On the eighteenth day of the fourth month in the twenty-first year of Jingyuan of the Great Yu Dynasty, Jingcheng seemed a bit livelier than usual.
Dingguo Gongfu was different from before.
The main entrance had been swept clean, and even the two stone lions at the gate were adorned with red silk.
Everyone in Dingguo Gongfu was in high spirits; even the guard dogs wagged their tails more cheerfully than usual.
There was no other way—Shangguan Jin had called a meeting for the entire household the day before.
The theme of the meeting was Old Madam’s birthday today. It was imperative that all guests feel at home, basking in the warm and enthusiastic smiles of everyone.
All guests are welcome.
After all, they were all here to deliver gifts. Regardless of any past conflicts, they must put on sincere smiles for the sake of the congratulatory gifts.
As for the dogs at home that barked at strangers—
Dongmai had specifically rounded them up and given them a thorough briefing.
“No barking today. Wag your tails more cheerfully, and you’ll get extra chicken… frames tonight!”
Of course, Shangguan Jin was well aware of the immense power of rewards and understood that if you want a horse to run, you must feed it well.
She had also promised everyone in the household that if Old Madam’s birthday celebration went smoothly and successfully, each person would receive an extra month’s wages.
Thus, everyone in Dingguo Gongfu was brimming with enthusiasm.
From the hour of Si in the morning, Dingguo Gongfu welcomed its first batch of guests.
Madam Shangguan arrived with congratulatory gifts.
Seeing the porters sweating profusely under their loads, Shangguan Jin knew the gifts must be substantial.
“Mother, you’ve brought too many gifts,” Shangguan Jin said with a smile.
Madam Shangguan took Shangguan Jin’s hand and walked slowly toward the inner courtyard.
“The preparations were a bit rushed, so I only picked out things your household can use now.
Just have Chuntao and the others take me to see Old Madam. You should stay busy at the front. Most of the guests today are women, so as the host, you must be thorough.”
After speaking, she carefully observed Shangguan Jin.
Good. Though a bit thinner, her eyes were bright, unlike the calm and placid look from before.
It seemed the old master was right—something must have happened to lift her spirits.
Watching Chuntao accompany Madam Shangguan to Old Madam Shen’s inner courtyard, Shangguan Jin let out a long sigh.
It had begun—the time to receive gifts had arrived.
Let this country bumpkin witness how the wealthy families of this era give gifts!
Load after load of congratulatory gifts were carried through the gates of Dingguo Gongfu.
Outside, crowds of curious commoners had gathered.
The Shen Family’s steward stood at the entrance, and as each gift list was delivered to the inner courtyard, Shangguan Jin’s smile grew wider and wider.
Of course, she had to pretend not to care on the surface.
She signaled the servants to take the gift lists and the gifts to another courtyard.
Dongmai was waiting there to verify everything!
The visiting Nobility also knew that the Guogongfu was currently managed by only one Madam, and since it was Old Madam’s birthday, the representatives from each household were mostly women.
However, before their arrival, the men of their families had all given instructions.
They must observe carefully, watch closely, ask questions, and gather as much information as possible.
Dingguo Gongfu’s sudden grand banquet surely had plans behind it; there must be something going on.
Thus, the first thing these Madams did was scrutinize Shangguan Jin’s expression.
It didn’t seem like a forced smile—the joy in her eyes appeared quite genuine.
However, the Eldest Miss meticulously groomed by the Shangguan Family must surely possess greater skill than those from ordinary humble households!
The ladies exchanged glances, each seeing something in the other’s eyes.
Later, they would take turns asking questions. With enough inquiries, something was bound to be revealed.
Thus, by the third quarter of the hour of Si, it seemed all the families who had received invitations had arrived.
Shangguan Jin sat with the various ladies in the courtyard.
Madam Shangguan had also come from Old Madam Shen’s inner courtyard.
Oh, the Duke Anguo’s household did not come, but they sent their steward to deliver congratulatory gifts.
The ladies observed Shangguan Jin’s expression.
It appeared she held no dissatisfaction that the Anguo Gongfu had only sent gifts without personally sending anyone to offer birthday congratulations.
This Duchess of Dingguo still wore a perfectly appropriate smile.
Everyone began to feel uneasy.
This was different from when they had attended banquets at other households before.
Could it be that this Duchess of Dingguo truly had some backing now? Or had someone given her reassurance?
Everyone remained silent, exchanging glances once more.
What Shangguan Jin was actually thinking was:
Look how considerate the Anguo Gongfu is—sending gifts but not coming in person saves me so much trouble!
She preferred this kind of “gifts arrive, people don’t” approach.
Moreover, the gift list from the Anguo Gongfu seemed quite long, and the crates carrying the congratulatory gifts appeared rather heavy.
Shangguan Jin felt not the slightest discomfort.
The other ladies, however, did not see it that way.
It seemed the Duke Anguo still did not take the Dingguo Gongfu seriously!
For the birthday of the Old Madam of the Dingguo Gongfu, by convention, since both are Guogong households, even if the family’s old madam couldn’t come, the lady of the house should at least come to offer congratulations!
But then, remembering that the Anguo Gongfu was the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, everyone found it reasonable.
The most noble woman in Dayu was from the Anguo Gongfu; even the Tianjia respectfully addressed the Duke Anguo as “uncle”!
Not showing face to a Dingguo Gongfu whose Guogong had disappeared seemed rather normal.
“Duchess of Dingguo, you seem to be in much better spirits lately. Has something auspicious happened?” Madam Xu, the Duchess of the Duke of Qi, suddenly asked.
Looking at Madam Xu, who was already fanning herself with a round fan in early April, Shangguan Jin smiled.
“Is that so? It must be the new rouge I’ve been using lately.
Madam Xu, for a woman to have good complexion, going to bed early and rising early is what truly nourishes the spirit!
Of course, the rouge I apply in the morning is also quite good—it’s the new rose rouge from that rouge shop on Qianmen Street.
It’s fine and smooth, blends easily, and looks natural. You might try it too.”
Shangguan Jin also took a round fan from Xia Zhu behind her and began fanning herself slowly.
Hearing Shangguan Jin’s words, everyone was speechless.
Playing tai chi here!
Wasn’t Madam of the Duke of Qi’s meaning quite clear?
You look well—has something auspicious happened at home?
And the most auspicious event for the Dingguo Gongfu should be news of the Dingguogong, right?
Yet you, you actually divert to early sleep and rouge?
Hah, so you don’t want to engage with this topic!
Or perhaps, you want to conceal something?
Madam Xu’s first attempt had failed. She could only nod with a smile and pick up the teacup beside her.
After just one glance at the tea in the cup, Madam Xu paused again.
The expected fragrance of tea was absent; this seemed like very ordinary tea leaves.
Probably the kind sold in teahouses outside for ten wen a large bowl…
But having already picked up the teacup, not drinking would be inappropriate.
Madam Xu took a small sip, then used a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, discreetly spitting the tea she had sipped onto the cloth.
The Marchioness of Wuding, seated next to Madam Xu, quickly noticed her subtle action.
She also picked up her teacup, glanced at it briefly, and set it down again.
“Jin, dear, our two families are to be in-laws in the future, so I feel I must speak my mind.
Your household is far too frugal.
This tea must be last year’s leftover, right?
Don’t you have any fresh tea from this year?
Look at you—there’s no need to be so formal between our two households. If your home lacks it, you could simply come to our marquisate to ask for some. We have plenty of fine tea leaves in our residence.”
Looking at the Marchioness of Wuding’s insincere, forced smile, Shangguan Jin’s mind was filled with thoughts of the five times her own family had hosted guests in the past year and all the congratulatory gifts they had sent out.
Hmph, she hadn’t even planned to make a fuss yet, and this woman had already come forward on her own!