Yu Mu’an seemed to notice it only then and said with a troubled look, “Oh dear, the door is broken.”
Ping An hurried out after her. “My apologies, Eldest Young Madam. I’ll report it to the steward tomorrow and have someone come fix it.”
“Tomorrow?” Yu Mu’an showed a hint of displeasure. “Then where am I supposed to sleep tonight? Your young master can sleep in the study surely you don’t expect me, the dignified Eldest Young Madam, to sleep there too?”
Anxin rushed out as well, like a lit firecracker “Exactly! In this cold weather, how is our Eldest Young Madam supposed to sleep with a broken door?
With no door, how can anyone sleep in such cold? What proper lady leaves her bedroom open like that?!
What are you thinking? You might as well have our Eldest Young Madam sleep out on the street!”
Inside, Xie Jingyan was still shouting about being hungry, and he strode out as well.
Sweat broke out on Ping An’s forehead as he repeatedly bowed to Yu Mu’an.
“My fault, my fault! I’ll go get the steward to send someone to fix the door right away!”
“I want food!”
Xie Jingyan suddenly planted himself in the doorway, blocking Ping An’s path.
Fuming, he kicked the already shaky doorframe again.
His large phoenix eyes were wide with anger as he glared at Yu Mu’an.
“I’m hungry! Are you trying to starve me to death?!”
His tall frame and furious presence suddenly created a strong sense of pressure.
Anxin’s face turned pale.
Yu Mu’an, however, stood straight and unflinching, even smiling calmly.
“Ju Hong, go tell the kitchen to prepare dinner for the young general.”
Ju Hong, who had quietly appeared behind her at some point, acknowledged and left.
Yu Mu’an smiled at Xie Jingyan.
“The kitchen is already preparing dinner. While we wait, I need my husband to help with something.”
Xie Jingyan pretended to act foolish and ignored her, kicking at the unstable door again while shouting.
Yu Mu’an’s calm voice wasn’t loud, yet it was perfectly clear: “It’s cold. If the door isn’t fixed, no one can sleep. If we go find someone to repair it in the middle of the night, it will surely disturb Mother.
I hear Father will be returning soon. If you cause too much trouble today and upset Mother, Father may also learn about your recent behavior…
We know you’re just hungry, but Mother might think we’re quarreling.”
For a split second, Xie Jingyan’s fierce expression stiffened.
Yu Mu’an continued with a gentle smile: “Since waiting idly is boring, why don’t you fix the door yourself, husband?”
Before he could refuse, she added,
“Surely you wouldn’t want us both to sleep in the study?”
Xie Jingyan: “…” He wasn’t even sure if there was anything in the study that might expose him.
Ping An immediately stepped forward. “Let me do it, Eldest Young Madam!”
Yu Mu’an spoke gently: “You should go help Ju Hong bring dinner. She can’t manage it alone.”
Seeing Ping An about to speak, she cut him off with a smile: “You wouldn’t want too many people to know your young master threw another tantrum, would you?
Master has always hoped for his recovery. I doubt he’d like to hear that his son tore apart the bedroom door again in the middle of the night.”
Ping An broke into a cold sweat and didn’t dare look at Xie Jingyan. He quickly slipped away.
So she had guessed correctly.
Yu Mu’an lowered her eyes, a faint smile lingering at her lips.
Xie Jingyan pretended to be a fool to avoid Hu Rui’s control, but he must have a plan to recover.
And in that plan, his father’s attitude was likely crucial.
She looked up at him, her smile even more sincere, her tone coaxing as if soothing a simpleton: “Come on, husband. If we fix the door quickly, we can eat sooner Otherwise, it’ll be very, very cold when we sleep tonight”
Xie Jingyan: “…” Now he truly understood what it meant to shoot oneself in the foot.
The Hundred Flowers Garden was located upstream along the capital’s canal, where flowers and plants flourished along the banks, filling the air with fragrance.
Lavishly decorated carriages arrived one after another.
The ladies’ hair ornaments swayed lightly, jewels glittering. As they walked, their skirts flowed gracefully, leaving behind faint traces of perfume.
Upon entering the garden, one saw the lake shimmering under sunlight. Pavilions with green-tiled roofs stood above the water, bathed in the morning glow.
A pair of white swans flapped their wings and landed elegantly on the lake, letting out clear cries.
“Wow…”
Soft exclamations of admiration immediately followed.
Flowers of all kinds bloomed throughout the garden.
Gardeners had deliberately arranged blossoms of different colors together, creating sweeping patches of vivid hues.
Low tables and cushions were set in two rows, already laid with delicate pastries.
Two ladies sat behind a table, sipping tea and chatting. A light breeze stirred, and pale pink apricot petals drifted down, gently landing on the pastries before them.
“It’s like a fairyland the General’s wife truly chose a marvelous setting this time!”
“Indeed, the General’s wife is both beautiful and wise,” came a smiling female voice from behind.
The two ladies turned, startled, and saw a woman in a gold-woven wide-sleeved gown. Her dark hair was piled high, adorned with a kingfisher hairpin that swayed vividly as she walked.
Their expressions changed at once, replaced by warm smiles as they stood.
“Marchioness, it’s been a long time! You look even more radiant than before!”
The newcomer was He Shuya, the secondary wife of the Longnan Marquis household.
She smiled and exchanged pleasantries. More people gradually joined their conversation, and before long, a lively group had formed around her.
In the court, factions among officials were complex, and naturally, the ladies also formed their own circles.
In just a short time, it became clear which families were close to which.
The liveliest group was gathered around the Marchioness.
From a distance, Hu Rui watched and let out a silent sneer.
A voice announced loudly from outside the garden: “The General’s wife has arrived ”
Everyone turned toward the corridor.
Hu Rui appeared in a flowing brocade gown that shimmered as she walked.
Behind her followed two young women, both looking just past the age of coming of age, their hair styled in fashionable married women’s coiffures.
One was slightly taller, her skin like jade, her features clear and ethereal, possessing an otherworldly beauty.
The other was slightly shorter, less striking but charming and lively, her face bright with a cheerful smile.
As they stepped down from the corridor, Yu Mu’an deliberately slowed her pace, allowing the smiling Yu Lin to walk ahead.
Hu Rui introduced her two daughters-in-law.
“The General’s wife is truly blessed such a beautiful pair of sisters are both married to your sons. And you’re still so young, yet already have such lovely daughters-in-law serving you.”
“If you ask me, the Marchioness is the truly fortunate one gaining two distinguished sons-in-law at once. That’s something others can only envy!”
He Shuya smiled just right and looked toward Hu Rui.
“It is my daughters’ good fortune to be connected by marriage to the General’s household.”
Hu Rui stepped forward and took He Shuya’s hand, speaking warmly: “Oh my, Shuya, you’re too polite you make me feel embarrassed. You’ve worked hard raising such outstanding daughters.”
Everyone took their seats, chatting and laughing.
The two in-laws became the center of attention, conversing constantly while others chimed in from time to time, creating a lively and harmonious atmosphere.
Servants served tea and pastries one after another.
A single apricot petal drifted down and landed in a teacup.
The Duchess picked up her cup, looking at the floating pink petal, and smiled.
“Beyond the misty willows, the dawn chill is light; on the red apricot branches, spring is in full bloom.”
Immediately, others praised both the poem and the scenery.
“With such a beautiful setting, why don’t we play a poetry chain game?”