Legend of Concubine’s Daughter Minglan
chapter-8

The Legend of the Concubine’s Daughter Minglan Chapter 8 Part 1

DECEMBER 5, 2016

ALPENGLOWPALED

It is the end of summer and autumn is approaching, the north is unlike the south. The weather is slowly getting cold. Inevitably the Sheng household will boil some sweet soups to moisten the lungs and suppress coughs. Since Minglan came here, half the time she is sick and this change in weather made her extra weak. She often coughs and pants and the invited physician merely prescribe some nourishment medicine. It just has to be the taste of traditional medicine that Minglan hates, she eagerly missed Chuanbei Pipakao1 and the cough pills. The more she thinks of it, the more she resisted traditional medicine. When she drank a bowl, she wanted to vomit half of it and was sickly the entire day. Also unable to gather half a strength, Minglan who once strong and practiced self-defense arts really cannot get more annoyed.

Sheng Hong and Wang shi considered again and again, they also asked around about the character and talents of Yuan Wenshao. Finally they decided on him, then the etiquette of formal proposal has passed and sent out Hualan’s birth characters for the next etiquette2. Wang shi’s reasoning is extremely magical, she actually separately hired a senior monk who has achieved the way and a promising Daoist priest to match the eight characters. The monk and priest all said that both birth characters will live a long happy married life together. This then assured Wang shi. Sheng Hong looked at the several incense tables in Wang shi’s room, the left displayed a hossu, and the right a wooden fish,3 he cannot help but laugh “Madame ultimately believes in Buddhism or Taoism, also who can say for sure. When you have prayed to the right one, it will be more effective.”

Wang shi knows that her husband is teasing her. “I will pray to whoever is effective, only desiring that Hua’er is good, making me worship the walls and grass is also okay.”

Sheng Hong held back his face “I know your heart as a caring mother, the most kind. Lately I see that Ming’er is not good, you also give more attention. Continue coughing this way, do not send away a small life.”

Wang shi said “A letter from the capital came yesterday, the household of Count Zhongqin will be coming in a few days to arrange the engagement. Hua’er saw that I was busy till beaten blue and black, she then took over Girl Ming’s affairs.”

Sheng Hong shook his head “What does a child like Hua’er know, it is still better than you are involved, more reliable.”

Wang shi smiled “What is Master saying, how is Girl Hua a child anymore. If everything goes on smoothly, end of the next year or the start of the following year she will then marry. In the future, she has to wait on her parents-in-law and husband, she ought to learn how to care for others. These few days, she sent her portion of the snow-pear soup and almond hot soup to Girl Ming. She even fiercely watched Girl Ming take the medicine everyday, if she vomits half a bowl then a bowl must be added. Girl Ming was scared that she dares not vomit the medicine already.”

Sheng Hong’s heart was greatly comforted and continuously nod his head “Good good, this should be the way between sisters. Hua’er has the demeanor of an eldest sister, very good very good.”

First Young Miss Hualan is a strict instructor, lacking in tenderness and has abundance of grandiose. Minglan merely revealed the slightest intention of refusing to take the medicine, she will then wish she could roll up her sleeves and personally pour the medicine. Minglan was scared till she starts sweating, for the most part she got better. Hualan also dragged her out to kick the shuttlecock.4 Minglan was like a criminal being escorted, under the strict supervision of Hualan, she kicked the shuttlecock systematically. She must kick no less than thirty times everyday and increase by five every three days. First Young Miss Hualan actually made an exercise journal for Minglan, with a warden like face, she recorded it everyday, one less kick is out of the question.

Hualan is model older sister type of girl, her heart filled with the older sister complex. What a pity her younger brother and sister from the same parents are unable to fulfil this need of hers. Changbai’s character mature and dependable, it is thankful that Hualan need not be instructed by him and Rulan is wilful and crafty, stubborn and unruly. Hualan usually do not get along with her, once she say a sentence to her and will have three sentences retorted. Wang shi shields Rulan and Hualan also cannot really punish Rulan. And the two at Concubine Lin’s place, she feels it is beneath her dignity to butt in. Changdong is still too young thus she has always no chance to exhibit pattern of an older sister.

Minglan’s character obedient and polite, she does whatever you ask of her. If you say a few sentences about her, she also will not retort, only shyly looked at you. Vivid big glittery eyes, occasionally she will daydream a little. Regarding this small younger sister, Hualan is very satisfied, nearly liking her better than her own younger sister.

The household of Count Zhongqin moves rather quickly, in no time they are engaged. Because Yuan Wenshao is actually not that young, they indicated the middle of next year for the wedding to be completed. Sheng Hong put on the same arrogance when he wrote an essay for the imperial examinations and wrote some rambling excuses in the letter, do not if others will understand. Probably meaning that the daughter is still young, cannot bear to marry her off early, with sincere words expressing his gentle fatherly love for his daughter. That Yuan family immediately added quite a few more betrothal gifts and still invited a rite official from the Honglu Government Office to send the betrothal gifts. Sheng Hong have made enough profits inside and out, also very kindly added more to the dowry and moreover set the wedding to be on the fifth month of next year, two families are very satisfied.

Afterwards, Hualan has been locked in the chambers to embroider her dowry and train her temper. Minglan let out a long sigh of relief. Currently, she has accumulated to kick the shuttlecock sixty-five times a day, kicking till her legs cramped. This time the one watching over her has been locked up, she also can return to days where she eats and drinks like a little pig. Of course, getting disturbed by Rulan periodically.

The weather slowly turned cold, summer and autumn were still okay. Once it entered into winter, the climate differences in the north and south immediately shows. One after another, every branch started to burn Lumbricus5, all kinds of heated brick beds and also exquisite and beautiful wooden beds— just combining the wide and cozy brick beds with the wooden ones. Minglan is originally a southerner, never knew that the ancient south had such warm and comfortable heated beds. Reckon to be the credit of kicking the shuttlecock, Minglan actually did not catch a cold despite the weather being this cold. However, others fell sick.

Old Madame Sheng is after all aged, migrating from the north to the south is extremely far, more or less not acclimatised. She started coughing after entering into autumn, her usual imposing maids dare not force her to eat medicine and kick shuttlecocks so her sickness have not once been broken. Once they entered in winter, from time to time, she will have low fever. Suddenly this day her whole body was boiling and practically fainted. When the physician came, he also said it is very dangerous. The elderly are most afraid of this kind of fiercely cold illness, if there is a mishandle then it is afraid that they will go down. This frightened the Sheng Hong couple badly.

If Old Madame Sheng was to go, Sheng Hong would have to mourn, Hualan has to observe mourning.6 That Yuan Wenshao is already twenty, how is he to wait. The married couple immediately realised the gravity of the situation thus of the same mind, worked as one. Day and night they took turns to care for Old Madame Sheng. Carefully considering every prescription, personally tasting every bowl of medicine, nearly working themselves to sickness. However this appearance of a filial son and virtuous daughter-in-law caused all officials and gentries to eagerly praise, also can be considered a stroke of luck.

After a few days, Old Madame Sheng’s fever finally subsided and recuperated, at last picking up that life. The Sheng Hong couple dare not relax, eagerly sending all kinds of nutritious medicine from the storehouse to Shou’an Hall. To Minglan, no matter how precious the nutritious medicine is, it is still traditional medicine. That smell is not that superior, her heart inevitably secretly sympathises with Old Madame Sheng. She sympathised for only two days and news suddenly came from Shou’an Hall that Old Madame Sheng is aged and lonely. She wishes to raise a girl by her side to temporarily ease her loneliness.

1. Nin Jiom cough syrup that is very popular among the Chinese and it tastes sweet, unlike the Western cough syrup.

2. It is known as 問名 (Wen Ming) where prospective brides sent their birth characters to the groom’s family.

3. Hossu is bamboo stick with hairs at the end and the wooden fish is the instrument used in chanting.

4. This is the asian shuttlecock, a plastic base with four feathers.

5. It is a kind of earthworms used in medicine.

6. This mourning is the ancient practice of ancestors veneration where there are a list of practices the children ought to do for three years, this is important because it also means marriage is a big no no

The Legend of the Concubine’s Daughter Minglan Chapter 8 Part 2

DECEMBER 8, 2016

ALPENGLOWPALED

When the news arrived, several people were joyful and several people worried. Talk about the joyful ones first.

“Mother, why did you ask me to go? Everyone says the Old Madame’s character is disagreeable and her temper is also cold. She does not speak more than a few sentences a year, that house is very simple and crude, nothing good. Moreover the Old Madame never liked you, I will not go and invite a snub.” Molan holed up in the blanket on the heated bed, a maroon and gold rat fur jacket draped over her. In her embrace was a delicate gold hand stove, already blossoming to lucid and elegant refined girl at such a young age.

Concubine Lin looked at her daughter, proud of her and also worried “Good child, how can I bear to let you go suffer. However we have no choice but to plan for the future. You can see your Big Sister Hualan getting married, it is really a family’s daughter, hundred families pursue.1 How glorious it is! Wait for a few more years when it is your age of coming, do not know what a scene it will be?”

“What scene?” Molan yawned and yawned, her tone is still that refined “Mother, do not speak of what legitimate and concubine, Father has already said that he will not wrong me. He will treat me like how he treated Big Sister, I will have my glorious days. Moreover Mother you have properties in your hands, what do I have to be afraid of.”

“My child, what do you know? Your Older Sister Hualan can be grand today, firstly it is because of your father’s official career has been smooth and his reputation usually not bad, social interaction is going smoothly. Secondly, our house more or less have properties, not like those poor minor officials. Thirdly it is because Girl Hua is from the legitimate line. She has a hairpin handed down from generations from her uncle’s house. How can you compare to the last point, moreover you and that Girl Ru only differ in a few months. In the future, afraid that when it is to discuss marriage together, will there be good families left for you?” Concubine Lin took the heater from her daughter’s hands, opened it and using the copper stick to poke the coal, then covering it and returned it.

Even if Molan is usually intelligent for her age, having heard what was she, also cannot help but turn red. “What muddy words is Mother saying? How old is this daughter for you to be saying this?”

Concubine Lin caged her daughter’s pair of small hands, elegant brows appearing strict and lowered her voice “Things from that year I have never regretted, being a concubine for another, offending Old Madame, Madame unable tolerate. Without exceptions, all these I am not afraid. Your Older Brother after all is a young master, no matter legitimate or concubine, he is still able to inherit a piece of family property and has a place to establish himself in the future. It is only you that I am worried about.”

Molan asked in a low voice “Mother, do not take it to heart, Father loves me so dearly. Other than Big Sister, it is me that is the oldest. In any case, he will not treat me unfairly in the future……”

“But he also will not generous to anywhere!” A single sentence from Concubine Lin interrupted the daughter and leaned against the gold python mattress. She closed her eyes and unhurriedly said “You are currently seven years old and also should know things already. When I was seven, your maternal grandfather has lost the family. From that on, I have never enjoyed a decent day, your maternal grandmother did not plan, passing her days relying on pawning. That time she always sighed that she could not marry into a dignified household and was obviously still a play little girl, what draped in gold and high position and wealth. However she was in dire straits until the maiden family also do not like. At least she did a good thing before she passed on, sending me to this Sheng household.”

The room was quiet, only the burner on the floor slowly spitting out smoke. Concubine Lin is slightly lost in thoughts, remembering the first day she entered the Sheng household. That time although Sheng Hong was not a high official but Grandfather Sheng strived for a big property for the children. Old Master is also a Tanhua,2 Sheng household naturally dignified. That kind of exquisite and beautiful garden, that kind of gold and silver plated furnitures, satin clothes for all four seasons. She has never imagined in her lifetime that there is such luxurious days in the world, this kind of days living like a prince. That time Sheng Hong is refined and elegant, she cannot help but have other thoughts……

Molan looked at her mother’s hazily pretty face, suddenly opened her mouth “Why does Mother definitely want be a concubine, is it not good to be properly married out and be a legitimate wife? Provoking gossips from everywhere, saying that you, saying that you…… willing……”

Concubine Lin suddenly opened her eyes, bright eyes look her. Molan immediately lowered her head, she was frightened to the point she dare not speak. Concubine Lin stared for a while and turned her eyes away, slowly said “You are big already, should be mature. ……In every aspect, Old Madame Sheng is good, but there is one factor, she loves to nag about what ‘Easy to seek a priceless treasure, lovers are hard to come by’. This is called poor and lowly couple, a hundred sorrows. The Old Madame is the legitimate young miss from the Marquis household and she never knew the sufferings of a poor family. One government granary a month, merely six seven cups of rice reach up to one tael of money. Our household maids’ salary is already eight taels, this jacket of yours is already worth fifty, sixty taels. The hand stove in your hands is already two taels of fine silver, in addition to your meals and clothing, how many government granaries is needed to provide?”

Molan’s head started to perspire a little, Concubine Lin smiled bitterly “Moreover, do not tell me that poverty-stricken people must be of good conduct? That time, I have an older cousin sister who married a poor student, originally can depend on him to make it big. However that student apart from writing two sorrowful essays, failed the imperial examinations and is unable to do business. The entire family depended on your maternal aunt to raise money, she accompanied her husband to suffer, bearing and raising children for him and still gathered some farmland. That year the harvest is better than usual, that poor thing then wanted to take a concubine. Your maternal aunt did not agree, getting cursed at everyday for not being virtuous and still almost got divorce. She could not stand it and could only allow the concubine to enter the house, just a few years then she was angered to death, leaving behind several sons and daughters for others to trample on. Humph! That student when he first came to propose, also said like a deluge of heavenly flowers, words and conduct of a saint. What properly cherish older cousin sister, in perfect harmony, mutual respect between husband and wife……. Pah! It is all empty talk!”

Molan listened in entrancement, Concubine Lin’s voice gradually became low and soft. “In this lifetime, the woman is to depend on the man. If the man is a good-for-nothing, no matter how strong a woman, she cannot stand straight. At that time I thought, no matter primary or concubine, the husband’s character must be outstanding, attach importance to affections, talented, able to shelter the family……. following your father, although as a concubine yet there is no need to feel alarmed. At least there are secured days, children are also supported.”

The mother and daughter pair was silent for a moment, after some time, Concubine Lin lightly smiled “At that time, all Old Madame found was some so-called ‘famer scholar families’, she herself was clinging onto destitute living, how can she give me an honourable dowry? Pah! In the end I am a young miss born from a proper official household. If I was to depend on the impoverish life of hardships, what for still enter the Sheng household? Really really funny.”

“Then you still let me go to Old Madame’s place, will she keep me?” Molan cannot resist but to speak out.

Concubine Lin smiled warmly “Silly child, this is your Father promoting you! No matter how honourable I am, I am still a concubine, you are also not raised by Madame’s side. Supposing you are able to stay with Old Madame and learn some rules and etiquette, in the future you are able to gain some respect outside, of a higher rank than the general concubine-born daughters. Master said to let Old Madame pick a child, in fact if you think about it, Hualan is about to be married, Madame cannot bear to part with Rulan, Minglan is a weak and sickly person. Several of the young masters have to study, who is still left?”

Molan is shocked and happy “Sure enough Father loves me, but… I am afraid Old Madame……”

Concubine Lin smoothen the hair on Molan’s temples, her eyes watered and smiled “I still know this Old Madame. Her natural disposition noble and upright, even loving to take pity on the weak. Although somewhat haughty but not hard to serve. Starting from tomorrow morning, you go before Old Madame to pay respects and serve. Remember, must take care to be docile, appearing to be apologetic. By any means must not call me mother outside, must call me concubine. It is okay to speak badly of me sometimes, sweeten your words and be quick-witted. I believe that the Old Madame will not count my debt on you. Ah! Speaking of which, it was me who implicated you, if you were reincarnated in Madame’s womb, you also do not need to go to the extremes to please that old woman already……”

“What words is Mother saying? I am formed from Mother’s flesh, what implicate or not” Molan smiled in displease and snuggle up to Concubine Lin’s bosom “With Mother instructing at the side, this daughter will be able to gain the favour of Old Madame. In the future when there is honour, also able to let Mother enjoy some good fortune.”

Concubine Lin smiled “Good child, in the future when Master promotes to be a higher rank, it is quite possible that you can marry to a more dignified household. At that time, there is enormous fortune waiting for you.”

1. A family that has a beautiful daughter, many families will request for marriage with that daughter for their son.

2. 探花 (Tan Hua): Literally means flower snatcher. A Tanhua is someone who ranks third in palace examinations.