Chapter 3: Her Aunt Fan Ya

Meng Ling placed the hairpin on top of the simple twist she had done her mistresses hair in. "You are ready to go, young miss."

"Alright! So in order of the rank, it's the Chen Matriarch at the top, followed by the first wife, and then my aunt. Everyone else is lower in rank." She rose from her seat. Her hanfu was a subtle yellow, as the funeral ceremony was over she didn't wear white but still respected the dead by wearing a light colour. She didn't have to be so specific so far in her interaction. As long as she was well mannered and didn't cause scandal she would be fine. But in the capital it's a different story, one wrong colour, one hairstyle too elaborate, her name would be dragged through the mud. She wanted to be as respectful as possible and show her aunt support.

"Yes, and Lord Chen has four concubines."

Lord Chen was the late Left Prime Minister's younger brother. He wasn't married yet, but had four concubines already. He was in line to take the office of his brother.

She took a deep breath, she can do this. "Let's go!"

The Chen House was large. She had paid her respects to the matriarch and also apologised for not attending the day before. But it seemed like everyone knew about her fainting. The Matriarch dismissed her quickly after accepting her condolences. She was now in her aunt's living quarters. It was a quiet courtyard with five servants who handled everything for her aunt and her three daughters.

"How was your journey Ming Dan'er?" her aunt Fang Ya enquired as a servant around her aunt's age placed a tray at the low table.

"A light breeze followed us from the village till the capital. The views of the mountain and the waterfalls were calming. I relished each minute." Her aunt was a mature lady who spoke in a straight-forward manner. She however, wanted to know how her aunt was holding up after the death of her husband.

"That's good to hear. I was worried, you would be bitter at having to leave where you lived for the majority of your childhood. I know how I was after my wedding. I missed my bed terribly. Did you sleep well?" She seemed genuinely concerned.

"It will take me a while to get used to. But aunt.." She stared at her tea. She didn't know how to ask. She was awkward when it came to comforting and talking in general. Her cousin was quieter. Fei Yan sat in her mourning clothes looking so full of sorrow and just leaned on Ming Dan's shoulder.

Her aunt waited patiently for her to continue.

She gathered the courage, "How are you?"

She placed her cup on the table and stared at the distance for a bit. "When I first met Chen Yu Ming he had just entered the office of the left prime minister.

He saw me accidentally when he came home for a visit. He was handsome and had such intelligent eyes. He was very polite and gentlemanly when he helped me pick up the scrolls that fell on the floor when he bumped into me.

I had never seen a man behave in such a way. I fell for that and his sweet smile. After that, he always had some excuse or the other to come home. And I waited to catch a glimpse of him. A few weeks later he came to me and said, "I like you. Shall I come and ask for your hand?"

I behaved drunk for the whole of the following week. Every day with him since then has been heaven. Even when Song Mei Li made that unreasonable request, he made sure I knew how much he loved me and at every chance he got."

A tear slid down her cheek. Her aunt was very in control of her emotions. Ming Dan understood that she wasn't the type to cry in the presence of other people. She looked down at the tea leaves in the bottom of her cup.

"Dan'er I want to tell you something. When he was away for long periods, my mother-in-law along with the Chen first wife mistreated me. They sometimes cut our allowance and kept bad food for our courtyard. When the time came for us to go for outings, they left us behind. When I confronted them, they blamed the servants, beat them and had them thrown out. They had no care for Fei Yan's status. They thought as long as we were kept alive, they wouldn't get in trouble with the emperor. I didn't tell him. I know every married woman has these issues. I will always love and honour the memory of my husband. I will miss this courtyard where we spend many happy hours."

Her aunt looked at her daughter Fei Yan and the twins who were sleeping with their heads touching. A simple 'How are you' made her aunt open up so much to her, showing that she really wanted someone to be honest with.

"Ming Dan'er, I spoke to your father. Since he is back in the capital, I do not want to stay here any longer. After the mourning period of forty days, I will move back to our Zhou House along with your three cousins. I want to know if you are okay with this."

She was more than okay. After not having had an older female figure in her life for so long, she really wanted someone she could go to for guidance. She liked this aunt of hers and these cousins, her mature sister and the two twins who she heard are usually very mischievous, but subdued now because of the loss of their father.

"I would be honoured Aunt Fan Ya. Please stay strong until then."