Chapter 66

Chapter 66: The Second Branch's Thoughtful Gesture

When women exchanged gifts, they were usually small items like sachets or jewelry. Given their status as concubines, they had limited funds and couldn't outdo the wives' gifts. They typically offered handmade embroideries, and Han Yan was no exception.

However, when Duo Er walked towards the courtyard and two servants carried in a screen as tall as a person, everyone was momentarily taken aback.

The screen was adorned with pomegranates. Threads of various red hues intertwined, each fruit plump and large, revealing vibrant red flesh. The servants placed the screen before the elderly lady for her to view up close. Sunlight streamed down from above, casting a delicate glow over the "Pomegranates of Abundance" screen, making the pomegranates even more enticing, almost lifelike, with a shimmering luster.

Han Yan placed a hand on her slightly rounded belly and said with a smile, "This humble one wishes the elderly lady descendants as numerous as the pomegranate seeds on this screen, with grandchildren gathered around your knees, adding joy year after year. I also wish you health, longevity, and peace."

The gazes around her felt like spotlights, but at that moment, Han Yan carried herself with the poise of a star, ignoring the looks of envy, jealousy, or resentment, her eyes filled only with respectful blessings for the elderly lady.

Dong Yuting couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The second branch truly had hidden talents. Embroidering such a large screen must have taken an immense amount of time, and yet she still managed to embroider two handkerchiefs for her and He Jinglin. This was not someone to be underestimated...

"Yiniang Han is truly thoughtful. When I asked you to mend a garment for me, you kept making excuses and still haven’t finished it," Ceng Huiyan’s voice rang out, sharp with resentment.

Dong Yuting sighed again. Sister-in-law, if you don’t know how to speak tactfully, perhaps it’s better to remain silent. Aren’t you just giving others ammunition?

Han Yan responded with a calm, unhurried smile, but Dong Yuting clearly caught a flicker of cunning in her eyes—the triumph of a hunter whose prey had taken the bait.

"It wasn't that I was refusing. The garment you asked me to mend belonged to Zhu Er, whom you trust the most. My skills are inadequate, and I was afraid Miss Zhu Er would be dissatisfied. After all, the garment is meant to be worn outside, so I hesitated several times. But since you entrusted me with the task, how would I dare to disobey? It’s just that the Chongyang Festival coincided with this. Since I became pregnant, the elderly lady has been so kind to me, and I wanted to embroider something for her. I know the elderly lady has everything, so all I can offer is my sincerity. That’s why I embroidered this screen," Han Yan explained, her tone tinged with a hint of grievance. She then gave a slight curtsy to Zhu Er. "Because it’s Miss Zhu Er’s garment, I had to be very careful with the mending, which took some time. It will be ready in a few days. Please don’t worry, Miss Zhu Er."

Zhu Er’s face stiffened, and she found herself at a loss for words. Concubines were half-mistresses, while maids like her weren’t even half. Yiniang Han’s demeanor made it seem as though she had been bullying her. Yet, what Yiniang Han said wasn’t untrue. Although it was the second wife who spoke, not her, refuting it would imply that the second wife was lying. She had no choice but to swallow the bitterness without a word.

The principle of first come, first served lingered on Ceng Huiyan’s tongue but was swallowed back. "First come, first served" depended on who came later. With Yiniang Han invoking filial duty, Ceng Huiyan couldn’t refute her. Her face flushed with anger. Ceng Huiyan had lost this round.

Wives and concubines were naturally opposed. Even He Jinglin couldn’t help but frown upon hearing this, while the concubines who had earlier glared at Han Yan now looked at her with admiration, silently applauding her in their hearts.

The elderly lady stroked the screen, her eyes full of appreciation. For women of their status, needlework didn't need to be perfected—those who excelled were professional embroiderers. However, when judging another woman, good embroidery skills were still a point in her favor.

"This screen is exquisitely embroidered. Your second branch has been very thoughtful," the elderly lady said, shifting the dynamics with a single sentence. Han Yan’s face paled slightly, while Ceng Huiyan’s confidence surged.

"Mother, I’m glad you like it. Yiniang Han’s embroidery skills are superb. If you ever need anything embroidered, just let me know, and I’ll send her over," Ceng Huiyan quickly seized the opportunity to climb higher, asserting her authority as the wife. She sniffed lightly. No matter how eloquent Han Yan was, she was still just a concubine to be summoned or dismissed at will.

Yiniang Han trembled slightly but steadied herself. She brushed her hand over her belly, lowered her eyes, and fell silent. If the elderly lady had decided to support Ceng Huiyan, what could she do? That old hag! Han Yan took a deep breath and raised her head again, wearing a gentle smile.

The other concubines felt that no matter how skilled or cunning a concubine was, she was as fragile as a piece of paper that would tear at a touch before the elderly lady. Their spirits deflated, they hung their heads.

The elderly lady quietly took a sip of chrysanthemum tea.

Bolstered by the elderly lady’s support, Ceng Huiyan continued, "Mother, the weather is turning cold soon. How about I have Yiniang Han embroider a pair of socks for you? What pattern would you like?" She blinked at the elderly lady, as if insisting on an answer.

The elderly lady stiffened slightly, exasperated by Ceng Huiyan’s tactless behavior.

"Yiniang Han is pregnant. Such tasks should be left to the embroidery workshop. Otherwise, why are we paying the embroiderers if they’re just to sit around idle?"

Ceng Huiyan reluctantly replied, "Understood."

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Dong Yuting rubbed her nose and spoke up, "Mother, besides ordering Chongyang cakes from the East Market, I also had the kitchen make some with Wuxing rice. Please try them and see if you can tell which ones were made in the kitchen."

The elderly lady nodded slightly, the wrinkles on her face creased as she smiled like the bright yellow chrysanthemums blooming in the courtyard. "Bring them over quickly. Let me taste them. Call the boys over to have some pastries, and send a plate to the masters' quarters as well."

Just then, a servant entered to announce that someone from the palace had arrived.

Everyone quickly rose and went out to welcome the visitor. The last time, it was a palace envoy delivering an imperial decree. This time, it was Eunuch Lü from the palace, who announced that the Emperor had bestowed three pots of dark ink chrysanthemums in brown-glazed Yue kiln pots shaped like dragon claws. No grand ceremonies were required.

Wang Mama hastily pulled out a purse and handed it to Eunuch Lü. Li Lingchuan and others soon arrived as well.

Dong Yuting said, "Mother, why not place the dark ink chrysanthemums bestowed by the Emperor in your courtyard so everyone can admire them?"

Just by their appearance, the dark ink chrysanthemums were extraordinary. They were not yellow but a deep purple. The outer petals were large and broad, while the inner petals were small and tender—a variety only seen in the palace.

After exchanging pleasantries, Eunuch Lü smiled and said he had to leave, as there were other officials waiting for him to deliver gifts.

Li Lingchuan glanced at Tian Lin, who cleverly escorted Eunuch Lü out.

Officials who received imperial gifts were figures of prestige. The elderly lady was overjoyed. As the servants carried the dragon claw chrysanthemums to the Orchid Bamboo Courtyard, she murmured, "Be careful, take it slow."

Li Lingchuan walked at the back, listening to the news Tian Lin had gathered. The Emperor, having recovered from his illness, remembered that it was the Chongyang Festival and ordered people to send chrysanthemums from the palace to his sons, daughters, and officials. According to Eunuch Lü, dragon claw chrysanthemums were sent to the princes, Yaotai Jade Phoenix chrysanthemums to the princesses, and dark ink chrysanthemums to the officials.

The dragon claw chrysanthemums were vibrant, yellow with hints of red, resembling curved dragon claws. Their petals were small and thin but layered, each flower as large as a kickball, with stamens like silver threads, blooming luxuriantly. The Yaotai Jade Phoenix chrysanthemums were jade-white, so pure they seemed otherworldly, with petals clustered like round hydrangeas and stamens resembling a hint of honey in the clouds.

As for more details, such as how many pots were sent to each prince, Eunuch Lü didn’t know. The Emperor had entrusted the task to his most trusted attendant, Eunuch Huang. However, it was rumored that Eunuch Huang had first gone to Prince Xiankang’s residence.

Li Lingchuan’s brow furrowed imperceptibly.

Besides handling practical matters, they had to dedicate part of their energy to deciphering the Emperor’s intentions. After all, they weren’t worms in the Emperor’s stomach and could only analyze his motives through his actions. Eunuch Huang was the Emperor’s chief eunuch. Prince Xiankang was neither the crown prince nor the eldest son, so his being visited first was likely a signal.

It wasn’t just servants who trim their sails to the wind; there were plenty of opportunists in the court as well. After today, many would likely flock to Prince Xiankang to curry favor.

The dark ink chrysanthemums, placed among ordinary chrysanthemums, stood out prominently. The elderly lady’s smile widened.

Everyone gathered around her, praising Li Lingchuan for earning the Emperor’s favor and admiring the flowers. The second master even urged Li Bohui and Li Bohan to compose poems about the dark ink chrysanthemums, while Li Nianyao and others were asked to paint them. The scene was one of harmony and joy. They admired the chrysanthemums, ate pastries, drank wine, and chatted until after noon before dispersing.

Back at the Breeze Chanting Courtyard, Dong Yuting sent her daughter and son to rest. Li Lingchuan had disappeared during the latter part of the banquet, likely gone to Prince Yongming’s residence to discuss matters. Yiniang Wang was fine, but Yiniang Liu seemed listless without Li Lingchuan around. Dong Yuting quickly sent them back to their rooms.

The day’s small banquet began with the rivalry between the second branch’s wife and concubines, followed by the honor of receiving the Emperor’s gifts. Overall, it concluded successfully.

Dong Yuting yawned. She had developed a habit of napping and needed to rest at this hour. But before she could lie down, Xia Qing entered and said, "Steward Zhu is here."

Dong Yuting sat back up and asked Zhu Yueru to come in.

Dong Zhi brought a stool for her to sit. Dong Yuting gestured lightly for her not to stand on ceremony. "Is there something about the kitchen?"

Zhu Yueru shook her head. "No, it’s about today’s purchases. I noticed the price of rice had gone up and came to inform you." As she spoke, she brought out the account book.

While Dong Yuting flipped through it, Zhu Yueru continued, "Actually, the rice price has been unusual for the past few days, but it was only four or five coins higher. Today, when the buyers went to the East Market, the price had risen to thirty coins per *dou*, thirty coins higher than usual!"

Dong Yuting’s hand paused as she turned the pages. Frowning, she asked, "Why is that? Have you found out the reason?"