Chapter 369

Chapter 374: The New Bride (Part 2)

The room fell quiet.

Eleventh Miss looked up and saw the goldfish darting gracefully on the windowsill.

She flicked the fishbowl with her finger.

The goldfish scattered in alarm but soon gathered again, pressing against the glass and blowing bubbles toward her.

For some reason, she suddenly thought of Luo Zhenhong, who was far away in Yuhang.

The first time she held him, he had also blown bubbles toward her.

A faint smile appeared on Eleventh Miss's face, and she decided to write a letter to send her regards to Fifth Concubine and Luo Zhenxing.

Amber moved a lamp closer and pushed up her sleeves to prepare the ink for Eleventh Miss.

After finishing the letter, Lady Wen arrived.

"The other rooms have all been prepared!" She smiled and curtsied to Eleventh Miss. "Would you like to change your clothes?"

"No need," Eleventh Miss handed the letter to Amber, signaling her to have it delivered. "I won't be going out, so this is fine."

She wore a plain ivory-colored embroidered jacket, a soft blue plain silk skirt, and had her raven-black hair tied into a simple bun. Only a jade magnolia pendant hung at her waist, radiating quiet elegance—a fitting attire for her mourning period [referring to traditional Chinese customs of observing grief].

Lady Wen smiled and said no more, then checked the standing clock in the eastern chamber. "The bridal sedan chair should arrive in another quarter of an hour!"

Eleventh Miss nodded and stood up.

A young maid rushed in. "Lord Xu has returned!"

Eleventh Miss and Lady Wen went to the main hall.

Lord Xu was dressed in his usual half-worn slate-blue plain silk robe, his dark hair fastened with a bamboo hairpin. His tall figure stood straight, his large, bright phoenix eyes lively. Perhaps due to drinking, his face was slightly flushed, and the usual sternness in his brow had softened, making him appear more approachable.

The two stepped forward to greet him, and Eleventh Miss reminded him, "My lord, perhaps you should change your clothes."

Lord Xu went into the inner chamber and changed into a brand-new sapphire-blue cloud-embroidered silk robe, looking even more dashing.

Lady Wen immediately smiled and complimented, "My lord, with this change, you look years younger..."

Lord Xu slowly glanced at her.

Her words trailed off mid-sentence, and her expression turned awkward.

The maids in the room lowered their heads, feigning not to notice, which only made the atmosphere feel more stifling.

Eleventh Miss came to Lady Wen's rescue. "Is the tea prepared?"

Lady Wen visibly relaxed at the question. "Everything is ready," she replied, her smile returning. "Imperial blue-and-white porcelain teacups with entwined branches, to be filled with the finest Longjing tea."

The atmosphere lightened, and a young attendant hurried in. "My lord, the sedan chair has entered the gate."

Lord Xu nodded upon hearing this and turned to Eleventh Miss. "You should return to your room."

Earlier, when discussing the tea ceremony, Eleventh Miss had suggested receiving the tea in the western chamber, to which Lord Xu had casually remarked, "Filial piety comes first" [indicating respect for elders takes precedence over other rituals].

She had barely settled in her seat when another attendant hurried in. "My lord, the bride has entered the gate."

Yang Shi's palanquin entered through the back gate and soon halted before the steps of the main residence.

Madam Du and Song Mama helped the bride, dressed in a pink outer jacket, out of the palanquin and into the hall. Lady Wen stepped forward with a smile and lifted the bridal veil.

The air in the room seemed to freeze for a moment before Lady Wen's bell-like laughter rang out: "Lord Xu, the bride comes to present your tea."

Lü Yun hurriedly placed a kneeling cushion in front of Yang Shi.

Yang Shi, who had kept her gaze lowered since entering, knelt gracefully, took the teacup from Song Mama, and raised it high above her head.

Lord Xu accepted the cup.

Unable to resist, Yang Shi let out a subtle breath of relief as she caught sight of a young, handsome face.

She exhaled softly in relief before lowering her lashes again, though her eyes instinctively flickered to the side—where, by custom, the Yongping Marquis's second wife, Lady Luo, should have been seated.

The ornate armchair was empty, save for the vermilion cushion embroidered with dragons and bats draped over it, gleaming under the lamps like midsummer radiance.

She stiffened momentarily.

Madam Du was already steadying her arm.

In that instant, Yang Shi understood.

Doubtless Lady Luo had withdrawn to avoid clashing with the celebratory occasion, still being in mourning.

She prepared to rise, but then a man's mellow yet detached voice reached her ears: "Just offer the tea here."

Yang Shi felt Madam Du's hand falter.

Lord Xu glanced at Madam Du. "The lady is still in mourning," he said, his tone hovering between explanation and command.

Madam Du couldn't help but look up at Lord Xu.

He sat with grave composure, his brow carrying a trace of sternness, the teacup Yang Shi had offered placed casually on the side table.

Madam Du's thoughts raced, but she withdrew hastily, expressionless, and retreated to the side, eyes lowered.

Song Mama started slightly.

This wasn't what the lady had said earlier. How were they supposed to proceed with the tea ceremony here?

But now was not the time for questions.

Burying her bewilderment, Song Mama acted with her usual efficiency, taking the prepared teacup from the maid's tray and handing it to Yang Shi.

Yang Shi felt an inarticulate disquiet, but with the cup already in her hands, she had no time to dwell on it. She bowed her head and raised the cup high.

Lord Xu cast a glance at Lady Wen, who stood beside the ornate armchair.

Lady Wen's thoughts tossed like a tempest, her skin prickling as if aflame. She stood transfixed.

Was she to receive the tea?

But she was only a concubine!

Lord Xu shot her another glance, his gaze icy as a blade.

As if drenched in freezing midwinter water, Lady Wen shuddered back to her senses.

She took a deep breath, pasted on a cheerful smile, and stepped forward to take the teacup from Yang Shi.

"Sister Yang," Lady Wen's voice carried both respect and warmth, "our elder madam remains in mourning."

She couldn’t afford to offend anyone in this room, so she used the most deferential terms.

Lord Xu watched, a glint of approval in his eyes, then stood up. "Very well. Prince Shun and the others are still outside. See to Yang Shi’s needs. I’ll return shortly." With that, he strode out of the hall.

The room fell silent.

"Quick, quickly escort the bride inside," Lady Wen, recalling the coldness in Lord Xu's eyes, hurriedly put on a bright smile. "If the marquis returns and finds fault, I’ll be in for it!"

Madam Du moved to assist with a smile, supporting Yang Shi.

Lady Wen passed the teacup off to Lv Yun beside her and pointed at Madam Du. "Sister Yang, this is Madam Du, who has served our elder madam for over forty years. Even the marquis himself calls her ‘Mama’ with respect."

Yang Shi obediently greeted, "Madam Du."

Madam Du chuckled and chided Lady Wen playfully. "Don’t listen to her nonsense. We’re just servants—such titles are only for the elder madam’s sake." Then, smiling, she gestured to Song Mama nearby. "This is Song Mama, our madam’s right-hand woman. You’ll deal with her often."

Yang Shi respectfully greeted, "Song Mama."

Song Mama waved her hands with a smile. "No need for that!"

"Enough, enough, no need for all this now!" Lady Wen linked arms with Yang Shi, her tone full of concern. "You’ve had a long day—you must be worn out. While the marquis is away toasting, take a moment to rest. There’ll be time for everything later—no hurry."

Yang Shi observed her—adorned with emerald hairpins, cat’s eye earrings, a lavish brocade gown, and gold-embroidered shoes—delicate but dazzling. She couldn’t pin her down: too grand for a housekeeper, yet she had just accepted the tea meant for the mistress; too informal for a guest. Hesitant, she glanced at Song Mama and asked, "This lady is…?"

"Ah, how careless of me!" Song Mama introduced with a smile. "This is Lady Wen, our lord’s concubine."

Yang Shi dropped into a curtsy, addressing her as "elder sister."

Lady Wen clasped her arm tight. "No, no, no! You’re the Empress Dowager’s honored gift—your status is noble. How could I let you bow to me?"

Seizing the moment, Madam Du released Yang Shi’s arm.

Yang Shi forced a half-curtsy. "You flatter me. Now that we’re under the same roof, we’re family. The past is the past—what matters is the present. Since you entered before me, it’s only right I show respect..."

"Oh, Sister Yang, you’re too kind!" Lady Wen chatted warmly as she guided her out.

"Please, call me younger sister instead..." Yang Shi replied, their words trailing off into the distance.

The maids and older women around Lady Wen promptly followed, escorting her and Yang Shi toward the eastern courtyard.

Madam Du and Song Mama exchanged a glance.

The room soon quieted.

Lv Yun hovered nervously, approaching with the teacup. "Song Mama, what about this tea...?"

Song Mama hesitated briefly, but Madam Du spoke first. "Since it’s cold now, just pour it out."

Lv Yun stared at the still-steaming tea, baffled.

Song Mama caught on and smiled knowingly.

Madam Du gave a slight nod with a smile. "The bride has arrived, and it's getting late. I’ll take my leave of the elder madam and head back. I must attend to her first thing tomorrow morning."

"In that case, I won’t keep you," said Madam Song, personally lifting the curtain for her. "Do come visit again when you have some free time!"

Madam Du acknowledged with a smile and bowed before entering the inner chamber.

"Elder Madam," she curtsied to Eleven Miss, "the bride has served tea, and the marquis has gone to greet guests in the outer courtyard. Do you have any further instructions?"

Eleven Miss sat inside, faintly hearing the commotion outside, her mind buzzing with questions. She hadn’t expected Madam Du to come and bid farewell.

Traditionally, someone must assist the bride when she steps out of the sedan chair. She had initially intended to ask Madam Shi from the fifth household, but since Xin Jieer wasn’t feeling well, she had to request Madam Du instead.

Not knowing the full story, she refrained from asking too many questions and instead thanked Madam Du with a smile, telling Amber to fetch the gifts she’d prepared.

Two rolls of brocade, two of fine linen, two of Lu silk, and two of white damask—all of the finest quality.

"Please don’t refuse, Madam. Take these to share in the marquis’s happiness."

Madam Du didn’t decline and accepted them with gratitude before taking her leave.

Eleven Miss’s face fell. "What’s really happening?"

Madam Song couldn’t suppress her smile. "The marquis didn’t have the bride serve you tea!"

No tea served?

What did that mean?

Eleven Miss stared at Madam Song in astonishment.

"If a concubine doesn’t serve tea to the primary wife upon entering the household, the ceremony isn’t complete," Madam Song explained with a chuckle. "Without the ceremony, how can she be called the marquis’s concubine?"