Chapter 68: Graceful Bearing
Her son’s aversion to the Shen family’s daughter was something Madam Ning understood quite well.
Yet marriage was no trivial matter. The Ning family had not fallen out with the Shen family, and they could not simply disregard this kinship.
Grand Secretary Shen had been highly favored in recent years, and the Shen family was at the peak of its influence, with disciples spread across the land.
Ning Yuanjun was, after all, still young. To establish a firm footing in the court, he would need the support of his father-in-law.
Even if he couldn’t rely on that support, it was essential that the Shen family not hinder him.
“Although I am but a woman, I am aware of some matters beyond the household. The Shen family’s daughter is praised for her virtue, but that is merely flattery directed at Grand Secretary Shen. Our Ningguo Mansion has been a family of distinguished nobility for generations. While we do not fear the Shen family, we should not offend them either. Your mother-in-law sending a concubine-born daughter as a secondary wife is her goodwill—how can we refuse?”
Ning Yuanjun had something on his mind but was unsure whether to tell his mother.
Glancing around and seeing no one nearby, he moved closer and sat beside her.
“Eunuch Lu from the Directorate of Ceremonial has repeatedly offered to arrange a remarriage for me, but I have yet to agree. If I take a concubine-born sister of Shen Shi at this time, I will surely offend Eunuch Lu. This matter cannot be agreed to. Please, Mother, trust me on this.”
Madam Ning suddenly understood and couldn’t help but frown slightly.
“You should have told me about this earlier. Your grandmother is also aware of Fourth Miss Shen’s matter, and she even intends to summon her for formal greetings. This is truly my fault for thinking too simply.”
Ning Yuanjun knelt on one knee and smiled. “This is Grandmother and Mother caring for me. How could I dare blame Mother? Whether born of the principal wife or a concubine, the Shen family’s daughters are somewhat pedantic and narrow-minded. Bringing one into the mansion would only add to Mother’s troubles. Let us decline this offer.”
These words from her son truly resonated with Madam Ning.
If not for the need to maintain harmony with the Shen family, she would have no desire to involve herself with their daughters at all.
Just as she was about to ask further about the marriage arrangement Eunuch Lu had proposed and which family’s daughter he had in mind, she suddenly heard Hong Rong, the maid, calling loudly from the main hall outside:
“Miss Ning and Miss Tan are here! The polo match is about to begin—why haven’t the two young ladies changed their clothes yet? Madam asked me to urge them to change.”
Hearing someone approach, Ning Yuanjun hurriedly rose to leave, only to hear Miss Ning laugh and say:
“Sister Hong Rong, you’ve forgotten. This morning, to save trouble, you placed our riding outfits in the dressing room. Why are you asking me about it now?”
Miss Tan had become quite familiar with the household these days, coming and going freely in Madam Ning’s rooms without needing to avoid suspicion.
“Please, Sister Hong Rong, call a maid over. My sister and I need to redo our hair and change our clothes so we can go fetch our horses. Our own maids seem to have vanished—not a single one is to be found.”
The Green Gauze Cabinet in the Second Hall was open, with only a sixteen-panel landscape screen placed inside.
Hong Rong couldn’t stop them, and the two sisters barged straight in.
This left Ning Yuanjun trapped behind the screen, unable to leave or stay, and before he knew it, he collided head-on with Miss Tan.
Miss Ning was startled and quickly raised her round fan to shield Miss Tan’s face.
“Brother, you’re such a high-ranking official—how can you be so improper, hiding here to startle people for fun?”
Miss Tan caught a glimpse of a young man in a python robe and hurriedly hid behind Miss Ning.
Hearing the commotion outside, Madam Ning gracefully stepped out and smiled. “I called him here to speak and forgot about you two. He didn’t mean to startle you.”
Seeing Ning Yuanjun about to leave, she beckoned him back, laughing and scolding, “Sister Tan is no outsider. Why are you running off? The young ladies aren’t afraid of being seen—are you afraid someone will stare a piece of flesh off you?”
Ning Yuanjun had no choice but to turn back, bow respectfully, and apologize for his rudeness.
Miss Tan dared not accept his courtesy and hastily bowed in return.
Ning Yuanjun had seen her several times before but never clearly; now that she was within arm’s reach, he stared at her for a few moments.
Miss Tan sensed the sharpness in his gaze and quickly rose, taking two steps back.
Seeing an opportunity, Miss Ning took her brother’s arm and said with a laugh, “Why don’t you bow to her again? Tomorrow is her birthday, and since you haven’t sent any birthday gifts, a few extra bows would be a nice gesture.”
Ning Yuanjun then smiled and said, “So tomorrow is Miss Tan’s birthday. Gifts are no trouble at all—I’ll have someone send one over.”
Miss Tan, feeling embarrassed, pulled Miss Ning close and whispered, “It’s just a small birthday—what need is there for gifts? Sister, say no more. Your brother has matters to attend to outside, so hurry and let him go.”
Ignoring her, Miss Ning blocked her brother’s path and insisted on asking what gift he would give.
Ning Yuanjun dodged left and right but couldn’t escape, finally relenting helplessly, “In front of Mother, you’re still dragging others into this. I know you want that black horse of mine, but that horse is tall and powerful—you can’t handle it. If you fall, it’s no joke.”
Though his words were directed at his sister, his eyes kept drifting to the side.
Tan Leyao was well aware he was looking but pretended not to notice, turning her head away to focus only on Miss Ning.
Unaware of the silent exchange between them, Miss Ning was wholly focused on bargaining with her brother for the horse.
“Don’t twist my words—I want that horse as a birthday gift for her. She gave me a white horse the other day, and I haven’t had a chance to return the favor. You’re my brother—if I don’t ask you, who else should I ask?”
Ning Yuanjun still refused to give in, and Madam Ning grew impatient, saying, “I’ve never seen such a stingy elder brother. What’s the big deal about a horse? Just bring it out and let them ride it around. It’s not like they’ll ride it all the way to the border! Arguing with your sister over such a trivial matter—shame on you, an official in the outside world!”
Only then did Ning Yuanjun agree and went out to have the horse brought over.
Miss Ning and Tan Leyao were overjoyed, thanking Madam Ning together before hurrying to the Dressing Room to change into riding attire.
One wore a sapphire-blue satin robe, the other a sandy-green brocade gown, both with tight sleeves and fitted waists, pink-soled lambskin boots, and their hair wrapped in dark satin gold-embroidered headbands—dressed smartly and charmingly.
Behind the garden of Ningguo Mansion lay a sandy area, leveled into a polo field with goalposts at both ends and red flags planted all around.
To the west, a colorful canopy and flower-decked platform were set up high, where guests sat and watched.
All the girls participating in the polo match were dressed in athletic attire, leading their horses and carrying mallets with heroic grace.
Most of them were daughters of noble families, two were county princesses, and three others were daughters of dukes.
Next came Miss Ning and Second Miss Ning, with the rest being daughters of marquises and generals.
Before the match began, they all took a lap around the field on horseback to showcase their horses’ strength and their riding skills.
The others were unremarkable, but when Tan Leyao appeared, riding a tall, pitch-black horse, it stole the show.
The black horse galloped as if flying, its hooves kicking up dust as if treading on clouds.
Tan Leyao held the reins in one hand and the mallet in the other, looking as if she were carrying a long spear.
The crowd below erupted in cheers, with everyone praising her.
Madam Tan was also seated among the guests, beaming with pride at her daughter’s impressive performance.
After the match ended, everyone changed clothes and took their seats at the banquet, filling the hall with laughter and joy.
The four Ning sisters sat at the same table as Tan Leyao and Fourth Miss Shen.
Noticing that Shen Si had remained silent the entire time, the Ning sisters worried she might feel left out.
They quickly smiled and asked her, “Shen Si Jier, it’s your first time visiting our home, so we don’t know what games you enjoy. Your second and third sisters love pitch-pot—I suppose you often play it at home?”
Fourth Miss Shen had been feeling uneasy all this time, and upon hearing this, she hurriedly stood up and bowed.
Second Miss Ning, puzzled, quickly helped her up, saying, “Why are you bowing now, Fourth Sister?”
Fourth Miss Shen murmured, “Family rules distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children. How dare I play with my legitimate sisters? Even sitting at the same table would be extremely improper. I might as well stand and serve my sisters.”
Her words left everyone at the table stunned.
The Ning family’s second and third young misses, being illegitimate themselves, turned pale with anger upon hearing this and were about to slam their cups down.
Miss Ning quickly restrained her sisters, frowning seriously as she said, “How utterly absurd! What talk of legitimate or illegitimate among sisters? Our family has no such rules! Sister Shen, please sit down at once, and don’t let others laugh at us!”