After studying with Momo[1] Quan for more than a month, many of Yuxi's habits were slowly changing. Even some of her bad habits were slowly being corrected.
When the end of the month arrived, Yuxi would have a day off from morning class, and she only needed to go to Tingyun Pavilion to learn etiquette in the afternoon as usual. On her way to Tingyun Pavilion that day, she somehow stumbled upon a strolling Yujing.
Yujing first greeted Yuxi as she smiled and said, "I heard that the two momos[1] were female officials of high rank. It is a great blessing that Si Mei[2] can learn etiquette with San Mei[3] while being taught by momos[1] who had served the noble. This Er Jie[4] envies it very much!" It was nice when one had been told to have a great blessing; unfortunately, when Yuchen was added to the compliment, it was apparent she was mocking Yuxi for gaining benefits from being under Yuchen's light.
Yuxi responded with a smile, "Yes, I am said to be blessed! However, when one has so many blessings, one has to cherish them." With this, her eyes could not help falling on the maid standing beside Yujing. This maid was relatively unfamiliar. She was curious to know if Yunqi and Yunlang, who served Yujing before, had been sold or sent to their family hamlets.
Yujing squeezed her handkerchief tightly. These words were no different than mockery towards her for not being blessed or knowing how to cherish her blessings. Normally, she would restrain herself, but once she got so angry, she couldn't control herself. "You are nothing more than Yuchen's bum beetle[5]. I want to see how long you can stay this arrogant."
Yuxi smiled slightly. "Isn't that the same as saying that Er Jie[4] is much worse than a bum beetle[5]?"
Hongshan reminded Yuxi in a low voice, "Miss, we have to go. If we are late, Momo[1] Quan will punish you." Then she looked at Yujing warily, afraid that she would rush up and crazily hurt her Miss, just like last time.
Yuxi smiled and said, "Er Jie[4], you should continue your slow stroll. I will leave first."
Yujing looked at Yuxi's back as her eyes flashed with hatred. If it wasn't for Han Yuxi, her Grandmother wouldn't have put her under house arrest, and her father wouldn't have ignored her. These were all Han Yuxi's faults, so she must return this debt with interest.
Yuxi turned around, and she just happened to see Yujing's eyes full of hatred. She did not know why, but a saying emerged in her mind, 'when cutting down weeds, cut them to the roots. Otherwise, they will return with the spring breeze[6]'.
The maid who caught Yuxi's eyes was called Sixin, and she had not been by Yujing's side that long. She looked at Yuxi's back and deliberately said, "Miss, I've heard that Fourth Miss is a coward and always feels inferior. I dare not say a word when I see people bragging about it. But when I finally see Fourth Miss, she is not like the rumours. It feels so strange."
Yujing was already furious. Her face was full of rage when she heard her maid praising Yuxi. She kicked Sixin to the ground and scolded, "You sure have the intention to curry favour with that darn girl. Even if I kill you, I won't let you have the chance to sell yourself for glory." Her temperament was known not to be good as she treated her maids with beating and cursing for each of their wrongdoings. Moreover, Yujing always got herself into trouble, and her maids would surely get implicated together. Like the previous affairs when the Old Lady disposed of her personal maids, Yunlang and Yunqi.
Sixin knelt on the ground, wiped away her tears and said, "Miss, this handmaiden is wrong. Handmaiden suddenly remembered one thing. Before, this handmaiden had heard several mamas chatting as they gossiped about Fourth Miss, who had changed to someone else since she had gotten well. Seeing Fourth Miss today, this handmaiden felt she was different from the hearsay. This handmaiden was so surprised that handmaiden couldn't help saying more."
Yujing immediately caught the central part of Sixin's words. She tried to remember Yuxi's past behaviour and compared it with Yuxi's current behaviour. Didn't it seem like Yuxi had changed into another person?
Sixin lowered her head, hiding the haze in her eyes from Yujing.
A few days later, a rumour spread in residence said that Fourth Miss had been possessed by the dirty thing after she was cured of smallpox. The current Fourth Miss was simply a monster, with the real one, to be said, having already passed away. As for the evidence, Yuxi's significant changes before and after were used as the best evidence.
The Rose Courtyard was now very well informed of the rumour, and it was soon discovered by Yuxi herself. She chuckled. "Possessed by the dirty thing? What dirty thing?" Although her experience was a little strange, being told that she was possessed by dirty things seemed so laughable to her.
Hongshan was so anxious that she nearly fainted. "Miss, how can you still laugh? This matter must quickly be told to the Lady!"
Yuxi smiled and asked, "Do you believe I'm possessed by dirty things?"
Hongshan quickly answered, "This handmaiden naturally does not believe it." Her master was perfectly normal. How could she be a monster?
A smile appeared on Yuxi's face. "Then, that's enough. Isn't everyone busy talking about me? Then, we will not interfere with this and let nature take its course." She was not afraid of such a rumour. She was not at the age of marriage now. Even if other stories were coming out now, they would be forgotten in some corners three to five years from now and would not influence her at all. But those people who spread the rumour must have gotten something from this.
Yuxi was not worried because she believed the rumour would not spread out of the government. Her Eldest Aunt was really managing the household properties, not just a mere decoration.
The rumour did not last long in the state residence, with Qiu Shi knowing about it at the earliest possible time. She immediately caught two old women servants who ferociously spread the rumour, and then they were severely canned directly in front of the other maids. She then ordered a thorough investigation of the matter. As long as they were caught, they would be severely punished.
Qiu Shi's temper was usually impatient, but after so many years of marriage to the state residence, her heaviest punishment was only 20 boards for two old women who took advantage of their seniority. But this time, she directly resorted to extreme measures, shocking the other subordinate.
To subdue them, Qiu Shi had to trace the source to see who would dare to spread such a rumour. That person must have been malicious enough to even dare circulate it and must be punished.
Qiu Shi acted quickly and soon found out that the news came from Yuru's courtyard. She thought that Yuru was not courageous enough to do it, and the most important thing was there was no contradiction between Yuru and Yuxi. She let her people continue to check and soon found the real culprit, Yujing.
With that evidence, Qiu Shi immediately told the matter to the Old Lady, "Mother-in-law, Second Girl is the one who spread the rumour. She clearly wants to destroy Xi girl! They only had a little spat. However, I don't know why but I can feel that there was a deep hatred between them. Otherwise, how could she spread such a vicious rumour?" This time, she had to be ruthless. It was also because, if this incident was not handled well, it would cause immeasurable consequences later.
The Old Lady didn't know about this matter, mainly because Mama Luo did not dare to tell her, fearing that the Old Lady would get anxiously angry.
Because the Old Lady did not speak, Qiu Shi thought the Old Lady did not believe her and added, "If Mother-in-law does not believe it, I can present the evidence."
The Old Lady and Qiu Shi had been mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for more than ten years. How could the Old Lady not know Qiu Shi's character? Without conclusive evidence, Qiu Shi wouldn't have come to her. The Old Lady's face was livid. It was normal for sisters to have conflicts and quarrels. She wouldn't interfere with it as long as it was not too much. However, it was a pity that one of the sisters tended to spread such a rumour. "Go and call Second Girl."
Yujing was not stupid. Why would she admit it? She immediately cried foul, "I didn't. I didn't spread such rumours. Someone must have framed me."
Qiu Shi pointed at the three people kneeling on the ground. Two were old women from Yujing's courtyard. The other one was Sixin, Yujing's personal maid. Yujing explained that she didn't incite them, but no one believed her words.
Yujing simply refused to recognize what she had not done. "I didn't, she slandered me. Grandmother, do you really believe that I spread this rumour?"
Mama Li said, "Second Miss, these people are servants of your yard. How will they dare to slander you?" Slandering one's master would make one either be killed or sold together with one's whole family.
Yujing suddenly felt her good fortune had come as her mind worked so well[7] as she cried out, "It must have been that ghost thing which has smeared my name. She retaliated against me by using such a vile trick. Grandmother, don't let that ghost thing fool you. She's trying to get back at me by spreading such a rumour." Her words perfectly explained the meaning of the old saying that there were no 300 taels of silver buried here[8].
The Old Lady couldn't bear it any longer, and she shouted angrily, "Somebody, take Second Girl back to her courtyard." Even if Yuxi wanted to retaliate, she wouldn't be so stupid to use such a method of self-injury.
Yujing was put under house arrest again by the Old Lady.
Yuxi was relieved when she heard the news. At the same time, she received the news that Concubine Lian had another miscarriage.
On the same day, Concubine Rong was sent to the family temple.
The Old Lady's behaviour made it easy to think that Concubine Rong was behind the incident. Yuxi was somewhat surprised. Why did the Old Lady act so vigorously this time around?
Hongshan secretly said to Yuxi, "Miss, the person behind Concubine Lian lost her baby this time is probably Mama Li, the mama beside the Lady." She did not dare to speak ill of Qiu Shi in front of Yuxi, so she took a turn and said that Mama Li was the murderer.
Yuxi reminded, "This matter has nothing to do with us anyway. Don't discuss it anymore." She wondered why the Old Lady was anxious to send Concubine Rong away. So, this was the reason.
"Without Concubine Rong and Second Miss, the residence would be much quieter," said Hongshan. This time around, it had been estimated that Second Miss would be under house arrest for another year and a half.
Yuxi shook her head. "Who knows?" After Concubine Rong left, there was still Concubine Lian. This woman wasn't someone easy to deal with. Especially when it came to her recent miscarriage. If it was genuinely done by Eldest Aunt's hand, how could Yuxi not know about it? In the future, someone would surely start making trouble.
Hongshan looked at Yuxi and said what had been hidden from the public, "Concubine Lian had two miscarriages in succession, which has greatly weakened her vitality. The physician said it would be difficult for her to get pregnant again."
Yuxi thought that this was a good thing.
The day after the incident, Momo[1] Chang asked Yuru, "Second Miss has been punished. Did Miss intercede for her?" Yuru had a lousy relationship with Yujing, which Momo[1] Chang had seen for a long time. However, she had been waiting for the right opportunity to ask Yuru personally.
Yuru's face turned stiff. Yujing had now been severely punished. She was already kind enough not to drop stones on Yujing, who had fallen into a well[9]. Now, her Momo[1] also wanted her help to intercede. How could it be possible?
Momo[1] Chang was very conscientious and said, "Eldest Miss, you and Second Miss are both young ladies from the residence. One honour, all will be honoured. One lost, all will lose."
Yuru's face became stiffer.
Momo[1] Chang said, "If Second Miss has a bad reputation, you will be most affected." Now that Yujing's reputation had gone bad, other young ladies in residence would also be implicated. However, Third Miss and Fourth Miss were still young and currently learning from Teacher Song, so they would be less affected by this.
Yuru's hands shook, but she still stayed silent.
Momo[1] Chang frowned. As an elder sister, Yuru should take care of her younger siblings and set a good example, but she was so small-minded. "But, Eldest Miss does not have to worry about it. This matter will certainly not leak out to the outside world." Even if there was meat rotting inside a pot, no outsider would be able to know.
Yuru's expression at once relaxed.
Momo[1] Chang paused and asked curiously, "Eldest Miss, I see you rarely walk with Third Miss and Fourth Miss. I wonder why?"
Yuru answered somewhat unnaturally, "San Mei[3] and Si Mei[2] are busy, and I don't feel good about disturbing them." In fact, if Yuru suddenly saw Yuchen and Yuxi, she would immediately feel so nervous.
Momo[1] Chang remarked, "Third Miss is outstanding in appearance and naturally intelligent. Now that she's been taught by a famous teacher, with guidance led by Momo[1] Gui and Momo[1] Quan, her future will be limitless. Although Fourth Miss is not as good as Third Miss, however, her fortune will undoubtedly end up good."
As the remarks fell on Yuru's ears, it clearly stated that she could not hold a candle to Yuchen and Yuxi. She heard the part where she couldn't match Yuxi the clearest. "Is it possible that there's something in Momo[1]'s mind?"
Momo[1] Chang sighed in her heart and muttered to herself that if Eldest Miss could not even understand this, Eldest Miss' intelligence must have been too bad.
Momo[1] Chang stopped beating around the bush as she said, "Third Miss and Fourth Miss have bright futures. Eldest Miss needs to be more close to them since Miss will depend on these relationships later on. Even if Miss doesn't want to be intimate with them, then Miss shouldn't offend them. After a woman gets married, her natal family's brothers and sisters would be her greatest helping hands. If there is no help from them, if her husband's family turns against her, there will be no bones for her natal family to collect. In a less severe case, she would be sent to her husband's family temple, where she would spend the rest of her lonely life accompanying Buddha."
Yuru's expression kept changing. "Momo[1], do you need to scare me with these words just to make me get along well with my San Mei[3] and Si Mei[2]?"
Momo[1] Chang was patient. "I am not scaring Miss, but there are too many such cases." Then, she told Yuru about a few actual cases. These women who did not have the support of their maiden families ended up miserable.
Yuru was trembling all over.
Momo[1] Chang advised, "If Miss insists on alienating Third Miss and Fourth Miss, it will be Miss who will suffer. I've said all I can; I'll let Eldest Miss judge it yourself!"
The conversation with Momo[1] Chang worked as a warning to Yuru. That night, she had a nightmare. She dreamed her husband's family was mistreating her, so she returned to her maiden family for help. The result was Qiu Shi ignored her, and Han Jianming and Han Jianye also ignored her. When she asked for help from Yuchen and Yuxi, they ignored her. Finally, she was forced to die by her husband's family.
Ancient oil lamp made of Princess Tree wood.
Source | 泸州原生态油纸伞厂 (Quzhou Original Eco-oil Paper Umbrella Factory)
Source | 泸州原生态油纸伞厂 (Quzhou Original Eco-oil Paper Umbrella Factory)
Qingxuan heard someone calling for her in her haze. She felt a tingle as she hurriedly got up from the bed and lit the oil lamp made of Princess Tree wood.
This time, Qingxuan saw Yuru's head was full of sweat, with her whole people shaking terribly, frightening Qingxuan. "Miss, Miss, what's wrong with you?"
Yuru tugged at Qingxuan's hand tightly and said, "I had a nightmare." This nightmare was so terrible since she was forced to die like that. Thinking of this, she again started to get a cold sweat.
Holding Yuru in her arms, Qingxuan gently soothed, "Don't be afraid, Miss, it's just a dream." She also didn't know what kind of dream scared Miss like this.
Yuru naturally could not tell Qingxuan about her dream, but she began to think seriously about what Momo[1] Chang had told her.
Footnotes Full List
- a term for an elderly lady
- si=fourth, mei=younger sister, short form for Meimei
- san=third, mei=younger sister, short form for Meimei
- er=second, jie=elder sister, short form for Jiejie
- a person who likes to tag along
- Chinese proverb: one should finish a task entirely, or the effort might be wasted
- Chinese idiom: when fortune is on one's side, one has a mental acuteness all its own
- Chinese idiom: a clumsy denial resulting in self-exposure
- Chinese idiom: hit a person when he’s down
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi
Oh boy! That momo must have been a really good storyteller to scare some sense into her! Thank you for the chapters!
ReplyDeleteOut of the 3 momo, Momo Chang was the most experience in teaching noble and promiment families outside of the Palace. I'm sure she has a lot of examples that she could use to reminded her charges.
DeleteMy personal ranking for all 3 momo would be Momo Quan, Momo Chang, then Momo Gui. Momo Gui only likes those who have brighter future. 🙄