The Dragon Boat Festival soon arrived.
The Dragon Boat Festival was a major festival. Not only did they eat zongzi and race dragon boats, but married daughters also returned home to visit their parents. The First Madam’s trip to the capital this time coincided with both Imperial Tutor Qin’s birthday celebration and the Dragon Boat Festival custom of returning home.
Among the younger generation of the Yang family, only First Miss had married. Logically speaking, Yuhang was not far away, so First Miss should return to her natal family for a visit.
Though the Old Master had grown distant from his daughters, First Miss was his first daughter, which made her different. Since the beginning of the fifth month, he had been mentioning First Miss. From Yuhang to Suzhou by waterway was only a two or three day journey. If First Miss intended to return home, she would have sent word by now.
When the sisters in the family spoke of First Miss, they were rarely harmonious.
“Elder Sister married less than a year ago this year. Perhaps she won’t return home—it’s understandable.” Fourth Miss’s tone was unusually gentle.
Second Miss also nodded. “As a new bride, one naturally has more concerns than when one was a daughter. However, Elder Sister will surely send word.”
Sixth Miss also smiled and said, “Elder Sister sends someone with gifts every month. The Dragon Boat Festival is a major holiday, so she certainly won’t make an exception.”
Everyone laughed.
First Miss’s husband’s family, the Li family, were among Yuhang’s largest landowners. Though wealthy, they had no scholars—only First Miss’s husband Li Yixing studied at home, hoping to earn an official title.
Having married into such a family, wouldn’t First Miss be coddled by her parents-in-law and respected by her husband? Not to mention sending things to her natal family—even if she ran home every day, the Li family would have nothing to say about it.
Though the young misses of the Yang family had not yet married, which of them was uncomplicated? Who among them did not understand these intricacies?
Third Miss revealed a trace of envy. “Elder Sister truly chose an excellent match!”
Second Madam then walked into the flower hall with a smile. “What are you talking about so happily?” She held Eighth Miss’s hand. Eighth Miss looked healthier, her face more ruddy. “Young ladies shouldn’t constantly talk about marriage matches—it doesn’t sound proper.”
“Second Aunt.” Everyone rose and bowed.
Third Miss said with a giggling laugh, “Second Aunt, we were talking about Elder Sister. It’s already the fifth day of the fifth month, yet there’s been no word from Elder Sister’s side.”
Second Madam nodded, smiling as she patted Eighth Miss. “Go play with your sisters!” She sat down in the head position of the two armchairs arranged side by side at the top of the flower hall, took a sip of fresh tea, and asked, “Where is Ninth Young Master?”
Today was the actual Dragon Boat Festival, so naturally everyone would gather for a meal. In past years, several tables would be set up in Jie Yu Pavilion in the center of Wan Hua Liu Luo, where everyone sat together, symbolizing the reunion meaning of the Dragon Boat Festival. Logically, Master Yang should also come in to enjoy the occasion with the family’s women, but with Second Madam present, it was awkward for both sides to meet. In past years, he would go out with the household’s literary guests and staff to watch dragon boat races, leaving the house to the women.
“Father took Ninth Young Master to watch the dragon boat races!” Second Miss replied with a smile, her eyes clear and bright, showing nothing amiss.
Second Madam showed no embarrassment either. She acknowledged with a sound and then said with a smile, “The weather is nice today—it has the feeling of summer.” She made small talk, chatting with the young ladies about everyday matters.
Fourth Concubine and Nanny Wang bustled about. Fourth Concubine managed only the banquet arrangements, while Nanny Wang had to arrange the Dragon Boat Festival rewards for all the servants. Though the First Madam was away, what should be given could not be withheld. Only when everyone entered Bai Fang Garden did they see several concubines talking as they walked over from beside Huan Sha Wu.
Suzhou had many gardens, and gardens invariably had water features. Bai Fang Garden was no exception. Relying on the southwest corner of the courtyard, between Xi Ke Residence and Qi Li Xiang, was squeezed a small pond called Wan Hua Liu Luo. Jie Yu Pavilion stood at the end of a bamboo bridge extending into Wan Hua Liu Luo. As the weather gradually grew hot, eating in the center of the pond was both cool and scenic.
Several concubines greeted Second Madam with smiles, then bowed to the young misses. Even Eighth Concubine, who had not appeared for a long time, was conspicuously present. Her belly was already quite large, yet she had grown increasingly frail. Every step she took required several gasps for breath.
Fourth Concubine stayed beside Eighth Concubine, talking with her while supporting her. The intimacy of their relationship was self-evident.
Upon seeing Second Madam, she showed no unusual reaction. Second Madam also just casually nodded at the concubines, then pulled Second Miss along, chatting idly as they stepped onto the covered corridor.
When a large group of women walked together, factions inevitably formed.
First Concubine and Fifth Concubine were both the Madam’s people, so they now gathered around Seventh Miss.
Fourth Concubine and Eighth Concubine slowly fell to the back of the crowd, walking and chatting intermittently.
Seventh Concubine was left alone, walking in the middle of the crowd with Sixth Miss—mother and daughter neither approaching Seventh Miss nor mixing with Third Miss and Fourth Miss.
Third Miss and Fourth Miss, the two sisters, held Eighth Miss’s hands. Third Miss and Eighth Miss chattered away endlessly.
At first glance, it appeared quite harmonious.
First Concubine and Fifth Concubine were both honest and quiet people, and Seventh Miss was even less talkative. The three walked very quietly.
The conversation between Fourth Concubine and Eighth Concubine drifted to their ears on the wind.
“Now that the weather is warm, you mustn’t seek coolness. Wear what you should wear. The night dew is still chilly. If you catch cold, it will be difficult to manage.” Fourth Concubine’s voice was melodiously captivating. “Adults can endure it, but the child cannot withstand such treatment.”
“Ah.” Eighth Concubine responded softly but said nothing more.
“You should also eat more. Look how thin you’ve become. When the time comes for childbirth, you’ll surely suffer!” Fourth Concubine was not bothered by Eighth Concubine’s coldness.
Seventh Miss was somewhat curious and looked back at the two.
Fourth Concubine’s face was full of enthusiasm, while Eighth Concubine showed a trace of helplessness.
First Concubine and Fifth Concubine both followed Seventh Miss’s gaze to look back.
Disdain flashed across both their faces simultaneously.
“All equally concubines.” First Concubine’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft. “Yet some people act like the Madam… Those who don’t know might think she’s the one managing the household.”
Seventh Miss could not help but smile.
Though First Concubine and Fifth Concubine usually did not show it, their claws were actually quite sharp. When it came to sarcastic remarks, they were not inferior to anyone.
She knew this… At Ninth Concubine’s memorial, she had already witnessed the two concubines’ scheming.
“Indeed.” Fifth Concubine also smiled broadly. “Though Eighth Concubine came from her courtyard… even she is merely a servant before the Old Master and Madam, yet she truly thinks herself someone important…”
The corridor was not large. Who could not hear what the two concubines said?
Seventh Concubine and Sixth Miss quickened their pace, leaving the corridor to admire the flowers by the roadside.
Third Miss and Fourth Miss turned around simultaneously, anger flashing in their eyes.
Second Miss and Second Madam raised their voices in conversation.
Seventh Miss was somewhat surprised.