Chapter 33: Madam Wang

As soon as she entered the house, she saw Wen Ruyu. Madam Wang of the Song family smiled and walked over to greet her.

“It’s been a long time since we last met, and the Old Madam is still so full of energy!”

Seeing Madam Wang looking quite cheerful, Wen Ruyu also smiled and said, “The pastries you sent earlier were delicious. It was kind of you to think of your neighbors even when you were out.”

“If the Old Madam likes them, I’ll have someone send more,” Madam Wang responded warmly.

She was on good terms with Zhao Shu, and as the saying goes, “Distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors.” The Lu and Song families had been acquainted for one or two years now and knew each other well.

Madam Wang had observed Zhao Shu’s mother-in-law closely.

Since Wen Ruyu was a good mother-in-law, she was respected by the younger wives.

Madam Wang’s own mother-in-law was difficult to get along with, which made Wen Ruyu seem even more admirable.

Just earlier, while chatting with Zhao Shu, Madam Wang heard that the Lu family’s Old Madam had called in a gynecologist for a consultation and had secretly arranged for Zhao Shu to be examined as well. Madam Wang couldn’t help but feel envious.

During her first pregnancy, she carried twins—a boy and a girl—which nearly cost her her life during childbirth.

She had to see doctors for a long time afterward, taking over half a year to fully recover.

Even though she had given birth to a son and a daughter for the Song family, just a month after her postpartum confinement, she found herself constantly taking medicine and bedridden.

She could never forget the way her mother-in-law looked at her back then—it was as if she wished Madam Wang had died in childbirth.

Because of her pregnancy, she developed stretch marks. Her husband already disliked the sight of her belly, and her mother-in-law even started bringing concubines into his chambers.

Now, with a concubine in the household, Madam Wang deeply resented both her mother-in-law and that vixen.

The only way she could release her pent-up anger and frustration was through playing cards.

Ever since giving birth, Madam Wang had developed a gambling habit. She loved playing cards, no matter how much was at stake or whether she won or lost.

As long as she could play, she was happy.

While they were chatting, the card table and chairs were already set up in Wen Ruyu’s room.

Wen Ruyu got off the couch, and Zhao Shu supported her to the table.

They were one player short, so Zhao Shu invited Qiumai to join, saying that any losses would be on her.

During the New Year, because of Lu Bainian’s situation, Zhao Shu had been worried about her mother-in-law’s mood and didn’t dare invite people over to play cards.

Now that things had settled, and she saw her mother-in-law in good spirits, she decided to test the waters by inviting guests over today.

Seeing Wen Ruyu eager to play, Zhao Shu was happy—even if she lost some money, it didn’t matter.

Chuntao came over and pulled Qin Rong slightly away from Wen Ruyu, positioning herself behind her.

Wen Ruyu noticed and instructed Tao’er, “Go tell the kitchen that I want some steamed shrimp dumplings. Bring three portions when they’re ready. Also, save one for the young lady—leave it in the kitchen for her to eat after school.”

Then she looked at Qin Rong and said, “Rong’er, come over here. Stay behind me, and I’ll teach you how to play.”

Hearing this, Madam Wang smiled and said, “Following the Old Madam around means we’re in for a treat.”

“If we don’t eat something, we’ll get sleepy and won’t even be able to see the cards properly,” Wen Ruyu joked.

Once the cards were dealt, the four of them began playing.

They played Nantong Changpai, a game similar to modern mahjong but using long, narrow cards about the length of a palm and two fingers wide, played with poker-style rules.

In her past life, Wen Ruyu rarely played cards, but she had learned a bit during the New Year from her elders. In this life, although she inherited the original owner’s memories, her card skills were still average.

With some help from her daughter-in-law, at least she didn’t lose too badly.

After a round, everyone was in high spirits.

As they chatted, the topic shifted to this year’s imperial examinations.

“This year happens to have both the county-level exam and the autumn exam. The Lu family’s eldest and fourth young masters are both participating, right?” Madam Wang asked as she played a card.

Zhao Shu responded, “Not just them—our third brother is also taking the exam with his elder brother.”

Wen Ruyu smiled but remained focused on her game.

“I always say your family has great fortune,” Madam Wang commented while studying the cards played by Zhao Shu and Wen Ruyu. “You have three young scholars, all of whom passed the preliminary exams before turning twenty.”

Wen Ruyu said, “Jinyan hasn’t passed yet. He only cleared the county-level test and hasn’t earned an official title.”

Madam Wang flattered, “It’s only a matter of time. He’ll surely pass this year.”

Qiumai stayed silent, focused on playing.

“Isn’t your younger brother-in-law taking the exam this year too?” Zhao Shu suddenly remembered and asked. “He seems very studious—I never see him playing around.”

“Sigh.” Madam Wang glanced at Zhao Shu, then lowered her head and laughed awkwardly. “Let’s not talk about it.”

The Song family originally came from a landlord background but became wealthy when Song Laoye ventured into business.

Now, the eldest branch lived in town, supporting the elderly parents.

The family’s estate was managed by the second branch, while the third branch’s son, Song Lin, was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old. He was quiet and had a good memory as a child, so the family had high hopes for him.

For years, he had taken the exams but never passed—even the county-level test had repeatedly defeated him.

Fortunately, he was still young and had time.

The Song family was determined to produce a scholar, believing that even if he didn’t become a high-ranking official, as long as he earned a title, it would elevate the family’s status.

So, despite Song Lin being over twenty without a real job, his brothers and sisters-in-law continued to support him financially while he focused solely on studying.

As long as the family had money, they were willing to keep funding his education indefinitely.

Seeing Madam Wang’s reluctance to discuss her brother-in-law, Wen Ruyu and Zhao Shu didn’t press further.

As they played cards and chatted, the shrimp dumplings from the kitchen were finally ready.

These dumplings were rare delicacies—thin-skinned, filled with pork aspic and peeled shrimp. If eaten in one bite, they could burn the mouth, so they had to be eaten carefully like soup dumplings.

The clear, oily broth and tender, bouncy shrimp made them especially delicious.

It was said to be a specialty of Huaiyang cuisine, and the Lu family’s cook knew how to make them.

They set the cards aside temporarily to enjoy afternoon tea.

The Lu family was particular about etiquette, even when eating—washing hands, rinsing mouths, eating, and drinking tea all followed a set order.

Madam Wang observed and admired their disciplined way of life.

The Song family had been supporting Song Lin for years in hopes of one day achieving the same level of refinement as the Lu family.

Although the Songs were slightly wealthier, their social standing was still beneath the Lus.

After finishing their meal, they planned to resume their game, but before they could even sip their tea, a servant from the Song household rushed in.

“Madam, you need to return home quickly—Master is about to beat Young Miss Yun!”

Yun was Madam Wang’s daughter. Because her childbirth had been so difficult, she and her husband had become estranged, both emotionally and physically.

With little chance of having more children, she cherished her son and daughter immensely.

Hearing that her husband was about to hit her daughter, Madam Wang panicked and rushed to leave.

Wen Ruyu and Zhao Shu were aware of the tension in the Song household—Madam Wang and her husband didn’t get along, and there was always drama involving concubines.

Seeing her so distressed, Wen Ruyu advised, “Don’t panic. Stay calm.”

Zhao Shu quickly volunteered to go with her.

As they hurried off, they ran into Lu Mingzhu, who had just finished her lessons.

Mingzhu greeted Zhao Shu, but Zhao Shu only gave a quick response before rushing off with Madam Wang.

Confused, Lu Mingzhu went to Wen Ruyu and asked, “Why was Sister-in-law in such a hurry? She just passed by with Madam Song.”