole a glance, only to see that the Old Madame’s expression was unaffected.
“Both of them are sick at the same time, could it be a cold? This illness spreads easily and I have already sent a servant to call for a physician. I only hope Buddha will bless that the two children are fine and nothing serious will happen.” Wang shi worriedly said.
Minglan secretly gave her a double thumbs up in her mind. It would seem that this year Wang shi’s performing skills has drastically improved. That emotion! That expression! Those who didn’t know otherwise would think that Changfeng and Molan were her blood born children.
Old Madame Sheng suddenly said “Later, you should ask Master personally visit them, raising the two children close together, it is easy to catch sickness when one falls ill. Little Boy Feng has also grown, why not separate them for now?”
Wang shi was shocked but happy. Shocked that the Old Madame had not bothered to correct this for many years, wondering why she would suddenly gain an interest now. Happy because this was the Old Madame teaching Concubine Lin a lesson. In any case, it was better than she herself having to take matters into her own hands. She quickly added “Old Madame is indeed right, Little Boy Feng and Little Girl Mo are Master’s favorites, now that both are sick, Master surely has to visit them.”
Old Madame Sheng looked indifferently her, merely lowered her head and drank tea. Wang shi smiled and turned her head looking at Minglan, noticing that she was wearing a brand new peach red, feathered jacket standing at the side demurely. She enquired a few words about her health and Minglan replied discussing a little about house moving. Hualan then jested with Minglan and both happily laughed for a while, then they left.
When the others left, Mama Fang immediately led a group of maids holding on to the eight-cornered food case in from outside. She herself helped the Old Madame off the couch while Mama Cui led Minglan to the first seat on the left, by then the maids had already spread out the breakfast on a black cloth on top of the hexagon decorative table. After waiting for the Old Madame to sit, Mama Cui carried Minglan onto the round stool. Once Minglan sat down and saw the ‘light breakfast’, she was incredulously shocked!
Impossible! the bird shotgun has been replaced by cannon!
A sumptuous mouth-watering feast was on the big table, deep red jujube cakes, strong purple yam cakes, a plate of piping hot sugar-frosted millet cakes, exquisite aroma seeped from all around. Crispy and golden fruits, Xiaolongbao enclosed in the steam basket even more unexpectedly there was also Wonton with cilantro. Served in front of her was a sweet and fragrant jujube porridge and over ten plates of marinated vegetables side dishes.
Minglan held onto her chopsticks, a little dazed. She had after all, a deep impression of the likely impoverished breakfast at Shou’an Hall. She gulped and raised her eyes to look at the Old Madame and softly said “…… so much ah.”
The Old Madame did not even raise her eyes and started tasting the porridge. Mama Fang smiled brightly and added “Yes, the Old Madame suddenly felt like tasting a few new dishes.” She had persistently persuaded for so many years and yet the Old Madame was adamant, however now thanks to Sixth Young Lady that the Old Madame finally agreed to stop living a simple and impoverished lifestyle.
Minglan was deeply moved and looked at the Old Madame. Her small mouth moved, lowering her head then raising again looking into her eyes she softly said “Thank you Grandmother, this granddaughter will eat more and grow. Grow more flesh for you!”
When the Old Madame first heard the first half, she only smiled slightly in the inside but when she heard the latter half, she couldn’t help but burst out in a girn. What ‘Grow more flesh for you!’ Did she think she was rearing a piglet? Mama Fang turned her head to the side to cover up her laughter.
After breakfast, both grandmother and granddaughter return to the couch. Old Madame Sheng took out a copy of《Three Characters Classic》allowing Minglan to read a few lines to evaluate how many words she could recognise. Minglan felt exceedingly guilty but resolved to bring shame upon herself thus her opening words were “Man and knife, born tree sheep, born tree weight, behaviour tree first…….”
The Old Madame nearly spat out a mouthful of tea and coughed repeatedly. Minglan was shocked and hurriedly went past the table to pat the elder on her back. While she was still patting, very innocently and scared she asked “Old Madame, did I read it wrong?”
Old Madame took a few deep breaths to calm herself again, looking at the granddaughter’s confused look, she forcefully muttered “You have read… very well, with only a few mistakes. There’s no harm, just learn slowly.”
Twelve words out of which only two were correct, not even twenty percent right! Minglan’s heart was laden with grief. She, a distinguished university student had to act illiterate, it truly wasn’t easy!
It was not only Minglan who was laden with grief that day. When Sheng Hong returned from the office in the evening Wang shi immediately conveyed the Old Madame’s words with her own little interpretation. Sheng Hong did not even change out his official garments and went to Concubine Lin’s place with a black face. When the door was shut, outsiders did not know what was happening inside, only vague sobbing sounds, raging shouting and the sharp sounds of chinaware being smashed was heard……
About an hour later, Sheng Hong came out with a livid expression. When the maids went in to serve, they found the room was in a complete mess. Concubine Lin herself lying on the couch, crying like the China apple bathed in rain, practically about to faint.
When she heard this, Wang shi’s spirits stirred and she poured herself three cups of strong tea. Later she lit incense for Primeval Lord of Heaven and Buddha respectively, muttering to herself. Although she knew that Sheng Hong slept in the study, it also did not reduce her good mood. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Wang shi decided that in the future she must redouble her filial piety to the Old Madame.
For those who are interested in knowing what is the copper heater:
亵衣 (Xie Yi): Interestingly enough it also can be translated to disrespectful/obscene clothes
八角食盒 (Ba Jiao Shi He): Think of it as lunch boxes for the ancient, it has a octagon base and there are quite a few layers to the lunch box
鸟枪换炮 (Niao Qiang Hua Pao): Figuratively means that the equipment has been improved tremendously
Xiaolongbao and Wonton are both dumplings with different stuffings though some would consider xiaolongbao to be more of a bun
Also known as San Zi Jing, it is written in triplets so that young children can remember and it teaches many Confucius teachings such as filial piety and respect for the elderly.
Minglan is purposely reading the wrong words that is why it makes no sense, the characters she read out are very similar to the original. This is what Minglan read “人之刀，生木羊，生木斤，习木元……” and the correct version is “人之初, 性本善, 性相近, 习相远” It can be translated to “Man at birth, are naturally good, their nature similar, their behaviour different.”
海棠带雨 (Hai Tang Dai Yu): Meaning weeping beauty
元始天尊 (Yuan Shi Tian Zun): In Taoist mythology he is considered to be of a higher rank than the Jade Emperor