TTTQF Chapter 133

Talking About Everyone

"Who's that next to the heir’s wife?" Madam Wang and a few other women of similar status sit in the pavilion drinking tea. They spot Jiang Miao chatting with the woman beside him from a distance and can't help but feel curious.

"Everyone knows the background of the heir's wife, right?" one woman says. "Judging by that woman's appearance, she must be a relative of his wife."

Madam Wang says, "Oh, he's not one to look down on the poor and favor the rich. You all don't know this, but that Jiang fellow has a sharp tongue. Why don't we call him over for a chat, shall we?" Even as she speaks, she's already making a gesture, sending her personal maid to invite Jiang Miao over.

The other women remain silent, each raising their cups and pretending to sip tea. They’ve all heard of the grudge between Madam Wang and the Duke of Zhongguo's household. They don’t expect that, after driving Second Madam Pei back to her room in anger, Madam Wang still isn’t satisfied and now intends to stir up trouble with Jiang Miao.

Jiang Miao is chatting with his Second Aunt the whole time. After all, in this garden, she doesn’t know anyone, and as a man, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to constantly hang around the groups of women.

When he hears that someone is inviting them over, Jiang Miao turns his head in confusion. Seeing that it’s a group of middle-aged women, he feels relieved—at least they’re elders. Even though it's in a public place, he still needs to maintain propriety.

Then a question arises. He doesn't know these people, and there is no reliable elder to lead them. How embarrassing.

Chan Yi, standing nearby, seems to notice Jiang Miao’s hesitation and quietly says, “Master Jiang, the one in red is Madam Wang of Cheng'en Mansion, and the one in blue is Madam Liu of Yushi Mansion..."

Jiang Miao gives her a grateful glance. How clear and helpful that introduction is—he can now distinguish them at a glance. Still, why does one of them sound so familiar?

Jiang Miao looks at Madam Wang and falls into deep thought. Isn’t this the woman who just angered his Second Aunt Pei into pretending to be sick? What could her reason for calling him over be?

Perhaps Jiang Miao hesitates for too long, as the maid invites him again.

"Let's go," Jiang Miao instructs Wen Jing to take good care of his Second Aunt before he and Chan Yi follow the maid.

He thinks to himself, ‘Fine, whatever. It’s my territory. Who could bully me here? Besides, doesn’t that ancestor in the Golden Hall want Pei Che’s reputation to get worse? Having a fierce and crude male spouse shouldn’t count as a good reputation, right?’

Jiang Miao follows the maid, passing several artificial hills and stepping up stone stairs until they reach a pavilion on higher ground. By now, it’s the end of October, and the weather is gradually turning cold. The stone table and stools in the pavilion are already covered with thick cushions, and heavy drapes hang on the side facing the wind. Although there’s no sunlight in the pavilion, it doesn’t feel cold.

"Junior Jiang Miao greets the esteemed ladies," Jiang Miao bows respectfully. His bow, learned from Pei Che, is very proper and well-mannered.

"No need to be so formal. Please, have a seat. By rights, you’re the real host of this garden, but today we’ve taken the liberty of inviting you over to chat. You don't mind, do you?" Madam Liu speaks up when the others remain silent.

"Guests are always welcome. Of course, I don’t mind. May I ask what you’d like to talk about?" Jiang Miao smiles as he sits down. Just as Madam Liu says, he’s the host here, after all.

Madam Wang says, "We were thinking of discussing music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but we've all heard that the heir's wife from the Duke of Zhongguo's household comes from a merchant background. I wonder if you have any experience in these areas?"

The very first comment brings up his background, laden with obvious malice, with no attempt to conceal it. It seems she’s trying to regain some face for her son.

Jiang Miao’s face darkens. He replies, "Who said I come from a merchant background?"

Everyone present is taken aback. It’s a well-known fact throughout the capital—does he intend to deny it?

Madam Wang sneers, thinking he’s not so clever after all. She expects someone more sharp-tongued, but here he is, trying to cover up something that everyone knows.

Ignoring their mocking or confused expressions, Jiang Miao proudly says, "I’m clearly from a farming background!"

"Farming background?" Madam Wang scoffs, slightly curling her lips, "Ha, isn’t that even worse than being from a merchant family?"

"Madam Wang, how could you say something like that?" Jiang Miao looks at her disapprovingly.

Madam Wang is momentarily stunned, recalling her words carefully. Then, feeling slightly irritated, she says, "Did I say something wrong?"

Jiang Miao responds, "You said being from a farming background is worse than being from a merchant family. But even though I haven’t studied much, I know the phrase 'scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.' How is it that in Madam Wang’s mind, merchants hold a higher status than farmers?"

As soon as he says this, the others think to themselves, no wonder people say Jiang Miao is sharp-tongued. How could Madam Wang admit to such a comment when it touches on issues of class and status?

"I didn’t mean it that way. Of course, the order of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants has its reasons. What I meant was that farming is tough, and it’s not as affluent as a merchant’s life. Since the heir’s wife comes from a farming background, it’s only natural that you wouldn’t be familiar with music, chess, calligraphy, and painting," Madam Wang hurriedly steers the conversation back, preventing Jiang Miao from continuing down the previous topic.

"That’s not necessarily true. From what I know, many officials in the court are from farming backgrounds, but their accomplishments in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting aren’t inferior to those from noble families. Madam Wang, you can't look at people with prejudice," Jiang Miao says earnestly.

Since Pei Che is trying to enter the court, he occasionally gathers information about political affairs, and Jiang Miao has picked up some insights along the way.

Madam Wang becomes infuriated. She hadn’t expected this young man to deliberately twist her words and even lecture her!

When did I ever say those officials don’t understand music, chess, calligraphy, or painting?!"

"But didn’t you say that people from farming backgrounds don’t understand? Aren’t those officials also from farming backgrounds?" Jiang Miao retorts righteously.

"Stop twisting my words! I was talking about you!" Madam Wang, exasperated, shouts angrily.

"Oh," Jiang Miao replies, suddenly enlightened. "If you’re talking about me, then just say so. Why bring up farming backgrounds? I thought you were talking about everyone!"

Everyone is left a bit confused by his demeanor, unsure if Jiang Miao is being intentionally difficult or if he’s just that straightforward. Given the current situation, the former seems more likely.

Madam Wang’s chest heaves with frustration; she finally understands how Second Madam Pei must have felt earlier.

"But as for what you mentioned, while I can’t claim to know everything, I do have some skill in one or two of those areas," Jiang Miao says, feeling a little sorry for her and attempting to steer the conversation back.

"Oh? And what might the heir’s wife be skilled at?" Madam Wang asks, now intrigued. Her original intention was to embarrass Jiang Miao, hoping he would admit that he was as crude and unrefined as her son had described.

Jiang Miao thinks for a moment. "Painting, I suppose. My paintings are so lifelike that they’re just like the real thing."

The room falls silent. No one expects him to boast about himself so shamelessly.

Madam Wang is stunned for a moment before she bursts into laughter. "How perfect! My youngest daughter is also skilled in painting. Why don’t we have her compete with you? What do you think?"

Jiang Miao shows a slightly troubled expression.

"What’s the matter? Does the heir’s wife look down on my daughter and refuse to compete with her?" Madam Wang immediately tries to provoke him.

"Of course not. I’m just worried that people will say I’m bullying her," Jiang Miao says with apparent reluctance.

Madam Wang: "..."

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