Chapter 11 - 11 8 Discipline

11: Chapter 8 Discipline 11: Chapter 8 Discipline After Wan Lu returned, she excitedly embellished the story while talking to Mrs. Xing. After listening to the story, Mrs. Xing couldn’t help but frown and gently rebuked Ran Yan, “Wife, what you did was not appropriate.” Ran Yan, who was just about to start her meal, put down her chopsticks and got ready to listen carefully, but all she got in the end was a sigh from Mrs. Xing. It was truly infuriating. “Why was it not appropriate?” Ran Yan couldn’t help but ask. Mrs. Xing raised her hand full of compassion, about to stroke Ran Yan’s hair, when suddenly she stopped. She realized that the Wife no longer looked like the adorable kitten she used to be. Although Wan Lu said that the Wife smiled more than before, she always felt a sense of distance. Mrs. Xing dropped her hand, thinking to herself that the Wife had to grow up eventually. She felt both sad and relieved at once, “It’s not that saving people is wrong, but for the Wife to leave the grateful villagers without saying much, it’s a breach of etiquette, I fear, and it might damage your reputation.” “Having saved them, did they not feel grateful? Could they still concoct some fault in the Wife?” Wan Lu couldn’t help but express her indignation. “What’s more, the Wife did speak politely for a sentence or two.” Mrs. Xing pointed at Wan Lu’s head with her finger and scolded with a stern face, “You girl, always so hotheaded. The Wife is an unwed maiden, in such a situation, to gain a good reputation is always beneficial. Did the Wife pay respects to that Doctor from the city?” Having said this, she turned to Ran Yan, “Half a year ago, the Wife reached the age of hairpinning, and after winter passes, she will be sixteen. If she were still at the main house, they would have already begun discussing marriage proposals. But with these circumstances… Alas! Wife, now you are living in this remote area, not seeking fame or talent, merely wishing to be healthy. If you can also earn a reputation for being educated and gentle, virtuous and modest, it would better facilitate marriage talks…” While speaking, tears started to well up in Mrs. Xing’s eyes. She quickly pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve to dry her tears before continuing, “The Wife’s health seems to be improving day by day, and I’ve finally been able to let go of a heavy burden in my heart. Right now, what I worry about is that the stepmother might interfere with the Wife’s marriage, especially since we’ve just offended Miss Eighteen…” “I know my mistake.” Ran Yan understood that Mrs. Xing’s worries were not without reason. If she didn’t gain a good reputation now, she feared that even as a legitimate daughter, she wouldn’t be married into a good family. Marriage is a serious matter, and ever since Ran Yan decided to make the best of living in the Great Tang, she constantly remembered that this was ancient times. Many things can’t be handled as one wishes; one must endure in order to obtain the future they desire. Mrs. Xing took Ran Yan’s hand, gently patted it twice, and said with satisfaction, “Seeing the Wife pulling herself together makes this old servant so happy. The Lady led a life of good deeds, and she will surely bless the Wife.” Since it was time for dinner, Mrs. Xing didn’t say anything further, merely instructed Wan Lu to serve Ran Yan her meal while she went to prepare a bath. After the meal, following Ran Yan’s usual habits, she helped her bathe and change clothes, and then brought her a book to read. Wan Lu stood by, holding an embroidered fan to cool Ran Yan, which left her feeling quite uncomfortable. After reading a piece by Ban Jieyu titled “Resentment Song,” Ran Yan was already feeling sleepy. She was recently recovering from a serious illness and her body was not yet fully healed. After the day’s taxing events, she quickly fell into a deep sleep. Mrs. Xing carried a basin of well water inside to cool the room, and seeing Ran Yan asleep, gestured for Wan Lu to come outside to talk. Wan Lu set down the fan, quietly covered Ran Yan with a quilt, and followed Mrs. Xing out. The two walked along the covered walkway until they stopped under a cluster of banana trees at a corner near the second gate. Mrs. Xing looked around, made sure no one was in sight, then took Wan Lu’s hand and asked, “When you went to the city the other day, did you hear anything about the main house?” “No, what’s going on?” Wan Lu asked, puzzled. Mrs. Xing sighed, “You’re clever, but sometimes you can be less observant than a bucket, not even able to hold the smallest of details. I fortunately overheard the servants privately discussing this matter today.” Wan Lu didn’t deny it. She had always been carefree, and Mrs. Xing, though mild-mannered, was indeed smart. Wan Lu was open to learning, and she inquired, “What’s going on?” “I’ve been trying to understand the ordeal with Miss Eighteen for the past few days and I felt uneasy. Today, I just heard from the servants that the stepmother proposed a marriage for Miss Eighteen, to a family from Langya of the Wang Clan. But once the clan leader of the Wangs found out that Miss Eighteen wasn’t a legitimate daughter, they declined. How could Miss Eighteen not harbor resentment!” Mrs. Xing said. The Langya Wang clan was extremely prominent during the Wei Jin Period; the era when ‘Wang and Ma shared the world’ was magnificent. Though not as illustrious in the Tang Dynasty, their profound legacy remained formidable. Moreover, every gentleman in that clan was as graceful as a jade tree in the wind, suave and handsome. Securing a match with them was indeed no easy task! But such prominent clans paid utmost attention to lineage, and the Ran family couldn’t compare with the Wangs. Naturally, they wouldn’t agree if there was even the slightest mismatch. Wan Lu gloated, “Even if Miss Eighteen was the legitimate eldest daughter, with her character, a simple inquiry in Suzhou City would be enough for the Wang family to refuse!” Mrs. seaʀᴄh thё NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xing tapped her forehead with her hand and reprimanded in a low voice, “I’m telling you this to remind you to be more vigilant and considerate, to better advise the Wife. Like today, you’re always praising how the Wife did this or that, but what were you doing?” Observing Wan Lu’s thin appearance, Xing Niang truly felt sorry for her and softened her voice as she spoke, “When the Lady was seriously ill, only the two of us took care of her, and we simply didn’t have the time to inquire about anything. Now that the Lady has largely recovered, and considering her age, it’s time to think more about the future. You aren’t young anymore, you should be thinking about marriage. If the Lady marries well, you can marry well too!” Wan Lu was grateful in her heart and hugged Xing Niang’s arm, rocking it as she said, “Xing Niang, I know I was wrong, I’ll be more careful next time, as meticulous as threading a needle!” Xing Niang laughed off her lack of seriousness, and after a few more words, they both went back to attend to their duties. The Ran estate’s manor remained as tranquil as ever, but in Zhou Family Village, the excitement was extraordinary as Zhou Sanlang’s miraculous recovery had everyone celebrating as if it were the New Year. Mrs. Liu, who had brought Zhou Sanlang to this place years ago, was accepted by the clan since her marital family also bore the surname Zhou. The Clan Leader, taking pity on the orphan and widow, discussed with the elders and decided to take them in. Although they were not related to the villagers, people back then valued clan ties greatly, so it was not unusual for someone with the same surname to find some connection in the family tree. As a result, with the help of the villagers, Mrs. Liu was able to stay. And the villagers’ joy was not solely due to Mrs. Liu’s son having survived, but rather the fact that “coming back to life” was such a miraculous event, one truly hard to come by in a lifetime. At the same time, Ran Shiqi, who had always been inconspicuous, became known to everyone in the village overnight, hailed as the reincarnation of a bodhisattva. Ran Yan, having slept for half an hour, then got up to wash. This was the first time she seriously looked at her current appearance. In the polished copper mirror, a pale and lifeless face was clearly reflected. Her nose was well-shaped, especially the tip, which rose with an elegant curve. The curve of her cherry lips was gentle, her skin was fair as cream, and one could imagine how delicate and charming the original Ran Yan must have been, evoking affection. Long and bright eyes, fine brows that slightly tilted upwards at the ends, capable of unparalleled charm if only her eyes moved slightly, but unfortunately, Ran Yan was too stern and rigid to utilize such expressive eyes. Xing Niang sneaked a glance at Ran Yan, thinking to herself that the Lady still knew how to pine for her past looks, which meant she was still the same Lady as before, only now more sensible. “Lady, let this old servant comb your hair for you,” Xing Niang said, picking up the comb from the low table and kneeling beside Ran Yan, gently combing her long hair. In the Tang Dynasty, there were no chairs, and everyone sat on their knees. Ran Yan felt somewhat uncomfortable with this on a mental level, but physically, she seemed very accustomed to such a posture. The afternoon sun shone through the gaps of the closely woven bamboo blinds, casting fine strips of light onto the wooden floor. Through the blinds, one could faintly see the peony flowers that had just bloomed outside. “Eh?” Ran Yan stared at the flowers outside for a while, “When did the peonies bloom?” Wan Lu, carrying some clothes over, heard Ran Yan’s question and answered with a smile, “They bloomed today. They were just buds this morning, but look how much they’ve opened in a day’s time.” Wan Lu kneeled down in front of Ran Yan and said, “The village has half an acre filled with precious peonies. Our Ran estate’s peonies are the most famous in Suzhou City. If the Lady likes, you are welcome to appreciate them.” There were only a few sorrowful poetry collections in the manor’s library, none of which Ran Yan wanted to read. Appreciating flowers and scenery… Ran Yan was somewhat moved to do so. Xing Niang, not wishing to see Ran Yan engulfed in sorrow as before, encouraged, “Appreciating flowers and sceneries is a good thing. If you like it, go and have a look.” Ran Yan nodded, and Wan Lu spread out the clothes she had brought over, “Lady, you haven’t had new clothes made in half a year. How about we go to the city someday soon to get some fabric, and I can make you a new outfit?” As she spoke, Wan Lu helped Ran Yan change into her clothes, a light green embroidered silk gown that cinched at the chest. The dresses of the time were not as bulky as those of the middle and late Tang Dynasty, giving the wearer a slender appearance. Indeed, with a gentle step, one would be swaying gracefully. After changing, Wan Lu draped a nearly transparent, patterned silk scarf over Ran Yan’s arms. When standing, it hung naturally, serene and graceful, and when moving, it fluttered like breezy willows, elegant and soaring. “The Lady is beautiful by nature, everything looks good on you!” Wan Lu exclaimed in admiration. Xing Niang handed over a veil, instructing, “Go early and come back early. Today, let Doctor Wu check the Lady’s pulse again for security. After recovering from a serious illness, you should not overexert yourself!” Wan Lu already ran to the door to prepare the shoes, poking her head out and saying, “I will look after the Lady!” “The Lady is usually so serene. I think you’re the one who needs watching!” Xing Niang teased with a laugh. Ran Yan looked at the two of them interacting with each other in such a close and natural manner and felt quite relaxed and happy herself. She reassured herself to consider this downtime as a vacation.