Chapter 22: Mother in Law and Daughter in Law

Meinang entered Madam Zheng’s chambers, where she saw Madam Zheng and Zheng Mei Yu playing with Heng Ge’er on a cushioned seat. The wet nurse smiled on as Heng Ge’er laughed, his arms raised in excitement like a little duckling. When he saw Meinang, his face lit up, and he flailed with joy, his mouth open wide but without a sound. Seeing him like this, Meinang recalled the evening she first revived, when she found Heng Ge’er in the same state. This boy why didn’t he cry out? If he had cried, someone would have come to pick him up, saving him from the cold.

Meinang greeted Madam Zheng with a respectful bow. Zheng Mei Yu, stepping down from the seat, greeted her cousin in law with a lowered gaze, standing politely to the side.

Madam Zheng, noticing Meinang, remarked, “Why did it take you so long to come here? It’s fortunate that Heng Ge’er is an easy child, but as a mother, your child must be your priority. Even if you need to attend to the Old Madam, don’t you have Rui Xue and others to help?”

Meinang lowered her eyes and replied, “I came from the Old Madam’s chambers and went to check on Third Mistress. I apologize for troubling Mother, it was my fault.”

Madam Zheng raised an eyebrow. “Is Rulan still not well? All of you youngsters one recovers, and then another falls ill. None of you seem to care for yourselves properly.”

“Yes, Mother. I’ll be more mindful in the future,” Meinang replied, obediently.

Madam Zheng gave a satisfied nod, then said, “The daughters in law from the second branch lack potential. Jing Yu is strong-willed, but Rulan is hopeless. You are the primary wife of the eldest branch and will eventually manage the household. Heng Ge’er, as my grandson, will inherit the family name and fortune. You are essentially managing the family for his future. Show due diligence, stay clever, and remember to be mindful of all matters. Your cousin Mei Yu, who has been helping me, knows the household well.”

Seeing where this conversation was headed, Meinang’s heart skipped a beat. Here it was another talk.

At that moment, Madam Zheng’s servant, Mama He, entered with several maids, each carrying trays of food. They arranged bowls and dishes on the table, and maids brought copper basins of warm water and towels for washing.

As they were served, Mama He mentioned, “The kitchen servants were preparing a roe deer, said to be a gift from a friend of Master Zheng’s from the northeastern border!”

Could it be the same friend who had sent the ginseng? Meinang wondered. That ginseng had been potent just a couple of slices had given her a noticeable surge of energy.

After offering Madam Zheng a bowl of soup with a smile, she turned to serve Zheng Mei Yu as well, who shyly protested, “I can’t let you serve me, cousin in law.”

Madam Zheng, sipping her soup, raised her brows and said to Mei Yu, “Take it this time. Next time, you’ll learn to serve your cousin-in-law in return.”

Meinang continued serving, her thoughts drifting to her son, Heng Ge’er. She said, “I should be thanking Mei Yu. While I was ill, she managed affairs in the household, even collecting monthly wages, keeping the servants from wasting resources. She also watched over Heng Ge’er, who is such an easy baby. He doesn’t cry or fuss, but because of that, he suffers in silence.”

Madam Zheng looked up. “How so?”

Meinang explained, “Mother, you may not know, but when I returned to find Heng Ge’er in the courtyard, the entire place was deserted. Someone had heartlessly left him alone in a bamboo cradle on a snowy day, barely dressed and without a blanket. His hands and feet were freezing, and he didn’t make a sound. If he had cried, wouldn’t someone have come to hold him?”

Madam Zheng’s face flushed with anger. “Who was the wretched servant responsible? Mama He, find out immediately and punish them severely!”

Meinang responded, “I asked Mama Wang. She was with some other servants keeping vigil and couldn’t return, and Heng Ge’er’s wet nurse was also away.”

Madam Zheng’s gaze turned to the wet nurse. “Where did you go, leaving Heng Ge’er alone?”

The wet nurse replied, “I had to visit home that day, so I left Heng Ge’er in the care of the young lady.”

Madam Zheng looked at Zheng Mei Yu, who spilled some soup in nervousness. Flustered, Mei Yu stammered, “I did hold Heng Ge’er, but when I had to step out briefly, I entrusted him to a gatekeeper maid. When I returned, I couldn’t find him. I was frantic, and then I heard that my cousin in law had recovered.”

Madam Zheng, with a steady but sharp gaze, said, “Let that gatekeeper be punished and dismissed. Mei Yu, remember not to make such a mistake again. Even if you’re in pain, take him with you.”

Zheng Mei Yu blushed and lowered her head. “Yes, Aunt. I’ll remember.”

Once lunch was over, Madam Zheng asked Mama He to clear the table. Then, she summoned six maids, each carrying a box, and had them line up. Mama He opened the boxes, revealing a set of household ledgers, row upon row of keys, and account books. It dawned on Meinang that managing a household was a huge responsibility.

Madam Zheng said softly, “As long as I have some say, you will manage the family affairs. Though I am not his birth mother, I raised the Master. He will honor my wishes. We, as mother and daughter in law, must be united. I will support you, but you must not keep secrets from me. Heng Ge’er… he calls me Grandmother, and I would give him my heart.”

Meinang felt a surge of gratitude, recognizing Madam Zheng’s genuine affection for her son.

Finally, Madam Zheng said, “As you take on household duties, it’s only natural that Heng Ge’er will stay with me.”

Stunned, Meinang protested gently, “Mother, Heng Ge’er is so young. Wouldn’t he be a burden?”

But Madam Zheng replied kindly yet firmly, “Not at all. He brings me joy. It’s customary for the grandmother to raise her grandchild. You handle the household affairs, and leave Heng Ge’er in my care.”

Realizing her authority as a mother was being challenged, Meinang pleaded, “Mother, he cries at night”

But Madam Zheng dismissed her with a smile. “With a wet nurse, he won’t cry. Mama He, please escort our daughter in law. I am quite tired and need to rest.”

As Meinang was gently escorted out, she felt tears well up. Even if she visited Heng Ge’er daily, it was a stark reminder of the power her mother in law wielded, in a society where family hierarchy was absolute and her maternal bond would now be secondary.