Chapter 21: Sunlight

As they chatted, the two walked into the courtyard. It was almost noon, and the sunlight was blinding, making it hard for Ning Rulan to keep her eyes open. Still, the warm sunlight on her body felt comfortable. Sitting on a soft chair, a gentle breeze brushed by cool, yet refreshing, nothing like the bone chilling cold that Mama Liu and the others had described.

“Ah, this is wonderful! It’s cozy and warm inside, but I feel stifled. I just prefer it out here!” Ning Rulan said, a faint blush showing on her pale face.

Jin Shu, seeing this, smiled happily and said, “Madam, the sunlight really is lovely. Why don’t we follow Lady Da’s suggestion and bring out the bedding to sun it as well?”

Meinang glanced at Jin Shu with approval, saying, “Good thinking! Go ahead and sun it, but don’t lay it out on rocks or flower bushes. Although the sun will dry the snow water, there’s still some moisture. Use the big chairs to support the bedding, or set up bamboo poles in the middle of the courtyard. Let it air out briefly and bring it back in once the sun shifts. It’ll make sleeping tonight much more comfortable!”

Jin Shu curtsied and responded, “Yes, Ma’am!” She ran into the house, and shortly after returned with Hong Ye, Yan Ying, and others, carrying Ning Rulan’s bedding to lay it out for sunning. They carefully patted off any dust as they laid it out.

Cui Xi and Cui Jian stood at a distance, smiling as they watched. When they left the house that morning, Lady Da had left Mama Wang in charge, instructing her to have the maids turn over all the bedding for airing, wash what needed washing, and especially ensure that Heng Ge’er’s bedding was aired. Mama Wang was also told to inform Rui Zhu and Rui Bao in the east garden to sun Master’s bedding as well.

With no one else around, Meinang and Ning Rulan started chatting in soft voices about personal matters.

“That old ginseng… I must thank Sister in Law for it!” Ning Rulan said. “But I couldn’t use it. My family sent word that my mother was very ill and needed ginseng as a medicine. They searched the whole city but couldn’t find one old enough, so I…”

Meinang patted her gently. “As long as it helps your mother get better! We’re young, we’ll have other chances to enjoy fine things.”

Ning Rulan’s eyes turned misty. “You’re right, thank you for understanding. They came this morning to tell me my mother was feeling better and reminded me to take care of myself.”

Meinang said, “Luckily, I sent a piece to my mother too, or I’d feel bad now. You’re so devoted to your family, I couldn’t fall behind!”

Ning Rulan smiled and held Meinang’s hand. “I used to visit you often at the Qing Hua Pavilion, chatting with you, but I never noticed how interesting you are!”

“It feels like a different life!” Meinang held Rulan’s warm, soft hand in return, saying, “I need to live differently now, doing what makes me happy only then does life feel worthwhile!”

Ning Rulan looked at her thoughtfully and nodded. “You’re right! It’s time to be happy. You used to be too burdened with worries.”

Meinang said, “Tomorrow, I’ll start learning to manage the household. Once you’re better, you should join me!”

“I’m afraid I’d mess things up if left to manage alone. But if I get to learn with you, I’d be willing.”

“There’s nothing to fear, if we make mistakes, we can just correct them.”

Ning Rulan chuckled, “Sister in Law, you’re so brave! Thinking back, my illness was probably worsened by the fright from your actions that day, I’m truly scared of making mistakes. In families like ours, if we lose face, how would we cope?”

Meinang laughed. “True, things didn’t go perfectly, but it’s in the past. Why worry about it now?”

She glanced at the maids flipping the bedding nearby. “Hong Ye is clever and beautiful, is she your most trusted maid?”

Ning Rulan smiled, “All four are close to me. They’ve been with me since childhood and came with me when I married. Actually, I wanted your advice, I’m thinking of offering Hong Ye as a secondary wife to Third Master.”

Meinang looked at Ning Rulan, a gentle and elegant woman, her face as calm as still water while she spoke.

“Does Hong Ye agree? And is Third Master willing?”

Ning Rulan lowered her gaze. “Hong Ye is my maid, she does whatever I ask, without question. But Third Master… he initially refused. It was only after I mentioned the issue of heirs since we have no children yet that he reluctantly agreed. Mama Liu is making arrangements for their union in a few days…”

“Rulan, do you truly want this? To let your husband sleep with another woman?”

Ning Rulan seemed startled, looking around quickly. Her face flushed red, and even her eyes were tinged with embarrassment. “Sister in Law! Your words cut me to the heart!”

Meinang laughed coldly. “Just my words hurt you? What about in the future? Watching your husband hold Hong Ye’s hand, being affectionate as they walk by, then going to their room together. After a year or so, when Hong Ye has a child, what place will you hold in Third Master’s heart?”

“Stop! Please stop!” Ning Rulan covered her face. “Do you think I want this? But Second Madam pressured me. If I don’t let Hong Ye be with him, she’ll send someone else, and what then? I can’t bear children, and if I refuse to let Third Master take a concubine, people will label me a jealous shrew!”

Meinang said, “Look at me. I have Heng Er, but the old madam still sent concubines. I have two now, and soon Rui Zhu and Rui Bao may become concubines as well. Earlier, she even spoke to me about finding noble concubines for my husband to expand our family.”

Ning Rulan looked at her, stunned, unsure what to say.

Meinang laughed. “Do you think I’d let that happen, bringing one woman after another into my house to compete with me? I have my own plans. If anyone wants to become a concubine in Qing Hua Pavilion, it won’t be easy!”

She held Rulan’s hand firmly. “If you agree to give Third Master Hong Ye, you’ll open the door for more. Today it’s Hong Ye, tomorrow it’ll be someone else. Third Master seems to care about you don’t let him share his affections. Some men are loyal to one woman, but if you gift them another, they won’t resist. Rulan, take my advice. Don’t let Hong Ye near Third Master, or you’ll regret it!”

Ning Rulan was dazed. “But the arrangements are already made. What should I do?”

Meinang thought for a moment. “Hong Ye is your maid, you have full authority. Just say that Third Master isn’t feeling well and doesn’t need a concubine right now. Are you and Third Master close?”

Blushing, Ning Rulan nodded. “He’s always treated me as kindly as he did when we were newlyweds.”

“Then tell him how much you care for him. Stand together and reject Second Madam’s interference. It’s your marriage, no one has to understand it but you two. As a young wife, you still have hope for children. Believe in yourself and in him!”

Ning Rulan let out a deep breath. “Hearing you say this lightens my heart! I’ll try. I’ll talk to Third Master, and if he’s still against it, I’ll marry Hong Ye off elsewhere it would be uncomfortable for both of us if she stayed after this.”

Meinang nodded. “Exactly. Hong Ye is your maid, well-educated, refined, and similar to you. If she becomes Third Master’s concubine, I’d bet he’ll grow attached, especially if they have children. Though you won’t be neglected, sharing his love isn’t easy. Find her a good match, she may live a simpler life but could find happiness.”

Ning Rulan covered her face with a handkerchief, glancing at the maids playing nearby. “In truth, Hong Ye has indeed grown more beautiful these past two years. I initially chose Jin Shu, but Third Master said, ‘Hong Ye will do she somewhat resembles you.’”

Meinang burst into laughter. “Your Third Master is quite funny! Listen to me: good men aren’t common. If you lose his heart by giving him a concubine, no one will pity you!”

Ning Rulan smiled, holding back her feelings. “I’ll think carefully about it.”

Meinang stood up, stretched her arms above her head, and said, “You think it over, I should be going!”

Seeing her stretch, Ning Rulan quickly patted her. “My dear Sister in Law! At least do that back in your room. The maids will laugh!”

Meinang chuckled awkwardly. “The sun feels so good I forgot myself… I’ll be mindful from now on!”

Inside, she cursed to herself, “This world has no freedom even in a courtyard full of women!”

Ning Rulan also stood up, walking with Mei Mei

ang to the gate. Holding her sister in law’s hand, she whispered softly, “Sister in Law, thank you. I’m lucky to have a friend like you!”