Xu Erpeng, ever shrewd, had prepared gifts for the teacher in the blue-and-white mule cart: two geese, a basket of eggs, two feet of blue silk, a stack of paper, a new book, and two qian of cloves.
Ru Shi had another female apprentice studying medicine under her, a girl of about twelve or thirteen dressed quite fashionably. Over a white gauze blouse, she wore a lilac-colored linen bijia, with a golden-branched, thread-leafed sage-green trailing skirt beneath. Her hair was styled in a duo ma ji, adorned with floral hairpins, her features delicate and pleasing to the eye.
“This is my niece Xi Niang, who usually learns some skills here with me,” Ru Shi introduced.
Miaozhen hurried forward to greet her with a bow. Xi Niang sidestepped slightly, smiling as she said, “We’ll be fellow apprentices from now on.”
Though Xi Niang seemed somewhat aloof, her voice was endearingly earnest. Miaozhen smiled and called her “elder apprentice sister,” which so delighted Xi Niang that she untied the sachet from her waist and presented it as a gift.
Miaozhen accepted it immediately before kneeling on the rush cushion to kowtow to Ru Shi, formally acknowledging her as her teacher.
Since Miaozhen usually attended the girls’ school, it was agreed she would come after classes ended at exactly the shen hour (3 p.m.) and return home at the third quarter of the you hour. She would have one day off every ten days, spending the entire day at Ru Shi’s residence from morning onward.
After settling the schedule, the Xu family hosted a banquet for Mei Juren. Dressed in Daoist robes with a graying beard, Mei Juren carried an air of transcendent elegance.
During the feast, Mei Juren invited them to celebrate the festival at the Mei residence. Xu Erpeng merely smiled apologetically: “I would dearly love to, but for the Mid-Autumn Festival, my elder brother has arranged for our parents to join us all together.”
Thus, Mei Juren could not press further.
When the old gentleman grew thoroughly drunk from wine, Xu Erpeng had an assistant personally escort him home.
Miaozhen was scheduled to formally begin at the girls’ school after the Mid-Autumn Festival, with her medical studies at the Tao family also commencing afterward. Now enjoying a rare few days of leisure—like the final days of summer vacation—she naturally intended to play wildly for a while.
August was the time for the Provincial Examination. Xu Erpeng had already had the printing workshop produce copies of essays by the chief and deputy examiners and the eighteen assistant examiners for sale. Some middlemen, seeking to profit from price differences, came early to the study to order books, which they would then sell at stalls near the examination hall, prefectural school, and county school.
There were also booksellers operating from boats, known as “book boats from Zhili,” who likewise sourced their goods from the Jinchang area.
These vendors were like fishermen casting nets in the sea—a few always ended up purchasing books from the Confucian Grove Bookshop. Xu Erpeng managed to earn a modest sum, mentioning at the dinner table: “Just made two taels of silver. It’s not much, but if this happens a few more times, I’ll be quite pleased.”
Miaozhen sighed, “Father spent quite a bit of silver for my sake this time.”
“That’s nothing. As long as you master the skills, that’s what truly matters,” Xu Erpeng replied unconcernedly.
Miaozhen reflected that her father, being a Storybook writer, held rather liberal views. In other families, who would invest so much in educating a daughter?
After the meal, Ma Taitai from next door came over. The Ma family ran a portrait studio—during the Ming dynasty, “portraits” meant painted likenesses, specifically commissioned by clients. Their shopfront was a two-story building, with the ground floor also handling picture framing. Chou Niangzi rented their south-facing courtyard to run the girls’ school, which had been recommended by the enthusiastic Ma Taitai.
“Mrs. Xu, in a few days we’re holding a tea gathering at Huanghua Dang. I wonder if you’d be willing to join us?”
During the Great Ming dynasty, many people practiced frugality in daily life just to afford occasional travels. Suzhou residents even considered not traveling a disgrace. Such tea gatherings served as social occasions for women. Ordinarily, even maids from modest households rarely stepped beyond their inner courtyards, with tea parties and incense ceremonies being their only opportunities for outings.
It’s said that in Shandong, there were dedicated pilgrims who would journey together to Wudang Mountain for worship.
Mei Shi was quite tempted, but she sighed helplessly, “My little boy needs constant care and is still nursing. I’ll join you all after he grows a bit older.”
Ma Taitai didn’t take offense, smiling instead, “Very well, we’ll go together when your son is older.”
Mei Shi promptly agreed with a smile.
Ma Taitai then mentioned Chou Niangzi’s plan to open a school after Mid-Autumn Festival: “She’s different from other tutors who only drone on with classical phrases. I don’t know how she teaches, but my daughter who used to speak as softly as a mosquito now dares to speak before others and has become much more poised.”
As Mei Shi instructed servants to serve Songluo tea, she inquired, “I heard Chou Niangzi was originally a nun who returned to secular life. Is that true?”
“Indeed. She comes from an official family, excelling in poetry and verse, proficient in all four arts of the scholar, skilled in needlework, and accomplished in culinary arts. I’ve tasted her stir-fried mushrooms that were almost divine. Unfortunately, she became a widow before marriage and built a family temple near Lotus Marsh. After the temple burned down, and her betrothed’s family had moved to the capital, she returned to secular life. She first worked as a cook in the prefect’s residence, then rented my property to open her school after the prefect’s promotion and transfer.”
Mei Shi clasped her hands, repeatedly exclaiming, “Amitabha Buddha! With such a remarkable person teaching our Zhen’er, I can rest assured.”
Ma Taitai waved her handkerchief, speaking highly of Chou Niangzi: “Exactly! I heard she was originally groomed to be a matriarch of a great household—she even understands household management and accounting.”
Though not yet deeply acquainted with Chou Niangzi, Mei Shi grew quite eager after hearing this.
Unexpectedly, Ma Taitai continued, “However, because Chou Niangzi charges higher tuition, Madam Wei from the paper effigy shop sent her daughter here for three days before regretting the expense and demanding a refund. After withdrawing her daughter, seeing other girls progressing well, she grew jealous and started spreading nonsense about girls adhering to the three obediences and four virtues, claiming they should stay home to remain virtuous. Can you believe such people?”
Miaozhen thought some people were simply malicious—like when she tutored during the pandemic, significantly improving a high school student’s performance, hoping for good exam results, only to have parents report to the education bureau because their own children performed poorly in online classes, resulting in that year’s finals being canceled.
Mei Shi clicked her tongue in disapproval.
Encouraged by Mei Shi’s agreement, Ma Taitai continued, eager to showcase her own views: “It’s better for girls to be literate. Nowadays, any family with spare money wouldn’t let their daughters remain illiterate. If I may speak frankly, it improves their marriage prospects too.”
Mei Shi strongly agreed: “Indeed. We had neighbors like that—they wouldn’t let their daughter study or learn embroidery, always fearing their daughter would benefit her in-laws after marriage.”
The two ladies were chatting animatedly, but when Miaozhen heard the conversation shift to marriage matters, she quickly excused herself.
As she stepped out, Ma Taitai noticed her light footsteps but natural, unbound feet and immediately remarked, “Why hasn’t your daughter had her feet bound?”
“Her father forbade it, and besides, I think it’s painful,” Mei Shi replied indifferently.
Ma Taitai laughed, “Same as my family then. My Yulan’s father dotes on her too, so we simply let her feet be.”
During the Mid-Autumn season, Third Uncle’s household had prepared many delicate pastries and snacks, making business exceptionally good. Customers from both the city and countryside came in an endless stream, with daily earnings of nearly three taels of silver this month. Besides the grandparents helping out, they had hired three additional assistants, one of whom was the nephew of Third Aunt Bao Shi’s maiden family.
Xu Erpeng arrived carrying two braised ducks, a large watermelon, and two boxes of red water chestnuts.
Nearby, Xu Siniang watched enviously as her second brother’s family came and went in a donkey cart. The blue-gray donkey looked strong and sturdy, while Second Sister-in-law Mei Shi and niece Miaozhen both wore brand-new clothes, followed by several servants. Overcome with jealousy, she immediately went to whisper in Xu Laotai’s ear.
Shortly after their arrival, Xu Dalang from the Da Fang branch arrived with his wife and daughter. Miaoyun came over to chat with Miaozhen, who promptly admired the silver-gilded butterfly hairpin in her hair, exclaiming, “How beautiful!”
Miaoyun smiled, “This was given to me by someone.”
Huang Shi was telling Mei Shi, “I’ve recently taken on work teaching embroidery to the daughter of a Vice Military Officer at their residence. The lady of that household is extremely kind-hearted and took a liking to our clever Miaoyun, so she invited Miaoyun to stay with me at their home. They gave her several pieces of jewelry and clothing – she absolutely adores them.”
Huang Shi went on to describe how the lady originally came from a distinguished family and carried herself with exceptional grace.
Everyone expressed admiration for Miaoyun’s extraordinary fortune, though Xu Erpeng thought to himself that his elder brother’s daughter was just like her father – always having noble patrons to assist them. He lamented his own lack of such good luck, thinking that if he too had such support, he would at least be sure to pass the Juren examination. Even without becoming an official, he could still be considered a gentry.
While everyone was admiring the Da Fang branch, Miaozhen glanced toward the corner and noticed they had only brought one small watermelon and two bundles of edamame. She understood the situation immediately.
After everyone had gathered, Xu Third Uncle took charge of the cooking, as he was an excellent chef. The table was laden with braised duck, roasted chicken, fried fish, several cold dishes, and two types of soup – truly a full feast.
As usual, the adults sat at one table and the children at another.
At the table, Xu Laotai said to Xu Erpeng, “The household is always busy, and we don’t have much time to attend to Siniang. I was thinking of having her stay at your place for a few days, so your wife can teach her needlework. What do you think?”
Xu Erpeng laughed coldly to himself. His elder sister-in-law had already become an embroidery teacher, yet his mother wasn’t asking her but instead approaching his own wife. He smiled and said, “Mother, our little son is only just over six months old and needs constant care. What would Siniang do here? No one would be able to look after her.”
“She’s grown up and doesn’t need your care. Doesn’t Miaozhen have two maids attending her? Siniang can just share a room with Miaozhen,” Xu Laotai insisted, quite pleased with her arrangement.
Miaozhen was immediately displeased upon hearing this. Not only did Xu Siniang have pink eye, but her presence would also encroach on Miaozhen’s personal space.
To make matters worse, Xu Laotai specifically asked Miaozhen, “Second girl, what do you think about having your aunt stay with you for company? Aren’t you afraid staying alone?”
“I’m not afraid. After Mid-Autumn Festival, I’ll be starting school. If Aunt comes, she’ll be alone all day,” Miaozhen quickly responded.
Old Mrs. Xu felt quite embarrassed upon hearing this, and the matter naturally faded away without resolution.
Xu Siniang was also angry, ignoring Miaozhen both at and away from the table. Miaozhen had no need for her attention anyway—there’s always a type of person who believes their weakness entitles them to others’ possessions, resenting those who fare better.
After the meal, before the moon-worshipping and evening stroll could even begin, Xu Erpeng hurriedly prepared to return home to work on his storybook, directly ushering his family onto the carriage.
Once home, he confided privately to his wife, “If she comes, who knows how much trouble she’ll stir up, making us a laughingstock among the neighbors. Our daughter is spending so much to attend the girls’ school and socialize with modestly well-off families. If her reputation were tarnished, the disdain from others would be unspeakable.”
He knew this from personal experience: in his childhood, when his parents couldn’t yet afford a rice shop and merely worked as laborers in someone else’s, he honestly answered his classmates’ questions—only to be scorned for two years.
Mei Shi nodded slightly. “That’s true.” She had always deferred to her husband. Though their household appeared stable, they were still in debt. Supporting their eldest daughter was already a strain. Her sister-in-law demanded whatever she saw, and if refused, she’d bear a grudge, even inciting neighbors to label them stingy.
Xu Erpeng continued, “That’s just a minor concern. What I truly fear is her claiming a short stay but settling in indefinitely—perhaps even marrying from our home, with us footing the dowry. That’s no small sum. I’ve long planned, once our debts are cleared, to save a generous dowry for Zhen’er. Contributing is one thing, but playing the fool entirely? No.”
Mei Shi found no words to respond to this.
Xu Erpeng scoffed coldly, “The elders work dawn to dusk for Third Brother without a single coin in return. Last time they urged me to buy a loom for Siniang—something Third Brother should’ve provided, but he feared Bao Shi’s temper. They complained to me daily, and out of pity, I bought it. Dozens of taels—enough for my own expenses over two or three years. I’d hoped Siniang could earn and save with that loom, easing our burden in the long run. Little did I expect her to be so shortsighted and lazy. I misjudged her.”
Having learned his lesson with Xu Siniang, even regarding his own daughter, he only agreed to send Miaozhen to study medicine after observing her persistence for over half a year.
Meanwhile, Old Mrs. Xu comforted Xu Siniang, “If you can’t go, so be it. It’s no great loss. They’re buried in debt—who knows how long they can keep that house? What airs are they putting on?”
She handed her daughter a slice of watermelon. Xu Siniang rarely had snacks; her woven cloth was mediocre and sold poorly, so she saved every bit for hair ornaments. Such fresh, sweet melon was a rare treat for her. As she ate, her anger subsided.
Just then, Bao Shi, who had been eavesdropping outside, sauntered in. Swinging her shoulders, she smiled and said, “Mother, sister, today Second Brother arrived in that grand donkey-drawn carriage with his maids and servants—quite the impressive display. The families living near them seem well-off too. If Sister could stay there, she’d surely land a good match. Mother, you’re too honest. Second Brother may yield to his wife, but you’re the elder—send her over anyway. We’re all family.”
Hearing this, Old Mrs. Xu grew thoughtful.
Late that night, Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao ironed Miaozhen’s school clothes and hung them on the rack.
Miaozhen packed two book bags—one for Girls’ School, and the other for her visit to the Tao family. After packing, she looked up through the window and saw the large, round moon outside. She couldn’t help but clench her fist to cheer herself on, certain that tomorrow would be a fresh start full of promise!