Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 737

Chapter 737: Aww

Accompanied by the soft singing from the stage, An Zhi and Yu Yao gracefully walked to the Duchess.

After exchanging birthday greetings, the Duchess first greeted Yu Yao, then looked at An Zhi. “It’s been a long time. You’ve lost some weight, but your complexion is better. Now that you’re back in the capital, are you settling in well?”

The Duchess’s temples were gray, and her eyesight was failing with age; she had to squint to see An Zhi clearly.

“Thank you for your concern, Madam. I’m perfectly fine.” An Zhi and the Duchess were not very close; their current connection was only established through Cheng Huan’s mediation, so there was not much to say. Upon learning that Cheng Huan had not arrived in the capital yet, An Zhi led Yu Yao down from the pavilion.

The people on the pavilion were all wealthy and noble, and many cast curious glances at An Zhi as she passed by.

After An Zhi disappeared from sight, a round-faced woman next to Madam of Xu leaned forward with a grin and said, “She still has the nerve to come? Pei Que does not hold any official position; she’s just a commoner. She did not even bow to us. Truly as arrogant as ever.”

Madam of Xu was seated relatively close to the center, and those sitting beside her were all of high social standing. She smiled faintly and said, “Sister, you’re mistaken. Today’s the Duchess’s birthday. Since the Duchess invited Madam of Pei, she can naturally come.”

Although the tension between Duke Cheng and Xu Wenyong in court had not been as intense lately, both families knew in their hearts that they were fundamentally not on the same side.

While others felt An Zhi was unworthy of attending the banquet, Madam of Xu neither agreed nor disagreed but instead turned the conversation to the Duchess of Cheng, who had sent the invitation.

This was quite disrespectful.

Madam of Cheng was a bit older than Madam of Xu, with a dignified and imposing appearance. She did not even glance at Madam of Xu out of the corner of her eye. “What you said is right, sister. Since it’s my birthday, I can invite whoever I want. However, not everyone will suit my taste. But since we live in the same capital, we’ll inevitably run into each other often, so we still have to maintain appearances.”

Compared to her husband, Duke Cheng held a noble title. And compared to her own experience, Madam of Cheng was far more knowledgeable.

They were both prominent figures in the capital; two tigers could not share the same mountain, and this applied to the inner quarters as well.

Madam of Xu, feeling subtly mocked, was displeased and glared fiercely at the speaker. She did not want to offend Madam of Cheng, but she could not let An Zhi and that country bumpkin with her get away with it.

At this moment, An Zhi, with Yu Yao, strolled around the courtyard and found a secluded pavilion.

The pavilion was covered with white gauze to protect it from the wind and insects.

An Zhi had a charcoal stove lit and personally brewed tea for Yu Yao. “It’s cold in the capital. Even in Yongning, the coldest time is not as cold as it is now. Sister Yu, have a cup of tea to warm up.”

Yu Yao’s hands were indeed a bit icy. After receiving the hot tea, her stiff fingers felt a little better. “I was really nervous when they all looked over here. I do not recognize most of them.”

“You’ll get to know them better later. After all, Minister Zhang is staying in the capital.” Speaking of this, An Zhi thought of the three daughters of the Zhang family. “There are many women in the inner quarters, and many intricacies involved. If you meet someone you get along with, chat more. If you do not like them, just maintain appearances. Who knows, maybe they’ll become future in-laws.”

“Ah, you’re right.” In Yongning, everyone fawned over her. After arriving in the capital, she realized there were many more people than she was used to. “Hey, is that person coming this way?”

An Zhi looked in the direction Yu Yao was pointing and saw Madam of Liang, a member of the Xu family faction.

As Madam of Liang drew closer, An Zhi hummed in agreement, put down the teapot, and straightened her sleeves.

Madam of Xu had suffered a setback with Madam of Cheng, so Madam of Liang had volunteered to come.

The Liang family was of modest means in the capital, always dependent on the Xu family.

Madam of Liang walked towards Yu Yao’s side, and before even sitting down, she raised her voice, “Why are you two sisters hiding here? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

Yu Yao did not recognize Madam of Liang and slightly turned her head to look at An Zhi.

“This is the wife of Liang Zhongcheng, a fifth-rank official. She’s a bit older than us,” An Zhi introduced.

Madam of Liang glanced coldly at An Zhi. “No commoner has the right to speak here. Besides, my husband has been promoted to Right Chancellor. Your nonsense deserves a slap!”

Madam of Liang’s sudden outburst left Yu Yao speechless, completely bewildered. She stammered, “Madam of Liang, why are you suddenly cursing?”

Facing Yu Yao, Madam of Liang immediately put on a smiling face. “Madam Zhang, coming from a remote place, may not understand. Our aristocratic family is extremely particular about etiquette. Pei Que does not hold any official position, so An Zhi has to bow to us. She cannot sit with us. It’s not that I like to make things difficult; it’s just etiquette.”

Yu Yao, unfamiliar with this etiquette, looked at An Zhi with a head full of questions.

An Zhi remained calm. She slowly poured spring water into the teapot, saying, “Since Madam of Liang says so, then Minister Zhang’s official rank is higher than Minister Liang’s. May you pay your respects now?”

“I…”

“Are you trying to say you forgot?” An Zhi interrupted. “Since you can forget, why can’t others forget?”

Madam of Liang, seeing An Zhi still smiling, felt a surge of anger. “I never said I forgot. How can the relationship between me and Madam Zhang be confused with the relationship between you and me?”

“Why not?” An Zhi said calmly, the teapot steaming on the charcoal stove. “This is the Cheng family’s mansion. We are both guests and should be treated equally. If you’re dissatisfied, you can go and speak to the Duchess.”

“…”

Madam of Liang naturally dared not go, as the Duchess was not on her side. Seeing An Zhi preparing to brew tea, she stood up gracefully. “Fine, you’re quite the smooth talker; I cannot argue with you. An Zhi, let me give you a piece of advice: you have a long life ahead of you; do not block your own escape route.”

“I’ll give you that advice too.” An Zhi’s smile vanished, warning, “The first bird to stick its head out is often the first to die. Madam of Liang, you’d better watch yourself.”

“You!” Hearing An Zhi curse her, Madam of Liang took a large step forward. She had intended to kick the table, sending the charcoal from the stove flying and burning An Zhi—or even better, disfiguring her. But unexpectedly, An Zhi first splashed the hot water from the teapot at her, splattering it on her face.

“Ah!”

A scream startled those nearby.

Soon, maids and servants entered.

An Zhi preemptively said, “Go quickly and fetch a doctor! Madam of Liang lost her balance and bumped into the table.”

Madam of Liang was groaning in pain and did not listen to An Zhi at all.

Only An Zhi, Yu Yao, and Madam of Liang were in the pavilion. To keep things quiet, An Zhi had the maids stand guard outside.

Therefore, An Zhi could lie in public without consequence, because Yu Yao would side with her, and Madam of Liang would not be able to speak for the time being.