Chapter 31: Tan Leyao
Chun Tang, scalded by hot tea, ran to the kitchen courtyard weeping loudly.
After Third Mistress Shen left, Angelica Orchid drove her out of the Main Chamber, forbidding her from delivering messages and restricting her to merely lifting the door curtain.
Having lost a perfectly good position, she cried as if her heart were breaking.
Aunt Cao, thoroughly impatient, spat at her: “Knowing she was in a foul mood, you still rushed to lead her to the garden. Getting splashed wasn’t you getting what you deserved?”
Chun Tang’s attempt to curry favor like this was inspired by Angelica Orchid’s example.
Angelica Orchid had gained the status of a chamber maid, flaunting herself everywhere, drawing all eyes.
Even Fragrant Grass had become haughty, no longer tending the tea stove, spending her days playing around, penciling her brows and painting her eyes.
The maids in Phoenix Ripple Courtyard were all unsettled.
Chun Tang was a second-rank maid, fifteen years old this year. Relying on a bit of cleverness, she also wanted to stand out before Shen Shi.
Who knew she would misplace her flattery, getting scalded until her face was bright red.
“All the young ladies and mistresses were at the Spring Day Banquet, yet she alone wasn’t invited. Facing her brother’s wife from her maiden family, she sought only embarrassment, then took her temper out on me!”
Pear Moon hurriedly found a piece of cake and stuffed it into her mouth.
“Sister Chun Tang, say less. The small kitchen is bustling with people coming and going. If someone overhears, wouldn’t you be asking for a beating?”
Chun Tang ate the cake but still sobbed.
Aunt Cao, slicing mutton, was both angry and amused.
The small kitchen was preparing a feast for Tranquil Study.
Today, the Young Master was at home, entertaining General Tan.
He had moved his entire family from the border to the capital. Young as he was, he served as the Young Master’s deputy general, with considerable prospects ahead.
According to Shen Shi’s wishes, the small kitchen was not to prepare dishes; he was to order food from the Main Kitchen.
But Aunt Cao was a sensible person and firmly rebuffed her.
Now, the small kitchen of Phoenix Ripple Courtyard had already added the food and drink provisions for Tranquil Study, with the allowance more than double what it was before, precisely in preparation for the Young Master’s hospitality expenses.
Refusing to send dishes out of spite was a minor matter, but the Main Kitchen was no fool.
In a couple of days, if the Main Kitchen’s steward inquired before Madam Ning, how would Phoenix Ripple Courtyard respond? Would they air their marital discord openly?
This General Tan was the Young Master’s closest friend. By reason, Shen Shi should personally prepare a couple of dishes and fruits to send over.
Pretending to be ill herself was one thing, but to quarrel with her husband in front of outsiders—was this the demeanor of a daughter from a noble family?
Aunt Cao acted with propriety, unwilling to sow trouble for her mistress, and still diligently prepared a table of dishes.
The feast consisted of two meat dishes: steamed lamb and crispy bone fish; four cold dishes: ginger-fermented black beans, mixed vegetables salad, crispy fried bamboo shoots, and willow-leaf chives; along with several pastries like spring pancakes and mutton fat meat pies.
All were homely, seasonal dishes, very comforting to eat, not as ornate as the decorative platters and table arrangements from outside.
Jade Ink personally came to fetch the food box and afterward gave a ten-tael silver reward.
Everyone in the kitchen praised General Tan for his generosity.
The Spring Day Banquet in the garden had already ended. Miss Ning, accompanying General Tan’s younger sister, was also sitting in Tranquil Study.
Jade Ink said the young lady had instructed to make some Dongting Spring Dumplings to entertain Miss Tan.
For such a small snack, Aunt Cao had Pear Moon prepare it.
As these were refreshments for a guest, Pear Moon put her full effort into it. Not only did she make solid dumplings, but she also prepared extra fillings: sweet bean paste, sweet sesame, and savory bamboo shoot and mushroom.
Aunt Cao didn’t say anything, but her expression was approving.
Chun Tang, hiding in the kitchen for a long time, finally wiped her tears and sat nearby chatting idly.
“General Tan’s younger sister is so rustic, wearing a loose red satin jacket, obviously bought from the market. Her hair adorned entirely with pure gold, vulgar like a country girl. At the banquet, she kowtowed to Old Madam, and Madam Ning even pulled her to sit at the head seat. The eldest mistress dislikes her. Just now, when she came to Phoenix Ripple Courtyard to pay respects, the eldest mistress refused to see her!”
The Young Master’s deputy general, at the lowest rank, is a fourth-grade military officer. General Tan is still young, with boundless prospects ahead.
The Ningguo Mansion holds a hereditary first-grade dukedom, yet the Young Master’s second and third uncles are only fifth-grade officials.
Even Shen Shi’s own elder brother holds a mere fourth or fifth-grade position—how could she look down on others?
It is common for maidservants from prominent families to judge by appearances rather than character.
Serving in aristocratic households, they often adopt an air of superiority, looking down on the families of ordinary officials.
Though Pear Moon did not agree inwardly, she had no intention of arguing with Chun Tang.
After preparing the Dongting Spring Dumplings, she carried the food box to the study.
The Young Master and General Tan were drinking in the Main Chamber, while Miss Ning accompanied Miss Tan in the side chamber, with Jade Ink attending to them.
As Pear Moon arranged the plates, she discreetly observed this Miss Tan.
Her eyebrows were slender, extending toward her temples, and her eyes sparkled like stars—her features were exceptionally delicate and lovely.
Only her attire and hairstyle seemed somewhat outdated, leaning toward the rustic and old-fashioned.
Likely, she had just arrived in the capital and was not yet familiar with the fashion trends among the women here.
Yet, with her striking beauty and eloquent speech, she quickly found common ground with Miss Ning.
“Miss Tan, try these Dongting Spring Dumplings—they are a southern delicacy.”
Miss Ning glanced at Pear Moon and asked Jade Ink, “Is this Xiao Yue? So young, yet her hands are so skillful. I had these dumplings once at Mother’s place and have remembered them ever since.”
Jade Ink nodded with a smile, and Pear Moon bowed slightly.
Miss Tan beamed with delight and said, “Sister Ning, these dumplings are soft, sticky, and sweet—truly wonderful. Your young maid is so clever, making pastries that are both beautiful and delicious. I must reward her with something.”
With that, she slipped a pure gold ring from her finger.
The ring weighed at least two qian, adorned with a brilliant pigeon-blood ruby.
Pear Moon was startled—Miss Tan’s generosity was truly remarkable.
Miss Ning quickly interjected with a smile, “Xiao Yue is still young, Sister Tan, you needn’t reward her so lavishly.”
Miss Tan insisted, “Sister, don’t stop me. Let her have it to exchange for sweets!”
Only then did Jade Ink signal for Pear Moon to accept it, then instructed her to brew a rosehip tea in the outer room.
Miss Tan’s name was Tan Leyao, and she had come to the capital with her brother, General Tan.
The Tan family was a prominent northern clan, with ancestors who served as border generals and generations dedicated to military service.
It was only in this generation, with the young General Tan following Heir Ning, that they gained the opportunity to serve as officials in the capital.
“I’ve just arrived in the capital and know no one here—no relatives or friends. Not only is my clothing and style rustic, but I’m even unfamiliar with the local cuisine. These past few days, I’ve been cooped up in the residence with no one to talk to. Thankfully, Sister Ning invited me to enjoy the spring.”
Tan Leyao was cheerful and talkative, sincere and genuine in her demeanor.
Miss Ning eagerly took her hand and said, “Feel free to come to my home anytime to play. Your brother and my brother are close friends—we are practically family. I have three younger sisters, and we are always lively when together. While I dare not claim expertise in serious matters, when it comes to the pleasures of food, drink, and entertainment in the capital, my sisters and I are quite knowledgeable!”
Addressing each other as sisters, the two grew increasingly intimate as they chatted.
After a while, Pear Moon brought two cups of rose hibiscus tea to help them digest.
“What a thoughtful child—this tea is a vibrant red and smells utterly enchanting.”
Tan Leyao, seeing the deep red tea and inhaling its floral fragrance, praised it even more enthusiastically and rewarded Pear Moon with two pearl hairpins.
Pear Moon had never encountered such a generous young lady before and hurriedly bowed in gratitude.
The two young ladies drank tea and chatted merrily until the afternoon sun began to slant westward.
Tan Leyao set down her teacup and said, “Please trouble your sister to send someone to inquire. I should at least pay my respects to the elder lady-in-law before leaving.”
Miss Ning understood her meaning and looked up, calling Miaotong to go ask.
After waiting for quite a while, Miaotong finally returned, her face alternating between red and white as she forced a smile.
“The elder lady-in-law is unwell and asked me to send her regards to Miss Tan.”
Pear Moon, carrying the food box as she walked out, knew that Miaotong had been turned away.
If Shen Shi was truly ill and unable to see anyone, she should still have sent someone to receive the gifts and return the courtesy.
Even if a lady from a noble family does not receive visitors, she must not neglect etiquette.
Not seeing the guest and not acknowledging the gifts—she was not only venting her anger at her husband but also taking it out on the visitor.
Sure enough, as soon as she reached the small kitchen, she saw Miaotong stomping over to the side gate, pointing toward Phoenix Ripple Courtyard and shouting.
“They came with gifts to pay their respects because they see you as the elder lady-in-law! What airs are you putting on? Even the imperial consorts in the palace aren’t as haughty as you! Petty and narrow-minded creature!”