Sheniang lived in the western wing of the courtyard, which consisted of three rooms in total. She had seven attendants: her wet nurse, Mama Xia, four maids who served her closely, and two rough-duty maids who worked outside.
After paying her morning respects, she returned to her own rooms. Mama Xia bustled about putting away the jewelry, then had the two senior maids, Qiuju and Dongmei, bring over the food boxes.
The midday meal consisted of a bowl of sour bamboo shoot soup, a plate of glistening red roast duck, a dish of fragrant fried bones, two plates of seasonal vegetables, and two small side dishes.
Mama Xia remarked, "Usually meals are taken in the main hall, but since the old lady is feeling unwell today, the mistress has specially arranged for you and Fourth Miss to dine in your own rooms."
The old lady? Sheniang thought of her grandmother. Although her father was not born of her, she was nonetheless a fair and impartial woman. Her elder sister and she had been instructed by their aunts, who dared not treat the sisters poorly precisely because the old lady frequently inquired after them.
But then, because of the matter of Sixth Sister Shunniang, the family had been torn apart ever since.
Sheniang ate her meal while pondering family matters. The Pei family had six branches in total. Only the eldest uncle and third uncle were born of Old Madam Pei. The second uncle was born of Old Madam Pei's dowry maid. As for the fourth, fifth, and sixth branches, they were all born of concubines.
The eldest uncle had just turned forty this year. Having passed the imperial examination in his early years, he now served as prefect in Jinan, Shandong. His first wife, née Kang, had borne no children and passed away early. He then remarried Madam Meng, daughter of a Left Censor-in-Chief. Within a few years of entering the household, Madam Meng gave birth to Second Young Master Pei Zhen and Sixth Miss Pei Shunniang.
As the eldest uncle was away from home, the second uncle, who had obtained his position through the yin privilege, ordinarily managed affairs both inside and outside the household. Second Aunt, Madam Lu, also oversaw domestic matters. Madam Lu had given birth to the eldest daughter, Nianniang, and the second daughter, Yueniang. The eldest daughter had already married Xiao Tang, the second son of the Marquis of Xin'an. As for the second daughter, she was fourteen this year, just reaching the age of coming-of-age.
As for the third uncle, he was said to possess the talent of a prime minister, having passed the provincial examination at the age of thirteen. But Heaven did not grant him long life—he died young in his prime. Third Aunt, Madam Lu, was the daughter of the Director of the Imperial Academy. Fortunately, she had a posthumous son, Pei Lin, whom the family called Third Young Master.
The fourth uncle, like the second uncle, was a student of the Imperial College and was currently studying at the Imperial College in Beijing. His wife, Madam Huo, was the niece of the chief eunuch of the Palace Eunuch Bureau. However, after several years of marriage, she had borne no children.
Then there was the fifth uncle, who had passed the military examination and now served in the Southern Embroidered Uniform Guard. His first wife had given birth to a daughter called Yiniang, ranked third among the clan's sisters. He later remarried, taking as his second wife the concubine-born daughter of a Qingzhou subprefect, Madam Cao. Madam Cao herself had no children, but her dowry maid, whom she had elevated to the position of Concubine Gao, had borne a son.
Finally, there was her own branch. Her father, Pei Yiqing, had just reached the age of thirty. Three years ago, he had passed the imperial examination as a third-rank jinshi and served as the magistrate of Huayang County in Sichuan. Word had it that his performance evaluation was excellent, and he was now returning to the capital for a report. Her mother, née Yu, given name Da, was stunningly beautiful. It was said that her father had initially been dissatisfied with the marriage, because the Pei family had always been negotiating for the eldest daughter of the Yu family. However, her grandfather had just been subjected to corporal punishment at court by the emperor, and the Yu family was unwilling to proceed with the betrothal. They even married off the eldest Yu daughter to someone else. Later, when her grandfather was restored to his official position, the Yu family wanted to renew the connection and desperately sent their concubine-born daughter instead, along with a dowry of five thousand taels of silver.
Mama Xia was her mother's dowry attendant. Sheniang had once asked about her parents' affairs, and Mama Xia had said that after her mother entered the household, her father resented the Yu family's despicable conduct and refused to come to her room even on their wedding night. Her mother nearly killed herself. Later, somehow the two reconciled, and her mother was the first to bear the Pei family's eldest grandson, followed by the two sisters.
Thinking of her previous life—after her mother died, her father never remarried—she could not help but sigh.
The family's cooking naturally could not compare to the imperial kitchens, but it had its own charm, especially the fried bones, which happened to be her favorite.
Mama Xia and the maids noticed that Fifth Miss used to cross her legs at meals and chatter while eating. Now she quietly finished her meal alone, her etiquette approaching perfection. This was completely different from before.
Lanruo brought tea for her to rinse her mouth. Sheniang looked at the young and tender Lanruo before her, then thought of the imposing head stewardess of Kunning Palace, and could not help but laugh.
"Miss, what are you laughing at? Is it because you have no lessons today?" Mama Xia said with a smile.
Only then did Sheniang remember—at eight years old, she still had homework to complete! She stood up, then said with a troubled look, "But I've forgotten what the assignment is."
Qiuju quickly said, "Miss, let me go ask Second Miss. Second Miss is currently serving as class monitor."
"That's fine." Indeed, she had lived long in the deep palace, her mother had died early, and she rarely saw her family. Much of what had happened years ago had been forgotten; only now that they mentioned it did she recall.
Qiuju returned quickly. Sheniang looked at the assignment—she was to write two large-character calligraphy pieces, four small-character pieces, memorize two essays, and do arithmetic. She ground her own ink and completed the homework quickly at her desk.
Everyone was somewhat astonished. In the past, the young miss had been quick at memorization and calligraphy, but arithmetic always gave her pause—sometimes she would work until midnight, and the mistress would come over to teach her. Now she could complete everything on her own.
After finishing her homework, she heard that her mother had returned. Sheniang hurried out and saw Madam Yu coming back in a rush with two maidservants. She went up to her, and Madam Yu, seeing her youngest daughter, quickly took her hand and led her into the main room. "What is it, my dear?"
"Mother, what happened to Grandmother?" Sheniang asked.
Madam Yu let out an "Aiyo." "You usually hate being involved in household matters, yet today you're asking on your own initiative. Your grandmother fainted at the nunnery. Fortunately, the doctor came and said it was nothing serious."
Sheniang nodded slightly. "That's good to hear. Then why are you in such a hurry?"
Madam Yu sat down and smiled without answering. Cuilan said from the side, "Fifth Miss, your father will be returning soon. He just sent a servant ahead with the good news."
"So Father is coming back soon." She had known he would return, but hadn't expected it to be so soon.
Madam Yu patted her daughter's head before saying, "Your father will be able to make it back in time to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with us."
Mid-Autumn? Yes, this year would be the family's last Mid-Autumn Festival together. At year's end, Grandfather would pass away, and next year, her mother would die. They would then return from the capital to their hometown, and only when Prince Jin became Regent would she return to the capital from her hometown.
By the next day, Sheniang had gradually grown accustomed to her identity as a child. Rising early in the morning, she first had breakfast with Liniang at Madam Yu's place, then went together to Jingyuan Study.
Jingyuan Study was located at the very center of the estate. Walking from the Sixth Branch courtyard took about a quarter of an hour.
Behind Liniang followed a thin, gaunt woman—her wet nurse, Nurse Chen. When Liniang was born, none of Madam Yu's dowry servants had been suitable, so she was chosen from within the household. Nurse Chen's mother was one of Old Madam Pei's dowry servants, and her father was the second steward of the Pei family—she had connections everywhere.
That Liniang was able to get along so well and hold such favor with Old Madam Pei was largely thanks to Nurse Chen's efforts behind the scenes. Even in her previous life, Liniang's swift betrothal had been due to Nurse Chen's maneuvering before Eldest Aunt and Old Madam Pei.
One shouldn't underestimate these servants. Sometimes whether a mistress lived well or not depended on these strategists behind the scenes offering their counsel.
Just as she was thinking this, she saw Liniang beside her take out a hand mirror and press a powder puff against her face. Sheniang shook her head and walked straight ahead. "Fourth Sister, hurry up, or we'll be late."
"What's the rush?" Liniang remained unhurried.
Nurse Chen laughed and said to Nurse Xia, "Look at this—an eager vanguard meeting a slow physician. Our young miss is just that pampered."
With her saying that, Nurse Xia found it hard to say anything more.
Sheniang, walking ahead, glanced back at Nurse Chen. That move was truly clever. Such small matters were common, and in her previous life there had been countless similar incidents. When something bad happened, Nurse Chen would always say, "Our young miss has no foresight, unlike Fifth Miss who has such composure. If it were Fifth Miss, she would surely have resolved this matter already," pushing Sheniang into a position where she couldn't refuse to act. When something good happened to them, Nurse Chen would say, "Our young miss is truly blessed with simple-minded fortune—she's muddled her way into being favored."
On the way, they happened to meet Fourth Aunt. Sheniang quickly bowed and greeted her. "Fourth Aunt, good day."
Fourth Aunt, Madam Huo, was the one who had raised her after her mother's death in her previous life, because Fourth Uncle and her father were born of the same mother. As for her sister Liniang, she was raised in the Eldest Branch under Madam Meng. Though everyone above and below said Madam Meng was stingy, she was actually someone who followed the rules strictly—at least she maintained appearances well. Madam Huo was the family's famous peacemaker, with a substantial dowry. She seemed very kind and spoke of how much she cherished Sheniang, but during the years she raised her, besides food and drink, her monthly allowance was only twenty coppers, and she had only been given fabric for a small garment once after she began to grow.
She also constantly complained that the tuition for Sheniang’s calligraphy and reading lessons was too expensive, grumbling that her father sent too little money, and so on.
That was tolerable, but every time Madam Huo's nieces came to visit, Sheniang had no place to sleep and had to give up her room. After two or three years of this, Madam Huo became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Old Madam Pei, seeing that Madam Huo was no longer convenient to look after her, called Sheniang over to live with Shunniang, and only then did she enjoy a few good days.
But later, because she was suddenly selected to be Prince Jin's secondary consort, Old Madam Pei believed she had stolen Shunniang's position, and the two branches broke off relations entirely.
Coming back to the present, she heard Madam Huo say with a smile, "I was just about to go with your Fifth Aunt to find your mother. Has she eaten?"
"She has," Sheniang said.
Madam Huo said, "Then I'll head over now. You two hurry along to the study."
She continued through the corridor and arrived at Jingyuan Study, where she saw Second Sister, Yuenniang, picking flowers at the entrance while a few young maidservants covered for her.
Two young ladies were already seated in the study. Sheniang was momentarily startled, then suddenly remembered—these two were not Pei family girls. One was Madam Meng's niece, Meng Jilan, around the same age as Second Miss. Her father had received a hereditary post as a centurion and had gone to the Dengzhou garrison, leaving his wife and children to stay with the Pei family. The other was Madam Lu's niece, Song Xianhui, whose father had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and was preparing to return to his hometown. But Old Madam Pei, seeing that she was Madam Lu's niece with excellent learning and character, had kept her on.
Both of these women were plain in appearance. Meng Jilan was somewhat plump and very short, with a neck that was nearly invisible, giving her a rather stocky look. As for Song Xianhui, her looks needed no further description—slanted eyebrows, narrow slit-like eyes, and slightly protruding teeth.
However, in terms of conduct and capability, these two surpassed all the Pei family daughters, and they were even quite witty and entertaining.
Seeing Qiu Ju casually place her books on a table, she knew where her seat was. After exchanging brief greetings with Meng and Song, she sat down in her place.
Once she was settled, Liniang arrived belatedly, complaining to Sheniang: "I told you to wait for me, but you rushed off as if a ghost were chasing you."
"Who told you to be so slow? If you keep staring at yourself in the mirror on the road every day, tomorrow I won't come with you at all." Sheniang said this and felt a surge of satisfaction—it was wonderful being a child, not having to worry about this or that.
When she was Empress, that fiery temper of hers had been bottled up until it caused internal distress.
Liniang sat together with Meng Jilan and Song Xianhui, and they often played together. Then Yuenniang entered, holding flowers in her arms—truly, she outshone the blossoms. Shunniang was the last to arrive.
It was said that Nanny Hong had made her wear a high-collared jacket, which she reluctantly put on, but halfway there, she turned back to change before coming over.
She too was a stubborn one.
In the morning, the teacher taught the Book of Songs. Sheniang followed along reading several times and took meticulous notes, being very diligent.
When she was young, she had always found studying tedious and calligraphy annoying, but only after growing up did she realize that the time spent studying was the purest period of one's life.
Lunch was served at the academy and was quite lavish—cut fruits, several delicate side dishes, pastries, and tea. Taking advantage of mealtime, Second Miss Yuenniang brought up some news: "Did you all know? Eldest Sister has already received an invitation. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Marquis of Xinan's residence will host a Floating Wine Cup Banquet. There will surely be poetry gatherings and such. I heard the prize is a top-grade jade hairpin. The prize itself is secondary—what matters most is that we can display our talents."
Everyone knew that Yuenniang was the type to compete over everything. If there was a ranking, she loved it; if there was no ranking, she would create one just to compete.
Sheniang thought that at their current young age, the Marquis of Xinan's residence was probably hosting the event for their own daughters, and they likely weren't old enough to attend yet.
Just as she was thinking this, she heard someone outside announce: "Young ladies, Third Miss has returned."
"Who?" Everyone was slow to react.
The messenger said: "It's the Third Miss who was cultivating in the countryside with her hair bound. It's said a master resolved her misfortune. She had originally planned to send word first before coming, but the nunnery caught fire, so she brought her nanny and maids and came up to the capital."
Sheniang suddenly recalled a past matter. This Third Sister was extraordinarily beautiful—if Fourth Sister was as gorgeous as peach and plum blossoms, then she was as radiant as a rose. She had clashed frequently with Fifth Aunt Madam Cao and was deeply admired by the young men of the capital. She had no direct connection to Sheniang herself, but there was one matter that made Sheniang uncomfortable.
In her previous life, after the heir of the Marquis of Xinan passed away, Xiao Tang, who ranked second, became the leading candidate for the heir position, and Eldest Sister suddenly became highly sought after. But precisely at that time, she passed away as well, following the death of her young son. The Pei family wanted to select one of their daughters as a second wife, and Xiao Tang's original choice had been Sheniang herself, believing she appeared gentle and virtuous.
It was Third Sister who told her that Eldest Sister had been angered to death by Xiao Tang's mistress. Sheniang thought that the man she married need not be of noble lineage, but he must have good character, so she told her father and brothers she was unwilling.
But ironically, this very Third Sister turned around and married Xiao Tang herself. It was said that Xiao Tang reformed for her sake, and the two grew old together in perfect harmony.
Sheniang didn't care about the marriage itself—she simply disliked Third Sister's inconsistency in word and deed. Thus, even after becoming Empress, she never summoned her privately.
She never expected to encounter her so soon.