Chapter 55 - Second Younger Sister

Later that day, when the sun was in the west, it was time for the daughters of the Jiang fu to leave for the Lantern Festival.

The rest of the Jiang fu would also go with them, but they would not board the Ling Long Boat; they would admire the entire capital’s lanterns from the restaurant on the shore.

The coachman was at the entrance early. Jiang Su Su took the lead and got into the carriage, calling out to Jiang Ruan and the others to follow her. Jiang Li and Jiang Dan were in the same carriage as Jiang Ruan and Jiang Su Su. Several of the Jiang fu’s bodyguards also accompanied them to the banks of Yongding River, where the Ling Long Boat had been moored earlier on.

Although it was said that the Ling Long Boat was spontaneously organised by the capital’s noble ladies, the truth was that the yearly expenses were borne by the palace. Not by the Empress, however, but by the currently favoured and untouchable[1] Shu Fei Niang Niang[2], the birth mother of the Eighth Prince. Shu Fei received the Emperor’s unstinting favour and regard, and her status in the palace was such that even the Empress feared crossing her to some degree. Her own family was rich and arrogant, and she magnanimously covered the expenses of the Ling Long Boat as well as the Qing Song Boat during the annual Lantern Festival, for the silver ingots concerned were but a pittance. She said she was merely seeking excitement, though it was impossible to discern if she had a deeper intent.

[1] Zhi shou ke re ( 炙手可热 ) – lit. burn your hand, feel the heat; fig. a mighty figure no one dares to approach.

[2] Shu fei niang niang ( 淑妃娘娘 ) – the ‘Decent Consort’, possibly the highest ranking Imperial Concubine (status depends on which dynasty the story is set in). More info .

The carriage moved slowly along the capital’s roads. As Jiang Li and Jiang Dan were shu daughters, this was the first time they were participating in the Lantern Festival. Jiang Dan timidly looked down without speaking. Jiang Li’s expression betrayed her impatience; if she were not so apprehensive about how Jiang Ruan and Jiang Su Su would react, she would have already pulled aside the curtains and stuck her head out for a look.

Jiang Ruan had closed her eyes to compose herself when she suddenly heard Jiang Su Su asking, “What talent will Da Jiejie present?”

Just as expected. Jiang Ruan laughed grimly to herself, but her voice took on a tone of astonishment as she looked up and said, “I have nothing to display. Why would Second Younger Sister ask this question?”

“Da Jiejie does not need to be so humble.” Pretending to be angry, Jiang Su Su said, “Is it possible that you are still shy when we are all sisters from the same family? Perhaps Da Jiejie is not aware, every year, on the Ling Long Boat during the Lantern Festival, the daughters from each family will all put on a display their talents to determine who the best is, and the person who wins will be awarded the most beautiful lantern on the boat.”

Jiang Ruan lowered her head and muttered, almost to herself, “That really sounds interesting, but I truly won’t be able to participate.”

“How is this possible?” Jiang Su Su said, “When Da Niang (Jiang Ruan’s mother) was around, whether it was the zither, chess, calligraphy or painting[3], she was proficient in all of the four arts. Thus, I cannot believe that you were not taught anything about them at all.” Her tone was innocent, for all the world like a frank and sincere young lady, so that no one could possibly take offence to her words. When Zhao Mei first came to the Jiang fu, everyone recognised that she was a well-respected daughter born into a military family, but who was willing to be trained in the four arts for the sake of Jiang Quan. Yet, she did not receive his favour. Moreover, her level of achievement in those genteel skills, she did force herself to learn for Jiang Quan’s sake seemed puerile, like that of a little girl who has just learned how to write, in comparison with those of the foremost talent in the capital. Jiang Quan greatly preferred Xia Yan and had her accompany him whenever the occasion allowed it, so her grace increasingly contrasted with her crudeness. At least, this was how it was perceived in the eyes of the general population.

[3] Qin qi shu hua ( 琴棋书画 ) – known as the four arts, or the accomplishments of a well-educated person. Literally, 琴 = zither, 棋 = chess (Go), 书 = books/ calligraphy, 画 = painting.

Jiang Su Su’s sarcasm was obvious as she raised the topic of Zhao Mei’s proficiency in the four arts.

“I’m afraid Second Younger Sister is wrong,” Jiang Ruan said with a smile on her face. “Surely Second Younger Sister wasn’t solely and personally taught by her mother? Naturally, this could not be the case. Father must have invited tutors for Second Younger Sister. However, I was at the rural residence, and did not have the good fortune to have any tutors.”

Jiang Su Su choked and had to pause briefly before saying, “But, I see that Da Jiejie is so intelligent, and cannot be someone without any special skills. Moreover, this situation also has a bearing on the reputation of our Jiang fu. Da Jiejie, why don’t you give it some thought. If you have any talent which is passable, that will do.”

“In Second Younger Sister’s point of view, what am I able to do?” Jiang Ruan asked.

Jiang Su Su eyed her with some suspicion. However, Jiang Ruan’s gaze was level, as if she really wanted to hear Jiang Su Su’s opinion. Thus, she said, “Calligraphy, playing chess and painting cannot be practised to a proficient level in a short period of time, and Da Jiejie has also not learned how to play the zither. Why not consider dancing to a song? Even at the rural residence, there must have been dance performances. If you could just master a few of those dance movements, that would be fine.”

Jiang Ruan nodded. “This is indeed a good suggestion, Second Young Sister’s insights are helpful.”

Jiang Li, who was sitting at the side, scoffed and said, “Just don’t make a fool of yourself in front of the experts.” Although these were her words, her eyes flashed with a hint of schadenfreude. In contrast, Jiang Dan, on the other side, shyly smiled at Jiang Ruan.

Jiang Ruan leaned back. “If that’s the case, then I should think carefully about what dance to perform.”

“I believe Da Jiejie will surprise everyone and be the object of their envy,” Jiang Su Su smilingly said.

Jiang Ruan closed her eyes, appearing to be deep in thought, but she suddenly had a moment of clarity.

The young ladies of all the noble families would be on the boat, and their talents would be exceptional. Jiang Su Su was suggesting that she perform a dance from the rural residence, a dance that was suitable for the common stage. If she really did perform it, then, tomorrow night, she would become the laughingstock of the entire capital.

Jiang Su Su was still using the same methods she had used in Jiang Ruan’s previous lifetime, but, this time, she would not achieve the effect that she desired.

After travelling for an indeterminate length of time, they heard the carriage driver shouting outside, and the carriage swayed to a stop. A few servants standing outside the carriage pulled aside the curtains, and the passengers exited the carriage slowly and in an orderly manner.

Jiang Ruan was the last to exit the carriage. Just as she was about to step onto the grassy bank, as soon as she beheld the scenery before her eyes, she could not help falling into something like a daze. During the journey, the sky had darkened. Countless sky lanterns[4] glimmered against the backdrop of the deep and serene night sky. The capital was indeed a splendid sight, and the flowing water of the moat, murmuring under their feet, was also brightly lit. All kinds of lanterns were spread over the surface of the entire river, and, at a glance, together they gave the impression of a moving river of light. The two ships at the forefront were carved with dragons and phoenixes, and were decorated with many exquisite lanterns. Green smoke curled upwards in spirals, and the pleasant sound of conversation and laughter could be heard.

[4] Kong ming deng ( 孔明灯 ) – miniature hot-air balloons used during festivals.

These were Qing Song Boat and Ling Long Boat. Jiang Ruan took a deep breath and heard the voice of a little boy servant calling long and loud, “The Jiang young ladies have arrived . . .”

The sound of laughter and chatter stopped abruptly. On both boats, from all directions, people turned their gazes one by one towards the big windows, until they converged on a common point – the young ladies who had arrived late.

Since Jiang Su Su was acknowledged as the most beautiful woman in the capital, she naturally relished the attention. Today, she was wearing a silver squirrel gua paired with a long, narrow skirt in silver patterned with white plum blossoms. Her hair was done up in the flowing cloud style, and a white jade hairpin in the shape of a plum blossom was by her temple. As she walked, her snow-white cloak rippled with her breeze. She was like an exquisite, incomparable fairy who had descended to the earthly world.

However, people’s eyes only glanced at her for a moment before moving to rest on the young lady behind her.

The young lady’s entire body was enveloped in a bright crimson overcoat patterned with cranes, in sharp contrast to her fair skin, as pale as jade. This caused people to entertain wild and fanciful thoughts about the gentle and graceful woman wrapped up in the crane overcoat. Her eyes were like limpid autumn water[5] and her eyebrows were like ink-black brushstrokes. Under the lights, her expression was delicate and dainty. Her upward slanting eyes harboured a faintly discernible hint of something cold and unfeeling, her red lips were curved, and some of her long, crow-black hair was simply swept up behind her head into a small bun, allowing the other strands to fall freely. In contrast to the exquisite and refined fairy, she was charming, bright and colourful, evidently well-behaved, and she had the appearance and air of one who was a born aristocrat. She seemed not to realise her attractiveness, which in itself was seductive. She walked towards the crowd step by step and those watching her could not help but hold their breath, for they could not determine whether this bewitching demon of a young woman was a dream, or real.

[5] Qiu shui ( 秋水 ) – apparently this is a traditional description for a girl’s beautiful eyes.

She was so beautiful that it was terrifying.