Chapter 37: Recognizing Kin

The bride had entered the household yesterday, and today was the day for the formal introductions. Jing Hu rose early and immediately went to find her mother, the secondary consort, serving her with humble compliance as they headed to the main hall for the ceremony.

Yesterday, her mother had been occupied, and Jing Hu had spent the day hovering around her grandmother, the Dowager Princess, which was the only reason her mother hadn't found the time to discipline her. Today, however, with the Prince’s daughter-in-law arriving for the formal introductions, the Princess Consort—who was Jing Hu's stepmother—seemed to be in a foul mood, and her mother had likely been feeling similarly irritable.

Upon seeing Jing Hu, the secondary consort had initially intended to scold her, but observing her daughter’s uncharacteristic submissiveness, she bit back her words and said nothing.

Although it was the Heir Consort’s introduction day, her mother had dressed quite extravagantly, wearing a begonia-red silk damask jacket patterned with winter plum blossoms, paired with a light apricot-yellow skirt. Her hair was styled into an elaborate peony bun, adorned with a set of red gemstone ornaments. She had always maintained her appearance well, and with today’s elaborate styling, she looked significantly younger than the Princess Consort.

In most families, concubines were not required—nor were they qualified—to appear at such introductions. However, because they belonged to the Jing clan and her mother held the rank of secondary consort, she was entitled to a seat and the right to be respectfully addressed as "Secondary Consort" by the new bride. Even if the Princess Consort was displeased, there was little she could do about it.

The Dowager Princess sat in the seat of honor, while the Prince and the Princess Consort sat on either side. Her mother sat closer to the Prince. With her eldest brother away, Jing Hu stood by her mother’s side, while her eldest sister-in-law, Ke Mingbi, stood nearby.

The hall was quiet as they waited for the newlyweds to return from the ancestral hall to offer their greetings and complete the ceremony. The Prince glanced at Ke Mingbi standing beside her and said gently, "Since you are with child, Big Brother’s wife, you should sit down and rest. Even when the third son and his wife arrive, you are still their elder sister-in-law; feel free to sit at ease."

As soon as these words were spoken, her mother looked somewhat smug, while the Princess Consort’s expression turned cold, as if she were about to interject.

The Dowager Princess spoke first, preempting her. "What are you talking about? She has been with child for over three months; what harm could come from standing for a little while? Bi-niang comes from the household of Grand Tutor Ke and is the very model of decorum. If you force her to sit now, she might actually feel less at ease than if she were standing. Isn't that right, Bi-niang?"

Ginger is indeed spicier when it's old. Her grandmother’s words effectively avoided a confrontation between the two parties. Jing Hu sometimes found it strange; it was hardly a major issue, yet her father seemed to speak as if he were eager to see her mother and the Princess Consort lock horns.

Ke Mingbi stepped forward with a smile. "Grandmother is right. Thank you for your concern, Father. Standing for a while is fine, and since this is such a happy occasion for the third brother, I don't feel tired at all."

How dreadfully boring. Jing Hu felt a wave of sleepiness. Just as she was about to close her eyes to steal a moment of rest, someone reported that her third brother, Jing Xun, and his new wife were approaching. She immediately straightened her posture, fearing the Princess Consort might find fault with her. It wasn't that she feared her, but being confined to her quarters would be a nuisance; she was still hoping to sneak out of the manor to find Ke Mingxu.

Soon, her third brother entered, holding his new wife’s hand. His steps were light, and he could not hide the smile on his face. His bride, however, did not smile much, maintaining a very dignified and reserved air.

When Jing Hu had once caught sight of them together on the street, it had not been like this; she had been clearly happy and quite lively. She wondered if the bride was simply nervous about meeting the family, or if she was a master of pretense, much like her sister-in-law Ke Mingbi.

While Jing Hu observed the bride's expression, her mother was focused on other things. The newlyweds first offered tea to the Dowager Princess. The Dowager appeared very satisfied with her grandson’s wife, presenting her with a gift box larger than any she had given before; there was no telling how many treasures were hidden inside.

Her third brother was, after all, born of the main wife and had been doted on by his grandmother since childhood. Whenever he made mistakes, the Dowager would often shield him, even when the Princess Consort tried to discipline him. Her mother often remarked that "a doting mother spoils her son." The Princess Consort did not exactly coddle him, but because the Dowager insisted on it, she had to show her respect and filial piety, often turning a blind eye to Jing Xun’s faults. Eventually, he grew into a profligate, and even Jing Hu looked down on him. Who would have thought he would marry a good wife and eventually perform meritorious service on the northwestern battlefield?

From a very young age, Jing Hu had sensed that her grandmother did not seem to like her eldest brother very much. She didn't know why, but she had always felt it. Despite her eldest brother being far more capable than the wastrel Jing Xun, her grandmother had always treated him with indifference—far less than the affection she showed Jing Hu, and even less than what she gave Jing Xun.

This was why her mother harbored deep resentment; after all, her eldest brother was born to a concubine. In the imperial clan, a secondary consort like her could hold a title and be treated with respect, sometimes even exceeding the status of the primary wives in other families. But the children she bore were a different matter. Jing Hu had been granted a title by her father, but her eldest brother had nothing. The fifth-rank official post he held had been earned through his own efforts, fighting in wars since he was young. She remembered once, when she was very small, bursting into her mother’s room to find her applying medicine to her eldest brother’s back. It was covered in blood, and the sight had given her nightmares for many nights.

When her eldest brother married Ke Mingbi, her mother had been overjoyed—a level of happiness she had never displayed before. After all, Ke Mingbi had once been the chosen candidate for the Heir Consort, favored by the Princess Consort herself. Her mother thought she had finally won a victory, as her eldest son was clearly superior to the third.

Yet, before long, the third brother married the granddaughter of Old General Wan. And who was Old General Wan? He had guarded the northwest for decades, striking terror into the hearts of the Chile people. Even a girl like Jing Hu, who knew nothing of study and only cared for play, could only hold her breath and show him the utmost respect upon meeting him—not out of fear, but out of genuine reverence. He was likely the most respected figure among the people of Yanliang.

After the Dowager Princess finished her tea, it was the turn of the Princess Consort and the Prince. The Princess Consort had once greatly disliked this Lady Wan; in her eyes, a girl as cultured and well-mannered as herself would have been a better daughter-in-law. Unfortunately, her third son had not shared her preference, and in the end, he had his way. Today, however, she said nothing, calmly allowing the new bride to pass the rite.

Though her mother had a seat, she did not have the status to receive a cup of tea from the Heir Consort. Next came her second brother and sister-in-law, and finally, it was Jing Hu’s turn. Although she had won several taels of silver from the Dowager Princess of Mingqing yesterday, she still felt she was short on pocket money.

The new bride walked over and presented the shoes and socks she had made by hand. Jing Hu accepted them respectfully, called out a sweet "Third Sister-in-law," and then shot a playful look at the Jing Xun standing behind her.

The young princess spoke up, "Third Sister-in-law, you smell so fragrant." It was not the same scent Jing Hu had smelled on Jing Xun the night of the Dragon Boat Festival.

She wondered how much hush money she should demand from her third brother this time.