Second Miss Xue was born of a concubine.
Back then, Madam Xue and the concubine gave birth around the same time. While still in her postpartum confinement, the concubine, consumed by jealousy and resentment toward Madam Xue, actually attempted to poison her. Fortunately, a servant discovered the plot, and Madam Xue narrowly escaped harm.
Due to the concubine’s wickedness, Xue Da sent both the concubine and the daughter she bore to a rural estate, forbidding the concubine from ever returning to the Xue residence.
Several years ago, the concubine fell ill and passed away. Second Miss Xue remained alone at the estate until she reached the age of fifteen, when she was finally brought back to the Xue residence.
These events had long circulated among the prominent families, which was why Madam Xue usually did not take Second Miss Xue along when she went out. Everyone considered this understandable.
“Today, The Emperor celebrates with all the people. If even His Majesty does not concern himself with background, why should I? Moreover, it was Second Miss Xue’s birth mother who did wrong, not Second Miss Xue herself.”
“My reluctance to marry Second Miss Xue is not because of her background, but simply because I do not wish to marry at all,” Cui Shishen explained.
Zhou Jingheng listened with a faint smile.
How could The Emperor not care about background?
Every mistress in the rear palace—were they not all of noble birth? Among the prominent families in Jingcheng, who does not first consider background when taking a wife?
Cui Shishen’s reluctance to marry a daughter born of a concubine was justified with such lofty rhetoric.
“Third Brother.” Ming Xian’s voice came from behind.
The three of them turned around in unison.
Ming Xian strode over, a folding fan swaying in his hand.
“Is everything settled?” Ming Chong asked.
“All settled.” Ming Xian walked to the long table by the railing, picked up a cup of tea, and drank it down in one go.
Zhou Jingheng also changed the subject. “For this Qiqiao Jie competition, The Emperor and Consort Shu are personally presiding. I wonder which family’s young lady will take the top honor?”
Qiqiao Jie is also known as the Daughters’ Festival, with customs such as threading needles to beg for skill, dropping needles to test skill, and rejoicing over spiders weaving webs. However, since this dynasty once had a female emperor who declared that women’s talents were no less than men’s, Qiqiao Jie should also allow young ladies to showcase other abilities.
Thus, the court-hosted Qiqiao Jie added competitions in poetry, calligraphy, and painting. After Diancha (Whisked Tea Ceremony) became popular, it was also included in the competitions.
Ming Xian had just been leading people to set up the competition venue.
After drinking his tea and catching his breath, Ming Xian said, “Rather than who will win, I’m more curious about the prize for today’s Diancha competition.”
“What is it?” Ming Chong asked.
Cui Shishen and Zhou Jingheng were also curious.
“A Black-Glazed Oil-Spot Cup—wide mouth, straight sloping sides, and a shallow ring foot,” Ming Xian replied.
His folding fan continued to sway as he calmly looked at Ming Chong.
Ming Chong frowned slightly. “Why does that sound somewhat familiar?”
Zhou Jingheng said, “It is a relic of Prince Changshan.”
Ming Chong’s expression stiffened. “Why would Father think of using Prince Changshan’s relic as a prize?”
Back then, Prince Changshan had sided with another prince. After the current Emperor seized the throne and purged the factions of the other princes, Prince Changshan fell off a cliff while fleeing. The bottom of the cliff was a raging river, and his body was never found.
Later, for reasons unknown, The Emperor retained Prince Changshan’s title, placed his memorial tablet in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and allowed him to receive incense offerings from later generations.
Ming Xian said, “Yes, I also find it strange.”
He then smiled and added, “I thought Third Brother would know Father’s thoughts?”
Ming Chong lifted his gaze, meeting Ming Xian’s ambiguous look, and replied flatly, “The Emperor’s intentions are unfathomable. How could I possibly know Father’s thoughts?”
Zhou Jingheng smiled and said, “Although Prince Changshan made mistakes in his lifetime, his Diancha (Whisked Tea Ceremony) skills were top-notch, and the utensils he used were all treasures. Perhaps The Emperor did not want these treasures to be left unused, merely stored away in the treasury, so he brought them out to reward those destined to receive them.”
Ming Xian blinked, first withdrawing her gaze from Ming Chong, and said with a smile, “Jingheng makes a good point. That might very well be Father’s intention.”
Ming Chong also turned his head, looking down at the crowd below. “Then let’s see who this destined person is.”
&
Madam Xue arrived at the resting area and sat for a moment. After inquiring about the location of the Guogong Fu’s party, she ordered someone to bring the prepared pastries and prepared to go over.
As she was about to rise, she glanced at Xue Chenxing and instructed, “Your elder sister and I will go greet them. You and your two younger brothers wait here for our return.”
Xue Chenyue smiled and said, “Mother, didn’t Father ask us to bring Chenxing along? Let’s take her with us.”
If Xue Chenxing didn’t go, how would the Guogong Fu’s people know she was dignified and well-mannered?
Madam Xue hesitated, but Xue Chenyue spoke gently, “With me here, Chenxing won’t make any mistakes. Please take her along, Mother.”
Unaware of Xue Chenyue’s intentions, Madam Xue relented upon her insistence. She then admonished Xue Chenxing, “It’s your elder sister who pleaded for you. Don’t disgrace us.”
“Yes,” Xue Chenxing replied, lowering her head.
Madam Xue led them to the side hall where the Guogong Fu’s party was resting. A servant from the Guogong Fu invited them inside.
Madam Zhou rose to greet them. “I was just thinking of looking for you, and here you are.”
Madam Xue smiled. “My eldest daughter made some pastries to share with friends and family. As we passed by, we heard you were resting here, so we came in. I hope we’re not disturbing you.”
Madam Zhou quickly replied, “How could it be a disturbance? I was hoping you’d come.”
As she spoke, she looked over at Xue Chenyue standing nearby and nodded with a smile.
Madam Xue gestured for Xue Chenyue to present the pastries to Madam Zhou. “Yue’er learned to make these for Qiqiao Jie. I tried one first and thought the flavor was decent, so I brought them for you to taste, Madam Zhou.”
Xue Chenyue carefully placed an exquisite redwood food box on the small table beside Madam Zhou, her face wearing a proper smile. “Please do us the honor.”
Madam Zhou picked up a white jade cake from the box, took a bite, and praised, “Eldest Miss Xue truly has excellent skills. This pastry tastes almost no different from those from Guifang Zhai.”
Xue Chenyue lowered her head shyly. “You flatter me, Madam.”
Madam Xue also beamed with joy. “I’m glad it suits your taste, Madam Zhou.”
Madam Zhou set down the half-eaten white jade cake and instructed her maid, “Put the pastries away carefully. When Second Young Master returns, ask him to try Eldest Miss Xue’s handiwork.”
After saying this, she turned back to Madam Xue. “In principle, knowing you’ve come, Jingheng should have come to pay his respects. But as you know, he’s currently working in the Ministry of Rites and often helps Prince Chu with miscellaneous tasks.”
“He brought us here today and then went off to attend to his duties. I haven’t seen him since. Please forgive his absence and don’t hold it against him.”
Madam Xue smiled. “Second Young Master is learned and talented, valued by The Emperor and Prince Chu. Others wish they could be as busy. How could we possibly blame him?”
Hearing that Zhou Jingheng wasn’t there, Xue Chenyue felt a pang of disappointment.
She had spent a long time carefully dressing up, all for the sake of stunning Zhou Jingheng, but she never expected him to be absent.
Madam Zhou smiled and said, “Madam Xue is so understanding and reasonable, and I imagine the eldest young lady is the same. That puts my mind at ease. When Jingheng returns, I will certainly have him come and apologize to you.”
Xue Chenyue regained her spirits.
Pleasing her future mother-in-law was also crucial. As long as her mother-in-law stood by her side, she would be able to hold her head high in the Guogong Fu in the future.
Sitting at the very end, Xue Chenxing slowly sipped her tea, the rising steam obscuring the fleeting sneer that flashed across her face.