The Young Lady of the General’s House

Because she was going out with Rui Wangfei, today Shen Jin wore a brand new muslin dress, the cuffs and dress ends embroidered with colourful butterflies, the butterflies fluttered as if dancing when she walked. She also had a gold butterfly collar around her neck, the butterfly’s wings were inlaid with tiny jewels of various colours. On her head was a butterfly hairpin, it’s wings were so exquisite that at first glance it looked as if a real butterfly had landed on her hair.

At first Shen Zi didn’t notice Shen Jin’s appearance, Shen Jing on her side kicked her a bit, Shen Zi immediately frowned and wanted to say something, but was secretly stopped by Shen Jing.

Rui Wangfei let servants set out their breakfast, Shen Zi was still unhappy inside, but due to her mother’s instruction before they left and Shen Jing’s reminder just now, she did not say anything, her eyes rolled and an idea formed in her mind.

Shen Jin felt there was something fishy with Shen Zi etc choosing this day to visit, did Xu Cefei heard anything? But it couldn’t be, unless…… Shen Jin looked at Rui Wangfei.

Rui Wangfei was holding Shen Rong’s hands, she asked about Shen Rong’s daily activities, listening about qin practise, about Shen Rong memorising qin music sheet and so on. Wangfei told Shen Rong to pay attention to her health, then also specifically gave instructions to Shen Rong’s maid, she was really a picture of a doting mother.

During the meal, Rui Wangfei sat at Rui Wang’s side, Shen Qi naturally sat on the other side of Rui Wang’s. Shen Jin sat next to Rui Wangfei, as how she usually did. Shen Zi, Shen Jing and Shen Rong sat on the other seats.

Actually Shen Jin should have sat next to Shen Zi, however there were usually only four of them sitting so Rui Wang didn’t feel there was anything unusual. Rui Wangfei was however satisfied with this, she then specially picked a san-xian bun for Shen Jin.

Shen Qi also acted her part of the eldest sister, she took good care of Shen Zi and the girls during meal, Rui Wang was particularly pleased with this.

After the meal finished, Rui Wangfei looked at Shen Jin’s clothes and said, “Today is cold, and with the wind blowing it will be bad later. Cui Xi, go ask Chen Cefei for Jin Girl’s cloak.”

Shen Jin playfully said, “I forgot, thank you Mother Consort.” No wonder today Mother didn’t let the maid bring a cloak for her, she didn’t understand then but now she figured it out. Since Rui Wangfei wanted to be a doting mother, so her own Mother should leave something out, Mother had to give Rui Wangfei some opportunities to perform. Shen Jin however felt her understanding was not perfect, she would ask Mother later.

Shen Zi eyes opened wide hearing Rui Wangfei’s words, how was it she didn’t know about today’s outing, who would Shen Jin go with, would it be with Wangfei?

Then she remembered someone said Rui Wangfei planned to go to Yongle Marquis’ residence, so that should be it. She couldn’t directly ask because Rui Wang might be displeased. She thought for a while, when she raised her head again, her face looked somewhat envious and hopeful, “Third Sister, today your dress is so pretty, and you have jewelries too, how come I never saw these before? Are they new?”

Shen Jin blushed, her lips pursed in a somewhat embarrassed smile, shyly pinching the handkerchief in her hands, she did not speak.

Seeing her like that, Shen Zi really wanted to pinch Shen Jin, but then she just looked at Rui Wang with anticipation, then at Rui Wangfei, ” Mother Consort, are these the gifts from you? But we sisters did not get any yet?” These words even though asked to Rui Wangfei, but actually were a complaint to Rui Wang.

Rui Wang’s face darkened, Shen Zi saw this and got emboldened, she continued, “Mother Consort where are you taking Third Sister to? Me and my sisters haven’t been out for long time either, could you take us with you?”

“Second Sister, Mother doesn’t take me out either.” Shen Qi warmly laughed, “Nowadays Mother’s heart is all for Third Sister.”

Shen Jin kept on the timid look, she now found her eldest sister was still the smarter one. Rui Wang must have known Rui Wangfei was taking her out, so these words in Rui Wang’s ears sound like accommodating Shen Zi, but for Shen Zi who didn’t know the backstory, it was to defend Rui Wangfei, so Shen Zi of course became unhappy.

Shen Zi’s eyes turned red, pear-blossom-sprinkled-with-tears face looking very pitiful, “Mother Consort, if Zi’er make you angry, please forgive Zi’er, but even if you are angry with Zi’er, Jing’er and Rong’er are innocent.”

Rui Wangfei sighed, “Second Girl, you are not little anymore, you are a noble girl from a Prince family so don’t learn from small families, do not cry all the time, makes your Father lose face. Cui Xi, take Second Girl inside to freshen up.”

“What are you crying for.” Rui Wang said impatiently, “Those stuff I gave to Shen Jin, how does Xu-shi teach the children… “

“Wangye.” Rui Wangfei interrupted Rui Wang by pulling his sleeve, “Don’t talk about the mothers in front of the children.”

Shen Jin now understood, apparently Rui Wangfei had really figured out the character of Xu-shi and her three children. Today’s drama was staged by Rui Wangfei, the words she said just now was not to admonish Rui Wang, but to dig a hole for Xu-shi.

“Alright, go back first.” Rui Wangfei looked as if she had some difficulties, then advised Rui Wang in low voice, “In a few days, we will have some Momo’s from the palace, the children can then start learning.”

“Invite the strict ones, teach properly, ” Rui Wang frowned, “None of them are as good as Qi’er.”

Hearing these, Shen Jing and Shen Rong’s eyes turned red as well, together they took Shen Zi away. Shen Jin could now see what Rui Wangfei was up to, by the time she and Rui Wangfei back from outing, the whole mansion would have already heard that Rui Wang scolded them to tears.

And Rui Wangfei? This was nothing to do with the fair and gentle Rui Wangfei, she could not possibly bully a concubine’s daughters, could she?

No wonder Mother said Rui Wangfei was the smartest woman of all.

Rui Wang didn’t stay long, he had matters to do, he had to request a Princess title for the eldest daughter, then the matter of establishing the heir of Yongle Marquis, this had to be done before daughter married into that family otherwise it wouldn’t look good.

Rui Wangfei took Shen Jin to Yongle Marquis’ residence, she didn’t teach or explain anything on the way. It was a sort of test, if Shen Jin didn’t perform well enough, she would not bring Shen Jin out anymore.

Turned out even though Shen Jin was a quiet and shy girl but she could conduct herself well among others. The marriage talk with Yongle Marchioness was also successful, so now Rui Wangfei liked Shen Jin even more.

Soon after the Momo’s from the palace arrived. As Rui Wang had allowed it, Rui Wangfei naturally would not let the opportunity passed. The Momo assigned for Shen Zi was the strictest one, as just about the way of the palace, it was a punishment even if it did not look like one.

The Momo for Shen Jin was a gentle one, even if still strict. Chen Cefei was very grateful, that very night she made a dress with auspicious silver pattern for Rui Wangfei to express her gratitude.

Days went by, spring and autumn came and went, suddenly it was time for Shen Qi to marry away. Shen Jin and Shen Zi etc lived quite apart, and they were all busy learning so they didn’t meet very often. For Shen Qi’s wedding, the lessons were stopped for over a month.

Shen Jin’s gift was a set of 12 handkerchiefs that she made herself. The embroidered things were still all roundish, but much more exquisite than before. “Elder Sister, please do not forget me.”

Even if Shen Qi had manipulated Shen Jin before, in the end there was still some feelings, especially as she was leaving home soon. Her eyes were red as she took Shen Jin’s hand, “Third Sister, later come play with Sister when you have time.”

“En.” Shen Jin responded, “Elder Sister is a bride today, don’t cry won’t look pretty anymore.”

Shen Qi lightly pinched Shen Jin’s cheek, she was going to say something but Shen Zi, Shen Jing and Shen Rong arrived that time, they also brought some small gifts. Not sure if it was because they had not met for some time, but Shen Jin felt Shen Zi had become much more silent.

Shen Zi had been a bit rude and unreasonable but because she was pretty she looked attractive and lively, and now she …. Shen Jing had always seemed a bit out of sort. Shen Rong was still too young to observe, just that today she was dressed very gaily.

Even if it was Shen Qi’s wedding, they still could not leave back courtyard, the four of them could only watch Shen Qi’s little brother Shen Xuan carried her out. Their relationship were not good so each just went back without a word.

As Rui Wang’s daughter, Shen Qi married out as a Junzhu and her groom was an Heir to a Marquis, so her ten-miles dowry procession was extremely impressive.

Shen Jin had seen it, but even though she was envious but not jealous, she knew very well she was nowhere near. Not Rui Wang’s person of concern, neither would Rui Wangfei be busy for a trivial matter.

Chen Cefei helped Rui Wangfei at the front courtyard, she only returned after Shen Jin finished her dinner. Shen Jin hurriedly let the maids prepare warm water for Chen Cefei to soak her feet. Chen Cefei looked at her daughter who was growing fast day by day and sighed.

“I have seen the Heir today, he indeed is a talented man. Wonder what kind of family Wangfei would choose for you later. I don’t ask for a rich or famous one, it is enough if you are safe and happy.”

“Mother.” Shen Jin’s face turned red, she was only 13 years old so this was a bit too early. “There is still Second Sister before me.”

Chen Cefei laughed but didn’t say anything. Shen Zi and her sisters used to bully her own dutiful daughter. Based on Xu-shi’s character, Rui Wangfei would definitely picked good in-laws families for them, the ones that would prevent gossip, and would let Shen Zi etc suffer without a word.

However Chen Cefei was not prepared to say these things to daughter. She washed her feet then lied down on sofa, looking at her daughter who was wielding a little soft hammer to massage her legs, her heart softened. As long as daughter could marry into a good family, her many years of suffering would not be for nothing.

“Your Eldest Sister just married away, Wangfei must be a bit sad, you have to spend some time with Wangfei, do you know?” Chen Cefei softly telling Shen Jin again, “Don’t be naughty, don’t make Wangfei upset.”

“I know.” Shen Jin obediently responded, “The hairband I was making for Mother Consort will be ready soon, I will bring it over in the next few days.”

“Good girl.”