Chapter Nineteenth: Raising Wet Nurses

  Although Zhong didn't mind Liu Rong anymore, he didn't agree to go back and live with her either, which made Liu Rong feel a bit depressed.

  "Mother, I won't sleep well if you don't stay with me." Liu Rong covered her mouth, almost rolling on the ground and crying, and pulled Zhong Shi and herself back to live.

  Zhong's calm face couldn't help but warm up: "You're so old, in a few more years you'll be getting married, and yet you still act like an immature child. Who can believe that you can cure illnesses and save lives?"

  "I don't care whether others believe it or not, as long as Mother is always with me." Liu Rong looked up at Zhong Shi, although she was speaking in a half-coquettish tone, but her heart was serious.

  The Wen Ding Hou Fu didn't value the Zhong family at all, and wasn't good to them either. As long as she had the chance, she would definitely take the Zhong family away from here and personally take good care of them until old age.

  Zhong's mother shook her head and smiled wryly: "It's not that I don't want to accompany you, but I made a vow in front of the Buddha. As long as you return safely, I will live in the Buddhist hall and become one of the most devout followers of the Bodhisattva. I cannot go back on my word, or the Bodhisattva will blame me."

  "Besides...” Liu Rong wanted to say something else, but Zhong Shi interrupted her, looking at her with a rare serious expression: "Actually, it's good that you're staying here too. There will be less trouble and Liu Shi can rest assured that no one will take the mistress' position."

  "Mother!" Liu Rong frowned, she just didn't want the Zhongs to lose out, didn't want them to back down, and especially didn't want them to spend this cold and lonely time in front of the Buddha hall alone.

  Zhong patted Liu Rong's hand: "The most important thing is that Niang likes to stay in a quiet place, sometimes it's cold and quiet, flat and dull, but it's actually a rare blessing."

  Zhong seemed to think of something, his face slightly sinking: "Besides, we're all one family, fighting this and that, fighting until the end might scatter the whole family, and then what's the point? You should know that your uncle's family... is the only thing your mother worries about - your marriage."

  Liu Rong felt that Zhong Shi's words had a deep meaning, and before she could think more about it, the conversation turned to her marriage.

  Zhong Shi paused for a moment, looking at Liu Rong who was listening intently, before speaking in a low voice: "You must remember that neither marrying up nor down is auspicious. Only marrying someone of equal status is good. The fact that this family is willing to marry you shows that they have no intention of climbing the social ladder and their family values are upright. As long as you are gentle and warm, your relationship with your husband will be harmonious and respectful. Although you may not receive excessive pampering like those who marry down, nor experience grandeur and glory like those who marry up, you also won't have to endure great turmoil that can shatter one's heart. A peaceful and stable life is the true blessing!"

  Here is the translation:

  "Speaking of which, Madam Zhong couldn't help but let out a soft sigh: 'It's a pity that you can't have your way in marriage matters. I'm worried that one day you'll be married off to some scoundrel from the Hou Manor.'"

  "But in any case, you must calm your heart. Any place with a stable mind will become a peaceful place." Zhong Shi looked seriously into Liu Rong's eyes: "Speaking of which, Mother is very happy that you know some medical skills. If things really don't go well and we can't separate, then run away!"

  Liu Rong looked at Zhong Shi in surprise, never thinking that the cold and quiet Zhong Shi would have such a transcendent view and insight, and could say such rebellious words that were considered treasonous in this era.

  Suddenly thinking of the other's life, Liu Rong's heart ached, and all this was probably Zhong Shi's heartfelt words, and his own yearning for life. Now that everything is smooth, it's all about looking forward to his daughter's future life. Afraid that her only daughter will also take the same path as herself. It's just that she can't help but worry, and can only watch.

  For some reason, she couldn't help but feel a surge of wanting to reassure Zhong Shi, and also a desire to strive for something.

  "Mother, don't worry, those superficial vanities, I won't compete for. I will try my best to marry happily and make you feel at ease." Liu Rong said seriously to Zhong Shi: "When the time comes, I will definitely come to pick you up and support you by my side."

  Although she knew it was impossible, Zhong still couldn't help but laugh: "What kind of daughter follows her mother to live with her husband's family... silly girl, don't talk nonsense, hurry up and think carefully about how to learn more from your aunt."

  Liu Rong didn't say much more, but in her heart she secretly made up her mind, and on the surface just smiled and coaxed Zhong Shi to continue speaking.

  "Miss Rong, the lady-in-waiting by Madam's side has come to invite you. She says that the governess for your cousin has arrived and is calling for you to meet her." Just as Zhong Shi couldn't help but reveal a smile, Dong Er's anxious voice came from outside the room, interrupting Liu Rong's thoughts.

  Zhong's face returned to its usual calm, and she helped Liu Rong stand up straight again. After carefully adjusting Liu Rong's clothes and hair, she spoke: "Hurry up and go, remember to behave yourself, don't be reckless and impulsive, or you'll get into trouble."

  Unlike Dong Er's impulsive and hasty tone, Zhong Shi's voice remained calm and steady, with a power that could calm people's minds.

  Liu Rong responded with a sound, and then exited the room. She looked at Shang Dong'er with a slightly surprised and worried expression, and couldn't help but shake her head.

  It is said that a master raises a servant of similar character, but Dong Er's personality and Zhong Shi... are really not alike at all.

  Plum Garden

  The maid stood by and waited on them, the array was more magnificent than usual, the fruit plate was also more substantial than usual, it seemed that they had put their minds to it.

  The madam smiled and spoke to the middle-aged woman sitting opposite her, who was wearing a brown embroidered auspicious pattern, occasionally bursting into laughter. They seemed to have known each other for a long time. As they reached the height of their conversation, the madam almost had the maid bring over some plum wine to drink together. In the end, it was the middle-aged woman who dissuaded her from continuing.

  But amidst all the laughter and chatter, Liu Xuan and a group of daughters from the Wen Ding Hou Fu arrived at the garden one after another.

  When Liu Rong entered the garden, she saw Madame Wang and another madam of similar age to herself sitting at a table, with four girls sitting on either side. Apart from Liu Xiang, whom she recognized, the other three were all strangers to her.

  She quietly asked Dong Er and only then did she find out that the other three people sitting next to her were, respectively, eldest sister Liu Yun, second sister Liu Ming, and fourth sister Liu Fu. However, these three sisters looked unfamiliar, except for Liu Yun who nodded and smiled at her. The other two people, one had her nose up in the air, looking disdainful of her, while the other was clearly trying to curry favor with Liu Xuan, completely pretending not to see her.

  It wasn't until later that Liu Rong found out that both Big Sister and Second Sister were actually daughters of Old Lady Liu, but the personalities of these two daughters were as different as night and day. Big Sister didn't resemble Old Lady Liu in the slightest, while Second Sister was a carbon copy of her, even down to her attitude, which seemed to have been carved out of wood.

  "Old sister, come take a look, this is the one I mentioned to you, my third granddaughter, Liu Rong." The madam didn't notice the movements of the girls below, but saw Liu Rong smiling and introducing herself to the old lady.

  After finishing, he instructed Liu Rong to come forward and pay respects to Chang Niangniang: "This Chang Niangniang has served the former Empress Dowager, no matter whether it's palace etiquette or other things, she knows more than others. If you can learn a thing or two from her, that will be enough for you to live off of for the rest of your life."

  Liu Rong hastily stepped forward and paid her respects: "I've seen you, Aunt Chang."

  Chang's aunt merely nodded at Liu Rong and didn't continue to pay attention to her.

  Liu Rong smiled slightly, not minding at all, and chose to sit under the second seat of the madam. The girls sitting next to her, except for Liu Yun, were all satisfied with a hint of schadenfreude.

  Liu Rong, however, was all ears as she listened to Madame and Chang Gu Gu continue chatting about old times. She learned that the two had once entered the palace together for the imperial selection of consorts, but both were rejected. The difference lay in their choices afterwards: Madame was married into the Wen Ding Hou Fu by her family, while Chang Gu Gu chose to stay on in the palace as a servant.

  Now, the madam has become the wife of Wen Ding Hou, and this Chang Gu Gu is out of the palace for honorable retirement.

  However, from the state of the two happily reminiscing about the past, it can be known that the relationship between the two was very good when they were young.

  As the two continued to chat, Liu Rong also saw the fifth and sixth sisters in the mansion. The fifth sister, Liu Xian, was a year younger than her, but she was mature in her actions and had a way with people.

  Madam Ta introduced them, and called on Liu Dai to pay her respects to Chang Gu Gu. Unlike Liu Rong's words, ten-year-old Liu Dai smiled brightly and said: "Dai'er has met Chang Gu Gu, I've long heard that Chang Gu Gu is the most knowledgeable and well-mannered lady-in-waiting in the palace, and I've been looking forward to having the opportunity to learn from her. I didn't expect it to come true."

  Fourth Aunt still nodded calmly, Fifth Sister's face stiffened slightly but she also nodded and immediately sat down beside Second Sister Liu Bi. It was unclear what they said to each other, but before long the two of them were laughing together.

  However, Liu Rong noticed that although Liu Ping was also smiling, it was with a hint of superiority, as if watching a monkey show. On the other hand, Liu Qing was smiling in an attempt to please.

  As for Liu Jie, she was brought over by the wet nurse holding her hand. Liu Jie was the youngest, only five years old now, but when it came to paying respects, she also went through the motions. However, when it came down to it, she ended up asking if she could eat the honey dates on Madame's table and whether they were sweet or not, with a look of longing on her face. In the end, Madame couldn't help but pick her up and sit her on her lap, saying "You're just a little glutton" as she placed the plate of honey dates in front of Liu Jie.

  I thought there would be more conversation, but strangely, the first meeting and courtesy passed in listening to Mrs. Chang and Auntie Chang chatting with several girls.

  I don't know what others think, but Liu Rong quite likes it. From the conversation with the two old men, I can learn a lot about this era. And looking at the state of several sisters, I also understand my own state in this mansion.

  It looks really pitiful now, there isn't even one ally among the sisters...

  But after Liu Rong and the others left, Madame only stopped smiling and looked at Chang's aunt seriously: "My family has several daughters, and you have also seen them. With your many years of experience in the palace, how are these few daughters of mine?"