Chapter 124: A Banquet at the Song Estate

When the second master of the Song household returned to the estate, everyone knew that the person most overjoyed was the Second Mistress. Her face was so radiant and supple that it seemed one could pinch it and draw out dew. Some of the older matrons gossiped in private, chuckling that there would likely be another young master in the house soon, and they hoped the Second Mistress would get her wish.

Others were green with envy, such as Madam Lu of the Plum Pavilion, who had shredded countless handkerchiefs in frustration. Hearing how many times hot water had been requested in the Second Mistress’s courtyard at night only deepened her melancholy. She wondered if her own husband missed her, and whether the maid she had left behind, Qiu Chan, was serving him well.

While everyone harbored their own thoughts, the day of the First Mistress’s birthday arrived—a grand occasion for the Song household to host guests. Song Ci calculated the time; it was barely three in the morning, yet the entire estate was illuminated, bright as day. As for her, well, such was the plight of the aged; her sleep was light.

Nurse Gong handed her a cup of tea, and seeing Song Ci stifle a yawn, she said, "Old Madame, there is no need to rise so early. You could take a nap; shall I tell the maids to be quieter?"

Song Ci shook her head. "No need. I am already up, and I cannot fall back asleep. Besides, there is still the matter of dressing and preparation."

"The guests will not arrive so quickly," Nurse Gong replied. "They won't be here until at least the hour of the dragon. There are still several hours to go."

"The preparations are nearly finished anyway. Is the clan school on holiday today?" Song Ci asked while changing into loose clothes for her Tai Chi exercises.

"Yes, the Prime Minister has declared that since it is the First Mistress’s birthday, the young masters and misses of the household may have a day of leisure."

Song Ci acknowledged this with an "oh." She had yet to visit the clan school and thought she would pay it a visit someday to see how the school run by the Song clan operated. Once changed, she headed to her usual spot for Tai Chi, where Lin Qing was already waiting.

"It is still long before dawn; you could have slept a bit more," Song Ci said with a smile.

Lin Qing replied, "I could not sleep. It is rare for the household to be so lively."

The First Mistress had risen even earlier than Song Ci. After all, it was her special day, and as the mistress of the house, there were countless matters requiring her attention. Early on, she gathered the two sisters-in-law in the flower hall where they usually held meetings and met with the various stewardesses. Orders were issued like falling snowflakes, and the vast Prime Minister’s estate began to hum with activity, like a machine whose start button had been pressed.

While the First Mistress and the others managed the inner courtyards, Song Zhicheng led the fourth master and several of the younger boys in the outer courtyards, issuing instructions on how to handle the arriving guests.

Once his second brother had left, Song Zhiyu spoke to his nephews. "Listen up, lads. Your uncle has already made inquiries. There will surely be more people arriving than the number of invitations sent out. It is even possible that some of the princes will show up."

"Fourth Uncle, surely not? It is just the First Mistress’s birthday; would the princes really come?" Song Lingzhao widened his eyes in surprise.

Song Zhiyu said, "They are just looking for an excuse to build ties with the Prime Minister’s estate. Besides, your second sister is still unmarried."

The young men exchanged glances.

"Even if they don't all come, even one or two is enough. Then there are the young masters from other noble houses. Lads, my task for you is to keep a close watch on them. Do not let them wander into the area reserved for the female guests, and do not let any of the female guests stray into the outer courtyards. We must not have a repeat of the incidents we have had in the past," Song Zhiyu warned.

Song Lingsu frowned. "Does Fourth Uncle mean that someone might try to stir up trouble using our banquet?"

"It is hard to say, but aren't all those messy affairs usually orchestrated during banquets? We must ensure we are not outmaneuvered. It would be unsightly for the others, and as hosts, it would look even worse for us, and we would have no easy way to explain it."

The boys immediately replied, "Don't worry, Fourth Uncle. We will keep a sharp watch."