Chapter 5: 5

Arrival in the capital.

***

　Although they had allotted enough days on the journey for this trip up north, to ensure that they could appear on schedule for the 60th grand birthday of the Pei family’s Old Madam the following month, the itinerary they had arranged was quite compact. They would set off from the Quanzhou Port and proceed to the offshore route. After crossing Fuzhou, once they entered Jiangnan, they would switch to the inland canal directly to the capital.

　A few months ago, the Song family’s Madam had delegated two of her most trusted grannies to the Zhen family in Quanzhou, and they would return to the capital with them.

　The Song and Pei families had been in-laws, but the Zhen family would marry their daughter off to the Pei family, so why had the Song family sent their people over? Simply put, there could only be a narrative behind it.

　A daughter from the Song family had been wed to Pei Xiuzhi, the second son of the Pei family’s eldest branch. She died of illness a few years ago, leaving behind a son with the milk name Quan-ge’er.1 Madam Song only had this one biological daughter as her offspring, so after her demise, she wallowed in inconsolable grief and began cherishing Quan-ge’er like he was her life.

　One day, what befell them was a reversal of the wheel of fortune.2 The Young Emperor was no more, and after Prince Shun’an succeeded him, the Song family’s steadfast allegiance swayed the emperor to appoint them to important positions. Their status greatly soared the past two years, and they subsequently garnered threatening influence, while in stark contrast, the Wei Grand Duke Manor suffered abject stagnation.

　In the recent years, the Wei Grand Duke Manor’s Old Madam Pei had been dwelling in the seclusion of her own home and was no longer as ministerial in matters of the family. Her eldest son, Grand Duke Wei, had perished many years past, and the Second Master held an idle official post. One family was a prominent newcomer, while the other was an aristocratic family politically influential for generations on the decline. The Song family inevitably grew quite supercilious to the extent where they even began negating etiquette. Madam Song would often march in the Wei Grand Duke Manor to see Quan-ge’er, and in her every visit, she would put on airs and order their servants around. Madam Xin harbored resentment in her heart, but her son had to rely on the support of his late wife’s family, so she could only compose herself and endure without protest.

　After her son lost his wife, Madam Xin began to broach the prospect of his remarriage, but today’s Pei family was no longer as prosperous as before. No person with a discerning eye could not perceive that the new emperor disliked the Pei family, so who among the influential families in the capital would be willing to marry their daughter off to them, let alone as a second wife?

　Madam Xin chose and selected, conclusively setting her sights on the Zhen family.

　Owing to the kinship between the Zhen family and the second branch’s Meng-shi, the Zhen family had been their acquaintance since the earlier years. Apart from their deficient status and influence, other conditions they bore now seemed more pertinent, and more importantly, her son also deemed the Zhen family’s daughter greater than satisfactory. Were he to marry her, although she could not be of great assistance to his official career, the Zhen family’s affluence could nonetheless fulfill exactly what the Wei Grand Duke Manor urgently needed. With only a mere skeleton left of them, they had to uphold a dignified facade regardless of the deficit they had to tackle year after year. Despite the bride marrying high and the groom marrying low, with the current circumstances, rather than having a daughter-in-law who would always expect to be given face, they were better off having the Zhen family’s daughter join the household. After all, even if the Pei family was no longer of use to the emperor, the Wei Grand Duke Manor’s identity was still infallible. Leaving aside how wealthy the Zhen family was, they still had to concede to them.

　As Madam Xin was planning his marriage, she naturally could not conceal it from the Song family. Madam Song was discontent about her former son-in-law’s remarriage, but however far her hands could reach, she still had no right to interlope on this matter. She had looked into the Zhen family in advance and was able to determine that the Zhen family’s daughter would find it difficult to harm her grandson in the future, so she acquiesced. After paying heed to others’ advice, she also proposed to recognize Jiafu as her nominal foster daughter to bolster her identity. This was not only to draw the Zhen family in, but also to have the Pei family owe them a favor.

　Madam Song ‘condescended to humble people’ by recognizing Jiafu as her nominal foster daughter, so the Zhen family was naturally deeply grateful. This was the reason for the two grannies’ journey down south. Both were Madam Song’s confidants, and among them was Ye momo, who had been Madam Song’s wet nurse. After reaching Quanzhou two months ago, where they thereupon pranced around with their noses high akin to foxes exploiting the tiger’s might,3 they “educated” Jiafu about women’s discipline and precepts.

　Madam Meng herself was born in an official’s family, and her father had once been a high-ranking official in the locality, so how could she not comprehend their purpose? In Madam Meng’s eyes, how was her daughter’s appearance and character inferior to those well-bred and noble young ladies in the capital? She was acutely aware that Madam Song was simply seizing this opportunity to establish her prestige so that her daughter could understand that, when she would someday marry into the family, she would never entertain ideas of occupying the first wife’s position.4 Displeased though she was, she did not dare reveal it on her face. Instead, she pandered to these two grannies as though paying tribute to bodhisattvas and regularly served them delicious food and drink.

　On this trip north, other than the birthday present prepared for Old Madam Pei, they also had lavish gifts readied separately for Madam Song, of which were rhinoceros horns, ivory, jadeite, pearls, silk fabrics, spices——everything, without exception, top-notch valuables. As for the two grannies, they arranged for them to dwell in well-furnished cabins and assigned maids to serve them, not daring to slight them in the least.

　After traveling for a few days, on this day, the ship sailed to Fujian, and the wind and waves were slightly turbulent. Granny Ye had always been at odds with the sea and was not disposed to travel on water. When she first arrived, she had endured much suffering, while on this trip back, she became seasick and unwell. Jiafu caught wind of it and dropped her a visit. When she stepped in, she spied the dogskin plaster5 stuck to the other’s forehead as she lay there with pallid lips and dazed eyes. She called out ‘momo’, appearing deeply concerned, and sat up close. Taking Granny Ye’s hand, she tearfully uttered, “It is all for my sake that you have suffered, momo. I am so terribly sorry. I would rather my body bore this burden.”

　Ye momo had just thrown up all the fish and meat she had eaten and vomited out watery yellow bile. Powerless, she croaked, “As long as Young Lady understands how difficult it has been for me. It truly is for your own good that I came all the way down south. Compared to all the other hardships I have faced in my whole life, this trip has been the most difficult one.”

　Jiafu spouted phrases of self-accusation interspersed with several words of approbation. Before leaving, she rose to her feet and said, “Momo, please rest well. I will no longer disturb you. Whatever food and drink you need, just instruct the maid, and we have them all aboard. I am foolish and inexperienced. When momo’s health is better, I look forward to hearing more of your teachings and principles.”

　Scrutinizing her humble manner and her regard for herself as someone respectable in all aspects, Granny Ye felt gratified. She grunted an ‘mm’, which could be considered a response.

　Jiafu paid it no mind. She incessantly exhorted the little maid to look after momo well. After she rose, she accidentally dropped an embroidered pouch on the ground. Not having properly tightened the opening, it loosened, and what slipped out was a yellow talisman.

　Wearing an auspicious talisman requested from the temple was nothing uncommon, but Jiafu seemed somewhat flustered. Noticing that something had fallen out, she hastily stooped down to pick it up, briskly turned to her back, stuffed it back into the pouch, and clutched it tightly in her hand. Only then did she turn her head, bid farewell as if nothing happened, and traipsed out of the cabin.

　Granny Ye had very keen eyes. Although a seasick person scarcely had the strength to get up, how could Jiafu’s abnormal behavior when the yellow talisman slipped out escape her eyes?

　This time, she had spared no effort to go south. Besides flaunting her master’s prestige, she also shouldered a heavy responsibility: to furtively observe the Zhen family’s daughter for Madam Song to ascertain whether or not she had other hidden schemes. Jiafu had previously always been obsequious and timid, coupled with having a weak natal family, even if she married into the Pei family and became Quan-ge’s stepmother, such a woman would never be capable of playing any wicked tricks. Granny Ye had already been reassured, but this moment, suspicions bubbled up once more. She fixed her eyes onto the other’s back as she trod out of the cabin, dismissed the maid the Zhen family had assigned to her, and summoned Suxin, the maid she had brought along. After whispering a few words, Suxin nodded and followed Jiafu out.

　Madam Meng also came to visit Ye momo and ran into Jiafu along the path. Jiafu said, “Momo has just fallen asleep. Mother need not disturb her anymore.”

　Knowing that her daughter had just gone there, Madam Meng nodded and replied, “Alright. Mother will come back later.”

　Jiafu very slightly turned her head and, from her peripheral vision, caught a glimpse of Suxin behind her, furtively craning out her neck to peer at them. Pretending not to notice, she pulled Madam Meng’s arm and led her to a side window. By this window, the mother and daughter conversed.

　Madam Meng could sense that her daughter was acting unusually. With a smile across her face, she queried, “What’s wrong? Do you have something to say?”

　Jiafu put away her smile and said, her voice slightly raised, “Mother, Fuming Island is out front and we will arrive there tomorrow. I heard that there is a Guanyin Temple6 on the island. I want to visit and pay respects.”

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　The Guanyin Temple was famous for its Guanyin Bodhisattva. Although it would take half a day of sailing across the sea to get there, some devout men and women would still scale the island day by day, either to make a vow or to redeem a vow. Every year, during the Buddhist pilgrimage, countless women would cross the sea to light incense and worship in the Guanyin hall, mostly to pray for a child. Legend had it that it was extremely efficacious, and Madam Meng had also heard of it. Suddenly hearing her daughter suggest such a thing, she was startled, and then she understood.

　Pei Xiuzhi would doubtless be an exceptional son-in-law, but the fact that her daughter would soon join a household with a stepson waiting there often weighed on her mind. From the inquiries she had made beforehand, she gleaned that the child was somewhat ill-disciplined. The Song family’s Madam was also grueling to deal with, so chagrin had long filled heart. She secretly hankered for her daughter to smoothly give birth to her own son after entering the household to help her gain a firm foothold early on. Since the temple was along the way and her daughter had already said so, how could she not agree? “Alright. Mother will tell them that we will stop at Fuming Island tomorrow. Mother will go up with you. But……”

　She peeked behind her and dismissed the maids that had trailed after her before whispering, “It would be best not to let that Song momo know, lest there be more trouble.”

　Jiafu nodded in assent. “I will listen to Mother.”

　Madam Meng sent her daughter back to the cabin and went to look for the steward to inform him that they would stop at Fuming Island the next day. Suxin had just been skulking nearby and had very clearly grasped the conversation between the mother and daughter. She soundlessly returned and apprised Granny Ye of the contents of their discourse. Granny Ye muttered irresolutely to herself, pondered for a moment, then sneered, “What a scheming girl, not revealing even a smidgen of it in front of me, but she actually harbors ideas of bearing a son behind my back! She is indeed shameless. She has not yet married into the household, yet she has already schemed ahead! Since she has urged her mother to go to the island tomorrow, she naturally won’t let us know. Let’s wait and see for now.”

　The Zhen family’s ship really docked at Fuming Island the next day, the alleged purpose being that it was to replenish food and water ashore. Granny Ye instructed one of her own clever manservants to spy on the Zhen family’s mother and daughter, to observe their movements, and to inform her of their every word and deed when he returns. The manservant accepted the order, tailed after Madam Meng’s party, and stealthily got off the ship.

　Madam Meng sincerely worshipped Buddha. She took her daughter to the Guanyin hall, made a heartfelt vow, donated a large sum of money to the temple in exchange for a blessed talisman and, after solemnly cramming it in her daughter’s purse, repeatedly urged her to carry it with her at all times. They then left the hall to return to the ship and continue their journey.

　The manservant also returned and informed Granny Ye all of what he had seen. “I saw them enter the Guanyin hall and ask for a son-seeking talisman. Soon after, they returned.”

　The mirror in Granny Ye’s heart was now bright and clear. She rewarded the manservant with a few copper coins and sent him away. She remarked to the other granny who accompanied her, “Look, the Zhen family’s foxtail finally revealed itself. Luckily, I had the foresight, otherwise, this girl would have deceived us!”

　The granny profusely spouted flattery. Inwardly pleased with herself, Granny Ye was no longer seasick. With a particularly invigorated spirit, she pursued, “We must quickly let Madam know. This Zhen family girl seems honest and virtuous, but she’s actually a charming fox full of calculations. If Quan-ge’er falls into her hands, what good will it bring him?”

　The next day, Madam Meng took Jiafu with her to visit Granny Ye. Granny Ye exhibited nothing on the surface, but she covertly paid more attention to the Zhen family’s daughter. The more she studied her, the more she felt that her speech and actions were rife with scheming. However, she did not air it out in the open and instead acted more amiable and courteous than ever. In her heart, she was anxious to arrive in the capital at a much earlier time.

　Madam Meng was completely in the dark and had absolutely no clue about the intrigues fermenting underneath. Witnessing Granny Ye’s good attitude towards her daughter, she merely conjectured that the other was moved by her daughter’s solicitous visit. With that, relief washed over heart.

　Jiafu maintained her composure and only ingratiated herself more and more with Granny Ye. They journeyed together harmoniously like this all the way through. This day, they finally entered the capital’s waterway unimpeded, and on the succeeding day, they would disembark.

　That night, Madam Meng led her daughter to especially seek out Granny Ye. She had the servants disperse and, after exchanging a few words, handed out a purse, saying with a smile, “We have troubled mama the past few days. This is to thank you and to humbly express our kind feelings. We hope for mama to accept this little token to show you our respect. The big one inside is for mama to take. For the leftover pieces, we would like to kindly ask mama to divide among the younger ones. Everyone has worked hard.”

　Jiafu followed behind her mother. She blushed, hung her head, and gingerly said, “When we reach the capital, I hope momo can put in some good words to Foster Mother for me.”

　Granny Ye grasped the purse and pinched it. Aware that there were silver banknotes inside, she consented without much deliberation and affectionately sent out the Zhen family’s mother and daughter. After the door closed, she opened the pouch and fished out two silver banknotes. Upon seeing that one was only worth twenty taels of silver and the other ten, she was greatly disappointed. She curled up her lips in a sardonic grin and scoffed, “I thought so. How generous can they be? They want to seal my mouth with just twenty taels? The nerve they have for taking out only this much. Only a poor family has this little sensibility left in them.”

　Madam Meng would never have thought, even in her dreams, that her daughter would secretly replace the two silver banknotes she had prepared ahead in that purse. She only surmised that, with the five hundred taels the granny would receive, even if the granny would not put in a good word for her daughter, her daughter would, at the very least, not be disadvantaged when facing Madam Song. She sent Jiafu back to her cabin and left with an unburdened heart.

　On this day in late autumn of the third year of Yongxi’s reign, the Zhen family arrived in the capital.

　This was also Jiafu’s first time stepping into the capital again after three years.

　An endless stream of horses and carriages bustled about on the dock, and a throng of people busily came and went. Not only did the Zhen family steward, who was sent to the capital in advance, bring a group of servants to pick up the mistress, the young master, and the young lady, but people from the Wei Grand Duke Manor also awaited.

　Madam Meng learned that Pei Xiuzhi had personally waited at the dock early in the morning to welcome them. With delight in her heart, she strung her daughter along to prepare to disembark. Feeling that her daughter’s palm was slightly clammy, she squeezed her little hand and softly assured, “Do not panic. Mother has taken care of everything. It will go smoothly. All you need to do now is await the day of your marriage without worry.”

Footnotes:

1 Traditionally, babies were named a hundred days after their birth. Upon birth, the parents often use a “milk name” (乳名, rǔmíng; 小名, xiǎomíng)—typically employing diminutives like xiǎo (小, lit. “little”) or doubled characters—before a formal name is settled upon, often in consultation with the grandparents. (Source) In here, the diminutive is 哥儿 (ge er), literally meaning brother (哥, ge) and child (儿, er).

2 This actually says “reversal of (风水) feng shui”, but it doesn’t sound as pleasant.  Feng shui – Wikipedia

3 狐假虎威 (hú jiǎ hǔ wēi): lit. fox exploiting the tiger’s might; fig. assume someone else’s authority as one’s own

4 So apparently the position of a first wife is a big deal. The first wife was the original spouse, so when she dies and a second wife marries in, the latter isn’t as esteemed as the former. I’m not sure exactly how Jiafu could occupy the first wife’s position since she’s already dead, and Jiafu will still marry into the family as a wife and not a concubine, so she’s technically still a main wife.

5 狗皮膏药 (gǒu pí gāo yao): dogskin plaster, used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating contusions, rheumatism etc

6 观音 (Guān yīn) Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion or Goddess of Mercy (Sanskrit Avalokiteśvara). Guanyin is the Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion. This Guanyin is part of folk belief, who was originally a man but changed to woman by course of history. She saved those who needed her and called out her name, but in the course of events she somehow helped women bear sons and have safe delivery.

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