The banquet was arranged in the dining hall, which lay between the front and rear courtyards. This was where the household usually entertained guests. On ordinary days, each branch of the family dined separately in their own courtyard. But today, since the second branch was returning to the manor, the First Madam personally prepared a large family banquet here, and everyone in the household would attend.
By the time Chu Muqing entered with the Second Madam, the First Madam was already seated. Two banquet tables had been arranged, one for the men and one for the women. Chu Muqing naturally took the seat directly below the First Madam, which shocked Chu Shuran. That position had always belonged to her, and seeing Chu Muqing sitting there felt as if something of hers had been taken away.
Chu Muqing, however, remained calm. As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis’s household, that seat rightfully belonged to her. She had no intention of yielding it to Chu Shuran any longer. At the same time, she was also silently telling everyone in the mansion that things may have been different while she was gone, but now that she had returned, she was once again the rightful eldest daughter of the Marquis’s family.
Soon, everyone else arrived at the dining hall, each harboring their own thoughts when they saw the seating arrangement. The Old Madam took the main seat, her expression calm, though only she knew what was truly on her mind. The Third Madam and Chu Sichun still looked at Chu Muqing with resentment, but they refrained from acting out, no doubt because the Old Madam had ordered Nanny Liu earlier to soothe Chu Sichun.
Sitting beside the Old Madam was Bai, she was the Old Madam’s niece, she was born to a concubine and therefore could not become the Marquis’s principal wife. Thus, the Old Madam had arranged for her to enter the Marquis of Yongding’s household as a concubine. She had borne the Marquis his only son, Chu Chengyun, as well as a concubine-born daughter, Chu Siqing.
As the only son of main brach, Chu Chengyun was especially cherished by the Old Madam, which in turn elevated Concubine Bai’s status. She had always been a thorn in the First Madam’s side. Ever since giving birth to Chu Shuran, the First Madam had been unable to conceive again, and thus had no legitimate son.
After a while, Marquis Yongding, Chu Changsong, and the second master, Chu Changbai, finally arrived. The two had been talking in the study all afternoon and had therefore come late.
Although the brothers shared only the same father, they still bore some resemblance to each other. Compared to the Marquis’s more scholarly bearing, the second master appeared sturdier and more robust.
They first paid their respects to the Old Madam before Chu Changsong approached Chu Muqing and asked calmly, “Have you settled in well since returning to the manor?”
Chu Muqing rose and bowed slightly, lowering her gaze. “I am well. Thank you, Father.”
Chu Changsong nodded and said nothing further.
From beside them, Chu Shuran said sweetly, “Now that Eldest Sister has returned, Father won’t have time to notice me anymore.”
Chu Changsong laughed, patted her head, and said cheerfully, “I still have a guqin score in my study. I’ll have someone send it to your courtyard tomorrow. You’ve always liked these things.”
Overjoyed, Chu Shuran smiled brightly, her voice crisp and sweet like a silver bell. “Thank you, Father.”
The First Madam scolded her lightly from the side, “You’re already grown, yet you still act like a child in front of your father.” But her tone was filled with pride. She had a harmonious marriage and a radiant daughter, her only regret in life was her inability to bear a legitimate son.
Chu Muqing watched the affectionate scene between father and daughter without the slightest emotional ripple. She had witnessed such things countless times in her previous life. For now, everything between the Marquis, his wife, and their beloved daughter seemed harmonious. She would wait and see what happened when Concubine An and Chu Nianyi entered the household. Thinking back, hadn’t Chu Shuran and Chu Nianyi been fighting like rabid dogs after her death in her previous life?
Before long, the maids carried in an array of exquisite dishes. Bai initially intended to serve the Old Madam personally, but the First Madam stopped her. On such an occasion, it was only right that she herself attend to the Old Madam to demonstrate filial devotion.
“Mother, try this stir-fried quail with bamboo shoots. The bamboo shoots are very tender and taste delicious,” the First Madam said, placing a piece into the Old Madam’s bowl.
The Old Madam took a bite, nodded in approval, and smiled. “It is indeed fresh and tender. You’ve put a lot of thought into it.”
“I’m content as long as Mother enjoys it,” the First Madam replied. She picked up another piece of crispy chicken and added, “Mother, try this dish as well. It was made by the new chef in the manor.”
The Old Madam laughed softly. “Don’t bother with all the formalities. Sit down and eat, there’s no need for so many ceremonies at a family banquet.”
Then she suddenly seemed to recall something and asked Chu Muqing, “Is the eldest granddaughter living in the Wutong Courtyard now?”
Chu Muqing nodded earnestly. “Yes, Grandmother. Mother didn’t mention it earlier, so I assume Tangtao Courtyard isn’t ready yet. Muqing isn’t in a hurry, she can stay in Wutong Courtyard for now and move to Tangtao Courtyard once it’s prepared.”
Tangtao Courtyard had been arranged by Xiao Yuanrou for Chu Muqing.
After she spoke, the hall fell silent. Chu Muqing blinked innocently and asked, “Did Muqing say something wrong?”
Chu Changsong and the First Madam exchanged grim looks. The Old Madam paused, then said, “Muqing wasn’t in the manor before, so how does she know about Tangtao Courtyard?”
She suspected that it was the Second Madam who had told Chu Muqing about Tangtao Courtyard, which had been prepared by Xiao Yuanrou. After Xiao Yuanrou’s death, Chu Muqing had been sent away. Later, the First Madam had considered letting Chu Shuran move in and even proposed it several times, but Chu Changsong refused. The two had even quarreled once over the matter. The First Madam thought Chu Changsong was still attached to Xiao Yuanrou, but the Old Madam knew in her heart that her son could not forget that mistress and intended to leave the courtyard for her.
Now that Chu Muqing had brought it up, she could not address it directly.
“My uncle wrote to me a few days ago,” Chu Muqing said, her tone tinged with sadness as she thought of her birth mother. “He said my mother had prepared a courtyard for me before I was born. He’ll be returning to the capital in a few days, and my aunt will probably come to visit me. I wonder how happy she will be when she sees Tangtao Courtyard.”
The Old Madam asked in surprise, “Your uncle is going back to the capital?”
Chu Muqing nodded. “Yes, Grandmother. He’ll be returning in a few days.”
The Old Madam pondered silently. In her eyes, the courtyard should have gone to Chu Shuran, who had been nurtured carefully by the Marquis’s family and had lived up to their expectations. She was outstanding in every way and had a good reputation among the young ladies of the capital. When she married into a high-ranking family, she would elevate the Marquis’s family even further. The Old Madam had always favored her, but now with the Duke of Dingguo returning, she had to reconsider.
Before she could make a decision, a sudden cry interrupted her thoughts. She turned just in time and was shocked.
“Chengyun, what’s wrong?” The Old Madam rushed forward anxiously, disregarding the maid’s attempt to assist.
Chu Chengyun lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious, his face covered in red rashes, looking ghastly.
The Old Madam gathered him in her arms, tears welling in her eyes. This grandson had always been her favorite, and seeing him like this was like losing half her life. She gasped and fainted, throwing the servants into a panic.
Chu Changsong erupted in anger. He kicked the nearest maid and shouted, “Why are you all just standing there? Hurry and fetch a physician!” He then turned to the First Madam. “How do you manage this household?”
Without waiting for her reply, he ordered the servants and maids to carry both the Old Madam and Chu Chengyun back to their room. The First Madam was left speechless, the incident had occurred so suddenly that she had no time to react. However, as the First Madam, she held the responsibility for the management of the household and could not avoid accountability for anything that happened in the mansion.