Chapter 100: Third Miss Ning
“Granny Zhao, please don’t jest!”
Second Miss Ning’s face flushed crimson, her delicate peach-blossom complexion lowered in embarrassment.
“Look at this granny, she’s gone mad! Second Sister is a delicate young lady of the inner chambers—how dare you tease her?”
Shen Shi felt disgusted inwardly but pretended to chide lightly, then shifted to complaining about others.
“Granny, why didn’t you bring this up earlier? Mentioning it now only adds to my anxiety. Regarding the Fifth Prince’s marriage, I originally thought Second Sister would be the perfect match. I had intended to speak to Mother earlier, but I didn’t expect Second Uncle and Second Aunt to beat me to it. Speaking of this, I’m even more upset with the Duke. I mentioned it to him a couple of times before, but he never took it to heart. He shows no concern at all for his own younger sister. In the future, people will blame me, saying that as a sister-in-law, I didn’t take care of things and ended up delaying my sister’s prospects.”
Both master and servant spoke in veiled terms, never landing on solid ground, only luring others into the trap.
Second Miss Ning, after all, was a sheltered young lady—how could she possibly understand the twists and turns hidden within these words?
Deeply moved, Second Miss Ning spoke many heartfelt words.
Shen Shi and Granny Zhao listened, sighing softly a few times, their words subtly sowing discord, urging her to act on the marriage matter the next day.
Caught up in the situation, Second Miss Ning, unaware it was a scheme, bowed respectfully to Shen Shi several times and thanked her repeatedly before leaving.
When Madam Ning and Miss Ning returned to the mansion in the evening, Second Miss Ning hurried to Brocade Prosperity Hall to pay her respects.
She mentioned wanting to bring her elder sister along to visit Third Sister in the second branch.
“Mother, tomorrow, palace officials will come to assess Third Sister. I’m afraid Third Sister might feel uneasy. I’d like to go with Elder Sister to the second branch courtyard to keep Third Sister company and chat for a while. What do you think, Mother?”
Madam Ning was not unaware that her stepdaughter had been preoccupied these past few days.
However, managing all affairs of the household and arranging her eldest daughter’s marriage had left her little time to attend to the stepdaughter’s minor concerns.
Today, after attending a banquet for a birthday celebration, her eldest daughter’s marriage was essentially settled, leaving the stepdaughter’s marriage as the next matter.
Letting her visit the second branch now to learn more about the rules of such assessments would be beneficial.
Thus, Madam Ning agreed, instructing Miss Ning to take her younger sister along.
During these days, Third Miss Ning had been exceedingly busy.
Old Madam Ning had assigned an instructing granny to personally teach her palace etiquette.
This was to ensure she wouldn’t make mistakes or become a laughingstock when the Ceremonial Court Lady assessed her in person.
Second Master Ning summoned his daughter morning and evening, having her recite poetry or testing her knowledge.
Second Madam also visited every few days to guide her on the proper ways of speaking and conducting herself.
Third Miss Ning’s birth mother, Concubine Qian, focused entirely on preparing new clothes and jewelry, determined to dress her daughter in the most exquisite manner.
Third Miss Ning, only twelve years old, was exhausted daily, her small face turning sallow, her temper frayed, and she often felt like crying.
When her two cousins entered the room, they saw clothes and jewelry spread all over the kang, bed, and tables.
Concubine Qian was comparing set after set on her daughter, selecting outfits and then hairstyles and accessories.
Seeing that the clothing and jewelry did not overstep any taboos, Second Madam left it alone, allowing Concubine Qian to fuss as she pleased.
The cousins exchanged greetings, acknowledged Concubine Qian, and then sat down together.
Second Miss Ning noticed at a glance the pure gold, kingfisher-feather, and gemstone jewelry on the kang table—all rare and valuable pieces.
Concubine Qian, eager to flaunt their wealth, brought over the jewelry box, showing them each piece one by one.
She pointed out which items were newly commissioned by Second Master Ning and which were gifts from Old Madam.
Miss Ning praised a few pieces in response, but Second Miss Ning grew increasingly uncomfortable.
Third Miss Ning, annoyed by her birth mother’s chatter, sent her to call someone to serve tea.
“Auntie, you’ve had the maids serve tea, now go rest in the outer room. You must be tired too.”
Second Miss Ning hurriedly pulled Concubine Qian, urging her to sit on the edge of the kang as well.
“Auntie has truly worked hard. We sisters are no strangers, you should sit and rest too. This hardship of yours is also a blessing. Once Third Sister’s marriage is settled, you’ll only have happiness to enjoy. Grandmother often says that among us four sisters, only Third Sister stands out. Now it seems those words have come true. Auntie, you have such good fortune.”
Since marrying Second Master Ning, Concubine Qian had been more favored than Second Madam, though she resented her lowly status.
Ever since her daughter secured this marriage prospect, it was as if gold had been pasted on her face, and those beneath her flattered her even more.
But she had never imagined in her lifetime that even the young misses would rush to flatter her, saying she was blessed.
She took her daughter’s hand, joy spreading across her face as she said happily: “Third Child getting this marriage prospect is all thanks to Old Madam and Madam Ning’s favor, and Second Master and Second Madam’s efforts. I’m just the birth mother, no matter how hard it is, it’s only right.”
Second Miss Ning quickly smiled and said: “Auntie, don’t say that. Third Sister is so proper and filial, your good days are still ahead! Tomorrow is Third Sister’s big day, won’t you go to Crane Longevity Hall to see?”
Tomorrow the palace would send someone for the matchmaking meeting, with Old Madam Ning receiving them at Crane Longevity Hall.
By convention, Second Madam should escort Third Miss Ning to converse with the palace matrons—there was no reason for a concubine to appear.
Thinking that she, the birth mother, couldn’t be present at her daughter’s important betrothal event, Concubine Qian’s eyes immediately reddened, her earlier joy turning to grievance: “Tomorrow is the formal occasion, of course Second Madam will represent us. What standing do I have?”
Seeing her birth mother upset, Third Miss Ning quickly leaned into her embrace, looking up to comfort her: “Auntie, don’t be sad. Tomorrow I’ll go to Crane Longevity Hall with you!”
Touched by her daughter’s filial piety, Concubine Qian felt her heart warm, holding her tightly as two tears secretly fell.
Since entering the room, Miss Ning hadn’t been able to get a word in. She quickly tugged Second Sister’s sleeve in secret, signaling her to say less.
Only then did she smile warmly and say: “Tomorrow is just the initial matchmaking meeting, Auntie needn’t rush to go. Third Sister and Fifth Prince are both still young—there are several years until the wedding. Is that worth crying over?”
Seeing Concubine Qian’s sad tears, Third Miss Ning grew increasingly uncomfortable, bluntly stating: “Auntie, don’t cry. I’ll go beg Father—tomorrow I’ll definitely have you take me!”
How could Concubine Qian bear to hear this? Holding her daughter, she called her “my precious darling,” tears falling like broken pearls.
Miss Ning knew this wasn’t proper, fearing further talk might reach Second Madam’s ears. Smiling, she stood up to intervene.
“Matchmaking has its own rituals and rules. Third Sister must follow the instructing matron’s guidance—you absolutely must not be willful.”
Hearing the words “rituals and rules,” Third Miss Ning’s childish face flushed with frustration. She buried herself in her auntie’s embrace and cried too.
It was already time to light the lamps. The Ning sisters couldn’t stay long and had to take their leave.
The more Miss Ning thought about it, the more improper it seemed. She sought out the instructing matron to advise her.
“Third Sister is young. If she acts willful, you mustn’t indulge her. Meeting the palace matrons is no trivial matter.”
Before she could finish, Second Miss Ning pulled her outside, each returning to their rooms to rest.
“Third Sister has Second Uncle and Second Aunt to guide her. Why would she listen to us? Eldest Sister, you must be tired today—go back to your room and rest early.”
With Second Miss Ning’s few provocative words, Concubine Qian and Third Miss Ning barely slept the entire night.