The Young Lady of the General’s House

That morning Chu Xiuming was sending Shen Jin and Chen-cefei back to Rui Wangfu. Rui-wangfei had prepared a courtyard to be cleaned for them as she had received Chu Xiuming’s letter prior to the arrival.

She had also heard about Emperor Cheng sending Chu Xiuming to Central Min. After the meal time Shen Xuan gave Chu Xiuming the names and identities of some people, “Mother told me to let you know these people could be trusted.”

Chu Xiuming had also made his own preparation, but he didn’t expect Rui-wangfei to give him this information. Shen Xuan said, “These are arranged by my paternal grandfather, my Father doesn’t know about it. I only just knew myself.”

“I understand. Wangye should be coming back soon, you don’t need to worry.”

Shen Xuan nodded although he didn’t know what his mother was planning, “Don’t worry about Third Sister. She is my sister too, I won’t let anyone mistreat her.”

Chu Xiuming nodded and smiled, “Good.”

The two of them talked a bit more before they separated. Shen Xuan went to give Rui-wangfei a reckoning of his conversation with Chu Xiuming including his words and attitude.

Rui-wangfei nodded, “Alright. When your father is back, I will discuss your marriage with him.”

“Mother?” Shen Xuan looked at her in confusion.

Rui-wangfei smiled but didn’t tell him anything. There were already some candidates but she would meet them first before deciding.

As Shen Jin was the Countess Yongning and it’s not convenient for Chu Xiuming to stay at Moyun Courtyard, Rui-wangfei had prepared another one for her. This courtyard was not large but had a convenient access to the street. After Chu Xiuming left, Shen Jin could continue staying here or moving to Moyun Courtyard.

Emperor Cheng only gave Chu Xiuming three days so noone disturbed the young couple.

At Court, Emperor Cheng watched as one person after another came forward to demand a strict investigation of Prime Minister Chen. He could have stopped it but he still let it happen because in the end he cared about noone but himself. However Prime Minister Chen wouldn’t go to the prison as the investigation was given to someone who he had promoted himself.

Prime Minister Chen was unease but he had no choice. He was able to climb to that position mostly due to his helping the emperor ascended the throne and that his daughter was the Empress.

The night before Chu Xiuming’s departure, Shen Jin removed the warm jade pendant from her neck and hang it around Chu Xiuming’s, she also gave him the newly finished fragrant pouch. The two of them acted as normal, went to bed in the arms of each other as usual, and had breakfast together the next morning, then Shen Jin saw him off.

Rui-wangfei sent Shen Xuan and Shen Xi but she didn’t appear herself. Two of the people from the border town went with Chu Xiuming but the rest was to stay for Shen Jin. She only had Zhao-momo with her that time, the guards where left at the Yongning residence.

Shen Jin smiled as she watched Chu Xiuming got on the horse, “You promised me.”

“En.” Neither of them said anything else.

Shen Xuan spoke, “Take care.”

Chu Xiuming nodded, took another look at Shen Jin then spurred his horse away. The two guards followed behind him, the soldiers sent by Emperor Cheng were waiting for them outside the city.

Shen Jin bit her lips, “Let us go back.”

Shen Xuan said, “Eldest Sister said she would come in two days.”

Shen Xi also said, “Third Sister just tell me if you need anything, I will buy it for you.” Shen Jin laughed, “Alright.”

Seeing Shen Jin didn’t cry, the brothers were both relieved, they formed a higher opinion of her. They left as they couldn’t follow her into the rear courtyard.

Zhao-momo accompanied Shen Jin walking, with Anping and Anning behind them. Neither knew what to say to make her happier.

Zhao-momo asked, “Furen, when can we have Xiaobudian brought here?”

“I’ll ask Mother Consort.” Shen Jin said. There were more people in Rui Wangfu than in Yongning residence, it wouldn’t be good if Xiaobudian made some people scared, so they would have to prepare a place for Xiaobudian.

Zhao-momo responded, “I think Xiaobudian must be missing Furen now.”

Shen Jin nodded, “I miss it too.”

Chen-cefei had been waiting for Shen Jin in the courtyard. Shen Jin smiled and tried to act spoiled, “Mother, tonight I want to sleep with you.”

Chen-cefei lightly poked her forehead, “You are having a child soon, why are you still acting so spoiled.”

Shen Jin pursed her lips in a smile, she knew Chen-cefei wasn’t really blaming her.

Chen-cefei said to Zhao-momo, “Have to trouble Momo to pack up, I am taking Jin Girl to Moyun Courtyard.” Zhao-momo responded and Anping went to help her. Chen-cefei let her senior maid stay to help, then she took Shen Jin’s hand to walk out together. They walked slowly because of her condition.

Moyun Courtyard had been through a change, a lot of things had been put away and plenty of soft cushions had been added.

As soon as they were inside, the smile on Shen Jin’s face vanished. Hugging Chen-cefei from behind with her chin placed on her mother’s shoulder, she followed Chen-cefei around this way.

“Enough.” Chen-cefei softly said, “I can’t carry you.”

“I am walking on my own.” Shen Jin said in a small voice.

Shen Jin only reluctantly released her mother after Chen-cefei patted her hands, she sat down on the new guifei chair. Anning squatted down to take her shoes off, “Furen, would you like to take some rest?”

T/N – guifei chair 贵妃椅 = chaise lounge. See picture below.

“En.” Shen Jin leaned sideways and lied down. Chen-cefei took a blanket to cover her, then sat next to Shen Jin.

Shen Jin reached out, Chen-cefei sighed, warmly said, “Sleep for a while.”

“En.” Shen Jin closed her eyes, “I am going to Mother Consort’s place soon.”

Chen-cefei thought for a while and started the lullaby she used to sing when Shen Jin was small. There was a sense of loss and frustration, her daughter was expecting but she was still her child, a child that was forced to grow to be sensible much too early.

However when she thought how Shen Jin looked miserable being separated from Chu Xiuming, she couldn’t deny that her child had grown up to be a woman who had had a taste of love.

It was something she would never experience herself. If she hadn’t entered the Wangfu, would she also taste the sadness of being separated from a husband? Was it a regret? Chen-cefei’s eyes flickered, but when she looked down to see Shen Jin, a smile slowly formed on her lips. It wasn’t a regret. Having Jin Girl as her daughter, she would never regret this life.

The corners of Shen Jin’s eyes were brimming with tears but she was still sleeping. Her heart was missing him even though they had just separated.

Shen Jin had just moved to Wangfu so many things were still unpacked, it was quite easy to move her stuff to Moyun Courtyard. Everything was already done by the time she woke up, Shen Jin changed to a light purple dress to go to the main courtyard with Chen-cefei.

Rui-wangfei was trimming a bonsai when they arrived, she told Cuixi to put it aside and bring her some water for washing hand. She waved at Shen Jin and smiled, “Why aren’t you taking more rest?”

Shen Jin sat down in front of Rui-wangfei and gave her a warm smile, “I am here to ask for a meal from Mother Consort, I haven’t eaten from the kitchen here for a long time.”

Rui-wangfei smiled, “Silly girl.”

Shen Jin whispered to air her complaints, “Mother allowed me only a few pieces of pastries everyday, and she ordered them to make the pastries as small as fingernails.”

Rui-wangfei laughed, “You are still like a child.”

“In front of Mother Consort, I am always a child.” Shen Jin smiled.

Cuixi came with the tea, Chen-cefei’s tea was the one she normally drank, but Shen Jin’s tea was specially made for her with red date pieces inside. There was also a small plate of chopped walnut kernels and fresh fruits, but not a single pastry was served.

Rui-wangfei asked, “Xi-er said you have a large dog?”

“En.” Shen Jin had planned to ask about Xiaobudian but Rui-wangfei had brought it up first.

“Why aren’t you taking it here? Xi-er said it is very intelligent, I want to see it.”

“I was going to ask Mother Consort about it.” Shen Jin smiled, “I can keep it in the courtyard, and it can scare people for me.”

Rui-wangfei nodded, “Just don’t let it scare Li-shi.” Li-shi was pregnant, but everyone else was fair game.

Shen Jin made a note of it, “Mother Consort don’t worry.”

“Xi-er also begged me to ask you one more thing. He wanted to take your dog to go hunting with Qi-er’s husband.” Rui-wangfei said, “He is too shy to ask you directly.”

Shen Jin laughed, “If Brother likes it, then he can take Xiaobudian to go hunting, it’s good for Xiaobudian to run around too. I will let a guard to follow so Xiaobudian won’t hurt Brother.”

Rui-wangfei didn’t care about it, “Then tell it to Xi-er himself.” She had planned to have Shen Xi follow Count Yongning, and she wanted to find opportunities to make Shen Jin and Shen Xi become closer.

Shen Jin responded, Rui-wangfei asked some more questions about her daily activities. “As Doctor Sun has been taking care of you from the beginning, let him come every other day to check your pulse. Do tell whenever there is any problem, and don’t go anywhere these days. After three months, I will take you out.”

“Alright.” Shen Jin knew it was all for her own good, and she could appreciate it.

After a few more words, Rui-wangfei said to Chen-cefei, “I didn’t expect the little dumpling is going to be a mother soon. It felt like a blink of an eye that a baby has suddenly grown up to be running and jumping. Then in the next blink, it has married and is going to be a mother herself.”

Chen-cefei also spoke, “But it still has a child’s temperament.”

“It’s not bad either.” Rui-wangfei laughed, “I like the most that Jin Girl is very straightforward.”

“Without Wangfei and Eldest Junzhu, Jin Girl won’t be able to grow up this way.” Chen-cefei spoke with emotions and gratitude.

Shen Jin asked, “Right, Mother Consort how is Eldest Sister, is everything fine?”

Marchioness Yongle liked to create problem, previously she had made a mess with making her niece a concubine, with what happened to Rui-wang she would certainly acted up again.

Rui-wangfei didn’t seem to be upset but wasn’t smiling either, very calmly she said, “Marchioness Yongle isn’t feeling well, she is currently resting in the mansion.”

Shen Jin’s almond eyes were full of surprise. After some thinking she nodded, “Tomorrow I will let a maid deliver some supplements.”

“En.” Rui-wangfei didn’t want to continue it, she smiled, “When Qi-er is here tomorrow, you sisters can talk again.”

“Right.” Shen Jin smiled, “I have missed Eldest Sister.”

Rui-wangfei nodded, “If there is any need just tell your brothers to buy for you.”

Shen Jin wasn’t coy about it, she understood Rui-wangfei wanted to make the siblings closer, it wasn’t good for her to be too polite.

Apparently Rui-wangfei had expected her to stay for the meal, the dishes today were suitable for Shen Jin to eat. She let them go the meal.

—

Very early the next day, Shen Qi came accompanied by Yongle Shizi himself. He couldn’t stay long as he still had some business to do, he excused himself after greeting Rui-wangfei.

“Mother, where is Sister?” Shen Qi asked after Yongle Shizi left.

“I am afraid she is still sleeping.” Rui-wangfei laughed. After falling pregnant, Shen Jin slept more than other people.

Shen Qi nodded, her mother lowered her eyes, “Your father is being released in a few days. We can have a family meal together.”

“Really?” Shen Qi was happily surprised.

Rui-wangfei indifferently “En” once, she leaned back without explaining. “Send someone to speak to inform Zheng family that time.”

The meaning was to invite Shen Zi, Shen Qi was a bit reluctant but she nodded. “I know.”

Rui-wangfei said, “Alright, since you are here, go see Fifth Girl too.”

“Mother, I feel that Fifth Sister…..” Shen Jin said with some hesitation. She had been thinking about it for some time, and the more she thought, the more she felt something was wrong.

Rui-wangfei’s eyes swept over Shen Qi, she laughed, “Noone is stupid, be more careful then it is not a problem. Just don’t try to outsmart yourself.”

Shen Qi spoke, “I know.”

As Rui-wangfei didn’t say anything further, Shen Qi said, “I’ll go see Fifth Sister first.”

“En.” Rui-wangfei nodded, suddenly she remembered something, “Xu-cefei and your Fourth Sister were overly worried of your father’s matter, the doctor said it’s not good.”

T/N – Just a small note in case anyone forgets (because I did!):  Fourth Sister = Shen Jing who was sent to ‘pray’ at the temple for fueling her mom’s dramatic ranting performance. Fifth Sister = Shen Rong whose face was scratched by Shen Zi (the Second Sister), and later tried to get herself and her little brother (Shen Hao) adopted by Chen-cefei.

Shen Qi pursed her lips, she cared nothing about Xu-cefei’s life or death, but Fourth Sister was still her sister, she couldn’t help feeling upset.

Rui-wangfei said, “Tell Fifth Girl, they are her birth mother and sister.”

Rui-wangfei didn’t forget how Shen Rong was trying to trick her and Chen-cefei, she just wanted to knock some awareness into Shen Rong’s head by letting Shen Qi tell her this. Rui-wangfei wanted Shen Rong to reflect and realise, it’s good to be prepared but not good to think that everyone else were all stupid.

“I know.” Shen Qi walked out, she slowly released her breath outside the room.

Cuixi poured some water for Rui-wangfei. “Fourth Miss is still Eldest Junzhu’s sister. It is natural for Eldest Sister to not figuring it out for a while.”

Rui-wangfei laughed but didn’t say anything. She could let Shen Qi remained ignorant, but was it really fine? How would it be in the future, Rui-wangfei didn’t know either. How long could she kept protecting her children.

“The thing that noone could figure out is luck.” Rui-wangfei slowly spoke.

Among the children, the one with the best aptitude and the clearest understanding turned out to be the most silent one. If it wasn’t due to the letters Shen Jin sent from the border, Rui-wangfei might still be underestimating her until now.

Cuixi didn’t answer, Rui-wangfei lifted the cup for a sip. “How is Li-shi?”

“Li-furen is in shock due to what happened to Wangye, but she has taken up the medicine prescribed by the doctor.” Cuixi continued, “She is much better now.”

Rui-wangfei nodded, Cuixi asked, “Wangye still needs…..”

“No need.” Rui-wangfei lowered her eyes, “Xuan-er’s position is stable.”

“Yes.” Cuixi didn’t say more.

When Shen Qi arrived, Shen Rong was scolding a crying maid. She let the maid go when she saw  Shen Qi was there, “Eldest Sister.”

“En.” Shen Qi was gentle, “Is there anything lacking here?”

“Nothing, Mother Consort is very kind to me.” The scars on Shen Rong’s face were significantly lighter but still visible.

“I have been very anxious about Father, so Eldest Sister please don’t laugh at me.” She was trying to the explain the scene just now.

Shen Qi laughed without a care, “Just tell me if there is anything needed.”

Shen Rong’s face was full of gratitude, “Thank you very much Eldest Sister.”

Shen Qi asked a few more questions, then the smile on her face disappeared. She sighed, “There is actually something I want to tell you.”

“But Father….” Shen Rong looked panic.

Shen Qi shook her head, “Father is fine, the imperial doctors are taking care of him. Eldest Little Brother said the place wasn’t bad, and noone dares to mistreat Father.”

T/N – Eldest Little Brother is Shen Xuan.

Shen Rong gently pat her chest, “It’s good then.”

Shen Qi said, “However, Xu-cefei and Fourth Sister have been too worried because of Father’s matter. I am afraid they are not well.”

Shen Rong suddently turned pale, her eyes were full of fear.

Shen Qi saw it, the suspicion in her heart was now confirmed, “Fifth Sister, would you like to see them? If you want…..”

“No!” Shen Rong’s refusal voice was very sharp, as if frightened by it herself, she said, “Eldest Sister, I am not feeling very well….”

“I’ll take my leave then. Call a doctor if you are unwell.” Shen Qi gently said.

Shen Rong nodded, her whole body was slightly trembling.