Chapter Forty-One: Brewing Wine

Xu Ruo-jin had brewed a jar of wine herself. The next day, when Madam Fang arrived, Xu Ruo-jin handed over the recipe and proportions just as they were.

Madam Fang was curious about her recipe. "Who gave this to you?"

"I bought an additional medical book, and in it was this small formula. I also added two more ingredients myself. Judging by their properties, they shouldn't conflict with the recipe—they all protect and nourish the liver. A small sip is pleasing, but too much is always harmful. Madam Fang, what do you think? If it's not right, I'll change it at once."

Xu Ruo-jin's words surprised Madam Fang, who nodded repeatedly afterward. It was good to see such ability to draw inferences. Xu Ruo-jin’s skills in needlework had always worried her; though she had no trouble memorizing texts or practicing calligraphy, she had absolutely no talent for weaving and embroidery.

Who would have thought she possessed such intuition for brewing? Perhaps she should focus on this field and learn as much as she could.

Having made up her mind, Madam Fang began to teach Xu Ruo-jin the methods of brewing wine, even passing along a few secret recipes she knew.

Xu Ruo-jin listened and took notes, planning to study the medicinal properties of the ingredients carefully once she returned.

In truth, there was no such recipe in any medical book; Xu Ruo-jin had devised it entirely herself. Based on theories she had studied, there ought to be no problem with the recipe. She hadn’t expected that applying theory to practice would require leaping across worlds, but here, in this foreign place, she could finally put her knowledge to use.

Nervously, she handed the recipe to Madam Fang, not expecting to receive her approval and praise.

Confidence surged within Xu Ruo-jin, and she continued her studies with renewed assurance.

Meanwhile, Li Qiuping was having a private conversation with her elder brother, Li Zhonglin, in her room.

Li Zhonglin had been drunk the night before and slept straight through to midday the next day.

That night, he was haunted by dreams of Xu Ruo-jin—her handsome face, her clear, lively voice, and her graceful figure that made his whole body tremble.

When he awoke, he washed his face and sought out his sister, intending to speak about Xu Ruo-jin.

"The weather is pleasant today—crisp autumn air, clear skies, beautiful scenery outside. Why not invite your young sister-in-law over for tea? We can play chess and compose a few seasonal poems; wouldn't that be elegant?" he suggested.

Li Qiuping immediately grew wary. “Brother, what are you plotting now? Xu Ruo-jin’s wedding date is set. You mustn't cause trouble.”

Li Zhonglin was displeased by his sister's suspicion and retorted with solemnity, "What trouble? Am I that sort of man? She’s marrying into the Zhang family; she needs to understand poetry, etiquette, and propriety. If she doesn’t learn, won’t the Zhangs look down on her? As her future brother-in-law, helping her and teaching her a few things is only right!"

"Her teacher is Madam Liang’s personal attendant, from the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household. What need is there for you to instruct her?"

"A tutor from the marquis’s household is still just a servant. How can she teach the classics and sages’ works?"

"She’s not sitting for the civil service exams. Knowing the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, serving her parents-in-law, and caring for her husband is enough. Why study the classics?"

"How pedantic! How ignorant!" Li Zhonglin exclaimed, thoroughly dissatisfied with his sister’s objections. With a cold huff, he rose and strode toward the door.

"Brother, where are you going?" Li Qiuping called after him, still full of grievances she wanted to air.

"I’m off to see Zimo. We’ll discuss your matters later," Li Zhonglin replied, vanishing before she could stop him. Li Qiuping worried for a long time, afraid he would cause trouble.

But when she thought of Xu Ruo-jin, that wretched girl—betrothed to the Zhang family and yet still captivating her brother—Li Qiuping felt even more resentful. In her eyes, Xu Ruo-jin was not even worthy of being her brother’s concubine, yet she enjoyed such good fortune.

Thinking of herself, Li Qiuping’s bitterness only deepened.

Li Zhonglin failed to find Xu Zimo and thus could not use his influence to see Xu Ruo-jin.

Meanwhile, buoyed by Madam Fang’s praise, Xu Ruo-jin immersed herself in medical texts and pharmacopoeias, spending her days studying, practicing calligraphy, and learning household management, barely stepping out of her courtyard.

Several days passed, and Xu Ruo-jin lost track of time.

One morning, just after breakfast, a young maid from Madam Yang’s quarters came with a message, “Second Miss, Madam asks you to come see her at noon.”

“Did Mother say what it’s about?” Xu Ruo-jin was reluctant to leave her books; she had just devised several new recipes and was eager to test the first jar of wine and show Madam Fang for further experimentation.

The little maid replied, “In a few days, it’ll be the first of October. Didn’t Master say earlier that the Liang family would be hosting the ancestral rites? The household has been busy with preparations for days. Have you forgotten, Second Miss?”

“Oh, it’s already the end of the month,” Xu Ruo-jin exclaimed in astonishment, then sighed with relief and told the maid to report back.

Spring Grass hurriedly said, “Second Miss, you’ve been so busy you forgot the date. I was just thinking to remind you to ask about the ancestral rites, but Madam sent word first.”

Spring Grass, too, had been run ragged these days.

Xu Ruo-jin was clueless about embroidery, so the task of making her wedding dress fell to Spring Grass.

She never imagined that the Second Miss would entrust even this to her, and tears welled in her eyes.

For a young lady, embroidering her own wedding gown is the most important task of her life. Even girls from prominent families would never let others intervene; they did it themselves, no matter their skill, as it was a cherished memory of their marriage. If their needlework was truly lacking, they would pay top coin for the best seamstress, never treating the matter carelessly—for it was a lifelong affair.

Yet after two days with the needle, the Second Miss declared herself unsuited for it, and seeing that Spring Grass could at least embroider sachets well enough, delegated the task to her.

Spring Grass was dumbfounded—not expecting the Second Miss to trust her so completely. She solemnly vowed to herself to embroider the finest wedding dress, so as not to let her mistress lose face.

These days, following Madam Fang’s lessons, Xu Ruo-jin had come to understand how crucial it was for her to be entered into Madam Yang’s household register.

Though she particularly disliked the family she was to marry into—hoping she might become a young widow at their gates—she knew not to let good fortune slip by, nor to ruin herself over such a fool.

“In the end, it’s to my benefit. I’ll go, then.”

At noon, Xu Ruo-jin brought Spring Grass and went to Madam Yang’s main quarters.

The ancestral rites were a major event. No matter how stingy or calculating Madam Yang could be, she dared not show a hint of carelessness in this.

When Xu Ruo-jin arrived, Madam Yang set aside her list of preparations and instructed, “Though the clothing for the ancestral rites should be plain, it’s your first time attending. You must look presentable. I’ve ordered a simple blue cloak for you. Send your maid to fetch it from Madam Huang, try it on, and if any alterations are needed, there’s still time in the next two days.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Xu Ruo-jin replied with a curtsy. Madam Yang regarded her for a moment, then added, “Yesterday your father specifically said that the wine for the ancestral rites should be the one you brewed yourself. I was wondering why you’ve been so absorbed in medical books and pharmacopoeias these days—so you were preparing for this all along. You’re quite thoughtful!”

Xu Ruo-jin was stunned.

Father?

She hadn’t seen her father in a long time. How could he know she had been learning to brew wine?