Chapter Twenty-Six: The Residence of Brocade and Lace (Part Two)

Tao Ming was inwardly surprised—why did they need the family register now? Did it somehow have the ability to check DNA? Still, adhering to the philosophy that “the less you say, the fewer mistakes you make,” Tao Ming kept silent.

When Nanny Li brought the family register, the Matriarch opened it, glanced over the names, and addressed the gathered crowd, “Today, I will verify the bloodline before you all, to set your minds at ease and spare you from complaining that I act unfairly.”

She then turned to Tao Ming and said, “Good child, just drop your blood on the family register, and your identity will be proven.”

Resigned, Tao Ming called, “Nuo Nuo, come here.” Nuo Nuo, well-practiced in the process, deftly pricked Tao Ming’s index finger. Tao Ming squeezed, but only a little blood emerged—hardly enough to drip. She looked at the Matriarch and asked, “Is it alright to just smear it on? It won’t drip.”

The room was left speechless.

The Matriarch composed herself, handing the family register to Tao Ming. “No matter,” she said.

Tao Ming took the register and smeared her blood on it. Instantly, the blood seeped into the page, transforming into a red line that traced its way across the parchment, finally circling the name Tao Sisi.

The Matriarch took the register and handed it to Qiuye. “Let everyone have a look,” she instructed.

The register was passed from hand to hand among the crowd, and those who had seen it visibly relaxed.

When the book finally returned to the Matriarch, she began pointing out each person to Tao Ming: “This is your eldest uncle and his wife, this is your second uncle and his wife…” and so on.

A voice echoed in Tao Ming’s mind: “Your uncles are all your uncles; high tables, low benches—they’re all made of wood…”

By the time the Matriarch finished, the only ones Tao Ming could distinguish were the second uncle and his wife, who had been the first to enter the room. The rest were a blur.

The Matriarch then introduced Tao Ming to the crowd, “This is Sisi’s daughter, Tao Ming, and these two are her daughters, Rou Rou and Nuo Nuo.”

Tao Ming wondered if she ought to go around greeting everyone, lest she appear impolite. She leaned over and softly asked the Matriarch, “Grandmother, should I go pay my respects to each one?”

The Matriarch replied gently, “Take the children with you and let them hand out a few gifts.”

Tao Ming set Rou Rou and Nuo Nuo down, took each of their hands, and approached the assembled family. She was fretting over not being able to recognize everyone when Qiuye brought over a wooden box at the Matriarch’s command.

Qiuye stayed by Tao Ming’s side, introducing each person. Tao Ming would address them, followed by Rou Rou and Nuo Nuo, and each person would produce three items and place them in the box. By the time they finished, the box was full—mostly longevity locks, along with some hairpins and bracelets.

Unsure what was expected next, Tao Ming waited as the Matriarch called, “Ming Ming, come here.”

Tao Ming quickly led Rou Rou and Nuo Nuo over. “Kneel,” Nanny Li instructed.

Tao Ming had no choice but to kneel with the girls.

Rou Rou twisted uncomfortably and whispered, “Mama, this doesn’t feel good.”

Once again, the entire room was astonished.

Tao Ming bent down and murmured, “Bear with it a little longer. I’ll get you something tasty soon.”

Rou Rou straightened herself at once.

The Matriarch smiled faintly. “This is just a formality. You may rise.”

It felt as if everyone was dreaming. Was this really the Matriarch they knew? When had she ever been so accommodating?

Tao Ming obeyed, pulling Rou Rou and Nuo Nuo up with her, resisting the urge to dust off her skirt.

The Matriarch continued, “Nanny Li, fetch my pair of black crystal bracelets and those two amulets carved from thousand-year stone.”

A ripple of excitement ran through the crowd.

Though Tao Ming didn’t know much, the reaction told her these were no ordinary items.

When Nanny Li returned, the Matriarch personally fastened the bracelets onto Tao Ming’s wrists and hung an amulet around the necks of each child.

Tao Ming quickly said, “Thank you, Grandmother.”

“Thank you, Great-grandmother,” said Rou Rou.

“Thank you, Great-great-grandmother,” said Nuo Nuo.

The Matriarch said to Tao Ming, “Ming Ming, news of your return has surely already been carried out by the spies in the household. At the latest, by the day after tomorrow, the royal family will send someone to escort you to the imperial city.”

Tao Ming nodded in silence. This was, after all, why she had come—sooner was better.

The Matriarch gave instructions: “The men will stay; the rest of you may wait in the flower hall. Qiuye, go tidy up the Brocade Courtyard. Spring Grass, accompany the young mistress for a walk in the flower hall.”

Turning to Tao Ming, she said, “Your mother used to live in the Brocade Courtyard, next to the Silken Courtyard. Go with Spring Grass, you should show your face.”

Tao Ming agreed, taking a daughter in each hand, and followed Spring Grass out.

The Matriarch gazed at her seven sons, pondering for a moment before saying, “Nanny Li, you go as well.”

Only the seven sons remained. The Matriarch’s face grew stern, her voice tinged with anger. “I told you Sisi would never abandon her kin! Now that Ming Ming has returned, what have you to say for yourselves?”

All seven sons hastened to reply, “We would not dare.”

“Hmph! You wouldn’t dare? Even if I die, I will not pass the clan leadership to any of you. The Silken Courtyard has always been ruled by women. Now that Sisi has descendants, the leadership will remain with them!” The Matriarch’s voice grew louder.

All seven sons knelt. The eldest spoke up, “Mother, please calm yourself. We only complained about Twelfth Sister out of fear for the family’s survival.”

The Matriarch’s anger faded a little. “Rise. Go home and reflect on yourselves.”

The seven sons bowed and withdrew.

Once the room was empty, the Matriarch called, “Nanny Li, come in.”

Nanny Li hurried in and stood by her side. “We can rest easy now.”

The Matriarch’s face was all smiles. “Once Ming Ming takes over as clan leader, I can finally travel as I please.”

Nanny Li hesitated. “I’m just afraid the masters won’t accept it.”

The Matriarch snorted coldly. “Men ought to build their own fortunes. Clinging to their mother’s family is no sign of ability.”

The seven daughters-in-law had already entered the flower hall ahead of the others.

Inside, the flower hall was in an uproar. With the daughters-in-law and all their children, nearly a hundred people packed the space to bursting. Small groups whispered among themselves, all trying to guess what the Matriarch’s intentions truly were.

The seven daughters-in-law gathered together. The eldest said, “The cousin girl doesn’t look very old, yet she already has children. I wonder which one is the Saintess?”

The second daughter-in-law quickly interrupted her, “Haven’t you heard? The Twelfth Aunt went with her husband to another world, and the cousin girl was born and raised there. Customs may be different.”

The third daughter-in-law kept her eyes on the embroidery of her shoes, saying nothing.

The fifth was lively. “Did you see what the cousin girl was wearing in her hair and on her ears? All cold gold. Even the two little ones had a dozen pearl beads each in their hair!”

The sixth chimed in, “And the clothes—they were made of the finest material.”

The seventh and eighth looked up at the ceiling, unwilling to comment.

The fifth added, “I think it’s ice-silkworm silk. Each family gets only one bolt every six months, just enough for two sets of clothing. But the cousin girl and those two by her side—everything, inside and out, was ice-silkworm silk…”

The sixth replied, “The Matriarch is clearly partial, giving away the black crystal bracelets and thousand-year stone amulets.”

The eldest glanced around, then whispered, “The three of them might well be going to their deaths in the imperial city. Let’s not begrudge them.”

The third, seventh, and eighth looked at her, then resumed studying their shoes or staring into space.

…

Outside the flower hall, Xia He curled her lip and pulled Dong Xue aside. “They were all so scared before, crying to the Matriarch every day. Now look at them, puffed up again.”

Dong Xue pinched her, whispering, “Mind your tongue.”