Chapter 30: Spring Day Banquet
The plum blossoms in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard had long withered, leaving only lush green leaves. Only the four Green Peach Trees remained in full bloom, their pink blossoms dazzlingly beautiful.
Before heading out, Shen Shi changed into a goose-yellow satin jacket and skirt, her hair swept up in a side bun adorned with the Gold and Emerald Insect Grass Hairpiece.
Two second-rank maids led the way with incense burners, while two third-rank maids carried cloaks, handkerchiefs, and soft caps.
The sisters-in-law walked in the middle, flanked by Angelica Orchid and Zhi Qing.
Behind them, four third-rank maids followed with food boxes containing snacks and tea, the entire procession bustling with attendants.
“If Third Sister-in-law wishes to admire flowers, why not take a detour through the garden? The crabapple blossoms there are in full bloom, complemented by rockeries, a pond lined with tender willows, and other delightful sights.”
Shen Shi linked arms with Third Mistress Shen, deliberately walking slowly to show off the family’s splendid scenery.
Third Mistress Shen, a merchant’s daughter from the south, recognized the garden’s imitation of southern elegance and flattered her accordingly.
“When it comes to scenery, your estate is truly unparalleled. You’re so fortunate, Sister. Just stepping out of your courtyard, you’re surrounded by such a grand entourage—nothing like this in our household!”
Shen Shi smiled faintly. “It’s all just empty formalities. Whenever guests visit the estate, Madam Ning insists I greet them with the air of a proper mistress. What’s the point of having so many maids trailing along?”
Seeing Shen Shi’s intent to show off, Third Mistress Shen pursed her lips and praised, “Exactly. In our Shen family, Mother and the eldest sister-in-law must uphold such appearances, but as a younger daughter-in-law like me, I’m spared such fuss.”
As they made their way to the garden, numerous servants passed by, bowing from a distance and whispering among themselves.
Shen Shi grew puzzled, faintly hearing lively laughter from the garden.
She slowed her pace and sent Chun Tang, the second-rank maid who had earlier delivered the message, to check if the young ladies were playing in the courtyard. Turning to Third Mistress Shen with a frown, she said, “The Ning family’s young ladies are all rather tiresome. They’re always calling me over to join their games, but I can’t be bothered.”
Third Mistress Shen quickly smiled and said, “Don’t say that, Sister. As their sister-in-law, how many years can you accompany them? Once they’re married off, you might even miss them. If they’re really there, have someone fetch gifts so you can reward them in person.”
As they spoke, Chun Tang hurried back.
“Not only are all our young ladies there, but also the young mistresses and daughters of the main family, as well as cousins and their wives from outside. Even the concubines from the second and third branches are present, along with some guests I don’t recognize. Today, Miss Ning is hosting the Spring Day Banquet. Everyone has just finished playing cuju and is about to take their seats for the feast.”
She lowered her head hesitantly and added, “Madam Ning and Old Madam have also arrived to join in the fun for the young ladies. They just…”
Shen Shi could hardly believe it. Releasing Third Mistress Shen’s hand, she hurried to the pink wall outside the garden.
Peering through the lattice window, she saw Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning seated in the two main positions in the flower hall.
On either side were four large round banquet tables, with servants bustling about serving dishes.
The Spring Day Banquet was not a formal grand feast, as the host and guests were all young women, so there were fewer formalities.
Miss Ning, accompanied by her two younger sisters, was guiding guests to their seats.
The youngest, Fourth Miss Ning, was still playing on the swings under the flowering trees with a few younger cousins.
The garden was alive with birds, butterflies, and endless laughter, and even Old Madam and Madam Ning wore smiles.
Amid the bustling crowd, laughter and chatter filled the air.
Shen Shi stood frozen outside the courtyard, feeling as though every sound of laughter pierced her ears.
The Ning family held a grand Spring Day Banquet, yet no one had invited her. Not even a whisper of it had reached Phoenix Ripple Courtyard.
If it were merely a family gathering, she could overlook not receiving an invitation.
But with relatives and guests present, how could no one inquire about Shen Shi, the eldest daughter-in-law of the main branch?
Even if they knew she was ill, they should have sent someone to extend a polite invitation, if only as a gesture.
The young ladies of the Ning family might lack manners, but surely Madam Ning and Old Madam knew better. With all the women of the household gathered, to exclude her alone—did they truly treat her as if she were dead?
Shen Shi pressed her lips tightly together, unable to speak for a long while.
From a distance, she saw a young girl she didn’t recognize standing before Old Madam’s seat, dressed in red satin robes, kowtowing in greeting.
The girl was no more than sixteen or seventeen, her features vibrant and spirited, her bright eyes seeming to speak.
Old Madam and Madam Ning smiled warmly, taking her by the hand and seating her at the head of the table.
Shen Shi stood frozen for a long moment before pulling Third Mistress Shen away to return.
Since marrying into Ningguo Mansion, she had never suffered such cold neglect.
Especially in front of her own sister-in-law—it felt worse than a slap to the face.
Upon returning to the Main Chamber of Phoenix Ripple Courtyard, Shen Shi’s face turned pale.
Third Mistress Shen, knowing she had lost face, hurriedly tried to console her.
“I’m no outsider. Madam Ning and Old Madam were naturally focused on entertaining their guests. They likely refrained from disturbing you at the Spring Day Banquet because they knew you were unwell. Don’t take it to heart.”
Her words, meant to soothe, only pierced the thin veil of pretense.
Shen Shi trembled with anger and demanded to know which guests had attended.
Chun Tang, who had delivered the news earlier, bowed nervously and replied, “The other guests and young ladies are all familiar to you, miss. Only the girl in red is new—she is General Tan’s sister. Her brother is Young Lord’s deputy general and is currently speaking with Young Lord in the study. Aunt Cao from the small kitchen asked whether she should send a meal to the study for Young Lord to entertain his guest.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than a cup of hot tea was splashed in her face, scalding her and making her cry out.
Shen Shi gripped the teacup, pointing at her nose and cursing, “You wretched thing, how dare you speak out of turn!”
The maids in the room, seeing Shen Shi’s fury, dared not utter a word.
Third Mistress Shen quickly took the teacup, pushed Chun Tang out, and hurriedly guided Shen Shi into the Side Hall.
“Dear sister, what does a servant girl know? There’s no need for such anger! It’s all my fault for taking you out to see the flowers and causing you to encounter this unpleasantness. Let’s not go out today. Just rest quietly.”
With that, she massaged Shen Shi’s back to soothe her, called for calming tea, and made her take a few sips.
After much gentle persuasion, Shen Shi finally caught her breath and collapsed onto the chaise lounge, weeping.
She pointed accusingly toward Heir Ning and Madam Ning, sobbing and complaining for a long while.
“Third Sister-in-law, do you see? Is there any place for me in the Ning family? That heartless scoundrel hasn’t even inherited the title yet, and the whole family already treats me as dead. Once he inherits in a few days, there will be no place for me to stand! Go back and tell Third Brother that I fear my illness will never heal. The imperial decree for the inheritance in his hands is nothing but my death warrant!”
Third Mistress Shen hastily covered her mouth, soothing her with gentle words. Hearing this, she understood Shen Shi’s meaning.
So, Shen Shi intended to leverage her family’s influence to pressure Heir Ning using the inheritance.
Third Mistress Shen replied, “Seeing you so distressed, of course, we will support you in everything. I’ll go back and persuade your Third Brother to delay the decree a little, so you can focus on recovering.”
Then she changed the subject, smiling apologetically: “Dear sister, in a few days it will be the Cold Food Festival, and the noble consort in the palace is hosting a Spring Appreciation Banquet. The invitation came to our Shen family, but Mother refuses to take me. You know well, sister, that your Third Brother is useless in the Ministry of Rites. I’ve long wanted to meet the wife of the Minister of Rites to privately help him make connections, and this palace banquet is a perfect opportunity. At our usual family banquets, I can’t even get close.”
Third Mistress Shen was not favored in the Shen household. Her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law were all daughters of officials who looked down on her as a merchant’s daughter.
During Shen family banquets, she couldn’t even exchange half a word with the guests. When going out as a guest, Madam Shen never took her along.
She curried favor with Shen Shi for access to official gatherings, especially palace banquets that only noblewomen could attend.
Hearing this, Shen Shi turned and called to Zhi Qing: “Bring the palace banquet invitation.”
She added: “I have the palace banquet invitation, but the Ning family is in mourning, so I haven’t attended for three years. Honestly, it’s just a chaotic mess with little fun. If Third Sister-in-law wants to join the excitement, I’ll give the invitation to you.”
Third Mistress Shen hurriedly took it and bowed deeply in thanks.
Shen Shi offered a few more words of advice, didn’t keep her for a meal, and sent Angelica Orchid to see her out.