Everyone is bustling around, Hualan sat upright dignified on the heated bed. Minglan sat on a small stool, listening to Big Sister give instructions— not allowed to sleep in, not allowed to be lazy and not work out, not allowed to be late when paying respects, not allowed to be bullied…….each sentence Hualan said, she answered. She was sleepy in the morning but unfortunately Hualan was like Xuanzang1 chanting on and on. Minglan was puzzled, she was just a fourteen fifteen years old young lady and unexpectedly nags more than the manager auntie in the dormitory when she was a student. Really an exotic flower.

“Have you been listening? What are you thinking that made you foolishly chuckle all the day long.”

Minglan was now awake, muttering in sorrow “He certainly has some luck, having this kind of attentive care from Big Sister.”

“Who?” Hualan could not hear clearly.

“Big Brother-in-law.” Minglan tried hard to open her big eyes, very foolish and very innocent.

The maids in the room who were busy all covered their mouth to sn.i.g.g.e.r. Hualan went red in the ears. She wanted to tear Minglan into shreds and also run out to hide in embarra.s.sment. Minglan innocently blinked and blinked her big eyes at her, using her body to express: what is wrong, did I say anything wrongly.

w.a.n.g shi’s joys put a heart into a man. She is mentally pleased and the way she does things fine. In order to show that she is actually a very virtuous and devoted legitimate mother, she gave Minglan ten over rolls of top-notch cloth, satin, velvet, textiles, silks, damasks, engrave silks…… because it is taken directly from Hualan’s dowry thus it is extremely honourable. Furthermore, a few pieces of tiny gold and silver head ornaments made for Rulan have all been given to Minglan, enough to hang onto the whole body.

After paying respects, Minglan was led to the new room by a mama and Rulan followed along energetically. w.a.n.g shi and Hualn continued to talk with Old Madame Sheng. w.a.n.g shi is similar to a salesperson delivering the goods because she is worried that the goods will be returned therefore she profusely praised Minglan in front of Old Madame Sheng, how simple and honest, how obedient and sensible she is. Praising till Hualan cannot take it anymore, smiling “Old Madame you see, Madame is afraid that you do not want Sixth Younger Sister and is trying really hard to praise younger sister.”

The room of masters and servants all laughed. Old Madame Sheng love Hualan this kind of competent words the most, laughing and said “Silly little girl, even inventing stories about your own mother. Be careful she will deduct from your dowry, later you have nowhere to cry to!”

Once again redness appeared on Hualan’s face, turning her body and did not speak. w.a.n.g shi was smiling from ear to ear “What Old Madame said is right, I am worried that this girl has been cheeky at home and later will be mocked at her in-laws.”

Old Madame Sheng turned her body towards w.a.n.g shi, firmly said “I was about to talk about this. Ever since Hua’er’s marriage has been settled, I wrote a letter to the old sisters from the capital and entrusted them to recommend a momo2. Those veterans that came out from the palace has temperance and understands the rules as well as educated and well-balanced. Letting her come to our household to help educate Hua yatou some rules, only hope that Madame to do not blame me for being a busybody.”

w.a.n.g shi was overjoyed at the news, immediately stood up to give the Old Madame a deep kowtow, with a sobbing tone “Thankfully Old Madame is thoughtful, originally I was also worried about this. If it was government house of equal ranks then let it pa.s.s but the one Hua’er is promised to is a count household. Although our family can also be considered aristocrats but those aristocrat households has many rules and routines, how would the common family learn those. Do not mention that household of Count Zhongqin, then it is the relatives and friends afraid that if they are not the prince household it is the n.o.bles. Hua’er has a straightforward character, I have always worried that she do not understand etiquette and caused others to take her lightly in the future! Today Old Madame has really lifted the big burden on my head, I will give Old Madame a kowtow here in grat.i.tude! Come, Hua’er, you come here also, give Old Madame a kowtow!”

While w.a.n.g shi spoke, tears just flowing. Hualan hurried came over, she still has not knelt down and was pulled into Old Madame Sheng’s embrace. On one hand, Old Madame called Mama Fang to lift w.a.n.g shi up and on the other held onto the eldest granddaughter, looking at her earnestly and said choking with emotions “You are a child with good fortune, your father has asked around for your marriage and have measured it. That young man’s character and talents are considered exceptional, there is the Old Marquis above you protecting you and below there is also your husband’s maiden family. Ought to be mature and obedient in the future, wait for a few days when that governess comes, you must properly learn the rules and how to conduct matters from her. Then you would be respected when you are at your in-laws. Ah…… thinking of those times when you are still not bigger than a pillow, this moment you are about to marry another already…….”

Hualan endured and endured, her tears still trickled down “Old Ancestor be a.s.sured, I will be well. You must also properly care for your body, this granddaughter will come visit you often in the future.”

Old Madame Sheng felt emotionally and nodded her head towards Mama Fang. Mama Fang took out an enormous flat wooden case from the inside, it looked like it has been kept for ages but the four corners are all engraved with cloud dragons, the handle gorgeous and dazzling. Mama Fang sent the case to the heated bed and Old Madame Sheng took it and said to Hualan “Your dowry has been created at Quan Prefecture the previous year, your father and mother have all done their best. There is also nothing lacking, this ruby pure gold set of jewelries is my dowry when I got married, today I will give it to you.”

The case opened up, rays of gold immediate flow within the room. That gold and red, obvious that it has been recently cleaned. Red jewel was very shiny, every piece was as big a thumb. The crimson burning, dazzling the eyes, even w.a.n.g shi who was born into a wealthy home was shocked. Somehow she was not able to move her eyes, Hualan was even more stumped and held her breath.

Mama Fang smiled and stuffed the case into Hualan’s hands “First Young Miss quickly receive it. This red jewel on top was taken from Mount Daxue in Kievan Rus’3
by the Old Marquis and was into an entire set of jewelries for Old Madame’s dowry. From the head to the body to the hands have eighteen pieces, using pure gold and carefully embedding them to create it. Two teams of artisans used three months to create it. It is good enough to wear it to meet distinguished guests in the palace. First Young Miss, this is Old Madame’s good intentions, quickly receive it.”

Hualan at the same time was moved, buried herself in Old Madame’s embrace and cried, thanking and crying at the same time. At the side, w.a.n.g shi is also wiping her tears, this time her tears is absolutely the genuine goods.

……

The matter of the Old Madame wanting to raise Sixth Young Lady is to be settled, news spread throughout the Sheng household in one afternoon. After Concubine Lin heard the news, she immediately smashed a teacup. Molan sat at the side wiping her tears, cried till her tears kept dropping “I said not to go, not to go. You insist to let me go, see, this round made me to be a disgrace!”

Several personal maids at the side dare not make a sound, the entire Sheng household knows that these few days Molan was attentively serving by the Old Madame. Everyone thought that the person who will go over would be Molan, who knows the goal was changed. This time it was a huge humiliation.

Concubine Lin stood in the center of the room, hairpin in a mess, her beautiful features twisted into a fierce look, hatefully said “Pah! That d.a.m.ned old woman wants money when there is none, also not Master’s biological mother. Putting on what stinking airs, she does not want you, we still do not cherish. Wait and see, see where she can be c.o.c.ky until!”

1. The buddhist monk that inspired Journey to the West, emphasis here is more of Hualan being like a monk chanting away.
2. 嬷嬷 (Mo Mo): An elderly woman, it usually used for women who served in the palace. It is the palace equivalent of Mama in the household.
3. Invaded by the Mongols in 1204 and today is part of many countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania etc.

I guess not everyone is happy as I am with Minglan being the chosen one. On a side note, Hualan is really such a model big sister. Next up, writing with the Old Madame!