The Old Madam was not in a good mood.
It wasn’t that she resented Tang Mo or Xin An. Compared to those men who took up a new mistress each time they were transferred to a new post, the old master had been restrained—besides her, he’d only ever kept one woman outside the household. What rankled was how he had assumed she would never tolerate a concubine’s son, and therefore guarded against her at every turn, resorting to underhanded measures.
He had thought her heart too dark.
And now Tang Gang had inherited just that tendency—how could she not feel bitter at the thought?
Once again, Xin An had played her cards right. She stood up and said cheerfully, “Cousin-sister-in-law sent me a basket of grapes recently. She said her father, Lord Gu, cultivated them himself—and even the Emperor praised them as unmatched. I found them delicious. She mentioned she left a few clusters on the vine just for Grandmother, but was unsure whether Grandmother would enjoy them.”
The Old Madam chuckled. “If she was so thoughtful, let her send them. This old woman wouldn’t mind tasting what the Emperor himself found worthy.”
Xin An nodded, all smiles, and after exchanging a few more pleasant words, she took her leave. As she went, Ganlu stepped forward to refill the tea, and couldn’t help but murmur, “You are too kind, truly. I only hope Second Young Madam understands your good intentions.”
The Old Madam touched her own face, half-smiling. “You call it kindness—but when I favored my second son, I didn’t help him build a single connection. If he wants to make something of himself, he’ll have to forge his own way. Those two households we just mentioned—his father refused to associate with either. It’s not easy for that pair, husband and wife.”
“Swapping brides might’ve seemed like a loss for him, but in truth, he gained the better half. Just that little wife of his—how much she’s done for him already?”
Age brought perspective, and with it, clarity. The Old Madam lifted her teacup and gently blew on the surface.
“This young couple doesn’t even bother hiding their fondness for my treasures. You remember, don’t you? The very first time she came to greet me, that girl’s eyes nearly bulged at the sight of this room’s decor—like she’d fallen headlong into a den of gold and silver. The look on her face was enough to make one laugh.”
“She goes to great lengths to please me. And when I’m amused, I’ll reward her with a trinket or two. She’s happy, and I’m happy—what’s the harm? I can’t very well take all these treasures with me into the grave, can I?”
Rather than have them taken by someone she didn’t like, she’d much rather give them to someone who made her smile. At least then, she’d be happy.
The Old Madam was reminded that she still had another granddaughter-in-law, and summoned another old matron stationed at Spring Glory Hall. This one bore the surname Sun—stern and exacting, she was not only the one who kept order in the hall, but also the Old Madam’s eyes and ears. Nothing within the household escaped her notice. So when the Old Madam wanted to know everything that had occurred during her absence, Matron Sun laid it all out in meticulous detail.
On the way back to Autumn Harvest Courtyard, Xin An encountered Wang Shi, who had just returned from her own errands. With a single glance, Wang Shi guessed that Xin An had received gifts from the Old Madam and felt genuinely pleased.
Xin An took her by the hand and led her into Autumn Harvest Courtyard for a private word. She began by explaining the matter concerning General Wang and Tang Yong. “Rather than wait for someone to tattletale behind our backs, I thought it best to speak directly. Grandmother didn’t take offense—she said those matters had nothing to do with the younger generation.”
Wang Shi pressed her palms together and murmured, “Amitabha… I’ve been so worried these past days. No one knows how the Old Madam truly feels about your second uncle. I’d been waiting for the right moment to plead your case on your behalf.”
“The Wang family—whatever else one might say—is still led by a fifth-rank officer, a Commandant of Distant Defense. The men they’re sheltering are all old soldiers who once fought under your grandfather’s command. Whether out of duty or mutual interest, they shouldn’t be ignored. Sneaking around helps no one. It’s best to make things proper and open. As for your father—leave him to me. I’ll manage him.”
Ever since that infamous quarrel, Wang Shi had become someone who could now confront Tang Gang head-on. She had mastered the art of seizing the initiative and turning the tables before he could react. Tang Gang no longer had any real leverage over her.
“If everything is made proper, there’ll be no more need for backdoor dealings. Whatever needs to be done can be done openly and with dignity. But mark this—no one must steal the credit.”
Xin An shared the same sentiment. She had no desire to toil in the shadows, only to have Tang Rong swoop in and reap the reward.
“If the time comes, Mother and I will step forward together.”
“That’s for the best.”
Wang Shi was now wholly committed to supporting her son and daughter-in-law. If Tang Gang could show blatant favoritism, why couldn’t she?
“Your grandmother gave you the yellow jade peony, did she?”
She rose and lifted the piece from the box—a lustrous treasure that drew the eye and held it captive. Cradling it in her hands, she turned it over and over, marveling.
“In the future, do make time to pay your respects. You ought to show more filial devotion.”
She had been in the marquisate for so many years, and only now did she realize that the Old Madam could be so generous.
Aside from the yellow jade peony, there was also a white jade triangular vessel with walls as thin as paper, roughly the size of a rice bowl. Xin An explained, “The lid of this vessel was carved from within the body itself. It’s not just paper-thin—it’s intricately adorned with densely packed patterns. Even the jade embedded in the base was carved from the lid’s interior. The craftsmanship is truly divine.”
Wang Shi sat down to examine it closely. “It really is a fine piece. I daresay it outshines the yellow jade peony.”
There was one more item in the box—a fish sculpture. The base was white jade, while the fish’s back bore streaks of red jade. The two types of jade had grown seamlessly together.
“They likely carved the fish based on the natural pattern of the stone,” Xin An said. “Look at the tail—it’s entirely a vibrant orange-red. It’s so lifelike, it might just swim away.”
Mother- and daughter-in-law couldn’t take their eyes off the three treasures. Wang Shi murmured, half to herself, “If I had a trove like your grandmother’s, I wouldn’t bother with outside affairs either. I’d just sit at home and admire these pieces all day long.”
“But from what I’ve heard,” she added, lowering her voice, “these aren’t even the bulk of it. What she truly has in abundance is jewelry. All the rare treasures your grandfather brought back from his conquests—whatever he seized or was given—he handed over to her.”
As a woman herself, it was impossible not to feel a pang of longing.
Xin An’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the yellow jade peony. “It simply radiates nobility.”
Wang Shi then inquired about Xin An’s preparations for the upcoming banquet. The Duke of En was the Empress Dowager’s maternal kin.
“The Zhou family has flourished for decades, with branches sprawling and lush. Every year around this time, they host a grand banquet—it’s one of the most significant gatherings for noble families. No one declines the invitation. When the time comes, I may not be able to look after you personally.”
The banquet at the Duke of En’s residence was known as the Water and Blossoms Banquet. As the name suggested, guests were invited to admire the lotus blossoms in full bloom. Yet over the years, the flowers had become secondary. The banquet itself had grown into a grand affair—an essential event for titled families to socialize, forge new alliances, and even evaluate prospective matches.
Many of the elite who were usually hard to meet could almost certainly be found there. Given the unrivaled power and prestige of the Duke of En, even old enemies would force a smile and exchange pleasantries when crossing paths. Such an atmosphere made it far easier to speak and conduct matters. On the day of the banquet, the streets would be packed with carriages, the venue abuzz with liveliness.
Wang Shi was visibly uneasy at the thought of Xin An navigating such a crowd alone, unaware that in her past life, Xin An had attended the Water and Blossoms Banquet more times than Wang Shi ever had. She was hardly a stranger to the event.
“Mother, rest assured,” Xin An said calmly. “I’m not one to seek the spotlight or flaunt myself. I won’t stir up trouble.”
“Sister Yan has also promised to keep an eye on me.”
Relieved, Wang Shi rose with a smile. “Then I’m at ease. The women of the marquisate will be going together, so have your maid prepare an extra set or two of fine clothing. Your powder and jewelry should also be in good order—should anything unexpected happen, we mustn’t be caught lacking in decorum.”
“I should go check on your grandmother now. You take some rest.”