Page 64 of Silk and Sensibility

Left with Grand­mother Jiang and Shen Lusi in a hall with several expensive but dusty rosewood chairs, Ailin chose the one closest to the door. It was the seat of least importance and would, hopefully, help her be less noticed whenever Madame Fan and Enze arrived. She had said such cutting words to Enze when they last met that she didn’t want to face him again, and though she had mentally prepared herself for Shen Lusi’s formal proposal, watching it happen would still be painful.

“Ruoze seems like a pleasant young man,” Grand­mother Jiang said while they waited.

“Indeed. He resembles Enze in all the best ways, and he even has an extra measure of ambition. The last time we met . . .” Shen Lusi continued chattering as if trying to cover her nervousness over this visit. But then again, she was going to meet her future mother-in-law for the first time. Ailin didn’t know whether to envy or pity her.

Fan Ruoze came back with a thin, middle-aged woman dressed in a dark-blue ǎoqún of immaculate but faded brocade. Her high collar was secured tightly with a gold clasp button, and what little jewelry she wore looked very old.

Ailin followed Grand­mother Jiang’s lead in standing up to greet her. Shen Lusi did the same.

“Allow me to introduce my mother,” Fan Ruoze said with a flourish. He turned to Madame Fan. “Mother, these guests have come to discuss something very important. This is Grand­mother Jiang, the mother-in-law of the tax captain, Pang Tai. The young lady sitting next to her is Miss Shen Lusi, the niece of Enze’s late mentor, Teacher Pang.”

“You’re Pang Bo’s niece?” Madame Fan’s tone toward Shen Lusi was surprisingly tender, showing potential for harmony between the future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Good for them.

Shen Lusi curtsied and smiled her sweetest smile.

Fan Ruoze motioned to Ailin next. “And this is Miss Duan Ailin, the sister of my brother-in-law, Junyou. She is a woman of talent whose paintings are highly sought-after nowadays. She also helped Enze study while he was in Nanjing.”

Ailin felt dagger pricks when Madame Fan turned her gaze toward her. The unobtrusive space she secured turned out to be a poor shield from scrutiny. In fact, Madame Fan looked her up and down so closely that it bordered on rudeness. Ailin couldn’t understand the woman’s hostility. It wasn’t as if Madame Fan was going to become her mother-in-law.

“I think I know who you are,” Madame Fan said with a tone that reminded Ailin of Fulan at her worst. Though Madame Fan and Fulan supposedly despised each other, the resemblance between them was uncanny.

Attempting to counter Madame Fan’s unexplained antagonism, Ailin curtsied low. “I’m flattered that you have heard of me, ma’am.”

Fan Ruoze tried to bid everyone to sit down for comfort, but Madame Fan shrugged him off while keeping her eyes on Ailin. “Ever since Fan Enze came back from Nanjing, he refused to pursue a formal betrothal with Miss Mo, the young lady his late father chose for him. I assume that has something to do with you.”

Ailin drew back in surprise at Madame Fan’s accusation. Had Enze not yet told his stepmother he was marrying Shen Lusi instead of her? Ailin looked at Shen Lusi to see how she was taking the misunderstanding.

Shen Lusi bit her lip and stayed quiet. She didn’t look happy either.

“I think you are mistaken, Madame Fan,” Ailin said as calmly as she could.

Madame Fan huffed. “How rude to contradict your elders.”

Grand­mother Jiang cut in, the crinkles around her eyes conveying a quiet bemusement. “Has Enze said anything to you about why he cannot go through with the match your late husband wanted, Madame Fan?”

“I think the answer is obvious, especially seeing how you are all here today.” Madame Fan folded her arms.

Grand­mother Jiang smiled. “Indeed, we are here because we all care about Enze. I assume you do too, and that is why you sent him to study with a teacher in Suzhou rather than educate him at home like his younger brother.”

“Of course,” Madame Fan said stiffly.

“Which means you must have had great respect for his late teacher?”

Madame Fan furrowed her brows with a mixture of suspicion and guilt. “What are you trying to say?”

Shen Lusi spoke up, her voice as meek as a sparrow. “Before my older uncle passed away, Enze promised him that he would marry me.”

Ailin focused on keeping her breaths regular. She had resolved to let Enze go, so she couldn’t intervene even when Shen Lusi lied.

As it turned out, her intervention was not needed.

“You?” Madame Fan snapped.

Shen Lusi nodded, looking terrified at Madame Fan’s negative reaction. Ailin almost sympathized with her.

Madame Fan shook her head like she couldn’t understand. “But you grew up together, like brother and sister.”