According to letters from her sister-in-law Madam Shen in previous years, when her nephew Shen Ti was born, it was just at daybreak. Servants went to report the joyous news to his grandfather. Old Master Shen looked up and saw the morning glow reddening the window paper, considering it an auspicious sign, and thus bestowed the name "Ti" upon this grandson.
Shen Ti.
After many years of marriage, Madam Shen had only this one son, Shen Ti.
Before meeting him in person, Third Madam speculated that such an only son, with Madam Shen having married above her station, must be treated as precious as one's own eyes—held too tightly for fear of dropping, kept in the mouth for fear of melting.
She knew of similar cases among acquaintances, all spoiled beyond measure.
Before coming, she specifically instructed her children to be tolerant and accommodating when interacting with this cousin from the Shen family.
Her husband, the children's father, Third Master Yin, was merely a Son of a Concubine with mediocre talents. It was only because of this sister who had married above her station that he gained a bit more regard from the Old Master. For Third Madam, this sister-in-law and nephew were esteemed guests of their third branch, naturally requiring extra tolerance and consideration.
Who would have thought that at first glance, the Shen family nephew Shen Ti, despite his young age, spoke clearly, conducted himself with propriety, and made not a single breach of etiquette, directly making the three sons of the third branch seem like rustic boys.
He was nothing like the lazy, spoiled playboy Third Madam had imagined.
Third Madam gazed at those clear eyes, clean demeanor, and this unhurried, composed way of speaking, and took an instant liking to him. She hurriedly explained, "It's just unfortunate timing. Your fourth elder sister's concubine passed away just these past two days. She was frightened, running a fever and drifting in and out of sleep. Today, the servants reported she's much better, but she's in mourning, which brings ill fortune. Your mother rarely returns; we shouldn't let her be disturbed."
Madam Shen said, "I remember Fourth Girl is the same age as Xi Ge?"
Third Madam replied, "Exactly. Fourth Girl is a few months older than Xi Ge. That year, not long after Fourth Girl was born, we received your joyous news from the capital. The Old Master and we were overjoyed."
Xi Ge was Shen Ti's childhood name. Born at dawn, hence the childhood name Xi (meaning dawn light).
He was the same age as Yin Shi but slightly younger by a few months. Broadly speaking, he could be considered a young lad; narrowly speaking, still a boy.
The Yin family girls were not ranked collectively across all branches; each branch had its own order. Yin Shi was the fourth young lady of the third branch.
Madam Shen said, "Losing her birth mother at such a young age, poor child."
At this moment, Third Madam had no thought for Yin Shi. After Madam Shen sighed briefly, Third Madam changed the subject, speaking of the Old Madam: "…Since she says she's not feeling well, younger sister, you needn't go forward; I'll handle it. I know you're filial, but you are a cherished guest, rarely returning. Just relax and enjoy yourself."
Since the children were present, she couldn't outright say, "The old lady gets upset seeing you doing so well, so don't go near her. I'll shield you. You should enjoy your return to your maiden home."
Of course, Madam Shen understood perfectly, smilingly accepting her sister-in-law's kindness.
The sisters-in-law, having not seen each other for years, naturally had much to catch up on. With Third Madam leading the way, Madam Shen called to Shen Ti, "You children go play in the side rooms."
Shen Ti responded, "Yes," then bowed to his aunt to excuse himself, before inviting his cousins from the third branch, "Let's go talk at my place."
This courtyard was Madam Shen's boudoir before her marriage. Now, she naturally still occupied the main house, while the side rooms had been prepared for the young master Shen Ti to stay in.
Though young, Shen Ti did not use his age as an excuse to disregard etiquette. He formally invited only his male cousins, not his female cousins, showing great respect for propriety.
Madam Shen chided, "Your sisters are not much older either. Let them all go. They won’t have many chances like this in their lifetime."
This was indeed true, and Shen Ti thought it made sense, so he nodded. "Let all my sisters come along and tell me about Mother’s hometown."
A group of children, big and small, followed Shen Ti to the side room.
With the room now quiet, the two women relaxed.
Third Madam said enviously, "Look at Xi Ge, so proper and composed in everything he says and does."
"Don’t mention it," Madam Shen replied. "He acts like a little old man despite his young age."
"He’s been following his grandfather and Father since he was little. Apart from asking about his meals and clothes, I can’t get involved in anything else. Though I gave birth to him, he doesn’t resemble me in the slightest—he’s every bit a Shen."
Though it sounded like a complaint, it was actually a boast, her eyes shining with pride.
Third Madam covered her mouth and said, "I heard from your brother that Father once told him privately: Your brother-in-law has been steady and composed since he was young. The only time he acted like a young man was when he chose your fourth younger sister himself."
At this mention, Madam Shen’s face flushed, and despite having been married for years, her brows still carried a girlish charm.
Having been a concubine-born daughter-in-law for many years, Third Madam understood at once—this demeanor could only be nurtured by a kind mother-in-law and a loving husband. Any hardship would have erased that ease and brightness from her brows.
Third Madam sighed with both envy and admiration.
The sisters-in-law chatted about their respective families and shared stories about their children.
Not everyone was as fortunate as Madam Shen. Third Madam often suffered under her mother-in-law’s harsh treatment and was quite tempted to gossip about the Old Madam behind her back. However, Madam Shen didn’t seem particularly interested in how the Old Madam oppressed concubine-born daughters-in-law or how unhappy she was, so Third Madam wisely stopped herself in time.
She simply praised, "Thanks to you, your brother is now highly regarded by Father. Otherwise, my life would be even harder."
Exchanging pleasantries, Madam Shen naturally responded modestly, "It’s because my brother worked hard himself. You’ve worked hard too, sister-in-law."
Third Madam said with a smile, "It’s a pity I didn’t have a daughter. Otherwise, I would’ve definitely arranged a marriage alliance with you."
She had no biological daughter, so this was naturally just a lighthearted remark. Even so, Madam Shen didn’t take up the topic, merely smiling faintly.
It was true that she, a concubine-born daughter, had married above her station, but that was because her father had saved her father-in-law’s life.
Although Third Master Yin was her own brother, he had done no favors for the Shen family. In fact, he still relied on his sister’s influence. His daughter, whether concubine-born or legitimate, could never hope to marry Shen Ti, whose grandfather and father were both jinshi.
Madam Shen’s lack of response made Third Madam see things clearly.
A few days earlier, her foolish husband had even daydreamed, "It would be even better if we could strengthen our ties with the Shen family through another marriage."
He had even asked her to sound out her sister’s opinion. She had told him it was impossible, but men loved to dream.
Well, dreaming was fine. She would have to remind him not to actually bring it up. Being laughed at was one thing, but she feared angering her sister and cutting off their relationship.
Having not seen each other for years, the sisters-in-law talked to their hearts’ content before Third Madam finally stood up. She called for the children and took Third Master’s sons and daughters to bid farewell.
Madam Shen was also somewhat tired and asked her maid to massage her shoulders.
Shen Ti approached and called out, "Mother." Madam Shen looked up to see the young boy's brow slightly furrowed. She quickly asked, "Why do you look unhappy? Did you have a disagreement with your brothers at home?"
Her question was not entirely unfounded. Her husband, Shen Bo, was an extremely stubborn man; once he believed he was right, he would not change his mind even if it meant breaking his head. Shen Ti was the spitting image of his father—a stubborn child since he was young.
"Not at all. We are guests at our maternal family's home; how could I be so discourteous?" Shen Ti replied with slight displeasure.
"Then what's the matter? Tell your mother," Madam Shen chided him.
"Logically, I shouldn't speak ill of my elders," Shen Ti did not beat around the bush with his own mother and directly voiced his dissatisfaction. "But I noticed that Auntie spoke of Fourth Sister's recent loss of her birth mother with a smile. Even though her birth mother was a concubine, she was still her own mother. A young girl is grieving the loss of her parent, yet Auntie, as the legal mother, spoke of it with laughter…"
Madam Shen immediately understood.
Shen Ti had begun his education at the age of three, taught personally by his grandfather, and the principles of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness from the sages were deeply ingrained in him. When Third Madam, the legal mother, spoke of the concubine-born daughter's recent loss of her birth mother with a smile on her face, in Shen Ti's mind, his aunt had likely already been labeled as "unkind."
She coughed lightly, covering for her sister-in-law: "Your aunt was just too happy to see us…"
The young boy cast a glance her way, his eyes filled with reproach. Clearly, he did not accept his mother's explanation, but out of filial piety, he refrained from contradicting her in front of the maids.
Madam Shen had no choice but to sit up, dismiss the maids, and say to her son, "Come sit. Let me explain it to you."
Shen Ti went over and sat on the other side of the low couch table, facing his mother.
Though young, he had started reading early, understood principles early, and if he did not find answers from Madam Shen, he would likely seek explanations from his father and grandfather upon returning to the capital.
Therefore, Madam Shen did not deceive him but earnestly explained the reality: "I know the principles you've learned tell you how everyone should be—husbands and wives should be harmonious, legal wives should be magnanimous, and legal mothers should be kind. But those are just ideals. In real life, we are all flesh-and-blood people with our own likes and dislikes."
"If a legal wife does not mistreat concubines or children born of concubines, she is already a magnanimous wife and a kind mother. You cannot expect her to genuinely like, as the books say, women who compete with her for her husband's affection or Sons of a Concubine who compete with her own sons for family property. You must understand that is impossible."
Shen Ti opened his mouth to retort, but Madam Shen quickly cut him off: "Take you, for example. In principle, you should be friendly with your brothers and close to your clan, right? But why don't you show affection to Little Seventeen from your Third Uncle's branch? He is also your clan brother, sharing the same surname and ancestry, a blood relative. It's just because that child is lazy, rude, and lacks ambition, so he doesn't meet your standards, and you look down on him. You see, Little Seventeen poses no threat to you—he neither competes for the elders' affection nor shares the assets your father will leave you in the future. Yet, you simply don't like him, do you?"
Shen Ti moved his lips, found the matter truly indefensible, and closed them again.
Madam Shen seized the opportunity to press further, teasing, "How can you demand so confidently that others must feel genuine sorrow for someone they truly dislike?"
"Since I married, this is my first visit home. Your aunt and I haven't seen each other for years, and this is her first time meeting you. She and I are sisters-in-law, and she is your aunt—do you know how delighted she was to see us? Compared to that heartfelt joy, what does the loss of someone disliked matter? Must you insist she grieve over the death of a concubine? Do you truly feel righteous saying such a thing?"
Madam Shen earnestly explained the ways of the world, not treating him like a child to be fooled, so Shen Ti took the lesson to heart, bowing his head in apology. "I was too harsh on Aunt."
The young boy then looked up and added, "But that Fourth Sister is truly pitiable. Mother, as her paternal aunt, please look after her a little."
He wasn't entirely ignorant of worldly affairs. Living in the capital, social interactions were frequent, and a clever child like him couldn't possibly be unaware. His maternal family's status was much lower than his own, so his mother held considerable influence when speaking in her maiden home.
For a young girl who had lost her birth mother and lacked support, a little extra concern from an influential aunt would make others think twice before treating her poorly.
Madam Shen patted his head, her gaze gentle. "I know, no need for you to say it."
Shen Ti, feeling grown-up, tried to tilt his head away from his mother's hand, but then heard Madam Shen sigh, "I was around this age too… when my concubine passed away."
Shen Ti paused and didn't evade further, allowing his mother to ruffle his hair.
Madam Shen knew he didn't like it, so she withdrew her hand after a couple of pats. "It's just that the entire household is watching me now. I haven't even warmed my seat yet, so it wouldn't be appropriate to make a grand show of concern for her, pushing her into the spotlight. The inner quarters are full of trivial disputes—let's not draw unwanted attention to her. After a couple of days, once I've met everyone I should and paid the necessary visits, I'll go see this poor child."
Shen Ti thought for a moment and said, "Then Mother, don't go. I'm young—let me visit Fourth Sister on your behalf."
In every way, he resembled the Shen family, but his eyes were just as gentle as Madam Shen's. "She lost her birth mother, yet the household is decorated with lanterns and streamers to welcome Mother's visit. Who knows if anyone is thinking of her now? It's truly pitiable."
If Aunt could laugh so heartily, it was likely Uncle wouldn't grieve much over the loss of a concubine either.
"I'll visit her on Mother's behalf, so she knows she still has an aunt who cares for her."