Chapter Sixty-Nine: Flattery

“What’s that smell? I send you out to meet someone, and you slam the door in my face and pretend to reflect on your behavior? You wretched girl, get out here at once!” Even before Lady Yang appeared, her scolding voice rang out.

At once, Yangtao, Xiaoke, and the others straightened up obediently, awaiting the mistress’s entrance.

Hongxing stepped out from within and, seeing the others standing there like statues, snapped, “Are you not going to greet the lady? What are you all standing there for?”

“Oh, right!” Xiaoke scampered forward, with Yangtao and Baimei following close behind.

Lady Yang didn’t spare them so much as a glance. She shouted toward Hongxing, “Where is she?”

“Ma’am, please come inside,” Hongxing replied, lifting the curtain with a bright smile. “It’s cold out here, you wouldn’t want to catch a chill.”

Chuncao waited by the door, holding a hand warmer. Lady Yang gave a sniff, then stepped inside. Taking the warmer, she turned to Xu Ruoji, “You certainly put on airs. I thought you were supposed to be reflecting on your mistakes? What kind of penance is this? Looks to me like you’re living more comfortably than ever!”

“You wrong me, Mother. I was just preparing some warm wine for you,” Xu Ruoji replied cheerfully, unfazed, and offered two cups. “Hemp seed, peach kernel, cyathula root, cucumber root, yellow wine—all for you, Mother. Your hands and feet always turn cold as soon as winter comes. I made this especially for you. Won’t you try it?”

Lady Yang, still brimming with anger, managed to restrain herself and shot her a glare. “You brewed this? Hoping to poison me, are you? Then no one will be able to rein you in.”

“I consulted Doctor Cen for the recipe. He’s the one who’s examined you. Surely you trust him?” Xu Ruoji raised a cup to her lips. “Please, just have a taste.”

With Doctor Cen’s endorsement, Lady Yang could rest easy. Yet she had no wish to give the girl any satisfaction. “Put it aside. Who has the mind to sample your concoction now? You think everything you make is some rare treasure.”

Xu Ruoji set the wine down and continued, “I brewed five jin of this wine. If you have a cup or two each day, it will last you through the winter. When spring comes, I’ll make a new batch suited for the warm months. After a year’s care, by next winter you won’t have to worry about the cold or aching joints.”

Lady Yang curled her lip. “Next year? By then you’ll be long gone from the Xu family. Think you’ll even remember your old mother?”

“No matter what happens, you’ll always be my mother. I would never forget you,” Xu Ruoji replied, her words carrying a deeper meaning. Lady Yang caught the implication. “Don’t think a jar of wine will smooth things over. I lost face before the Zhang family because of you. Do you think life will be easy when you marry into their house?”

“Simply because he wished it, I should go see him?”

Xu Ruoji gave a cold laugh. “He claims to be so upright, so bound by propriety, and yet he insists on seeing me? The proper thing would be for an elder of the Zhang family to deliver the betrothal gifts, not for him to come himself. Why should I be summoned at his whim?”

“He was the one who wanted to see me first. After an engagement, the couple ought not meet before the wedding. If he knows etiquette so well, why ignore it now? And in the end, he even insulted you. Clearly, he’s just looking for trouble. Why indulge him?”

Lady Yang, growing more exasperated by Xu Ruoji’s words, snapped at Chuncao, “Quick-tongued, aren’t you? You’ve managed to repeat every last detail in just a short while. Such a loyal servant!”

Chuncao bowed her head at the scolding.

Xu Ruoji pulled Chuncao behind her and stepped forward. “Mother, don’t blame her. She only hoped I’d better understand Zhang Zhongheng. But tell me, what did I say that was wrong? You’re wiser than I, you must see it clearly.”

“You’re getting sharper by the day!” Lady Yang continued to berate her. “This marriage is already a stretch for our family. It’s no wonder he looks down on us. Knowing this, yet you put on airs and show him that sour face—who would bother with you?”

“Men want gentle, virtuous wives—magnanimous, good at managing a household. Look at you. Your background isn’t much, but your pride knows no bounds. You think you can win him over without any effort, that he’ll come running to you? Dream on!”

Xu Ruoji felt her heart grow cold.

In Lady Yang’s eyes, a woman ought to humble herself for a man.

But Xu Ruoji had never been that kind of woman.

And never would be.

She remained silent. Lady Yang eyed her. “Why so quiet? Cat got your tongue?”

“I’m listening to your admonition, Mother. Have you finished?”

Xu Ruoji’s indifferent demeanor only fueled Lady Yang’s irritation. “There’s no reasoning with you, you wretched girl!”

“Take care on your way, Mother.”

“Are you trying to send me off?”

“Would Mother prefer to stay a while longer?”

“I’ve no time for you!” Lady Yang’s hands itched with frustration—she longed to give the girl a good pinch. But this was a daughter soon to marry, and the master had warned her to keep the peace for now; it wouldn’t do to let matters go too far.

With a cold huff, Lady Yang left the courtyard.

A maid quickly followed, carrying the jar of wine Xu Ruoji had made for Lady Yang, and hurried after her.

Xu Ruoji stood at the doorway, gazing outside.

The cold wind stripped the last withered leaves from the trees. They rode the breeze, rising and falling, until they finally settled on the ground.

Is a human life not much like a falling leaf?

Buffeted and adrift, yet there will always come a day of rest.

But she did not wish to be a solitary, drifting leaf. She longed to be a tree that did not fear the biting winds or the frost.

That would be true security.

Behind her, Hongxing and Chuncao were whispering. Xu Ruoji overheard and asked, “What are you two plotting now, sneaking about?”

“Second Miss, Nanny Huang wasn’t with Madam…”

Xu Ruoji thought carefully. Had she really not seen Nanny Huang?

“Chuncao, did you see her today?”

Chuncao nodded. “I did see her, but only in the courtyard. She wasn’t attending to Madam.”

“It’s probably because of that incident with Old Madam Du. But Nanny Huang is resourceful—she’ll return to Madam’s side soon enough,” Xu Ruoji advised them. “When you see her, don’t neglect her. Be extra attentive.”

“That old crone is the worst!” Hongxing muttered, still harboring resentment.

Xu Ruoji patted her shoulder. “She can’t trouble you now. If you show her concern, it only proves you’re the bigger person. Isn’t that just right?”

Hongxing pouted but said nothing more.

…

With the turn of the twelfth month, the entire Xu household donned their thick winter garments.

The earth was blanketed in snow, rooftops and bare branches piled high with white drifts, like heaps of cotton. Sunlight fell on it all, making the world gleam more brightly.

Despite the cold, the streets bustled with cheerful crowds, for the New Year was fast approaching.

Zhang Zhongheng sat in a carriage, an invitation in hand. He called his servant and instructed, “Go find out who from the Xu family will attend. Persuade Lady Xu to bring that girl. I must see her this time!”