Chapter 92: Consummation

Among the noble families of the capital, it was almost customary for every household to summon courtesans to accompany their drinking feasts.

Those famous courtesans and top-ranking beauties, after visiting a household to sing a few times, had seduced countless gentlemen.

The matriarchs of these wealthy families could neither scold nor reprimand them, and even had to provide the courtesans with silver, wine, and meals.

When Shen Shi was still in her maiden home, her father and three elder brothers had all been like this.

How her father had been, she did not know, but her three brothers had all taken courtesans as mistresses in the brothels.

Spending dozens of taels of silver each month to keep someone, treating the brothel as an external residence, they would not return home for ten days or half a month.

When the household hosted guests, they would summon these women to pour wine and accompany the feast, sometimes even letting them stay overnight in the study within the family residence—utterly improper.

The courtesan her eldest brother kept outside even had to send wine, dishes, and shoes, and was acknowledged as a goddaughter by her eldest sister-in-law in her chambers.

Her three sisters-in-law had initially made a fuss, but later, realizing it was useless, could only swallow their anger and remain silent.

Such matters were not common in Ningguo Mansion. Second Master Ning and Third Master Ning, being in mourning, dared not indulge, and the women in their chambers were mostly bought from Jiangnan.

Ning Yuanjun, due to strict family discipline in his early years, had never engaged in such things.

Seeing her expression darken, Granny Zhao feared she might become angry again and quickly smiled to coax her.

“This is just a common pastime for young gentlemen, a mere act for the occasion, not worth getting upset over, Madam. Today, when those courtesans came, they only sang and served wine at the banquet. The Duke did not engage in idle talk with them. Just now, this old servant sent someone to check—they have all been given rewards and sent away. No one was kept behind.”

But this was not merely about whether courtesans were kept or not.

Shen Shi sighed, rubbing her temples with her fingertips, her eyes reddening.

Men seeking pleasure in brothels was common in wealthy and noble households. Bound by propriety, Shen Shi could not say much, nor could she restrain them.

Officials socializing and drinking outside—these were all frequent occurrences.

Even if he himself found it uninteresting, he could not resist the instigation of friends around him.

Ning Yuanjun had not done so earlier, likely because he was still young.

Shen Shi feared that, like others, he might be led astray by unscrupulous friends around him, gradually descending into depravity.

For a principal wife to be jealous of concubines or maidservants would be considered unbecoming, let alone being jealous of courtesans?

If he were to act recklessly outside, Shen Shi not only could not show anger but would also have to bear some of the blame for him.

Thinking of these troubles in the future, Shen Shi’s brows furrowed even more tightly.

There were many maidservants in the side hall, and she did not want her tearful, sorrowful expression to be seen.

She could only rise, step into her embroidered shoes, and go sit in the dressing room.

The large bronze mirror on the dressing case had just been polished, clearly reflecting her powdered face and crimson lips, her eyes soft and moist.

Shen Shi gazed at her reflection with self-pity, feeling her appearance had declined considerably compared to three years ago.

Not only had her face grown much thinner, but the corners of her eyes and brows were also marked with a melancholy unbecoming of her age.

She was not particularly stunning to begin with, and once sorrow clouded her face, she appeared even more frail and pale.

Seeing that it was getting late, Granny Zhao intended to speak some private words with her.

Noticing she had entered the dressing room alone, Granny Zhao hurriedly stumbled in after her.

Seeing Granny Zhao enter, Shen Shi did not wish to be seen and used a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

“Granny, just have the small kitchen prepare some porridge and soup. He’s been drinking all day and probably won’t come here.”

Turning around, she saw Granny Zhao squatting on the floor, opening the inlaid cabinet.

With gentle hands, she took out a small black lacquered box, revealing a white porcelain cup inside containing medicine.

“This old servant had someone keep watch—the Duke is not drunk. I’ve already instructed Granny Fan in the small kitchen to prepare a few side dishes carefully, sieve a pot of Jinhua wine, and set it up in the side hall. Once the guests outside have dispersed, the Duke will surely come to the chamber. Madam should drink the ceremonial cup of wine with him.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Shi flushed crimson. Though she wanted to feign propriety and rebuke a few words, she feared Granny Zhao’s impatience and could only lower her head in silence. Suddenly, she caught a whiff of ink-like medicinal wine and hurriedly covered her nose with a small fan.

“What foul thing is this? The smell is truly unbearable!”

Granny Zhao saw no reason to hide it from her and explained the purpose of the medicine.

It was made from the Purple River Cart of a firstborn infant, washed clean with wine and prepared as medicine.

On the auspicious day of the couple’s union, taken with strong liquor, it would bring signs of pregnancy within a month.

Shen Shi, who never ventured beyond the inner courtyards, how could she know such things existed in the world?

Her fair face burned like peach blossoms, and she was so ashamed she had nowhere to hide, quickly covering her face with the fan.

“Mad old granny, always up to such tricks, giving me such filthy things to eat. If word gets out, forget my husband looking down on me—even the whole household won’t know how to scorn me!”

Seeing her still speaking this way, Granny Zhao grew fiercely anxious, stamping her feet and gritting her teeth.

“Here I am, frantic as if the house were on fire, and you say I’m up to tricks? An old woman like me, who would I go to such lengths for if not for you? Think, Mistress—you’ve been married for over three years now, without a single child. How would that sound if it spread? This is a matter no one knows or notices—what if it does get out? If Mistress gives birth to a young lord, forget others, even the Duke wouldn’t dare utter a word!”

Seeing Granny Zhao truly anxious, Shen Shi’s heart wavered.

Since ancient times, it was always women who bore the helplessness. If they bore no children, no one blamed the man—only the woman was vilified.

Outsiders didn’t know she and her husband had yet to consummate their marriage, thinking her weak and sickly, on the verge of leaving her husband without an heir.

Who knew how many gossiped behind her back? And how many wished to replace her?

The more she thought, the more aggrieved and helpless she felt, tears welling in Shen Shi’s eyes.

Seeing her like this, Granny Zhao had no choice but to kneel and beg forgiveness, her face full of sorrow as she sighed.

“This old servant knows this thing is not good, but it is ultimately for Mistress’s sake. If Mistress refuses to use it, so be it. I suppose the Duke, coming from a noble family, wouldn’t be so vile as to disgrace Mistress.”

Mistress and servant, one sitting, one kneeling, tearful eyes meeting tearful eyes, fell into a stubborn silence.

Who could have known that at this moment, the curtain-lifting maid suddenly called out, and Zhi Qing hurried in, flustered.

“The guests outside have all dispersed. The Duke is heading this way—why hasn’t Mistress changed clothes or done her hair yet?”

These words startled the dreamer. Granny Zhao scrambled to her feet and pushed open the Green Gauze Cabinet to rush out.

She called out repeatedly for others to help Shen Shi dress and arrange her hair, preparing to go out and welcome him.

Leaving aside the flurry in the Main Chamber for now, let us speak of the small kitchen.

Granny Fan and Pear Moon were also bustling with activity.

In just a few days, Granny Fan was no longer flustered and could now decide on dishes herself.

“Xiao Yue, first pack the fruit box, then strain the warm wine and send it up. The wine dishes here will be ready soon!”

Pear Moon hurriedly took four high-footed lotus-patterned dishes in smoky pink, arranging fresh fruits, dried fruits, preserved fruits, and savory accompaniments for drinking wine separately.

A lotus-lidded handled pot was filled to the brim with bright red Jinhua sweet wine, paired with a pair of small celadon cups.

These items were placed in a gilded food box and handed to the serving maid to set the table in the Side Hall.

Granny Fan had also prepared six wine dishes: flower-steamed quail, Lychee kidney, marinated duck feet, ginger-vinegar gold-and-silver trotters, fried deer tendon, and red-thread crystal jelly.

Granny Fan’s specialty was rich meat dishes, which Shen Shi usually disliked.

But tonight, they were serving the Duke with wine, and Granny Fan felt certain the Duke was no vegetarian.

Granny Zhao instructed that a sobering soup be prepared. Pear Moon had already slaughtered a black fish and chilled it on ice for half a day.

After deboning and removing the blood, she mixed the clean meat with eggs and pounded it into a paste, then poached it in broth to form fish balls resembling silkworm cocoons.

Separately, she simmered ham, hen, pork ribs, and pork knuckle to make a rich broth, which she clarified with minced chicken breast to create a clear soup.

She cooked the black and white fish balls in the clear chicken broth, preparing a dish of Two-Colored Cocoon Soup.

Once the hot dishes and soup were served and the dinner table was fully set, Ning Yuanjun leisurely entered the courtyard.