Chapter 39: Intimate Friends in the Boudoir
Recently, Heir Ning had been frequently visiting General Tan, which Miss Ning was well aware of.
Madam Tan was about to head to the kitchen to arrange wine and dishes.
Miss Ning deliberately teased with a smile, “Sister-in-law, don’t trouble yourself. When General Tan visits our residence, my brother never treats him to fine dishes. You should just casually pick a tavern, buy a couple of dishes and some wine, and send my brother off. Social interactions in the capital emphasize reciprocity. Since my brother neglects General Tan, you shouldn’t give him a pleasant face either.”
Her words were so witty that even Pear Moon and the maids burst into laughter.
Madam Tan was overjoyed and hurriedly replied, “How could that be! The other day, when my husband and my sister visited your esteemed residence, they returned saying they had broadened their horizons. Now that Miss Ning and Young Master have graced our humble home with your presence, we have nothing fine to offer you both, but at least try my cooking.”
She left with two elderly servants, and before long, the servants returned carrying food boxes, having already brought out cold meats, soup bowls, and various dishes.
Seeing that Madam Tan had truly cooked herself, Miss Ning felt quite sorry in her heart.
Pear Moon, who had been wanting to take a look at their kitchen, quickly stepped forward to help. “Miaotong and Miaoyun are here to attend to things. This servant will go to the kitchen to see how Madam arranges the fruit box.”
Tan Leyao wouldn’t hear of it and pulled Pear Moon back. “There’s no need for you to go. You’re here as Miss Ning’s guest. Let the maids serve you some warm food.”
Afraid of drawing too much attention and displeasing the senior maids, Pear Moon quickly said, “The sisters earlier offered me some pastries, and I’m already full.”
Tan Leyao then turned to Miaotong and Miaoyun. “You two sisters shouldn’t just stand there either. Have some warm soup and rice to fill your stomachs. Since you’ve come to our home, don’t leave on an empty stomach.”
With that, she called to her own maid, “Caixiu, accompany these two sisters.”
Miaotong and Miaoyun only smiled and glanced at Miss Ning. Seeing their young mistress nod, they playfully nudged Pear Moon forward, bowed, and followed the Tan family maid away.
Having served Miss Ning for many years, they wouldn’t feel jealous over a young maid.
Seeing Pear Moon’s cleverness and good sense, they knew it was fine to leave her there.
Moreover, the two of them had their own intentions—they wanted to chat with the Tan family maids.
With no outsiders left in the Warm Pavilion, the two young ladies sat on the heated kang.
Pear Moon warmed the fruit-infused sweet wine, strained it, and served it in small crabapple cups.
Tan Leyao opened the fruit box lid, picked out a few pastries, and handed her candies and preserved fruits.
Pear Moon nibbled on sweets while straining the wine, listening to their casual conversation.
Miss Ning was just talking about the fashionable activities noble young ladies in the capital engaged in during their spring tea gatherings.
“Sister, the young ladies in the capital don’t just focus on embroidery, calligraphy, poetry, or dressing up—there are plenty of trendy pastimes. At tea gatherings, everything else takes a back seat; the first thing they do is tea whisking.”
Tan Leyao eagerly asked, “I’ve been meaning to ask you, sister. They say the ladies in the capital are fond of tea whisking, but how is it different from brewing tea with nuts? Could it be that each person makes a cup of fruit tea for everyone to taste?”
Miss Ning took a sip of sweet wine, her cheeks flushed with a rosy glow as she smiled. “You’ve misunderstood, sister. Tea whisking isn’t about brewing or stewing tea—it’s not for drinking but for competing. They compete over who can create the best color and the most exquisite designs. You saw it at the Spring Day Banquet—I whisked one cup with a distant boat in a landscape and another with a kingfisher perched on a branch.”
Tan Leyao clapped her hands and laughed, “So that’s what it was! I only said the tea had a rich, clear aroma, looking like creamy porridge, and you could paint landscapes and flowers on it—truly admirable. And to think your household has perfected even the art of drinking tea!”
Miss Ning waved her hand with a smile, “These are just the basics every girl in the capital is expected to know. What I did with tea whisking is nothing special. If I were to bring it to a grand tea gathering outside, it would hardly be worth showing off. I’ve brought you a set of twelve tea whisking tools—don’t mind if they’re crude, just play around with them. If you’re serious about learning, you’ll pick it up in a few days.”
Tan Leyao sighed for a long while, feeling somewhat ashamed of herself.
“In the north, we make thick tea, adding good tea leaves with fresh fruits and spices—that’s considered decent for entertaining guests. How would we know about such things? That day, seeing you whisk tea, I was utterly stunned. When I told my sister-in-law about it, she didn’t even believe me. With my clumsy hands and feet, how could I ever learn such a skill? I’d only make people laugh their teeth out, and I’d be troubling you for nothing.”
Miss Ning took her hand and smiled, “You’re too impatient—I haven’t finished yet. Besides tea whisking, there’s also incense-making, flower arranging, and hanging scrolls. You don’t need to master them all; just knowing one or two will allow you to join in conversations during gatherings, so you won’t feel left out. As for games like backgammon and Go, they involve betting and prizes—mostly played by married ladies, so we don’t engage in them much.”
Though these words were spoken lightly, Tan Leyao realized she knew none of them and couldn’t help but grow anxious.
Seeing her distress, Miss Ning finally laughed, “Among noble daughters from prominent families, many excel at these things, but that doesn’t necessarily highlight one’s individuality. I’ve already thought of this for you, sister. In recent years, the capital has caught some trend—games once played by gentlemen at banquets have now made their way into the inner quarters. Pitch-pot, cuju, kickball, and stickball are all considered proper skills. Tell me, dear sister, do you know how to ride a horse?”
Tan Leyao eagerly replied, “I can ride!”
Miss Ning smiled delightedly, “If you can ride, learning polo will be twice as easy. In the capital, nothing else matters much—if a girl knows how to play polo, what is there to worry about? Just come to my home. Behind our garden, there’s a polo field. I’ll teach you the basics, and you can start by riding my horse.”
Overjoyed, Tan Leyao quickly said, “When I came to the capital this time, I brought all four of my usual horses. The north may lack in other things, but its horses are excellent. I even wanted to pick one to gift you.”
Miss Ning shook her head with a smile, “You don’t understand, sister. Polo horses are different from ordinary riding horses or even warhorses—they must be specially trained to play the game.”
Hearing this, Tan Leyao could only marvel, “In the capital, even play has such intricacies! Thankfully, I have you to teach me. Otherwise, as an outsider and a country girl, who would bother telling me?”
She had a good tolerance for alcohol, having drunk seven or eight cups of sweet wine without a hint of redness on her face.
Miss Ning, after only three cups, had cheeks as pink as peach blossoms and said, “Dear sister, you drink on your own—I dare not have more. If my brother sees me like this later, he might scold me.”
Tan Leyao wouldn’t hear of it, insisting, “What’s the harm in having one or two more cups? Sister, you have such a light capacity!”
The two drank another cup, chatting excitedly about the joys of their inner quarters.
Pear Moon sat below, having eaten her fill of pastries and secretly taken half a sip of wine.
The wine was fragrant with floral notes, rich and sweet as honey syrup—something she had never encountered before.
These daughters of noble families lived lives of comfort and luxury, never wanting for food or clothing.
Pear Moon genuinely envied them, yet she also knew that life was inherently unfair, and envy was futile.
Living one’s own life with care was the foundation for the future.
After a long while, Madam Tan returned to refill the wine and add more dishes. After drinking a few more cups, she cheerfully said:
“Just now, I heard from Young Master that the day after tomorrow, Ningguo Mansion is hosting a banquet with opera performances, inviting Eunuch Lu from the Directorate of Ceremonial. They specifically asked my husband, General Tan, to accompany him.”
Pear Moon was warming the wine at the time. Upon hearing this, she quickly looked up and saw Miss Ning smiling as she asked:
“If it were an ordinary guest, it would be customary to bring the ladies along for a day of festivities. Unfortunately, the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial have no families. Since General Tan is Eunuch Lu’s godson, it would be just as fitting for you, sister-in-law, and your sister to attend. When I return, I’ll have Mother send an invitation. Would you and your sister like to come together?”