Chapter Forty-Five: Outwitted

Since they were all women, Xu Yaohui simply offered a courteous bow from a distance and left first with Xu Zilin and the others. Xu Ruojin was left behind to wait for Madam Yang.

But Madam Yang was busy chattering endlessly with Lady Zhang, never beckoning her over. So Ruojin could only stand there, cradling the wine jar in her arms, looking rather foolish and awkward.

Chuncao, worried the Second Miss might be too tired, was about to take the wine jar from her. Before she could act, Madam Yang finally waved Xu Ruojin over.

Ruojin no longer cared about her weariness; she straightened her aching back, composed herself, and walked over with light, measured steps. Her face bore a faint, tranquil smile, as if she felt not the slightest fatigue, appearing especially spirited.

Lady Zhang had been observing her for some time. Now, seeing her approach, her gaze turned even more appraising.

"This is your future mother-in-law. Why haven't you greeted Lady Zhang yet?" Madam Yang’s words disrupted the atmosphere, and though the Zhang family’s servants tried to hide their mocking smiles, it was impossible not to notice.

Xu Ruojin offered a slight curtsey. “Greetings, Lady Zhang. Forgive me for not performing the full courtesy as my hands are occupied. I hope you will understand.”

“What does it matter what you’re holding? Just set it aside. What are the maids for, if not to help at a time like this?” Madam Yang’s tongue was swift and sharp. “In my opinion, meeting here today is fate indeed. Why not serve Lady Zhang some tea, have a chat? This girl has been learning reading, calligraphy, and proper conduct—Lady Zhang, you should take a good look.”

A chill settled in Xu Ruojin’s heart. No matter how gentle, wise, or graceful she tried to appear, with Madam Yang’s inappropriate remarks always cutting in, it was like pouring gold into a broken basin—it could never escape the air of vulgarity. Even if she offered pure mountain spring water, people would think it was for washing pork, never for making tea.

Lady Zhang smiled faintly, ignoring Madam Yang. She turned to Xu Ruojin. “I’ve just spoken with your mother, and I’ve also met the stewardess from the Liang household. She praised you highly, and I am satisfied as well.”

Satisfied?

Ruojin’s heart gave a fleeting jolt. She bowed again and replied, “I do not deserve Lady Zhang’s praise. To be taught by Madam Fang is a great blessing. If I do not study diligently, the fault is mine alone, and I would disappoint my parents as well.”

“You are indeed a sensible child,” Lady Zhang said with a mild smile. “I hope you will continue to apply yourself. As a girl grows older, she must learn humility. Although every family cares about status these days, what matters most is personal conduct, especially for a woman.”

Xu Ruojin looked up at Lady Zhang. Her voice was gentle, but every word was a thorn, veiled in irony.

“Thank you for your guidance, Lady Zhang. My mother and I must take our leave to accompany my father for quiet meditation. We won’t trouble you further—goodbye.”

Xu Ruojin dipped into a low curtsey and glanced sideways at Madam Yang.

Madam Yang was momentarily taken aback. She was about to try to smooth things over, but saw Xu Ruojin hand the wine jar to Chuncao, then take Yang’s arm. “Mother, let’s go.”

With things said so bluntly, Madam Yang had no choice but to say her quick goodbyes, unable to linger any longer.

As Xu Ruojin and Madam Yang turned to head toward Lingkong Temple, Lady Zhang’s expression darkened at once. She turned to Qiulan at her side. “Where is the young master?”

“He woke late today, Madam, and is hurrying over from behind...”

“Go find out when the Xu family plans to leave. I don’t want to run into them again. Just seeing that woman, reeking of money, gives me a headache.”

Qiulan immediately complied with her instructions.

Meanwhile, as Xu Ruojin and Madam Yang walked along the path to Lingkong Temple, Madam Yang suddenly shoved her aside. “You foolish girl! I was trying to speak well of you before Lady Zhang, and you had to act all aloof—who were you trying to impress?”

“All I saw was the maids and old women around us sneering, not a hint of being elevated at all.”

“You think your fox-like eyes can see more than me? Am I blind?”

“If you know they look down on us, Mother, why keep clinging to them?”

“That’s your future husband’s family!”

“Then we can exchange pleasantries after the wedding!”

Yang was nearly exploding with anger from Ruojin’s words, but just then a young monk approached. “Benefactors, Master Xu has already arranged a room for quiet meditation. He is speaking with the abbot. Please rest there first.”

Madam Yang pressed down her anger. In front of outsiders, she still wished to appear magnanimous, not to be seen as petty. “Thank you for leading the way.”

“Please, right this way,” the little monk replied.

As he led them, Madam Yang began asking about what other families had booked rooms for meditation today.

Xu Ruojin followed silently, her mind lingering on Lady Zhang’s words. She understood the mockery and warning, but that word—“satisfied”—what did it mean? She truly couldn’t fathom it.

Madam Fang had taught her virtue, speech, grace, tea, incense, embroidery, and the rituals of worship—what did that have to do with Lady Zhang?

Her satisfaction or dissatisfaction—what did it matter to Ruojin?

Wait—rituals?

Suddenly, the word struck Ruojin like a bolt—rituals! Even her own family placed such emphasis on rituals; how much more so would a grand family like the Zhangs!

The Zhang family branch headed by Zhang Zhongheng had been specifically left to tend the ancestral shrine. As a woman about to marry into their household, Ruojin would be expected to understand the rites.

To make the ritual wine by hand—perhaps this was an essential skill for any woman marrying into the Zhang family. No wonder Madam Fang taught her the art of brewing so painstakingly.

The craft she had once cherished, hoping to master—wine making—turns out to carry so many ulterior motives.

Looking at the wine jar in Chuncao’s arms, Ruojin felt an urge to smash it to pieces right there.

Chuncao regarded her Second Miss in confusion. Just a moment ago, she had seemed fine; why was her face now clouded with so much anger and resentment? Even though she’d just had a spat with Madam Yang, hadn’t she fared better than at home? Why such an abrupt change?

Worried Ruojin might stumble, Chuncao reached out to steady her.

Startled, Ruojin turned to see Chuncao’s earnest, struggling expression and let out a long breath. She patted her reassuringly. “Don’t worry—I’m all right.”

“Second Miss, should I bring the wine jar inside?” Chuncao asked awkwardly. “I got nervous and forgot all about it.”

Only then did Ruojin remember. She glanced around; the rooms were empty and quiet. As long as they didn’t drink the wine, it should be fine.

“Just hide it inside—don’t let anyone else see,” she instructed.

Chuncao nodded quickly and urged her on. “Madam is watching us—we’d better hurry.”

Looking ahead, Ruojin saw Madam Yang already at the door to the meditation room, waiting for her.

At last, she was at peace. Her marriage had long since been decided by fate. Until she had the power to change it, resenting it would only bring misery upon herself—what was the point?

She would fill her days with purpose. No matter how her future unfolded, she would not let herself fall.

That was who she was—Xu Ruojin—not some weak girl to be trampled underfoot.

Letting go of her earlier resentment, she stepped into the refined chamber.

On the altar stood a statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin, sandalwood incense curling in the air, filling the room with a sense of ethereal tranquility…