Chapter 12
“You…” Chunhong wanted to retort, but the other woman was her mistress after all. Words failed her for a moment, and she didn’t know how to reply. Only when she looked up and saw Song Yan did her face immediately show grievance, her eyes pitifully fixed on her.
Wei Xi noticed her look and turned her head. Beside her, Aunt Jiang also turned around.
With an anxious expression, Aunt Jiang said to Wei Xi, “Xi, you mustn’t speak like that. Chunhong is someone who serves your mother; how can you be disrespectful!”
Wei Xi stiffened her neck, staring at Song Yan without moving, as if to express, “I’m not afraid of you.”
When Song Yan approached, Aunt Jiang hurriedly greeted her, “Greetings, madam. I brought Xi to pay her respects to you this morning, but heard you’d gone to visit Second Madam.”
Wei Xi, her face full of reluctance, still managed to say, “Greetings, Mother.”
Song Yan looked at Chunhong. “What’s going on? Were you quarreling with Xi?”
Chunhong replied meekly, “I wouldn’t dare. I saw the flowers in the courtyard blooming so beautifully and wanted to pick a few branches to place in madam’s room. Just then, Aunt Jiang brought the young lady over, and she reproached me for picking the flowers. In a moment of panic, I tried to explain myself.”
Aunt Jiang interjected, “Xi is still young, unable to control her temper. The child lost her mother at a young age, and this peach tree was planted by her mother, who dearly loved it. There’s not much left of what she cherished. When Xi lived in this courtyard, she treasured the tree immensely. Now, seeing someone pick its flowers, she was overcome with sorrow. It’s all out of filial piety.”
Song Yan glanced at Aunt Jiang, then at Wei Xi. “So this delicate peach tree was planted by the first madam herself? Now that it’s blooming so well and attracts people to pluck its flowers, I imagine the first madam would be comforted in the afterlife, seeing that her efforts were not in vain.”
She turned to Wei Xi and said, “It’s right that you miss your mother, but as a young lady, you shouldn’t speak of slapping a maid’s face. Such words, if overheard, aren’t becoming. When it comes time for marriage discussions, people might think you ill-tempered.”
Wei Xi, of course, refused to yield. After a long pause, she said stubbornly, “Whether I get married or not is none of your concern. In any case, these flowers must not be picked! If you let people pick them, you’re being disrespectful to my mother!”
Of course, a second wife should respect the late first wife, and yet Wei Xi accused her so. But Song Yan did not wish to argue; she simply walked into the house, tossing back, “Since you’ve already paid your respects, you should go rest. I still have things to do and won’t keep you.”
Ignoring them, Song Yan left Wei Xi with no choice but to drop the matter of the flowers. She shot Chunhong another glare and stalked off, using her own lofty indifference to respond to Song Yan.
Aunt Jiang, however, entered the room and, standing inside, said, “Xi is still a child, madam. Please don’t take offense.”
Song Yan sat in silence, prompting Aunt Jiang to ask, “I heard you’re considering a marriage for Xi?”
Song Yan lifted her head thoughtfully. She hadn’t mentioned this to anyone, and both Qiu Yue and Chunhong were discreet. Aunt Jiang must have heard it from the first madam’s side. She certainly was well-informed.
Song Yan neither confirmed nor denied it, merely asking, “And?”
Aunt Jiang replied, “I heard it by chance and felt uneasy, so I thought I’d mention it… Xi is only twelve, madam, and you’ve only just married into the family. Those who know you will say you’re attentive to Xi and treat her as your own, fearing to delay her marriage. But those who don’t might think you can’t tolerate her and want to send her away early.”
Song Yan felt a sudden surge of anger.
Aunt Jiang’s words clearly implied she couldn’t tolerate Wei Xi and wanted to marry her off as soon as possible!
By all that was just, though Wei Xi had repeatedly slighted her and she didn’t particularly like the girl, she had no intention of hastily marrying her off. The Huang family’s proposal was simply a rare and excellent match in terms of family, character, and prospects, and they had approached them first. Song Yan didn’t want to bicker with a twelve-year-old and only wished her a good marriage. So she’d mentioned it, but the first madam’s side had been cold, and now Aunt Jiang was making such comments.
Clenching her teeth, Song Yan replied, “There’s nothing of the sort. I’m young and new to the household—how could I arrange marriages? Naturally, Xi’s affairs are for her father and grandmother to worry about. You’re overthinking it.”
Aunt Jiang smiled. “Then I must have heard wrong. Don’t take it to heart, madam. We’re all in the same household, and I only meant well by mentioning it.”
Song Yan said nothing. Aunt Jiang, seeing her displeasure, bowed and withdrew.
As soon as she left, Chunhong muttered under her breath, “Kindness mistaken for ill will. I’d like to see what fine husband she’ll find for her own daughter!” With that, she went out into the courtyard, adding, “I’ll just go pick a few more flowers!”
It was only a few sprigs—Song Yan didn’t want to say more and let Chunhong go. She turned to Qiu Yue. “Does Aunt Jiang even know whom I had in mind? She refused so flatly, and I never said I wanted Xi married off immediately.”
At present, boys and girls often got engaged at thirteen or fourteen, with brides marrying between fifteen and nineteen, rarely over twenty. As for young men, the age was even more flexible—save for the poor or those who wed early, in wealthy families, grooms ranged from sixteen or seventeen into their twenties. Huang’s eighth son was now nineteen; even if he waited three years, he’d only be twenty-two, which was desirable for most families. Song Yan didn’t understand why Aunt Jiang was so resistant.
Qiu Yue replied, “Perhaps it’s because daughters of the Duke’s family never lack suitors, and the Huang family’s status does fall short. Best not to trouble yourself, madam—there’s no benefit in it.”
Song Yan knew well enough that the Huang family’s rank was lower. It was only Huang’s son’s character that made her reluctant to let the match go. Now, she resolved to give up completely.
She summoned her dowry nurse to deliver a message to her third aunt’s house, saying the Duke’s family thought Xi was too young and wished to wait a few years before discussing marriage, regretting to trouble her aunt.
Fearing her aunt would be displeased, she also sent several lengths of good silk as a token.
With her aunt declined and the first madam’s side silent, it seemed no one truly cared. Song Yan thought the matter settled, but a few days later, Wei Qi unexpectedly brought it up again.
She hadn’t thought he’d remember, so she replied, “I mentioned it to mother the other day. It seems she feels the Huang family’s status is a bit low, and Aunt Jiang worries Xi is too young, so the matter was dropped.”
“Is that so?” Wei Qi was silent for a moment. “Marriage isn’t just about family rank—I think the Huang family is quite good. What matters is the young man’s character and learning. If you meet his elders, you could get to know them first.”
Song Yan replied, “I’ve already told aunt that Xi is young and we should wait a few years.”
“So… very well, she is indeed young.” Though he thought well of the Huang family, Wei Qi clearly was indifferent.
Song Yan was glad she had declined early. Otherwise, if he was willing but unconcerned, her mother-in-law looked down on the match, and Aunt Jiang opposed it, she would be wrong no matter what she did.
A few days later, the weather turned warm, sunlight pouring down. Second Madam hosted a banquet at Xiuchun Hall, inviting everyone in the residence to gather.
Having recovered from illness, Second Madam wished to thank everyone for their recent care.
Second Master had a passion for gardening, especially peonies, and spent his leisure tending to his courtyard’s vast collection—hundreds of varieties, which he claimed were worth thousands of taels of silver.
Song Yan was glad for the diversion. Bored in the house, she welcomed the chance to admire the peonies.
In April, with days of fine weather, most of the peonies were in bloom. Whether it was the spring or the flowers themselves, even the Duke himself came, leaning on a nanmu-wood cane, joyfully admiring the blooms while Second Master enthusiastically introduced his treasures as if showing off beloved sons.
As Song Yan arrived, Second Madam greeted her with a smile: “Elder Sister-in-law refuses to leave her room; I could not persuade her, but at least you were willing to come.”
Song Yan replied, “Mother’s health is not as robust as yours, Aunt. She’s been complaining of back pain these past days and didn’t want to dampen your spirits.”
Second Madam took her into the garden, instructing her eldest daughter-in-law to entertain Song Yan with tea and a view of the peonies.
Second Madam’s eldest daughter-in-law was Zhu Manman, married less than two years, about the same age as Song Yan. Today, she was as beautifully dressed as ever, hair in the latest heart-shaped chignon adorned with a silk blossom and a real butterfly netted amid the petals, her gold hairpin swaying delicately. She already wore summer clothes—a striking, fresh silver-red skirt.
Zhu Manman loved beauty and finery. Song Yan praised her outfit, making her beam. She pulled Song Yan into the garden to look at flowers and whispered, “Father said we could each choose a peony to take home—quick, see if there’s one you like.”
Song Yan laughed. “Truly? Would Second Uncle part with his treasures?”
Zhu Manman replied, “Mother says these peonies are his real wives—she wishes he’d give them all away so she could have some peace!”
Imitating her mother-in-law’s tone, Zhu Manman made Song Yan laugh out loud.
At that moment, there was a commotion by the gate. Song Yan looked up and saw Princess Funing arriving, accompanied by Fifth Master Wei Xiu.
On their wedding night, Song Yan had heard a teacup smash in the West Wing, then Wei Xiu intercepting her in the night. Since then, she had deliberately avoided them and never saw them again, though she heard that after the return visit to the Princess’ family, only Wei Xiu returned home alone, face cold, for reasons unknown. Song Yan never asked.
Entering the garden, Second Madam greeted the Princess personally. The Princess glanced fleetingly at Song Yan before looking away, and Wei Xiu didn’t look over at all.
Only when the Princess came over to greet her two sisters-in-law did she speak: “Elder Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law.”
They both replied, “Princess.”
Song Yan and Princess Funing were never likely to be close, and Zhu Manman, unused to currying favor with someone so high above, only responded briefly.
The Princess moved on. Wei Xiu gave a low “Elder Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law,” glanced their way, then followed her.
Song Yan treated him as any ordinary person and turned back to the flowers.
After a while, when everyone was tired of wandering, Second Madam called them to sit, drink tea, and have some cakes in the covered veranda.
Second Master said, “This year’s been auspicious—two weddings already, and soon a third—maybe even a fourth.”
The third, of course, referred to the child Princess Funing was carrying; the fourth, what else could it be but Song Yan herself being with child? Song Yan lowered her head.
“Everyone looks so happy. Is there a peony in the garden you fancy? Take one home, and I guarantee it’ll bloom well into May,” Second Master said, then turned to the Duke, “Father, I bet you like that Yao Huang. How about I send you a pot?”
The Duke laughed, “You really do have a sharp eye. That Yao Huang is indeed the king of flowers—so beautiful.”
“I’ll have it moved to Wan Sheng Garden for you. Only one thing—if it doesn’t thrive, let me know, and I’ll come see to it myself. Don’t let it die,” Second Master instructed.
The Duke puffed his beard and snorted, “I have a few orchids in my own rooms, all tended by me, and they’re not any worse than your peonies.”
They both laughed. Princess Funing said, “Then I want that purple one, the deep blackish-purple. Second Uncle, give me that one.”
Second Master looked back at the enormous, dark purple peony in the garden and hesitated to answer.
Song Yan had seen it too. As they said, purple outshines vermilion—the bright red paled beside it, and the deep blackish-purple looked even richer, standing out amid the flowers. It was said to be a rare treasure among peonies, called “Azure Dragon Reclining in the Ink Pool.”
Wei Xiu said, “That’s the one Second Uncle spent a fortune and many favors to obtain last year. There’s only that one. And you want to take it?”
The Princess frowned. “Wei Xiu, are you deliberately opposing me?”
“I’m not. I’m just saying that flower is Second Uncle’s favorite. Don’t be so overbearing.”
“How am I overbearing? I just asked. I don’t like other flowers; what’s the use of taking them?”
“You…”
The two began to quarrel. Second Madam quickly said, “It’s just a flower. Fifth Master, all young wives love flowers. The Princess finally found one she likes, and you won’t let her have it? Is your Second Uncle stingy? It doesn’t matter if it’s red or purple—take whichever you like. Don’t mind him, Princess; I’ll have it sent to you.”
Second Master whispered, “Perhaps I could give her another plant? It’s smaller, but has buds and will bloom by the end of the month.”
Second Madam glared at him. The Duke intervened calmly, “Has Zhi’er’s marriage been settled?”
Second Madam, knowing the Duke was smoothing things over, quickly replied, “It’s settled, thanks to your guidance. I met the young man recently—dignified and courteous, truly excellent. His mother is in Haining, but his aunt is here and plans to visit for the festival!”
At the mention of Haining, Song Yan couldn’t help but look up, just in time to meet Second Madam’s eyes. Second Madam quickly looked away and smiled, saying to those at the table, “We’ll invite everyone to a banquet then, to meet the couple.”