The two battles of Master Shenghong in the 5th round, complete victory
The death of Aunt Wei suddenly awakened Sheng Hong. Although he did not have the same feelings for her as he did for Aunt Lin, she was still a woman with whom he had shared a bed. Seeing her die in a pool of blood, Sheng Hong finally realized that the internal conflicts within the family had escalated. As an official who had long been neglectful of his duties, how could Sheng Hong not understand that Aunt Wei's death was, in fact, a result of the deterioration of the household's rules.
Standing in front of the kang with his hands clasped behind his back, he said: "I have also experienced today's matters. Out of excessive affection and care for you, I have completely forgotten the words of the sages. It is said that there is a hierarchy of age and a distinction between legitimate and illegitimate. Our family should not imitate the merchants' households by treating all wives equally, which would be disgraceful. No matter how many faults the mistress may have, she is ultimately older than you, and you should show her the proper respect. From now on, you are to dismantle that small kitchen, and I will cease all financial support I have been providing you. The maids and servants in your courtyard shall receive the same treatment as those in the main household, without any favoritism. If you wish to reward someone, you must use your own money. All matters shall be conducted according to the household rules. I believe you have accumulated enough over the years. In the future, you must adhere to the rules, greeting the mistress daily. If you are unwell, you may skip a day, but you must instruct the people in your courtyard to behave themselves and not to show disrespect to the mistress or speak any nonsense. If I find out, I will deal with it severely!"
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Aunt Lin had a lot to say, but upon hearing Sheng Hong's last words, she fell silent. She understood that Sheng Hong wanted to continue his official career and to strive for a good reputation, which meant he could not afford to have his private morals scrutinized. What Sheng Hong had just said was merely asking her to be humble, yet he had neither stripped her of her property nor separated her from her children; this was already the bottom line. The death of Aunt Wei was ultimately closely related to her, and being able to resolve the case in such a manner was indeed fortunate. She was a clever woman, knowing when to take a step back. Even though she felt some resentment in her heart, she gritted her teeth and endured it, instead choosing to gather her spirits and maintain a warm relationship with Sheng Hong.
"Yesterday at Madam's place, I spared you some face. According to what you said, you had no part in Aunt Wei's death at all?" Sheng Hong said coldly, having finally remembered what he was there for, as someone who had rolled in the officialdom for some time.
Sheng Hong sat beside Wang and gently advised, "These past few years, I have caused you distress, my dear. Rest assured, from now on, I will no longer indulge Concubine Lin. You are the primary wife, and she is the secondary. You are my legally wedded wife, brought in with formal ceremonies and gifts, the one who will share the ancestral offerings with me for a hundred years. No matter how much Lin tries to assert herself, she cannot surpass you. She should naturally come to pay her respects and serve you."
Recently, while revisiting the vernacular novels of the Ming Dynasty and "Dream of the Red Chamber," I noticed an issue: it seems that the feudal scholar-officials of the Ming Dynasty still intervened in household affairs, whereas in the Qing Dynasty, especially among the Manchu nobility, men generally did not concern themselves with any matters. All responsibilities, big and small, were left to women. Those with jobs were better off, while those without would simply take their birdcages for a stroll.
Yao Yiyi is studying law. She understands that, fundamentally, the laws of a feudal society protect the rights of men. Once a man's entire interests are directed towards a woman outside of his legitimate wife, the situation of the legitimate wife stepping aside to make way for another will inevitably occur. This is quite tragic, though fortunately not very common. The unfortunate classmate Chen Shimei faced a punishment from Grandpa Bao, not because he took a second wife, but because he committed murder. Men who commit bigamy are not subject to the death penalty. Of course, in the strictly moralistic ancient times, if one wished to advance further in their career, like Sheng Hong, one could not allow such actions to tarnish their reputation.
Well, how should I put this
Sheng Hong did not refute this; instead, he nodded repeatedly, saying, "I have already investigated the matter thoroughly. The Lin family is indeed significantly involved in this incident, but to say that she truly wished to harm anyone is not entirely accurate. It can only be said that Aunt Wei was unfortunate, and the circumstances aligned perfectly. Those maids who accompanied the dowry have always had a rivalry with the Lin family, and it was not intentional to delay matters. Now that things have come to this point, should I really kill Aunt Lin to appease the situation? If those two children harbor resentment, how can the household remain peaceful?"
Nurhaci established the Eight Banners system to maximize the military strength and military pathways of the Manchus, transforming the populace into a military force. At that time, it was customary among the Manchus for men to go out to war and seize goods, while women managed all affairs at home, from financial matters to the marriage prospects of children, with women essentially having the final say in these matters
In "Dream of the Red Chamber," nearly all the adult men of the Jia family are idle, relying on capable women like Wang Xifeng to manage household affairs. As a result, Wang Xifeng engages in various unscrupulous activities outside (such as lending money at high interest, accepting bribes, and being involved in criminal cases), while the men either turn a blind eye to it (like Jia Lian) or are completely unaware (like Jia Zheng). The women in "Dream of the Red Chamber," from Lady Wang to Tan Chun, Bao Chai, and Dai Yu, are generally more knowledgeable and competent in management than the men. This phenomenon of female dominance and male decline was likely not an isolated case in the early Qing dynasty. The saying "Who governs the country among the thousands of golden and purple, only one or two women can manage the family" may reflect the reality of that time.
Wang felt a surge of joy in his heart and turned around to smile, saying, "Are you really willing to part with it?"
Sheng Hong's tone softened considerably as he touched Wang. He then continued to coax her, gently blowing into her ear, which made Wang's face flush and her breath quicken: "My dear wife, you are the daughter of a prominent family and understand well the implications of a flawed family reputation. Now, we must look forward. Hua Jie is about to come of age, and the matter of her marriage is imminent. If any disgraceful incidents from our family were to be leaked, it would surely tarnish Hua Jie's reputation. Hua is my firstborn daughter and of legitimate birth. I am hoping to find her an exceptionally good husband, so that I can also showcase the prestige of her father-in-law."
Aunt Lin's face turned pale, and her heart sank. Just as she was about to defend herself, Sheng Hong continued, "I am not someone who is unaware of the situation. You and the Madam have been at odds for a long time, and I do not expect you two to become sisters in harmony overnight. However, you should first soften your stance. I will not retract the properties I have given you; those things are still yours to keep. However, you cannot arbitrarily appoint the person in charge. Your two relatives in Quanzhou used to indulge in flower wine and entertain actors every day, and their extravagance was even greater than mine. From now on, any person you appoint must be approved by me; you are not allowed to bring in those reckless and irresponsible individuals who could tarnish the Sheng family's reputation! As for Feng Ge'er and Mo Jie'er, keep them by your side for now. If you truly care for the children, you would not have let things come to this point. Now, think more about those two children."
The reason Wang Xifeng is so wary of You Erjie, yet looks down on Qiutong, is that You Erjie is a favored concubine. Moreover, having been married for many years and now in her twenties without having borne a son, she is already in violation of the "seven out" rule, which typically allows for the taking of concubines. It is only due to the support of her family that she has remained unchallenged. Once You Erjie gives birth to a son, not only could she potentially replace Wang Xifeng, but at the very least, her position would be threatened. Therefore, as soon as Wang Xifeng hears about You Erjie's situation, she immediately draws her sword.
The indifferent attitude that Baoyu's mother holds towards Aunt Zhao is based on the significant disparity in their respective statuses; one belongs to the affluent Wang family, while the other is from a household of servants, not even counting as free individuals, and she herself is merely a born servant.
In the initial years, Sheng Hong was indifferent and immersed in an endless affair with Concubine Lin, unwilling to return to solid ground. However, he was ultimately a rational feudal scholar-official, not a Republican poet who took it upon himself to break free from feudal shackles. His passion for Concubine Lin would eventually wane, and the intervention from the Wang family's maternal side accelerated this process
How can one live well in this world? At nearly six years old, Sheng Minglan began to seriously contemplate the issue of survival
The Manchus' entry into the Qing Dynasty brought not only the Eight Banners system but also the custom of the "household matriarch". (One can refer to the character of the second wife in the television series "The Grand Mansion", who commands the respect of her father-in-law, husband, and younger brother-in-law. The original text elaborates further, indicating that this role of the household matriarch is no longer merely about managing children's accounts, but rather directly influences significant matters concerning the direction of the family's economic life)
Among all the unfortunate women in the entire "Dream of the Red Chamber," only Jiao Xing possesses such fortunate luck. As for Ping'er and Xiang Ling, whether they were eventually elevated to a proper status remains uncertain. Even if they were elevated, it would have been during the decline of Xue Pan and Jia Lian, which cannot be considered a significant blessing.
Yao Yiyi thought of this and found her will to live diminishing. She neither had a powerful aunt as her biological mother nor was she born of the legitimate wife. Her future status in the Sheng family would be quite delicate. This reincarnation was truly a mixed blessing; it was better than being in a worse situation, yet inferior to a better one, lacking in comparison to those above her, while offering little advantage over those below.
Wang was angry, turning her back to Sheng Hong, sulking as she picked up a handkerchief and twisted it.
The chaos in the Sheng residence stems from the rise of Concubine Lin. It must be said that Concubine Lin, by choosing to abandon the position of the legitimate wife outside and willingly becoming a concubine, has astutely assessed the situation and tailored her approach accordingly. Unlike the confused and naive You Erjie, she chose Sheng Hong because she recognized him as a man of independent character, unrestrained by his wife. She was also aware of Sheng Hong's hardships during his early years as a son of a concubine, and she used this as a point of entry to secure an invulnerable position for herself within the Sheng residence.
Aunt Lin had always been adept at managing Sheng Hong's temperament, but unexpectedly, she was pushed aside. Without revealing any emotion on her face, she gazed at Sheng Hong with tearful eyes. Sheng Hong looked at Aunt Lin and said in a deep voice, "The matter regarding Aunt Wei will be put to rest here. I will instruct the Madam that no one in the household is to mention it again. However, starting today, there are a few things I need to clarify with you."
Yao Yiyi felt that there was no need to blame Sheng Hong's father; it could only be said that a man's forgiveness towards his lover is unconditional, while his respect for a wife with little love is conditional. Sheng Hong, as an educated feudal scholar, adhered to propriety, but as a cultured young bureaucrat with aspirations, he was ultimately driven by emotional needs. For him, Wang was essentially a product of an arranged marriage. However, if both parties put in effort after marriage, even an arranged marriage could blossom into a deeply affectionate partnership. Unfortunately, Wang made several mistakes in this regard. On the other hand, for Sheng Hong, Lin Yiniang represented the outcome of a love based on freedom. In a situation where no one was aware, the two of them secretly concealed their feelings, and the more they suppressed their emotions, the more intense they became. At that time, it is likely that Sheng Hong had genuinely fallen in love.
The conversation that night was originally a questioning of Ms. Lin's culpability, but somehow the topic veered off course, transforming Ms. Lin from a defendant into a plaintiff. The case, which began with an inquiry into the cause of Aunt Wei's death, inexplicably morphed into an investigation of the elder wife persecuting the younger wife. The transition was subtle, like the horns of a gazelle, leaving no trace to follow, and the audience unwittingly became entangled in it. On the surface, it seemed that Ms. Lin did not accuse the Wang family of any crime, yet every word she spoke seemed to imply something. Even someone as experienced in the courtroom as Yao Yiyi began to feel that perhaps the Wang family had wronged and framed her.
Her voice was melodious and enchanting, even when making a venomous vow, it sounded like sweet nothings. Sheng Hong could not help but relax his brows and was about to reach out to embrace Aunt Lin tenderly when he suddenly recalled the words he had exchanged with Old Madam Sheng that day. Thus, he withdrew his hand and pushed Aunt Lin away.
The rivalry between wives and concubines is a complex proposition, encompassing wisdom, perseverance, courage, family background, personal character, and, of course, luck. Various factors come into play, and it can only be said that the advantages generally lie with the wife. Even in places where there is a second room for concubines, the likelihood of breaking through the competition and being legitimized remains low.
The Wang family not only contributed manpower but also devised a beauty scheme, a tactic that is hardly novel but is effective. From ancient times to the present, it has been tried and tested in both the court and among the common people. However, it was unexpected that Concubine Lin possessed formidable combat skills; despite her efforts to enhance the appearances of several attractive maidservants, she was unable to win back Sheng Hong. After all, Concubine Lin hailed from an official family and was exceptionally beautiful. When she engaged Sheng Hong in discussions of poetry, songs, and romantic themes, even the Wang family could not interject, let alone the maidservants.
Xu Zhimo's deep affection for Lin Huiyin and Lu Xiaoman, contrasted with his cold and cruel treatment of Zhang Youyi, makes it hard to believe that they are the same person; compared to Xu, Sheng Hong can be considered more restrained.
(About this much, please do not delve too deeply; if you must, please remain calm)
However, in this way, the rules would be completely disregarded. As time passed, Aunt Lin bore children, and Wang was unable to emotionally reclaim her husband. Aunt Lin's position became increasingly secure, and she began to cultivate her own loyal followers, gradually establishing a situation where she and Wang were in a standoff. Within the Sheng residence, factions began to form, and the conflict intensified. Currently, Yao Yiyi's biological mother, Aunt Wei, is an innocent victim caught in this confrontation between wives and concubines.
During the Qing Dynasty, a portion of the Han Chinese official families that entered the government through the imperial examination still adhered to the four principles of "cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world." For instance, the Zhang family of the renowned minister Zhang Tingyu and the Liu family of Liu Yong were well-known for their strict management of their families and descendants, which contributed to their continued stability. However, following the example set by their superiors, the Manchus and some Han Chinese who formed familial ties with them gradually adopted Manchu customs, as seen in the family of Cao Xueqin, the Jiangning weaver.
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Aunt Lin's eyes glistened with tears: "Master has given me face, how could I not know? Today, the Master came alone to speak with me, so I shall speak frankly. That Aunt Wei was brought to the Master by the Madam, and previously, the Madam also successively introduced Aunt Xiang and Aunt Ping. What is the purpose of all this? Everyone in the household understands, it is simply because the Master cares for me, and the Madam is displeased. In this household, I am weak and isolated, and I often have no one to talk to. If I do not place some capable and reliable people by my side, I do not know how I will be mistreated. I do not mind myself, but I cannot let Feng Ge'er and Mo Jie'er suffer. This is why I have tightly closed the doors and distanced myself. Usually, I avoid involvement in matters, all for the sake of ensuring my own safety. When Aunt Wei had her incident that night, I indeed harbored selfish thoughts and did not wish to pay attention, but to say that I intended to harm her life is truly slanderous. Hong Lang, Hong Lang, even if I have countless faults, you should consider the feelings of Feng Ge'er and Mo Jie'er. Just the other day, the teacher praised Feng Ge'er for his good studies."
Later, when the Qing people entered the pass and established their dynasty, the Manchu men found themselves idle, with their horses left in the southern mountains. For a time, they had nothing to do. We saw on television those Manchu men, who could receive a stipend from birth, wandering aimlessly in the streets and alleys, some even walking their birds. Among them were many wearing yellow and red sashes, commonly referred to as 'hardcore farmers' (this privilege was only abolished during the Republic of China).
The brutal struggle among wives and concubines left Sheng Hong shivering with fear, prompting him to resolve to implement reforms. In order to restore proper family hierarchy and rules, he had to relinquish his excessive favoritism towards Concubine Lin. He needed to climb out of the emotional turmoil and, from the perspective of the head of the family, manage the household with fairness and impartiality.
He entered the Wang family's chamber, once again dismissing the servants, leaving only the couple to converse in the inner room. After he conveyed the words he had just exchanged with Concubine Lin, Mrs. Wang's face flushed with anger: "Your precious heart, when have I ever dared to say anything? Do as you wish, how could I possibly utter a single word of dissent!"
Sheng Hong lingered in Aunt Lin's soft and fragrant embrace for a while, then headed straight to the main room of the Wang family, where another tough battle awaited him
It must be that Aunt Lin has a good eye and even better luck. Sheng Hong is not the cowardly and foolish Jia Lian; he has indeed risen from being a concubine's son to his current position. He is well aware that the areas where a concubine is bullied by the legitimate wife are mainly two: daily life and child-rearing. Therefore, he decided to take decisive action and directly provide Aunt Lin with an independent source of income. With money, naturally, her status would be elevated, and he took the lead in breaking the rules by insisting that Aunt Lin raise her own children.
Ms. Lin's self-sacrificial appearance quickly bore fruit, and Comrade Sheng Hong suspended the punitive measures. The next day, he visited Aunt Lin's room for a brief moment. Aunt Lin dismissed everyone and prepared a bowl of strong Tieguanyin tea for Sheng Hong in a small, colorful covered jar from the Chengyao kiln, brewed to his preferred strength. Looking at Aunt Lin, dressed in a thin moon-white silk robe, with her hair styled in cloud-like curls and adorned with a simple silver floral hairpin, she appeared truly pitiful and delicate, like a fragile flower. Despite arriving with a multitude of anger, half of it had dissipated.
This is a significant difference between men of the Ming and Qing dynasties
And this poor Lady Wei was merely one among many unfortunate concubines; her death was like a tiny wave in the vast ocean, having stirred some commotion but ultimately being silenced and overshadowed. Subsequently, Sheng Hong and the Wang family, for the sake of the family's reputation, gradually replaced the servants and maids in the household, and of course, Lady Lin would not bring it up herself. Gradually, no one in the Sheng family mentioned Lady Wei's death anymore, and very few even knew of the tragic demise of this beautiful and timid woman.
Classmate Yao Yiyi lay in the compartment. Yesterday, she finally had a bowl of fragrant shredded chicken congee, which was quite a rare occurrence. Today, she felt somewhat spirited, but as she reclined on the soft couch, she couldn't fall asleep. Once again feeling embarrassed, she overheard the couple's conversation.
Thus, the Wang family took an unconventional approach and found a commoner woman, Wei, who was in a difficult situation. Although she did not possess a strong literary education, she had a quality that was the most direct and immediately effective advantage for all women: beauty
During the Ming Dynasty, the gentry emphasized the cultivation of personal character and virtue, fundamentally adhering to the four principles of the Han people: "cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world." Among these, the proper governance of the family was also one of the standards for the gentry's moral character. Of course, they did not concern themselves with trivial household matters, but rather imposed constraints on the general conduct and behavior of the women in the household.
Sheng Hong casually wrapped his arms around Wang's waist and gently stroked her, saying, "There is nothing to be reluctant about; everything should prioritize the Sheng family. No matter how important Aunt Lin is, can she outweigh the dignity of the entire household? Madam, while you uphold the family rules, you must also remember your own principles. If you do not first establish your own integrity, how can you expect others to comply? As for the old lady..."
However, Aunt Wei was particularly unfortunate and immediately met her demise
Indeed, true love cannot compare to the weight of a bosom. The moment Sheng Hong saw Wei Shi, he was captivated. She could not read, but that was no matter; he would teach her. She did not understand poetry, calligraphy, or painting, but that was no matter; he would guide her. With their intimate exchanges and the warmth of companionship, how could one not find joy? Moreover, with Wei Shi's gentle and kind nature, Sheng Hong truly came to like her.
The "Guliang Commentary" states: One should not take a concubine as a wife. This means that a concubine does not have the qualification to be elevated to the status of a wife. A man with a concubine but without a wife can still be considered unmarried. Furthermore, if the legitimate wife passes away, even if the husband has numerous concubines, he is still regarded as a widower without a wife and must seek a suitable family to remarry a legitimate wife
Wang has essentially obtained what she desired this time. Even if she still cannot compete with Concubine Lin in matters of love, she has at least secured the position of the sole mistress of the household. The legitimate wife is always wary of the concubines, especially when facing a favored concubine, which heightens her sense of crisis. As Daiyu said, it is either the east wind overpowering the west wind or the west wind overpowering the east wind.
However, rules are rigid while people are dynamic; moreover, these are merely rules, not laws, so there are indeed exceptions. For instance, there are fortunate concubines like Jiao Xing who have been elevated to a proper status. Although such examples are not numerous, they do exist.
Now Aunt Lin was anxious; her reliance was merely on the favor of Sheng Hong. How could she allow anyone to sleep beside her? She absolutely would not permit anyone to intrude upon her territory. She intended to torment Aunt Wei, initially not wishing for her life, but rather hoping to eliminate the fetus, and ideally to ruin her health as well.
Wang felt a slight shock in his heart, yet spoke calmly: "I have never done anything to feel guilty about, and ghosts do not come knocking at midnight! When I left that day, I specifically asked the doctor to check on Concubine Wei's pulse, and she was perfectly fine. The doctor was none other than Doctor Liao, whom the master trusts the most; if the master doubts it, he can go ask him. He said that Concubine Wei had been healthy from years of hard work before her marriage, and even without a midwife, she could give birth naturally. But as soon as I left, Concubine Lin started adding cold items to Concubine Wei's diet every few days, which caused complications during her delivery. Concubine Lin has plenty of silver, and she has people inside and outside; even if my dowry maid is unmanageable, does she really have no one else to use? It is clear that she is eloquent and persuasive, and the master believes her completely. How many midwives are there in Quanzhou? She took several hours to call for one, and even if it was not her intention, it was still her subordinates who were negligent! Hmph, I stand upright and just, and even if there are some flashy tricks, it is merely to see how Concubine Lin would respond. If she had no malicious intent, Concubine Wei could have safely given birth on her own, even if left unattended in the courtyard."
Sheng Hong felt a stir in his heart, yet remained silent, lifting the tea bowl to take a sip. Aunt Lin slowly leaned beside him, resting her head on his shoulder, and softly said: "Hong Lang, I know well your character. When we first pledged our love, the master swore to me that he would never allow anyone to bully me. It was for this reason that he, despite the face of the madam's family, arranged for me to have land and a shop, allowing me to hold my head high in the household. Your kindness towards me is something I am fully aware of. If I were to commit an act of treachery, may I be struck down by heaven and earth and meet a terrible end."
Sheng Hong took a deep breath and said, "Do not think that I am unaware of your intentions. I will only ask you three questions. First, the family of my uncle has been free from illness and disaster; why did you choose to wait until just a few days before Aunt Wei's delivery to drag me along? Second, there are a total of four midwives in the household, three of whom are from your dowry. You know better than I who they have been serving all this time. Third, how could it be that I returned to the residence just in time to see Aunt Wei for the last time?"
Wang listened with a smile, becoming increasingly compliant: "What the master says is true; I will heed the master's words."
Wang had been touched by him a few times, and her body had already softened halfway. Having not been so close and intimate with Sheng Hong for a long time, her heart was filled with tenderness: "I know I have my shortcomings. Rest assured, as long as she abides by the rules, I will not oppress her, nor will I throw tantrums to provoke the master. The children are already this grown; how could I still compete with her for affection?"
However, even so, he still did not dare to completely entrust Aunt Lin and her child to the Wang family for handling, as he knew that the grievances between these two women could not be easily resolved in just a day or two
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