Chapter 23: Concubine

Hearing Meinang being persuaded by Mama Wang and a few maids to leave, Mrs. Zheng came out from the inner room and asked Mama He,

“Where is Heng Ge’er?”

Mama He replied, “He’s in the back courtyard watching the birds and playing happily.”
“Quickly bring him back, it’s windy outside! Be careful he doesn’t catch a cold!”
“Yes, I’ll call him back right away!”

Cui Jian carried Heng Ge’er back to the main room. Heng Ge’er was holding a small bamboo stick, proudly showing it to Mrs. Zheng. Mrs. Zheng smiled, her wrinkles smoothing out with joy.
“Good grandson, did you find a treasure? Is it for your grandmother? Good, let’s play together!”

She took Heng Ge’er in her arms, and Zheng Mei Yu emerged from behind, sitting on the edge of the bed and teasing Heng Ge’er. But Heng Ge’er didn’t like her, grabbing the small bamboo stick from her hand.

Mrs. Zheng laughed. “The little one is clever, he managed to take it from his aunt!”
Zheng Mei Yu pinched Heng Ge’er’s chubby hand and asked, “Does Meinang really want to leave Heng Ge’er with my aunt?”

Mrs. Zheng adjusted Heng Ge’er’s clothes. “She has to! Whether she wants to or not, she must! She is the daughter in law, I am the mother in law. Can she defy me? When the child was small, I let her take care of him. But recently, when it was about Jie’er, I was so worried I could hardly breathe and didn’t attend to him. Now, looking at Heng Ge’er, he’s already so big, and he’s the legitimate first grandson. He will be the heir one day… How can I let that silly woman continue to raise him? Just look at how she dresses him so brightly, it hurts my eyes! Can Heng Ge’er wear this?”
Her sharp gaze swept around the room. Seeing that the maids were all absent and Mama He had gone with the wet nurse to check the rooms, she continued,

Zheng Mei Yu whispered, “Does Aunt really want Heng Ge’er to wear mourning clothes? That would…”
Mrs. Zheng shot her a cold look. “I have my ways. If my grandson doesn’t wear mourning, what kind of ritual is that? Even Mama He doesn’t understand their past, but you, with nothing better to do, always prying into others’ private matters. You know it well, this matter is between you and me, no one else knows. Meinang is muddled, and it’s fine if she forgets, but even if she remembers, she won’t harm her son. If even a whisper leaks out, it will be you. Don’t think I won’t know you talk carelessly!”

Zheng Mei Yu lowered her head. “I wouldn’t dare!”

Mrs. Zheng sneered. “You should put away your feelings for Jun Ying! Old Madam has brought Zhuang Yu Lan to replace Meinang. Now that Meinang is well, neither of you will gain any advantage. Do you still want to become Jun Ying’s concubine? Or wait until I find a proper match for you?”

Zheng Mei Yu’s eyes welled with tears. “Aunt, do you think I can still find a good family? With Father’s illness and our family’s decline, who would marry me, a girl with little dowry?”
“Your grandfather held a third-grade position. Your father never took the exams because of his weak health. You are, at least, the daughter of an official family. Marrying someone of equal status shouldn’t be hard! Last year, Madam Ning Yuan mentioned the Gao family. Gao Zhen bang, who was transferred to Beijing from Zheng Zhou, you wouldn’t accept him!”

Zheng Mei Yu blushed. “Aunt, you’ve seen him too. He’s thin and dark, with a sharp, monkey like face. Does he look like a man? He’s a remarried man!”
“Ah, you’re picky! If Meinang wasn’t in the picture, wouldn’t you become Jun Ying’s second wife? What does it matter if he’s sharp-faced? He’s a fifth-grade official in the capital. He liked you, but you refused. He turned to another family and married. His new wife is five months pregnant. Do you think he could have been transferred if he weren’t connected? He’s the cousin of Madam Ning Yuan! Madam Ning yuan and Jun Ying are on very good terms with the Emperor! You lost that match, it’s a great pity!”

Zheng Mei Yu kept her head down, silent for a long time. Finally, she spoke. “Aunt, have you heard any rumors in the manor?”
“What rumors?”

“People say that since the eldest wife didn’t die, the eldest madam brought her niece here. The niece has been staying day and night in Qing Hua Courtyard, tending to the sick cousin in law, and also going to the east garden study to serve Cousin Jun Ying. Now, it’s said that the niece and Jun Ying are closely involved.”
Mrs. Zheng froze for a moment, then snapped angrily, “Who dares spread such nonsense? I’ll have them punished!”
She then paused, her eyes narrowing as she fixed her gaze on Zheng Mei Yu. “Jun Ying isn’t the kind of frivolous man you think. I’ve known the boy since he was little. Could it be you…”

Meinang has recovered, and I don’t want you to lower yourself. It’s best if you find a legitimate match. But if you really want this, I won’t stop you. After all, being his favored concubine is better than marrying a lower official. You’re older, and it’s getting late to wait for another good match. I’ll use my connections and speak to him… sigh!”
Zheng Mei Yu still kept her head low, twisting the handkerchief in her hands, remaining silent.

Inside the warm room in Jinhua Hall, Old Lady Xu was lying on a couch while Zhuang Yu Lan half-knelt behind her, pressing her shoulders gently. Old Lady Xu frowned and said,
“Your pressure is too light! Just now, Rui Xue’s pressure was too heavy. Sigh, it’s not as good as Meinang’s technique.”

Zhuang Yulan sighed. “Auntie, you favor Meinang so much. Why don’t you call her back to give you a massage?”
Old Lady Xu sighed, “She probably won’t have much time for this in the future. Mama Ji went to see her and handed over the keys and accounts to Meinang. I never knew that Zheng could be this efficient. She let Meinang manage the family affairs, while she took Heng Ge’er to raise. Well, it’s fine. Poor Meinang just lost Jie’er. Raising Heng Ge’er to ease her sorrow is understandable, but I fear she may not think it through and harbor resentment.”

Zhuang Yu Lan wasn’t concerned with who was raising Heng Ge’er, but she asked Old Lady Xu, “Why is Jun Ying not allowing Meinang to manage the family affairs? Why are you insisting on giving it to her?”

Old Lady Xu glanced at her. “It’s for you.”
“For me?” Zhuang Yu Lan looked around at the maids standing outside the door and, feeling more confident, continued asking, “What does her becoming the mistress of the household have to do with me?”

Old Lady Xu squinted her eyes. “You know why I brought you here. Who would’ve thought Meinang would survive? I know your little intentions toward Jun Ying. I also intended for you two to end up together, but Jun Ying is too young and willful. If I just send you back now, the other jealous wives in the house will make fun of you. You’re getting older, and it’s too late to wait for a good match. I had to shamelessly beg the Empress Dowager for a favor to secure your marriage with Jun Ying. Meinang is already married and has a son. Heng Ge’er, as the legitimate son, will be the heir. Your children will have to rely on Heng Ge’er’s protection in the future. Since Meinang recovered, she seems like a different person clever, obedient, and intelligent. I allowed her to manage the household as a way for her to learn and gradually take real control from Zheng. You also know that Zheng isn’t Jun Ying’s biological mother. She has only Jie’er and Juan’er. Juan’er is married, and Jie’er died. Now, she relies on Jun Ying. If she doesn’t trust him, she might secretly divert the family property to her own family. I let Meinang manage the household, and by doing so, she has Heng Ge’er under her care. This way, Zheng will have someone to rely on and won’t cause trouble. Meinang will focus on managing the household, and when you marry, I’ll let you join her in managing the family, ensuring your children won’t suffer.”

Zhuang Yu Lan lowered her head, playing with the handkerchief in her hands. “Aunt, don’t misunderstand. Our family doesn’t do concubinage, not even as a favored concubine.”
Old Lady Xu raised her eyebrows and said, “The Empress Dowager will make sure you won’t be a concubine, but for now, it’s not appropriate. Meinang just got better, and there are still rumors about her strange situation

. I heard even the Emperor and Empress were shocked. If Jun Ying were to remarry now, it wouldn’t be right. Even taking a concubine is out of the question unless Meinang herself brings someone into the room. So, for now, let’s put this matter aside.”