Chapter 270

Chapter 270: Seeing Tao Yi Ran Again

Hearing there would be a commotion to watch, Xin An immediately opened her eyes: “What commotion?”

Tang Mo replied with a grin: “You’ll know when the time comes; just know this particular commotion has quite a strong smell. Prepare two nose plugs.”

Tang Mo felt a twinge of regret, because he had something he absolutely had to handle today; otherwise he would have stayed in the residence to watch the spectacle no matter what.

Unbearably curious and no longer sleepy, Xin An rolled up to sit: “Tell me quickly, what sort of commotion even comes with a big smell?”

Tang Mo pinched the tip of her nose: “It’s a secret. You’ll know then.”

She muttered: “Stingy.”

Tang Mo left in high spirits. Outside the door, Auntie Wang, a seasoned hand at such matters, had already ordered hot water to be boiled. In her view, young couples occasionally losing restraint when they were in the mood was perfectly normal. She had already started counting on her fingers and wondered whether she might see a little young master next year.

Seeing the smile crinkling Auntie Wang’s eyes, early-rising Auntie Cui Ping grew interested and leaned in to joke: “So the clouds have finally parted to reveal the moon, haven’t they?”

Auntie Wang nodded: “They are both good children. Whatever comes up, they discuss it and keep the peace. They seem to be getting along better and better.”

Suppressing her laughter, Auntie Cui Ping lowered her voice: “Shouldn’t that tonic of yours be stopped?” She was thinking of the medicinal tonics and the sea cucumber; only the Second Young Master was young enough to withstand it, and it was a blessing he hadn’t had a nosebleed.

Auntie Wang answered matter-of-factly: “We’ll serve the last dose tonight and then stop.”

Because Xin An had been wronged before, Madam Wang had granted her special permission to skip morning greetings and rest more. Xin An only needed to go to the front yard after the affairs at Qiu Shi Courtyard were handled. As a result, she had lately been sleeping until she woke naturally. [She had grown downright lazy.]

But today, thinking about catching the commotion, she did not laze in bed. The moment Tang Mo stepped out, she got up to bathe, pondering as she washed what on earth the commotion could be.

She gave instructions crisply: “Nan Feng, keep a close watch on the courtyard next door today. If there’s a commotion, report to me immediately.”

Nan Feng answered promptly: “Yes, Young Madam.”

After she washed and dressed, Xin An left her courtyard. She had barely taken two steps when she heard movement behind her. Tao Yi Ran came out with her two “younger sisters” and even called out to Xin An.

Turning, Xin An saw Tao Yi Ran approaching in a blue-green dress, smiling. Xin An’s eyelid twitched. [Just seeing her feels unlucky. Infuriating.]

Xin An greeted her with propriety: “Though it’s only a wall between us, it’s been quite a few days since I last saw you, Elder Sister-in-law. You look well.”

Since returning from the Tao Family, Tao Yi Ran had gone out rarely. Even when Auntie Cai at Chun Hua Courtyard staged a whole drama that day, Tao Yi Ran did not appear. Anyone else, after one incident after another, would at best look spiritless if not downright haggard, yet she seemed to have rounded out a bit, her cheeks tinged with a healthy pink.

By contrast, the two concubines behind her looked somewhat haggard and clearly lost out in complexion.

Tao Yi Ran answered with a reserved smile: “Younger Sister-in-law, you look well too.”

Whatever else one might say, her looks left little to be criticized. With the new fullness, she even carried more allure.

With their maids and servants in tow, the two women walked toward the front courtyard together, keeping two paces’ distance between them. None of them noticed a person taking another path, carrying a food box, who reached Chun Hua Courtyard and delivered it smoothly inside.

A heavy morning fog lingered well past mid-morning. On the path toward the front yard, the two sisters-in-law walked side by side, still separated by two paces. Halfway along, Tao Yi Ran finally spoke: “There was a ridiculous incident in my courtyard two days ago. I’ve been wanting to find a chance to apologize to you, Second Younger Sister-in-law. Ultimately it was my lax discipline that caused you grievance.”

A curl of mockery touched Xin An’s lips: “You said it yourself, it was just a ridiculous little farce. Some people with empty heads wanted to put on a grand performance, and since I was bored I could only play along. I didn’t disappoint Elder Sister-in-law, did I?”

She added with a snort: “But Auntie Cai is truly stupid. I don’t know whether someone bewitched her or she’s simply tired of living. She even used tricks others have long since played out, only to disgrace herself. It’s fortunate Elder Sister-in-law has a gentle temper. If I were you, I would have tossed her into the oil pot long ago.”

The two concubines darted a swift glance at Xin An. Tao Yi Ran’s smile faltered as she kept her composure: “Mother has already punished her, and my husband has rebuked her as well. I imagine she won’t dare again.”

Xin An replied without a flicker: “She had better not. If she dares to offend under my hand again, I’ll award her fifty slaps on the spot and throw her into the latrine pit, so she won’t keep spewing filth and fouling the ground.”

Tao Yi Ran gave an awkward smile and fell silent, only muttering to herself: [Vulgar.]

Neither spoke again until they reached the front courtyard, where the smiles returned to their faces.

The people from the cloth shop and the jewelry shop were already prepared. Bolts of fabric in every color and the most fashionable ornaments filled two large tables. After the ladies entered and paid their respects, Madam Wang smiled and said: “The year’s end is approaching. The residence will add two new outfits for each of you. The fabrics are here. Choose what you like. Once you decide, you can have the cloth shop make them or make them yourselves. It is entirely up to you.”

She added evenly: “For jewelry this year, each person receives one full headpiece set.”

The two shop stewards flattered Madam Wang as a rare good mother-in-law, then watched the ladies with earnest eyes, hoping they would choose more. They had brought excellent goods today.

The rule, set long ago, was two bolts of fabric per person, with any extra to be paid out of pocket. Naturally, Tao Yi Ran chose first. Seeing she was about to go for something plain and subdued again, Madam Wang could not help but interject: “I know you like simplicity. Why not pick a bolt of scarlet as well? The New Year should look festive.”

Tao Yi Ran did not argue. She smiled and selected the bolt Madam Wang indicated, then chose a pomegranate blossom red gold headpiece. She also added two jade hairpins and two pairs of earrings.

Next came Xin An. She picked five bolts of fabric and three headpiece sets, and chose several other hairpins besides. [Her desire to shop was strong; whenever she saw something she liked, she wanted it.]

When it was the two concubines’ turn, they did not dare to choose anything too precious and did not choose much. They thanked everyone profusely.

Lastly, Madam Wang chose a few ornaments to keep as New Year gifts for young ladies who would come to offer greetings. The whole process was harmonious. There was none of the scheming and snatching the two shop stewards had seen elsewhere. Just yesterday, at another household, the noble ladies had used barbed words and velvet scabbards over a single bolt, seeming not to love the fabric so much as to crave victory.

Steward Zhang went to lead the two shop stewards to settle the accounts. Auntie Wang went along to make payment, and Auntie Liu accompanied her. Though the two had little to do with one another before, paying together brought them into conversation.

Auntie Wang remarked frankly that Auntie Liu should have been established long ago and that Auntie Cai’s behavior was simply intolerable.

Auntie Liu said helplessly that Auntie Cai, after all, was an old hand in the residence. Even if she was in the wrong, it was hard for Auntie Liu to say much.

Auntie Wang pressed the point that only one steward aunt should manage a courtyard. How could there be two? She said she felt stifled on Auntie Liu’s behalf.

Feeling she had found a confidante, Auntie Liu admitted she envied Qiu Shi Courtyard for having fewer vexations.

Did she know Auntie Wang was fanning the flames?

Of course she knew. But every word struck the chord in her heart. Even knowing Auntie Wang meant no good, she was willing to talk a little more and even began to form the idea of driving Auntie Cai out completely.