Spring in the Hall of Paintings

On the dusty road, three horse-drawn carriages with blue cloth coverings moved steadily. Behind them were a few securely covered mule carts. Beside the cart drivers sat several strong men, their posture alert and watchful as they traveled down the official road.

Inside the middle carriage, a sweet, soft child’s voice piped up, “Mother, do you think Grandma will like me?”

A middle-aged woman, dressed in a lake-blue qipao with a pipa collar and her neat hair adorned with a golden, emerald, and pearl hairpin, held a young girl in red, who had two little buns styled on her head. Smiling, she asked, “Why does Yaya ask that?”

The little girl, about four years old, with fair, snow-white skin and small, pouty red lips, rubbed her eyes with her small white hands. Her half-closed eyelids, hiding her gem-like black eyes, showed her drowsiness as she leaned against her mother. She said softly, “Sister Yue is the youngest girl in her family, so her grandmother loves her the most. You told me that I’m the youngest too. Grandma will love me, right?”

“As long as Yaya is obedient and well-behaved, she will naturally love you,” the middle-aged woman said gently, though a faint ripple of emotion passed across her otherwise calm expression. She let her tired daughter rest her head on her lap, covering the girl with a red cloak from beside her and softly patting her to sleep.

Soon, the little girl’s delicate eyebrows relaxed, and her small face took on the adorable expression unique to sleeping children. Only then did the woman stop, her fingertips lightly brushing her daughter’s cheek. She sighed softly, “Yaya, once we return to the capital, you’ll understand that not everyone will love you just because you’re the youngest.”

“Madam, you’re overthinking it. The young miss is clever and charming, and you’ve raised her so carefully. She may not compare to the noble ladies of the capital, but she’s not lacking in any way,” said a woman dressed as a nanny.

The middle-aged woman’s expression hardened as she cast a warning glance at the nanny. Coldly, she said, “Such thoughtless words must never be spoken again, lest they spoil Wei’er.”

“I understand, madam,” the nanny said fearfully, bowing her head in apology. The madam seemed satisfied, her tone softening. “You’ve been dedicated in taking care of Wei’er as her nurse, but remember, we’re going to the capital. Let’s not even mention the noble and dignified ladies in the palaces of princes and lords. Even in our own household, isn’t there already a talented lady?”

“Are you referring to Third Master’s legitimate daughter, Yun Lan?”

“Exactly. At two, she could recognize characters, and by three, she was reading large volumes. Recently, my sister-in-law wrote to say that Lan’er has already begun reading *Records of the Grand Historian* and has delved deeply into the *Four Books* and the *Five Classics*. Tsk tsk, and Lan’er is only four months older than Wei’er. If Wei’er could memorize even part of the *Classic of Poetry*, I’d thank the heavens.”

Although Madam’s tone was filled with admiration, her eyes remained calm as always. Occasionally, she glanced at her sleeping daughter, and the slight upward curve of her lips reflected her loving heart. The little girl, who was clearly not a sound sleeper, had her fair, lotus-like arm exposed. Muttering softly in her sleep as the carriage rocked, she stirred. Before the nanny could step forward, Madam carefully covered the girl’s arm again and gently soothed her back to sleep, finally relaxing once the child was fully at peace.

The nanny licked her lips, hesitating visibly. Noticing this, Madam lowered her voice and asked, “What do you want to say? Are you trying to hide something from me?”

The nanny leaned in closer, casting a loving glance at the sleeping girl. In a similarly low voice, cautious not to wake her, she said, “How could I dare hide anything from you, Madam? I was just thinking… since the young Miss and Lan’er are the same age and both legitimate daughters, they’ll naturally be compared. Back in Fuzhou, Master was known as a brave and powerful lieutenant general, and the young miss is growing up beautifully, often receiving praise. But now that we’re returning to the capital, things are quite different. I worry about the young miss…”

“You’re right, and that’s what worries me the most,” Madam sighed. “Master has been promoted to a deputy general at Fengtai Camp in the capital due to his military achievements, and we’re returning to the family estate. This is certainly a good thing, as it brings Master closer to his ambitions. But my heart still feels unsettled. I fear Wei’er might feel inferior and lose her lively spirit when compared to Lan’er’s extensive knowledge and talents. Yet, if we don’t teach Wei’er that there are always more capable people in the world, and let her grow arrogant, that wouldn’t be good either.”

Madam gazed lovingly down at her daughter and softly said, “I just hope Wei’er can understand that as long as she works hard and puts in the effort, no one can overshadow her brilliance.”

“The young miss is clever and meticulous, she will surely understand all the efforts you’ve made for her.”

The nanny admired Madam. Ever since learning that Yun Lan, the legitimate daughter of the Third Master’s household at the family estate in the capital, was remarkably outstanding, Madam had been intentionally educating the young miss. She didn’t simply push her to read large volumes but focused more on other areas—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and etiquette. The young miss had experience in all of these. Most importantly, Madam frequently guided the young miss, and at their residence in Fuzhou, she hung a plaque that read, “Face honor or disgrace with calm,” for the young miss to see every day.

Outside the carriage, the number of passersby increased, and the noise gradually grew louder. Madam opened a small slit in the curtain and caught a distant glimpse of the bustling capital. She had finally returned. Though her husband’s official position wasn’t particularly prominent, she felt content. She wondered how her old friends, with whom she had exchanged handkerchiefs, were faring now. Letters couldn’t compare to a detailed conversation in person. Mrs Fucha had returned.

“Madam, I wonder if the family estate has been properly prepared? Not to be overly concerned, but Auntie returned to the capital with Master ahead of you, and now it’s been almost half a year since you’ve been apart. Aren’t you worried that Auntie might have been up to something, trying to win favor with the old madam?”

“You underestimate the old madam.”

With admiration, Madam said, “Master’s surname may be Tong, and though not as prominent as the other branch, when Taizong (Emperor Hong Taiji) had yet to claim the throne, our ancestors were key ministers. Sadly, they died young in battle, which is why the Master’s branch declined. But the head of the household now is the old madam. She comes from the prominent Guwalgiya clan and embodies the decisive spirit of a true Manchu lady. She managed all household affairs with exceptional skill. After being widowed at a young age, she single-handedly supported the Tong family and raised the three brothers, including Master, leading to the gradual revival of the Tong household. The old madam has seen it all over the years—do you think Auntie could fool her?”

“You understand things best, Madam,” the nanny sighed. Though she had heard about Master’s family background before, she had never understood it so clearly. Suddenly realizing something, she exclaimed, “Then Master’s connection to the current emperor’s mother, the late Empress Dowager, is—”

“Hmm, it’s enough that you keep this in mind. The old madam has a stubborn and strong-willed personality. She never wanted to lower herself to others and has supported the household on her own, believing in the honor brought by military achievements. That’s why she grew distant from that branch of the family, even becoming estranged from her own relatives. It wasn’t until later, when her niece—our eldest sister-in-law—married into the family that they reconnected.”

Madam, having just arrived in the capital, barely had time to reflect on the changes over the years when the carriage gradually came to a stop. “Madam, we’ve arrived at the family estate.”

Madam gently woke her drowsy daughter, helping her straighten the creases in her clothes. She said softly, “In truth, it’s better not to get too entangled with them. Relying on family ties will never be as solid as earning respect through military achievements.”

“Mother, what are you talking about?” The little girl rubbed her eyes, her fair face tinged with a faint blush. Her misty, black-and-white eyes made her even more endearing.

Madam lifted the curtain of the carriage and pointed to the large mansion that stretched across half the street, its plaque hanging prominently. She asked softly, “Yun Wei, do you recognize this?”

“Tong Mansion. Mother, we’re home?” The little girl happily waved toward the middle-aged man standing at the gate. “Father, Father!”