The Young Lady of the General’s House

Shen Jin was completely struck dumb when she saw the man dressed in full brocade robe, his face was as clear as jade, his bearing was graceful and distinguished.

She looked at Chu Xiuyuan who was sitting on that man’s side talking to him, then she turned to An Ping, and finally looked at that man again. Shen Jin still couldn’t believe that man was Count Yongning, it was like ‘wild grass’ suddenly turned into ‘xiao zhuan’. 

(*) ‘wild cursive grass / kuangcao’ and ‘small script / xiaozhuan’ are both archaic forms of Chinese calligraphy. Have a look at the bottom, you’ll understand what Shen Jin felt.

That man noticed Shen Jin’s expression, her disbelief and twisted looks amused him, “Madam, you don’t recognise your husband?”

We never even know each other, okay! Shen Jin pursed her lips and said nothing, but she didn’t realise her face could hid nothing, the man laughed very hard.

Chu Xiuyuan was still pale but his face was smiling, “Sister-in-law, this is really Big Brother.”

Was this the man they said looking like Zhong Kui, the sadistic man who ate raw flesh and drink blood everyday? The one who killed people for fun?

Shen Jin sat opposite Chu Xiuming but didn’t speak.

After he was done laughing, he said, “People from the Court are coming in six days.”

“Hmph, the battle is over, what are they here for.” Chu Xiuyuan said angrily.

“What about the supplies if they don’t come?” Unlike Chu Xiuyuan, Chu Xiuming was calm.

Sitting like that, he looked like a man from a painting. Shen Jin wondered if the noble ladies from the Capital could see him this way, would they regret it. His movements were elegant and charming, he didn’t look like an uneducated person, he looked more like the son of a wealthy family instead of a general.

Finding Shen Jin’s mind had wandered off again, Chu Xiuming sighed helplessly and glanced at his brother. Chu Xiuyuan shrugged, he hadn’t spent much time with this sister-in-law, so he didn’t know Shen Jin had this bad habit, “Sister-in-law?”

“Sister-in-law?” Chu Xiuyuan called again louder.

Shen Jin froze for a moment before she looked at Chu Xiuyuan. Her face that managed to be rounder for a little while had now thinned again, made her eyes looked round and shining, “What is it?”

Chu Xiuming laughed, “Madam what are you thinking?”

Shen Jin moved her lips, face reddened, she was too embarrased to tell Chu Xiuming what was in her mind, “Nothing.”

Chu Xiuming didn’t pursue the matter, simply said, “When people from the Court are here, could Madam help receive them?”

“Me?” Shen Jin looked at Chu Xiuming, reluctance all over her face.

Chu Xiuming pretended he didn’t see it, he said, “Yes, Little Brother and I are injured, we can’t move much. There is only you left, I have to trouble Madam for this.”

Shen Jin looked at the injured Chu Xiuming and Chu Xiuyuan, she responded, “Oh.” Slowly asked, “What should I do?”

Chu Xiuming spoke,  “I’ll let Zhao Momo tell you.”

“Alright.” Shen Jin agreed.

Chu Xiuming said, “Let’s eat then.”

In current situation even meals served at the General’s Mansion weren’t anything exquisite, but they didn’t lack meat to eat. Those were horse meat, battle horses killed during the battle were retrieved and distributed as food, everyone got a portion of horse meat. Horses that were injured but not dead were kept in the camp, they were all good horses.

Horse meat was hard to eat, especially battle horses, not only it tasted bad but also very chewy. Shen Jin had one bite and gave up.

After the battle was over she had became a bit picky again, however she still wouldn’t waste food, so she just didn’t force herself to take more. Shen Jin only had mixed grain bun and some salted vegetable soup but the two brothers Chu Xiuming and Chu Xiuyuan ate very well.

When everyone finished eating, An Ping brought a bowl of stewed gelatin from the kitchen, placing in front of Chu Xiuyuan.

“Sister-in-law…. ” Chu Xiuyuan had been the only one served this thing every day. “I think I am fine now.”

“It’s good for blood.” Shen Jin said, “I asked the doctor, he said it’s good for you.”

Donkey-hide-gelatin was very good for women, so Shen Jin’s dowry had a lot of it. But preparing it was quite troublesome, other medicine in her dowry had been used up, only gelatin still left. Chu Xiuyuan was severely injured but didn’t get much treatment, he was still young now but it would be bad when he got older.

After asking the doctor, Shen Jin had gelatin served to Chu Xiuyuan everyday to replenish the lost blood. Seeing him struggling, she said, “Just for this moment, we’ll change it to other supplement when there is any. “

Chu Xiuyuan knew Shen Jin meant well, but this thing should be for women, and the weakest woman here was Shen Jin herself.

Shen Jin waited until Chu Xiuyuan finished the gelatin before she stood up, “I’ll go back first.”

“In the next few days when the servants have time, you can move to my courtyard.” Chu Xiuming said, “Start packing your stuff first.”

Shen Jin’s face turned red, she had almost forgotten this, she bit her lips and left without a word.

That Zhao Momo who Chu Xiuming mentioned was not in town during the war, she left soon after New Year to visit relatives. She had just been back two days ago, also carried some supplies bought from outside.

Zhao Momo was about forty years old, she had a kind face. Originally she was Chu Xiuming’s mother’s senior maid, after Madam Chu passed away she nursed Chu Xiuyuan. She had quite some status in the General’s Mansion.

Due to the circumstances surrounding Shen Jin’s arrival, that time Zhao Momo was not assigned to work for Shen Jin so they hadn’t had much contact, then shortly after Zhao Momo was away visiting relatives.

Zhao Momo had received the instruction, she was waiting at the courtyard. When Shen Jin returned, Zhao Momo rose and bowed.

Shen Jin nodded with a smile, “Have to trouble Momo.”

Zhao Momo said, “It’s an honour for this old slave to serve Madam.”

“An Ping, tea for Momo.” Shen Jin didn’t answer, she ordered An Ping to serve tea.

“Yes.” An Ping bowed and went to prepare tea.

Shen Jin said, “Momo please sit down.”

Zhao Momo waited for Shen Jin to sit down before she sat too. Shen Jin narrowed her eyes as she watched Zhao Momo’s poise. Shen Jin speculated, someone addressed as Momo was either the master’s old nursemaid, or someone from the Palace.

Zhao Momo seemed to be both. Her sitting posture and her etiquette was not something ordinary people could learn. Shen Jin instantly recognised it because she had learned very seriously when Rui Wangfei invited a few Momo’s from the Palace to teach the girls.

Shen Jin felt Zhao Momo and the one from the Palace who taught her were somewhat different. Zhao Momo was simpler but more natural, while the Palace Momo had more flourish and more intense.

Shen Jin didn’t ask, people in the Mansion appeared to have accepted her but there was still something there. She was Rui Wang’s daughter, a Junzhu from the Court, and the border town and the Court were not that harmonious.

An Ping soon returned with tea, she also brought brown sugar water for Shen Jin. This brown sugar was one of the supplies brought back by Zhao Momo. An Ping knew it’s Shen Jin’s simple pleasure so deliberately asked it from the housekeeper for Shen Jin.

Zhao Momo noted it, she understood. Chu Xiuming didn’t ask her to just teach Shen Jin things, but also to look after her including her hands’ condition.

“Madam, drink it while warm.” An Ping gently urged.

Shen Jin nodded, brown sugar was nothing special but right now it’s a rarety in the border town. Holding it in both hands, she sipped a few times, smilingly said, “Momo tell me, how to receive the envoy from the Court?”

Zhao Momo was a bit chubby, she looked gentle. After a few sips, she put the tea aside. “Why does Madam worry about receiving them?”

“They are sent by the Emperor.” Shen Jin looked at Zhao Momo, “They represent the Emperor.”

Zhao Momo didn’t say Shen Jin was wrong, she simply said, “Then what is Madam’s status?”

Shen Jin was stunned, she then understood what Zhao Momo was saying. She was a royal relative, a titled Junzhu, and her husband was Count Yongning the great general guarding this place.

“In this case, if Madam entertains them with good food good wine and appears welcoming, the Court would only be uneasy.” Zhao Momo gently said.

“I understand.” Shen Jin pursed her lips.

“There is a relay station in the camp, just let them stay there.” Zhao Momo saw Shen Jin understood, she laughed, “With Madam’s status, it is only appropriate to be a little proud. Even in the Capital, there are not many people Madam should bow to.”

Shen Jin moved her lips, said, “I will try.”

Try to be arrogant? Shen Jin thought of Shen Zi, should she be that way? Something still didn’t feel right…..

Zhao Momo knew Shen Jin’s background, as she was here then she must not had been favoured by Rui Wang. Chu Xiuming and Chu Xiuyuan were good in every way, but their reputation outside was very bad.

She had a lot to teach Shen Jin, Zhao Momo was very willing to do her best after she heard how Shen Jin took care of Chu Xiuyuan. As for Shen Jin’s performance in this town, she felt Shen Jin must had been intelligent and a good material to mould.

However at this moment Zhao Momo was taking back her initial assessment. She thought Shen Jin was a perfect embodiment of ‘even rabbit bites when cornered’. Like a rabbit, she was able stand up in time of crisis but normally she looked soft and weak. This kind of person even if someone pinched their ears or kicked their stomach, they wouldn’t be angry, they would just move away to hide somewhere else.

But if a leopard stood behind the rabbit, who dared to pinch her ears, to kick her stomach? He he…. the leopard would eat you first.

Wild cursive grass / Kuangcao calligraphy….. (In Shen Jin’s eyes: this is Count Yongning in chapter 12).

Small script / Xiaozhuan calligraphy….. (In Shen Jin’s eyes: this is Count Yongning in chapter 13).