The Yang family’s betrothal procession arrived through swirling snow. The dye houses, silk workshops, and weaving shops around Sandaoyan had mostly stopped work. People huddled in their homes avoiding the cold, but when they heard the sound of suona horns and drums, those idle with nothing to do came out to watch the excitement.
The one coming to present the betrothal gifts was Chen Shi, wife of Yang Jingshan, the eldest of Yang’s sons. Since Old Master Yang had handed over the family business to Yang Jingshan, Chen Shi had effectively become the Yang family’s matriarch, though Mother Yang still maintained control over household affairs. She had two sons and both her parents were still living, making her truly blessed. It was most appropriate for her to present the betrothal gifts on behalf of her husband’s half-brother.
The carriage stopped at the Ji family’s main gate. Matron Wu personally went forward to lift the curtain and help Madam Chen down.
Madam Chen glanced around. The narrow alley could barely fit one carriage. Two modest black-lacquered wooden doors stood in a wall barely taller than a person. One could see the eaves of the buildings inside from outside. Indeed, it was a modest household.
“Watch your step, First Young Madam,” Matron Wu supported Madam Chen with one hand, smiling as she reminded her.
Her considerate yet unobsequious manner caught Madam Chen’s attention. She smiled and nodded, allowing Matron Wu to help her inside. Observing how Matron Wu’s skirt remained still as she walked, Madam Chen was surprised. For a servant from such a humble household to have such refined manners was comparable to ladies from great families. She also noticed that though the Ji residence was small, the path from the entrance had been swept clear of snow, and the blue stone pavement looked as if it had been wiped clean, neat, and fresh. This secretly relieved Madam Chen.
She and her Second Sister-in-law Yu Shi came from families less wealthy than the Yangs, but they had attended women’s school and were well-bred. Young Master Yang San was favored, and they worried that Ji Yingying, being from a small dye house family with much exposure to common folk, might have acquired vulgar habits that would make it difficult to get along with her sisters-in-law. Seeing Matron Wu’s etiquette and the Ji family’s clean and comfortable home, Madam Chen’s smile became more genuine.
Gracious and proper, yet of humble birth. Second Miss Ji would surely respect her as elder sister-in-law in the future.
As she was the younger generation, Ji Yingying kept her distance. Matron Li waited at the second gate to receive her on behalf of Madam Ji: “The roads are difficult in the snow. Thank you for making the arduous journey, First Young Madam.”
Like Matron Wu, Matron Li wore light blue clothing with a neat bun. Not a single wrinkle could be seen on her skirt. As she walked, her silk skirt made a pleasant rustling sound.
Madam Chen unconsciously straightened her back. Upon entering the hall and seeing Madam Ji, she still felt somewhat dazed.
Except for when marrying Fourth Young Madam Zhang, when Madam Ji wore a deep red brocade dress and her wedding jewelry, this was the first time in over twenty years that Madam Ji had dressed up carefully.
She could be modest when taking in a daughter-in-law to avoid making her nervous. But now, she needed to bring honor to her daughter. She wore a ginger-yellow bodice and a silver-red wide-sleeved robe with a matching collar. Her hair was styled in a “throwing home” bun, adorned with drooping gold ornaments and ruby droplets. Her eyes were gentle and graceful, like a lady stepping out of a painting.
Madam Ji… was so young and beautiful. She looked even a few years younger than herself. Madam Chen marveled inwardly as she bowed in greeting: “Greetings, Madam Ji.”
“First Young Madam, you’ve had a tiring journey. This is my daughter-in-law, Zhang Shi.”
Fourth Young Madam Zhang came forward to pay her respects, and due to generational order, Madam Chen returned the greeting. Zhang Shi was only sixteen; she hadn’t expected her future sister-in-law’s elder sister-in-law to be about the same age as her mother-in-law, so she knelt behind Madam Ji and dared not speak.
This was unavoidable. Yang Jingyuan was the youngest son, nearly twenty years younger than Yang Jingshan. Madam Chen was about the same age as Concubine Liu, in her thirties. Indeed, she was only a few years younger than Madam Ji.
She had brought Matron Chen with her, who presented the gift list to Madam Ji. These were all traditional betrothal gifts: six bolts of silk fabric, two gold rings, a pair of gold earrings, and eight loads of spring wine. Considering the Ji family’s circumstances, the betrothal gifts were reduced compared to when they married Chen Shi and Yu Shi, totaling twenty-four carriers. The previously given thousand taels of gold betrothal money was also listed.
Madam Ji’s gaze passed over the thousand taels of betrothal money as she had Matron Li receive it.
Madam Chen’s main purpose was to discuss the wedding date with the Ji family. Matron Chen handed a paper to Madam Ji, and Madam Chen smiled: “All the dates on this list have been deemed auspicious by diviners. As my third brother-in-law is not young, we hope to hold the wedding in the third or fourth month.”
Madam Ji was prepared. She had chosen the twelfth day of the fourth month.
Everything was settled smoothly. The Ji family had no additional requests, which secretly relieved Madam Chen. Usually, the betrothal ceremony was a time for both families to negotiate. However, seeing that the Ji family had only two courtyards, with the dye house occupying the rear courtyard, Madam Chen felt that even twenty-four carriers of dowry might be difficult for the Ji family. Then she remembered a thousand taels of gold the Yang family had already sent, enough to buy ten residences like the Ji family’s, and she felt reassured. A thousand taels of gold—both the Madam and her husband thought it was worth it. If Third Brother hadn’t favored Second Miss Ji, they would merely be bringing an artisan into the family.
It was regrettable that Ji Yingying had to maintain her distance and not appear. Madam Chen very much wanted to see her. Not because Third Brother favored her, but because her husband had been captivated by her embroidered handkerchief and wouldn’t part with it. He hadn’t returned that handkerchief to Third Brother. Several times when she brought evening snacks to her husband’s study, she had caught him lost in thought while looking at that handkerchief. If Third Brother wasn’t marrying her, would her husband have found a way to take her as a concubine? As beautiful and gentle as Madam Ji… She involuntarily thought of Concubine Liu. With the Madam’s methods, the master hadn’t stayed in the main chamber for twenty years since taking Concubine Liu. When Ji Yingying married into the Yang family, she would need to weave brocade for them—wouldn’t that mean frequent contact with her husband? She suddenly felt a trace of aversion toward Ji Yingying.
“First Young Madam.”
Madam Ji’s voice pulled Madam Chen back from her reverie.
“Is it not to First Young Madam’s taste?”
Madam Chen quickly shook her head: “Madam Ji misunderstands. I hadn’t expected the Ji family’s cook to be so skilled.”
Madam Ji smiled lightly: “This is part of the menu from Vice Director Wei’s Burning Tail Feast.”
“Since the Tang Emperor Zhongzong’s reign, when officials first took office, they traditionally presented food to the emperor, called the Burning Tail.” When Wei Juyuan was appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, he prepared a feast for Emperor Zhongzong. The menu spread and Chang’an’s noble families competed to replicate it.
Matron Tian was skilled in cooking and knew how to prepare these dishes. Madam Ji wanted to bring honor to her daughter and had arranged this feast.
By rights, the Ji family’s hospitality should have shown how much they valued this marriage. But Madam Chen felt somewhat displeased. The Yang family was wealthy and magnificent, and as the wife of the future head of the family, she was used to being flattered. Not recognizing the Burning Tail Feast dishes now made her feel embarrassed. Moreover, she felt the Ji family was showing off to her. She set down her chopsticks after eating very little.
“The snow and wind are heavy, making travel difficult. The Madam is waiting at home for good news. I shall take my leave now.”
Madam Ji was taken aback but couldn’t insist she stay, so she rose and had Fourth Young Madam Zhang see the guests out.
Leaning against the door watching Madam Chen’s party disappear into the distance, Madam Ji sighed softly: “Liuxian, perhaps I shouldn’t have prepared the Burning Tail Feast for the Yang family’s First Young Madam.”
Liuxian was Matron Li’s given name. She consoled Madam Ji: “The Yang family’s young madams all come from better backgrounds than our family, expecting the Ji family to bow and serve them. They didn’t expect you to be from the Chang’an Earl’s mansion. However, Third Young Master Yang is the son of a concubine. After Old Master Yang passes, they will surely split from the family and live separately. Madam needn’t worry too much.”
Madam Ji frowned: “I worry about Yingying’s temperament. No matter how humble the Ji family’s status or how modest our circumstances are, I haven’t raised her to be subservient.” She sighed lightly, “It’s that trace of pride in my bones. Thanks to the Duke of Ying’s favor, the Xu family was listed in the clan records. It was my marrying down that has burdened both my children.” As she spoke, tears fell.
Recently, Madam Ji often seemed distracted, and melancholic and frequently woke from dreams startled. Matron Li secretly worried about Madam Ji’s health and could only try her best to comfort her.