The evening watch had just been announced, and the Sheng residence in Quanzhou was gradually illuminated by lanterns. In the main hall of the western courtyard sat a white-haired elderly woman, her hands fingering prayer beads, dressed plainly—a stark contrast to the opulent elegance surrounding her. Seated below her was the master of the Sheng household, Sheng Hong.
"By the grace of our ancestors, I received an 'excellent' evaluation in this year’s assessment. The Imperial Edict for my promotion is expected by the end of the month." It was early summer, and Sheng Hong wore a thin russet silk robe, speaking with utmost respect.
"These years of hardship abroad have not been in vain. The leap from the sixth rank is the most challenging. Once you pass this hurdle, you will be considered a mid-level official. Do you have any idea where you will be assigned?" Old Mrs. Sheng’s tone was even, devoid of fluctuation.
"Uncle Geng has already written to inform me—it should be the prefect of Dengzhou." Though Sheng Hong was typically cautious, he couldn’t suppress the joy in his voice at this news.
"Then I must congratulate you, Master. The position of prefect is usually held by officials of the fifth rank. For a sixth-rank official like you to attain it is not only due to ancestral virtue but also the efforts of those who have supported you," Old Mrs. Sheng remarked.
"Indeed. I have drafted the Gift Lists for several uncles and elders in the capital. Please review them, Mother." Sheng Hong retrieved a few plain papers from his sleeve and handed them to a maid standing nearby.
"You have grown increasingly adept in handling affairs over the years. Make your own decisions, but remember this: the friendship of gentlemen appears indifferent but is pure like water. Use silver wisely, ensure etiquette is thorough, remain neither humble nor pushy, yet maintain closeness. Those senior officials have spent their entire lives navigating officialdom, their eyes sharpened like fire. Their support over the years stems partly from your late father’s connections, but also from your own diligence, which made them willing to assist." Old Mrs. Sheng grew slightly breathless after speaking at length. Mama Fang immediately brought a teacup to her lips, gently patting her back.
Seeing this, Sheng Hong looked anxious and exclaimed, "Mother, you must take care of yourself! Whatever I have achieved today is entirely due to your guidance. If not for your righteousness back then, I would still be muddling through life in the countryside. I must devote myself to honoring you."
Old Mrs. Sheng fell silent, as if lost in thought. After a long pause, she murmured, "It was not about righteousness—only about fulfilling the marital bond with your father. I could not let his grave remain desolate after his passing. Fortunately... you have striven to improve." Her voice faded to a whisper.
Sheng Hong dared not respond, and the hall fell into solemn silence. After a while, he said, "Mother, you are in the prime of life and will surely enjoy lasting blessings. Please set your heart at ease and focus on recuperating." He glanced around and frowned. "Your quarters are too austere—it feels like a nunnery. Listen to me, Mother: even ordinary elderly ladies who chant Buddhist sutrals keep their surroundings lively. Why must you subject yourself to such austerity? If others saw this, they might think I am unfilial."
Old Mrs. Sheng replied, "True warmth lies within the heart. If the heart is barren, no amount of decoration can enliven it—it becomes mere decoration, like ears on a deaf man."
Sheng Hong whispered, "It is my failure as a son, unable to restrain my wife."Old Mrs. Sheng said, "I don't blame you. I know your filial piety well enough. There's no need to criticize your wife either. I'm not her proper mother-in-law after all—no point putting on airs. Having her visit every three days would exhaust both her and me. Don't worry about people accusing you of unfilial conduct either. My reputation from earlier years is widely known—many understand my temperament. Keeping some distance actually suits everyone better."
Sheng Hong urgently responded, "What kind of talk is this, Mother? What do you mean by 'not a proper mother-in-law'? You are Father's lawfully wedded principal wife, my official mother, and you've shown me boundless grace. Whatever faults exist lie entirely with me and my wife. Please don't speak this way."
Old Mrs. Sheng seemed somewhat impatient, lightly waving her hand. "No need to trouble yourself with these trivial matters, Master. With your promotion imminent, you should focus on preparations. During your years as Tongzhi of Quanzhou, you've built many valuable connections. Before departing, you must fulfill all courtesy obligations. We all move in the same official circles—today's separation may lead to tomorrow's reunion. Don't let colleagues feel slighted. It's best to part on good terms."
"Mother speaks wisely. I've been thinking the same. Recalling when I first arrived in Quanzhou, I found this Lingnan region oppressively hot with rough customs—if not entirely uncivilized, certainly lacking refinement. Unexpectedly, I discovered favorable weather here, simple-hearted common folk, and coastal advantages of fisheries, salt production, and shipping. Though not as prosperous as Jiangnan, the people enjoy considerable wealth. Having lived here these years, I've grown rather attached," Sheng Hong said with a slight smile.
Old Mrs. Sheng also smiled. "Indeed. Having lived my whole life in the north, I wouldn't even want to move to Jiangnan despite all its attractions. Yet I've grown accustomed to Quanzhou. With the emperor far away in the capital, life here is leisurely. Before we leave, we should sell this large residence and acquire a smaller estate with pleasant scenery—neither ostentatious nor lacking a retirement haven."
"An excellent plan. I find it most ingenious and will arrange it promptly," Sheng Hong replied cheerfully.
Old Mrs. Sheng maintained strict discipline—throughout this conversation, not a sound came from the maids and matrons filling the room. After the mother and son conversed awhile, Sheng Hong repeatedly hesitated to broach a certain matter, causing the atmosphere to grow cold again. Noticing his unease, Old Mrs. Sheng glanced at him while gently stirring tea leaves in her cup. Mama Fang, perceptive as ever, quietly directed the servants out, herding them to the secondary rooms before instructing several senior maids and returning to attend in the main hall. Just then she overheard Old Mrs. Sheng saying: "...So you finally dare speak of it. I thought you meant to hide this from your old mother until death."
Sheng Hong stood with bowed head, face full of apprehension. "I regret not heeding your earlier advice, Mother, which led to this disaster. My lack of virtue has disturbed our household peace."
"Merely disturbed household peace?" Old Mrs. Sheng slightly raised her voice. "I never thought you could be so blind! Do you not realize this matter could have minor or major consequences?"
Startled, Sheng Hong bowed deeply. "Please enlighten me, Mother."Old Mrs. Sheng straightened up from the sandalwood daybed: "I've never been one to meddle in affairs, nor do I wish to be tiresome with unwanted advice. Whom you favor has nothing to do with me, and I've never interfered with the squabbles in your household. But these past few years, you've increasingly overstepped propriety. Go out and ask around—which respectable family treats a concubine as you do! Giving her face and private savings, bestowing upon her estates and shops—now she has both son and daughter, lacking only the proper status. In every way she's treated no differently than a lawful wife! By blurring the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate, you've thrown propriety into disarray. Isn't this brewing disaster for our family? Well, well, today it has finally come to bloodshed—a gruesome double death! What have you to say for yourself?"
Sheng Hong flushed with shame, repeatedly cupping his hands in apology: "Mother's reprimand is justified. This is entirely your son's fault. I was foolish, always thinking of her as a lonely soul seeking refuge with me, truly pitiable. She gave up the chance to be a proper wife elsewhere to willingly become my concubine—I couldn't help but feel tender toward her. Moreover, since she came from your household, she ought to be more dignified than ordinary concubines. But I never imagined that my affection would ultimately harm her, making her increasingly unaware of her place. Your son truly recognizes his error now."
Hearing his last words, Old Mrs. Sheng gave a soft, cold laugh but remained silent, lifting her teacup to blow gently on it. Seeing this, Mama Fang stepped forward and said: "The master's benevolent heart is well known to the old madam. This matter has been dragging on for years. Without clearing the air, our household will never find peace. As an elder, there are things the old madam finds difficult to say. Today, let this old woman presume to speak plainly with the master, and I beg you not to take offense."
When Mama Fang spoke, Sheng Hong hurriedly responded: "What are you saying, Mama? All these years you've devoted yourself to the Sheng family, serving Mother with utmost dedication. To me, you're like family. Please speak freely."
Not daring to accept such deference, Mama Fang inclined her body slightly and said: "Then this old woman will speak out of turn. Consort Lin's mother and the old madam were acquainted before marriage. To be honest, they'd only met a few times and were never as close as the old madam's other girlhood friends. After they married, they completely lost contact. Having served the old madam since childhood, I know this matter best. Later, when Consort Lin's father-in-law committed offenses and was convicted—though not to the extent of confiscation or execution—their family fell into decline. That year, when Consort Lin's mother lost her husband and had no sons to rely on, she found herself destitute, struggling to raise her daughter in wretched circumstances. On her deathbed, she sought out the old madam, begging her to care for her daughter out of their former girlish friendship, fearing the girl would be harmed by their wolf-like relatives. Being a devout Buddhist, the old madam has the kindest heart and agreed, taking Consort Lin into our household. During those years, our old madam treated her no differently than her own daughter—providing the finest food, clothing, and possessions, constantly talking about preparing a dowry for her and finding her a good marriage."
Hearing this, Sheng Hong's face reddened slightly with apparent shame. Mama Fang sighed and continued: "Who could have known this Miss Lin had grand ambitions of her own? She refused every marriage prospect we found for her, yet secretly formed an illicit relationship with the master. Forgive this old woman's blunt words. Our old madam was completely kept in the dark about the whole affair. It wasn't until the mistress came weeping furiously to the old madam that she discovered the girl she'd raised in her own home had behaved so improperly."Sheng Hong was overwhelmed with shame, his face flushed crimson, unable to utter a word.
Mama Fang said gently, "Originally, the mistress and Old Madam were not as they are today. When the mistress first married into the family, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were affectionate and respectful to each other. But after that incident, it seemed as though our Old Madam deliberately humiliated the mistress, raising Miss Lin to secure a concubine for the master. Later, when you married Consort Lin, and she bore children, living more respectably than the proper mistress, the mistress couldn't help but direct all her resentment toward Old Madam and gradually cut off contact. Old Madam's heart grew utterly cold."
With a thud, Sheng Hong knelt straight before Old Mrs. Sheng, tears streaming as he said, "I deserve to die ten thousand deaths for causing you so much distress, Mother, letting you bear grievances with nowhere to vent. I am unfilial, I am unfilial."
As he kowtowed repeatedly, Old Mrs. Sheng closed her eyes and gestured to Mama Fang, who hurried to help Sheng Hong up. He refused to rise, continuing to apologize profusely. Old Mrs. Sheng said, "Get up first. These matters of the inner quarters are not something a man like you fully understands. Rise now—how can mother and son hold grudges overnight?"
Only then did Sheng Hong stand, his forehead already swollen and red. Old Mrs. Sheng sighed, "I know that in your childhood, you and Consort Chun relied on each other to survive, living a hard life. At that time, I couldn't even attend to my own son, let alone know about the deceitful and disloyal behavior of the servants, which made you suffer. And now, your wife is not a tolerant person, so you always fear that Consort Lin and Feng Ge'er will be wronged, bullied by servants or subjected to gossip. That's why you gave them property and land for security. How could I not understand your good intentions? That's why I closed my eyes and sealed my lips, pretending to be deaf and dumb these years, acting as though I were a living corpse."
Sheng Hong wept, "How could any of this be related to you, Old Madam? It is all my lack of virtue. Your heart is as clear as a mirror, and every word strikes right at my heart. I was just afraid of my wife... that's why I overindulged them and broke the rules. I deserve to die ten thousand deaths."
"Stop talking about ten thousand deaths. If you die, who will we orphans and widows rely on?" Old Mrs. Sheng signaled Mama Fang to bring a chair for Sheng Hong and helped the still-weeping man to sit.
After Mama Fang handed Sheng Hong a hot towel to wipe his face and served tea, Old Mrs. Sheng continued, "Setting aside natural principles and human sentiments, have you considered that you are just thirty years old? Your official career may not be entirely smooth, but it has faced no major setbacks. Among those who passed the imperial examination with you, how many have had such stability? Many are still struggling bitterly, envious of you, waiting for you to make a mistake—and they are not few. Moreover, Consort Wei was not a maid bought by our family. She came from a decent family, originally a farming and scholarly clan in Jiangnan. She was meant to be a proper wife; if not for her family's misfortune, no matter how poor, she would never have agreed to be a concubine. Now, she has died tragically less than five years after entering our household. If someone with ill intentions uses this to incite her family to cause trouble, accusing you of failing to manage your household and disregarding human life, could you still be promoted smoothly?"
Sheng Hong was startled, breaking into a cold sweat. "Fortunately, you understood clearly and stabilized the Wei family in time, so I have no worries from behind.""The Wei family are honest folk. When they learned of Consort Wei's death, they didn't make much fuss. They only asked for her body to bury themselves, but I naturally refused. They wouldn't even take the extra silver I offered, saying they had no face accepting their daughter's blood money. They only begged me to take good care of Ming Yatou and said they'd be eternally grateful. Seeing that wretched family broke my heart."
Old Mrs. Sheng took out a handkerchief to dab the corners of her eyes. Mama Fang came in personally with a teapot to refill their cups, carefully adding water to two celadon porcelain teacups with floating patterns before placing the lids back on. Sighing, she added, "Consort Wei was a good woman, and the child she raised is pitiful. Ever since her concubine mother passed, she's been feverish for two days, completely delirious. These days since waking up, she's been in a daze, hasn't spoken a complete sentence. The other day when I went to see her on Old Madam's orders, I found the maids and matrons outside laughing and playing while not a single person attended her inside! When I entered, I saw the poor child getting out of bed herself to pour water! A mere four or five-year-old who can't even reach the table - she had to climb onto a small stool and stand on tiptoe just to drink from a teacup. Truly heartbreaking!" Mama Fang also began wiping her tears.
Remembering Consort Wei's past tenderness and kindness, Sheng Hong felt a sharp pain in his heart and said with shame, "I intended to send her to the Madame, but these days Ru Yatou has also fallen ill, and the Madame's quarters are in chaos. I thought to wait a few days until the Madame has more time before sending her over."
Old Mrs. Sheng composed herself and said slowly, "What does she need time for? Does Ming Yatou need to be carried on her back or in her arms? We have plenty of maids and matrons in this household. She just needs to give the order and someone will handle everything - it merely requires some attention. Her making excuses about not being able to care for Ming Yatou is probably just putting on airs."
Sheng Hong nervously stood up again, not daring to respond. Old Mrs. Sheng glanced at him, her voice carrying a chill, "You don't dare criticize her, nor can you rightly do so. It's simply because you yourself haven't maintained proper conduct and let her rebut you at every turn. Originally, you were the one who broke the rules first, spoiling that concubine until she forgot her place, putting on airs like a proper wife. I can imagine what the Madame must have said - what? When everything was fine, the concubine raised the child herself, but now that the birth mother is dead, you remember she has a nominal mother? No wonder the Madame is angry. I won't dwell on past matters. I'll just ask you two questions, and you answer me honestly."
Sheng Hong hurriedly replied, "Please speak, Mother. Not just two questions, but thousands - I'll answer them all."
"First, regarding Consort Wei's death - two lives lost - do you plan to let this matter pass, or will you demand a life in return?" Old Mrs. Sheng fixed her gaze tightly on Sheng Hong.
"I must investigate carefully. How can we lightly spare such a venomous person in our household? If she could harm Consort Wei and my full-term child today, she might target others tomorrow. How can our Sheng family tolerate such a person!" Sheng Hong answered through gritted teeth.
Old Mrs. Sheng's expression softened slightly. After a pause, she continued asking, "Good. Second, what do you plan to do about the current situation in this household where no one knows their place and there's no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate?"Sheng Hong took a deep breath. "Mother's judgment is sound. When I returned and saw Consort Wei's corpse covered in blood, along with the child suffocated in its mother's womb, I was already filled with remorse. The servants dare to be so reckless precisely because there are no strict rules to restrain them. When those above behave unworthily, those below will do the same—the root of the problem naturally lies with the leadership. I have resolved to strictly enforce household discipline."
"Good, good. Having heard you say this is enough," Old Mrs. Sheng felt slightly relieved. Knowing Sheng Hong's character, she didn't press further but nodded repeatedly. "If you wish to maintain your official position long-term, and if our Sheng family hopes for continued lineage, we must govern the household with strictness. Remember, disasters often arise from within the household walls. Many great families decay from the inside—we must learn from their examples."
"Mother is right. In recent days, I've been preoccupied with performance evaluations. Now that this burden has lifted, I can devote time to reorganization. I'll start by dealing with the maids and matrons who were present during Consort Wei's delivery." Sheng Hong's tone remained calm, though his anger was evident.
"No, we cannot investigate now." To his surprise, Old Mrs. Sheng flatly refused. Sheng Hong wondered, "Old Madam, why not? Should we tolerate these wicked servants?"
Old Mrs. Sheng gave him a meaningful look. "You've served as Deputy Magistrate in Quanzhou for years. Everyone knows each other well here—the women of various families socialize regularly, and many servants were locally purchased. Any disturbance in our household would become public knowledge. Although you're on good terms with most colleagues, there might be those who secretly resent you. If you launch a major cleanup right after your concubine's death, wouldn't that be like putting up a sign saying 'No silver buried here'? You'd be openly announcing your household troubles."
Sheng Hong became alert and acknowledged, "Thank you for reminding me, Mother. I nearly made a mistake. If we discipline our household here in Quanzhou, when we dismiss servants, the whole prefecture would know. But when we reach Shandong, being so far away, however we punish those wicked servants, no outsiders would know the details."
"Exactly. Therefore, not only should you not make this public now, you must stabilize the entire household. We'll proceed peacefully to your new post in Dengzhou. Wait until the Imperial Edict arrives and you've received your official seal. After our family settles in Shandong, you can gradually take action."
"Old Madam's insight is profound. It's been years since I last had a heart-to-heart with you, Mother. Speaking today has greatly enlightened me. I'll need to rely on your guidance in household management going forward, and I'll have my wife consult you more often." Sheng Hong spoke sincerely.
"No need. I'm already halfway into the grave. I wouldn't have interfered this time if things hadn't gotten out of hand. From now on, everything should continue as usual—have your wife pay respects three times monthly. Manage your own affairs and govern your own household. I only wish to peacefully chant Buddhist prayers and maintain vegetarian practices."
Old Mrs. Sheng seemed tired, leaning against the soft couch backrest with slightly closed eyes, her voice gradually fading. In the corner of the room, a purple bronze unicorn censer on a sandalwood stand quietly released smoke patterns like swirling clouds.
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[Author's Note]Most contemporary farming novels imitate Ming and Qing vernacular stories, which is reasonable since the customs and habits of these two dynasties share many similarities. Recently, while researching for my own writing, I discovered that there are actually notable differences between the Ming and Qing dynasties in terms of women's status and domestic life. Let’s discuss this when we have time.
For those interested, you can read Ming dynasty vernacular stories like "Three Words and Two Slaps" and "The Plum in the Golden Vase," then compare them with Qing dynasty works such as "Dream of the Red Chamber" and "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio." You’ll notice differences in the portrayal of women’s status and living environments between the two eras. "The Travels of Lao Can" might be too late Qing to be fully representative, while "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Water Margin," and "Journey to the West," though written during the Ming dynasty, offer limited insight into the social context of that time, so they are only briefly referenced here.
First, my farming novel is set in a fictional dynasty called Da Zhou, with most customs and institutions modeled after Ming society. Since Ming customs remain debated among historians, some aspects of this story may not be entirely accurate—please don’t scrutinize them too closely.
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