New comrades taking up the office, new term new atmosphere. Sheng Hong is determined to create a good image to be first family in Deng Prefecture, to be a good example of a benevolent father and filial son, the whole family harmonious for the people in Quan Prefecture. For the sake of building and contributing a favourable society for the new Deng Prefecture. Thus after taking over the office, he picked a fine sunny morning and brought along Wang shi and the three sons four daughters and a few maids to pay respects to Old Madame Sheng with great prestige.
Entering into the primary room of Shou’an Hall, Sheng Hong and Wang shi paid their respects towards Old Madame Sheng. Sitting separately on the square chairs on each side of the Louhan bed, followed by the servants leading the several children to pay their respects in order, one after another. First it was the three legitimate ones, then the four concubine-born children, no concubines.
Minglan, that is Classmate Yao Yiyi, got of bed muddle-headed first thing in the morning. She has not even eaten breakfast and was carried out of the room by a fourteen, fifteen years old maid led to pay respects. She was the second from the back, when it was her turn to kowtow, she has already woke up a little. Once she kowtowed, she was completely awake, stammering afterwards “Paying respects to Grandmother.”
She has not spoken for a long time and was also afraid that she will say the wrong words. Minglan’s words were feeble when she opened her mouth, her words not exact and immediately attracting soft sneering. Minglan turned her head to look, Young Lady Rulan slightly covering her mouth, standing at the side. Beside her stood a delicate and pretty young lady, seems to be slightly older. Reckon that it is the fourth in line, Young Miss Molan. She wore a pair of light emerald white jade rings in her hair, dressed in a delicately patterned lake green cotton. Her stance is according to the rules, her head slightly low, gentle and respectful.
Sheng Hong faintly knitted his brows and looked at Wang shi. She immediately glared at the mama beside Rulan, that mama then lowered her head in terror.
Looking at both Rulan and Molan, Old Madame Sheng sighed in her heart. Then looked at the stupid-looking Minglan, being laughed by others and also do not know, still foolishly standing in the midst with a confused and bewildered look. She drank a mouthful of tea without emotions, her appearance hung low and she waited till the youngest Sheng Changdong to finish paying respects. She said “I am usually accustomed to tranquility, do not like more people and noise. All are family, there is no need to stand on ceremony, still as usual, pay respects every ten days then.”
Wang shi’s face was flushed, reckon that she got a good night’s sleep “What is the Old Madame saying, it is the duty of the younger to be filial in front of you. These past years, I was not mature enough and have neglected filial piety. I was scolded by Master a while ago, this daughter-in-law has already know her mistakes. Hope that you will look upon the stupidity of this daughter-in-law and do not lower yourself, this daughter-in-law will apologise here to you.”
While saying she arose and kneeled before Old Madame Sheng. Old Madame Sheng looked at Sheng Hong. He followed together saying “Mother, do not just mention this morning and evening visits, even if it to carry and serve you tea often, it is all her duty; if Mother do not allow, this son can only treat it as that you are still angry with your daughter-in-law. It is the fault of this son that the management of the house is not strict. This son will personally go before father’s coffin to accept the punishment.”
While speaking, he also kneeled before Old Madame Sheng, Wang shi used the handkerchief to wipe her face, with red eyes said “Mother, this daughter-in-law really knows her fault. When I was still at my maiden house, this daughter-in-law also learned the importance of all virtues that is filial piety. After I entered the door of the Sheng house, I have allowed my heart to be covered with lard, my temper in the wrong, neglecting the filial piety towards you. Old Madame, do not hesitate to punish me, please do not take it to heart. If Old Madame is afraid of more people and dislike the noise, in the future we will then pay our respects separately.”
Having said in a low sobbing voice, Sheng Hong’s both eyes also turned red.
Minglan stood last on the left, looking forward and thinking internally, this two husband and wife do not know if they rehearsed this yesterday late into the night. Singing together, matching extremely well, say eyes red then shed tears. Inevitably, Minglan suspiciously looked towards their sleeves, do not tell me it is an onion? While thinking, the three boys opposite and the girls on this side have all kneeled down, one after another begging Old Madame Sheng, each and every one with earnest expressions. Seems like if Old Madame Sheng do not agree to them paying respects, they will immediately die of sadness with a broken heart. Young Lady Rulan was slower by a beat and was pushed by the mama behind, she also kneeled down. Once Minglan saw that, she also unknowingly kneel but she does not know what to say.
Old Madame Sheng saw the situation, with a long sigh, she also no longer persisted. Waved her hands to allow the maids to help the Sheng Hong couple up. “If it is so, I will just listen to you guys then.” Saying and then took a glance at the dazed Minglan, the thin and weak young miss is the last to get up by herself.
Sheng Changdong is still too young, his standing unsteady. After kowtowing, the old maid carried him away and the remaining people sat in order.
Previously, Minglan have always been unclear of what means to pay respects, from the literal sense, paying respects is just asking the Old Madame ‘how are you’ at most add a few more words ‘will you die’ or ‘are you ill’ and such. But seeing how the small maids gave separate low round stools to the various young masters and young ladies, Minglan felt that she ought to correct her concept.
Paying respect, is the ancient time’s most important activity in the inner household. Daughter-in-laws who manages the household will report recent work to the mother-in-laws or ask for instructions for future work plans. If the children are being raised under the mother-in-law, they then will grasp this opportunity to take more look at their own baby, to avoid not being able to recognise which baby was born by which belly later. If the children are being raised by their side then it is to present them to let the grandfather and grandmother see, setting a little family love and joy or pulling at the elders for a short while, making them happy.
Unfortunately, Wang shi has not done this type of job for a long time, a familiar tone is not good, unfamiliar is also not good. In addition, it is considered that it is not good to say anything to Old Madame Sheng. As a result, Classmate Sheng Hong intentionally accompanied to pay respects today. Aside from playing the role of a peacemaker, he is also took charge of breaking the ice.
“Mother, are you used to staying here these few days? The weather in Deng Prefecture is not as warm as Quan Prefecture.” Sheng Hong asked.
“It is a little cold, not a hindrance.” Old Madame Sheng replied.
“I feel that this Deng Prefecture is rather better than Quan Prefecture, tall mountains wide oceans, close to the waterfront, the climate is not dry. I say that Master got a good assignment, neither cold nor dry.” Wang shi laughed.
“This old woman, I actually does not matter, do not know how the several little ones feel? Any discomfort?” Old Madame Sheng said, her eyes looking towards the two rows, left and right row of grandsons and granddaughters.
Wang shi fervent gaze swept towards Sheng Changbai, Older Brother Changbai stood up according to the rules, slightly bowing “Replying to Grandmother’s words, this grandson feels that it is very good.”
The end, twelve words, concise and then sat down.
Old Madame Sheng put down the teacup, took a look at Sheng Hong and Wang shi then looked at the remaining children. Sheng Hong did not have any reaction, Wang shi seems to somewhat awkward, secretly glanced at her son.
The second one to speak is Sheng Changfeng, he was born rather similar to his full-blooded younger sister, Molan. A modest smile hung on the fair and clear skin, his voice bright “Quan Prefecture is warm, Deng Prefecture is magnanimous, every place has its good. Where in my country, the land under heavens exist a place that is no good? This grandson read Du Zimei’s1 poem a few days ago. ‘Mount Tai-What is it like? Through Qi and Lu its azure never ends; Here the Creator gathers wonders divine, Its northern and southern slopes divide dusk and dawn.’2 Shangdong has already produced sage and also Mount Tai is really a good place. Any day Grandmother is interested, we can visit that Mount Fengshan.”
His voice bright, diction clear and saw that Sheng Hong continuously nod his head with a satisfied look in his eyes. Old Madame Sheng also could not resist looking at him a few more times, said “Little Boy Feng has good knowledge, every one says Little Boy Feng’s studies is extremely good. Teacher praises his verses and essays considerably.”
At the same time, the atmosphere in Shou’an Hall became harmonious, Sheng Hong even happier. A few of the little ones were relieved, only Wang shi smile become somewhat forced. Minglan stole a look and realised that she was tightly holding onto the handkerchief, as if she was strangling Sheng Changbai’s throat so as to allow him to spit out a few more words.
1. Du Zimei is a courtesy name, a name given to one upon his age of coming (20). His given name is Du Fu, a Tang poet and his writings are very influential to both Chinese and Japanese literature.
2. Credits to http://homepages.ecs.vuw.ac.nz/~ray/Chinese/CHIN489/DuFuGazing.pdf who translated the poem and explained the meaning
The Legend of the Concubine’s Daughter Minglan Chapter 6 Part 2
NOVEMBER 24, 2016
ALPENGLOWPALED
Hualan looked at Wang shi, turned her head towards the seat, playfully pouting “Grandmother only praised Third Younger Brother, certainly dislike us these girls.”
Old Madame Sheng warmly smiled “What nonsense this child is saying, when you were young Master personally held your hands to read and write, also specially invited the teacher for you. Who dare to dislike our family’s first young miss? Hua Girl is big already but unexpectedly becoming increasingly mischievous.”
Sheng Hualan was born at the best timing, at that time Wang shi and Sheng Hong were newlyweds, harmonious relations with Old Madame Sheng. Not long later, her younger brother was born, Sheng Hualan is dainty and likeable, being the legitimate first young miss is really spoilt from head to toe; she was raised under Old Madame Sheng for some time. Because Wang shi was not willing to part with and was sent back. But among the grandchildren, she has the affection with Old Madame Sheng. In comparison, the one born of the same mother, Young Lady Rulan, when she was born is already not a favourable weather.
“Father taught Older Sister before? Then why did he not teach me? I want a teacher too!” As expected, Rulan jumped down the low stool and ran to Sheng Hong’s side, pulling onto his sleeves, acting like a spoiled child.
Wang shi dragged Rulan to her side, chiding “Not allowed to act wilfully, your father’s official business is heavy now, how to play with you. You cannot even sit still tracing the red characters,1 ask what teacher!”
Rulan was unwilling, stamping her feet and pouting. Wang shi persuaded and coaxed, Sheng Hong’s face sunk. Old Madame Sheng watched with a slight smile, this moment the quiet and not speaking Molan suddenly spoke “Fifth Younger Sister is still young, tracing requires patience, naturally finds it boring. However learning some verses and principles is good, I feel that there is no need to invite a teacher, First Older Sister’s knowledge is this good, why not invite her to teach, would not it be just right?” Once she finished speaking, pursed her lips and smiled, refined and innocent.
Sheng Hong saw that his daughter was considerate in speaking, attitude soft and gentle, cannot help to praise “Mo’er said well, girls do not need imperial examinations or official career, need not obstinately practice words. However learning some verses and essays to educate the temperament is actually not bad, when Hua’er is free, teaching Ru’er is also good. Teaching the younger brothers and sisters in the capacity of an older sister.”
Wang shi turned cold and refused to pay attention, Hualan slightly feels disdain. However Old Madame Sheng was looking at the sole person who has not spoken, Sheng Minglan, she is just staring at Molan blankly. She sighed internally.
Rambling incoherently for a while more, Wang shi slowly brought the topic to Hualan’s age of coming ceremony. Without more words, Old Madame Sheng instructed to allow the mama arrange for breakfast here, arranged into two tables, one table in the legitimate room, three adults to dine. The next room arranged another table for the children to eat together.
Breakfast was carried up, unexpectedly simple. Even though Minglan understood the situation also felt that it is somewhat not presentable. One big china ware held white steamed buns and sesame-oiled steamed twisted rolls. In addition white rice boiled to clear porridge, also a few more small dishes.
Minglan raised her head and saw that Older Brother Changbai’s expression seemed apologetic, Changfeng and Molan’s expressions were as normal and picked up the chopsticks to eat. Hualan and Rulan both pouted, although the movements differ greatly but it is no different from her angle.
Minglan had a maid to serve her as she also slowly ate, thinking back to the breakfast at Madame’s place, lotus root honey cake, cream rolls, fried dough cakes, meat floss with garlic flower twisted rolls, honeydew balls, boiled dates porridge, red porridge, steamed egg with meat, stewed bird’s nest egg, dried beef chest, sesame-oiled dressed shredded pork, sixteen kinds of small dishes assorted into an eight treasure case……
The rich families pay attention to food and do not speak, what more these six siblings who were produced from three different factories. Before this even they hardly spoke, this moment could only hear the sounds from the spoon and chopsticks moving.
After eating breakfast, Sheng Hong hurriedly went to the office, Wang shi returned to her courtyard. Several children after eating also was received by different mamas, the mama responsible for Minglan is not here yet. Minglan hopped off the stool and went to take a look at the door, she dare not to randomly walk in an unfamiliar place but following the corridor along the doorway should be alright.
The buildings in the north is indeed different from the south. Tall and wide pillars in the corridors, clear and square slab bench. Not as exquisite as the mansion in Quan Prefecture but the atmosphere is bright. Minglan walked along the wall supported by the pillars, not knowing how many turns she made, passed through a few rooms, the more she looked the more she shook her head. This house is big, decorated with simple furniture, aside from the necessary furnitures, completely bare of all precious antiques. The servants are mostly of a certain age, only a few young maids sweeping and washing, seems to be more poverty-stricken compared to other places’ young maids. There is no flowers nor trees, only simple pruned ones, hall looks rather similar to bitter cold cave.
Minglan thought to herself: seems like the rumours are true.
This Sheng household’s Old Madame is born to the household of Marquis Yongyi, naturally haughty, when she was young, she has not seen dirt. In the earlier years, she loved to repeatedly torment others. It is said that she offended both the husband’s family and her maiden family. Afterwards Sheng household’s Old Master passed away, she observed the widow life and also changed her nature all the way to after Sheng Hong became of age and got married, the properties of the Sheng household, not one did she keep, all hand to Sheng Hong yet she did not have much private savings left.
She prayed and abstain from meat, cut off from the rest of the world, the entire Shou’an Hall’s servants followed to be like a nunnery, usual food simple and crude, errands have no ill-gains, the days dull. For a period of time even the courtyard’s main gate was also shut, seemingly to be totally separated from people and excitement. The servants are all not willing to go to Shou’an Hall to suffer, so the people being ordered around are all the elderly who accompanied the Old Madame as her dowry.
Minglan concluded: a group of neglected bunch, benefits not high. Material benefits rare, no ambition to lead, staff lack zeal.
Walking to another corner, Minglan suddenly smelled a familiar smell, she was instantly stunned. This smell is just like the one from her deepest memories, she originally wanted to forget the past, she followed the aroma and entered a room. Pushing the door to enter, a small small room, opposite is a red sandalwood table, a few roll of scriptures. On the right is the square chair, by the side it is a Lingzhi patterned red sandalwood square table. Looking deeper into the room, Minglan saw a small small niche, it hung an autumn colored with black golden clouds embroidery veil. Below it was an incense table, in the middle a lies four-legged and two-horned Pixiu2 cauldron, the incense burning within the cauldron. Minglan first smelled the sandalwood, on the left and right of the incense table displayed a chair on each side. In the middle there is a praying mat on the floor, so it turns out to be designed to a temple.
An honourable delicate white jade Guanyin3 is enshrined on the incense table, Minglan raised her head to look at it, only saw that Guanyin is dignified and solemn, her countenance with mercy, almost like it has seen all the sufferings of the human world. Minglan’s eyes suddenly felt warm, cannot help but to shed tears. She thought of Mother Yao, before she went to the countryside, intentionally bought a jaded Guanyin locket, to get it lighted in the temple, tirelessly nagged at her daughter to bring it along, so as to bless this trip to be safe. At that time Yao Yiyi was impatient listening to her mother’s nagging, hurriedly climb up the car but now even if she wants to listen, she cannot anymore.
Now recalling the times before she lost consciousness, she vaguely remembered someone prying the car door open, seems like the people who came to save are here. Also do not know if the Old Madame Judge and other colleagues was rescued? Could it be that she was the only one who died in the duty? Thinking to here, she suddenly felt endless grief, after indignation, it was stupefied followed by negativity. She did not particularly feel the willpower to continue living.
She thinks that the heavens treated her unfairly, if death is destined, then she also should be reincarnated into a better body. Why should Hualan, Rulan and even Molan be able to receive so thousands and ten thousands of pampering and she forced to start afresh, struggling to live? She must familiar herself in this unfamiliar world, go to curry favour with Wang shi who is not her biological mother. Estimated to suffer in silence in unavoidable, suffering some grievances is also normal. Learning how to watch someone’s face, learning again the skills required for ancient times females to exist.
And this place, is not a world fit for a woman to survive.
When she watched《Autumn in My Heart》a long time ago, friends all cried terribly for the free and unconstrained fate of Enxi but Yao Yiyi alone sympathised with that Xin’ai. Under the law for female leads, Enxi seemed to be that beautiful and kind and Xin’ai is considerate yet harsh. Everyone’s emotions are all towards the side of Enxi but everyone all neglected a problem: the one that is originally born into a well-to-do family, being the big young miss ought to be Xin’ai. When she was born, she ought to have that warm and cozy family and Enxi is supposed to grow up living in that dirty and terrible small store, being bullied by elder brother and enduring mother’s temper.4
In Yao Yiyi’s opinion it is Xin’ai who received unjust treatment. If Xin’ai in the beginning was to grow up in a warm environment where everyone cares, she also might not need to grow up having that harsh character that fussed over everything. Because of this unlucky experience, even when she returned to her parents’ side in the future, also has estrangement with her mother, unable to be intimate like mother and daughter. This debt of Xin’ai, who is to settle?
Seeing that in the end both male and female leads died, Yao Yiyi even maliciously thought, Enxi is destined to seek repayment from that family. She definitely will die because of leukaemia, she not only gratuitously obtained ten over years of happy life that did not belong to her. Still delivered her adoptive parents’ sole son into the Yellow Springs5 and leaving behind at her adoptive parents side the child who will be filial was instead the always unloved Xin’ai.
Naturally Enxi is very pitiful, do not tell me Xin’ai is not pitiful?
Now Yao Yiyi thought the same, her original happy life was stolen and changed into a pitiful girl’s life. If she reincarnated into a girl who received thousands and ten thousands of pampering then she might feel guilty. But after concealing her feelings a few times she also will just accept but this situation is the reverse of history.
Her original life although do not have maids to wait upon but that time her life is free. She has already endure college entrance exam and seeking of employment, life’s first difficult pass is already over. She posses a good job and a warm household, recalled two days before the landslide, Mother Yao still called to say there is top-notch goods waiting for her to go on a blind date. If melodramatic events such as the other woman, terminal illness, car accident etc, she would be like most common girls, ordinarily living a full life.
And what about the current Young Lady Minglan, her biological mother is a concubine and already dead. Reckon this moment waiting to be reincarnated. Master has three boys and four girls, seems like he does not particularly like this concubine-born daughter, still a legitimate mother who does not plan to be the Virgin Mary. The benefit is that she do not take the office-bearer exam, the bad is that her future husband candidate, she have no right to express her opinions. Her life in the future can only be left to chance, she cannot find the police if there is domestic violence, applying safflower oil by herself to get by. If there is mistresses no matter how many, she also cannot make noise, ought to be virtuous and treat them like sisters. Also unable to complain to the courts if the husband is bad and wretched to no end.
Oh, that is right, there is still worst, perhaps even cannot gathered to be a legitimate wife, concubine-born daughters are usually good materials to be concubines.
This life full of challenges, how is Yao Yiyi to resign.
But she can only resign herself.
She followed the example of her mother praying, respectfully kneeling before Guanyin, both palms together, praying for her mother and elder brother in that world to be safe and healthy, do not worry about this daughter; from today onwards, she also care about food and vegetables, care about the rivers and big mountains, earnestly try to live on.
Big drops of boiling tears rush forth, she is silently choked with emotions. Her tears followed obviously thin and weak face, dripping onto the light cyan praying mat. Some penetrated and disappeared, some landed on the ground, becoming one with the dust. The morning rays entered through the lotus-coloured screen window, bright and splendour, soft and beautiful.
The small small body of Minglan rested on the praying mat, unprecedented tranquility in her heart. She prayed sincerely in a low voice from her heart, wishing that Guanyin would be merciful, look after every emptied Five Aggregates6, pass through every hardships, wishing for no worries, no worrying things, nothing frightening, keep away from those that go against her dreams, taking all grief.
1. Children learn how to write by tracing Chinese characters that are printed in red
2. A mythical animal that looks like a winged lion, there are two kinds of pixiu and the double-horned ones, aka pi ya, are meant to ward off evil and they should be in pairs.
3. It is the Chinese Goddess of Mercy.
4. Enxi – Eun-suh; Xin’ai – Shin-ae
5. Underworld in Chinese mythology
6. Also known as Skanda, the theory that one has five elements that make up one’s physical and mental existence.