Continuous Spring Rain (Part 2)

  Half a month later, Yunzhu received news from the palace again and learned that Hongli's Fuca Gege had indeed given Gao Shi infertility medicine. It was probably because Gao Shi had played a trick under her nose that Fucha Shi not only put infertility medicine in Gao Shi's usual beauty soup and food but also put secret medicine in her commonly used hair oil. I guess after using a certain amount, the body will become weak or may cause headaches.

  In modern times, Yunzhu had always been skeptical of the books that described characters possessing certain secret medicines that could either make people infertile or weaken their bodies... or were simply poisonous. She wondered if such things really existed, knowing that in ancient times, the sale of poisons (such as arsenic) was strictly controlled by the authorities. Moreover, from a modern scientific perspective, it was hard to believe that the ancients could have created such targeted medicines. However, after arriving here, she believed it - such medicines did exist, but they were extremely rare and all in the hands of extremely powerful families... in short, without the ability or luck, it was impossible to obtain such things.

  Sterilization drugs are easy to obtain, but those that cause physical weakness or certain diseases without being noticed are hard to find. I didn't expect the Fu family to have them too, they're really well-prepared.

  Gao also became, as she had wished, one of Hongli's personal maids. In the past few days, she successfully exchanged a beautifully embroidered pouch for an opportunity to receive instruction from Hongli on how to write. On nights when Hongli did not go to Fucha's residence to rest, Gao often added fuel to the fire, and their feelings for each other progressed rapidly.

  Zhang and Liu, who were taken in by her, had some complaints in private, but they didn't dare to openly resist due to the powerful influence of the Gao family. No matter how much Fuca suppressed them, they still had one or two chances to serve Hongli every month, but since Gao arrived at Hongli's side, they basically didn't even have a chance to get close to him.

  Xing Ji has a plan, and some means to achieve it. Yun Zhu can't help but sigh that this Gao Shi is indeed young and too impatient. Using Zhang Shi and Liu Shi to get close to Hong Li's preferences and habits, and then using them to counterbalance Fu Cha Shi, these are all good tactics. However, you can't use people and then discard them when you're done, trying to monopolize the benefits for yourself. This will only lead to alienating your allies... With this way of doing things, even if there was no Fu Cha Shi, you would still be backstabbed by other women sooner or later.

  "Miss, Qingxiu sister has arrived." Linglong said from outside.

  Yunzhu tore a few pages of paper into shreds and threw them to the edge of the half-carved copper basin, "Let her in."

  "Miss An." Qing Xuan entered the room, saw Yunzhu wearing a light blue flag dress, with a jade-carved orchid hairpin slanted on her head, half-sitting on the couch, in front of the red plum small stove table was placed a pair of jade stone chessboards, seemingly playing a tune, elegant and noble, secretly admiring, quickly stepped forward to pay respects and ask after her well-being.

  "No need for formalities, Mother called you over, what's the matter?"

  "It's the Zhēnguó Gōng Fǔ and Bó Jiàng Fǔ (Mǎ Zǐ Fǔ), Light Chariot Captain's Mansion (Mǎ Wǔ Fǔ) that sent over clothes and accessories for the young lady, let her go collect them, nice ones:"

  Yunzhu couldn't help it, from last year to now, the three palaces have sent her so many fabrics and jewelry in the name of selecting a concubine?! "Alright, I'll pack up and go."

  The person who sent the gift must still be there, and can't stay too long. Yunzhu has been wearing a flower pot bottom to walk since the beginning of the year in order to better adapt to future life, and doesn't wear the casual robe she used to wear in the inner house either. She strives for every move to conform to the elegance and nobility of everyone's virtuous woman, so her clothes and hair are only slightly tidied up, with a pair of silver-inlaid Dongzhu earrings added, and then she goes to the main courtyard with Su Wenling.

  The maidservants and waiting women all made their curtsies as they went, until they reached the main courtyard. The maid on duty at the gate, seeing her, dropped to her knees in a deep curtsy and cried out: "Miss has arrived!" She then lifted the portiere for Yunchuan.

  As soon as she entered, she saw Madame Gualgiya sitting in the first place, accompanied by Fourth Sister Nian Si and Hui Zhu. Ten or so old nannies from the three palaces who were often seen sat on the lower stools, and they all stood up when they saw her arrive.

  Yunzhu first greeted the Guwalgiya family, then nodded to Nian Xialu and Heizhu before turning to smile warmly at the dozen or so wet nurses: "Lu nurse, Suo nurse, Shu nurse, didn't you already send a lot of clothes and accessories last month? My Xin'gui Temple is almost full." If they kept sending things every few days like this, not only would Heizhu's eyes blaze with anger, but even the other sisters-in-law would feel uncomfortable.

  "Ah, my girl, Fu Jin has spoken, last month's gift was for longevity, this one is for you to prepare for the selection...". Lu Mama spoke with a smile, she was the confidant of Fucha, originally doting on Yunzhu, now that Fucha was pregnant again, she felt it was all thanks to Yunzhu bringing good fortune, her words were warm and respectful without any pretence.

  "It's exactly so." said Su Niang and Shu Niang in unison. Su Niang was a trusted servant of Hita, the stepmother of Mazi. Seeing Gua'erjia smiling graciously and Yunzhu looking elegant and refined, she smiled and said: "The selection of ladies-in-waiting is the most important event in the life of our Manchu young ladies. Our mistress has said that when Second Young Lady's turn comes, we will also prepare a set for her."

  Jian Hui Zhu's complexion improved a lot, and she thought to herself, "After all, a concubine is just a concubine. This temperament can't compare with that of the legitimate daughter. No wonder Master values the eldest miss in the manor so much. Just by looking at her appearance and temperament, it's clear that she's different from others."

  Shu Shu wasn't bad either, her eyes sparkled with understanding, "Ah, I said how come all the clever ones under heaven met today? Not only did they think of sending gifts at the same time, but even the words Master told them to say are almost identical. Fourth Mistress, our mistress said that since the mourning period in the manor hasn't ended yet, people won't be coming over, so wait until Miss's big wedding day and prepare a thicker gift..."

  "What's the need for so much fuss, Third Aunt is indeed...” Guajia smiled and sighed, but was actually very pleased. She glanced at Suwen and Lingzhui, who were standing aside with their gift boxes, and asked Yunzhu: "Did you bring a return gift?"

  Yunzhu smiled and said, "It's something I made for Uncle and Aunties a while ago. It just so happens that the wet nurses can bring it back to pay respects to my daughter." As she spoke, she took the box from Suwen and Lingzhou, and personally handed it over to the wet nurses. They were all new floral teas and some shoes, socks, and forehead cloths that she had made since the beginning of spring.

  Niu Hu Lu's wife (Fu Wen's daughter-in-law, Gua Er Jia's eldest daughter-in-law) was a well-behaved person. Seeing this, she couldn't help but secretly praise Yun Zhu for being meticulous and thoughtful. Although the things she sent were not as valuable as those from the three manors, they were all made by her own hands. In terms of filial piety and thoughtfulness, there was nothing to criticize.

  Several aunts felt a sense of pride on their faces, and they all praised Yu Zhu for being well-mannered and filial. Especially Su Niang, who saw Hui Zhu sitting slightly uneasily and knew that she had never thought about these things before. She thought to herself, no wonder people are biased, it's always been a matter of give-and-take, you can't just think about taking without giving anything in return, there's no such easy thing as that. Although families like theirs don't look down on girls born out of wedlock, they still have to know how to be a good person!

  She had no idea that Hui Zhu was also feeling embarrassed and ashamed at this moment... When several ayahs came, she was originally accompanying Guwalgiya with the fourth sister Niohuru to handle government affairs, thinking that she could say a few words, so as not to let them see only Yunzhu and forget that there is still a second lady in this mansion, but unexpectedly... Yunzhu's move of returning gifts made her feel ashamed.

  She wanted to avoid it, but was afraid that doing so would attract even more attention. She wanted to stand up and say she had also prepared a gift, but her mind was a jumble and she couldn't think of anything good in her house to give as a present.

  The main wife, Guwalgiya, was not bad to her. Every day, she had enough food, clothes and things to use, and there were many maids and servants teaching her etiquette. After the New Year, she even started taking her with her to teach her how to manage household chores... To be honest, in her spare time, she made shoes and socks for her mother, brother, and sister-in-law, and forgot about the uncles and aunts from other branches of the family. As for the handkerchiefs and fans that she had saved up over the years, she couldn't think of anyone suitable to give them to now.

  She didn't believe that Yunzhu, who learned more than herself, would have so much free time to make flower tea and do so many feminine things... Maybe these things were made by Jinxiu, but could she say it out loud? Could she say it? Tearing them apart would only make others think she was jealous of her older sister, didn't know etiquette, had no rules, and would even offend her mother-in-law, bringing shame to the family...

  It wasn't until now that she reluctantly admitted to herself that the difference between her and Yunzhu was not just a tiny bit, but also in terms of identity, talent, character, and behavior.

  ……

  Huizhu rushed back to her own courtyard, threw herself onto the bed and burst into tears. Jiao Shi, who had been instructed by Madame Guan, dismissed the servants and took the opportunity to educate Huizhu: "Alright, miss, stop crying, or you'll cry your eyes out..."

  "Mom, am I useless?"

  Jiao's family still had a soft spot for this young lady who was raised by them, but in a big family like theirs, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children couldn't be simply wished away. "The young lady is still young."

  "I'm already 10 years old, and in three more years I'll have to participate in the selection... When my sister was 10 years old, she wasn't like me, unable to do anything well?"

  She still can't see through it. Jiao's mother helped her sit up, took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and advised: "Why does the young lady always want to compare with the eldest lady? Leaving aside the difference between legitimate and illegitimate birth, the young lady's temperament is different from that of the eldest lady, and what they excel in is also different. How can you compare?" The eldest lady born to the legitimate wife has a gentle and quiet temperament, while the second lady born to the concubine is arrogant and strong-willed... If only their temperaments could be swapped, there wouldn't be so many unpleasant things happening.

  "Why wasn't I born in a rich lady's belly?" Huizhu said, and then regretted it and cried. Liu Yiniang was also very good to her.

  "What's the use of thinking about these things? Who we are born to is not something that ordinary people can control. Why don't you think about how your life compares to other illegitimate daughters in the capital, and be content with what you have? Madam is a reasonable person, as long as you behave yourself, she won't treat you unfairly."

  The eldest daughter is the mistress's flesh and blood, born to her, let alone the difference in etiquette, even if there wasn't one, it's human nature to be fond of one's own child. Can you see that Madam Liu treats the eldest daughter better than she treats you? We only hope that the mistress won't mistreat you openly, as for other things, it's her own business how much of her dowry and private property she wants to give to the eldest daughter, isn't it?! If Second Miss were to argue about this, wouldn't she just be making herself uncomfortable for no reason?

  Moreover, this house is still ruled by the mistress, and in the future, the inheritance of the family business will also be the Fourth Young Master. No matter who the young lady marries into, she will still rely on this household... With these brothers around, the young lady will have a foothold in her husband's household in the future, don't waste this advantage for nothing.”

  Hui Zhu actually understood in her heart, but seeing others value Yun Zhu and neglect herself made her feel resentful. "Nanny, you said that when I participate in the selection, will Uncle and the others also give me clothes and accessories?"

  "Ah, my silly girl," laughed Fucha's wife. "Our family, the Fuca clan, is a renowned and aristocratic Manchu surname, with generations of officials and nobles. Even if you're a daughter born out of wedlock, you're still precious and valuable. Let's learn our manners well, so when we go out, we'll be dignified ladies from a noble family. Not to mention your father and mother, even the masters in the palace won't dare look down on us."

  "Really?" Huizhu murmured softly, walking out, she was also a noble lady from a prestigious family?

  A surge of anger rose in her heart, yes, she was just a daughter born out of wedlock in the Fuca Mansion, but when she went out, she was also a noble lady of the Eight Banners. As long as she was selected for marriage, she could choose a good family and become the mistress of the house, becoming a noblewoman of the Eight Banners.

  Thinking of this, she turned to Jiao and burst into tears, laughing: "Jiao, thank you. I will learn the rules well from now on, although I am not as clever and capable as my sister, but I will try my best..."

  "The second daughter has done very well." The eldest daughter, a born noblewoman, at her age, has seen many ladies, but has never met anyone as perfect as the eldest daughter.

  But this person is too perfect, is it really a good thing? The only one that can match him is the imperial palace, and that's not a quiet place...