Another dozen or so days passed in a blur. On a day when the winter snow had just cleared, the long-awaited Kong Momo finally arrived gracefully. It was said she originally descended from a collateral branch of the Shandong Kong family and had risen from palace maid to female official. Over the decades, several emperors had changed, yet she had steadily rotated through positions in the Six Bureaus Female Officials. A few years ago, she resigned from the palace due to illness and old age and had been living in retirement at the Rong’en Temple in the capital.
At present, it was fashionable among many noble families, marquis households, or prominent clans to invite retired elderly palace women to teach their daughters etiquette and manners. Minglan understood this as increasing the added value of girls.
This momo had previously instructed several young ladies at the households of the Duke of Ying, Duke of Zhiguo, and Marquis of Xiangyang. All praised her gentle temperament, patience, and meticulousness in teaching rules, unlike other momos who were quick to punish or strike, yet she still managed to impart proper etiquette thoroughly. Madam Wang hadn’t expected Old Mrs. Sheng to have such influence, actually managing to invite such a high-caliber momo, and she went to the Longevity and Peace Hall several times to express her gratitude.
Having served as a female official in the palace for decades without any misconduct, Minglan estimated that this momo must have a very safe appearance. Upon meeting her, it was indeed so. Kong Momo was a few years younger than the Old Madam, with a slender build, small eyes, a low nose, and a round, pancake-like face that looked very amiable. She wore a silver-gray plain Brocade Back Coat, trimmed with fur only at the cuffs, and her hair was simply tied up with a Slanting Ruyi Patterned White Jade Hairpin, her entire attire appearing very modest.
She initially intended to pay respects to the Old Madam according to old palace customs but was promptly helped up by the Old Madam. They were old acquaintances and sat together on the kang to chat. Despite her ordinary appearance, once she spoke, her words were as refreshing as a spring breeze, and her every gesture was graceful, fluid, modest, and dignified. Sheng Hong and Madam Wang sat smiling nearby, while Hualan, her little face flushed with excitement, restrained her hands and feet, not daring to say a word. Rulan sat elegantly, maintaining a perfect smile as she listened to the two elders speak. Madam Wang, afraid that Rulan might be immature and embarrass the Sheng family, hadn’t allowed her to come at all.
“Lord Sheng is known in the capital for his upright governance and virtuous conduct. Now with a house full of children and grandchildren, the young masters and ladies of your household are like Orchid and Magnolia Snow Trees. The Old Madam is truly blessed,” Kong Momo said with a smile.
“To have been able to invite someone as busy as you, I am indeed blessed. I entrust my eldest granddaughter to you. If there’s anything lacking, feel free to scold or punish her without holding back,” Old Mrs. Sheng said, pointing at Hualan with a laugh.
“What are you saying, Old Madam? Though I have some respectability today, it’s only due to the face given by esteemed personages. In the end, I was merely a servant in the palace. In my view, rules are meant to highlight virtue, clarify ethics, and guide conduct—not to torment people. Rules should be learned, but there’s no need to learn them rigidly; sincerity is enough. Besides, how could the Old Madam’s granddaughter be anything less?” As Kong Momo spoke, she casually glanced at Hualan, who seemed encouraged, sitting upright with her back straight and her gaze full of anticipation, as if using body language to express her determination.
“That Momo could come this time is truly thanks to Mother’s blessing. When Momo has free time while instructing Hua’er, please also share some stories about the capital with us, so we country folks who’ve been away for years can broaden our horizons,” said Madam Wang."From Quanzhou to Dengzhou, spanning from south to north, the land is abundant with treasures and the people prosperous, beneath vast skies and expansive seas. Having witnessed great mountains and rivers, and being knowledgeable about local customs across the realm, your insight surely surpasses that of an old woman like me who has never left her nest. You are too modest." Kong Momo smiled graciously, her words smoothing out every pore on Madam Wang's body with comfort, making her grin even more broadly.
Kong Momo spoke slowly, yet never gave the impression of dragging her words. Though her speech was sparing, every sentence struck just the right note, making it easy for others to listen respectfully and with ease. Minglan, observing from the side, felt great admiration. Madam Wang and Hualan had initially expected a strict etiquette instructor and had prepared themselves for hardship. To their surprise, Kong Momo turned out to be so amiable and kind. Overjoyed, they felt even more grateful to Old Mrs. Sheng. Though Madam Wang had already prepared living quarters and servants for Kong Momo, the latter tactfully expressed her wish to stay overnight at Longevity and Peace Hall first, to catch up with the old madam. Madam Wang naturally complied.
That night, Kong Momo slept in Old Mrs. Sheng's heated chamber.
"I never dared to ask you to come, yet you actually agreed," Old Mrs. Sheng said.
"I've grown truly weary of those powerful and noble families. Everyone wears a thousand faces, scheming and calculating endlessly behind polite smiles. I've spent my whole life deciphering people's thoughts, even pondering the intentions of those nobles in my dreams. I thought I could finally enjoy some peace after resigning, but it never stopped. So I took your invitation as an excuse to escape the capital and have a few quiet days. Besides, I'm old now—it's time to return to my roots." Kong Momo shed her earlier unhurried demeanor, appearing utterly exhausted.
"Have you found a place to settle? If there's anything I can do to help, you must tell me," Old Mrs. Sheng said with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"No need. I've already arranged everything. I have a distant nephew in my hometown—he has no parents, and I have no children, so we'll keep each other company. Besides, as you know, I don't have many days left in this body. I don't want to feel constrained anymore." Kong Momo wore an expression of liberation.
Old Mrs. Sheng felt a pang of pity and said softly, "You've had a hard life. Back then, you were already betrothed, and your sister's name was clearly on the palace entry roster, but your stepmother forced you to take her place and enter the palace, ruining your entire life."
"What hardship?" Kong Momo laughed heartily. "My life has been more eventful than most. Not to mention the food and luxuries I've enjoyed, I've seen three emperors and five empresses, and consorts and noble ladies are as countless as fish in the river. I've truly broadened my horizons! To live to sixty without want, I've nothing to complain about. As for my sister—she married, committed adultery, poisoned her husband's concubine and mother-in-law, was divorced, and lived a life of utter disgrace. My stepmother bankrupted herself for her and ended up dying in poverty. I'm far better off than them." She chuckled, "When I heard the news back then, I secretly drank an entire bottle of Aged Cellar to celebrate!"
Old Mrs. Sheng laughed, "You're still the same—outwardly respectful, but inwardly free-spirited and unrestrained."
Kong Momo sighed faintly, "How else could I have endured?" Then, suddenly, she teased the old madam in a playful tone, "But you—how did you cultivate yourself to such an extent? Where has all your former grandeur gone?"Old Mrs. Sheng shook her head and sighed helplessly, "Hong'er isn't my own flesh and blood after all, why should I make myself unwelcome? Besides, I'm tired. What did all that earth-shaking struggle amount to in the end? Nothing but emptiness."
Kong Momo sneered coldly, "Seems to me you're regressing as you age. Have you forgotten how much harder Jing An Huanghou had it back then? She lost two sons, had her daughter taken away, yet couldn't just leave the imperial family. What could she do? When Emperor Taizong doted on her, she remained joyful. When he neglected her, she stayed equally cheerful. Remember what she told us back then? 'A woman rarely gets to follow her heart in this life - neither birth nor marriage is of her choosing. One must find joy where one can. Sing while you drink, for life is fleeting.' Though she didn't live long, she cherished every day. After her passing, Emperor Taizong pined for her daily until he fell gravely ill..." Kong Momo's voice gradually faded, and Old Mrs. Sheng's gaze grew distant, both recalling that free-spirited woman who lived with such abandon.
Kong Momo let out a long sigh: "Fortunately, the Late Emperor ultimately appointed her youngest son as heir, so she did leave behind her legacy. I've always heeded her advice - never dwell on unpleasant matters, play foolish when necessary, humble yourself when required, eat when hungry, indulge when possible. That's how to live without regrets. Had someone with your stubborn temperament entered the palace back then, you'd have died countless times over!"
Old Mrs. Sheng reminisced about her naive youth with profound melancholy. After a long pause, she shook her head and changed the subject: "Enough of this. What do you think of my household?"
Kong Momo rolled her eyes, "An utter mess, completely lacking discipline. And you're the worst offender!" Having been pent up in the capital for so long, she finally seized this chance to speak her mind. Old Mrs. Sheng could only let her continue.
"Your late father-in-law was quite remarkable - built this vast family fortune, with two of his three sons turning out competent. He personally divided the estate before passing. The tragedy was your husband's death shortly after. If not for you, would Sheng Da Ren - a mere concubine-born son - have survived his vicious third uncle's schemes? Would this property have remained intact? Back then you had wealth, youth, with the old Marquis of Yongyi and his lady still living. Remarrying wouldn't have been difficult. Even if Jinling and the capital became uncomfortable, you could have sought distant shores to start anew. Remarry, bear children, live your own quiet life - wouldn't that have been ideal?! Instead you chose to guard your loyalty to that ungrateful man, adopted the concubine-born son, upheld the entire Sheng family, found him tutors, helped him attain honors, arranged his marriage, oversaw his children's births... and then? After all your achievements, you retreat to a corner to live like the walking dead? Utter nonsense!" Kong Momo nearly jabbed her finger in Old Mrs. Sheng's face."Though you're not his birth mother, you are his legal mother and have shown him immense kindness. You have every right to hold your head high and assert your authority—what is there to fear? Let me tell you, sons are all ungrateful wretches who forget their mothers once they take a wife. If you don't value yourself, he'll gladly cast you aside! Our dynasty governs with filial piety as its foundation—if he shows even a hint of disobedience, he can forget about remaining in officialdom! At least live comfortably for your own sake, if not for yourself, then for that precious little girl of yours." Kong Momo spoke, tilting her chin toward the pearwood cabinet.
Old Mrs. Sheng was sprayed with spittle but had no rebuttal. Seizing a chance to change the subject, she hurriedly said, "By the way, what do you think of my Ming Yatou?"
Kong Momo turned her face aside, pondered for a moment, and finally replied, "Quite remarkable."
Seeing the eager look on Old Mrs. Sheng's face, she added a few more words: "That child has exceptionally fine eyes—serene, clear, and insightful, as if she understands everything yet remains warm-hearted and joyful. She's steady and knows her place, never showing off in front of others. She's better than you in that regard. No wonder you dote on her like she's your very heart and soul."
Old Mrs. Sheng shot her a glare. "What heart and soul? I treat all my granddaughters equally."
Kong Momo waved her hand impatiently. "Stop pretending! During dinner just now, how many times did you add food to her bowl? Every few moments, you'd say 'Ming Yatou, eat more,' then shortly after, 'No picky eating.' Whenever she reached for a dish more than once, your Mama Fang would secretly note it. Did you think I was blind? Earlier when she went to sleep, you left me waiting here for ages—you must have stayed to watch her take medicine and go to bed, probably only coming after she fell asleep."
Old Mrs. Sheng sighed helplessly. "That child sleeps plenty but never rests peacefully. She wakes several times a night, sometimes crying in her sleep. I know she's nursing a hidden sorrow she can't express. Though she tosses and turns at night, she acts perfectly normal during the day, still studying with me and sitting quietly listening to this old woman's stories. Strangely enough, she's not as educated or artistic as Consort Lin was back then, nor as clever and delightful as Hua Yatou in cheering me up, yet I find her the most kindred spirit." She spoke with melancholy.
"That shows you've grown wiser. After being wronged for half a lifetime, you've finally learned to judge people by their inner qualities—flashy appearances can't compare to genuine character. It's also because you've been alone too long. Now that you have a child keeping you company daily, no matter how aloof you try to be, you can't help but cherish her dearly." Kong Momo's gaze was sharp, her words hitting the mark.
Old Mrs. Sheng pointed at her and scolded, "You old wretch! With that vicious tongue of yours, how did you survive the palace? They let you out to plague the world!"
Kong Momo glared back. "Naturally! Haven't you heard 'Good people die young, while troublemakers live a thousand years'?"
The two old women laughed together.
After laughing for a while, Old Mrs. Sheng wiped her tears and craned her neck to peer toward the pearwood cabinet. Kong Momo pulled her back. "Stop looking. You won't wake your precious granddaughter—didn't she drink a whole bowl of Mind-Soothing Soup? If she were awake, we'd have heard something by now. Come back quickly, I have something to tell you."Old Mrs. Sheng thought it made sense and turned back. Kong Momo said solemnly: "I am a common woman from Shandong, you are a noble daughter from the Marquis mansion of Jinling. Through Jing An Huanghou, our acquaintance is fate. There are some words I must advise you."
Old Mrs. Sheng nodded seriously. Kong Momo then said: "I know you have been wronged for half a lifetime, struggling hard only to end up with loved ones gone and feelings faded. Having grown completely disillusioned, you refused to remarry and only kept to the Sheng family. But let me ask you, how many days do you have left to live?"
Seeing Old Mrs. Sheng's sorrowful expression, Kong Momo continued: "Before Jing An Huanghou passed away, she said these words, which I now give to you—'Man proposes, God disposes.' It's not easy for us women in this lifetime. We do all we can, and what follows is up to Heaven. Our parents raised us with difficulty; we must not waste this life in vain. Live as well as you can, making each day count. As long as you still have breath, you must live well. Speak out against injustice when you see it, scold what is wrong. Hold up the dignity of the eldest daughter of the Xu family of Jinling, restore order in the mansion. Not only will you live more comfortably, but you will also set a good example for the Sheng family descendants. Don't you think that's right?"
Old Mrs. Sheng's eyes reddened, and she gently wiped the corners with a handkerchief: "After all, we are old sisters. Nowadays, only you speak to me like this. I accept your kind intentions, old sister... At the very least, I must hold on until Mingya'er gets married."
Seeing her persuasion succeed, Kong Momo was greatly comforted: "It's right for you to think this way. Liu Guniang is still young and will rely on you in the future. We don't ask for great wealth and honor for her, just that she finds a good family smoothly."
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