Chapter 55

Chapter 55

The assembled noblewomen, generally familiar with the emperor's favored concubines, suppressed their curiosity about the newcomer, each lost in her own thoughts.

A moment later, the commotion outside subsided. The Empress, now in less formal attire, emerged from behind a screen and gracefully took her seat on the phoenix throne, her gaze sweeping over the gathered women. They rose in unison, bowing respectfully.

Seated near the front, Ming Tang finally had a clear view of the Empress. Her long eyebrows arched elegantly, and her eyes, bright and intelligent, gave her the appearance of a woman in her forties, exuding an innate, regal grace.

Perhaps hearing the greetings, a woman's voice outside grew louder: "Your Majesty, your humble concubine has come to offer birthday felicitations."

The Empress glanced towards the door, a slight frown creasing her brow. She beckoned a palace maid closer. "Tell Consort De that I appreciate her good wishes. However, I am currently receiving noblewomen. Her presence now is inappropriate. She may pay her respects during the evening banquet."

The maid bowed and departed.

The Empress spoke without lowering her voice, and in the silent hall, her words reached every ear unimpeded.

Consort De's mother, the Duchess of Rong, was also present. Hearing this, a flicker of annoyance crossed her face. Silver-haired and advanced in years, her daughter, nearing fifty, held the esteemed rank of Consort De and was the mother of the emperor's eldest son. Yet, she had been publicly rebuked as "inappropriate" and denied even a brief audience. Despite her usual composure, the Duchess's face clouded with humiliation.

She couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment towards the Empress: *Without a son of her own, how dare she treat the mother of the emperor's eldest son with such arrogance? Does she not fear that when the emperor passes and the Prince of Jin ascends the throne, she, the childless Empress, will face difficult days?*

Having delivered her message, the Empress dismissed the matter, shifting her tone to warmly address several respected elder matrons in the assembly.

Ming Tang, seated behind Mrs. Pei, listened with growing admiration.

The Empress seemed remarkably well-informed about each person's circumstances. Her conversations included inquiries such as, "The weather has turned cold lately—how is your leg holding up? I shall have Physician Dou visit your residence later," "I heard you've welcomed a great-grandchild—four generations living together, what a blessing," and "Has your grandson begun his studies yet?"

Those addressed responded with equal warmth, sharing these familial details and expressing gratitude for the Empress's personal concern.

They tacitly ignored Consort De, who might still be waiting outside. After all, the Empress had declared her presence "inappropriate," and given the Empress's unyielding demeanor, Consort De would surely not be admitted today.

After speaking with several families, the Empress turned her gaze toward Mrs. Pei, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "You're glowing—just as the saying goes, 'A good daughter-in-law brings joy to the New Year.' Life must be much easier now."

Mrs. Pei responded frankly, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. Ming Tang has indeed been a great help." At the very least, she had handled much of the household accounts this year.

Familiar with Mrs. Pei's character, the Empress's eyebrows subtly arched. She scrutinized Ming Tang once more before beckoning. "Come, let me see you."

Ming Tang was still pondering whether the Empress's praise was mere courtesy or if she truly knew of her involvement in the Pei family affairs. Hearing the summons, she rose and approached calmly, stopping about three paces from the Empress to curtsy. "Your humble servant, Ming Shi, greets Your Majesty."

The Empress motioned for her to rise and studied her closely from this distance. At her age and station, the Empress no longer judged by appearances. What struck her was Ming Tang's composure—respectful without being stiff—a rare quality for someone so young meeting her for the first time.

"A fine girl," the Empress praised before sighing to Mrs. Pei. "I recall your previous daughter-in-law, Yun Shi, was also lovely. A pity."

Mention of her deceased eldest son and his wife brought a shadow of sadness to Mrs. Pei's face. She shook her head gently. "One gave his life for the country, the other followed him in death. In a way, it was a complete ending."

The Empress nodded, then asked Ming Tang, "The child Yun Shi left behind must be three now. I hear he is often under your care?"

Ming Tang answered frankly, "Your Majesty honors me by saying 'care.' A Ze is still very young. Whatever one teaches him, he forgets within days. For now, I simply play with him."

The Lady of Chengyang, seated not far below Mrs. Pei, had been waiting to speak with the Empress. Hearing so much about the Pei family's trivial matters, she grew impatient. Ming Tang's words seemed laughable to her: *How could someone who had never borne children properly raise one? At least Ming Tang was wise not to take credit for "raising" the boy.*

The Empress, however, nodded approvingly. "You speak wisely. A child of two or three knows nothing but play. Even if one diligently instructs them, they will likely forget it all later. When I had only my eldest with me, I kept him by my side for two years. But Consort De longed for him, so he was returned to her. Later, when mentioned, he had no memory of it at all."

This anecdote came as news to everyone present. Some could not help but glance toward the Duchess of Rong: *Had Consort De not reclaimed the child, the Prince of Jin—both the eldest son and raised by the Empress—would likely have been named as heir, given the emperor's evident favor toward the Empress. The current succession uncertainties might never have arisen.*

Feeling the weight of these gazes, the Duchess of Rong sensed their silent criticism and grew indignant. *What do they know? A child so young, raised by the Empress, would remember nothing of his birth mother! Besides, back then, no one knew the Empress would never bear a son of her own.*

Observing the undercurrents below, the Empress allowed herself a small smile and dismissed Ming Tang back to her seat with a jest. "Still, older children have their merits. While little ones only eat and play, grown ones know to honor their mothers. For my birthday this year, my sons have all presented gifts—I've gained quite a collection."

Seizing the opportunity, someone chimed in, "Might we also have the honor of admiring them?"

The Empress laughed. "Why not?"

She ordered attendants to fetch the birthday tributes from the imperial princes and displayed them one by one.

Naturally, the princes had offered rare treasures, each meticulously chosen to be both auspicious and befitting the Empress's station.

For a time, the hall brimmed with lavish compliments, which the Empress eventually waved away with practiced humility. "Enough, enough. They are but tokens of filial piety—small things, truly."

As the gifts were cleared, the Empress turned to the Duchess of Rong. "His Majesty mentioned that the Heir Apparent to the Duke of Rong recently won a battle. Your family has raised him well."

The Duchess, who had felt humiliated throughout since entering the hall, now straightened under the envious glances of others. She even felt a spark of appreciation toward the Empress and rose to curtsy. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Serving the nation is his duty."

Those who had found Consort De's abrupt visit puzzling now understood: *She must have felt emboldened by her brother's victory, expecting the Empress to show her deference.*

Alas, she had misjudged the Empress's temperament and resolve, and had been firmly rebuffed.

Amid the chatter, Grand Princess Duanhua, Princess Taihua, and Princess Pingyang—the Empress's own daughter—arrived.

Unmarried and the Empress's legitimate daughter, Princess Pingyang carried herself with the pride of heaven's chosen. After greeting the Empress and several elder ladies, her gaze swept the hall and settled on Ming Tang. She ordered a stool brought over and seated herself beside Ming Tang, asking curiously, "So you are Pei Yue's wife?"

Ming Tang nodded. "Yes."

The princess pouted with disappointment. "I've heard Pei Yue is a rare beauty. You are pretty, but not extraordinary. Being his wife, seeing him daily—does it not make you feel unworthy?"

Ming Tang sensed only genuine curiosity, devoid of malice. The princess was Ming Wan's age, and to Ming Tang, she seemed but a child. Beckoning the princess closer, she smiled. "Imagine I acquire a splendid gem, crafting it into a hairpin. When worn, others envy me the ornament. I would rejoice—why fret over not shining as brightly as the jewel itself?"

The princess pondered briefly, then laughed in surprise. "You liken your husband to... to an accessory!"

The more she thought on it, the more Ming Tang's analogy intrigued her. Pointing at Ming Tang, she giggled.

Noticing her daughter's mirth from where she spoke with Princess Taihua, the Empress frowned and summoned her over. "What amuses you so?"

Princess Pingyang nestled close and shot Ming Tang a knowing look. "I asked how she hunted the white fox, hoping to learn and bag one myself. Though I cannot make Mother a cloak like Third Brother, a forehead band would suffice."

This prompted another round of praises for the princess's filial piety. Ming Tang, surprised the princess knew of this, rose to modestly deflect before resuming her seat, composed and dignified under the collective gaze.

Yet the others now regarded her differently: *delicate in appearance, yet capable of hunting foxes—no wonder she had entered the Duke of Dingguo's household.*

Even their glances toward Mrs. Ming held new speculation: *Known for her propriety, how had she raised a daughter skilled in such pursuits?*

Mrs. Ming kept her eyes downcast, unable to explain that her daughter had only learned horsemanship before marriage—hunting was acquired after joining the Pei household, and the teacher was obvious.

When the topic shifted, however, she could not help but smile faintly at Ming Tang. A daughter happily wed brought nothing but joy to a mother's heart.

As the gathering dispersed and the noblewomen descended the long white jade steps from the Phoenix Palace, the strict seating order relaxed, revealing alliances and distances.

Mrs. Ming and Mrs. Pei, as in-laws, naturally walked together. After brief pleasantries, Mrs. Ming fell back slightly to speak with Ming Tang.

Mrs. Pei tactfully quickened her pace, granting mother and daughter privacy.

Their words were indistinct, but their tones were warm and familiar.

Mrs. Pei, who had only raised sons, felt an indescribable pang.

If pressed, she might have likened it to the emotion stirred when seeing Pei Ze and Ming Tang together.

Luckily, her distracted state lasted only briefly before the Duchess of Yu caught up from behind, falling into step with Mrs. Pei and making conversation. This time, the Duchess showed none of the sharpness she had displayed at the hunting banquet; her tone toward Mrs. Pei couldn't have been more gracious.

Mrs. Pei, occupied with socializing, no longer had time to brood on her own emotions.

After leaving the palace gates and bidding farewell to the others, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law boarded their carriage and headed out of the imperial city.

Once beyond the imperial walls and after traveling a short distance, the bustle of the city surrounded them. Realizing how long it had been since she last ventured out, Ming Tang glanced at Mrs. Pei and tentatively suggested, "Since we've made the trip out, why don’t I treat you to a meal at a restaurant?"

Seeing Ming Tang’s bright, expectant gaze—much like the tone she had used while chatting with Mrs. Ming earlier—Mrs. Pei felt a faint stirring in her heart and gave a dignified nod of approval. "Very well."

Ming Tang's spirits lifted instantly, instructing the coachman to divert to Tai Bai Lou while enthusiastically introducing its signature dishes one by one, reeling them off like a seasoned regular.

Having only eaten a light breakfast before heading to the palace, and with Ming Tang’s eloquent descriptions flowing effortlessly, Mrs. Pei felt hunger pangs after just four dishes.

Biting back her hunger, she asked the coachman, "Why haven’t we arrived yet?"

No sooner had she spoken than the carriage came to a halt in front of Tai Bai Lou. The coachman respectfully announced, "My lady, young mistress, we’ve arrived."

Mrs. Pei: "......"

Led by a waiter to a private room on the second floor, they were about to order when Mrs. Pei calmly listed four dishes—precisely the ones Ming Tang had just mentioned.

The waiter paused, thinking to himself how familiar they were with the menu, before repeating the order aloud and inquiring about dietary restrictions. Then he hurried off to the kitchen.

It was the busiest hour of the day, so the dishes arrived slower than usual. To avoid awkward silence, the two kept up a comfortable chatter.

Being older and less inclined to go out in recent years, Mrs. Pei was unfamiliar with newer establishments like Tai Bai Lou but knew every detail about the city’s venerable establishments.

Ming Tang, who had considered herself a lifelong resident of the capital, was astonished to discover so many unheard-of stores. Chagrined at her ignorance, she vowed to get out more often in the future.

As the dishes arrived one after another, their conversation flowed effortlessly between mouthfuls.

After the meal, Mrs. Pei nodded in approval of Ming Tang’s recommendations. "Though it’s common eatery's cooking, the flavors are quite good."

Her straight-faced compliment inexplicably struck Ming Tang as hilarious, and she bit back a giggle before proposing, "I’d also like to stop by West Archway Street on the way back."

Figuring Ming Tang, like any young woman, was after clothes and jewelry, Mrs. Pei agreed without hesitation.

The carriage thus changed course toward West Archway Street.

Meanwhile, in an alley not far from the Duke of Dingguo’s residence, a carriage sat waiting. A woman peered out, checking that no other carriages were on the street before turning back to report to Huang Shi, the Second Young Madam of the Yun family, inside. "Young Madam, the Pei family’s carriage hasn’t returned yet."

Huang Shi grew impatient. "Then we’ll wait a little longer."

Had her invitations to the Pei family not gone unanswered, had she not discovered Yun Shan’s disappearance—said to have been taken by Mrs. Pei and handed over to the capital authorities—she would never have resorted to staking out their home.

But court audiences followed a set schedule. They wouldn’t have to wait much longer.

At that moment, Mrs. Pei was casually inspecting Rui Fu Lou. Having learned it was her daughter-in-law’s business, she scrutinized it more carefully.

Noticing the meager offerings of jewelry on display—even the second floor, reserved for distinguished guests, lacked many high-end pieces—Mrs. Pei grew concerned. Why did Ming Tang’s shop look like it was about to go under?

Beckoning to a shop assistant, she diplomatically asked, "Has business been slow lately?"

The rush for jewelry purchases had peaked two or three days before the Empress’s birthday. Today, the actual day, all the noblewomen were at the palace, making Rui Fu Lou’s first customer of the day its own proprietor and her mother-in-law.

The clerk replied respectfully, "It hasn’t been busy these past few days."

Mrs. Pei nodded, her worry deepening.

She had seen Ming Tang’s skill with account books. How could the shop be in such a state? Given the recent scandal involving embezzling managers, Mrs. Pei feared Ming Tang might have been swindled.

When Ming Tang emerged from the back, seen out by the manager—whose barely-contained glee only heightened Mrs. Pei’s suspicion that he was relieved to have escaped detection—she remained composed.

Preferring to act only after thorough consideration, Mrs. Pei held her tongue until they were back in the carriage. Then she asked delicately, "Was there good news? Your manager seemed quite pleased."

Ming Tang sighed. "Of course he’s happy—he just received a small fortune." Though, truthfully, she, as the owner, had profited far more.

Alarmed, Mrs. Pei was about to caution her when Ming Tang added, "But given that he came up with a brilliant idea that earned me a windfall, he deserved the reward."

It was her own policy, after all. Ming Tang’s thrifty nature winced momentarily, but the thought of her own gains quickly soothed her.

"A windfall?" Mrs. Pei echoed.

"Yes," Ming Tang replied. Having recently grasped how deep the Pei family coffers ran through her accounting, she saw no need to hide her success. "Many of the ladies we saw today were wearing jewelry from my shop. One particularly expensive piece was bought at a high price—likely as a birthday gift for the Empress."

She glanced at Mrs. Pei. "Didn’t you notice? My shop is picked nearly clean."

Mrs. Pei: "......"

Unruffled, Mrs. Pei nodded. "It’s commendable that you reward your manager so generously. You have to spend money to make money."

Ming Tang accepted the advice. "Indeed." Spoken like a woman who managed an entire ducal household.

Mrs. Pei changed the subject. "Since we’re here, we might as well do some shopping."

Ming Tang was only too happy to comply.

They wandered in and out of shops that caught their interest, purchasing fabrics and jewelry as they pleased.

Accustomed to managing household expenses, Mrs. Pei never once considered letting Ming Tang pay, directing her attendants to settle every bill—either on the spot or charged to the Duke of Dingguo’s account.

News of the wealthy mother-daughter pair spread quickly along West Archway Street, where major customers were scarce that day. Shops yet to be visited raised their voices at the sight of the described carriage, hoping to lure the spendthrifts inside.

Trailing behind Mrs. Pei, Ming Tang reveled in the impeccable service, occasionally summoned to try on jewelry before watching Mrs. Pei give a nod and have it wrapped without hesitation. In that moment, Mrs. Pei seemed to glow with golden prosperity.

A nearby shopkeeper gushed, "I’ve never seen such a close mother and daughter!"

To him, such open-handedness was the ultimate expression of affection.

Mrs. Pei corrected him mildly. "This is my daughter-in-law."

Unfazed, the shopkeeper amended, "Then I’ve never seen such a close mother-in-law and daughter-in-law!" *Well I'll be—not mother and daughter, but in-laws?* This was no empty flattery; he genuinely hadn't witnessed such harmony before.

Ming Tang blinked, slipping her arm through Mrs. Pei’s and leaning lightly against her shoulder. "I call you ‘Mother’ too—doesn’t that make us mother and daughter?"

Unaccustomed to such physical closeness, Mrs. Pei went still for a moment—yet couldn’t suppress a small smile. And so, despite her discomfort, she let Ming Tang keep hold of her arm as they strolled down the entire street.

They had entered the palace in one carriage but returned home in two.

The shopkeeper who had personally escorted his valuable patrons back gazed reverently at the ducal residence’s gleaming plaque in the sunset, certain his luck was changing. Bowing deeply to Mrs. Pei, he said, "Madam, just send word when you wish the carriage retrieved."

Mrs. Pei dipped her head in acknowledgment. "Thank you for accommodating us."

Ming Tang smiled and nodded as well.

As the shopkeeper watched the entourage disappear through the gates, he sighed inwardly. *Truly, the nobility of the Duke of Dingguo’s household—such courtesy toward one of his station was rare indeed.*

Humming a tune and thinking about the day's earnings, the shopkeeper ambled along, planning to walk to the street and find someone to take him back to West Arch Street. Halfway there, he was stopped by a woman who looked like a maid, who anxiously asked, "Excuse me, sir, did the carriage that just passed enter the Duke of Dingguo's residence?"

The shopkeeper nodded, "Yes." Noticing a carriage parked in a nearby alley, being a worldly-wise man, he quickly surmised that they likely wished to seek an audience but feared being turned away at the gate.

Seeing the maid's decent attire, he guessed she might be from a wealthy household and offered some advice, "The two noble ladies have already entered, but they bought so much that they're probably still unloading. Perhaps someone there could help you."

The maid thanked him profusely before hurrying back to the carriage, where Huang Shi chided, "Then why aren’t you going now?"

By then, Mrs. Pei and Ming Tang had already walked back together to Jinghua Hall.

They were still buoyant from the shopping spree as they stepped into the courtyard one after the other.

The parrot hanging in front of the hall immediately shrieked, "The heir is here! The heir is here!"

Amid the bird's odd cries, a small figure emerged from the main room, taking the steps one by one before looking up with teary eyes. "Grandmother... Mother... You weren’t home..."

Mrs. Pei halted mid-step, while Ming Tang’s gaze darted away. They exchanged a glance, seeing the same flicker of guilt in each other’s eyes.

*Oh no. They'd gotten so caught up in shopping that they’d completely forgotten about Pei Ze.*