Chapter 9: Chapter Nine

Grandma knew Lu Bao'er was young, usually picky and didn't eat well, her spleen and stomach were weak, her stomach often felt uncomfortable, so she sometimes needed to pad with a snack. Seeing her bored waiting, Grandma took out a bundle from her bosom, unfolded the small cloth embroidered with a jade rabbit pounding medicine, and revealed a small box of pastries.

The box was exquisitely crafted, each drawer holding two or three kinds of pastries: kidney-shaped flower cakes and bat-shaped date paste cakes, all flavors Lu Bao'er loved.

Lu Bao'er smelled the sweet pastries and happily asked, "Grandma, how did you know I was hungry?"

Grandma smiled: "These were all left for you by the master."

This morning, while Grandma was selecting gifts in the storehouse, Xie Junling left the manor for the Hanlin Academy, spoke a few words to her, nothing more than telling Grandma to take better care of Lu Bao'er, and incidentally left her a delicately wrapped pastry box in a cloth.

They were freshly steamed pastries, still warm when held. Seeing Xie Junling's usual neutral demeanor, Grandma privately felt kindly toward Lu Bao'er and felt much more at ease.

Earlier, when she brought the maid to tidy the couple's bedroom, seeing the bed neat and spotless, she was startled, wondering whether Xie Junling was incapable or truly considerate of Lu Bao'er's youth by having separate rooms.

Before, she worried Lu Bao'er and Xie Junling were merely husband and wife in name; now seeing Xie Junling's attentiveness everywhere, she guessed Lu Bao'er truly had good fortune to meet a husband who restrained himself and didn't touch her—such a loving husband is quite unlike ordinary men.

She most feared serving a household in inner-chamber chaos; being able to work in a harmonious marriage and simple family like this was the best possible.

Upon hearing the pastries were prepared by Xie Junling for her, Lu Bao'er wondered greatly. There's an old saying: "No one visits the Three Treasures Hall without cause—either a spy or a thief." Could it be that Xie Junling has a request of her?

At that moment, Xie Junling, who was reading in the study, suddenly sneezed, furrowed his brow slightly, rose to close the window, feeling only that the winter wind tonight was too cold.

The servants of the Gu manor were accustomed to judging people by their dishes; from the fabric and pearl ornaments of a carriage's curtains they could discern the rank of an official's lady.

They naturally began welcoming from the carriage bearing precious objects, following the old lady's instructions, having identified the carriage frame of the old lady of the second-rank Minister of State Affairs' household, they must be the first to welcome Old Lady Su of the Su clan into the manor.

Outside, a clamor suddenly arose, grand in scale. Lu Bao'er lifted the curtain to look, seeing many young ladies helped down their carriages by servants, disregarding decorum, also wanting to greet the foremost elderly lady wearing a hairpin adorned with auspicious flowing tassels.

Lu Bao'er couldn't see the person's appearance, only amid the brilliant lights noticing the lady's hairpin: the tassel's top was a gold filigree halberd, bearing two left‑right hanging disks, one strung with a large southern pearl, the other with beeswax bats dotted with kingfisher feather canopy.

Lu Bao'er asked Grandma doubtfully, "Who is this elderly lady?"

Grandma narrowed her eyes, smiling, and said softly, "Look, those are all ladies of official rank, they don't care about face, without waiting for the Gu manor servants to announce, each steps down from her carriage to support the elderly lady. That elderly lady is Old Lady Su of the Minister of State Affairs' household, she was enfeoffed as Princess of Ping County, she is the daughter of the Prince of Longevity Commandery, and she also received an imperial decree. With such status, which lady would not try to curry favor?"

Lu Bao'er murmured, "So she's a delicacy—should I imitate them and try to win her favor?"

Grandma shook her head, saying, "Depending on one's position, a lady doing this would be improper. Look, the lady in a dark‑blue long robe, from the Vice Minister of Rites' household, even when she reached out to support the elderly lady, was subtly avoided by the lady herself, gaining no favor."

Lu Bao'er understood: the Su clan, having lived most of their lives, were already seasoned persons. Whatever kind of person, and whatever thoughts they had toward her, she saw them clearly; besides, her household wasn't lacking servants, so she wasn't receiving this enthusiasm for nothing.

"That's really strange—the Gu manor's old lady actually managed to invite such a venerable, highly respected old lady; the Fragrance Appraisal Gathering must have great fame." Lu Bao'er took a bite of the pastry, eating carefully, afraid the powdered cake would smudge her lipstick, and she would have to redo her makeup later.

"Indeed!" Grandma, surprised that Lu Bao'er so young had such keen insight, whispered, "Perhaps today's Fragrance Appraisal Gathering has some ulterior motive!"

"Oh? What ulterior motive could there be?"

Think about it: the invitation was sent to the Minister of State Affairs' household; Old Lady Su doesn't usually visit others, yet today the Gu manor managed to persuade her—there must be a reason. I recall the Gu manor has a cousin who hasn't passed the imperial examination; they likely want her to take a look and say a few good words. Any family would scramble to have a maiden praised by the Princess of Ping County.

Lu Bao'er understood, clicking her tongue in amazement, saying, "People in the capital really are particular—even discussing a marriage involves so many procedures."

"You still have much to learn," she said. "If someday your father enjoys good fortune, you must keep your eyes in all directions and ears open to all sides, handling things deftly."

Lu Bao'er heaved a deep sigh, thinking, "Had I known Xie Junling would be so promising, I wouldn't have married him. In the countryside I could have taken on a live‑in husband, set up a calligraphy‑and‑painting stall, eaten meat and pastries every meal, without needing to learn etiquette or cultivate a perceptive heart—wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Lu Bao'er waited a full hour before the Gu manor servants finally ushered her in. Not being a hot‑tempered lady, she let Grandma wipe her hands and mouth.

After alighting from the carriage, Lu Bao'er saw only a few carriages on one side, guessing those left behind were in a similar situation. She didn't think further, still smiling and giving the Gu manor servants a tip, saying "Thank you for your hard work."

Meanwhile, a certain young lady beside her lacked Lu Bao'er's composure; waiting in the carriage she grew anxious, already irritated, seeing the Gu manor servants merely ask after her welfare before returning, without warmly receiving her, she took out her anger on a nearby serving maid, shouting sharply, "How did you support me? You almost made me sprain my ankle! Useless thing!"

These remarks were rather coarse, causing Lu Bao'er to furrow her brow.

That lady, seeing Lu Bao'er also among the last to enter the Gu manor, thought they shared similar misfortune and wanted to befriend her. She stepped forward and said, "Madam, which family are you from? I'd like to walk together; being alone is too cold‑hearted."

Lu Bao'er, intending not to offend, smiled and said, "That's perfect; I've just come to the capital myself, unfamiliar with people and places. Oh, my husband holds a position as editor at the Hanlin Academy."

The lady gave an embarrassed smile: "You're the top‑scholar's lady? My father is a scholar at the Hanlin Academy."

She had originally thought Lu Bao'er was a lady of lower rank than her family, so she could still play off official prestige, but she didn't expect Lu Bao'er to be the wife of a first‑class presented scholar, while her own father barely scraped into the bottom of the second class; fortunately he was selected into the Hanlin Academy.

Lu Bao'er's husband was also her superior; although he didn't want to nod and bow to such a naive girl, establishing good relations beforehand was never wrong.

That lady was named Lin Yudie; after exchanging names with Lu Bao'er, she feigned intimacy, taking Lu Bao'er's hand and whispering, "Speaking of which, the Gu manor's servants are really not up to scratch—fawning over the high and stepping on the low, making us wait so long! Is it just because their husbands have higher rank? It's not worth looking down on people like this!"

Lin Yudie's unrestrained remarks made Grandma frown repeatedly; Lu Bao'er, no fool, knew Lin Yudie was too arrogant—speaking like that in the capital would invite trouble, not worth getting close, lest she cause trouble that would implicate Lu Bao'er.

Lu Bao'er silently withdrew her hand, giving a distant yet polite smile: "Saying such things at the Gu manor gate seems inappropriate; since they invited us as guests, they must treat everyone equally with courtesy—Lady Lin, you needn't think so much."

Lin Yudie pursed her lips, thinking Lu Bao'er was also overly timid.

She couldn't help but bring some resentment, mocking, "Here there's no one around, Lady Lu, you're being overly cautious, aren't you?"

Lu Bao'er smiled faintly: "As the saying goes, walls have ears; since we're out as guests, we naturally need to be careful. All right, the banquet is about to begin—I'll go into the Gu manor first; next time I'll chat a bit more with Lady Lin."

Having said that, Lu Bao'er indeed left her and entered the Gu manor. Lin Yudie couldn't help feeling resentful, thinking, "Am I being lectured by a wet‑nosed little girl?"

What's so arrogant? She's merely a country‑born maid who luckily snagged the top scholar! Her natal family are wealthy tavern owners, at least a legitimate daughter—how could Lu Bao'er possibly compare?