The night passed calmly. After greeting the old dowager in the morning, Qin Yining went back to Snowpear Courtyard to wash up and change clothes. She had chosen a pastel pink, plain silk padded jacket with large sleeves today. It was paired with a downy-yellow, simple pleated skirt [1]. The outfit was topped off by a crimson cape lined with white rabbit fur on the collar. This heightened Qin Yining’s bashfulness as a young girl, but didn’t downplay her looks, whereas the fabric and work of the clothes emphasized her status as a noble daughter.
As for jewelry, she selected two jade cloves and a crab-apple hairpin from the jewelry set that third madame had gifted Qin Yining to adorn her hair. The girl’s hair was jet-black. When the crap-apple hairpin was set into her partially upswept hairstyle, it heightened the inky luster of the locks and made the hairpin appear exquisite and precious.
“Mama, I think one at my age doesn’t need powder, right?” Qin Yining looked at the various bottles on her vanity mirror and started coughing at the various fragrances that were assaulting her nose.
The palace servant tucked away some errant strands of hair with a smile. “The miss is perfect this way. You were born with good skin, and young girls don’t need powder or rouge. But it’s cold outside, so you should use the ointment lightly scented with jasmine on your face. It wouldn’t do for the wind to chap your cheeks.”
“As you say, mama.” Qin Yining nodded with a smile. She was bringing only Ruilan with her to the Duke of Ding’s manor. She could’ve brought a mama as well, but upon further observation, Qin Yining discovered that Zhu-mama was a quiet one who did everything she was told. The old servant wasn’t suited for important tasks at all, whereas Zhan-mama wasn’t one of hers, so there was nothing to be done either.
Ruilan had changed into a pale-green outer jacket and skirt combination for the trip today. She’d slipped a bright-red long vest with a furred collar on over the outfit. The coordination of red and green looked quite fetching due to her youth, and made her appear very dependable as well. “Miss, the carriage has been prepared. Senior Madame says the carriage will be parked outside the second door and leave via the western side door. We should head for the carriage now.”
Qin Yining stepped into the sedan holding an exquisite hand warmer. Ruilan stood next to the sedan, following when it headed out to the second door. They swapped out for a small carriage wallpapered with wax paper, reaching the western side door after a short travel. There was already a long convoy waiting in front of the door.
The prime minister’s wife was openly heading home in full glory, and bringing her daughter as well. It wasn’t a quick scurry home in a singular carriage like last time. Two luxurious carriages adorned with tassels had been arranged for the mistresses. A small, plain one followed behind for the mamas honored enough to come along for the trip. The convoy was rounded out with two carriages loaded with gifts. There were at least a dozen servants and guards in the retinue as well.
Qin Yining climbed into the first carriage via a red lacquer footstool. She lifted the carriage curtains to see née Sun and Qin Huining sitting closely to each other in the main seat. Jin-mama was sitting in the side seat and quickly greeted the fourth miss. Qin Yining returned the greeting and curtseyed to née Sun.
Née Sun was wearing a pale purple garment today, her knitted silk cloak quite an opulent fashion statement. Her exquisite makeup had erased all traces of age from her face, leaving only a demure and beautiful madame. Qin Huining’s outfit on the other hand, was stunningly outside of Qin Yining’s expectations.
Qin Yining sat down across from Jin-mama and began openly looking at Qin Huining. The foster daughter had thrown on a turquoise, knitted silk cloak and an aqua brocade dress. Her clothing was in muted shades, but she’d put hard work into her makeup. Her slender eyebrows arched slightly upwards, and powder was perfectly applied. The deep red of her lips hearkened to the red jade beads of her earrings, enhancing the girl’s overall looks greatly. The ensemble did indeed look good, going beyond her usual demureness and giving a few hints of a sharply domineering beauty.
She was perhaps made uncomfortable by Qin Yining’s assessment and frowned slightly. “What are you looking at, younger sister Little Creek?”
“Miss Huining looks so pretty in this that I lost myself in appreciation.” Qin Yining smiled.
“It’s nothing compared to your natural beauty.” The response held barely concealed jealousy. Qin Huining had dressed to win against Qin Yining, because she’d thought that the newcomer would dress to the best of her ability for her first visit to the Duke of Ding. Who would’ve thought that Qin Yining wouldn’t use any powder and wear barely any jewelry?! Most irritating of all was that the charm and allure in Qin Yining’s looks was all natural and apparent even without cosmetics. Qin Huining had been a bit proud of her get up today, but she could feel her pride shatter all over the floor with Qin Yining sitting in front of her.
The atmosphere grew a bit awkward. Jin-mama coughed lightly and took a look at née Sun who was resting with her eyes half closed. The old servant smiled. “Fourth Miss, it’s your first visit to the Duke of Ding Manor. How about I introduce the household there to you?” Her attitude was especially respectful. There wasn’t a trace of her initial impatience to be found.
Qin Yining knew that these people were materialistic and changed with the wind. She wasn’t angry at this and smiled gratefully instead. “Many thanks to Jin-mama, I was about to ask you the same.”
Jin-mama began her explanations in a low voice. Although the Duke of Ding was a venerated and wealthy official, they were a family of scholars. Their house rules were exceedingly stern. Although they were accustomed to wielding power, none of their children of the main or side family branches, especially the three generations directly beneath the duke and duchess’ care, had ever had bullying scandals. What was most admirable and rare to Qin Yining was that all of the girls in this household were very close to each other. If the duchess caught anyone scheming or framing others, heavy punishment would be in store.
“The duchess says that a family united is a family that can withstand external pressure and attack. Although a flower looks pretty from the outside, it won’t live long if the core is rotten.” Jin-mama basked in shared glory, whereas Qin Yining was in deep agreement. Compared to this, the prime minister manor seemed rather… base…
There were only two branches to the the duke’s family clan. Née Sun was the official firstborn daughter, but ranked number three in her family tree. Her two older brothers doted on her quite heavily.
“Miss, your senior uncle and second uncle are all generals fighting against Great Zhou and aren’t in the manor at the moment. However, your senior aunt and second aunt are both present. You have six female cousins and five male cousins—the eldest of which came yesterday with the invitation.” Jin-mama started describing the members of the household after going over the family culture. Qin Yining committed everything to memory and was fully familiar with the Duke of Ding Manor’s household structure and atmosphere by the time they arrived.
“The lady’s come back!” A delighted voice sounded from outside the carriage. A runner was sent into the manor. “Hurry and tell Elder Madame that the eldest lady and miss has returned!”
The servants had already placed a red lacquer footstool on the ground when they lifted the carriage curtain. Jin-mama jumped off to help née Sun alight, Cai-mama and Bitong supported Qin Huining, while Ruilan supported Qin Yining.
The group had just crossed the inner door inside the main doors whereupon they were greeted by the hubbub of two older women leading a group of young girls.
“I told everyone to come out later, but your second sister-in-law wanted to come out earlier because she said you’d be here soon. Now we’re all cold.” One of the older women held née Sun’s hand and spoke intimately, “Aw, your hand is so warm!”
* * *
This particular skirt is made from eight panels of fabric
Chapter 27: Matern
al Grandmother
Chapter 27: Maternal Grandmother
“Sister-in-law, your hands are freezing. Why didn’t you take a hand warmer with you?” Née Sun’s tone was lighthearted, her eyes creasing into smiles. She gave her own brass hand warmer etched with flowers to Senior Madame née Yan and then took Second Madame née Kong’s hands into her own, rubbing them to impart warmth.
Both sisters-in-law were older than née Sun. The Duke of Ding practiced a strict household culture, and her two elder brothers doted on née Sun greatly. She hadn’t had a single argument with her sisters-in-law before coming of age and leaving the manor. The elder women were extremely close, closer than even the daughters of the official wife and concubines.
The girls all started laughing when they saw this. A fifteen-year-old girl wearing a turquoise cloak topped with gray rabbit fur smiled.
“Don’t listen to senior aunt’s words, auntie! She talks like she wasn’t in a hurry. She checked the hour four times after only just arriving at grandmother’s. My mother said that we all might as well head outside since senior aunt was so anxious. ‘Perhaps a watched kettle will boil!’ That’s why we all came out.” The girl’s voice was clear and crisp, giving rise to more laughter from the crowd.
Qin Yining was watching silently off to the side, sensing the sheer welcome bubbling from this household. Another young girl, wearing the same crimson cloak as her, had been curiously watching Qin Yining with large eyes for quite some time now. The girl finally couldn’t contain her curiosity and shuffled over to Qin Yining’s side like a little animal, asking softly after a curtsey,
“Hello big sister, I’m Sun Ling. Are you big sister Yining?”
“Hello big sister Ling, I’m Yining.” Qin Yining quickly returned the curtsey.
“Look at me, I’m caught up in chatting with my sisters-in-law and forgot introductions.” Née Sun turned back when she heard the exchange. “Daughter Yi, come greet your senior aunt, second aunt, and cousins.”
Qin Yining smiled at Sun Ling and made her curtsey to the senior and second madame like Zhan-mama had taught her. “Greetings to senior and second aunt.”
“Aiyaya!” Second Madame née Kong grabbed both of Qin Yining’s hands and looked at the girl closely, clucking her tongue. “She’s a beautiful little doll alright! They all say that your seventh cousin in our Ding Manor is the most beautiful, but I think you win out over her!”
“Second aunt is praising me far too highly. It’s just that mother dotes on me and puts me in pretty outfits.” Qin Yining smiled with her eyes lowered, her voice soft and gentle. She presented a docile and pleasing image.
Née Sun was quite pleased by these words and patted Qin Yining’s hand, the very image of a benevolent mother. There was none of the cold distance she’d exhibited beforehand. Abandoned off to the side for a long while, it felt like a ladle of hot oil had been poured over Qin Huining’s heart. It took her a moment to adjust her resentful and angry feelings.
“Greetings to senior and second aunt.” She also curtsied.
The senior madame seemed to notice her only now. The madame took in Qin Huining’s reserved outfit and striking makeup. She nodded with a supercilious smile and said nothing.
The second madame openly assessed the girl’s outfit and smiled. “Niece Hui is becoming prettier by the day.”
Qin Huining was delighted and responded primly, “Don’t laugh at me second aunt. With such pearls like seventh cousin and younger sister Little Creek present, aren’t the rest of us just pigs rolling around in the mud?” She covered her mouth to laugh delicately at this.
Although these words were humble, wouldn’t they also happen to tap into any latent jealousy in the other girls? The senior and second madame looked at each other, not speaking after that. The girls in this household weren’t so easily provoked. They all looked down and pretended they hadn’t heard.
Qin Yining found this development laughable. She knows how things are like here and still puts on this act. Qin Huining really is something alright!
Qin Huining wanted to project the feeling that she got along great with her sister, and so wrapped her hand around Qin Yining’s arm with a giggle.
“Little Creek, let me introduce the others to you.” She pointed at a girl wearing a pink cloak collared with white rabbit fur standing next to the second madame. “This is our seventh cousin. She’s three years older than us. She’s already engaged to the son of Great Scholar Lu and will be marrying soon.”
“Hello, seventh cousin.” Qin Yining ignored what Qin Huining was calling her and curtsied smilingly to the Sun seventh miss.
Her greeting was returned. “Hello, younger sister Yining.”
Qin Huining then pointed at the girl wearing the turquoise cloak, one in a pale-blue cloak, and the one in crimson who’d spoken to Yining. “This is our ninth, tenth, and eleventh cousin. Tenth and eleventh cousin are also fourteen this year.”
Qin Yining made her greetings respectively and had them returned by the three girls as well. The eleventh miss tugged on Qin Yining’s cloak and then looked at hers again.
“Cousin’s cloak is made of the same fabric as mine. We have some shared destiny!” She turned to look at Qin Huining with innocent eyes, cocking her head with curiosity, “Does cousin Huining not know cousin Yining’s name? Why do you keep saying ‘Little Creek’?”
Qin Huining’s smile froze on her face. You’re just a concubine-born daughter of the main branch! How dare you embarrass me like this!
Née Sun had been chatting idly with the senior and second madame and was unhappy with the disturbance. The atmosphere at her mother’s home was different from that of the in-laws’. Although marrying Prime Minister Qin was a glorious thing, the culture at her in-laws’ had always been a thorn in her side. Even though she sometimes felt that there wasn’t anything wrong with how things were done there, she knew that her mother’s side disdained that kind of habit. And here was Qin Huining, trotting out that behavior!
She’d never thought it inappropriate when Qin Huining used Little Creek back at the prime minister’s manor, but now that she was in the Ding Manor, she felt enraged. And yet, she couldn’t lecture Qin Huining on the spot.
At this moment, Qin Yining took Qin Huining’s arm with a smile and explained in a soft voice, “Eleventh cousin doesn’t know this bit. I spent my childhood wandering around outside and received help from a foster mother. My foster mother picked me up by a creek and gave me the nickname Little Creek. Miss Huining is one who knows to repay debts of gratitude, and I quite agree with her. We made a private promise that she should call me Little Creek so that she can always remind me not to forget the eight years that my foster mother raised me.”
The eleventh miss was quite moved by this, and she nodded with tears in her eyes. “Sister Yining’s suffered much outside.”
The other girls also crowded around Qin Yining. Although they were curious about her childhood outside, they were all touched by her words at the moment. No one remembered Qin Huining’s provocation from just a moment ago.
Née Sun sighed in relief when she saw this and was even more soothed by Qin Yining’s gracious actions of generous bearing. The senior madame arched her eyebrow and once again assessed Qin Yining, this time with sharp eyes. She smiled gently afterwards.
Second madame pulled on née Sun’s hand. “We can chat when we get to Bright Spring Hall. Mother must be afire with impatience by now.”
“Absolutely,” née Sun nodded. “If our elder sister gets a cold from the chilly air, my big brother will be mad at me!”
“You imp! You always make fun of me. The children are all right here.” The senior madame fired back in laughing retort.
The girls and servants all started laughing as well. The atmosphere was infectious, Qin Yining’s lips also curled up and the group made their happy way through the flower-hung gate.
The Duke of Ding’s manor was stunning size at five houses wide and seven layers deep. [1] It was said that t
his complex had been a royal residence in the previous dynasty. The emperor awarded it to the Sun family ancestors due to impressive battle achievements.
Although all life rested n the winter time, the sophisticated design of the gardens within the complex drew Qin Yining’s unblinking attention. She kept imagining how beautiful the place must be in the spring and summer time as she walked through it. When the other girls saw that their new cousin liked the garden, they came up to her and traded off introducing the premises. They seemed to be welcoming an honored guest with their enthusiasm and held no loftiness at all.
That reduced Qin Huining to a pretty vase by their side. Her smile was frozen stiff, but she still had to maintain her elegant demeanor. Thankfully, she had Cai-mama and Bitong to help her along and chat softly with her, lifting her glum mood somewhat.
Maids and granny servants came out to welcome them as they approached Bright Spring Hall, with more maids heading inside to pass on the word. Qin Yining had just crossed the threshold when she was greeted with the sight of the main house’s marine-blue satin and bamboo door curtains lifting, followed by a woman over sixty years old with a full figure. She was wearing a dark purple vest and skirt ensemble that had large sleeves and simple makeup. Her head was topped with a hat of purple fox fur, and a steady stream of maids and granny servants filed out down the stairs behind her.
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