Chapter 19: The Return of Miss Yan

Chapter 19: The Return of Miss Yan

In Zhen's imagination, even if she had targeted someone, it would have been Jie, never the children. Jie's actions were truly breaking the rules, but Zhen was genuinely afraid that Jie might push hard on this matter. After all, in this marriage, Old Lady Yan wouldn't oppose it, and if Jie whispered into Yan Yingqi's ear, he might agree.

This was her greatest fear, but in Jie's view, Zhen falsely accused her of wrongdoing. If she really got involved in such a scandal, her children would suffer too.

So don't blame her for retaliating; Zhen started it first.

Seeing Zhen force a smile, Jie made her point clear. If Zhen dared to do anything again, she wouldn't just talk about it like today.

Therefore, Zhen took the initiative to reconcile: "Sister-in-law, stop joking. You're the one who truly enjoys good fortune. Miss Guan is steady and gentle. Once she enters our home, you'll be the first among us to become a mother-in-law."

"Thank you for your kind words, Sister-in-law," Jie responded, raising her wine cup as a gesture.

Zhen also raised her wine cup: "We are family, hoping for everyone's happiness."

Jie smiled.

After Yan Jingzhang's engagement, it was time for Yan Rubei's marriage. Second Madam Ming invited Jie to be the Quanfu Lady. With both parents and in-laws alive, Jie was more than willing to help.

It was said that the family Yan Rubei was marrying into was also scholarly, the youngest son of the Intendant of Yingtian Prefecture, with a handsome appearance. Second Madam Ming was extremely satisfied with this match, preparing a lavish dowry of 128 palanquins full of gifts. Previously, Yao Niang had only attended her cousin's wedding, where the dowry had already been loaded onto boats when they arrived.

Now, for the first time, she saw the preparation of a dowry. Yao Niang and Ying Niang, holding hands, watched in fascination. Ying Niang pointed at the chamber pot and showed it to Yao Niang: "Third Sister, look, there's even this!"

Yao Niang giggled and circled around: "There's even a mahjong set here."

"Third Sister, do you think we'll have so many things when we get married?" Ying Niang stared in awe.

Yao Niang thought for a moment: "Probably."

Young girls found the dowry items intriguing. Second Madam Ming gave them plenty of wedding cakes and sweets. Yao Niang asked the maids to take them back and then went to see Yan Rubei.

Yan Rubei was dressed in grand attire today, quite different from usual. Seeing her sisters, she smiled and said, "I received your needlework. Thank you."

"We are still young and our skills are average. I hope Sister Rubei doesn't mind," Yao Niang said.

Yan Rubei's marriage was indeed rushed, but she had waited until she was fifteen. If she didn't marry now, her mother would always worry. She even felt fortunate to marry early, as Zhou Lingguang's family had fallen from grace, which could affect his future career. After all, the imperial examinations required a clean family background.

Strangely, Yan Rubei once thought Zhou Lingguang looked like a celestial being, but now that he was in decline, she found him somewhat impoverished.

Yao Niang couldn't understand these emotions. She only remembered how lively today was, her cheeks aching from smiling.

Jie went to her daughter's room and saw her sleeping soundly. Tucking the blanket around her, she came out and saw Yan Yingqi waiting by the door. She couldn't help but laugh: "She's sleeping so soundly."

"Yao Niang is still young. Today, she met guests, accompanied the bride, and listened to opera. How could she not be tired?" Yan Yingqi showed rare tenderness.

Holding a lantern, he took Jie's hand and said, "You've been busy with others' affairs and lost weight. We need to nourish you well during the New Year."

Jie smiled and nodded.

Two years later

The girl's wrist moved gracefully, her fair and delicate fingers plucking the strings, producing a cold and crisp sound, like pearls and jade falling onto a jade plate. Low notes were long, high notes short; small strings quick and dense, large strings slow and languid, as if a giant bird soared nine miles above.

Yan Jingzhao, who was about to enter the courtyard, stopped to listen for a while. This piece was called "The Crane's Cry." After finishing, he heard another piece, "Guangling San · Chenzhou Dream," which sounded more ancient and mysterious, captivating the listener.

Yan Jingzhao clapped and entered. Yao Niang was still immersed in her instrument. Seeing him come in, she quickly stood up and smiled: "Why does the groom have time to visit me?"

"You've been playing the pipa and forgot the date. Today is your elder sister's return. Prince Qi's heir personally escorted her back. You should go and greet her," Yan Jingzhao reminded her.

Yao Niang slapped her forehead: "I really did forget. Mother has been busy with Brother's wedding, and I've been helping her. I've also been reading and learning music, leaving no time for books."

Originally, there were three sisters in the family. The elder sister was born several years after her mother entered the household. Unexpectedly, her mother's health deteriorated during childbirth, and she was taken by Princess Qi to be raised. Now, Yan Yingqi, concerned about his daughter turning thirteen and nearing adulthood, wrote a letter to bring her back.

He couldn't let her marry from another household with a father present.

Yan Jingzhao looked affectionately at his sister: "Go change your clothes. I'll wait for you at the door."

"Okay. By the way, Brother, is Grandmother coming back too?" Even at eleven, Yao Niang still disliked Third Elderly Lady.

Yan Jingzhao teased her: "Yes, she might arrive tomorrow."

"In that case, if she scolds me, you must help me," Yao Niang turned away.

Seeing his sister scared, Yan Jingzhao quickly reassured her: "Of course I will help you. Don't worry."

Yao Niang was relieved and changed into a formal outfit suitable for meeting guests—a long coat embroidered with gold and red flowers, paired with a necklace adorned with lotus patterns. Her head was adorned with a headband encrusted with southern pearls, making her look elegant and graceful.

Girls usually spent a lot of time dressing up. When she came out, Yao Niang complained to Yan Jingzhao: "They didn't remind me earlier. Otherwise, I would have painted my nails. They look bare."

Yan Jingzhao felt that his sister treated everyone, men or women, like sisters.

But he also noticed that she was different from others. She was clever and insightful, often hitting the mark with her words. Most importantly, she knew a little about everything, ensuring conversations never lagged.

The siblings separated upon reaching the main house. Yao Niang went to the Jinxiu Courtyard to find her second sister and fourth younger sister. They were older now and lived in separate small courtyards within the Jinxiu Courtyard.

Qian Niang held Yao Niang's hand and said: "I know you've been busy these days. Luckily, I have extra purses. Take a pair for your elder sister's return. It was too sudden, and you probably didn't prepare."

"Thank you, Second Sister," Yao Niang said happily.

Qian Niang waved her hand: "We are family. No need to be so formal."

Now that Jie and Zhen got along peacefully, the relationship between the eldest and third branches' children grew closer. Yao Niang recently helped Jie with accounting, keeping her very busy.

As they spoke, Ying Niang entered, touching the end of her braid and sat next to Yao Niang: "Third Sister, did you give a gift to Sister Rubei's son? We don't need to give gifts if we haven't come of age or married."

"There's no strict rule about that," Yao Niang knew her fourth sister liked to compete with her, often comparing trivial matters. She believed others liked her more because she was prettier, and whenever Jie gave Yao Niang jewelry, she insisted on adding more. Yet despite these comparisons, she still loved being with Yao Niang, which Yao Niang found puzzling.

Ying Niang argued loudly for Qian Niang to judge the situation, but Qian Niang, of course, kept her lips tightly sealed, not participating in these discussions.

Ying Niang was particularly admiring of strength but had a narrow heart, disliking it when others surpassed her. She loved to show off in front of others. Yao Niang, on the other hand, appeared bright and cheerful, easy-going and generous, but in reality, she was quite scheming, capable, and remarkably eloquent. Over the years, Ying Niang had never gained any advantage over Yao Niang.

Qian Niang truly couldn't take sides and could only keep her lips tightly sealed.

After a short while, Wei Mama, who was by Lady Zhen's side, said, "Young ladies, Madam has asked me to invite all of you to Grandmother's place. The eldest lady's carriage has already entered Xinghua Lane."

The three of them slowly rose. It was said that this elder sister was raised in Prince Qi's mansion; no one knew what kind of person she was.

In the carriage that had just entered Xinghua Lane, the hem of the man's robe bore the pattern of sea waves and cliffs, giving him an appearance both gentle and dignified. The girl sitting opposite him had a charming face, and her attire was also luxurious and exquisite, but she seemed restless, clenching her handkerchief tightly.

These were the Prince Qi's heir and Miss Yan from the Yan family. The Prince Qi's heir looked at his cousin with great gentleness: "Don't worry. I've told you about the Yan family. Your father, Yan Yingqi, serves as the Vice Minister of Rites in Nanjing, nearing the end of his term, with a good chance of promotion. He oversees two branches of the family. I've inquired, and the madams of the main and third branches are very kind people. Once you enter the Yan family, you'll mostly interact with the women. The second daughter of the main branch is a concubine's child, skilled in painting and calligraphy, tutored by painter Yu Zhu, and has some fame in Jin Ling. She is also excellent at needlework. They say her temperament is excellent. The third daughter is born of the second madam, Lady Jie, and plays the guqin and konghou beautifully. She was taught by a former Imperial Academy compiler, the runner-up in the 46th year of Hongxing, and excels in poetry. Last year, she wrote a poem that was praised by Minister Yan as 'our family's Xie Daoyun,' saying she has the grace of a hermit."

Yan Ningxin felt dizzy: "They're only twelve or thirteen years old. How can they know so much?"

The Prince Qi's heir smiled: "With the Yan family's tradition of passing down literature, their daughters are naturally exceptional. Even the current prime minister regrets not marrying a noblewoman. Don't interrupt me. The fourth daughter is the main madam's child, a year younger than the third daughter. She is doted upon at home, lively and playful, and very skilled in tea ceremony."

Yan Ningxin felt timid: "Cousin, let me go back with you! I can only ride horses."

The Prince Qi's heir sympathized: "It's all my fault. If I hadn't gone to see lanterns, you wouldn't have been kidnapped at five and ended up on the streets... You were originally like them, a young lady of a noble family, with everything."

Yan Ningxin smiled and shook her head: "I don't blame you, Cousin. It's all my own fault for being too playful."

"Ah, lamenting won't help. Since you're back, be a proper Miss Yan. It's safer here." The Prince Qi's heir thought about how the Lu Wang's territory had been removed and the internal strife in the Qi Wang's mansion. It was best for Ningxin to return.

Yan Ningxin said: "Cousin, we are like siblings. Now that I'm back, I will definitely ask my father to help you."

"Don't worry about that now. As a newcomer, even though it's your own home, you mustn't let your guard down." The Prince Qi's heir reminded her.

Yan Ningxin gazed at the ceiling of the carriage, wondering, sisters? What are they really like?