Chapter 248 — Claiming Kin

Tan-shi was only seventeen or eighteen, delicate of feature and very shy, and the little girl who followed at her side greatly resembled the Song family's Third Madam, with a pair of bright big eyes that rolled this way and that when she looked at people, showing at a glance that she was no quiet and biddable sort.

Before Old Madam Lu could make the introductions, she was already calling out "Third Sister-in-law" to Dou Yan, complaining loudly, "Last night I went to see you, but your maids barred me outside. They even said it was on my Third Cousin's orders—my Third Cousin was never like that before. It must have been that maid of yours, forging his decree..."

For a moment you could have heard a pin drop in the flower hall.

This girl must be Song Yan's only cousin, Song Jin.

"Is that so?" Dou Xin said. "My maids have only just arrived and have not yet begun their duties. I shall have to wait until they come this afternoon before I know which of them barred you. Don't fret. Once I have questioned them, I shall make them apologize to you. What do you say?"

The implication was plain: Song Jin was lying.

Song Jin's face flushed red.

Dou Yan gave a cold laugh, but as she raised her eyes she saw Song Yan glaring at her.

Her heart gave a sudden thump.

The night before, Song Yan had told her to say nothing, that he would handle it himself—how had she forgotten?

When one has been solitary for so long, one forgets that there is another person at one's side.

She gave an embarrassed laugh, retreated a few steps, and took her stand behind Song Yan.

Song Yan's expression eased somewhat, and he asked Song Jin with a smile, "Who did you come with yesterday? How did you end up in the bridal chamber?"

Song Jin's mouth immediately turned down, and she said in an aggrieved voice, "I came with Father and Mother and my little brother to drink at my cousin's wedding. Everyone was saying my cousin had married a rich sister-in-law, so I wanted to have a look..."

She was being coquettish.

Song Yan did not so much as glance at Song Jin, but said mildly to the third aunt, "Third Aunt, for my wedding I had the Director of the Imperial Observatory match the eight characters, and everything from the arrangements to the rites was divined by the hexagrams. Third Aunt has presided over the household for many years and ought to understand these observances. How is it that Jin'er was allowed to go running about in disorder? I think the attendants serving Jin'er ought to be changed. Jin'er is twelve this year, old enough for betrothal talk. If any rumors were to spread, that would be a bad thing indeed."

Third Madam Song, sweating profusely, stammered her assent and stepped forward to strike Song Jin. "I'll teach you to go meddling..."

Song Jin covered her head and burst into tears.

Song Chu caught Third Madam Song's raised arm, fixing her with a cold, clear stare. "Third Aunt, today is my auspicious day..."

"It's Third Aunt's fault, all Third Aunt's fault!" Third Madam Song apologized again and again, then hissed at Song Jin, "If you cry one more sound, I'll throw you in the lake to feed the fish."

Song Jin was so frightened she dared not cry.

Young Madam Wang hastened to smooth things over. "Sister Dou, do you remember me? I was your bridesmaid yesterday. I hope you'll forgive my intrusion today—I've come to beg a cup of tea."

Dou Yan had no patience to bother with that Song Jin; smiling, she stepped forward and curtsied, addressing her as "Sister An."

Young Madam Wang said in surprise, "How did you know my maiden name was An?"

She had given herself away.

Dou Yan was about to explain when Song Yan, at her side, said with a smile, "I mentioned it to my wife last night. Brother Wang and I are as close as brothers—thank you for your help yesterday, Sister-in-law."

Young Madam Wang beamed and said politely, "A small matter, not worth mentioning." She presented a gift of greeting to Dou Yan.

Dou Yan offered tea to Young Madam Wang, and the two exchanged a few pleasantries.

Old Madam Lu and Princess Ninghuai exchanged a glance, then chuckled softly. "At first we feared the Duke of Yingguo was recklessly pairing off the wrong couple. Now it seems we were worrying overmuch."

Princess Ninghuai nodded with a smile and conferred with Old Madam Lu. "What do you say—in a few days shall we invite the two of them to a simple meal at home?"

"Of course," Old Madam Lu said with a smile. "I have a few things I wish to say to the Dou girl as well."

Seeing that it had come to midday and the kinship had been acknowledged, Song Cen gave the order for the feast to begin.

Song Yan went to sit with Dou Jichang and Dou Huaide and the others who had come from the Dou family to acknowledge kin, while Old Madam Lu kept Dou Yan by her and had her sit at her own side.

Everyone talked and laughed as though what had just happened had never been.

Only Song Cen looked abstracted.

This daughter-in-law of his, it seemed, was not as meek as he had imagined.

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Sisters and brothers, here is the second update—please vote for me with your pink tickets!

o(n_n)o~

ps: I kept trying to think how to write this passage more concisely, but there was no way to make it any simpler... These are all figures who will drive the plot forward later on...

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