The roomful of people all quickly got up to go out and welcome.
Luo Pei Shan has always deeply respected his old wife. Returning back from the office, he didn’t go directly to the study like usual, but instead went with his eldest son to the main courtyard. After sending off his eldest son, the two husband and wife pair spoke for a while. After all, they were already an old elderly couple, naturally wouldn’t be like the youngsters and still stick to each other like ‘newlyweds’. After roughly inquiring about each other’s situation in these last three years, each went on with their own matters.
Head Minister Luo first went according to his usual practice and lectured his sons, especially his fourth son who had been attending to the old madam at Qi’an Fu. The carefree and high spirited fourth young master, Luo Rong Wei, who originally didn’t have a father above keeping an eye on him, was directly lectured into a quail. Not only did he himself attend to the duties of the Three Departments[1] everyday, he also required his sons to be well aware of the large and small matters daily. Not for them to be righteous and make good judgement, but for them to understand the stakes.
Done lecturing the sons, it was time to lecture the grandsons. With the eldest three, starting from 16, whenever he had time, he would keep them by his side. Not mentioning the eldest di son from the first branch, Luo Jing De, and the second branch, Jing Wan’s elder brother, Luo Jing Bo, but even the third branch’s eldest shu son, Luo Jing Ming, a shu born’s shu born, none were left behind. Luo Pei Shan’s certain intentions were practically made abundantly clear.
After entering the room, everyone quietly sat down. Jing Wan then finally knelt before Luo Pei Shan and not at all half-heartedly kowtowed three times loudly.
Luo Pei Shan lightly took a sip of tea and faintly said, “Rise”.
Towards her grandfather’s indifference, Jing Wan completely didn’t have any feelings.
This person possesses strong ambitions, yet didn’t for the sake of climbing up, unscrupulously use any means possible. He had principles, and also had a bottom line. Towards his sons and grandsons, he had strict demands. However, if like Luo Rong Yan, they really didn’t have any interest in officialdom, he wouldn’t insist either, allowing the other to just be a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue. But if one day Luo Rong Yan suddenly wanted to chase after fame and profit, he would probably support him with his upmost effort.
As for the younger generation’s marriage matters, if it was able to satisfy both friendship and benefit, then that was for the best. But if not, unless it would cause this family to be at the end of the road, otherwise he wouldn’t go as far as to, solely for the sake of benefit, push the younger generation into a fire pit. This kind of person perhaps Jing Wan couldn’t become intimate with, but she wouldn’t have ill-feelings towards them either.
In these ten or so years, her understanding of this world deepened more and more each day. To be able to be born in Luo family was already quite fortunate.
Luo Pei Shan occupied a high position and possessed power and influence. Because he was born from a literary family, he had an even deeper scholarly aura, making his might not at all overwhelming. Yet because he was strict towards his children, each and every one all revered him, with very little intimacy. And as for the grandchildren generation, they were all heavily influenced by their parents, and also made ‘skipping a generation intimacy[2]‘ become a joke. Luo Pei Shan perhaps felt regretful in his heart, but he didn’t really mind.
However, what Jing Wan didn’t know was that in Luo Pei Shan’s eyes, she wasn’t that invisible. Not just because of Luo Old Madam, but because in the very few interactions he’s had with Jing Wan, Luo Pei Shan discovered that she was different from most since childhood. Towards him, she had deep respect, but not fear. Perhaps others weren’t able to perceive it, but he felt it very clearly and deeply. Furthermore, from his old wife’s occasional few words, he knew that this granddaughter was good, but also had a clear distinction between her likes and dislikes. To say she was sometimes kindhearted, it was better to say that she ‘cherished life’, placing importance on every single person’s life. Even if it was a servant that committed a wrong, she wouldn’t easily act viciously either. Apart from this, she had principles, had a bottom line, and when she needed to be determined, she would never hesitate. Naturally intelligent, yet didn’t expose her fangs. Often times, he would feel it was quite a pity that she wasn’t born male.
It can be seen, this grandfather and granddaughter pair were quite similar in their evaluations of one another. And it just happened to realize what the old madam once said before: ‘Among the grandchildren, third girl is actually most like old master. This like isn’t in appearance, but in personality.’ The old madam doted on Jing Wan that much, because there was the factor of ‘to love the house and its crow[3]‘ in there.
“Third girl has done well these few years.”
Towards Luo Pei Shan’s praise, Jing Wan was somewhat surprised. She lightly smiled, “It’s not worthy of grandfather’s praise, it’s all what this granddaughter should do.”
Luo Pei Shan slightly nodded, “I remember you like plants and flowers, and also raised them quite well. A few days ago, I obtained a pot of ink orchid[4]. I’ll have someone move it to your courtyard.”
This time the surprise almost appeared on her face. However, having obtained something good, Jing Wan was also happy, “Thanking grandfather for the gift.”
If the old madam’s doting towards Jing Wan had only made a part of the people upset in their hearts, each individually feeling deep jealousy inside, then this action of Luo Pei Shan’s, even if they were the sons and grandsons that were well-regarded and meticulously nurtured by him, all felt a ripple emerge inside their hearts. It was hard to not guess, whether or not the head of the family, Head Minister Luo, had a deeper meaning to it or not.
Perhaps some would believe that it was only because of the old madam that Luo Pei Shan would have such intentions towards this granddaughter. But those who truly understood Luo Pei Shan knew, it wasn’t just because of this. If it was only because of his old wife, he entirely could’ve just given something else. There were plenty of things that girls could use and like. No matter what, with just one word from him, there’ll naturally be people below that will get it done nice and properly.
Luo Pei Shan was actually a ‘flower fanatic’. Because he’d always controlled himself, not wanting to let this one ‘weakness’ be exploited by other, that’s why very few people knew about this one fondness of his. That pot of ink orchid wasn’t just randomly obtained, but was obtained at the cost of three rolls of precious calligraphy paintings, and even owing his eldest son a favor. And under the help of an old friend, did he finally manage to get it from the other person. If it wasn’t because he really liked it, he absolutely wouldn’t do something this troublesome. Before, in the study, they even saw him carefully looking after it. That appearance truly was the peak of fondness.
But now he was casually giving it away to a granddaughter? They, these sons and grandsons, didn’t even dare to have the slightest thought.
Luo Pei Shan was rather pleased with Jing Wan for being undisturbed by the favor, even if it was because of her not understanding the reasoning behind it. Then seeing the others’ behavior, it really did make him a bit disappointed, “En. Set the dishes then.”
Because each harbored their own thoughts, there really weren’t that many that could quietly and calmly enjoy this reunion banquet.
After the meal, Luo Pei Shan didn’t have them stay either.
On the way back, she could still restrain herself, but when she got to her own territory, “That Luo Jing Wan, based on what? Based on what?! Just what’s so good about her that one after another all like her?” Sounds of violent smashing and all kinds of malicious cursing could be heard, not to mention the already torn handkerchief.
Eventually her mouth was covered, and a soft whispering sounded next her, warning against her actions. After all, if this matter were to be passed on to Head Minister Luo’s ears, wouldn’t they have to suffer the consequences?
Luo Rong Yan had Jing Wan and Luo Jing Bo remain at the Falling Plum Flower residence and had the other three shu children sent away.
The usually noble and graceful Luo Rong Yan had his eyebrows knitted, and Luo Jing Bo similarly had a grave expression on his face. Zhang-shi although still didn’t understand what was going on, but seeing the situation, also knew something was wrong. She somewhat nervously looked to her husband and son.
Luo Rong Yan first comforted Zhang-shi, letting her go rest first. It’s not that he didn’t want to tell her. Even if he told her, it’s just another person worrying, that’s all. Coming out, he unexpectedly saw Jing Wan calmly holding a cup of tea.
“Wan Wan….” He himself was already on the verge of burning anxiety, yet this appearance of his daughter’s really made him unable to express his anger.
“What’s wrong?” Jing Wan looked to Luo Rong Yan somewhat skeptically.
Luo Rong Yan had all the servants withdraw. “That pot of ink orchid your grandfather gave you….”
“Something wrong with the flower?” Shouldn’t be, right?
“The flower’s not the problem….” Luo Rong Yan didn’t know how to say it. This was why he hated those matters of the court the most.
“Father, I’ll say it then.” Luo Jing Bo, seeing his father in a difficult situation, explained to Jing Wan their grandfather’s love for flowers.
Jing Wan was silent for a moment, “So you’re saying, you think grandfather is using this kind of method to appease me or compensate me? Because he wants to use me in exchange for benefits? Young girls raised and educated in the boudoir, their greatest usage was none other than connections through marriage. This is grandfather already having chosen a family for me?”
Luo Jing Bo looked to his own younger sister, admiring her intelligence for understanding immediately. However, seeing her talk about her own marriage without even moving her brows, it really was both familiar and unfamiliar. “Little sister, things aren’t that simple.”
“En, ordinary political marriages are just for tying two families together through goodwill. Naturally it wouldn’t cause grandfather to feel guilty. The princes are all coming of age one after the other, getting conferred into w
angs and opening their own place of residence[5]. So it’s time one can start thinking about that position. The worst case would be none other than to give me away to a certain one among those few. Of the young ladies in our Luo family, eldest big sister has married, second big sister is already engaged, and furthermore is a shu born, her status is not high enough. Fourth little sister is younger than me by a day, but her status similarly is not good enough. Thinking about it back and forth, there’s only me that is the most suitable. However, because father’s official post is low, my status is also lowered. At most, I’m just a concubine.” Jing Wan spoke neither quickly nor slowly.
It’s not that Luo Rong Yan didn’t understand the matters of the court, he just disliked them and didn’t want to understand. A few years ago, he already knew that this daughter of his was not as simple as she looked on the surface. It truly was the saying ‘plain when not speaking, shocking when speaking.’ It was difficult to not be shocked by her words. He didn’t know if he should reprimand her for not being reserved, or to feel sorry for her to have seen through the matter so clearly. “Wan Wan….”
Jing Wan looked to Luo Rong Yan, carrying the delicate charm of a fourteen year old young girl, saying with a smile, “It’s still daddy’s usual look that looks the best.”
[1] Three Departments – Of the Three Departments and Six Ministries system that was the main central government system in imperial China.
[2] ‘Skipping a Generation Intimacy’ – A loose translation, referring to how grandparents would be more intimate to their grandchildren over their children, thus ‘skipping a generation’.
[3] To Love the House and its Crow – Idiom meaning when you like someone you like everything connected to them as well.
[4] Ink Orchid – A literal translation; a type of orchid flower; in english it only has a scientific name, Cymbidium sinense (Jackson ex Andrews) Willd.
[5] When imperial sons, or princes, turn 15-16, they move out of the imperial palace to open their own manor or residence. This is also the age where the Emperor will bestow them a title of a wang. This is also one of the reasons why I chose to leave in ‘wang’ instead of translating it to ‘prince’ like some translators chose to do, because the princes before they come of age or bestowed the title they aren’t ‘wangs’, they’re just ‘huang zi’ which translates more closely to ‘Prince’ or ‘Imperial Son’.
