A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 85
by Little PandaBanquet for Colleagues
The Night Before Departure
Everything was ready. The only thing missing was packing herself up and going along with her. If she could bring all this, why couldn’t she bring one more person? Hmph.
Jiang Chenyu was arranging today’s lunch. Tomorrow at dawn, Ah Tang would set off. Madam Shen had been low-spirited for a long time after learning of it — she’d even wanted to keep her home to continue the family line. Thinking back on it now, she must have been out of her mind. Her Ah Tang had no time for that. What kind of wild fancies had she been entertaining all day?
Now, nothing was more important than her daughter’s safety. The thought of her going off to fight and kill again made her heart twist with anxiety as a mother. Before, at least her father had been out there at the frontier. Now the old man was gone, yet she was sending her daughter off to war alone. What kind of logic was that?
Even after marrying into a military family all those years ago, Madam Shen still couldn’t get used to the sight of sending a loved one off to war.
She had lost count of how long she’d been cursing the Emperor in her heart. But the trouble was of her own making — aside from praying to the gods and Buddha, she had no other recourse. So she had been kneeling and praying in the Buddhist hall all this time.
The kitchen was bustling with activity. Today’s lunch wasn’t just for the Shen Manor’s own household — they were also hosting a banquet for the subordinate officers who would be marching out with Shen Hetang. There would be about two tables of outsiders, so lunch had to be more elaborate than usual.
Two cooks and four older women were normally more than enough, but today they were stretched thin. Jiang Chenyu had sent four more young servant girls to help out, and she was personally overseeing the kitchen.
The young servant girls picked vegetables, washed greens, and tended the fires. The older women prepared ingredients, chopped vegetables, and killed fish. The cook swung his iron wok with a whooshing sound, flames leaping high. Sweat poured down his back, but his expression remained all business.
Guests would be arriving soon, and she still needed to go up front to greet them. She wouldn’t linger long, but she’d have to show her face. Third Brother would also help receive the guests, so she’d probably be needed quite a bit.
“Braised pork knuckles, roast lamb leg, Dongpo pork — these need sufficient cooking time. Don’t let them come out half-raw.”
“And the vegetable dishes — they should look clean and appetizing. Don’t stir-fry them into a soupy mess.”
“Nanny Liu, once the meat and vegetable dumplings are both ready, wait for word from the front before you start boiling them.”
Jiang Chenyu issued her instructions amid the smoke-filled kitchen. Normally, the servants received rewards from the Young Mistress for a job well done. Now that the Young Mistress was personally directing the work, every one of them was fired up and showing off their skills. The clatter of pots, bowls, ladles, and pans rose and fell in a constant din.
“Saozi1, is there anything else that needs doing here? Let me help.” Third Sister-in-law, seeing Jiang Chenyu pacing around the kitchen, stepped forward and offered.
“I’m just telling people what to do — moving my mouth, that’s all. There’s nothing you need to help with. It’s nothing but smoke and fire in here. You should go outside.” A strand of hair had fallen across her cheek, and she hadn’t even noticed.
“Saozi, you still need to receive guests soon. You should go get yourself ready while there’s still time,” Third Sister-in-law reminded her, seeing how busy she was.
“Mm, that’s true. I’ve given all the instructions I need to give. You don’t need to stay here either — let’s head back together.”
“All right then. The Heir’s Wife and the others have arrived too. I’ll go ahead to the main hall to receive them. Don’t rush, Saozi.” Her sister-in-law said in an unhurried manner.
“The Heir’s Wife and the others have already arrived? Then let me freshen up first — I’ll be there shortly.” She glanced down at what she was wearing and replied.
“Mm, leave it to me.” Her sister-in-law strolled leisurely toward the main hall.
Jiang Chenyu turned and headed back to her own room to freshen up her appearance.
She changed into a plain-colored inner robe and put on an orange-red, large-sleeved, cross-collar Ju Robe2 over it. The collar was trimmed with a ring of small pearls, with peacock-blue floral medallions embroidered at the center — elegant and refined.
At her waist hung an uncommon pink jade pendant, smooth and translucent. Her hair was styled in a high bun, topped with a jeweled flower tiara. She wore no earrings — trading flirtatious charm for dignified grace.
The main reason was that today’s guests were all men. She had deliberately dressed herself to look proper and demure. Though her natural beauty was hard to conceal, the heavy makeup transformed her face considerably. Standing there, she looked like a poised, steady, and wise mistress of the house.
But she had to admit — done up like this, she looked a good five years older. When Shen Hetang saw her, she actually froze for a moment.
“What are you staring at? Do I look bad?” Jiang Chenyu saw her startled expression and asked with a slight frown.
“How could Madam look bad? It’s just that with so much powder, your skin loses its glow, and the brows are too dark, the lips too red — but still, you’re as beautiful as ever.” She rattled off a whole list of criticisms, then pulled it all back with a compliment at the end.
“I only do this once in a while. Besides, dark brows and vermillion lip rouge make me look dignified and commanding. Don’t I have the air of a proper mistress of the house?” Jiang Chenyu said with satisfaction.
“Hahaha, I just think dark brows and red lips make you even more gorgeous. Come here — everything else can stay. I’ll just lighten your lip color a bit.” She leaned back in her chair and beckoned lazily.
Jiang Chenyu tilted her head to look at her, then padded over in quick little steps and sat on her lap. She looked at her with an expression that said, What are you up to?
Shen Hetang picked up a handkerchief and wiped the bright red color from her lips.
“If you want to wear it, save it for tonight. Better to wipe it off for now.” Even after wiping, her lips still held a faint flush.
Jiang Chenyu still had her chin raised, lips pursed, waiting. She glanced at her and found it almost too adorable. She stamped a kiss on her pretty red lips and said, “Tonight, let me help you take off your makeup. How about it?”
“All right. Tonight, you can do whatever you want!” She rested her hands lightly on her shoulders, gazing at her flawless jade-like face, and whispered by her ear.
She didn’t want to sleep tonight, because when she woke up, her Ah Tang would be gone. She couldn’t bear it.
“Then don’t back out when the time comes.” Shen Hetang’s eyes darkened slightly, a deeper meaning flickering across them as she looked her over.
Jiang Chenyu lost her nerve under that gaze, her eyes darting away as she backpedaled: “Pretend I never said it.”
“All right, enough teasing. Let’s go out.” She helped her to her feet, and they headed to the main hall together.
Three large tables were set in the spacious main hall. An eight-panel screen stood in the middle, separating the men from the women. The women’s table was mostly family members. For the sake of conviviality, they had chosen to start the meal together.
Once all the guests had arrived, the dishes began to be served. A stream of young servant girls filed in, carrying plates of food.
Today’s banquet was for the subordinates and colleagues who would be marching out with Shen Hetang. Some were local junior officers from well-off families; others were outstanding commandants and lieutenants from distant hometowns. Some Shen Hetang knew; others she didn’t. She was using these two tables of banquet to build rapport before setting out.
Military men were naturally livelier than civil officials. At first, the junior officers who had never met General Shen were a bit reserved, but once one or two who were on familiar terms broke the ice, the banquet grew boisterous.
Heir Wei was, it had to be said, useful at critical moments. He took on the role of host, shielding Shen Hetang from half the toasts. This was probably the reason the Heir’s Wife had brought him back.
All the dishes were served — twenty-six in total, with meat and vegetables arranged for ten people per table. Military men had hearty appetites, so Jiang Chenyu had calculated two dishes per person and landed on an auspicious number.
These soldiers and officers wouldn’t have it this easy once they reached the Border. Even if they could still eat well, it wouldn’t be with this kind of leisure.
Thin-skinned and tender, rich-flavored Dongpo pork with thick sauce. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside — sweet-and-sour mandarin fish. Fresh and tender, savory and fragrant salt-baked chicken. Juicy and tender four-joy meatballs, rich in texture.
Beyond the usual chicken, duck, fish, and meat dishes, the Shen Manor’s table also featured astragalus and soft-shell turtle soup, braised sea cucumber with scallions, hand-grabbed lamb, and braised beef strips — a spread of delicacies so abundant the table could barely hold them all.
Vegetable dishes weren’t quite in season yet, but they’d still managed to gather ten varieties. Tucked among the array of meat dishes, they proved quite popular. Lotus root with shrimp paste, spicy tofu, winter melon, wood ear mushroom, Chinese yam, potato, button mushrooms — everything they could find went on the table. Otherwise, they truly wouldn’t have been able to assemble such a lavish spread.
Some of the rarer ingredients had been purchased at high prices from restaurants. She wanted to make the banquet as sumptuous as possible. Ah Tang was a general — no one would give her a hard time — but even if she could help her only a little, she was glad to do it.
A joyful beginning for host and guest alike — and may it carry smoothly through to the end.
Listening to the lively sounds of drinking games coming from beyond the screen, Jiang Chenyu felt that her two days of hard work hadn’t been for nothing.
After the women finished eating, they left the table. The two tables of military men stayed behind, still drinking freely. Fortunately, this was a lunch — after the drinking, they could go home and sleep straight through from the afternoon until tomorrow morning.
Don’t ask why she was planning to sleep from the afternoon onward — because right now, that was exactly what Shen Hetang was thinking. Once this was over, she’d do nothing else but go back and sleep. Her sweet, soft wife was waiting for her.
After tonight, she wouldn’t be able to hold her anymore. The days ahead would have to be lived on memories alone. How miserable.
A wife she’d had for less than a year. If she’d known, she wouldn’t have wasted that first year of their acquaintance. Was it too late for regrets now?
No matter how much she didn’t want to be separated from Jiang Chenyu, after today she’d still have to pick up her responsibilities again and follow orders to the bitter cold of the Border.
Strange — she’d never found the Border bitter or cold before. How was it that she hadn’t even left yet, and already she wanted to complain? Had she been lingering too long in the land of tenderness?
The rowdy banquet finally broke up. She wanted to have an impression of every person who would be at her side. That incident had left a shadow on her — whether it was the spy later on or the war at the beginning, both had cost her dearly.
Jiang Chenyu ordered the servant girls to heat water, then supported the flushed-faced Shen Hetang back to their room.
She figured she’d settle her in, then go back out and handle the aftermath.
But the half-drunk person caught her wrist with an easy grip and pulled her right back.
“Be good — go lock the door. Let’s rest. I’m sleepy!” A flush of crimson touched the corners of Shen Hetang’s eyes. Her gaze, unlike its usual cool clarity, was hazy and alluring.
“You sleep first. I’ll be right back.” The guests had dispersed, but the Heir and the Heir’s Wife hadn’t left yet!
“I don’t care. You have to stay here with me. They can do whatever they want — don’t worry about them.” She tugged at Jiang Chenyu’s sleeve, refusing to let her go.
Jiang Chenyu couldn’t do anything about her act of spoiled petulance. She wanted to stay with her too, so she obediently went and locked the door.
Then Shen Hetang sank into the bathing tub. Jiang Chenyu laid out fresh sleepwear for her.
A half-drawn curtain dimmed the space within. Water vapor drifted in hazy wisps. The innermost layer of white gauze, let down to its lowest point, had caught the splashing water and hung half-wet to one side.
“Should I light a candle? It’s too dark.” Jiang Chenyu was loosening her hair bun.
“No need — it’s just right. Too bright and you might not be comfortable.” So saying, she flicked water onto her.
“Ah… I’m all wet! What are you, a child?” Jiang Chenyu looked at her soaked clothes, furrowing her brow and rubbing her cheek as she scolded her.
“Soaked is perfect — you can wash with me.” Shen Hetang said, unconcerned.
A moment later, a knock came at the door. “Young Mistress, the Old Madam sent me to bring hangover soup for the Second Young Master.”
“Someone’s here. Let go of me — in broad daylight, it’d be terrible if someone saw.” Hearing the servant girl’s voice beyond the door, Jiang Chenyu was both anxious and mortified.
She hurriedly pushed against the person behind her, clothes soaked through, fair shoulders half-exposed…!
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