Huguo Temple stood in the western part of Yanjing. On the seventh and eighth of each month it held a temple fair. Though today was not a fair day, the grounds were still swarming with visitors and worshippers, many arriving by carriage or riding donkeys to offer incense.
Shiyiniang stepped down from the carriage alongside Shiniang and immediately saw a long row of small stalls in front of the temple gate, sheltered beneath canopies of blue and white cloth — some selling food, some selling jade pieces, some selling silk fans and tea bowls and sundry everyday articles, a dazzling array of everything imaginable. It reminded her of the scenic tourist spots she had visited in her past life.
Luo Zhensheng and his schoolmate Master Qian walked ahead, surrounded on all sides by maids, serving women, and broad-shouldered household guards. Anyone could see at a glance that they were people of wealth and standing, and ordinary folk naturally gave them a wide berth.
They made their way promptly to the main hall to offer incense, after which the abbot invited them to rest in a retreat behind the temple.
Fifth Miss and Shiniang were visibly excited, turning their veiled heads this way and that. Even after entering the retreat, they ran to the window lattice to peer outside. Madam glanced over at Shiyiniang, whose composure remained entirely undisturbed, and gave a faint nod.
Luo Zhensheng then accompanied Master Qian inside to pay respects to Madam.
The three of them hurried to withdraw to the inner room.
Master Qian proved to be a remarkably gifted conversationalist. After a few simple pleasantries, he had already fallen into easy talk with Madam: “…There are vendors selling wooden combs — every kind of material imaginable. I once bought a proper ox-horn comb there for only ten copper coins. On the western side there’s a stall selling shoe fabric — the patterns are quite complete. It can’t compare to the Suzhou styles from the south, but it has its own charm. You could send a Nanny over to take a look later. On the southern side there’s a refreshment stall called ‘Year-Cake Li’ that specializes in sticky rice cakes, cold jelly, fried pork sausage, and braised meatballs — genuine Yanjing flavors, you must try them! Have you ever heard of fried pork sausage? It’s stuffed with white flour, red koji water, cloves, and cardamom — very refined…” He rattled on without pause, leaping from one subject to the next with unbridled ease, until Madam and the listening Fifth Miss and Shiniang were laughing aloud. Shiyiniang, however, found the man’s relentless chatter excessive — he had a tendency to exaggerate, and there was an air of levity about him she could not quite trust. Yet Madam took a great liking to him, and actually sent someone over to that Year-Cake Li stall to buy some food.
Shiyiniang looked at the things that resembled glutinous rice cakes yet were called fried sausage, and did not dare try a single bite. Shiniang, on the other hand, ate with great relish.
The interlude had done away with much of the formality between Madam and Master Qian, leaving a warmer, more familiar ease in its place.
Master Qian then asked Madam: “Right beside Huguo Temple there’s a teahouse called ‘Shunde House’ where a theater troupe specializing in the Yuhang opera style is currently performing. Would you like to go and listen?”
Madam smiled: “No need. We’ll sit a while and then be on our way.”
As she spoke, a woman’s voice came from outside: “Is this the household of the Luo Mansion of Yuhang? Our Madam is the wife of Magistrate Jiang of Taiyuan.”
Shiyiniang’s body stiffened at the words.
She had wondered when she first heard they were going to Huguo Temple. Now at last she understood!
Beside her, Fifth Miss and Shiniang appeared to have no foreknowledge of this, sitting at opposite ends of the room, each keeping to herself, showing no particular change in manner at the imminent arrival of this Madam Jiang.
She then heard Master Qian let out a puzzled sound: “Is it Magistrate Jiang of the Jiang Family from Le’an, by any chance?”
“Indeed.” Madam answered with a smile. Master Qian then laughed: “In that case, Zhensheng and I should step aside for a moment.” There came the sound of footsteps retreating outside.
Fifth Miss, noticing that Shiyiniang was sitting with her ears perked toward the sounds outside, came over with a grin: “What is Eleventh Sister listening to?” She was noticeably warmer than usual.
Shiyiniang understood perfectly that she was trying to draw her in as an ally against Shiniang. She found it all very tiresome, and smiled toward Shiniang before answering Fifth Miss: “It sounds like Mother has run into an acquaintance.”
Fifth Miss had heard the commotion as well, and taking Shiyiniang’s cue, she quieted herself and listened.
Amid the soft rustle of silk and the swish of skirts, an unfamiliar yet warm and enthusiastic female voice drifted in: “Madam Luo, what a remarkable coincidence. I happened to be back in Yanjing and never expected to meet you here. Though this is the first time we have met, I and Yuan Niang are as close as sisters — so I have come specially to pay my respects. Please forgive any breach of etiquette.” The words were delivered with great courtesy and earnestness.
“Madam Jiang is far too kind.” Madam exchanged pleasantries with Madam Jiang, and the two of them sat down, host and guest.
Madam Jiang then exclaimed: “But where are your young misses? Yuan Niang has told me they are each one more beautiful than the last — every one like a heavenly immortal!”
“Oh, that is Yuan Niang flattering her own sisters!” Madam replied modestly, and called Nanny Xu to bring the three of them — Fifth Miss, Shiniang, and Shiyiniang — out to greet the guest.
Madam Jiang was a woman of about thirty, with long brows arching elegantly toward her temples — a remarkable beauty. Yet her eyes were exceptionally keen and piercing. When her gaze fell upon Shiyiniang, Shiyiniang felt as though she had been caught in a searchlight — deeply uncomfortable.
“They truly are all beautiful as heavenly immortals.” Madam Jiang watched the three sisters bow in greeting, clicking her tongue in admiration, and rewarded each of them with a string of sandalwood beads and a pearl hairpin.
Madam replied with modest demurrals.
Madam Jiang then asked the sisters how old they were, how their needlework was coming along, and whether they could read.
Though she addressed all three sisters, her gaze lingered on Fifth Miss the longest.
They each answered Madam Jiang in turn, and then Madam Jiang made as though to rise and take her leave: “…My mother has been a vegetarian all her life and doesn’t much involve herself in household affairs — she has left everything to the stewardesses, and things have become rather disorganized as a result. I must go back to see to the family.” As she spoke, she let out a long sigh: “Things would be so much easier if only my younger brother were married. I wouldn’t have to keep running back and forth like this.”
“You are the elder sister — even when your brother is married, you will still be the most senior.” Madam replied courteously: “This burden of yours, I fear, will never be set down!”
Madam Jiang laughed pleasantly: “By then I shall only need to contribute some silver now and then. As for managing the household, when would I ever have time for that.”
The two women talked and laughed together as Madam personally saw Madam Jiang to the door, then gave the order to return home: “We will go to Third Aunt’s house for supper.”
Such cheerful spirits!
Shiyiniang privately turned the matter over in her mind. But judging by Madam Jiang’s expression today, she estimated that the visitor was most satisfied with Fifth Miss, the eldest of the three. From this she could further deduce that the young Master Wang in question was either no longer young, or that his family was desperate for him to take a wife and produce an heir to carry on the family line.
—
Along the way, Master Qian asked Luo Zhensheng: “How does your family come to know people from the Jiang Family of Le’an?”
Luo Zhensheng smiled: “Our family isn’t really acquainted with them. It seems they are quite close with my eldest sister.”
Master Qian nodded, a brief flicker of envious admiration crossing his eyes: “It must be wonderful to be like your family — friends and relatives wherever you go.”
Luo Zhensheng smiled back.
Master Qian then said: “Speaking of which — your father and both uncles are waiting for official appointments, aren’t they? Doesn’t the National Uncle do anything to help?” His gaze was somewhat evasive.
Luo Zhensheng was briefly taken aback, and only after a moment realized that by “National Uncle,” Master Qian was referring to his brother-in-law, Marquis Yongping Xu Lingyi.
Seeing that Master Qian had that look of someone eager for an answer, Luo Zhensheng gave a mild smile: “My brother-in-law told Father not to be anxious.”
Master Qian nodded with a thoughtful expression, then asked Luo Zhensheng: “Do you visit the Marquis’s household often? How does he treat you? I’ve heard his temperament is quite gentle — is that true?”
“I don’t visit often!” Luo Zhensheng said with a laugh: “I don’t have much contact with him either…”
A trace of faint disappointment appeared in Master Qian’s eyes.
Luo Zhensheng saw it plainly, and added: “Though he does treat me quite well. I heard from the Director of Studies that my brother-in-law had once gone specially to find him, to ask after my studies and to entrust him with looking after me. I found it quite surprising when I heard it. The very day before the Director mentioned it to me, my brother-in-law had specifically invited me to Chunxi House for drinks — and though he also asked about my studies during that occasion, he didn’t breathe a word about having gone to see the Director. I imagine it was because he didn’t want me to feel self-satisfied and neglect my studies as a result.”
Master Qian’s spirits lifted at this, and he smiled: “Your brother-in-law also likes to drink at Chunxi House? I am very fond of it myself. I wonder what he enjoys eating — shad fish, puffer fish, the eight summer river delicacies, or venison?”
Shad and puffer fish come into season in the fourth and fifth months; the eight summer river delicacies in summer; venison in autumn and winter…
Luo Zhensheng found himself momentarily admiring Master Qian enormously.
Well-read, and also adept at working the angles… and in that moment, he felt a genuine desire to cultivate the friendship.
“All of those things are available in his household — why would he make a special trip to Chunxi House for them?” Luo Zhensheng said, watching Master Qian’s expression carefully.
Master Qian’s smile grew a little forced: “True enough. He is a National Uncle, the Marquis of Yongping — no matter how fine Chunxi House may be, it can’t compare to a royal banquet. Nothing particularly remarkable about it.”
This was the second time he had mentioned that Marquis Yongping held the title of National Uncle.
Luo Zhensheng’s suspicions were now fairly settled in his mind.
He smiled: “I don’t know what my brother-in-law enjoys eating, but I do know that my third aunt is particularly fond of Chunxi House’s roast suckling pig…” He stopped mid-sentence and exclaimed: “Oh, how could I have forgotten — I should have ordered one from Chunxi House to bring along, so my third aunt could have something to enjoy!”
Master Qian quickly said: “Your third aunt — that would be the daughter of Elder Academician Liu, yes?”
Luo Zhensheng nodded: “Elder Academician Liu has already retired and returned home.”
Master Qian smiled nonetheless: “Even so, I have heard that Elder Academician Li’s new tea tax is running into considerable difficulties!”
Luo Zhensheng laughed pleasantly: “Today we are visiting family — let’s not talk about all that, let’s not talk about all that!”
Master Qian laughed: “Quite right!” Then he added: “In that case, I should not arrive empty-handed. I’ll ride ahead at full speed and order a suckling pig from Chunxi House to bring to your third uncle’s home.”
From “Master Luo” to “third uncle”…
Luo Zhensheng looked after him with a smile: “No need, no need. I couldn’t let you spend money on our behalf.”
“Say another word and we are no longer brothers.” Master Qian said with easy candor, and without waiting for Luo Zhensheng’s reply, he raised his whip and rode off.
—
Master Qian had already arranged the roast suckling pig before the Luo family party arrived at Qiantang Lane, and stood waiting at the entrance of Luo Hua Yi’s gate with two attendants from Chunxi House.
Luo Zhensheng was taken aback, and then noticed that the mutton-fat jade pendant carved with a “step-by-step advancement” motif that Master Qian had always worn at his waist was gone.
He gave a quiet nod to himself, and knocked at Third Uncle’s door.
Third Aunt was overjoyed to see them, and hastily called Third Master out to receive the guests, then personally bustled about making preparations for supper.
Madam stopped her: “There’s a roast suckling pig outside — Xing Ge bought it. Just have the kitchen make a few simple dishes. Let us sisters-in-law sit down and have a good long chat.”
Third Aunt was all the more delighted at this, and called the Nannies to take the roast suckling pig to the kitchen, then took Madam by the arm and led her to the main hall.
Everyone sat down, and Madam asked after Fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Master.
“They’ve gone to school.” Third Aunt’s smile was somewhat strained: “My husband is stuck in Yanjing — we can’t let that hold the children back from their studies. As luck would have it, Zhongshan Marquis’s family school is only one lane away from here, so I’ve put the children there.”
Madam was quite surprised: “Are you on close terms with the Tang family of Zhongshan Marquis?”
—