Chapter 4

Flowing-Cloud Brocade looked almost identical to Shimmering Brocade, but in truth it was a cheap imitation commissioned by a merchant who wanted to enter the Shimmering Brocade trade and could not find the right weavers. Both its price and quality were far inferior.

The great households would rather use something else altogether than wear Flowing-Cloud Brocade. Counterfeit was counterfeit, and wearing it in public would be humiliating.

Yun Yaoyao had tried to make Yan Yunqing pressure me into giving her Shimmering Brocade, only to receive Flowing-Cloud Brocade instead. How could she not be furious?

After she finally sorted all the beans and emerged from confinement, Yun Yaoyao began devising new ways to please Yan Yunqing.

First she studied Kunqu opera, then lantern-making. For Yan Yunqing’s birthday, she came to me with a proposal and made an entire garden of lanterns by hand.

The rabbit lanterns seemed ready to spring to life, the lotus lanterns were exquisitely fashioned, and even the pair of plump carp looked lively and endearing.

I arranged Yan Yunqing’s intimate birthday supper in that garden. The Old Madam and the other relatives had attended the grand banquet during the day; the evening supper was usually reserved for the lord, the women of his rear court, and their children.

The concubines dressed themselves like brilliant bouquets, each presenting a talent or birthday gift.

The children chased one another through the garden, beside themselves with delight.

Yan Yunqing was equally happy to display his thoughtfulness and paternal affection. He asked after nearly everyone present, including the concubines and children he might not ordinarily see even once a month.

My eldest son, Yan Mingxiao, was ten that year and already a young gentleman. He studied at the Imperial Academy and came home only on rest days. Today he had returned to celebrate his father’s birthday.

He sat beside me, outwardly prim and proper, though his unblinking eyes remained fixed on the lifelike lanterns.

“Mother, these lanterns are every bit as fine as the craftsmen’s work outside.”

I smiled, served him more food, and nodded. “Your Concubine-Mother Yun made them all herself. They truly are beautiful.”

Whatever else I thought of her, I sincerely admired Yun Yaoyao’s skill. I certainly could not have done it. At best, I could embroider a small purse.

The supper ended perfectly. Everyone laughed and smiled; Yun Yaoyao and I even exchanged a few words, as though no discord had ever existed between us.

After that night, Yan Yunqing favored Yun Yaoyao more than ever. He spent most nights in her courtyard.

Naturally, I had no objection.

Most of the rear court’s concubines had a son or daughter and lived their own lives.

Those without children had occupations of their own. So long as appearances were maintained, I did not constrain them unduly.

Another month or so passed before news came from Yun Yaoyao’s courtyard: she was with child, a little over one month along.

Yan Yunqing was overjoyed. For a time, Yun Yaoyao basked in boundless favor.

Yan Yunqing had reached thirty and already had five sons and six daughters. Others called him blessed with abundant offspring.

That fact had also earned me considerable praise among the capital’s noblewomen.

Yet he seemed to value Yun Yaoyao’s pregnancy above all the others. Not only did he visit her every day, he personally questioned the physician about her pulse.

During my two pregnancies and confinements, he had done no more than ask the physician a few questions.

That was how the capital’s great houses seemed to be. Pregnancy and childbirth were struggles borne by women alone; husbands scarcely concerned themselves.

Another month passed. One afternoon, my matron suddenly told me Yun Yaoyao had been secretly burning moxa and sending servants to buy large quantities of medicine meant to secure a pregnancy.

My gaze sharpened. I told the matron to watch more closely.