Chapter 287

Chapter 287: Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Return Laden with Gifts

In the palace, after leaving the Empress Dowager’s Palace, Madam Wang led Xin An to pay respects to the Empress. Consort Jin left alongside them, and at a fork in the path she paused and said to Xin An: “I am very fond of the Huai River Silver Blossom tea you sent me. When you have leisure, you should visit the Second Prince’s residence from time to time.”

Xin An, who had never sent her any tea, understood perfectly and, smiling, made a curtsy, saying: “Because the Second Prince’s Consort is with child, it would have been improper to call rashly. Yesterday I visited the Xu Family to pay my respects to Aunt Xu; Aunt Xu said the Second Prince’s Consort’s pregnancy is now stable and also told me to come chat when I have time. I was just thinking of sending a calling card first thing tomorrow.”

Consort Jin smiled and patted her hand, saying: “You are all young, and it is rare to find such easy conversation. You should visit often.”

She added: “Go on now; the Empress should be free at this hour.”

The two women respectfully saw Consort Jin off, exchanged a glance, and then, led by a palace attendant, went to pay respects to the Empress.

When the Empress saw the three large pearls that Xin An presented, her eyes brightened and she quickly asked where they had come from.

Xin An said: “Your Majesty, they came from overseas. Some curly-haired, blue-eyed people traded these three pearls and a casket of gemstones for brocade, tea, and porcelain. The gemstones are common and have already been set into my mother-in-law’s hair ornaments, but these three pearls are exceedingly rare. Only someone as exalted as the Empress can truly set them off.”

Madam Wang was wearing the very ornaments Xin An had given her that day; the Empress saw and praised them, saying: “They are indeed peerlessly splendid. Your filial piety is commendable.”

By then the Empress had already decided in her heart where to have the pearls set. Finding Xin An very pleasing, she said: “I often hear Yao Yao speak of you—saying you have a good temperament, are intelligent without ostentation, and are remarkably steady for your age. I have long wanted to meet you.”

She added: “The medicinal materials your father sent have already been put to use by Qian Jin Hall. Its reputation for benevolence is well deserved.”

Xin An bowed slightly and said: “My father often says that merchants can travel north and south and earn a good living only because the nation has a wise sovereign and enjoys peace and prosperity. In troubled times, how many merchants die far from home striving to feed their families. My father does not dare forget the Imperial Court’s grace for a single day.”

She added: “Your Majesty is benevolent; to follow in your footsteps is our good fortune.”

The Empress smiled at Madam Wang and said: “You have a good daughter-in-law.”

Madam Wang did not know that Xin An had connected with Qian Jin Hall, but that did not stop her from offering praise: “This child is filial and kind. It was great fortune that my rascal of a son could marry her.”

She continued: “Your Majesty may not know, but my son is not as steady as his elder brother. I spoiled him from childhood—useless in letters and arms. I thought this would be his lot in life and wished only that he keep out of trouble. I did not expect that after marriage he would begin to strive.”

She added: “Just a few days ago he received the Emperor’s praise and a promotion. My heart is joyful yet anxious, for fear he might not perform his duties well and thus fail the imperial favor.”

The Empress smiled and said: “They say first one marries, then one establishes a career; once married, the heart naturally settles. All the more so when one has such a good wife—should he not treasure her?”

Even the Empress thought Tang Mo fortunate to have, by a twist of fate, gained such a wife. This young lady of the Xin Family had long been betrothed into the marquisate; the Xin Family had surely devoted much effort to ensuring she could gain a firm footing there, as was evident from her flawless propriety.

Wealthy and clever, she had even turned an unambitious Tang Mo into what he was today; it was no surprise.

The Empress said: “Your son’s future prospects lie yet ahead.”

Madam Wang hastened to thank her with a smile and then spoke of the blessings bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress.

As expected, the Empress kept them for a meal. Xin An felt that this one trip was worth her whole life; she had now eaten with the three most powerful people in the realm. She thought to herself: [I must write Father a letter when I get back; when you are away from home, status and face are won by yourself, and this is worth bragging about.]

When they left the palace, the Empress also bestowed a number of gifts. The two women offered respectful thanks and indeed returned laden with rewards.

Madam Zhang spent half a day bustling about the estate and gleaned some understanding of the marquisate’s situation, learning as well of Tang Rong’s misfortunes over the past half year. When she suggested inviting a master to perform rituals and was vetoed by Tang Rong, he further hinted to her that all the ill fortune was Tang Mo’s doing.

She pronounced her judgment: [A child born of a second wife is no different from a concubine’s son; her ambitions are higher than the sky and her fate thinner than paper.]

Fortunately she was not foolish enough to confront Madam Wang directly. After a detailed discussion with Tang Rong, she shifted her focus to the two daughters she had brought with her. Both were of an age to be betrothed, and a powerful marital alliance would be a help to Tang Rong.

Thus, scarcely had the two women returned to the residence and sat down to speak of the day’s visit when Madam Zhang arrived, and immediately asked whether, with the year’s end approaching, the household would be hosting a banquet.

Madam Wang understood her meaning—she simply wanted to choose sons-in-law for her daughters—but Madam Wang had no intention of accommodating her.

Madam Wang said: “By rights we should hold a banquet at year’s end and invite relatives and friends to call. But our clan members are coming, and the young men and ladies who arrive will not be returning immediately. We will, of necessity, have to introduce them to the various households, which will make it easier for them to move about later.”

Madam Zhang readily agreed and said: “That is how it should be. When relatives come from afar, we must host a lively banquet to show we value them.”

Madam Wang appeared to assent, then turned the conversation: “The trouble is we do not know exactly which day they will arrive, and the year’s end is busy. So I have discussed it with the Grand Matron, and we will hold the banquet next spring. Then the flowers will be in bloom and the skies clear, just the time for spring outings—the perfect season for a banquet.”

She said: “Next spring?”

She objected on the spot; that would be far too late.

Xin An also saw what Madam Zhang intended and, smiling, spoke up: “The Xin Residence has been renovated and re-planted with flowers. Come next spring I too want to host a small gathering there, inviting the ladies I know to drink tea and chat.”

Madam Wang thought it a fine idea and said: “You young people have plenty to talk about. I have seen your residence; the location is good and it is spacious, quite suitable for entertaining. If you are short-handed then, we will assign people from the household to you.”

Xin An said: “I will also need to borrow the household’s master chef then.”

Madam Wang replied: “Call for whomever you like.”

The two women chatted warmly, deliberately ignoring Madam Zhang. But Madam Zhang was not one to be ignored and asked whether there would be many banquets to attend next.

Madam Wang said: “There have been many invitations, but we will choose only a couple to attend.”

Madam Zhang said: “If people send invitations and we do not go, is that not poor form?”

She was anxious to take her two girls out to be seen—what if a great household took a fancy to them?

Madam Wang said: “Elder sister-in-law, you may not realize this, but a marquisate does not accept every invitation. If we pour ourselves downward without discrimination, people might think our house has fallen.”

A bright idea flashed through Xin An’s mind, and she at once dug a sizeable pit for Madam Zhang and Tang Rong. She said: “Mother, I have heard that Uncle has classmates and friends in the capital, some even high officials. If those families know that Uncle and Maternal Aunt have come to the capital, they should be delighted, shouldn’t they?”

She continued: “Uncle and Maternal Aunt rarely come to the capital; since they have finally come, they should of course pay visits. It would even help Uncle’s career. If they arrive and do not go, won’t people think Uncle and Maternal Aunt look down on them?”