Wei Jialian respected Madam Wei, but her respect carried a hint of calculation. After all, compared with the Duke’s Mansion, the Grand Marshal’s Mansion was still slightly inferior in prestige. Her visit was not entirely innocent.
With her coming-of-age ceremony approaching, she hoped to leverage the Duke’s Mansion’s influence to secure a husband of higher status for herself, ensuring her future social standing and giving her more prominence in conversations.
With a deliberate smile directed at Madam Wei, she said,
“Aunt, you mentioned last time that you would give me a special coming-of-age gift. What is it? I can hardly wait to know.”
Madam Wei replied lightly,
“You are far too impatient. Your coming-of-age ceremony is still four months away. What is the hurry? You shall know in due time.”
Wei Jialian’s words, though casual, were meant to broadcast one fact to all present: she was the most favored among them. The ladies and young women in attendance secretly calculated what kind of gift would honor her without causing embarrassment or offense.
As she glanced around, Wei Jialian’s eyes fell on Xueniang, sparking memories and comparisons. They were of similar age, only a month apart, but while Xueniang had been indulged in her childhood, she herself had not. Now, however, the roles were reversed: Xueniang was overlooked, while Wei Jialian enjoyed admiration from all. Pride surged within her, and she sought to assert it.
“Aunt, Mother, I’m going for a walk. I haven’t yet had the pleasure of admiring the mansion’s beautiful furnishings,” she announced.
“Go ahead,” said Madam Wei, oblivious to Wei Jialian’s motives, assuming her departure was simply due to the conversation’s lack of interest. She instructed her maid to lead the way. Several young ladies close to Wei Jialian followed, chatting lightly, their pursuit of Xueniang unnoticed.
Originally, there had been no interference between the girls, and Xueniang did not notice Wei Jialian’s approach. Yet Wei Jialian, ever assertive, made her way to where Du Jingyi and the others stood, arranging the meeting to appear “accidental”—a calculated slight that irritated Xueniang.
Xueniang managed to restrain her anger, showing only a displeased expression. Madam Xing, with her back turned, had not seen Wei Jialian approach, but noticing Xueniang’s sudden change in expression, she inquired curiously,
“What troubles Xiao Ba?”
From behind, Wei Jialian’s voice rang out,
“Of course she is uncomfortable to see me.”
Madam . Xing turned, her gaze falling upon the young lady. No wonder Xueniang’s countenance had shifted from happy to cold.
“Miss Wei, the weather is not hot—why speak so harshly?” Madam Xing’s voice carried authority. She would not tolerate insolence, even from a prominent family like the Wei. Having strong support from both her natal Gu family and her marital Xing family, she was fully capable of putting Wei Jialian in her place.
Wei Jialian felt a pang of fear. Madam Xing was not only prestigious in both her birth and married families, but also a close associate of Empress Guo. She had traveled north from Jinling City to Sui’an City, and whether she had received an imperial summons was unknown. Wei Jialian dared not speak out further.
She bowed respectfully, announcing,
“Jia Lian greets Madam Xing.”
The accompanying young ladies followed suit, bowing politely. Madam Xing’s anger abated slightly, though her demeanor remained cool and distant.
Wei Jialian, perceptive as ever, noted the lack of warmth but remained undeterred. She delighted in overshadowing Xueniang. Today was the Duke’s Mansion banquet; even Madam Xing would need to exercise restraint. Wei Jialian spoke with a faint, reckless bravado,
“It is not hot outside, but the stoves at the Wei Mansion are unbearable. Please forgive me if my words were too loud, Madam Xing.”
The faces of eldest sister-in-law Liu and Xueniang darkened. The Wei family had climbed socially on the misfortune of the Gu family. If Madam Gu were still alive, such arrogance would not be tolerated. Wei Jialian was merely a relative of a concubine, yet she dared to assert herself here. Still, her words were truthful, leaving them unable to respond.
Xueniang, wishing to avoid conflict, tugged at Madam Xing’s sleeve.
“Aunt, let’s go elsewhere.”
Less trouble was preferable to more, and she sought to avoid Wei Jialian’s provocations.
Madam Xing, not one to be bullied, glanced at Xueniang with comforting warmth. But as her gaze returned to Wei Jialian, disdain was evident.
“You know your words can easily offend others. Speak less, observe more, and avoid being laughed at. The Wei family’s customs are absurd, but there seems to be no order here either. It is not entirely your fault. I shall not trouble myself with you, a mere youngster.”
Wei Jialian, recently admired by all, now found herself devalued before Madam Xing. Fury rose within her.
“Madam Xing, I call you elder, yet is it appropriate to speak ill of my Wei family? My grandfather was Grand Marshal, my father Deputy Commander of the Military Command, and my brother—”
Before she could continue, Madam Xing interrupted, her tone sharp,
“If everyone must recite their lineage when meeting someone, then when I meet your father, mother, and grandfather, shall I also recount centuries of glory of the Xing and Gu families?”
The Gu and Xing families, long-established in Jinling City, had centuries of history. The Wei family, in contrast, had prospered only in recent decades. Were Madam Xing to name every notable ancestor, the conversation would last for hours.
Wei Jialian, furious and tongue-tied, could find no retort.
Du Jingyi suppressed a smile. A small sparrow daring to provoke a Saker Falcon—wasn’t this courting disaster? Her admiration for Madam Xing only deepened.
Xueniang’s face lit up with joy, secretly delighted to witness Wei Jialian humbled. Today had truly been auspicious: first, Sixth Sister-in-law had bested Fourth Sister-in-law, and now Aunt Xing had scolded Wei Jialian. She could scarcely remember a happier day.
Though tempted to laugh aloud, Xueniang restrained herself. Wei Jialian, unable to oppose Madam Xing, eventually turned her attention to Du Jingyi.