Di Ming

Chapter 237 What can the Empress Dowager do?

"The Empress Dowager's people?" Ning Qingchen's small face tightened. "Which Empress Dowager?"

The maid replied, "Empress Dowager Li is the Emperor's birth mother."

"It's her." Ning Qingchen gave a cold laugh that seemed out of place for her age. "What about this Jin Sanniang? Is she very close to the Empress Dowager?"

The maid said, "Jin San Niang is a relative of the Empress Dowager's family and has accompanied her to Beijing for decades. Even the Empress Dowager's bound feet were bound by Jin San Niang. Several princesses, royal consorts, and many noble ladies in the capital all had their bound feet bound by her."

"Because of her skillful technique and excellent wrapping ability, she could often create the finest lotus flowers. She was a guest of honor in the capital's wealthy and powerful families. Entering the palace was like returning home for her, and she could easily meet the Empress Dowager. She would never offer her services to anyone who was not from a noble family. Even daughters of ordinary wealthy families would not accept her invitations."

"I've heard that Jin San Niang's husband is a high-ranking official in the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and her son is a military officer in the Beijing Garrison. She herself is a fourth-rank noblewoman. Second Madam, her visit to the manor today must be at the Empress Dowager's behest?"

"So she was a noblewoman after all." Ning Qingchen narrowed her eyes slightly. "The Empress Dowager is at least in her forties. She used to bind the Empress Dowager's feet, so she must be at least in her fifties or sixties. At such an advanced age, and still a noblewoman, why doesn't she stay at home enjoying her retirement? Why does she come to me to bind my feet? It must have been at the Empress Dowager's behest."

She waved her hand, "Please invite her in and have her drink tea in Jinse Hall. Don't neglect her."

"Yes!" The maid quickly went to invite Jin San Niang in.

After the maid left, and seeing that there was no one else around except Jin Yunniang, Doctor Ning immediately started cursing:
"Even if it's Tang Sanzang's flesh, there will be demons eyeing it! Is this old woman looking for death? What about the Empress Dowager's opinion? If she angers me, I don't care about the Empress Dowager or the Empress Dowager!"

Jin Yunniang's expression was solemn. "Second Mistress, she must have been secretly sent by the Empress Dowager. Her wanting to bind your feet is obviously the Empress Dowager's idea. The Empress Dowager is thinking about you. I suddenly remembered something that might be related to this matter."

Ning Qingchen gave a haughty snort, her little face tense, "You tell me."

Jin Yunniang said, "I heard from the lady of the silk shop that the Empress Dowager wants to find a wife for her favorite nephew, Li Mingcheng. The Empress Dowager calls herself the Nine Lotus Bodhisattva and is a devout Buddhist. A high monk from Xishan told her that as long as she can find a blessed woman of the same zodiac sign but different age for Li Mingcheng to marry, her family will be blessed with wealth for nine generations."

"Li Mingcheng is eighteen years old. He is the eldest son of Marquis Li Wenquan of Wuqing, but not the eldest son of the Marquis's family. However, he was designated by the Empress Dowager as the title holder and will inherit the title in the future. Although he is the Empress Dowager's nephew, he is more favored by the Empress Dowager than Prince Lu. It is said in the capital that as long as the Empress Dowager is alive, the title holder Li is more noble than the prince. Even the Imperial Uncle Zheng has to dismount and pay his respects when he sees Li Mingcheng, and dare not offend the Empress Dowager."

"Rumor has it that Li Mingcheng married twice, but both times he died suddenly within a month of the wedding. A high monk said that Lord Li was blessed with great fortune and a strong destiny, and only a woman with great fortune was worthy of him. But once he found a woman with great fortune to match him, they would complement each other perfectly, and not only would the couple be happy, but the family would also be able to maintain its wealth and prosperity for a long time."

"So the Empress Dowager listened to the high monk's advice and found a lucky woman with the same zodiac sign but a different age for Li Mingcheng to be his second wife."

Ning Qingchen almost laughed in anger upon hearing this.

"Same zodiac sign, but different ages? That means a twelve-year age difference. Haha, he should find a thirty-year-old woman, not a six-year-old child. How could they even think of that? I think he's courting death."

"Hmph, today is the Dragon Boat Festival, a day of poisonous insects and snakes. Instead of poisonous insects and snakes causing trouble, a poisonous old woman has come out."

Jin Yunniang's expression was also cold. "That's right. Second Miss is only six years old, a full twelve years younger than her. How dare they make a move on her? Second Miss is indeed very fortunate, but we can't let that spoiled brat from the Li family have his eye on her. Why don't I go see Jin Sanniang and say that the head of the family is not here, and Second Miss is too young, so only I, the steward, will receive her. Second Miss, we can't afford to offend the Empress Dowager now."

Ning Qingchen sneered, "Fine, go and fool Granny Jin away. We certainly can't offend the Empress Dowager yet, but our family is, after all, a noble family that has achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations. What can the Empress Dowager do? Giving her face is what makes her the Empress Dowager. If she insists on going against me, then I won't care about anything else."

"Hmph, taking advantage of my brother-in-law and sister not being home, they came to bully a child like me. I'll remember this."

By the time Jin Yunniang left, Ning Qingchen's eyes were already ashen.

A little girl's murmured words echoed from among the flowers: "I can save people, and I can kill. Don't force me to kill, not even the emperor or the empress dowager. Just you wait, wait for the little tiger..."

A beautiful snake crawled out of her sleeve, coiled around the flower branch, and flicked its tongue.

Ning Qingchen stroked the beautiful snake's head and said in a gentle voice, "You're still the best."

The little girl suddenly laughed, a cold laugh.

.........

Inside Jinse Hall, the air was filled with the steam of tea and the aroma of sandalwood.

Jin San Niang, a noblewoman nearing sixty, sat calmly by the tea table, scrutinizing everything in Jinse Hall.

She was a very knowledgeable person, having frequented the imperial palace. What kind of wealth and status hadn't she seen? She could tell clearly at a glance whether a family was wealthy, how wealthy they were, whether they were putting on a show, outwardly strong but inwardly weak, or hiding something.

Just by looking at this Jinse Hall, you can tell that the Zhu family was truly wealthy. Not only were they truly wealthy, but they also had a very solid foundation.

Even the table screen on the table has the finest kesi lining. The tea set on the shore is a top-quality new product from Jingdezhen. There are several genuine works of calligraphy and paintings by famous Song and Yuan masters, which are rarely seen in ordinary wealthy families.

The tea we drank was Mengding Shihua, the best tea we had in May.

The water used to brew the tea was very refreshing; it must have been spring water transported from Xishan, and it was from one of the best springs.

It doesn't look ostentatious at all, but it exudes an air of wealth and prosperity.

It is clear that the Zhu family was no ordinary wealthy family; they were a family of nobles and dukes for generations.

It is said that Zhu Yin's betrothed, Ning Dajiao, is a wealthy merchant from a prominent family who has returned to her hometown. She inherited her father and brothers' vast fortune and is skilled in business, making the Zhu family very prosperous. She is practically Zhu Yin's god of wealth.

Although her large feet were embarrassing and unworthy of the world-renowned Mr. Zhihu, her business acumen made her a worthy candidate for the title of "Top Scholar's Wife."

Ning Dajiao's younger sister is rumored to be extremely intelligent, a child prodigy, and a person with great fortune.

Moreover, Ning Erjie is exactly six years old, a full twelve years younger than Cheng Ge, and both of them were born in the Year of the Rat, which, according to the high monk, is a perfect match. Marrying into the Li family will surely ensure the Li family's continued wealth and prosperity.

Surely we can't expect Cheng to find a woman a full twelve years older than him? A thirty-year-old woman is already married and has children; she's not young anymore. How could she be a good match for Cheng?

Of course, you can only look for six-year-old girls.

Ordinary families won't do; they're not a good match.

Without good fortune, it won't work either.

Ning Erjie was exceptionally intelligent, and also Zhu Yin's sister-in-law; her elder sister was incredibly wealthy, making her the perfect match. It's a pity I heard she didn't bind her feet.

She was six years old and her feet weren't bound yet. Although it was a bit late, if she took the initiative to treat her feet properly, she could still grow a pair of beautiful three-inch golden lotuses. It would just be that the child would have to suffer a lot.

Although Cheng-ge is a bit willful and has some homosexual tendencies, he is equally attentive to matters of the heart and will not neglect the matter of having children. Although Ning Er-niang is young, she is engaged for now, and in five or six years, she can be married into the family.

At that time, Brother Cheng will have an extra God of Wealth, and he will also be related to the top scholar by marriage.

After finishing her cup of tea, Jinlian Shengshou couldn't help but cough, her expression showing some displeasure.

It's been so long, why hasn't the child come out to greet the guests yet? Doesn't the child understand? And doesn't the steward understand?
I have come here on the Empress Dowager's secret orders. Does the Zhu family not understand this?

Just as Jin San Niang was pondering, Jin Yun Niang finally appeared.

"This humble servant is Yunniang, greetings to Madam Jin." Jin Yunniang gracefully gave a deep bow. "Because the head of the household is not here and the second young lady is still young, I am only in charge of managing the household and can only receive distinguished guests. Please forgive any rudeness."

Jin Yunniang had been with Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei for several years and was no longer the fisherwoman she once was.

So she was just a servant. Jin Sanniang raised her old eyes, which had seen countless people and experienced all the ways of the world, and glanced at Jin Yunniang indifferently.

This Yunniang is quite beautiful, and her clothes and jewelry are of good quality, comparable to those of wealthy young ladies. However, she lacks any sense of restraint and carries an air of nonchalance, as if she doesn't take herself seriously.

What displeased Jin Sanniang even more was that Yunniang also had large feet. Was the Zhu family's family tradition really that bad?
Jin San Niang's expression grew even colder.

"Please sit down, Miss Yun," Jin San Niang said indifferently. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was the hostess.

Jin Yunniang smiled slightly and sat down gracefully, her aura no less imposing than Jin Sanniang's.

She subtly glanced at Jin San Niang, noticing that the woman was over fifty, plump and healthy, with a well-maintained complexion. Her headdress and jewelry were all in the palace style, clearly indicating a life of luxury. However, her slightly triangular eyes gave her a somewhat sharp look, detracting from her kind and gentle appearance.

Jin San Niang asked directly, "Where is Second Sister? Even if she's young, she should come out and greet us. This old woman..."

She paused slightly, making the atmosphere a little more serious, and her expression became somewhat mysterious. "I am acting on the Empress Dowager's orders. Do you understand?"

Jin Yunniang quickly stood up and said respectfully, "Yunniang is just a servant, and young and inexperienced. The old lady has received the Empress Dowager's decree. Yunniang really doesn't know what to do. Should we accept the decree? How should we accept an imperial decree?"

Jin San Niang felt that Jin Yun Niang was a bit slippery and unreliable, and she felt even more disgusted with her.

“There’s no need to accept the decree.” Jin Sanniang said with an air of superiority. “Although it’s a good thing, it’s still far from being finalized, and the Empress Dowager doesn’t want to make a big fuss about it. Although it is indeed the Empress Dowager’s order, no official imperial decree has been issued.”

Jin Yunniang touched her chest. "So, there's no need to receive an imperial decree. Then I'll take the liberty of asking. May I ask what brings you here, Madam?"

Jin Sanniang carefully observed Jin Yunniang's expression and found that she did not show any respect to her just because she was sent by the Empress Dowager.

This Yunniang is no ordinary person.

Jin San Niang slowly took a sip of tea and said with an air of nobility, "It's for binding Er Niangzi's feet. Nowadays, girls from families with some upbringing start binding their feet at the age of three or four. Oh, I'm not talking about you, don't overthink it."

Jin Yunniang smiled nonchalantly, "How could I dare to take offense? Besides, I come from a fisherman's family and have been orphaned since childhood, so I certainly have no upbringing."

Jin San Niang lowered her old face and said, "I've heard that Second Sister is very smart and a child prodigy. It's just that she has no parents since she was a child, and she hasn't had her feet bound even at the age of six. It's a pity that she won't be able to have twin golden lotuses!"

"The Empress Dowager cares about Mr. Zhihu, and therefore cares about the Zhu family. After Mr. Zhihu went to war, the Zhu family lost its head, so the Empress Dowager paid extra attention to it. I came here this time to bind the feet of the second young lady. It has been a long time since I have bound anyone's feet. The last time was for Princess Ruian's daughter."

"But for the sake of the Second Mistress of this household, I am willing to take action this time. Six years old is a bit old, and it is already very difficult to bind the feet into fine golden lotuses. But I can still do it myself, it's just that the Second Mistress will have to suffer a bit more."

Jin Yunniang lowered her eyes and said with a respectful expression, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's kindness is truly too much concern for the Zhu family. Although I am just a servant, I do not know how to express my gratitude."

Jin Sanniang said in a loud and boisterous manner, "After all, she is Mr. Zhihu's sister-in-law. Even without the Empress Dowager's orders, I would be happy to help Second Sister bind her feet into three-inch golden lotuses."

At this point, the renowned Golden Lotus Master, whose name was known throughout the capital, couldn't help but reveal a smug smile.

Jin Yunniang poured a cup of tea for the distinguished guest and said carefully, "On behalf of the head of the family and the second young lady, I thank the Empress Dowager for her kindness and thank the old lady."

Jin San Niang nodded as a matter of course, "Then bring Second Miss out to meet me. I need to take a look at Second Miss's feet first, and then we can start today."

Jin Yunniang immediately looked troubled. "I need to let the old lady know that Ning family girls are not allowed to bind their feet. This is the Ning family's ancestral rule. Both the eldest and second daughters actually want to bind their feet, but filial piety is paramount and cannot be violated."

What? Women from the Ning family can't bind their feet? Jin San Niang was taken aback.

Suddenly, I remembered that Tian Yi's wife, Ning, also had large feet. Could it be that the Ning family, as Jurchens, did not bind their feet?
If there is indeed an ancestral instruction that filial piety is of utmost importance, then of course one should not easily bind one's feet.

Jin Sanniang had no choice but to say, "Even if there is filial piety, if there is an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager, then it is all about loyalty. Loyalty is above filial piety, isn't it? To tell you the truth, your second wife's good fortune has arrived. The Empress Dowager wants to find a wife for her nephew, Lord Li, and is currently selecting one. The most suitable one is your second wife..."

After hearing Jin San Niang's words, Jin Yunniang thought to herself, "Just as I thought."

Jin Yunniang cursed inwardly, but as the housekeeper, she had neither the right to agree nor the right to refuse.

"So it turns out Second Mistress is so fortunate," Jin Yunniang said with a forced smile. "But the head of the household is not here, nor is the eldest mistress, and Second Mistress is too young to make decisions. This matter..."

"This matter is of course subject to the Empress Dowager's decree," Jin Sanniang said without room for argument. "The decree will arrive once Mr. Zhihu and Madam return. But for now, we can bind Madam Er's feet and invite her out."

Jin Yunniang lowered her eyes. "Let's wait for the head of the family and the eldest mistress to return. This servant cannot make the decision on this matter."

Jin Sanniang said, "Of course you can't make the decision. You just need to call Erniang out, and I will talk to her myself. I've heard that Erniang is extremely intelligent, and she will surely agree. Besides, this is the Empress Dowager's will."

"Yes." Jin Yunniang stood up, gave a curtsy, and left.

She wandered around outside for a while before re-entering Jinse Hall, saying with a regretful expression:

"Madam, Second Miss said that the Ning family has ancestral rules that she dares not disobey, and since the head of the family is not here, she cannot bear to come out to meet you. She only asked me to treat her well."

Jin San Niang's face immediately darkened. She put down her teacup, looked coldly at Jin Yun Niang, and spoke in a dry voice:

"Won't she come out to see me? I am under the Empress Dowager's orders. Does she care about filial piety but not loyalty? Her feet are getting bigger every day. We can't delay for even a day. They need to be bound as soon as possible!"

Jin Yunniang smiled apologetically, "But, but Second Madam is just a young girl. She is neither a man, nor an official, nor a subject of the Empress Dowager. Since she is neither a subject nor a man, filial piety is of paramount importance."

Upon hearing this, Jin San Niang was stunned and speechless!

Yes. A six-year-old girl is not a subject; what can you talk to her about loyalty? Of course, she only recognizes the concept of filial piety.

"Alright. I'll come again when Mr. Zhihu and Madam return." Jin Sanniang could only put down her teacup, utter these words, and leave.

"Please take care, Madam!" Jin Yunniang quickly saw her off at the gate.

Jin San Niang ignored Jin Yun Niang completely, boarded the sedan chair carried by eight men, and rode away with a retinue of attendants.

Jin Yunniang looked at Jin Sanniang's sedan chair with disdain in her eyes.

So what if they were sent by the Empress Dowager? This is the Zhu family!

After Jin San Niang stormed off, Jin Yun Niang returned to the Hundred Herbs Garden and reported to Ning Qing Chen.

"Hmph, the Empress Dowager will issue an imperial decree once the little tiger returns?" Ning Qingchen sneered. "A bricklayer's daughter gave birth to a greedy and lustful tyrant, and she becomes the Empress Dowager, forgetting her own surname. Does the Empress Dowager have a big ass?"

"I'd like to see what imperial decree will be issued then!"

Jin Yunniang gritted her teeth and whispered, "What a load of bull! If you really push us too far, we'll just run overseas. What can the Empress Dowager do then?"

Ning Qingchen stroked the beautiful snake's head and said with a cool expression, "Bear with it for now. A small act of impatience can ruin a big plan. The population overseas is too small to accomplish anything significant. We can't run away unless absolutely necessary."

Jin Yunniang nodded and said, "Second Madam is truly clever. However, we should still send someone to inform the Lord and the First Madam as soon as possible."

Ning Qingchen said, "Yes, Yunniang, you should take care of it yourself. My sister and brother-in-law should also be notified, and Kang Qian should send someone to deliver the message."

"Yes!"

P.S.: You all guessed wrong, right? It was the Empress Dowager finding a wife for her nephew from her maternal family. The Empress Dowager's family was truly awful, even worse than the Zheng family's in-laws; for generations, not a single good person had come close. And the Empress Dowager herself was no pushover.

The next chapter will focus on Caiwei and the little tiger.

(End of this chapter)