Chapter 098

Chapter 98: Attending the Banquet at Duke En Manor

A few sentences from Xin An made Tao Yi Ran’s vision go black; she nearly closed her eyes and fainted, yet could not muster a single retort. Xin An only smiled more brilliantly. These were words she herself had once swallowed with unbearable grievance: her own husband had been taken by her husband’s younger sibling, yet the sibling called her petty and intolerant. Most hateful of all, though she was the one wronged, the moment Tao Yi Ran shed two tears, Tang Rong would inevitably come to scold her for having a narrow heart.

Tang Mo urged her not to dwell on the past and to look ahead. In truth, Tang Mo treated her well; she ought to consider his feelings and protect his reputation. So she decided to ignore Tang Rong. But some things cannot be set down simply because one says so; some wrongs ought to be tasted by Tao Yi Ran as well.

Auntie Liu supported Tao Yi Ran, hesitating to speak. Tao Yi Ran’s maid glared viciously at Xin An; Chun Yang and Chun Lv returned the look in kind. Chun Yang even hitched up her sleeves, ready to act at the slightest provocation.

Fortunately, Xin An had no intention of felling Tao Yi Ran with a single blow; the water should run long and steady. She smiled and said: “I hear Concubine Yue has been added to Chun Hua Courtyard. Elder Sister-in-law has gained a new sister; I have yet to congratulate you. Elder Sister-in-law will have blessings henceforth, with someone to share your burdens.”

She added, calm and light: “Mother has given me errands to run. I will go on ahead. Elder Sister-in-law… as you please.”

Once Xin An was gone, Tao Yi Ran slumped against Auntie Liu. Auntie Liu hurried to comfort her, saying: “My lady, do not take it to heart. The Heir Apparent’s devotion to you is plain to all the maidservants, not the least bit false. Second Young Madam is doing it on purpose, hoping to anger you into overstepping.”

The maids chimed in, earnestly vouching for how sincere Tang Rong was to her, saying Xin An was merely bluffing, a paper tiger not worth fearing. Only then did Tao Yi Ran feel somewhat better, yet even so she lay down for half a day after returning.

By contrast, once Xin An had handled two matters Madam Wang assigned, she went back to sort her dowry, setting aside everything suitable for gifting in a separate place.

That evening Tang Mo did not return for dinner; he sent Er Shan with a message that he had gone to the martial hall to seek instruction from a master.

Tao Yi Ran had planned to cry properly before Tang Rong, but the Ministry of Rites had too much to do recently and Tang Rong did not return. Even Tang Gang was drinking outside. With no one to back her, she could only retire aggrieved.

The Water Blossom Banquet arrived in the blink of an eye. At dawn, Xin An rose earlier than usual. Busy with her toilette, she did not go to watch Tang Mo’s martial training. By the time she was dressed, daylight was already bright. Today she wore not only splendid attire but also flawless makeup. Gazing at the gorgeous figure in the mirror, the corners of her lips lifted as she said, softly and satisfied: “Let’s go.”

As usual, she would first pay respects to the Grand Matron, then travel together.

Chun Yang and Nan Feng had prepared everything needed for the outing: not only two changes of clothes, but also carefully selected powders and jewelry to ensure that whichever set Xin An chose, she would be radiant.

To avoid encountering her alone, Tao Yi Ran arrived at the Grand Matron’s courtyard ahead of her. She too had dressed with care: a tea-white and sky-aqua ensemble that felt exceptionally fresh; in her hair, an array of fine jade hairpins, one a white-jade lotus with slender, glimmering tassels. Pure and refined, she was a beauty to begin with, and with this dressing a touch of frailty emerged, stirring a desire to protect.

Xin An smiled and praised her, tone warm: “Elder Sister-in-law’s attire today is truly uncommon, so clear and lovely.”

[For the marquis manor’s Heir Apparent’s wife to eschew the dignified and decorous path and instead choose the frail, pitiable charm: how interesting.]

Tao Yi Ran turned her head and saw that Xin An’s dress paired rouge-red with crab-shell green, overall bright and fresh with a celebratory air. Her hair ornaments were floral pieces and jeweled butterflies, white-jade flower bases with green-jade leaves, inlaid with gems and pearls: sumptuous and dazzling.

She commented, eyes faintly cool: “Younger Sister’s ensemble is certainly festive.”

[Banquets have always been my stage; I refuse to believe Xin An will not disgrace herself today.]

Xin An answered with a smile. Standing together, one serene and gentle, the other ardent and brilliant, both fit the Water Blossom Banquet perfectly. The Grand Matron was very pleased. Madam Wang saw the currents beneath the surface yet said nothing, merely praised them both.

In the summer heat, guests always went early. When the sun climbed high and the heat beat down, it was too scorching to view the lotuses; by then most guests would have already retreated into the Tranquil Hall to enjoy the cool.

The carriage had scarcely traveled the time of two sticks of incense after leaving the marquis manor when progress grew difficult: countless carriages were converging toward Duke En manor, the road a river of wheels and horses.

Xin An lifted the curtain. Seeing the long queue and the vast procession inching forward, she clicked her tongue softly. Even seeing it a second time, she was astonished by the overwhelming might of Duke En manor. In the capital, aside from the imperial family, there was likely no second household capable of such a scene of brocade and blossoms.

[But prosperity at its height must decline. By now the Empress Dowager is already advanced in years. When the Second Prince ascends in a few years, scenes like this will vanish.]

Lowering the curtain, she paused in thought. [If I were the mistress of Duke En manor, to enjoy such glory year after year while living, with children all accomplished, I would promise to die without complaint and reincarnate peacefully. This one life alone would be worth ten of another’s.]

Though the roads were clogged, the people of Duke En manor were experienced. After just one stick of incense, the marquis manor’s carriage reached the gate. The steward of the Duke’s manor came forward to verify the invitation, and a maid arrived to lead them inside.

Water Blossom Court, as the name suggests, was the lotus garden of the Duke’s manor. Spread before the eye lay a Lotus Pond of more than two mu; lotus leaves emerald, blossoms tender, grass carp gliding beneath the leaves, pairs of mandarin ducks at play. Pavilions and waterside gazebos dotted the banks; rockeries rose in carefully stacked peaks. Ladies and young misses gathered in twos and threes to chat or paint. Laughter rippled outward across the green, serenity infused with freshness.

Exactly as expected, the moment they entered Water Blossom Court they drew many appraising looks. Some eyes brimmed with interest, some lips bent to whispers, and some faces wore affected disdain.

The Grand Matron walked at the fore with a pleasant expression; Madam Wang supported her at her side. Tao Yi Ran and Xin An walked abreast behind them. Under the scrutiny, the Grand Matron’s expression did not change; Madam Wang smiled at her lips; Xin An carried herself openly, letting others look as they pleased, unbothered from experience. Tao Yi Ran forced a smile and lowered her voice to murmur to Xin An: “Younger Sister need not be too nervous. Those present today are all capital notables, not to be offended lightly. I hope Younger Sister will speak with caution.”

Xin An inclined her head and said, smiling: “Many thanks for the reminder, Elder Sister-in-law.” She added, easy and poised: “Today I will heed Grandmother and Mother in all things. I heard that at last year’s Water Blossom Banquet, Elder Sister-in-law’s ‘Flowing Light’ drew countless praises. Without your zither this year, the banquet will surely lose some of its luster.”

Among the many noble ladies of the capital, if one ranked exceptional zither skill, Tao Yi Ran would surely be in the top three. Each public performance drew a storm of flattery. Now that she was married and could no longer perform before an audience, she must feel secretly regretful.

Xin An continued, tone gentle: “Elder Sister-in-law, such outstanding skill needs hard years of practice. To set it aside merely because of marriage is truly a pity. Still, listening to other young ladies play the zither is also a pleasure.”