Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 27 - 11: Calligraphy Practice Continues (Part 1)

The four of them, led by Susu, entered the inner chamber to pay their respects to the Old Madam. Although the Old Madam rarely saw these young maids, she recognized them and, holding Susu’s hand, said, "Your complexion looks better; you’re a good child." She laughed and asked, "Which one is Yang Liu, graceful like the willow in spring?"

Liu’er, who had changed her name to Yang Liu, was unafraid and responded crisply, "I am Yang Liu, graceful like the willow." The Old Madam laughed, "You’re Qiao An’s granddaughter, right? That’s good; the name is good too. Anyone who calls you by the wrong name will have to treat you to some fruit." Yang Liu’s eyes lit up. "Thank you, Old Madam." Then she turned to the several first- and second-class maids and said, "Sisters, be sure to have the fruit ready." This made the Old Madam smile again.

Following this, the Old Madam met with Ning Cui and Bisi. The Old Madam knew whose children they were and said, "Since Susu is willing to teach you to read and write, it is fate among you. Now that you are learning, you must study well and not give up halfway. It will also make it convenient for someone in the courtyard to ask you to read a book or letter in the future." She then reminded Susu, "Learning to read and understand things should not make you look down on others because of it."

Susu repeatedly assured her, saying she would not dare.

The Old Madam said to Zhen Zhu, "These children’s monthly allowance includes things like paper and ink. There isn’t much to do around the courtyard; they needn’t be too restricted. It’s fine for the young girls to stroll around the garden, and I can always protect you." Hearing this, the four main maids had tears in their eyes.

Which household doesn’t have an Old Madam surrounded by grandchildren, enjoying the pleasures of family life? Only their Old Madam is accompanied by a few maids and matrons. Just thinking of the First and Second Madams made the maids grind their teeth in hatred.

Seeing that the atmosphere had turned somewhat gloomy, as the maids thought of those messy matters again, the Old Madam changed the subject and said to the four of them, "Let me see how many characters you recognize now? Can you all write them?" The maids quickly fetched the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and others brought the desks and chairs, making the room lively and bustling.

Some of the second-class maids were also not very literate and asked to get closer to both the Old Madam and Susu, "to learn a few characters, so the Old Madam won’t despise us for being ignorant."

The Old Madam was quite interested as well, as she often found the days dull with card games, teaching the girls to read was a nice change.

Zhen Zhu suggested, "When spring comes, it might be good to tidy up the Warm Pavilion and set up a study for the Old Madam." The Old Madam chuckled, "That’s a good idea; buy more colored inks. I can also paint some landscapes and birds for you to use as patterns."

After the Laba Festival, stewards from various Song Mansion estates came bearing rents and silver from grain and livestock sales. The Old Madam’s private holdings included five large estates, two small estates, and eighteen shops. Sui’an Hall’s food and supplies were not bought from outside; everything they needed came from the nearby two small estates, which was both fresh and convenient. The monthly expenses were reported, and at the end of the year, the total was converted into silver and transferred from the public account to her private one. The Duke was dutiful, and there was no reason a mother should pay out of her own pocket for fresh vegetables she consumed.

Moreover, delicacies from outside were continually sent in. Since the old Duke’s passing, the families were divided into three shares, except for the ritual lands, with the profits from salt licenses and maritime trade split equally into five parts: one for the Great House, one for the Second House, one for the Third House, and one for the Old Madam; the fifth part covered public expenses, including household expenses and marriages of children and grandchildren. Thus, in the Song family, there was rarely any quibbling over trivial matters, illustrating the Old Madam’s wisdom.

On this day, Susu was busy with Dong Song and Amber sorting through incoming items, recording and labeling them, so it was a chaotic scene. Yang Liu came running and respectfully said to Amber and Dong Song, "Chief Steward Ning from Nanshan Manor has arrived, and his wife has come to pay her respects to the Old Madam. She has asked for Susu."

On the way, Yang Liu explained to Susu, "Chief Steward Ning is Ning Cui’s father. He didn’t want to disturb the women, so he didn’t enter the inner courtyard. It was Ning Cui’s mother, known as Aunt Ning, who came in. She used to be a main maid in the old Old Madam’s courtyard and visits every year during her respect-paying, usually staying a few days at the Old Madam’s invitation."

Susu was puzzled, "Why do I need to see her?" Yang Liu gave her a knowing look, "You usually seem quite clever, but today you seem a bit slow. Aunt Ning must want to thank you for teaching Ning Cui to read. Do you think any servant can just read and write? The other day my grandfather sent in a set of books, and Bisi’s aunt sent a few bolts of fabric. Why do you think we insisted you accept them? They’re your teaching fees; it would be ungracious not to take them!"

Susu smiled apologetically, "Dear sister, I’m still young and don’t understand much. I hope you’ll guide me more." Yang Liu lifted her head proudly, "Of course, naturally, as I’m kind-hearted. Moreover, you call me sister, so I have to look after you." Seeing the ten-year-old girl pretend to be worldly wise, Susu could hardly stifle her laughter.

In the main hall, it was in the Warm Pavilion that the Old Madam chose to meet Ning Cui’s mother—they must be close. After Susu paid her respects to the Old Madam, Ning Cui’s mother took her hand and smiled, "Every year when I come, the Old Madam’s room looks different. With beauties all around, I feel like a charred scroll, no face to come in. This is Susu, the charming one at the Old Madam’s side."

Susu looked carefully at Ning Cui’s mother, who seemed just thirty-one or thirty-two, dressed in a complex gold-thread embroidered red cloud-patterned gown, covered with a multicolored kesi stone blue silver fox cloak, with a jade floral crepe skirt, and wore a lofty bun adorned with a red gold and gem-marked peony hairpin. A gauze cluster adorned with small pearls was tucked into her right temple, and she wore a bold pair of gold-mounted earrings. Slender and stunningly beautiful, she looked more like a housekeeper’s wife than an estate leader’s wife, carrying a hint of Wang Xifeng’s charm in her words.

The Old Madam laughed, "My room isn’t only filled with beauties. Susu is a little beauty, and you are a grand beauty, both as graceful as fairies, delightful to see." Zhen Zhu laughed from the side, "If Susu is a fairy, then the Old Madam is the Queen Mother of the Turquoise Pool!"

Ning Cui’s mother, amidst laughter, discreetly observed Susu: she wore a honey-colored cotton jacket, onion-yellow silk pants, a rose pink patterned long jacket, tied with a light green ribbon, with her hair in a double-knotted bun, adorned with two small pale yellow silk flowers, and silver earrings with red agate. Although looking frail, her small face when lifted seemed to outshine all the beauties in the room, especially her eyes, which were truly phoenix-like and starry, leaving the experienced Ning Cui’s mother momentarily dazed.

The Old Madam said, "Susu, this is Ning Cui’s mother, address her as Aunt Ning." Susu gave a formal greeting, "Greetings, Aunt Ning!" Ning Cui’s mother listened and was surprised by the dignified accent instead of the southern soft dialect, recalling what Housekeeper Qiao had conveyed about this child’s background and character, she grew fondness and kindness, quickly saying, "Good child, aunt must thank you, please accept this bracelet without disdain." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Then, she took out a carved bracelet made of red gold inlaid with small gemstones from her sleeve, perfectly sized for a young girl, indicating it was prepared long ago. One glance at its craftsmanship told Susu it was not cheap. She quickly declined, but the Old Madam spoke, "Since it’s given, accept it." Only then did Susu take it, "Thank you, Aunt." Ning Cui’s mother said, "So polite. Among the Old Madam, you and your sisters should support each other and serve the Old Madam well."