[JXSY] Chapter 2: Sisters

January 15, 2021AwkwarDerp

Based on the 11th Lady’s observation, Luo Mansion covered about 30 acres. Toward the east side, it’s Zhiyun Pavilion, in the middle is Sizhi Tang and the west side Shuangxing Yuan, which has a gate leading to a river. After passing it, a small courtyard will appear, surrounded by numerous rooms. This place is called Lingfan Zhai, the back garden of Luo Mansion. 

*[30 acres = 121,406 metre square, TN] 

The Luyun building is in the northwest direction of the back garden. 

The 11th Lady is following Nanny Yao with Binju in the back, passing through the corridor, which connects Luyun and Zhiyun buildings. Not too long after, they arrived at Zhiyun Pavilion.

When they walked in, they met Nanny Xu, who was walking out with about four to five maids. 

Nanny Xu is the most trustworthy person next to Luo Madame. She is in charge of the funds and other personal affairs, whereas Nanny Yao is in charge of daily chores. 

The 11th Lady respectfully greeted, “Nanny Xu.”

Nanny Yao and Binju followed along and greeted her, then Nanny Yao asked: “What are you doing?”

Nanny Xu is in her forties, her skin was pale white and she was a bit chubby. Despite having Luo Madame supporting her at the back, she still smiled and was polite to everyone she met. Everyone wanted to befriend her. 

Nanny Xu smiled and greeted the 11th Lady, then turned to face Nanny Yao and Binju: “Luo Madame asked me to go to Ci’an Temple to give them some white sesame oil.”

Nanny Yao was surprised, she said: “Aren’t they sending people here to get them?”

Nanny Xu smiled and replied: “Luo Madame thought they might need it for the lanterns.”

Cian Temple is more than 20 miles away, it will take a whole day to go back and forth, even if she wants to go, why go at this time?

Nanny Yao wanted to ask her again, but then Nanny Xu turned to the 11th Lady and said, “Thank you for thinking of me, you even told Dongqing to bring me the soybean sauce.”

The 11th Lady smiled politely: “It’s nothing; Nanny Xu doesn’t need to mention that.”

“You are too nice.” Nanny Xu smiled, “Last time, Dongqing’s mother came right? At the time you let Dongqing bring the soybean sauce over to me. I was stunned and asked who made this and why it is so good. Look at me, already forty years old, yet I’ve never eaten such good soybean sauce…”

The two of them were ordered to go greet the Luo Madame and the other was sent on an errand, therefore, none of them dared to delay any longer. After exchanging a few greetings, they separated. 

Nanny Yao led The 11th Lady to the east room on the first floor, the dining room of the pavilion that Luo Madame always dined at: “Miss, please have a sit, I will go report to the Luo Madame.”

She left the 11th Lady and Binju alone in the room. Nanny Yao then went upstairs and ordered the maids to prepare tea. 

Binju couldn’t help but become fascinated at the room. 

On the luohan bed*, there were black wordings on the front and the inside was covered with tiger skins. At the side was a small table with a porcelain incense holder placed on top. On top of the two tall tables were to emerald pots of bonsai of perennial bluestones. In front of the porcelains was a long armchair, which was covered with a green-stone snake skin. The floor titles under their feet were as clear as a mirror, it can reflect an image of a person.

*[Luohan bed = it’s those big and long chair that you see Emperor usually sat in, TN]

Most of the time, Dongqing would be the one accompanying the 11th Lady to Zhiyun Pavilion, but this time she took Binju instead. 

The decoration of the room is quite different from when she visited the last time. 

When she came here last time, she was very curious and fascinated. There were a lot of white decorations everywhere in the room, making a person flustered just by looking at it. This time, the room is beautiful; but still remains cold, which made her feel uneasy.

At this time, none of the maids were in the room. Thinking back to what she didn’t have the chance to say to the 11th Lady before coming here, Binju slowly stepped forward and whispered: “Miss, if this is regarding Sister Dongqing’s marriage…You should agree to it!” After she finished talking, tears started to appear in the corners of her eyes, “This is what Sister Dongqing asked me to tell you before we left. She said there will be a lot of new maids. You shouldn’t make the Luo Madame angry over this small matter.” 

The 11th Lady looked at the pot of tea in front of her and remained silent. 

Binju had been with her for three years. She knows the 11th Lady is easy-going, but once she’s determined to do something, it’s harder than pulling a cow back. Binju slowly persuades her in a low voice: “If you’re not willing, after her marriage, you can give her two servants as a dowry. And with you backing her up, she will definitely live through hardship.”

“Be careful of the ears next door.” The 11th Lady said softly, making Binju embarrassed. 

Binju knew she was being too impatient, she quickly nodded her head and ‘uhm’ once, then went to stand behind the 11th Lady without saying another word. 

‘Maids as dowry!’

‘These two had already thought of everything, but it seems as if this situation is starting to become helpless, I’m afraid I need to put in more effort to deal with it.’

The 11th Lady couldn’t help but smile in despair. 

***

There were many servants and concubines in the Zhiyun Pavilion, the atmosphere was almost lively. On the way to the pavilion, she passed by a few servants, but their expression seemed cautions, as if a storm was coming.

Could it be that Nanny Yao had said something in front of Luo Madame?

Similar to how she induced the Luo Madame last time, saying how Nanny Yao is only nice and obedient in front of the Luo Madame, but when you turn your back, she starts peeping here and there… Is the Luo Madame trying to teach her a lesson?

The 11th Lady’s mind turned quickly. 

This morning, Luo Madame was still fine, she smiled and said that the yam cakes she made were delicious and even asked her to bring some more tomorrow. She even rewarded her with a gold hairpin with a carving for prosperity. So, what is wrong? If anything happens, it must be after she leaves. It’s a pity that Nanny Yao was following her closely on their way here, so she couldn’t escape and asked those servants what was wrong. She especially wants to ask Shanhu, the second closest maid to the Luo Madame, and is also a friend of Dongqing’s.

Thinking about it, she lifted her hand and touched the gold hairpin on her head, which she intentionally wore before coming here, hoping Luo Madame would see it and remember how well-behaved she had been these years and go easy on her. 

Although the 11th Lady is secretly planning, her body was on the edge – always cautious and paying attention to the movement around her. 

After a while, she smelled faint sandalwood, heard soft footsteps and rustling sounds. 

Luo Madame is a buddhist person, so on her body, there is always the smell of sandalwood.

The 11th Lady hurriedly stood up. At this time, the curtain was lifted, a girl wearing a red dress came in while supporting a tall and dignified woman. 

Behind them was about seven or eight maids, including Nanny Yao. 

“Mother!” The 11th Lady smiled and greeted her, walked up and held her other arm. 

“Look at you two!” Luo Madame smiled kindly, “I can’t walk by myself anymore.”

“Mother, you’re still young, how can you say that.” The girl in the red dress flattered her, “We are just using this opportunity to get closer to Mother.” She said with a delicate and innocent tone, people who hear her voice could only fall in love with it. After saying that, she turned and asked the 11th Lady: “Isn’t that right, 11th Sister?” 

“Of course! 5th Sister.” The 11th Lady looked at her with a smile, as if she’s admiring her. 

This girl is the 5th Lady, the elder sister of the 11th Lady and the 4th Master, Luo Zhensheng of the Luo Mansion. 

Their biological mother is Concubine Ke, ranked third among the wives. She was a maid by Luo Madame’s side. Even though she was promoted to become a concubine and gave birth to a son and a daughter, she still continued her duty and served Luo Madame; but Luo Madame treated her very kindly, even raising her children as her own.

Luo Madame seeing  them being affectionate, she couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction. 

The 11th Lady’s back was patted, after that, a finger pointed at the 5th Lady’s forehead: “Only you would flatter me! Now you’re trying to make your sister follow your words?”

In her words, there was leniency. The 5th Lady naturally doesn’t take Luo Madame’s words seriously, she giggled and asked the 11th Lady: “Mother said I’m trying to bait you, did I?”

The 11th Lady did not answer, she just smiled. 

The 5th Lady pulled on Luo Madame’s sleeves and said: “You see, 11th Sister didn’t even say anything, you’re just accusing me. Are you afraid 11th Sister will be wronged? Me and her are the same.”

Luo Madame was amused by her childishness, she took the 5th Lady’s hand and sat down at the luohan bed: “Alright, alright, alright. I was wrong.” Luo Madame then ordered the maids to bring a chair for the 11th Lady. 

“It’s always like that!” The 5th Lady pouted and sat down at the luohan, but when she saw the maid bring a tray of tea, she quickly stood up and served a cup to Luo Madame: “Mother, please drink tea!”

Luo Madame replied with a smile. 

The 5th Lady then brings another cup over to the 11th Lady: “11th Sister, drink tea!”

The 11th Lady quickly stood up and accepted the cup from her hands. 

Finally, the 5th Lady poured herself a cup of tea, then sat next to the 11th Lady, intentionally raised her voice to let Luo Madame hear their conversation: “Look at tea. When I came, it was Longjing, but now it’s Wuiyi. Mother is being unfair.”

*[Longjing and Wuyi = It’s a type of tea, Longjing is similar to green tea, whereas WuYi is like black or oolong teas, TN]

A few words made the room full of people laugh. 

Luo Madame pointed at the people behind the 5th Lady: “You guys see, how did I raise a monkey? Everyday, she can’t sit or stand still.”

Upon hearing her words, the 5th Lady ran to Luo Madame: “If this monkey doesn’t bother you, who else should I bother?”

The maid behind her also laughed: “This is what you’re used to.”

Luo Madame shook her head “aiya”, “aiya”, looking helpless. 

The laughter goes on for a while, making the room very lively. 

The 11th Lady sat aside and smiled, while tucking her sleeves. 

Luo Madame saw that, she turned serious and asked: “I heard from Master Jian that you can embroider double-sided?” 

In the Luo family, old masters have the duty to teach the ladies of the house how to read. Aside from that they even invited the most famous master, Xiu Niang Jian from Hangzhou to teach them arts and skills. 

The 11th Lady thought for a long time and finally chose to work hard on cooking and embroidery. 

Dongqing was very worried about her decision: “Women who do well in sewing and cooking can be found anywhere, but being able to recite poems and paint, that’s a skill.”

“As long as I complete my duty.” The 11th Lady waved her hand, beckoning her not to talk about it anymore, “If it weren’t for the fear of Luo Madame thinking I am useless and  can’t learn anything well, I wouldn’t even touch embroidery and cooking.” 

After that day, she followed Master Jian closely to learn embroidery. Master Jian was delighted to see her being attentive and even passed the technique of double-sided embroidery to the 11th Lady.