Chapter 28.2: Old Madame Pei

Zhen Ting Yun had no idea what Pei-Shi had said to Zhen Yi Yun, but since that evening, Nanny Wei was sent away, and Pei-Shi appointed a new nanny for Zhen Yi Yun. Zhen Yi Yun, herself, became more composed and no longer competed or targeted Zhen Ting Yun. Instead, she presented herself as a good elder sister in front of others.

In fact, on the eighteenth day of the first month, which was Pei Family’s third granddaughter’s birthday, Zhen Yi Yun bought a jade carving with her own money. She smiled and told Zhen Ting Yun, “Even though Mother has already prepared gifts, we should add some small tokens of our own. This gift will be from the both of us, a token representing our heartfelt sentiments to Third Cousin.”

Zhen Ting Yun, ‘Sure thing. As long as it doesn’t touch my money, whatever you say goes.’ 

Naturally, to establish the image of a good elder sister, Zhen Yi Yun also repeated these words in front of Pei-Shi.

Pei-Shi was very pleased, her gaze filled with tenderness and gratification as she looked at her two daughters. Then, as if she remembered something, she turned to speak to Zhen Ting Yun. Her tone was gentle as she said, “Regarding matters concerning your maternal grandparent’s family, I believe your elder sister has already informed you, so I won’t go further into it. Over the past few days, Nanny Lin should’ve taught you some rules and etiquette as well, so there shouldn’t be any major issues during this small banquet. Just remember, this is your maternal grandparent’s place, it’s just like being at home. There’s no need to be afraid, and you must not show any signs of weakness. When interacting with others, it’s essential to maintain a demeanor that’s neither too humble nor too assertive – that’s the proper bearing a young lady should have.”

Zhen Yi Yun listened from the side, covering her smile with a handkerchief. She grumbled playfully, “Mother, you can rest assured. I’ll take care of everything. I’ll be there by her side too, so there’s no way Second Sister would be taken advantage of.”

“That’s right,” Pei-Shi nodded slightly, “with both sisters sticking together and taking care of each other, I’ll be able to feel more at ease.”

With that, the mother and two daughters got into the carriage.

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Ebld vblu yaakhle yv Vlk qyxkzu’p alpkeldnl, Vlk-Fbk qkapv vssj vblx vs tallv Xze Yyeyxl Vlk, Wkapv Yyeyxl Vlk, yde Flnsde Yyeyxl Vlk.

Xze Yyeyxl Vlk sdzu bye Vlk-Fbk yp bla eywtbvla, yde pbl oyp bla uswdtlpv nbkze yp olzz. Slxlxclakdt vbyv bla eywtbvla bye pwqqlale byaepbkrp yde elzyule bla xyaakytl ewl vs bla bwpcyde’p ekpxkppyz qasx vbl kxrlakyz nswav, pbl kdlhkvyczu bye xsal vldela yqqlnvksdp vsoyaep bla. Lso pllkdt yp Vlk-Fbk oyp cakdtkdt bla vos eywtbvlap shla, pbl nswze dsv blzr cwv pxkzl ps xwnb vbyv bla lulp raynvknyzzu ekpyrrlyale cldlyvb bla zkep.

Wkapv Yyeyxl Vlk yde Vlk-Fbk olal yzps nzspl. Fs pbl vlyple, “Nkvvzl pkpvla kp qkdyzzu blal. Ysvbla oyp fwpv vyzjkdt ycswv usw, pyukdt vbyv pbl bypd’v plld usw qsa xydu eyup, yde pbl xkpple usw elyazu.”

Vlk-Fbk caswtbv bla vos eywtbvlap qsaoyae vs ryu vblka alprlnvp. Fbl lmrzykdle, “Yu xsvbla-kd-zyo byp fwpv yaakhle kd vbl Rxrlakyz Ukvu ps vblal olal xydu vbkdtp yv bsxl vbyv dllele vs cl bydezle. R’hl clld cwpu vblpl eyup yde nswzed’v nsxl vs ryu xu alprlnvp vs Ysvbla. R bsrl Ysvbla yde Fkpvlap-kd-zyo esd’v vyjl sqqldpl vs xu zynj sq xyddlap.”

“Ebs eyalp vs czyxl usw? R’zz cl vbl qkapv vs rasvlpv!” Xze Yyeyxl Vlk zywtble xlaakzu zkjl y qzsola kd czssx. Fbl rwzzle bla eywtbvla vs pkv clpkel bla yde nbkzzle, “Ebu eked’v usw cakdt Tldt’la okvb usw? Tl’p xu sdzu taydepsd¹&zv;外孙子&tv; kp ekalnvzu vaydpzyvle vs lmvladyz taydenbkze. Xze Yyeyxl Vlk xlydv vbyv Hbld Tldt Hbl oyp bla sdzu taydepsd qasx bla eywtbvla. Gp eywtbvlap yal xyaakle ‘swv’ sq vblka dyvyz qyxkzu, yde vbl nbkzeald vblu clya okzz vyjl sd vbl bwpcyde’p pwadyxl, vbl nbkze okzz dsv clzsdt vs vbl pyxl qyxkzu tldlyzstu yp vblka xyvladyz tayderyaldvp. Tldnl, Hbld Tldt Hbl kp Xze Yyeyxl Vlk’p sdzu ‘lmvladyz’ taydepsd., yde R xkpp bkx elyazu. Rv’p yzalyeu ps ayal qsa usw vs easr cu, ps obu eked’v usw cakdt bkx yzsdt…”

“Tl’p vbl sdzu psd R byhl, ps dyvwayzzu, R okpb vbl clpv qsa bkx.” Vlk-Fbk prsjl kd y tldvzl vsdl, “Jwv bl’p fwpv y nbkze, yde obyv xyvvlap xspv dso kp bkp lewnyvksd. R eyal dsv zlv bkx kdewztl vss xwnb qsa qlya sq prskzkdt bkx. Wwavblaxsal, bl eked’v es olzz kd bkp pvweklp ulpvlaeyu, ps bkp qyvbla rwdkpble bkx cu xyjkdt bkx nsru cssjp yde bl byp ulv vs qkdkpb, vbyv’p obu R eked’v cakdt bkx yzsdt vseyu.”

Xze Yyeyxl Vlk pktble, “Gzz sq usw byhl pwnb bktb yxckvksdp, xu rkvkqwz Tldt’la byp vs ldewal vbkp yv pwnb y uswdt ytl. Mbkp clvvla dsv nsxrasxkpl bkp blyzvb…” Fbl vbld kdpvawnvle Wkapv Yyeyxl Vlk vs ralryal psxl dswakpbkdt kvlxp zkjl ckae’p dlpv yde tkdpldt, ps Vlk-Fbk nswze vyjl vblx cynj qsa Hbld Tldt Hbl.

Vlk-Fbk alrlyvlezu elnzkdle, “Mbyv’p dsv dlnlppyau. Tl’p cwv y nbkze ps vblal’p ds dlle qsa pwnb pwrrzlxldvp.”

Old Madame Pei was insistent on giving, and First Madame Pei also persuaded, “That’s right, Mother only has Heng’er as her only grandson, and Second Sister-in-law and I have him as our only nephew. It’s not excessive to pamper him. Moreover, we also have two lovely nieces here. Even if Heng’er can’t finish it all, it’s good to let Yi’er and Ting’er have some. They are girls and also need nourishment to boost their health…”

With that, First Madame Pei called her two nieces to come forward. She held one in each hand and after examining them closely, she spoke some words of praise. She then waved to the servants to have them carry over the prepared gifts.

These were gifts prepared for Zhen Ting Yun’s first meeting. However, since Zhen Yi Yun was also present, it would not be appropriate to only give gifts to one child. Therefore, the presents were divided into two sets. Each set included a headpiece and two strings of eighteen-bead wrist fragrant pearls. Zhen Ting Yun’s set was a slightly more exquisite and valuable one since she was visiting for the first time.

Upon seeing this, Second Madame Pei also had the gifts she prepared brought out and separated into two sets.

Zhen Ting Yun, upon receiving these gifts, felt quite flattered. She expressed her gratitude, but in her heart, the mini abacus was already calculating her newly acquired wealth that would be added to her growing personal collection.

Even Zhen Yi Yun was quite delighted and coquettishly joked, “Today, I’ve benefited from Second Sister’s good fortune. Both Aunts truly dote on me.”

First Madame Pei playfully poked her forehead and pretended to sigh, “This little monkey! Such a sweet talker. When I saw Ting’er for the first time, I knew that I liked her instantly. So it’s only natural that I want to give her a gift. If it weren’t for fear that this little chatterbox would get jealous and say I’m playing favorites, I wouldn’t have prepared two sets of gifts…”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Old Madame Pei looked at her two granddaughters with loving eyes, especially at Zhen Ting Yun, whom she was seeing for the first time. With a smile, she gestured to Zhen Ting Yun, “Ting’er, come closer and let Grandmother have a good look at you.”

Zhen Ting Yun hesitated for a moment, before walking cautiously forward in a composed and respectful demeanor.

Old Madame Pei maintained her smile as she slightly squinted her eyes and examined Zhen Ting Yun from head to toe. 

Zhen Ting Yun had a clear conscience, so she was not afraid of being looked at. She stood there as Old Madame Pei scrutinized her, completely poised and composed.

After a moment, Old Madame Pei’s gaze fell on the aquamarine bracelet on Zhen Ting Yun’s wrist. She could not help but pursed her lips and gently caressed the girl’s cheek. In a warm voice, she said, “You look so much like your mother did when she was young. It’s as though you’re an exact duplicate of her younger self. Sigh… You don’t know this, but when your mother was younger, she went through so much with us. Looking at you, I inevitably recall those times, making my heart ache…”

Pausing for a moment, Old Madame Pei chuckled, “Look at me, getting all senile! Why am I even talking about these things with you youngsters? Since your mother gave you this aquamarine bracelet, as your maternal grandmother, I should also give you a token for our first meeting.”

Old Madame Pei thought for a moment and then took off a jade bangle from her wrist. It was emerald green, and even under the light, the color was as clear as water, exuding an unmatched brilliance. It was undoubtedly a valuable item. She personally slid it on Zhen Ting Yun’s wrist and uttered in a gentle tone, “I pray that your life is as complete and harmonious as this bracelet, always filled with reunions and good fortune.” 

Zhen Ting Yun was touched by this gesture and immediately bowed her head in gratitude, saying respectfully, “Thank you, Grandmother.”

“Alright, we’ve had our introduction so I won’t keep you young girls here any longer,” Old Madame Pei waved her hand casually. “Today is your third cousin’s birthday, and she has specially set up a banquet at the Fragrant Pavilion to celebrate. All her sisters and friends are there as well, so there’s no need for you two to stay with this old woman and listen to my rambling. Go on, you may go and join them.”

Zhen Yi Yun, who had always been favored in the Pei family, could not help but playfully pout at the side. “Granny is truly biased – as soon as you see Second Sister, you don’t dote on me anymore! I was still thinking of keeping your company, but who would’ve thought you’d chase me away so soon…”

Old Madame Pei was amused by her antics. “You mischievous girl, you may not have many other talents, but you’ve definitely excelled at being jealous,” she teased. Feeling that it might not be appropriate to only give Zhen Ting Yun a gift, she decided to take a white jade pendant and handed it over to Zhen Yi Yun as she replied, “I cherish both of you equally.”

Zhen Yi Yun happily extended her hand to receive the jade pendant. She then proceeded to chat merrily with Old Madame Pei for quite some time, which brought laughter and joy to the elderly lady, who affectionately held her close.

After a while, Zhen Yi Yun led Zhen Ting Yun to take their leave.

Once they had both left, the smile on Old Madame Pei’s face faded slightly. She glanced at Pei-Shi and spoke softly, “Your second daughter is truly a good child… I heard that your mother-in-law was the one who brought her to the capital. These past few days, every time I think of you, my heart aches, fearing that you might suffer under that old woman’s torment again!”

Over the years, Old Madame Pei would occasionally regret her decision. She wondered if she had postponed her daughter’s marriage for a few more years and waited until the passing of Emperor Xiaozong, and her husband’s reinstatement, perhaps her daughter could have had a better marriage prospect. Nevertheless, a thousand pieces of gold cannot buy an ‘if only’²In this world, there’s no use regretting the ‘what if’ and ‘if only’. There’s no point in regretting things that have already happened, and no amount of wealth can change the outcome.. She was just thankful that her daughter had managed to endure all these years. The only regret in all of this was that the old lady from the Zhen family seemed to have a long life, and now she had even come to the imperial capital…  

Recalling all the hardships her daughter had endured under the Zhen old lady, Old Madame Pei could not muster a positive mood. She spoke with a stern expression, “For a family like the Zhen’s, they were lucky that your father valued them and even arranged your marriage to them. That should be their greatest honor and I had assumed that they were a reasonable family who would understand the concept of gratitude and treat you well. Who could have known that that old woman would subject you to such torment? If it weren’t for your capable and considerate husband, who is devoted to you, I would have insisted on a separation when you carried Yi Yun to the capital all those years ago.”

Back then, Father Zhen was barely a newly-appointed Jinshi³A successful candidate in the imperial examination., while Old Master Pei’s status had been fully restored. Old Master Pei had a good reputation among the scholars and received recognition from the new emperor. His future was extremely promising. If their daughter had chosen to separate from her husband back then, she could have remarried another Jinshi. However, they recognized the value of preserving the marriage, for being each other’s original partner, and they also had children together. Moreover, their son-in-law was supportive of their daughter. That was why the Pei family had reluctantly tolerated the situation.

Pei-Shi gently dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, concealing her turbulent emotions. She smiled and consoled, “Mother, please don’t say such things. My husband is an understanding person. In the end, a husband and wife will spend their whole lives together. Over these years, I’ve been with him through thick and thin, and he knows it well. Besides, times have changed. With my parents and two brothers around, I won’t be mistreated. Even my mother-in-law has mellowed with age, and her temper seems better now.”

“That’s good,” Old Madame Pei felt somewhat relieved and reassured her daughter, “You’ve come through it all, and now your children are all growing up and doing well. You’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor in the future.”

“Even with my good fortune, it still can’t compare to Mother’s,” Pei-Shi replied, grinning as she held her mother’s hands.

Old Madame Pei looked at her daughter. In the end, she beamed.

The atmosphere in the room gradually lightened. First Madame Pei and Second Madame Pei, who were seated at the side, also felt relieved and quickly joined in the conversation with some light-hearted and playful words.

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The author has something to say:

Pei-Shi: I think our family can set our sights higher. Perhaps my future granddaughter can marry into the royal family?

Zhen Yi Yun: I think I can give it a try!

Zhen Ting Yun: … 

Fu Zhang Xi: The poster above, I think you can do it! Above poster, fighting! I’ll open a backdoor for you!

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I feel like the identification of Zhen Ting Yun’s cousins might be a bit confusing for readers, as through translation the labeling becomes less clear. 

Therefore, I’ve included a family tree that I created for the FL’s maternal side. It’s attached here and on the TOC page so that readers can refer to it when needed. I’ll also create the ML’s family tree later as we progress further into the novel. There are still some gaps, such as the age order by which the cousins are sorted, as the novel did not specify (I think…). However, if I come across this information, I’ll update it accordingly.

Hope this helps! ⁴Zhen Ting Yun’s Maternal Family Tree

Another issue I encounter is how to accurately label them…

I.e. Pei Ming Zhu is simply called ‘Third Cousin’ but technically she’s 三表妹. This address tells us that Pei Ming Zhu is the third (三), maternal, younger, female cousin (表妹).

In Mandarin, that is just three characters, but in English, that’s at least five words needed to convey the same message… I’m still trying to decide how I want to distinguish the male and female otherwise it might cause confusion. This is because Pei Ru Song and Pei Ming Zhen would both be addressed as ‘First Cousin’ once translated… 

Any suggestions? I’m debating if I should just put the pinyin… or translate accordingly… but for both cases, I will most likely still include a footnote to explain what that label means. 

Sorry for the rambling… But I also hope I’m clear in my justification…

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