Chapter 315

Chapter 316: The Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law’s Plans

In Qiu Shi Courtyard, everyone chatted until they lost track of time; only when Ping Qiu reminded them did they finally rise and, laughing, head to the front courtyard. Tang Rong and Tao Yi Ran stepped out just then as well. In a crowd, Xin An could always keep the peace on the surface, so she went along smiling and making small talk.

The welcome banquet was set at two tables, one for men and one for women. Two braziers warmed the dining room so the dishes would not cool, and the meal was filled with light conversation and cheer. If not for Madam Zhang’s occasional sour comments, the scene would have been even merrier, but everyone present knew her temperament and simply ignored her.

After the meal, Tang Yu’s family personally escorted Grand Matron back to rest; along the way Madam Zhao’s words were full of praise for Madam Wang’s thorough arrangements and Xin An’s thoughtfulness. Grand Matron had not expected Xin An to handle matters with such care: [who would not enjoy being received like this when visiting another household, and who would not feel like the most honored guest].

Grand Matron smiled and said: “That child is attentive and thorough, but she is still young and bound to overlook things. You are her elder, so you should guide her more in the future.” Then she added: “All right, you must be tired too; go back and rest well. We will have plenty of time to talk from now on.”

Tang Yu nodded with a smile and said: “Seeing you healthy makes us all happy, and with that happiness we do not feel tired.” He added: “Please rest first; we will come again tomorrow to pay our respects and speak with you.”

Grand Matron nodded and kept Tang Gang back to speak with him alone. Now that the people had arrived and been received, there had to be a proper plan for what followed.

After settling their guests, Madam Wang and Xin An saw them back to their quarters, then Xin An escorted Madam Wang home. Once inside, Madam Wang asked Xin An to sit; the two, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, needed to consult.

Madam Wang observed, calm and direct: “I see how thoroughly you arranged everything. Do you already have a plan?” Xin An took a sip of water and said: “With Aunt from the Wei family coming first to set the tone, I find our clan relatives as amiable as can be.”

Madam Wang nodded. She herself had not expected to feel so warm toward the clan; in fact, the moment she saw Madam Zhang, she felt like being even warmer to the others just to vex Madam Zhang.

Xin An said: “The five male cousins from various branches of the clan are all fine young men, well taught from childhood, and three of them have already earned scholarly titles. That is not what our earlier news suggested. Judging from Father’s attitude today, he must also see the value in this.”

She continued: “The three girl cousins are pretty, lovable, and very proper. Since Father’s thinking aligns with the clan’s intentions, I first pitied the girls for a moment, but then I thought that a girl receives the clan’s support at home; repaying the clan with her marriage is normal after all.” [She herself was in the same situation.]

She concluded, practical and calm: “Now that they are here, the matter is settled. Within my ability, I will do my utmost to help the three girls choose good matches. It will count as doing the clan a favor, and I also hope to gain from it.”

Madam Wang considered this, took another sip of tea, and nodded: “Since you have decided, then you must give it your full attention. Those three girls are good. Help them choose carefully so that we two, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, do not end up blamed.”

The truth was simple: a woman’s marriage is rarely her own to decide, not even her mother’s; her honor and disgrace lie with her father and brothers, her husband and sons. If one can help, one should help; consider it accumulating blessings for one’s son.

As Xin An was leaving, she happened to meet the returning Tang Gang. He was very satisfied with her performance that day, for once pausing to say a few words to her, and he instructed her to take the three girls who had come today out more often.

Xin An asked with a smile: “Mother has just reminded me of the same, and Aunt from the Wei family is of like mind. Father, should I also take the Wei sisters out?” Tang Gang answered directly: “Do not involve yourself in the Wei family’s matters. Focus on your three cousins.” Xin An said: “Understood.” With his words, she felt even less constrained about needling Madam Zhang later.

Early the next morning, Xin An went to the Xin residence. Affairs of the Tang family’s clan were not urgent; matters concerning Prince Jin Manor were far more important.

To see with her own eyes, she asked Cao Gui to drive past Prince Jin Manor. The princely plaque had been rehung; gatekeepers stood at the main door, and servants went in and out through the side gate. With that, she had a clear sense of the situation.

At the Xin residence, Auntie Wang had already prepared all the New Year gifts and everything needed for the household during the festival. The entire compound had been swept clean, and big red lanterns were already hung, making the festive atmosphere ever stronger.

Auntie Wang had plainly taken the Xin residence as the Xin family’s base in the capital; she bustled about in all things, and a stranger walking in would never think the masters were not at home.

Auntie Wang said, a little excited: “I thought that even if the masters are away, we must still set things in order. I also bought some firecrackers to set off on New Year’s Eve. If Second Young Madam has time during the New Year, you can come back and sit a while.” Xin An answered with a nod: “Of course.”

Trusting Auntie Wang greatly, she asked: “Is Wang Fu’s bridal chamber ready for after the New Year?” Speaking of this made Auntie Wang happy; when spring came she would be a woman with a daughter-in-law.

She said: “Everything is ready. Some trinkets cost more during the festival; we can buy them after the New Year and it will still be in time.” Xin An nodded: “After Wang Fu marries, I will have other tasks for him.”

As she spoke, she rose to see the flowers. Behind the gardener stood a man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Seeing Xin An approach, he started to kneel.

Xin An said: “No need for such formalities. You are Old Lin’s son, Master Lin, yes?” He replied: “Second Young Madam, I am Lin Quan.”

Xin An nodded: “Your father’s skill with flowers is superb. Learn well from him. For now, select two pots of the best narcissus for me, and then take me to see how the jasmine is doing.”

Master Lin glanced at his father and said: “Second Young Madam, the jasmine has already set buds.” Xin An was very surprised; earlier the gardener had said the plant could be kept green and vigorous but would not bloom.

She moved to go to the greenhouse, but Master Lin said the jasmine had been moved to the hothouse and invited her: “Please step this way, Madam.”

This hothouse was a newly built room, its doorway hung with a heavy curtain. The interior was not spacious, even a bit cramped, but it was very bright; looking up, one saw the roof set with skylight tiles.

The air inside was far warmer than in the neighboring glasshouse, and there was a faint fragrance. Master Lin explained: “By the seasons, Yuxiang jasmine blooms in the seventh month, so I imitated the climate of the seventh month. At first I only meant to try; I did not expect it to work.” With a touch of pride, he added: “Please look at this pot, Madam; some buds are already opening.”

Xin An examined the plant closely, then took two steps back to view it again. She had Master Lin carry the pot outside to check in natural light; it looked hardly different from jasmine blooming in the seventh month.

She said: “Excellent. Bring it back in.” With approval in her eyes, she added: “It seems Master Lin has surpassed his teacher.”

Master Lin gave a respectful bow, and the gardener also stepped forward to bow, saying: “It was only a clever expedient, not worthy of the Madam’s praise.” Xin An answered: “Knowing how to find a clever method is also a skill.”

Then she instructed: “Uncle Wang, give Master Lin two taels of silver and half a carcass of mutton, and double his monthly pay from now on.” Wang Jin understood and complied with a smile.