Chapter 5: Arch Nemesis

Because the old madam entered the capital, the evening meal on this first night was set up in the main courtyard with the whole family gathered.

As a result, coming across the third branch’s bunch, similarly heading towards the main courtyard at this time, wasn’t that strange either.

Luo Pei Shan has a total of four sons and three daughters. Amongst them, one son and one daughter were of shu[1] birth. And this shu son was precisely Jing Wan’s third uncle, Luo Rong Ping. His wife, Liu-shi, came from a Count’s manor, and was even the descendent of one of the four dukes and nine marquis that once accompanied the Great Ancestor[2].

Qi Yuan dynasty has been established close to a hundred years. Great Ancestor Emperor was of common birth. The ones that followed him in conquering the world came from various social classes. At the top there were the nobles and even the descendants of the feudal aristocrats from the previous dynasty. At the bottom were the people of all trades from the streets. Only because the latter had been accompanying him since the beginning, they were loyal without a second heart. In the later days, the latter even ‘cleared out their entire family savings’ to aid him. But even if they received the Emperor’s trust, they still had difficulty surpassing the former. Of the founding four dukes nine marquis, the ones that were born as peasants occupied three duke and five marquis titles. Their honor and glory was incomparable.

Unfortunately, how ever much impressive the three duke five marquis were at that time, was how much they’ve fallen now. Although they still all had existing descendants, and although more or less still had a noble title, but even so, so what? A noble title is merely just nice sounding on the outside, but on the inside it wasn’t even comparable to a fourth or fifth ranking small official[3]. For example, Liu-shi’s entire maiden family, in the very beginning, occupied a high position of a Duke, but was now just a mere Count. The ‘Dan Shu Metal Scroll’[4] bestowed to them by the Emperor himself was also seized from Liu-shi’s father’s hands and damaged, with no longer any possibility of retrieving it. There’s no further need to even mention restoring the initial glory.

As for the other one duke four marquis, if they weren’t from a noble family, then they were the descendants of the feudal aristocrats from the previous dynasty. Because they themselves possess deep roots, even if they’ve been clashing with the ‘three duke five marquis’ in these recent hundred years, even going through bloody storms of the battle for the throne several times, and have somewhat declined, they definitely still haven’t fallen as much as the ‘three duke five marquis’. In fact, there were even one or two families that have risen up abruptly and were incomparably revered in the current Qi Yuan dynasty.

“Third sister seems to have gotten a lot better. Grandmother should be at ease too.” The one that spoke was precisely the third branch’s di daughter, Jing Wan’s fourth younger tang[5] sister of the same surname, Luo Jing Ying. She’s the same age as Jing Wan and was only younger by a day.

Because their age difference was the smallest, they were inevitably compared to one another by the others. And in the beginning, in everyone else’s eyes, fourth miss was all kinds of inferior to third miss. Because she was told too often, perhaps since then certain seeds have already been planted in the heart. Slowly she reached an age where she could retain her memory. She knew that even grandmother liked that older than her by a day older sister too, and towards her, she was very indifferent. She became increasingly resentful towards the unfairness, and also became increasingly competitive and aggressive. What Jing Wan had, she must also have, and moreover, it has to be even better. What Jing Wan could do, she also wanted to learn, and also wanted to be even better than Jing Wan. What Jing Wan couldn’t do, she will risk her life learning. There was only one purpose, she must stand above Jing Wan, and let people see just who was more outstanding and just who was actually more worthy of being pampered.

Even if Jing Wan’s shell was young, but on the inside, she was a true and honest adult. An adult, who’s even gone through trials and hardship, having accumulated wisdom and experience. How could she bicker with a silly little girl? Sometimes, she would even rather interestedly teased the other party. Having this much ambitions, really is a good child. It’s just, as the age increased, that bit of ambition became increasingly unbearable, emitting a rotten smell. As long as she doesn’t cross Jing Wan’s bottom line, Jing Wan was usually too lazy to bother with her. And this bit of disregard, furthermore made Luo Jing Ying burn in rage. It was practically a vicious cycle.

After three years of peace, this fly has once again started to buzz by the ear. Only because she was taking the occasion into consideration, did Jing Wan not scratch her ear.

“Greetings, third uncle, third aunt.” Jing Wan took the lead and confidently made her bow, “Greetings, second sister.”

Luo Jing Qiang was the third branch’s eldest shu daughter, ranking second among the sisters. She was already engaged, and in another two months, she will be married off. On the surface, she was someone who didn’t have any presence, just like a shadow of Luo Jing Ying. However, in reality, Jing Wan sometimes felt that this older tang sister was very interesting.

Luo Jing Qiang promptly evade half of the body, only accepting half of the bow. Biting her lips, after she paid her respects to Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi, she returned the bow.

Jing Wan ignored Luo Jing Ying and paid her respects to her elders first. Not only did this manifest Luo Jing Ying’s rudeness, Luo Rong Ping and Liu-shi were also lacking in manners. After all, Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi were their elder brother and older sister-in-law. Luo Jing Qiang’s conduct was practically just adding oil to the fire. Not only was it awkward, it was even humiliating, “Greetings second older brother, second sister-in-law.”

Luo Rong Yan dully responded and spoke some words of courtesy. Towards this busybody younger shu brother, who eagerly sought after fame and profit, he usually didn’t have any good opinions of.

Luo Ring Ping also secretly hated that even though his own official post was obviously higher than the other party, the other party has never spared him even a glance. Father was also like this. Even when this second older brother doesn’t attend to his proper duties all day long, father wouldn’t say anything either. And as for him, no matter how hard he worked, not only was he unable to receive any praises, sometimes he would even get scolded till the ‘dog’s blood drenched his head’[6], and even in front of the servants, not leaving him any face.

That’s why not only did Jing Wan and Luo Jing Ying not get along, second branch and third branch also only looked harmonious on the surface. In fact, as the only shu son, Luo Rong Ping’s relationship with the other three brothers wasn’t all that much either.

Luo Rong Yan took the lead and preceded ahead.

Being close by, Jing Wan faintly glanced at Luo Jing Ying. The other party’s gaze looked as if it was dipped in poison. Jing Wan raised her eyebrows. Afraid, in days after, it’ll be even more restless. “Fourth little sister has grown in these three years.” At least, she didn’t explode immediately, like a gunpowder barrel.

Luo Jing Ying abruptly curbed her expression and smiled like a flower, even affectionately taking a few steps forward, coiling onto Jing Wan’s arm, “Third big sister, in the past this little sister was young and didn’t understand, did some things that shouldn’t have been done. You as the bigger person with a bigger heart, don’t lower yourself to this little sister’s level. In the future, I won’t be like how I was in the past anymore.”

It was true that Jing Wan’s temper was good, but she was also someone who had a clear distinction between what she liked and what she didn’t liked. This kind of behavior of Luo Jing Ying’s really made her feel disgusted. Even if she was said by others to not have friendly affections towards her sisters, she still wouldn’t wrong herself to pretend to be forgiving and magnanimous. Although sometimes it was disadvantageous to be unwilling to compromise, but so what? She brushed away Luo Jing Ying’s hand, “Young? Indeed young, younger than me by an entire day. Oh, it shouldn’t be said like this. When you were born, third aunt once had your fortune told, said your eight birthday characters[7] were weak and were subdued by me. Those years at Qi’an Fu, you would always forcibly celebrate your birthday a day ahead of mine. Who knows how many people assumed you were actually the older sister.”

Luo Jing Ying’s eyes immediately reddened, “This is third older sister not willing to forgive this little sister?”

Pretend to be weak? Pretend to be a little white flower? Who did you learn this from? In comparison, Jing Wan discovered that the previous firecracker-like Luo Jing Ying was really just too cute. Jing Wan simply didn’t want to say another word to her and increased her pace, catching up to her parents.

Luo Rong Ping was also quite angered, but he didn’t dare lash out at Luo Rong Yan and couldn’t say anything to Jing Wan either. After all, the small matters were between his own daughter and niece, naturally it wasn’t appropriate for him, as an elder, to say anything. Glancing to Luo Jing Ying, he became even more angered, “Useless!” Flinging his sleeves, he walked towards the main courtyard in quick steps.

“Mother….” Luo Jing Ying pulled on Liu-shi’s hand, feeling both resentful and wronged.

“Mother’s good daughter, endure it for now. This is the capital city, not Qi’an Fu, where the Luo family can cover half the sky. That personality of Luo Jing Wan’s, at Qi’an Fu, can be like a fish in water, because she has the old madam shielding her. But in the capital city, it’s drastically different. There are as many noble personages as the clouds. For the time being, just wait and see. There will be a day where she’ll pay dearly. My good daughter will definitely have the chance to stomp her into the mud.”

Thinking how despite being a noble descendant of one of the founding dukes, she’d fallen to the point where she ended up marrying a shu son. Perhaps if this husband was good to her, then she would’ve resigned. But unfortunately, she was already thoroughly disappointed with this man; her heart was completely frozen. Only her daughter was the sole person she cared about right now. And those that pressed on top of her daughter’s head, all deserve to die. Just wait, just wait…..

Luo Jing Ying changed into a smile, “Mother is right.” When she’d just arrived in the capital, didn’t she also suffer quite a few losses? But now, it wasn’t the same anymore. She not only learned how to deal with others, she’d also made remarkable progress in the aspects of poetry, qin, and painting. And Luo Jing Wan, in these aspects was indeed still not completely enlightened. Moreover, she also had the advantage that Jing Wan definitely won’t have in the short time. She had quite a few intimate female friends, and if used properly, it’s definitely a great weapon to use against Luo Jing Wan. Then she swept a glance to Luo Jing Qiang next to her, sneering, “Second older sister sure knows how to be a traitor. Being that close with the second branch, you might as well just go to the second branch’s side.”

Liu-shi’s gaze towards Luo Jing Qiang also contained ice, “Go back and copy both the ‘Female Commandments[8]

‘ and ‘Female Principles[9]‘ a hundred times. Tell your Yiniang to also copy along, then copy a hundred scrolls of scripture to pray for the old madam’s good fortune, for her it can be regarded as a virtuous deed.”

Luo Jing Qiang replied submissively. As for what she thought inside, only she herself would know.

When the old madam saw Jing Wan, seeing that she’d recovered some color on her face, and also learning of the old doctor’s diagnosed result just now, she finally felt relieved. At the same time, she naturally also learned of Bai Yiniang’s pregnancy, but she didn’t treat it as much. After everyone finished their salutations, old madam placed all the little grandchildren born within these three years in the capital to the side and let Jin Wan sit next to her.

This kind of unconcealed pampering, who knows how many people’s eyes it stabbed.

There were people who originally wanted to say a few sour words, but no one opened their mouths. If they didn’t restrained it themselves, then they were curbed by someone else. It wasn’t false that the old madam was a benevolent elderly lady. Furthermore, they were fully aware of her wisdom, farsightedness, firmness, and tenaciousness. In this family, if one were to be openly hated by her, then their days will be very difficult.

Very soon, the people of the various branches all gathered.

“Old madam, old master and the three young masters have come.”

[1] shu – Born from a concubine.

[2] Posthumous title for the founder of a dynasty; aka the first emperor of the dynasty.

[3] For majority literary officials in most of the dynasties that adopted this ranking system, it goes from eight to one, with eighth rank being the lowest and a first rank being the highest. Most actual important minister positions are from third rank and higher, thus anything below is considered a fairly lower position.

[4] A document that’s literally made from metal sometimes. It’s a proof of privilege award by the Emperor to ministers for outstanding service. It’s similar to a blank decree left by a previous Emperor, giving those who have it special privileges.

[5] tang – A tang sibling is a cousin that shares the same surname; basically the children of your father’s brothers.

[6] Dog’s Blood Drenching the Head – Idiom that figuratively means ‘to suffer a torrent of abuse’.

[7] Eight Birthday Characters – It’s the four pairs of Chinese characters that respectively represent the year, month, day, and hour of birth.

[8] Female Commandments – Also known as ‘Lessons for Women’; it’s one of the four books for women. Written by the Han Dynasty female intellect Ban Zhao, and basically outlines the four virtues a woman must abide by, proper virtue, proper speech, proper countenance, and proper conduct.

[9] Female Principles – Written by Emperor Taizong of Tang’s Empress, Zhangsun-shi. The book is a collection of outstanding past achievements of females, used to teach women to abide by these standards.

T/N: The family moments are going to be bit long since it needs to introduce a lot of characters, relationships, and historical background to the setting and they’re all kinda important to the plot too. You’ll come to appreciate it later on. This novel is very good with keeping their world building consistent. Also sorry the footnotes are super long on this one, but I do hope they’ve been helpful at least.