Lady of Fortune, Jiao Niang

Chapter 197

Upon hearing this, Dong Shi frowned.

Among these noble ladies, Dong Shi's status wasn't much to speak of. She currently had no husband's family to rely on, and though she had an orchard, it couldn't be called a great enterprise. But her brother had gained the emperor's favor, and Princess Huaning was also on good terms with her, which was why she could host this Qixi banquet.

Most who came were daughters of prominent families and wives from high-ranking households, all people who valued face and reputation. Who would cause a scene at such a time?

Ye Jiao was also somewhat puzzled. She forgot about eating the lychee she had just peeled and only looked at Dong Shi, saying softly: "Should we go out and look?"

Since there were other people in this room, Dong Shi didn't want to make a big fuss, so she first replied quietly: "No rush." Then she looked at the servant woman: "Could you see clearly who they were?"

"One of them is Master Lu's eldest daughter. I couldn't tell who the other was, but from her dress and appearance, she seems to be an unmarried young lady."

"They're arguing in the garden?"

"Not exactly. As soon as there was a sign of trouble, Miss Meng had people escort them to the bamboo grove on the west side of the garden."

Hearing this, Dong Shi and Ye Jiao exchanged glances, both knowing in their hearts that this Miss Meng was most likely Meng Zhilan.

Dong Shi thought for a moment and remembered that this Master Lu was also an official in the Bureau of Military Affairs, essentially Shi Tianrui's deputy.

Since he was Shi Tianrui's colleague, Dong Shi naturally had to intervene. She stood up: "Come, let's go take a look."

Ye Jiao also spat out the lychee pit in her mouth, threw it into the porcelain jar beside her, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and followed.

When they entered the garden, it was still a lively scene.

The unmarried young ladies gathered together, threading seven-hole needles, casting needles to test their skill, and some paired up to collect dew from tree leaves in the garden. Legend said this dew was the tears shed when the Cowherd and Weaver Girl met, and applying it to eyes and hands would make one's eyes bright and hands skillful.

On the other side, the married women weren't idle either. They naturally didn't need to pray for marriage anymore, so they gathered to play backgammon or competed at arrow throwing, finding their own entertainment.

This put Dong Shi's mind at ease somewhat. After all, she was the one organizing this banquet, and if something went wrong, she would probably end up losing face.

Her expression showed no trace of tension as she smiled and greeted the noble ladies she passed.

Ye Jiao, watching from the side, discovered that Dong Shi knew everyone she met, not only able to call them by name but also state their status. Even relatives eight times removed, she remembered clearly.

For instance, the one who had just passed seemed to be the child of the third brother-in-law of the aunt of the Second Sister-in-law of Dong Shi's hometown uncle, which made Ye Jiao's head ache just listening.

When the two reached a winding path where it was much quieter around them, Ye Jiao linked arms with Dong Shi and sighed: "Ying Xiu truly has an excellent memory, remembering all these people. It's really not easy."

Dong Shi smiled and patted the back of Ye Jiao's hand, replying softly: "After all, I've lived in the capital for a long time, so it's normal to know many people."

But there was another thing Dong Shi didn't say explicitly.

When she was at the Wen family before, her days had been quite dull. It wasn't that she lacked food or clothing, but when she returned home, she had to face the squabbles of several concubines, constantly having to deal with that fool Sun causing trouble. Dong Shi found it tiresome, which was why she often went out, thus getting to know many people.

This also had some benefits. At least now that she lived alone, those she had befriended before would give her some consideration.

Dong Shi didn't mind whether they were sincere or fake. Her brother was her own, her friends were her own. If you had backing, you should use it well. There was nothing to hide or be secretive about. In Dong Shi's view, those who looked down on her yet still had to flatter her were the most pitiful, probably holding back so much anger in private.

But Dong Shi never told Ye Jiao these things. People ultimately had to look forward. She also had Liu Rong now, so there was no need to constantly bring up old grievances for sympathy.

Ye Jiao treated her well regardless of her status, so Dong Shi naturally only wanted to tell her happy things.

However, having Ye Jiao come out with her now still made Dong Shi somewhat hesitant. She stopped before going out and said to Ye Jiao: "Although the women who came are all concerned with reputation and won't make too much of a scene, arguments inevitably pollute the ears and eyes. Jiao Niang, you'd better not go look."

Ye Jiao gently shook her head: "Fifth Miss Meng is also outside. I'm going to see her."

Only then did Dong Shi remember that Miss Meng was also outside, so she said nothing more and walked out with Ye Jiao.

As soon as they stepped out, they could see the servant women standing outside the bamboo grove.

Since there were only fruit trees in this area, which weren't very tall and became rather stuffy in summer, Dong Shi had people plant a bamboo grove to the south.

Even in the current dog days of summer, one could feel the cool breeze that came after wind blew through the bamboo leaves, and the rustling sound of the bamboo was particularly pleasant.

Upon seeing Dong Shi and Ye Jiao, the servant woman stepped aside slightly and quietly curtsied.

Ye Jiao recognized her as the Meng family servant who had come to report earlier. Presumably Fifth Miss Meng was inside, so Ye Jiao walked in with some curiosity.

As soon as she entered the bamboo grove, she heard a pitiful sobbing sound, followed by a clear female voice: "Cry, cry, cry, all you know is crying. If it were someone else, they might think you understand shame, but what respectable, dignified woman would do what you've done?"

Dong Shi could tell these words were quite harsh, so she quickened her pace. Then she saw a woman in a blue dress standing with her hands on her hips, while a girl in moon-white dress sat collapsed on the ground. Obviously, the commotion just now had been caused by these two.

Perhaps because these two were too conspicuous, neither Ye Jiao nor Dong Shi had time to look for where Fifth Miss Meng was before they heard the woman in blue say: "Since you shamelessly married my father as a concubine, debasing yourself, you should know that you shouldn't come to such occasions in the future. What's the point of crying now? Who are you putting on this show for?"

These words seemed to provoke the woman on the ground, making her cry even louder, her handkerchief unable to cover her face.

Ye Jiao stared at her profile for a while before realizing, wasn't this Fourth Miss Zhu?

Dong Shi also recognized both of them and held Ye Jiao back from going forward, only saying quietly: "That one in the blue dress is Eldest Miss Lu. I think you also recognize the one in moon-white, she's the former legitimate daughter of the Zhu family."

Ye Jiao's eyes showed some confusion as she said softly: "Didn't they say the Zhu family had all been banished from the capital?"

Dong Shi lowered her voice even more, covering her mouth with her handkerchief before saying: "The Zhu family was banished from the capital, but the current emperor is benevolent and still gave them time to arrange their children's marriages. Otherwise, with their criminal status, those daughters probably wouldn't have been able to marry."

Just this point alone made Dong Shi feel that Chu Chengyun was a benevolent ruler.

Ordinary emperors rarely had such tolerance. The Zhu family's connection to the two princes meant they should have faced exile at minimum, yet Chu Chengyun could still wait for them to finish arranging their children's marriages before issuing punishment. Such magnanimity was truly rare.

But the Zhu family's marriage arrangements in the capital had also caused quite a stir, providing much gossip for after-dinner conversations. Fourth Miss Zhu was mentioned most often among them.

Dong Shi saw they would probably argue for a while longer, so she took the opportunity to continue telling Ye Jiao: "Originally, the Zhu family had arranged for their legitimate fourth daughter to marry a talented man. Although he was posted to a remote position, life would probably be comfortable, and she would be the main wife and mistress. But Fourth Miss Zhu looked down on him and found ways to stay in the capital. Somehow she ended up with Master Lu, who's over 40. The originally intended groom married a daughter from a concubine."

Little Ginseng couldn't quite distinguish between legitimate daughters and daughters of concubines. After all, most people she knew only had one wife and rarely took concubines, so Ye Jiao didn't understand these distinctions deeply.

But hearing Dong Shi say this, Ye Jiao thought carefully and said: "It seems like she lost out considerably?"

Dong Shi nodded gently: "She lost big time."

A legitimate daughter becoming a concubine was already despised by other noble ladies. Moreover, the Zhu family had committed crimes and the whole clan had moved away from the capital. Even though she stayed in this prosperous place, without family backing, her days would probably be as difficult as they could get.

Fourth Miss Zhu didn't know that Dong Shi was discussing her not far away. At this moment, Fourth Miss Zhu was so frustrated she wanted to vomit blood.

She had indeed wanted to come this time, hoping to see friends she had been close with before.

Life at the Lu residence was actually quite difficult. Fourth Miss Zhu was inexperienced and not very scheming, otherwise she wouldn't have done so many foolish things.

Originally a spoiled daughter at home, she had thought becoming a concubine was a way to gain a man's sympathy and affection. But after actually becoming a valued concubine, she learned what it meant to kneel to people every day. Without family backing, even the favored servants in the household could bully her.

Only then did Fourth Miss Zhu want to find other solutions for herself.

For this, she had begged Master Lu for a long time before getting the chance to go out during the Qixi Festival.

Perhaps she herself was disgusted by her current concubine status, so she hadn't dressed as a married woman but still wore the moon-white dress she liked, hoping to blend into the crowd and find some people.

Who would have thought that before she even entered, she would be so unlucky as to be recognized by Eldest Miss Lu, who had just arrived and immediately wanted to scold her.

In such a setting, if Fourth Miss Zhu had gotten in, the Lu family's face would have been lost until next year!

It was Fifth Miss Meng who was quick-thinking. She had people stop Eldest Miss Lu on one side while having servants subdue Fourth Miss Zhu and drag her out.

Since it was these same servants who had dealt with Fourth Miss Zhu last time, they were quite experienced at this work.

But Fourth Miss Zhu didn't recognize these people and only felt anxious and panicked. Besides crying, she knew nothing else to do. Unfortunately, Eldest Miss Lu wasn't buying her act. The more Fourth Miss Zhu cried, the harsher Eldest Miss Lu scolded. Even without using vulgar words, just her indirect accusations were enough to make Fourth Miss Zhu want to die.

Having no other choice, Fourth Miss Zhu could only look up at Eldest Miss Lu: "Miss, there are distinctions of rank. No matter what, I'm still your elder..."

"Slap!"

Eldest Miss Lu was no pushover. She had a fierce and domineering nature anyway, so without needing anyone else, she slapped Fourth Miss Zhu herself, making her mouth bleed and her fair cheek immediately swell up. Eldest Miss Lu showed no mercy, only saying coldly: "Shut up. I have only one mother. What thing are you to talk to me about rank?"

She was truly angry, feeling her father was useless for being fooled by this woman and bringing her home, making the Lu family, a respectable household, become the laughingstock of the entire city. Even commoners could gossip about the affairs of the Lu and Zhu families. How could Eldest Miss Lu not be angry?

Fourth Miss Zhu was really crying now, though it was unclear whether from the pain of being hit or from being angered by Eldest Miss Lu.

Seeing that they had come to blows, Dong Shi could no longer remain silent. She walked forward a few steps and said with a smile: "Eldest Miss Lu, what's wrong? Such a temper! Calm down first, be careful not to hurt your hand."

Although Eldest Miss Lu wished she could tie up Fourth Miss Zhu and leave her there, facing Dong Shi, she still controlled her anger and smiled: "Dong Shi, my greetings. My family affairs have disturbed Dong Shi, which is truly my fault." Then Eldest Miss Lu said to Ye Jiao: "Lady Qi."

Ye Jiao smiled at her but didn't speak, instead turning her eyes to search around.

While Dong Shi exchanged pleasantries with Eldest Miss Lu, speaking conventional words, Fourth Miss Zhu was thoroughly tied up by the servants with her mouth gagged. But Ye Jiao paid no attention to any of this. After all, neither the Lu family nor the Zhu family had any connection to her. Ye Jiao only wanted to see where her future sister-in-law was.

Soon, Ye Jiao spotted Fifth Miss Meng standing not far away.

The woman under the green bamboo wore a bamboo-green straight robe, with a graceful figure and pretty features. Seeing Ye Jiao look at her, she smiled before speaking and walked forward with slow steps, curtsying slightly: "Lady Qi."

Ye Jiao immediately returned the courtesy. She had always kept Lady Liu's teachings in her heart, and various etiquette had become reflexive.

Then Ye Jiao looked at Fifth Miss Meng: "You must be Hui Niang's sister." Looking at her features, she resembled Empress Meng by seven or eight parts, and her bearing was equally steady and composed.

Fifth Miss Meng smiled and nodded, though she felt somewhat nervous inside.

Actually, Empress Meng had long told her about Ye Jiao. Since the Meng family was to marry into the Qi family, Fifth Miss Meng and Ye Jiao would be sisters-in-law and would inevitably interact. Empress Meng had previously told her: "Jiao Niang has a good temperament. If you treat her well, she'll treat you well. Remember not to use any schemes on her. You must remember, family harmony brings prosperity to all."

In Meng Zhilan's heart, her sister Meng Huirou was the most intelligent woman in the world. A woman who could sit securely in the empress position was naturally different, and a woman favored by Empress Meng must also be quite formidable.

Before coming, Fifth Miss Meng had wrinkled two or three handkerchiefs, her heart pounding.

Even during her previous chance encounters with Third Master Qi, Fifth Miss Meng had never been this nervous.

But now, having met Ye Jiao, Fifth Miss Meng's heart suddenly calmed down.

This was indeed a very formidable woman, but her strength wasn't in shrewd calculation, but in pure clarity that could be seen through at a glance.

Fifth Miss Meng somewhat understood why her sister liked Ye Jiao. The more complicated one's own thoughts, the more one liked those with clean minds. Even though Fifth Miss Meng had only looked at this Lady Ye once, she could tell she was different from others.

In terms of making friends, Fifth Miss Meng's views were surprisingly consistent with Empress Meng's.

Ye Jiao didn't know that in this short time, the pretty young lady before her had already turned over so many thoughts.

She just smiled and said: "I've always heard Third Brother mention you. Now seeing you, you truly are a good young lady."

Fifth Miss Meng couldn't help but smile, her ear tips turning slightly red as she asked quietly: "I wonder... what did he say about me?"

The maid attending Fifth Miss Meng looked at her with some surprise. Her young mistress usually wasn't like this. Even though she privately liked Third Master Qi, she never spoke of it to others, afraid of being called immodest. Now she was being quite frank.

Ye Jiao really hadn't thought in other directions and just smiled: "He said you were intelligent, said you were gentle. But he won't say much more to me and his second brother, since he doesn't know about your situation yet."

At this point, Fifth Miss Meng smiled again, thinking to herself "silly boy."

It seemed everyone around knew about the two families' upcoming marriage alliance, except Third Master Qi himself.

But she wasn't in a hurry. Empress Meng had said before that Third Master Qi was different from other men. He appeared good-tempered but was actually quite stubborn. If he felt insecure, he definitely wouldn't have the mind for marriage.

Wait a while longer. When the matter that Third Master Qi and Xiao Yuanbai jointly memorialized was concluded and Third Master Qi's residence was properly arranged, then discussing the imperial marriage decree would be natural.

While Ye Jiao was talking with Fifth Miss Meng, Fourth Miss Zhu on the ground had been listening the whole time.

Being close by, she had heard every word they said.

Hearing this, Fourth Miss Zhu's eyes widened.

So Third Master Qi had a relationship with the Meng family?

So she had been competing with the Chancellor's residence for a son-in-law?

This... what kind of situation was this...

But it was too late for Fourth Miss Zhu to realize this now. With her mouth gagged and hands tied, completely unable to move, Fourth Miss Zhu didn't even have a chance to beg for mercy.

Fifth Miss Meng wasn't in a hurry either, maintaining a calm expression as she talked with Ye Jiao, as if she hadn't seen her at all.

Only when she was linking arms with Ye Jiao to return to the orchard entrance did Fifth Miss Meng gently turn to glance at Fourth Miss Zhu being pushed away, a flash of indifference in her eyes.

She had never held a grudge against this person for pestering Qi Ming, not only because she looked down on Fourth Miss Zhu, but also because she trusted Third Master Qi.

As for Fourth Miss Zhu reaching this point now, that was her own choice. Fifth Miss Meng had never interfered.

If she had really taken action to deal with her, Fourth Miss Zhu probably wouldn't have had such good fortune to find the Lu family to take her in.

Everyone had their own fate. People walked their own paths and couldn't blame others.

After withdrawing her gaze, Fifth Miss Meng resumed her gentle smile and heard Ye Jiao say: "Shall we go throw arrows together later?"

Fifth Miss Meng said softly: "I'm not very good at it. Could elder sister teach me?"

"Of course." Ye Jiao was also happy to teach her. Once she learned, having someone to play with in the capital would be enjoyable.

Fifth Miss Meng raised a smiling face, her eyes curved like crescents.

As they were about to leave the bamboo grove, Ye Jiao remembered something: "Why did you help Eldest Miss Lu?"

Although Fifth Miss Meng had previously had people take away Fourth Miss Zhu when she caused trouble at Qi Ming's place, Ye Jiao could see that like Hui Niang, she was proud at heart. This time it probably wasn't just for petty matters like jealousy.

Moreover, that Fourth Miss Zhu wasn't worthy of making her future sister-in-law jealous.

With others, Fifth Miss Meng would have given a vague response, but facing Ye Jiao, she was particularly honest: "The Lu family are officials in the Bureau of Military Affairs, and Eldest Miss Lu is engaged to an official serving in the Hanlin Academy. I naturally should help with this favor."

Ye Jiao blinked. Having been in the capital for so long, just listening to Qi Yun and Dong Shi talk was enough for Ye Jiao to understand Fifth Miss Meng's meaning.

She wasn't helping Eldest Miss Lu, but helping the future Qi Ming accumulate connections and benefits.

Ye Jiao couldn't help saying: "Third Brother marrying you is truly his good fortune."

Fifth Miss Meng smiled as she accepted this praise, only smiling without speaking.

After entering, Ye Jiao brought Fifth Miss Meng to throw arrows together. Even though they were meeting for the first time, their relationship quickly became warm.

Dong Shi didn't feel jealous and just smiled as she watched from the side, happy that these two future sisters-in-law could spend more time together.

The sight of Ye Jiao and Fifth Miss Meng playing together was seen and remembered by others.

Although Ye Jiao came from a merchant background, the Qi family had Qi Ming as an official, who was of marriageable age.

Now that Ye Jiao was on good terms with Fifth Miss Meng, people couldn't help but think more about it.

So after this banquet, there were quite a few rumors circulating outside.

But rumors were just rumors. Many people who heard them just laughed and forgot about them.

The gap between these two families was simply too large, one being the merchant Qi family from farming background, the other being the powerful and influential Meng family. Although it couldn't be called heaven and earth apart, it was still quite fantastical thinking, and no one could imagine how they would come together.

Those women who had originally speculated gradually felt this news was too unrealistic and stopped mentioning it.

But just when everyone had forgotten about it, they heard that the emperor had issued an explicit decree, granting marriage to Qi Ming and Fifth Miss Meng.

For a moment, the capital was shaken.