The sun rose in the east; birds chirped among the branches.
After a restful night’s sleep, Xin An was in the courtyard feeding her goldfish. Rouqiu was chasing a ball of yarn around, tail wagging like a banner of joy.
Chunyang came forward to report, “Young Madam, someone from Madam’s quarters said you needn’t go over today. Madam Tao has arrived.”
The two women had arranged to discuss the Marquis’s plan to provide aid to retired soldiers that morning. Since the meeting was off, Xin An wasn’t concerned. Madame Tao’s visit came as no surprise either.
At this point, Xin An still knew nothing of what had happened. She thought only that Tao Yiran’s playing the zither publicly had been improper, yes, but hardly a grave offense—perhaps it had drawn some gossip, but nothing that couldn’t blow over.
She could not have known that the Countess of Changning had ripped away the Tao family’s last scrap of dignity, turning a small misstep into a catastrophe.
“Is Grandmother in Chunrong Hall?”
Chunyang replied, “The Old Madam said she was meeting her old friends to hear the opera again. She’s already gone out.”
“Didn’t she just go yesterday?”
Chunyang wisely said nothing. Xin An only smiled, brushing the last fish food from her hands. “In that case, today will be a day of rest.”
“Go invite Physician Zhao to come. Tell her I’d like a facial mask and a shoulder massage.”
She had once seen the woman tend to the Old Madam’s shoulders with some fragrant floral oil. The scent had been soothing, and the Old Madam swore that afterward her whole body felt relaxed, her skin soft and smooth.
“And bring the dye for my nails as well,” Xin An added cheerfully.
These were indulgences she had never experienced in her past life; she intended to enjoy them all now. She still remembered how the Second Princess’s nails had gleamed with a perfect tint—she’d been meaning to find out where that polish came from.
“Fetch Auntie Wang too,” she said. “I have some gifts to send out.”
Meanwhile, in the front hall, Madame Tao was weeping before Wang Shi. Steward Zhang had gone to the Tao household at dawn, and the moment Master and Madame Tao heard the news, it felt as though the sky had fallen. Their long-buried secret—exposed for all to see. The veil of respectability was gone.
They had immediately sent a calling card to the Countess of Changning’s residence, adding fifty percent more to the already generous gifts they had prepared. Then, desperate for details, Madame Tao had hurried straight to the Marquis’s household.
Wang Shi spoke with calm precision:
“The Countess of Changning, overcome with motherly concern, said both what she should and what she should not. She made it clear she will not let the matter rest. Only the Tao family can hope to appease her anger now. If possible, bring your eldest daughter-in-law in person to show sincerity.”
“But you may rest assured,” Wang Shi added mildly, “only the Marquis and I know of this within our household. After all, it touches upon our own family’s honor as well.”
Her meaning was plain: the Marquis’s family would not intervene—and she wasn’t lying. Wang Shi had no intention of involving Tang Mo and Xin An in such sordid business. Some things, a mother must handle herself. She would not let the younger couple, still rash and unseasoned, act recklessly and worsen the situation.
“Dear in-law, I…”
Madame Tao faltered, unsure how to reclaim a shred of dignity. Finally, she sighed deeply. “For the sake of our children’s union, I beg the Marquis’s household to extend a hand.”
Wang Shi’s lips curved in a faint, cool smile. “Madame Tao, I truly sympathize with you. But when children marry, it is a union of families—and families think first of their own interests. To speak frankly, this incident is not catastrophic for the Marquis’s household.”
Before Madame Tao could grasp the meaning, Wang Shi continued, “Strictly speaking, your daughter’s marriage into our house was never entirely proper in the eyes of society. However you dress it up, it is only to deceive oneself. You saw the expressions of the ladies at the Shuihua Banquet—surely you know what they thought.”
“The Tao family’s situation is a hidden peril. My Marquisate was hard-won; our reputation cannot be tarnished. I trust Master Tao will handle matters wisely.”
“And that,” she added pointedly, “is also my lord husband’s opinion.”
They had plotted against her son and daughter-in-law, and still had the gall to ask for help. Wang Shi thought grimly that it was already mercy enough she didn’t add insult to injury.
At the Tao residence, Master and Madame Tao had discussed it over and decided that the Marquis’s household must step forward. Like it or not, the two families were bound together now; their fortunes rose and fell as one. Surely the Marquis would not abandon them.
They had misjudged. The Marquis’s family had already withdrawn their hands. The discovery crushed Madame Tao’s spirit—if the truth spread and the Marquis’s household turned its back, the Tao family would never again stand in the capital.
Even if they had the nerve to remain, how could they ever show their faces again?
Wang Shi lifted her teacup and said serenely, “Madame Tao, you had best act quickly. The sooner, the better.”
Madame Tao rose, saying she had already prepared more gifts. She would bring Tao Yiran at once to the Countess’s residence and beg forgiveness.
That morning, Tao Yiran had actually woken early for once, speaking of paying respects to her elders—but both the Old Madam and Wang Shi were occupied, and the formal greetings were excused.
In her own courtyard, she busied herself with trifles—writing calling cards to old acquaintances, selecting fabrics, even planning to make new robes for Tang Rong. It was the first time since her marriage that she had shown such diligence.
Nanny Liu showered her with praise, flattering her endlessly. When Madame Tao arrived, she smiled brightly, only for her face to freeze as Madame Tao swept in, called Tao Yiran into the room, and dismissed every servant—including Nanny Liu herself.
A stick of incense later, Tao Yiran emerged with reddened eyes and followed her mother out, carrying several small chests. Chunlü tried to inquire but learned nothing. Since Physician Zhao was visiting, she decided not to disturb Xin An.
“What is Second Young Madam doing?” Wang Shi asked later, still faintly uneasy. She feared Tang Mo and Xin An’s temperaments—too straightforward, too unguarded—and worried they might have caught wind of the situation.
A maid replied, “Second Young Madam invited Physician Zhao to dye her nails.”
Wang Shi chuckled. “Liking beauty is no fault.”
The attending matron smiled. “Anyone can see our Second Young Madam enjoys dressing up. When she looks so pretty, even we feel cheerful just seeing her.”
Wang Shi remembered the set of velvet flower ornaments in the storeroom. “Fetch them and have them delivered to her.”
That day, Xin An was completely relaxed. After sending Auntie Wang out on two errands, she let Physician Zhao pamper her with masks and massage. She had both her fingernails and toenails dyed, the whole process taking half a day. When it was done, she examined her rosy nails with satisfaction.
“Physician Zhao, could you come every half-month to do this for me?”
The maids could apply nail dye too, but none achieved the vivid, even color of Physician Zhao.
A steady, generous patron was a blessing, and Physician Zhao gladly agreed. “The Young Madam’s skin is naturally excellent—only a little sun-touched. The midday heat harms the complexion; you should avoid too much sun.”
“I’ll be more careful,” Xin An agreed lightly—it was, after all, the result of yesterday’s cuju match. “You’re free this afternoon, yes?”
“I am. Does the Young Madam have more instructions?”
Xin An tilted her head. “Qingyang, go ask Mother if she’d like to have her nails done or perhaps a facial.”
Qingyang hurried off and soon returned—with Wang Shi herself.
Seeing Xin An, her face freshly treated and glowing, her nails glossy and neat, Wang Shi smiled. “I wanted to try when your grandmother did, but never found the time. Since I’m free this afternoon, I’ll have Physician Zhao give me a treatment too.”