A Chun didn’t quite understand what Shen Weizhen was saying.
He had just scolded her for meeting that Young Master Zhang, but when she was about to leave, he suddenly changed his tone, saying he wasn’t blaming her and wouldn’t reprimand her. Then, he started talking about “without learning the rites, one cannot establish oneself,” which made her head ache.
Seeing her expression grow increasingly confused and vacant, Shen Weizhen stopped: “Are you feeling unwell?”
A Chun pointed to her head: “It’s not quite right here.”
She continued: “Brother’s voice is very pleasant. I don’t understand what you’re saying, but I still want to listen. I can’t remember it, so I try to think it over, and the more I think, the more my head hurts.”
What Shen Shiru had taught her was far less than Shen Weizhen had expected.
So be it.
Their father, bound by rigid doctrines in his lifetime, had been strict all his life. Perhaps that was why he had been lenient with her. Not teaching her the rites or having her read the Admonitions for Women had led to her unrestrained behavior today.
Shen Weizhen didn’t bother with empty talk about reading more books. Instead, he asked, “The color of your skirt today is beautiful. Is it a new outfit?”
A Chun smiled and twirled in front of Shen Weizhen: “It’s fabric Brother gave me. Qiu Shuang said this material is light, thin, and cool. If I don’t make it into clothes now, it won’t be suitable to wear once autumn comes—she sewed it for me these past two days. I heard this fabric is very expensive. Thank you, Brother, for being so thoughtful.”
Shen Weizhen acknowledged with a sound.
A twinge of guilt suddenly arose within him. Since she had entered Shenfu, none of the fabrics sent to her had been chosen by him. He had merely instructed Helu to select them, paying no attention to the patterns, colors, or materials. He hadn’t cared at all.
Yet A Chun treasured them as if they were precious and was so grateful.
Not hearing her brother speak, A Chun grew uneasy: “Brother, do you think I’ve read too little?”
“No,” Shen Weizhen said. “You cannot have both fish and bear’s paw. Your innate simplicity is already rare and commendable.”
A Chun bashfully replied: “Thank you, Brother, for praising my simplicity, but I dare not eat bear’s paw. Fish is enough for me.”
Shen Weizhen: “…”
At noon, Chun Yu from Renshoutang personally delivered a braised Yellow River carp to Cangchunwu.
Shen Xiangmei from the third branch was complaining to her mother, Madam Ma, about the lack of freshness in the fish and shrimp purchased by the main kitchen, saying the river delicacy and tofu soup delivered at noon tasted off. Upon hearing this news, she was stunned: “Delivered to Cangchunwu? Could it have been a mistake?”
Madam Ma said: “Silly girl, in this household, anyone else might make a mistake, but never your eldest brother’s courtyard. Perhaps Jinghui wanted to eat it. I heard Chun Yu’s cooking is excellent. She might have asked Old Ancestor, who then spoke to your eldest brother, and he had it sent over.”
Among the elders, the origins of Shen Yun’e and her daughter were no secret. Madam Ma understood perfectly but couldn’t very well explain it to her own daughter.
Shen Xiangmei immediately became unhappy.
Shenfu wasn’t particularly large in terms of family members. The eldest branch had only Shen Weizhen as the eldest son. The second branch had Third Miss Shen Zongshu, Fourth Young Master Shen Wenhuan, and Sixth Miss Shen Linying. The third branch consisted of Second Young Master Shen Jichang, Fifth Miss Shen Xiangmei, and the just-turned-six Seventh Young Master Shen Yuanjie.
With few young ladies in the household, Old Ancestor, being elderly, preferred spending time with lively girls like them. Before Shen Jinghui arrived, whenever there were good things, they were shared among the three sisters. Precious items brought by Eldest Brother Shen Weizhen were also given to the three young ladies.
Once Shen Jinghui entered Shenfu, this balance was disrupted.
Not to mention the fabrics and jewelry Old Ancestor gifted her when she first arrived, just the other day when new clothes were being tailored for the household—normally each young lady could only have two outfits made per month—Old Ancestor had six pieces made for Shen Jinghui, not even counting the matching shawls, skirts, belts, and such.
The rouge and cosmetics uniformly purchased by the estate weren’t fine enough, so most of the young ladies, being particular, spent their own silver to buy better ones. This morning, when Shen Xiangmei ran out of rouge and sent a servant to buy more, she inadvertently learned that Shen Zongshu had been buying everything in double lately, sending one set to Cangchunwu—when had Xiangmei ever received such consideration from her third sister?
These things alone might have been bearable. Xiangmei had her mother’s affection, and being fond of beauty, Madam Ma often used her private funds to have new clothes made or jewelry added for her.
Madam Ma also comforted Xiangmei, saying that when Shen Jinghui first entered the estate, her clothes were patched and mended. Old Ancestor took pity on her for not even having proper attire to receive guests, hence the extra gifts. If one were to compare, Old Ancestor surely still favored her own granddaughter more.
Xiangmei had just managed to come to terms with this when suddenly, that stern and aloof eldest brother of the household sent fish soup to Cangchunwu. Thinking of Old Ancestor, Shen Zongshu… how could she not be upset?
“That hairpin eldest brother gave her last time was so beautiful, even prettier than the ones Lin Ying and I got for our coming-of-age ceremonies,” Xiangmei complained. Ever since she learned that Shen Jinghui had that camellia hairpin, she had refused to wear the camellia gold hairpin she had received earlier. “She’s just a distant relative here for support—why bring her into the estate at all? Wouldn’t it be better to give them some silver and have them move out—”
“Enough!” Madam Ma said. “How can you say such things?”
Xiangmei knew she had spoken out of turn and lowered her head, idly twisting her handkerchief.
Madam Ma couldn’t bear to see her daughter upset and pulled her into an embrace. “My child, I know you feel wronged, but bringing Jinghui and her mother to the capital was Old Ancestor and your aunt’s decision. You must never speak carelessly again. Old Ancestor’s fondness for Jinghui is her good fortune, but remember this: she will never surpass you. Whatever extra she receives now is merely Old Ancestor taking pity on her.”
Xiangmei remained sullen. “Why is eldest brother being nice to her too?”
She had never even tasted fish stewed by Chun Yu.
“It’s just Old Ancestor’s request,” Madam Ma, who knew the details, said dismissively, soothing her daughter. “What can you tell from this now? Your eldest brother has no shortage of silver; giving her a few pieces of jewelry costs him little. Just wait and see—when Shen Jinghui marries, will your eldest brother be willing to add to her dowry, and how much? Silly girl, you and your sisters are his proper younger sisters. How could he favor her over you?”
Xiangmei wiped her eyes. “Could it be that eldest brother has taken a liking to Jinghui?”
Madam Ma was horrified. “You, an unmarried young lady, how can you say such a thing? Hold your tongue.”
She glanced around, dismissed the maids nearby, and spoke earnestly. “Absolutely impossible.”
Shen Weizhen and Shen Jinghui—that was—
"How could it not be possible?" Shen Xiangmei said. "Do you remember the day after Jinghui entered the mansion? It was also the day Eldest Brother met with Miss Meng. Eldest Brother praised Miss Meng for looking beautiful in Tianshui Azure, but I saw Miss Meng too—she wasn’t wearing Tianshui Azure at all, but a bronze-green dress. That day, there were no other female guests in our home. The maids Miss Meng brought along were all dressed in apricot, and only Jinghui’s skirt was Tianshui Azure."
Tianshui Azure Hangzhou Gauze was precious, and its color was perfect for summer. Shen Xiangmei, who loved beauty, couldn’t help but notice it that day.
She had envied Shen Jinghui for wearing it as soon as she entered the mansion.
Madam Ma relaxed and smiled. "Your eldest brother is completely absorbed in his studies and doesn’t have a single person in his chambers. How could he possibly distinguish the colors of women’s dresses?"
Shen Xiangmei said, "But isn’t Eldest Brother skilled in painting? How could he confuse colors? That very evening, Eldest Brother announced he wouldn’t proceed with the marriage arrangement with Miss Meng. Don’t you find that strange? Could it be that he saw Jinghui when paying respects to Old Ancestor and realized he had mistaken her for someone else?"
"You’re getting more and more confused," Madam Ma said. "When Jinghui went to Old Ancestor’s quarters, we were all there. Your eldest brother never saw her."
Shen Xiangmei thought it over and realized that was indeed the case.
"But if Shen Jinghui continues to live in our mansion, won’t outsiders gossip?" Shen Xiangmei said. "In our family, Second Brother and Fourth Brother are both of marriageable age. Jinghui is so beautiful—doesn’t Old Ancestor worry something might go wrong?"
Madam Ma laughed and said it was impossible, but inwardly, she felt uneasy—it might not be so impossible after all.
She knew Shen Jinghui’s background, and so did Shen Weizhen, but the young masters from the second and third branches might not be aware of it.
"In this family, whether it’s marriage or anything else, your eldest brother still has the final say," Madam Ma said, half-believing and half-doubting. "Shen Jinghui will definitely be married off."
"She’s just a distant cousin of ours. To put it bluntly, she isn’t even closely related to us by blood. What if something happens?" Shen Xiangmei said. "Last time, when Second Brother returned home from the academy, he specifically asked me if Jinghui had anything she wanted, so he could bring it back for her when he returned."
This statement actually wronged Second Brother, Shen Jichang. His exact words that day were, "Do Sixth Sister and Jinghui have anything they want?" But Shen Xiangmei, being suspicious by nature, automatically overlooked "Sixth Sister."
In her eyes, she, Shen Zongshu, and Shen Linying were the legitimate sisters, the true young ladies of Shenfu. How could Shen Jinghui be on equal footing with them?
Madam Ma could no longer sit still.
She was easily swayed and doted on her daughter. Usually, whatever Shen Xiangmei said, she would follow without question. Moreover, her son was not diligent in his studies to begin with, and now there was an additional "sister" in the household, as beautiful as a flower. At his age, full of youthful vigor, what if… what if…
These words now made Madam Ma’s heart sink, though she still said, "Don’t talk nonsense. If word gets out, what will happen to your reputation?"
Even so, during her afternoon nap that day, Madam Ma couldn’t close her eyes at all.
As soon as Old Ancestor finished her nap, Madam Ma hurried over to pay her respects. She didn’t dare mention Shen Jinghui directly but tactfully inquired about her son Shen Jichang’s future marriage plans.
Old Ancestor was surprised. "Didn’t we agree earlier to discuss marriage after his imperial examination?"
Madam Ma hesitated, unable to speak her mind. In the end, she rambled about unrelated matters before quietly returning.
She was left stewing in frustration, thinking that if only the Old Ancestor and Madam Li hadn’t brought that Shen Jinghui into the household, she wouldn’t be so angry.
In the evening, when Shen Weizhen paid his respects, he heard the Old Ancestor mention the matter.
He said, “I recently spoke with Jichang and the others. A man should prioritize establishing his career; only after his career is settled should he consider marriage. There’s no need to rush into marriage arrangements, and they all agreed.”
“Your second aunt is impatient and easily swayed. Who knows what someone might have said to her, making her overthink things,” the Old Ancestor sighed. “I don’t blame her. After all, she comes from a humble background and lacks broader perspective. It’s not a big deal if she occasionally gets the wrong idea.”
Madam Ma’s origins were not high, and her father currently held only a sixth-rank position. It was the second master who had knelt and begged the Old Ancestor to arrange the marriage for him. Over the years, she had caused quite a few embarrassments, though none were major. Still, the Old Ancestor had made up her mind that the marriages of her grandchildren must be carefully chosen—not necessarily for wealth or power, but also not with families too far apart in status.
It wasn’t about looking down on the poor or favoring the rich, but rather ensuring compatibility in perspective and temperament.
Marriage isn’t just about two individuals; two families must also find harmony.
At this point, the Old Ancestor asked, “But what about you? If you don’t marry, it’s difficult for your younger siblings to discuss their own marriages. Zong Shu’s marriage was arranged from childhood, so it’s fine for her to marry before you. Tell your grandmother, what kind of woman do you truly want? Why did you reject Miss Meng last time?”
Shen Weizhen noticed a celadon vase on the table today, holding two half-bloomed lotus flowers.
No wonder he had smelled the fragrance of lotus since entering the room.
He felt slightly calmer and said, “A woman’s appearance isn’t important. What matters is her talent, learning, dignity, and understanding of propriety.”
This was nothing new. Long ago, when Madam Li and the Old Ancestor had asked Shen Weizhen, he had given the same answer.
Shen Weizhen had earned the title of Jieyuan at the age of nineteen, renowned for his literary talent. Within the family, since Shen Shiru’s passing, the second and third branches had shown weakness, and he had often stepped in to handle matters. He valued the family deeply and naturally wanted a wife who was well-read, virtuous, and dignified.
The Old Ancestor pressed further, “Was Miss Meng not good enough?”
In terms of talent and propriety, few in Jingcheng could surpass Miss Meng.
“I am currently focused on the Spring Imperial Examination and have no time to discuss marriage,” Shen Weizhen said. “Let’s talk about this after the exams. If you have anyone in mind, please wait until after the Spring Imperial Examination to bring it up.”
The Old Ancestor had no way to persuade him.
“Counting them, Xiangmei, Linying, and Jinghui are all of marriageable age.”
How could the Old Ancestor not understand what Madam Ma meant that afternoon? She thought it was nothing but baseless worry and nonsense. Her grandsons were all fine young men, not the type to be swayed by mere beauty. Jinghui was also a good child—her manners might be lacking, but she had a kind heart and was well-behaved. There was no way such a scandal would arise in the family.
She instructed, “I’m not worried about Xiangmei or Linying, but for Jinghui’s marriage, you must consider it carefully. If there’s a promising young man from a humble background, it doesn’t matter if his family is poor. We can simply give her a generous dowry.”
The Old Ancestor thought ahead. Shen Jinghui was sixteen this year. She had spent her first sixteen years growing up in the mountains and by the rivers. In his letters, Shen Shiru had often praised her for her wit and cleverness—how she could sharpen tree branches to catch fish and draw a longbow to shoot larks, rarely missing her mark.
But Jingcheng did not have such broad rivers for her to roam freely. The Houfu's deep mansion had many rules. Rather than marrying into a high-ranking family and suffering hardships, it would be better to choose someone of lower status but promising. That way, the other party would not look down on her background.
Shen Weizhen paused for a moment and nodded. "Alright."
As soon as he entered the courtyard, Helu quietly told Shen Weizhen, "Miss Jinghui was slapped on the hands today."
Having served in Old Ancestor and Shen Weizhen’s courtyard for so long, Helu could sense that Shen Weizhen treated this cousin differently.
No matter what was said outside, in reality, the young master did not dislike the cousin.
It was strange. Before the cousin entered the mansion, the young master had been tight-lipped about her and her mother, forbidding any mention of them. Now that the cousin had arrived, the young master treated her quite well. Leaving aside other matters, just sending the Eye-Brightening Pill was unusual. The young master had more than one sister—when had he ever been so attentive?
Gifting gold, silver, and jewels was nothing special. The young master was not short of money and would casually give such things as rewards. Gifts were prepared by the servants, and for him, it was just a matter of a word. But to put such thought into sending appropriate medicines and food, and even allowing the cousin to use the small kitchen in his courtyard—that was truly rare.
Therefore, Helu naturally respected Jinghui. She was on good terms with Qiu Shuang, so if there was any movement in Cangchunwu, they would know about it clearly here.
Including today’s incident of the cousin being slapped on the hands.
This afternoon, the female tutor hired for Shen Jinghui entered the mansion. Shen Weizhen knew about this.
It was publicly said that Old Ancestor had chosen her, but in reality, the selection was finalized by Shen Weizhen.
Shen Weizhen turned slightly. "Who hit her?"
"It was the tutor," Helu said. "The tutor tested the young lady’s studies, selecting a passage from The Analects. The young lady couldn’t recite it and was slapped on the hands."
Shen Weizhen frowned. "Nonsense. She’s never studied before, so how could she be expected to recite it?"
"The tutor said she had made it clear in advance that she would test today, so the young lady should have prepared her lessons beforehand," Helu whispered. "Today, the young lady failed to recite it. On a minor level, it showed she didn’t take the tutor’s words to heart; on a major level, it was a lack of respect for the teacher and the teachings—so she was slapped three times to make her remember the lesson."
Three slaps on the hands weren’t too many.
In studying and writing, few had avoided being hit with a ruler.
He just didn’t know if she would cry again.
Before his eyes floated those eyes, as damp as glazed tiles after rain.
Shen Weizhen had always been annoyed by the mistaken recognition at the lotus pond that day. Fortunately, no outsiders knew, or how would such a shocking scandal be resolved? Out of a hidden sense of guilt, he had sent Jinghui more things as compensation.
After a month of adjustment, he had finally managed to regard Jinghui as a younger sister. But these past few days, she had been frequently coming over, which gave him a headache.
Perhaps it would be better to follow Old Ancestor’s advice and choose a family for Jinghui early, marrying her off quickly to cut through the tangled mess. If he didn’t see her, he wouldn’t be disturbed.
Helu spoke up for A Chun. "Actually, the young lady is very diligent. After being slapped today, she’s been studying ever since dinner."
Shen Weizhen hummed in acknowledgment, thinking that Muhetang would surely send medicine—though Old Ancestor hadn’t mentioned it earlier, only bringing up the marriage.
He called Helu back. "This matter—did Qiu Shuang tell you?"
Helu said yes.
Shen Weizhen said, "Young girls care about their dignity. Being slapped on the hands isn’t honorable, and she might not want others to know. Go to the storeroom and find some ointment for bruises and injuries. Secretly deliver it to the cousin—don’t let her know. Just quietly give it to Qiu Shuang."
He did not want Shen Jinghui to come and thank him profusely again.
It was too easy to get confused.
Helu reminded him, "Master, last time it rained, we already sent medicine to the young mistress. Should we send more this time?"
Shen Weizhen remembered.
Indeed, things were getting messy—the situation was chaotic, and his memories were muddled.
"Then send more candles," Shen Weizhen said. "Only white wax ones, like those sent from Suzhou before. They have little scent and produce light smoke. The young mistress's eyes are not good—"
He abruptly stopped, feeling he shouldn't have said so much. Why bother explaining?
Helu noticed the master's expression darken instantly.
She couldn't figure out what was happening and dared not speak, only listening quietly.
"Send the candles first," Shen Weizhen said directly. "In the future, if such matters arise, handle them as you see fit. My mind is on the Spring Imperial Examination, and I'm afraid I won't be able to attend to the young mistress. If she lacks anything or likes something, take it and send it to Cangchunwu. If it's not available in the courtyard, have someone buy it and send it to her. From now on, anything related to the young mistress will be charged to my account. There's no need to seek my approval—and no need to inform me either."
Helu stood rooted to the spot, stunned.
—If the young mistress wanted the stars in the sky, would you, Master, spend money to have someone pluck them for her?
She couldn't fathom Shen Weizhen's intentions.
Was he trying to be good to the young mistress, yet unwilling to get too close to her?
As a maid, it was essential to discern her master's intentions, but overthinking could be troublesome.
Helu said yes and respectfully withdrew.
Shen Weizhen went to the study, but even after writing several scrolls, he was dissatisfied, crumpling them into balls and tossing them aside.
Straightening up, Shen Weizhen raised his head and happened to see a scroll hanging on the wall.
"Orderly flows the stream, deep and serene the southern hills; like bamboo in clusters, like pines in lushness."
This was written by Shen Shiru himself when Renshoutang was first completed, taken from the Book of Songs.
The original piece praised the completion of the newly built palace of the Zhou king, praying for the prosperity of descendants, family harmony, and generational flourishing.
Shen Shiru had written it personally to encourage him to value family, foster brotherly affection, and ensure the family's prosperity.
Placing the used brush into the brush washer, Shen Weizhen watched as the clear water slowly stained and spread with dark ink, like silk or willow catkins, tangled together like lingering, unappeased spirits.
Autumn She was approaching, the height of summer had passed, and the lotus flowers would soon wither. There would no longer be that annoying, persistent fragrance.
He thought gloomily, once she was married off, there would be no more confusion.