Chapter 097

Chapter 97: Xin An vs Tao Yi Ran

Tao Yi Ran said with studied lightness: “Mother and my husband worry too much about my health. I’ve told them I’m fine. Who knows one’s own body better than oneself? But my husband is overly concerned and insists I rest a few more days.”

She wanted to show how valued she was, and, glancing at Xin An, added: “With Mother’s kindness and my husband’s care, how could I fail to accept it? It would only disappoint their painstaking devotion.”

Xin An raised her handkerchief to her nose, laughed softly, and lowered her voice to a murmur: “Eldest Brother is indeed a good man. On the way to pay respects to Mother a few days ago, he told me that if I ever faced trouble I should come to him; as long as I asked, he would never refuse. He truly has the bearing of an elder brother.”

Lowering her voice further, she said: “Speaking of which, Elder Sister-in-law, your fortune is remarkable. Across the realm, a groom going to the wrong courtyard on his wedding night is rare. Entering the wrong bridal chamber and not emerging is rarer still. Yet you encountered exactly that. Your blessings are truly thick.”

Tao Yi Ran’s face changed. Xin An’s eyes sparkled with laughter as she continued: “Eldest Brother is magnanimous and has the manner of an elder brother. With his words, I’m at ease. I will surely have cause to trouble Eldest Brother in the future.”

The doors of the main hall of the Chun Rong Hall opened. Gan Lu came out and invited them in. The Grand Matron smiled and asked: “What were you two sisters-in-law discussing in the courtyard?”

“Grandmother,” they chorused as they made their bows.

Xin An, paying her respects, smiled and said: “We were speaking of how Eldest Brother is considerate of Elder Sister-in-law and worries over her discomfort, reminding her again and again to rest more.”

The Grand Matron said to Tao Yi Ran: “If that is so, why trouble yourself with this trip? I know your filial piety and only hope you both are sound in body.”

Briefly wrong-footed by Xin An’s few lines, Tao Yi Ran hastened to bow and said: “Grandmother is generous. As your granddaughter-in-law, I should attend at your side now that I am so much better. I cannot burden my younger sister-in-law forever.”

“A heart of filial devotion,” the Grand Matron said approvingly.

She had the breakfast set out. That morning, she had looked in the mirror and found both her complexion and skin tone improved, so she was in excellent spirits. She said: “Sit and eat together. You must eat more.”

Xin An supported the Grand Matron to her seat, chattering as she went about how good the meals here were and saying: “When Grandmother was at the estate, my husband and I missed the dishes from Grandmother’s table.”

The Grand Matron joked: “So you come to pay respects every day in order to eat breakfast here?”

Xin An took her seat at the side and laughed with open delight: “The respect is sincere, and so is the desire for Grandmother’s breakfast.”

She added with cheer: “The food at Grandmother’s is especially fragrant.”

The Grand Matron was greatly pleased and smilingly placed a slice of taro roll into Xin An’s bowl. She said: “If you like it, eat more. Grandmother hopes you’ll come every day to eat.”

The two chatted and laughed, ignoring the strict rules of no talking at meals or in bed. They discussed which dishes stood out on the breakfast spread and which pastry shop in the city had the best sweets, agreeing to send for some the next day. Seated nearby, Tao Yi Ran lost her appetite, her head buzzing. Her dissatisfaction with Xin An reached a peak; she thought Xin An’s fawning unbearably thick-skinned.

After breakfast, Xin An had no intention of leaving. There was nothing to do back home; better to stay and talk a while. Tao Yi Ran did not wish to linger. She did not want to see Xin An even for a moment more, and she found the room unbearably vulgar. The Grand Matron had changed the screen again, this time to one embroidered with both gold and silver threads, ostentatiously rich.

Xin An said with solicitous concern: “Elder Sister-in-law’s complexion does not look well. Are you feeling unwell again?”

Then she added, very thoughtfully: “Mother has business these two days and says there’s no need to pay respects. If you aren’t well, you should go back and rest early.”

Forcing a smile, Tao Yi Ran watched as the Grand Matron lifted her gaze and said: “In future, if you are unwell, don’t come. Restoring your health is the proper business. Grandmother acknowledges your filial heart.”

Tao Yi Ran felt there was a barb in the Grand Matron’s words and also thought the Grand Matron’s taste was poor. Well, anyone who liked a sycophant like Xin An could not have very refined taste, could she? In the end, they both had inferior births.

The Grand Matron glanced at her, then lowered her eyes to sip tea. Given the state of these two sisters-in-law, she could not say anything that would make them truly get along. As long as they maintained harmony on the surface, didn’t tear into each other in public, and didn’t cause a laughingstock, they could do as they pleased.

She reminded them: “The Water Blossom Banquet is at hand. All the women of the household must attend. You will be scrutinized; you know what to do?”

Tao Yi Ran, who had been about to rise and take her leave, felt her heart sink and clenched the handkerchief in her palm. The Water Blossom Banquet was a test for both her and Xin An. Though gossip had quieted of late, their appearance would stir interest the moment they showed themselves. She worried Xin An would speak recklessly and put her at a disadvantage.

As the elder sister-in-law, Tao Yi Ran should have spoken first, but she truly did not know what to say. The Grand Matron’s gaze fell on Xin An. Xin An smiled and said: “Eldest Brother is a man of learning and upright virtue. He deserves a match with someone whose talent matches his, such as Elder Sister-in-law. It is simply a marriage ordained by heaven. As for my husband and me, we count as entering the wrong bridal chamber yet meeting the right person.”

She added gently: “Curiosity is normal. As long as we face it with composure, other people’s interest will fade.”

That was precisely the attitude the Grand Matron wanted from her; after all, she appeared to be the one who had suffered the loss. The Grand Matron looked satisfied and said: “Well said. Heaven-ordained marriage it is.”

Tao Yi Ran also let out a breath. Her greatest fear had been that Xin An would be indiscreet in public. A low birth and lack of seniority could endure a few cutting remarks, but she herself was the marquisate’s eldest granddaughter-in-law, the wife of the Heir Apparent. Reputation mattered supremely.

The sun rose higher, and the person who tended the Grand Matron’s skincare arrived. Xin An and Tao Yi Ran took their leave together. Once outside, Tao Yi Ran, who had intended to go first, changed her mind, fell half a step behind, and walked beside Xin An. Staring straight ahead, she said: “What’s done is done. Younger Sister-in-law, why cling to resentment? If Second Brother learns your heart isn’t calm, he will be pained.”

Xin An likewise kept her eyes on the path, the corner of her lips lifting as she said: “Perhaps Elder Sister-in-law does not know. The one clinging to resentment is not me. You seized the man, but whether you can keep him is very much in question. Besides…”

She continued in a serene tone: “We are one family. When problems arise, of course we should help one another. In particular, Eldest Brother is the future heir of the marquisate. It is reasonable that he take a little extra care of me. Even if word gets out, people will only say he is loyal and responsible.”

These were the very words Tao Yi Ran had said to Xin An before. Today, Xin An returned them to her intact so that she might savor their taste.

Tao Yi Ran stopped and turned to meet Xin An’s eyes. Xin An answered with a gentle smile and said: “The elder sister-in-law is like a mother. You should not be petty. If you fuss too much, you will block Eldest Brother’s prospects. You must have the tolerance and magnanimity of a future mistress of the household.”

Still smiling like a spring breeze, Xin An returned another of Tao Yi Ran’s old lines to her and said: “Eldest Brother is a man destined for great things. Elder Sister-in-law should not keep him on too tight a leash, lest people say you are jealous and cannot abide others.”