Chapter 16: Madam
Yu Tang was listening to Ma Xiuniang speak, when someone came over to greet Madam Chen, saying “It’s rare to see you! The weather is hot today, so I thought you would stay indoors. Unexpectedly, you came to visit and offer condolences to Grand Elder Pei.”
Madam Chen and Scholar Ma’s wife both stood up and politely exchanged pleasantries with the visitor, saying “Madam Tang, I see that you have come to pay respects to Grand Elder as well!”
Yu Tang looked up and saw a woman who was clearly scheming something.
Her gaze turned cold.
Lin’an’s city’s Madam Tang, the wife of Scholar Tang.
In her previous life, Madam Tang was the person who was sent by the Li family to secretly convey a message to her that if she were to agree to marry into the Li family, they would lend five thousand taels of silver to the Yu family.
Previously, she treated Madam Tang as a merciful benefactor and thought that she was kind and warm-hearted.
It was only later, after she gained more experience, that she realized that this Madam Tang, who ignored her Eldest Aunt and went straight to find her, a naïve young girl with little experience, encouraging her to privately agree to marry into the Li family, was clearly scheming something malicious and harbored evil intentions.
After exchanging polite greetings, Madam Tang took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the non-existent tears at the corners of her eyes, and said sadly. “Of course! The passing of Grand Elder Pei is is an important event in Lin’an! The governor’s wife is here too, and I’ve been staying with her in a nearby courtyard, so I didn’t realize that both of you were here too.”
Both Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma disliked speaking with Madam Tang, as she was fond of socializing with the upper circles and flattering them to obtain benefits, and then bragging about it afterwards.
Just because the governor and her scholar husband shared the same surname Tang, somehow, she managed to arrange for governor Tang who was two years younger than her husband Scholar Tang, to become her husband’s god uncle. She was so proficient and enthusiastic at flattering Governess Tang that even Governess Tang got nauseated by it sometimes.
When they heard her starting to brag, Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma, who already disliked her, only said a few passing words in response and was already preparing to send her away.
Who knew that Madam Tang, who was usually haughty and didn’t think highly of them, would act as though she had taken the wrong medicine today. Not only did she not leave, but she even smiled brightly and examined Yu Tang and Ma Xiuniang, saying, “It has only been a few days, but both ladies of the Yu family and the Ma family have grown up into matured young ladies. They are beautiful, gracious and gentle. If I were to see them on the streets, I wouldn’t have recognized them.”
Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma had no choice but to ask their daughters to politely curtsey to Madam Tang and modestly denied her words.
Madam Tang, acting as though she couldn’t detect the perfunctory tone of Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma’s words, said affectionately, “I even told Governess Tang that both of you were the most virtuous and respected ladies in whole of Lin’an city, and not just anyone would have the honor of looking at these two little beauties. If I had a daughter with such a lovely face, I would have taken her everywhere to show off.”
As both Madams didn’t want to speak with her further, they only vaguely replied.
Perhaps it was Yutang who was overthinking matters, but she felt that although Madam Tang seemed to be looking at both Ma Xiuniang and her, but in actuality, she was paying more attention towards her.
She wordlessly hid behind her mother.
Madam Tang smiled and took the hand of Ma Xiuniang, who was sitting next to Yutang, and asked Mrs. Ma, “I remembered that your daughter had her coming of age ceremony in the third month of last year – has she gotten engaged? We have such an outstanding young lady here; she can’t be married off to just anyone.”
Ma Xiuniang was so embarrassed that she lowered her head and couldn’t speak.
Mrs. Ma frowned.
It was extremely disrespectful for Madam Tang to discuss a young unmarried lady’s marriage details in such a public setting – even more so in front of Ma Xiuniang.
Mrs. Ma retorted irritatedly, “Madam Tang is mistaken, the one who will be of age in the third month is the young lady of the Yu family, our daughter will reach hers in the fifth month. (TL notes: coming of age for females is 15 years old; males is 20 years old)
“Oops! My memory seems to be failing me!” Madam Tang laughed and looked at Madam Chen and her daughter, saying, “Has the young lady of the Yu family found a suitable marriage partner? Do you need me to take care of it? Guess who I met earlier? The Pei family’s eldest wife maternal sister-in-law, Madam Yang. Madam Yang didn’t come alone either, she brought along her nephew from her maternal family with her! I heard that Madam Yang’s husband is an administrative commissioner in the General Secretary’s office – A proper third rank position. Otherwise, why would governess Tang be accompanying her?”
What did she mean by saying such words?
Does it matter to them who Madam Yang brought here?
Is she trying to use the prestige of the Yang family to arouse their interest?
Madam Chen’s voice trembled a little from anger and said sharply, “Then I won’t waste Madam Tang’s precious time any further. Our family plans to find a son-in-law that will marry into the family.”
Madam Tang was stunned.
Madam Chen’s weak body protected her daughter behind her and did not move an inch.
Madam Tang forced a smile and said, “Then I will not bother you. I’ll go over there to keep Madam Yang company first. I’ll come to your house when I’m free.”
“I won’t see you off!” Madam Chen said dryly.
Madam Tang went away fuming quietly.
Mrs. Ma let out a long breath and did not conceal her dislike for Madam Tang, saying, “Luckily she had the good sense to leave. If she continued to speak, I wouldn’t be able to hold back.” After saying that, she pulled Yu Tang and Ma Xiuniang to sit down by her side, and said to them sternly, “Young ladies, when you encounter such things in future, you should not reply, or make any comments – just get up and leave, understand?”
Ma Xiuniang said aggrievedly, “I also didn’t want to hear such things…”
“When adults are speaking, you children have to listen.” Mrs. Ma didn’t wait for her to finish speaking before interrupting her, and then turned around to talk to Madam Chen, “What do you think this Madam Tang is up to? Governess Tang or Madam Yang, no matter how good someone else’s family is, it’s still someone else’s family business – she made so much effort to flatter the other party, but she didn’t gain much benefits either!”
Benefits?
Yu Tang was startled.
Madam Chen agreed, and Mrs. Ma continued to whispered further to her about Madam Tang. Ma Xiuniang also pulled Yu Tang aside whispering: “Let me share with you, someone came to our house to propose marriage to me. However that family doesn’t have a mother, and there are several younger brothers and sisters, so my mother is still a little hesitant to accept, so she did not reveal the news yet.”
Proposal?
Was this the time that Ma Xiuniang’s got engaged?
Was it also the student surnamed Zhang from her previous life?
Yu Tang was interested in Ma Xiuniang’s words and didn’t think further about Madam Tang and she curiously asked about the person that went to Ma Xiuniang’s house to propose marriage.
Ma Xiuniang shyly answered but couldn’t help be a little proud. “It is the son of my father’s friend, surnamed Zhang who he met while studying. He is a good person, honest and upright – not those who only go out drinking and having fun. He also studies diligently. My father said, he will definitely obtain at least a scholar title. After the marriage is finalized, I’ll probably have to get married soon. “
Yu Tang listened with some guilt in her heart.
In her previous life, Ma Xiuniang was very concerned about her, but as she was immersed in the grief of losing her parents, she did not pay much attention to Ma Xiuniang. She didn’t have a clue when the marriage between Ma Xiuniang and the scholar-hopeful Zhang was held – if it wasn’t for the pair of silver bracelets worth 5 silver taels, she likely wouldn’t have remembered her.
She did not treat Ma Xiuniang as purely and lovingly as Ma Xiuniang treated her.
“Then you have to live happily!” Yu Tang did not know if Ma Xiuniang enjoyed a blissful marriage, so she could only wish her well.
Ma Xiuniang nodded vigorously, as if Yu Tang’s blessing was already enough for her.
Yu Tang held Ma Xiuniang’s hand tightly.
The food was served in the banquet hall.
Yu Tang recalled her previous mother-in-law Madam Lin.
Her previous father-in-law, Li Yi, was the governor of Rizhao in the Shandong Province, and Madam Lin often boasted that her family was a noble official family, and didn’t care much about the commoners, saying that they were “dirty, mud-crusted, unwashed and poor”. If they somehow met in the Li residence, she would scoff and turn her nose, as though she was invisible. This was also why, although they were all living in Lin’an city and should look out for one other, she didn’t care for her at all.
If you were to take a look at the entire Lin’an city, there really isn’t many madams who have married men who qualified to be ministers.
As Governess Tang and Madam Lin often interacted with one other, their relationship can be considered as amicable.
Since Madam Yang came and Madam Tang accompanied her, then it must be that Madam Lin should have came over as well.
Madam Tang inexplicably came over to exchange pleasantries with them; perhaps wouldn’t she have met Madam Lin too?
Yu Tang lowered her head as she ate, deciding to avoid those ladies belonging to the noble families – she wasn’t afraid of Madam Lin, rather she was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to control herself and splash her in the face with hot tea without a reasonable explanation and thereby disgracing her mother.
However sometimes, the more you don’t want something to happen, the more likely it will occur.
Yu Tang finished the vegetarian meal in the Pei family, and as the afternoon sun was getting more intense and everyone was getting sleepy, so Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma were preparing to head back with their daughters. Just when they left the hall, they ran into Madam Tang and Madam Lin, Yu Tang’s mother-in-law from her previous life.
Madam Lin is still as hateful as Yutang remembered. Her jet-black hair was meticulously pulled back in a round bun with two white velvet tea flowers. She wore a moon-white silk jacket and long dark pleated skirt. She had a stern, cold face, and looked solemn and haughty.
From a distance, Yu Tang could feel her gaze falling on her. When Madam Tang whispered into Madam Lin’s ear, she stared at Yu Tang even more intensely.
What is the meaning?
Yu Tang knew she was good-looking and as such, was often looked at by others. But she wasn’t so conceited as to think that with Madam Lin’s lofty standards, she would notice her or even any pay attention to her just because of her looks.
A thought flashed across her mind, but as she tried to catch it, it disappeared abruptly.
“Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Ma!” Madam Tang called them and walked over with a bright smile and said, “This is really fate!” Saying that, she introduced Madam Lin who was beside her to Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma, “This is Madam Lin of the Li Family in the south of Lin’an city, the wife of Minister Li who qualified in the imperial examinations in the same year as the Pei Family’s Second Master and is the governor in Rizhao.”
Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma had no choice but to stop and greet them.
Madam Lin looked at Yutang a few more times.
Yu Tang could now be sure that her suspicions were not wrong.
Both Madam Tang and Madam Lin were indeed looking for her.
But what did she have that warranted so much attention from them?
Li Jun hadn’t even seen her at this time!
Madam Lin greeted Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma respectfully and spoke to them kindly and gently. “I’ve heard of your virtuous reputations for a long time, but I never had the blessed opportunity to meet both of you. Today, I am fortunate to have met both of you here.”
Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma vehemently denied.
But Madam Lin’s gaze was always on Yu Tang, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Yu Tang sneered in her heart and let her look to her heart’s content.
Although her skin was pale, smooth and delicate without any blemish, but her cheeks were like a child’s, a little chubby, and her body although delicate-looking but was sturdy, unlike many of today’s ladies, when their hands were stretched out, it was so thin that you can see the bones. For this reason Madam Lin often criticized her, saying that she was fat and it’s only her pale skin that was good.
In her previous life, she had an inferiority complex because of it and didn’t dare to eat much.
It was only when her sister-in-law, Li Duan’s wife Madam Gu enviously admired that her figure was good, that she realized that Madam Lin was just nitpicking her faults as she harbored heavy resentment against her for cursing Li Jun and causing his death.
Chapter 16: Madam
Yu Tang was listening to Ma Xiuniang speak, when someone came over to greet Madam Chen, saying “It’s rare to see you! The weather is hot today, so I thought you would stay indoors. Unexpectedly, you came to visit and offer condolences to Grand Elder Pei.”
Madam Chen and Scholar Ma’s wife both stood up and politely exchanged pleasantries with the visitor, saying “Madam Tang, I see that you have come to pay respects to Grand Elder as well!”
Yu Tang looked up and saw a woman who was clearly scheming something.
Her gaze turned cold.
Lin’an’s city’s Madam Tang, the wife of Scholar Tang.
In her previous life, Madam Tang was the person who was sent by the Li family to secretly convey a message to her that if she were to agree to marry into the Li family, they would lend five thousand taels of silver to the Yu family.
Previously, she treated Madam Tang as a merciful benefactor and thought that she was kind and warm-hearted.
It was only later, after she gained more experience, that she realized that this Madam Tang, who ignored her Eldest Aunt and went straight to find her, a naïve young girl with little experience, encouraging her to privately agree to marry into the Li family, was clearly scheming something malicious and harbored evil intentions.
After exchanging polite greetings, Madam Tang took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the non-existent tears at the corners of her eyes, and said sadly. “Of course! The passing of Grand Elder Pei is is an important event in Lin’an! The governor’s wife is here too, and I’ve been staying with her in a nearby courtyard, so I didn’t realize that both of you were here too.”
Both Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma disliked speaking with Madam Tang, as she was fond of socializing with the upper circles and flattering them to obtain benefits, and then bragging about it afterwards.
Just because the governor and her scholar husband shared the same surname Tang, somehow, she managed to arrange for governor Tang who was two years younger than her husband Scholar Tang, to become her husband’s god uncle. She was so proficient and enthusiastic at flattering Governess Tang that even Governess Tang got nauseated by it sometimes.
When they heard her starting to brag, Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma, who already disliked her, only said a few passing words in response and was already preparing to send her away.
Who knew that Madam Tang, who was usually haughty and didn’t think highly of them, would act as though she had taken the wrong medicine today. Not only did she not leave, but she even smiled brightly and examined Yu Tang and Ma Xiuniang, saying, “It has only been a few days, but both ladies of the Yu family and the Ma family have grown up into matured young ladies. They are beautiful, gracious and gentle. If I were to see them on the streets, I wouldn’t have recognized them.”
Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma had no choice but to ask their daughters to politely curtsey to Madam Tang and modestly denied her words.
Madam Tang, acting as though she couldn’t detect the perfunctory tone of Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma’s words, said affectionately, “I even told Governess Tang that both of you were the most virtuous and respected ladies in whole of Lin’an city, and not just anyone would have the honor of looking at these two little beauties. If I had a daughter with such a lovely face, I would have taken her everywhere to show off.”
As both Madams didn’t want to speak with her further, they only vaguely replied.
Perhaps it was Yutang who was overthinking matters, but she felt that although Madam Tang seemed to be looking at both Ma Xiuniang and her, but in actuality, she was paying more attention towards her.
She wordlessly hid behind her mother.
Madam Tang smiled and took the hand of Ma Xiuniang, who was sitting next to Yutang, and asked Mrs. Ma, “I remembered that your daughter had her coming of age ceremony in the third month of last year – has she gotten engaged? We have such an outstanding young lady here; she can’t be married off to just anyone.”
Ma Xiuniang was so embarrassed that she lowered her head and couldn’t speak.
Mrs. Ma frowned.
It was extremely disrespectful for Madam Tang to discuss a young unmarried lady’s marriage details in such a public setting – even more so in front of Ma Xiuniang.
Mrs. Ma retorted irritatedly, “Madam Tang is mistaken, the one who will be of age in the third month is the young lady of the Yu family, our daughter will reach hers in the fifth month. (TL notes: coming of age for females is 15 years old; males is 20 years old)
“Oops! My memory seems to be failing me!” Madam Tang laughed and looked at Madam Chen and her daughter, saying, “Has the young lady of the Yu family found a suitable marriage partner? Do you need me to take care of it? Guess who I met earlier? The Pei family’s eldest wife maternal sister-in-law, Madam Yang. Madam Yang didn’t come alone either, she brought along her nephew from her maternal family with her! I heard that Madam Yang’s husband is an administrative commissioner in the General Secretary’s office – A proper third rank position. Otherwise, why would governess Tang be accompanying her?”
What did she mean by saying such words?
Does it matter to them who Madam Yang brought here?
Is she trying to use the prestige of the Yang family to arouse their interest?
Madam Chen’s voice trembled a little from anger and said sharply, “Then I won’t waste Madam Tang’s precious time any further. Our family plans to find a son-in-law that will marry into the family.”
Madam Tang was stunned.
Madam Chen’s weak body protected her daughter behind her and did not move an inch.
Madam Tang forced a smile and said, “Then I will not bother you. I’ll go over there to keep Madam Yang company first. I’ll come to your house when I’m free.”
“I won’t see you off!” Madam Chen said dryly.
Madam Tang went away fuming quietly.
Mrs. Ma let out a long breath and did not conceal her dislike for Madam Tang, saying, “Luckily she had the good sense to leave. If she continued to speak, I wouldn’t be able to hold back.” After saying that, she pulled Yu Tang and Ma Xiuniang to sit down by her side, and said to them sternly, “Young ladies, when you encounter such things in future, you should not reply, or make any comments – just get up and leave, understand?”
Ma Xiuniang said aggrievedly, “I also didn’t want to hear such things…”
“When adults are speaking, you children have to listen.” Mrs. Ma didn’t wait for her to finish speaking before interrupting her, and then turned around to talk to Madam Chen, “What do you think this Madam Tang is up to? Governess Tang or Madam Yang, no matter how good someone else’s family is, it’s still someone else’s family business – she made so much effort to flatter the other party, but she didn’t gain much benefits either!”
Benefits?
Yu Tang was startled.
Madam Chen agreed, and Mrs. Ma continued to whispered further to her about Madam Tang. Ma Xiuniang also pulled Yu Tang aside whispering: “Let me share with you, someone came to our house to propose marriage to me. However that family doesn’t have a mother, and there are several younger brothers and sisters, so my mother is still a little hesitant to accept, so she did not reveal the news yet.”
Proposal?
Was this the time that Ma Xiuniang’s got engaged?
Was it also the student surnamed Zhang from her previous life?
Yu Tang was interested in Ma Xiuniang’s words and didn’t think further about Madam Tang and she curiously asked about the person that went to Ma Xiuniang’s house to propose marriage.
Ma Xiuniang shyly answered but couldn’t help be a little proud. “It is the son of my father’s friend, surnamed Zhang who he met while studying. He is a good person, honest and upright – not those who only go out drinking and having fun. He also studies diligently. My father said, he will definitely obtain at least a scholar title. After the marriage is finalized, I’ll probably have to get married soon. “
Yu Tang listened with some guilt in her heart.
In her previous life, Ma Xiuniang was very concerned about her, but as she was immersed in the grief of losing her parents, she did not pay much attention to Ma Xiuniang. She didn’t have a clue when the marriage between Ma Xiuniang and the scholar-hopeful Zhang was held – if it wasn’t for the pair of silver bracelets worth 5 silver taels, she likely wouldn’t have remembered her.
She did not treat Ma Xiuniang as purely and lovingly as Ma Xiuniang treated her.
“Then you have to live happily!” Yu Tang did not know if Ma Xiuniang enjoyed a blissful marriage, so she could only wish her well.
Ma Xiuniang nodded vigorously, as if Yu Tang’s blessing was already enough for her.
Yu Tang held Ma Xiuniang’s hand tightly.
The food was served in the banquet hall.
Yu Tang recalled her previous mother-in-law Madam Lin.
Her previous father-in-law, Li Yi, was the governor of Rizhao in the Shandong Province, and Madam Lin often boasted that her family was a noble official family, and didn’t care much about the commoners, saying that they were “dirty, mud-crusted, unwashed and poor”. If they somehow met in the Li residence, she would scoff and turn her nose, as though she was invisible. This was also why, although they were all living in Lin’an city and should look out for one other, she didn’t care for her at all.
If you were to take a look at the entire Lin’an city, there really isn’t many madams who have married men who qualified to be ministers.
As Governess Tang and Madam Lin often interacted with one other, their relationship can be considered as amicable.
Since Madam Yang came and Madam Tang accompanied her, then it must be that Madam Lin should have came over as well.
Madam Tang inexplicably came over to exchange pleasantries with them; perhaps wouldn’t she have met Madam Lin too?
Yu Tang lowered her head as she ate, deciding to avoid those ladies belonging to the noble families – she wasn’t afraid of Madam Lin, rather she was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to control herself and splash her in the face with hot tea without a reasonable explanation and thereby disgracing her mother.
However sometimes, the more you don’t want something to happen, the more likely it will occur.
Yu Tang finished the vegetarian meal in the Pei family, and as the afternoon sun was getting more intense and everyone was getting sleepy, so Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma were preparing to head back with their daughters. Just when they left the hall, they ran into Madam Tang and Madam Lin, Yu Tang’s mother-in-law from her previous life.
Madam Lin is still as hateful as Yutang remembered. Her jet-black hair was meticulously pulled back in a round bun with two white velvet tea flowers. She wore a moon-white silk jacket and long dark pleated skirt. She had a stern, cold face, and looked solemn and haughty.
From a distance, Yu Tang could feel her gaze falling on her. When Madam Tang whispered into Madam Lin’s ear, she stared at Yu Tang even more intensely.
What is the meaning?
Yu Tang knew she was good-looking and as such, was often looked at by others. But she wasn’t so conceited as to think that with Madam Lin’s lofty standards, she would notice her or even any pay attention to her just because of her looks.
A thought flashed across her mind, but as she tried to catch it, it disappeared abruptly.
“Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Ma!” Madam Tang called them and walked over with a bright smile and said, “This is really fate!” Saying that, she introduced Madam Lin who was beside her to Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma, “This is Madam Lin of the Li Family in the south of Lin’an city, the wife of Minister Li who qualified in the imperial examinations in the same year as the Pei Family’s Second Master and is the governor in Rizhao.”
Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma had no choice but to stop and greet them.
Madam Lin looked at Yutang a few more times.
Yu Tang could now be sure that her suspicions were not wrong.
Both Madam Tang and Madam Lin were indeed looking for her.
But what did she have that warranted so much attention from them?
Li Jun hadn’t even seen her at this time!
Madam Lin greeted Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma respectfully and spoke to them kindly and gently. “I’ve heard of your virtuous reputations for a long time, but I never had the blessed opportunity to meet both of you. Today, I am fortunate to have met both of you here.”
Madam Chen and Mrs. Ma vehemently denied.
But Madam Lin’s gaze was always on Yu Tang, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
Yu Tang sneered in her heart and let her look to her heart’s content.
Although her skin was pale, smooth and delicate without any blemish, but her cheeks were like a child’s, a little chubby, and her body although delicate-looking but was sturdy, unlike many of today’s ladies, when their hands were stretched out, it was so thin that you can see the bones. For this reason Madam Lin often criticized her, saying that she was fat and it’s only her pale skin that was good.
In her previous life, she had an inferiority complex because of it and didn’t dare to eat much.
It was only when her sister-in-law, Li Duan’s wife Madam Gu enviously admired that her figure was good, that she realized that Madam Lin was just nitpicking her faults as she harbored heavy resentment against her for cursing Li Jun and causing his death.
