Chapter 27: Two Chapters Combined

Upon reaching Zhejiang, they waited two days at the posthouse before a ship bound for Fujian became available. Their trunks and luggage had to be moved yet again. She Niang sighed, "I didn't expect it to be this troublesome. I truly hope we reach Quanzhou soon."

Even she, in robust health, was growing impatient from the prolonged journey by boat, let alone the others.

Nanny Chen, for instance, was suffering from an upset stomach, having visited the outhouse five or six times that very morning. She was so unwell she could barely stand. She yearned for Li Niang to marry into a family in the capital, thus sparing them such arduous travels.

Once the luggage was loaded, She Niang and the others followed the adults onto the vessel. As she observed the landscape, so utterly different from the north, she felt her journey was indeed worthwhile.

This ship was noticeably swifter and sailed much more smoothly than the previous one. She Niang overheard Pei Yiqing remarking, "Though Quanzhou now boasts a Maritime Trade Office, the pirate incursions are severe, and clan influence is formidable. I wonder how effectively I can serve as Vice-Prefect here."

In her previous life, when She Niang married, her father had just been appointed Prefect of Ningbo Prefecture in Zhejiang. He seemed to have fared reasonably well in his post, though at the Prince of Jin's residence, people often dismissed her as merely the daughter of a minor official.

But now, as she delved into the intricacies of the imperial examination system, she realized just how challenging it was to even attain the rank of prefect.

"Father," She Niang said with a smile, "I've heard that Neo-Confucianism flourishes in Quanzhou. Since you are also a renowned scholar in that field, wouldn't this be like a tired bird returning to its native forest?"

Pei Yiqing shook his head. "Being an official is not like pursuing scholarship, especially for a local official. If one were the head of a prefecture, it might be simpler, but for those like us, we are often caught between conflicting pressures from above and below."

She Niang mused that this made sense. Those who had never managed others were quick to offer unsolicited advice, while those who had understood the true difficulties.

Even managing a household with merely a few dozen servants, including staff, was challenging. Take Nanny Chen, for instance; Pei Yiqing found it difficult to deal with her directly. Not only was she Old Madam Pei’s confidante, but also Li Niang’s wet nurse. While dismissing her might seem a minor matter, it could publicly strain relations with the sixth branch or cause resentment between the daughters and the family.

Yet, Pei Yiqing would never tolerate such a tattletale in their household. She Niang had initially believed her parents would let Nanny Chen off, but given the current circumstances, it seemed unlikely.

Before the boat set sail, she heard Madam Yu tell Nanny Chen, "Given your condition, you must seek medical attention and cannot continue with us. Otherwise, your illness will only worsen. Once you’ve recovered, you can take another boat to join us."

Nanny Chen quickly insisted it was a minor ailment, but Madam Yu had Li Niang persuade her. Seeing Nanny Chen truly doubled over from diarrhea and unable to stand upright, Li Niang said, "Nanny, you should stay and recover properly. I won’t lack for care in your absence."

Thus, Nanny Chen and a young servant remained behind for treatment. She Niang knew it was highly improbable that Nanny Chen would ever rejoin them.

As the family conversed, Xia Mama brought tea. Li Niang smiled, "This tea is sweet and quite pleasant. I never cared for strong tea—it’s too bitter."

"Older people prefer strong tea because their sense of taste diminishes, so they need stronger flavors even in their tea," She Niang added, also enjoying the delicate, subtly sweet brew.

Madam Yu chimed in, "So you both favor this kind of tea. It’s made from the youngest tea leaves. Others often complain it lacks a strong tea flavor."

They all laughed, sipping tea and enjoying pastries. For lunch, the boatman’s wife personally prepared a local Quanzhou delicacy: vermicelli paste. She Niang observed it was a thick, starchy soup with very fine noodles, topped with meat, dried shrimp, and mushrooms. Though initially hesitant, she decided to embrace local customs and took a bite. To her surprise, it was quite good.

She then dipped a nearby pancake into the paste, remarking, "I wonder if there’s any *youtiao*? I bet it would taste delicious soaked in this."

Hearing her request, Xia Mama promptly said, "*Youtiao* takes time to ferment, but fried pancakes are quicker. I’ll make some for you, young lady."

When the fried pancakes arrived, She Niang tore them into strips and soaked them in the paste, allowing them to absorb the flavorful broth. Each bite was truly savory and delightful.

Pei Ji, who had initially found the dish unappetizing, tried it She Niang’s way and discovered a unique deliciousness.

Meanwhile, Li Niang, a true northerner, couldn't quite adapt to the sticky, gooey southern cuisine and opted for rice instead.

The boat reached Quanzhou in about half a month. They first settled into the posthouse to freshen up. It was already July, the hottest time of the year. Li Niang and She Niang both wore white silver-striped shirts and jade-colored crêpe, gold-threaded skirts. Li Niang wore a silver-red linen *bijia* over hers, while She Niang wore a plum-green linen *bijia*. Both sisters styled their hair in three loops, adorned with silk flowers, ribbons, and pearl hairpins.

Though Li Niang was two years older, She Niang, who frequently jumped rope, had grown so tall that she was nearly the same height as her sister.

As She Niang and her sister were dressing, the Prefect of Quanzhou had already dispatched officials to welcome the Vice-Prefect and arrange transport for their luggage. She Niang and the others each rode in a sedan chair. She didn't know what Quanzhou would be like, but the bustling sounds outside suggested a very lively place.

However, she found the local dialect somewhat difficult to understand.

After about half an hour, they arrived at the Quanzhou Prefectural Office. As the Vice-Prefect of Finance and Grain, Pei Yiqing’s official residence was conveniently located next to the Prefect’s residence, with the Vice-Prefect of Military Affairs living in the front.

The residence comprised nine rooms in total—significantly smaller than their own family home, but just enough for their needs.

Upon arrival, Madam Yu first instructed everyone to clean and tidy up, then asked She Niang and Li Niang to draft invitations to be sent to the Prefect, the Vice-Prefect, and the other two Vice-Prefects.

Soon after, Prefect Yu’s wife extended an invitation for the mother and her two daughters to attend a banquet.

Their attendance at the banquet proved to be quite an event, as everyone was captivated by the sisters’ beauty—some even came specifically to catch a glimpse of them. Even Prefect Yu’s wife remarked to Madam Yu, "May I ask if your daughters are betrothed?"

Madam Yu smiled. "The elder is already engaged, but the younger is not."

Prefect Yu’s wife cast an extra glance at She Niang.

She Niang, however, was more focused on the dishes on the table. The Yu family hailed from Wucheng, Zhejiang, so many of the dishes were prepared by Zhejiang chefs. While not particularly picky, She Niang couldn’t stomach overly fishy flavors. The table was laden with seafood, but a stuffed bitter melon dish proved quite enjoyable.

By the time they returned from the banquet, it was already late. She Niang looked out—regardless, this life was a new beginning.

The next morning, she awoke to the sound of sparrows squabbling outside her window, their chirping incessant.

Having arrived only yesterday afternoon, she hadn't had a proper look at her room. She and Li Niang shared the back annex, which consisted of one bright room and two darker ones. The bright room held a desk and an embroidery frame. Li Niang occupied the eastern room, while She Niang stayed in the western one.

The embroidery frame was their own; everything else was provided by the official residence and could not be taken away.

Madam Yu sent Cui Lan to inquire about their needs. She Niang’s head maid, Qiu Ju, replied, "Our young lady enjoys reading and writing. The desk in the main hall won’t suffice. We also need various colored threads and several reams of paper…"

After noting everything down, Cui Lan said to She Niang, "Miss, it’s very hot these days. You and Fourth Miss should avoid going out and rest more."

"Yes, I understand," She Niang replied. She had developed heat rash on the boat and longed to spend the entire day in a room with an ice basin.

Like her, Li Niang also preferred to stay indoors.

About half a month later, a heavy rain fell in Quanzhou, and the Pei family’s furnishings were nearly all in place. Pei Yiqing hired a renowned tutor in Quanzhou for his son, Pei Ji, but She Niang and Li Niang no longer had tutors. In Pei Yiqing’s view, his daughters had received sufficient education over the years.

Even those studying for the imperial examinations only studied for that long.

She Niang spent her days writing essays, managing household affairs with Madam Yu, and doing needlework.

September marked Madam Yu’s birthday, and She Niang planned to make a pair of sachets. Since Quanzhou had many snakes, insects, rats, and ants, wearing sachets could help repel them.

Li Niang, who never enjoyed needlework, played the zither instead. She hadn’t been skilled at it while in the capital, but after lessons from Madam Duan, she could now play quite competently.

As the two sisters were busy with their respective tasks, a girl in an emerald gauze dress arrived. Her hair was styled in a falling horse bun, and her face was wreathed in smiles. "My mother didn’t want me to go out in this weather, but I felt utterly stifled indoors."

She Niang smiled. "Sister Lin, you’re here! I was planning to visit you after the rain stopped to chat."

This girl was Lin Yueyao, the daughter of the Vice-Prefect of Quanzhou. At thirteen, she was a year older than She Niang, and the two had instantly connected, always finding plenty to discuss.

So, She Niang invited her to her room for a conversation and asked for tea to be served.

Lin Yueyao followed her inside and observed the elegantly arranged room. Against the inner wall stood a blackwood bed with a green grass mat. Pearl-white, gold-threaded gauze curtains hung from silver hooks.

At the head of the bed was a plain *huanghuali* wood clothing rack. A small dressing table with a bronze mirror stood against the west wall, while a multi-tiered shelf stood against the east wall. Near the window, a long table and a round-backed chair were placed.

On the long table were a brush holder, an inkstone, and some unfinished books. Beside it was a moon-shaped table holding two vases of different sizes—a crackled porcelain vase with yellow roses and a sapphire-blue hundred-flower porcelain plum vase with red rose begonias.

In the center was a small Su-style square table with a single leg, three aprons, and a waist, surrounded by four autumn green-glazed embroidered stools with openwork designs.

"Sister Lin, please have a seat. The space is small—please don’t mind," She Niang said, inviting her to sit on one of the stools.

Lin Yueyao smiled and said, "The spaces are all about the same size, but since I’m the only child in our family, my place feels a bit more spacious. I actually envy you sisters being together."

"We sisters don’t always get along either," She Niang joked.

Lin Yueyao had three older brothers and was the only daughter in her family, making her the cherished darling of the Lin household. Mrs. Lin was a round-faced, cheerful woman. Although Lin Yueyao’s name contained the character "Yao" (graceful), she wasn’t particularly slender—instead, she had a well-rounded and auspicious appearance, a good temper, and a gentle, honest nature.

Hearing She Niang’s remark, she quickly changed the subject: "The family living in front of you is that of Vice-Prefect Xu, who also has two daughters. They’re always competing over clothes, jewelry, and food. It’s only since Eldest Miss Xu was taken to her aunt’s house for a year that things have calmed down a bit."

Having been there for a few days, She Niang had already learned a few things. She knew that Vice-Prefect Xu’s first wife had fallen ill and passed away after giving birth to Eldest Miss Xu. He later remarried and had a son and another daughter with his second wife, who was much like She Niang’s fifth aunt, Cao Shi—naturally, she wasn’t very kind to her stepdaughter.

Lin Yueyao added, "Eldest Miss Xu’s aunt also comes from a distinguished family—she’s the daughter-in-law of the current Vice Minister of Rites."

"I see," She Niang thought to herself, remembering that she had once been the granddaughter of a Vice Minister of Rites, but now she was merely the daughter of a sixth-grade official.

Lin Yueyao had successfully changed the subject. She Niang then invited her to read together. She Niang had spent almost all her savings on new books—travel journals, novels, you name it, she had them all. This was also why Lin Yueyao enjoyed visiting.

"This is the newly released 'Moonrise.' I think the story is quite original, and the language is beautiful. My brother bought it for me, but there are two volumes, and I’ve only finished the first one," She Niang said with a smile.

Lin Yueyao replied, "I’d love to just read quietly like this, but the Guo family in town has invited me to a poetry gathering. Why don’t you come with me?"

She Niang shook her head. "They didn’t invite me, so let’s forget it."

"What does that matter? You’ve just arrived, so they don’t know you yet. I’ll just ask them to send an extra invitation for you," Lin Yueyao insisted.

Hearing this, She Niang finally nodded.

Lin Yueyao was thoughtful—she didn’t just get an invitation for She Niang but also managed to secure one for Li Niang. Madam Yu was more than happy for the sisters to go out and have some fun instead of staying cooped up at home. Once they married, they’d be burdened with countless chores and wouldn’t have such opportunities.

So, the sisters began making new clothes and hair accessories, preparing for their visit to the Guo family.

In Fujian, Suzhou-style fashion was very popular, so Madam Yu hired a Suzhou-style tailor. She Niang had a moon-white gauze blouse made, paired with a pearl-white satin *bijia* embroidered with pine, bamboo, plum blossoms, and assorted treasures, fastened at the collar with a jade button featuring butterflies and flowers. As for Li Niang, she wore a pomegranate-colored square-necked wide-sleeved blouse underneath, covered with a crêpe gauze *bijia* embroidered with jade hairpin flowers, fastened with a gold button depicting bees and chrysanthemums.

Seeing her sister’s outfit, She Niang couldn’t help but ask, "Aren’t you hot?"

"Not at all. Look, my face isn’t even sweating," Li Niang replied, fully aware of her natural beauty, and deliberately leaned closer for her sister to see.

She Niang, fan in hand, said, "I’m not like that—I sweat easily."

Li Niang giggled but then suddenly remarked, "Speaking of which, that Nanny Chen—she was supposed to be getting treatment, but then she ran off? Who knows where she went."

"That’s why we have to be careful when we go out. Don’t you remember that incident in the capital where a noblewoman was kidnapped during the Lantern Festival?" She Niang said.

According to the servant who had accompanied her, Nanny Chen was receiving treatment at a clinic. She was fine for the first two days at the inn, but on the third day, she disappeared—along with all her belongings. The servant was frantic and waited for several days. Someone nearby said they thought she had taken a boat to the capital.

Madam Yu, overhearing the sisters’ conversation, remained calm. Having Nanny Chen around had always been a risk. If not for her, the sixth branch wouldn’t have been under Old Madam Pei’s constant scrutiny. Moreover, Nanny Chen often stirred up trouble between Li Niang and She Niang. If she were still around, even in Fujian, Old Madam Pei would have been kept informed of everything.

Especially since her husband was currently inquiring about the whereabouts of Old Concubine Hua. If they were to bring Old Concubine Hua here, someone like Nanny Chen would quickly report it to Old Madam Pei, who would surely cause more trouble.

So, Madam Yu had secretly arranged for a broker to sell Nanny Chen off.

But she didn’t tell Li Niang any of this, to avoid unnecessary worry.

Snapping back to the present, Madam Yu said to the sisters, "Today is a poetry gathering for young ladies, so I won’t be joining you. Have fun, and don’t put too much pressure on yourselves."

She Niang and Li Niang both smiled and agreed.

Although they often composed poems together at home, they had never attended such an event outside. This sudden outing made them both excited and a little nervous.

They rode in a carriage with Lin Yueyao. She Niang asked curiously, "Why isn’t Second Miss Xu coming with us?"

Lin Yueyao covered her mouth and laughed. "She can’t read a single word and doesn’t care for these things. She’s afraid of embarrassing herself, so she’d rather not go." Then she added, somewhat nervously, "Actually, I’m a bit worried I won’t do well either."

She Niang reassured her, "There’s nothing to worry about. Didn’t you say the Guo family’s garden is lovely? We’ll explore it after we’re done. Besides, my sister and I will be with you—we’ll have fun together."

"Exactly," Li Niang said, pulling out some snacks to share.

Along the way, She Niang asked about the Guo family’s background. Lin Yueyao explained, "They’re originally a prominent local family. Eldest Miss Guo’s father is the Prefect of Pingyang, and her maternal relatives are connected to the Ninghua Marquis family in the capital. Everyone gives their family face. But I’ve only met Eldest Miss Guo once—she’s extremely beautiful."

When women hear others praised for their beauty, they always want to see for themselves. Li Niang, who prided herself on her looks, eagerly asked, "What does this Miss Guo look like?"

Lin Yueyao said, "It’s hard to describe. You’ll see for yourself soon enough."

Soon enough, they met Eldest Miss Guo. They had been looking forward to it, but they didn’t expect to see a young man in military attire storming out of the gate in frustration.

The maidservant accompanying Lin Yueyao said, "Young ladies, pull down your veils. That man is a rake—the nephew of the Director of the Ceremonial Directorate. He’s obsessed with Eldest Miss Guo’s beauty and often pesters her like this."

First, Lin Yueyao had praised Eldest Miss Guo’s beauty, and now the maidservant’s words further highlighted the allure of Quanzhou’s top beauty, attracting unwanted attention. She Niang and Li Niang grew even more curious.

They didn’t even have time to admire the Guo family’s scenery, so eager were they to see this renowned beauty.

The Guo family’s banquet was held in their back garden, where lush trees, vibrant flowers, and winding paths created a deeply poetic atmosphere. It was then that Eldest Miss Guo made her appearance. Unlike the delicate, slender southern women, she had a heroic, vibrant beauty—bold and striking.

After introductions and exchanging names, they learned that Eldest Miss Guo was named Xianzhu and had just turned fifteen.

She Niang politely said, "Sister Guo."

After this brief meeting, the young ladies went inside. The Guo family had invited over a dozen young ladies, most around She Niang’s age. Noticing Lin Yueyao’s unease, She Niang took her hand, which helped calm her nerves slightly.

The blue-and-white porcelain teacups were filled with *Tieguanyin* tea, with its distinct "dragonfly head" and "frog leg" shape. She Niang took a sip—the orchid fragrance was rich and refreshing. The tea alone made the trip worthwhile; it was delicious, requiring seven infusions to achieve this flavor.

After just two sips, Li Niang excused herself to freshen up. She Niang knew she was probably sneaking off to touch up her makeup. After all, meeting someone as beautiful as Guo Xianzhu had given Li Niang a slight sense of competition.

She Niang and Lin Yueyao weren’t particularly sociable, so they mostly stayed quiet, enjoying their tea. However, one young lady, Sun Biqing, the daughter of the Jinjiang County Magistrate, actively approached them.

Miss Sun didn’t just greet them; she made a point of introducing herself to everyone. She Niang admired her for that.

Once everyone had arrived, Guo Xianzhu announced, "Today, with the osmanthus in full bloom, I’ve invited you all to compose poems on the theme of 'osmanthus,' with no restrictions on rhyme. If you can’t think of an original poem, you may also recite an existing poem that includes the word 'osmanthus.' The winner will receive a prize."

She then had a long box brought out. Inside was a row of silk flowers adorned with pearls—exquisitely crafted.

Li Niang glanced at it and whispered to She Niang, "Those are in the palace style."

She Niang nodded. "No wonder they’re offering it as a prize. Sister, you’re good at poetry. If you outshine everyone today, you won’t need to buy hair ornaments for a month."

"I’ll share a pair with you," Li Niang said, thinking she could give the less attractive indigo pair to her sister as a gesture of goodwill.

When the paper was distributed, She Niang, who often held herself to imperial examination standards, may not have been the most talented poet, but she could produce something that looked impressive. She quickly wrote a poem.

Li Niang, after a moment’s thought, also began writing. Lin Yueyao, however, was struggling for inspiration. She Niang suggested, "Why not just write an existing poem?"

Lin Yueyao shook her head. "No, the one I’m thinking of—Li Bai’s 'Ode to the Osmanthus'—is too simple."

She Niang offered another idea: "How about Li Shangyin’s 'Moonlit Night'? 'Grass shelters hidden insects, frost coats the leaves; vermilion rails stretch far, pressing on the lake’s light. The hare is cold, the toad chilled, osmanthus blooms white; this night, Chang'e must be heartbroken.'"

"Thank you, thank you!" Lin Yueyao immediately wrote it down.

After finishing, the two truly went to explore the Guo family garden. Guo Xianzhu even sent a maid to guide them and provide explanations. Impressed by the maid’s eloquence, She Niang gave her a small silver reward. Pleased, the maid shared more information when She Niang asked about the nephew of the Director of the Ceremonial Directorate.

"He's just a Battalion Commander at the nearby garrison because of his eunuch father, yet he acts as if he's someone important. Our eldest young lady has been chosen as the secondary wife to the Prince of Zhao's heir, an official rank, and she’ll even be registered in the Imperial Clan’s records. The Prince of Zhao commands the northern Liaoning army and is renowned for his might," the maid said with a look of disdain.

She Niang knew that in a prince's household, the primary consort held the highest position, followed by the secondary consort, also known as the concubine, both of whom were recorded in the imperial genealogy. Those who bore children and made contributions were addressed as Madam, while ordinary concubines without titles were simply called palace women.

She Niang and Lin Yueyao exchanged a glance, understanding why the Guo family could afford to be so dismissive of the eunuch's nephew.

However, the maid sighed and added, "But our young lady can only enter the household after the primary consort is married. The prince's residence will send nannies to teach her the rules. The master and mistress dote on her, which is why they’re letting her enjoy herself to the fullest now."

She Niang, having gone through a similar experience herself, felt a pang of sympathy for this Miss Guo. Such a bright and spirited young lady would likely have her personality worn down in the confines of the prince's back courtyard.