Sheniang told her parents this not to urge them to fight or seize money now, but to advise them to be more vigilant and form their own judgments about everything.
Pei Yiqing and Madam Yu thought the same: "The Old Master has only just passed, and the Old Madam is already acting this way, but who dares say anything about it? She is the elder after all, and with filial piety weighing above all, it's hard for others to speak up."
"Actually, I'm wondering how Sheniang reacted so quickly. I only took her for a child before." Madam Yu was stunned by her daughter's response.
Pei Yiqing, however, did not seem overly surprised: "I told you last time that Empress Mingde was the same way. Perhaps our Sheniang's fate destiny is equally noble. As the saying goes, ambition need not wait for age. We shouldn't underestimate these children."
Madam Yu nodded emphatically: "I never imagined I could bear such a fine child."
Her birth mother had been a merchant's daughter, who, with nothing but money, supported the entire Yu family while remaining humble and subservient. Madam Yu herself had grown up treading carefully and yielding to others. That was why she was unwilling to restrain her children's personalities or let them live their lives reading others' expressions like she had.
So when Liniang was cheeky and Sheniang unafraid of trouble, she was pleased to see it—anything was better than being like her.
She just never expected Sheniang to be so formidable, knowing so many laws and regulations at such a young age.
As for Old Madam Pei secretly moving Old Master Pei's private assets, Pei Yiqing said: "We won't get a share of that money anyway. Let the children know, but tell them not to speak of it outside, or we'll bring trouble upon ourselves."
"I never imagined the Old Madam would be like this." Madam Yu had always believed Old Madam Pei to be a person of high moral integrity.
Having served as an official for so many years, Pei Yiqing had witnessed the complexity of human hearts—how many outwardly respectable people harbored far more sordid thoughts within.
By the fifth day of the funeral rites, Madam Meng fell ill. With Madam Meng ill, everyone naturally assumed the household duties would fall to Madam Lu, who had managed the household before and could easily take over again. But Old Madam Pei assigned the task to Madam Yu instead.
"Old Madam, I can't do it. I'm not capable of managing the household. Please give it to my sisters-in-law instead." Madam Yu quickly shook her head.
Old Madam Pei said: "Your second sister-in-law was ill last year, your third sister-in-law has Third Brother's child to care for, and your fourth sister-in-law is barely literate. I'm afraid I must trouble you."
Thus, Madam Yu had no choice but to take on the responsibility.
Liniang was delighted for her mother, but Sheniang could not share her joy.
"Sheniang, Mother is managing the household—why aren't you happy?" Liniang didn't understand.
Sheniang looked toward Madam Yu and said: "I'm not unhappy that Mother is managing the household. It's just that something feels off. Second Aunt is clearly eager to take the role, yet Grandmother chose not to pick her, but Mother instead. Returning from the capital to Hedong—if we take the land route, we must avoid the steep mountain paths; when crossing rivers, we must choose midday when the yang energy is strongest; if it rains, we'll need oilcloth to cover the coffin, and the bearers must wear straw sandals for traction. When the coffin is kept overnight at a temple or public mortuary, male attendants must be arranged to keep the incense burning. These are only one or two of the many matters—troublesome as they are, Mother and Father working together would merely be exhausting. What I fear is that she's using you as a target. Eldest Aunt is the primary daughter-in-law—if she took charge, Fifth Aunt wouldn't say much. But with you, she may not be convinced. Second Aunt would be even worse. And then there's Fifth Aunt, who is pregnant—I heard from her household that she's still taking medicine. Along this journey, if she arrives safely, all is well. But if anything happens to her, Mother, you would be the prime culprit."
Fifth Aunt's potential for harm was far greater than Second Aunt's.
"Especially since you have both a son and a daughter. You don't want to fight, but being resented means you'll be dragged into the fight regardless."
This was not Sheniang recalling details from her previous life—it was purely the intuition she had developed from years of living in the palace.
Madam Yu looked troubled: "But your grandmother has already assigned it to me in front of everyone."
"That's fine. If Mother truly must do it, Brother, Sister, and I will all help." Sheniang smiled.
Liniang also nodded eagerly.
The two sisters had been getting along well these past few days. After leaving Madam Yu's room, Sheniang sketched a pattern of snowflakes and promised to embroider a puppy handkerchief for Liniang.
"But the eyes need silver thread—I remember you have some. Go back and find it, and while you're at it, bring me a packet of sugar beans." Sheniang said to Liniang.
She couldn't keep antagonizing Liniang forever. Without Nanny Chen around, Liniang had become much more docile. It was like the palace consorts—even those you couldn't stand had to be seen daily, so you had to find a way of interacting that felt comfortable for you.
Liniang, eager for Sheniang's embroidery, went back to fetch the items herself. She hadn't expected Nanny Chen to be there.
Nanny Chen had kept vigil at the wake the previous night and rested for half a day. When she came to Liniang's quarters and saw Liniang preoccupied with going to Sheniang's place, she couldn't help asking: "When did Young Miss become so close with Fifth Young Miss?"
"She's embroidering a handkerchief for me." Liniang felt inexplicably guilty.
Nanny Chen smiled: "I'm glad to see you sisters getting along. It will please Sixth Master and the Madam as well."
Seeing that Nanny Chen wasn't stopping her, Liniang felt happy too.
However, Nanny Chen continued, "I just returned from the mourning hall. The Old Madam gave Sixth Miss a set of Golden Seven Ornaments to wear. If you had been there, given how much the Old Madam dotes on you, she surely would have given you a set as well."
"Very well, I'll go over in a bit. It's still too cold right now." Though Liniang did want the pretty ornaments, she glanced at the sky and added, "It's too cold. I'll go tomorrow instead."
Sheniang waited quite a while before Liniang finally arrived. She said nothing, merely handed over the thread and remarked, "Do sit for a while."
Liniang sat before Sheniang's dressing table, adorning herself. Both sisters had their own cosmetic cases—hers was naturally fuller, since she was older and had received gifts from Old Madam Pei as well. But Sheniang's case was quite impressive too.
In particular, there was a pair of feather-shaped pearl earrings. She held them up to her ears, let out a "wow," and asked Sheniang, "Where did you get this pair of earrings?"
"They're strung beads—I made them myself," Sheniang replied.
Liniang didn't dare take them, only asking, "Could I borrow them to wear for a few days?"
"Of course, just don't lose them," Sheniang said with a smile.
Liniang was delighted. After holding back for a long while, she finally whispered to her younger sister, "If we visit Grandmother often, she'll give us rewards."
Sheniang hadn't expected her to share this. Perhaps Liniang wasn't so selfish after all. She said softly, "I don't need to."
"Why not? We can go together." Liniang wanted a companion.
Sheniang shook her head. "I won't go. If you bring me along, everyone will know, and Grandmother won't feel comfortable giving things privately anymore. Just go yourself and don't tell anyone."
This was something Liniang had never considered. Her younger sister's generosity of spirit surprised her, and she felt a twinge of guilt. "I only told you, no one else, because you're my sister."
Sheniang smiled.
At the evening meal, Sheniang heard that Madam Yu had resigned from managing the household, citing that she wasn't feeling well. She hadn't expected her mother to heed her words so readily—after all, she was only a child in this life.
Madam Yu, relieved of her burden, seemed far more at ease and even ate an extra bowl of rice.
With her resignation, Madam Lu naturally took over the household management. Madam Lu reclaimed the household management token, her expression one of indescribable delight.
Yueniang smiled and said, "Congratulations, Mother, on regaining control of the household."
"Your Sixth Aunt was sensible enough to come to me herself, saying she couldn't manage it, and pleading poor health and all that to bow out. But I don't know what the Old Madam was thinking—the household was originally mine to manage, and yet she kept handing it to one person or another." It would be false to say Madam Lu harbored no resentment.
The matter was indeed strange. Yueniang couldn't help but remark, "I truly don't understand Grandmother's thinking sometimes. Didn't you once tell me that Grandmother deeply hated Concubine Hua? Yet she's both elevating Sixth Aunt and marrying Fourth Sister into the Dingbei Marquis's household."
Madam Lu glanced at her daughter, also feeling that Old Madam Pei was quite partial. "If she truly wanted a marriage alliance, why didn't she marry you into the Dingbei Marquis's household back then? That way your sister wouldn't have to worry over it."
Speaking of her sister, Yueniang grew concerned. "Previously, Sister was favored at home because of Grandfather. Now that Grandfather is gone, who knows what the future holds? She's never been able to rein in that wild horse of a brother-in-law."
Having stayed at the Xin'an Marquis's residence for some time, Yueniang understood her sister's situation well.
Even the ever-strong Madam Lu wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "Everyone says your sister married well, but they never consider that the young master can't be controlled—a whole houseful of concubines. Fortunately, your sister endures it."
Mother and daughter wept together for a while, but in the end, the Second Branch had regained the household management power, so the sorrow wasn't so overwhelming.
As for the Fifth Branch, Madam Cao heard that Madam Yu had given the token to the Second Branch and came over in person. "My dear sister, what have you done? Giving it to her is like letting a mouse into the rice jar."
Madam Yu only said, "What other choice is there? I know nothing about managing a household. Wouldn't I just make a fool of myself?"
Madam Cao replied, "You're just timid. If you ask me, there's nothing to be afraid of."
"Consider me timid then. I was never a fortunate person and never aspired to anything." Madam Yu had heeded Sheniang's words—with so many eyes on the management power, better to not take it than to be harmed over it. It was nothing but a source of worry.
The two chatted a bit more about household management, but Madam Yu, fearing Madam Cao would keep bringing it up, asked instead how her pregnancy was progressing.
Madam Cao patted her belly. "Nothing out of the ordinary. The physician says it's coming along fine."
If it was coming along fine, why did the courtyard reek so strongly of medicine? But Madam Yu wouldn't point that out.
**
The Buddha Hall
Nanny Xiang was reporting on the movements in the inner quarters: "The Second Madam took the token and immediately threw herself into managing things with great bustle. From what Xiaomei passed along, the implication seems to be that you favor the Sixth Branch."
Old Madam Pei knelt on the cushion, her previously closed eyes snapping open: "What does she know? I've heard that Sixth Brother is agitating for a division of the family. The Fourth Branch and the Sixth Branch were born of the same mother, and the Fifth Branch is also a concubine-born household. If those three branches unite in demanding a split, then this family of ours will fall apart."
Nanny Xiang thought to herself that the old lady's move was quite clever—with the Sixth Madam managing the household, dividing those three branches would prevent them from banding together into a single force.
But as it happened, the Sixth Madam refused to take the bait, while the Second Madam gladly accepted the role instead, thwarting the old lady's plan.