Chapter 2: Settling into the Shen Residence (2)
At this point, Ji Cheng paused, her nails digging into her palms. There was another reason why Zhu Jijun wanted to forcibly take her as his concubine—in Jincheng, he had already defiled countless young girls. Ji Cheng had a childhood friend who had fallen into Zhu Jijun's clutches and was said to have died a gruesome death. Though Ji Cheng hadn't witnessed it herself, the lurid gossip spread by busybodies, combined with her own imagination, had left her too terrified to sleep at night.
Yet such sordid matters were not something Ji Cheng wished to voice, nor did she want to soil others' ears with them.
In truth, Ji Lan had long been aware of Zhu Jijun's depravity. Were it not for his excessively cruel behavior provoking widespread outrage, whether she would help the Ji family oppose him remained questionable. Official connections spread like vines from a single melon—Zhu Jijun's son-in-law had formidable backing.
After exchanging a few more words, Ji Lan dismissed Ji Cheng to settle in. When the girl left, a woman in her thirties with immaculately coiled hair emerged from behind the inner room's screen.
"What do you think, Aunt Chang?" Ji Lan asked, lifting the corner of her eye.
"A natural seductress. Her features, figure, and nightingale-like voice surpass even Consort Xue from years past," Aunt Chang replied.
Ji Lan's lips curved upward, but Aunt Chang continued: "This young mistress has a straight nose and clear eyes—mark of strong will. From her speech earlier, she's neither submissive nor dazzled by vanity. Forced fruits taste bitter. Should she resent us, even by a noble's side she might bite the hand that placed her there."
Ji Lan disagreed: "The capital's a dye vat. Her provincial eyes see only common things. After days here, who's to say she won't be blinded by splendor? If she resists temptation, I'll not force her—she is my niece. But should she harbor lofty ambitions..." Ji Lan smiled meaningfully. "...this aunt must aid her rise."
Aunt Chang lowered her eyelids. "Since Madam plans thus, why treat her coldly earlier? Should've welcomed her warmly."
Aunt Chang had served in the palace until twenty-five, only to find her family vanished—likely perished in disasters. As a lone woman with savings, she attracted local ruffians' attention. Refusing their advances, she fled back to the capital where Ji Lan took her in. Now she taught Fifth Miss Shen Cui etiquette and gradually became Ji Lan's trusted advisor.
"The Emperor ages," Ji Lan said confidently. "Ji Cheng's too young to willingly enter the palace now. Let cold treatment make her see reason. When she starts yearning for prospects, we'll guide her gently. Palace ladies still need outside help for certain matters."
Aunt Chang remained silent. This Third Lady Shen—who married into nobility despite her merchant origins—had cunning, but narrow vision. Human hearts proved less predictable than she imagined.
After Aunt Chang withdrew, Ji Lan twisted the emerald ring on her finger and called through the curtain: "Has the cousin settled in?"
Linglong entered, replying: "She's settled, Madam."
"Open the rear storeroom. Select items from Old Lady's gifts to Third Master and Cui'er for her chamber."
Linglong hesitated. The Dowager's possessions—accumulated through decades as Duchess Qi—held historic value. Wasting such treasures on a provincial girl who mightn't appreciate them...
"Why dawdle? Fetch the finest pieces—no beggar's scraps!" Ji Lan snapped.
As Linglong retreated, she realized this cousin had caught her mistress' eye—future dealings required careful handling.
When Ji Cheng entered her west wing chambers prepared by her aunt, she started. The room outshone the main hall in opulence.
Semi-new rosewood furniture exuded dignified wealth without vulgarity, particularly the three-paneled screen carved with Three Friends of Winter—its craftsmanship exquisite.
"This screen came from the Dowager when Fifth Miss was born," explained Lingzhen, Ji Lan's maid. "A gift from the late Empress."
Ji Cheng nodded at its imperial provenance.
Later, under Ji Lan's orders, servants flooded the room with treasures: Han-jade phoenix-in-bamboo vases, official kiln sunflower-patterned urns—priceless heirlooms no money could buy.
After settling in, maid Yuqian'er mused: "First cold, then lavish gifts—why?"
The sudden shift from coldness to generosity was indeed puzzling. Was this meant to intimidate her into retreat, or kindle ambition? Ji Cheng couldn't yet discern her aunt's schemes, but time would reveal all.
At dinner, Ji Cheng and her brother Ji Yuan visited the main hall to greet Shen Ying—Third Master Shen returning from office. The mild-mannered official inquired warmly about Ji Yuan's studies, confirming arrangements for Dongshan Academy's entrance exam.
"For your rest day, I'll personally introduce you to the headmaster," Shen Ying promised.
To Ji Cheng, he asked only about her education—proper decorum observed between uncle and niece.
"My father hired a tutor," Ji Cheng replied.
Shen Ying brightened. "Excellent! Literacy benefits future generations and..." He chuckled. "...makes wives charming study companions."
"Master!" Ji Lan chided. Shen Ying flushed, realizing his impropriety. Ji Cheng's ears turned crimson as she stared at her lap.
Recovering, Shen Ying added: "Our family school teaches all girls. Should you stay, join your cousins."
Ji Cheng glanced at Ji Lan—her stay depended on this aunt's will.
Though Ji Lan had intended to observe Ji Cheng first, she smiled graciously: "A-Cheng will stay awhile. I meant to have her join Cui's lessons, but you claimed the credit first!"
Shen Ying smiled. "Oh dear, I shouldn't have spoken out of turn. Since she's your niece, you naturally care more than I do. I'm sure you've arranged everything properly."
After more conversation, a maidservant from the gatehouse reported that Fifth Miss and the two young masters had been kept for dinner at Lady Ruiying Hall. Ji Lan declared, "Then we'll dine here. We're all close family - no need for formal separation. Eating together will be livelier."
Shen Ying nodded. But in great families, meals observed the rule of "no speaking while eating, no talking while sleeping," making the dinner rather subdued. After the meal, Ji Cheng and Ji Yuan returned to their respective rooms.
That evening, Ji Cheng paced her room to aid digestion. Yuqian burst in after exploring, having grasped the Shen Third Branch's basic situation. "After dinner, the master went straight to Concubine Fang's quarters."
Ji Cheng showed no surprise. Though her aunt remained beautiful, a woman over thirty couldn't compare to fresh-faced concubines. Even her own father rarely visited her mother's chambers these days, despite her mother surpassing Aunt Ji Lan in beauty.
"Why focus on the master's private affairs when I asked about household matters?" Liu Ye prodded Yuqian's forehead.
At fourteen, Yuqian's petite frame made her appear twelve. Her jade-like loveliness disarmed suspicion, enabling her to gather unreachable gossip.
"I just overheard!" Yuqian pouted. Servants loved discussing their masters' dalliances. Knowing which concubine held favor helped with currying favor or avoiding offense - useful knowledge regardless.
"Let her speak. No harm in listening," Ji Cheng said.
Yuqian smirked triumphantly at Liu Ye. "The master favors the newly arrived Concubine Mei. Both she and Concubine Fang live in the rear courtyard. Concubine Fang bore Eighth Miss."
She chattered on until noticing her mistress's silent pacing. Ji Cheng's disinterest made Yuqian regret her lack of useful information - though understandable given her single day's investigation.
"I'll fetch bath water!" Yuqian scampered out, returning with two stout maids carrying hot water buckets.
"Just ask whenever Miss needs hot water," they gushed. "The kitchen keeps fires burning day and night."
Ji Cheng smiled, instructing Liu Ye to give them two handfuls of Jin-style candied fruits for their grandchildren. The maids thanked her and withdrew.
As Yuqian scrubbed her back, Ji Cheng asked, "How much silver bought their eagerness?"
"Only two taels each." Yuqian felt Ji Cheng's back stiffen between the shoulder blades and quickly added, "You should've seen their faces when I first asked! They claimed proper masters hadn't requested water yet. The silver transformed them like they'd never seen coin!"
"Do you know their monthly wages?" Ji Cheng demanded.
Yuqian faltered. Since joining Ji Cheng, she'd never lacked funds nor thought to inquire about servants' pay.
"Or what Aunt typically uses for rewards?" Ji Cheng sighed. "You risk disrupting her household rules. Managing servants is hard enough without encouraging corruption."
"But we're newcomers from the west," Yuqian protested. "Without official status, silver's our only path!"
"I know." Ji Cheng's voice softened. "But we're guests. Aunt can't manage everything, yet informing her of grievances would suffice. This reckless spending insults her authority."
Yuqian threw down the washcloth. "But Miss bathes daily! Shouldn't you wash after traveling? Without silver, how else-"
"Little firebrand!" Ji Cheng chuckled ruefully. "I know you meant well. The silver was wisely spent, but never again. Coins move ghosts but can't buy respect. Next time, use cleverness before wealth."
Yuqian resumed scrubbing. "Understood." Then worriedly: "Did I cause trouble?"
"At worst, Aunt's scolding tomorrow."
After bathing, Liu Ye prepared Ji Cheng's floral waters and creams. While Ji Cheng applied face cream, Liu Ye massaged her feet with scented balm, then dressed them in cotton gloves and socks before bedding her down.
"Liu Ye, sleep here tonight?" Ji Cheng asked.
The older maid understood her young mistress's unspoken anxiety in this strange household. Though the young master had come, men couldn't easily tend to inner quarters.
"Let me wash first." Liu Ye fetched her bedding, arranging it at the bed's foot before quickly cleansing herself.
Ji Cheng tossed restlessly. Her chronic insomnia worsened in new surroundings. Thoughts leapt to Jin Province and Ling Ziyun - now an impossible match. Though their families matched, external pressures could shatter such bonds. Better part ways cleanly.
She sighed, remembering Aunt Ji Lan's marriage. As a girl, she'd thought her aunt's noble connections could easily crush that Zhu matter. How naive!
Noble families' roots tangled deeply. Zhu had powerful backers, while Ji Lan acted the married-off daughter - until Father surrendered half their fortune to buy her intervention.
Ji Cheng rolled onto her back. She didn't blame her aunt. Each had their family and position. Ji Lan had helped, albeit expensively.
Could she herself aid her natal family after marriage? Ji Cheng couldn't promise. Her pretty words to Aunt Ji Lan hid selfishness - refusing to burden parents, refusing to live as an ant under others' heels. One must grow strong first, even through borrowed power.
But could she succeed? No certainty, only step-by-step progress. Though arriving with calculating heart, she secretly hoped for a kind husband with manageable in-laws - no lofty matches. Grand mansions bred misery. Best a simple household with capable man, even a widower.
Among capital's countless officials, surely someone suitable existed? Someone she could value... who might value her?
(End of Chapter)
