The fifteenth day of the twelfth month marked the one-month birthday of Fu Qingluo's son. With her husband away and few relatives or fr...
The fifteenth day of the twelfth month marked the one-month birthday of Fu Qingluo's son. With her husband away and few relatives or friends in Haocheng, she decided not to hold a banquet.
Not long after breakfast, Mama Lan arrived at the Yang residence bearing gifts. When she saw Fu Qingluo, she explained, "Wangfei has too many matters to attend to and cannot get away, so she asked me to bring the child his one-month gifts." The gifts were quite presentable: in addition to a pure gold necklace and a longevity lock, there were two outfits. Everything was included, from hats down to socks.
Fu Qingluo knew how busy Yuxi was, so she was deeply moved that Yuxi could still remember her son's one-month celebration amid all her pressing affairs. "When the weather gets warmer, I'll take Maomao to pay my respects to Wangfei." It was too cold now, and the child was too young. If he caught a chill, it would be terrible.
Mama Lan smiled and looked at the child in Fu Qingluo's arms. "The young master really is a fine-looking child." The baby was fair and chubby, and his little arms were like lotus roots, making him especially adorable.
At the mention of this, Fu Qingluo's face once again filled with gratitude. "The child is doing so well, largely thanks to your guidance, Mama Lan." Not only had Mama Lan given Fu Qingluo plenty of advice, but she had also been present when she gave birth. However, Fu Qingluo's delivery went very smoothly, and she did not suffer much, so Mama Lan never had to step onto the battlefield1 herself.
Mama Lan smiled. "I was merely acting on Wangfei's instructions." In other words, if Fu Qingluo wanted to thank anyone, she should thank Yuxi, as Mama Lan was merely carrying out orders.
After returning to the Wangfu, Mama Lan chatted with Momo Quan about Fu Qingluo's child for a while. "That child looks very much like General Fu."
Momo Quan commented, "A nephew resembles his maternal uncle2, so it is perfectly normal that he resembles General Fu." She knew quite a lot about the disputes between the siblings Fu Tianlei and Fu Qingluo. However, those were another family's private affairs, and she had no intention of interfering.
Mama Lan was close to Momo Quan, though, so she didn't avoid discussing some things with her. "That child is so plump and adorable. At the time, I really wanted to ask Madam Yang for one of the baby's little garments." According to a folk custom, a woman who had not borne a son would place a garment worn by a young boy beneath her pillow in the hope that she would later give birth to a son. However, Mama Lan did not know if, or when, Yuxi intended to have another child, so she did not ask.
Speaking of it, Mama Lan was terribly worried about the matter. Liu-er was already two years old, yet there had still been no sign of anything happening on Wangfei's side. When she visited the Han residence some time ago, Qiu Shi even asked her about it specifically.
Momo Quan smiled. "There's no need to rush this." Yuxi and Yun Qing were deeply affectionate, and they were already planning to have another child. She believed good news would come soon.
After seeing Mama Lan off, Qiushuang returned to the room and found Fu Qingluo holding the pure gold necklace the Yun family had sent. When she saw Qiushuang, she put the necklace down and confessed, "Thinking about the things I did before, I really was brainless! Fortunately, Wangfei is broad-minded. She never held it against me and has continued to look after me." As she was still observing the forty-five-day postpartum confinement period, Fu Qingluo hadn't gone out yet.
Qiushuang walked over and put away the pure gold necklace. Smiling, she praised, "Wangfei is a good person." Not only was Yuxi broad-minded, but she was also benevolent and kind. Having a mistress like her was a blessing.
Fu Qingluo nodded. "Wangfei isa good person. Unfortunately, I used to be blinded as though my heart had been covered in lard3, and I couldn't tell good from bad."
Yuxi had spoken to Fu Qingluo about Chen Shi, and Fu Qingluo subsequently became wary of her. Later, when Chen Shi moved house, Fu Qingluo sent a gift over. She sent that gift for the sake of her elder brother, Fu Tianlei, not Chen Shi. Chen Shi accepted the gift and even sent an older maidservant to invite Fu Qingluo over for a chat. However, Fu Qingluo declined, citing her heavy pregnancy as the reason. After Chen Shi settled her household affairs, she took the initiative to visit Fu Qingluo instead.
When Chen Shi came to the Yang residence to visit Fu Qingluo, she didn't offer any advice about what to be mindful of during pregnancy or how to care for a baby. She had barely exchanged a few words after arriving at the Yang residence when she broke down in tears. She blamed her body for failing to provide the Fu family with a male heir, saying it was her fault that Fu Tianlei still had no son. Ultimately, she brought up his intention to take a second wife in Haocheng.
Mama Lan had reminded Fu Qingluo that a pregnant woman needed to maintain a good mood and that being depressed was not good for the baby. Seeing Chen Shi weep and sob made Fu Qingluo feel extremely gloomy.
Truth be told, Fu Qingluo had originally still held on to a glimmer of hope regarding Chen Shi. But when she heard Chen Shi deliberately mention that Fu Tianlei wanted a second wife, Fu Qingluo's anger immediately flared up. She promptly said that her Dage had already reached the age of thirty, so it was indeed time for him to marry a healthy young sister-in-law who could carry on the Fu family line. Even now, she could still remember Chen Shi's expression of disbelief; she looked as though she had seen a ghost4.
Qiushuang understood the meaning behind Fu Qingluo's words and said, "Madam, all of that is in the past. Now that you are wary of her, even if she wants to use you again in the future, she won't be able to."
Dejectedly, Fu Qingluo lamented, "Even now, I really can't understand why she would treat me this way." If she had treated Chen Shi badly, then it would have been one thing for Chen Shi to use her. But she had always treated Chen Shi very well. When her father clashed with Chen Shi, she sided with Chen Shi. When her brother slept with a maidservant and wronged Chen Shi, she sided with Chen Shi as well. Everyone's heart is made of flesh5, yet she felt that Chen Shi's heart was even harder than stone6.
Qiushuang did not like Chen Shi either. After a moment of silence, she blurted out, "Madam, don't be upset with me for saying this. When the Old Master opposed Master's marriage back then and said that the two families were not a match in terms of family status, he wasn't entirely without reason."
Although Fu Qingluo didn't like Chen Shi, she didn't agree with Qiushuang's view. "What do you mean, not a match in family status? The main problem is that Chen Shi herself is far too selfish and only thinks of herself."
As they were talking, the baby began to cry. Fu Qingluo smiled and said, "He must be hungry again." Since Mama Lan had said that the child would form a closer bond with his mother if she breastfed him, Fu Qingluo did so.
As noon approached, the Fu family sent over a gift. It was a generous gift: a gold necklace, bracelets and six outfits. Yet together, they were not worth as much as the pure gold necklace that Yuxi had given. That would have been fine. Fu Qingluo did not place much importance on money; otherwise, she would never have married Yang Duoming. However, when she looked at the six outfits, shoes and hats for the baby, her expression turned unpleasant. The seams of the clothes that should not be worn directly against the baby's skin were actually on the inside instead of the outside. Mama Lan had previously reminded Fu Qingluo that a baby's skin was delicate and that, when making clothes for one, the stitching and seams should face outwards. As a mother of three, Chen Shi should have known this. The only explanation for sending these clothes was that she had not taken proper care when preparing things for Fu Qingluo's child.
Fu Qingluo was certainly not someone who could endure things silently. Holding up the clothes, she asked, "Mama He, who made these clothes?" Seeing Mama He's somewhat startled expression, Fu Qingluo smiled and continued, "Don't tell me they were bought outside?"
Mama He answered quickly, "Madam has always been in poor health, and there aren't any particularly skilled embroidery maids in the residence, so we bought them outside." The truth was, Chen Shi simply hadn't taken the child's one-month celebration seriously. Only because Fu Tianlei had specifically brought it up did Chen Shi have someone buy a complete set of gifts.
Although Fu Tianlei was still angry with Fu Qingluo, she was, after all, the younger sister he had cherished for so many years. Moreover, since Yang Duoming had now gained Yuxi's favour, Fu Tianlei's attitude had softened too.
How could Fu Qingluo not know that this was merely an excuse? She had no patience to continue dealing with Mama He either. Without even offering a single polite word, she sent Qiushuang to see the guest out.
Mama He sighed and rose to take her leave. Speaking of the matter, her own Madam was indeed in the wrong. Back when the Eldest Young Miss and Second Young Miss were born, the gifts Fu Qingluo had sent were all very valuable. This time, although Chen Shi had likewise sent a gold neck ring and gold bracelets, they were worth only a hundred-odd taels of silver. In fact, Mama He knew the reason. It was simply because Fu Qingluo had angered Chen Shi by saying that Master should take a second wife soon to spread the branches and scatter the leaves7 for the Fu family. But no matter how angry Chen Shi became, what could she do? She could not stop the Master from wanting to take a second wife. Now she had even offended Fu Qingluo, and when the time came, Chen Shi would be the only one who suffered the loss.
Fu Qingluo was certainly not the sort of person who would quietly endure being made to swallow grievances. She told Qiushuang, "Throw out all the clothes she sent." How hypocritically insincere. As if she cared about these few sets of lousy clothes!
Qiushuang thought for a moment and said, "It would be such a pity to throw them away. If Madam doesn't want them, it would be better to give them to someone else." The clothes were all brand new. It would be far too wasteful to throw them away.
Fu Qingluo gave a sound of agreement and instructed, "Then send all these clothes to the charitable children's home! Also, purchase some meat, vegetables, and quilts and send them over as well." Back when she lived in Yu City, Fu Qingluo had also frequently sent things to the school and the charitable children's home.
Qiushuang smiled, nodded, and replied, "All right."
Fu Qingluo lowered her head, looked at her son sleeping sweetly, and wondered aloud, "I wonder when Dage will forgive me?"
Qiushuang knew about the emotional burden that Fu Qingluo carried, so she comforted her, "Madam, your Dage simply can't get past the hurdle of saving face8, but he still cares about you very much. Otherwise, Chen Shi could not possibly have sent so many things over. When Master returns, you and Master can take the Young Master with you and ask your Dage for forgiveness. I believe that when the time comes, he will definitely forgive you."
Fu Qingluo nodded. "I hope so! It's just that I don't know when my husband will return." Because Yang Duoming's work was extremely dangerous, Fu Qingluo was constantly on edge.
Qiushuang smiled and said, "He'll definitely be back before the New Year. When Master sees the Little Young Master, he'll surely adore him beyond measure."
Fu Qingluo chuckled softly. "Of course he will." Fu Qingluo knew that Yang Duoming was very fond of children.
After Mama He returned, because she knew Chen Shi's temperament, she did not describe things in too much detail and merely gave a brief report: "Young Madam has recovered very well, and the child is also being raised well."
Chen Shi gripped the quilt tightly with both hands, so jealous she could hardly bear it. Why was Fu Qingluo able to gain a son in one attempt, while the son she herself had risked everything to give birth to was ultimately gone? Chen Shi released her grip and asked, "Qingluo knows that I'm ill. Did she say anything?"
Mama He cautiously replied, "Young Madam said that you should concentrate on recovering." Fu Qingluo's heart had already gone cold9, which was why she had become so indifferent toward Chen Shi.
Resentfully, Chen Shi said, "Han Shi is already a Wangfei, high above everyone else. Why does she still have to sow discord between Qingluo and me? I'm already in such a miserable state, so why does she still..." Before she could finish speaking, she broke into a violent fit of coughing.
Looking at the streaks of blood on the handkerchief, Chen Shi's face turned deathly pale. In most people's eyes, coughing up blood meant that a person's life would not last much longer. Was she going to die?
Seeing Chen Shi faint, Mama He immediately ordered someone to fetch a physician.
Footnotes Full List
- (上阵 (shàng zhèn) — go onto the battlefield; figuratively, step in personally and take action
- 外甥似舅 (wàisheng sì jiù) — a sister's son resembles his maternal uncle; a traditional saying that a nephew often takes after his mother's brother
- 被猪油蒙了心 (bèi zhūyóu méng le xīn) — have one's heart covered with lard; figuratively, be blinded by foolishness, prejudice, greed, or bad judgment
- 见了鬼似的 (jiàn le guǐ shì de) — as if one has seen a ghost; looking utterly shocked or incredulous
- 人心都是肉长的 (rén xīn dōu shì ròu zhǎng de) — human hearts are all grown from flesh; people should have feelings, compassion, and gratitude
- 心却是比石头还硬 (xīn què shì bǐ shítou hái yìng) — the heart is harder than stone; to be extremely cold-hearted or unfeeling
- 开枝散叶 (kāi zhī sàn yè) — to grow branches and spread leaves; to have descendants and expand the family line
- 过不去面子那一关 (guò bù qù miànzi nà yī guān) — unable to get past the hurdle of face; unable to overcome one's pride or concern for dignity
- 冷了心 (lěng le xīn) — for the heart to grow cold; to become disappointed, disillusioned, or emotionally detached from someone
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