RMBLCUCS – Chapter 21: Tao Yiran’s Contempt
Xin An arrived early at Wang Shi’s courtyard to pay her respects. Since Tang Gang had to attend court, Wang Shi had woken up particularly early. By the time Xin An arrived, she had just risen from a brief nap.
“I thought the morning greetings were excused today. Why have you come?”
Xin An smiled. “I was raised rather freely and am more robust than my sister-in-law. Since I woke up early, I thought I’d come and chat with Mother for a while.”
She mentioned that Tang Mo had gone out and that today, arrangements were being made to move her dowry into their courtyard.
Wang Shi’s people had been guarding the dowry carefully. “A woman’s dowry is tied to her entire life. I have assigned people to watch over it closely, but you should still personally verify everything.”
Xin An nodded in agreement. Wang Shi then smiled and presented her with a pair of jade bracelets. “You are my legitimate daughter-in-law, and my belongings will naturally be yours in the future. These bracelets were part of my dowry, given to me by my mother. They’re not particularly valuable, but I want you to have them.”
The Wang family was not a prestigious clan. Back when Wang Shi was married as a second wife, the Marquis’s residence was already facing turbulence, so the matriarch had arranged for her to marry in as the daughter of a fifth-rank official. Although Wang Shi had secured a firm standing in the household, the Wang family declined quickly after her father’s passing. Now, only a few nephews studying for the imperial exams held any promise.
Xin An noticed that the bracelets were not of particularly high quality, but she accepted them with a smile. “A gift from Mother cannot be measured by its material worth. Even a simple piece of wood would be a precious treasure.”
Her words carried a deeper meaning. Wang Shi was momentarily surprised but soon smiled warmly. “Before deciding to give you these bracelets, I hesitated. There are finer ones, but these hold a special meaning for me and better represent my sincerity. I’m glad you understand.”
“Come, Mother has another gift for you.”
She opened a box filled with delicate, everlasting flower hair ornaments, each exquisitely crafted. Wang Shi picked one up and gently placed it in Xin An’s hair. “This was a gift from Her Majesty the Empress last New Year’s festival. It is made from Tong Cao paper 1 making it soft and lightweight, with refined and elegant colors. It rivals real flowers, and the stamens are adorned with tiny pearls, making them even more lifelike and beautiful. It suits your age perfectly.”
After securing the ornament, Wang Shi nodded in satisfaction. “Go take a look in the mirror; it truly looks lovely.”
Xin An admired the flowers in the mirror, her eyes full of delight. With them in her hair, she appeared even more youthful. She turned and smiled. “Thank you, Mother.”
In her past life, she had seen this mother-in-law as an opponent the moment she stepped into the Marquis’s residence. They had secretly clashed countless times. But now, as true mother and daughter-in-law, their relationship was completely different—harmonious and even refreshing.
Wang Shi, pleased, then led her to visit the Old Madam. Along the way, she shared various details about the matriarch’s preferences. Xin An, in turn, informed her that Tang Mo would soon visit Tang Yong. “It’s easy to add flowers to a brocade, but much harder to send charcoal in the snow. Offering a helping hand isn’t difficult, and if nothing else, providing some financial aid can build goodwill.”
Both women paused, lowering their voices. Wang Shi pondered for a moment before instructing, “Do not let the Old Madam know about this. And don’t even mention it to your father—just let Tang Mo handle it. He usually spends time with his rowdy friends and can always find a way.”
“Your second uncle’s family is actually quite decent. They never rely on the Marquis’s status, and all the young men are focused on their studies, aiming for success in the imperial exams. Your father…”
Realizing it was inappropriate to speak ill of Tang Gang in front of her daughter-in-law, she stopped herself. “If we can help, we should. I see that you are capable and thoughtful. Tang Mo is fortunate to have married you.”
Xin An nodded. “Relatives should support one another. No one knows when they might need help in return.”
Wang Shi felt reassured, but she also thought of her own declining family. If the Marquis’s household could offer support, they wouldn’t be struggling so much. She had always held resentment toward Tang Gang for neglecting this, but now, hearing Xin An’s words, she felt a glimmer of hope. “Tang Mo is a bit reckless and lacks steadiness. You must remind him often. Say what needs to be said. Don’t worry—I am not the kind of mother who blindly favors her son. If it’s for his own good, a little hardship won’t hurt him.”
The two women exchanged knowing smiles. Xin An leaned in and, in a hushed tone, told her about Xue Yu’s pregnancy in Chunhua Courtyard. Wang Shi raised her eyes slightly, then simply patted Xin An’s hand, signaling that she understood.
When Xin An arrived at the Old Madam’s, the elderly woman was delighted to see her and insisted she join her for breakfast instead of merely standing to serve. The Old Madam’s meals were the best in the household, featuring delicacies like crystal dumplings, thumb-sized peach blossom pastries, and other finely crafted treats that were visually pleasing. Xin An didn’t hold back—she tried everything and praised them all, even enthusiastically urging the Old Madam to taste more. The Old Madam, pleased by her company, ended up eating quite a bit more than usual.
Upon learning that Xin An would be retrieving her dowry today, the Old Madam did not delay her further. By the time Xin An returned to Qiushi Courtyard, the first batch of her dowry had already arrived.
Qiushi Courtyard’s original staff, combined with Xin An’s servants, totaled nine people. The Marquis’s steward, Wu Guan, had also sent twelve young men to assist. The arrival of the dowry filled the courtyard with lively activity. Nanny Wang was bustling around, barely touching the ground, while Xin An stood under the eaves, overseeing everything. She decided which items should be displayed and which should be stored.
“These two chests of fabric can stay out. Later, I’ll select some fine ones to have new clothes made. The darker-colored fabrics should be set aside separately. That luxurious purple fabric—I’ll send that to Grandmother.”
“Place all the jewelry on the dressing table. As for the larger decorative pieces, store them in the warehouse.”
Seeing the courtyard filled with her dowry gave Xin An a sense of security. The workers handled everything carefully, ensuring not a single item was damaged. Pleased, she announced, “Everyone has done an excellent job. Each of you will receive one tael of silver as a reward—collect it from Nanny Wang later.”
The servants and assistants were overjoyed. Even the young men from the front yard, who had only come to help temporarily, were thrilled to receive such a generous reward. They now saw Xin An in a different light—she seemed to radiate golden brilliance.
Meanwhile, in Chunhua Courtyard, Tao Yiran scoffed at the news. “A servant’s duty is to obey. If they start expecting payment for every little task, where will it end?”
Her tone dripped with disdain.
Nanny Cai agreed wholeheartedly. “Serving the Heir is an honor. They should be grateful.”
“The Heir’s wife is a noble lady from a prestigious family. How can she compare to that vulgar merchant woman next door?”
Tao Yiran feigned modesty, yet her condescension remained. “Regardless of my sister-in-law’s background, she is now part of the Marquis’s household. Nanny Cai, be careful not to say such things again—lest my sister-in-law take offense.”
Nanny Cai chuckled. “The Heir’s wife is kind-hearted—no one can compare to her.”
- Pith flowers or Sola flowers (通草花) are traditional Chinese hair ornaments made from the pith of the Tetrapanax papyrifer plant, Tōng cǎo (通草), commonly known as the rice paper plant. Unlike regular paper, pith is a natural, lightweight, and delicate material that artisans carve into thin layers to create lifelike floral decorations. These ornaments have been popular among noblewomen since the Qing Dynasty for their elegant appearance and resemblance to real flowers.
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