ATLAS TRANSLATES

The matter came so suddenly that Yu Daqing barely balanced the accounts by pawning some of his wife’s jewelry.

Dou Xiuchang arranged for the Dou family’s financial office to audit the accounts. Seeing that they matched, he had Yu Daqing sign off. The aunt sent a ceremonial gift of two hundred taels of silver, along with some porcelain and screens. They chose an auspicious date and held a farewell banquet for Nanny Yu’s family.

Word spread in Zhending County that the Dou family’s Seventh Master was going to marry his wet nurse, and that the Dou family had given her much silver for her retirement.

When Nanny Yu’s carriage left the city gate, some people secretly measured the tracks left by the wheels.

Later, the Dou family heard that Nanny Yu’s family encountered bandits on their way home. Not only were all their belongings robbed, but Nanny Yu was so frightened that she passed away a few days later. Yu Daqing was wounded by sword cuts, and though he survived, he was left disabled and unable to care for himself…

The aunt, seeing that matters were mostly settled, bid farewell to the Dou family women: “…Shou girl’s uncle is waiting for me to return for New Year’s. I’ll have to entrust Shou girl to your care.”

Both Second Madam and the other ladies happily agreed.

After seeing the aunt off, the Dou family began preparing for New Year’s.

After Zhao Guqiu’s death, the New Year’s affairs at the West Residence were handled by Dou Shibang and his wife. This year, because of Dou Zhao’s matter coming between them, when they invited Dou Duo over for dumplings on the Winter Solstice, he declined, citing cold weather and poor health. Dou Shibang was uncertain and specifically asked Second Madam for guidance.

Second Madam went to the West Residence: “…Though we have the agreement in hand, without holding the ceremony, Wang’s position is still unofficial. I think this year she might as well help Third Brother’s wife. It will be a chance to learn how to manage household affairs. Next year, our two households can celebrate separately!”

Dou Duo responded indifferently.

Wang Yingxue was called to assist Third Madam.

She was naturally overjoyed. Thinking this was her first time handling such matters, she wanted to appear neither too humble nor too luxurious.

She neatly arranged her hair in a round bun, wore a half-new crimson brocade jacket, and only wore small gold studs in her ears, making herself look neat, clean, and appropriately modest as she went to the East Residence.

Third Madam was checking accounts with the housekeeper when she arrived. Seeing her enter, Third Madam merely looked up and said “You’re here,” then had a maid bring her an embroidered stool: “First watch from the side, if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me.”

As she spoke, housekeepers and senior maids came and went constantly, the small wing room bustling with activity.

Wang Yingxue had lived in the capital for a while as a child and had accompanied her mother to visit prestigious households.

She wasn’t bothered, saying softly “Third Madam, please continue with your work, don’t mind me,” and sat on the stool, watching and listening attentively to Third Madam’s instructions.

A housekeeper whose accounts didn’t match argued with Third Madam: “When the Zhao family aunt came from the West Residence, we held consecutive banquets, so the tea and wine expenses were naturally higher than usual…”

Wang Yingxue’s ears perked up at the words “West Residence.”

“It’s normal to be higher than usual,” Third Madam said, “but three times higher seems excessive, doesn’t it?” She continued while flipping through the accounts, “Look, these were the expenses when Sixth Master passed the provincial examinations. Now look at when the Zhao family aunt was here…”

“That was during mid-autumn when Sixth Master passed, but the Zhao family aunt stayed until after the Winter Solstice. After Winter Solstice, the prices of chicken, duck, fish, and meat all went up…”

“Didn’t the various estates send supplies before Winter Solstice?” Third Madam remained unmoved. “Why did you still need to buy from outside?”

“The Zhao family aunt stayed from mid-autumn until Light Snow,” the housekeeper said anxiously.

Seeing Wang Yingxue in her half-new clothes and unfamiliar face, she assumed she was some manager’s wife, and while arguing with Third Madam, pointed at Wang Yingxue: “Go, pour me a cup of tea!”

“Me?” Wang Yingxue was startled and looked toward Third Madam.

Third Madam and the housekeeper were glaring at each other like fighting roosters.

Wang Yingxue looked at Third Madam’s maids and servants, but none made a sound. She had no choice but to slowly get up and pour tea for the housekeeper.

But she felt indignant inside and quietly asked a young maid: “What does this housekeeper do?”

“You mean Madam Dou?” the young maid looked where she pointed and smiled, “She’s our Manager Dou’s wife, the most straightforward person. She used to be Lady Dowager’s personal maid. Even our masters have to show her some respect.”

Then she asked curiously, “Which department are you from? I’ve never seen you before. Are you a newly promoted manager’s wife?”

Wang Yingxue regretted dressing too plainly. The next day, she wore her hair in a falling horse bun, adorned with large jade flowers, and wore a bright green embroidered jacket, radiating brilliance.

People coming to report matters all smiled and nodded to her, asking Third Madam who she was.

“She’s Concubine Wang from the East Residence.”

Those people then looked at her with curiosity and exploration, even some hidden disdain.

During meals, the maids and servants would look at her in groups of two or three, and when she turned around, they would break into ambiguous giggles.

Wang Yingxue felt both embarrassed and angry, regretting dressing too eye-catchingly. The whole day passed as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

Returning to Qixia Court, Nanny Hu told her: “Second Lady Dowager sent Nanny Liu to take Miss Ming away. She said since it’s almost New Year’s and you need to learn household management from Third Madam, there’s no one to look after Miss Ming, so it’s good to take her over to keep Fourth Miss company.”

Wang Yingxue had never been separated from Dou Ming since she was born. She felt as if a piece of her flesh had been cut away.

At this point, she couldn’t go to the East Residence to bring her back, so she blamed Nanny Hu: “Why didn’t you send someone to tell me? I could have brought Ming girl back when I returned.”

Nanny Hu thought to herself, who knew the East Residence wouldn’t inform you!

But she dared not say this, only anxiously apologizing.

Wang Yingxue worried that Dou Ming would be uncomfortable away from her and cry all night; worried that Second Lady Dowager’s people would be arrogant and not take good care of Dou Ming; worried that Dou Zhao would bully Dou Ming. She tossed and turned all night without sleeping, then went to see Dou Tuo after washing up.

“I’m going to the East Residence,” she respectfully reported her whereabouts to Dou Tuo, then said casually with a smile, “Second Lady Dowager has taken Ming girl over, saying she can keep Shou girl company. What do you think, when should we bring Shou girl and Ming girl back?”

Second Lady Dowager had informed Dou Tuo about this matter. Dou Tuo knew that “busy” was just an excuse — Second Lady Dowager looked down on Wang and feared she would badly influence the child.

As for him, he didn’t want to see these two girls — one had taken half his family property, the other was an illegitimate child, neither were any good! Just seeing them made him annoyed.

He thought if Wang hadn’t caused such a scene, if she had properly married into the family and given him another grandson, with someone like Wang Xingyi as a maternal grandfather, they would have been respected anywhere, and he would have been content.

But heaven didn’t grant his wish… He was also annoyed at seeing Wang Yingxue, and said unpleasantly: “First do your own duties well, don’t meddle in unnecessary things. With the family in such chaos, where do you expect the two children to stand?”

Wang Yingxue not only failed to get what she wanted but was scolded. She felt very wronged and went to the East Residence biting her lip.

At noon, Third Madam asked her to stay for lunch and asked: “Is there anything you don’t understand?”

She had wanted to go see Dou Ming at Second Lady Dowager’s, but with Third Madam asking her to stay, how could she refuse? Standing beside Third Madam as a junior serving lunch, seeing Third Madam’s question, she smiled and said: “I see that household matters follow old customs. Looking at previous account books would probably be twice as effective with half the effort.”

Then she humbly added, “I don’t know if this is correct, please guide me, Third Madam.”

“Indeed from an official family,” Third Madam smiled, “You understand at a glance and grasp things quickly. Not like when it was my turn, I didn’t understand anything and couldn’t remember even after looking for a long time. Later, it was Third Master who told me, and only then did I start to understand…” She was quite friendly toward her.

Wang Yingxue accompanied Third Madam in conversation, and in the afternoon, went with her to the storehouse to check New Year’s supplies.

When they finished, it was already the hour of hai (9-11 PM).

Her maid Qiong Fang came to report: “Second Lady Dowager’s place locked up at the hour of xu (7-9 PM).”

Wang Yingxue returned to the West Residence exhausted, and the next day went with Third Madam to several temples to deliver next year’s incense money.

After being busy with various tasks for several days, she suddenly realized she hadn’t seen Dou Ming for seven or eight days, and no one had told her how Dou Ming was doing. She became anxious, vaguely feeling that the East Residence people were doing this deliberately. She left the half-checked storehouse and went to Second Lady Dowager’s place.

The maids and servants didn’t stop her, smilingly welcoming her in.

Ji shi and Dou Zhao were both there.

Seeing her enter, Ji shi smiled and nodded, while Dou Zhao warmly called her “Aunt Wang.”

Wang Yingxue went forward and gave Second Lady Dowager her respects.

Second Lady Dowager wore a gray squirrel fur cap, lounging on a large welcoming cushion by the window’s heated kang, holding a cloisonné box with lotus patterns, and smilingly asked her: “What, has Third Brother’s place finished for the day?”

Never mind that Third Madam was currently busy to the point of exhaustion — even if Third Madam was resting at home, how could Wang Yingxue say so in front of Second Lady Dowager!

“Third Madam is so busy she can barely touch the ground,” she quickly explained, distancing herself, “I just thought it had been several days since I’d seen Shou girl and Ming girl, so I came specially to see them.”

Second Lady Dowager listened and nodded with satisfaction, saying: “The Wu family came to deliver New Year’s gifts, and Wu family’s Fifth Young Master and Seventh Miss also came, so I let them take Ming girl to visit.”

The Wu family referred to Jade Second Madam’s natal family.

Wang Yingxue felt slightly relieved hearing this.

Jade Second Madam was also from an official family. Her grandfather had been a county magistrate, and her uncle Wu Songnian was currently a Hanlin Academy Compiler. The Wu family’s Fifth Young Master and Seventh Miss referred to Wu Songnian’s eldest son Wu Shan and eldest daughter Wu Ya.

As these thoughts flashed through her mind, Wang Yingxue became suspicious.

That Wu Shan was seven this year, Wu Ya was four, about the same age as Dou Zhao — why had Ming girl gone but not Dou Zhao?