Chapter 646 Chang Manor
The Chang Manor was adorned with festive lanterns today, and the servants going to and fro were all wearing new jackets, their faces beaming with joy. It was the Old Madam’s eightieth birthday, and the household had received an extra three months’ allowance.
“You two, hurry up and move these flower pots to the back courtyard. These crabapples are the Old Madam’s favorites; be careful not to break them.”
“And you few, go inspect the garden again. Make sure there are no withered branches or fallen leaves on the ground.”
The steward in the back courtyard shouted loudly, afraid of making any mistakes in their haste. If the Old Madam’s birthday banquet were to be ruined, they would all face severe consequences.
The same scene was unfolding in the front courtyard, only here it was the head steward of the Chang Manor who was in charge.
“Whether it’s the front or back courtyard, there must be no slip-ups. The guards must not be left alone!” the head steward instructed solemnly. Once the guests arrived in large numbers in the evening, it was inevitable that some would seize the opportunity to cause trouble.
After arranging the guards, the head steward called the stewards from the front and back courtyards to give them further instructions. “There will be many female guests tonight. Make sure all the maids and matrons are vigilant. Do not accept any money that should not be accepted. If any mistakes are made, they will be immediately sold off!”
“Uncle Chang, please rest assured, we will keep this in mind,” the three stewards pledged, patting their chests. The two嬷嬷 in charge of miscellaneous affairs in the back courtyard also nodded in agreement.
The Chang Manor had strict rules, but they did not treat their servants harshly. The servants could certainly accept ordinary tips from guests, but if they became greedy and did something that violated the Chang Manor’s rules for money, losing their positions would be the least of their worries; the Chang family would not let them off easily.
The news that Zhan Feiyu had purchased a string of black agarwood prayer beads at a high price from Duo Bao Pavilion as a birthday gift had already spread throughout the capital.
Zhan Feiyu looked at the red sandalwood box placed on the small table inside the carriage. “Do you think Zhe Jing will really be foolish enough to tamper with the Old Madam Chang’s birthday gift?”
Logically, if the gift were tampered with, Zhan Feiyu would indeed lose face, but Zhe Jing, who would be causing the disturbance, would likely be even more disliked. If Zhe Jing were to act, she would be slapping Lord Chang’s face and damaging the Old Madam’s reputation.
Recalling Zhe Jing’s arrogant and overbearing nature, He Nuan frowned, thinking that the possibility of her not acting was almost nil. “Should we arrange for someone to keep an eye on the prayer beads, or use her own methods against her?”
If Zhe Jing were to act, there would be two main possibilities: either she would bribe a servant of the Chang Manor to destroy the prayer beads, or she would swap the prayer beads with something of inferior quality, and then force Miss to open the gift box in public, causing her to lose face.
If it were the former, having someone watch would not only prevent Zhe Jing from acting but also allow them to apprehend the perpetrator. If it were the latter, they could seize the opportunity to swap Zhe Jing’s birthday gift, making Zhe Jing suffer the consequences of her own actions.
“Just have someone keep an eye on it. If they are caught red-handed, hand them over to the Chang Manor for处理. There’s no need to create further complications,” Zhan Feiyu said. She wasn’t being soft-hearted and letting Zhe Jing off the hook, but causing a disturbance at a birthday banquet was indeed inappropriate and would ultimately damage the Chang Manor’s reputation.
At the entrance of the Chang Manor, Lord Chang’s paternal cousin and nephew were responsible for receiving guests. Upon seeing Zhan Feiyu disembark from the carriage, the uncle and nephew were momentarily stunned. They then realized this was Miss Zhan, who was staying at Yu Feng Lou and was a distinguished guest specifically mentioned by Lord Chang.
“Tell your aunt to come over quickly,” the Chang cousin whispered to his nephew. Then, with a smile, he walked forward. “I presume this is Miss Zhan. Your presence here brings great honor to our humble abode.”
Zhan Feiyu returned the greeting with a gentle smile. “Uncle, you are too kind…”
While they were exchanging pleasantries, He Nuan had already handed over the birthday gift. Madam Qu, who was responsible for receiving the female guests, also walked over quickly with her maids and matrons.
Madam Qu’s eyes lit up when she saw Zhan Feiyu. What a well-behaved and beautiful young lady, no less distinguished than the noble daughters of the capital! “There are many guests today, Miss Zhan. Please forgive the wait. This way, please.”
Madam Qu’s smile was cordial and gentle. As she led Zhan Feiyu towards the inner chambers, she continued, “The Old Madam’s greatest regret in life was not having a granddaughter. Our Chang family has mostly grandsons among the younger generation. Seeing Miss today, the Old Madam will surely be delighted.”
Meanwhile, in the Shou’an Courtyard, where the Old Madam Chang resided in the back of the Chang Manor, it had been lively since morning. Although guests would not arrive to offer birthday wishes until the afternoon, the younger generation of the Chang family had already arrived early.
Some of the younger members who lived far from the capital had arrived in the capital half a month in advance and were staying in the guest courtyards of the Chang Manor. Thus, the courtyard had been filled with laughter since early morning.
“Old Madam, Miss Zhan has arrived,” the attending嬷嬷 reported in a low voice. She didn’t know the background of this young lady, but the master had previously instructed them to treat her well.
In the main hall, seated below the Old Madam were several elderly ladies with white hair who had been friends with the Old Madam Chang for decades. There were also some younger women who were relatives who had arrived earlier to offer birthday wishes, including Madam Zhu and her sister-in-law.
Madam Zhu, always cheerful, said with a smile, “Old Madam, is that Miss Zhan from Yu Feng Lou? I must meet this young lady today. I’ve heard she possesses an air of scholarly refinement that surpasses even the noble ladies of our capital.”
Wen Ruyi was undoubtedly the foremost among the talented women in the capital, but she had been tricked out of ten thousand taels of silver by Zhan Feiyu at Duo Bao Pavilion. Although rumors claimed Zhan Feiyu was greedy, in the eyes of Madam Zhu and other matriarchs, Wen Ruyi had ultimately fallen short.
To make bold claims without understanding the opponent’s conduct was a mistake. Zhan Feiyu had already shown restraint by not emptying Duo Bao Pavilion. Otherwise, if Wen Ruyi had spoken, even if it were a hundred thousand taels, she would have had to accept it grudgingly.
The Old Madam Chang, her face full of wrinkles, also smiled. “Don’t just say you’re curious; I, this old woman, am also curious. We must get a good look at her today. Whose family could raise such an intelligent young lady?”
(End of Chapter)