In truth, delivering mooncakes hardly required the personal attention of Li’s family’s eldest daughter-in-law. Moreover, given Li Rui’s temperament, her relationship with her sister-in-law could hardly be described as cordial.
However, women have a peculiar trait: when it comes to gossiping, they can chat animatedly even with those they dislike.
Upon hearing the news from her sister-in-law, Li Rui’s face no longer bore the sadness and despair from her earlier argument with Shen Jing. Instead, it was now filled with a schadenfreude smile. “Heavens, I never imagined there could be someone so thick-skinned in this world. And she’s a princess, no less! Truly befitting of a barbarian tribe.”
Madam Dong replied, “Indeed! But she is, after all, the Princess of Nanzhao. Now that Nanzhao has voluntarily submitted and offered tribute, and with the court having exhausted much of its resources in the northwest campaigns these past two years, His Majesty is showing great hospitality to this Nanzhao envoy. Who knows, that Nanzhao Princess might get her way.”
Li Rui snorted, “She’ll get her way. You don’t know the half of it. Yu’er’s Second Uncle doesn’t pay any attention to my second sister-in-law at all. They can walk right past each other without him sparing her a glance. That’s why she spends every day cautiously currying favor with the Old Madam, fearing she might be cast aside.”
This piqued Madam Dong’s interest. Women love to gossip about others’ private affairs, finding it most exciting. “Oh my! Everyone was puzzled when Yu’er’s Second Uncle kept delaying marriage. I heard from your family’s Old Madam that they wanted to choose someone he liked to avoid future marital discord. But then he ended up marrying a merchant’s daughter. I thought it was because he fancied her. Wasn’t your second sister-in-law said to be as beautiful as a celestial maiden?”
Madam Dong hadn’t met Ji Cheng yet. Although Ji Cheng had been married to the Shen family for over a year, she had spent most of that time in the grasslands. After returning, due to the tension with Shen Che, she kept a low profile and rarely went out socializing. So despite being relatives, the two women hadn’t met.
Li Rui scoffed, “She’s pretty, sure, but even a celestial beauty can become tiresome, can’t she? Besides, she’s just a merchant’s daughter. No matter how beautiful she is, how could she capture Yu’er’s Second Uncle’s heart? You know what kind of man he is. He’s seen all sorts of beauties. How could he be moved by her?”
Madam Dong nodded in agreement. “So you’re saying there’s more to this marriage?” Her mind raced, and she slapped her thigh as she figured it out. “Oh! Could it be for your second sister-in-law’s dowry?”
Li Rui nodded without hesitation. Although the Li family was also a marquis household, they were struggling to make ends meet to support their large family, often robbing Peter to pay Paul. Thus, they naturally assumed the Shen family must be in a similar situation, as many noble families in the capital maintained a grand facade while being poor inside.
Madam Dong said, “That must be it. The Ji family is known for their wealth in North Jin. Isn’t your mother-in-law known for her generous dowry? You’ve truly married well. Your mother-in-law is kind and generous, your husband is ambitious, and you have nothing to worry about.” She looked at Li Rui and added, “That hairpin you’re wearing is new, isn’t it? It’s this year’s new style from the south.”
Li Rui raised her hand to adjust the hairpin, smiling, “You have a keen eye, sister-in-law.”
Madam Dong genuinely envied Li Rui, but Li Rui knew the truth all too well. Her mother-in-law was quite stingy, and far from generous. She was only allowed four sets of clothes each season, one set of jewelry a year, and only one fur coat for winter. Even worse, there were rules about food. If she wanted extra dishes, she had to pay for them herself by placing an order with the kitchen.
The thought of it made Li Rui feel stifled. Although her natal family was wealthy and her dowry substantial, she didn’t have much ready cash. How could she keep up with such demands? She had to compete with both Cui Long and Ji Cheng, and her small amount of silver had long been depleted. Even the hairpin she was wearing now was newly made by melting down the gold lock Ji Cheng had given to Yu’er.
Of course, she couldn’t share these frustrations with Madam Dong. Li Rui enjoyed Madam Dong’s envy of her.
Although the topic had strayed a bit, it quickly returned to the main subject. Madam Dong continued, “So, Yu’er’s Second Uncle doesn’t like your second sister-in-law? No wonder I’ve heard he’s still as flirtatious outside as he was before marriage.”
Li Rui replied, “Well, you can’t blame Yu’er’s Second Uncle for that. Who would want to face a crude merchant’s daughter every day? It’s her fault for not being able to keep her husband’s heart. Who else can she blame?”
Although the speaker meant no harm, the listener took it to heart. Li Rui’s elder brother was also a veteran of the pleasure quarters, and Madam Dong had shed many tears over this. Hearing Li Rui speak of Ji Cheng in this way, she couldn’t help but think more deeply. Could it be that her sister-in-law also thought she lacked ability? That she brought it upon herself?
With this in mind, Madam Dong couldn’t sit still any longer. She hurriedly made her excuses, saying she had matters to attend to at home and left.
Of course, Madam Dong didn’t spare Li Rui from her criticisms. Li Rui spoke as if she could keep a man, but if she truly did, why would she need to angrily return to her natal home only to slink back to the Shen family?
It was foreseeable that the next time Li Rui returned to her natal home, her sister-in-law might not be so accommodating.
But Li Rui had no time to think about Madam Dong at the moment. She was too excited. She immediately instructed Caixia, “Go tell the wet nurse to bring Yu’er. We’re going to pay our respects to the Old Madam at the other mansion.”
Paying respects to the Old Madam was just a pretext. What Li Rui wanted was to see Ji Cheng’s face when she heard the news. It would surely be a sight to behold.
So, after placing Yu’er before the Old Madam to amuse her, Li Rui went straight to Jiuli Court. As soon as she entered, she put on a sympathetic expression and said, “Second Sister-in-law, I’ve just received some news. I don’t know whether I should tell you or not. Please don’t get upset when you hear it.”
Ji Cheng looked at Li Rui suspiciously. This was truly like the sun rising in the west – she was showing concern for her? Ji Cheng thought for a moment and understood Li Rui’s mindset. She had come to watch the show.
Ji Cheng smiled and said, “I won’t get upset. Have some water and tell me slowly.”
Seeing Ji Cheng’s calm demeanor, Li Rui felt a wave of disgust. She thought to herself, “Let’s see if you can still smile after you hear this.”
Of course, Ji Cheng could still smile. She was always mindful of her image and would never lose composure in front of an “outsider” like Li Rui. She simply smiled and said, “This Nanzhao Princess is truly bold and straightforward in an endearing way.”
Li Rui’s eyes scanned Ji Cheng’s face until she was certain she wouldn’t see any of the expressions she had hoped for. Only then did she leave, suppressing her frustration.
Ji Cheng had another sleepless night. Although she knew Shen Che didn’t like women who threw themselves at him, finding it meaningless, no one could guarantee it would always be so. What if he had a sudden change of heart and became interested in the Nanzhao Princess, finding her bold novel?
Early the next morning, when Liuye’er saw Ji Cheng’s dark circles, she sighed. She took some used tea leaves wrapped in gauze and placed them on Ji Cheng’s eyes, which helped reduce the dark marks. A light layer of powder was enough to conceal the rest.
Today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and as usual, there would be a family banquet in the evening. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating. On a day meant for moon-gazing, a gentle autumn rain had begun to fall.
The rain wasn’t heavy, but it was enough to dampen spirits and create a melancholy mood. Ji Cheng moved the family banquet to Yujin Tower by the West Lake in Qing Garden. From there, one could see the remnants of lotus flowers, and the sound of rain on the fading lotuses created a unique ambiance.
Moreover, Yujin Tower was connected to Huaiyu Pavilion by a flying corridor, allowing guests to walk from the main courtyard without needing umbrellas or getting their shoes wet.
The Old Madam praised Ji Cheng for her thoughtfulness.
After arranging everything, Ji Cheng returned to Jiuli Court to change her clothes. She rubbed her brow to relieve her fatigue, sat for a moment, then set out for Yujin Tower.
There was no covered walkway leading down from Jiuli Court, so Ji Cheng wore wooden clogs over her shoes. Liuye’er held an umbrella for her until they reached the nearest covered corridor.
The wooden clogs made a crisp sound on the planks of the flying corridor, reminiscent of the famous Xishi’s Clog Corridor in the Wu Palace.
At that moment, Shen Yu and Shen Zheng were coming along the main road. Hearing the sound of wooden clogs from the flying corridor above, they both looked up to see Ji Cheng wearing a cherry-pink dress with intertwining peony patterns and dark silver snowflake gauze.
The snowflake gauze was soft and light. As she walked, the slightest breeze caused by her steps made the skirt billow like waves. The autumn wind blew the autumn rain sideways into the corridor, lifting Ji Cheng’s clothes. They fluttered as if soaring through clouds, twirling like swirling snow. As she walked along the corridor bridge, it was as if she were flying in the wind.
Shen Yu and Shen Zheng, who had been talking, simultaneously turned their heads away and fell silent for a moment before resuming their conversation, covering up the awkward moment.
Although it was a family banquet, there was music from string and bamboo instruments, singing and dancing, and wine to create a lively atmosphere.
The Old Madam sat behind the central low table at the head of the room. On either side of her were two rows of low tables where couples sat in pairs.
Only the seat beside Ji Cheng was empty; Shen Che had not yet returned to the mansion. However, he at least remembered what day it was. Before the music started, Shen Che was seen entering from outside. His gaze swept around the room before he walked directly to Ji Cheng’s side and sat down.
Ji Cheng couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. She had truly feared that Shen Che might refuse to sit down in such a setting, disregarding her face. It was fortunate indeed.
Shen Zheng insisted on penalizing Shen Che with drinks for being late. Shen Che accepted all the penalties, placing his cup forward. Ji Cheng picked up the wine pot and poured him a cup.
Seeing the couple finally showing some semblance of a married pair, the Old Madam felt gratified. Just as everyone had enjoyed a dance performance, a young maid entered from outside and announced, “The Nanzhao Princess seeks an audience with the Old Madam. She says she’s here to congratulate the Old Madam on the festival.”
The Old Madam looked towards Shen Che and Ji Cheng. Ji Cheng’s mind went blank, and she instinctively straightened her back, not turning to look at Shen Che.
They heard Shen Che say calmly, “A guest is a guest. Old Madam, you might as well let her in.”
After all, she was an esteemed guest from Nanzhao. The Shen family could hardly outright refuse her visit.