Chapter 41: The Peony Festival
In late spring, the peonies in the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion gradually bloomed, with vibrant colors of purple, yellow, pink, and green, vying for attention and exuding an air of opulence that almost overflowed the high walls of the mansion. Every year at this time, holding a peony banquet was an unwritten tradition among the top noble families in the capital, not only for appreciating the flowers but also as an important occasion to strengthen relationships, showcase the family's power, and demonstrate the lady of the house's talent.
In previous years, due to Gu Yangui's loss of his wife and lack of interest in domestic affairs, the Duke's mansion's peony festival was either simplified or canceled altogether. But this year is different; the mansion now has a legitimate mistress. Therefore, as early as half a month ago, various overt and covert inquiries and expectations had already converged on Su Wanrou through various channels.
The pressure, like an invisible mountain, weighed heavily on her still-inexperienced shoulders. This was the first time she had independently hosted such a large-scale, high-profile banquet since becoming the Duchess of the State. The guests were all wealthy and powerful, including princesses and noblewomen of higher rank than herself, as well as former noblewomen and matriarchs of various households. Any slight oversight could become a laughing stock in the capital's social circles, damaging the reputation of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
"Madam, this is a preliminary list of guests and the banquet menu. Please take a look." Gu Zhong respectfully presented a detailed list, his face unusually solemn. Although he was an old hand in the household with rich experience, he dared not be negligent in the slightest, as this was the first time his new wife had taken on such a major responsibility.
Su Wanrou took the thick stack of papers, took a deep breath, and forced herself to calm down. She carefully flipped through the list, which included almost all the prominent families in the capital, with Princess An and the women of the Qin family prominently featured. The menu was extremely luxurious, featuring delicacies from land and sea, seasonal fresh produce, and everything befitting the status of the Duke's mansion.
“Uncle Zhong,” Su Wanrou looked up at Gu Zhong after reading the list, her tone gentle but firm, “The list and dishes are generally good, but… I think perhaps we can make some adjustments.”
Gu Zhong bowed slightly: "Please give your instructions, Madam."
"Could we add a few members of the Hanlin Academy family who are on good terms with the Duke at court, but whose families are somewhat humble? My husband often says that governing a country requires both civil and military prowess. Although the flower gathering is a private affair, it also reflects the social standing of our household," Su Wanrou said slowly. This was the result of her careful consideration. Inviting only members of high-ranking and noble families would be illustrious, but it would inevitably give the impression of sycophancy. Adding a few members of the family of upright civil officials would not only demonstrate the Duke's family's appreciation for talent, but also balance the occasion and avoid being too conspicuous.
A hint of surprise flashed in Gu Zhong's eyes, which quickly turned into admiration: "Madam's consideration is thorough. This old servant will go and do it right away."
"As for the menu," Su Wanrou pointed to a few expensive but somewhat ordinary dishes, "these main dishes are certainly impressive, but they're the same every year, and I'm sure the ladies are tired of them. I remember we have a chef from Jiangnan who is skilled at making exquisite and elegant pastries and snacks. Why don't we ask him to put in some effort to prepare a few unique and delicious dishes, which will not only show his thoughtfulness but also suit the refined pleasure of appreciating flowers in spring? In addition to the imperial wines, we'll also prepare some light fruit wines and flower wines for the ladies who don't drink much."
She paused, then added, "Also, we need to hire the best opera troupe, but we need to review the repertoire first. It must be festive and peaceful, avoiding those sad and sorrowful pieces."
Gu Zhong noted everything down, his opinion of the young mistress rising even higher. She was unconventional, adaptable, and thoughtful; she even considered the content of the play – truly rare.
After Gu Zhong left, Su Wanrou summoned the head maids of the inner courtyard and assigned tasks in detail: where to set up the banquet, where to prepare the tea, which set of utensils to use, what style of flower arrangement to use, how to manage and guide the maids and servants... She arranged everything in great detail. Her voice was clear and crisp, and although she was young, she had a calm demeanor that gradually made the maids, who had been somewhat hesitant, put aside their ulterior motives and listen attentively to her orders.
For several days in a row, Su Wanrou was extremely busy, personally going to the flower garden to select peonies to be sent to the banquet hall, checking whether the cups, plates and bowls were clean and spotless, and even tasting several desserts prepared by the new chef and offering suggestions for improvement. When she returned to her room at night, she was often too tired to even speak.
That evening at dinner, Gu Yangui noticed faint dark circles under her eyes and that her wrists seemed weak when she picked up food. He frowned and asked, "Is the flower festival too tiring? If you find it too strenuous, just have Gu Zhonghe find a few more capable nannies to handle it. You don't need to do everything yourself."
Su Wanrou took the soup he had served, shook her head, and gave a relieved smile: "Thank you for your concern, my husband. I'm not tired. It's just that this is the first time I've hosted such a large banquet, so I wanted to make sure everything was done perfectly. I only feel at ease if I supervise it myself. Besides, this is my duty."
Seeing her clearly exhausted yet forcing herself to be energetic, Gu Yangui felt a pang of tenderness and stopped trying to persuade her. He simply said, "Do what you can, there's no need to strive for perfection. If anyone tries to cause trouble, you don't need to tolerate it; I'll take care of it for you."
He spoke calmly, yet with absolute confidence. Su Wanrou felt a warmth in her heart and softly hummed in agreement.
Just as preparations for the flower festival were in full swing, Liu Yiyi arrived at the main courtyard.
"My cousin-in-law has been working so hard these past few days, it pains me to see her like this." Liu Yiyi was dressed simply today, with a perfectly appropriate smile of concern on her face. "With the flower festival approaching, there are so many things to do. Although I'm not very capable, I'd like to help you out. Is there anything I can do to assist you?"
Su Wanrou put down the list in her hand and looked up at her. Liu Yiyi had been frequently visiting Songhe Hall these past few days, probably because she had heard from the old lady about the grand scale of the flower fair and wanted to take the opportunity to get involved, to gain a foothold in the affairs of the inner quarters, and even... to show her face in front of many noble ladies.
"You're too kind, cousin." Su Wanrou smiled gently, but her tone was distant. "However, all the tasks have already been assigned, and we have enough manpower. As a guest, cousin, how can I trouble you? If you have nothing to do, cousin, you might as well spend more time talking with Grandmother to relieve her boredom. That would be the greatest help you could give me."
She deftly deflected Liu Yiyi's "kindness" by directly positioning her as a "guest."
Liu Yiyi's smile froze for a moment, then she said softly, "What you say is true, cousin-in-law. However... I was thinking that with so many guests at the event, the ladies might also like some refined entertainment while enjoying the flowers. I am not very talented, but I have some knowledge of playing the zither and tea ceremony. Perhaps we could set up a zither table or a tea ceremony by the waterside pavilion, which would add some elegance to the flower gathering. What do you think, cousin-in-law?"
Her words were humble, but in reality, she was trying to secure an opportunity for herself to showcase her talents and attract attention at the flower fair. If Su Wanrou agreed, Liu Yiyi would no longer be an unknown young lady, but a "talented woman" who could have a place at the Duke's mansion's flower fair.
Su Wanrou understood. She hesitated for a moment. If she refused outright, she would appear petty and intolerant. But if she agreed, she feared that Liu Yiyi might use the opportunity to cause trouble or steal the limelight.
She smiled slightly and said, "I know that you are exceptionally talented, cousin. However... as you also mentioned, there will be many guests, including the Princess Consort, the Princess, and noble ladies from various families. It would be too much of a waste for you to play the zither and serve tea like a courtesan, and it would also make our Duke's mansion seem unhospitable. How about this, I will have someone set up a quiet seat in the garden, with fine zither and tea. If any ladies or young women with similar tastes wish to hear your ethereal music or appreciate your tea ceremony, they can go there and ask you for guidance. This way, you will be able to fulfill your wishes and feel more at ease. What do you think, cousin?"
This arrangement not only gave Liu Yiyi a chance to showcase herself, but also gave the initiative to the guests, preventing Liu Yiyi from becoming the focus of the banquet. It was a well-thought-out and watertight plan.
Liu Yiyi listened and couldn't find any fault with it; on the contrary, it seemed that Su Wanrou was thinking of her in every way. She felt frustrated, but could only force a smile and thank her: "My cousin-in-law is so thoughtful. I will follow your arrangements."
After seeing Liu Yiyi off, Su Wanrou breathed a sigh of relief. The subtle exchanges within the inner quarters were sometimes more mentally taxing than open warfare.
The day before the flower festival, everything was ready. Su Wanrou gave a final inspection of the banquet venue—mainly located in the largest garden in the mansion, "Jinfang Garden." Exquisite colorful canopies were erected next to the peony garden to protect against the changeable spring weather; the banquet tables and chairs were arranged in a staggered manner, making it convenient to appreciate the flowers while ensuring sufficient space; a small stage was set up next to the waterside pavilion, where musicians were making final adjustments.
She walked to the long table where the desserts were to be laid out, and her gaze was suddenly drawn to several pots of bright red peonies used as decoration. She frowned slightly and asked the head maid beside her, "Who placed these pots of peonies here?"
The old woman hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Madam, it was Granny Li from the flower room who said that the peonies have a festive color and complement the peonies beautifully..."
"Take them down." Su Wanrou's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. "Replace them all with peonies. Today is the Peony Festival, and the main attraction must be the peony. While peonies are beautiful, they would be unsightly if they overshadowed the main attraction. Remember, in all halls and courtyards, only peonies should be displayed today; not a single other flower should be present."
"Yes, Madam!" The nanny's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly ordered someone to remove the peonies. She secretly praised the madam for her meticulousness; true talent is revealed in such details. If guests saw peonies placed side by side with tree peonies, some might think the Duke's mansion lacked refinement.
That night, after bathing and changing, Su Wanrou couldn't fall asleep. Tomorrow was the big exam, and as she lay in bed, she went over the schedule in her mind, afraid of making even the slightest mistake.
Suddenly, a warm, large hand covered her eyes, and Gu Yangui's deep voice sounded in her ear: "Don't think about it, go to sleep."
His palms, warm and calloused, brought a strange sense of relief to Su Wanrou's tense nerves. She leaned closer to him and whispered, "Husband, I'm a little afraid... afraid I won't do well tomorrow and people will laugh at me, making you lose face."
Gu Yangui pulled her into his arms, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. In the darkness, his voice was exceptionally clear: "It's just a flower festival, no need to take it too seriously. You are now the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, and you can do whatever you want in this mansion. Even if there are occasional oversights, who would dare to laugh at you to your face? Even if there are those who are ignorant, your husband is still here."
His words, though domineering and direct, acted like a reassuring pill, dispelling the last vestiges of anxiety in Su Wanrou's heart. Yes, she was Gu Yangui's lawfully wedded wife, the rightful mistress of this Duke's mansion. With her husband as her backing, what did she have to fear?
"Mmm." She found a comfortable position in his arms and closed her eyes peacefully.
Gu Yangui felt the gradually steady breathing of the person in his arms, and lowered his head to place a light kiss on her hair. His little wife was striving to grow up and learn to stand on her own two feet. And he only needed to be behind her, her strongest support.
The following day, the weather was perfect, with clear skies and gentle breezes. The main gate of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was wide open, and the Jin Fang Garden was filled with the fragrance of women in their lingerie and the tinkling of their jewelry. The most prestigious ladies and socialites of the capital had gathered together, creating a truly magnificent scene.
Su Wanrou, dressed in the formal attire befitting a duchess, wore a scarlet silk skirt embroidered with gold phoenix patterns and adorned with pearls and jade. Her makeup was impeccable, and her demeanor was graceful and elegant. Standing at the entrance to greet guests, she was young yet composed and handled everyone with propriety. To the high-ranking princesses and noblewomen, she was extremely respectful; to the elderly noblewomen, she was humble; and to the ladies and young women of her own generation, she smiled gently, neither servile nor arrogant.
When Princess An arrived, her gaze swept over Su Wanrou, and she said with a forced smile, "Madam Gu is truly radiant today. Her demeanor is quite extraordinary, unlike someone hosting such a grand event for the first time."
Su Wanrou seemed oblivious to the deeper meaning in her words, and simply smiled and curtsied: "Your Highness is too kind. It is an honor for our household to have you here. Please come in." Her attitude was respectful yet dignified, effectively deflecting Princess An's criticism.
Once all the guests had arrived, the flower viewing, opera performance, and banquet proceeded smoothly. Su Wanrou moved among the guests, exchanging pleasantries with one lady at a time and looking after another, her demeanor radiant and her manner impeccable. The snacks and refreshments she had prepared were indeed a great success; the ladies of the Hanlin Academy praised the fruit wine and flower-infused wine, which improved their overall impression of the Duke's Mansion.
On the stage, gongs and drums resounded, and the joyous song "The Dragon and the Phoenix Bring Auspiciousness" was being performed. In the elegant seats beside the waterside pavilion, Liu Yiyi was indeed playing the zither. The melodious music attracted several ladies with refined tastes to stop and listen, which satisfied her desire, but it did not cause too much of a stir.
Midway through the banquet, a maid rushed in with a low but alarmed voice: "Madam, something terrible has happened! The top-grade bird's nest used for the 'Peony Swallow's Nest' dish that was prepared for the last course has been found to be... not fresh enough!"
Peony Bird's Nest, shaped like a peony flower from bird's nest, is the grand finale of today's banquet, symbolizing wealth and fulfillment. If something goes wrong, wouldn't it be a case of starting strong but ending weakly, rendering all the previous efforts futile?
Su Wanrou's heart sank, but she showed no sign of it on her face. She gave the Princess Consort, who was talking to her, an apologetic smile, got up, and followed her maid to a secluded place.
"What's going on? Wasn't it just checked yesterday?" Her voice was low, but it carried an air of authority.
"This servant doesn't know either... Just now, when the chef was preparing to cook it, he discovered that the color and smell of the bird's nest were a bit off... It must have been tampered with during the purchase, or it was not stored properly..." The maid was so anxious that she was about to cry.
It's too late to assign blame now; the key is how to remedy the situation! Finding bird's nest of the same quality on short notice is impossible. If we don't use bird's nest, what can we use as a substitute to avoid damaging the Duke's mansion's reputation?
In a flash, Su Wanrou's mind raced. She recalled that a few days ago, when she was tasting dishes in the kitchen, she had seen the chef from Jiangnan make a dish called "Lotus Pond Stir-fry" using seasonal Jiangnan ingredients such as water chestnuts, lotus seeds, and water caltrops. It was fresh and elegant and received high praise.
She immediately calmed herself and ordered in a deep voice, "What's the panic! Go, tell the head chef immediately to remove the Peony Swallow Dish and replace it with a dish made with seasonal delicacies from Jiangnan... um, let's name it 'Beautiful Jiangnan.' It must be exquisitely made and served as the last main course. Be quick!"
"But...but Madam, is this...is this appropriate? Changing the dishes at the last minute, and using such ordinary ingredients..." The maid hesitated.
"If I say it's suitable, then it's suitable!" Su Wanrou said decisively. "Go quickly! Tell them it's my idea; springtime is the perfect time to enjoy fresh produce!"
Seeing her calm and unwavering demeanor, the maidservant felt as if she had found a pillar of support and hurriedly ran to the kitchen to deliver the message.
Su Wanrou took a deep breath, straightened her slightly wrinkled sleeves and quickened her breathing, and put on a polite smile again before walking back to her seat with composure. It was as if the little incident that had just cast a shadow over the banquet had never happened.
Soon after, the final main course was served. It was not the delicacy everyone had expected, but a beautifully presented stir-fried seasonal vegetables. The water chestnuts were white, the lotus seeds were plump, and the water caltrops were crisp. They were accompanied by bright red goji berries and emerald green pea shoots, creating a colorful dish that resembled a spring scene in Jiangnan, exuding a delicate fragrance.
There was a moment of silence at the table, and several ladies who were waiting to see the grand finale of the meal showed expressions of surprise.
Su Wanrou rose gracefully, raised her wine cup, and said in a clear and melodious voice, "Today we admire the peonies of our Duke's Mansion, a testament to the elegance of the North. However, spring is in full bloom, and we cannot enjoy it alone. Therefore, I have specially added this dish, 'The Splendor of Jiangnan,' using the freshest ingredients from Jiangnan, to invite all the ladies to share in the beauty of spring in the South. It also symbolizes the unity of the North and South of our Great Zhou, and the magnificent landscape of our land. This is a hastily prepared dish, and I hope that you ladies will not find it too simple and will drink this cup to the brim!"
Her words not only explained the reason for changing the dishes (to try something new and to suit the occasion), but also cleverly elevated the significance of the dishes to "North and South as one family" and "Beautiful rivers and mountains," showing a grand vision and ingenious thinking.
After a brief silence, a chorus of exclamations of praise erupted from the room.
"Wonderful! Madam Gu is truly clever!"
"That's right, eating some fresh seasonal foods is the most refreshing thing in spring!"
"Enjoying the spring scenery together in both the north and south—a wonderful omen! A lucky start!"
Even Princess An smirked and drank a cup. She had wanted to see how Su Wanrou would handle the situation, but she hadn't expected the other woman to be so quick-witted, turning a potential crisis into an opportunity to showcase her talent.
The banquet concluded successfully amidst harmonious praise. Only after seeing off the last guest did Su Wanrou's forced composure finally relax, leaving her feeling as if her entire body had fallen apart.
Back in the main courtyard, Gu Yangui was already waiting for her. Although he hadn't directly participated in the flower festival today, he had clearly been keeping a close eye on what was happening here.
"Well done." He looked at his tired but bright-eyed wife, and those four simple words contained the highest praise. His bodyguard had already informed him of the final act of changing the dishes. Her decisive action and composure earned his silent approval.
Su Wanrou walked up to him, looked up, her eyes filled with the relief of having accomplished a great task and a hint of smugness, like a cat waiting for praise: "Husband, I didn't let you down, did I?"
Gu Yangui reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her temple, his eyes filled with a tenderness he himself was unaware of: "Yes. The demeanor of the Duchess of Zhenguo is on full display today."
Outside the window, the afterglow of the setting sun gilded the blooming peonies, also illuminating the beautiful couple inside the hall. Su Wanrou knew that after today, she had finally established a firm foothold in this Duke's mansion, and even in the top social circles of the entire capital.
All of this began with immense pressure, which she ultimately overcame through her own efforts and her husband's support. The Peony Festival was a perfect debut for her as the mistress of the Duke's mansion, and also a significant milestone in her personal growth.
End of Chapter 41
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