The victory over the passes was highly celebrated in the capital. Shenzhou court relaxed tribute and army was to be rewarded heavily by Tianxia. Traitor general Wang and his accomplices were to be brought to court for his due punishment. But he was absconding. Meanwhile, Madame Xu's orchid garden were in full bloom. Her garden of various variety of orchids all blossomed vibrantly. Mei who want to be favoured by her in-laws saw this as an opportunity. She went to her mother-in-law in the morning for her daily greetings.
Mei : "Mother I have come to greet you."
Madame Xu : "Come in."
Mei : "Greetings and good health to mother."
Madame Xu : "Your very diligent."
Mei : "Yes mother, I am the bride of the Xu family, it is my religiously duty." It was a small sly indication to her being piety and filial. She took this moment to elaborate, "I have something I would like to discuss with mother."
Madame Xu : "What is it?"
Mei : "Seeing the orchids in full bloom, is such a marvellous sight. It would be a lonely for such beauties to be appreciated. Mother, why not we keep a flower viewing gathering? For these flowers have bloomed right in time of Tianxia's victory."
Madame thought for a while, she could see that it was an opportunity for Mei to share the burden of the Xu household, this also strengthens Xu families standing in front of other households. After all opinions of the households makes difference in the court, its indirect influence but effective.
Madame Xu : "Your right it would be a good gesture. Alright I'll let you arrange it. However no plants are to be damaged before during and after the gathering."
Mei : "Mother, does not need to worry. I will take full responsibility and will not give you any chance to complain."
Mei began with the preparations right away. She wanted to have the gathering day after tomorrow, as quickly as possible. She wanted to show her mother-in-law that she was a capable bride that can be entrust with Xu house management. Mei has been in this household for 7 months and yet not one responsibility was given to her, whereas Wei managed the entire household. Her only perk is, be in a house without a mother-in-law.
The day of the flower gathering arrived. Several elite and influential house members arrived. Mei had beautifully made the layout. The flower pots were kept on pedestals, along their garden, around the main pavilion. Snacks were made to resemble flowers, desserts were all shaped in flowers in varying vibrant colours and some even had edible flowers on them. Tea served was rich green tea, fruit tea and contained flower petals. Every detail was put into arrangement to match the theme of flowers. Duke Su and Duke Dongqing wife's were chatting heartily along with Mei. When they complimented Madame Xu for receiving such a talented and well behaved daughter-in-law.
Madame Su : "Your daughter-in-law is impeccable! Look at how she arranged this gathering. It feels like I am in a magical flower realm."
Madame Dongqing : "I agree." Madame Xu smiled brightly, and madame Dongqing's gaze fell on madame Xu's white jade hairpin shaped like a lively orchid. "Madame your hairpin looks life like. Where is this exquisite piece from?" Where other ladies present there glanced at the hairpin. Madame Xu touching the hairpin replied, "It is from general's wife." Mei did not like the remark. Her mother-in-law, whom she spend so many months buttering up to, wore her cousin's present, but never once wore the presents she gave. Butting in their conversation, Duke Su questioned, "However where is general's wife?"
Upon such a question, naturally madame Xu's gaze fell on Mei, who was incharge of sending invites. Mei had no intention of calling her and therefore never made an invite to her house.
Scoffed Duke Dongqing, "It's strange that her husband won the war yet she has not, so much as appeared in her own residence gathering."
Madame Su : "Does she not live within the Xu premises?"
Mei took this opportunity to push her cousin off the cliff, "Please forgive my sister for her poor mannerisms, She is simply unaware of socialising in high society" Madame Xu calmly ordered her maidservant to fetch Wei.
At the reflection mansion Wei was surprised by the sudden visit of madame Xu's maidservant. She did hear Lin mentioning elite guests pour in at the Xu mansion. But such mention or invite was send to her. Wei was in high spirts since this morning, she had recovered well. Her arm does not hurt and General's update from war and his arrival will be soon, made Wei hopefully that maybe her husband will arrive anytime today. Since the maidservant from the main mansion inited her for the flower gathering, she could not refuse. Usually she would fend sickness to avert such situations, hence she got the sickly rumour. But she no longer needed to do that, she is now the wife of a victorious war general, the madame of the household. She has to step out and keep her status, as she is responsible for everyone in the household. Wei went to change her clothes while giving Fei instructions to prepare for the flower viewing. Lin took this opportunity to dress Wei in the clothes that general send from Shenzhou as a victory present. Incase general was to arrive today he will be received by his wife dressed in clothing he chose. The colour was a muted lavender, with beautiful gold brocade. Wei's hair was decorated with gold and pearl coronet, with two identical little pink jaded gold dangling hairpins on each side. To compliment the clothes, white jade teardrop earrings and bangles. Delicate closed bud flower necklace made with gold. Her shoes also had flower motif, Lin put extra efforts with her makeup and hair. She put crushed pearl and glitter flaks over Wei's eyelids to make her eyes sparkle, in all Wei looked like a flower fairy.