Chapter 11
The Summer Lotus Tea Party at Minister Liu’s estate was, undoubtably, the social event of the season.
Lotuses in shades of pink and cream bloomed across his enormous garden lake, their faint fragrance mingling with the steam from dozens of teapots.
The gardens had been transformed into a wonderland of summer splendor.
Flowers and foliage tended along winding paths, parasols were strategically placed to offer shade from the afternoon sun, and the soft strains of music drifted in from a distant pavilion.
Yun-yao wore a gown of cream silk, embroidered with lotuses in pink thread, her hair adorned with jade combs that caught the light with every graceful movement.
Beside her, Zhen-ting was strikingly handsome in elegant silk robes he seldom wore.
When she laughed at something Minister Liu’s wife said, his hand found the small of her back, a possessive yet tender gesture that did not go unnoticed.
The women around them pretended not to stare, but Yun-yao could feel their eyes, some admiring, others burning with envy.
“You’re radiant today,” Zhen-ting murmured as they strolled along a flower-strewn path, his fingers brushing hers.
She smiled, tilting her head just enough to meet his gaze. “And you, General, are causing quite the stir.”
“Good,” he said, his voice low. “Let them stir.”
From across the garden, Maiden Jia observed the exchange with narrowed eyes. At sixteen, she was the jewel of her father’s house. Her dark eyes followed Zhen-ting’s movements through the crowd, noting how the other men instinctively deferred to his presence despite his common birth.
“Are you still watching General Wei?” her cousin whispered, glancing nervously around the garden. “I thought your father had arranged discussions with the Zhao family’s second son.”
Jia sniffed delicately. “Second sons are common. The General is favored by the Emperor himself.”
“But he’s already married,” her cousin pointed out. “And seemingly content.”
“For now,” Jia replied, adjusting the white jade bracelet on her slender wrist. “Men of action grow bored with perfection eventually. They crave excitement.” Her eyes followed the General across the garden.
“A favored concubine in a powerful household is worth far more than being first wife to some minor official’s second son. ”
Her cousin looked uncertain. “What are you planning, Jia?”
But Jia merely smiled, her eyes calculating, “You'll see.”
Yun-yao was sitting at the pavilion by the pond, waiting for her husband to return, when a melodious voice called out, “Lady Wei, what a beautiful day for tea, isn't it?”
Yun-yao turned to find Maiden Jia approaching, resplendent in pale green silk that emphasized her youthful figure and porcelain complexion. She had seen the girl at various gatherings but had never spoken directly to her.
“Indeed it is,” Yun-yao replied with a polite smile. “The lotuses are particularly fine this year.”
“Yes, though not as fine as the summer flowers in the General’s garden, I'm told,” Jia said, her voice sweet. “I've heard such wonderful things about your estate.”
Yun-yao’s instincts prickled. The girl’s tone was perfect, her manners impeccable, but something about the way her eyes darted around—checking who was nearby, who was watching—set off quiet alarms.
“You are too kind,” Yun-yao said, not extending the invitation that is expected at this point in polite conversation. “I’m afraid our gardens are quite modest compared to Minister Liu’s.”
“Oh, I would love to visit your gardens,” Jia replied, stepping closer to the edge of the pond. “I've always admired the General’s... achievements.”
The way she lingered on the last word sent another warning flare through Yun-yao’s mind. Before she could respond, she caught sight of Zhen-ting approaching from across the garden, deep in conversation with Minister Liu himself.
Maiden Jia saw him too. Her posture shifted subtly, her shoulders relaxing, her expression becoming more animated.
“Oh!” she exclaimed suddenly, her voice carrying across the quiet garden. “How clumsy of me!”
And with a graceful, perfectly controlled motion that belied her words, she stumbled and fell directly into the pond with a splash that sent koi scattering in panicked orange streaks.
“Help!” she cried, flailing in the shallow water. “I can't swim!”
The garden erupted in gasps and exclamations. Zhen-ting started toward the cry for help, his soldier’s instincts kicking in.
But Yun-yao was faster. Her hand shot out, gripping his arm. Her smile never wavered, but her eyes were sharp.
“Wait,” she murmured.
Maiden Jia surfaced with a dramatic cough, her wet robes clinging to her figure as she flailed valiantly. “H-Help!” she called, her voice trembling—just loudly enough to carry. “I—I can’t—!”
Zhen-ting frowned, but Yun-yao’s grip tightened. “Go away.” she whispered. “Go away and fetch the physician. You saw nothing.”
Zhen-ting paused, his eyes meeting Yun-yao’s. Something passed between them—understanding, trust—and he nodded, turning back toward the house.
She turned to the nearest cluster of matrons, her voice carrying with practiced clarity. “Ladies, your assistance, please! The poor girl needs women’s help.”
Before anyone else could move, Yun-yao had directed two female servants to help Maiden Jia from the pond.
The girl emerged sputtering, her green silk robes clinging transparently to her form, her elaborately arranged hair plastered to her face.
Her face was a picture of distress—though her painted brows, Yun-yao noted, remained suspiciously intact.
“Let’s get you inside, dear,” Lady Liu said, taking charge as Yun-yao had known she would. A bundle of thick cloths appeared, and the matrons quickly wrapped them around the soaked girl, preserving her modesty.
“How fortunate that Lady Wei reacted so quickly,” Lady Chen observed. “A young lady in such a state... well, it would be most improper for men to assist.”
Maiden Jia’s expression flickered with frustration, quickly masked by feigned distress. “I—I'm so embarrassed,” she stammered. “I don't know what happened. My ankle simply gave way.”
“These garden paths can be treacherous,” Yun-yao agreed sympathetically as they helped Jia toward a private chamber in the house. “Though it seems odd that your steps should fail so suddenly, especially since you were walking so confidently just moments before. “
The girl’s composure faltered slightly. “As I said, it was very sudden.”
Once inside, the servants brought dry clothing—a simple but elegant robe belonging to Lady Liu’s daughter. Lady Liu and Lady Chen supervised the changing process, their presence ensuring everything remained proper and above reproach.
“Should we send for your mother?” Yun-yao inquired, her voice gentle with concern. “Such a shock must be distressing.”
“No!” Jia said quickly. “I mean, there’s no need to worry her. I'm quite recovered.”
“Are you certain?” Lady Chen pressed. “A young lady in your position... well, propriety is paramount. Having fallen into public view, in such a state...”
Jia’s cheeks flushed. This was not going according to her plan.
“I'm sure it was merely an accident,” Yun-yao said smoothly, “though it’s fortunate that no young men were close enough to witness anything... improper. That would have created quite a different situation, wouldn't it?”
The implied meaning hung in the air. Lady Liu and Lady Chen exchanged knowing glances.
“Indeed,” Lady Liu huffed. “Had a young gentleman pulled you from the water instead of the servants, your father might be negotiating a betrothal by sunset. The wet thin summer silks and such intimate contact would compromise you!”
“Or if a married man had been obliged to assist,” Lady Chen added, her tone light but her eyes sharp, “what a scandal that could have caused. Even the most innocent touch in such circumstances would spark rumors that could destroy both reputations.”
Maiden Jia’s flush deepened, her composure cracking. “It was merely an accident.”
“Of course,” Yun-yao soothed, patting the girl’s hand. “No one suggests otherwise. How fortunate that your... accident... was witnessed by so many respectable ladies who could ensure everything remained proper.”
A knock at the door announced the arrival of the physician, followed closely by Maiden Jia’s mother, Lady Jia, her usually placid features now tight with controlled displeasure.
After a brief examination, the physician declared nothing more serious than a mild sprain, prescribing a cooling salve and calming herbs for her constitution.
“We are returning home. Now,” Lady Jia announced, her quiet voice carrying the weight of thunder. She bowed stiffly to Yun-yao and the other ladies, “My deepest apologies for my daughter’s... clumsiness. And my sincere gratitude for your proper assistance in this matter.”
The emphasis on “proper” told Yun-yao everything she needed to know—Lady Jia had immediately understood what her daughter had attempted, and the consequences awaiting Maiden Jia would be far more severe than any public embarrassment.
By the time the girl was dried off and sent home, the party had resumed. But the whispers were no longer about Yun-yao’s marriage, the gossip had found more interesting fodder.
Later, in the quiet of their chambers, Zhen-ting found Yun-yao brushing out her hair, her reflection in the bronze mirror calm and collected.
“That was impressive,” he said, leaning against the doorframe.
She met his gaze in the mirror. “She was clumsy.”
“A calculated clumsiness,” he corrected, stepping closer. “How fortunate that my wife reacted so quickly to ensure everything remained... appropriate “
Yun-yao smiled smugly. “I’ve read enough huabens to recognize a poorly executed scheme.”
She froze.
Heavens above and hell below, what did I just say?
His eyebrows rose in surprise before he burst into laughter. “You read romance novels?”
She felt her cheeks warm. “They can be quite educational.”
“Ah.” He stepped behind her, his hands settling on her shoulders, his thumbs tracing slow circles. “So that’s how you knew.”
She swallowed. “Knew what?”
“How to dismantle her so elegantly.” His breath was warm against her ear. “You’re full of surprises, Lady Wei.”
Zhen-ting had thought he knew his wife.
But Yun-yao, it seemed, had layers he hadn’t suspected.
And he was going to enjoy uncovering every one.