Wang Shi truly had a full day. At first light she sent a calling card to the Count of Changning’s residence. Tao Yiran’s performance the day before had cost Wang Shi face—and the Marquis’s Residence its reputation. She naturally had to go with generous gifts to make amends, and, if possible, shift the blame onto the Tao family.
The banquet had yielded gains as well: several more wedding invitations arrived, and gifts had to be prepared.
By the time Xin An reached Spring Glory Hall, the sun was already high. The Old Madam was still having her skin treated. Pleased with yesterday’s healthy glow, she was in a good mood. Seeing Xin An, she teased, “Coming at this hour—have you set your mind on freeloading a meal?”
When the men of the household were out, luncheon was usually taken in each person’s own courtyard. Xin An went forward with a smile and curtseyed. “Grandmother has keen eyes. I’ve been thinking of your braised fish since morning and dawdled just long enough to arrive at the right time.”
The Old Madam laughed. Xin An’s appetite was not small, and she ate with relish. The Old Madam had at last found a pleasant dining companion and was happy to indulge her. She turned to Ganlu. “Go tell the kitchen to make the braised fish at once. We can’t have our Second Young Madam come for nothing.”
Xin An smiled and curtseyed again. “My thanks, Grandmother.”
The Old Madam’s laughter faded as a thought struck her. “Did your elder sister-in-law play the qin at the banquet yesterday?”
“Yes.”
Xin An briefly recounted the incident, then added, “I was seated some distance away and didn’t hear what was said. Perhaps they invited her.”
The Old Madam’s expression soured. Xin An added, “After we returned, Mother kept Elder Sister-in-law to speak. Not long after she reached Spring Blossom Courtyard, I heard she had fainted. I didn’t go to see her—so I don’t know how she fares today.”
Drawing a long breath, the Old Madam held her tongue before Xin An and refrained from scolding Tao Yiran. She asked instead what connections Xin An had made. Xin An answered frankly that she had met several new acquaintances. “Someone even asked me out to hear an opera.”
“No one made things difficult for you?”
The Old Madam had planned to keep Xin An at her side the whole time, but seeing how well she’d managed the previous day, she hadn’t insisted. Once married, men and women alike had their own responsibilities.
“I spent most of the time with Sister Yan and Sister Lin—we’ve already taken tea and heard opera together. No one said anything unpleasant.”
The Old Madam nodded, then mentioned several upcoming gatherings and told Xin An to attend; in the same breath she praised Tang Mo again.
Wang Shi arrived in the afternoon, just missing Xin An at Spring Glory Hall. She had received a favorable reply from the Count of Changning’s household—no refusal to her visit. “I’ve prepared substantial gifts. We cannot ignore this matter. I’ll go first thing tomorrow.”
The Old Madam was displeased. “After such a misstep, apologies are in order. But you, as her mother-in-law, also bear some fault for indulging her.”
“I know your position makes it awkward to scold her harshly. But indulgence brings disgrace back on the Marquis’s doors.”
Wang Shi inclined her head. “I have reflected—and placed Elder Daughter-in-law under half a month’s confinement. When the Marquis returns this evening, I’ll urge him that we summon the Imperial Physician tomorrow. As it happens, it is a rest day; both the Marquis and the Heir will be home. If she is truly unwell, she must be properly treated.”
The Old Madam lifted her gaze. “Inform the Tao family of the diagnosis. Send a common servant—no more than that.”
They had to make the Tao family feel the Marquis’s displeasure.
Wang Shi agreed. After half a day of errands, she, too, was weary. The Old Madam sent her off to rest. Once she had gone, the Old Madam sighed helplessly. Ganlu stepped forward to help her lie down. “So long as Madam is here, there’s no need to fret. Best to look after your health.”
“This residence won’t be peaceful.”
Wang Shi no longer meant to endure. As matters stood, she had formed a united front with the second son and his wife. The three on the other side were likely still dreaming. If Tao Yiran could steady herself, it might yet be salvaged; but the Old Madam looked from one angle and then another and remained perplexed. “What sort of person is the Elder Young Madam, in truth?”
Ganlu pondered and shook her head. “She seldom shows herself—hard to see clearly. Only…”
She hesitated. The Old Madam sat on the bed’s edge. “You feel she does not resemble the legitimate daughter of an official’s family?”
Ganlu dared not nod. “Perhaps the Elder Young Madam has yet to adapt.”
The Old Madam sighed. “Even without uncommon brilliance, an official’s legitimate daughter knows her measures—propriety, restraint. These girls, though delicately raised, carry their clan’s future on their shoulders. From childhood they learn to place the family first; after marriage, to honor their elders, rear their children, and assist their husbands. Few live entirely as they please.”
“Like the second boy’s wife. But this Tao girl—why does she not seem the part?”
The Old Madam was truly puzzled.
Ganlu said people differed and gently urged her not to dwell on it. “If you keep well, the residence keeps well. Leave the worrying to the Marquis and Madam.”
The Old Madam lay back and closed her eyes. “I must take care—live long.”
As long as she remained, she could remind the outside world of the old lord’s merits and shelter the sons and grandsons within.
Wang Shi had barely risen from her noon rest when Tang Gang returned, anger still on his face. He downed tea before asking after Tao Yiran. As soon as court had adjourned, several officials had gathered to make barbed remarks, and the Count of Changning had glowered at him. Only after inquiry did he learn that Tao Yiran had offended a young lady of the count’s household the day before.
“To chase the limelight with no regard for rank or decorum—she’s beyond sense. Why didn’t you stop her?”
Wang Shi’s expression chilled. “The Shuihua Banquet was crowded. I had to accompany Mother and attend to the other ladies. She is a grown woman and no novice to such occasions. Must I keep watch over her?”
“By rights, I ought to have kept an eye on the younger son’s wife—her first time at such a gathering. Do you think I had the leisure?”
Tang Gang pressed on. “Did you punish her when she returned?”
“I scolded her and punished her—confined her to quarters for half a month. She no sooner got back than she swooned. For whose benefit was that little act?”
Wang Shi’s temper flared. “A body that topples at the touch of a breeze—fainting at every turn. If word spreads, won’t they say I am a harsh mother-in-law?”
The more Tang Gang thought, the angrier he grew. He turned his blame on Wang Shi for poor judgment. “When arranging the match, did you not inquire more? Look more closely?”
“How could such a character pass through the Marquis’s gates?”
Wang Shi gave a short, disbelieving laugh. “Wasn’t this match settled between you and Tao Daren? Didn’t you praise it to the skies—acting as if the second boy had won a grand prize? Now I’d like to ask: she ended up as the elder boy’s wife. Don’t tell me you, good father that you are, engineered the switch.”
“You looked down on the Xin family for being merchants, said they could not aid your eldest. Time and again you extolled the Taos—how gifted Tao Yiran was—and even claimed the second boy was marrying up.”
“After such a scandal, your eldest merely knelt in the ancestral hall, and you let the matter drop—rod raised high, brought down light. The more I think on it, the more it feels exactly so. Marquis, have you any explanation?”
Wang shi’s attitude towards the swap is so funny to me. Zero hesitation when blaming other people lol