Four Seasons Brocade – CH 027

Chapter 27 ☆、 The Messy Account at the Birthday Banquet (Part 1)

Actually, the Imperial Princess was not the Emperor. There was no need for the Duchess of Jin to ask everyone to kowtow to her. It was the Duchess’s good intention to support everyone. Those present who could gain the Princess’s approval would be considered among the most prestigious in the noble ladies’ circle and would have more face in future marriage proposals.

Princess Fuhui was arguably the most noble woman in the capital, second only to the imperial concubines. A nod from her was worth a hundred words of praise.

Hearing of the Princess’s arrival, the most excited was naturally Ah Wu. She was almost unsteady on her feet, and it was only when Tang Yin took her hand and led her that she moved. “Do not be afraid,” Tang Yin said, assuming Ah Wu was young and had never seen a royal before, offering this comforting reassurance.

Ah Wu knew Tang Yin had misunderstood her and could not explain, only smiling gratefully at her.

Following Fourth Young Lady Rong and Fifth Young Lady Rong, Ah Wu went to pay her respects to the Princess. After rising, she secretly observed the Princess. Her mother had lost weight and looked haggard. In Ah Wu’s memory, the Princess had always been full of energy and vitality, but today she seemed weary.

Ah Wu saw this and felt a pang of pain in her heart, yet she could not express her deep longing.

Among the noble ladies present, the Princess only spoke to Fifth Young Lady Rong and He Peizhen, ignoring Fourth Young Lady Rong completely. When Ah Wu approached, she merely nodded, without any unusual expression.

Ah Wu was filled with disappointment. She so desperately wanted the Princess to notice her. Although her appearance had changed, she was still Ah Wu at heart, still her daughter. Ah Wu had countless times fantasized that the Princess would recognize her from her words and actions, that the scene of mother and daughter embracing and weeping in recognition constantly played in Ah Wu’s mind, but now all those fantasies were in vain.

This was clearly wishful thinking. The Princess did not recognize Ah Wu or even give her a proper look. Ah Wu was heartbroken and disappointed, as if she’d been doused with cold water in the dead of winter.

After paying her respects to the Princess, Ah Wu was pulled away by Tang Yin, looking utterly dejected. Tang Yin tapped her forehead with her finger, saying, “Look at you, so pathetic. It’s just that the Princess did not speak to you. Let me tell you, that’s just how she is. She looks down on anyone of slightly lower birth. But what can you do when you are of noble birth? Do not take it to heart. Did she not nod at you?” Actually, the Princess had nodded to everyone; Tang Yin had only said that to comfort Ah Wu.

Seeing Tang Yin’s hint of displeasure towards the Imperial Princess, Ah Wu quickly said, “No, no, you misunderstood me. I was just too excited. I’ve never seen a princess before in my life.”

“How pathetic,” Tang Yin teased Ah Wu. “Do you think you will forget how to speak when you see the Empress?”

Ah Wu did not argue, only smiled.

The Imperial Princess left very early, without even having lunch. She made a brief appearance at Zhonghui Hall, stayed for a short while, and then left. She only came out of respect for the Duchess of Jin. Since the death of the Imperial Princess’s daughter, Princess Kangning, she had not attended any banquets for a long time.

Ever since meeting the Princess, Ah Wu had lost all her spirit, completely disoriented. Tang Yin, pulling the dazed Ah Wu to look at the flowers, noticed her absent-mindedness and deliberately pointed to a peony, asking, “What kind of peony is this?”

Ah Wu blankly replied, “Er Qiao.”

Er Qiao, easily recognizable with its two colors in one flower, was then pointed to another, asking, “What is this?”

“Qinglong Wo Mo Chi.”

Seeing that Ah Wu answered fluently but was completely out of her mind, answering questions like a puppet, Tang Yin pointed to several more and asked her, all of which Ah Wu answered correctly: “Bing Yu Xian Hu,” “Chi Lan,” “Ou Bi”…

Tang Yin checked with the flower-planting maidservant nearby, and Ah Wu was right about all of them. Tang Yin patted Ah Wu’s shoulder. “Wow, you are quite something! You recognize almost all these flowers.”

Out of curiosity, Tang Yin pointed to another peony and asked its name. “Jiao Rong San Bian ^{(Three Shade Jade Triple-Change in Expression)}.”

Tang Yin shook her head. “Why is it called that?”

Ah Wu was grateful for Tang Yin’s kindness and gradually regained some of her spirits. “Because this flower is green when it first blooms, pink when it’s in full bloom, and turns pinkish-white when it withers, hence the name.”

Hearing Ah Wu’s explanation, Tang Yin was even more impressed. “I did not realize you knew so much at such a young age.”

Ah Wu’s heart skipped a beat. She realized she should not even know these flowers. The Duke of Anguo’s mansion did not have these rare peonies, and there were no books on the market that taught how to identify peonies. Fortunately, Tang Yin did not pry. This conversation had completely awakened Ah Wu, and she had to brace herself to deal with it.

The two chattered for a while, getting more and more comfortable with each other’s company. Ah Wu, wanting to please Tang Yin, found that when it was time to part, Tang Yin only held Ah Wu’s hand, not letting her go.

Madam Tang, unable to dissuade her, could only coax, “We are both in the capital; we can see each other again next time.”

Tang Yin persisted, pulling Ah Wu’s hand, “My birthday is in a few days; I will send you an invitation. It’s just the few of us; you absolutely must come.”

Ah Wu did not answer but looked up at Madam Tang. Madam Tang nodded to her, and only then did Ah Wu agree to Tang Yin’s request. After all, Third Master Rong was only a sixth-rank scholar, and Ah Wu’s close relationship with Tang Yin might lead outsiders to believe that Third Master Rong was trying to curry favor with Cabinet Minister Tang by having his daughter get close to Tang Yin. Ah Wu was also afraid that Madam Tang would think she had ulterior motives, which was why she looked at Madam Tang.

To be honest, Ah Wu genuinely had no ulterior motives in getting close to anyone. If she had not gotten along well with Tang Yin, she would not have been close to her. Although Ah Wu’s current status was not high, she did not have the patience to serve other young ladies. It was only because Tang Yin treated her so well that Ah Wu wanted to please Tang Yin and make her happy.

A few days later, Tang Yin indeed sent an invitation. Ah Wu told Lady Cui, and together they went to inform the Old Madam. The Old Madam, unable to offend Cabinet Minister Tang, though her face was extremely gloomy, still agreed to let Ah Wu go.

“Be careful out there. Do not disgrace our Duke’s Mansion, or I will not forgive you,” the Old Madam said grimly.

Ah Wu agreed and returned home with Lady Cui without further ado.

These past few days, Ah Wu had been listless and had a poor appetite because of the Princess’s matter. When Lady Cui saw Tang Yin’s invitation, she was overjoyed, urging Ah Wu to go and busying herself preparing a birthday gift for Tang Yin.

“Madam, there’s no need for fuss. The Tang family has everything they need, and they do not need anything from us. If you ask me, I’d rather put in a little effort and make something myself. Firstly, it shows my sincerity, and secondly, Sister Yin will like it.”

“That makes sense,” Lady Cui nodded quickly, then asked what Ah Wu was planning to give as a gift.

Ah Wu remembered that Tang Yin had praised her calligraphy at the Duke of Jin’s mansion last time, so she thought of giving her a painting or a calligraphy piece. She spent several days carefully crafting one.

Tang Yin did not host a banquet for her birthday; she only invited a few close friends and a group of younger relatives for a private gathering. This was a very fashionable way for noble ladies in the capital to celebrate birthdays.

Two days ago was Ah Wu’s birthday. Lady Cui wanted to throw a party for her, but firstly, her status was not high enough, and secondly, it would be quite expensive; the Old Madam would surely object. Ah Wu, adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble, declined Lady Cui’s offer and simply ate a bowl of longevity noodles made by Lady Cui herself. The family celebrated happily together.

On Tang Yin’s birthday, Ah Wu went out with a maid and Zi-Shan, entering the Tang family garden through a side gate in the back courtyard. When Ah Wu arrived, several young girls were already seated in Xiao Xiao Pavilion, where Tang Yin was holding her banquet.

The Tang family garden was full of bamboo, and the place where swallows could easily swim among the bamboo was called “Xiao Xiao Pavilion.”

As soon as Ah Wu arrived, Tang Yin rose to greet her. “Well, you are the last one to arrive. I will punish you with a cup later.” The “punishment cup” Tang Yin referred to was a light, sweet, and refreshing plum wine, which the young girls liked.

“I am willing to punish myself with three cups, Sister Yin; please do not be stingy,” Ah Wu said with a smile.

“I will give you as much as you want today,” Tang Yin said, pulling Ah Wu’s hand into the room. Ah Wu recognized everyone present: Su Nian, Liu Hexuan, Hu Yahe, and Gu Xihui.

Ah Wu was surprised that Tang Yin had invited Gu Xihui and looked at Tang Yin with some astonishment.

Tang Yin later whispered in her ear, “It was not my idea to invite her; it was my mother who told me to.”

Ah Wu said, “Oh,” and now that she thought about it, it seemed that Madam Tang had long taken a liking to Gu Xihui and wanted her as her daughter-in-law.

Actually, putting aside personal grudges (rivals in love), Ah Wu had to admit that Gu Xihui was a very good girl—gentle, generous, dignified, elegant, of noble birth, and possessing both beauty and talent. If she had a son, she might also appreciate a daughter-in-law like Gu Xihui.

Before Tang Yin came to greet her, Ah Wu handed her the box containing a gift, mischievously saying, “Wishing you a speedy growth of your new teeth, sister.”

If anyone else had said this, Tang Yin would have been furious. But since it came from Ah Wu, who also lacked a front tooth, it became a playful remark between sisters sharing the same “ailment.”

“You brat, daring to make fun of me! I will make sure you never grow a front tooth; what a waste of your pretty face!” Tang Yin said, reaching out to pinch Ah Wu’s cheek, which Ah Wu deftly dodged.

“Oh, let me see what rare gift Sister Xuan gave you.” Hu Yahe glanced at the box in Tang Yin’s hand. Knowing Ah Wu’s situation, her comment about a rare gift sounded awkward.