“It was said she was to be the royal concubine of King Min’s Palace. The old maid didn’t truly grasp everything she heard, unsure of the precise words spoken. But after the Fifth Old Master and the others emerged from the courtyard, their faces were wreathed in joyous smiles. And now, barely had the Sixth Young Madam returned to the mansion that the Fifth branch’s female members rushed to Dongyuan to meet her .” Hearing this, Erlang’s wife’s face instantly darkened.
Du Jingyi’s cunning spread of information, a delicate weave of seventy percent truth and thirty percent fabrication, was proving highly effective. Such a blend, neither entirely real nor wholly fictitious, ignited the fires of suspicion within the involving parties , causing there minds to race and overthink. Too much certainty, like a personal eyewitness account, would only betray the deception. This carefully crafted uncertainty was precisely what agitated Erlang’s wife the most .
Madam Wei, born into the powerful Taiwei Mansion, had been but a pawn rom the start , a mere concubine sent to the Duke’s Mansion for Shang Yukuan. Yet, against all odds, she had defied fate for her . First, she captivated Shang Yukuan’s heart, then she lay dormant within the back house for years. Only after Shang Dalang and Madam Gu departed did she emerge from the shadows. Now, her daughter was Princess Fu, her younger son’s future gleamed with promise, and her natal family had ascended from common officials to the esteemed rank of Taiwei. Truly, it was a tale of Hedong for thirty years, Hexi for thirty years. To further enhance her reputation, she had even been elevated from a shu daughter in her natal home to a recognized daughter by the first wife . Thus, among the married daughters of the Taiwei Mansion, she, the Duke’s Mansion’s second wife and Princess Fu’s birth mother, held considerable renown.
Erlang’s wife harbored no doubt that Madam Wei possessed intimate knowledge of Prince Min’s Mansion. The more she pondered, the more troubled she became. If Madam Wei and Dongyuan favored the Seventh sister of the Fifth branch, wouldn’t Fourth sister be utterly out of options? Given Fourth sister’s circumstances and capabilities, any further delay would only force her into a marriage with an aging widower. How could such a match compare to the prestige of a concubine in Prince Min’s Mansion, a position that could uplift their entire family? Therefore, regardless of Fourth sister’s willingness or aptitude, even securing her a position as an ordinary concubine would be a cause for celebration for them.
With this grim realization, she turned to Mama Qin. “Go to Jia’s house quickly and ask Liu Niang to return as soon as possible . Tell her we have something important to discuss.”
“Yes,” Mama Qin replied.
After Mama Qin left, Erlang’s wife attempted to compose herself, but her anxiety only mounted further . Finally, she rose and hastened to the room of the third old man and the third old lady. Her own parents-in-law, indecisive as they were, offered little comfort to her ; her grandparents on the other hand , were far more reliable.
When she arrived, the two elders had just finished their midday meal. With age, their appetites had lessened, and they no longer ate as heartily as before. Upon seeing Erlang’s wife—someone they had long depended on—the third old lady welcomed her with a warm smile.
“You missed it by just a quarter of an hour,” she said cheerfully. “Waited until we were done eating—what, should we have the kitchen make a few more dishes and send them your way?”
But Erlang’s wife, her appetite forgotten in the face of pressing concerns, responded gravely, her tone unusually solemn.
“Grandfather, Grandmother… the people in the Fifth branch have heard the news too.”
Initially, the elderly couple seemed bewildered. What news? What did it matter if the Fifth branch knew? But comprehension soon dawned upon them, and the third old lady was the first to explode. “Are you jesting? Is it possible that Fifth Old man and his family still dare to aspire so high?” In her eyes, the Third branch was vastly superior to the Fifth. Regardless of others, she already boasted several great-grandsons, while the Fifth House languished with only Shang Wulang as their sole male heir.
The third old man, too, bristled with indignation, as if the position of concubine were already within their grasp, and the Fifth branch were just a bunch of jackals circling to snatch it away. He was fiercely protective of his perceived prize. “Fifth Old man has been a tyrant since he was a child. He shows no respect for his eldest brother. Now he dares to play tricks on me! Damn it! Give him an inch, and he thinks he’s a powerful figure. Just wait until I go over and teach him a lesson!” The third old man made a show of rising, but Erlang’s wife quickly restrained him.
“Grandpa, please don’t go. If a quarrel breaks out, my fifth uncle will still refuse to yield. We desire such a good thing, and they naturally desire it too. The most urgent task now is to devise a way. How can we, without drawing undue attention, send Siniang to Prince Min’s Mansion first?” Her reminder brought the elderly couple back to reality. Yet, there was little difference in their capabilities between the Third branch and the Fifth. Even with the slightly more accomplished Sanlang, they lacked the influence to reach the exalted branches of the Prince Min’s Palace. Thus, they remained shrouded in ignorance.
“Don’t panic,” Erlang’s wife reassured them. “I’ve sent someone to invite Sixth Sister back. Then we’ll discuss with her to see if we can go through the Jia family’s connections.”
“That’s right,” the third old lady murmured.
The waiting stretched on, each moment laden with anticipation for the desperate family. On the other hand, Shang Liuniang, now part of the Jia family, couldn’t help but let the corners of her mouth curl into a triumphant smile upon hearing the news. She understood that brute force was useless; one must employ cunning and wisdom. And now, regardless of Siniang’s desires, the matter was settled. Not only could she aid her maternal family in resolving a problem, but she could also gain prestige within her husband’s family. It was a truly ingenious strategy, killing two birds with one stone. The more she pondered, the cleverer she felt.
She instructed her maid, Ruyan, to retrieve three thousand taels of silver notes, which she tucked away. Then, she gave further instructions. “We will act later, depending on the situation. If this matter can be settled, it will be of great benefit to you.”
“Yes, I know this,” Ruyan replied. The money, her father-in-law, Mr. Jia, had instructed her to collect from the accounting office last time. It had remained untouched, waiting for this opportune moment. Clearly, only three thousand taels were needed for the task, the remaining seven thousand taels naturally destined for her own little treasurry. After all, running back and forth required effort, a calculation Shang Liuniang understood better than anyone. She then boarded the carriage bound for her parents’ house, swaying gently towards the Duke’s Mansion.
When Shang Liuniang arrived, the eager family members seemed to grasp at her like a lifeline. Disregarding all propriety, they rushed forward, pulling her inside and bombarding her with questions. Shang Liuniang feigned confusion, asking pointedly, “Second Sister-in-law, what’s wrong? You’ve called me back in such a hurry; has something happened at home?”
“The people in the Fifth branch also know the news about King Min’s Palace! What should we do now ? Fourth sister and Seventh sister are incomparable!” Erlang’s wife cried, her anxiety palpable. The third old man and his wife were equally distressed. But Shang Liuniang remained unhurried, playing the part of the unsuspecting victim. She spread her hands, feigning helplessness.
“There’s nothing I can do about this matter. It was just a piece of news I heard casually. Now, there must be countless people outside who know about it, and many are eager to send their daughters. Fourth Sister… or perhaps we should forget it? How about I help her look for other options?” Her feigned retreat plunged the Third branch into more panic. The third old lady, in particular, slapped her thigh. “How can that be? A duck reaching there mouth cannot fly away! Wouldn’t that make the Fifth branch next door laugh out loud at them?” At this moment, the Fifth branch was entirely unaware that the Third branch was also actively maneuvering for this opportunity, but in the Third branch’s eyes, the Fifth House was already their formidable rival.