Chapter 7

Long ago, Lady Liu and Lady Song had been inseparable friends, the kind who could have been mistaken for one person. As girls, they had shared their dearest treasures without hesitation, eaten together, played together, and known a happiness so bright it could never be forgotten.

Then, little by little, they grew up. Lady Song grew ever more dazzling in every way: beauty, manners, conduct, and reputation all outshone Lady Liu’s, and who could truly understand the bond between sisters when envy had begun to take root?

It became impossible to say whether the feeling was love or hatred. In the end, they drifted farther and farther apart.

The turning point in their fates came when Lady Liu obeyed her parents and married up into the Earl’s Residence, wed to a notorious libertine of the capital.

Lady Song, by contrast, defied her parents and insisted, at all costs, on marrying the man of her heart, the most handsome man in Lo City, Song Yulang.

Indeed, marriage is a woman’s second birth. This time, Lady Liu had bet correctly. To see the sister who had always surpassed her now become less fortunate than herself—who could understand the joy of that? It was the greatest vindication of the decades she had spent swallowing her grievances in the Earl’s Residence, the proof that all those years of pain, all those tears, had not been in vain.

This was what false sisterly affection looked like.

You are too good, and I do not like it.

But if you are not well, I will still feel sorrow for you.

I ask for little: I hope you live well, but not better than I do.

Even if it is only a little worse than me, then we will forever remain good sisters.

Lady Liu instructed that her guest be shown in. They no longer belonged to the same world, and she had almost forgotten when they had last met.

The old lady, accompanied by her two little grandsons, entered the manor with the servants. It was summer, and the Earl’s Residence was ablaze with flowers and green leaves; pavilions and waterside terraces stood in layers of shade, full of life.

After walking not far along the covered corridor, they passed through a moon gate and arrived at the courtyard where Lady Liu lived. A servant went in to announce them.

Before long, two matrons emerged smiling from the inner room. One lifted the curtain, while the other stepped forward to support the old lady.

“Please come in, Madam. Our Lady has been waiting for you for quite some time.”

Song Jingrui took his younger brother’s hand and followed. Song Jingchen felt his brother’s grip tighten a little, and guessed he must be nervous. In truth, he should have been nervous too, but remembering what his father had said, he could not bring himself to be.

That day, after he had cried, his father had asked him: Did you live in their house? Did you eat their rice?

Neither living in their house nor eating their rice, what had their immense wealth to do with them?

When others looked down on you, it was because you had bent first and given them the right to look down on you.

Remember this, Chen’er: you are your father’s son. Never bow your head lightly. And if one day you must bow it, then that bow must be the most precious bow in this world.

Today, though grandmother and brother were asking a favor of others, they must not allow themselves to be looked down upon.

Song Jingchen tightened his little hand around his brother’s and whispered, “Don’t be nervous, Brother. Chen’er is with you.”

He followed behind his grandmother with his brother’s hand in his own as if he were in his own home.

His father had said: do not put on airs. Be relaxed, be composed. Composure is a person’s dignity.

When Lady Liu saw Lady Song again, she could hardly believe her eyes. Was this really the bright and lovely eldest Miss Xu of the past?

Memories flashed through her mind in scene after scene. In that fleeting light of the past, all the old resentment and jealousy seemed to fade at once, turning meaningless.

Instead, what remained were the two little girls chasing butterflies through seas of blossoms, and the two young ladies stealing a glance at Song Yulang during the radiant Lantern Festival.

The two old ladies said nothing as they looked at each other, yet tears streamed down their faces. Then they embraced and wept.

They wept for themselves. They wept for each other.

You witnessed my most beautiful years as a girl.

The maids and matrons of the Earl’s Residence hurried forward to comfort them, and only then did the two gradually manage to stop.

Lady Song said, “Yuming still shines as brilliantly as ever.”

Hearing this, Lady Liu smiled modestly and lifted a hand to smooth her hair at the temple. Her well-cared-for pale wrist wore a jade bracelet of deep imperial green, rich and lustrous.

“At our age, who still cares whether one is beautiful or not? It is you, Sister Pearl, who have aged so much. If you had difficulties, why did you not come to tell me sooner, so that I might at least do my small part?”

Lady Song sighed. “The younger generation in the family is disappointing; that is not something others can help with. Ruirui, Chen’er, come quickly and pay your respects to the Lady.”

The two children stepped forward together and bowed properly.

“Ruirui and Chen’er greet the Lady and wish her peace.”

“Good children, do not be so formal. Come sit by me.”

She turned and instructed the matron beside her, “Quickly bring the children some pastries and fruit. Oh, and bring along those bananas sent by His Majesty from the tribute of South Harbor as well.”

The two little boys sat down as told, and Song Jingchen finally realized why the room had felt so cool despite the blazing summer heat: a large ice vessel had been placed inside, full to the brim with ice.

He guessed someone must have been constantly replacing the ice, or else it would have melted long ago in weather this hot.

At that moment, Lady Liu smiled at Lady Song and said, “Sister, this child of yours looks very much like his grandfather.”

Lady Song keenly caught the note of nostalgia in her tone. Her eyes flickered, but inwardly she could only smile bitterly: so her dear sister had indeed been one of her husband’s admirers back then.

After so many years, she still remembered Yulang’s appearance so clearly, and could recognize at a glance that Chen’er resembled him. Clearly, this was no shallow infatuation.

Lady Song kept her expression unchanged and smiled. “Chen’er is a likable child, and he does resemble his grandfather a little.” Then, changing the subject, she said, “Speaking of which, I came today to shamelessly ask my sister for a favor on behalf of my youngest grandson.”

“Please have some tea, Madam.”

“Both young masters, please enjoy some refreshments.”

At that moment, a little maid brought in tea and pastries.

Lady Liu raised a hand. “Sister, please have tea.”

“Many thanks, Sister.” Lady Song lifted her cup and took a small sip, then smiled. “Young Spring Bud Green. Excellent tea. It has been many years since I last tasted it. Today I am fortunate to enjoy your blessing.”

After a pause, she continued, “You have always favored green things, even your tea—you like that jade-like liquor best. I happen to have a bracelet here, treasured for many years. These old bones of mine no longer suit it, but with your fair complexion, Sister, it would be perfect. It would never disgrace it.”

As she spoke, Lady Song took from herself a jade bracelet carefully wrapped in a silk handkerchief.

Lady Liu had just begun to refuse, but the moment her eyes fell on the bracelet’s rich color, its warm translucence, its vivid green seeming to glisten with moisture, the words died in her throat.

She knew this bracelet. It had once been worn by Lady Song on her wedding day, a family heirloom given by her mother.

There was likely no finer imperial green left in the world. The bracelet on her own wrist could not compare; not even a concubine in the imperial palace would be likely to find jade with such spirit and vitality.

Just as Lady Song had said, she favored green ornaments, and could not resist jade in particular.

Thinking this, Lady Liu hastily declined. “How could that be? This is Sister’s beloved possession. How can I take what one cherishes?”

But Lady Song said earnestly, “Please listen to me, Sister. We have been sisters for many years; let us not go around in circles. Your eldest son is an assistant minister in the Ministry of Rites and knows many scholars and gentlemen. I would like to trouble him to introduce my Ruirui to Master Fang so that he may study under him.”

She paused slightly, then added, “There will certainly be expenses involved in such introductions, and debts of favor must be owed as well. If you will not accept this, then should I ever have difficulties in the future, I would not dare trouble you again.”

Lady Liu had thought the matter must be something of great consequence, but it turned out to be only this small request. Still, thinking of that stubborn old Master Fang and his impossible temper, she could not at once give her a guarantee.

“Since Sister has asked, then however difficult it may be, I shall find a way to help you. It is only that Master Fang’s temper is notoriously fierce. He has even refused face to the Imperial Consort before. It is one thing to bring Ruirui there, but whether he is accepted will depend on the boy’s own fortune.”

Lady Song rose and gave Lady Liu a solemn bow. “Men may plan, but Heaven decides. I am deeply grateful that Sister is willing to help, even in a small way.”

After that, Lady Liu made a show of refusing a little more before finally, delightedly, ordering that the bracelet be accepted. But once it was in hand, she suddenly felt that she had been a little too hasty.

Xu Mingzhu was no fool, nor was she the sort to suffer a loss lightly. Since she had put out such a costly offering, she must be seeking something substantial.

Could it be that she had complete confidence in her little grandson?

At the thought, Lady Liu’s eyes flickered. Smiling warmly, she beckoned Song Jingrui closer and said gently, “No wonder your grandmother values you so much. You are indeed unusually composed for one so young. What books have you read?”

Song Jingrui gave a slight bow. “In answer to the Lady, I have already read the Three Character Classic, the Hundred Family Surnames, and the Thousand Character Essay.”

“Good child. You have read so much even before entering a school. Truly a young talent. Tell me, can you recite all of these?”

Song Jingrui lowered his head and said softly, “In answer to the Lady, this child is dull-witted and has only memorized the Three Character Classic. I am still working on the other two.”

Lady Liu breathed a little easier. This child was indeed good—proper in his replies, clear in speech, and, most rare of all, able to face her without either arrogance or timidity. His grandmother had taught him well. Among ordinary children, he would certainly be remarkable, but before Master Fang, he was clearly still not enough.

Thinking this, she smiled at Lady Song. “Sister, I think this child is truly excellent. In the future, he is certain to bring great honor to your Song family.”

Lady Song also smiled. “Then I shall borrow your auspicious words, Sister.”

After that, the two old friends exchanged more reminiscences and polite words. Lady Liu, however, clearly favored teasing Song Jingchen a little more. The child was far too lovable, and, crucially, nowhere near as clever as his brother. Other people’s children, after all, are always more endearing when they are a little less sharp than one’s own.

Song Jingchen ate when he wished and drank when he wished, yet still managed to keep his appetite in check, remembering his grandmother’s instructions: when a guest in another’s home, one may taste even the finest delicacies, but one must not reach out a second time.

He ate with natural ease, as though he were at home and simply eating when hungry. His manners were refined as well, so that he did not make others feel discomfort; instead, compared with his proper and upright brother, he seemed to carry an ineffable grace of his own.

Song Jingchen keenly noticed that neither his brother nor his grandmother truly wished to stay here. His large eyes fluttered twice, and then he rose to his feet and said to Lady Liu:

“I’m full. Thank you for your hospitality, Lady. Grandmother, let’s go home. Chen’er is very sleepy and wants to take a nap.”

As he spoke, he covered his mouth with a little hand and yawned widely.

Lady Song quickly stood as well and took the chance to take her leave. For her, remaining here was no comfort to the heart, and she was even less inclined to stay and share a meal in someone else’s house.

Lady Liu, on the other hand, felt quite the opposite. She very much wanted to talk a little longer with her old friend, and repeatedly urged them to stay and at least finish lunch before leaving.

Seeing his grandmother in difficulty, Song Jingchen’s eyes filled with tears. In a sweet little voice, he said, “Grandmother, I want to go home. I miss Father and Mother.”

The old lady hurriedly said, “Do not laugh at my poor manners, Sister. The child has never been away from his mother.”

Since the child was already crying, Lady Liu could not continue to detain them. Song Jingchen nestled in his grandmother’s arms and waved a tiny hand toward Lady Liu.

“I’m leaving now, Lady. I’ll come play with you again next time. If you miss me, you can come play with me too. My home is on South Alley of East Elm Street in the eastern part of the city, and I’ll share my favorite treats with you as well.”

The room burst into amusement at his words. Lady Liu was delighted and ordered that a cartload of useful things be prepared for the old lady, especially all kinds of pastries children liked.

This time, her generosity was sincere. So long as it did not harm her own interests or those of her household, she was very willing to help Lady Song.

She even personally escorted Lady Song to the doorway and told her they should come and go often in the future. Lady Song agreed with a smile, then left the Earl’s Residence with Ruirui and Chen’er.

In the carriage, the old lady could not help feeling a mingling of emotion and renewed determination. In any family, what mattered most was not how much gold and silver it possessed, but whether it had worthy heirs.

Her two little grandsons were both outstanding. As for Ruirui, there was no need to speak of him; even Chen’er had today far exceeded her expectations. As for learning, that might still be hard to say, but in matters of human relations and worldly understanding, the child seemed to have been born knowing them.

With only a few words, he had eased her difficulty of not wanting to remain at the Earl’s Residence for lunch, and without making anyone think too much about it, both sides had been happy.

“Brother, you’re crying,” Song Jingchen said suddenly.

“I’m not crying.” Song Jingrui turned his face away.

“What’s wrong with Ruirui? If you have any grievance or sadness, tell Grandmother quickly.” The old lady hurriedly pulled her little grandson close.

Song Jingrui’s eyes were brimming with tears as he struggled to hold them back. “I am unfilial. I made Grandmother go ask favors on my behalf, and even gave away the jewelry you like.”

The old lady took out a handkerchief and wiped his tears. “Silly child. How can worldly possessions compare with my grandson’s future?”

Song Jingrui clenched his small fists and said firmly, “I will surely earn a title for Grandmother in return!”

“Good, good child. Grandmother will wait.” Her voice was choked with emotion.

Song Jingchen said, “Brother, and I’m here too.”

Song Jingrui’s tears turned to laughter. He ruffled his younger brother’s hair. “You have to be in everything, little show-off.”

Little show-off Song Jingchen blinked his large eyes. “Brother will protect me.”

Song Jingrui frowned. “Where did you learn that phrase from again?”