Chapter 302 Neighbors

Chapter 302: Neighbors

Today was the 23rd day of the 12th month in the 32nd year of Qisheng's reign, Yu's Minor New Year. Song Tingzhou had only attended court briefly that morning—the King gave a word of encouragement to the officials and announced that they would begin their holiday immediately, not returning until the 18th of the first month after the New Year.

After leaving the palace, Song Tingzhou returned to the Shuntian Prefecture to handle follow-up matters, gave the civil officials and yamen runners who volunteered to remain on duty extra silver to buy New Year supplies, then left the yamen to join Wu Zhaoyuan and Zhu Zening at a restaurant for a meal. He didn't return home until after noon.

By then, the smell of food was already drifting over from Chang Jinhua's courtyard. Meng Wan was the last to sit down; he'd been busy all afternoon, and though it was the servants doing the hard labor, he'd personally inspected everything, bending over until his neck ached. He was still rubbing his neck while washing his hands and taking his seat.

Song Tingzhou reached over and rubbed his neck. "What did you do during the day? Got a crick in your neck?"

Meng Wan gave him a dirty look. "I wasn't sleeping—I was working in the storeroom and wore myself out."

Song Tingzhou couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry, love, I said that wrong."

Everyone at the table was all ears. Meng Wan gave a light cough. "Ahem, it's no big deal. I'd like a piece of braised pork hock."

Song Tingzhou immediately picked out a piece of the tender, slow-braised pork hock and placed it in his bowl.

Meng Wan savored it happily. A moment later, two more pieces showed up in his bowl—one from Chu Ci and one from Chang Jinhua.

Meng Wan felt a warm glow. So many people cared about him—how wonderful!

He turned his head and saw his son eating with grease all over his face. The boy had already polished off two of the four chicken legs on the table and was still going at it.

Meng Wan gave him a look of disgust, then leaned his shoulder against Song Tingzhou's and murmured, "Has Zhaoyuan's father-in-law mentioned when he'll come after the New Year? We should get the tuition ready soon."

Song Tingzhou ladled out a bowl of mushroom soup for him. "Don't worry. I've already spoken with Zhaoyuan—he's sent a letter to his father-in-law, and he's agreed. When the time comes, it won't just be our household; two other families also want to send their children to study with Teacher Zheng."

"Good, good." Meng Wan was relieved.

The next morning, before he could even finish going through the leftover jewelry, Meng Wan had to go visit the neighbors. The ones farther away could wait, but the Chengen Count's mansion and the Minister of Revenue's residence were their immediate neighbors—he absolutely had to call on them, or it would be improper.

Chang Jinhua was an elder and couldn't be expected to go herself. So Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou had the servants carry gifts and headed over to the Chengen Count's mansion.

After presenting their calling card, they were immediately ushered into the reception hall to sit. One would think that a count's mansion, with generations of accumulated wealth, would be lavishly decorated—the Huaien Count's mansion Meng Wan had visited was indeed impressive. But the Chengen Count's mansion was a different story: of the six scrolls of calligraphy and painting hanging in the hall, two were forgeries.

Meng Wan knew this because the original of one of them was in his own home, and the other was painted by his master and had never been shown publicly.

Before they'd even finished a cup of tea in the hall, they were separated—one was led to the front courtyard, the other to the back. Though the count's mansion was also a five-courtyard compound, it was clearly grander than the Song residence, with more servants as well.

Meng Wan had brought only four young male attendants with him: Huang Ye, the right-aged Zhifan and Zhimao, and Chi Yu, who was there to protect him.

The five of them were led by a maidservant to the main hall of the inner residence. Countess Qi pushed aside the thick curtain to greet them, already singing his praises before her eyes had even properly landed on Meng Wan.

"I'd long heard that Lord Song's husband was as beautiful as jade and flowers, but seeing you in person today, you're even better than the rumors."

Meng Wan smoothly put on a practiced polite smile. "You flatter me, Madam Qi. We only moved in yesterday, and the house was in chaos, so I'm only just coming to call today. I hope Madam Qi won't hold it against us."

Madam Qi led him into the main hall as she chatted. "What are you talking about, husband? We're neighbors now—we ought to look out for each other, isn't that right?"

Her implication was far too obvious. Meng Wan didn't take the bait, just lowering his head and following her inside. Seeing this, Madam Qi's smile dimmed a bit.

The rear hall was even less impressive than the front—everything in it was merely for show, all flash and no substance, the kind of stuff you could just buy with money. Not a single one-of-a-kind piece or antique.

Yet the display was grand: servants stood in droves behind the mistress, furniture and ornaments got more and more elaborate, a jade incense burner inlaid with gold wire sat on a table, and various pastries were laid out one after another.

Several women of the household were already seated in the hall. In the seat of honor sat an elderly woman past sixty—presumably the matriarch of the Chengen Count's mansion. The seat to her left was empty; to her right sat a woman about Madam Qi's age. When she saw Meng Wan enter, she rose with a forced smile. "Greetings, Meng Fulang."

Meng Wan was taken aback. "Madam, what are you doing? I should be the one greeting you."

Madam Qi pulled him over. "Don't be alarmed, Meng Fulang. This is my older sister-in-law, Sun Shi. My elder brother holds no title or office, so it's only proper that she bows to you."

Meng Wan first hurriedly greeted the matriarch at the head of the hall, then quickly returned Madam Sun's bow. "Regardless of anything else, Madam Sun is older than I—I should be the one to offer greetings first."

Madam Sun's awkward expression softened somewhat, and the matriarch at the head of the hall revealed a genuine smile. "What a good child. When the Song family hosts a banquet, do send me an invitation as well. I've heard your mother raised her son alone as a widow and supported Lord Song through his examinations—truly a model of womanhood. I'd like to meet her."

Moving house was a major event, and Song Tingzhou was a newly favored official at court. Many people had been quietly investigating the Song family, preparing to send congratulatory gifts, but they hadn't been able to learn a thing.

The hall was heated with a floor furnace, and the charcoal braziers blazed hot. Meng Wan removed his white fox-fur cloak and handed it to Huang Ye.

Madam Sun's gaze unconsciously followed the cloak until Madam Qi gave a light cough to snap her out of it.

Meng Wan pretended not to notice. He took his seat below Madam Qi, sitting properly upright—neither intimidated by the count's mansion's forced grandeur nor smug from their courtesy. With warmth tinged with distance, he said, "When moving house, one ought to host a banquet for guests. But my master passed away not long ago, and it truly wouldn't be appropriate to hold a large celebration. My husband and I discussed it and decided not to make grand arrangements."

The matriarch of the count's mansion was startled, then nodded along. "Ah, so it was a family elder who passed. That is indeed understandable. But might I ask who your master was, Meng Fulang?"

Madam Qi whispered, "Mother, Meng Fulang studied under Mr. Xiang."

A flicker of surprise passed through the matriarch's eyes, then she drooped her lips and sighed. "So it was that old sister from the Xiang family. I'd heard of her passing—truly a pity."

Meng Wan listened quietly without responding. Madam Sun, however, gave him a surprised look. She'd thought he was just some country boy, but it seemed he had some background after all.

Connections to the Xiang family... that meant money!

Madam Sun's eyes lit up, and her gaze toward Meng Wan grew even more eager. "Meng Fulang, since you've just moved into your new home, if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."

Meng Wan gave a slight nod of thanks. "Thank you for your concern, Madam Sun, but we lack for nothing."

Madam Qi shot her sister-in-law a harsh glare and only looked away when the other woman fell silent. "Don't mind her, Meng Fulang. My sister-in-law has always been warm-hearted. I hope she hasn't offended you."

Meng Wan found the two sisters-in-law quite amusing. Normally, the eldest branch would inherit a title, but in this family, the second branch had taken it. That should have put the second branch in the wrong, yet it was the eldest branch feeling guilty. Recalling what Song Tingzhou had told him earlier, he supposed the eldest branch was simply beyond saving.

The Chengen Count's mansion, as a noble house, shouldn't have needed to be so deferential to Meng Wan. But because they had a weakness in Song Tingzhou's hands, they could only greet him with smiles from top to bottom.

Meng Wan traded verbal jabs with the three women of the count's mansion until Song Tingzhou sent someone to fetch him, and only then did he rise to leave.

After he left, Madam Sun immediately demanded of Madam Qi, "That was such a good opportunity just now—why didn't you bring up your elder brother's matter with Meng Fulang?"

Madam Qi laughed coldly. "You think I didn't want to? Meng Fulang's words are watertight—all courtesy and distance, not a hint of taking our count's mansion seriously. Do you think he's one of your poor relatives from your natal family, who'd go strutting around at the mere mention of the count's name?"

"You—you!" Madam Sun was no match for her sister-in-law's sharp tongue. She sputtered but couldn't find a retort.

The matriarch of the count's mansion snapped coldly, "Enough! The guests have barely left and you're already squabbling. You're both mistresses of households—what a sight." Her words seemed aimed at both, but in truth, it was Madam Qi who ran the count's mansion.

Madam Qi sneered inwardly but bowed respectfully. "It was this daughter-in-law's fault."

If not for the old count, on his deathbed, having insisted against all opposition that the title be conferred upon her husband, her good mother-in-law would have done anything to have her eldest son inherit. And now, though it was the elder brother who had caused trouble, she and the count had to go out and humble themselves, begging favors.

Sure enough, the matriarch's next words were, "Your sister-in-law may be blunt, but she's not wrong. Even if Meng Fulang doesn't take the bait, you should still push harder. We're all one family—if your elder brother is truly convicted, can the second branch possibly stay clean?"

Madam Qi, however unwilling, couldn't defy her mother-in-law. She could only agree. "This daughter-in-law understands. I'll do my best to think of something."

—

Meanwhile, Meng Wan was discussing the Chengen Count's mansion with Song Tingzhou. "I think Madam Qi is a clever woman. It's just that her mother-in-law isn't as clear-headed as our own mother."

He laughed at himself. "There probably isn't another mother-in-law like ours in all of the capital."

Song Tingzhou took his fair hand into his own palm, kneading it like a trinket. "The eldest master of the Chengen Count's mansion will be arrested sooner or later. Wait until I have free hands next year."

"This won't offend anyone, will it?" Meng Wan worried. The powerful families were all tied together through marriage, with tangled connections. He just hoped they wouldn't accidentally tick someone off by arresting a lord without a title.

Song Tingzhou had it figured out. "Relax, we'll just bide our time."

After the Count Chengen's mansion, the next stop was the home of Kou Wen, the Minister of Revenue.

They'd picked a bad time to show up—Madam Kou was in the middle of a fight with Lord Kou.

"Screw the Imperial Academy! My son can't go, and that little tramp's son isn't going either!" Madam Kou stood in the courtyard, hands on her hips, going toe-to-toe with Kou Wen. She was yelling so loud Meng Wan could hear her before he even got through the gate.

Kou Wen was furious. "Da Lang got kicked out because the teachers caught him fighting crickets in the dorms. Er Lang got in on his own—he didn't steal Da Lang's spot. Can you be reasonable for once?"

The servants didn't dare break up the fight, probably because they knew their bosses' tempers and were scared of getting chewed out. The only one who dared was a woman in red, around thirty, her nose red from the cold, clinging to Kou Wen's arm, she pleaded, "My lord, please stop arguing with the lady. It's freezing out here—let's take this inside."

Her acting all sweet and proper only made Madam Kou angrier. She was hoarse from all the yelling. "Yeah, I'm being unreasonable, so what! I don't give a damn how he got in—my son can't, and if he so much as steps out that door, I'll march to the Imperial Academy and report him for disrespecting his stepmother!"

The Kou family's concubine went stiff, her eyes instantly welling up, tears streaming down. "My lady, don't say that in anger. If this gets out, won't people laugh at us? Let's not make things harder for my lord."

"Who's 'us'? Don't lump me in with you!" Madam Kou flung her arm out, nearly smacking the servant who'd come to report.

The servant stammered, "My... my lord, Lord Song, the Prefect of Shuntian, and his husband are here to see you. Here's the visiting card—they're waiting in the front hall."

"What? Lord Song is here? Why didn't you report sooner?" Kou Wen's anger vanished as he straightened his robes and headed to the front courtyard. Halfway there, he turned back. "His husband came too?"

The servant gave a weak nod, catching a glimpse of Madam Kou looking like she was about to blow again.

Kou Wen glanced back at his wife and the concubine, frowned, thought for a second, then said, "My lady, if you don't want to entertain, let Shan Niang handle the guests."

Madam Kou's eyes sharpened. "Pah! A concubine trying to step over me? Get back to your room now."

Shan Niang dabbed at her eyes delicately. "The Prefect's husband is an honored guest. My lady is still upset—don't take out family matters on them. I... I'll just stay nearby to offer some comfort."

Kou Wen, in a hurry, brushed it off and left.

A while later, Meng Wan sat in the back hall of the Kou residence, staring at Kou Wen's wife and concubine across from him.

"Meng Fulang, would you like some tea and snacks?" Shan Niang twisted her handkerchief, trying to lift her gaze but dropping it again upon meeting Meng Wan's eyes.

Meng Wan looked at the plate of rice cakes on the table—only four pieces—and thought the Kou family was... also quite... something, wasn't it?

Madam Kou shot him a glare. "If Meng Fulang wants some, does he need your invitation?"

Shan Niang bit her lip and whispered, "My lady, please don't—not in front of a guest."

The more she spoke like that, the angrier Madam Kou became.

"I don't need your lessons!" Madam Kou slammed the table, shouting.

Meng Wan's head throbbed. He quickly mentioned his recent move and that a family elder had passed away, making it unsuitable for hosting banquets. After the pleasantries, he didn't linger a moment longer, slipping away with Chi Yu and Huang Ye.

As they left, Chi Yu kept looking back, then dropped a bombshell.

"This Madam Kou has a decent personality—she's straightforward."

Meng Wan: "Huh?"

Song Tingzhou, who had been chatting harmoniously with Kou Wen in the front courtyard, spotted Chi Yu peeking in and promptly found an excuse to take his leave.

Kou Wen saw them off, standing at the gate and gazing after them long after they'd gone, unaware that his wife was privately cursing Meng Wan as a seductive fox, while his concubine was enviously comparing herself to Meng Wan's handsome looks in the mirror.