In the deep courtyard of the ancient mansion, the status of the aunts was often humble and complicated. Although they are masters, they are also slaves; Although they can have children, it is difficult for them to own their own property. However, in Xu Lingyi's mansion, Aunt Wen is unique. Not only does she have her own companion room, but she can also spend a lot of money to buy a valuable dowry for her concubine. What is so special about this daughter from a wealthy merchant family in Jiangnan? In that era of change, is the appearance of Aunt Wen just a simple marriage, or is there a deeper political and economic game hidden?
In the backyard of Xufu, scenes of tragicomedy of life are staged here. The six aunts have their own stories and fates. Their existence is like a mirror, reflecting the epitome of the harem system of the Ming Dynasty.
Qiu Luo: The tragedy of the Yuan match
Qiu Luoyuan was the dowry maid of Mrs. Xu Lingyi's main room. According to the custom of the time, the maid often became the male host's roommate. Qiu Luo is no exception, she became Xu Lingyi's first aunt. However, fate made people, Qiuluo suffered a massive hemorrhage during childbirth and unfortunately passed away. What's even more tragic is that the child she worked so hard to conceive also died within a few days due to frailty and illness. Qiuluo's story speaks of the tragic fate of ancient women, especially low-status dowry maids. Not only do they have to bear the humiliation of their status, but they also have to face the risk of childbirth, and even pay the price of their lives.
The experiences of Aunt Qin and Aunt Tong show another promotion path from maid to aunt. Aunt Qin was raised to be an aunt because she gave birth to a son, which was a common reward in ancient times. Giving birth to a boy is often the only chance for a maid to change her fate. And Aunt Tong was directly promoted to be an aunt, which is relatively rare, probably because she was particularly favored by Xu Lingyi. However, Aunt Tong's fate was also bumpy, she accidentally bleed to death after a few months of pregnancy, and she didn't even have a chance to continue the bloodline for the Xu family. The experience of these two aunts reflects the survival dilemma of the maids in the ancient back house and the hardships of the road to promotion.
The appearance of the Yang family added a touch of political color to the backyard of the Xu Mansion. She is the concubine given to Xu Lingyi by the Queen Mother in order to protect the Yang family. This practice of giving marriage was not uncommon in ancient times, and often had a strong political purpose. Although the Yang family has the powerful backer of the Queen Mother, his status in the Xu Mansion is not necessarily superior. Her existence symbolizes the intervention of the imperial power in the private lives of the courtiers, and also reflects the influence of the harem forces on the imperial court.
Qiao Lianfang's background is the most prominent, as the concubine of the Guogong Mansion, she should have married as a wife. However, the tricks of fate made her an aunt. This kind of identity gap undoubtedly brought a huge psychological impact to Qiao Lianfang. Although she was born noble, she still had to kneel down and serve tea like other aunts in the Xu Mansion, and even condescended in front of her concubine Luo Shi Niang. Qiao Lianfang's experience vividly interprets the ancient saying "once you enter the Houmen, it is as deep as the sea", and also reflects the fragility of women's status in ancient times.
Among all the aunts, Aunt Wen's status is the most special. She is the daughter of the wealthy merchant Wen family in Jiangnan, although her status is not as prominent as Qiao Lianfang, but she has privileges that other aunts do not have. Aunt Wen not only has her own companion room, but also has a lot of property at her disposal. This special treatment was particularly striking in the social context of the time. The existence of Aunt Wen not only broke the survival mode of traditional aunts, but also hinted at the rising social status of the merchant class in the middle and late Ming Dynasty.
The life experiences and experiences of these aunts are like a gorgeous but embarrassing picture, showing the many faces of society in the late Ming Dynasty. From the bride maid to the daughter of the powerful, from political marriage to business ties, each aunt represents a different social group and interests. Their stories are not only a portrayal of personal fate, but also a microcosm of the social changes of that era.
Among the many aunts in the Xu Mansion, Aunt Wen's status is undoubtedly the most special. Not only does she have her own companion room, but she also has a lot of wealth in her hands, and she can even influence the decision-making of the Xu Mansion. This kind of privilege is really rare in ancient mansions, and it has also caused a lot of speculation and discussion.
Privileges of a private companion room
Aunt Wen's companion room is the most direct embodiment of her special status in Xu Mansion. In ancient times, aunts were usually not eligible to have private companions. Their status is between the master and the slave, although they can have children, they still have to call themselves "slaves and maids" in front of the main room. However, Aunt Wen broke this convention.
Her companion room is not only an independent living space, but also a base for her to run her own power. In this companion room, there are not only her personal maids Qiuhong and Qiuyu, but also other servants and subordinates. These people formed Aunt Wen's small circle in the Xu Mansion, collecting information for her, passing on messages, and even handling some private affairs.
What's more noteworthy is that Aunt Wen's companion room also has a lot of belongings hidden. It is rumored that during a renovation of the mansion, Aunt Wen and her maids sewed belts overnight, and each belt contained silver tickets worth 200,000 taels. This behavior not only reflects Aunt Wen's financial resources, but also hints at her vigilance against her own situation.
Aunt Wen's economic strength is an important bargaining chip for her to gain a foothold in Xu Mansion. As the daughter of a wealthy merchant in Jiangnan, she brought a rich dowry when she entered the mansion. But more importantly, she seems to have maintained a constant connection with her mother's family and received a steady stream of financial support.
This kind of economic strength enables Aunt Wen to carry out various "investment" activities in Xufu. She not only prepared a valuable dowry for her concubine Luo Shi Niang, but also often gave gifts to other people in the house to win over the relationship. Even, when the Xu Mansion encountered economic difficulties, Aunt Wen was able to "send charcoal in the snow" in a timely manner to solve the urgent needs of the Xu family.
However, Aunt Wen's wealth is also a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it has earned her respect and influence; On the other hand, it also puts her in danger all the time. In those days, the aunt's property could be confiscated by the mistress at any time. This also explains why Aunt Wen is so careful to hide her wealth.
In addition to her economic strength, Aunt Wen also has a strong intelligence network. This network not only covers the top and bottom of Xufu, but also extends to all corners of the capital. Through this network, Aunt Wen was able to keep abreast of court trends, changes in officialdom, and even some secrets within the royal family.
Aunt Wen's sources of information are varied. Her maids often go in and out of the market, collecting all kinds of street chatter; She had close contacts with other officials' families and was able to get some insider information from them; What's more, through her network of businessmen, she has access to a lot of information that is difficult to obtain through official channels.
This kind of information advantage makes Aunt Wen's position in the Xu Mansion more and more important. She was able to provide valuable advice to Xu Lingyi and help him pursue advantages and avoid disadvantages in the court. There are even rumors that Xu Lingyi will consult Aunt Wen on some major decisions.
These uniqueness of Aunt Wen make her status in the Xu Mansion far superior to that of other aunts. She is not only Xu Lingyi's concubine, but also a woman with independent character and ability. Her existence challenges the positioning of the aunt in the traditional house, and also shows us a more complex ecology of the ancient house.
However, Aunt Wen's special status did not come out of nowhere. It is the result of a multi-party power game, and it is also a product of that special era. To understand the uniqueness of Aunt Wen, we need to further explore the background of the Xu family's time and the role the Wen family played in it.
In the middle and late Ming Dynasty, with the development of the commodity economy and the prosperity of overseas trade, a new merchant class rose rapidly. Among them, the wealthy merchant families represented by the Jiangnan area are particularly eye-catching. The Wen family, as the leader of these emerging merchant families, not only dominated the economic field, but also played an increasingly important role in the political arena.
The economic power of the Wen family
The Wen family originated in the water towns of the south of the Yangtze River and initially started in the silk trade. With the gradual relaxation of the Ming Dynasty's maritime ban policy, the Wen family seized the opportunity to extend its business tentacles overseas. Their merchant ships traveled not only to Southeast Asian countries, but also as far as Japan and Korea. During Zheng He's voyage to the West, the Wen family became an important overseas trade participant with the help of official support.
In addition to overseas trade, the Wenjia was also involved in a variety of fields. They opened large silk workshops in Suzhou, Hangzhou, and other places, employing thousands of craftsmen to produce exquisite silk products. At the same time, the Wen family also invested in a number of industries such as salt, tea, and porcelain, forming a huge business empire.
Legend has it that in its heyday, the annual income of the Wen family was even comparable to that of some medium-sized vassal kings. This astonishing accumulation of wealth not only made the Wen family famous in the local area, but also attracted the attention of the imperial court.
As their economic power grew, the Wenjia began to seek a political breakthrough. They employ a variety of tactics to boost their social status and political influence.
First, the Wenjia invested heavily in education. They not only hired famous teachers for the children of their families, but also built local academies to sponsor poor students. This practice not only cultivated a large number of talents, but also won a good reputation for the scholars. In the imperial examination, the children of the Wen family were repeatedly promoted, which opened the way for the family to enter the official career.
Secondly, the Wen family directly obtained a certain political status by donating officials. In the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty, the treasury was empty, and the imperial court began to sell official positions on a large scale. With their strong financial resources, the Wen family purchased a number of middle and low-level official positions for family members. While these official positions may not be practical, they opened the door to the center of power for the Wen family.
More importantly, the Wen family began to establish contacts with the senior officials of the DPRK and China. Through various means, such as sponsoring officials and providing them with career facilitation for their children, they gradually established close relations with some important officials. This network of relationships laid the foundation for the further political development of the Wen family.
The marriage between the Wen family and the Xu family is a sign that the political influence of the Wen family has reached its peak. As an important minister of the DPRK, Xu Lingyi's status is far from being comparable to that of ordinary officials. The Wen family was able to marry their daughter into the Xu Mansion, even as an aunt, which showed that they had entered the inner circle of power.
Behind this marriage is a game of interests of many parties. For the Wenjia, this was a political investment. By establishing an in-law relationship with the Xu family, the Wen family not only gained more political protection, but also used Xu Lingyi's influence to further expand their business territory.
For Xu Lingyi, marrying the daughter of the Wen family also has multiple considerations. First of all, the economic strength of the Wen family can provide strong financial support for the Xu family. Secondly, the influence of the Wen family in the Jiangnan region can also help Xu Lingyi better control this important region. Finally, the Wen family's overseas trade network may have provided Xu Lingyi with some important information outside of official channels.
However, the rise of the Wen family also came with many challenges. First, they faced rejection from the traditional scholarly class. Under the influence of Confucianism, the status of merchants has always been low. Although the Wen family has improved its social status in various ways, it is still difficult to completely get rid of the label of "businessman".
Secondly, the huge wealth of the Wen family also aroused the vigilance of the imperial court. In the late Ming Dynasty, as the financial crisis intensified, the imperial court began a large-scale raid on wealthy merchants. Although the Wen family had official protection, they still had to carefully hide their wealth so as not to become a target of the imperial court.
Finally, the Wen family also faced competition from other merchant families. With the development of the commodity economy, new merchant families such as the Wen family continued to emerge. How to maintain an advantage in the fierce competition has become a challenge that Wenjia must face.
The rise of the Wen dynasty and the challenges it faced vividly reflect the changes in the social and economic structure of the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty. The rise in the status of the merchant class indicates that the traditional social order is undergoing profound changes. This change not only affected the fate of the Wenjia itself, but also brought a far-reaching impact to the whole society.
Aunt Wen married into the Xu Mansion as the daughter of a merchant and faced many challenges. She not only has to deal with the complex relationship between the back house, but also has to balance her own interests with the Xu family. In this environment, Aunt Wen showed superb survival wisdom and life strategy.
Skillfully deal with the lady of the main room
In the Xu Mansion, Aunt Wen's biggest challenge came from Mrs. Zhengmu. As an aunt, Aunt Wen is at a disadvantage in terms of reputation. However, she has adopted a series of clever strategies to deal with the situation.
First of all, Aunt Wen showed a very high ability to understand current affairs. She always maintained a courteous and courteous attitude in front of the lady of the main room, and never exceeded the etiquette. Even in private, she never said anything disrespectful to Mrs. Masamu. This superficial deference has earned her a certain breathing room.
Secondly, Aunt Wen is good at using her economic strength. She often presented rare gifts to the lady of the main room, such as the exotic treasures of the Nanyang tribute, and the precious spices transported from the Western Regions. These gifts not only show Aunt Wen's financial resources, but also hint at the importance of the business network behind her to the Xu family.
What's even more clever is that Aunt Wen also knows the strategy of "retreating as advance". Whenever she felt that the lady of the main room was dissatisfied with her, she took the initiative to ask to move out of the main house, expressing her willingness to give up her position. This kind of seemingly concessionary behavior can actually arouse Xu Lingyi's pity, but it strengthens her position.
Aunt Wen is well versed in the truth of "those who win the hearts of the people win the world". She has a wide range of subordinates in Xu's mansion and has built a huge support network.
First of all, Aunt Wen gave special treatment to her personal maids Qiuhong and Qiuyu. She not only gave them rich rewards, but also often thought about their future and found a good marriage partner for them. This practice made Qiu Hong and Qiu Yu loyal to her, and became her most reliable eyes, ears and assistants in the Xu Mansion.
Secondly, Aunt Wen is also good at winning over other aunts' maids. She often secretly financed these maids to help them solve some personal difficulties. This practice allows her to keep abreast of the movements of other aunts and take the lead in the struggle in the back house.
What's even more clever is that Aunt Wen also enveloped the housekeeper and the account office in the Xu Mansion. She used her business talents to advise on the operation of the Xu Mansion's industry, and gave these housekeepers some "extra rewards" in due course. This practice not only gave her more say in the Xu Mansion, but also made it convenient for her to grasp the economic situation of the Xu Mansion.
In addition to dealing with the main room and entrapping the subordinates, Aunt Wen is also committed to cultivating her own power in the Xu Mansion. This is mainly reflected in the cultivation of their own children.
Aunt Wen's concubine, Luo Shi Niang, is her most important bargaining chip in the Xu Mansion. Aunt Wen not only taught Luo Shiniang poetry and book etiquette in person, but also hired the best teacher for her. In the year of Luo Shiniang's life, Aunt Wen carefully prepared a rich dowry for her, intending to strive for a higher status for her daughter in her husband's family.
For her concubine, Aunt Wen also put a lot of effort into it. She not only invited famous teachers to teach her sons, but also used her connections to create various opportunities for them. For example, she once asked someone to introduce her eldest son to an important minister in the court, paving the way for his future career.
While surviving in the Xu Mansion, Aunt Wen never forgot to maintain the connection with her mother's family. This connection provided her with an important backing and an important guarantee for her to gain a foothold in the Xu Mansion.
Aunt Wen regularly reported her situation in the Xu Mansion to her mother's family, and maintained close contact with the Wen family through various channels. She not only regularly conveyed the inside information of the Xu Mansion to her mother's family, but also facilitated the Wen family's business activities. For example, she used Xu Lingyi's influence to help the Wen family gain an advantage in an important overseas trade.
At the same time, Aunt Wen also attaches great importance to matchmaking between the Xu family and the Wen family. She arranged for Xu Lingyi to meet with important members of the Wen family many times, which led to a number of mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation. This practice not only strengthened her position in the Xu Mansion, but also strengthened the influence of the Wen family in political circles.
Aunt Wen's survival strategy in the Xu Mansion shows her superb political wisdom and ability to deal with the world. She not only succeeded in gaining a firm foothold in the Xu Mansion, but also created favorable conditions for the further development of the Wen family. However, this balance is fragile and can be upset at any time due to changes in the situation or family conflicts. Aunt Wen must always be vigilant and ready to respond to possible crises.
As Luo Shiniang's biological mother, Aunt Wen has had a profound impact on her growth and character formation. This influence is not only reflected in Luo Shiniang's education and marriage, but also has a profound impact on her values and way of life.
The uniqueness of the way of education
Aunt Wen's education of Luo Shiniang broke the limitations of traditional boudoir education. In addition to poetry and book etiquette, she also pays attention to cultivating her daughter's practical ability and independent thinking ability.
First of all, Aunt Wen personally taught Luo Shiniang the way of doing business. She often takes her daughter to participate in the discussion of some business decisions, so that Luo Shiniang is exposed to complex business operations from an early age. For example, when Luo Yiniang was twelve years old, Aunt Wen involved her in the negotiation of a silk deal. Although Luo Yiniang only observed from the sidelines, this experience played an important role in broadening her horizons in the future.
Secondly, Aunt Wen also pays attention to cultivating Luo Shiniang's social skills. She often takes her daughter to various social occasions, allowing her to come into contact with people of different statuses. In the process, Luo Shiniang learned how to interact with others and how to protect herself in complex interpersonal relationships. This ability played an important role in her later married life.
What's even more rare is that Aunt Wen encouraged Luo Shiniang to think independently. She often discusses social issues with her daughter and encourages her to form her own opinions. This kind of education made Luo Shiniang show a strong sense of assertiveness and independence in her later life.
As an aunt, Aunt Wen knows the difficulties of surviving in a big family. Therefore, she is particularly attentive to her daughter's marriage.
First of all, Aunt Wen tried her best to fight for a good marriage for Luo Shiniang. She used her connections to find a number of favorable marriage partners for her daughter. In the end, she successfully married her daughter to Jia Rong of Ning Guofu, which was a well-matched marriage.
Secondly, Aunt Wen also specially taught Luo Shiniang how to gain a foothold after marriage. She told her daughter that as a woman, she had to learn patience and strategy. She taught Luo Yiniang how to gain a foothold in her in-law's family, how to get along with other female dependents, and even how to deal with possible concubines. These teachings laid the foundation for Luo Shiniang's future life in the Jia family.
More importantly, Aunt Wen taught her daughter her survival wisdom. She told Luo Shi Niang that in a big family, a woman must have her own support. This kind of dependence can be the support of the mother's family, or it can be your own talent. It is this kind of teaching that makes Luo Shiniang maintain close contact with her mother's family after marriage and actively participate in family affairs.
Aunt Wen's experience and way of life have profoundly influenced Luo Shi Niang's values.
First of all, Aunt Wen's businessman background makes Luo Shiniang have a clearer understanding of money and interests than ordinary aristocratic women. She understands the importance of money and how to use it for her advantage. This understanding enabled Luo Shiniang to better manage family property in her future family life, and even save the family crisis in a critical moment.
Secondly, Aunt Wen's identity as an aunt made Luo Shiniang deeply aware of the importance of identity and status. She has understood since she was a child that even if she is from a famous family, it is difficult to gain respect in a big family if she does not have the identity of a main family. This understanding made Luo Shi Niang cherish her status as the main family after marriage, and consciously protect her rights and interests.
Finally, Aunt Wen's survival wisdom also affected Luo Shiniang's attitude towards the world. Luo Shiniang learned how to survive in complex family relationships and how to use her strengths to gain benefits. She has both the shrewdness of a merchant and the bearing of an aristocracy, and this unique temperament makes her stand out in Jiafu.
The mother-daughter relationship between Aunt Wen and Luo Shiniang also shows some peculiarities.
First of all, due to Aunt Wen's special status, her relationship with her daughter is more like an ally. There is not only mother-daughter affection between them, but also a connection of common interests. Aunt Wen often shared her situation in Xufu with her daughter and sought her daughter's support and help. This relationship allows Luo Shiniang to better understand and support her mother as an adult.
Secondly, Aunt Wen's education and expectations for her daughter also reflect her kind of compensation for her fate. She wants her daughter to be able to gain the status and respect that she has not been able to gain. This expectation has increased the pressure on Luo Shiniang to some extent, but it has also become the driving force for her to keep improving.
In the end, Aunt Wen and Luo Shiniang still maintain a close relationship of interest. Aunt Wen often uses her daughter to maintain the relationship between the Xu family and the Jia family, and Luo Shiniang also uses her mother's influence to enhance her status in the Jia family. This mutually beneficial relationship allows both mother and daughter to have more say in their respective families.
Aunt Wen's influence on Luo Shi Niang is all-round, covering education, marriage, values and other aspects. This influence has both positive aspects, such as cultivating Luo Shiniang's independence and practical ability; There are also some potential negative effects, such as the possibility that Luo Shi Niang may be too utilitarian or insecure. In any case, Aunt Wen's influence is deeply imprinted in Luo Shiniang's character and behavior, and has become one of the key factors in shaping this character.