Spring in the Hall of Paintings

Aunt’s tantrum grew more unreasonable, and Old Madam Jue Luo spoke up: “Eldest daughter-in-law, third daughter-in-law, step aside, let me, as a mother, see how Rong Xian will discipline Jing Yi.”

Guo Luoluo stepped back, while the eldest daughter-in-law, Jue Luo, grabbed Aunt’s arm and begged Old Madam: “Mother, Aunt really will hit Jing Yi to death.”

“Let go.” Old Madam’s voice grew even more severe. Jue Luo had no choice but to release her grip. Aunt Rongxian paused for a moment before once again slapping Jing Yi twice and then holding her while crying.

“Why am I so unfortunate? I was married a man who was not only fickle but also passed away early. My daughter is unworthy… What am I supposed to rely on in the future? Jing Yi, let’s die together.”

Jing Yi cried pitifully, and Old Madam slapped the kang table: “Rongxian, I’m still alive, no need for you to start mourning for me.”

Old Madam was furious, her chest feeling tight. She, who had always regarded the reputation of the Tong family as paramount, could hardly suppress her anger at her unworthy daughter. It was because of Rongxian’s indulgence that she had spoiled Jing Yi. Old Madam remembered when Jing Yi first came to the Tong family—she was weak in body but calm in spirit. However, after her health improved, her temperament became frivolous. Accompanying the Prince to drink and compose poetry—this… this was not something a proper young lady should be doing.

In the past, when she had entangled with the Eighth Prince, she had been punished. Just as things were calming down, Jing Yi again tried to get close to Qing’e. This made Old Madam tremble with anger, coughing: “Is he worth you flattering like this? Don’t forget who the heir to the Prince’s estate might be! The Prince’s estate isn’t so easy to enter, and besides, the Emperor… cough, cough… the Emperor…”

Old Madam did not want to talk about old matters, but Fucha poured tea and handed it over to help Old Madam calm down, comforting her: “Please calm down, Aunt was confused for a moment, Jing Yi will be fine with time. Fortunately, nothing truly serious happened. Mother, don’t let this matter upset you.”

“Yes, yes.” Guo Luoluo, thinking about the old matters Old Madam had hinted at, which involved why the Emperor didn’t favor the Prince, slowed her pace a little and gently patted Old Madam’s back. “Second sister-in-law is right, it’s not worth getting so angry about.”

“Rongxuan’s wife is worried that I’ll ruin my health, not that this matter isn’t worth getting angry about.”

“Mother, I didn’t mean that.” Guo Luoluo hurriedly explained. Old Madam understood her little schemes clearly, and after a moment’s pause, she said: “Alright, let’s talk about Jing Yi now.”

“Grandmother…” Jing Yi, with red and swollen eyes from crying, crawled forward. “I know I was wrong, I won’t dare again. Please, don’t blame Mother. It’s Jing Yi who’s unworthy… it’s me…”

“Jing Yi.” Aunt Rongxian once again held her, crying in pain. “Your fate is like mine, both of us born as illegitimate children. It was my fault, I delayed you. Without a father’s love, without the support of the family, how will you succeed in the future?”

Old Madam had just calmed down a little when Rongxian stirred up her anger again. Her face darkened, and she scolded: “Enough, Rongxian, what kind of nonsense is that? Are you trying to make me die of anger?”

Rongxian moved her lips, but Old Madam sat up straight, slamming her hand down on the table. Despite her disappointment, her voice rang out brightly and sternly: “You keep talking about being an illegitimate child and not having a father’s love, Rongxian, ask yourself this—how did your three brothers treat you? You were the most cherished sister. When you were young, whenever I spoke harshly, your brothers all covered for you and helped you plead for mercy. When you were eight and fell into an ice hole, it was your second brother Rongxuan who risked his life to save you. His shoulder was injured by ice, and the scar is still there. Before the selection, you secretly… back then, I decided to set a proper example, and it was your three brothers who knelt in the rain for a whole night, pleading for you. Only then did I go to the palace to request a marriage decree.”

“Do you know that in my lifetime, I rarely ask anyone for help? And do you know that in order to ensure you had a proper dowry, your eldest brother borrowed silver from everywhere, and your second and third brothers also contributed? How can you say such things and not be ashamed in front of your three brothers?”

“Mother, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have said that.” Rongxian cried even more bitterly. “Please calm down. It’s my fault. I do appreciate what my three brothers have done, and I would never act ungratefully.”

“I’m not blaming you, nor am I blaming anyone else. It’s my fault as a mother for not raising you properly,” Old Madam said, her eyes becoming moist. “When you became a widow, and were bullied by your late husband’s family, it was your eldest brother who personally came to bring you back. Since Jing Yi entered the family, everything—her food, clothing, and all else—has been the best. The servants rely on her for support. All the good things have been given to her first, because of the pity for her losing her father and being weak. But Jing Yi? She enjoys the support of the Tong family while slandering its reputation. The moment something goes wrong, she faints. When something doesn’t go her way, she claims to be without a father. She’s hurting me, and hurting her three uncles, aunts, and cousins!”

“Wuwu… wuwu… wuwu…” Jing Yi had no words to refute. Old Madam made her points clear and sighed deeply: “If you all want to climb higher, I can’t stop you, nor will I stop you. But today, I want to make it clear in front of everyone—let my three daughters-in-law hear it.”

The eldest daughter-in-law, Jueluo, the second, Fucha, and the third, Guo Luoluo, all held their breath and said in unison: “Mother’s orders.”

“A married daughter is like spilled water. I will not ruin the Tong family’s hard-earned prosperity for Rongxian or Jing Yi. My granddaughters still need to be chosen for the selection and get married.”

“Mother, don’t chase me away. Mother… Rongxian knows her mistake. I will discipline Jing Yi properly.”

Without the protection of the Tong family, Rongxian knew that relying on Jing Hui wouldn’t help her establish herself in the capital or assist her daughter in marrying well. Desperate, she knelt down, lowering her face. “Mother, I know my mistake. I really do.”

In Manchuria, an ‘Aunt’ was a term used for those in a privileged position, so although Rongxian relied on the Tong family, she lived comfortably and had never lost face like this in front of everyone.

The three daughters-in-law rarely offended her. Sometimes, taking advantage of her status as the younger sister-in-law and her relationship with Jueluo, the eldest daughter-in-law, who was also a cousin, she would occasionally give orders. Old Madam was aware of all of this, but as long as it didn’t cause much trouble, she didn’t interfere, allowing Rongxian to have her way.

However, today was different. Jue Luo, Old Madam, would no longer indulge her. Rongxian’s pleading went unnoticed. Old Madam silently sipped her tea, seemingly not seeing her, and after some time, Rongxian’s forehead was swollen and red. The three daughters-in-law exchanged glances, then all knelt in front of Old Madam. Yun Wei tugged on the sleeve of the still dazed Yun Lan, and both of the legitimate daughters knelt.

“Mother, please forgive Aunt.”

Normally, it would have been Yun Lan, the eldest, who spoke, but she seemed a bit dazed at this moment, so Yun Wei said, “Please forgive Aunt, we are family.”

“Family, very well said, Yun Wei. You said it well. Today, I should thank you.”

Yun Wei’s face turned red, unsure where to place her hands. But her words were calm and not frivolous: “Mother, I was just doing what I was supposed to do. Please don’t blame Aunt or Sister Jing Yi.”

Old Madam nodded approvingly, her gaze scanning the bowed Yun Lan with some regret. She finally spoke, “Rongxian, remember today’s lesson. If this happens again, I will not be lenient.”

“Yes.” Rongxian responded immediately. Old Madam placed her blue-and-white porcelain tea cup on the kang table and said, “I’ve invited a governess from the palace. She will teach the young girls proper manners. She’s an old acquaintance of mine and has served both the Empress Dowager and the Empress. She will teach you many things that will be useful in the future. You must be respectful and humble. Do you understand, girls?”

The girls bowed in unison: “Yes, we will make sure to study the proper manners. Please don’t worry, Mother.”

Old Madam waved her hand to dismiss them. As they stepped out, Yun Lan grabbed Yun Wei, still shaken, and asked, “Sixth sister, is this what ancient families are like? This is…”

“What does it mean to be an ancient family?” Yun Wei frowned and gently patted the startled Yun Lan, saying, “One person’s success is the family’s success, and one person’s failure brings down the whole family. In the Tong family, we are still few in number.”

“I should have remembered the punishment for nine generations…” Yun Lan murmured.

“Fourth sister, don’t be foolish. You can’t say that.” Yun Wei quickly grabbed Yun Lan’s arm and softly said, “You’re tired. Go rest and take a hot bath. You’ll feel better.”

Yun Wei nodded to Yun Lan’s maid and turned to leave. As she entered her room, Fucha was already back, quietly sipping tea. Yun Wei pondered silently. Was there something she too could have handled better?