Spring in the Hall of Paintings

The courtyards of the second and third branches of the Tong family were situated on either side of the main residence. After leaving the old lady’s courtyard, Fucha and Guo Luoluo each led their daughters away, parting with warm but reluctant farewells and agreeing to gather again another day.

Guo Luoluo watched Fucha’s upright back for a while, then Yun Lan softly reminded her, “Mother, the night breeze is chilly; please take care of yourself.”

“Yun Lan, your second aunt is quite remarkable,” Guo Luoluo said.

Leading Yun Lan towards her own courtyard, Guo Luoluo added, “My daughter also thinks that the second aunt combines gentleness with strength; it’s a real skill. I was very surprised when I first saw Fifth Sister come to the capital. Her demeanor was so impressive that she didn’t seem like a concubine’s daughter. But seeing Sixth Sister today, I realize she is even more endearing.”

Guo Luoluo nodded silently. Once back in her courtyard, she dismissively told Yunjing to rest and called her own daughter, Yun Lan, over. With an implied meaning, she said, “Yun Lan, you were born from me, and I care for you most. You are wise and talented. I hope the best for you. The main house’s legitimate daughter is already married off. In the future, when you and Wei Xiaojie study together, you should—”

“Mother, Sixth Sister is fine. I will make some concessions,” Yun Lan replied.

Yun Lan was not concerned about competing with these ancient little girls. Noting Guo Luoluo’s displeased expression, she smiled lightly, “Don’t worry, Mother. I know what I’m doing. Competing with them won’t show my true abilities. If I were to act arrogantly and outshine them among the sisters, it would only displease the old lady.”

Guo Luoluo realized that, with the Tong family on the rise, the main house’s master was a hereditary Blue Banner commander, the second branch’s Rongxuan was a vice general in the Fengtai military camp, and her own husband was a third-rank imperial guard. They could not afford to lose sight of the bigger picture over trivial matters. She said with relief, “My daughter is indeed wise.”

Yun Lan, with a determined look in her eyes, leaned on Guo Luoluo’s shoulder and said softly, “In the future, I will inevitably be selected for the imperial court. At that time, the Emperor will consider the entire family. Mother, if you really want to be esteemed in the future, you should get along well with the eldest and second aunts now. If Father’s career is successful, and I gain some reputation, the Emperor will arrange a better match for me. What use will it be if Second Aunt has any ability then?”

Guo Luoluo was moved. Yun Lan’s intelligence and understanding were rare, and she also knew the importance of sisterly affection. Remembering Yun Lan’s clever suggestions and the money earned, and reflecting on the lessons from history, Guo Luoluo realized that the Tong family must avoid entangling itself with imperial princes. She sighed, “Yun Lan, it’s a pity. If you were a son, I wouldn’t have to worry at all.”

“Mother, for a high-ranking marriage, it’s easier for me to bring you honor,” Yun Lan replied.

While the third branch’s mother and daughter were having an in-depth conversation, on the other side, Fucha was comforting Yun Wei personally. In the snowy bed, Yun Wei was dressed in pearl red attire, with her exposed arms and legs looking snow-white and crystal clear. Rubbing her eyes, she said softly, “Mother, Fourth Sister is so beautiful.”

Fucha paused in her soothing and asked in a low voice with a flicker of light in her eyes, “Do you envy Fourth Sister?”

The little girl turned and buried her face into the quilt, her muffled voice coming from beneath, “Fourth Sister is only four months older than me, but she feels like an older sister by years. I’m afraid… that Mother will like Fourth Sister more than me.”

Fucha pulled her daughter out from under the quilt, smiling as she hugged her. She poked her daughter’s forehead and said, “You are my own daughter. How could I not love you?”

“Mother.”

Yun Wei snuggled into Fucha’s embrace like a bundle, her eyes curved into crescent moons. She placed her little arm in front of Fucha’s nose and softly said, “Fourth Sister doesn’t smell as nice as me.”

Fucha took Yun Wei’s small hand and chuckled softly, “Your Fourth Sister is the same age as you and is more sensible, but no matter how good she is, she is someone else’s daughter. Mother loves you best.”

Yun Wei lay sideways in Fucha’s embrace, reaching out with her small, snow-white hands to hug Fucha’s neck. She whispered, “I will be diligent, Mother. I want to make you like me more and make you proud.”

Fucha gently rocked Yun Wei, brushing away the stray hairs from her forehead as she explained, “Your Fourth Sister has grown up well, wise and sensible, but… she doesn’t have the same endearing quality as you. Though she is adorned with exquisite jewelry and hairpins that make her look bright and attractive, she lacks your charming innocence.”

Yun Wei thought about Yun Lan’s makeup and attire. She had only remembered her as pretty earlier, but now she realized they were quite different from herself. She asked, “So, you mean there are things about me that are better than Fourth Sister?”

“Of course. Your Fourth Sister is good, but no one is perfect. We need to recognize both her strengths and weaknesses. Yun Wei, as long as you don’t belittle yourself or become arrogant, one day you will catch up to Fourth Sister. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes, yes. I’ve heard Moon Sister say something like this before…”

Yun Wei furrowed her small brow, pursing her pink lips as she recalled, “Yes, it goes, ‘You may bully me, ridicule me, laugh at me, and belittle me for now, but in a few years, you will see me. Mother, I will catch up to Fourth Sister.’”

Fucha adjusted Yun Wei back into a comfortable position and covered her with the blanket. She softly said, “Your Moon Sister’s words are both right and wrong. Yun Wei, remember, retreating a step doesn’t always mean the world will open up. If others mistreat you too severely, what good will it do you to seek revenge later, even if you gain power?”

“Then… then…”

Fucha gently tapped her daughter’s lips and smiled, “Don’t rush. I will slowly teach you how to leverage your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses, and how to establish yourself within the household.”

Sleepy, Yun Wei slowly closed her eyes. Although she didn’t fully understand Fucha’s words, she kept them firmly in her heart.

Fucha finished setting up the canopy and went out, giving a few careful instructions to the maids and nurses attending Yun Wei. She then returned to her inner chamber, sat at her dressing table, and, with the help of a maid, removed her hairpins. Holding a peachwood comb, she began to comb her hair and asked, “Where is Nurse Qi?”

“Here, here. The maid is here to serve you.”

A woman, in her thirties and dressed as a nurse, entered. She wore a deep blue diagonal-collared qipao and was well-groomed. The corners of her eyes had wrinkles from frequent smiling. She bowed and said, “Madam, I am finally able to serve you again.”

Fucha handed the comb to her and said, as if it were an ordinary request, “It’s still more comfortable when you comb my hair.”

Nurse Qi gave a glance to the maids at the sides, who then bowed and left the room. She began to carefully comb Fucha’s hair and said in a low voice, “In these past six months…”

“If I didn’t recognize your abilities, I wouldn’t have allowed you to accompany the master back to the capital.”

Fucha squinted slightly, and Nurse Qi smiled, saying, “My skills are all learned from you, Madam. When the Concubine insisted on accompanying the master back to the capital, you didn’t stop her but even persuaded the master a few times. I was still worried… But once we were in the capital, I saw your wisdom. Miss Yi has grown well, and everyone in the mansion praises her. She also remembers your kindness and speaks highly of you in front of the old lady, almost wishing you were her biological mother. Now that Miss Wei has returned to the capital, it shows them what it means to be the legitimate daughter of the second house.”

Fucha’s lips curved slightly as she gently said, “It can’t be said like that. Even though Miss Yi was raised by a concubine, she is still my daughter.”