Chapter 302 — The Hint

None of them—not Young Madame Wang, not the others—had expected Dou Yan to be quite so blunt. For a moment they all sat rather taken aback, until Cai, quick-witted as ever, said carelessly, "When sisters live under one roof, who doesn't knock against someone now and then? Give it time, and..." She lifted her handkerchief to her lips and smiled. "The truth is, I came today to ask a favor of the Fourth Young Mistress—last time I saw the Fourth Young Mistress wearing a large flower pin of crystal, and apart from the novel design, that grape-purple paired with peach-pink was striking indeed. Next month my eldest niece in my maiden family comes of age, and I've been thinking of giving her a set of hair ornaments to keep for her wedding day. Might I ask who made the Fourth Young Mistress's jewelry? I should like to have him make a set for my niece."

Whether the words were true or false hardly mattered; at least the matter had been smoothed over.

Young Madame Wang and Madame Zhang San both breathed a sigh of relief, and could not help regarding Cai with new eyes.

The large flower pin had been a gift from Song Yan.

Dou Yan genuinely had no idea where it had been bought.

She sent someone to ask Song Yan.

Cai's face flooded with envy. "The Fourth Young Mistress is truly blessed!" Then, with feigned reproach, "Not like me—I've been married to your Tenth Brother four or five years now, and he's never bought me so much as a handkerchief. Truly, one man's fate is another's misfortune! The Fourth Young Master is not only handsome but treats the Fourth Young Mistress so well—no wonder she's grown even lovelier since her marriage than she was at home!" She hid her mouth behind her handkerchief and tittered.

Her talk had grown rather unrestrained, as women's talk among intimates will.

After all, acquaintance was shallow for words so deep, and Young Madame Wang and Madame Zhang San smiled with some embarrassment.

Dou Yan pretended not to hear, and invited Young Madame Wang and Madame Zhang San to taste the tea.

Cai took no offense, but drew near and chattered on, and the atmosphere in the room grew lively and harmonious enough.

The servant sent to inquire after Song Yan soon returned, and gave the name of a silver shop.

Cai at once invited Dou Yan along: "Let me borrow a little of the Fourth Young Mistress's prestige."

Dou Yan understood perfectly well that Cai simply wished to draw closer to her. But she found Cai tiresome, and had a great deal of work on hand besides; she had no wish to take up with a woman so fond of gossiping about every household's business, and so declined politely: "That will depend on when the Tenth Sister-in-law goes to the silver shop. Counting the days, my father-in-law will be home soon, and with such a great affair having befallen the family, I don't know what he intends. I'm afraid I shan't have time to go browsing with the Tenth Sister-in-law for a while yet."

At this, Cai's eyes lit up.

Word was running through the capital just now that the heir of the Yingzhenguo Estate had crushed the Duke of Yingguo so thoroughly that the Duke could not lift his head—that if the Duke wished to take a second wife, he must first see whether his eldest son would consent. Even her father-in-law had privately asked her mother-in-law about the matter; only, the Fourth Young Mistress being but newly married, her mother-in-law could hardly summon her for questioning. If she herself could glean a hint or two, what standing would that Guo woman have left in the household?

Her mind made up, she smiled and said, "Then whenever the Fourth Young Mistress has a free moment, we'll go together."

Dou Xin said, "I wonder whether your niece can wait that long?"

Cai looked a little sheepish at that, but she always had an answer ready: "What does it matter? The silversmith's craftsmanship is so fine, I can have a few pieces made for myself as well! Married to your Tenth Brother, who won't trouble himself about anything, I must look out for myself, mustn't I?"

Dou Yan smiled faintly.

After they had chatted a while longer, Young Madame Wang was the first to rise and take her leave: "...Today is the ninth day since our family's young mistress was married. Since you're not otherwise engaged, I'll go over to our young mistress's side and have a look."

Dou Yan herself saw Young Madame Wang out to the hanging-flower gate.

Madame Zhang San and Cai stayed behind in Dou Yan's rooms, continuing their endless talk of this household and that.

A young servant of Song Yan's came to report: "The Young Master has business that takes him out; he will not dine at home at noon. He sent me especially to inform you."

Dou Yan knew that Song Yan was going to see Wang Yuan. She answered, "I understand," which drew another round of envy from Cai, and made Madame Zhang San regard Dou Zhiwei with a shade more solemnity.

The two of them stayed on at the Yingzhenguo Estate for the midday meal, and lingered until the afternoon before finally taking their leave.

Sulan clicked her tongue. "How do they find so much to say? A whole afternoon, and never a pause."

Dou Yan laughed softly.

Truth to tell, she rather admired Madame Zhang San and Cai. Not every woman could talk for an entire afternoon without once repeating herself.

Meanwhile, in Wang Yuan's private residence in Qudeng Alley, not far from the Yingzhenguo Estate, Song Yan sat in a small hall talking with Wang Yuan, who was dressed in a half-worn house robe of Daoist cut.

"I never imagined the Inner Chamberlain's home would be furnished with such elegance!" Holding his teacup, he gazed at the various chrysanthemums arranged on the tea table and said with feeling, "People often say a man's writing reflects the man. I see that you, sir, are like your flowers!"

First rich gifts, then a shower of praise—even a fool would know there was a favor to be asked.

Had it been anyone else, Wang Yuan would have smiled it off. But facing Song Yan, he could not help straightening his back and gathering his wits for battle.

For what manner of thing could it be, that a man of Song Yan's fierce caliber would come to him to beg?

A flicker of wariness, scarce visible, passed through Wang Yuan's eyes.

"The Young Master speaks too highly—this old servant could never bear such praise!" he said with an unmoved smile. "These flowers are but carelessly set out to make a show; they are nothing like as fine as the Young Master says." Then he began to fence with Song Yan: "How goes the inquiry into the fire at the Yingzhenguo Estate? His Majesty asked after it again this morning. The Earl of Donglin and Huang Qi have been far too dilatory in the matter—the Yingzhenguo Estate has had to put up a reward of its own! Still, perhaps it is just as well. The Japanese pirates run wild in Fujian now, and His Majesty means to set that province in order; when the time comes, silver will be needed to suppress the pirates, and every tael the court can save is a tael gained."

Ever since his eldest uncle's death, the men who had once followed him had been either purged or demoted and punished, and those who remained in Fujian had mostly come to nothing. Twenty years of his uncle's battle honors had melted away in a few short years.

A shadow crossed Song Yan's eyes. He was silent a moment, then rose and bowed low to Wang Yuan.

Wang Yuan was greatly startled.

Song Yan was already saying, "This bow is on my eldest uncle's behalf, to thank the Inner Chamberlain—it was only when someone spoke of it just now that I learned that every man who took part in escorting my uncle to exile was dealt with for having offended the Inner Chamberlain..."

Wang Yuan was dumbstruck.

But he quickly recovered himself.

If he did not even have that much ability, Song Yan would not be the heir of the Duke of Yingguo who could throw the whole capital into turmoil!