The Young Lady of the General’s House

Shen Qi was at the best age and she was born beautiful, Shen Jin was young but very cute, pink face with bright moist eyes, even if not as striking as the other girl but her pair of almond eyes were very innocent and beautiful.

Rui Wangfei was also a beautiful woman, it’s just that she normally wore a composed and dignified look, not soft and alluring, but this time she was surprisingly stunning.

“What are you laughing about?” Rui Wang asked as he walked in.

Actually Rui Wangfei knew well what time Rui Wang usually arrived, Shen Qi and Shen Jin also hurriedly separated, looking somewhat embarrassed, “Father.”

“Haha.” Rui Wang was not angry a bit, sat besides Rui Wangfei and said, “You all sit down.”

Shen Qi and Shen Jin sat down, Rui Wang saw both girls were a bit nervous, he smiled, “What was the fuss about just now?”

“Jin Girl embroidered a handkerchief for me.” Rui Wangfei handed it Rui Wang, pointed the lotus leaves and red carp, “Wangye could see what these are?”

Rui Wang had seen countless treasures, Shen Jin’s embroidery was certainly nothing compared to professional embroiderers, but she was not even ten years old and in such background so this was not bad at all, even Shen Qi the eldest was not as good as her, “En…. aren’t the leaves and the fish a bit fat?”

“See, even Father also says so.” Shen Qi laughingly poked Shen Jin, “I said it already, Sister still won’t admit.”

Rui Wang laughed, “It is actually good, but just don’t make yourself tired.”

Shen Jin was used to being ignored, suddenly hearing these words, she blushed, “Father, let me make something for you too.”

Rui Wang frozed for a moment, none of his daughters had ever made something for him, seeing Shen Jin’s face so nervous but full of expectation, he smiled. “Good.”

Rui Wangfei at his side laughed, “Jin Girl is really thoughtful.”

Shen Qi said, “Sister don’t forget mine too.”

“Won’t forget.” Shen Jin inched next to Shen Qi, “Sister is the best.”

“Good girl.” Shen Qi proudly looked at Rui Wang, this just made Rui Wang liked her even more, after all he had only this one di daughter.

Rui Wangfei’s two sons were usually in the palace, even during holidays they stayed in the front courtyard, therefore there were only four of them having meal, there were not even servants, Shen Qi took care of Shen Jin. Shen Jin looked very cute when eating, she ate in small bites, very well behaved and pleasant to watch, and her appetite was good that even Rui Wang also ate an extra bowl of porridge.

After breakfast Shen Qi took Shen Jin to the classroom, Rui Wang had a teacher invited for the girls. They didn’t have to become scholars, but at least should have some knowledge.

Rui Wang didn’t have to attend the court today, so when he remembered the scene when he walked in, he couldn’t help but grabbed Rui Wangfei’s hands. Rui Wangfei blushed and bowed her head slightly, she didn’t normally look that way. The servants in the room had the good sense to quietly leave, Rui Wangfei contentedly pulled Rui Wangfei to make out, and she didn’t refuse either.

Shen Zi didn’t come today, there were only Shen Jing and Shen Rong. Shen Rong was the youngest but the teacher said she was very talented at playing qin so more inclined to learn these two areas. Shen Jing’s eyes darkened when she saw Shen Qi arrived with Shen Jin, but she immediately smiled and called out, “Eldest Sister, Third Sister.” Shen Rong followed Shen Jing greeted them as well, then she sat aside to read music sheet, she was very young but already possessed some elegance of a talented lady.

These girls studied different things, at the bottom were Shen Jin and Shen Zi. However Shen Zi was beautiful, so after all it was Shen Jin who was really nothing. The teacher didn’t mean it, but she still couldn’t really put her heart on Shen Jin. Today seeing Shen Qi personally leading Shen Jin over, teacher was a bit surprised, but she quickly recovered.

At noon Shen Jin didn’t go back with Shen Qi to main courtyard, Chen Cefei had been waiting for her. Seeing her daughter returned, she smiled and gently said, “Why do you walk so fast, you are sweating now.” She took a handkerchief to wipe her daughter’s face.

“Mother.” Shen Jin’s eyes were very bright and her face was flushed, extraordinarily cute.

Chen Cefei was going to ask but seeing her daughter’s face she understood already. Leading daughter inside, she asked someone bring warm water to wash.

“Mother… ” After washing, Shen Jin moved towards Chen Cefei.

Chen Cefei fed her warm water just like she used to when Shen Jin was younger, Shen Jin drank it but then said, “Why is it warm.”

“You are just back, better not drink cold water.” Chen Cefei loved Shen Jin but her health was still more important. “Alright, have a meal.”

“En.” Shen Jin responded. The meal here was naturally not as sumptuous as at Main Courtyard, but not bad either. For Shen Jin, as long as she had fish, meat, vegetable, and soup then all was good. Chen Cefei was not favoured, but she was still a Side Concubine and Shen Jin was Rui Wang’s child, so the kitchen dared not be negligent.

However somehow today Shen Jin felt the meal was slightly different from usual, they tasted more to her liking. Shen Jin understood, it must be related to the gifts from Rui Wangfei and Rui Wang yesterday. It was no big deal as normally the kitchen didn’t mistreat them either, dishes sent were according to rules, and if they asked for something, the kitchen would also make it for them, today they were just being more attentive.

After meal Chen Cefei brought Shen Jin for a walk around the small courtyard then let her go back to sleep. As Rui Wang hadn’t visited Chen Cefei for long time already, so sometimes Shen Jin had her mother sleep with her. When the two of them were on bed, Shen Jin told mother what happened in the main courtyard today.

Chen Cefei stroked Shen Jin’s head, “Rui Wangfei treats you well, you have to be filial to her, do you know?”

“I know.” Shen Jin said, “I want to make a headband for Mother Consort.”

“Make it.” Chen Cefei gently said, “Mother will teach you.”

“And a purse for Sister.” Shen Jin muttered with her eyes closed.

“Alright.” Chen Cefei smiled, “I still have some very good material, will take it out for you.”

“Also for Father… ” Shen Jin was already dozing off that time.

“Fine.” Chen Cefei turned sideways and gently patted daughter, “Sleep, talk later.”

“En.” Shen Jin fell asleep in relief.

Cui Xi used Rui Wangfei’s bath time to keep her up to date with the happenings in Chen Cefei’s courtyard. Rui Wangfei was satisfied, she didn’t want to raise a white-eyed wolf (= ungrateful, vicious person). “No need to comb, just pull it up slightly.”

“Yes.” Cui Xi finished serving Rui Wangfei, and helped her out.

Rui Wang had also finished freshening up, he helped her sat on the table, the servants brought the dishes out. Rui Wang personally filled up some soup for Rui Wangfei. Rui Wangfei also took some dishes that Rui Wang liked for him, at this moment these two were even closer than when they were newlyweds.

After meal, Rui Wang took a nap at Rui Wangfei’s place, they were lying together on the bed when she said, “Wangye, in a few days I am taking Jin Girl to Yongle Marquis’ residence.”

“Do as you see fit.” Men were best spoken to when well-fed and well-drunk.

“Second Girl is very good looking, Fourth Girl is not bad either, Fifth Girl is still young no need to rush, just Jin Girl…. She is the most well-behaved one, but we can’t really say it that way. I better take her out more to meet people so we have better choices for marriage later.” Rui Wangfei warmly said, “You know every summer I am not feeling well, Jin Girl knows to care about me. And if I bring too many girls out at once, afraid I can’t take care of them all well.”

“I know you.” Rui Wang said, “We have been married so many years, you manage the backyard very well, don’t worry.”

Rui Wang understood Rui Wangfei said all these because she was afraid he would think she was biased, but Rui Wang had never felt so. There was never any concern about Xu Cefei’s three girls’ , but the Third Girl…. She was not outstanding enough, it was good that Rui Wangfei planned something about it.

“Also Wangye, you say these girls getting married, how much should be prepared for the dowries?” Rui Wangfei asked, “Qi’er is the eldest di daughter, so she needs to have more.”

Rui Wang agreed, eldest di daughter’s dowry couldn’t be too little, a small dowry would be laughed at. He thought for a while and said, “That time the Palace will also bestow quite some amount, but our daughters will all be Junzhu, so won’t look good if the dowries are too small. Qi’er is the eldest, so 50,000 liang for her, and the rest four girls can have 30,000 liang each.”

“En.” Rui Wangfei was satisfied, “No problem for Qi’er, but we better start prepare for Second Girl and Jin Girl.”

“You can make the call.” Rui Wang laughed.

Rui Wangfei didn’t say anything further. Even if everyone could have 30,000 liang, these 30,000 liangs could come in different forms. 30,000 liang in antiques and clothes, and 30,000 liang in farms and shops were very different.

Rui Wangfei didn’t wish to see that after Shen Qi married away, Xu-shi’s three daughters curry favours in front of Rui Wang all day, that was why she intended to promote Shen Jin. Chen Cefei must have known but didn’t tell Shen Jin, she even told Shen Jin to be filial to Rui Wangfei, this was a truly smart person.

And about Xu-shi? She could jump around now, but she would be crying later.

That was why no matter how Xu-shi flaunted or tangled Rui Wang, Rui Wangfei did not get angry because she never took Xu-shi seriously. Not having a capable opponent was a bit tragic itself.

Rui Wang had been at Rui Wangfei’s place these days, Xu-shi became restless but she had no reason to go look, she could only send her three daughters to Rui Wangfei for morning respect.

If he hadn’t seen them at all, he would not have noticed, but now he suddenly remembered they had not been visiting for long, only Eldest Girl and Third Girl paid morning respect everyday. Rui Wang frowned, he felt Xu-shi really was too insensible.

Rui Wangfei didn’t seem to mind, she even asked servants to prepare snacks that Shen Zi and her sisters loved to eat. Rui Wang saw this and sighed, he really had married a virtuous wife. “You usually don’t come for morning respect to Wangfei?”

Shen Zi and her sister hadn’t responded, Rui Wangfei already said, “I told them not to come, they are all growing up, it is good to sleep a bit more.” And she even rebuked Rui Wang slightly, “Don’t scare the children.”

Rui Wang saw her like this, he got even more dissatisfied inside. Shen Jin lowered her head and shrank to the side, thinking the most powerful person in the mansion was really Rui Wangfei. Just as her mother said, as long as Rui Wangfei liked you, even if Rui Wang didn’t, it didn’t matter.

Even though Xu-shi was attractive, she was still kept tightly at the bottom by Rui Wangfei. This was not about background status, this was about intelligence.