A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 77
by Little PandaBanquet Invitation
“How about we kiss first!”
Shen Hetang propped her head on one hand, lying sideways on the soft quilt. “So it was my father-in-law who went to plead for me? Does that mean you sold him out to save me?”
She looked like she wanted to laugh, but thought it impolite, and held it back so Jiang Chenyu wouldn’t notice.
“You can’t put it that way. Even if something did happen, she’s a princess—it’s not like he’d come out on the losing end.” Jiang Chenyu’s guilty defense was weak.
“Yes, yes, yes. A man his age still having a romantic streak is rare indeed. Thanks to my father-in-law’s handsome looks, I got out of that wretched place faster. One of these days I’ll have to prepare a generous gift and go pay my respects in person!” Shen Hetang laughed.
“You can thank him later. First, you can thank me.” Jiang Chenyu leaned in, her long hair swept to one side, revealing a pale, slender neck, small, round earlobes, pink cheeks and cherry lips—her whole body flushed pink through the white, glowing softly like a vision.
Dressed in a simple white sleeping robe, she looked even more pitifully lovely, her long lashes fluttering as she gazed at Shen Hetang, as if she wanted to speak but held back.
Shen Hetang lazily looked her up and down, then reached out and hooked a finger around the beauty’s sash. With a tug, she pulled the woman onto her body.
“And how would you like me to thank you?” Her voice was low and mellifluous, her fingers slowly pulling at Jiang Chenyu’s sleeve, inch by inch, until she saw the smooth, white shoulder. Then she let go of the fabric, half-closing her eyes with a roguish grin.
Perhaps it had been too long since they’d seen each other. Jiang Chenyu craved skin-to-skin contact, shedding her usual reserve. She undid her own sash, let her robe fall open, and pressed herself against Shen Hetang.
“Then let’s kiss first!” She giggled, pursed her pink lips, and leaned in.
Shen Hetang raised a hand to the nape of her neck, pressing them together, then rolled over, pinning her beneath her. She replaced the embroidered quilt with the soft, smooth beauty beneath her, pressing and rubbing wantonly.
She gathered Jiang Chenyu’s slender fingers, intertwining them with her own, stroking, then gripping the delicate wrist, or holding the hand in hers to play with.
The beauty’s eyes were shimmering, watery and bright, like a plate of freshly rinsed green grapes—crystal clear, tempting enough to make one’s mouth water.
The shadows cast through the bed curtains showed two figures tightly entwined, panting/moaning fiercely, as if pouring out days of longing and love.
“Ah… lighter…!” Jiang Chenyu was held sitting in Shen Hetang’s embrace, nowhere to escape.
“No.” With that, Shen Hetang tightened her grip on her waist and lifted her another inch…!
Jiang Chenyu leaned weakly against her, her very heart tingling and numb, her fingers digging deep into the flesh of Shen Hetang’s thigh.
The candlelight in the room slowly went out, but outside the moon shone clear as water, full of poetry.
A few days later, the Shen Manor received an invitation.
“Ah Tang, this invitation from the princess—should I go or not?” The gatekeeper had just delivered an invitation to a plum blossom viewing banquet at the Princess Mansion, saying it was to invite the ladies and misses of various households to see the red plum blossoms.
“Right now the red plums are at their best. I hear the plum blossoms at the princess’s mansion are even finer than those in the palace—it’d be a shame to miss them. Besides, since the princess sent the invitation, it wouldn’t be polite to refuse. Go ahead without worry. You’re already the young mistress of the Shen family now; the princess shouldn’t have any ill intentions toward you.” Shen Hetang sat in a high-backed armchair, pouring tea.
Just then, Concubine Ru and Cousin Zhang happened to be passing by and, hearing the commotion, came into the main hall to join in.
“Young Mistress, you actually received an invitation from the princess? That plum blossom banquet must be a lively affair—there’ll be plenty of unmarried young ladies attending, won’t there?” Concubine Ru’s honey-colored face was full of delight as she chatted cheerfully with Jiang Chenyu.
“They say it’s inviting the misses and madams of various households, so there should be quite a few!” Jiang Chenyu could tell at once what Concubine Ru was thinking.
“Young Mistress, you’re Yunjie’s saozi1. As his sister-in-law, you ought to help out with your little brother-in-law’s marriage, don’t you think?” Concubine Ru was secretly excited, her eyes fixed on Jiang Chenyu as she rattled on.
“Concubine, if I go, I’ll naturally keep an eye out for him. You can rest assured.” She remembered that Ah Tang wanted Yunjie to marry soon.
“Oh, I knew the Young Mistress was kind-hearted. You must put some thought into Yunjie’s matter for me, Concubine!” Concubine Ru beamed, her teeth showing.
Cousin Zhang, standing beside her, looked as if she wanted to say something but held back, a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
Jiang Chenyu pretended not to notice and went on drinking her tea.
“biaosao2, at this plum blossom banquet at the princess’s mansion, since they’re inviting all the young ladies, there’s bound to be poetry composition and couplet matching, isn’t there? If so, wouldn’t biaosao be at a disadvantage?” Cousin Zhang held her handkerchief, her brows slightly furrowed in a look of genuine concern.
“Oh? There’s such a segment?” Jiang Chenyu played along, curious to see where this was going.
“Yes. Biaosao only recently arrived in the capital and doesn’t know the local customs. Your little sister is not very accomplished, but I do know a thing or two about poetry and song. If biaosao is worried about being embarrassed, I could come along as well.” Cousin Zhang wore an expression of great righteousness, as if she believed her own words.
“Hehe, you’re so kind, biaomei3! But composing poetry and matching couplets are games for unmarried girls. As a married woman, I have nothing to do with that. Don’t worry.” Jiang Chenyu almost took her hand and thanked her.
“But just in case—if something embarrassing happens, it would reflect badly on biaoge4.” Cousin Zhang persisted, acting as if she were managing the Shen household. Jiang Chenyu wanted to slap her. If she wanted to go, she should just say so, instead of beating around the bush and setting traps.
“Biaomei, I’ve made a fool of myself plenty of times since I was young. One or two more won’t matter. Your biaosao just needs to have a good time—don’t worry about the rest.” Shen Hetang, who had been lounging nearby, saw that this little cousin was as stubborn as an old pedant, so she spoke up.
Hearing Shen Hetang say this, Zhang Miaoyi felt a lump in her throat and didn’t know what else to say. She wanted to go and broaden her horizons, but was too embarrassed to say it outright.
An invitation to the princess’s mansion was something she could never even touch in her lifetime. If she were lucky enough to go, her father at home would surely think highly of her and say she was ambitious.
Now that she couldn’t swallow her pride, her expression was slightly twisted.
Jiang Chenyu found it amusing.
“Maybe biaosao should still take me along. That way, if something comes up, we can look out for each other.” She still wouldn’t give up, taking a deep breath and stating it plainly.
“That’s right, Young Mistress. Take Miaoyi with you so she can help you out!” Concubine Ru chimed in, putting on the airs of an elder.
“Cousin Zhang, this is the princess’s invitation, not just any rich family’s banquet. How would I dare bring unrelated people along? How many heads do I have to be so bold?” Jiang Chenyu’s gaze sharpened as she swept her eyes over her, speaking seriously.
“Miaoyi understands. I was being presumptuous and making things difficult for biaosao.” Zhang Miaoyi lowered her head and spoke softly, as if wronged or deeply ashamed.
Then she raised her watery eyes toward Shen Hetang, as if in silent accusation.
“This plum blossom banquet really isn’t suitable for you to attend, biaomei. If there’s somewhere else you’d like to go, I’ll take you out another day.” Shen Hetang was troubled. Why did this cousin have to join in the fun? This time, it was probably Princess Shunhe looking for a wife for her son. Otherwise, given her usual style, she rarely made such a public display.
But what did it mean that she invited Jiang Chenyu? Was this invitation obtained because of her relationship, or because of Lord Hua’s? That was still unknown.
“Thank you, biaoge, for your concern. I understand.” Zhang Miaoyi stared at Shen Hetang with longing as she replied.
This back-and-forth between the two of them annoyed the one who mattered. Jiang Chenyu shot a displeased glance at the well-meaning Shen Hetang, then said to Cousin Zhang, “I really can’t take you this time, Cousin. But if you truly want to go, you can dress up as a maidservant and follow along!”
With that, she gave Shen Hetang another unhappy look. Take her out for fun, huh? Hmph, dream on!
Shen Hetang felt she’d been dragged into it again. She wisely shut her mouth and didn’t interrupt.
“A maidservant?” Zhang Miaoyi was shocked. She, the daughter of an official, was supposed to dress as a servant to attend a plum blossom banquet? How outrageous.
“Yes, a maidservant.” Jiang Chenyu added matter-of-factly.
“Well… thank you for your kindness, biaosao. Let me think it over.” Zhang Miaoyi’s faintly excited heart was doused with cold water.
Her marriage prospects had been rough. After her original engagement fell through, she had her eye on a suitable family, but her half-sister snatched it away. Her mother never fought for anything, letting the concubine walk all over her without resistance. Her father had favored his concubine over his wife for ages. If she didn’t plan for herself, she couldn’t count on her parents.
One spent all day eating vegetarian and chanting the Buddha’s name5, while the other only had eyes for his illegitimate children. If she didn’t want to climb to a higher social standing, why would she bother clinging to the Shen Manor?
True, Third Cousin of the Shen family was a decent candidate, but she looked down on a concubine’s son and didn’t like him. She liked Second Cousin, but she came too late—by the time she learned he was back at the manor, he was already about to marry.
Now, to keep her father’s concubine from meddling in her marriage, she had to find a suitable match herself. If she could make a few friends among the official ladies at this banquet, she might have a chance to show her face in public.
Ah, she had always loved the clear breeze and bright moon, but with no one to plan for her, she could only scheme and grasp at opportunities, vainly hoping for a salted fish to turn over6.
As she thought about it, her eyes reddened. Not wanting others to notice, she lowered her head even further.
Just then, Madam Shen entered the main hall. Seeing everyone gathered, she asked what the excitement was about.
Learning that Jiang Chenyu had been invited to the princess’s mansion for a banquet, she immediately took her by the hand to go pick out nice clothes and jewelry.
Noticing Zhang Miaoyi standing with her head down, she said kindly, “Miaoyi, pick out a couple of pieces too. I’ll get you a couple of new outfits as well.”
This child had been fairly well-behaved since arriving at the Shen Manor, causing no trouble. Madam Shen had a soft spot for delicate, soft-spoken girls—probably because her own daughters were too strong-willed, which made her especially tolerant of girls who smiled without showing their teeth and were timid and weak.
Hearing Madam Shen’s words, Zhang Miaoyi felt even more wronged and resentful.
She raised her reddened eyes to look at Madam Shen.
Seeing her pitiful state, Madam Shen asked what had happened. After learning the whole story, she too was troubled. Who was that princess? She couldn’t just receive anyone.
She could only console her, saying they’d find another opportunity to broaden her horizons another day.
Jiang Chenyu didn’t pay her any more attention. If she wanted to go, she’d have to dress as a maidservant and sneak in. She didn’t have that much face to bring along a drag oil bottle7!
Shen Hetang also just thought her cousin was young and wanted to join the fun, but not every kind of fun was for her. She led Jiang Chenyu back to their room and told her to prepare her own outfit for the banquet.
She wondered why the princess had suddenly thought to invite Jiang Chenyu. But if she went, she had a heavy task ahead: getting to know the various madams and also scouting suitable candidates for Shen Yunjie.
For Jiang Chenyu, who was attending this kind of event for the first time, it probably wouldn’t be easy. She’d go pick her up early when the time came…
Footnotes
- 'Saozi' (嫂子) is a term for an older brother's wife, used by younger siblings or in-laws.
- 'Biaosao' (表嫂) is a term for the wife of one's male maternal cousin.
- 'Biaomei' (表妹) is a term for a younger female maternal cousin.
- 'Biaoge' (表哥) is a term for an older male maternal cousin.
- 'Eating vegetarian and chanting the Buddha's name' (吃斋念佛) is a common Chinese phrase describing a devout Buddhist layperson, often used to imply a passive, withdrawn lifestyle.
- 'A salted fish turning over' (咸鱼翻身) is a Chinese idiom meaning a sudden reversal of fortune, often used for someone in a hopeless situation miraculously improving their lot.
- 'Drag oil bottle' (拖油瓶) is a derogatory term for an unwanted burden or encumbrance, often a child from a previous marriage or a dependent who is seen as a hindrance.
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