By the end of August, several heavy rains had fallen, finally bringing some coolness to the capital. It was also time for Pei Yuanzheng, the Duke of Pei, to lead his army back to court.
“These things must be prepared in advance; they will be needed once the Duke returns,” said Madam Jiang, holding a thick ledger and carefully reviewing it as she arranged matters one by one.
Since the Duke had won this battle, His Majesty would bestow rewards upon his return to court. Following that would come the social interactions and gift exchanges with various households in the capital.
Each of these had its own rules, but many items also needed to be prepared ahead of time to avoid last-minute chaos and becoming a laughingstock.
“Niannian, the social exchanges with each household are naturally handled by capable stewards, but you must also have a clear understanding. If the lady of the house knows nothing about these matters, she can easily be deceived by unscrupulous servants,” Madam Jiang patiently taught her daughter.
“Deceive me? They wouldn’t dare,” Pei Yunshu replied, also holding a stack of ledgers to review. She was quite familiar with the young ladies from various households in the capital, as they were around the same age and likely would begin managing households around the same time.
“Why wouldn’t they dare? They might be afraid, but look at these things. If they embezzle just once or twice, they could secure wealth for a lifetime. People are always greedy.”
Although Madam Jiang was already of grandmotherly age, she had been born into a pampered family and had never suffered hardship. Her ten fingers remained soft and delicate.
Madam Jiang clasped her hands together. “Niannian, do you know what is most important for the lady of the house?”
Pei Yunshu put down the book in her hands. “The most important thing? Surely it isn’t love, right?”
“A husband’s respect and affection are naturally important too. Your husband must not only love you but also respect you. Only then will your position be most secure.”
The inner quarters of Guogong Mansion were considered quite clean, with only three or four concubines, but there had never been a shortage of concubines and maidservants.
Madam Jiang had never been jealous or competed for favor because she understood better than anyone that, in the Duke’s eyes, these people were not even worth as much as a fine steed.
“Isn’t that how Father treats you?”
“That’s why I am your mother, the lady of Guogong Mansion. Even if your father had the courage of a bear and the heart of a leopard, he wouldn’t dare divorce me.”
Madam Jiang had firmly secured her position as the mistress of Guogong Mansion. She had never dreamed of demanding her husband’s exclusive favor, and the idea of asking him to dismiss the entire inner quarters was laughable.
“Your father is a man, and a man of high status and power. If, when we married, I had asked him to dismiss the women in the inner quarters, he might have listened to me. But what would be the point? There would always be younger, more beautiful girls offering themselves.”
Therefore, Madam Jiang had always been virtuous and magnanimous. Over time, she even began to believe that this was her true nature.
“Niannian, the most important thing for a lady of the house is the power she holds in her own hands.”
“Mother, why are you suddenly telling me this?” Pei Yunshu looked at Madam Jiang.
“You must know these things eventually. If I tell you early, you’ll have more knowledge. Then, one day when you enter another household, you won’t suffer.”
“Mother, what you’re teaching me is how to be a lady of the house. I might not even need to use these skills. If I don’t need them, what should I do then?”
If she didn’t need them—if she didn’t marry into another household—where did she plan to marry? This was the capital, the imperial city.
“Niannian, that place is different from noble households. If you go there, your father and I won’t be able to help you in the slightest. And in a place like that, everyone is deep-minded and calculating at every step.”
Madam Jiang couldn’t bear the thought. In the capital, which parent who truly loved their daughter would willingly send her into the palace? One wouldn’t even get to see her once throughout the year.
“You haven’t met many people, and there are plenty of fine young men in this world. Who knows, there might be someone even better. How can you make up your mind so soon? Wait until your father returns, and have him arrange for more people to meet you.”
Madam Jiang assumed Pei Yunshu was still unwilling to let go of the Crown Prince, thinking that by introducing someone else, she could divert her attention.
“Ah, speaking of which, your father mentioned in his letter that there’s a talented young man from a humble background under his command—brave, resourceful, and handsome, no less than the Crown Prince. Your father knows your temperament well and said you’d surely like him.”
As Pei Yunshu listened, her gaze fell on Jiang Liuyan sitting opposite her. At least for now, her mother still treated Jiang Liuyan equally, though she tacitly allowed Pei Qingwan to be included as well.
“Is that so? If he can rival the Crown Prince, why not find a few for my cousin as well?”
In response to Pei Yunshu’s words, Jiang Liuyan remained as meek and submissive as ever. “I leave it to Aunt’s arrangements.”
“That wouldn’t be good, cousin. Happiness must be pursued by oneself. What if the person Mother finds for you isn’t to your liking? Wouldn’t that breed resentment?”
Pei Yunshu’s attitude toward Jiang Liuyan was utterly hostile, even aggressive. Madam Jiang scolded her a few times and demanded she apologize.
“Cousin, please don’t take offense. I’ve always been straightforward, not as clever and charming as you.”
“I naturally wouldn’t blame my cousin,” Jiang Liuyan said, though her expression was no longer as gentle and amiable as before.
She had been mistaken. In the past, Pei Yunshu’s treatment of her hadn’t even revealed a tenth of her true malicious nature.
Her mother raised a hand, cutting off the exchange between the two. “Enough. The weather is hot, and everyone’s getting irritable.”
Pei Yunshu said no more and left with Pei Qingwan. Pei Qingwan looked at Pei Yunshu and asked, “Sister, do you truly still like the Crown Prince?”
“What? Are you going to lecture me too?”
“Not at all. I just feel that Sister doesn’t seem to like the Crown Prince.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t hang myself on a single tree. Even if I were to hang, it wouldn’t be on Xie Changyan’s crooked branch.”
The tree she was currently angling for was no match for a twisted tree like Xie Changyan.
But as for the tree that wanted to hang her—just in case—she’d better chop it down.
“In a few days, Father will return. Once Father and Second Brother are back, our marriage arrangements will have to be settled. Are you afraid?”
Pei Yunshu looked at Pei Qingwan, who was young, having just come of age, and knew nothing about her own marriage.
“Why should I be afraid? The lessons Madam has taught me have been immensely beneficial. Though I may not achieve her level, I won’t disgrace the Guogong Mansion.”
Pei Qingwan had already decided what kind of mistress she would be, how virtuous and dignified she would act, and how she would avoid bringing shame to the Guogong Mansion.
For an unmarried daughter, Pei Qingwan was already remarkably sensible.
“Pei Qingwan, you’re the one getting married. You should at least know whether you like the person or not. Is this how you want to live your entire life? The first half for the Guogong Mansion, and the second half for which mansion?”
“But isn’t that how it is for everyone?” Pei Qingwan was taken aback by the question.
Pei Yunshu stared at her for a long moment. “If that’s how it is for everyone, then I truly am…”
Restless in my past life, and still restless in this one.
“No, you should think about what Pei Qingwan wants.”
Pei Yunshu gently patted the person before her. “Does she want love, or does she only want power?”
“What I want?”
“Don’t worry, whatever you want, I can give it to you.”
Pei Qingwan returned to her courtyard, a sudden curiosity stirring within her.
Then what does this sister of hers, who has abruptly changed, truly desire?