Han Suiqin lived a life like a legitimate daughter in the Wang family, with Wang Da even moving her into Lijing Pavilion, the residence of Wang Qinglin.
Wang Qingzhen remained unwell, a suffocating emotion in her chest causing her to waste away day by day. Her residence, Fanxing Pavilion, was perpetually filled with the scent of medicinal herbs, and few visitors came, save for Bai Junya and Concubine Ying.
February arrived, bringing with it the burgeoning warmth of spring. The sunlight was bright, and the flowers were on the verge of blooming. Many beautiful young ladies and madams, undeterred by the lingering chill of early spring, had already donned their light spring attire, creating a spectacle of vying for attention.
As the future Princess of Qi, Han Suiqin organized a tea-tasting event at the Wang residence.
Tea tasting, as it was called, involved everyone brewing tea together to see whose brew was the most aesthetically pleasing and delicious.
Wang Qingyao and Feng Jiangduo also received invitations.
Han Suiqin was quite particular now; the invitation was a delicate floral note, perfumed with incense, emitting a pleasant fragrance upon opening.
Wang Qingyao stared at the invitation for a few seconds. Brewing tea in ancient times was certainly not as simple as adding tea leaves and pouring hot water. Even modern tea brewing had its complexities, let alone in antiquity.
She recalled seeing Xiao Yun brew tea. In ancient times, it was actually called "diǎn chá" (点茶), involving several steps. Not only did the dried tea cakes need to be ground into powder for use, but the tea powder also had to be made into a paste. A specific tea sieve was required for continuous stirring until foam appeared.
She didn't quite understand the need for foam, as one had to blow it away when drinking.
Xiao Yun had mentioned that skilled tea masters could create paintings on the tea's surface using the foam, much like modern latte art.
The entire process of "diǎn chá," including drinking the tea, was a blind spot in Wang Qingyao's knowledge.
Drinking a cup of tea in ancient times was a ritual with its own set of rules. She only knew how to pick up the cup and drink.
She wasn't particularly keen on attending and tossed the invitation aside. After a moment, she picked it up again. Fine, she would go after all.
The Wang family was her maternal family, and Han Suiqin was the future Princess of Qi, and possibly the future Empress. Well, setting aside active attempts to curry favor, if someone extended an olive branch, she should at least show goodwill.
Xiao Yun, with far fewer concerns, casually remarked, "If you don't want to go, then don't."
"Tsk," Wang Qingyao said, "As expected of the Prince of Ding'an, accustomed to doing as he pleases. I still have to go. She might be the future Empress, and it's always wise to maintain a good relationship with her."
"Heh," Xiao Yun scoffed, "Who will become emperor is still uncertain!"
Wang Qingyao's ears perked up sharply. "What do you mean? What do you know?"
"The matter of Prince Rong falling from his horse is not yet settled!" Xiao Yun said. "The Emperor detests fratricide."
Despite his words, Wang Qingyao decided to accept the invitation.
So many people in Duanjing were watching. It would be difficult to explain if she, from her maternal family, didn't attend their tea party.
Han Suiqin had invited only noble ladies of wealth and status, those of similar standing to herself. The daughters of minor officials, even those who were once her close friends, were not invited. Quality over quantity.
At a glance, everyone present was familiar.
Wei Qing, Wei Yu, Zuo Yun, Fang Yuan, along with Wang Qingzhu, Bai Junya, Wang Qingyao herself and Feng Jiangduo, and two unfamiliar young ladies—a total of eleven people.
Unlike the banquets Wang Qingyao usually attended, this felt more like a gathering of close friends for an afternoon tea.
As the married granddaughter of the Wang family, Wang Qingyao was expected to help host the guests. In fact, she was more of a family member than Han Suiqin, the "adopted daughter." However, Han Suiqin carried herself with the air of the mistress of the house, even relegating Wang Qingzhu, a legitimate daughter of the Wang family, to a secondary position. Wang Qingyao decided not to compete with her.
Although Madam Huang's three-year mourning period had not yet ended, Fang Yuan and Zuo Yun were able to attend this small tea gathering, albeit in plainer attire than the other young ladies.
Upon seeing Wang Qingyao, Fang Yuan excitedly walked over to speak with her.
Han Suiqin introduced the two unfamiliar young ladies to Wang Qingyao. They were from the Gu family of the Marquis of Yongning's estate.
Both had almond-shaped faces and bore a six or seven-tenths resemblance to each other. The elder one appeared more dignified and gentle; she was the seventh daughter of the Marquis of Yongning's estate, the concubine's daughter who was soon to marry Wang Da. The younger one still had a childlike air about her, with clear, bright, large eyes. She was the ninth daughter of the Marquis of Yongning's estate, and the youngest legitimate daughter.
Han Suiqin was truly thoughtful, even inviting the future "godmother" to her home.
Given the caliber of this tea party, the young ladies from the Marquis of Yongning's household were clearly not qualified to attend. Wei Yu's gaze as she appraised the Gu sisters indicated her disdain.
Han Suiqin was now looking after the Gu family. Once the seventh daughter married into the Wang family and took charge of the household affairs, she would surely be grateful for Han Suiqin's support and reciprocate generously.
However, it was somewhat awkward that the seventh daughter had met her future daughter-in-law and daughter before even marrying into the family.
"Oh, Miss Han," Wei Yu inquired, "I recall you have another younger sister. Why isn't she here?"
Wei Yu's use of "your family" sounded so natural. Han Suiqin listened with pleasure and smiled, "Sister Zhen'er is ill and unable to come out."
Wang Qingyao was unaware that Wang Qingzhen was ill, nor did she know if it was a genuine or feigned illness. However, as an elder sister, now that she knew, she ought to go and see her.