Page 35 of Silk and Sensibility

一懷愁緒，幾年離索。

錯、錯、錯。

Trembling hands raise for a toast as spring warms the city,

Yet you are as distant as the willows beyond the palace walls.

The east wind cruelly drives joy away, and separation fills my chest with melancholy.

Everything feels wrong, wrong, wrong.

—Poem by Lù Yóu, Song dynasty, transcribed by Fan Enze

Chapter 13

Ailin

The spread on the Jiang family’s table was more extravagant than their usual fare, which was already elaborate by the standards of Nuolan Garden. A dozen cold dishes were on the table, with space for many more warm dishes to be served once everyone sat down. As Ailin took her seat next to one of the new lady guests, she sincerely hoped the appetizers would make everyone forget about the heated exchange between Meilin and Captain Bai.

Despite Ailin’s efforts to hold her back, Meilin had revealed to everyone how much she liked Master Wei and despised Captain Bai. Ailin sighed. It wasn’t that she wanted Meilin to actively discourage Master Wei or encourage Captain Bai, but she wished her sister would show a little more restraint before expressing potentially offensive opinions. Giving respect to the other guests of Batong Mansion was the least she could do. Instead, Meilin sat next to Master Wei, laughing at something he whispered in her ear.

The one redeeming note was that her laugh sounded nervous, like a high-pitched effort to play off something unpleasant rather than true enjoyment. At least Meilin knew to be embarrassed about her indiscretion.

Captain Bai sat across from them on the other side of the table, next to Sandy and the other children. Whenever he glanced at Meilin and Master Wei, his brow wrinkled with something like consternation, or maybe a hint of vinegary jealousy.

Ailin silently cheered at the entry of servants bringing hot dishes on steaming plates, hoping the spectacular feast might make the atmosphere more relaxed.

The empty spaces on the large wooden dining table were soon filled with spiced duck, chicken wrapped in lotus leaves, and braised pork glistening in dark-red soy sauce. These were followed by prawns garnished with green tea leaves, crab with ginger and vinegar sauce, and a fish fried so skillfully that it looked like a squirrel with a fluffy tail. The menu also showed Aunt Meng’s vegetarian influence, with several varieties of bean curd, vegetable dumplings, sweet steamed buns, and honeyed lotus root slices.

As bellies were filled, conversation flowed, and Ailin got a glimpse into a world she had never thought about as a girl in the quiet house of a retired scholar. It was fascinating. Father always avoided talk of politics, but the members of the extended Jiang family discussed such matters openly, even in front of children.

Master Pang complained vocally about the high tax rates in Hangzhou. “I think I was made tax captain because Magistrate Gao hates me. I don’t know how I can make the quota without asking more of the tenants.”

“You’ll do fine, dear. I fully believe in your abilities,” Madame Pang said as she rubbed Master Pang’s back. Begonia had told Ailin rumors that Madame Pang was madly in love with her husband, which seemed to be true. It must have been nice not having to hide her feelings, although such a public display of affection was a bit excessive.

“We won’t let you fail, Tai,” Uncle Meng said as he raised his cup. He spoke with the assurance of a man who had once been in a similar place. “Just stick it out. Magistrates change every few years.”

“Although you might try getting on this one’s good side a little more while he’s in office,” Grand­mother Jiang suggested. “A few gifts here and there never hurt. Nothing so extravagant that it smells of corruption, of course. We don’t want to ruin our family reputation while trying to win over one hard magistrate.”

Though he had no stakes in the Jiang family business, Master Wei added to the conversation. “Perhaps everything will get better in Jiangnan once the Wōkòu are defeated.”

Master Pang sipped gingerly from his cup. “It’s definitely hard to transport goods when we don’t know when the next raid will happen. Things don’t seem as bad here as they are in Hangzhou, though.”

“Suzhou might feel safer because we have so many capable soldiers defending us. With military leaders like Captain Bai around, I’m sure the Wōkòu will be driven back to Japan in no time.” Master Wei smiled as if he was giving a compliment.

Captain Bai stiffened when Master Wei used his name. Dis­like was clear in his frown. “It’s a common misconception that Wōkòu come primarily from Japan when, in fact, we only talk as if they are to ignore the fact that so many Ming citizens turn to piracy because of the lack of legal trade opportunities.”

“I think the point is that we would all feel safer if the imperial army did a better job protecting the people,” Meilin added rather extraneously.

Captain Bai looked wounded at Meilin’s words.

Ailin snagged a piece of honey-soaked lotus root and placed it in her sister’s rice bowl. Perhaps if Meilin was chewing on the sticky, fibrous vegetable, she wouldn’t feel as much temptation to antagonize Captain Bai.

As dinner continued, Master Pang’s niece, who was seated next to Ailin, quietly addressed her.

“Your sister is so brave for talking with the men, Miss Duan,” she said in a low voice, as if she wanted to keep their conversation private. “My name is Shen Lusi, by the way. I’ve heard lots about you, and I’d love to get to know you better in person.”

“Is that so?” Ailin wondered who had been talking about her to Miss Shen. Aunt Meng didn’t speak much, but she cared about making everyone feel welcome, so perhaps she thought telling Miss Shen about her beforehand might help them become friends easier. Or maybe Grand­mother Jiang had been chatting about her because that was her natural way.