Chapter 14: Confusion
The Young Master once again did not enter her chamber that night, leaving Shen Shi feeling deeply troubled. Not only did she skip dinner, she didn’t even touch a sip of soup.
Soon after the lamps were lit, she complained of a headache, took off her outer garments, and lay listlessly in the Warm Pavilion, tears falling like broken strings of pearls.
Zhi Qing, fearing she would harm her health yet unable to offer deeper consolation, called for Granny Zhao.
Granny Zhao had been Shen Shi’s wet nurse since infancy and now oversaw all affairs in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard. She understood Shen Shi’s temperament better than anyone.
Among the civil and military officials at court, the military faction was once led by the Duke of Ningguo, while the civil officials were headed by the Shen family.
Shen Shi’s father was the Chief Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, and her brothers held key positions in the Six Ministries—truly a family second only to the emperor.
As the legitimate eldest daughter of a prestigious family, Shen Shi had been raised in the lap of luxury since childhood, a delicate and pampered young lady of noble birth.
In her mind, face and dignity were of utmost importance. It was always others who should coax and appease her; she would never lower herself to accommodate anyone else.
This proud and delicate demeanor was indulged by everyone in her maternal family, and even her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law treated her with great kindness. Yet, it seemed to clash with her husband’s preferences.
Granny Zhao had long wanted to offer some advice.
She brought over a bowl of bird’s nest soup, sat on the footstool, and spoke softly, “Today’s matter truly cannot be blamed on the Young Master for being upset. It was indeed the young lady who acted unilaterally.”
Shen Shi was wiping her tears, her eyes blurred as she retorted anxiously, “What did I do wrong? Since the Young Master returned to the estate, he only briefly showed his face in my chamber before spending the night in his study. Did I complain even once? Today, I followed Madam Ning’s suggestion to add some maids to the study for his convenience. Wasn’t that for his own good?”
Hearing this, Granny Zhao could only nod.
Whether it was truly for his good or out of jealousy, even the servants in the courtyard could see it clearly. How could the Young Master not notice? Was he a fool?
Granny Zhao inwardly sighed but dared not speak plainly. Instead, she offered gentle advice with a smile: “If the young lady truly cares for the Young Master, there’s no need to go against his wishes. You worry that others might not serve him well and wish to assign your own maids—that is your kindness. But the Young Master is a man accustomed to his own ways, and it’s natural for him to dislike being attended by strangers. That Granny He is a gossip—how could the Young Master be pleased with you placing her in charge of the study?”
Granny Zhao’s words were tactful, and Shen Shi understood some of it. Yet she had her own calculations.
Since childhood, Shen Shi’s mother had taught her that in wealthy and noble families, it was common for men to take concubines or chamber maids. A legitimate wife must not show jealousy, lest she degrade her status as the principal wife.
However, this did not mean allowing her husband to indulge in lust unchecked. If her husband gained a reputation for being licentious or ruined his health through excessive indulgence with women, it would also be the fault of the legitimate wife. Thus, precautions had to be taken in advance.
Therefore, a wife must keep chamber maids and concubines firmly under her control. She must secure her husband’s heart and body while preventing any concubine from gaining favor and acting arrogantly. More importantly, she must control any children born to concubines, ensuring that no illegitimate children survive if there are no legitimate heirs.
Shen Shi had married at sixteen and was now only nineteen. Having been taught by her mother since childhood, these principles were deeply ingrained in her heart.
She had long decided that any chamber maids or concubines by her husband’s side must be selected from her own dowry maids. She would not allow her husband to become involved with other women.
The dowry maids were either born into the Shen family or had signed lifelong indentures. Their deeds were firmly in Shen Shi’s hands, making it impossible for them to stir up any trouble—their lives and deaths were entirely at her mercy.
Thinking of this, Shen Shi took out a pink silk handkerchief, wiped away her tears, and let out a soft sigh.
“I understand what you’re saying, Granny. Since ancient times, noble sons and young masters have all been like this—no matter what fine woman they marry, they lose interest after just a few days. My husband is a young man; if he wants to take concubines or keep women in his chambers, I can’t stop him. But I always thought that the women brought into the household should at least be carefully chosen. We can’t just let him run wild outside and cause some scandal, making Old Madam and Madam Ning blame me.”
But that wasn’t what Granny Zhao wanted to discuss. She had intended to persuade the young couple to reconcile, not to talk about taking concubines or keeping women.
Seeing that Shen Shi had misunderstood, she quickly shook her head and smiled, “What is the young lady thinking? You’ve been married for three years, and only today have you been reunited with your husband. How could we already be talking about taking concubines or keeping women? This old servant must speak plainly: harmony between husband and wife often requires a bit of pretending—one must sometimes play the fool, for without a little deafness and blindness, one cannot manage a household. The Young Master is a young general, and the young lady is as lovely as a flower—a perfect pair like the Golden Boy and Jade Maiden, the envy of all. If only the young lady would soften her stance a little and gently win him over with tenderness, how could the Son-in-law not cherish you? Let this old servant say something in jest: he has been stationed in a harsh, cold land for three years—I’m afraid he must be longing for the young lady day and night!”
Upon hearing this, Shen Shi’s face flushed crimson. She frowned and scolded, “You crazy old woman, how dare you speak such vulgar words to me? I wasn’t raised by some seductress—I can’t bring myself to flatter and fawn over my husband!”
Her words were harsh, and Granny Zhao fell silent.
Shen Shi frowned, propping her forehead with her hand, and pondered carefully for a long time.
Although she knew Granny Zhao had a point, she simply couldn’t bring herself to lower herself and cater to her husband.
In Father Shen’s household, there were five or six concubines. Some of them weren’t particularly beautiful or charming but relied entirely on gentle flattery to win favor. Her mother despised such women, often saying that Father Shen, who was dignified and steady, had been led astray by such temptresses.
Shen Shi looked down on lowly women who behaved this way.
She herself was a noble young lady from a respectable family—how could she ever resort to such coquettish behavior toward a man?
“My husband only rests in the Tranquil Study—I suspect he’s been seduced by Jade Ink. For the three years the Young Lord was away, I thought she had behaved herself, but who knew she would reveal her base nature? I sent Granny He to the study to select maids, but that’s a minor matter. The most important thing is to dismiss Jade Ink.”
Hearing that she still refused to let go of the matter with Jade Ink, Granny Zhao hurriedly said, “This matter must not be rushed. Three years ago, when you wanted to dismiss her, Old Madam intervened. Now, the Young Master has only just returned home for a few days, and nothing else has been settled. If you bring up dismissing Jade Ink first, won’t Old Madam and Madam Ning have questions? What if Jade Ink publicly claims that the Young Master has taken her? Wouldn’t that cause an awkward scene? Why not set this matter aside for now, young lady? Wait until you catch her in a mistake, then dismiss her at the right moment.”
But whenever Shen Shi thought of Jade Ink and her husband carrying on together night after night, she felt deeply uncomfortable. No matter what anyone said, she refused to let it go.
“I want to see if she has the nerve to say it! If she dares to claim in front of everyone that my husband has taken her—without the formalities of unveiling or serving tea—I’ll shame her to death!”
Shen Shi, carried away by anger, blurted this out, but moments later, she felt her words were too vulgar and said no more.
Yet she had made up her mind and refused to listen to any further advice from Granny Zhao.
Granny Zhao had argued until her mouth was dry, but her young mistress hadn’t taken in a single word. She felt both anxious and resentful.
But the old woman had no idea that Shen Shi had more to say.
“My husband prefers clever and attentive maids, so I must give him one—let it be Angelica Orchid. She is a first-rank maid, outstanding in looks and figure, born into our Shen family’s household, and loyal to me as well. Nanny, allocate the chamber maid’s allowance for Angelica Orchid from my private account, without touching the public funds, and there is no need to report to Old Madam or Madam Ning. Once Jade Ink is dismissed, I will give Angelica Orchid to my husband, to help settle his heart!”