Being a second wife is difficult

The old lady's birthday is on May 16th, and the household started making preparations at the end of last month.

These days, Fang has been extremely busy, handling everything from purchasing and banquets to invitations and opera troupes.

Although her mother-in-law didn't explicitly tell her to take charge, since the concubines Zhou and Liu in the household were, after all, not allowed to handle things, and Jiang Wan was a newcomer with no experience, these matters naturally fell to the second branch of the family, with Jiang Wan only allowed to help out from the sidelines.

Fang was quite happy to do so, and she would shuttle back and forth in the mansion every day. When she saw Jiang Wan, she would just smile and not say much.

Jiang Wan has had a lot of free time these past few days. Apart from going to Songhe Hall to pay her respects every morning at Chenshi (7-9 AM), she spends the rest of her time in her own courtyard.

Although her mother-in-law had asked her to help, Fang managed everything in an orderly manner. After all, she had been in charge of all the banquets in the mansion for three years after the death of the first wife, and the birthday banquet was held in accordance with the old customs of previous years, so it was not complicated.

In previous years, Aunt Zhou would lend a hand, but this year it was her turn. In the end, there was nothing really that fell on her shoulders, so she ended up having a lot of free time.

The weather in May was already quite hot, and she couldn't sit still by the window, so she moved a chair to the veranda to do needlework. The wind carried the sweet scent of pomegranate blossoms, and occasionally a bird's call would fall from the treetops.

While she was finishing the hem of the handkerchief, Qinghe came over and said that Aunt Zhou had arrived.

Jiang Wan inserted the needle into the thread and looked up. Aunt Zhou was wearing a lotus-colored jacket, and instead of the gold hairpin, she wore a plain silver one in her hair.

She walked into the courtyard at a leisurely pace, a smile on her face. Qinghe led her to sit on the veranda and served them both a fresh cup of tea.

"Madam seems to be in quite a good mood." Aunt Zhou glanced at the handkerchief in Jiang Wan's hand. "What pattern is embroidered on it?"

"Just embroidering for fun." Jiang Wan folded the handkerchief and placed it on her lap. "What brings you here today, Aunt?"

Aunt Zhou smiled and said, "It's so peaceful here, Madam, that I don't usually dare to bother you. But there's something I'd like to discuss with you, and I've hesitated for several days before finally deciding to come today."

Jiang Wan didn't respond, waiting for her to continue.

Aunt Zhou suppressed her smile and hesitated for a moment before speaking: "As Madam knows, Hui-ge is ten years old this year, and his studies have never been very good. He has been studying with that old scholar in school for three years, but he can't even recite the Analects of Confucius in its entirety."

She paused here, lowering her voice slightly: "A few days ago, the teacher tested his studies, and Hui-ge was punished by standing for the entire class. When he came home from school, his eyes were full of tears. When asked what was wrong, he kept his head down and didn't say a word. Later, we found out from the servant who was with him that the teacher said in front of the whole class that he was 'a hopeless case'."

"A ten-year-old child being spoken to like that in public, madam, it feels like my heart is being torn apart."

Jiang Wan gently pressed her fingers on the handkerchief.

"What does my aunt want me to do?"

Aunt Zhou tightened her grip on the handkerchief: "I was thinking...could we ask Madam to speak to Master about getting Hui-ge'er a different tutor?"

Jiang Wan picked up her teacup and took a sip. She didn't answer immediately. She put the teacup down and said in a low but clear tone, "Auntie, I can't make that decision."

Aunt Zhou's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "I know Madam is in a difficult position—"

"Auntie, please let me finish."

Jiang Wan interrupted her, "We need to ask Master and Madam about Hui'er's studies. I've only been married a few months, and Madam hasn't given any permission for me to manage anything yet. As a new daughter-in-law, my first task is to interfere in the child's studies. What do you think Madam will think, Aunt?"

Aunt Zhou's lips moved, but she didn't speak.

"Besides," Jiang Wan lowered her voice a few decibels, "the old lady sent Hui-ge'er to the prefectural school back then, and Auntie should know why."

Aunt Zhou lowered her eyes and spoke after a long while: "I know that the rules of the prefectural school were set by the old master himself. This is a decades-old tradition of the Earl's Mansion. The old lady said that the rules cannot be broken."

"It's good that you understand, Auntie." Jiang Wan picked up her teacup and took another sip. "You asked me to speak to the Master. Even if the Master agrees, what about the Old Madam? No one can do anything about this until the Old Madam gives her approval."

Aunt Zhou was silent for a moment, then spoke again, her voice a little hoarse: "So, Madam, do you mean Hui-ge'er should just continue like this? I know that the old lady's rules cannot be broken, but Hui-ge'er is, after all, her own grandson. Can she really just watch him be publicly called 'hopeless' in school?"

Jiang Wan glanced at her. Aunt Zhou's attitude was much more humble today than last time. She didn't beat around the bush or test the waters; she just laid everything out on the table.

She was probably really desperate. For a son born out of wedlock, studying was almost the only way out. If he was delayed in school, it would be even more difficult to turn his life around later.

"Auntie," Jiang Wan spoke up, "I will keep an eye on Hui-ge'er's matter, but it's not appropriate for me to bring it up with Master. Auntie is a smart woman, she should understand."

Aunt Zhou loosened her grip on the handkerchief, as if she had breathed a sigh of relief, but also as if she hadn't: "I understand."

After she stood up and bowed, she said, "Madam, Master should be back in a couple of days. I heard from the gatekeeper that a letter has been sent back saying that he will arrive before the old lady's birthday."

"I understand." Jiang Wan nodded.

Aunt Zhou turned and left, but when she reached the courtyard gate, she looked back once more, and there was something in that glance that was hard to describe.

After dinner, Jiang Wan flipped through the account books under the lamp for a while, with Qing He serving her beside her. After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke up: "Madam, why didn't you agree to Aunt Zhou's request?"

"I agreed. I'll go and mention it to the master. What will he think?"

Jiang Wan turned a page in the account book. "He'll think Aunt Zhou is whispering in my ear, that I, a new wife, am meddling in the children's affairs right after entering the family. Besides, the old lady hasn't given her any approval yet. If I go over her head and bring it up, how can she be happy about it?"

"But you also said you would keep an eye out..."

"I mean I'll keep an eye out for it, but whether I bring it up or not is up to me."

Jiang Wan closed the account book. "Aunt Zhou is anxious, but I can't let her think that I'll give in to her every request."

Qinghe gave an "Oh" that seemed to understand, and then stopped asking questions.

As expected, Lu Huaijin returned the next day.

When he arrived, it was just before dark, and he dismounted at the second gate.

When Jiang Wan heard Qing He's report, she was sketching flower patterns by the window, and her pen paused for a moment.

"Master went to Songhe Hall to pay his respects to the old lady first." Qinghe brought in hot water and placed it on the shelf. "The old lady was very happy. I heard that she even suspended the classes of several children in the mansion, and also gave Mr. Chen a holiday so that the whole family could get together."

Jiang Wan put down her pen, stood up, washed her hands, changed into clean clothes, and went to Songhe Hall.

When she arrived, there were already several people sitting inside.

The mother-in-law leaned against the pillow, her smile lines deeper than usual, while Lu Huaijin sat below her, drinking tea.

Fang was sitting in the chair to the right of her mother-in-law. She was dressed particularly neatly today. Her second master, Lu Huaiyu, was sitting next to her, holding a folding fan that was not open and placed on his lap.

The children were all there too.

Jiang bowed to her mother-in-law before turning to Lu Huaijin and calling him "Master." Lu Huaijin nodded. Her mother-in-law beckoned her to sit closer and asked, "Is everything prepared for tomorrow's birthday banquet? Is everything going smoothly with Madam Fang?"

"The arrangements made by Madam Fang are very thoughtful. I have seen the list, and everything that needs to be included is there."

Fang chimed in from the side, "My sister-in-law also offered a lot of advice. When I was overwhelmed with work, I was really grateful for her help."

Jiang Wan sat down and replied with a few words. Her mother-in-law listened and nodded without asking any further questions.

The family sat and chatted for about 15 minutes, talking about everyday things.

Lu Wan leaned on Lu Huaijin's knees, looking up at him and asking if her father had brought back anything good. Lu Huaijin patted her head and said, "Yes, I did." She then pressed for details about where it was.

Lu Zhao stood quietly to the side listening, while Lu Hui stood further away, glanced up at Lu Huaijin's direction, and then lowered his head again.

Fang chuckled from the side, "Wan'er's personality is just like her mother's."

There was a moment of silence in the room after she said that. Fang had probably spoken too quickly, and realized that it was not appropriate. She smiled and did not continue. Her mother-in-law did not respond and lowered her head to take a sip of tea.

Lu Huaijin glanced at Lu Wan and said, "Sit down and talk properly." Lu Wan obediently went back to sit down.

Lu Huaijin then asked about recent events in the manor. Jiang Wan answered a few questions, and Madam Fang chimed in with her own words. Lu Huaiyu, however, was a man of few words, only occasionally responding.

The children couldn't sit still, so Lu Wan quietly tugged at Lu Zhao's sleeve. Lu Zhao ignored her, so she tugged at Lu Shan's clothes. Lu Shan was pulled and turned her head to look at her. Lu Hui saw this and came over as well. The three of them huddled together and whispered a few words before dispersing.

The mother-in-law said, "Let the children go back and rest first; we have to pay respects to the children's parents early tomorrow morning."

So the group dispersed, leaving only Lu Huaijin in the room to keep them company, as if he had something to say.

After everyone dispersed, Jiang Wan walked back. When she was almost at the courtyard gate, Qing He stepped forward and whispered, "Madam, Aunt Zhou is waiting at the courtyard gate."

Jiang Wan looked up and saw that Aunt Zhou was indeed standing under the osmanthus tree outside the courtyard gate. She was not accompanied by any maids. The light from the lantern fell on her face, making her eyebrows and eyes look softer than in the daytime.

Seeing Jiang Wan approach, she took two steps forward to greet her and curtsied.

"Madam, I waited a little longer because I wanted to say something to you. At tomorrow's birthday banquet, I wanted to mention Hui-ge'er's matter to the old lady. I know your difficulties, Madam, and I dare not let you speak for me. I only ask that you... lend a hand at the time."

Jiang Wan looked at her without saying anything.

Aunt Zhou clasped her hands together, her fingers slightly clenching her sleeves: "I've been in this household for ten years, and I know when to speak and when not to speak."

"The old lady will be in a good mood at the birthday banquet. Taking advantage of this joyous occasion, there might be room for negotiation. I don't expect the old lady to agree on the spot, I just hope she understands Hui-ge'er's difficulties. If Madam thinks what I said makes sense, just pass on a word later."

Jiang Wan didn't reply immediately after hearing her words. Aunt Zhou had probably really thought it through. The birthday banquet was the happiest day of the year for the old lady, and if she spoke up there, even if the old lady was unhappy, she wouldn't make a scene on the spot.

Besides, she was just mentioning it; she wasn't asking the old lady to make a decision on the spot.

"It's fine as long as you've made up your mind, Auntie," Jiang Wan said. "When the old lady is in a good mood, her words are more effective than ever. Since you've already made up your mind, I'll naturally pass on a word for Hui-ge when the time comes."

Aunt Zhou bowed respectfully, turned and left. Her footsteps faded into the distance on the bluestone path, and the light of the lantern cast a long shadow behind her.

The birthday banquet was held in the main hall the following day.

The old lady was delighted and said it was rare for the whole family to be together, so she invited the aunts to join them at the table for dinner.

Two tables were set up in the main hall. My mother-in-law sat in the main seat, wearing a maroon jacket with a longevity character pattern and a red gold headdress on her hair, which made her look much more energetic than usual.

Lu Huaijin sat to her right, Fang Shi and Lu Huaiyu sat to her left, Jiang Wan sat next to Lu Huaijin, and Aunt Zhou, Aunt Liu and Concubine Zhao sat at the opposite table.

The children originally had their own small tables, but the old lady was in a good mood today and asked Lu Zhao and Lu Wan to sit next to her. Lu Zhao sat on the old lady's right, and Lu Wan squeezed between the old lady and Lu Zhao.

Lu Hui and Lu Shan sat next to their birth mothers, Aunt Zhou and Aunt Liu, respectively.

The main hall was bustling with activity as maids filed in carrying dishes. The table was laden with both cold and hot dishes, with a braised pork knuckle in the center, surrounded by golden-fried small fish and a plate of osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice lotus root.

The children took turns coming forward to offer their birthday wishes, and the mother-in-law accepted them one by one, praising them a few times. Jiang Wan sat next to Lu Huaijin, her gaze sweeping around the table.

Fang was seated at the head of the table opposite, wearing a brand-new light green jacket and ruby ​​earrings, looking as vibrant as a spring onion.

She was talking to Lu Huaiyu next to her, a smile playing on her lips.

Aunt Zhou sat at the lower end of their table, wearing a moon-white jacket. She no longer wore a gold hairpin in her hair, but only a plain silver one. She spoke little today, eating with her head down, her chopsticks moving slowly and deliberately, but Jiang Wan knew that she was waiting for her chance.

When most of the meal had been served and the maids had cleared away the hot dishes and served tea, Aunt Zhou stood up.

She took a plate of almond cookies from her personal maid and walked smilingly to her mother-in-law. The almond cookies were neatly arranged and sprinkled with a thin layer of icing sugar.

"Grandma," Aunt Zhou's voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard it when the room quieted down, "Today is your special day. I've made a plate of pastries for you to try. My skills are clumsy and can't compare to the chefs in the kitchen, so please don't mind them, Grandma."

The mother-in-law glanced at the almond cookies on the plate, reached out and took a piece to taste, then nodded: "Crispy, not too sweet, better than those made in the kitchen. Aunt Zhou put her heart into it."

Aunt Zhou did not retreat, but stood there and spoke again: "Old Madam, there is something else I would like to say to you. I know I shouldn't say anything unpleasant today, but I really can't help it. While you are in a good mood, I would like to ask you for a favor on behalf of Hui-ge'er."

There was a moment of silence at the table. Fang paused in her teacup, and the smile on her lips faded slightly, but she didn't interrupt, waiting to see what Aunt Zhou would say.

"Hui-ge is ten years old this year. He has been studying at the prefectural school for three years, but he has always fallen behind in his studies. The teacher is busy and there are so many children in the room that he can't take care of him. He is also quiet and doesn't dare to ask questions when he doesn't understand something."

Aunt Zhou's voice was steady, but her fingers pressed slightly hard on the edge of the plate. "Old Madam, I don't expect Hui-ge'er to be able to compare with Zhao-er. I only ask that you find him a better tutor so that he can keep up."

Madam Fang put down her teacup and chuckled, "What are you saying, Aunt Zhou? The prefectural school was a rule established by the old master. The legitimate sons would have their own tutors, while the illegitimate sons would attend the prefectural school. This has been the established practice for many years. Are you trying to get the old lady to change the rules by bringing this up in front of everyone?"

She spoke with a smile, but the meaning was subtly implied: "Is it appropriate for you, a concubine, to ask the old lady to change the rules in front of the whole family?"

Aunt Zhou tightened her grip on the edge of the plate, but did not back down: "I dare not ask the old lady to change the rules. It's just that Hui-ge'er is really falling behind in the prefectural school. I don't expect him to pass the imperial examinations. I only hope that he can read books and understand accounts in the future, so that he won't be illiterate."

Before Fang could speak again, Jiang Wan put down her teacup. Her movement was light, and the teacup fell onto the table with a soft sound, not loud but loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.

"Grandma," Jiang Wan added, "Hui-ge'er is a diligent student, but there are too many children in the prefectural school, and the teacher really can't give him all the attention."

"I heard that a few days ago, the teacher tested Hui'er's knowledge, and he was punished by standing for the entire class because he couldn't recite the text. After returning home, he kept his head down and didn't say a word, which distressed Aunt Zhou greatly. I was thinking that the child is eager to learn, but he lacks someone who can take care of him. Perhaps we could transfer him to a smaller school, or hire a young scholar to tutor him privately for half a year?"

She paused, then said, "The old lady is in a good mood today, and I shouldn't say such things that would spoil the mood. But Hui-ge is the old lady's own grandson, and I thought the old lady wouldn't bear to see him being delayed. So I'll take the liberty of speaking up for Aunt Zhou."

My mother-in-law sat in the main seat, took a sip of tea, and did not answer immediately. The room was so quiet that you could hear the rustling of leaves in the wind outside the window.

Lu Hui sat next to Aunt Zhou, head down, chopsticks in hand, motionless. Lu Zhao sat to her right and glanced at Lu Hui. Lu Wan seemed to sense the awkward atmosphere and shrank back in her chair, remaining silent.

Fang didn't speak again. The smile at the corner of her mouth faded a bit. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and glanced back and forth between Jiang Wan and Aunt Zhou without saying a word.

The mother-in-law put down her teacup and finally spoke, her voice soft and her tone flat: "I have noted down Hui-ge's homework. We won't discuss it at today's birthday banquet; we can talk about it another day."

Aunt Zhou loosened her grip on the edge of the plate slightly and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Madam."

She stepped back and sat down, her hands still trembling slightly, but her face had regained its usual calm.

Lu Hui looked up at Aunt Zhou, his lips moved slightly, then he lowered them again. Lu Zhao's gaze lingered between Aunt Zhou and Lu Hui for a moment, then turned to Jiang Wan before quietly withdrawing his gaze.

After a while, the atmosphere at the table gradually warmed up, and Madam Fang started chatting and laughing again, saying that the opera troupe in the mansion was well hired and that the old lady looked well today. Aunt Liu chimed in a few words, saying that she had learned a new dessert recipe and wanted to let the old lady try it.

Lu Wan and Lu Shan started bickering, fighting over a piece of cake across the table. Their childish voices filled the room. Lu Zhao watched them play, while Lu Hui sat quietly at the table eating.

The mother-in-law leaned back in her chair, watching the group of people eating happily at the table, her expression more relaxed than before.

The banquet ended when it was completely dark.