Tao Yiran had foreseen this reckoning. She only regretted letting herself be carried away by others’ flattery. But matters had come to this; all she needed was for this thrifty mother-in-law to raise the rod high and bring it down lightly.
Wang Shi regarded her coolly. She was thankful she had switched the bridal chambers two days before the wedding and contrived to bring Xin An in as a daughter-in-law. Had she ended up with Tao Yiran as her son’s wife, she would surely have repented to death.
“‘Failed to think it through’?”
Wang Shi’s voice sharpened. “Leaving aside that you come from an official’s family and were raised with books—any ordinary girl knows she must conduct herself differently after marriage.”
“You mean to tell me you don’t understand what business unmarried young ladies and gentlemen have with playful music and songs?”
“Knowing it was improper and pushing forward regardless—are you trampling the Marquis’s good name underfoot?”
Tao Yiran had never been chastised so sternly. Tears welled in her eyes, the picture of wounded grievance. Wang Shi was unmoved. “You are the Heir’s Wife of the Marquis’s Residence. You have station and face. Do not imitate the ways of those who cannot show themselves in respectable company.”
“The path is yours by choice. Keep clear in your heart what is fit and what is not.”
“I confine you to quarters for half a month. Reflect with your doors shut. You may go.”
Tao Yiran bowed and turned. She even stumbled, then fled in disarray. Wang Shi lifted her tea and sipped, the corner of her mouth faintly curving.
Before long Xin An arrived. Composed and unhurried, she sat and took her tea. Wang Shi dismissed the servants. “You said there was a small mishap today. What was it?”
Xin An did not dissemble. She recounted Madame Tao’s scheme and added, “Nanfeng bought over one of Elder Sister-in-law’s close maids.”
Wang Shi arched a brow. “Trustworthy?”
Those who served at close hand were the hardest to suborn. Wang Shi worried they might turn and bite back.
Xin An replied, “Trustworthiness depends on the price. Elder Sister-in-law is frugal; her maids are not flush with coin.”
Wang Shi nodded. “It seems Nanfeng suits your hand.”
Nanfeng had been the bedchamber maid Wang Shi prepared for Tang Mo; he had never taken her. That she had ended up under Xin An’s command meant the effort Wang Shi invested in Nanfeng had not gone to waste.
“It is your teaching that bears fruit,” Xin An said. “Madame Tao has schemes aplenty. Had her plan worked, she would have felled three birds with one arrow. Luckily, Elder Sister-in-law lost her nerve—I only had to frighten her a little and she held back. Madame Tao will not give up so easily.”
Wang Shi let out a thin laugh. “Leave it to me. If she dares to make a move, I shall treat you to a fine performance.”
Judging others by herself, she had long guessed the Tao family would act—and she was prepared.
“You trouble yourself for us.”
“You and I are as mother and daughter—no need for such courtesy. You’ve had a long day; go and rest.”
Xin An rose. “I asked Nanny Wang to stew some bird’s nest. It’s keeping warm. I’ll have it sent over at once. Do take some and rest early.”
“Has your grandmother received hers?”
“Nanny Wang has already delivered it.”
Wang Shi found herself ever more satisfied with Xin An. “You are thorough; I am at ease. Go on.”
After bowing, Xin An withdrew. Wang Shi was right—she was bone-tired, her back and waist aching.
Back at Autumn Harvest Courtyard, Nanny Wang brought the bird’s nest at once. “You surely didn’t eat your fill at the banquet. The small kitchen has congee and light dishes on the stove. Take some presently.”
Kicking off her shoes, Xin An reclined on the beauty couch and took a bowl. She had not thought herself hungry, but the first spoonful sharpened her appetite. In a few quick mouthfuls she finished, then told Nanny Wang to give Nanfeng five taels of silver. Nanny Wang asked nothing, fetched the silver, and passed it to Nanfeng. Nanfeng later came to pay respects. Xin An smiled. “You handled matters well today. Do not slacken—but don’t rush either. Take it step by step.”
Nanfeng nodded. “This maid understands. Favored by Young Madam, Nanfeng will not disappoint.”
“I trust you,” Xin An said. “You’ve had a long day too—go eat.”
Nanny Wang, smiling, said she had also simmered white fungus soup. “It’s warm and gentle on the stomach. Miss Nanfeng, have a bowl to tide you over; the dishes need a little longer.”
“Thank you, Nanny.”
She had only rested a short while when commotion rose next door. Chunlü hurried in. “Young Madam, the Elder Young Madam has fainted.”
Xin An chuckled. Who knew whether the swoon was real or feigned? She was getting practiced at the delicate-invalid play. “Tell the kitchen to prepare sobering soup for Second Young Master. He is to drink it when he returns.”
Soon Autumn Harvest Courtyard’s gates were closed. Xin An never knew when Tang Mo finally came back that night. When she opened her eyes, he was already setting out for duty.
“Awake?”
Xin An gathered herself. “What time did you return last night?”
“Late.” Tang Mo sat on the edge of the bed with a grin. “You were asleep when I came in. I was afraid of waking you and slept in the next room. I drank the sobering soup and just had a bowl of congee. My stomach feels much better.”
Xin An had to laugh. She hadn’t asked after his stomach.
Tang Mo went on, “I’ll be home for supper tonight. Also, tomorrow is my rest day. There’s a cuju match—let’s go watch together.”
“Of course.”
Xin An brightened. “Then I’ll take a proper rest today and spend all of tomorrow out and about. How does that sound?”
Tang Mo agreed. Seeing the time, he stood. “I’ll speak to Mother when I’m back. Rest. Mother sent word just now that you needn’t pay respects today; Grandmother can wait till later.”
“You were exhausted yesterday too—rest. I’m off.”
He strode out with springy steps. She hadn’t asked about the banquet, yet it was plain he’d had a good night.
“Second Young Master returned with the Heir last night. Both were well in their cups. Second Young Master could still walk; the Heir was carried into Spring Blossom Courtyard.”
As Chunyang dressed Xin An’s hair, she relayed the tale. “He had the sobering soup before he lay down. Nanny Wang had bird’s nest congee prepared at dawn. Second Young Master took two bowls.”
“He was in high spirits when he came back.”
Xin An’s attire was simpler today. She wore the everlasting-flower hairpiece Wang Shi had given her earlier and no excess ornaments. She smoothed her hair. “I’ll wash it this afternoon.”
Chunyang said a new hair-wash had been prepared. “We added a few medicinals. They say the hair falls glossy and black afterward.”
After breakfast, Chunlü came to report that the neighbors had summoned the physician again. “It’s the strangest thing. He’s come several times and written only one prescription, just tonics. This time he prescribed nothing—said to continue the old tonics and rest more.”
“Rest more? She hasn’t set foot outside the door.”
Chunyang laughed. “After what happened yesterday, how else can she hide but by taking to her bed?”
“Too plainspoken,” Xin An said.
These two maids were generally unguarded in her room. Xin An lifted her gaze. “Keep such remarks within these walls. Once outside, not a single word.”
Both nodded obediently. “We understand.”