After speaking her mind, Madam Jin felt somewhat relieved. She took a sip of tea and glanced at Xue Shi, who was dressed in a lilac soft silk jacket with front opening and a white cotton-ling skirt. Her hair was adorned with intricate gold-wire hairpins and a jade hairpin ornament inlaid with gems, while her ears sparkled with gleaming gold earrings—every inch the lady of a wealthy household. In contrast, Madam Jin herself wore a slightly worn blue satin jacket and a jade-colored skirt. Her hair was decorated only with a silver hairpin and bronze rings, and the silver bracelet on her wrist was part of her dowry from years ago. She had no other jewelry, making her appear all the more shabby next to Xue Shi.
Although Xia Yun had passed the provincial examination and received gifts from local gentry, securing a position as a minor official at the government office, an ordinary family might have managed to live comfortably. However, Madam Jin was exceptionally fertile. Though two sons were already married and a daughter had been wed, there were still two daughters awaiting marriage, a pair of twelve-year-old twins, and a youngest son of just seven who had been sickly since birth. Seeking medical treatment and medicine had cost a great deal of silver, yet the boy showed no improvement, merely clinging to life as he lay bedridden. The family relied on only a few meager acres of farmland, so they could hardly maintain any semblance of dignity.
Madam Jin thought to herself that Xue Shi hadn’t owned much jewelry before either, cycling through the same two or three sets of clothes day after day. How had she suddenly become so bedecked in gold and silver? Feeling displeased again, she coughed twice, forced a smile, and said, "Younger Sister Xue, you’re dressed so elegantly. Tsk, tsk, all that gold and silver is dazzling my eyes."
Suppressing her irritation, Xue Shi replied, "It’s all thanks to her father’s recent good fortune. He became the manager of a large pawnshop, and our circumstances improved. Now that the owner has gone to the capital and the shop was sold, fortunately, the new owner still thinks highly of him and kept him on. In his spare time, he also deals in antiques, so we’re getting by. This New Year, he arranged to buy a few pieces of jewelry for Ling, and I benefited too, having two or three pieces made for myself."
Adopting a matronly tone, Madam Jin leaned forward slightly, looked at Xue Shi, and spoke with feigned concern, "Younger Sister Xue, since I’m a few years older than you, I’ll take the liberty of offering some advice. Now that your days are better, you shouldn’t squander all your money on gold and silver jewelry. There will be plenty of uses for funds in the future... If you ask me, while Brother Chen is still young, you should spend a few taels of silver to buy a fertile maid. 'There are three ways of being unfilial, and having no heir is the worst.' The Chen family must not let their lineage die out!"
At these words, Xue Shi’s face fell completely. Ever since leaving the Lin Family, she had endured hardships alongside Chen Wanquan, putting up with his fondness for drink and his temper. Now, just as they were beginning to enjoy a few good days, an outsider had the audacity to suggest that Chen Wanquan take a concubine!
Furious, Xue Shi was about to retort when Madam Jin added, "Without a son, how will Brother Chen face his ancestors in the afterlife? Even if he amasses a fortune, what good is it without a son? In old age, there won’t even be anyone to attend to him by his bedside. You remember the second daughter of our old neighbor, the Gong family, don’t you? She’s broad-hipped and round-bottomed, with a look that promises sons. She’s eighteen this year. If we bring it up with her family, they’re sure to agree. Shall I go ask them for you tomorrow?"
Xue Shi sneered, "Elder Sister, you must be joking. 'No one to attend by the bedside'? I still have Ling by my side."Madam Jin covered her mouth with a chuckle, the wrinkles around her eyes deepening, making her appear two years older than when she wasn’t smiling. She said, "Sister Lan will have to marry sooner or later—she can’t stay at home forever. Could it be that you’re thinking of finding a live-in son-in-law? Oh dear, listen to this old sister’s advice: what kind of decent man would be willing to marry into his wife’s family? Even if you can’t find someone like our Xiao San’er, who’s studying for the imperial exams to become a high official, at least find someone with family property, right?"
Xue Shi was so angry her hands and feet turned cold. Just then, someone at the door said, "Aunt Xia’s words hit right at the heart of the matter." Everyone turned to look and saw Xianglan stride in, a smile on her face. She first bowed to everyone in the room, then said to Madam Jin, "It’s still better to have some property. Those who only have empty fame but are actually poor as church mice with a houseful of dependents—even though we’re just a humble family, we wouldn’t dare form ties with such a household. How would we manage in the future with a crowd of poor relatives?"
Madam Jin immediately raised her eyebrows in anger, her chrysanthemum-like face tightening further. She sneered, "I was just offering well-meaning advice, and now I’m met with such talk from a junior. Don’t think I can’t tell—you’re taking jabs at our family. I was wholeheartedly advising your mother: taking a concubine is also a joyous matter. Your parents are getting older, and you’ll marry sooner or later—how can they not have someone to look after them? I have no face to sit here any longer." With that, she stood up to leave.
Though Xue Shi felt inwardly vindicated, she still made a show of urging her to stay. She said to Xianglan, "A child like you doesn’t know what’s appropriate. How can you interrupt when your elders are speaking? Hurry up and apologize to Aunt Xia." But she turned her face to Xianglan and winked.
Madam Jin lifted her chin and snorted coldly, saying to Xue Shi, "You must teach your daughter properly. With such a sharp tongue, I’m afraid she’ll have trouble marrying in the future!"
Xianglan’s voice was clear and crisp, like a string of firecrackers, as she said, "I’m young and don’t understand things—I still need Aunt Xia to teach me. I used to think that taking a concubine was only for wealthy families. For example, in Aunt Xia’s family, there’s a Recommended Man, and now whenever Uncle Xia goes out, who doesn’t address him respectfully as ‘Old Master’? Such prestige and dignity are fitting for taking a concubine. Firstly, Uncle Xia and Aunt Xia are older than my mother, so they need someone to look after them even more. Secondly, for the father of a Recommended Man to take a concubine is a joyous matter—it would bring honor to the family, wouldn’t it?"
Madam Jin never expected the Chen family’s daughter to be so sharp-tongued and unyielding, turning her own argument against her with a counterattack. Her face immediately flushed the color of liver. Third Sister Xia, seeing her mother at a disadvantage, stood up indignantly and said, "My mother meant well for your family! It’s not like my mother is a hen that can’t lay eggs—why would my father need to take a concubine?"Xianglan didn't even glance at Third Sister Xia, speaking directly to Madam Jin instead: "There are several issues with what Aunt Xia said today. Firstly, my mother is still young. In previous years when our family circumstances were difficult, her health was frail. Now with proper nourishment and making donations at the temple to pray for a son, there's no worry about her inability to bear one. If Aunt Xia is truly concerned about my parents lacking a son, considering our years as neighbors, you should advise my mother to focus on recuperating instead. Secondly, my father has never entertained the idea of taking a concubine—he won't even consider adopting a male heir. Feel free to verify this if you doubt it. Thirdly, whether to take a concubine or not is our family matter—what business is it of yours? Aunt Xia usually spends her days with common women, constantly gossiping without understanding propriety. No wonder even after becoming a Recommended man's mother, you still don't know proper decorum. Though I may be untalented, I've at least served in a respectable household for two years and understand basic decency. Let me tell you this today: advising others to take concubines and acting like a matchmaker pulling strings—don't do such things again. Losing your own dignity is minor, but if you embarrass Recommended man Xia, people might think he's gossipy too!"
Madam Jin never expected Xianglan to openly humiliate her with such a speech. Trembling with rage, she pointed at Xianglan: "You... you..." but couldn't form words for a long time. Furious, she stood up to leave. Second Sister-in-law Xia, being quick-witted, immediately supported Madam Jin and said to Xue Shi: "My mother meant well but spoke inappropriately. Let me apologize on her behalf."
Xue Shi also hurried to smooth things over, scolding Xianglan: "No respect for elders!" Then she smiled at Madam Jin: "Don't mind this young girl—she doesn't know any better!"
Second Sister-in-law Xia held Madam Jin's arm: "Mother, please sit down. This was just words spoken in the heat of the moment—nothing serious." She repeatedly signaled Madam Jin with her eyes.
Knowing her second daughter-in-law was the most tactful, Madam Jin resisted the urge to leave and, being thick-skinned after all, sat back down.
Second Sister-in-law Xia was skilled at making conversation. She first complimented the room's decorations, then praised Xue Shi's clothing, before steering the topic to Xia Yun, boasting about his exceptional talent and handsome appearance. Hearing this, Madam Jin straightened her back and began describing how valued Xia Yun was at the Government Office. After a few exchanges, the previous conflict was forgotten as they resumed chatting and laughing.
Second Sister-in-law Xia, being naturally sociable, turned to chat with Xianglan. She touched Xianglan's hair and arms, examining her thoroughly. Xianglan felt somewhat uncomfortable and subtly shifted aside, but Second Sister-in-law Xia took another step forward, taking Xianglan's hand with a laugh: "Goodness, you're like a Celestial Maiden! Last time I saw you was years ago before you entered the Lin Family. How you've grown into a young lady—so refined I barely recognize you! I adore your straightforward nature too. I wonder who'll be fortunate enough to marry such a lovely girl someday."
She asked Xianglan various questions about her daily activities. Xianglan smiled faintly: "What else would I do? Just some needlework usually."
Second Sister-in-law Xia laughed: "Why would you still do needlework? You must be painting now, right? How much silver can one of your paintings fetch these days?"Xianglan was taken aback. Seeing the sharp gleam in Second Sister-in-law Xia's eyes, she felt increasingly uncomfortable and said indifferently, "Second Sister-in-law Xia, you must be joking. I don't know how to paint at all. Don't listen to the gossip from outsiders."
Second Sister-in-law Xia piled on a smile: "Are you trying to fool your sister-in-law? If you tell me quietly, I promise not to tell anyone else..."
Just as she was speaking, Third Sister Xia came over. She was a year younger than Xianglan and had hardly worn any new clothes since childhood. Ever since Xianglan entered the household, she had been coveting Xianglan's bright clothing and jewelry. She said enviously, "The flowers and blossoms you're wearing in your hair are so pretty."
Xianglan was just worrying about how to deal with Second Sister-in-law Xia. Hearing this, she pulled a brocade flower from her hair and handed it to Third Sister Xia, saying, "If you like this one, I'll give it to you."
Second Sister-in-law Xia repeatedly exclaimed, "Oh my, how can this be acceptable?" She secretly regretted not having praised Xianglan's accessories earlier, otherwise she might have received one too. Now it was awkward for her to ask.
Third Sister Xia took the flower. Seeing how exquisite and unique it was, with copper wire twisted into butterfly antennae dangling tiny garnet stones that trembled with movement, she touched it over and over. Without saying thank you, she simply stuck it in her own hair, then looked eagerly at Xianglan's head and said, "The hairpins and hair ornaments you're wearing are also quite pretty..."
Thank you Chuchu Dongren Qiu for the sachet, Little Monster ABC for the Peace Talisman, and thank you everyone for the pink votes!! Thank you East19us for the long review, thank you Meiyan Kongkong for helping me make the cover =3=
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