Chapter 20: So What If She Holds the Title of Mistress?

"It is no matter; if the incense is gone, more can be made," Xu Miaoyan said with a smile. "We have benefited from the Second Madam’s kindness in our daily life all this time; returning the favor is only right."

"Miss, you are truly too kind!" Xiuqiu’s eyes shimmered. "Unlike that narrow-minded and jealous Fang woman, who only knows how to use her children to threaten the Second Master, unable to bear seeing you close to him."

The South Sea Dew Fragrance had been crafted by her mistress over seven days and nights. If the Fang woman were to see the efficacy of those incense blocks, she would surely be ashamed of herself.

"We are in the Lu household now; let us not speak carelessly," Xu Miaoyan said, smoothing her hair. "Actually, I can understand her. Which woman could feel comfortable watching her own husband fall for another?"

"That is only because the Second Master was the one who pursued you, Miss. If not for his pestering, you wouldn't have spared him a second glance. Who told her she couldn't keep her own man in check?" Xiuqiu went to the cabinet and took out a brocade box. The moment she opened it, a crisp, cold fragrance dispelled the cloying sweetness that had previously filled the room.

"One cannot blame her entirely; she is getting on in years, and men are always fickle, favoring the new over the old." Xu Miaoyan toyed with the incense block in the box, a smile playing on her lips.

The Fang woman was still relatively well-preserved; her face had not withered after childbirth, and her figure remained curvaceous.

"What does it matter that she holds the status of Madam? You are the one who is truly a peerless beauty, and the Second Master’s heart is entirely yours now!" Xiuqiu flattered with a laugh.

Xu Miaoyan closed the lid and wiped her hands with a handkerchief. "Let us go. We are heading to the Plum Blossom Pavilion."

***

"Madam, the Second Master has arrived," Cuishuang said, pulling Fang Qianxue aside. She held a brocade box, looking as if she were afraid of being seen. "The Second Master has also brought birthday gifts for the young master and the young miss."

Fang Qianxue glanced casually at the gifts Lu Changqing had sent: smocks and socks bought from a roadside vendor. Not only were they poorly made, but the shoes were also an inch too small.

"Keep them. Let him sit where he likes; I am busy today and have no time to attend to him."

When they turned one, he had sent jade pendants. For their second birthday, there was no banquet, but he had at least put some thought into it by gifting them a set of scholar's four treasures engraved with their names.

But what he sent for their third birthday today? It was laughable—was he trying to brush off a beggar?

"Yes," Cuishuang said, quickly having a maid stow the box away, though her heart ached for her mistress.

She had asked the Second Master’s personal attendant, Cheng Gong, about the gifts. Last night, the Second Master had brought the Madam candied chestnuts, while he had gifted the woman in Song Sheng Residence a hairpin of spun red gold bestowed by the Emperor himself.

His heart was biased to the extreme.

Lu Changqing sat at the main table and sneered internally when he saw that there were few guests, only a handful of distant Fang relatives who remained in the capital.

This birthday banquet was better off not held at all; its shabbiness was a laughingstock.

"Vice Minister Yan arrives!" a servant announced loudly at the gate. Shortly after, Yan Fenghua entered with a servant to present his gift to Fang Qianxue.

The crowd turned toward the courtyard gate.

"Vice Minister Yan? Is it Minister Yan of the Ministry of Justice?"

"I never imagined our Fang family could invite Lord Yan these days!" Those present were distant relatives, and the elderly uncles among them held no official positions.

The women were so excited their faces flushed, and they hurriedly adjusted their makeup.

Lu Changqing sneered with disdain.

Hmph, Fang Qianxue really only had Yan Fenghua left as her trump card.

Yan Fenghua was a fourth-rank official, true, but he spent the whole year rushing about managing criminal cases. Lu Changqing himself was a sixth-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy, but he frequently saw the Emperor. Once he filled his brother's vacancy as an Inspector General, he would be even more favored by the Emperor.

Fortunes turn; who could say what the future held?

"Brother Yan!" Despite his inner disdain, he walked over to exchange pleasantries, taking the opportunity to glance at the gift. "Regarding the birthday banquet for my son and daughter, thank you for your trouble, Brother Yan."

It was also a set of hats and socks, but made of silk tapestry and adorned with exquisite jade pendants—evidently worth a fortune.

Lu Changqing felt displeased, feeling his own gift had been utterly overshadowed. They were his children; by what right did Yan Fenghua, an outsider, gift such precious items?

"My mother has always been fond of Yao'er and Yuan'er. These hats and socks were made by the embroiderers in our household at her request," Yan Fenghua turned and said with a smile. "My mother caught a cold the day before yesterday and could not come in person, so she instructed me to ensure these were delivered."

"Many thanks to the Old Madam for her care. Please, Lord Yan, take a seat," Fang Qianxue said, knowing he was avoiding gossip by using the Old Madam's name.

"Brother Yan, please." Lu Changqing led Yan Fenghua to the main table, wearing a look of pained disapproval. "Qianxue loves extravagance. If you ask me, this banquet would have been better left unheld. Look at this scene today... it is truly shameful!"