Chapter 021

Chapter 21: Tao Yi Ran’s disdain

Xin An arrived early at Madam Wang’s courtyard to pay her respects. Tang Gang was due at court, so Madam Wang had risen especially early and had only just awakened from a brief doze when Xin An entered.

Madam Wang asked in mild surprise: “Didn’t we say you were excused today? Why have you come?”

Xin An smiled and replied: “I was raised roughly from childhood; my constitution is a bit better than Elder Sister-in-law’s. I woke early today and thought to come and chat with Mother.”

She mentioned that Tang Mo had gone out and that today people would be arranged to carry back the dowry.

Madam Wang said that her people were guarding the dowries and instructed kindly: “A woman’s dowry concerns her whole life. I have people watching carefully, but you must not be too trusting either; everything needs to be inventoried clearly.”

Xin An nodded. Madam Wang then smiled and presented a pair of jade bangles, saying: “You are my legitimate daughter-in-law. My things will be yours in the future. These bangles were part of my own dowry, given to me by my mother. They are nothing special; take them.”

The Wang family was not a great clan. Back then, because it had been a second marriage and the marquisate was under scrutiny, the Grand Matron had chosen to marry in a daughter of a fifth-rank official. Though Madam Wang had gained a firm foothold in the marquisate, the Wang family declined quickly after her father’s death; at present only a few nephews still studying held any promise.

Seeing the bangles were not of fine quality, Xin An accepted them with a smile and said: “What Mother gives cannot be measured by quality or price. Even a piece of wood would be a precious treasure.”

Her words held a double meaning. Madam Wang looked a little startled, then her brows smoothed as she said: “Before deciding to give you this pair, I was still worried. There are ones of better quality, but this pair has a different meaning to me and better represents my sincerity. I am glad you understand.”

She added with pleased energy: “Come, Mother has another item for you.”

She opened a small chest of everlasting flower hair ornaments, vivid as life. Picking one up, she pinned it into Xin An’s hair and explained with satisfaction: “These were a New Year’s reward from the Empress last year. They are made from pith, light in substance with refined hues, comparable to real blossoms. Tiny pearls the size of rice grains are set in the stamens, which makes them livelier and more splendid. They suit your age especially well.”

After fixing it in place, she nodded, pleased: “Go look in the mirror. It is truly pretty.”

Xin An touched the flower before the mirror, eyes full of delight. Wearing the blossom made her look younger. She turned back with a smile and said: “Thank you, Mother.”

In her previous life, she had treated this mother-in-law as an opponent the moment she entered the marquisate, and the two had often contended in secret. Now they were truly close as mother and daughter-in-law; getting along was wholly different from before, harmonious and fresh.

Madam Wang, happy, then led her to pay respects to the Grand Matron, and along the way she told Xin An many of the Grand Matron’s likes and dislikes. Xin An in turn mentioned that Tang Mo would go to visit Tang Yong’s household later: “It is easy to add flowers to brocade and hard to send charcoal in the snow. At the end of the day it is only lending a hand. If nothing else works, we can even spend some silver. Leaving a bond of goodwill is also good.”

They both paused and lowered their voices. After a little thought, Madam Wang urged that the matter be kept from the Grand Matron, saying: “Do not even tell your Father; just let the second boy handle it. He spends time with a bunch of idle friends and can always find some connections.”

She added, assessing fairly: “Your second uncle’s family is actually decent. They do not rely on the marquisate; the sons of the house devote themselves to study and plan to take the examinations. Your father…”

Realizing it was not appropriate to speak ill of Tang Gang in front of a new daughter-in-law, she stopped herself and continued instead: “Help where you can. I can see you have a plan. It is the second boy’s fortune to have married you.”

Xin An nodded and said: “Relatives pulling one another along is normal. Flowers do not stay red for a hundred days; who can guarantee there will not come a day when we ourselves must ask favors.”

Madam Wang felt greatly comforted. Thinking of how her maiden family had declined year by year, she felt that if the marquisate could pull a few strings, things would not be so difficult. She had long held resentment toward Tang Gang; now, hearing Xin An, hope rose again. She said frankly: “The second boy’s manner can be a bit flighty and not very steady. You must remind him more; say what needs saying. Do not worry, Mother is not the sort who sides with her own son in everything. As long as it is for his good, letting him suffer a bit is nothing.”

The two smiled at each other. Xin An leaned a little closer, lowered her voice, and told her about Xue Yu of Chun Hua Courtyard being pregnant. Madam Wang raised her eyes, then smiled, patted Xin An’s hand, and indicated she understood.

When Xin An arrived, the Grand Matron was delighted and did not have her stand and serve at the meal but instead had her sit and eat together. The Grand Matron’s breakfast was the finest in the manor: crystal dumplings, thumb-sized buns, peach-blossom crisps, all exquisitely made and pleasing to the eye. Xin An was not shy; she tasted each pastry and praised them all, then warmly entreated the Grand Matron to try. The Grand Matron accordingly ate more than usual and felt content.

Upon learning that the dowry was to be carried in today, the Grand Matron did not keep her. By the time Xin An returned to Qiu Shi Courtyard, the first batch of dowry had already arrived.

Counting the original servants in Qiu Shi Courtyard together with the nine who had come as part of Xin An’s marriage portion, and with Steward Wu dispatching twelve serving lads from the outer court to help, the dowry chests filed in one after another. Qiu Shi Courtyard instantly turned lively. Auntie Wang rushed about with barely a foot touching the ground, while Xin An stood beneath the eaves and watched, deciding what should be displayed and what should be stored.

She directed calmly: “These two chests of cloth do not go into storage. Later choose some pretty fabrics to make a few outfits. Also select separately the bolts with slightly darker colors, and that bolt of rich purple I will send to Grandmother.”

She added: “Place all jewelry on the dressing table, and send all the other large display pieces to the storeroom.”

Looking at the courtyard piled high with her dowry, Xin An felt deeply at ease. Seeing how carefully and skillfully everyone worked, handling each chest with care, she was very satisfied and said: “You have all done a fine job. Each person will be rewarded one tael of silver; go to Auntie Wang to collect it.”

Both the courtyard’s own people and the serving lads from the front yard hurried to offer thanks, especially the outer-court lads, who had heard that the people of Qiu Shi Courtyard had received twelve months of reward and had been green with envy. They had not expected to get a whole tael just for lending a hand; this was a great sum. When they looked up, the Second Young Madam seemed to shine with golden light.

News from next door arrived just as quickly. Tao Yi Ran, upon receiving it, did not take it to heart and said coolly: “Those who sell themselves as slaves must observe their station. If we open this precedent, will they expect money every time they are ordered?”

It was the conduct of merchants and could not be brought into polite society.

Auntie Cai agreed and said to Auntie Liu: “They should be grateful for the chance to serve the Heir Apparent.”

She added with a flattering smile: “The Heir Apparent’s wife is a noble lady from a reputable family; she naturally has people attending at her beck and call. How can that copper-reeking merchant’s wife compare?”

She was clever. Seeing that Tang Rong was eager for Tao Yi Ran, she avoided clashing with her and even sought to please, helping Tao Yi Ran keep Xue Yu and Ying Yue under pressure to win favor. Auntie Liu ground her teeth in jealousy.

Tao Yi Ran found Auntie Cai’s words agreeable, yet she admonished with proper form: “No matter what Second Sister-in-law’s background is, she has married into the marquisate and is now my sister-in-law. Auntie Cai, do not say such things again in the future, so as not to make our sister-in-law uncomfortable.”

Auntie Cai smiled and answered sweetly: “The young madam has a kind heart; no one can compare.”