Chapter Seventeen: Tarnished Reputation

Jia Zhu’s birthday banquet was still held as planned. Qin Mingyue glanced at the floral decorations and immediately understood—they must have spent a fortune purchasing so many flowers from others in such a short time. The Jia household truly was wealthy beyond measure.

The event was lively and bustling, with the Jia family reveling in the spotlight. Only Lady Wang winced at the thought of the silver spent, but for the sake of appearances, she endured and entertained the guests.

“I heard the Zhao family’s flower shop’s orders for banquets are booked through next month. I never expected your esteemed household to secure some as well. It’s quite a feast for the eyes,” one guest remarked.

“Yes, my mother had wanted to host a banquet too, but sadly couldn’t get the flowers. Your family certainly has the means,” another added.

“Brother Zhu is impressive—at fourteen, already a scholar, and soon to sit for the provincial exams, I believe? If I had such a son, I’d support him no matter what,” someone praised.

“Please, it’s just some flowers. You’re welcome to come see them anytime,” Lady Wang said, satisfied with the face she had saved, inwardly glad her hefty silver investment hadn’t been in vain.

However, after the banquet, the Jia household became the subject of ridicule. For a second son from a concubine’s branch to throw such an extravagant birthday celebration—one that even outshone the elders—was seen as a breach of propriety. Lavishing so much silver and then basking in self-satisfaction revealed a lack of etiquette. This incident also rekindled gossip about Jia Zheng’s residence in the Rongxi Hall.

This information had been leaked by an official who had sold the flower order to them. He boasted about the 5,000 taels of silver given by the Jia family. Many who had attended the banquet witnessed this, and once confirmed, the news spread rapidly.

Jia Zheng, who had initially been proud when praised by his peers at his eldest son’s birthday, was mocked for days afterward. He blushed with shame and feigned illness, refusing to leave the house.

Jia Zhu had invited many schoolmates that day but felt so embarrassed by the scandal that he withdrew from the poetry gatherings.

“Wang Shi, how much did you spend on flowers?” Jia Zheng vented his anger at home, taking out his frustration on his wife.

“Five thousand taels…” Lady Wang hadn’t expected Jia Zheng to be so furious. She hadn’t heard the gossip as she’d been mostly indoors these days.

“Five thousand taels! Do you know what people are saying about us? You foolish woman!” Jia Zheng, though usually indifferent to trivial matters, knew that five thousand taels was no small sum. And that was just for the flowers; other expenses likely far exceeded that.

“Enough! The idea was mine,” the matriarch, Jia Mu, intervened. “If you want to blame someone, blame me. When Zhu’er's birthday banquet couldn’t secure flowers, and since he’s the most promising in this household, I thought it right to spend some silver to buy them from others. The main household contributed some, but Wang Shi and I bore the lion’s share.”

“Mother, I didn’t mean to…” Jia Zheng hastened to clarify, unwilling to blame Jia Mu but unable to control his temper.

“We were wrong, all of us women, only thinking of making the banquet perfect to bring honor to the household. Zhu’er should have connections for his future career, but we ended up making a mess,” Jia Mu’s eyes glistened with tears.

“Second son, you know well who all this silver was spent for. And you still have the nerve to complain! If you make your mother ill, watch yourself!” Jia She, displeased with Jia Zheng’s whining, retorted sharply. If he truly feared gossip, he wouldn’t have stayed in Rongxi Hall for so many years without moving.

“Mother, your son was wrong. Please don’t be angry and harm your health. I am ashamed. The family invested so much care for me and Zhu’er—this is my failure,” Jia Zheng apologized profusely. After they exchanged tears, the matter was finally put to rest.

Madam Xing sneered disdainfully, thinking that the main household had put in money and effort only to gain no benefit, while the second household reaped the rewards and played innocent. In these times, truly strange things happened. Qin Mingyue and Madam Xing exchanged a knowing glance, silently agreeing.

“These past few days the household has calmed down. I suppose Lady Wang has hidden away in shame. At least we don’t have to see her face so often,” Madam Xing mused, smiling.

Qin Mingyue, indifferent to such matters, only minded that Lady Wang always had someone watching her. Zhao Guoji even dared not bring the account books over. Wanting to leave the household required enduring long waits. Qin Mingyue could only grit her teeth and endure.

“Ah, chatting with you these days has been a relief. You’ve even gained some flesh on your face. Do you have any way to slim down a bit?” Madam Xing fretted.

“Madam need not rush to lose weight. A little flesh brings vitality. In fact, you look much younger,” Qin Mingyue replied. She had noticed a different aura about Madam Xing recently and harbored suspicions but hadn’t shared them.

“That’s true. At my age, there’s no point in fussing,” Madam Xing said, pleased with the compliment and promptly abandoned any plans to lose weight.

“The flower you gave me has bloomed over half. It’s a joy to see. But I only dare place it on my windowsill; even the master hasn’t noticed,” Jia She said. He rarely visited her room, so naturally, he wouldn’t discover it. Still, who knew how long it would last.

“Health comes first. It’s just a flower. If she wants it, let her have it. I can always send you another,” Qin Mingyue said, worried that if Madam Xing argued with Lady Wang and hurt herself, it would be a needless loss.

“You’re generous. I’m just reluctant to part with it after caring for it a while. It feels wrong to have it taken away,” Madam Xing said. She wasn’t naturally meek but had to swallow her pride since marrying into the Jia household, living with constant suppression.

Yet, not long after, trouble arose.

“Auntie! Something’s wrong! The First Madam is in trouble!” Xiao Que’s voice woke Jia Huan, who immediately burst into tears.

“What happened?” Qin Mingyue had wondered why Madam Xing hadn’t come today; hearing Xiao Que’s cries, her heart leapt.

“The First Madam and Second Madam quarreled, and the First Madam started bleeding on the spot!”

“Watch over Huan’er. I’m going to see!” Qin Mingyue entrusted the child to the nanny and hurried to the First Madam’s quarters, silently praying she was alright.

“Has the doctor arrived? Hurry and fetch the doctor!” Lady Wang’s arrogance vanished instantly. After all, this was Jia family blood, and Jia Mu would not spare her if harm came to her.

“What happened? Didn’t she say she couldn’t conceive?” Lady Wang gritted her teeth, resentful toward the Zhou family next door.

“Hush, Madam, don’t be anxious! It wasn’t intentional. It’s just a flower pot, but who knew she had such a temper!” The Zhou family woman gritted her teeth, uncertain of what to do.

“Where is she?” Qin Mingyue arrived to find the courtyard heavy with the scent of blood.

“What are you doing here? This doesn’t concern you; don’t get in the way!” Lady Wang wanted to keep things quiet and tried to send Qin Mingyue away.

“Auntie is here! Hurry inside; our Madam is inside!” A young maid by Madam Xing’s side, hearing the commotion, ran to bring reinforcements. Being just a maid, she was at a loss without the doctor’s arrival.