The Good Concubine of the Qing Dynasty [Red Mansion]

Yun Shuyao was stunned for a moment, then looked at Madam Mei’s expectant eyes and suddenly laughed.

“What a funny joke, Sister Mei. Did you come here just to amuse me? Otherwise, how could you say something so amusing?”

The more Yun Shuyao spoke, the more she laughed.

Her attitude clearly showed that she wasn’t taking the matter seriously. Or, rather, she knew Madam Mei was serious, but to her, it was just an “untimely joke.”

Madam Mei had come to discuss a marriage proposal, hoping to play the role of matchmaker.

And the person she wanted to match was Yun Shuyao’s younger brother, Yun Yan.

He was eighteen this year and planned to take the autumn imperial exam with his older brother. At this age, he should have already been married or at least engaged, but he wanted to focus on his studies first and had no interest in starting a family. Yun Shuyao had also mentioned many times that she recommended marrying later, though getting engaged earlier was fine.

Her second brother, Yun Heng, only got married two years ago, and he was eighteen at the time.

So, when Yun Yan said he wanted to delay considering marriage for a while, Yun Qingliang did not oppose it.

After all, he was still young, and his age wasn’t considered too old for a man.

If he managed to pass the exams, he would be seen as a young prodigy, and proposing a marriage would be more favorable.

However, this year would be the latest. Whether he passed or not, Yun Qingliang planned to arrange a marriage for his youngest son. He had already found a suitable family and reached a mutual understanding with them — it was the daughter of the county magistrate from the neighboring county. Since Yun Qingliang himself was only an assistant magistrate, if his youngest son passed the exams and became a “juren” (a successful candidate at the provincial level), then proposing marriage wouldn’t be seen as reaching too high.

Yun Qingliang had mentioned this matter to Yun Shuyao before.

The prospective bride was the legitimate daughter of the county magistrate’s wife but had the disadvantage of having been engaged before. However, the engagement was broken off because the groom-to-be was found to have poor character. Yet, regardless of the reason, society always judges women more harshly.

Madam Song met the young lady while visiting a temple, and they got along very well. Later, when she found out that the young woman had her engagement called off, she began to consider the match.

Yun Shuyao’s eldest sister-in-law was the daughter of his tutor, who was also a “juren” (a successful candidate at the provincial level). However, her father had no interest in pursuing an official career and chose to become a tutor at Changming Academy after obtaining his title.

Yun Qingliang had never considered marrying into a merchant family.

Indeed, some families in official circles did marry their children to daughters of merchant families, but this was usually for specific reasons.

Not all official families are well-off; many only have a prestigious name.

When a merchant’s daughter brings a substantial dowry into such a family, it can be seen as a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Even so, to avoid ridicule, most who marry into merchant families do so with concubine-born sons.

If it involves a legitimate son, it is usually because the family already has other successful sons, and this one does not show much promise, so he is used for a marriage alliance.

The Yun family isn’t particularly wealthy, but they are not poor either. Having lived through hard times, they don’t find their current situation lacking in any way.

Thus, when Yun Qingliang looks for a match for his sons, he focuses on their future prospects.

Both of his sons had a talent for studying, and since they would be pursuing official careers in the future, having a marriage alliance that could offer mutual support was very important.

Not to mention, the younger sister that Aunt Mei proposed was an illegitimate child.

Even though Aunt Mei claimed that she was raised under her mother’s name as a legitimate daughter, Yun Shuyao was no fool; she knew exactly how many children her legal mother had given birth to.

No matter if she was listed under the legitimate wife, something fake would never become real.

Being an illegitimate child herself, she certainly understood the significant difference between legitimate and illegitimate status. Even the claim of a “generous dowry” was questionable.

The legitimate second son of a deputy magistrate marrying an illegitimate daughter from a merchant family?

Without any particular reason, who would arrange such a marriage?

If her two younger siblings were to become a couple, what would Jia Min think?

Two concubines who had sons joining forces—what were they planning?

Even the most good-natured matriarch would become wary in the face of such an alliance between concubines.

So, after laughing enough, Yun Shuyao straightforwardly refused: “Sister Mei, this joke isn’t funny. We’re all from Xingtai Prefecture, so even if we don’t know each other well, we at least have a general idea. This marriage proposal is not suitable, and sister, you shouldn’t mention it again in the future. Besides, my brother’s marriage is not up to me to decide; it’s something for my parents to worry about. As for me, I just want to live my own little life well, and I imagine it’s the same on your side, Sister Mei.”

Being directly refused like this, Aunt Mei’s face turned unsightly; her expression shifted between green and white, her lips tightly pressed together as if suppressing her anger, along with… a hint of regret.

In fact, the marriage proposal that Aunt Mei was originally supposed to bring up wasn’t for her illegitimate sister to marry Yun Concubine’s brother; it was something she decided to change at the last minute.

The Mei family’s base of operations was in Xingtai Prefecture, where her legitimate elder brother currently resided. Meanwhile, her father, her aunt, and her biological younger brother were now in Guangzhou, taking advantage of the master’s influence to expand their business there and earn a considerable amount of money.

The reason she came to see Yun Concubine today was because she had informed her aunt about Jia Min’s pregnancy, and her aunt had given her an idea.

She was indeed here to talk about marriage, but the original proposal was for her legitimate sixth sister to marry Yun Concubine’s cousin.

Her sixth sister had been widowed for over a year.

She had previously married the son of a scholar, but unfortunately, he was of frail constitution and died shortly after the marriage. With no children under her care, her sister had returned to her family and was currently looking for another suitable match.

As for Yun Concubine’s cousin, he currently held the title of a “Xiucai” (a scholar who passed the imperial exam at the county level). His original wife had also died of illness. Her father had high hopes for his future, believing that he had a good chance of passing the imperial exam to become a “Juren” (a successful candidate in the provincial imperial examination). If her sister married him and they used some connections and spent some money, she might eventually become the wife of an official.

This way, they would become relatives, and they could look out for each other in the Lin family in the future.

Even if Aunt Mei didn’t want to admit it, she knew that Yun Concubine was different from her.

Although, at first, there was no difference between the two of them when they entered the household one after the other, things changed once the other woman gave birth to the Lin family’s only male heir. Additionally, when Yun Concubine’s father was promoted to an official position, her status became very stable.

She was now significantly higher in status than Aunt Mei.

After her aunt’s thorough analysis, Aunt Mei had to admit that this Yun woman, who seemed quiet and unassuming, was actually quite calculating and very good at winning people over.

She never made any excessive demands, nor did she push the master to support her maternal family. Her usual requests were only about trivial things related to food and entertainment. Regarding Jia Min, she remained respectful and well-behaved from start to finish. No matter how much attention her son received from the elderly lady and others, she never acted arrogantly.

She was a “tough person” who could endure a lot.

She “stayed within her bounds,” but Aunt Mei didn’t believe there was truly anyone who adhered so strictly to their role. She believed that Yun Concubine was suppressing her true self, putting on a false face to deal with everyone.

Others, however, were fooled by her and treated her leniently.

Indeed, they were both from Xingtai Prefecture. Even if they weren’t completely familiar with each other, they at least knew enough. Aunt Mei knew very well the background of the Yun family. Before she married into the household, could the entire Yun family even gather a thousand taels of silver?

Saying a thousand taels was an overestimate; five hundred would have been more accurate.

But now, just look at the clothes and accessories Yun is wearing, and the decorations in her room. If these things weren’t gifted by the master and the others, could she have earned them herself?

Moreover, while it seems that Jia Min isn’t making things difficult for them, isn’t it because of Yun’s strategy of retreating to advance? This attitude has both the elderly lady and the master watching, leaving Jia Min no room to make things difficult.

Yun appears to be unassuming, but in reality, she has already gained what matters.

That’s why Auntie suggested building a good relationship with her.

With Jia Min being pregnant, it naturally places her and Yun on the same side, so she needs to ease relations with Yun.

But now… looking at Yun, Aunt Mei felt a bit regretful.

She should have listened to her aunt’s advice.

Her sixth sister is a legitimate daughter with a guaranteed large dowry. The conditions in Yun’s cousin’s family aren’t very good, and since it’s a remarriage, there was a high chance they would have agreed.

Now, after Yun’s direct rejection, how could she have the face to continue proposing a second match?

Aunt Mei left in a huff.

Yun Shuyao sat there, her smile gradually fading, pondering the range of expressions that had just appeared on Aunt Mei’s face.

She hadn’t been mistaken—that was regret.

Regret for what she had said.

So, did she propose the marriage impulsively?

Then what did she originally intend to say?

Aunt Mei’s sudden visit to talk about this was very much in line with her personal style, but why would she suddenly think along these lines?

Someone must have guided her.

Was it Nanny Wu?

Impossible.

She wouldn’t suggest something that could cause an imbalance in the inner court of the Lin family.

Then it could only be her maternal family.

Yun Shuyao chuckled softly.

What a clever plan. Did they want her to align with Aunt Mei against the potential suppression of illegitimate children by Jia Min? Or perhaps they wanted Aunt Mei to restrain herself and not act impulsively?

Regardless of the reason, she wasn’t foolish enough to fall for it.

Even if she had nothing better to do, she could exercise to pass the time—why create such a huge trouble for herself?

——

Soon, Madam Gao received a letter from her daughter filled with guilt. As she read the letter, she rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

She understood that her daughter wanted to strengthen her bond with Yun by changing the proposed marriage partner, but tightening the bond too much in this situation would only backfire.

A match with Yun’s eldest uncle’s family would be just right.

Their families had long been separated, and her eldest uncle wasn’t even a scholar. Her cousin was only a scholar and almost thirty, yet still hadn’t passed the provincial exams. He might remain a scholar his entire life. Frankly, for the legitimate daughter of the Mei family to marry him would actually be marrying above his station.

However, her daughter had changed the plan at the last minute, shifting the proposal from the legitimate daughter to Yun’s much younger brother, who was already a scholar and had hopes of becoming a “juren.” This made things quite different.

Madam Gao sighed. Now, all she could do was make sure her daughter kept her mouth shut. This matter must not spread. Fortunately, her daughter knew to be discreet and spoke only when they were alone. She was certain that Yun, being the clever person she was, wouldn’t go around telling others about it either.

Thinking about Jia Min, who was already pregnant, Madam Gao frowned.

Her daughter still needed to have her own son, but unfortunately, both of the medicinal pills had been used, and she hadn’t conceived in all these years. Getting another pill was not an easy task. Realizing this, Madam Gao could only sigh again.

If she could conceive naturally, that would be best. But it seemed now she had to focus on obtaining another pill, difficult as it might be—though not impossible…

Madam Gao wrote a letter to her daughter. After receiving it, Aunt Mei touched her belly, feeling as deflated as a frost-bitten eggplant.

It wasn’t entirely her fault that she hadn’t conceived; the problem wasn’t all hers. The master rarely visited her.

If not for Yingyu, he would have come even less.

What could she do if the master didn’t want to come? Force him?

Be content?

Wasn’t she already content enough?

She hadn’t done anything; she was behaving herself well.

After being scolded by her aunt, Aunt Mei stayed in her courtyard, not going out, which made Nanny Wu quite pleased.

She was no longer causing trouble.

Although she didn’t know what changed Aunt Mei’s mind, it was good enough that she had come around.

——

Nanny Qian, due to her role as a wet nurse, had an emotional bond with Jia Min. Although Jia Min had not given her any authority to return and work by her side, Nanny Qian would occasionally visit the residence to inquire about her well-being and chat with her. Jia Min took a taciturn attitude towards this, and since her pregnancy, Nanny Qian had been coming more frequently.

Nanny Qian never mentioned returning to work; each time she came to the residence, she would talk about her past experiences with pregnancy and childbirth, as well as share amusing anecdotes from when she had nursed Jia Min.

Jia Min listened with great interest to these stories. As she was about to become a mother herself, her attitude towards Nanny Qian softened somewhat from the perspective of a mother.

However, having learned from past experiences, Jia Min still adhered to her original decision.

Nanny Qian was older now and should enjoy the blessings of her children and grandchildren.

Despite her disappointment after some tentative attempts, Nanny Qian did not give up. Although she no longer worked in the residence, she still had her own children and grandchildren to consider.

Now that the madam is expecting, wouldn’t it be crucial to have trustworthy and capable people to attend to the young master and young miss in the future?

Her own household has plenty of staff.

Jia Min is not unaware of this.

But she has seen too many such situations.

When people reach a certain age and retire, they say it’s to enjoy the blessings of their children and grandchildren, but there aren’t many who truly consider their offspring.

As long as there are good candidates, she won’t refuse them.

However, her choices are limited.

Two young nannies with extensive experience in childcare arrived grandly at Rongguo Mansion. They were highly regarded and welcomed by the Fourth Old Lady. In addition to their valued status, they discovered many significant issues around the Fourth Old Lady.

Firstly, there’s the nanny who had been raising the Fourth Old Lady, who had already left the mansion but still occasionally came back to contradict their statements and methods. What does this mean?

Secondly, the Fourth Old Lady is pregnant, yet the ones attending to her are only maidservants, while concubines and illegitimate children are not serving her to show their filial piety! Moreover, what good could these illegitimate children have to deserve such treatment?

Thirdly, and most concerning, the Old Lady actually took away the Fourth Old Lady’s authority over household provisions while she was pregnant!

How could this be acceptable?!