Xin An couldn’t remember the last time she had acted coy and playful—probably sometime before she got married. Yet today, slipping back into the girlish demeanor felt as natural as breathing. Her antics had the matriarch laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face. “Hurry up and pick something! Can’t you see the second young master is getting impatient?”
Only then did Xin An casually point toward an item. “That one.”
It was the same pastel vase Tang Rong had been eyeing earlier. The matriarch chuckled. “You have a good eye. That vase was a tribute to the imperial court, gifted to me by the Empress Dowager during my visit to the palace last year. It’s part of a pair—one of which was given to the old matriarch of the Duke of Zhenbei’s household.”
Startled, Xin An gasped and covered her mouth. “It’s so precious. In that case, I don’t want it.”
The matriarch called for Ganlu to fetch a box to store the vase and patted Xin An’s hand. “Nonsense. I said you could choose whatever you liked, and no matter what you picked, I’d be happy. While this treasure was bestowed by the Empress Dowager, it’s mine to do with as I please.”
“Take it to your room and display it there. Just looking at it will bring joy.”
Xin An and Tang Mo eagerly stepped forward to thank her, their faces beaming with delight. Tang Mo, ever the joker, cracked another string of lighthearted remarks, making the matriarch laugh so hard that her cheeks ached.
As Ganlu carried away the pastel vase, she replaced it with a large yellow jade peony carving. The craftsmanship was so intricate, and the jade so lustrous, that everyone in the room couldn’t help but marvel. Seeing the crowd’s admiration, the matriarch was visibly pleased.
Tang Rong, however, couldn’t take his eyes off it. Yellow jade was his favorite, and this carving, with its flawless color and enormous size, was a rare masterpiece. It was the size of a soup bowl and entirely free of blemishes—an extraordinary find.
Xin An and Tang Mo exchanged a quick glance. In their previous lives, they had fiercely competed over this very treasure. Tang Mo had wanted it for its monetary value, intending to use it as leverage in a major deal. Xin An had coveted it because Tang Rong adored yellow jade and had repeatedly whispered about it in her ear.
Eventually, the peony had ended up in Xin An’s possession, but not for long. Tang Rong had given it away to secure a promising future for his beloved nephew, Tang Hui.
“Grandmother’s treasures are truly beyond compare,” Tang Mo said, his voice filled with admiration. “I didn’t even know such exquisite items existed.”
“Don’t just flatter her,” Xin An chimed in. “Even I had no idea, and I’ve been here for days. Grandmother, you’re incredible!”
The matriarch chuckled, clearly enjoying the attention. “This piece was brought back as spoils of war by your grandfather after a victorious campaign. He handed it over to the emperor, who then rewarded him with it.”
Everyone gathered closer to admire the carving. Wang Shi, recalling the Marquis’s many military achievements, couldn’t help but feel a tinge of envy toward the matriarch’s blessed life. To have a husband who could win such treasures and then bring them home to her—it was the kind of fortune few women could boast.
Tang Rong, noticing Xin An’s playful remarks, felt annoyed but remained polite. “Grandmother’s collection is truly remarkable. This yellow jade peony is a sight to behold.”
Xin An added with a mischievous smile, “Grandmother, your collection is so magnificent. I might have to visit every day just to see this peony. Please don’t get tired of me.”
The matriarch, charmed by her humor, replied, “Good, good! Come visit often. After some time, I might just let you take this peony to your room as well.”
Xin An laughed brightly. “I’d be content just to look at it. Such a valuable piece doesn’t belong in my room. I’d end up suspecting everyone who came near it and would have to stay home to guard it day and night.”
Tang Mo joined in with a grin. “Then I’ll guard it for you—holding it while I sleep, if I must.”
“Hahaha!” The matriarch burst into laughter, thoroughly enjoying herself. Wang Shi’s face lit up with joy as she joined in the merriment, while Tang Gang found himself glancing repeatedly at Xin An.
By contrast, Tao Yiran stood stiffly with an aloof expression, her brows slightly furrowed. Tang Gang couldn’t help but feel frustrated. The second daughter-in-law’s quick wit had already charmed the matriarch into giving her two treasures in as many days. Tao Yiran, on the other hand, simply stood there, doing nothing to counterbalance the situation.
He regretted the decision he had made the previous day to grant Tang Mo the opportunity with the Northern Guard. The second branch had already reaped far too many benefits.
In her good mood, the matriarch instructed Ganlu to bring out a few more treasures for everyone to admire. Xin An and Tang Mo continued their enthusiastic praise, their lively commentary keeping the matriarch entertained. Wang Shi chimed in occasionally, while Tang Gang offered the occasional remark. Tang Rong maintained a polite but distant smile, and Tao Yiran’s eyes stayed fixed on the treasures, her expression unreadable.
When lunchtime arrived, the table was laden with delicacies. Xin An, who had eaten sparingly during her wedding day and barely touched food yesterday, was ravenous. Memories of the harsh days following the family’s downfall made the lavish feast even more tempting.
Tradition dictated that she should stand and serve the elders, but the growling of her stomach betrayed her hunger. The matriarch, noticing, excused the younger generation from such formalities, understanding that they hadn’t eaten properly over the past few days.
Relieved, Xin An quietly polished off a bowl of rice, then smiled at a maid to request another. Tao Yiran, by contrast, barely touched her half-filled bowl, maintaining an air of restraint.
The matriarch, who had grown up in a wealthy farming family, had always loved good food. After marrying into the Marquis’s household, her husband had risen to prominence, transforming her into a grand lady of the capital. But her appetite for hearty meals never waned. Seeing Xin An eat so heartily, the matriarch joked, “Watching the second granddaughter-in-law eat so well has whetted my own appetite. Ganlu, serve me another bowl.”
“Mother, be mindful of your digestion,” Tang Gang warned.
The matriarch waved him off with a smile. “It’s nothing a bowl of hawthorn soup and a good walk after lunch won’t fix.”
Understanding her perfectly, Xin An added, “My grandmother used to say that a good appetite is a blessing. When someone falls ill, they’ll pay any price to recover, all so they can enjoy food again. Grandmother’s appetite and health are our family’s good fortune.”
The matriarch beamed with joy, while Tang Gang, chastened, fell silent. His gaze shifted to Tao Yiran, who sat quietly with a faint frown. He couldn’t help but recall his late father’s insistence that Tang Rong marry the Xin family’s daughter. If the marriage had gone as planned, would he now be spared the worry of managing Tang Rong’s affairs?
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