She gently caught née Sun’s well maintained hands with her callused, scarred ones. “Look at the calluses and scars on my hand. They’re proof enough that I’m not someone who’s enjoyed a good life. With father’s character, he accepted Huining even though he knew that she wasn’t his. If I really was his bastard, would he have let me live such a hard life?
“Besides, father is the prime minister, the treasured subject of the emperor. He is above all and below only one. If he really did have a woman he liked, why would he need to keep her as a mistress? He can just bring her home. Who could stop him? He has no need to lie. I can wait for you to accept me if you can’t right now. I’m also willing to live amiably with Huining. So please don’t be impulsive and harm your relationship with father because of some angry words.”
Qin Yining was a beautiful child, and her arms were rail thin to begin with. Her piteous remarks and looks were enough to send most of the womenfolk reaching for their eyes to dab tears away.
Née Sun remained where she was, looking down at a heart-rending face covered with tears from her lofty position. As she felt the calluses on the girl’s rough hands, she believed Qin Yining a little bit. Besides, the girl’s words didn’t induce any distaste, particularly that last line.
The senior madame looked at Qin Huaiyuan out of the corner of her eye. Her husband had an extremely dark expression on his face. If Qin Huaiyuan gives me a way out that saves face, I will let this pass.
However, Qin Huaiyuan was moved to pity after hearing his daughter’s words. When he recalled how ravaged Liang had been and Qin Yining’s experiences over the past six years, pain and anger suffused his heart. He’d been frazzled enough lately!
The two countries had been locked in war for many years, and Great Yan was showing signs of defeat. The supreme commander of Great Zhou’s armies was now Pang Xiao, the child of Northern Ji’s Protector of the Nation, Pang Zhongzheng. The child had been born shortly after Qin Huaiyuan had consigned his father to death with a scheme.
Pang Xiao, secondary name Xi, was twenty two years old this year. Great Zhou’s emperor had awarded his father the title of “Faithful Prince of the First Rank” after Pang Zhongzheng had been acquitted of his crimes. Pang Xiao had inherited the position, and was known as “the little prince” in the jianghu. He was the only common born prince since Great Zhou had been founded two years ago, and was quite loved by the people.
He'd risen up in arms with the Great Zhou emperor Li Qitian to opposed Northern Ji’s tyranny when he was only fourteen. His authority was now well established in the army. He didn’t even need the proper command tokens to command and deploy troops. His very presence was legitimacy enough.
Although young, he’d already spent eight years on the battlefield. His tactics were strange and treacherous, and Pang Xiao was well known for being ruthless and cold-hearted in battle.
Back in the day, the Northern Ji emperor had sentenced Pang Zhongzheng to death via slicing. The man was slowly sliced into pieces while alive and fed to the dogs. It also turned out to be the instrument which Pang Xiao used to exact revenge.
Of the officials who framed and set up his father, he personally skinned and dismembered three. Who knew how many there were that he hadn’t personally handled? It was said that servants hadn’t been able to get rid of the stench of blood even after scrubbing the ground outside the Meridian Gate [2] for three straight days.
And he, Qin Huaiyuan, was the “culprit” of the scheme that had cost Pang Zhongzheng his life!
After Great Zhou was founded, it had set out a path of domination towards Great Yan.
The two had fought for many years and weakness had long since set into Great Yan. How was it supposed to contend with a Great Zhou that was now in its prime? If the walls of the capital were breached one day, how would Pang Xiao forgo revenge for his father?
Qin Huaiyuan found it hard to sleep whenever he thought of that murderous demon being out there. War had emptied the nation’s coffers long ago, but the war hawks and two other main factions at court spent their days arguing. No one actually did anything.
He was already being slowly crushed by his workload, but these ignorant women at home were also raising a ruckus in his household. How dare they cause trouble over such a minor matter?!
Qin Huaiyuan couldn’t be bothered to go into all the details, and cared even less to cater to née Sun’s tantrum. His frustration boiled over, and he snapped harshly, “This matter is so decided”.
Without another word, he left with a flourish of his sleeves, leaving née Sun frozen in place. Everyone could tell that Qin Huaiyuan was truly angry this time. In the end, he was the master of the house. If truly angered, there existed no one who could go against his wishes.
Née Sun was also a bit frightened at her husband’s response. She’d started the fight, but softening her stance first would be a loss of face. She was caught between a rock and a hard place, and could only sniffle with great injury.
The old dowager was also displeased that née Sun had openly called her son’s character into question. Her eyes fell on Qin Yining; this chit was the cause of everything that had gone wrong. She disliked this new granddaughter even more now.
“Clean up Snowpear Courtyard for the fourth miss. Darling Hui will move in with me.” She commanded, her tone low. The old dowager was forced to acknowledge Qin Yining’s identity, but that didn’t mean she was left without a response. She arranged for Qin Yining to live in the remote Snowpear Courtyard, while moving Qin Huining into the Garden of Loving Piety. Although Qin Huining had lost her status as the official firstborn, Old Dowager’s actions in suppressing one granddaughter while raising the other were obvious.
Seeing that the old dowager had already made up her mind, everyone else could only assent. Née Sun was still brimming with tears. She felt like she’d been dealt a great injustice. She didn’t want to stay any longer either. She spoke a few hushed words with Qin Huining and took her leave without looking back. Qin Yining received not even a sliver of care.
It was rather née Sun’s trusted old servant, Jin-mama, who curtseyed to the old dowager and then the same to Qin Yining. “This servant wishes Fourth Miss good health.”
Qin Yining didn’t recognize this person, and it was the first time someone called themselves a servant in front of her. She didn’t quite know how to respond to something like that.
However, a girl of about twelve years old, her hair in twin buns, wearing light powder and a flowery cotton-padded jacket, sidled up to her and whispered softly in her ear, “This is senior madame’s wet nurse, Jin-mama. She’s the senior madame’s most competent mama.”
Qin Yining smiled gratefully at the girl and then nodded at Jin-mama. “Hello Jin-mama.”
“The madame has put in a lot of thought for you. She picked out your maids from her own staff early this morning. This servant will bring them to you later.” Jin-mama smiled at her.
“Many thanks to Jin-mama.” Qin Yining nodded, and the old servant took her leave with another smile.
The old dowager had already given orders to Qin-mama to bring Qin Huining’s things to Garden of Loving Piety. When she saw the crowd still loitering around, she bade them all disperse.
Qin Yining imitated what the girls around her were doing and curtseyed. She turned with the crowd and had just reached the door when she heard the old dowager call her back, “Qin Yining.”
The girls all hesitated for a moment, but had to leave with their curiosity afire since the old dowager hadn’t summoned them.
The new Qin fourth miss turned back to curtsy again. “Grandmother.”
The old dowager immediately rolled her eyes impatiently. “Didn’t your mother tell you just now that a great family such as ours doesn’t use such terms? You should be using our titles.”
Qin Yining shifted her gaze to the floor and tried again, “Old Dowager.”
“Mm.” The old dowager drew out a note. “Although you can stay in the manor, I’m still
slightly worried. You need to move and speak with care. We’ll hire teachers for you later. You must learn well and refrain from bringing in any of those city airs. The girls are all purehearted and the finest of nobility, so don’t you corrupt them.”
In her sleeves, Qin Yining’s hands had balled themselves into fists again. She didn’t look up, but her jaw had locked into place. After a long moment of silence, a docile voice slipped out from between clenched teeth, “Old Dowager speaks truly, I will be careful.”
“Don’t think you can lord it over granddaughter Hui either just because you’ve come back. She was the official firstborn daughter for fourteen years. Her manners and etiquette are exquisite, and her skill at the zither, chess, calligraphy, and drawing are all quite advanced. Her talent isn’t something that a wild thing like you can measure up to. Make sure to learn from her in the future.”
* * *
1. Red painted nails was also a sign of nobility in ancient China.
2. The southern gate of the Forbidden City/imperial palace in ancient China
Chapter 5: The Prince
Chapter 5: The Prince
Qin Yining didn’t want to get into an argument with the old dowager, so she simply kept her head down and responded simply, “Yes.”
The old dowager was much appeased by her obedience and continued.
“Even though the situation is thus, you must learn as quickly as possible. Granddaughter Jia is coming of age in two days, and you and granddaughter Hui will follow next year. I’ll keep an eye out for suitable husbands, but if you’re a disappointment that can’t be helped, I won’t help you. Especially if others disdain you and we can’t find a good marriage for you.”
Qin Yining pursed her lips. A harmless smile had appeared on her face when she lifted her head again. “Old Dowager speaks truly. I will learn well to not let you down.”
Qin Yining’s face was an exquisite little thing to begin with, and although she possessed mesmerizing looks, her eyes were as clear as a pool of water. Her dimples when she smiled were even more adorable. The old dowager was almost disarmed by her pleasing smile and docile attitude. However, long practice had taught her to keep a stern look on her face as she waved her hand. “You may go.”
“Understood, this granddaughter takes her leave.” Qin Yining dipped in a curtsey and backed away.
“Go find Qin-mama if you have any needs.” The old dowager added on stiffly.
“Understood, thank you Old Dowager.” Qin Yining immediately displayed an appropriately startled and gratified smile.
The old dowager watched Qin Yining exit docilely through the door. Only after her figure had disappeared did the old dowager speak to the old servant by her side. “Lujuan,[1] what do you think of this child?”
Lujuan was Qin-mama’s nickname. The old servant smiled and stepped forward to give the old dowager a brass hand warmer, etched with flowers, that was just the right temperature. She smiled.
“The old dowager has a wise, keen eye and is thinking of shaping this raw jade, no? She’s the senior master’s own flesh and blood after all, so that alone is a guarantee of her nature. The old servant also feels that she must be a tenacious and intelligent young lady to be able to survive until now after so much hardship.”
If she wasn’t tenacious, she wouldn’t have been able to live alone for six years at such a tender age. If she wasn’t intelligent, she wouldn’t have been able to survive the perils of the city streets and mountain wilderness to stand before them today.
The old dowager sighed. “I feel complicated about her as well. Maybe it’s because of our blood ties… Has my darling Hui been settled in? You must look after her well and not stint her on anything!”
Qin-mama could say nothing further after she saw that her mistress wasn’t really listening to her. So for now, she could only respond with a smile.
……
Qin Yining felt a vengeful look lock onto her as soon as she left the main residence and was making her way to the garden. She instantly whipped her head around, but only saw a half latched window. There didn’t seem to be anyone there. She wasn’t afraid of pests anyways, there were plenty of people in this manor who disliked her. She tossed it into the back of her head as she swiftly made her way out of the Garden of Loving Piety.
Inside, Qin Huining finally threw down a much abused handkerchief after Qin Yining left. Her head maid Bitong immediately proffered a cup of warm honey water. “Don’t be angry, miss. She’s just a wild child with no foundations to speak of.”
Qin Huining chugged the contents of the cup in one go. The sweetness of the drink soothed her, and she focused on her next task. “Wet nurse.”
Née Cai immediately responded with a smile. “What are your orders, miss?”
“I remember that you can speak a few words with my mother’s Jin-mama.”
Née Cai was Jin-mama’s niece. “Naturally, what are your wishes?”
“Come here.” Qin Huining beckoned née Cai closer and murmured a few sentences in her ear.
……
Qin Yining had just walked out of the residence and hadn’t even had time to orient herself properly, before the young girl who’d reminded her earlier came to curtsey before her. She smiled.
“Hello fourth sister. I’m Baoning, eighth in our generation. My father is the third elder master. Oh right, the fellow the old dowager yelled at is my brother.”
Qin Baoning had helped her just now, and Qin Han had stood up for her just before. He’d also taken good care of her on the way back to the manor and was someone who spoke openly and forthrightly. This made Qin Yining feel greatly predisposed towards her already. She imitated the younger girl’s greeting in response, “Hello younger sister Baoning.”
Qin Boaning smiled. “You’ve just come back, fourth sister, so there’s much you don’t know in the manor. You can come find me if you have any questions. I live in the lodge called Green Retreat with our third sister.” Speaking of, she pulled at Qin Jianing who was off on the side. “This is our third sister.”
Qin Jianing pulled out her hand of the girl’s grasp and muttered, “You rascal! Aren’t you worried about annoying our fourth sister with all your chattering?” Qin Baoning stuck out her tongue, but didn’t continue speaking. Instead, Qin Jianing continued with a smile. “This girl made me stay here to wait for you. I told her it’d be better to go visit you when you’re settled in, but she wouldn’t listen to me. Don’t we have to part for now after just a few words? Jin-mama is still waiting for you. Let’s get together when you’ve found your footing!”
“Third sister is right. I’ll be imposing you a lot when I’m settled in.” Qin Yining spoke a bit slowly because she had to think of what words to use first. The slower cadence of her words rang pleasantly in their ears.
“Don’t be so polite, fourth sister! It might be me bothering you first if I can’t wait!” Qin Baoning pulled on her hand with a giggle. Qin Yining couldn’t help but smile in return.
Jin-mama came over when she saw Qin Jianing and Qin Baoning take their leave. “Miss, shall we go?”
“My apologies for keeping you waiting.” Qin Yining hastily said with a smile.
“Serving you is this servant’s duty. The miss shouldn’t stand on ceremony.” Jin-mama took Qin Yining in the direction of Snowpear Courtyard.
The Prime Minister Manor was a traditional rectangular compound, with houses on four sides around courtyards. [2. http://oldchinabooks.com/YangShen_eBook_Blog/2013/01/10/chinese-courtyard-houses-/] The old dowager’s Garden of Loving Piety was situated in the southwest and occupied one of the largest gardens in the inner compound. If one took a left out of the old dowager’s residence and followed the square limestone path, one would come up to a flower-hung gate on the right hand side. [3]
Jin-mama pointed at the gate. “The misses are not allowed past this gate. If you have any errands to run, give your orders to your maids. It’s locked at the hour of the dog[4]. Please make note of the times if you would li
ke to buy something or look for someone.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Jin-mama.”
Jin-mama smiled, taking Qin Yining further down the long limestone path. She pointed out Erudite Terrace, belonging to the third branch of the family, and Garden of Peace, belonging to the second branch. They passed by the rear garden that held an enormous pond in its center. A white pebble-stone bridge soared over the remnants of lotuses in the water, bringing to mind thoughts of summer and the beautiful sight of the willows dipping into the turquoise waters below.
A closer look at the pond would elicit the realization that this pond had an eddy reminiscent of a water current. This pond was actually formed by diverting water from outside the manor! Red fences offset the white stone in the distance, as flora interwove with each other to break up the sunlight into rays that carpeted the soft grass. The luxuriousness and exquisite nature of this garden was something that Qin Yining had never seen before.
Jin-mama tilted her head when she noted the obvious delight on Qin Yining’s face. When they passed the garden, the old servant pointed artlessly, “That’s Green Retreat, and Garden of Tranquility is around the corner. The senior master and senior madame lives there.”
However, she then took Qin Yining in the opposite direction, moving further away from the center of the compound. They followed an alleyway to its end, where it buttressed the rear walls of the complex. This was when Jin-mama finally pushed open a red lacquered door, “This is Snowpear Courtyard.”
Beyond the door was first a small yard, a path of small stones meandering through it to reach a covered hallway. The yard contained several patches of bamboo, a few pear trees, and an immense pagoda tree. The principal residence had three houses, with the east and west wing residences formed of two houses each. Three servant houses in the back, facing away from the other structures, completed the ensemble. In one word, this residence was quaint. In another, desolate.
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