Page 27 of Silk and Sensibility

“This talkative dumpling is Treasure. Her younger brother is Fortune, and her older brother and sister are Lucky and Jade.”

Ailin noted with interest that her cousins’ names were literal, unlike her siblings’ names. She couldn’t tell if they were informal pet names or true names following a Jiang family tradition.

“Don’t forget Sandy,” Aunt Meng said as she motioned to the last child sitting next to her, a little girl around Fortune’s age.

Sandy’s hair was styled in fluff balls like the other younger children, but her clothes, though of high-quality silk, lacked a mother’s embroidery.

“I could never forget Sandy. I was merely saving the best for last.” Uncle Meng winked so dramatically that the youngest three children laughed. “Sandy is Captain Bai’s niece, and we are honored to have her whenever the captain isn’t home.”

“Will Master Wei be coming later?” Meilin asked, not even bothering to conceal her lack of interest in what Uncle Meng was saying.

Ailin blushed at her sister’s lack of courtesy. It reflected poorly on their whole family.

“Are you so in love with young Wei already, little miss?” asked the gray-haired woman who sat at the most venerated place in the center of the room. Her hair was secured with a jade-studded mò’é headband, and she wore strands of gold and agate beads over a gown of brocade. She had to be Grand­mother Jiang. “If you’re interested, I would be happy to arrange a match between you two. There’s nothing an old lady like me loves more than drinking wedding wine.”

“I didn’t mean that, ma’am. I simply wanted to thank him again for his kindness, and I thought he was coming tonight.” Speaking back directly to an elder felt excessively bold to Ailin, but Meilin always had a habit of straight talk.

“Master Wei sent word that something came up at the theater and he couldn’t make it tonight,” Uncle Meng explained. “But he assured me that he will join us for dinner another day, so you should look forward to it. Now that the message has been relayed, may I officially introduce my esteemed mother-in-law?”

Grand­mother Jiang laughed, a deep sound that seemed to originate in her belly. The way her eyes crinkled when she laughed made her look about sixty, but there was an energy in her voice and mannerisms of a woman decades younger. “I doubt I need an introduction, Jiehan. Everyone can tell I’m the old fart of the house. Who else would let her mouth run so freely?”

“It is an honor to meet you, Madame Jiang.” Mother took the lead with a courteous bow of the head.

Ailin followed Mother’s example. Despite Grand­mother Jiang’s self-deprecating and slightly crude humor, she was the benefactor on whom Ailin’s family now relied for a home. It was important to show proper respect and gratitude, especially when her younger sisters couldn’t be relied on to do so consistently.

The old lady waved off the compliment. “We are family now, so let’s dispense with formalities. Why are we even wasting time talking while the food grows cold? Please eat!”

As instructed, Ailin focused on the dishes before her. The Jiangs had prepared a feast, showing a sense of hospitality beyond basic courtesy. There was steamed fish with ginger and scallions, roast duck with crispy skin, and milky white soup with radishes and goji berries. Every dish was delicious. Ailin mentally tallied each as a debt of gratitude to be repaid later.

Once I am selling paintings again, perhaps.

Over the course of dinner, she closely observed the Jiang family’s dynamics, hoping to understand their ways better. Only by learning about their personalities and interests could she ensure household harmony and avoid becoming a burden.

Aunt Meng was difficult to read. Although she made sure all the guests’ needs were cared for, she ate only meatless dishes, and she hardly spoke to anyone besides Uncle Meng and her children. It would take effort to get close to her.

Aunt and Uncle’s older children, Lucky and Jade, were quiet and reserved like their mother, but Ailin noted the way they watched her and her sisters—especially Ming­ming, who was about their age—with admiration in their eyes. They seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to befriend her, but Ming­ming was focused on the roast duck. Ailin would have to remind her about table manners later.

The younger cousins, Treasure and Fortune, were as garrulous as the matriarch of the house, except they chattered about candy, toys, and games while Grand­mother Jiang gossiped about people.

“My younger daughter Xiatian got married last year,” Grand­mother Jiang said to Mother. “She just turned twenty. How old is your eldest daughter, Xiuyun? Should I look into potential matches for her? Nanjing must have been quiet, but Suzhou is full of good men.”

Ailin stiffened when she realized Grand­mother Jiang was talking about her. She hoped the table was noisy enough that no one else would notice. There was only one man she wanted to marry, but she wasn’t ready to share that information outside her immediate family, not until she built up her dowry and raised herself to a position of strength. She didn’t want her personal desires to become a burden on anyone else, especially not her family’s new benefactors.

“There is no need to worry about suitors for Ailin,” Mother replied.

“And why not?” Grand­mother Jiang pressed.

“We already have someone in mind.”

Grand­mother Jiang leaned in with eagerness. “And who might this lucky man be?”

Ailin couldn’t tell if Grand­mother Jiang genuinely wanted to know or was seeking entertainment, but she spoke so loudly that most of the table gave her their attention. Even the children looked between Grand­mother Jiang and Ailin’s mother as if waiting for a story. Ailin wished she could disappear. The way she missed Enze felt like an open wound; she didn’t want it discussed over the dinner table like a joke.

Grand­mother Jiang continued, “We’ve heard much about Miss Duan’s beauty and talent. And everyone knows how she rejected the rich Master Huang when she was only fifteen. What kind of man have you finally decided might be good enough for her? Is he someone I can help arrange a match with? I have many connections here in Suzhou, and even as far as Yangzhou and Hangzhou.”

“Too bad Ailin’s love is back in Nanjing,” Ming­ming said while taking a break from roast duck.

Of all the times for her to stop eating.