chapter 96

On the twelfth day of eleventh lunar month, Old Madam Chiang turned sixty years old. The Chiang family invited all relatives and friends to her birthday banquet. Naturally, the Han family was also invited.

This time, for Old Madam Chiang’s birthday banquet, Qiu Shi nearly set off with the whole family. Except for Old Madam, everyone else would be going to the banquet. The family five young misses, from Yuru to Yurong, were all dressed up, and of course, Qiu Yanfu was indispensable.

Qiu Yanfu also took great pains especially for this banquet. Everything from clothes to jewelry had been carefully chosen by her.

This time, for the banquet, two people would travel in a carriage each. As a result, Yuxi and Yuchen shared a carriage. As soon as Yuxi got into it, she saw a small box carved with primitive patterns. After she sat down, she asked with a smile on her face, “Is this the gift Jiejie¹elder sister has prepared for Waizumu²grandmother on mother’s maiden family?” Yuchen had been preparing the gift for Old Madam Chiang’s birthday this year since last year.

Yuchen nodded and answered, “Yes.”

Yuxi knew what gift Yuchen was going to give, and stated, “San Jie³san=three/third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie has wasted her mind on this gift. When Waizumu²grandmother on mother’s maiden family knows about this, she will surely love it, without a doubt.”

Yuchen smiled as she said, “I’ll be borrowing your blessings words then.” She didn’t ask Yuxi what gift she was going to give, and she didn’t have to ask. Yuxi’s gift certainly won’t be brilliant, but it won’t be easily picked out by others either.

Yuxi firmly said, “No matter what San Jie³san=three/third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie give as present, Waizumu²grandmother on mother’s maiden family will like it.” Old Madam Chiang regarded Yuchen as the apple of her eye and really doted on her. Even if Yuchen just sent her a copy of Buddhist scriptures, she would still like it very much.

Yuchen smiled and talked about another thing, “The other day, Da Jiumu⁴da=big/eldest, jiumu=elder sister or elder sister-in-law of one’s mother had asked a matchmaker to propose to Duan’s family for Er Biaoge⁵er=two/second, biaoge=elder male cousin. Have you heard about this?”

Yuxi was very surprised, “When did this happen? I haven’t heard Xinrong talk about it. San Jie³san=three/third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, has the marriage been decided? “

When Yuchen saw Yuxi’s expression didn’t seem like fake, she felt relieved and shook her head as she said, “Originally, the two families had come to an agreement. I don’t know why Duan family suddenly went back on their word. All I know is that they refused the marriage on the grounds that Er Biaoge⁵er=two/second, biaoge=elder male cousin and Duan family young miss Eight Characters were incompatible. I don’t know where it suddenly went wrong.”

Yuxi said, “Er Biaoge⁵er=two/second, biaoge=elder male cousin is excellent in both talent and character. I’m not that worry as he will be able to find a much better girl than Xinrong Jiejie¹elder sister. However, Xinrong didn’t even mention such a big matter to me.“ After she done saying this, she had a depressed expression on her face.

Yuchen gave out a smile, “This marriage had not been decided yet before. How can Miss Duan mention it to you?” Under normal circumstances, relatives and friends would only be informed once there was an official engagement. This was also to avoid any worries that if the pairing didn’t work, it would not only affect their reputation, but it would also be detrimental to their future matchmaking.

Yuxi thought about it and nodded, “San Jie³san=three/third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie is right.”

As they approached Marquis Pingqing residence, Yuchen suddenly gave some advice to Yuxi, “Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang will also be attending today’s banquet. Try to avoid her and don’t talk too much with her.”

Yuxi knew Yuchen. She would never say something like that, “What’s the matter? Is there anything wrong with Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang?”

Yuchen did not know how to explain it. She hesitated for a moment, then came close to Yuxi’s ear and spoke in a low voice that could only be heard by Yuxi, “Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang’s behaviour is too strange. For her to be this strange, there must be an evil spirit inside her. So, you should avoid her, just to be careful.” In the past six months or so, Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang had been very popular. First, she made some unprecedented food and opened a pastry shop; then, she made a lot of ice and sold it in the market; after that, she introduced something like cotton wool for women’s special purpose; not long after, a clothing store was opened. The clothes designed there were very fashionable and beautiful, which made them became very popular among the high-ranking ladies in the capital, and the ready-made clothes store was always full of customers; two days ago, Yuchen heard that Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang had developed a rare perfume and rouge…when everything was added up together, it was no doubt that Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang had been acting extremely abnormal.

The reason why Yuchen didn’t say out loud that Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang had been possessed by an evil spirit was that she was Gongzhu⁸Princess own daughter. Moreover, she was loved by the high-ranking concubines in the Palace. If Yuchen let this be known, she would certainly offend a lot of people.

Yuxi opened her mouth wide, and then hurriedly put her hands over her mouth to avoid making any sound. After sometime, she whispered, “Don’t worry, San Jie³san=three/third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie, I will try to avoid her. If I can’t avoid her, then I won’t get too close to her.“ She was really lucky. She had been quite cautious in everything she did all these years, otherwise, she would have been discovered by others long time ago.

Speaking of which, Yuxi was indeed very lucky. She has changed a lot since she got well, and no one had doubted her. Firstly, it was because everyone knew that people who experience life and death often had changes in temperaments. The only difference was whether the changes were quite big or just small. Yuxi belonged to the middle range. Secondly, Yuxi was still young at that time. At that age, a child’s temperament was still uncertain.

When Yuxi suddenly became much more clever and sensible after her illness, some people were happy about it while some became distressed. In the past three years, she had not done anything out of line since her reborn. Although, there was a bit of abnormalities in arranging for Mama Fang to do business, she only started these things. She did not do any specific operation, nor did she take care of the business. What she done was within the scope of public acceptance, and it was different from Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang’s actions. One, Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang had not experienced life and death. Secondly, her actions were too high-profile and out of line which made her easily doubted by the public.

When they finally arrived at Marquis Pingqing residence, an old woman who was waiting for them, came up to them and took them to a room.

Five Fortunes Surround Longevity

The shape of the five bats on the pattern (yes, they are bats) presents the 5 good fortunes in Chinese. Why bat you ask? Bat in Chinese is called fu (蝠) , the same phonic sound as fu (福) for good fortune in Chinese. The five good fortunes are longevity (寿), wealth (富), health and composure (康宁), virtue (修好德), and the desire to die a natural death in old age (考 终命).

Image Credit | Chinasage

Old Madam Chiang was wearing a dark red coat which was embroidered with ‘Five Fortunes Surround Longevity’ in silver thread, and her hair had been combed into two buns, which was inserted with hairpins with emerald gems. With a big smile on her face, she sat on a red sandalwood round-backed chair, the seat of honour. There were several well-dressed ladies sitting on her left and right sides. A lady with pearl and jade hair ornaments was accompanying her in chatting and laughing. Furthermore, there were also several young misses sitting around on xiudun⁹embroidered Chinese drum-shaped stool as they having fun among themselves.

Round-back Chair

Image Credit | Buy A Dining Furniture

Xiudun (embroidered Chinese drum-shaped stool)

Image Credit | 袖底横波

As soon as Yuchen and the others entered the room, all eyes fell on them.

Old Madam Chiang looked at Yuchen with a look of joy on her face, “Chen girl, come here. Come to Waizumu²grandmother on mother’s maiden family side.”

Instead of going there directly, Yuchen took Yuxi and the others to kneel on the mats brought by the maids and kowtowed three times to Old Madam Chiang, as she raised her voice and said, “I wish for Waizumu²grandmother on mother’s maiden family, happiness be as great as the east sea and live as long as the Southern seas¹⁰common phrase for birthday wishes, though they usually use towards the elders’.”

Yuxi really didn’t want to kneel down and kowtow, but there was no way out. The law said that Old Madam Chiang was also her Waizumu²grandmother on mother’s maiden family. Since she was already here, she could not avoid it.

Old Madam Chiang smiled till all her teeth could be seen and her eyes disappeared. “Good, good, good.”

After the greeting ceremony, Yuchen presented the gift she had prepared. Before Old Madam could say anything, Chiang Xin cocked her head and asked with an innocent face, “Yuchen Biaojie¹¹elder female cousin, what gift did you prepare for Waizumu? Will it open everyone’s eyes¹²broaden one’s horizon?“

When Chiang Yi, Jiang family eldest young miss, heard this, her face showed a little helplessness. Her baomei¹³younger sister from the same parents never brought any trouble to Zumu¹⁴father’s mother and Father’s favourite child, Yuchen. She also never had to deal with Yuchen in ordinary days. However, Chiang Yi did not expect that she would be disrespectful during Zumu¹⁴father’s mother’s birthday banquet.

Yuxi smiled and answered on behalf of Yuchen with a loud voice, “In order to prepare a nice present for Waizumu²grandmother on mother’s maiden family, San Jie³san=three/third, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie had started making preparations since last year. First, she sent someone to Yunnan to buy raw materials. Then, she sent it to Jiangnan to be carved by skilled craftsmen. It took two years for this gift to be completed.“

Yuxi’s words made everyone very curious. Old Madam Chiang knew that she couldn’t avoid this situation, so she asked the maid to open the box.

Black Jade Goddess of Mercy

Image Credit | Kaminski Auctions

As soon as the box was opened, all eyes almost went blind. Inside the box was a black jade Goddess of Mercy, which was heavy and its colour was really slick. Its texture was fine, smooth in lines and very lifelike.

“Third Miss Han is really filial,” praised the Madam of Marquis Taining residence. Black jade value was not cheap. For a statue of black jade Goddess of Mercy, it should be worth several cities¹⁵priceless and it could be used as a family heirloom.

Yuxi had a totally different idea. Yuchen had given Old Madam Chiang such a nice gift this time. Next time, when her Grandmother at home celebrated her 60th birthday, she didn’t know what gift would Yuchen present. It was not easy to find something better than this black jade Goddess of Mercy.

Old Madam Chiang took Yuchen to her side and affectionately said, “My Wai Sunnu¹⁶wai=outside, sun=grandchild, nu=female. Overall it means female grandchild from one’s daughter has always been very filial.”

Sun Shi, the wife of Duke of Ding, smiled and said, “Third Miss Han is really outstanding. I don’t know who will be blessed enough to marry her in the future.” Her family di¹⁷born from formal wife grandson was about the same age as Third Miss Han. If he married her, he would have enough food and clothing for the rest of his life.

Yuchen quickly lowered her head, while looking very shy.

Old Madam Chiang was a kind of person when doing something would move a thousand jin with four ounces¹⁸fig accomplished great things with few results, “The child is still young, and I plan to let her stay like this for another two years. It’s not too late to put off her marriage now for another few years.”

When adults were talking, children usually won’t interfere, so Yuchen stayed by Qiu Shi’s side, with her eyes didn’t even look around her. She didn’t dare to make any abnormal move in front of these many people. If she did, at that time, it was a guarantee that she would lose her face.

While everyone was talking with each other, a maid outside announced, “Old Madam, Madam, Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang has arrived.”

Yuxi was very keen to realize that when the maid’s words fell into everyone’s ears, some ladies’ faces slightly changed. If she didn’t observe them carefully, she wouldn’t be able to see them at all.

Palace Dress

Usually worn by those who had been conferred with Princess like Junzhu, Xianzhu etc.

Image Credit |Baike Baidu

When Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang appeared, Yuxi’s expression was somewhat subtle. Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang wore a purple palace dress and a pink shawl, which showed her exquisite figure. A green jade hairpin was inserted into her bun, with its little tassel drifted gently in the wind, making her extremely charming.

Yuxi took a look at Qiu Shi and saw her aunt to be frowning, so she lowered her head again. She was different from Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang. Even if Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang had been publicised as a taboo, she had a special identity and for that reason, no one dare to peck at her. However, she was not the same. As long as she did something a little different, she might die without a burial place¹⁹Chinese idiom : come to a bad end, and even to the point of scattering her bone ashes²⁰Chinese idiom : to be considered as deeply sinful.

Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang gave a younger generation’s courtesy towards Old Madam Jiang, and said a few congratulatory wishes. She was the Emperor’s relative. For her to gifted this kind of courtesy towards Old Madam Chiang was already could be considered as giving the Old Madam some faces.

Old Madam Chiang responded with some polite words, then turned to Chiang Yi and instructed, “Bring Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang to her seat outside.” After she done saying that, she said to Yuchen next, “Chen girl, you should bring your sisters to sit outside too!” These words from Old Madam Chiang showed that she treated Yuchen like her own child.

All the people present were human beings. Hearing these conversations, they could not help to speculate. However, this had nothing to do with Yuxi.

After Yuxi went out of the room, she felt that her breathing had become much smoother. Although she was not nervous, there were so many people in the room that she was getting depressed.

The weather was not good today. Although there were no dark clouds, the sky was grey. Naturally, it was impossible to go to the garden in this weather. Chiang Yi led Heshou⁶he = harmonious, shou = long life Xianzhu⁷Princess of the Fourth Rank/usually granted to daughter of a Junwang to a quiet and elegant courtyard. The main hall of the courtyard were full of chairs and desks, which were filled with fruitage and pastries. The arrangement was really appropriate.