48 Celebrating the New Year

The Ye family experienced a very quiet New Year. While others were fine, this New Year was especially significant for Azhuo, as it was her first year with the Ye family. Although her grandfather was kind, he was elderly and unable to attend to every household matter, so he entrusted everything to the housekeeper’s wife. Therefore, the festive atmosphere was muted, with only the grandfather and granddaughter relying on each other.

Yet the atmosphere in the Wutong Courtyard was quite different.

The entire day of New Year's Eve was bustling with activity. Since the previous night, the kitchen never stopped frying food, preparing various gift boxes to send to established families in the capital, while numerous gifts poured in—dried fruits, preserved snacks, pastries, candies—piled up like little mountains. Yan Yan was dazzled, and Azhuo even more so.

Yan Yan was truly amusing. Even though these were their own things, she insisted on hoarding them. She and Azhuo shared a bed in winter—a canopy bed left by Madam Ye, surrounded on three sides by cabinets originally meant for sewing supplies, silks, or small necessities. But Yan Yan had filled these cabinets, like a squirrel, with all sorts of snacks and sweets. Azhuo tolerated her, but then Yan Yan decided to take advantage of the New Year to replace all the snacks in the cabinets with fresh ones. After enduring for a while, Azhuo could no longer hold back and ran to complain to Lingbo: “Second Sister, Yan Yan keeps hoarding sweets, and all the bed is covered with flaky pastry crumbs!”

Lingbo chuckled as she arranged the lunch menu and comforted Azhuo: “It’s nothing to worry about. She has this odd habit that flares up every New Year. Just endure it a bit; after all, the bedding will be replaced with new ones. Let’s go enjoy the New Year’s Eve dinner, and when we return, Madam Yang will have everything ready for you.”

Azhuo had no choice but to bear it. She couldn’t understand where Yan Yan picked up such a bad habit. In her childhood, she hadn’t eaten much good food and was nothing like her, who hoarded as if she’d been starved in a past life. The snacks stored were enough to last until the next New Year.

Just as she was irritated with Yan Yan, someone else stirred trouble.

The Cui family had severed ties with the Ye family, but the Wei family’s stance was unclear. Madam Wei, feeling perhaps guilty or sympathetic because Lu Wenyin had bullied Lingbo, did not cut ties with the Ye family. In fact, she sent generous gifts to show goodwill. Apart from medicinal herbs and silks bestowed from the palace, there was a whole plum deer, along with various wild game such as musk deer and muntjac. The housekeeper personally replied, “Madam said these were caught by the young marquis during a hunting trip at the deer park inside the palace. Please, ladies, keep them for your meals—if it’s not enough, there’s more.”

Madam Wei was careless; she vaguely knew that Madam Ye had passed away and assumed the current housekeeper was the new madam, failing to understand the family dynamics. She almost sent the gifts to the main residence, causing Pan Yurong to be joyfully mistaken, alerting Master Ye, who thought the Wei Marquis House was proactively seeking friendship.

Ye Lingbo scolded the Wei family thoroughly but accepted the gifts all the same. She sent Madam Yang to retrieve them in front of Pan Yurong, who relayed to Master Ye that their youngest daughter was suffering from severe chills and needed deer blood for nourishment. Madam Yang replied wittily, “Madam, rest assured, the deer is frozen solid; once we thaw it, we’ll draw the blood and send it to you right away.”

Whether they dared to consume it or not was another matter.

With gifts delivered, naturally, the Wei family members also entered Wutong Courtyard. Azhuo knew Wei Yushan would make a move, and sure enough, an unfamiliar young maid came with a message: “Cousin Miss, the young marquis asked me to bring you a message; he has something to say.”

Azhuo was quite disdainful.

“If he has something to say, why not say it himself? Why have you bring a message? Didn’t he say anything during the New Year greetings? Passing messages back and forth—what’s the point? Acting all sneaky, does he take me for a fool?”

When the message was relayed back, Wei Yushan immediately asked Madam Wei when they should pay respects to the Ye family. Cui Jingyu happened to be present, and Madam Wei angrily kicked his foot under the table, telling him not to ask.

Besides the Wei family, another family, the Northern Garrison, sent gifts too—Fu Yunrui. Although not as wealthy as Madam Wei, she carefully selected gifts. Qinglan appreciated this and sent thoughtful returns, even instructing that some complicated and rare delicacies from their household be packed into several boxes for her to host guests during the New Year.

Lingbo, who was nearby, remarked, “Sister Fu must be having a hard time nowadays.”

“Why?” Qinglan asked, puzzled.

“Just a faint shadow of suspicion. I’ll explain in detail later,” Lingbo said.

The Shen family, naturally, had the closest ties. At noon, they even sent food boxes containing their best dishes. Qinglan reciprocated with gifts. When the servants returned, everyone was cheerful, saying that the young mistress of the Shen family generously rewarded each with a small gold ingot.

“Sister Han is truly generous,” Lingbo immediately said. “When the Han family comes for dinner later, we’ll give out gold ingots too.”

“Why compete? Yueqi isn’t an outsider,” Qinglan laughed at her.

“Precisely because Sister Han isn’t an outsider. Our shop made such a good profit this year; we should reward our own first,” Lingbo sighed. “If only Aunt were still here; she would have loved this lively atmosphere. That year, she gave each of our family a gold leaf; Liujie was so happy he couldn’t sleep, counting them several times in the night.”

“Miss is teasing my brother again,” said Little Liu, displeased.

But Lingbo’s words made everyone feel nostalgic and melancholy, especially Azhuo, who teared up: “Second Sister, I want to visit my aunt.”

“If you want to visit, wait until after the New Year’s ancestral rites,” Lingbo advised. “It’s okay. Our family custom is to offer incense on New Year’s Eve and leave a table with good dishes for my mother. Aunt will surely come then.”

At lunch, indeed, a table was set. Azhuo, worried that Madam Meng might not find her way, prayed earnestly in front of the Buddhist altar. The Ye sisters, seeing her sincerity, did not laugh but instead joined her in prayer.

Lunch was naturally sumptuous. Lingbo, fearing Azhuo would be saddened, teased her: “Eat plenty at noon; who knows if the food over there will be poisoned.”

“Lingbo,” Qinglan disapproved, “don’t scare Azhuo. That place is hosted by the Old Madam; how could the food be poisoned? Don’t say such things.”

“Did you hear that? Even Qinglan thinks the main house’s food is poisoned,” Lingbo continued teasing Azhuo. “Watch out for Aunt Pan; she’s full of bad vibes.”

“And Master Ye,” Yan Yan added.

“Yes, Master Ye is no good either,” Lingbo said.

Indeed, Lingbo’s words proved prophetic.

Her relationship with Master Ye was the worst. Qinglan remained polite; Yan Yan, being younger, maintained a decent front with Master Ye, at least willing to call him father. Lingbo was different—in the time when Madam Ye was ill, Madam Pan was scheming to seize the housekeeper’s power, and the battle was fierce. Master Ye’s heart was crooked, siding with Madam Pan and mistreating the legitimate wife severely. Lingbo hated the Old Madam for this—she was supposed to uphold fairness but allowed Master Ye and Madam Pan to collude, favoring concubines and eliminating the wife. After Madam Ye died, the sisters struggled terribly without her aid. When Madam Pan officially became the new madam and disrespected her, the Old Madam only then regretted it. But by then, the Wutong Courtyard had weathered the storm and no longer needed her.

Qinglan, though equally resolute in her heart, maintained appearances, merely restricting Yan Yan from associating with the main residence. Lingbo was more blatant; since Madam Ye’s passing seven years ago, she showed no kindness towards the main house. After enduring the toughest times, she managed the dowry that Madam Ye left, severed ties with the main residence, freed herself from their constraints, raised Yan Yan well, and lived prosperously. Thus, she grew ever more antagonistic toward the main house.

Each year, attending the Old Madam’s New Year’s Eve dinner was the greatest tolerance she could offer—not for Master Ye or the Old Madam’s sake, but to protect Qinglan and Yan Yan’s reputations, fearing malicious gossip in the capital. Though everyone knew Master Ye favored concubines and betrayed Madam Ye, filial piety still weighed heavily. So Lingbo grudgingly attended the dinner once a year.

But Master Ye, perhaps enjoying better times these past two years, was the first to stir trouble before Lingbo could say a word.

Of course, it was Madam Pan who egged him on. Master Ye was a muddle-headed man, not soft-hearted but inherently cruel and ungrateful. Otherwise, Madam Pan wouldn’t have easily manipulated him to favor concubines and eliminate wives. Madam Pan was cunning; his heart was hard, and they made a perfect pair. So the New Year holiday was far from peaceful.

The Ye sisters, along with Azhuo, arrived dressed in matching red embroidered satin clothes, their lips red and teeth white, each strikingly beautiful. They bowed in unison: “New Year greetings to the Old Ancestor. Wishing her happiness, longevity, and health.”

The Old Madam was naturally delighted and immediately instructed Nurse Wu to distribute rewards—each received a jewel hairpin and silk fabric. She also gave gold and silver ingots to the Wutong Courtyard servants, praising their good service.

But Master Ye and Pan Yurong showed no mercy. Pan Yurong, a smiling tiger, praised them lightly: “The children have grown even more beautiful and well-coordinated. If only my Yinzhang were this obedient.”

Pan Yurong’s ability to become the official madam years ago stemmed from the birth of a son, but whether because of misdeeds or fate, he died young. Though Master Ye’s daughter Yinzhang’s name lived on, other noble families, though also valuing sons, rarely so blatantly included “son” in a daughter’s name. This became a source of ridicule among other madams, who saw it as petty eagerness for a son.

Lingbo ignored her and merely sneered. Master Ye’s expression darkened.

The Old Madam had learned to be clever, unlike previous years when she liked to mediate. This time, she said nothing to urge the sisters to greet Master Ye, so they only stood there. Qinglan said calmly, “Father, happy New Year,” while Yan Yan busied herself asking Nurse Wu about the evening menu.

Master Ye, of course, was frustrated. Outside the Flower Hall where the banquet was held, fireworks exploded. Yan Yan ran about, pulling Azhuo outside to watch. The adults smiled, but Master Ye looked ready to explode. Lingbo sensed the tension.

Sure enough, at the dinner table, Pan Yurong began her provocations. The Old Madam’s New Year’s Eve feast was top-notch—taste aside, the ingredients were unmatched. The Eight-Treasure Stuffed Goose, which even Wutong Courtyard couldn’t replicate, was especially praised.

Pan Yurong smirked, “The Old Madam is formidable. This Eight-Treasure Goose has received praise from the capital’s madams. Just a few days ago, Madam Chen told me her cook could never match it.”

“Since Madam Chen likes it, send two dishes over,” the Old Madam replied calmly.

She was sharp and experienced; she knew the capital’s social comings and goings. Sending dishes was fine, but she wouldn’t reveal her signature dishes, reserving them as dowry for her daughters.

Pan Yurong, with ulterior motives, laughed and said, “Oh, then perhaps we won’t be sending them this year.”

Clearly provoking, the Old Madam ignored her. Master Ye frowned and retorted, “Why not send them? Madam Chen and I passed the imperial exams together; maintaining relations is good.”

“Master is right, but it’s not that I’m unwilling; they simply refuse to accept now,” Pan Yurong hinted. “Our family offended the Chen family badly this time; Miss Chen was confined and might not even be released for the Lantern Festival. Madam Chen is heartbroken and didn’t return any gifts during the New Year—she’s truly angry. We and the Chen family were once relatives by marriage. Such a good connection severed—what a pity.”

Lingbo, sharp as always, immediately saw through her intent and laughed coldly. Sitting opposite Master Ye, who was just waiting for a chance to lash out, her reaction enraged him.

“You wretch, how dare you smile?” he shouted. “Why did you offend the Chen family, disgrace yourself, and stir up the entire capital? Don’t think I don’t know!”

Qinglan quickly defended them.

“Father, please calm down. I was present during the incident. It was Miss Chen who was disrespectful first; otherwise, the Chen family wouldn’t have confined her. Madam Chen avoids us out of guilt. Madam Pan didn’t attend the Flower Banquet and doesn’t understand the situation. Father’s misunderstanding is forgivable. Today is New Year’s Eve; no need for anger. It’s bad luck and unfair to Lingbo. Why bother?”

Though gentle, her words contained hidden barbs. She didn’t call Pan Yurong “Madam” and subtly pointed out her lack of status in the Flower Banquet circle. Her tone was soft but uncompromising, making her seem more like the rational and fair head of the family than Master Ye.

He respected Qinglan somewhat and, seeing her politeness, calmed down. She patted Lingbo’s shoulder to soothe her. Lingbo understood she didn’t want to disrupt the New Year’s Eve dinner and merely sneered without replying.

Pan Yurong was unwilling to let it drop.

“Young Mistress’s words are biased,” she said with a smile. “Though I can’t enter the Flower Banquet madams’ circle, I am devoted to Master, managing guests, visits, and gifts with utmost care. The young ladies attend the Flower Banquet, but they don’t respect our family’s reputation. Women’s affairs are trivial; Master’s official matters are important. You fraternize with the Shen family, exchanging New Year gifts, giving servants gold and silver ingots, throwing silver about—who knows how much is spent. We never complain, but the Shen family offers no support to Master outside and even creates obstacles. I barely established ties with the Chen family, only for Second Miss to ruin them. How can Master be blamed for anger? Young Mistress should think of Master’s future.”

Pan Yurong’s words, laced with accusations, reignited Master Ye’s anger, striking at his heart. His face grew red and furious.

“You ungrateful wretches! Useless at achieving anything but causing trouble! You don’t understand the importance of the big picture!”

If he had directed his anger at Lingbo, it might have been bearable, but when Qinglan was targeted, Lingbo couldn’t hold back.

Fortunately, Qinglan remained composed. Lingbo sneered, “Indeed, we know nothing of the big picture. Master Ye is so ambitious, dreaming of currying favor with the Chen family. Fine, I know the Chen family’s scholar’s disciples are short a few. Master Ye, why not fill the vacancies? Better yet, skip dinner and hurry to prostrate yourself to Madam Chen for New Year’s greetings! Hurry, or you’ll miss your chance!”

Among the noble daughters in the capital, a few could match Lingbo’s cunning, but when it came to insults, she was undoubtedly unmatched.

Her mother had died just as she turned twelve—not too early, not too late. Had it been later, she’d have been raised like Qinglan, educated on classics and unable to utter harsh words. Had it been earlier, she’d have been protected like Yan Yan, playing foolishly without harsh words. But as the middle child, already sensible at twelve, witnessing Master Ye’s cruel favoritism of concubines, managing the household accounts, mingling with shrewd housekeepers, she developed streetwise wit and the skill to curse like a champion.

She had often joked that Qinglan was refined, but she was vulgar.

Only such a “vulgar” person could reduce Master Ye to speechlessness, red-faced and stammering, pointing a finger at her but unable to utter a word.

Pan Yurong was quick to react, standing and exclaiming, “Second Miss must have lost her mind. Such disrespect! Guards, seize her at once!”

“How dare you!” Qinglan’s face darkened. She was always vigilant around the main residence. “The Old Madam hasn’t said a word; you’re just a madam. How dare you lay hands on the young mistress?”

Pan Yurong suddenly cried pitifully, appealing to Master Ye: “Master, look at them! It’s chaos. Unmarried and already like this. If they get their way in the future, where will we find a place to live?”

She knew the biggest threat was these three sisters. At the Flower Banquet, many noble families and scholars attended. Though each sister had flaws—Qinglan was older, Lingbo difficult, Yan Yan young—their foundation was solid. Especially Azhuo was a secret worry. If any married well, she’d have no easy life.

So Pan Yurong schemed day and night to disrupt the family during the New Year’s Eve dinner, hoping Master Ye would confine the sisters under the pretense of his father’s authority or at least ruin their reputations to sabotage their marriages and secure her own lifelong wealth and status.

But Lingbo would not let her succeed.

Seeing Pan Yurong aimed at herself, she sneered coldly: “Madam Pan, stop your lamenting. I’m here for the Old Madam’s sake. If you’re ungrateful, then none of you shall eat.”

At this, the Old Madam, sharp as ever, angrily shouted, “Enough! It’s New Year’s Day. They say harmony brings prosperity. Listening to you, there’s no family left. I’m still alive; who gave you the right to call anyone rebellious? Quiet down!”

Master Ye was more cowed by the Old Madam’s words than truly persuaded. Pan Yurong refused to relent, knowing the Old Madam would not truly accuse Master Ye of rebellion. Without him, her future wealth and comfort would vanish. Boldly, she said, “The Old Madam is right, but the Wutong Courtyard’s ways must have deep roots. Madam Ye once—”

Before she finished, she was slapped sharply across the face by Lingbo, who struck like lightning upon hearing her mother’s name invoked.

“Ungrateful wretch!”

“You dare strike me?” Master Ye and Pan Yurong erupted in anger. The main residence’s housekeeper and maids rushed over, but Lingbo was ready. The Wutong Courtyard maintained strong guards, waiting for this moment. The housekeeper wives—Madam Yang, Madam Lin, and Madam Luo—blocked the way, saying, “Madam Pan, don’t be angry; our young lady’s temper flares up again,” “Madam Pan, don’t quarrel with the young ones,” forming a human shield. Lingbo retreated behind them, smirking.

“It’s you I’m hitting, Pan Yurong. Do you really think you’re someone important? When you were my mother’s maid, you weren’t so strong. Who was nearly sold to a brothel by a drunken father, begging my mother to buy you? And who seduced her husband while my mother was ill? Master Ye likes women like you, but I won’t tolerate you. Servants who betray their mistress deserve to be dismembered. You’ll never sleep peacefully again. I’ll deal with you sooner or later.” She laughed merrily amidst the crowd. “It’s just a meal. We don’t lack food. Why bow to your whims?”

Qinglan, supporting her, stepped forward and bowed to Master Ye: “Father, please calm down. Lingbo’s temper flared unintentionally. Lingbo, come down now. What nonsense are you spouting? Madam Yang, Madam Lin, please escort the young mistress away.”

Their perfect teamwork meant the scuffle was done and responsibility avoided. Lingbo escaped unscathed.

Pan Yurong was not done, wailing and clinging to Master Ye’s arm, demanding punishment for Lingbo. Master Ye was about to scold Qinglan when the Old Madam sharply interrupted: “Enough! It’s the New Year. What’s all this noise? Guards, take Second Miss away to reflect in solitude. We rarely gather once a year; if you keep this up, the clan will be disturbed. That won’t do.”

The Old Madam’s siding with Wutong Courtyard was unexpected by Pan Yurong. Master Ye, a scholar inclined to save face, feared scandal and said nothing as Pan Yurong continued pleading for him to act.

But Azhuo refused to leave quietly. She muttered, “I’m going with Second Sister.”

She was the most loyal to Lingbo, caring little for right or wrong, determined to be her faithful companion. To others, Lingbo had fought and won today, yet Azhuo still felt wronged on her behalf.

Qinglan smiled, gently patting her back.

The Old Madam regarded this cousin highly, knowing the three sisters valued her. With such looks, even if she remained a concubine in a prince’s household, she would be of noble rank.

“Send a table of New Year’s Eve dinner to the Wutong Courtyard,” the Old Madam said, displaying the grace of the matriarch. Though wanting to win over Azhuo, she was not as eager as Pan Yurong, acting with subtlety. Sighing, she said, “I know I’m old. You no longer respect me. Eat and then disperse; I don’t want to see you lingering here.”

“Old Madam, you don’t mean that,” Qinglan quickly soothed. Yan Yan also hurried to hold her hand and act sweetly.

The Old Madam’s eyes passed over the table to her only son with a cold glance. Though paralyzed for years, her tiger-like spirit remained, and Master Ye lowered his head in caution.

Only Pan Yurong’s heart remained restless, covering her face and crying, eyes scheming, clearly unwilling to give up.