Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Putting in a Good Word for Tang Mo

At the entrance to Qian Bi Garden several ladies arrived. Among them was one in a pale violet gown, gentle in bearing and richly attired; she was the wife of the Northern Garrison Army’s commandant Liao Zhi, the eldest daughter of Lin Prefecture’s wealthiest Xu Family.

Xin An smiled at Lin Yao and said: “Sister Lin, please introduce me.”

Lin Yao was not well acquainted with this Madam Liao, but she knew someone who could speak to her. She rose and left the pavilion; before long another lady stood at her side. After exchanging a few words with the Second Prince’s Consort, Xin An left the pavilion to greet them.

Lin Yao made the introduction and said: “This is the wife of Imperial Physician Ma, adjudicator of the Imperial Hospital. Imperial Physician Ma has treated Commander Liao’s injuries many times, so Madam Ma and Madam Liao have come to know each other.”

Xin An offered a greeting and said: “Madam Ma.”

Madam Ma returned the courtesy and said: “Second Young Madam.”

After the two exchanged courtesies and a couple of pleasantries, Lin Yao had already explained Xin An’s purpose to Madam Ma: it was merely to make an introduction. Willing to oblige, Madam Ma promptly led Lin Yao and Xin An toward Madam Liao.

Madam Liao had come today with two aunts from the Liao family and a Liao family young lady. They had arrived late; upon seeing Madam Ma, she stopped. After mutual greetings, Madam Ma inquired after Liao Zhi’s injuries; from her words one could tell she had some grasp of the classical medical arts. Though she looked gentle, Madam Liao was forthright; after a few sentences she turned to Xin An and asked: “And this lady is?”

Madam Ma smiled and said: “This is the Second Young Madam of Marquis Wei Yuan’s household.”

She added with easy warmth: “I am acquainted with the Second Young Madam of Marquis Qing’s household; we were speaking just now, and when we saw Madam Liao arrive, we came over together.”

Xin An offered a respectful greeting and said: “Madam Liao.”

Madam Liao replied: “Second Young Madam.”

In an instant she understood the situation and assumed Xin An wished to make her acquaintance.

Xin An smiled and said: “Upon learning that Madam hails from Lin Prefecture’s Xu Family, I supposed you must be a heroine who rivals men. But just now, seeing you from afar, I realized you are so gentle and virtuous that one cannot help wanting to draw near.”

The meaning could not have been clearer. Madam Liao’s smile grew all the softer as she said: “Second Young Madam is from the Xin Family of the Huai River, whose benevolence is widely known. Even we of the Xu Family in distant Lin Prefecture have heard of it. We both come from merchant households and both married into the capital, so we should keep frequent company.”

[She had not expected such open goodwill.] Xin An immediately went along with it and said: “You are exactly right. I am not one to sit idle; I fear I will often come and seek Madam’s conversation.”

Xin An suggested: “The sun is too fierce; why don’t we go talk in the pavilion?”

Madam Liao nodded, and so Xin An led them back to the pavilion. The Second Prince’s Consort had already guessed Xin An’s purpose and had no objection to Madam Liao and her party joining them, but a pavilion spacious for one now felt crowded. Just then someone from the Crown Princess’s retinue came to summon the Second Prince’s Consort; once she left, the pavilion immediately felt roomier, and everyone spoke with fewer scruples.

Xin An said little, mostly listening and then adding a word or two of agreement. She never so much as mentioned Liao Zhi or Tang Mo, which made Madam Liao, seated beside her, curious. After all, anyone could see she had approached them for Tang Mo’s sake.

Madam Liao brought it up herself and asked: “I heard Second Young Master Tang has gone to the Northern Garrison Army; is he adjusting well?”

Xin An smiled and said: “He was somewhat unaccustomed at first. He used to be rather free and easy, sleeping till the sun was high; now that he has duties, he must rise early every day. The first couple of days were hard on him.”

She continued with a light laugh: “But he is fine now. Not only can he get up early, he even practices a set of boxing forms after rising, saying he needs to train so as not to disgrace himself on duty.”

She pinched her handkerchief and laughed to herself, which only piqued Madam Liao’s curiosity. The words had already been fed to her, yet she did not pick them up. Madam Liao asked, testing, “Isn’t it because he fears losing face?”

Xin An glanced around, lowered her voice to Madam Liao, and said: “Does Madam know why my husband now rises for morning martial training?”

Madam Liao said: “Isn’t it because he fears losing face?”

Xin An held her handkerchief to her lips and chuckled softly as she said: “In fact, he was spurred on after seeing Commander Liao. He said Commander Liao is not much older than he is, yet not only has he distinguished himself in battle, he also holds the Northern Garrison Army firmly in hand. Handsome as he is, he has solid skills too; whenever one sees him, he cuts such a dashing figure. After coming home, my husband sighed a long while; only then did he resume his training.”

She added: “He says he does not expect to catch up overnight, but at least he wants Commander Liao to look at him with a bit of respect.”

Madam Liao laughed as well and said: “Second Young Master Tang is quite amusing. The will to improve is most precious; Second Young Madam should encourage him often.”

And so she stopped wondering why Xin An had not put in a good word for Tang Mo, because she already had. [Truly clever.]

When noon came, attendants from the Duke’s Manor invited everyone to the Hall of a Thousand Guests; it was time to begin the banquet.

Xin An followed the crowd. The Hall of a Thousand Guests was the largest hall in the Duke’s Manor, ordinarily used for songs and dances. The day was bright yet sweltering; along the walls stood basins of ice, the waves of cool air making inside and outside two different worlds, like ice and fire.

Outside the sun blazed; inside many even shivered from the chill. The seating was not the usual eight-person round tables but, in imitation of the ancients, individual square cases, arranged by age and rank. Upon each case were eight items in total of pastries and cold dishes, the plates mostly in hundred-flower patterns, varied in size and form; there was also a set of wine ewer and cups, and a serving of chilled snow pears. It was said the bowls and plates had been specially fired for the Qian Hua Banquet, with new designs each year.

Owing to the standing of Marquis Wei Yuan’s household in the capital, Xin An’s seat was not far back. To her right sat Tao Yi Ran; to her left, Lin Yao. People’s attention was not on the dishes nor on the willowy dancers but on the host and the consorts of the Imperial Princes and the Commandery Princes, lest they raise their cups with improper timing.

Midway through the banquet, Tao Yi Ran unexpectedly took the initiative to toast Xin An. Seeing her smile, Xin An also lifted her cup and said: “Elder Sister-in-law, are you well?”

Before the wine touched her lips, Xin An sighed slightly and said: “Elder Sister-in-law’s skill at the zither is renowned; a minor mishap is nothing to dwell on.”

She added: “Just now I saw Aunt Tao speaking with Elder Sister. With Aunt Tao’s comfort, Elder Sister-in-law must be reassured.”

Tao Yi Ran had already steadied herself. Madam Tao was present today as well; mother and daughter had met, and with her mother’s counsel, she felt at ease. Yet for some reason the cup in her hand trembled slightly as she said: “Thank you for your concern, Younger Sister. It really was nothing; I just happened to meet Mother and exchanged a few words.”

She went on: “I should be the one to apologize. You came from the Huai River and are unfamiliar with the people of the capital; it should be I who introduces you around. Please forgive me for not taking proper care.”

Xin An smiled and said: “Madam Tao is exceedingly shrewd; what she says must naturally be sound. As for looking after me, Elder Sister-in-law need not trouble herself. After all, you have not been out for some time and should speak more with the other ladies.”

As she spoke, she leaned slightly closer to Tao Yi Ran and lowered her voice: “Elder Sister-in-law, tell me, if I were to accidentally dampen my dress and embarrass myself before everyone, and afterward some unfavorable rumors about me were spread, what should I do?”