In the first instance, some were promoted, some passed away, and others experienced a time travel.
Old Lady Sheng said, "The liveliness is in the heart; if the heart is desolate, no matter how lively the decorations are, they are of no use, merely a display for the deaf."
Firstly, this agricultural novel is set in a fictional dynasty, the Great Zhou, where most customs and systems are modeled after the Ming Dynasty society. Due to the many controversies surrounding Ming customs among historians, some aspects of this text may lack precision, and I kindly ask everyone not to delve too deeply into them
Old Lady Sheng fell silent, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, she said, "It is hard to speak of great principles or not, but it is about fulfilling the marital bond with your father. It would not be right to let his grave be desolate after a hundred years. Fortunately... you have made some progress." Her voice grew faint and gradually became inaudible.
Sheng Hong murmured, "It is all the son's lack of filial piety, unable to manage his wife."
"Very well, very well, just these two sentences from you are enough," said Old Lady Sheng, feeling somewhat relieved. Knowing Sheng Hong's character, she refrained from saying more and nodded repeatedly. "If you wish to hold your official position for a long time, our Sheng family, which desires to have a lasting lineage, must govern strictly at home. One must understand that calamities often arise from within; many prominent families tend to decay from the inside. We must take this as a lesson."
Sheng Hong, a police officer, remarked: "Thanks to my mother's reminder, my son nearly made a mistake. If we were to settle down in Quanzhou, by the time we were to sell people, the whole province would know. Once we reach Shandong, with people scattered far and wide, how would we deal with those few troublesome slaves? Who among the outsiders would know the details?"
Seeing this, Sheng Hong appeared anxious and said urgently, "Mother, please take care of yourself. The achievements I have today are entirely due to your upbringing. If it were not for your great virtue back then, I would merely be living a mundane life in the countryside at this moment. I must also honor and respect you, my mother."
First, regarding Aunt Wei's situation of having one body but two lives, do you intend to let it pass without consequence, or do you plan to demand a life in return?
"It is essential to calculate carefully; how can we let such a treacherous person in our household go unpunished? Today, she has harmed Aunt Wei and my flesh and blood for a whole month, and tomorrow she could target others. Such a person cannot be tolerated in the Sheng family!" Sheng Hong replied through gritted teeth.
Madam Fang did not dare to accept the courtesy, and after turning slightly, she said: "Then this old woman will speak at length. The mother of Lady Lin and the old lady originally knew each other in the boudoir, and to speak of it, they had only met a few times; they were not particularly closer than the other sisters in the boudoir. After each married, they completely lost contact. I have served the old lady since childhood, and I am most clear about this matter. Later, her husband's family acted improperly and fell into disgrace. Although they were not executed or had their property confiscated, their household fell into decline. That year, the head of the Lin family passed away, and she had no sons. For a time, she had no support, and she lived a miserable life with her daughter. Before she died, she sought out the old lady, pleading that, for the sake of their past friendship in the boudoir, the old lady would take care of her daughter a little. Her relatives were all like wolves and tigers, and they would harm the girl. The old lady is a person who practices vegetarianism and recites Buddhist scriptures, with a heart that is the most kind and benevolent. Thus, she agreed and brought Lady Lin into the household. In those years, the old lady considered her no less than a biological daughter, providing her with the best in food, clothing, and necessities, and she would often mention wanting to prepare a dowry for her to find a good husband.
The author has something to say
"What my mother said is also what my son thinks. I recall when we first arrived in Quanzhou, I felt that this region of Lingnan was hot and the people were rough. Even if it wasn't a completely uncivilized place, it seemed devoid of education. I never expected that the climate here is favorable, the people are simple and honest, and being close to the coast brings the benefits of fishing and salt, as well as shipping conveniences. Although it may not be as wealthy as Jiangnan, the people here are quite prosperous. After living here for a few years, my son has grown somewhat attached to it," Sheng Hong said with a smile.
"Is it merely a matter of domestic unrest?" Old Lady Sheng raised her voice slightly, "I did not expect you to be so foolish; do you not realize that this matter can be of great significance or triviality!"
Old Lady Sheng took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her eyes. Mama Fang personally brought in a teapot from outside to refill the water, adding water to the two delicate porcelain tea bowls, carefully covering them with their lids, and sighed, saying: "Aunt Wei is a kind-hearted person, and the girl she raised is pitiful. Ever since her aunt passed away, she has been in a daze for two days, completely confused. Since waking up these days, she has been dazed and silly, not even speaking a complete sentence. The other day, I was sent by the old lady to check on her, and I found the maids and servants outside laughing and playing, while there was not a single person inside to attend to her. As soon as I entered, I saw the girl had actually gotten out of bed by herself to pour herself some water! A child no more than four or five years old, barely tall enough to reach the table, was standing on a small stool, tiptoeing to hold the tea bowl and drink water. It was truly pitiful!" Mama Fang also began to wipe her tears.
"This plan is excellent; my son finds it wonderful and will take action on it right away," Sheng Hong said with a smile.
Over the years, the master has become increasingly astute in handling affairs, making decisions independently. Remember this: the friendship of a gentleman is as淡如水 (as light as water). Money must be used wisely, and etiquette must be thorough; one should neither be servile nor arrogant, yet maintain closeness. Those old officials have spent their lives in the political arena, honing their keen insight. Over the years, they have looked after you, not only out of affection for your father while he was alive but also because of your own efforts, which is why they are willing to lend their support. As Lady Sheng spoke more, she began to pant slightly, and the maid beside her immediately brought a teacup to her lips, gently patting her back with one hand.
Sheng Hong did not dare to speak, and the hall fell into a moment of silence. After a while, Sheng Hong said, "Mother, your spring and autumn are in full bloom, and you will surely enjoy blessings that last for generations. So, please do not worry and take good care of yourself." As he spoke, he looked around and could not help but frown, saying, "Mother, this place is too plain; it resembles a hermitage. Mother, listen to your son: even the elderly women in ordinary families eat vegetarian and recite Buddhist scriptures, yet they still arrange their spaces in a lively manner. Why must you suffer like this? If others see it, they might think your son is unfilial."
Old Lady Sheng also laughed and said: "Indeed, I have lived in the north my entire life, and even though the Jiangnan region is exceptionally beautiful, I have never wished to go there. I never expected to become accustomed to living in Quanzhou. Here, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away, life is leisurely. Before I leave, I will sell this large residence and purchase a small estate with beautiful mountains and waters, which will not attract attention and will serve as a place for my retirement in the future"
Sheng Hong's face was filled with shame as he repeatedly bowed, saying: "What my mother taught me is that it is all the son's fault. The son is foolish, always thinking that she, being alone, relies on me for shelter, which is truly pitiful. She chooses not to be a proper lady outside, but would rather be my concubine. I cannot help but feel some pity for her, especially since she comes from the old lady's household, which is certainly more respectable than an ordinary concubine. However, I did not realize that loving her would lead to harm, making her increasingly unaware of her own position. The son truly knows he is in the wrong."
Madam Sheng cast a meaningful glance at Sheng Hong: "You have served as a deputy magistrate in Quanzhou for several years, and everyone knows your background well. The women in your family have had frequent interactions with others, and many of the maids, servants, and workers in your household were purchased locally. If there is any disturbance in your home, how could others not be aware? Although you have good relations with most of your colleagues, it is difficult to ensure that there are no hidden resentments against you. You have just lost your aunt, and immediately afterward, you are making a big fuss about reorganizing your servants. This is not just a case of hiding silver; it clearly signals to others that your household is in disarray"
"May our ancestors bless us; my son has received an excellent evaluation this time, and the official decree for his promotion is expected to be issued by the end of the month." At this moment in early summer, Sheng Hong was dressed in a light ochre silk summer shirt, speaking with great respect
"Indeed. Therefore, at this moment, not only must you refrain from making any noise, but you also need to keep this entire family steady. We must travel to Dengzhou for your appointment in calmness. Once the imperial decree arrives and you have received the official seal, we can settle our family in Shandong, and then you can take your time to express your grievances."
Sheng Hong urgently said, "What did Mother say? What does it mean to not be a proper mother-in-law? Mother is the legitimate wife married to Father, the rightful matriarch, and has bestowed upon us the gift of life. All these matters are the faults of the son and daughter-in-law; Mother, please do not say such things."
After Mother Deng wrapped a hot towel around Sheng Hong, and after serving tea, Old Lady Sheng continued, "Let us not speak of morality and human feelings. You must also consider that you are now in your thirties, and while your career may not be entirely smooth sailing, it has certainly not faced significant setbacks. Among those who took the imperial examination with you, how many have had a path as smooth as yours? Many are still enduring hardships, envious of your success, waiting to point out your mistakes, and that is not without reason. Moreover, Aunt Wei is not a servant bought by our family; she comes from a respectable family, originally from Jiangnan, where they valued education and farming. She was meant to be the legitimate wife of someone, and had her family not fallen into misfortune, she would never have consented to be a concubine, no matter how poor they became. Now, she has been in our household for less than five years and has met a tragic end. If someone with ill intentions were to use this matter to stir trouble, inciting her family to create a scene, accusing you of mismanaging the household and disregarding human life, could you still expect to be promoted smoothly?"
Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong's face turned slightly red, seemingly embarrassed. Mama Fang sighed and continued, "Who would have thought that this Miss Lin is quite a determined person? She rejected several families we found for her, yet secretly had an affair with the master. The old woman speaks without decorum, so please do not take offense, Master. We, the old lady, were completely in the dark about this whole matter. It was only when the madam came crying in a fit of anger that the old lady realized the girl she had raised was so lacking in propriety."
"Do not keep saying 'ten thousand deaths' so casually; if you die, who will we orphans and widows rely on?" Old Lady Sheng gestured for the housekeeper to bring a chair for Sheng Hong, helping the still tearful Sheng Hong to sit down
"That is truly something to congratulate the master on. The position of governor has traditionally been held by those of the fifth rank, yet you, a sixth-rank official, can serve as a governor of a province. This is not only due to the merits accumulated by your ancestors but also thanks to those who have supported you." said Lady Sheng.
Old Lady Sheng seemed somewhat impatient and lightly waved her hand: "These trivial matters should not concern you, my lord. With your promotion imminent, you must focus on making the necessary arrangements. As the Prefect of Quanzhou for these years, you have certainly gained insights. Before you leave, you must fulfill the proper courtesies. We are all in the same official circle, and whether we meet today or tomorrow, we should not alienate our colleagues. It is essential to part on good terms."
Those interested may explore the Ming Dynasty's vernacular stories such as "San Yan Er Pai" and "Jin Ping Mei," as well as compare them with Qing Dynasty works like "Dream of the Red Chamber" and "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio." One will discover differences in the status and living conditions of women between the Ming and Qing Dynasties. "The Travels of Lao Can" may be somewhat late Qing and not very representative, while "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Water Margin," and "Journey to the West" were written in the Ming Dynasty but are relatively difficult to contextualize within the social environment of that time, thus they will be briefly referenced.
Old Lady Sheng appeared somewhat fatigued, leaning against the backrest of the soft couch, her eyes gently closing, her voice gradually weakening. In the corner of the room, on a sandalwood table, there rested a purple copper qilin incense burner, quietly emitting wisps of fragrant smoke resembling cloud patterns
"No, it cannot be checked now." Unexpectedly, Old Lady Sheng outright rejected it. Sheng Hongqi was puzzled: "Old Lady, why is that? Are we to condone these unruly servants?"
"What my mother said was that a few days ago, my son was constantly worried about his performance evaluation. Now that the heavy burden has been lifted, he has time to organize things, starting with the incident involving the maid and the old woman on the day Aunt Wei gave birth." Sheng Hong's tone was calm, yet it was evident that he was quite angry.
Sheng Hong stood with his head bowed, a look of fear on his face: "I regret not heeding my mother's words back then, which has led to today's calamity. It is all due to my lack of virtue, causing unrest in the family."
Most contemporary agricultural novels are modeled after the vernacular tales of the Ming and Qing dynasties, as the customs and habits of these two periods are indeed quite similar. Recently, in order to write, I reviewed some materials and discovered that there are actually significant differences between the Ming and Qing dynasties in terms of women's status and the inner household. When time permits, let us discuss this further.
The gong of the hour had just struck, and the lights in the Sheng residence of Quanzhou were gradually being lit. In the main hall of the west wing, there sat an elderly woman with graying hair, her hands wrapped around a prayer bead necklace. Dressed simply, she seemed somewhat out of place amidst the surrounding wealth and elegance. At that moment, seated at the lower end of the room was none other than the head of the Sheng family, Sheng Hong.
"Esteemed matriarch, it has been many years since my son has spoken heartfelt words to his mother. Today, having expressed himself, he feels a great sense of relief. In the future, managing the household will require more reliance on you, and it is essential that he frequently seeks your guidance." Sheng Hong sincerely stated.
"It has not been in vain for you to endure all these years outside. Rising from the sixth rank is the most difficult; once you pass this hurdle, you can be considered a middle-ranking official. This time, where will you be promoted to? Do you have any confidence in your heart?" Old Lady Sheng spoke in a flat tone, without any fluctuation.
When Sheng Hong heard his mother speak, he quickly said: "Whatever Mother has to say, she has devoted herself to the Sheng family for many years, serving her mother with utmost dedication, treating me as if I were her own elder. Please feel free to speak your mind."
Sheng Hong was taken aback, drenched in sweat: "Fortunately, the old lady understood and managed to stabilize the Wei family in time, allowing my son to have no worries behind him"
Old Lady Sheng's expression slightly brightened; after a pause, she continued, "Very well, second question: given the current situation at home where there is no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, what do you intend to do about it?"
Old Lady Sheng said, "Do not blame yourself; I am aware of your filial piety. There is no need to blame your wife either, for I am not her legitimate mother-in-law and have no need to put on airs. In the past three days, she has come to see me, and both she and I have grown weary of it. You need not worry about others saying you are unfilial; I had a reputation in my early years, and many are aware of my temperament. Keeping some distance is actually more comfortable for everyone."
Old Lady Sheng took a deep breath and slowly said: "What is there to be idle about? Does she want Ming girl to be held or carried? There are plenty of maids and servants at home; whatever needs to be done can be instructed, and there will be someone to take care of it. It only requires a bit of thought. If she keeps making excuses and refuses to take care of Ming girl, she is probably trying to gain an advantage."
The Wei family is also quite decent; upon learning of the news of Aunt Wei's death, they did not cause much of a stir. They only wished to reclaim Aunt Wei's body for burial, which I naturally refused. The Wei family even declined the extra silver I offered, stating that they had no face to accept money earned from their daughter's sacrifice. They only asked that I take good care of Ming girl, for which they would be immensely grateful. Seeing that family in such despair, I felt a pang of sorrow.
Sheng Hong took a deep breath and said, "Mother, please see clearly. When I returned and saw Aunt Wei's bloodied corpse, along with the child who was suffocated in your womb, my heart was already filled with unbearable regret. The servants dare to act so recklessly only because there are no strict rules to restrain them. When the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked; the root of all this naturally lies above. I have made up my mind to rectify the family conduct."
Sheng Hong was overwhelmed with shame, his face flushed and ears red, unable to utter a word
Sheng Hong wept and said: "What does it have to do with the old lady? It is all due to the son's lack of virtue. A mother's heart is like a clear mirror, and every word strikes at the son's core. The son is simply afraid of the wife... that is why he has indulged her a bit too much, breaking the rules. The son deserves to die a thousand deaths"
As he spoke, he repeatedly bowed his head. Old Lady Sheng closed her eyes and raised her hand towards Mama Fang, who hurried to assist Sheng Hong. Sheng Hong refused to rise, continuously apologizing. Old Lady Sheng said, "You may get up now; as a grown man, you are not very clear about these matters within the inner chambers. Get up, for how can a mother and son harbor grievances overnight?"
Please provide the text you would like to have translated from Traditional Chinese to English.
Sheng Hong eagerly said, "Mother, please speak. Whether it is two sentences or a thousand sentences, I will answer without exception."
Sheng Hong recalled the gentle kindness of Aunt Wei from the past, and his heart ached deeply. He said with a sense of shame, "I originally intended to send her to the lady, but the maid has fallen ill these past few days, and the lady's place is also in disarray. I plan to wait a few days until the lady is free before sending her over."
Mother Fang gently said: "Originally, Madam and the Old Lady were not like today. I remember when Madam first entered the family, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were quite warm and polite to each other. However, after that incident, it seemed as if the Old Lady deliberately embarrassed Madam. Raising Miss Lin was to provide the Master with a concubine. Later, when you married Concubine Lin, she bore children and lived a life even more respectable than the legitimate Madam. Consequently, Madam inevitably directed her resentment towards the Old Lady, and their interactions diminished significantly. The Old Lady's heart truly turned cold."
Old Lady Sheng straightened up from the zitan soft couch: "I originally did not involve myself in matters, nor did I wish to speak out and annoy others. Whom you favor is of no concern to me, and I have never inquired about the affairs in your room. However, in recent years, your behavior has increasingly crossed the line. Go outside and ask around; which family has rules that allow for the treatment of a concubine as you do? You give her face and consideration, provide her with a residence and shop, and now she has children of her own, only lacking a formal title. What makes her any less than a legitimate daughter-in-law? By blurring the lines between legitimate and illegitimate, you are disrupting the rules, which could lead to family disaster! Enough is enough; today, a life has finally been lost, a bloody scene with two lives taken. How will you explain this?"
Sheng Hong was taken aback and bowed, saying, "Please guide me, Mother."
With a loud thud, Sheng Hongpu knelt down before Old Madam Sheng, tears streaming down his face as he lamented, "My son deserves to die a thousand deaths for bringing so much unhappiness to my mother, causing her heart to feel constrained with no place to express her grievances. I am an unfilial son, an unfilial son."
Upon hearing the last few sentences, Old Lady Sheng let out a faint cold laugh, remaining silent as she gently blew on her tea bowl. Seeing this, Mama Fang stepped forward and said, "The master is kind-hearted, how could the old lady not know? This matter has been dragging on for some years; if it is not clarified, life will not go smoothly for everyone in the future. As an elder, there are some things the old lady cannot say. Today, allow this old woman to take the liberty of speaking clearly to the master, and I hope the master will not take offense."
Please provide the text you would like to have translated from Traditional Chinese to English.
Old Lady Sheng was extremely strict with her rules. As she spoke, not a single sound was heard from the maids and servants in the room. The mother and son exchanged words for a while, and Sheng Hong attempted several times to bring up a matter, but hesitated and withdrew each time, causing the atmosphere in the room to grow cold again. Old Lady Sheng glanced at him, gently stirring the tea leaves with her teacup. The housekeeper, perceptive as she was, quietly signaled the maids and servants to leave the room, personally ushering them to the side room and giving a few instructions to several first-rate maids before returning to serve in the main room. Just then, Old Lady Sheng was heard saying: "...You finally decided to speak. I thought you intended to keep this old woman in the dark until your death."
"Geng Shishu has already written to inform that it should be the Governor of Dengzhou." Sheng Hong has always been a cautious person, but upon mentioning this, he could not help but show a hint of joy.
Sheng Hong stood up, feeling restrained and not daring to respond. Madam Sheng glanced at him, her voice carrying a hint of coldness: "You do not dare to speak of her, nor can you say anything about her, merely because you have not conducted yourself properly and have been rebutted by her at every turn. Initially, you broke the rules yourself, indulging a concubine to the point where she behaved with the same airs as the legitimate wife. I can imagine what the wife must have said—how is it? When there are no issues, it is always the concubine who raises the children, yet now that the biological mother has passed away, you suddenly remember this nominal legitimate mother? One cannot blame the wife for being angry. I will not concern myself with past matters; I only ask you two questions, and you must answer them honestly."
No, I am already half buried in the ground. If it weren't for the commotion this time, I wouldn't involve myself in this matter. From now on, everything on my side will remain the same; let your wife pay her respects three times a month. You manage your own affairs; your own family has its own principles. I will simply continue to quietly chant Buddha's name and eat vegetarian food.
Sheng Hong had just gotten up, yet his forehead was already swollen and red. Old Madam Sheng sighed and said, "I understand that when you were young, you relied on Aunt Chun for support, and life was not easy. At that time, I couldn't even take care of my own son, so I was unaware of the unscrupulous behavior of the servants who deceived and mistreated you, causing you to suffer. Now, your wife is not a generous person, which is why you are always worried that Aunt Lin and Feng Ge'er will be wronged, allowing the servants to bully them and causing them to endure grievances. You have provided them with property and land for security. How could I not know your good intentions? That is why I have kept my eyes closed and my mouth shut, pretending to be deaf and mute for these years, treating myself as a living dead person"
"That is only natural; the list of gifts from several esteemed uncles in the capital has already been prepared. Please have Mother review it." Sheng Hong took out a few sheets of plain paper from his sleeve and handed them to the maid standing beside him.