The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

The second lunar month was the season when everything started to come alive. The trees had already sprouted tender buds in the courtyard, and green shoots were scattered across the soil like stars.

Yuxi practised the Five-Animal Frolics for over a quarter of an hour. During the first few days, her whole body was so sore, to the extent that she could barely walk without someone supporting her. If it had been anyone else, they would have given up long ago. But Yuxi persisted, sticking with it for half a month. Now, she had improved considerably.

After breakfast, Mama Qu came over and reported, ”Madam, the tea, pastries and fruit are all ready.” Today, Yuxi hosted a banquet for the wives of Yun Qingʼs closest and most trusted officers.

Yuxi responded with a soft ʼMmʼ and said, ”They should be arriving in another half a shichen.” It was also about time for her to put on some makeup. Although this wasnʼt a grand occasion requiring full formal attire, her complexion hadnʼt been great lately, so she needed to wear a bit of makeup.

This banquet served two purposes: firstly, to show everyone that she was healthy and put an end to speculation about how long she had left to live, and secondly, to socialise with these ladies and strengthen their relationships.

Yuxi had just finished applying her makeup when a maid announced the arrival of Er Nainai Zhao. Since she hadnʼt changed clothes yet, and it would be inappropriate to receive guests dressed like this, she asked Er Nainai Zhao to wait in the parlour.

Er Nainai Zhao knew that Yuxi was very particular about propriety, so she wasnʼt bothered by the wait. When she finally saw Yuxi come out, she smiled and exclaimed, ”Your skirt is so beautiful! I doubt thereʼs a second one like it in Yu City.”

Yuxi was wearing a twelve-panel Yuehua dress🔗 with pleats that flowed elegantly as she moved. This dress had been made in the capital but had remained unworn until now.

Yuxi smiled and said, ”Yu City may not have one, but that doesnʼt mean Haocheng doesnʼt. When the time comes, you can have a few made if you want.” Haocheng was much more prosperous than here.

Er Nainai Zhaoʼs heart tightened momentarily, but she smiled as she responded, ”Forget it. Iʼm already too old to fuss over these things. Iʼll have a few made for Ziyao instead.” Just by looking at it, one could tell that the skirt was expensive, so she decided not to waste money on herself.

Yuxi disagreed with her perspective, though. ”What do you mean by ʼat your ageʼ? Youʼre only twenty-five this year!”

Er Nainai Zhao laughed. ”Iʼm already old! How can I compare to you? You still look like youʼre only sixteen or seventeen!”

Before Yuxi could respond, Gancao announced, ”Madam, Madam Feng has arrived.”

Er Nainai Zhao exclaimed in surprise, wondering, ”Why has Chang Shi come today?” Feng Dajunʼs wifeʼs surname was Chang.

Chang Shiʼs great-grandfather had been exiled to Yu City by Imperial Decree, and her family had settled there ever since. Of average appearance, Chang Shi had married General Feng because her father had once saved his life. Due to her background, Chang Shi rarely attended such gatherings.

Yuxi personally went out to the courtyard to greet her. Even if not for the monkʼs sake, then for the Buddhaʼs sake — since Feng Dajun was Yun Qingʼs capable right-hand man, she should still treat Chang Shi with proper courtesy.

Originally, Chang Shi hadnʼt wanted to come — she wasnʼt used to such occasions and always felt out of place. But in the end, the old women servants around her managed to persuade her. Since the invitation came personally from Madam Yun, not attending would be disrespectful.

Er Nainai Zhao glanced at Chang Shi and frowned slightly. This Chang Shi really didnʼt know how to dress herself. She was wearing only a simple, dark red outfit, and she tied her hair up in a round bun and held it in place with a single gold hairpin. To someone who didnʼt know any better, she could easily be mistaken for one of the older housemaids at the residence.

Yuxi, however, smiled pleasantly and ordered the tea, fruit, and pastries to be served. This time, she had arranged for a great variety of pastries to be made: hibiscus cake📹I thought it was 米芳(mifang or biphang) when I saw the thumbnail. �

, osmanthus cakes📹One of the versions

, red bean and honey date cakes, crystal dragon-phoenix cakes🔗, purple dragon cakes, peach crisps🔗, and all sorts of uniquely shaped biscuits.

Chang Shi found the biscuits quite novel. She tried one and, after eating it, exclaimed in admiration, ”This is so delicious! I wonder how itʼs made?”

Yuxi smiled and said, ”Itʼs made with fine flour mixed with milk. If Madam is interested, Madam can take the recipe home and try making them yourself later.” These were the first biscuits of this kind to be made. Since Yuxi didnʼt care much for them, they had never been served in the residence before.

Chang Shi didnʼt stand on ceremony as she said directly, ”Thank you, Madam.” She thought her daughter would surely like these. Chang Shi had a son and a daughter, but her daughter was a picky eater who refused many foods, which often worried her. Now, she felt these pretty, tasty pastries would surely appeal to her daughter.

Deliberately sounding jealous, Er Nainai Zhao complained, ”Yuxi, thatʼs not fair! Youʼre only giving the recipe to Madam Feng, not me.”

Chang Shi felt uneasy, thinking she had caused trouble for Yuxi.

Yuxi smiled as she comforted her, ”Sheʼs just joking. Madam Feng, donʼt mind her. She already has the recipes for these crystal cakes.” Er Nainai Zhao did indeed have the recipes, but for some reason, her pastries never tasted as good as Mama Baiʼs. This always left her feeling particularly frustrated.

The other guests also arrived one after another. However, when Yan Shi, Xiang Weiguoʼs wife, entered last, the room immediately fell silent.

Yan Shi was dressed in bright red, with her hair styled in a peony bun🔗. On the left side of her head, she wore a gemstone-encrusted hairpin with a kingfisher feather inlay, and on the right, she wore a gold filigree double-phoenix hair ornament inlaid with rubies and more kingfisher feathers. A large ruby flower gleamed at the back of her head. Red jade drop earrings adorned her ears, a finely crafted pearl-inlaid gold necklace hung around her neck, two gemstone rings sparkled on her fingers, and a pure gold wire bracelet encircled her right wrist.

Seeing Yan Shiʼs attire, Yuxi furrowed her brows. What was wrong with Xiang Weiguo? She had reminded him earlier to ask his wife not to dress so ostentatiously. It seemed everything she had said had been in vain.

Er Nainai Zhao, suppressing her laughter, commented, ”Madam Xiang, with all this jewellery, you could buy a five-courtyard mansion in the best part of Xinping City.” This wasnʼt a banquet; it was practically a jewellery exhibition. In fact, all one could see was the jewellery, not the person herself.

Apart from Yuxi, Yan Shi was the most beautiful person present. When she heard this, she raised her eyebrows proudly and announced, ”We have already purchased a five-courtyard mansion in Xinping City.”

Deliberately feigning envy, Er Nainai Zhao countered, ”General Xiang is truly capable. Yan Jiejie, you are so blessed.” The other families present might not have received more gold, silver, and jewellery than Xiang Weiguo. But even if the others wore jewellery, they usually only wore one or two pieces. None of them was like Yan Shi, who seemed eager to wear every piece of jewellery she owned.

Yan Shi was very pleased with the flattery and said, ”Of course. Back then, my father valued my husbandʼs outstanding abilities, so he married me off to him.”

Yuxi thought Yan Shiʼs brain was filled with tofu dregs. Otherwise, she wouldnʼt have missed Er Nainai Zhaoʼs sarcasm. Yuxi smiled and ushered, ”Madam Xiang, please have a seat.” Yan Shi had also attended previous banquets. While she had always been proud, she had never been as ostentatious as today.

Yuxi knew everything about Yan Shi. A native of Xinping City, Yan Shiʼs father was a small-time merchant. It was her outstanding beauty that caught the eye of Xiang Weiguo.

Xiang Weiguo sent someone to propose marriage. At that time, the Yan family, like a lion opening its big mouth, demanded five thousand liang of silver as a betrothal gift. Xiang Weiguo was deeply infatuated with Yan Shi. Still, since he was rather extravagant and careless with money, he hadnʼt saved up that much. Ultimately, he had to ask Yun Qing for help to raise the full amount.

Because of her beauty, Yan Shi had been treasured like a precious gem by her family since childhood. After marriage, she often threw little tantrums, but Xiang Weiguo actually enjoyed this kind of behaviour. The two were so close that they were like oil blended into honey. Even though Yan Shi hadnʼt given birth yet, Xiang Weiguo didnʼt mind at all.

Yan Shi was clearly not very intelligent, yet Xiang Weiguo still indulged her, which concerned Yuxi. After all, he was in charge of military supplies, so if he were ever tempted to act improperly, it could lead to serious trouble.

Seeing that only the lowest seat was vacant, Yan Shi looked somewhat displeased. However, despite her lack of intelligence, she knew that this was not an occasion on which she could act out.

Yuxi could tell from Yan Shiʼs expression that she wasnʼt satisfied with the seating arrangement. But this banquet was for Yun Qingʼs trusted subordinates, and since their ranks and ages were pretty similar, Yuxi hadnʼt arranged any special seating order; everyone simply sat as they arrived. Since Yan Shi was the last to arrive, she naturally sat in the last seat.

In order to ease the atmosphere, Bao Shi, Du Zhengʼs wife, said, ”Madam, why havenʼt we seen the Eldest Young Miss? My husband says sheʼs growing up strong and sturdy.” Northwestern people thought differently from those in the capital — they liked sturdy children as it showed they were healthy and unlikely to die young.

Yuxi didnʼt stand on ceremony and instructed her maid, Gancao, ”Go have them bring out both the Eldest and Second Young Miss.”

Everyone present had seen Zaozao before, but this was the first time they had seen Liu-er. As soon as Zaozao saw Yuxi, she joyfully called out, ”Mom!”

Yuxi held her and gently patted her back. This little one had quite the appetite, eating four meals a day, not counting the fruit and snacks. Fortunately, Yuxi managed her diet well, plus Zaozao was active; otherwise, she would surely have grown up to be a little chubby girl.

Looking at Liu-er, Madam Feng saw that although the child was a little frail, she had lovely facial features and skin. Madam Feng didnʼt give empty compliments, but she couldnʼt help saying, ”Such a beautiful child, Madam. In the future, suitors will be lining up at your door.”

When one family had a daughter, a hundred families would come seeking her hand in marriage— this saying was the greatest pride for parents. Yuxi beamed. ”You flatter me.” Complimenting the child pleased her even more than praising her as a mother.

When Bao Shi saw Liu-er, she smiled and praised, ”Second Young Miss is as lovely as ice and snow. I almost want to take her home with me.” Although Zaozao was sturdy, she looked rather boyish and lacked Liu-erʼs delicate charm.

Yan Shi glanced over and smiled broadly, ”If I remember correctly, your second son is only three years old. If you like her so much, why not arrange a betrothal between them while theyʼre still young?”

As soon as Yan Shi spoke, the previously lively atmosphere instantly fell silent.

Er Nainai Zhao opened her mouth but ultimately remained silent. Uncertain of Yuxiʼs thoughts, she decided not to speak rashly.

Chang Shi, General Fengʼs wife, rarely spoke at such gatherings, but this time, she opened her mouth, ”Childhood betrothals are not ideal. When they grow up and their temperaments donʼt match, they quarrel constantly, which is far from ideal.” Her words came straight from the heart.

Bao Shi felt slightly annoyed — anyone who didnʼt know better might think that she truly intended to form a marriage alliance with the Yun family. She had only meant to compliment the child — how had it ended up like this?

Yuxi smiled and said, ”From Madam Fengʼs tone, it seems youʼve seen or heard of such things before. If itʼs convenient, please share your experience with us.”

Chang Shi regretted speaking as soon as she had finished, but she relaxed a little when she saw that Yuxi wasnʼt angry. She continued, ”My yimuʼs sister-in-lawʼs niece was betrothed from childhood. Both children had fiery tempers and were constantly fighting.” The relationship she mentioned was indeed quite distant.

Yuxi nodded. ”Yes indeed! Only if temperaments match can a marriage be harmonious.” With this remark, she easily brushed past the earlier awkwardness.

きつねʼs Musing

🙇‍♀️ Sorry, sorry, sorry! I forgot to post this yesterday. 😅