Chapter 34: Poised and Graceful, Measured in Every Step

"Why so delicate, needing several maids?" Madam Ding's face darkened instantly. "Can't Yunjiao do everything herself? She is only the daughter of a concubine, not a legitimate firstborn young lady—where do all these demands come from!"

She had originally assumed that this sister-in-law was easy to manipulate. When she helped Madam Zhou sit down, she had signaled for her to bring the matter up with Qian Fangru, believing that as long as they could trick her into agreeing, they could arrange a meal that evening to finalize the arrangement and spread the news everywhere, effectively sealing the marriage.

Once that was done, if the Ba family wanted to renege, they would risk ruining their daughter’s reputation. Even if Ba Yanhuan did not care for this concubine-born daughter, he would have to consider the reputations of the other girls in the household.

Who would have guessed that this sister-in-law, who usually couldn't even manage a coherent sentence, had taken the wrong medicine today? Her words were so piercing, blatantly implying that her maiden family was too poor to afford servants.

If anyone else had said it, it might have been one thing, but Qian Fangru’s own family was no better off than hers—they were all cut from the same cloth. She had no right to make such remarks!

"Yunjiao may be a concubine-born daughter, but her father is a high-ranking official nonetheless. Regardless of everything, she has been pampered and waited on hand and foot since she was a child..." Qian Fangru’s voice grew softer as she spoke. Facing this unreasonable second sister-in-law, she lacked the confidence to argue.

However, hearing her mock her younger sister—the girl's mother—for being a concubine made her uncomfortable. She remembered how her younger sister had helped her in many ways over the years. No matter what happened today, she could not allow her niece to be harmed by this confusion.

"This..." Madam Zhou’s expression shifted, returning to her previous smiling demeanor. "These are all trifles, easily resolved. Once they are married, Yunjiao can have as many maids as she likes. I would even tighten my own belt and go without food to ensure she has them."

Such trivial matters could be promised easily. Once the girl was married into their home, would she really be able to turn the world upside down? If she let the great-grandmother starve while she ordered servants around, wouldn't she be drowned by the public's spit?

Madam Ding realized this as well and chimed in, "Exactly. My maiden family is not what it used to be, and times are good now. Yunjiao can have as many maids as she wants once she marries in."

The two women went back and forth, as if they had already decided the matter.

Qian Fangru had not expected them to agree so quickly; with a few words, they had maneuvered her into a corner. She was stunned, unable to respond, and could only gaze helplessly at Yunjiao.

***

Madam Ding, Madam Zhou, and the others watched Yunjiao with smiles, waiting to see what trouble the little girl could stir up. They had lived for more than half a century and had eaten more salt than she had drunk water; if they couldn't handle this girl, then that salt would have been eaten in vain.

Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, Yunjiao stepped forward neatly, bowed to Madam Ding and the others, and then turned to bow to Qian Fangru.

Only then did she look at Madam Ding and the others, speaking slowly: "You are all my elders. Ordinarily, one should not disobey the commands of one's elders. However, marriage is a lifelong commitment, and as I am young, I dare not decide such matters on my own. Furthermore, if the Ding family truly has intentions toward me, they should follow custom by sending a matchmaker to act as a guarantor, selecting an auspicious day to visit the Ba family residence and presenting the proposal to my father and mother in a dignified manner. Instead, you have come to my uncle’s house to discuss this with me, effectively tarnishing my reputation. Although I am born of a concubine, my father has never ignored me since I was a child. If the Second Aunt insists on discussing this marriage today, please send someone to the imperial capital to invite my father, and we shall discuss it properly then."

Her words were firm and logical. There was not a trace of a maiden’s bashfulness or hesitation on her face; instead, she appeared poised and dignified, knowing exactly how to advance and retreat.

Madam Ding and Madam Zhou looked at each other, their faces burning red. For a moment, they were rendered speechless.

In the Great Yuan Dynasty, if one wished to propose marriage, one truly had to, as Yunjiao said, send a matchmaker with gifts to negotiate. Only if the woman's parents agreed could the betrothal be discussed. It was never the case for the man's family to approach the girl directly.

Madam Zhou had gambled on the fact that even for a concubine-born daughter, Ba Yanhuan would surely look down on a family of their modest standing. She had hoped to take advantage of the proximity to trick the little girl into nodding, effectively seizing the opportunity. She never expected such a young girl to be so well-versed in custom; she had left them feeling utterly ashamed.

"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave," Yunjiao said. She bowed once more and walked out with Jianjia, lifting the curtain.

"Pah! Shameless!" Madam Ding, having recovered, flew into a rage and shouted toward the door: "A girl, talking about matchmakers and marriage all day without a hint of a blush! Such a brazen creature—whoever marries her will be cursed with blindness!"

Seeing her shouting, Qian Fangru hurriedly shrank toward the bedside, terrified that the woman might notice her.

***

But things went against her wishes. Madam Ding immediately caught sight of her cowering figure and vented her anger on her: "What are you doing sitting there? Are you waiting for me to serve you? If you won't take care of this old wretch, then get back to your own hole and stop showing your face in front of me!"

"Second Sister-in-law, please don't be angry..." Qian Fangru’s face was pale, but she stammered, "Yunjiao was right... If the eldest sister-in-law really likes her, she should find a matchmaker to propose to my brother-in-law..."

"Propose my foot! What do you know about anything? You’re so stupid it’s a wonder you haven't died. No wonder you get beaten at your husband's house; if it were me, I’d beat you every day until you were dead..."

Madam Ding was even more furious. If a proposal could succeed, why would she have gone to such lengths!

As Qian Fangru was being humiliated, Madam Qian suddenly struggled with difficulty on the bed: "I need to... to relieve myself..."

The group turned their heads simultaneously, and a series of indescribable sounds filled the room.

The room fell into absolute silence.

Madam Ding hurriedly covered her nose and, taking her sister-in-law and the others, lifted the curtain and ran out. Standing at the door, she jumped and cursed: "You old wretch, if you're going to die, hurry up and do it! All you know how to do is cause trouble. You couldn't go earlier or later, you had to wait for me to be here—I see you just want to spite me! You can't stand the sight of me!"

Qian Fangru was flustered and wanted to call for someone to help, but hearing the commotion outside, she dared not speak.

Then the curtain was lifted, and Madam Ding stood in the doorway, covering her mouth and nose with an expression of disgust: "Qian Fangru, your mother has been ill for days, yet I haven't seen a single one of you sisters come to help. You sent this yellow-haired girl to handle things. Let me tell you, being a daughter isn't that easy. Don't think for a second that just because you are the eldest daughter of the Qian family, you can slack off. You will wash this bed clean yourself! Otherwise, don't blame me for being a heartless sister-in-law!"

What could Qian Fangru do? She had to swallow her grievances and carry water to wash the linens in the courtyard. Fortunately, she was a farm woman used to hard labor at home, so these tasks were not difficult for her.

Madam Ding snorted coldly and swept away with Madam Zhou and the others, not forgetting to take Nanny Li with her as they left.