Chapter 249

Chapter 249: A Teacup Hurled at Xin An

Xin An, helpless, said: “Unoriginal.”

She truly felt it was the same trick used over and over, just like how Tang Rong kept getting beaten; she clicked her tongue.

She instructed Nan Feng: “Keep an eye on Auntie Cai and Auntie Liu. In the next two days they should stir something up to make this matter public.”

Nan Feng nodded and went to carry it out, thinking: [The neighbors really never stop making trouble; we ought to move away quickly. What bad luck to be stuck living so close.]

Seeing it was still early, Xin An went out; she wanted to see how the greenhouse at the Xin estate was coming along. She also took Deng Fang and Cao Gui with her as bodyguards.

The two idle bodyguards hurried after her; they had been so bored they were practically growing mold, and they would not turn down any errand.

At the Xin estate, the hothouse had already been erected, and gardeners from the country estate were busy at work. Xin An did not really understand how to cultivate flowers, nor did she have any idea when to raise the heat or when to move plants in and out; she only concerned herself with paying and then enjoying the results.

The old head gardener, afraid Xin An would demand to see Yuxiang flowers in winter, spoke carefully: “Even with a hothouse, Yuxiang will not bloom in winter, but it can be nursed with care. After Qingming, prune the branches, and the new shoots will come on quickly.”

Xin An had not expected winter blossoms anyway, so she said: “Tend them well and bring out the best form you can. When they bloom, I plan to give them as gifts.”

She pointed at the top row of shelves and asked: “What are those up there?”

The gardener replied: “Those are narcissus, Second Young Madam. In the capital, winter prizes narcissus, and their symbolism is auspicious.”

At that, Xin An remembered: during the New Year season in the capital, people exchange narcissus as gifts. The Flower and Bird Market had plenty for sale, but their quality varied widely; it really would be better to raise a batch herself.

She said: “In that case, please raise more. We will need them for social calls in winter.”

Seeing how reasonable she was, the gardener relaxed, adding that he was also cultivating some green-headed chrysanthemums, and that the pink chrysanthemums delivered earlier were about to bloom. There were also peonies, crimson peach blossoms, Tanchun, and several other flowers that could be coaxed to bloom in the hothouse. Xin An was very pleased and had Wang Jin reward him with one tael of silver, telling him to keep up the good work.

With the old head gardener in residence, the Xin estate’s garden had been put in excellent order. Unfortunately, it was winter, and there were no scenes of blossoms and verdant willows. Xin An said: “Make this courtyard even more splendid. Next spring I will host a banquet here.”

It had been meant for this year, but newly planted flowers might not take, so they could only wait.

Leaving the Xin estate, Xin An went to the Northern Garrison Army, planning to return home with Tang Mo. The sky had already darkened, a cold wind scoured the streets, and the chill nipped at her fingers.

At the Northern Garrison Army she learned that Tang Mo had gone out of the city with Liao Zhi, and no one knew when he would return. Xin An had no choice but to turn her carriage toward Ying Hui Street. The general store was opening tomorrow, and she wanted to stop by.

The general store was now named Wan Yuan Trading House. It had been freshly painted, and even from the outside it looked solid and impressive. Fang Da was directing people to stock the shelves. A placard reading “Grand Opening: All Items Discounted for Three Days” stood to one side, along with several large baskets of eggs.

She asked with a half smile: “Are you bringing over that Huai River playbook?”

Having the egg baskets carried to the back courtyard, Fang Da laughed and said: “It works. Also, the Xu Family’s steward suggested we set up a flower-token raffle box. Anyone who spends more than five hundred wen can draw a token. A winning draw gets meat and fragrant soap from Lin Prefecture. I hear many shops in Lin Prefecture do it this way when they open.”

Xin An said: “I have heard that some shops in the capital also put on three days of festivities when they open.”

After looking over the shelves, which were packed to the brim, Xin An went to the rear courtyard; the storehouse there was piled full as well. She nodded and said: “You’ve prepared thoroughly.”

Fang Da said this was the largest, best-stocked general store he had ever seen; otherwise it could not rightly take such a grand name as Wan Yuan Trading House.

Having wandered the premises and found nothing that required her involvement, Xin An headed back to the manor. There was nothing for it; Uncle Fang Da was so capable that he made her feel a bit superfluous.

By the time the carriage reached the Marquis’s manor, night had fully fallen. Lanterns were lit everywhere in the courtyards, yet the atmosphere felt off.

The steward rushed up and said: “Second Young Madam, you are finally back.”

Steward Zhang jogged over and added: “The Marchioness and the Grand Matron are waiting for you in Chun Hua Courtyard. Please go there at once.”

Xin An asked: “What has happened?”

Steward Zhang did not dare say and only urged her to hurry, but Xin An not only failed to speed up, she actually stopped and said: “Steward Zhang, if convenient, do give me a hint or two.”

Sighing, Steward Zhang waved the nearby servants away, then explained: Auntie Cai had gone out this afternoon and invited back a Daoist master. Before the fellow even crossed into Chun Hua Courtyard, he declared that the courtyard looked resplendent and auspicious but hid ominous danger within. Then, after much head-shaking and finger-counting, he entered with heavy sighs.

Xin An understood at once and said: “Did this Daoist master also say that someone is countering Eldest Brother and Elder Sister-in-law, in such a way that his words point to me and the Second Young Master?”

She continued coolly: “And then, combining a few remarks about the heavens, feng shui, and fate, he pronounced that Chun Hua Courtyard was auspicious shot through with hidden peril, and that it was being suppressed by Qiu Shi Courtyard’s luck, which is why Eldest Brother has been ill-starred in all things?”

Steward Zhang was speechless for a beat, then managed a wry smile and said: “Nothing escapes Second Young Madam.”

He added: “The Grand Matron and the Marquis are still waiting for Second Young Madam in Chun Hua Courtyard.”

After taking two steps, he remembered the favors he regularly received from Xin An and quietly added that Auntie Cai had even found evidence to prove that Qiu Shi Courtyard harbored malicious intent toward Chun Hua Courtyard.

The corner of Xin An’s lips curved. [In her past life, she would already have been at her wits’ end by now, thinking only of defending her innocence. But now. . .]

Chun Hua Courtyard rang with cries of “oh, my” and “ouch.” The household physician hurried from one room to another, and even Qin Bai was present. In the main hall, Tang Gang’s face was like iron, while Madam Wang’s eyes held a hint of anxiety. No sooner had Xin An stepped through the door than a teacup went flying and shattered at her feet, making her jump.

She looked at Tang Gang and asked: “Father, what is this about?”

Tang Gang barked: “Where has that scoundrel Tang Mo gone?”

Xin An shifted a couple of steps to the side and replied: “He went out of the city with Commander Liao on official business. Does Father have urgent business with him?”

Auntie Cai cried out: “Second Young Madam, you and the Second Young Master are cruel indeed.”

Clutching two rag dolls in her hand, she made her accusation. With a single glance, Xin An guessed what trick she was trying to play and thought they might at least have contrived something clever. She said, cool and direct: “Auntie Cai, what discomfort are you feeling now that you have come to make yourself unhappy with me?”

With a thud, Auntie Cai dropped to her knees and wept to Tang Gang: “Marquis, ever since the young madam became pregnant, she has rarely left her courtyard. The two concubines have also kept to the rules. We do not know how they offended Second Young Madam and the Second Young Master for them to seek to harm several unborn little masters like this. I beg the Marquis to uphold justice.”

Before Tang Gang could speak, Xin An asked: “You keep saying that my husband and I harmed your masters. Why don’t you tell me how I did it?”

Auntie Cai produced several grimy cloth dolls, saying they had been found in flowerpots delivered to Chun Hua Courtyard, each marked with the birth charts of the three pregnant women there. She declared: “Three days ago Qiu Shi Courtyard switched out its flowers. After those flowers were sent out and trimmed, they were delivered to Chun Hua Courtyard. During that time no one overturned the pots. If it was not the Second Young Master and Second Young Madam, then who was it?”

Faced with such a clumsy frame-up, Xin An laughed on the spot and said: “Utterly ridiculous.”

She arched a brow and asked: “Are you trying to say that only the flowers Qiu Shi Courtyard does not want are worthy of being sent on to Chun Hua Courtyard?”