Chapter 43: Celebration Banquet
That night, the Old Madam frowned upon receiving the gift list.
Xue Qingzhi happened to come to pay his respects, and she asked with dissatisfaction:
“Is Fourth Miss’s dowry a bit too generous? How will the other young ladies get married then?”
The gift list was very thick, envied by all the young ladies in the mansion. The servants and maids were all saying that Fourth Miss Xue was favored by Princess Ping Le, and the dowry added by the princess was even more generous than what the mansion provided. The Old Madam felt it was inappropriate, so she sent someone to find Fu Shi to question her.
Fu Shi came, dragging her sickly body, her eyes listlessly downcast, her tone stiff.
“Master, Old Madam, these did not come from the public funds; they are all Fourth Miss’s good fortune.”
Xue Qingzhi glanced at her, “I’m asking you, the Mistress, how you handled it.”
Fu Shi sneered, tidied her clothes, sat up straight, and couldn’t even be bothered to pretend anymore.
“She is the Master’s own daughter. If the Master wants to know, he can ask her.”
Xue Qingzhi saw the Old Madam’s face darken and Fu Shi’s sarcastic tone, and his head began to ache.
Ever since the Censor impeached Prince Duan last time, there had been an increase in memorials from Spokespersons impeaching Prince Duan’s faction. Xue Qingzhi had been overwhelmed recently.
“It’s good to be favored by the Princess, but if there are too many things, how can one feel at ease?”
Fu Shi raised her eyebrows with a fake smile, “I can’t manage these matters.”
Xue Qingzhi, afraid she would anger his mother to death, mumbled a few words, left Shou An Courtyard, and called Xue Yueying to ask her.
Xue Yueying and Gu Jie had already prepared their story, saying they were close with Princess Ping Le, and the Princess, fearing she would be shabby at her wedding and disgrace the Princess, had added some gifts.
Xue Qingzhi thought of Ping Le’s personality and could only sigh.
“You have received great favor from the Princess, you must know how to repay it… Do not become complacent and cause trouble for the mansion.”
Xue Yueying lowered her head, her fingers tightly twisting her handkerchief, a hint of panic in her eyes.
“Daughter understands.”
–
Third Master Xue’s celebration banquet was held in Wang Yue Tower in the main courtyard.
As the Old Madam had instructed not to be too ostentatious, only close family members and trusted friends were invited; others were not informed.
Third Madam Qian Shi was very enthusiastic. She had been married into the Xue family for nearly ten years and had never felt so proud.
However, usually, the First Madam handled banquets in the mansion. This time, it was a joyous occasion for the Third Branch, and Fu Shi, using illness as an excuse, refused to manage it. The Old Madam had no choice but to entrust it to Qian Shi.
Qian Shi was able to marry into the Xue Mansion solely because Xue Qingxiu was the youngest son, and the Old Madam and the former Old Duke Xue doted on him, letting him have his way.
Otherwise, with the Qian family’s merchant background, they would have been marrying up to the Xue family.
Fu Shi had always looked down on this sister-in-law and privately waited to see her make a fool of herself.
Qian Shi also feared losing face. She invited a few of her sisters from her maternal home to help organize, but she still felt uncertain. She then sent someone to Li Xiang Courtyard to ask Xue Sui to help her manage things.
“Sixth Miss, your eyesight is good, quickly help Third Aunt see if anything is missing or lacking. It would be bad to neglect the distinguished guests.”
Xue Yue E looked at her nervous appearance and felt very disdainful. Seeing that she was actually asking Xue Liu, she couldn’t help but find it amusing.
“Third Aunt, what’s the use of asking Sixth Sister about such matters? Where did she learn the rules of banquets, menu planning, and seating arrangements, the etiquette of managing a household? It would be better to ask Fourth Sister to give you some advice.”
Xue Yueying was usually very adept at social graces.
The young ladies in the mansion were all quite friendly with her.
Especially in recent days, as her finances had improved, she had given Eighth Miss and Ninth Miss quite a few benefits, so naturally, someone would speak up for her…
However, Qian Shi didn’t fall for it. She sneered, “Your Third Aunt didn’t learn banquet preparations or menu planning from my maternal home either, and I’m still living well, eating and wearing well, aren’t I?”
Finally, she added sarcastically, “Ninth Miss should worry more about herself. No matter how Fourth Miss marries, it will be into the Marquis Jingyuan’s Mansion, with Princess Ping Le as her matchmaker. Ninth Miss is not born of the First Madam, nor is she as good at flattering and pleasing others as Fourth Miss. Who knows what kind of family she’ll be matched with. These skills in managing a household will likely be of no use.”
Xue Yue E blushed with shame.
“Why does Third Aunt insult me?”
Qian Shi: “Who told you to stick your face out for me to slap? You know I’m your Third Aunt? Disrespecting elders, and you still have the nerve? Go away, don’t bring me bad luck.”
Xue Yue E had never suffered such humiliation. Tears welled up in her eyes, she bit her lower lip tightly, and then turned and ran away in shame, directly going to the First Madam to cry.
Qian Shi pouted in disdain, “What a character!”
Xue Sui had remained silent until now. She had already surveyed Wang Yue Tower inside and out.
Just as spring was beginning to bloom, with painted bridges and red railings, spring flowers were in full bloom, a scene of verdant red intertwined, extremely pleasing to the eye…
It had to be said that Qian Shi had put a lot of thought into supporting Third Master’s reputation. Every arrangement was exquisite and thoughtful, exuding the ostentatious style of a wealthy merchant family. The menu and decorations seemed to scream “rich” for everyone to see, making it clear that although the Third Branch Master’s official position was not high, his wife’s family had plenty of money.
“Third Madam even specially prepared twenty tables of flowing banquet to let the servants also benefit.”
The flowing banquet had sixty-six hot dishes, sixty-six cold dishes, over thirty kinds of snacks, not to mention the dazzling array of fruits. Ru Yi and Xiao Zhao were astonished when they spoke of it.
“We’ll have a taste too.”
Xue Sui listened to their chatter, her gaze fixed on the peacock feather screen in the hall.
That item was Third Madam’s dowry, meticulously inlaid with the iridescent feathers of whole peacock tails onto golden nanmu wood. The tips of the feathers seemed to shimmer with a spiritual light, extremely luxurious.
Qian Shi asked, “Sixth Miss, do you see any problems?”
Xue Sui blinked her eyes and smiled, “Why doesn’t Third Aunt remove the peacock screen and replace it with an ordinary brocade screen?”
Qian Shi was stunned for a moment and lowered her voice, “A peacock displaying its feathers signifies a hundred birds bringing good news. Isn’t it festive?”
Xue Sui shook her head, not mentioning Princess Ping Le’s peacock feather robe, and only said, “It’s too valuable.”
Then she picked up the menu again, “And this dish, ‘Jade Terrace Immortal Feast,’ is a court dish from the previous dynasty, rumored to have been created by the former Empress Dowager. Although it is not explicitly forbidden for commoners to eat, having it on the main table at Third Uncle’s celebration banquet is probably inappropriate.”
There were many rules for banquets, and Qian Shi had racked her brains, fearing being ridiculed by Fu Shi if she made a mistake. She had been particularly meticulous about the quantity and variety of dishes, and even the decorations dared not violate regulations, but she was completely unaware of these matters.
She was stunned for a moment, then exhaled heavily and laughed.
“Goodness, Sixth Miss, you know so much. Otherwise, Third Aunt would have made a fool of herself this time. Change it, change it immediately!”
She was very receptive to advice. Although she didn’t fully understand, she was sincerely impressed by Xue Sui. She did as she was told. She immediately sent a matron and maids to remove the peacock screen and then quickly notified the kitchen to replace the Jade Terrace Immortal Feast.
–
By noon, the guests of the mansion had arrived one after another. Qian Shi, along with Xue Qingxiu, went to the main gate to welcome them, looking spirited. Although Fu Shi was displeased, she had no choice but to dress up and put on a forced smile to entertain.
Xue Qingzhi was genuinely happy.
The Xue family was also a prominent clan. The third son had been disappointing before, and his father died with regrets.
When brothers are in the same field, if the younger brother is successful, the elder brother also gains honor.
Before the banquet began, Xue Sui returned to Li Xiang Courtyard, tidied her hair, changed her clothes, and applied rouge. This was to show respect to the Third Branch, and she couldn’t be too shabby.
After getting ready and going to Wang Yue Tower, she saw a man coming from the direction of the bamboo corridor. He wore a robe with a sash, and his thin, long face exuded a sinister aura. He didn’t notice Xue Sui and the other two and ambled towards Lian Shui Pavilion.
Xue Sui said nothing.
Ru Yi glanced at him and gritted her teeth in anger.
“Why is he here?”
Xiao Zhao asked, “Who is that?”
Ru Yi snorted and lowered her eyes, “It’s Second Master Yao. Poor Second Miss, she’s going to suffer again. He hasn’t come to pick her up for so long, and now he’s here to embarrass Second Miss?”
Xiao Zhao listened, stunned, “Don’t couples argue often? Why do you have such great resentment?”
She then smiled, “Second Miss is living in the mansion, and there’s no shortage of gossip. If she stays at her maternal home for a long time, she’ll have to endure cold glances. Second Master Yao coming to pick her up to take her back is giving her face, isn’t it a good thing?”
“Alas, you wouldn’t understand.”
Ru Yi was a chatterbox. Seeing Second Master Yao, she opened the floodgates.
“That Second Master Yao is dissolute and notorious. Second Miss originally didn’t want to marry him, but the First Madam instigated it, and Concubine Liu also felt it was a high match, so she couldn’t refuse. A concubine’s daughter marrying the legitimate son of an Assistant Minister of the Interior gave the First Madam face, but it ruined Second Miss’s life.”
As she spoke, she looked around and lowered her voice:
“After a few years of marriage, Second Miss found out that Second Master Yao not only had lovers outside but also within the mansion. His sister-in-law, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yao family, was actually involved with Second Master Yao. The child born to the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yao family was actually Second Master Yao’s own son. What do you think of this matter…”
Xiao Zhao’s hair stood on end, “Did Second Master Yao’s elder brother die?”
Ru Yi said, “You guessed right. He died long ago. The eldest daughter-in-law of the Yao family is a widow, diligent in managing the household, and an honest person. She got all the good reputation. Who would have known that in secret, she was having an affair with Second Master Yao? The most infuriating thing is that Second Miss doesn’t know. Sooner or later, she’ll still have to respect her sister-in-law and help her look after her eldest nephew. The whole family knows, and only she is kept in the dark. Isn’t this a complete sucker?”
Xiao Zhao shook her head, “No wonder Second Miss doesn’t talk much when she’s in the mansion. Such dirty business, where can one find justice? It’s truly disgusting.”
Ru Yi scoffed, “There’s even more infuriating stuff. Originally, Second Miss didn’t know, and the mansion kept it a secret. When Second Miss saw this, they simply stopped pretending and said this was called ‘joint succession,’ which was in accordance with propriety, and told Second Miss not to meddle.
The two maids spoke with their noses flaring, full of disgust.
Xue Sui continued to walk forward, her expressionless.
Suddenly, she heard a scream.
She stopped.
Xiao Zhao, who practiced martial arts and had good hearing, also spoke up.
“Miss, is that from Lian Shui Pavilion?”
Xue Sui turned around without a word.
Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi exchanged glances and followed.
Xue Sui: Fourth Miss’s good fortune is yet to come.
See you tomorrow, thank you for reading~
