Chapter 14: Chen Yuelan

Chapter 14

Chen Yuelan

"Furen, are you really not going to attend?"

Xiao San asked worriedly as they walked away from the Xu Yang Quarters.

“Why would I want to go to such a place? Do you think any of those noble families will welcome me warmly? I’m just a merchant’s daughter. Even if they don’t show it openly, they’ll secretly look down on me.”

Hearing this, Xiao San’s face fell. Marrying into the General’s family didn’t seem to have brought anything good. Her mistress was isolated, treated with disdain by those around her, and Xiao San couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

As for Song Qilin, he had no intention of bringing his shattered face to plead with Nie Shuang. He would leave that to his mother.

The next day, Nie Shuang was summoned by her mother-in-law again. This time, another woman was present.

"Nie Shuang, this is Young Miss Chen Yuelan, a childhood friend of Qilin’s." She then turned to Chen Yuelan. "Yuelan, this is your sister-in-law."

Chen Yuelan was an eighteen-year-old woman. When she was younger, Song Qilin, who was older than her, had doted on her a lot. Both of their fathers were government officials. Yong An Hou, Song Qilin’s father, had once been a great General. However, after sustaining an injury in battle that left him unable to walk properly, he retired. At that time, Song Qilin, still young, volunteered to fight in his place. For many years, Chen Yuelan had waited for him. Although there had never been any talk of an official engagement between their families, she had always believed she was the only woman in his heart. But upon his return from the recent war, he struck a deal with the Merchant Nie Ran and married his daughter instead.

Chen Yuelan was heartbroken, but she couldn’t show it. After all, there had never been any formal promises between them; she had simply waited for him of her own will. Now, seeing the woman who had taken her Brother Qilin, Chen Yuelan scrutinized Nie Shuang carefully.

Nie Shuang, only fifteen, was a young woman in her bloom. Her delicate features and graceful figure would stir envy in any woman. However, her lowly birth made Chen Yuelan feel superior. There were many beautiful women in brothels; she need not lower herself to compare with someone like this.

The two women exchanged customary bows, and Xu Shi turned to Nie Shuang.

"Yuelan will help you with court etiquette. If you have any questions, feel free to ask her."

Chen Yuelan’s father was the Minister of Works. When Yong An Hou had to lead troops into battle, he often consulted with her father about opening new routes to shorten travel time. This had given Chen Yuelan opportunities to enter the imperial palace, so she readily agreed to help teach this merchant’s daughter.

Nie Shuang followed Xu Shi and Chen Yuelan to a room prepared for their lessons. Even though she had told Song Qilin she didn’t want to attend, she couldn’t refuse her mother-in-law. Chen Yuelan began explaining basic etiquette rules, such as avoiding direct eye contact with those of higher status and how to properly address oneself during conversations.

"As for dining etiquette, you likely already know the basics. The main focus will be on refining your posture, such as how to curtsy and offer formal greetings."

"I understand."

Nie Shuang, who sat listening calmly and respectfully, responded. Xu Shi stayed for a while before leaving, allowing the younger women to get to know each other. Xu Shi hoped that when they entered the palace, Chen Yuelan would help guide Nie Shuang, who was still unfamiliar with the customs.

After Xu Shi had left, Chen Yuelan began teaching Nie Shuang how to curtsy.

"Not like that. Watch me again."

Chen Yuelan quickly demonstrated a curtsy before standing in front of her.

"Try again."

When Nie Shuang curtsied again, Chen Yuelan pressed down on her shoulders.

"Hold this position. Let me adjust your posture properly."

She made Nie Shuang bend her legs until they ached, then used her toes to nudge Nie Shuang’s feet, nearly causing her to lose her balance.

Nie Shuang had known from the start that Chen Yuelan didn’t have good intentions. She was clearly trying to teach her incorrectly. This young miss may be kind to Xu Shi and Song Qilin, but towards Nie Shuang, who came from a lower status, she obviously felt no obligation to be polite. Pretending to teach her while trying to put her down? Dream on!

"Young Miss Chen, are you really well-versed in palace etiquette? Because it seems you don’t know that a proper curtsy cannot be done so carelessly. The foot placement you just corrected is completely wrong."

Hah! Even the actresses in the movies Nie Shuang had watched could curtsy more gracefully than this woman!

Chen Yuelan, though furious, kept her composure, maintaining her lofty demeanor as if Nie Shuang were some country bumpkin.

“Young Furen, how would you know the proper customs? You’ve never been to the palace. I’ve been going in and out since I was a child. If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t dare to teach.”

“Well then, kindly demonstrate the foot placement you just taught me several more times.”

“Fine! Watch closely,” Chen Yuelan snapped, curtsying again as she placed her feet just as she had before.

“Oh! General, what brings you here?”

Nie Shuang exclaimed in surprise. Chen Yuelan, facing away from the door, quickly rearranged her feet and curtsied with the utmost grace, as though to impress someone.

"That’s not what you showed me earlier. So, Young Miss Chen, which one is the correct way?"

Chen Yuelan cleared her throat, speaking gently,

"This is the proper way." She held the position, speaking in a benevolent tone. "It’s alright. I’ll teach you properly again."

After standing up, she slowly turned toward the door, only to see that no one was there. Her expression soured.

"You lied!"

She pointed at Nie Shuang, but after realizing it, she quickly lowered her hand, returning to her dignified posture.

“Young Furen, why did you deceive me? What are your intentions!?”

“I should be the one asking what your intentions are. I simply wanted to learn the correct form. If the General hadn’t come, would you have continued teaching me incorrectly?”

Chen Yuelan, realizing that Nie Shuang had seen through her, became even more enraged.

"You! This isn’t a marketplace! Don’t bring your sharp tongue into the General’s manor."

“Why!? And are you the General’s Furen, then? Is that why you think you can order me around? It’s a shame that the General’s manor can only find someone like you to teach manners. The tutors my father hired for me since I was young were far more accomplished. Had I known, I would have told my dear husband that this was a waste of effort,”

Nie Shuang quipped, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness, even adding a flirtatious tone at the end, just to infuriate the other woman. She knew exactly how Chen Yuelan felt about her husband. So what if her lineage was nobler? In the end, it was this merchant’s daughter who held the title of the General’s Furen. Not to mention, she was far more beautiful and captivating. How could a plain, traditional girl like Chen Yuelan ever compete?

Chen Yuelan glared at her, eyes wide with fury, but she couldn’t come up with a retort. All she could do was point her finger at Nie Shuang.

“You! You!”

Sigh...how tiresome these pretentious nobles were!

Furious, Chen Yuelan stormed off without even bidding farewell to the Elder Furen. She was humiliated and feared that Nie Shuang might tell on her.Just wait! This lowborn merchant’s daughter would see how things were in the imperial palace!