Chapter 112: The Art of Hospitality
The carriage twisted and turned, and before long, it entered an exceptionally bustling street. Beyond that street, the surroundings gradually grew quiet. Gazing at the spacious, clean alleyway and the exquisite, imposing high walls on either side, Lu Ying pondered silently: they must be nearly there.
About half an hour later, the carriage arrived beside a massive stone pillar inscribed with “Xiao Residence.” Looking at the six-meter-high iron gate and hearing the raucous noise from within, Lu Ying remained silent, but Xiao Yan whispered softly, “This is my home, but I don’t like staying here.”
Turning to Lu Ying, Xiao Yan murmured, “A Ying, tell me, what’s so good about being a woman? Before long, you have to marry, and after marriage, there are even more troubles.”
Lu Ying had no answer to this question.
As the carriage entered through the wide-open main gate, Xiao Yan suddenly stuck out her head and called, “Stop for a moment.”
The carriage jolted and came to a halt.
Xiao Yan lifted the curtain and revealed Lu Ying’s face. She glared coldly at the gatekeepers and sneered, “Do you see clearly now? This is Lady Lu, my close friend. If anyone looks down on her again, don’t blame me for being rude.”
Under Xiao Yan’s gaze, the gatekeepers lowered their heads, shrinking back timidly as they replied, “We dare not.”
“That’s better.”
The carriage drove in.
Pressing her lips together, Xiao Yan whispered, “A Ying, do you know? The day I found out you left that note for me but were stopped by the gatekeepers, I wanted to punish them, but my stepmother stopped me. I, the rightful eldest niece of the Xiao family, was even stopped from disciplining gatekeepers by her. I know it was deliberate—she wanted everyone in this house to know that I am nothing here. Although grandmother cares for me, such trivial matters I dare not bring to her. I can’t call on grandmother every time something happens.”
She turned to Lu Ying and said earnestly, “A Ying, when you meet her later, don’t be fooled.”
Lu Ying couldn’t help but reach out and gently touch her hand to comfort her, “Don’t be afraid.”
Reassured by Lu Ying’s words, Xiao Yan leaned closer, though without touching her, and bowed her head. After a long moment, she looked up and smiled faintly. “I’m not afraid.”
As the two conversed, the carriage came to a stop. Xiao Yan led Lu Ying toward a courtyard. Walking along, she smiled and said, “A Ying, you should first see where I live. When grandmother summons us, we will go together.”
“Mm.”
On their way, servants bustled past constantly. Seeing Xiao Yan, they all lowered their heads in greeting, occasionally sneaking curious glances at Lu Ying.
Xiao Yan’s boudoir was in an upper chamber. Just as they reached the loft and before Lu Ying entered, a maid came running over, smiling brightly as she greeted Xiao Yan, “Eldest niece, madam says you brought Lady Lu back but didn’t let her see her. She wants to thank Lady Lu for helping eldest niece.”
The maid’s voice was clear and crisp, carrying a lightness.
Xiao Yan replied coldly, “I know. Tell madam we’re coming soon.”
“Yes, eldest niece.”
Once the maid left, Xiao Yan called for someone to bring water to help Lu Ying wash her face, sneering, “Showing off how powerful and well-informed you are? We barely sat down before you sent someone to call.”
After washing her face and applying a thin layer of powder, Lu Ying followed Xiao Yan downstairs.
The courtyard of Madam Xiao was next door. Even before they approached, a chorus of girlish laughter and chatter spilled out, creating a lively atmosphere.
As they neared, a refined, gentle laugh rang out, “You little hussies, truly shameless.”
At the sound, several young women giggled. One girl said, “It was clearly aunt’s idea, yet she says we’re shameless. Boohoo, I can’t live like this anymore…” Their mock crying only made the laughter louder.
Xiao Yan sneered quietly to the side, “Looks like my cousins are here too.” She glanced at Lu Ying and warned, “My stepmother is the most malicious. Her family’s influence is strong, and she’s won over all my cousins.”
Hearing this, Lu Ying finally understood the difficulties Xiao Yan and her siblings faced. This madam not only controlled the household but also won the hearts of its members, leaving Xiao Yan and her siblings isolated and helpless. No wonder Xiao Yan remained unscathed after being caught red-handed last time.
Just as Lu Ying was lost in thought, Xiao Yan put on a smile, took Lu Ying’s hand gently, and said clearly and kindly, “Mother, I have brought A Ying here.”
A hush fell. Xiao Yan and Lu Ying stepped into the garden, where a dozen or so ladies were chatting and laughing. At this moment, all turned their heads to look at Lu Ying.
Among them, seated in the center, was a woman with a gentle and gracious appearance, exuding an elegant aura. She was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Her bright, watery eyes gave off a warm and approachable feeling, so much so that even without speaking, one felt she was kind, virtuous, and reliable.
No wonder Xiao Yan lost out.
Lu Ying thought silently.
As she looked at the woman, the woman’s eyes met hers with a smile, warm and casually intimate. Yet Lu Ying only glanced once before averting her gaze. This woman felt like a venomous snake—sticky, cold, and deeply unsettling.
Xiao Yan led Lu Ying to the woman and bowed slightly. Both said, “Daughter pays respects to mother,” and “Lady Lu pays respects to Madam Xiao.”
“Get up, get up!” Madam Xiao smiled, her eyes crinkling. She reached out and took Lu Ying’s hand, scanning her up and down before sighing, “So lovely, no wonder. A Ying, since you have helped Yan, you have helped me. Speak freely, aunt will surely assist you.”
When silent, this woman appeared refined; when speaking, she was cheerful and sincere, easily convincing others of her heartfelt care.
Lu Ying knelt, “Many thanks to Madam. Yan and I are close friends; mutual help is only natural.”
Madam Xiao replied fondly, “Enough of that, A Ying, sit beside me and talk with aunt.” She glanced at the other young ladies, then smiled at Lu Ying, “At first glance, I felt A Ying was different. Turns out, you carry a certain pure and icy spirit. You little girls probably don’t know, but years ago, Zhuo Wenjun had this same aura.”
At the mention of Zhuo Wenjun, the young ladies’ expressions shifted. Though years had passed, the story was still widely discussed. Some praised Zhuo Wenjun’s courage; more called her shameless for running off.
So when Madam Xiao compared Lu Ying to Zhuo Wenjun, Xiao Yan’s cousins each wore strange, ambiguous smiles, dripping with mockery.
Madam Xiao continued warmly, “She captivated many noble gentlemen back then. If not for Sima Xiangru’s exceptional talent and gentle methods, he wouldn’t have won her heart.” She held Lu Ying’s hand and added with a knowing smile, “A Ying, tell aunt, are many gentlemen fond of you? Your companions from the Wen and Yang families are all outstanding young men.”
The last words fell, and two of the young ladies’ faces darkened, their gazes toward Lu Ying now cold and hostile. Madam Xiao’s hint about “many admirers” was a clear jab at Lu Ying’s supposed promiscuity. Mentioning two young men specifically made those ladies wary and resentful—they were admirers of those young men themselves.
Lu Ying had never encountered anyone like Madam Xiao before.
She believed that if Madam Xiao didn’t think her naive or foolish, she wouldn’t have been so blatant with her sarcasm.
Madam Xiao still held Lu Ying’s hands affectionately.
There was no chance to refute her words—after all, Lu Ying had performed the piece about Zhuo Wenjun. Compared to the truth, being likened to Zhuo Wenjun was still a compliment.
Just as Madam Xiao’s voice fell, a sharp-faced young lady called out, “Lady Lu, isn’t your skill outstanding? Play that ‘Zhuo Wenjun’ for us.”
No sooner had the young lady spoken than another ran forward, linking arms with Lu Ying. She made a face at Madam Xiao, “Aunt, you only favor A Ying and not me!” Amid Madam Xiao’s teasing laughter, she looked up at Lu Ying with a sweet smile, “A Ying, just perform once, okay? Everyone’s been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Just a little performance…”
Performing was easy enough, but after this, Lu Ying would be completely relegated to the rank of a courtesan!
As Lu Ying hesitated, Xiao Yan stepped forward, snatched Lu Ying’s hand, and bluntly said, “A Ying is my guest. How can a guest be made to perform?” She glared at the young ladies and, suppressing her anger, said, “Mother, won’t you say something to them?”
Now Lu Ying understood why Xiao Yan and Shang Ti became friends—they were alike in their straightforwardness. No wonder they couldn’t win against Madam Xiao.
Sure enough, as Xiao Yan’s voice fell, the young lady pushed aside by her sweetly said, “A Yan, we didn’t mean anything by it, it’s all your misunderstanding... Lady Lu is our honored guest. There’s no outsider here, so what’s wrong with asking her to perform?”
Another chimed in, “Lady Lu, so many of us are asking you. At least give us some face.” Then she ordered, “Someone, fetch a bamboo leaf! Tell everyone the Lady Lu who plays ‘Zhuo Wenjun’ has arrived. Everyone come to watch her perform.”
The last sentence completely placed Lu Ying in the position of a courtesan, leaving her no room to refuse. The mention of “face” gave them a justified reason to punish her if she declined—for not giving them “face.”
At this moment, all the young ladies and Madam Xiao looked at Lu Ying expectantly, as if eagerly awaiting her music.
Xiao Yan’s expression turned dark with anger, staring at Madam Xiao for her to intervene, but Madam Xiao didn’t even glance at her—there was no intervention forthcoming.
Amid the smiling gazes, Lu Ying curled her lips slightly.
She turned to Madam Xiao.
Looking directly at her, Lu Ying said clearly and coldly, “Madam, do you wish for A Ying to perform as well?” Smiling faintly, she continued, “I have just arrived at your esteemed residence and haven’t even had a sip of tea, yet you allow your young ladies to coerce me. Is this how Madam Xiao treats her guests?” Turning to Xiao Yan, she smiled, then looked back at Madam Xiao, “A few days ago, Yan told me that you were grateful and even wanted to adopt me as your sworn daughter... I thought you truly felt grateful. So this is Madam Xiao’s way of hospitality!”