Chapter Forty-Two: Behind the Scenes

Xu Ruo-jin could keenly sense Yang’s dissatisfaction and hostility, but the matter truly had nothing to do with her. She had no idea why her father would act this way. Though she had learned to brew wine for ancestral rites, her real motivation for burying herself in her studies was to put her knowledge of pharmacology to good use, to finally apply what she had learned. As for the ancestral ceremony her father mentioned, she had long since let it slip from her mind.

Yet from Yang's words, it sounded as if she had been plotting this for ages. Xu Ruo-jin found herself caught in the crossfire for no reason, but thinking of the wine she had brewed, she frowned slightly. "Mother, there are still three days before the ancestral rite, but the wine I made should have been unsealed the day before yesterday for Madam Fang to inspect. If we wait until three days later, it will be past its prime and might cause trouble for those who drink it."

"Stop pretending! Who drinks the wine meant for offerings? Are you cursing someone to die and join their ancestors on the mountain?" Yang’s tirade left Xu Ruo-jin speechless. She had never participated in ancestral rites; she hadn’t even realized the wine was meant for the dead. Though the scolding was unjust, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

Xu Ruo-jin stuck out her tongue inwardly and returned to the main issue. "How many small jars are needed in total? I’ll take them back and divide the wine."

"The master hasn't given any instructions. You might as well take all the wine you’ve brewed and let him and your eldest brother decide at the time. There’s no need for you to meddle further."

Preparing offerings was the women’s responsibility, but only the men attended the formal ceremony; the women waited outside the ancestral hall. Xu Ruo-jin said no more, and after listening to Yang’s rambling about leaving at dawn the day after tomorrow, she took Chun-cao to try on her clothes.

The clothes fit perfectly, and after Chun-cao gathered the items, mistress and maid returned to their courtyard.

"Something about this doesn’t feel right. Why would Father suddenly choose my wine for the offerings? Mother would never suggest it herself; could it be Eldest Brother or Third Brother?" Xu Ruo-jin pondered in her room, but it didn’t add up. "Even if they mentioned it in passing at a meal a few days ago, neither of them would care much, would they?"

Chun-cao hesitated, then quietly suggested, "Could it be Liu Cui?"

"Her?" Xu Ruo-jin was especially surprised; she had nearly forgotten that name until Chun-cao mentioned it.

"She’s been brought into the household by the master and is now Concubine Liu. When I went to the main kitchen the other day, I ran into her maid, Hong Xing, who asked after you. She said Concubine Liu has long wanted to visit you, but was afraid the mistress would take offense."

"I told her you were learning household management and wine-making from Madam Fang, thanked her for Concubine Liu’s concern, chatted for a moment, and then left. I was busy when I got back and forgot to mention it to you."

Chun-cao’s words made Xu Ruo-jin nod slightly. "So it was likely Concubine Liu who mentioned it to Father. But why? I never wanted to stand out in the ancestral ceremony; now she’s actually put me in a spot."

She had intended to unseal the wine today, but now it had to be stored for a few more days, and she would have to bring the entire jar over, unsure whether any would be left. Without the actual wine for Madam Fang to inspect, she would have to brew another batch. But the medicinal ingredients last time were bought with Xu Zi-mo’s silver, and there was little left. With empty hands, how was she to buy more?

Yang already believed she wanted to outshine everyone in the ceremony, and if she went to Madam Huang for more supplies, it was almost certain she’d be refused. At this thought, Xu Ruo-jin’s face fell as limp as a wilted cucumber.

"Never mind, we’ll take it one step at a time. If you see anyone from Concubine Liu’s household again, just tell them I appreciate her kindness, but she need not meddle in my affairs."

Chun-cao hesitated, "Wouldn’t it be helpful for Concubine Liu to speak up for you?"

"If you lack real ability, relying on backdoor dealings is useless and only brings trouble," Xu Ruo-jin explained patiently. "Besides, Mother will always run this household, not Liu Cui. There’s no need to make things awkward by getting closer to Liu Cui and incurring Mother’s jealousy."

Chun-cao nodded. "Understood. If I run into them again, I’ll be sure to say so."

"No need to seek them out deliberately; just mention it if you happen to meet." Xu Ruo-jin set aside thoughts of the ancestral ceremony and returned to her studies.

The next day, when Madam Fang learned that Xu Ruo-jin’s wine had been chosen for the ancestral offering, she simply smiled and then began teaching Xu Ruo-jin the proper rituals for the ceremony. Though the rite on the first day of the tenth month was not as grand as Qingming, Master Xu’s real intent was to make it known that Xu Ruo-jin was now officially recognized as a legitimate daughter.

Though Yang had only prepared simple clothing for her, Xu Ruo-jin would have to observe every etiquette and ritual properly, or she would become a laughingstock. As for the wine, Madam Fang taught her the correct ceremonial process, which Xu Ruo-jin memorized, repeating it over and over in her mind.

Were it not for Madam Fang’s instruction, she would surely have made a fool of herself, and Yang would have seized any chance to mock her.

Sometimes, Xu Ruo-jin truly could not understand Yang.

Yang was desperate to marry her off to the Zhang family and praised her to the skies, yet never hesitated to trip her up whenever possible. Did she not realize that if Xu Ruo-jin embarrassed herself, the Zhangs would have even more reason to reject the match? Though she had no desire to marry, Yang’s contradictory actions struck her as absurd.

No wonder outsiders looked down on her; her lack of substance was plain for all to see. Menopausal syndrome, without a doubt! Xu Ruo-jin had fully defined Yang in her mind and couldn’t even be bothered to complain about her anymore.

Xu Yaohui was, after all, the county registrar of Zhonglin, third in command at the yamen. As news spread that the Xu family would go to Fengqiao Mountain for the ancestral rite on the first day of the tenth month, others began to make their own arrangements for that day. It wasn’t that they wished to curry favor with the Xu family or accompany them, but rather to avoid climbing the mountain at the same time.

Li Zhonglin also heard the news. He did not return to his own ancestral home for the rite, but instead sought out Yang, requesting to join the Xu family on their pilgrimage.

"The Xu and Li families are relatives by marriage. Since I am staying with the Xu family, I cannot ignore such an occasion. I should go up the mountain and pay my respects to the ancestors," Li Zhonglin insisted, refusing to let Yang decline. "Unless, of course, Aunt does not think me worthy; then I shall have nothing more to say..."

Yang opened her mouth, then pressed her lips tightly shut. The mind of a petty man was unfathomable. Though she was reluctant, she knew that refusing outright would only make Li Zhonglin resentful.

"I must discuss this with the master," Yang said, grasping at an excuse. "The servants will let you know in advance."

"Then I shall await your word," Li Zhonglin replied, leaving with a satisfied grin.

Yang clenched her teeth, then instructed Madam Huang in a low voice, "You must stick close to the second girl that day. And fetch the eldest for me; I need to speak with him privately."

With a weary sigh, Yang’s face twisted in distaste. "Such a sanctimonious troublemaker—he’d better not cause an incident that day!"