Chapter Thirty: Rumors of the Court and Residence (II)

Winter Snow turned her face away in a huff, making Tao Ming laugh out loud. But then she wondered—what did Grandmother intend by having Xia He say all those things? She might very well be leaving tomorrow! Whatever schemes the madams of the household devised, what did they have to do with her? Still curious, she was about to ask more when a voice called from outside, “Miss, it’s time to go to Listening Waves Residence for the meal.”

Winter Snow immediately rose to reply, and Tao Ming went into the bedchamber to fetch the two little ones. Xia He followed behind, saying, “Miss, why not change into something else? Don’t let them look down on you.”

Tao Ming glanced at Xia He in surprise. “Is there some tradition about this?”

Xia He explained, “Whenever a master in the house so much as rests on a bed, they’ll change into fresh clothes to show their status. Besides, servants are always quick to flatter the high and step on the low—a change of attire puts them in their place.”

Very well, when in Rome. Though she wasn’t used to such customs, Tao Ming decided to go along with it. Out of caution, she asked, “Are there any taboos? Colors I shouldn’t wear, for instance?”

“Only the imperial family may wear purple, otherwise it doesn’t matter,” Xia He replied.

Tao Ming took out the dresses made of Moonshadow Gauze by Tao Banxia—three sets in all, one large and two small. Xia He gave a startled gasp. “Is that Moonshadow Gauze?”

Tao Ming recalled Tao Banxia’s delight when she unearthed the Moonshadow Gauze, second only to her excitement at finding Starry Gauze. The faint yellow shimmered, elusive and ethereal, like moonbeams cascading gently from a bright night sky.

Tao Ming smiled. “If you want to impress, you must use the rarest things.”

Xia He laughed as well. “Miss, you’re truly clever.”

Tao Ming rolled her eyes inwardly and began dressing the two little ones. Xia He offered, “Let me serve the young ladies, Miss.”

“No need, I can manage,” Tao Ming replied. Xia He, noticing the underpants, remarked, “These are a novelty.”

Tao Ming’s hands didn’t pause. “Interested? I’ll give you two pairs.”

Xia He shook her head quickly. “Miss already gifted me the crystal cup—I don’t dare ask for more.”

Once the two were dressed, Tao Ming took out two pairs of imitation crystal hair clips for their buns—pink for Softie, white for Taffy. The two little girls huddled together, making faces at each other, up to who-knew-what.

Xia He could only marvel inwardly—how wealthy her miss was!

Tao Ming removed her own jewelry and undressed. Xia He, curious about her underwear, remarked, “I’ve never seen such a garment—it looks so cool and comfortable.”

Tao Ming grinned. “Things from another world are naturally different.”

When she was dressed and ready to do her hair, Xia He came over. “Miss, let me help you with your hair.”

Tao Ming did not refuse; she was never skilled at it herself, so why not have an expert do it? She obediently sat at the dressing table and handed Xia He the comb.

Xia He examined the comb. “This material—neither gold nor jade…”

Tao Ming tilted her head. “Aren’t you the least bit curious how I produce so many things?”

“We maidservants all have a treasure pouch. Naturally Miss has one too.”

So, someone had already provided her with a plausible excuse—cultivation certainly had its perks.

Xia He continued, “Miss, you should change your jewelry as well.”

Tao Ming agreed and produced a set left by her father. She recalled that it was carved from Frost Stone and inlaid with South Sea pearls—Tao Banxia had even marked it as “extremely precious.”

In her hand, the so-called pearls looked much like ordinary ones. No wonder, back in the flower hall, so many people stared intently at the girls’ heads. It had all been a misunderstanding.

Xia He took the set and began adorning her, saying, “White is most suitable with Moonshadow Gauze.”

With practiced fingers, she arranged Tao Ming’s hair into several buns. “Miss’s hair is a bit short—the buns aren’t full enough.”

If only she knew, thought Tao Ming, that before childbirth she’d shaved her head to a buzz cut for convenience—she’d be frightened out of her wits.

Gazing at her reflection—familiar yet strange—Tao Ming felt a touch of unreality. Oh well, when in Rome.

Once everything was in order, Xia He admired her work. “Miss, you are so beautiful—just like the Twelfth Lady.”

“You’ve seen my mother?” Tao Ming was eager to know what kind of person her mother was.

Xia He’s face filled with gratitude. “Back then, I was just a little maid, cleaning. Once, I made a mistake and was scolded by Madam Xu. The Twelfth Lady happened by and spoke a few kind words for me—I’ve never forgotten it.”

So, her mother had been truly kind.

“How skilled was my mother?” Tao Ming asked.

Xia He’s pride shone through. “She was exceptionally gifted. In her early twenties, she was already a fifth-rank Sun-tier master. After all these years, she must be even more formidable!”

Tao Ming’s heart sank. Sun-tier, fifth rank—indeed impressive, while she herself was still so weak.

Recalling her grandmother’s head of white hair, Tao Ming asked, “Why does Grandmother look so aged?”

Xia He hurried to caution, “Miss, never speak of that before others.”

Tao Ming nodded, wisely holding her tongue.

Winter Snow waited outside for some time before, seeing Tao Ming still hadn’t emerged, she was about to call out when Tao Ming finally stepped out, holding a little girl by each hand. Usually composed, Winter Snow was for a moment visibly shocked by Tao Ming’s attire.

On the way, Softie’s true nature emerged—hopping and skipping, tripping on her skirt so often she nearly fell several times. Winter Snow watched over her protectively but seemed to want to speak, then held back. Tao Ming pretended not to notice.

When they reached the entrance of Listening Waves Residence, a cacophony of voices could be heard within. Tao Ming took a deep breath and entered.

Instantly, the room fell silent. A hundred pairs of eyes turned in unison, and if looks could pierce flesh, Tao Ming would already be riddled with holes.

Listening Waves was just a large hall, perhaps three or four hundred square meters, filled with several round tables, each seating ten. At the very front, two tables held unidentifiable uncles at one, and aunts at the other. Behind them, a dozen more tables, some full, some half-occupied, some empty.

Uncertain where to sit, Tao Ming whispered, “Xia He, where should I go?”

Xia He discreetly pointed to a table among the aunts. “Where the Old Ancestor sits, that’s where Miss should be.”

Tao Ming gazed at the bustling hall. It felt just like attending a wedding banquet back on Earth. “Is there no separation between men and women here?”

“There is some etiquette,” Xia He replied, “but the Old Ancestor loves lively company. At this hour, she insists the whole family dine together. Besides, it’s all family—there’s no harm.”

Still, Tao Ming thought she shouldn’t sit yet. Even if she had to, she’d wait for her grandmother. Otherwise, sitting with the aunts and her two charges would be mortifying—she didn’t even know who was who!

As she wavered, a voice called from outside, “The Old Ancestor has arrived!”

Tao Ming quickly turned. Was it her imagination, or did the Old Ancestor seem uncommonly spry? Wasn’t she supposed to move with the dignity befitting her age?

Seeing Tao Ming, the Old Ancestor beamed. “Mingming, come sit by Grandmother.”

Tao Ming followed obediently.

When her grandmother took her seat, Tao Ming noticed there were only two chairs left. She would have a place, but what about her two little ones?

Grandmother noticed her hesitation. “Mingming, why aren’t you sitting?”

“Grandmother, where will Softie and Taffy sit?”

The entire room seemed to twitch at her words.

A little maid quickly offered, “Miss, the young ladies will be seated at the back with the other girls of the house.”

Just as she’d feared. Tao Ming said, “Grandmother, I’ve always cared for them myself—they always eat with me.”

Grandmother chuckled. “Spring Grass, bring another chair, and set two more places.”

One of the aunts protested, “Mother, that’s not proper.”

Without even a glance, Grandmother replied, “Rules are made by people.”

When the chairs were set, Tao Ming sat in the middle, the two little ones on either side.

The table was already laden with dishes—meat and vegetables, though Tao Ming couldn’t recognize any of them.

Grandmother lifted her chopsticks. “Eat, everyone—don’t be so stiff. The more lively, the better.”

The hundred-some people in the hall began to eat, some whispering among themselves.

Grandmother turned to the eldest aunt. “Wanhua, it’s been a while since I visited your courtyard. Is there anything you lack?”

The eldest aunt trembled. She hadn’t made any mistakes lately, had she? She quickly replied, “Thank you for your concern, Mother, but I lack nothing.”

Grandmother smiled. “Now that Mingming is staying in Brocade Garden, help her see if anything is missing.”

At the mention of Brocade Garden, the eldest aunt remembered she’d secretly taken some of its supplies. She hastened to say, “It was my oversight. I’ll see to everything after the meal.”

Grandmother nodded, saying no more.

The other aunts exchanged glances, but none spoke.

Tao Ming glanced at Xia He, who signaled her to watch Qiu Ye. Tao Ming followed her gaze; Qiu Ye, expressionless, was calmly serving soup to the Old Ancestor.

Masters, all of them, thought Tao Ming. So skilled at speaking in circles—she’d have to learn the art if she hoped to keep up, for her own bluntness wouldn’t suffice in a place like this.