Chapter 5: Family Affairs

Xu Erpeng was cunning; he had already prepared a gift for his apprenticeship in the blue-and-white mule cart: two geese, a basket of eggs, two feet of blue silk, a sheet of paper, a new book, and two qian of cloves.

Madam Ru also had another female disciple who had studied medicine under her. The girl looked about twelve or thirteen, dressed fashionably in a white gauze blouse over a clove-colored coarse cloth jacket, with a green skirt embroidered with golden branches and leaves trailing on the ground. Her hair was styled in a disheveled horse-tail bun adorned with floral hairpins, her features delicate and pleasing, exuding an approachable charm.

“This is my niece, Xi Niang. She has also learned some skills from me,” Madam Ru introduced.

Miaozhen hurried forward to greet her, but Xi Niang turned aside and simply smiled, saying, “From now on, we’ll be fellow disciples and sworn sisters.”

Though Xi Niang seemed distant, her voice was simple and sincere. Miaozhen smiled and called her senior sister, which delighted Xi Niang so much she took off a fragrant sachet from her body and gave it to her.

Miaozhen accepted it immediately, then kowtowed on the mat to Madam Ru, officially acknowledging her as her master.

Since Miaozhen usually attended girls’ school, she came to visit after school ended at the hour of Shen (around 3 p.m.) and returned home at three quarters past You (around 6:45 p.m.), resting one day every ten days, which would be a full day from morning to night.

They agreed on the dates, and the entire Xu family hosted a banquet for Scholar Mei. The scholar wore a Taoist robe and sported a beard of half a hundred gray hairs, giving him an aura of transcendental elegance.

During the meal, Scholar Mei invited them to celebrate the festival at the Mei residence. Only Xu Erpeng smiled in response, saying, “The son-in-law would love to go, but for Mid-Autumn, my elder brother has already invited our parents to join him.”

So, Scholar Mei did not press further.

After the old gentleman was thoroughly drunk, Xu Erpeng personally sent him home with a servant.

Miaozhen was to formally start attending the girls’ school after Mid-Autumn and begin her medical studies at the Tao family’s place also after Mid-Autumn. These few days of leisure felt like the last days of summer vacation, naturally prompting her to enjoy herself fully.

August was the season for the provincial examinations, and Xu Erpeng had long commissioned printers to produce copies of the essays of the chief examiners and the eighteen sub-examiners for sale. Some dealers bought these early to resell at a profit, setting up stalls at the tribute examination hall, the prefectural academy, and the county school.

Another group sold books on boats, known as Zhi Li book boats, who also stocked up at the Jin Chang district.

These merchants were like fishermen at sea, always a few buying books from the Confucian Forest bookstore, allowing Xu Erpeng a small profit. At the dinner table, he was telling Madam Mei, “I just made two taels of silver. It’s not much, but if it happens often, I’d be pleased.”

Miaozhen sighed, “Father has spent quite a bit for his daughter this time.”

“It’s not much at all. What matters is you mastering your skills—that’s better than anything,” Xu Erpeng said casually.

Miaozhen thought her father, being a writer of popular stories, was relatively open-minded. In another family, they would never cultivate a daughter like this.

After the meal, Mrs. Ma from next door came by. The Ma family ran a portrait studio; in the Ming dynasty, portraits were painted images made for clients. Their shopfront was a two-story building, and the first floor also did mounting and framing. Lady Qiu rented a south-facing courtyard from them to hold the girls’ school, which Mrs. Ma had warmly recommended.

“Madam Xu, in a few days we’re holding a tea gathering at Huanghua Pond. I wonder if you would like to come?”

In the Ming dynasty, many people saved frugally just to go on a trip. The people of Suzhou even considered it a shame not to travel. Such tea gatherings were a way for women to socialize. Usually, maids stayed at home, rarely stepping outside the main gates, so only at tea or incense gatherings could they mingle.

It was said that in Shandong, pilgrims would travel together to Mount Wudang for incense offerings.

Madam Mei was interested but said helplessly, “My little boy can’t be left alone. He’s still nursing. When he’s older, I’ll go with you.”

Mrs. Ma smiled without offense, “Very well, then we’ll go together once your son is older.”

Madam Mei readily agreed.

Mrs. Ma then spoke about Lady Qiu’s school opening after Mid-Autumn: “She’s different from others. Those scholars only spout Confucian jargon, and how she teaches, I don’t know. My daughter used to have a voice like a mosquito, but now she dares to speak openly in public and has become much bolder.”

Madam Mei ordered Songluo tea and asked, “I heard Lady Qiu was once a nun who returned to secular life—is that true?”

“Indeed. She was born into an official family, skilled in poetry, songs, calligraphy, and painting, and excelled at all kinds of needlework and cooking. I once had her stir-fried fragrant mushrooms—the taste nearly made my tongue melt. Unfortunately, she became a widow who guarded her door and built a family shrine by Lotus Pond. Later, the shrine caught fire, and since the family she had promised to marry had moved to the capital, she returned to secular life. After that, she worked as a cook at the prefect’s mansion. When the prefect was promoted and left, she rented my house to open her school,” Mrs. Ma recounted.

Madam Mei folded her hands and repeatedly said, “Amitabha. With such a person teaching our dear daughter, I feel reassured.”

Mrs. Ma wiped her face with a handkerchief and spoke highly of Lady Qiu, “Yes indeed. I heard she was trained as a mistress of a great household, even managing affairs and accounting.”

Although Madam Mei had not yet formed a close bond with Lady Qiu, she was already eager to learn more.

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Ma added, “But Lady Qiu charges a rather high tuition. The wife of the Wei family, who owns the paper horse shop, sent her daughter here for three days, then, feeling sorry for the expense, demanded a refund. After leaving, she saw other girls progressing well and grew jealous, spreading rumors that girls should follow the three obediences and four virtues, stay at home, and be obedient. Can you believe such people?”

Miaozhen thought some people were just like that, much like when she tutored during the epidemic. She helped a high school student improve greatly, hoping for good final exam results, but some parents, blaming poor performance on online classes, reported the school to the education bureau, and that year’s final exams were canceled.

Madam Mei clicked her tongue in disapproval.

Seeing Madam Mei agree, Mrs. Ma took the opportunity to boast, “Girls who can read and write are better off. Nowadays, who with any spare money would want their daughter to be illiterate? Frankly, even for marriage, it’s better.”

Madam Mei nodded in agreement, “Indeed. Our neighbors used to be like that, not letting their daughters read or learn embroidery, fearing they’d improve and be better off after marriage.”

The two women chatted animatedly, but when the topic turned to marriage, Miaozhen quickly excused herself.

As she left, Mrs. Ma noticed her light steps and bare feet and immediately asked, “Why doesn’t your girl bind her feet?”

“Her father forbids it, and I think it’s painful,” Madam Mei replied indifferently.

Mrs. Ma laughed, “Same as my family. My Yulan was spared by her father and was simply left alone.”

During Mid-Autumn, third uncle’s household made many traditional pastries, and business was excellent, with buyers from town and countryside coming in endless streams. Almost every day brought in two to three taels of revenue. Besides grandparents helping, they hired three assistants, one of whom was a nephew from third aunt Bao’s family.

Xu Erpeng brought over two marinated ducks, a large watermelon, and two boxes of red water caltrops.

Nearby, Xu Siniang, noticing her second brother’s household arriving in a mule cart with a strong blue-and-white mule, saw that sister-in-law Madam Mei and niece Miaozhen wore brand-new clothes, followed by several servants, and envied them deeply. She immediately went to whisper something to Grandmother Xu.

Just then, the eldest son of the main branch, Xu Dalang, arrived with his wife and daughters. Miaoyun came over to speak with Miaozhen. Seeing the silver-and-gold butterfly hairpin she wore, Miaozhen quickly complimented, “It’s beautiful.”

Miaoyun smiled, “Someone gave it to me.”

Mrs. Huang was talking to Madam Mei, “I recently took on a job teaching embroidery to the daughter of a deputy thousand-household official. That lady is extremely kind and fond of our clever Miaoyun. She even invited Miaoyun to stay with her and gave her some jewelry and clothes, as if she adored her.”

Mrs. Huang continued, describing how the lady came from a prominent family and carried herself with distinction.

Everyone envied Miaoyun’s fortunate encounter. Xu Erpeng thought his elder brother’s daughter was like his brother—always blessed with benefactors. He lacked such luck. If only he had a patron, he would surely pass the provincial exam and become a scholar-gentleman, even if not an official.

While everyone admired the main branch, Miaozhen glanced toward the corner and noticed that the main branch had only brought a small watermelon and two bags of soybeans, understanding the reality.

Once everyone was assembled, third uncle took charge of the cooking. He was an excellent chef; the table was laden with marinated duck, roast chicken, fried fish, several cold dishes, and two soups—a bountiful feast.

As usual, the adults sat at one table, the children at another.

Grandmother Xu told Xu Erpeng, “The household is always busy, and I don’t have much time to look after Siniang. I’m thinking of having her stay at your house for a few days so your wife can teach her some needlework.”

Xu Erpeng snorted inwardly. His sister-in-law was already skilled in embroidery; his mother did not ask her but instead asked his wife. He laughed, “Mother, my little boy is just over half a year old and needs care. What use is it for Siniang to come? No one would look after her.”

“She’s grown and doesn’t need your care. Doesn’t Miaozhen have two maids to serve her? Let Siniang sleep with Miaozhen,” Grandmother Xu thought her plan perfect.

Miaozhen disliked the idea. Not only did Xu Siniang have an envious temper, but her own space would be invaded.

Grandmother Xu specifically asked Miaozhen, “Second daughter, what do you think about your aunt staying with you? Aren’t you afraid to live alone?”

“I’m not afraid. I’ll start school after Mid-Autumn. If my aunt comes, she’ll be alone, too,” Miaozhen quickly replied.

Grandmother Xu felt embarrassed, and the matter quietly faded away.

Xu Siniang was angry and ignored Miaozhen both at and away from the table. Miaozhen didn’t mind; some people think they have the right to everything because they are weak, feeling entitled to others’ possessions just because others live well.

After the meal, before the moon-worshiping ceremony, Xu Erpeng hurried back to write his story scripts, taking his family directly to the carriage.

At home, he privately told his wife, “If she comes, who knows how many troubles she’ll cause, making a laughingstock of us with the neighbors. We’ve spent so much on sending our daughter to girls’ school, where the families are relatively well-off. If she ruins our reputation, others will look down on us.”

He had experienced this himself. When he was young, his parents couldn’t afford a rice shop and only worked as laborers in one. When classmates asked, he told the truth and was looked down upon for two years.

Madam Mei nodded slightly, “That’s true.” She always listened to her husband. Though the household looked well-off, they were still in debt. Supporting their eldest daughter was already difficult; the younger sister demanded everything she saw, and if denied, harbored resentment and made neighbors think they were stingy.

Xu Erpeng continued, “That’s a small matter. What worries me is if she stays long-term, living here as if married into our family, and we have to pay for her dowry—that’s no small expense. I plan to save a substantial dowry for our dear daughter after we pay off the debts and help her with trousseau. But I won’t be the one to lose out.”

His wife found this hard to respond to.

Xu Erpeng sneered, “Our elders work hard for third brother from morning till night but don’t give a penny in filial support. Last time, when they said they needed to buy a spinning wheel for Siniang, it should have been third brother’s purchase, but he feared Aunt Bao’s temper and kept telling me. Feeling sorry for them, I bought it myself for several dozen taels. Even if I use it myself, it will last two or three years. I thought the spinning wheel would help Siniang save money and ease our burdens in the long run. But I didn’t expect her to be so shallow and lazy. I misjudged her.”

He had learned a lesson with Xu Siniang. Even though Miaozhen was his own daughter, he had to be sure she was persistent and had observed her for over half a year before agreeing to send her to study medicine.

Meanwhile, Grandmother Xu comforted Xu Siniang, “If you don’t want to go, then don’t. It’s nothing grand. We’re in deep debt and don’t know how long we’ll manage to live here—what’s the point of being so proud?”

She handed her a piece of watermelon. Xu Siniang rarely had snacks; her weaving brought in little money, and she saved up to buy flowers to adorn herself.

Such fresh, sweet melon was rare for her to enjoy.

Eating the melon, her arrogance diminished somewhat.

At that moment, Aunt Bao, who had been eavesdropping outside, came in, shaking her shoulders and smiling, “Mother, sister, today second brother came over in that big mule cart again, with several maids and servants—it was really impressive. I think the neighbors are not ordinary. If sister could live there, she’d surely marry into a good family. Mother, you should be sensible. Second brother is considerate of second sister-in-law. If you send her over, it’s all one family.”

Hearing this, Grandmother Xu pondered.

Late at night, Xiaoxi and Xiaotao finished ironing Miaozhen’s clothes for girls’ school, hanging them on the rack.

Miaozhen packed two book bags—one for the girls’ school and one for the Tao family’s medical training. Once packed, she looked out the window at the large, round moon, clenching her fist in determination. Tomorrow would surely be a good beginning!