Zeng Wu stumbled out of the small hall, nearly colliding with Song Han and Miao Ansu.
Song Han looked somewhat haggard, clearly still feeling the effects of last night’s drinking. Miao Ansu wore a bright red mantle embroidered with gold, her hair styled in a matronly high bun. She followed behind Song Han, seemingly obedient, but her eyes darted about curiously.
Zeng Wu almost threw himself at Song Han: “Second Young Master, you’re finally here! The Duke, the Heir, and the Lu family uncles have all arrived. We’ve been waiting for you and the Second Madam.”
Song Han nodded listlessly as he entered the small hall with Miao Ansu.
Miao Ansu’s attention was immediately drawn to a young woman wearing a bright red embroidered mantle.
The woman appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen, with striking bright eyes that sparkled like stars. Her high nose bridge and long eyebrows gave her an air of nobility. She stood there smiling, exuding a sense of vigor that marked her as someone from no ordinary background.
Before Miao Ansu could take a second look, she heard Song Yichun’s cold snort.
“Why are you arriving at this hour? I’ve taught you the family rules since you were young – ‘Rise at dawn.’ Have you forgotten now that you’re married?” He glanced disapprovingly at Miao Ansu.
Miao Ansu’s anger flared.
Last night, Song Han had gotten completely drunk, constantly asking for water and vomiting, causing a ruckus for half the night. In the morning, he couldn’t be roused. If it weren’t for her wet nurse Shi’s quick thinking in applying a cold compress to Song Han’s face, he might still be in bed.
After finally helping Song Han dress, they went to the ancestral hall.
Her father-in-law was already waiting for them there.
After paying respects to the Song family ancestors, they also worshipped at her mother-in-law’s memorial tablet.
At the time, her father-in-law had seemed quite amiable, even telling them, “The relatives won’t arrive this early. You two go rest for a while before coming to the small hall to meet everyone!”
She had foolishly rejoiced at having such a kind father-in-law. Knowing Song Han hadn’t eaten breakfast before leaving, she had especially served him breakfast before coming here.
But she hadn’t expected to be berated by her father-in-law before she could even steady herself.
How could he say it was her fault that Song Han had forgotten the family rules?
Wasn’t this damaging her reputation?
Miao Ansu looked towards Song Han.
She saw him standing there dumbly, listening to his father’s scolding without a word of defense.
It felt like a punch to her chest.
As the new bride, if her husband wouldn’t speak up for her, and she argued with her father-in-law, she’d be labeled as sharp-tongued and disrespectful to her elders – grounds for divorce. Though their marriage was imperially decreed and couldn’t be dissolved, she could be sent to the family temple, or Song Han could distance himself and favor concubines, leaving her a widow in all but name.
In that case, with no children, what use would her title as primary wife be?
Miao Ansu pressed her lips tightly together.
Third Madam Song laughed and interjected: “It’s normal for young people to oversleep sometimes. Song Han is newly married, Second Elder Brother needn’t be so harsh.” She gestured for a maid to bring tea, taking a cup and handing it to Miao Ansu. “Hurry and offer your father-in-law some tea. Once he drinks the daughter-in-law’s tea, past unpleasantness will be forgotten.”
Was this mediating? It seemed more like adding fuel to the fire, dumping blame on her head!
Miao Ansu stumbled, nearly falling.
But seeing Song Yichun already seated in the master chair and Song Han kneeling on a cushion with tea from Third Madam Song, she had no choice but to swallow her grievances and kneel beside Song Han.
When Song Mo married, Song Yichun’s gift to Miao Ansu was two red envelopes and, on behalf of Jiang, a set of gold head ornaments and several pearl and jade accessories worth at least one or two thousand taels of silver.
Miao Ansu was ecstatic, barely suppressing her smile as she stepped forward to thank Song Yichun.
Next came Song Maochun and the others.
They each gave Miao Ansu a pair of red envelopes, as was customary.
The envelopes felt light – containing banknotes without needing to open them.
Miao Ansu’s smile deepened.
The smallest banknote denomination was ten taels, meaning each person had given her at least ten taels of silver.
She couldn’t help feeling a bit regretful.
If only the Song family had more relatives!
After paying respects to the elders, it was time for the peers.
Normally, they should have started by offering wine to Song Qin, but since Song Mo and Song Han were brothers from the same branch, they began with Song Mo.
Song Mo also gave two red envelopes.
Miao Ansu was momentarily stunned.
Song Han was already the most handsome man she’d seen, but Song Mo was even more striking. Moreover, he was the heir of Duke Ying’s household and reportedly a Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, also overseeing affairs of the Five Wards Command… truly heaven’s favored son!
If only Song Han could secure such a good position someday!
A flash of coldness passed through Song Mo’s eyes.
The jewelry Father had given to Madam Miao looked new, clearly recently ordered from a silversmith. This meant the family heirlooms were still in Father’s possession. Was he reluctant to give them to Song Han, or did he have other plans?
Song Mo didn’t drink the tea Song Han offered, instead toying with the cup thoughtfully.
Fortunately, after offering tea to Song Mo, Song Han moved on to Song Qin, drawing everyone’s attention there. No one noticed anything amiss.
Moving from east to west, Song Han and Miao Ansu first offered tea to Lady Song.
Miao Ansu couldn’t help but keep glancing at the woman in red.
Then she noticed an infant in swaddling clothes beside her.
Could this be her sister-in-law, Madam Dou?
Miao Ansu bowed distractedly to Fourth Madam Song.
She was indeed led by Third Madam Song to the woman in red.
“This is your elder sister-in-law, Madam Dou,” Third Madam Song said with a smile. “Your sister-in-law is virtuous and capable. Not only does everyone in our family praise her, but even relatives and friends give her a thumbs up when mentioned.”
Miao Ansu curtsied to Dou Zhao, inwardly unconvinced.
She had a reputation for “filial piety,” which was nothing but her family’s exaggeration.
She softly called Dou Zhao “Elder Sister” in a very docile manner.
Dou Zhao smiled and nodded, offering a pair of pure gold bracelets as a welcome gift.
Miao Ansu accepted them.
They were hollow.
She was somewhat surprised.
Wasn’t Madam Dou said to have brought a dowry of 100,000 taels of silver? Why was she so stingy?
She thanked Dou Zhao without showing her thoughts.
Third Madam Song led her to Madam Tan.
Madam Tan’s welcome gift was a pair of pure gold earrings set with cloud-patterned stones.
Third Madam Zhang’s was even simpler – a pair of pure gold willow leaf rings.
But Miao Ansu felt quite satisfied.
When she got married, her aunt by blood had only given her a pair of pearl hairpins worth about twenty taels of silver as a dowry addition, which was already considered a generous gift among relatives.
Third Madam Song introduced the eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family to Miao Ansu.
Although only the eldest daughter-in-law from the Lu family had come, they hadn’t skimped on welcome gifts for Miao Ansu.
The relative Miao Ansu most wanted to meet was Princess Ningde. Seeing she hadn’t come, Miao Ansu was quite disappointed and asked, “When might I be able to pay my respects to the Princess and the Old Madam? Surely we can’t let the two elders not even meet their nephew’s wife?”
The eldest daughter-in-law of the Lu family, seeing that Miao Ansu was not only beautiful but also quite assertive, took a liking to her and said gently, “The two elders are advanced in age and don’t receive many visitors now. I’ll ask the Princess and our Old Madam when I return and get back to you, cousin-in-law.”
“Of course!” Miao Ansu smiled sweetly.
When it came to little Yuan, she gifted him a pouch of silver melon seeds.
Dou Zhao was quite surprised and then felt a bit embarrassed.
If she had known that this Madam Miao would so honor little Yuan, she should have given Madam Miao a pair of solid gold bracelets.
Ganlu, who was helping little Yuan collect the pouch, gestured to Dou Zhao, indicating that the gold melon seeds were all hollow.
Dou Zhao smiled slightly.
Even so, Miao Ansu had put thought into it, and she should reciprocate this goodwill.
As this thought flashed through her mind, a commotion arose from the east side of the hall: “Fourth Sister-in-law is so stingy, only giving a two-tael silver red envelope! When Third Sister-in-law married in, besides the usual gifts, she gave me and Sixth Brother each a ten-tael silver red envelope!”
It was Song Jun’s voice.
Miao Ansu’s face turned bright red.
Song Fengchun and his wife were also terribly embarrassed. Song Fengchun directly slapped his son: “If you don’t speak, will people think you’re mute? Isn’t two taels of silver enough? If you think it’s too little, then give it to Song Yao!”
Song Jun rubbed his head, muttering softly with a face full of grievance.
Third Madam Song hurriedly said, “Children’s words don’t count, children’s words don’t count. The child doesn’t understand, Daughter Tian’en, don’t take this to heart.”
What else could Miao Ansu do?
She could only express that she didn’t mind.
But with this small incident, the atmosphere was somewhat affected.
After meeting the relatives, everyone went to the flower hall next to the small hall to sit for the feast. Apart from the clinking of bowls and chopsticks, only the footsteps of maids serving dishes could be heard.
Song Jun and Song Yao were behaving so well it was almost unnatural, making Dou Zhao feel a bit uncomfortable.
The next day, Song Han and Miao Ansu paid a return visit to her natal home.
Dou Zhao, having been away from home for some days, spent the morning in the flower hall of the upper courtyard listening to reports from the household managers and giving instructions.
Gu Yu came by.
He asked Dou Zhao, “Have Song Han and his wife returned from their visit?”
Dou Zhao nodded.
Gu Yu grinned and held up a white jade pendant carved with a “rising step by step” design hanging at his waist: “Isn’t it beautiful?”
The entire piece of jade was flawless white, lustrous, and translucent.
“It’s beautiful!” Dou Zhao joked with him, “You’re not planning to give this to little Yuan, are you?”
“Anything else is fine, but not this!” Gu Yu’s eyes shone with barely concealed joy as he whispered, “This was awarded to me by the Empress Dowager when I went to the palace to tell stories.”
Dou Zhao was shocked.
Gu Yu smiled at her smugly.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but laugh.
Gu Yu then asked her, “Where’s Sister Ayan? How come I don’t see her?”
“The Duke won’t acknowledge her,” Dou Zhao sighed, “She doesn’t like to go out much.”
Gu Yu made a sound of understanding, his face showing sympathy.
Song Mo, learning that Gu Yu had arrived, sent someone to call for him.
Gu Yu dashed off to Song Mo’s study.
Song Mo smiled and asked him, “You enter the mansion and don’t come to see me, but run to your sister-in-law instead? What for?”
Gu Yu instinctively didn’t want to tell Song Mo about this. He grinned and said, “I didn’t go to see my Sister-in-law, I went to see little Yuan!”
Song Mo smiled and shook his head, not exposing Gu Yu’s lie. He smiled and asked, “How are the shipyards in Tianjin going?”
“With me keeping an eye on things, who would dare cause trouble?” Gu Yu said casually. The two then discussed business matters until noon, when Gu Yu stayed at Yizhi Hall for lunch.
Hearing that Song Mo wouldn’t be returning for lunch, Dou Zhao called Jiang Yan over to keep her company for the meal, discussing plans for mountain climbing during the upcoming Double Ninth Festival.