Being a second wife is difficult

The eighth day of the fourth lunar month is an auspicious day for marriage.

As the bridal sedan chair was carried into the Yongchang Marquis's residence, Jiang Wan heard someone outside say in a low voice, "This dowry looks far inferior to the one before."

The sound was not loud, and was mostly drowned out by the sound of the suona. Jiang Wan only vaguely caught the words "dowry" and was too lazy to distinguish them.

The sedan chair swayed forward, her eyes lowered, a hand warmer pressed against her palm.

She remembered what her stepmother, Madam Sun, had said before she left: "Although you are a second wife, you are still the legal wife. Don't let people look down on you."

It's low, so be it.

She thought to herself.

These days, the prestige built on a few dowries can't last long.

She spent three days memorizing the dowry list.

Father Jiang Huaiyuan exhausted all his resources and managed to scrape together seventeen loads.

She made changes in the room, replacing several bolts of silk with ordinary cotton cloth. What was the point of making a show of it? No matter how much a concubine was given, people would know the truth.

She visited the Earl's residence eight years ago.

When the late Madam Gu entered the house, the entire place was filled with wealth and splendor. The brand-new plaque shone brightly in the sunlight, and the room was packed with guests, their congratulatory voices rising in waves.

She sat with her father in the corner of the women's section, watching the bride, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, being escorted in by a crowd, her pointed chin peeking out from under the red veil.

She was only twelve years old at the time and thought that Gu was lucky to have married into such a family.

In fact, given the Jiang family's social standing at the time, they were not worthy of attending this banquet.

Jiang Huaiyuan, the father, was just a minor official with no real connection to the Yongchang Earl's family. They were distant relatives and had no real dealings with each other.

It was only because the Gu family's wedding was too extravagant that the Earl's Mansion couldn't gather enough people for the women's seats, so they invited these distant relatives to fill the seats as well. However, they were all placed in the most remote corners, so they didn't even need to be looked at.

Who could have imagined that three years later, Madam Gu would pass away, and the Earl's family would have to find a new wife for their eldest son, but they would be unable to find a suitable family for a long time.

Although the second wife was the principal wife, she was ultimately a concubine.

The Gu family was of high social standing, and the bride's family was difficult to deal with. Which family would be willing to send their eldest daughter in to suffer mistreatment? The high-ranking families were unwilling, and the lower-ranking families, like the Earl's Mansion, looked down on them. After searching for half a year, they still couldn't settle on a decision.

However, things changed at the Jiang family's side.

A few years ago, Jiang Huaiyuan's father recognized the retired Grand Secretary Dong as his teacher. Although Grand Secretary Dong was no longer in the court, he was a leader of the upright officials, and his students were spread throughout the Six Ministries.

Thanks to this connection, my father got promoted a little faster and gained some influence among his colleagues. Although he was still far from escaping the circle of a humble family and was still a long way from the threshold of an earl's mansion, the marriage fell to him because no other family was willing to let him marry into it.

The father gritted his teeth and agreed to the marriage, perhaps with a bit of a desire to climb the social ladder.

Jiang Wan knew that she was able to enter this door not because she was lucky, but because the person before her with bad luck had blocked the path for those who came after her.

Now it's her turn to sit in this bridal sedan chair. The gate is the same, the plaque is the same, but the gold paint on the plaque is thinner, and the stone lions on both sides are not as majestic as she remembers.

Jiang Wan glanced at him through the gap in the veil but said nothing.

The sedan chair came to a stop.

Someone outside the sedan chair curtain shouted, "The newlyweds are getting out of the sedan chair!"

The matchmaker lifted the curtain, reached in with one hand, and Jiang Wan took it, stepping onto the red carpet as they walked inside.

We stepped over the brazier and entered through the gate.

The suona horn was so loud it hurt my eardrums.

She lowered her eyes, staring only at the red carpet at her feet. People stood on both sides of her, and she could feel their gazes on her. Some were curious, some were scrutinizing, and some were probably waiting to see her make a fool of herself.

The wedding ceremony has begun.

First bow to Heaven and Earth, second bow to the parents.

As she bent down, she caught a glimpse of the shoes above her out of the corner of her eye; they were brand new, made of royal blue satin and embroidered with the character "福" (fortune).

My mother-in-law is a meticulous person.

"Husband and wife bow to each other—"

She turned around and faced the person.

Through the veil, only the hem of his bright red robe and a pair of black official boots could be seen. He stood very straight, and the degree of his bow was just right, not too large or too small, which was just enough to be considered proper etiquette.

This is her husband.

"Send them to the bridal chamber—"

The matchmaker helped her walk out, and behind them, people were laughing and joking, their laughter low, making it impossible to tell whether it was out of kindness or something else.

Qinghe is currently serving in the bridal chamber.

Qinghe was the most trusted person by her side. Qinghe was her dowry maid who had served her closely since childhood.

When a wealthy family marries off their daughter, it is customary to send someone to the groom's house in advance to prepare the house.

Two days ago, Qinghe and others, who were by her side, went to the Earl's Mansion under the pretense of looking at the bride's house. In reality, they were there to help her prepare the new house, arrange the items, and move over the daily necessities that were not on the dowry list. Her mother-in-law also sent her maid, Gui, to help out.

Jiang Wan was helped into the house and sat down on the edge of the bed. The matchmaker said a few auspicious words such as "May you have a son soon" before taking her reward money and leaving.

The door closed, shutting out the noise from outside, and the room became quiet.

Qinghe leaned closer, her eyes a little red: "Miss..."

Jiang Wan raised her hand and gently pressed down on her wrist.

"We should start calling you 'Madam' now," he said softly, with a hint of helpless laughter. "Don't let anyone hear us, or they'll think we don't know the proper etiquette."

Qinghe pouted, her voice muffled: "Yes, Madam."

"Pour me a glass of water first."

Qinghe turned to pour water, and Jiang Wan took the opportunity to lift her veil and look around.

A rosewood canopy bed, red lacquered and gold-painted chests and cabinets, and a small black lacquered table under the window with a pot of orchids on it.

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't outstanding either. However, it lacked the feel of a mistress of the house and seemed more like a place that had been temporarily set up to accommodate people.

Qinghe brought over the water, and while she was drinking, she whispered, "On the day the room was being prepared, Granny Gui came and took a look around. She said that this room used to be the young master's study, and it was only converted last year."

It was converted from a study.

Jiang Wan held her teacup, not replying, but her mind was racing.

The Yongchang Marquis's mansion wasn't without empty courtyards; the east wing was empty, and the west wing was empty as well. Yet, they still crammed her into a room converted from a study.

Either they wanted to save trouble, or they didn't treat her like a proper mistress.

Neither of them is comfortable.

"And another thing," Qinghe lowered her voice even further, "the courtyard next door, it was locked. I asked the cleaning lady, but she wouldn't tell me. I had to slip her some copper coins to get her to say that it was where the late Madam lived."

Jiang Wan paused for a moment in her teacup.

The original wife's house was locked, so she was placed in the room next to the original wife's.

What does this mean? Does it mean she should guard it, or should she just watch over it?

"I understand," she said. "Don't go asking around. It's your first day here; asking questions everywhere will attract attention."

Qinghe agreed, then asked, "Madam, would you like to go check on the neighbors—"

"I'm not going." Jiang Wan put down her teacup, her tone indifferent. "It's a locked room. What would I do if I went to see it? If people found out, they'd think I was after the late Mrs.'s things."

Qinghe thought about it and agreed, so she kept quiet.

Jiang Wan brought over the pot of orchids under the window and looked at them. The leaves were a bit yellow and the soil was dry, so it seemed that no one had taken care of them for several days.

She took the scissors and trimmed two withered leaves.

Qinghe watched for a while, then whispered, "Madam, don't you think about what's going on with your son-in-law?"

"What are you thinking? They'll come."

"That's not what I meant—" Qinghe bit her lip, "I meant, what if the son-in-law is difficult to get along with?"

"Even if you're difficult to get along with, you still have to get along with you." Jiang Wan put the orchid back, patted the soil off her hands, and said, "I've already entered this door, so how can I turn back? Since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it."

She spoke in a flat tone, as if she were talking about something very ordinary. Qinghe listened and felt her anxiety subside a little, but then she felt that her daughter was too indifferent.

Jiang Wan noticed the dissatisfaction in her eyes and smiled, "Alright, go outside and see if the guests have left yet. While you're at it, find out how long the banquet at the front will last tonight."

Qinghe responded and went out.

Jiang Wan sat alone in the room and brought the pot of orchids over to look at them again.

The leaves are still yellow; perhaps changing the soil can save it.

The second watch of the night.

Lu Huaijin pushed the door open and came in.

Jiang Wan sat upright on the bed, her red veil already put back on. Hearing the sound of the door being pushed open, she subconsciously straightened her back, appearing even more dignified.

Lu Huaijin smelled of alcohol, but not strongly, so he probably hadn't drunk much.

The red auspicious robe made him look somewhat cold, and there was no joy in his eyes, as if he had just attended a banquet that he had no choice but to attend.

He stopped at the doorway, his gaze falling on her for a moment.

"You had a hard day."

The voice was neither loud nor soft, and it was impossible to discern any emotion in it.

Jiang Wan nodded slightly: "It's not hard work."

The maids withdrew, and Qinghe walked last, gently closing the door behind her.

The room fell silent.

Lu Huaijin didn't rush to lift the veil. She sat down at the table, poured herself a glass of water, took a sip, and seemed to be thinking about how to start the conversation.

"sit."

Jiang Wan sat down on the edge of the bed.

The two were about five or six steps apart.

He took another sip of water before speaking: "My term expires the year after next, and I need to go back to Beijing to report on my professional title. It won't happen anytime soon."

It was as if he was explaining something to her.

Jiang Wan listened without responding.

"You know that your mother manages the household affairs," he said, his tone as flat as if reading an official document. "The two children are still young, so please take good care of them from now on."

He paused.

"The concubines in the mansion are all easy to get along with."

He paused again.

"I won't leave you feeling neglected."

The last sentence was spoken very quickly, as if it were an afterthought following up on the "serious business" that had been discussed earlier.

After listening, Jiang Wan lowered her eyes.

"Don't worry, sir, I'll keep my duty in mind."

She spoke in a very gentle tone, like a piece of silk that had been softened by water; it was pleasant to listen to, but not in a way that seemed ingratiating.

Lu Huaijin glanced at her.

That glance wasn't so much a matter of satisfaction or dissatisfaction, but rather a confirmation of one thing: this second wife wasn't the type to cause trouble.

"Take a break."

He stood up, picked up the scales beside him, and lifted the red veil.

Jiang Wan took the opportunity to glance at him a few times.

Although she had seen the portrait before marrying into the family, the painter must have received a fee, as he depicted the eyebrows and eyes to be three times more handsome than the real person.

Standing before me, I felt neither disappointment nor surprise; he simply had a dignified face, neither smiling nor tense, as if he were simply going through the motions of a task he had no choice but to undertake.

The maids came in to help her wash up.

The two of them washed up, changed into their nightgowns, and lay down on the bed one after the other.

Lu Huaijin said in a low voice, "Let's make arrangements."

The candlelight in the tent flickered gently and was then extinguished.

……

After an unknown amount of time, when the red candles were lit again, Jiang Wan's hair was disheveled and her face was flushed.

The person beside her ordered water to be brought, and they washed themselves, changed into clean nightgowns, and then lay back down on the bed.

The canopy bed was spacious enough for two people to sleep comfortably. Jiang Wan lay on her side, staring at the patterns on the canopy ceiling.

A red silk curtain, embroidered with lotus blossoms.

The gold thread has faded a bit, indicating that it's an old item, probably hung when my late wife was still alive.

She listened to the breathing of the person next to her; he was lying straight, with about an arm's length between them.

What was he thinking? Jiang Wan didn't know.

He was probably thinking about matters of the court, or who he was going to see tomorrow; in any case, he wasn't thinking about her. What was there to think about when she was just a concubine who had only been in the household for a day?

She didn't feel wronged.

There's nothing to feel wronged about.

This marriage was originally a mutually beneficial arrangement.

He wanted a second wife with a housekeeper, and she wanted a place to settle down; neither owed the other anything.

She closed her eyes.

I went over tomorrow's plans: serving tea, paying respects, and recognizing people.

Then, it's just a matter of slowly passing by, day by day.

Before dawn, Granny Gui arrived.

Jiang Wan was already up, but Lu Huaijin next to her was still asleep.

She woke up at four in the morning. Since she was a second wife, she had to pay respects to her late wife's memorial tablet before paying respects to her mother-in-law, so she got up early.

Qinghe gently helped her get dressed and styled her hair in an elegant way.

Today she was wearing a deep purple jacket that she had taken out of her dowry chest. She couldn't wear red, it would be too eye-catching, nor could she wear anything too plain, it would be gloomy. The deep purple was neither too dark nor too light, like what a proper concubine should wear.

When Granny Gui entered, she glanced at her, probably seeing that she had finished tidying up, and her face did not show any expression.

"Madam, please come with me."

Jiang Wan followed behind her.

It takes about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to walk from the courtyard to the ancestral hall. Along the way, you pass a moon gate, a clump of bamboo, and a small stone bridge.

The mansion was not large, but it was well-maintained, and every plant and tree was taken care of.

Granny Gui walked in front, her back ramrod straight, her steps neither fast nor slow.

Jiang Wan observed her back.

The woman, in her fifties, had her hair neatly combed and her silver hairpin polished to a shine. She was someone who knew how to read between the lines, and though she didn't say much, she understood everything better than anyone else.

The ancestral hall is on the east side; it is not large, but it is fully constructed according to regulations.

Granny Gui pushed open the wooden door, and inside, the air was filled with the smoke of incense. The ash on the offering table was piled up in a thick layer, probably because someone came to burn incense every day.

The tablet in the very center reads: "The tablet of the late Madam Gu of the Lu family."

The gold lettering and the paint look a bit old; it was probably replaced about three years ago, the year my late wife, Madam Gu, passed away.

Granny Gui pointed to the prayer mat: "Madam, please kneel here."

There are two prayer cushions, one in the very center and the other about half a foot to the side.

Jiang Wan knelt down on that side.

Her knees landed exactly half an inch off the center brick. She noticed it, but didn't say anything or seem uncomfortable.

Granny Gui handed over three sticks of incense.

Jiang Wan took it, raised it to eyebrow level, and bowed three times.

He bowed very seriously each time, neither too fast nor too slow.

She placed the incense sticks into the incense burner, and Granny Gui began to chant beside her: "The late Madam was merciful, and now that the new bride has entered the family, may your spirit in heaven protect our family and keep us safe."

It's like a cliché that's been repeated a thousand times.

Jiang Wan kowtowed three more times. When she stood up, she glanced at the confession table.

There was a plate of apples and a plate of pastries. The apple peels were a bit wrinkled, and the edges of the pastries were dry, indicating they had been sitting for a few days.

She didn't say anything.

After leaving the ancestral hall, Granny Gui led her to Songhe Hall.

My mother-in-law lives in the main house in the backyard.

Several people were already sitting inside.

A woman in her thirties was sitting in a chair by the window. She was wearing a royal blue jacket, her hair was styled in a shiny bun, and she wore a red gold hairpin. She must be the second wife, Madam Fang, the wife of Lu Huaijin's younger brother.

Jiang Wan met him for the first time today, and she made a mental note of it.

Fang was talking to her mother-in-law when she saw Jiang Wan come in. She stopped talking and glanced at Jiang Wan's face, then at her clothes, and then back at her face.

The gaze was neither warm nor cold, as if it were sizing someone up or weighing them.

Jiang Wan pretended not to see it.

The mother-in-law sat on the couch, with a dark blue pillow behind her.

Aunt Zhou was standing behind her mother-in-law, massaging her shoulders.

She wore a silver-red jacket, her hair was neatly combed, and her silver hairpins were more presentable than those of ordinary concubines. She had strength in her hands, and the rhythm of her pounding was neither too fast nor too slow, indicating that she was used to serving others.

Last night, Qinghe had already whispered the details she had found out to her in the bridal chamber, including who they were and what their backgrounds were.

Now they all match up perfectly.

This Aunt Zhou was originally a maid who accompanied the late Madam during her dowry. She was elevated to the rank of concubine after the late Madam's death and gave birth to the eldest son, Lu Hui.

Lu Hui stood next to Aunt Zhou. He was a seven or eight-year-old boy, sturdy and with features that resembled Lu Huaijin.

Aunt Liu stood by the door with a little girl in her hand. The girl's lotus-colored vest was a bit worn, and her hair was simply combed. She kept her head down, as if she wished she could shrink into a crack in the wall.

Qinghe learned that Aunt Liu was originally a slut who was given to the master by someone else. She gave birth to a second daughter. The little girl next to her, Lu Shan, looked about three or four years old, with two little pigtails, and curiously looked in Jiang Wan's direction.

In the corner stood a woman in her thirties wearing a light gray vest. She remained silent and did not look up. That was Zhao Tongfang, a maid who had originally served in Lu Huaijin's study. After being taken in as a concubine, she was not promoted to the rank of mistress and had no children.

Jiang went to pay her respects to her mother-in-law that evening.

The mother-in-law sat upright, accepted her bow, and raised her chin, saying, "Sit down."

Granny Gui moved an embroidered stool over and placed it below Madam Fang.

Jiang Wan sat down.

Her mother-in-law sized her up for a moment.

That gaze was different from Fang's; it wasn't weighing things, but comparing them—comparing them to the scales of justice in her heart.

"Now that you've entered the Lu family, let me make this clear from the start."

The room fell silent.

Aunt Zhou paused for a moment while massaging the shoulders, then continued.

"You went to offer tea to your sister-in-law's memorial tablet today, and you should go to offer incense on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month from now on."

Jiang Wan lowered her head: "Yes."

"You need to take good care of the two children she left behind."

"Don't worry, Grandma."

"Aunt Zhou is an old woman, and she's a very dutiful one. Please be polite and ask her about any questions you're unsure about."

Jiang Wan glanced at Aunt Zhou out of the corner of her eye.

Aunt Zhou kept her head down, so her expression was not visible, but she continued to pound her shoulders.

"Aunt Liu is gentle by nature, so please take good care of her."

Aunt Liu let out a soft "Ah" at the door, as if she hadn't expected to be mentioned, and quickly said, "No, no need to look after me, I'm fine—"

The sound grew fainter and fainter, as if it had been swallowed up by something.

Her mother-in-law ignored her.

"That's all." He paused, then added, "Just live your life peacefully and don't cause any trouble."

These words sound like instructions, but upon closer inspection, they are not entirely so.

"I've remembered everything the old lady said," Jiang Wan replied.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was steady.

The mother-in-law nodded and picked up the tea.

Granny Gui stepped forward: "Madam, the old lady should rest."

Jiang Wan got up to say goodbye.

As they reached the door, they heard Fang Shi say, "Mother, I think this new sister-in-law is quite well-behaved."

The mother-in-law didn't respond.

Jiang Wan left Songhe Hall without looking back.

He returned to his own courtyard.

Qinghe closed the door and took out two pairs of shoe uppers from the cabinet.

"Madam, Aunt Zhou came by and brought this. She said that if you need anything, just ask her. She has a lot of good materials in her possession."

Jiang Wan took it and looked through it.

The silk was of the finest quality, with exquisite patterns and fine, dense stitches, far superior to anything I could embroider myself.

"What else did she ask?"

"He asked how many maids and servants the lady had brought with her, and also inquired about the shops that accompanied her dowry."

Jiang Wan put the shoe down without saying a word.

Aunt Zhou was Gu's dowry maid. After Gu died, she gave birth to the eldest son of a concubine and was promoted to concubine. She had been in this mansion for more than ten years and her connections, sense of propriety, and tact were far superior to mine.

Sending shoe uppers as a gift is a gesture of goodwill.

Asking about the servants and shops is a preliminary inquiry.

None of them are objectionable, and none of them make people feel at ease.

The fact that the shoes are made so well is probably a way of telling her: My influence in this mansion is deeper than yours.

"Keep it," Jiang Wan said. "I'll embroider a purse another day as a return gift."

"Why should Madam return the gift—"

"She's been so kind, I couldn't refuse. I did accept, but I can't let people think I owe her anything," Jiang Wan said slowly. "The purse isn't worth much, it's the thought that counts."

Qinghe understood and didn't try to persuade her further. She put the shoe uppers into the cabinet.

in the afternoon.

The eldest daughter of the family, Lu Wan, has arrived.

The wet nurse stood with her at the gate of the courtyard, some distance away.

Lu Wan was six years old. She wore a pink jacket with her hair in two buns. She was fair-skinned and clean. She stood outside the threshold, holding onto her wet nurse's clothes, peeking inside like a little kitten.

Qinghe saw her and said with a smile, "Miss is here? Come in quickly."

The wet nurse nudged Lu Wan.

Lu Wan remained unmoved.

The wet nurse gave her another push, and she reluctantly stepped over the threshold, inching her way in until she reached the door, where she refused to go any further.

Jiang Wan came out of the house.

She didn't rush over; instead, she stood on the steps and smiled at Lu Wan first.

"You're Wan'er?"

Lu Wan didn't say anything, her eyes darting around.

"It's a nice name," Jiang Wan said. "Who named you that?"

Lu Wan opened her mouth, then closed it again.

The wet nurse whispered from behind, "It's your father."

Lu Wan remained silent.

Jiang Wan didn't urge her, but squatted down to be at eye level with her.

"You look beautiful in pink today, who picked it out for you?"

Lu Wan looked down at her clothes, then at her wet nurse.

The wet nurse said, "Madam, it was this servant who chose it."

"The wet nurse has good taste." Jiang Wan nodded, her tone as serious as if she were speaking to an adult. "Why don't you come in and sit down? I have some snacks here."

Lu Wan shook her head and took a step back.

Jiang Wan could tell that she didn't not want to get close, but rather she didn't know how to get close to a stranger.

A six-year-old child, whose mother has been gone for three years, probably no longer remembers what "mother" feels like.

"Then come another day." Jiang Wan stood up, still smiling. "I'll have Qinghe save you some osmanthus cake."

Lu Wan glanced at her, then turned and ran out.

The wet nurse chased after her, calling out, "Miss, slow down—"

Jiang Wan watched the small pink figure disappear behind the moon gate, and stood there for a while.

"She's still a child," she whispered, as if speaking to herself.

Back in the room, Qinghe helped her change her clothes.

Qinghe hesitated for a long time before finally speaking: "Madam, do you think the young master will come tonight?"

"It will come when it's meant to come."

"But last night—"

"What happened last night?" Jiang Wan looked at her, a hint of a smile in her eyes. "He stayed here last night, isn't that good? You weren't hoping he wouldn't be here, were you?"

Qinghe was taken aback, but then realized that what the girl said made sense.

She bent down to tie Jiang Wan's sash, her voice muffled: "I was just worried you'd be wronged."

Jiang Wan looked down at the top of Qing He's head.

This girl has been by her side since she was eight years old, and they are even closer than her own sister. If she has any grievances, she can swallow them herself, but Qinghe cannot.

"What's there to feel aggrieved about?" Jiang Wan reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Qinghe's ear.

"I knew what kind of life I would be living before I married into this family. People marry a second wife so that someone can manage the household and take care of the children. I know this perfectly well, so don't worry about me."

Qinghe looked up, her eyes a little red.

Jiang Wan laughed: "Your eyes are all red from crying. How are you going to face people tomorrow? People who don't know better will think that I, the new wife, am bullying the maid."

Qinghe was amused by her and stopped crying while wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

Jiang Wan walked to the window and brought the pot of orchids over to look at them again.

The leaves are still yellow.

"Change the soil tomorrow," she said. "Maybe it can still be saved."