Chapter 12 – Offerings
The city of Lin’an was surrounded by mountains on three sides, and the Tiao Xi River flowed from the east of Lin’an city to the west and into Qiantang River. This became the way for the people of Lin’an to leave the city.
The Pei family’s estate was located on Little Plum Lane in the city east. As the houses were built on a slight hill, they were staggered and occupied the whole of Little Plum Lane. Tiao Xi river flowed down from along the back courtyards of the Pei family and winded down into a river brook, which was known by the people of Lin’an as Little Plum Creek. This Little Plum Creek was the only place where the river was wide enough for large boats to travel from the main harbor into the city center. This river passes by the governor’s offices, schools and teaching halls. As it travels further, both sides of the river were filled with river houses, shops and street vendors. Although the shops were not as numerous or as fancy as the stores in Changxing Street in the city west, but the atmosphere was no less lively.
In the early summer morning when the sun has yet to rise, the air is filled with the scent of fresh grass and morning dew.
Yutang wore a simple summer cloth jacket embroidered with white silk flowers and held her mother’s hand as they walked along the river houses on both sides of Little Plum Creek.
Little Plum Lane was still far off in the distance, but there was already beads of perspiration forming on her forehead.
She took out a snow-blue silk handkerchief and wiped away her perspiration, and turned to look towards her mother.
Seeing that she was also perspiring, Yutang handed over her handkerchief and whispered, “Mother, use this.”
Chen shi shook her head as she took out her own handkerchief and wiped away her own perspiration. “Good daughter, you don’t have to care about mother, just take care of yourself.”
Yu Wen, who was walking ahead, said in exasperation. “I said to hire a carriage, but you disagreed saying that it was disrespectful to the dead. You’ve only just recovered a little – don’t overdo it and make your illness worse. If it was up to me, I wouldn’t have let you come out today. It is enough just for me and Ah tang to come over.”
Chen shi is slender and tall. Her face was pale, and her illness made her delicate eyebrows look pitiful like pear blossoms in the rain. She smiled and soothed Yu Wen. “Yes, I know you care about me. I will try not to let you and Ah tang worry too much. If my health was better, I would have already gone to the temple and prayed to Bodhisattva to bless Pei grand elder with happiness.” Speaking of this, her eyes became bleak with despair.
Ever since she learned of the death of the Pei family’s grand elder, Chen shi’s heart was troubled.
Yutang immediately comforted her mother. “Mother, you also said that the Pei family’s grand elder is open hearted and compassionate – he will not care about this. Afterwards, when we have the chance, we can still go to the temple to pray for the Pei family’s grand elder.”
Chen shi nodded her head.
Yu Wen solemnly instructed both Chen shi and his daughter. “The Pei family is big and their business ventures are numerous. Although the family was split into three branches and lived separately in Little Plum Lane, but they were not divided into separate clans. The Pei grand elder used to live on the east road of Little Plum Lane and the Pei family’s ancestral hall was also located on the East Road. However as there were too many people coming to the wake of Grand Elder Pei to pay their respects, the wake was held in the side hall of the main road through the center gate instead. The male visitors will offer incense there, while the female visitors will offer incense in the two side halls on the east road. One hall is meant for those relatives and close friends of the Pei family’s female members, and the one is for neighbors like us. When you go in, remember to follow the matron in charge, don’t go to the wrong hall.”
After the first three days, the funeral hall was open to the public.
As Yu Wen became familiar with the Pei family due to Chen shi’s illness and also because of his scholar status, he was able to go to the Pei family’s residence in advance and help out with the funeral proceedings. Only today did he take his wife and daughter to pay respects to the Pei family’s grand elder.
Chen shi have not seen such a grand and formal funeral arrangement and was a little apprehensive.
Although Yutang had already lived two lifetimes, but she was mostly kept by the Li family in the inner courtyards. Every time she left the Li mansion, it was always secretively and without revealing her identity. Therefore, she had not experienced this kind of formal proceedings and was also feeling a little lost. However, being in the Li family for all those years and enduring it all, she learnt not to show weakness even when faced with difficulty, but instead to become stronger and overcome it. Besides, even if she were to make a mistake in etiquette today, as long as it doesn’t negatively affect the interests of the Pei family, the Pei Family should still be willing to close an eye. There is always a way to make amends. So Yutang was not too worried.
Perhaps it’s because many people in Lin’an received help from the Pei family, or it could be that today was the first day of the wake, the streets were quiet. As they walked over, many street vendors and shops along Little Plum Creek were closed and there weren’t many people buying goods. When they passed by a teaching hall, it was also closed and even had a white mourning flag outside.
Yu Wen sighed: “Students in these Teaching halls and schools, if it weren’t for the Pei family’s financial support, how can there be scholars every few years. With the passing of the grand elder, it is uncertain who the next patriarch of the Pei family will be. Everyone will definitely be worried, and not many people will have the mood to study….. “
Chen shi responded. “Do you really believe Lu Xin’s foolish words? That the Pei’s family third branch will be the next head of the family instead of the eldest? This will clearly cause tension in the Pei family.”
Even in the imperial courts, it is always the eldest who is the head of the family.
Yu Wen paused uncertainly for a while and said quietly, “If there is such a rumor, it is also not unusual. The eldest master died of illness in his prime, and both his sons have not yet reached the age of adulthood (TL: not yet twenty years old), nor have they handled the Pei family’s affairs before……”
Chen shi replied, “Isn’t there many stewards in the family? Who is knowledgeable and experienced right from the start? As long as you are willing to learn, that should be sufficient!”
Yu Wen hesitantly added, “However, from what I’ve heard, the two young masters of the eldest house in the Pei family were closer to their uncles and the second master is also not good in accounts…… perhaps this is one of the reasons why rumors are spreading.”
However, this means that the Pei family will inevitably face some internal issues.
When brothers are united in heart, together they can overcome any obstacles.
However, if there is internal strife, even the largest and strongest tree may come crashing down.
Yu Wen and Chen shi were both silent.
Yu Tang felt that the mood was a little somber, so she smiled and tried to lighten the atmosphere. “Father, why is the place the Pei family lives in called Little Plum Lane? There isn’t even a single plum blossom here, furthermore there isn’t anything related to plums either.”
This was the question she wanted to ask in her previous life too, just that there wasn’t anyone around her she could ask.
Yu Wen laughed. “Of course you can’t see it. I also only heard this from Supervisor Tong. When the Pei family’s ancestors first came to Lin’an to escape from calamity, they found a wild plum tree, and built their house next to it, and so thus called the place Little Plum Lane. As the Pei family prospered and expanded further, that old plum tree is now located in the inner courtyard, where ordinary guests cannot see. Instead, only the name of Little Plum lane remained.”
Their family of three climbed the slope unhurriedly and arrived at the Pei family’s residence.
Outside the gate was a blanket of white.
Family servants shuttled between them, busy with their duties, but it was not chaotic.
When a steward saw Yu Wen, he came forward to greet him, “Master Yu, you’re here, please follow me to the side hall.”
Yu Wen pointed to Chen shi and Yu Tang: “My wife and my daughter have received a great favor from the grand elder, so they came to pay their respects to the grand elder and offer incense.”
There were so many people like that today.
The steward politely bowed to Chen Shi and Yutang and called for a female matron to take Chen shi and Yutang to pay respects to Grand Elder Pei.
Chen and Yu Tang politely greeted the steward and followed the female matron to the east.
Only then did Yu Tang take the time to look at the Pei family’s mansion.
No wonder the Pei family’s garden was admired by many. In Lin’an, where the mountains were many and land was little, the Pei family could have a garden courtyard that could easily fit twenty or so horse carriages. Many trees in the garden had thick stumps with lush leaves , forming a huge canopy which covered them like an umbrella. The pine trees were tall and leaves stretched out towards the sky. The corridors were lined with classic green tiles and red painted columns. The top was painted with blue and green patterns and the pillars were all wrapped in white mourning silk and lush green trees on both sides of the corridor were decorated with white silk flowers as large as bowls.
How much silver did this cost!
Yu Tong exclaimed in her the heart.
However, she also found something strange.
As they were walking, she did not see a single flower that wasn’t white.
The rich and noble families were fond of planting many different varieties of flowering trees as it signified that they would have many children and enjoy many blessings. Especially during this season, it was the time for pomegranate and red date trees to blossom, even apart from these, there were also others such as hibiscus, violets, roses which were commonly planted. But yet not a single one was seen.
Yutang’s footsteps stalled slightly, as she carefully surveyed the trees and bushes along the corridor.
The matron who led them along immediately noticed. She too slowed down her steps and said in a warm and gentle voice: “What are you looking at, young miss? Is there anything I can help with?”
Chen shi also turned back in puzzlement.
Yu Tang hurriedly withdrew her gaze, and took a few steps forward to catch up with Chen shi. Fearing that the matron might misunderstand her and thought that she was prying into the Pei family’s affairs and and was not taught well, she explained, “I see that this tree looks like a pomegranate tree, but yet it’s not in bloom ……”
The matron was stunned.
Perhaps the matron was afraid that Yu Tang misunderstood that the Pei family’s pomegranate trees didn’t bloom, so she thought for a while before replying “Originally it was blooming. However, the grand elder just passed away. Several of the family’s masters and young masters felt uncomfortable as it didn’t fit the occasion, so it was all removed.”
So that was actually the reason.
Yu Tang froze in surprise.
Chen was also taken aback, said: “All cut off?”
The Pei family evidently had many courtyards with numerous flowers and trees, if they were all to be cut, how much time and effort did it take!
This matron was probably also one of the people who did it as she smiled bitterly and said: “Yes. Since the Third Master disliked that the flowers were too bright and colorful, so for two whole days, the third head steward who was already busy with the funeral arrangements, had to also separately instruct people to cut the flowers. Everyone hurriedly followed his instructions, and we were all so tired that we couldn’t lift our hands.”
“It must have been hard!” Chen shi said in sympathy, “It will get better after this busy mourning period.”
Perhaps because Chen shi’s words were very sincere, and her tone of voice was warm and tender, the matron looked at Chen shi carefully for a few moments before saying, “My husband’s surname is Ji, so everyone calls me Ji Da niang. If you have anything to request, you can have someone come and tell me.”
Those who were called “Da niang” were not ordinary female attendants, most of them were long-established servants who have served the Pei family for several generations, and were discerning and capable people, who were relied on by the various masters of the branch house and were in charge of the household affairs.
Chen shi politely greeted her “Ji Daniang”.
However Yu Tang’s heart was in turmoil like the stormy sea.
Her mother didn’t notice it, but she did.
The one who doesn’t like bright and vivid flowers was the third master, the one who was busy with the funeral arrangements and instructing people to cut the flowers was the third head steward, then what were the first and second head stewards doing?
Is it true that the Pei family, as Lu Xin previously said, in a place where people cannot see, have already tacitly recognized a new head of the family?
Calmly, with a face full of innocence and curiosity, Yutang tried to obtain a little more information from Ji Daniang. “The Pei family is definitely worthy of being known as the most prominent and respected family in Lin’an. There are even three head stewards. How about general stewards? My father knows Supervisor Tong. He said that Supervisor Tong is a person who is highly educated and very capable. So is supervisor Tong a general steward in your house or is he one of the three head stewards?”
Ji Daniang’s gaze became gentle as she listened and said, “Supervisor Tong is my daughter’s father in law.”
In other words, Ji Daniang’s daughter was married to Little Supervisor Tong.
“Oh, this is really a coincidence!” Yu Tang and Chen shi exclaimed in unison, and Yu Tang even shared with Ji Daniang how she met Supervisor Tong and his son, speaking in vivid detail, and also praising her son-in law, little Supervisor Tong.
Chapter 12 – Offerings
The city of Lin’an was surrounded by mountains on three sides, and the Tiao Xi River flowed from the east of Lin’an city to the west and into Qiantang River. This became the way for the people of Lin’an to leave the city.
The Pei family’s estate was located on Little Plum Lane in the city east. As the houses were built on a slight hill, they were staggered and occupied the whole of Little Plum Lane. Tiao Xi river flowed down from along the back courtyards of the Pei family and winded down into a river brook, which was known by the people of Lin’an as Little Plum Creek. This Little Plum Creek was the only place where the river was wide enough for large boats to travel from the main harbor into the city center. This river passes by the governor’s offices, schools and teaching halls. As it travels further, both sides of the river were filled with river houses, shops and street vendors. Although the shops were not as numerous or as fancy as the stores in Changxing Street in the city west, but the atmosphere was no less lively.
In the early summer morning when the sun has yet to rise, the air is filled with the scent of fresh grass and morning dew.
Yutang wore a simple summer cloth jacket embroidered with white silk flowers and held her mother’s hand as they walked along the river houses on both sides of Little Plum Creek.
Little Plum Lane was still far off in the distance, but there was already beads of perspiration forming on her forehead.
She took out a snow-blue silk handkerchief and wiped away her perspiration, and turned to look towards her mother.
Seeing that she was also perspiring, Yutang handed over her handkerchief and whispered, “Mother, use this.”
Chen shi shook her head as she took out her own handkerchief and wiped away her own perspiration. “Good daughter, you don’t have to care about mother, just take care of yourself.”
Yu Wen, who was walking ahead, said in exasperation. “I said to hire a carriage, but you disagreed saying that it was disrespectful to the dead. You’ve only just recovered a little – don’t overdo it and make your illness worse. If it was up to me, I wouldn’t have let you come out today. It is enough just for me and Ah tang to come over.”
Chen shi is slender and tall. Her face was pale, and her illness made her delicate eyebrows look pitiful like pear blossoms in the rain. She smiled and soothed Yu Wen. “Yes, I know you care about me. I will try not to let you and Ah tang worry too much. If my health was better, I would have already gone to the temple and prayed to Bodhisattva to bless Pei grand elder with happiness.” Speaking of this, her eyes became bleak with despair.
Ever since she learned of the death of the Pei family’s grand elder, Chen shi’s heart was troubled.
Yutang immediately comforted her mother. “Mother, you also said that the Pei family’s grand elder is open hearted and compassionate – he will not care about this. Afterwards, when we have the chance, we can still go to the temple to pray for the Pei family’s grand elder.”
Chen shi nodded her head.
Yu Wen solemnly instructed both Chen shi and his daughter. “The Pei family is big and their business ventures are numerous. Although the family was split into three branches and lived separately in Little Plum Lane, but they were not divided into separate clans. The Pei grand elder used to live on the east road of Little Plum Lane and the Pei family’s ancestral hall was also located on the East Road. However as there were too many people coming to the wake of Grand Elder Pei to pay their respects, the wake was held in the side hall of the main road through the center gate instead. The male visitors will offer incense there, while the female visitors will offer incense in the two side halls on the east road. One hall is meant for those relatives and close friends of the Pei family’s female members, and the one is for neighbors like us. When you go in, remember to follow the matron in charge, don’t go to the wrong hall.”
After the first three days, the funeral hall was open to the public.
As Yu Wen became familiar with the Pei family due to Chen shi’s illness and also because of his scholar status, he was able to go to the Pei family’s residence in advance and help out with the funeral proceedings. Only today did he take his wife and daughter to pay respects to the Pei family’s grand elder.
Chen shi have not seen such a grand and formal funeral arrangement and was a little apprehensive.
Although Yutang had already lived two lifetimes, but she was mostly kept by the Li family in the inner courtyards. Every time she left the Li mansion, it was always secretively and without revealing her identity. Therefore, she had not experienced this kind of formal proceedings and was also feeling a little lost. However, being in the Li family for all those years and enduring it all, she learnt not to show weakness even when faced with difficulty, but instead to become stronger and overcome it. Besides, even if she were to make a mistake in etiquette today, as long as it doesn’t negatively affect the interests of the Pei family, the Pei Family should still be willing to close an eye. There is always a way to make amends. So Yutang was not too worried.
Perhaps it’s because many people in Lin’an received help from the Pei family, or it could be that today was the first day of the wake, the streets were quiet. As they walked over, many street vendors and shops along Little Plum Creek were closed and there weren’t many people buying goods. When they passed by a teaching hall, it was also closed and even had a white mourning flag outside.
Yu Wen sighed: “Students in these Teaching halls and schools, if it weren’t for the Pei family’s financial support, how can there be scholars every few years. With the passing of the grand elder, it is uncertain who the next patriarch of the Pei family will be. Everyone will definitely be worried, and not many people will have the mood to study….. “
Chen shi responded. “Do you really believe Lu Xin’s foolish words? That the Pei’s family third branch will be the next head of the family instead of the eldest? This will clearly cause tension in the Pei family.”
Even in the imperial courts, it is always the eldest who is the head of the family.
Yu Wen paused uncertainly for a while and said quietly, “If there is such a rumor, it is also not unusual. The eldest master died of illness in his prime, and both his sons have not yet reached the age of adulthood (TL: not yet twenty years old), nor have they handled the Pei family’s affairs before……”
Chen shi replied, “Isn’t there many stewards in the family? Who is knowledgeable and experienced right from the start? As long as you are willing to learn, that should be sufficient!”
Yu Wen hesitantly added, “However, from what I’ve heard, the two young masters of the eldest house in the Pei family were closer to their uncles and the second master is also not good in accounts…… perhaps this is one of the reasons why rumors are spreading.”
However, this means that the Pei family will inevitably face some internal issues.
When brothers are united in heart, together they can overcome any obstacles.
However, if there is internal strife, even the largest and strongest tree may come crashing down.
Yu Wen and Chen shi were both silent.
Yu Tang felt that the mood was a little somber, so she smiled and tried to lighten the atmosphere. “Father, why is the place the Pei family lives in called Little Plum Lane? There isn’t even a single plum blossom here, furthermore there isn’t anything related to plums either.”
This was the question she wanted to ask in her previous life too, just that there wasn’t anyone around her she could ask.
Yu Wen laughed. “Of course you can’t see it. I also only heard this from Supervisor Tong. When the Pei family’s ancestors first came to Lin’an to escape from calamity, they found a wild plum tree, and built their house next to it, and so thus called the place Little Plum Lane. As the Pei family prospered and expanded further, that old plum tree is now located in the inner courtyard, where ordinary guests cannot see. Instead, only the name of Little Plum lane remained.”
Their family of three climbed the slope unhurriedly and arrived at the Pei family’s residence.
Outside the gate was a blanket of white.
Family servants shuttled between them, busy with their duties, but it was not chaotic.
When a steward saw Yu Wen, he came forward to greet him, “Master Yu, you’re here, please follow me to the side hall.”
Yu Wen pointed to Chen shi and Yu Tang: “My wife and my daughter have received a great favor from the grand elder, so they came to pay their respects to the grand elder and offer incense.”
There were so many people like that today.
The steward politely bowed to Chen Shi and Yutang and called for a female matron to take Chen shi and Yutang to pay respects to Grand Elder Pei.
Chen and Yu Tang politely greeted the steward and followed the female matron to the east.
Only then did Yu Tang take the time to look at the Pei family’s mansion.
No wonder the Pei family’s garden was admired by many. In Lin’an, where the mountains were many and land was little, the Pei family could have a garden courtyard that could easily fit twenty or so horse carriages. Many trees in the garden had thick stumps with lush leaves , forming a huge canopy which covered them like an umbrella. The pine trees were tall and leaves stretched out towards the sky. The corridors were lined with classic green tiles and red painted columns. The top was painted with blue and green patterns and the pillars were all wrapped in white mourning silk and lush green trees on both sides of the corridor were decorated with white silk flowers as large as bowls.
How much silver did this cost!
Yu Tong exclaimed in her the heart.
However, she also found something strange.
As they were walking, she did not see a single flower that wasn’t white.
The rich and noble families were fond of planting many different varieties of flowering trees as it signified that they would have many children and enjoy many blessings. Especially during this season, it was the time for pomegranate and red date trees to blossom, even apart from these, there were also others such as hibiscus, violets, roses which were commonly planted. But yet not a single one was seen.
Yutang’s footsteps stalled slightly, as she carefully surveyed the trees and bushes along the corridor.
The matron who led them along immediately noticed. She too slowed down her steps and said in a warm and gentle voice: “What are you looking at, young miss? Is there anything I can help with?”
Chen shi also turned back in puzzlement.
Yu Tang hurriedly withdrew her gaze, and took a few steps forward to catch up with Chen shi. Fearing that the matron might misunderstand her and thought that she was prying into the Pei family’s affairs and and was not taught well, she explained, “I see that this tree looks like a pomegranate tree, but yet it’s not in bloom ……”
The matron was stunned.
Perhaps the matron was afraid that Yu Tang misunderstood that the Pei family’s pomegranate trees didn’t bloom, so she thought for a while before replying “Originally it was blooming. However, the grand elder just passed away. Several of the family’s masters and young masters felt uncomfortable as it didn’t fit the occasion, so it was all removed.”
So that was actually the reason.
Yu Tang froze in surprise.
Chen was also taken aback, said: “All cut off?”
The Pei family evidently had many courtyards with numerous flowers and trees, if they were all to be cut, how much time and effort did it take!
This matron was probably also one of the people who did it as she smiled bitterly and said: “Yes. Since the Third Master disliked that the flowers were too bright and colorful, so for two whole days, the third head steward who was already busy with the funeral arrangements, had to also separately instruct people to cut the flowers. Everyone hurriedly followed his instructions, and we were all so tired that we couldn’t lift our hands.”
“It must have been hard!” Chen shi said in sympathy, “It will get better after this busy mourning period.”
Perhaps because Chen shi’s words were very sincere, and her tone of voice was warm and tender, the matron looked at Chen shi carefully for a few moments before saying, “My husband’s surname is Ji, so everyone calls me Ji Da niang. If you have anything to request, you can have someone come and tell me.”
Those who were called “Da niang” were not ordinary female attendants, most of them were long-established servants who have served the Pei family for several generations, and were discerning and capable people, who were relied on by the various masters of the branch house and were in charge of the household affairs.
Chen shi politely greeted her “Ji Daniang”.
However Yu Tang’s heart was in turmoil like the stormy sea.
Her mother didn’t notice it, but she did.
The one who doesn’t like bright and vivid flowers was the third master, the one who was busy with the funeral arrangements and instructing people to cut the flowers was the third head steward, then what were the first and second head stewards doing?
Is it true that the Pei family, as Lu Xin previously said, in a place where people cannot see, have already tacitly recognized a new head of the family?
Calmly, with a face full of innocence and curiosity, Yutang tried to obtain a little more information from Ji Daniang. “The Pei family is definitely worthy of being known as the most prominent and respected family in Lin’an. There are even three head stewards. How about general stewards? My father knows Supervisor Tong. He said that Supervisor Tong is a person who is highly educated and very capable. So is supervisor Tong a general steward in your house or is he one of the three head stewards?”
Ji Daniang’s gaze became gentle as she listened and said, “Supervisor Tong is my daughter’s father in law.”
In other words, Ji Daniang’s daughter was married to Little Supervisor Tong.
“Oh, this is really a coincidence!” Yu Tang and Chen shi exclaimed in unison, and Yu Tang even shared with Ji Daniang how she met Supervisor Tong and his son, speaking in vivid detail, and also praising her son-in law, little Supervisor Tong.
