"Thank you for your generosity, cousin. I shall certainly pour you tea and prepare a gift in return another day."
"That's easily said. I heard from Second Cousin that a new chef has arrived at Changchun Tower, skilled in making excellent Jiangnan cuisine. How about you treat me to a meal there as a thank you gift?"
"It's a deal."
Looking at the sly expression on the woman's face, Bai Siruo felt as though she was getting to know this cousin, with whom she had not interacted much, anew.
In the past, she had always been timid and reticent, never seeking attention at banquets. Her straightforward temperament was a stark contrast to her cousin's reserved demeanor, and thus, despite their kinship, they were not very close.
Today, however, she had surprised Bai Siruo, earning her a newfound liking.
The Bai family members were naturally pleased to see the two young ladies finding common ground.
Madam Shen, on the other hand, felt a twinge of discontent at her daughter's words. She nudged the standing Bai Sihan beside her with her elbow, but her daughter appeared vexed and preoccupied, lost in her own thoughts.
Unwilling for her daughter to be outdone, Madam Shen intended to retort, but before she could even open her mouth, a servant announced that breakfast was prepared and the Prime Minister and the three Lords were waiting in the main hall.
Thus, everyone rose. Bai Siruo and Feng Jinyao, supporting the Old Madam Bai on either side, proceeded towards the hall.
After breakfast, Madam Shen and the Fourth Madam, Princess Wenyi, escorted the Old Madam Bai back to Shou'an Courtyard to rest. With many guests arriving today, it was essential for her to conserve her energy.
Meanwhile, the younger generation, under the guidance of their eldest aunt, Madam Lin, began their respective duties.
Maids and servants bustled in the inner court, while footmen and guards were stationed in the outer court. They moved with an orderly grace, their movements silent but their faces beaming with smiles.
Today's guests were all esteemed dignitaries, and not a single one could be neglected.
Madam Lin had made all the arrangements meticulously half a month prior.
The tables, chairs, and furnishings required for the banquet, along with all the various bowls, plates, boxes, and utensils, and the wine vessels and daily necessities, were managed by Mama Lin. The food and accompanying dishes were overseen by Chef Xu. The seating arrangements for the guests were decided upon by the two sisters-in-law, while the responsibility of entertaining and encouraging toasts fell upon Feng Jinlin.
"Rest assured, Eldest Aunt. Young Master Er will ensure that our guests have a delightful time and depart with joy!"
With Feng Jinlin's assurance, Madam Lin felt relieved.
The family did not have many children, and the eldest, Feng Jinxu, possessed a steady and upright disposition. Therefore, entrusting such lively affairs to Young Master Er was the most appropriate choice.
She then proceeded to instruct Feng Jinyao and the others.
"The banquet for the ladies will be held in Qinxiang Courtyard today. All arrangements are in place. However, as many esteemed ladies will be attending, please ensure that those who usually get along well gather and entertain each other to their heart's content. Remember, the Zhang family from the Censorate and the Wang family from Ying Tian Prefecture recently had a falling out. Do not let them bring their conflict here, understand?"
"Do not worry, Eldest Aunt. With me here, there will be no trouble," Bai Siruo assured her. Madam Lin nodded with satisfaction.
Following this, she led the three young ladies to Qinxiang Courtyard.
The courtyard was quite spacious, adorned with pavilions, towers, small bridges, and flowing water, designed to be both grand and exquisite.
Although it was deep winter with little scenery to admire, Madam Lin, a woman of ingenious ideas, had previously ordered the creation of numerous delicate lanterns. These were hung on the bare branches, each embellished with a riddle. In the center of the courtyard stood a table of rosewood, laden with many small and exquisite trinkets, which were the prizes corresponding to the riddles.
This way, the ladies had amusing activities to engage in, diverting their attention from gossip.
"Eldest Aunt is truly remarkable."
Feng Jinyao praised her sincerely. Bai Sihan, on the other hand, picked up an object from the table, glanced at it, and curled her lip, showing no interest. However, due to the presence of elders, she dared not say much.
Madam Lin had never been fond of the Bai Sanlang family, yet for years, she had never neglected the customary gifts or visits during festivals. She could not fathom how she had offended Madam Shen and her "precious" daughter.
One would always utter sarcastic remarks to provoke, while the other maintained an ethereal demeanor, looking down upon everything.
If it were not for her mother's birthday, she would have thoroughly dealt with this mother-daughter pair, not allowing them to be so audacious.
Disregarding Bai Sihan's behavior, Madam Lin gave a few more instructions before heading out to the outer court with her personal attendants.
Bai Sihan possessed a naturally alluring charm, complemented by a delicate, willow-like grace. These two qualities blended exquisitely within her, allowing her to hold her own even when standing beside Bai Siruo, who hailed from royal lineage.
She was captivating and possessed a celestial beauty.
Bai Siruo, not liking her cousin, found an excuse and left with Feng Jinyao.
Bai Sihan, however, did not follow suit. Instead, she turned and asked someone to fetch a guqin.
In the pavilion of Qinxiang Courtyard, she lit incense and began to play. The guqin strings seemed to come alive under her fingertips as she performed a rendition of "Spring River Flower Moon Night" with exceptional skill. Even Feng Jinyao, hearing it from across half a wall, found it impressive.
Bai Siruo, holding a cup of hot tea, felt some of the chill dissipate.
As she listened to the melody played repeatedly, the displeasure that had been brewing in her heart was now evident on her face.
"What is she showing off for! Today is Grandmother's birthday, and she still wants to steal someone's thunder?"
With that, she placed the teacup down heavily on the table. Some of the hot tea splashed out, scalding the back of her hand, but she seemed oblivious.
She was truly someone who wore her heart on her sleeve. Feng Jinyao recalled the "good sisters" she had befriended in her previous life, all of whom wore smiles on their faces in public yet harbored venomous hearts. This cousin, however, was rather interesting.
"Cousin, why are you so angry? Is it because your Fourth Uncle reprimanded you for your excellent琴技 (qin skill)?"
With a single sentence, she had exposed Bai Siruo's inner turmoil. Bai Siruo blushed for a moment before responding with composure.
"Father says I am over sixteen and have no notable talents. Yet, this cousin, though raised in Qiongzhou, carries herself with the demeanor of a noble daughter from the Eastern Capital's esteemed families. If he likes her so much, he might as well adopt her as his daughter and grant me my freedom."
Her eyes revealed a palpable sense of loss and resentment, her expression one of childish stubbornness, which evoked a pang of sympathy in Feng Jinyao.
"Does Cousin truly have no notable talents? I heard from Second Brother that you are excellent at tou壶 (pitch-pot). Your aim is no less than his. If only your Fourth Uncle and Aunt did not watch you so closely, your talent in archery and equestrianism might even surpass Second Brother's."
"What good is that? Father constantly pressures me to study, and Mother sends tutors to teach me etiquette daily, as if determined to mold me into another Wei Lanxuan."
Bai Siruo's expression grew weary, and speaking of these matters stirred up her inner frustrations once more.
Wei Lanxuan was the eldest granddaughter of Duke Wei of the Eastern Capital and the direct niece of Consort Wei. She had always been a renowned noble lady in the Eastern Capital.
Feng Jinyao had heard her Fourth Aunt mention her in passing. When the ladies in the inner court thought of her, their eyes were filled with admiration.
This was why Bai Siruo always felt a sense of inferiority.
And now, with the addition of Bai Sihan, how could she not be furious!