Wish You All the Best - Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Although enough time had been set aside for this northward journey before departing, the schedule remained quite tight to ensure they would arrive in time for the 60th birthday celebration of the Old Madam of the Pei family next month. Setting sail from Quanzhou Port, they took the coastal route, passed through Fuzhou, and once they entered the Jiangnan region, they transferred to the inland canals to head straight for the capital.
Several months ago, Madam Song had sent two trusted nannies to the Zhen family in Quanzhou to accompany them on this trip.
Although the Song family were in-laws to the Pei family, the fact that they would send people to accompany the Zhen family as they sent their daughter away had its own backstory.
Madam Song’s daughter had previously married Pei Xiuzhi, the second son of the Pei family’s main branch. She had passed away from illness a few years prior, leaving behind a son whose childhood name was Quan-ge'er. Madam Song had only this one daughter, and after her unfortunate passing, she was heartbroken, cherishing Quan-ge'er as if he were her own life.
Fortunes are fickle. After the young Emperor died and the Prince of Shun'an ascended the throne, the Song family was heavily relied upon by the Emperor for their meritorious service in supporting his claim. Over the past two years, their status had soared, and their influence was overbearing. In stark contrast was the decline of the Duke of Wei’s mansion.
The Old Madam of the Duke of Wei’s mansion had lived in seclusion for the past few years, rarely managing affairs. The eldest son, the Duke of Wei, had passed away years ago, and the second master held only a nominal post. The Song family inevitably grew arrogant, beginning to neglect protocol. Madam Song often came to the Duke of Wei’s mansion to see Quan-ge'er, and each time she arrived with great fanfare, treating the staff as if they were her own servants. Madam Xin was displeased, but her son still relied on the support of his former in-laws, so she had to swallow her pride and respond with a smile.
After her son became a widower, Madam Xin began arranging for his remarriage. However, the current Pei family was far from what it used to be. Who with a discerning eye couldn't see the new Emperor’s dislike for them? In the capital, which family of status would be willing to marry their daughter into such a household, especially as a successor wife?
After much deliberation, Madam Xin’s gaze fell upon the Zhen family.
Due to her kinship with Madam Meng of the second branch, there had been contact since the early years. Apart from the family’s pedigree being insufficient, all other conditions now seemed perfectly suitable. Her son was satisfied with the Zhen family’s daughter as well. If she could be married into the household, it would offer little help to his official career, but the Zhen family had money—which was exactly what the Duke of Wei’s mansion, now just an empty shell, desperately needed. To maintain a respectable appearance, they faced annual deficits. Moreover, considering they were marrying "down," given their current circumstances, it was better than marrying a daughter-in-law they would have to cater to. After all, no matter how much the Pei family declined, the status of a Duke’s mansion remained, and no matter how wealthy the Zhen family was, they still had to look up to them.
Madam Xin’s calculations for the marriage naturally could not be hidden from the Song family. Although Madam Song was unhappy about her former son-in-law remarrying, she had no authority over the matter. After inquiring about the Zhen family and confirming that the daughter would likely not pose a threat to her grandson, she gave her tacit approval. She also took advice from others and proposed adopting Jiafu as a goddaughter to elevate her status, serving as both a gesture to win over the Zhen family and a favor to the Pei family.
With Madam Song lowering herself to adopt Jiafu as a goddaughter, the Zhen family was naturally filled with gratitude, which led to these two nannies traveling south. Both were confidants of Madam Song, and Nanny Ye was even Madam Song’s wet nurse. Upon arriving in Quanzhou two months ago, they began putting on airs, "instructing" Jiafu on the Classic for Women and Admonitions for Women.
Madam Meng herself came from an official family, and her father had been a high-ranking local official; how could she not understand these things? In Madam Meng’s eyes, her daughter’s appearance and character were in no way inferior to the noble ladies of the capital. She knew Madam Song was merely using this opportunity to establish dominance, to let her daughter know that even after marrying into the family, she should never dream of suppressing the original wife. Although she was unhappy, she dared not show it, treating these two nannies like living Buddhas, hosting them with the finest food and drink every day.
For this northward journey, besides the birthday gifts prepared for the Old Madam of the Pei family, they had also prepared a generous gift for Madam Song—rhino horns, ivory, jade, pearls, as well as silks and spices; all were top-tier treasures. As for the two nannies, they were arranged into the best cabins upon boarding, with maids assigned to serve them, daring not to show the slightest negligence.
A few days after departure, as the ship reached Fujian, the wind and waves grew somewhat rough. Nanny Ye was not used to sailing; she had suffered a bit on the way down, and now, on the return trip, she was seasick and unwell again. Hearing this, Jiafu went to visit her personally. Upon entering, she saw Nanny Ye with a medical patch stuck to her forehead, lying there with pale lips and vacant eyes. Jiafu immediately showed concern, sat nearby, took Nanny Ye’s hand, and shed tears, saying, "It is all for my sake that you are suffering, Nanny. I truly feel terrible about it. I would rather bear this pain myself."
Nanny Ye had just vomited all the fish and meat she had eaten, retching until only bile came up. She said weakly, "It is enough that you know of my difficulties, Young Mistress. I came all the way to the south for your own good, and the suffering I’ve endured is more than I’ve had in my entire life combined."
Jiafu continued to blame herself, speaking many kind words, and as she stood up to leave, she said, "Nanny, you must rest well. I won't disturb you further. If you need anything to eat or drink, just order the maids; the ship has everything. I am ignorant and have seen little of the world. Once you have recovered, I look forward to you teaching me more wisdom."
Seeing her humble attitude, where she deferred to her in everything, Nanny Ye was satisfied and let out a grunt through her nose, counting it as a response.
Jiafu didn't mind, instructed the little maid she had brought along to serve the nanny well, and then stood up. By mistake, her pouch dropped to the floor. The opening hadn't been tied tight, and a yellow talisman slipped out.
Carrying a lucky talisman begged from a temple was common enough, but Jiafu seemed somewhat flustered. Seeing the item fall, she hurried to bend down and pick it up, then quickly turned her back, stuffed it back into the pouch, and clenched it tightly in her palm. Only then did she turn around, offer an apology as if nothing had happened, and leave the cabin.
How sharp were Nanny Ye’s eyes! Although she was too seasick to rise, the yellow talisman and Jiafu’s abnormal behavior did not escape her notice.
Her exhausting trip south wasn't just to establish dominance; she held a heavy responsibility—to secretly observe the Zhen girl for Madam Song and see if she harbored any hidden agendas. Previously, Jiafu had been timid and seemingly lacked a backbone. Coupled with the weakness of her family’s status, Nanny Ye had felt assured that such a woman, even if married into the Pei family, could cause no trouble. But now, suspicion arose. Watching Jiafu’s back as she left the cabin, she sent the Zhen family maid out and called for her own maid, Suxin, whispering a few words. Suxin nodded and followed her out.
Madam Meng happened to be coming to visit Nanny Ye and met Jiafu in the corridor. Jiafu said, "The nanny has just fallen asleep, Mother. No need to disturb her."
Madam Meng knew her daughter had just been there, so she nodded: "Very well, Mother will come to see her later."
Jiafu turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of Suxin lurking and peering out from behind, but she pretended not to see. She took Madam Meng’s arm and led her to a porthole, where they leaned against the window to talk.
Madam Meng felt her daughter was acting somewhat unusual and smiled: "What is it? Do you have something to say?"
Jiafu dropped her smile and raised her voice slightly: "Mother, ahead is Fuming Island. We can arrive by tomorrow. I heard there is a Guanyin Temple on the island, and I wish to go and pay my respects."
The Guanyin Temple was famous for the compassion of the Bodhisattva. Although it required half a day of sea travel to reach, benevolent men and women visited the island every day to make or fulfill vows. During annual temple fairs, countless women would travel in groups to burn incense at the Guanyin Hall, mostly to pray for children. The rumors of its efficacy were widespread. Madam Meng had heard of this too. Hearing her daughter’s request, she was startled but then understood.
She was satisfied with her future son-in-law, Pei Xiuzhi, but whenever she thought of her daughter entering the household to face a stepson, and hearing that the child was mischievous and Madam Song was overbearing, she felt worried. Privately, she hoped her daughter would successfully conceive her own son soon after marriage, which would help her establish a firm footing. Since they were passing by and her daughter had asked, how could she refuse? She said: "Very well, Mother will go and speak to the steward. We will dock at Fuming Island tomorrow, and Mother will go with you. However..."
She looked back behind her, dismissed the maids who were following them, and then said in a low voice: "It is best not to let that Song family nanny know, to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Jiafu nodded: "I will listen to you, Mother."
Madam Meng sent her daughter back to her cabin and went to explain the plan to dock at Fuming Island to the steward. Suxin, who had been lurking nearby, had heard the entire conversation between mother and daughter. She quietly returned and told Nanny Ye. Nanny Ye pondered for a moment, then guessed the truth and sneered: "What a cunning girl. She didn't show a hint of it before me, but now she’s already planning on how to bear a son! How shameless—she isn't even married yet, and she’s already calculating this! Since she instigated her mother to go to the island, she naturally won't let us know tomorrow. Let’s just watch."
The next day, the large Zhen family ship indeed docked at Fuming Island, claiming it was to replenish food and water. Nanny Ye instructed a sharp-witted servant boy to secretly keep an eye on the Zhen mother and daughter, to observe their every move and report every word and action back to her. The servant accepted the order and followed Madam Meng’s party as they quietly went ashore.
Madam Meng was truly there to pray. She took her daughter to the Guanyin Hall, made a pious vow, and donated a large sum of incense money in exchange for a consecrated spiritual talisman, which she solemnly placed in her daughter’s pouch and instructed her to carry it with her. Only then did they return to the ship and continue their journey.
The servant returned to the ship and reported everything he saw to Nanny Ye: "I saw them enter the Guanyin Hall, ask for a fertility talisman, and then come right back."
Nanny Ye felt everything was now clear as crystal. She rewarded the servant with a few copper coins and sent him away, saying to the other nanny: "Look, the Zhen girl’s fox tail has finally been revealed. It’s fortunate that I was farsighted, or I would have been tricked by this girl!"
The other nanny was full of flattery. Nanny Ye felt triumphant, and even her seasickness vanished; she was in high spirits: "We must quickly inform Madam. This Zhen girl looks honest and kind on the surface, but she is a vixen full of schemes. How can Quan-ge'er fare well in her hands?"
The next day, Madam Meng brought Jiafu to visit Nanny Ye again. Nanny Ye showed nothing on the surface, but secretly became even more vigilant toward the Zhen girl. The more she watched, the more she felt that every word and action of hers was full of calculation. However, she did not reveal it; instead, she became even friendlier than before, acting very courteous, only wishing they could reach the capital sooner.
Madam Meng was kept completely in the dark, knowing nothing of the hidden agenda. Seeing the nanny’s improved attitude toward her daughter, she assumed she had been moved by her daughter’s diligent care, and felt quite relieved.
Jiafu remained calm, only becoming even sweeter-tongued toward Nanny Ye. Thus, the journey proceeded peacefully, and on this day, they finally arrived smoothly. They would be able to go ashore tomorrow.
That night, Madam Meng brought her daughter to specifically seek out Nanny Ye. After dismissing the servants, they exchanged some small talk. Madam Meng then produced a pouch and smiled: "It has been hard on you these days, Nanny. This is a small token of my appreciation; I hope you will accept it. Inside is a larger note for yourself, and the rest is for you to distribute among the subordinates for their hard work."
Jiafu followed behind her mother, blushing, hanging her head, and acting shyly: "Once we reach the capital, I hope Nanny will speak a few kind words for me to my godmother."
Nanny Ye accepted the pouch, felt it, and knowing it contained silver notes, agreed enthusiastically. She warmly saw the Zhen mother and daughter off. After closing the door, she opened the pouch and took out the two silver notes inside. Seeing one was for twenty taels of silver and the other for ten, she was deeply disappointed. She let out a scornful laugh, curled her lips, and sneered: "I thought they were generous; twenty taels is all they give to seal my lips? How stingy. Petty and narrow-minded families really only have this much perspective."
Madam Meng never dreamed that the two silver notes she had originally prepared in the pouch had been secretly swapped by her daughter. She assumed the nanny had received her five hundred taels and that, even if she didn't speak well of her in front of Madam Song, she at least wouldn't cause harm. She sent Jiafu back to her cabin and left with peace of mind.
The next day, the Zhen family’s ship gradually docked.
In the late autumn of the third year of Yongxi, the Zhen family arrived at the capital.
This was the first time Jiafu had set foot in the capital in three years.
The pier was bustling with traffic and crowds. Not only had the Zhen family’s steward, who had been sent to the capital in advance, brought a group of servants to welcome their mistress and young master and lady, but the Duke of Wei’s mansion had also sent people.
Madam Meng was delighted to learn that Pei Xiuzhi had personally rushed to the pier early in the morning to wait for them. She held her daughter’s hand, preparing to disembark, but feeling her daughter’s palm was slightly cold, she squeezed her little hand and whispered: "Do not panic. Mother has handled everything, and everything will go smoothly. Just wait and prepare for your marriage with peace of mind.”