Chapter 155

Chapter 155: Bonds grow closer as they gossip about others

The Liao family’s turmoil had come suddenly today. Madam Liao took a small sip of tea to steady her disordered mood and said: “I have made you laugh today, Younger Sister Xin.”

Xin An said: “Why say that, Sister Xu? The marquisate also rose by military merit. Though it now follows the civil path, there are still many old soldiers left from before who must be supported.”

In her previous life Xin An had managed a household for years, though the marquisate was not the Liao family. By comparison, she likely had far less to worry about than Madam Liao. She said: “I may not manage our accounts now, but I can understand you, Sister Xu.”

Weariness showed on Madam Liao’s face. Today she and her husband had been schemed against, and by their own kin; how could one not feel exhausted?

Facing Xin An, who like her came from a merchant family, Madam Liao asked: “Tell me, we girls from merchant households who marry into great families, what is it that we seek?”

Xin An set down her cup and said: “Naturally, mutual benefit.”

“Mutual benefit?” Madam Liao felt it was not entirely so. Since entering the Liao family she had spent money like water, while the protection her Xu family received was nowhere near what one might imagine. The Xu family was already the wealthiest in Lin Prefecture, with more than one power to lean on. Her father’s arrangements for this marriage might well have been a losing business.

[Perhaps a loss down to the last coin.]

Sensing her despondence, Xin An guessed the external troubles had weighed on her mood. She said: “Those two characters, benefit and profit, come edged like a blade and stained with blood; nothing could be plainer. You may never need to brandish them, but you cannot be without them. It is like my father. He never goes about declaring how close he is to the marquisate; he relies on his own ability in trade. Yet people know the marquisate stands behind him; that alone is a deterrent.”

She added: “Sister Xu, so long as nothing harms sinew and bone, it is a small matter.”

“And if it harms sinew and bone?” Madam Liao pressed.

“Then you think it through,” Xin An said, “and if it does not endanger life, it is still a small matter.”

“And if it endangers life?”

“Then one must fight with all one’s strength.”

The corner of Madam Liao’s mouth lifted. She said: “You are more open-minded than I am, Younger Sister Xin, and more composed.”

“You flatter me,” Xin An said. “I have not faced Sister Xu’s troubles, so it is easy for me to speak. But you became the mistress of the household soon after you entered the door, and the Liao family is a large clan. To keep it from falling into chaos is a great ability.”

She had heard that there were two elder branches in the Liao family, and between those two branches the sons alone numbered five or six, with several daughters besides. In such a situation, while Liao Zhi as a nephew could steady the outer court by holding military power and imperial favor, Madam Liao, being a merchant’s daughter, would hardly find it smooth to command the inner court. The very first requirement would surely be to pour in silver.

[Just thinking of the complexity made Xin An want to shake her head; a nest of goblins was no place for her. Her temper was not so good these days; she angered easily.]

“Fortunately you came today,” Madam Liao said, face full of gratitude. “Had we not been able to produce those ten thousand taels, we would truly have been forced into a corner.” She exhaled and added: “I confess I envy you.”

“The marquisate’s household is simple. Even as mistress there is not all that much to do; it is far easier.”

Not like her, troubled by vexations every day.

“It is merely that each of us finds what suits her,” Xin An said. “Today you encountered a difficulty, and I happened to be able to help; that is fate.”

She found the Liao family’s tea quite good and could not help taking another sip. Just as she was about to change the subject, she looked up and saw a girl in yellow approaching, with a maid behind her. Madam Liao saw her too and frowned slightly, saying: “That is the second branch’s second girl; among the girls she is third in rank.”

So brief an introduction made it clear this girl did not enjoy Madam Liao’s favor.

The third young lady of the Liao family came on quickly, very much with the air of coming to demand an explanation. On seeing Xin An, she checked herself somewhat and said: “I did not know Sister-in-law had a guest. Yao’er has been presumptuous.”

Madam Liao did not introduce her to Xin An; obvious displeasure showed in her eyes. She said: “What do you want?”

“I wanted to ask Sister-in-law,” the girl said, “next month we are to attend a banquet at the Crown Prince’s Manor. Will the household be collectively preparing clothes and jewelry?”

A cold smile touched Madam Liao’s lips as she said: “You received an invitation as well?”

At that, the third young lady flushed red. Xin An’s lips curved faintly. [Clearly, the Crown Prince’s Manor had invited only Liao Zhi and his wife, and this young lady hoped to tag along.]

Perhaps mindful of Xin An’s presence and unwilling to embarrass the girl too much, Madam Liao said: “If you are able to go, then prepare your clothes and jewelry yourself. The household will not provide for such things. You may withdraw.”

Biting her lip, the third young lady left with reluctant eyes. Madam Liao drew a deep breath and said: “I have made you laugh again.”

Xin An said bluntly: “From what she said, she wanted Sister Xu to pay. If Commander Liao has no other income, would that not mean asking you to draw on your dowry to subsidize them? Such a practice must not take root.”

Madam Liao smiled and said: “Now you see why I said I envy you. Before I married in, the girls of this household were so poor they balked at buying even a single pound of decent pastries. I pitied them and helped them a few times, and I created a disaster by helping.”

The Liao family’s chaos and oddities were among the most famous in the capital. If her husband had not been decisive, personally sending that wildly partial Old Master to meet the ancestors, and if he had not staked his life to serve His Majesty the Emperor and wrest an opportunity, the Liao family might already have vanished from the capital.

She had much pent-up frustration she wanted to voice, but she and Xin An were not yet close, so she shared only a little, which nonetheless eased her mood.

Xin An said: “When noble households marry girls from merchant families, what they have their eye on is the purse. It is easy to be targeted as soon as you set foot inside. Some people cannot tell up from down and think the purse belongs to everyone; they never stop to ask whether they deserve it.”

“Often those noble households live narrowly. Many sons and daughters receive two taels a month. To speak plainly, what is that amount to us? How much of what we merchants eat and use have they ever even seen? All they can do is brandish pedigree and talk of purity. Their mouths prattle loftiness, but their eyes fix on profit.”

“They want the benefit and the reputation both. They expect you to deliver the benefit to their door with your own hands, and add a few flattering words besides, so that they may put on a show of accepting it with grace, pfft.”

These were her true feelings. Those impoverished scions wore brocade without and patches within, and could only find a sense of existence by taking it out on merchants. Their tongues mocked even as their hearts longed for gifts.

Madam Liao laughed and said: “Well said. Is that not exactly how it is? It really is disgusting.”

“The key is they know nothing of gratitude,” Xin An continued. “They think it is only their due. Who told you your pedigree was inferior to theirs…”

Sharing similar origins and not far-distant family circumstances, and having chosen similar paths, the two naturally found endless topics. Gently bad-mouthing those grandees behind their backs, they soon opened their hearts completely and even laughed out loud.

Laughing until their shoulders shook in the quiet rear court, who could say that gossiping about others behind their backs was not one of the secret arts of deepening friendship and drawing closer ties?

To be friends, one must first share the same amusements.