Chapter 15 After the Shan mother and daughter had left, Mrs. Yu kept Yu Yan behind to share a meal and asked how Yaoniang had fared that day."Mother, Mr. Shen teaches very well—we started from textual exegesis. I also learned to grind ink today. Look at my hands, there's still black on them." Yaoniang raised her hands.Mrs. Yu had someone bring water over and washed her hands personally, then pinched Yaoniang's little nose: "Good thing you didn't wipe it on your face, or you'd have a smudged little face."Yu Yan, watching from the side, was deeply envious. She had lost her father young, and her mother had remarried soon after—no parents doted on her like this.Luo Jingrou, however, ate this meal with her mind elsewhere. She would turn thirteen after the new year, and for First Mrs. Shan to bring her son to visit and treat her with such warmth clearly carried another intention.Luo Jingrou excelled at keeping up appearances—even when her thoughts drifted, she could maintain a normal facade. Yu Yan, by contrast, was quite distracted. She had a grandmother who often reminded her that at her age she should socialize more, for that was how one secured a good marriage.She had heard of the Shan family—a chancellor's household, immensely wealthy, and this Young Master Shan was not only handsome but reportedly learned as well. It was a pity that someone like him was likely beyond the reach of someone of her standing.While the older girls mulled over such matters, Yaoniang devoted herself entirely to her studies, especially textual exegesis and proper pronunciation. She had only just begun and could not afford to be half-hearted this time.Of course, Yinrong also whispered to Yaoniang about the Shan family's visit: "In this servant's view, the Shan family wants to form a marriage alliance with our house—perhaps they wish to propose a match for Sanniangzi. That way, Young Master Shan could gain our master's support."Yaoniang shook her head: "That's impossible. Father can help the Shan family—supporting one's maternal relatives is perfectly reasonable—but a daughter's marriage would never be used as a bargaining chip to aid one's maternal family."This was not because she knew of her past life, but because of her judgment of her father. Though her second uncle in the second branch now held the post of Vice Minister of the Court of Sacrificial Worship, his actual authority was far less than her father's.Moreover, the second branch had sided with Prince Heng, whose mother was one of the Four Consorts and quite favored in the palace—yet Prince Heng's fate had not been good. Even so, Luo Zhizheng had only ever spoken up for the eldest prince, the one legitimately entitled to be named Crown Prince, and never cultivated ties with princes or their factions otherwise.Thus, Luo Zhizheng had no need to use his daughters to glorify the family or force connections with lofty households. He was his own faction and had no need to forge alliances through marriage.Look at the wife he had chosen for his eldest son, Mrs. Fan—good temperament and an upright family background were all that mattered.Seeing that Yaoniang would not listen, Yinrong said no more. She had once been able to make most decisions for Yaoniang, but lately Yaoniang had become very opinionated—a strong master and weak servant. Conversely, a meek master usually needed a formidable maid to keep petty schemers at bay.Half a month of continuous textual exegesis was difficult for them. Shen Hongming said: "You've just begun, so it feels hard, but later it becomes very simple."As he spoke, he looked at his three students. Miss Shifang, the eldest of the Luo girls, actually preferred to whisper and play during class—her studies were terribly poor, and her mind was not on her work at all. The other two, however, were exceptionally diligent. Especially this Fifth Miss—she had natural talent and worked hard, memorizing nearly everything they had learned in just half a month. She was truly a promising student.Even this teacher started directly with the Er Ya, the Mu Tianzi Zhuan, the Classic of Mountains and Seas, and the Chu Ci—this was not the normal way of beginning with elementary primers. In Mr. Shen's eyes, the primers were to be studied later instead.This increased the difficulty, and Yaoniang felt that her efforts were insufficient, as did Shiyu. After class, Yaoniang would take the opportunity to ask her father, Luo Zhizheng, questions about her studies. Although Luo Zhizheng was not the kind of affable person, he still explained things to a clever and diligent little girl like Yaoniang, who was tireless in her pursuit of learning.However, such opportunities were not frequent, but Yaoniang would study on her own. She had Jinghao act as a little tutor, teaching her the Three Character Classic, the Hundred Family Surnames, and the Thousand Character Classic, which perfectly filled the gap in her elementary education. Shiyu followed suit, having her brother Jingyuan teach her. The atmosphere of study pervaded the household, and Luo Zhizheng was very pleased, attributing the credit to Mrs. Yu.Sometimes Jinghao came back early, and Yaoniang would take him to play shuttlecock. A child so young needed companionship most of all.And Yaoniang happened to be exactly that kind of person, so she was very popular. Shiyu and Shifang would occasionally come over to play as well. As long as their homework was done, they would sometimes play together until dark, being called again and again by their families before going home—but they were all very happy.Of course, Yaoniang's specialty was rope jumping; she was born with exceptional leaping ability.Two maids swung the rope, and Yaoniang laughed as she pretended to charge in: "I'm going to jump in now…"She jumped alone for a while before Shiyu charged in, and the two jumped face-to-face. But Shiyu soon got tired and stepped out, and only then did Yaoniang stop."Fifth Sister, you really are the Rope-Jumping Queen," Shiyu couldn't help saying.And so the title "Rope-Jumping Queen" became known throughout the household.However, Yaoniang and Shiyu would always finish their homework first, and only then call Jinghao to play in the open space beside Wenhua Hall. Shifang, on the other hand, would go back to eat and have snacks, play with her birds and cats, and then come running over to play wildly.The result was that Shifang was struck ten times on the palm by the teacher.On the way home from class, Yaoniang said, "Fourth Sister, didn't you say you had finished all your homework before coming to play with us? If so, you should finish your homework first before coming in the future."Shifang was in a bad mood. She was a year older than Yaoniang and had just turned eight this month. She usually smiled as sweet as honey, and anyone who saw her round face couldn't bear to be harsh with her. But her two younger cousins were exceptionally outstanding—especially Yaoniang, who was often praised by Mr. Shen, and Shiyu was also quite good. Only she failed her homework every day, and even when she passed once, the teacher felt she hadn't done well enough. Her former advantages seemed to have vanished.She walked off alone toward the second branch's residence, but Shiyu pulled Yaoniang back and said, "Fifth Sister, why waste your breath on her? She's just lazy. My mother says lazy people amount to nothing."Yaoniang agreed wholeheartedly: "That's true."Life is either bitter first and sweet later, or sweet first and bitter later; a sugarcane can't be sweet at both ends. Even if there were people who were sweet as honey their whole lives, Yaoniang felt that such a person was certainly not her. Even if a pie fell from the sky, she wouldn't catch it. Ordinary people just had to work hard and not slack off.Today she went home first to finish her homework, and while the sky was still light, she took Jinghao out to play shuttlecock for a while. Shiyu was also about to go out to join them, but was stopped by Concubine Qin."You've been going out every day lately. If you have extra time, you might as well rest at home a bit. Otherwise, it's cold outside, and if you work up a sweat, the sudden change in temperature will most likely give you a chill." Concubine Qin wished her daughter would spend more time at home studying, but clearly Shiyu wasn't listening to her.In this rebirth, the unexpected joy was Shiyu. Yaoniang didn't know what the future held for her, but right now Shiyu was just an adorable little girl.After kicking the shuttlecock, Yaoniang suggested playing eagle catching chicks. As the big eagle, she caught Shiyu and Jinghao all at once, and the three of them burst into laughter together.Mrs. Yu couldn't help but pull the reluctant Luo Zhizheng to the window to watch: "Husband, look, the children are playing so well. Even with this hot-cold alternation, this time of year used to be the hardest for Hao'er. Look at him now—he's as sturdy as a little calf."Luo Zhizheng couldn't help but tease: "Your daughter is the long-legged little calf; your son is a skinny beanpole. As for Shiyu, she's just a bamboo pole. Two beanpoles can't outmatch your precious daughter."Mrs. Yu rolled her eyes at him inwardly and simply said nothing. Luo Zhizheng looked at her, puzzled: "Why aren't you talking anymore?"After playing until she was tired, Yaoniang went back to bathe, then climbed into bed and fell asleep immediately, sleeping soundly through the night. The next day, she trod through the snow to Huining Study to read. Just as she arrived at the school, she didn't see Shifang. After reading for a while and still not seeing her come, she wondered: "This Fourth Sister, could she not be coming today?""Never mind her. Fifth Sister, have you memorized that part?" Shiyu pointed to her own page.Yaoniang nodded: "Almost, but I still need to familiarize myself with it. You hurry up and memorize yours."It wasn't until she returned at noon for a meal that she learned Shifang was sick with a headache. Yaoniang didn't believe it: "I think Fourth Sister is usually lively and full of energy. She's probably scared from getting her palms slapped yesterday and doesn't want to recite and write, so she's making up an excuse.""Oh, haven't you noticed that someone else has been coming to see me less lately?" Mrs. Yu smiled, as if testing Yaoniang.Yaoniang looked around and then said: "It's Third Sister."That was right—she used to come to learn household management. Just when Yaoniang and Shiyu both went to study, she would be here alone and could learn more. But now, morning and evening, she was nowhere to be seen.The hatred from before her rebirth and after it had lingered around her like a dark cloud. But ever since Yaoniang became self-disciplined and able to refuse others, she suddenly realized that Luo Jingrou could no longer affect her.This was probably like: "Let him be strong, let him be strong; the breeze brushes the mountain ridge. Let him be fierce, let him be fierce; the bright moon shines on the great river."No matter how domineering the other party was, or what schemes they plotted, as long as she maintained enough calm and confidence, wasn't disturbed by them, and responded with sufficient strength, she could naturally turn danger into safety and remain composed.Seeing her daughter's keen observation, Mrs. Yu nodded with satisfaction: "Yes, she said she wasn't feeling well. You know I never pick on her for that. But what a coincidence—the Shan family left, and right after, she fell ill."Yaoniang understood Mrs. Yu's implication. This Luo Jingrou was probably afraid that her father would betroth her to Shan Yujing, so she started feigning illness."Is the Shan family really thinking of marrying Third Sister?" Yaoniang asked curiously.But Mrs. Yu shook her head: "It's not that—it's you."Yaoniang was a bit surprised: "Me?" She was still so young—how could the Shan family want to betroth her?Ever since Yaoniang began her studies, Mrs. Yu had treated her as an adult and no longer kept many matters from her."And if it were you? What would you do?" Mrs. Yu asked, partly to test her.Yaoniang smiled and said, "Then I would look at his character and learning. If he were truly good, it wouldn't be out of the question. But if he had character flaws and was mediocre, then it wouldn't do."Mrs. Yu nodded. "Well said. However, the Shan family isn't quite suitable for you. First Mrs. Shan is rather snobbish. Now that our family's influence is on the rise, and her son is about to enter officialdom, while your brothers are still young—if he became our son-in-law, he could naturally borrow our family's influence. But if one day your father steps down, it's hard to say."The ups and downs of official life—no one could predict them."Yes, by all rights, given their ages, they should have sought Third Sister instead. Yet they came to us instead—it seems they think we're easier to handle," Yaoniang said.Mrs. Yu naturally understood this. She stroked her daughter's head and said, "Don't worry, your mother isn't dead yet. How could I let them pick and choose here? They constantly use Jingrou's status as the legitimate daughter of the first wife to needle me, pretending to like Jingrou to my face, and then turn around to talk about you. What do they take me for?"Women may be weak by nature, but mothers are strong.Mrs. Yu was not one for fighting and killing, and thus was often considerate and gentle, preferring to treat others with warmth. Her natal family had indeed declined, but that didn't mean her daughter could be picked over by others.Moreover, their choice of her daughter wasn't out of genuine desire to marry into the family—it was merely settling for second best.And besides, the Shan family was in no position to be so selective with the Luo family. They truly didn't know their place.

The Second Wife’s Daughter