Conversation

When the subject turned to reading, Old Madam Xia inevitably became more talkative.

She never spoke of such things in front of Old Madam Lu, but she was delighted to discuss them with Lin Yunwan alone. "I played the qin when I was young too. It was only later, when I took charge of the household, that I gave it up."

But recalling the happy days of her youth inevitably made her a little sad.

Old Madam Xia's expression grew somewhat desolate.

Lin Yunwan rubbed her fingertips together and smiled. "It's just as well I stopped playing. There are fewer calluses on my fingers."

Lu Jia was curious. "You had calluses on your hands?"

Of course she did. How could someone who played the qin not develop calluses on her fingers?

Lin Yunwan held out both hands for her to see. But she had stopped playing long ago, and now her hands were fair and delicate, like fresh scallion shoots, and very attractive.

Lu Jia stared at them.

Her hands resembled her father's, with large knuckles and fingers nowhere near as pretty. She had intended to compliment Lin Yunwan, but somehow she could not get the words out.

"Younger sister-in-law, no one could ever tell your hands once had calluses."

Twisting her handkerchief, she managed only that one remark.

Lu Zhengliu followed her gaze to Lin Yunwan's fingers, then could not resist looking at her face. It was just as fair and smooth, like fine Ru porcelain. But Ru porcelain was cold, while her hands and her face ought to be warm.

There were hardly any people in the room who could truly discourse at length on the qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

As Old Madam Xia talked, she too found it dull, so she raised a subject all the women could discuss. "Besides managing a household, a woman must also be skilled at needlework. Yun Wan, how is your embroidery?"

Her eyes were full of anticipation.

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly. "So-so. I can only do simple embroidery."

Old Madam Xia thought she was being modest and refused to believe her.

Fortunately, everyone did have something to say about needlework. Wei Shi chimed in, "Needlework is the best way to pass the time, though playing cards passes it even better."

"I often play cards with the maids. Unfortunately, they're better than I am, and sometimes I get angry when I lose too much."

Old Madam Xia smiled coolly. "Why lose your temper with maids? It's beneath your dignity."

Wei Shi said, "Oh, what's wrong with that? They're all maids who've served me for years."

Lu Jia secretly glared at Wei Shi.

Her legal mother really did not know how to speak. Why bring up playing cards out of nowhere? And with maids, no less. Even if she had said she played with the madams and ladies of some earl's or marquis's residence, that would have been more respectable.

She was already out of favor with her mother-in-law. How could her legal mother still think of ways to give her some face?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Lu Jia took a sip of tea. The tea in her cup had gone cold, and the maids here in her legal mother's quarters did not even know to come and replace it.

Lin Yunwan glanced over and instructed, "Bring me a fresh cup of tea."

She had not addressed the order to anyone in particular. Fortunately, Wei Shi's maids were reasonably quick-witted. One heard her and immediately came over, saying sheepishly, "Madam, young mistress, I was negligent. I'll bring you fresh hot tea at once."

Only then did Lu Jia's expression improve a little.

But when she turned her head, she saw her mother-in-law looking at Lin Yunwan with approval, more affectionately than she looked at her own daughter.

She was the Xia family's daughter-in-law!

In Wei Shi's room stood an embroidered screen. Its four panels formed a single picture, Thousand Armies Crossing the Water. The finishing touch that brought it to life was the figure on horseback.

It was the only item of any taste in Wei Shi's room.

Old Madam Xia regarded it more favorably and praised the figure. "The stitching is well done. It's a rare fine piece."

Wei Shi smiled. "Yun Wan embroidered it. She spent a whole year on it when she first married into the family and gave it to me as a birthday present. I like it so much that I've kept it out all this time. I can't bear to put it away."

"Oh? Yun Wan embroidered it?"

Smiling, Old Madam Xia "reproached" her. "And you said your embroidery was so-so. This is far from so-so!"

Lu Jia glanced at the screen and said without thinking, "She clearly should have used a light stitch here. It does look good at first glance, but unfortunately... she used the wrong stitch in one place." Her gaze settled on the figure's cheek.

"She used both light and solid stitching there, using the solid to achieve the effect of the light. The transitions between light and solid are excellent throughout this entire piece."

Old Madam Xia gave her a cold look. "If you haven't mastered the art, keep your mouth shut."

Lu Jia bit her lip.

Wasn't the reason she had not mastered it that the Lu family had never paid attention to her needlework?

Old Madam Xia felt she had not scolded her enough and went so far as to say, "As a daughter-in-law, you're nowhere near as good as Yun Wan. You should learn from your younger sister-in-law."

Lu Jia turned pale and said stiffly, "Of course my younger sister-in-law does everything well. There's plenty I need to learn from her!"

Lin Yunwan sensed trouble.

Old Madam Xia was far too fond of her, and her words were too blunt and hurtful.

How could someone as narrow-minded as Lu Jia bear it?

She would certainly come to hate Lin Yunwan.

But for now, it was best for her to say nothing. Anything she said would only pour oil on the fire.

Wei Shi did not dare argue with Old Madam Xia. She was not good with words and could not win an argument with the Xia family.

Lu Zhengliu, however, had to help his elder sister out of the awkward situation. But he was a man, after all, and it would not do for him to openly interject in the women's affairs. So he brought up the men instead. "Is the Old Master in good health?"

Old Madam Xia smiled faintly. "Thank you for asking, Heir Apparent. All is well. You'll see for yourself when you meet him tomorrow." She casually added, "I have a younger brother who is a physician, and a very skilled one. Everyone in the family asks him to help look after their health. He nips minor ailments in the bud, so my family rarely falls ill."

"Having a physician in the family is a blessing for everyone. May I ask whether Uncle came along on this trip to the capital?"

Old Madam Xia hesitated before saying, "He did, but... he has important business. He'll leave as soon as it's done."

Lu Zhengliu nodded. "Since he's here, please don't stand on ceremony. He's welcome to stay with us as well."

Only then did Old Madam Xia say, "He is especially skilled at treating eye ailments. He came to the capital this time to treat a person of importance. Someone is already hosting him, so there's no need to trouble you." But she did not mention that person's identity.

"Treat eye ailments?"

Lin Yunwan asked in surprise.

Old Madam Xia looked at her and asked with concern, "Yun Wan, are your eyes troubling you?"

Lu Zhengliu hurried to answer for her. "My mother-in-law has an eye ailment. She's been blind for several years now. Might Uncle be able to spare some time to examine her eyes?"

"Of course. I'll send someone to his lodgings with a message at once."

Lin Yunwan took the opportunity to say, "Sorry to trouble Uncle to make one more visit. Chang Gong has weak eyes too, and I'm worried that he might develop an eye ailment when he grows up and ruin his chances of entering officialdom."

Old Madam Xia paused before saying, "That's fine too, but I'm afraid his time will be short, and it may not be convenient to arrange a time for him to see Chang Gong. You'll have to have the boy ready to wait at any time."

Lin Yunwan smiled. "Of course. There's no reason a physician should ever have to wait for a patient."

Old Madam Xia said a few words to the maid beside her, sending her to fetch her younger brother.

Lu Zhengliu glanced at Lin Yunwan.

Was she really so concerned about an adopted son?

But Lin Yunwan did not look at him.

Lu Zhengliu had never involved himself in her affairs. She did not know what he was thinking this time. Perhaps he wanted to gain a reputation as a good husband in front of their relatives?

Then he would have a hard time getting his wish.

Lin Yunwan could not be bothered to think any further about it.