Chapter 39: Managing the Household Affairs
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The weather was exceptionally fine that day. Dantai Jing awoke to the birds calling beneath the veranda, and the thought of taking charge of the household affairs filled her with a faint excitement.
Madam Ye would certainly never tolerate her. Yet the person Madam Ye was most worried about today should be Madam Yang, who managed the main kitchen. She likely had no mind to oppose Dantai Jing just yet.
Mama Gui came early to attend her. Once Dantai Jing was dressed and properly groomed, she smiled and said, “This is how the Third Miss ought to look.”
Dantai Jing gazed at the girl reflected in the bronze diamond-patterned mirror and smiled faintly. Indeed, she had been reborn for a second life, not to spend every day frowning with worry. She was only twelve, at the very height of youth, and truly had no reason to wear such a solemn expression.
The three senior maids—Mama Jiang, Mama Gui, and Mama Xu—accompanied Dantai Jing to the three-bay front hall. Seeing those who had been waiting there since early morning, Dantai Jing smiled faintly.
The household managers who had come that day were all uneasy. Everyone understood that the legitimate eldest daughter, the Third Miss, was now contending with the former secondary wife who had been elevated to principal wife. None of them knew what fate awaited them.
Those who had been favored by Madam Ye looked down on the Third Miss, yet feared that the girl might turn her attention upon them. Those whom Madam Ye had never valued, meanwhile, were straining every nerve in hopes of winning Dantai Jing’s favor. Thus, the hall was already more tumultuous than it could possibly be.
As everyone shifted restlessly in their seats, the Third Miss slowly appeared. She wore a pale blue-green, silver-edged, cross-collared jacket and her hair was arranged in twin hanging-loops buns. Her appearance was much like her usual one, and yet something about it seemed different.
Then they realized what it was. A pearl had been set into the ornament in the Third Miss’s hair, and it was as large as a thumb. Under the sunlight it glittered so brightly that it almost hurt the eyes. Small pink pearl earrings, each the size of a little finger, hung from her ears, swaying gently whenever she moved.
That set of pearl jewelry was clearly no ordinary thing and must have been worth a considerable sum. Ordinarily, the round luster of pearls was thought suitable only for women past thirty, who possessed the maturity to carry them. Yet the Third Miss before them was merely twelve, and still wore the pearls with perfect grace.
The household managers in the hall grew increasingly conflicted. Madam Ye was the principal wife, while the Third Miss was the legitimate eldest daughter. Neither was someone they could easily placate. What were they to do? If they tried to curry favor with both sides, would they lose their positions?
Fortunately, they did not have long to agonize. The Third Miss sat upright at the head of the hall while Mama Xu and Mama Gui assigned the various duties. One played the stern role, the other the conciliatory one, while Mama Jiang stood at Dantai Jing’s side like a guardian deity. Before long, everything had been arranged in good order.
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Mama Xu had once served at Madam Dong’s side and naturally knew how to manage household affairs. Mama Gui, relying on her talent for scattering money freely, had cultivated a smiling rapport with everyone. Thus, Dantai Jing’s first day overseeing the household passed with remarkable smoothness.
Madam Ye had not come to make trouble, which struck Dantai Jing as somewhat strange. While she was pondering the matter, Mama Gui suddenly called out, “Sister-in-law Yang? Wait—how is it that Sister-in-law Yang, who manages the main kitchen, has not come?”
Everyone had been concerned only with themselves. Naturally, no one had noticed Madam Yang’s absence.
Just as they were all beginning to wonder, Taohong arrived.
“Third Miss, Madam requests that you and all the household managers go to Refreshing Hall in the principal courtyard. She has something to discuss.”
The moment Taohong finished speaking, the managers—who had only just breathed a sigh of relief—felt their hearts rise into their throats once more. Could it be that the two sides were about to begin their struggle on the very first day?
Dantai Jing cast Taohong an indifferent glance. Her eyes were cold and devoid of warmth. Under that chilly gaze, Taohong felt the heat accumulated during her journey rush suddenly to her forehead.
She instinctively shrank back, wondering whether Madam Ye would save her if Dantai Jing insisted on punishing her now that the Third Miss was in charge of the household.
In the end, Dantai Jing did nothing to Taohong. Instead, she rose generously to her feet and glanced at Mama Jiang.
Mama Jiang swept her eyes over everyone in the hall and said sternly, “It was the master who ordered the Third Miss to take charge of the household affairs. Madam angered him and is currently confined to the principal courtyard. In any case, Madam is the Third Miss’s mother. It is only proper for the Third Miss to visit and pay her respects. But if Madam sends someone to summon her, then…”
Mama Jiang left the rest unsaid, but her meaning was perfectly clear. If the Third Miss happened to be in the mood, she might go to the principal courtyard and pay her respects. But if Madam Ye intended to put on the airs of the principal wife and use her authority to control the Third Miss, that would not be permitted.
The managers in the hall could not help recalling the previous day. After Madam Ye had been confined, they had been summoned to the principal courtyard and intimidated by her. She had told them that even if the Third Miss were summoned by Madam, they were not to go. In that case, what were they to do now?
Mama Gui glanced at the inner-court managers. Seeing that Mama Jiang’s warning had made a sufficient impression, she watched Dantai Jing give a slight nod and hurriedly said, “The Third Miss is both kind and filial. Whether Madam has sent for her, or the Third Miss simply wishes to visit Madam, there is no harm in making the journey.”
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Mama Jiang replied sternly, “That is not how the matter should be put. In the inner court, the greatest taboo is failing to observe the rules.”
The inner-court managers all looked troubled. This matron from the Dong household was truly formidable. Even the Third Miss was subject to such restrictions—what would become of them in the days ahead?
Just as the managers were exchanging troubled glances, Mama Jiang continued, “However, our household has only just begun establishing its rules. There are regulations you do not yet understand, and mistakes are inevitable. Very well, I will give each of you one opportunity to err. I will not pursue your first mistake. But if anyone repeats the same offense, then punishment will follow even if it is technically the first time that particular person has made the error.”
“When I was young, I served in the palace. I cannot abide those who cheat, shirk, or play tricks. If each of you performs your own duties properly, I will never make things difficult for you. But if anyone thinks she can take advantage of the Third Miss because of her youth, do not blame me for being ruthless. And those who rely on having money—do not imagine that you can simply leave this household and live in comfort. Anyone who commits an offense in the Dantai residence has the Dong family’s guarantee behind the punishment. Men will be exiled to bitterly cold lands. As for women…” Mama Jiang gave a cold snort. “You will each have your own destination.”
That cold snort frightened many of them. What sort of destination could she mean? If a woman was young and attractive, perhaps it might barely be called a place to go. But for servants like themselves, the consequences were all too easy to imagine.
While everyone sat in terrified silence, and the hall grew so quiet that they could hear the ice melting inside the great water jar, Mama Gui smiled and spoke up.
“Do not be frightened. The Third Miss discussed matters with several of us yesterday. As long as you perform your duties well, your monthly allowances will be increased—by no less than five hundred copper coins.”
The moment Mama Gui finished speaking, the managers’ faces blossomed into delighted smiles.
Taohong stared at them in astonishment as the people around the Third Miss soothed them with alternating blows and sweet rewards, leaving them genuinely pleased. Meanwhile, the Third Miss proceeded leisurely toward Refreshing Hall.
Remembering that Madam Yang was still kneeling there, Taohong gritted her teeth and followed after her.
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