Chapter Two: The Full Moon Banquet

"Has the master gone to that vixen's place?" Lady Wang asked, sipping her tea with an air of indifference.

Zhou Rui's wife, having served her for many years, sensed her mistress's displeasure and quickly interjected, "The master only went over to discuss the arrangements for Brother Huan's full-month celebration. Everyone in the manor knows it will be held in Aunt Zhao's courtyard. I imagine she is hiding away in her rooms, too ashamed to show her face!"

"He is but a concubine's son, and it is not as if the master lacks a legitimate heir. To let him be compared to Baoyu would be unthinkable; holding the celebration in her own courtyard is generous enough," Lady Wang remarked, her mood noticeably improving.

Zhou Rui's wife breathed a sigh of relief. No one knew better than she how ruthless this Second Mistress could be; if she were to be displeased, the servants would surely suffer.

"Aunt, should we invite the Zhao family to the full-month celebration?" the wet nurse asked Qin Mingyue.

"Invite them. It will just be a small gathering in our own courtyard; the more the merrier," Qin Mingyue replied. As merely a concubine in the Jia household, she knew few would attend. She hoped to use this occasion to gauge whether her family was reliable. If they proved trustworthy, she might beg for a favor to have them manumitted. Having them outside the household would make it easier to conduct her own affairs—something impossible for a mere concubine with no private property.

On the day of the celebration, as expected, few people came. The Zhao family was represented by her brother, his wife, and their five-year-old son.

"Aunt, the master still hasn't arrived..." the wet nurse said, sounding disappointed. She had assumed that because the master had been kind to her mistress the other day, he would surely appear. It was a letdown.

"Everyone, take your seats. There are no outsiders here. Let us begin the feast and enjoy ourselves," Qin Mingyue said, preferring that Jia Zheng stay away. She promptly ordered the banquet to start.

Zhao Guoji was surprised to find his sister so calm. He had expected that after giving birth to a son, she would be even more boisterous than before. To see her so composed after her confinement was a relief. He worried constantly that her fiery temper—which had emerged after the birth of Tanchun—would cause the Jia family to detest her and put her life in danger. Now that she was restrained and had provided the family with a son, he felt the Jias would not treat her too harshly.

Qin Mingyue was unaware of his thoughts and worried that the Zhao family might grow suspicious, as the soul inhabiting this body was different. Fortunately, they attributed her new demeanor to the maturity brought by motherhood. The banquet proceeded in a harmonious atmosphere.

By the time the celebration ended, no one from the main branch of the Jia family had arrived, though the Matriarch had sent a few maids with some gifts. They were mostly inexpensive trinkets. Even a fool could see the Matriarch was putting her in her place, reminding her that she was only a concubine who could never stir up trouble. Had the original owner been treated this way, she would have caused a scene, but Qin Mingyue was grateful to avoid the Jia family altogether.

"The Old Matriarch says that while you have served the family well by bearing a son, the Jia household does not condone extravagance. I have been sent to deliver these items. I hope you will take better care of the young master in the future. Though Brother Huan cannot compare to Baoyu or the eldest master, he is still the master's blood. Do not let him pick up any disreputable habits. Do you understand?" The elderly woman, a senior servant close to the Matriarch, looked down on Aunt Zhao with contempt and left immediately after delivering her lecture.

Qin Mingyue remained unmoved. She had understood the family's attitude during her confinement, but this only strengthened her desire to leave. No matter how favored a concubine might be, she remained nothing more than a servant who could be bought or sold at will.

"You now have both a son and a daughter. Although you are not the mistress of the house, you have food and shelter. Do not act as recklessly as you once did. Think of the children—and remember that Tanchun is still in the hands of that woman," Zhao Guoji urged, fearing his sister might lose her temper again.

"Brother, I know what you are worried about. As a concubine, I can jump as high as I like, but it will achieve nothing. I will live quietly for the sake of my children. However, I have something to discuss with you," Qin Mingyue said, signaling the nurse to take the maids away.

"Brother, now that I have given birth to a son, I have some leverage. I intend to beg the master to grant your family freedom from servitude. That way, you will no longer have to live at the mercy of others." Seeing how much her brother cared for her, she knew the Zhaos were good people who would not abandon her once they were free.

"You... are you serious? Would the master agree?" Zhao Guoji was overcome with emotion. Born into servitude, they had never known a life without the fear of being sold or beaten if they displeased their masters. The prospect of freedom was overwhelming.

"I will do my best to convince him. When you return, do not tell our parents or anyone else," Qin Mingyue cautioned.

Zhao Guoji, naturally a quiet man, agreed. He thought to himself that his sister must have suffered greatly to have become so grounded so quickly.

After the celebration, the small courtyard returned to its quiet routine. Little Jia Huan grew by the day. Nourished by Qin Mingyue's supernatural energy, he became fair and plump, with large, sparkling eyes and long lashes. His constant giggling enchanted Qin Mingyue, turning her initial indifference into deep, doting affection.

The original owner had been a beauty, and with Qin Mingyue's care and energy, her complexion had become radiant. The physical toll of childbirth had vanished, and she possessed a healthy, graceful figure. Little Jia Huan, inheriting these good looks, was exceptionally exquisite. His gentle nature made him the most cherished presence in the small courtyard, and the Jia family's neglect only made Qin Mingyue love him more. She vowed that he would never grow up to be the insecure, sullen child he was in the original story, and she was determined to take him with her when she finally left the Jia household.

"Now that your confinement is over, should we take the young master to pay respects to the Old Matriarch? It has been so long, and they haven't sent for him; I fear the short-sighted people in the manor will look down on him," the nurse suggested.

Qin Mingyue knew this encounter was unavoidable. She had subconsciously avoided the topic until now, but she had to face the two formidable figures of the Jia household: Lady Wang and the Matriarch. Neither was someone to be trifled with.

"Prepare the young master. We will go to the Matriarch's quarters tomorrow morning," Qin Mingyue thought, praying she would not be detained by Lady Wang—a woman whose heart was as ruthless as her face was kind.