In Old Madam Pei's eyes, her sons were only the First Master and Third Master of the Pei family, and among her grandchildren, only those born to them were of the direct line. But in Old Master Pei's eyes, whether legitimate or concubine-born, all were his sons, and all their children were his grandchildren.
So after Old Master Pei had bestowed gifts only upon Sheniang, everyone noticed that he hadn't given anything to Shunniang. Before Old Madam Pei could say anything, Nanny Xiang remarked, "I heard that the set of jewelry includes not only rubies and sapphires but also cat's-eye stones."
"So what? If she got it, she got it. There's no need to act like she's never seen anything fine and make a spectacle of herself." Old Madam Pei appeared utterly unconcerned.
She was born the daughter of a marquis of Dingbei, and when she married into the Pei family, her dowry had filled one hundred and fifty carrying cases. What fine jewelry hadn't she seen?
Nevertheless, she wasn't entirely indifferent: "Shunniang was raised at our knees after all, and we spoil her daily. I'm afraid she might feel slighted. I recall I have a set of gold-inlaid jade combs that someone gave me. Take them over for Shunniang to play with."
Nanny Xiang smiled. "You do dote on the Sixth Young Lady."
That Shunniang held a special position was known to all—even Madam Yu considered it only natural. Sheniang naturally had a different view; she felt that Old Madam Pei could elevate her as she pleased, but she shouldn't expect everyone to kowtow to her.
Ever since Sheniang had received that set of head ornaments, Nanny Xia and the others had felt quite vindicated, no longer always feeling inferior when facing Nanny Chen.
Nanny Chen was Old Madam Pei's person, while Nanny Xia was merely a second-rank maid brought by Madam Yu. Their standing had never been equal. Though Nanny Xia had a somewhat fiery temper, she would defer to Nanny Chen in public and mostly just grumble in private. Now that she saw Sheniang distinguishing herself so admirably, she felt her backbone stiffen considerably.
But Sheniang would also caution them not to grow too smug, lest they stir up unnecessary trouble and make her a thorn in everyone's side within the household.
After this round, the servants below also trusted her all the more.
Before the twelfth month, Madam Yu took her and Liniang to visit her natal family. The Yu family lived on Yuhua Lane. Grandfather Compiler Yu had no sons, only two daughters.
The elder daughter had married a scholar surnamed Zheng and borne a son and a daughter. Uncle Zheng held the rank of juren and served as a district instructor in Tong'an County. Aunt Zheng had accompanied him to his post, leaving both children in the Yu household.
Madam Yu's birth mother had already passed away, and her relationship with her legitimate mother was merely so-so. What's more, she had originally been married off as a substitute, yet unexpectedly she had won her husband's affection—Master Pei being the son of an official family and a successful jinshi graduate.
This naturally bred resentment in Madame Yu toward her concubine-born daughter, though it was only maintained as a matter of face.
Madam Yu, however, was most thoughtful. She brought gifts for both Compiler Yu and Madame Yu, and even gifts for Cousin Zheng and Cousin Zheng (Female). Cousin Zheng was an extremely honest and gentle soul who accompanied Sheniang in solving character riddles, while Cousin Zheng (Female), who was quite fond of dressing up, found plenty to talk about with Liniang.
In her previous life, she had heard that Cousin Zheng never married—too proud to settle for less. It wasn't until she became empress and bestowed favors upon relatives far and wide that Cousin Zheng, relying on her patronage, finally wed a daughter of an official family.
Of course, it was her sister-in-law who had told her this when she came to the palace.
After lunch at the Yu residence, Madam Yu brought the sisters home. On the way, they encountered a funeral procession, and the carriage pulled to the side of the road to wait. Curious, Sheniang lifted the curtain for a look and saw a dense crowd of people—some in mourning clothes, along with monks and Daoists.
Liniang's head also squeezed into the window. She had always spoken without thinking: "So many baldies."
"Ahem, those are the people conducting the requiem," Madam Yu said with a laugh.
Sheniang couldn't help but smile too, adding, "Mother, why do you suppose they invite both monks and Daoists? Wouldn't just one kind do?"
With Nanny Chen absent, Liniang seemed to join in the fun: "Yes, Mother, if they invite both, won't they end up fighting?"
"Really, it's just putting on a show for everyone to see," Madam Yu said lightly.
Sheniang hadn't expected Madam Yu to say such a thing, because in her eyes, Madam Yu was the sort of woman who embodied the three obediences and four virtues—gentle in temperament, never clashing with anyone.
And yet such a person would say something like that.
Upon returning to the Pei residence, Yueniang had come back from the Xin'an Marquis household and called them over to the Second Branch. As Sheniang descended from the carriage, she stepped on her robe and dampened it slightly. By the time Nanny Xia had exchanged the hand warmer, she and Liniang went over together.
Yueniang had prepared tea and refreshments, along with gifts for them. She first looked at Yiniang and said, "Third Sister, next year you'll reach the age of ji. This hairpin is for you—it's not worth much, just a token of affection."
"Thank you, Second Sister, for thinking of me." Yiniang saw that Yueniang looked well. She had heard that the eldest sister might help arrange a distinguished marriage for her, and that the two families had already reached an understanding—no wonder she seemed to have cast off the gloom of before.
Yueniang then looked at Liniang and said, "Here, this is court-made rouge."
To Sheniang she gave two handkerchiefs—one of red silk printed with gold flowers, and one of light gray with gold prints. As for Shunniang, she received three small gold-and-silver hair ornaments.
After tea, everyone took their leave and returned home. Unexpectedly, upon arriving back, Sheniang felt a sore throat and instinctively knew she had caught a chill.
"Nanny Xia, go to my mother's place and fetch the Jingfang Detoxification Powder. I'll take some and sweat it out." A sore throat was the precursor to a cold, so she needed to take precautions.
To her surprise, Madam Yu came over in person. Upon learning that Sheniang's throat was dry and sore, she said, "Since your throat hurts, how about wontons for dinner? I'll make some myself in a little while."
"Thank you, Mother." Sheniang thought to herself, so this is what it feels like to be cared for—how wonderful.
Madam Yu instructed Nanny Xia and the others to look after Sheniang well, then draped her marten fur coat over her shoulders and went to the kitchen herself. After taking the medicine, Sheniang grew drowsy and dozed off. When she woke, Madam Yu had personally delivered the wontons.
The wontons Madam Yu made were somewhat different from those the kitchen prepared. Ordinary wonton soup was made with either fish or chicken broth, but hers had a fragrant aroma, was piping hot, and came with plenty of soup. After finishing a bowl, Sheniang felt her whole body warm up.
"Are they good?" Madam Yu asked with a smile.
Sheniang nodded emphatically, still wanting more. "They're delicious."
Her youngest daughter was usually mature beyond her years, but now she looked like a proper young girl. Madam Yu kissed her daughter's forehead. "Your father couldn't come into your room—he said he's worried about your throat swelling. Tomorrow he'll fetch some ice from the ice cellar and pour cherry syrup over it. It'll be tasty and also help reduce the swelling."
"Then thank Father as well," Sheniang said.
Madam Yu seemed to know what her daughter was thinking and said, "When I gave birth to you back then, I nearly died. Your father ached for me and feared you wouldn't survive either—his heart was always in knots. But which parent in this world doesn't dote on their own children?"
Sheniang knew her own heart's knot—she felt her father favored her elder sister, and so she had been distant toward Sixth Master Pei as well. She thought she had hidden it well, but her mother had seen it all along.
Still, Sheniang said, "Daughter understands, but I simply like you more. You can't change your daughter's heart, can you?"
Madam Yu had never been so firmly chosen by anyone before. She looked at her daughter, moved, yet said teasingly, "Careful—your father might hear you."
Seeing her mother's smiling face, Sheniang once again resolved in her heart to protect her no matter what.