Page 56 of Silk and Sensibility

“Will you visit again soon?” she asked, trying to give him the encouragement that Ailin hadn’t.

“I don’t dare to make trouble for you all again. Please forgive me.”

After Enze and his brother left, Ailin seemed numb. When Meilin asked her about what happened in the courtyard, she told her there was nothing she could do and not to ask again.

After that, Ailin rose early every day, painted often, and ate meals regularly, but her speech became as cold and insipid as the drizzly spring weather.

Meanwhile, Shen Lusi bustled around the house with a malicious cheerfulness that nearly drove Meilin mad. Despite Meilin being the one who invited Enze to visit, Shen Lusi acted as if his visit had been all about her. Meilin wondered if Ailin’s melancholy stemmed from the belief that Enze had to marry Shen Lusi even though he clearly had no feelings for her. She hoped not, because such a line of thinking was foolish and defeatist.

Since no official proposal letter or gifts had been exchanged between Shen Lusi and the Fan family, the situation could still be reversed. If Ailin would stand up for herself at this critical juncture, she could get the family support to make Enze marry her instead. If Meilin was in Ailin’s position, she would have fought for the future promised to her by boldly expressing everything in her heart. Then, even if opposition arose, at least she would know she had given her all.

A few weeks went by, and Meilin considered sending Enze another letter on Ailin’s behalf. Several times, she had ink and paper ready to go. Ultimately, however, she refrained from writing because it was not her place to tell Enze truths that Ailin wanted to hide. If change was to happen, then Ailin had to change herself.

Instead, Meilin shifted her focus to her own relationship with Master Wei. Despite her initial hopes for a quick response, she had not yet received any return message from him. Meilin wanted to ask Uncle Meng to follow up for her, but he was so busy taking care of tax matters with Master Pang that she dared not bother him for another favor.

She briefly considered going to Grand­mother Jiang for help, but with Madame Pang’s progressing pregnancy and Madame Cai’s increasing anxiety over her daughter, Grand­mother Jiang, unfortunately, also had more work than ever managing the household.

Finally, after more than a month since their arrival, Meilin saw an opportunity for action.

During dinner one night, Madame Cai announced an upcoming meeting of the West Lake Poetry Club. “The name makes the gathering seem boring, but ladies from every Hangzhou family worth knowing will be there. Parties like these are opportunities to meet important people and to be seen by them.”

The idea immediately caught Meilin’s interest. She had heard of such groups but never participated in one. Even if Madame Cai was only interested in the social aspect of the event, surely a group with a name like West Lake Poetry Club would include some members with literary interests, which meant Meilin might be able to gather news regarding Master Wei.

“The poetry club meeting would be a good place to find patrons for Ailin’s paintings. Maybe Lusi can show off her fragrance sachets too.” After throwing out her suggestion, Madame Pang reached for a roast chicken leg from a plate in the middle of the table.

Grand­mother Jiang pushed the plate closer to her. “Lusi should stay home so you won’t be alone all day, dear. Since Ailin and Meilin have not seen the city at all yet, Cai-mèimei and I will take the two of them with us.”

Meilin could hardly believe the perfection of Grand­mother Jiang’s arrangement—an opportunity to go out while leaving Shen Lusi behind! If news of Ailin being adored in Hangzhou society somehow reached the Fan family, that would be even better.

“Will my paintings be good enough to meet the standards of the poetry club ladies?” Ailin asked, always too humble for her own good.

“Of course,” Grand­mother Jiang said, echoing the words in Meilin’s heart. “You are more talented than most of the women who will be there. Just bring your painting supplies and be prepared to impress.”

When Ailin nodded, Meilin rejoiced. The West Lake Poetry Club meeting would be a great outing for both of them. Ailin’s talent would shine, and Meilin would be one step closer to Master Wei.

The day of the poetry club meeting dawned rosy and clear. The sun warmed the waters of West Lake as it moved through the pale blue sky. A few consecutive nights of rain had knocked the flowers off most of the trees lining the shore, but now petals carpeted the surface of the lake, exuding a sweet fragrance as they floated atop the water. The white and pink patches of color contrasted nicely with the tender green willow branches bent over the rim of the lake.

The poetry club attendees boarded a boat. Whoever had reserved the large and ostentatious vessel was either a high-ranking official or a person with the nerve to ignore all sumptuary laws. Painted as bright as a mythical vermillion bird, the space on board consisted of multiple pavilions framed by crimson columns and covered by gold roofs, complete with flying eaves and carvings of auspicious animal guardians resting on the roof ridges. Rather than protecting the passengers from the elements or prying eyes, the entire vessel seemed designed to attract attention.

“Isn’t this lovely?” Madame Cai asked as she led Meilin and the others toward the interior of the boat. Despite her recent anxieties over her daughter, she seemed happy for an opportunity to leave her house and show her guests the city. Meilin was grateful.

The ladies around them were dressed from head to toe in jewels and silks. Their overpowering perfume mixed with the boat’s swaying made Meilin’s stomach churn, but she made herself endure. She had to mingle if she wanted to meet people with information on Master Wei. Also, she couldn’t embarrass Ailin in front of potential art patrons.

Madame Cai grew animated when she spotted a middle-aged woman with pale skin and dark rouge, who wore even more jewelry than most. “Your bracelet is so beautiful, Madame Zhou! What type of rare jade is that?”

Madame Zhou responded with affected modesty. “This little thing? My husband bought it for me on his last trip to Beijing. He was so happy that your family entrusted your silk shipment to him, by the way.”

“I’m glad to have left our business in such dependable hands,” Madame Cai said smoothly. “May I introduce my older sister, Madame Jiang? She is visiting me from Suzhou.”

Madame Zhou and Grand­mother Jiang both smiled with practiced familiarity and proceeded to exchange compliments about every item of each other’s wardrobe, from hairpins to clothes.

“Your jacket is so unique, Madame Jiang. The embroidery looks like painted flowers.”

“You have an excellent eye for art, Madame Zhou. The embroidery was done by my son-in-law’s sister and is, indeed, based on a painting. You should meet the original artist. Ailin, come here.”

Meilin followed Ailin as she made her way to Grand­mother Jiang’s side.

After being introduced, Madame Zhou immediately leaned toward Ailin and said in a friendly, conspiratorial voice, “You should meet my good friend, Madame Qiu. She knows more about art than anyone in Hangzhou. Let me take you to her upstairs.”