chapter 2
chapter 2
The Marchioness beamed with satisfaction.
“You improve by the day, my daughter. You have learned the rules properly and will make a worthy matriarch of a great clan.”
She brought out jewelry and a ceremonial headdress. “This jade pendant was part of your maternal grandmother’s dowry to me. It represents happiness and fulfillment. My daughter is destined for a smooth and fortunate life.”
“And I had this headdress made from that ruby. Haven’t you always wanted it?”
I knew the ruby she meant.
The Marchioness owned a flawless red gem, finer even than tribute stones, and it was her most treasured dowry possession. My lady had asked for it as a child and been scolded more than once.
The Marchioness’s rambling made my lady’s eyes redden. “Mother, I was ignorant then. Save the headdress for my younger brother. You have already given me so much.”
Now the Marchioness’s eyes reddened too. She stroked her daughter’s cheek with a smile.
“Don’t cry. Your brother insists on adding to your dowry. He even wants to buy several fine horses from South Street so you can leave home in proper splendor. Won’t you sob even harder then?”
I grinned foolishly with them.
Everyone in my lady’s family doted on her.
Whenever a new style of jewelry or fabric became fashionable in the capital, it appeared on her table before the month was out.
The Fifth Young Master shared her mother and granted her every wish. More than once, he had secretly taken my lady and me out to play. When the Marquis discovered it, he nearly brought out the family rod.
Even the Marquis returned from every journey with some amusing trinket for her.
Sometimes I thought in secret: So this is what family is—people holding one another in their hearts.
Not a mother selling her daughter as mine had.
We returned from the Marchioness’s courtyard with our arms full.
Nanny Liu was run off her feet, directing servants as they carried everything into the storeroom. Only late that night did she finally have a moment to breathe.
My lady called me into her room and took out a small box. Inside lay fifty taels in newly cast silver and two gold bangles.
She said they were to help me start my life.
“Don’t refuse. This is my investment. When your shop opens, I expect to eat there for free.”
Her tone allowed no argument.
Before I could think of one anyway, Nanny Liu shoved me out of the room.
“Take it. You were lucky enough to find such a good mistress. Fools truly are blessed.”
The door closed, leaving me alone with the box in my arms.
I had never liked owing favors. My lady was softhearted enough to preserve even a servant’s dignity.
Once you accept a gift, you owe a debt.
I had to repay her well.
Peach-blossom cakes, water-chestnut cakes, lily pastries, buttered pine-nut rolls—I piled them all onto my lady’s table.
By the time I had successfully fattened her up, Nanny Liu was beating her breast and lamenting that she should never have let me take that money.
But my lady was livelier and healthier, so Nanny Liu eventually pretended not to notice.
My lady had always eaten too little. She studied too much and had a weak constitution. I had finally put a little flesh on her bones; how could I let wedding preparations ruin her health?
I was shamelessly thick-skinned. Nanny Liu could scold all she liked—I went on happily making pastries.
One day, as I carried a tray of fresh cakes back to the courtyard, I encountered the Eldest Young Master.
He leaned against a garden rock, watching me at his leisure.