Chapter 12: Visiting Madam Wang

Because they caught a lot of fish during the day, the Su family enjoyed a hearty river delicacy feast that evening and treated themselves to a satisfying meal.

The people in the upper deck cabin stared as the Su women carried dishes from the kitchen—blanched freshwater shrimp, pan-fried crucian carp with fermented black beans, spicy stir-fried eel segments, clear softshell turtle soup, steamed perch, braised snakehead fish, and roasted sorghum flatbread—down to the lower deck. The aroma was so irresistible that they couldn’t take their eyes off the food. Some even stopped them and insisted on buying a portion of braised snakehead before letting them pass.

At night, the ferry lit up with tung oil lamps. The rippling river shimmered under the glow, the orange-yellow lights casting a layer of fine golden sheen across the water, dreamlike and illusory as the boat sailed northward.

Just after the Su family had finished their meal, Steward Zhang sent Wang Shan to deliver the money from selling the fish.

They had sold 200 jin (around 100 kg) of fish for a total of 1,800 wen. With a 30-70 profit split, Steward Zhang’s side took 540 wen, and the Su family earned 1,260 wen.

After handing over the money, Wang Shan also brought a crab basket to Old Madam Su, which contained a few river clams. “Old lady, these are the ones your family didn’t sell earlier. There’s not much meat in them, so nobody wanted them. Do you still want them? If not, I can toss them for you.”

“We want them, we want them,” Old Madam Su said with a smile, taking the basket and handing him a coin pouch. “Thank you for all your help today, Brother Wang. You’ve done so much for our family—this is a small token of appreciation, just some tea money. Please don’t think it’s too little.”

The pouch was quite heavy. Wang Shan weighed it in his hand—it felt like around 300 wen. He silently praised the family for being thoughtful and grew even more favorable toward them. With a smile, he nodded to Old Madam Su and gave a gentle reminder, “Aunt Su, the person you’ll be meeting tomorrow is actually our Madam. She’s about your age and very kind. When you see her, dress decently, but don’t be nervous. Just say whatever you need to say.”

Old Madam Su had been a bit nervous before, but after hearing this, she felt reassured. After thanking him, she went back inside and instructed her sons and daughters-in-law to take care of the household for the next few days.

When Li Sumei heard that Madam Wang was kind, she felt much more at ease. She helped Old Madam Su and the baby pack their things, counted a string of coins, and put them in her bundle. Liu Yingying also packed the clothes, diapers, and shoes she had made for little Su Huan over the past few days, so her niece would have spares once they boarded the other ship.

Surprisingly, when Su Yanqi and Su Yanxing opened the river clams, they accidentally found a luminous pearl!

The pearl was about the size of an adult’s thumbnail, glowing brightly in the dim cabin. Its round shape and fine texture made it obviously valuable at a glance!

Second Brother Su was the first to react. He quickly shut the cabin door and exclaimed excitedly, “Mother! With this luminous pearl, we won’t have to worry about settling down once we get to the capital!”

Wu Chunhe happily kissed her two sons. “Sanbao, Sibao, you boys really have good luck today!”

Old Madam Su teased the baby with the luminous pearl. But when little Su Huan didn’t seem interested and looked away after a quick glance to focus on drinking milk, she laughed and handed the pearl to Li Sumei. “Fifth daughter-in-law, keep this. If we have no capital to establish ourselves in the capital, we can sell this pearl.”

“Yes, Mother.”

The next day.

At dawn, with mist still shrouding the river, Old Madam Su cleaned herself up and dressed neatly. She held her still-sleeping granddaughter in her arms and followed Steward Zhang’s ferry to the main ship ahead.

The main ship was similar in size to the ferry but much more spacious. Armed guards patrolled the deck in a disciplined manner, and servants and maids moved about in an orderly fashion. Compared to the ones on the ferry, these attendants seemed more well-trained.

Steward Zhang brought Old Madam Su to a parlor on the first level. Hanging scrolls with golden patterns adorned the walls. The floor was covered with a plush indigo silk carpet embroidered with peonies. The windows and railings were painted with intricate floral designs, and the curtains on the pillars fluttered gently with the river breeze, giving the place the feel of a celestial abode.

To ease Old Madam Su’s nerves, Steward Zhang had a maid go inside to report, then offered her a few comforting words.

At that moment, little Su Huan woke up. She clutched her grandmother’s hand and curiously looked around.

For some reason, seeing the child wake up calmed Old Madam Su. Her demeanor grew serene as she stood in the parlor waiting alongside Steward Zhang.

Soon, a dainty young maid in purple came out and said, “Steward Zhang, you may go now. Madam wishes to speak with Old Madam Su alone.”

“Yes,” Steward Zhang replied, then left without lingering.

The purple-clad maid carried herself with refined elegance. She wore fine silks and a solid gold hairpin—not gold-plated or bronze-core, but genuine gold. She looked even more presentable than the daughters of wealthy families!

Old Madam Su noticed all this and, thinking back to everything she’d seen on the way in, silently concluded that the Wang family was no ordinary rich household—they were likely of noble background.

The maid approached her and, upon seeing the obedient baby girl with bright eyes, smiled and said, “You’re very blessed, ma’am. What an adorable granddaughter you have. How old is she?”

Her voice was gentle and pleasant, naturally putting people at ease.

Old Madam Su smiled and replied, “My granddaughter was just born a few days ago—she’s not even a month old yet.”

The maid was surprised. “Really? I couldn’t tell at all. You take such good care of her. Our little miss is almost three months old and still weighs less than your granddaughter. What do you feed her?”

As she spoke, she helped Old Madam Su sit down, genuinely seeking advice.

When it came to raising children, Old Madam Su had plenty of experience. Her husband had died early, and she’d raised five sons on her own. Later, she also helped raise four grandsons, and now, she was caring for a new granddaughter. So she spoke freely and confidently about child-rearing.

The maid, impressed by her composure and the fact that she hadn’t stared around nervously after entering, grew more respectful. She smiled and nodded. “Thank you for your advice. I’ve taken note of it. My name is Zilan, and I’m the head maid serving our Madam.”

“It’s drafty in the parlor. Let me take you inside to speak with Madam.”

The inner cabin was spacious. Madam Wang was already seated on a luohan bed, holding Ying Jie’er and waiting.

Old Madam Su followed Zilan inside. Not daring to look directly at the lady, she only caught a glimpse of the luxurious Shu embroidery of cranes on her silk dress. She then bowed with little Su Huan in her arms. “Your humble servant, Su Zhang Hongtan, brings her granddaughter Su Yanhua to pay respects to Madam. Wishing Madam health and longevity, and the young miss peace and happiness!”

Madam Wang, seeing the fair and tender baby in her arms, felt her heart soften. She waved her hand. “Please rise, Elder. It’s rare for me to find an old sister who’s also raising a child. I don’t want to hear such formalities from you.”

Two maids helped Old Madam Su sit down. She smiled and said, “Little sister, you look quite strong. Are your teeth still in good shape?”

Country folks may not be polished in other ways, but they’re experts in casual conversation.

Madam Wang laughed. “I can still chew just fine. And you, elder sister? I heard your family has fourteen people, with many sons and daughters-in-law?”

Old Madam Su chuckled. “Don’t be fooled by our numbers, little sister. We eat a lot of grain. Luckily, we’ve been fortunate enough to meet such kind hosts like you on this journey. Without your help, who knows when we would’ve reached the capital.”

Madam Wang said, “Your accent sounds a bit like you’re from the capital?”

Old Madam Su replied, “I was originally from the capital but married into the Central Plains later on…”

The two of them chatted more and more deeply, as if they could talk forever. Little Su Huan started blinking sleepily, clearly drowsy.

Seeing this, Zilan said, “Madam, shall I take the two little girls out to play?”

Madam Wang noticed the baby’s sleepy expression and nodded with a smile. “Go ahead. Children don’t understand our conversation anyway, and they’ll be bored staying here.”

She then handed Ying Jie’er to the nursemaid and said to Old Madam Su, “Don’t worry, elder sister. I’ve arranged a nursemaid for your Huan girl too. With someone watching over them, they’ll be safe.”

Old Madam Su nodded with a smile and silently memorized the direction in which her granddaughter was taken, then continued chatting comfortably with Madam Wang.