Chapter 222

Chapter 222: Reciprocity Between Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law

As soon as the thought surfaced it could not be suppressed, and Chun Yang frowned, thinking: [Our young madam looks beautiful and is gentle; her skin is delicate and fair, and she carries a light fragrance. If the second young master feels not the slightest stir, unless he has a hidden ailment, what else could it be? I should quietly ask Lai Lai later; if it is true, we must not conceal the illness and avoid treatment.]

Xin An had no idea the maid before her had already drifted off, and she smiled to comfort them: “There will be; sooner or later there will be.” She rose with a smile: “Go to the storeroom and choose two ornaments to take along.” A maid blurted in surprise: “You are still going to deliver her a gift?” Xin An arched a brow and answered lightly: “What else would I do?” Auntie Wang hurried to prepare, and besides the two ornaments she also found two lengths of fine cloth, saying they would be suitable for children’s clothes, while thinking: [My own eldest girl has no use for this material; it has lain at the bottom of the chest. Better to move it out.]

Chun Hua Courtyard was full of festive cheer, with the feeling that after half a year of pent-up frustration they finally saw dawn. After stepping forward to salute Xin An, everyone cast sidelong glances at Chun Yang and Chun Lv, which made the two maids roll their eyes in irritation.

When Xin An entered, Tao Yi Ran was about to rise to greet her; after all, she had only just managed to come back and could not afford to be as aloof as before. Xin An quickly reached out to stop her: “Elder Sister-in-law, please stay seated; you are with child now and must not tire yourself.” She looked her over and added with concern: “Why do I feel Elder Sister-in-law has grown a bit thinner?” Tao Yi Ran forced a smile and said, “My appetite has not been good; with some rest it will be fine.” Xin An nodded and said softly: “I have heard that pregnancy is quite hard; the coming months will be trying for Elder Sister-in-law.”

No sooner had Xin An finished than Madam Wang smiled and said: “It is hard indeed. What your sister-in-law carries is the legitimate eldest grandson of the marquisate, all the more precious.” She adopted the manner of a loving mother, patting Tao Yi Ran’s hand as she instructed: “Whatever you wish to eat or drink, have someone prepare it at once. If you need anything, send for Mother and Mother will arrange it; you must not wrong yourself.” She continued with gentle authority: “You need not worry about affairs outside; with me and your younger sister-in-law here, your only task is to nourish the fetus well. If you are bored, stroll in the garden, chat with your Grandmother, or perhaps play the zither; you play well, and letting the child in your belly listen early is a fine form of cultivation.” She cautioned further: “You must be exceedingly careful in the next few months. The year’s end brings many matters; do not go to those banquets outside. With so many people and such confusion, it would be terrible to be bumped.” Then she set the tone for the household: “You need not present morning and evening greetings; those empty formalities can go to the back. Nothing is more important than the child in your belly.” After such a speech, who could claim she was not a good mother-in-law?

Tao Yi Ran nodded obediently and said, “Many thanks, Mother.” Madam Wang waved off further thanks and added, “Enough of that; Mother has another matter to tell you.” She stated that Xue Yu would certainly return, and that the Concubine Tea must be drunk whether or not Tao Yi Ran wished it, then she reassured her: “Do not worry; even if she bears a son earlier than you, she will not surpass you. Our marquisate is not a place of muddled rules; the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born must not be disordered.” Tao Yi Ran had anticipated this and naturally would not refuse, especially since refusal was useless. After a few more soothing words, Madam Wang rose and left with Xin An.

At Qiu Shi Courtyard, Madam Wang sat and sipped tea, then slipped a rare purple jade bangle from her wrist and said, “I found this in the storeroom today. They say it is violet jade. It is for you.” Xin An murmured, half demurring and half amused: “I have one as well.” The purple bangle held traces of bright green that did not mar its beauty but added further spirit. For all Xin An’s wealth, she had not seen such a bangle before. Most bangles on the market were white, or white tinged with yellow; green ones were rare. The finest pieces usually entered the palace, so she guessed this one had likely come from there. Madam Wang laughed and said: “You are my true daughter-in-law. Whatever others have, you must have too, and it must be the best.” Xin An, delighted, slipped the bangle on and said, “It truly is lovely. Thank you, Mother.” Her hands were already well kept, skin like jade; with the bangle’s contrast they appeared even more delicate and soft. Madam Wang admired the effect and praised: “This bangle flatters you exceedingly. It seems Mother’s eye is not bad.”

Madam Wang then arranged the days to come, saying: “You toiled all day yesterday; today, rest well. I have pushed off two banquets, but two cannot be refused and we must attend them.” She outlined more of the household management: “At the beginning of next month, Mother will take you through all the year-end matters the household must handle; you will need this in the future.” Xin An thanked her. Madam Wang then mentioned Tang Rong’s ordeal of the previous night and instructed: “You and your husband must not join the fray. Pretend you do not know of it. If you meet, offer a greeting and be done. Do not let anything slip before the Grand Matron; let her recuperate in peace.” Xin An reassured her promptly: “Rest easy, Mother. Though I do not like Eldest Brother and Elder Sister-in-law, I will not leave others a handle; I will keep up appearances.”

Her fondness for this mother-in-law grew by the moment. She turned her head and signaled Auntie Wang to bring the prepared gift, then spoke with sincerity: “I am fortunate. Though I suffered some twists after entering the household, I have received Mother’s care. Mother treats me like a true daughter; I am moved and always think of honoring Mother.” She explained as she presented the gift: “Earlier I acquired a small box of gems from foreign merchants. I meant to set them into jewelry but could never settle on a design. The shopkeeper from the jewelry house came recently, and only then did we fix upon one. Mother, see whether you like it.” Of course gems must be set in gold: the full set of head ornaments was crafted in pure gold. The master artisan’s work was exquisite; hairpins in varied forms were inlaid with no fewer than thirty gems of different colors, a display of utmost luxury. Madam Wang’s gaze would not leave the set for a long while, and she sighed in admiration: “This truly is the height of splendor.” Xin An smiled and said: “When those stones lay heaped in the box, they did not seem so dazzling, even a bit dull. Set in gold, it is like they have been reborn.” Madam Wang drew back her gaze and nodded: “Good gems also need gold to set them off. Such a set is enough to pass down as an heirloom. Keep it well.”

She liked the set naturally, but it was too precious and her first impulse was to refuse. Xin An spoke quickly and earnestly: “I had this headpiece set crafted especially for Mother. If anyone is to keep it, it should be Mother. After making new winter clothes, wear this set with them; Mother will look exceedingly beautiful.” She coaxed with a smile: “Mother must not refuse. A style like this does not suit my age; only someone like Mother, seasoned by time and bearing a stately grace, can carry it.” Xin An was determined to give, and her words were pleasing. Madam Wang beamed. If she kept refusing her daughter-in-law’s kindness, it would seem too distant; besides, she would merely hold it for now and return it to Xin An one day. She said with good humor: “Mother accepts. For this set, I must make a fine outfit this winter to match it, and I shall wear it out at New Year. This is my daughter-in-law’s filial gift; how many ladies will envy me red-eyed?” Xin An laughed with her. After the two chatted a while longer, Madam Wang left with the headpiece. Auntie Wang’s smile brimmed with satisfaction; they had all seen how well the lady treated their young madam. That the young madam spent such a sum to have a set made as a gift was only proper. Between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, there should be give-and-take.