Wish You All the Best - Chapter 2
Chapter 2
In the washroom, the swirling white mist gradually dispersed, and the air grew cool.
Tanxiang had already glanced at Jiafu several times. She was submerged in the camphor-wood bathtub, her freshly washed hair, still damp, loosely pinned to the side of her neck with a single hairpin. Her forehead rested lightly against the rim of the tub, eyes closed and lashes lowered, as if she had drifted off to sleep.
Afraid that Jiafu might catch a cold, she couldn't help but urge her softly, "Young Mistress, please wake up."
Jiafu slowly opened her eyes and, steadying herself against the wet rim of the tub, stood up.
Her skin was as smooth as snow and as radiant as jade, flecked with glistening water droplets. Her figure was like a delicate orchid bud on the verge of blooming.
Tanxiang wrapped a large, soft towel around Jiafu’s shoulders, and Dingxiang handed over the pre-prepared clothes. After Jiafu dried herself and put on her garments, she stepped out. Several rough-working servant women entered to clean up. Among them was a woman surnamed Wang, who hadn't been working there long. Upon smelling the fragrance wafting from the bathwater, she couldn't help but ask, "What kind of incense does the Young Mistress use every day? It smells wonderfully good. My granddaughter is getting married next month, and I want to buy some to add to her dowry gifts."
Tanxiang, being a kind-hearted person, smiled and replied, "Mother Wang, this is called Jieboluo incense, also known as 'Frozen Dragon Brain.' It’s shipped from South Tianzhu. I heard the Young Mistress say that it doesn't cost much there, but by the time it travels across the ocean to reach us, one qian (about 3.7 grams) costs a full tael of silver."
Mother Wang was startled and clicked her tongue, "My goodness! That’s far too expensive; who could ever afford that? If the Young Mistress adds this to her bathwater every day, how much silver must that cost in a single month? This isn't just scented water; it’s liquid money!"
Another woman let out a scoffing laugh, "Old Wang, keep that talk to yourself. Don’t go spreading it outside, or you’ll be the laughingstock. What kind of family is the Mistress of this house? No matter how expensive the spice is, once it reaches this house, it’s treated as nothing more than dirt. Never mind one tael of silver for a qian; even if it were ten taels, if the Young Mistress wants to use it, it’s just a matter of giving the word."
Quanzhou’s maritime trade was prosperous. Every day, countless ships sailed in and out of the ports near Nanxun Gate and beyond Tumen. From places as near as Champa, Siam, and Sulu, to as far as Arabia, Malindi, and Bilaspur, a dazzling array of goods arrived from overseas, and spices were a major category. The Zhen family was among the wealthiest in Quanzhou, possessing one of the top merchant fleets. No spice was rare once it reached the Zhen household. While the servant's words were somewhat boastful, they weren't entirely wrong.
Mother Wang nodded like a chick pecking at rice, laughing sheepishly, "Yes, yes, it's just my own ignorance; I spoke wrongly..." She stretched her neck to take one more vigorous whiff of the scent before joining the others to carry the water out.
When Tanxiang stepped out, she saw Jiafu open the spice box and use a jade spoon to scoop some out. Knowing she intended to add it to the phoenix-headed incense burner, she hurried over to lift the lid for her.
"I can handle this. Young Mistress, be careful not to burn your hands."
Jiafu dropped the spice into the burner. As it touched the heat, it emitted a pleasant, faint sizzling sound, followed by a curling wisp of blue smoke. She leaned over slightly, raised her hand, and fanned the smoke toward herself. Then, she closed her eyes and took a deep, lingering breath.
Tanxiang watched, feeling somewhat puzzled.
The Young Mistress had never cared for burning incense in her room before, preferring fresh flowers instead. She didn't know why, but ever since she returned from Xishan Temple that day, her preferences had suddenly changed. Not only did she switch to burning this "Frozen Dragon Brain," but she also insisted on adding its crushed powder to her bathwater.
That would be one thing, but Tanxiang had been with the Young Mistress in the Zhen family for many years and knew a thing or two about the types and quality of spices. Frozen Dragon Brain was naturally a high-quality item—its scent was ethereal, warm, and elegant with a sweet aftertaste—and while it wasn't cheap, it wasn't considered top-tier among similar resin-based spices. The pinnacle was ambergris. Because the two spices looked and smelled similar, only an expert could distinguish them, leading crooked merchants to often sell Frozen Dragon Brain as ambergris.
Though ambergris was rare, the Zhen family was not without reserves. Since the Young Mistress had decided to burn incense, why not use the ambergris instead of this slightly inferior Frozen Dragon Brain?
Tanxiang couldn't help but ask.
Jiafu stared at the plume of blue smoke rising from the phoenix’s beak and replied calmly, "Ambergris is a tribute spice for the Emperor; it would be inappropriate for me to use it."
Tanxiang had a sudden realization: "The Young Mistress is truly thoughtful."
"Remember to bring it when we go out tomorrow. I want all my clothes scented with this Frozen Dragon Brain. Let them be scented for a long time; do not use anything else, and make sure not to mix them up."
Tanxiang smiled, "Young Mistress, rest assured, I have prepared everything. There will be no mistakes."
"The Mistress is here!"
Jiafu turned her head and saw her mother, Madam Meng, along with her personal attendant, Nanny Liu, arriving. A smile appeared on her face as she hurried to greet them.
Madam Meng sat on the edge of the bed with her daughter, "How are you feeling? Are you still feeling dizzy when you sleep?"
The ninth day of the month was the third anniversary of Jiafu’s father’s passing. That day, she had accompanied her grandmother, Madam Hu, her mother, Madam Meng, and her older brother, Zhen Yaoting, to Xishan Temple to perform the Daxiang memorial rites. They stayed overnight at the temple, and she slept in the same room as Madam Meng. The next morning, Madam Meng woke up to find her daughter’s face bathed in tears. She was frightened and asked for the reason, but Jiafu only shook her head, saying nothing, and clung to her tightly, crying and laughing at the same time. Madam Meng was deeply alarmed, fearing that her daughter had encountered something unclean outside the temple. She sought protective amulets and holy water, and brought her home that same day. Though she still seemed a bit dazed, she had finally begun to recover these past few days.
Jiafu said, "I have long since recovered. Mother, please do not worry."
Madam Meng examined her daughter closely. Seeing her radiant smile and improved complexion, she pulled her into an affectionate embrace, "Your father has been gone for three years in the blink of an eye. Your brother is mischievous and disobedient; you are the only one left by my side to bring me comfort. Tomorrow, you will again..."
She stopped.
Tomorrow, Jiafu, along with Madam Meng and her brother Zhen Yaoting, would be traveling north to the capital.
The Zhen family’s journey north was, on the surface, to celebrate the birthday of the Old Madam of the Duke of Wei’s estate, but in reality, it was primarily to finalize the wedding arrangements between Jiafu and the Duke’s heir, Pei Xiuzhi.
The marriage had been negotiated a year ago, waiting only for Jiafu’s mourning period to end. Even though she would be entering as a second wife—with a five-year-old stepson already waiting for her—the Zhen family, no matter how wealthy, was still led by a father who had only attained the title of xiucai. For her to marry into the Duke’s estate as the Heir’s wife was already a significant step up. It had taken a great deal of effort to make this marriage happen.
With her daughter’s future secured, it was a joyous occasion for the Zhen family. Madam Meng was naturally happy, but the thought of the vast distance between the capital and Quanzhou after her daughter married made it difficult for them to see each other again. The Duke’s household was a place of high status and deep seclusion, and she worried that, given their family’s lower standing, Jiafu might struggle to establish herself. One worry led to another, and as these thoughts welled up, tears began to shimmer in the corners of her eyes.
Nanny Liu hurriedly offered comforting words, "Young Mistress isn't marrying into just any family; the Duke’s estate is a place we know well. The Heir is a man of exceptional character and appearance—a dragon among men. You saw how he treated the Young Mistress when he came to Quanzhou, Madam. Furthermore, the Second Madam there is your own sister; it’s all one family. Once the Young Mistress goes over, she will be the lady of the Duke’s estate; there’s no telling how much fortune awaits her. What does the Madam have to worry about?"
Madam Meng was calmed by these words and turned to a smile. She wiped the corners of her eyes and, holding her daughter’s hand, said, "It is I who have been overthinking. Let us go; we mustn't keep your grandmother waiting."
...
Jiafu’s grandmother, Madam Hu, was the backbone of the Zhen family. Shrewd and formidable, she was no less capable than any man. She had once hoped for her son to gain an official rank, but after her husband passed away, she managed the entire family business herself so that he wouldn't be distracted. Jiafu’s father, however, was of a free and unconventional spirit with little interest in official titles. After passing the xiucai exams, he failed repeatedly. When he was in his thirties, he decided in a fit of pique to abandon his career and take over the family business. Unexpectedly, three years ago, when Jiafu was thirteen, he passed away after his fleet encountered a storm while out at sea. Madam Hu had to bury her own son—a tragedy of immense grief—but the old woman persevered and shifted her hopes onto Jiafu’s brother, Zhen Yaoting. He was two years older than Jiafu, eighteen this year, and was very kind to his sister. Unfortunately, he lacked ambition; not only was his academic performance a mess, but he also showed no interest in the family business, spending his days idling away. Even now, with the lamps lit, he had yet to return home.
Jiafu followed her mother into her grandmother’s room. The old lady had thick brows and a wide forehead, with a stern countenance. Jiafu was not close to her and had even been somewhat afraid of her in the past. Even Madam Meng dared not speak much in her presence. She brought her daughter to pay her respects.
The old lady asked about the preparations for the journey north tomorrow. Madam Meng hurriedly replied, "Mother, please rest assured. I have prepared the birthday gifts for the Old Madam of the Duke’s estate myself, as well as the gifts for the Song family. Everything has been inspected and loaded onto the ships. The house in the capital is also ready; we can move in as soon as we arrive."
Jiafu would not be returning to Quanzhou after this trip to the capital; she would remain there to await her wedding. To facilitate the upcoming preparations, the Zhen family had specifically purchased a house in the capital.
The old lady asked a few more questions, and Madam Meng answered them one by one, thoroughly and without flaw. The old lady was satisfied and said, "Once you go to the capital, do not be stingy with money; spend what needs to be spent. The Pei family’s lineage is high, but the larger the household, the more hidden difficulties there are—perhaps no fewer than our own. Furthermore, now that the winds have shifted in the palace, the Pei family is not as glorious as it once was. Their willingness to enter this marriage is not because of A-Fu herself, but because of our wealth and the ways we have of generating it."
Madam Meng replied, "Mother, please rest assured, I understand."
A rare smile finally appeared on the old lady’s stern face, "Your life has been hard, marrying into my Zhen family and becoming a widow early in your youth, just like me. Fortunately, you have a son and daughter to look forward to. Now that A-Fu is making a good marriage, you will be able to enjoy some comfort in the future."
Madam Meng came from a family of officials. When her father was once posted to Fujian, he ran into a major blunder and only survived the crisis because the Zhen grandfather provided financial help. To express his gratitude, he married his daughter into the Zhen family. Originally, the relationship between the two families was quite good, but following the successive deaths of Master Meng and the Zhen grandfather, the Meng sons failed to prosper. Preserving their status, they refused to proactively build closeness with the Zhen family, and the relationship gradually drifted apart. However, after Madam Meng married into the family, she and her husband shared a deep love. At this moment, the old lady’s words stirred up old sorrows. Her eyes reddened, but she dared not let the tears fall, only smiling, "Mother is right, I have been thinking the same thing."
The old lady nodded and turned toward Jiafu, who had been silent on the side, and called out to her.
Knowing she had something to say, Jiafu knelt on a mat in front of her, "Please, Grandmother, give your instructions."
"Filial piety and fraternal love are the foundations of all conduct. You know the situation of our family. While it is noble for a person to be self-reliant, your marriage into the Pei family is a good thing. I will leave this world sooner or later. This family business will be left to your brother. If you rise to prominence in the Pei family in the future, you must do what you can to support him. Have you remembered my words?"
Jiafu said, "Granddaughter has remembered." Her attitude was extremely respectful.
The look in the old lady’s eyes held a rare touch of warmth. She nodded and said, "You may rise. Go back and rest early. Keep your spirits up, for you must be on your way early tomorrow morning.”