Chapter 60: The Dragon Boat Festival
Crane Longevity Hall was the courtyard of Old Madam Ning in Ningguo Mansion, the most prestigious place in the entire estate.
Three years ago, after the old madam lost her son and her grandson went off to guard the border, she had shut her doors to recite Buddhist scriptures and refused to see any outsiders.
It was only after Ning Yuanjun returned to the capital to inherit the title that Old Madam Ning’s health began to improve.
On this Dragon Boat Festival, Old Madam Ning wore a casual robe embroidered with the Five Blessings and Longevity, sitting on the soft couch in the main hall.
Only when her daughters-in-law and granddaughters had all gathered below did the old madam show a faint smile.
At this moment, only the womenfolk were present, as Ning Yuanjun and his two uncles were still at the palace paying their festival respects.
When Old Madam Ning mentioned her grandson, who had become a first-rank duke at such a young age, she couldn’t help but beam with joy.
Seeing the old lady in high spirits, Madam Ning seized the opportunity to speak of her son’s valued position in the court.
“Mother may not yet know, but after the Dragon Boat Festival, the court will surely grant Yuanjun a substantive post!”
As she spoke, her face was radiant with delight. Ning Yuanjun had told his mother yesterday that Eunuch Lu of the Directorate of Ceremonial intended to recommend him as Minister of War, and this matter was practically assured.
The second and third madams both smiled and flattered, “Our nephew Yuanjun’s official position will be no less than first or second rank—far more accomplished than his useless uncles!”
The second and third branches of the Ning family were born of concubines, not Old Madam Ning’s own children.
Both sons from these branches were filial, but their talents and abilities were mediocre, only managing to secure fourth or fifth-rank positions.
Though their official posts were minor, relying on the authority of Ningguo Mansion, they still thrived in the court.
The old madam was naturally overjoyed, her wrinkles smoothing with laughter.
“Yuanjun’s success is due, firstly, to the ancestors’ protection, and secondly, to his mother’s guidance. In noble families like ours, the younger generation must all serve as officials, but they must possess genuine talent and learning to live up to the emperor’s grace.”
Madam Ning, not wanting to boast, could only smile modestly.
Understanding her sentiments, the second and third madams took advantage of Old Madam Ning’s delight to lavish praise.
“Mother speaks truly! Our nephew excels in both literary and martial arts—who in the capital doesn’t praise him as a young man of dual talents? Moreover, his character, appearance, and noble birth are truly beyond reproach. Mother can rest completely at ease. Just enjoy your blessings and look forward to holding your great-grandson!”
Just as the room was discussing the prospect of a great-grandson, Shen Shi happened to arrive at the doorway.
The windows and doors were wide open, and the voices inside could be heard clearly from outside.
From a distance, Pear Moon saw Shen Shi’s shoulders trembling and knew the words had struck a chord.
Before Shen Shi could compose herself, the maids of Crane Longevity Hall had already lifted the curtain and announced, “Reporting to Old Madam and Madams, the eldest young mistress has arrived!”
Shen Shi quickly supported herself on Zhi Qing and entered, curtsying deeply to Old Madam Ning in the main hall.
Having not come to pay her respects for a long time, the maids hurriedly laid out a kneeling cushion in the main hall.
Shen Shi, adorned like a blooming flower, knelt down as straight as a candle, performing the full ceremonial bow of four prostrations and eight kowtows.
As soon as she entered, Madam Ning’s expression turned sour, and the second and third madams fell silent.
Miss Ning also grew restless, excusing herself to view the flowers in the rear garden and taking her younger sisters with her.
The matter of Shen Shi being reprimanded by Madam Ning was kept secret from Old Madam Ning throughout the estate.
The old lady only knew that Shen Shi had been seriously ill and had not left her rooms for two months, not even attending her husband’s title inheritance banquet.
The old lady quickly instructed the maids to help Shen Shi rise and pulled her to sit beside her, her face full of affectionate concern.
“Hurry and help your eldest young mistress up! My child, are you feeling better? You mustn’t force yourself to rise just to show filial piety to me. If you’re still unwell, you must rest and recuperate more!”
Seeing Old Madam Ning’s concern for her, Shen Shi couldn’t help but feel her eyes redden, grateful that there was still someone sensible in Ningguo Mansion.
“Grandmother, this granddaughter-in-law’s illness is probably…”
She very much wanted to vent her frustration in front of her mother-in-law by saying, “I’m afraid my illness won’t get better.”
Then, when Old Madam Ning pressed for the reason, she could lodge a proper complaint against her mother-in-law and husband.
Fortunately, Granny Zhao coughed beside her as a reminder, bringing Shen Shi back to her senses.
On such a festive occasion as the Dragon Boat Festival, with the whole family gathered together, what sense would it make for a daughter-in-law to complain about her mother-in-law in front of her grandmother?
Thinking of this, Shen Shi could only swallow her grievances, silently lowering her head with tears in her eyes.
“This granddaughter-in-law’s illness has improved greatly. I’ve long wanted to come and pay my respects to Grandmother.”
Seeing her haggard appearance and tearful eyes, Old Madam Ning was also moved with compassion.
Having lost a son in her old age, she naturally doted on her grandchildren. Seeing her granddaughter-in-law so frail, how could she not worry?
The old lady turned to Madam Ning and sighed, “You should properly send someone to examine your daughter-in-law’s condition, have her take a few proper doses of medicine, so she can recover fully. Yuan Jun is just over twenty, and she is only nineteen. Being so weak at such a young age, what will become of them in the future?”
Madam Ning sat nearby, lightly dabbing the tip of her nose with a silk handkerchief, glancing at the wives of the second and third branches.
“Exactly so. My daughter-in-law’s health truly worries me. The Manor Physicians in our mansion always prescribe mild tonics, and who knows whether they’re effective or not. Although I manage the household affairs, I rarely go out and don’t know what renowned doctors are available outside. Second sister-in-law, Third sister-in-law, please have your husbands inquire outside. If any famous physicians or masters come to the capital, invite several to examine her. We don’t mind spending money.”
Her tone was very sincere, but the wives of the second and third branches could still detect the underlying meaning.
Knowing that Shen Shi was feigning illness to cause trouble, they didn’t want to get involved and could only smile apologetically: “Our niece-in-law’s illness is likely due to being frail since childhood. Eldest sister-in-law should ask your in-laws to see if they know any renowned doctors. After all, Grand Secretary Shen is the current Chief Grand Secretary.”
Madam Ning nodded with a smile, “You’re quite right, that’s exactly what I meant. Since today is the Dragon Boat Festival, it’s not convenient. Tomorrow, I’ll invite my in-laws over for a casual visit. Please rest assured, Mother.”
Shen Shi sat beside Old Madam Ning, listening to her mother-in-law and two aunts echoing each other, her face growing even paler.
Seeing her poor complexion, Old Madam Ning took her hand and said helplessly, “Poor child, you must feel uncomfortable in front of us elders. Don’t go back to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard to lie down—sleeping too much isn’t good for you. The young ladies are playing in the garden. Go find your sisters and chat with them for a while to cheer up. When Yuan Jun and the others return to the mansion later, we can enjoy a reunion meal.”
With that, she instructed Linglong, a first-rank maid of Crane Longevity Hall: “Escort your eldest young mistress to play with the young ladies for a while.”
Linglong helped Shen Shi rise. After Shen Shi kowtowed to Old Madam Ning, Linglong supported her as they headed toward the back garden.
The wives of the second and third branches also tactfully rose, smiling at Madam Ning: “Eldest sister-in-law, please sit with Mother for a while. We’ll go see if our husbands and nephews have returned, so we can start the banquet and wine earlier.”
The two left with their maids, heading outside the ceremonial gate to wait.
Only Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning remained sitting leisurely in the main hall.
A maid from Crane Longevity Hall came over to address Pear Moon and the others: “You may go play now. Return to serve when it’s time for lunch.”
There was still quite some time before lunch, and Pear Moon wanted to return to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard to rest.
Suddenly, a hand tapped her shoulder. Turning around, she saw it was Jade Ink and was instantly overjoyed, running over to take her hand.
“Sister Jade Ink, why haven’t I seen you for so many days?”
Ever since Ning Yuanjun inherited the title, Jade Ink had not had a moment of leisure.
After Ning Yuanjun returned to the capital with his troops, he brought back over ten families of widows and orphans, all settled on estates outside the city.
These elderly, weak, women, and children—all widows and orphans—were the families of the Duke of Ningguo’s trusted aides, whose men had died on the battlefield.
These past few days, Granny Zhou had taken Jade Ink, along with gifts and supplies, to help settle these people.
The old and the young left early and returned late, so busy they barely touched the ground. Naturally, Pear Moon hadn’t seen her.
The two were laughing and about to find a shady spot to sit when they heard Madam Ning sigh deeply in the main hall.
“Mother, my daughter-in-law’s health remains a worry of mine. The Ning family has so few descendants!”
After a long silence, Old Madam Ning replied in a low tone, “We are a hereditary noble family, and the Shen in-laws are a scholarly household. Don’t jump to conclusions at every rumor.”
Her words seemed to carry hidden meaning, and Pear Moon couldn’t help but lower her head, listening intently.
After another long pause in the room, Madam Ning said softly, “Mother, you may not know, but it has been two months since Yuanjun returned to the estate, and the two of them have yet to consummate their marriage. If this continues, how can I not worry?”