Chapter 211 - - We meet the Matriarch (1/2)
As fore-mentioned, the family palace was large and could be divided into six parts - not including second and third rank servants quarters, gardens, stables and training grounds - one part for each family branch and one part for the patriarch and matriarch. These could further be divided into 'outer' and 'inner' courtyards adding a separation between the men and women of the family and tucking away concubines from outsider's eyes. Leon would never be able to understand the patriarchal tendencies to keep harems; being both gay and brought up in a world that tends to favour m. Besides that, one Jin Li was enough.
Generally, the branches of the family were not too close, despite the five sons of the general being blood brothers, the old man had no concubines. So unless the matriarch wished it, meals were usually taken within their own sections or even alone in their own courtyards. However, during celebrations, birthdays, festivals and so on, the family would head to the large dining hall located between the patriarch and matriarch's courtyards where the matriarch's maids would serve their mistress and mistress' descendants all sorts of delicacies, chosen by the old woman herself.
Leon glanced down at his chopsticks with slight apprehension; despite practicing over the past half-year, he was inelegant and clumsy with chopsticks and favoured a spoon whenever it became too tricky. Fortunately, they were not placed too close to the General, tucked in between Jin Li, who sat beside Mond and Sun. Due to their presence, the women were at a table opposite but separated by screens, so his poor manners would not be witnessed by them either.
Once the meal was finished and even Jin Li had reluctantly placed down his chopsticks so not to seem rude now the elders at the head table had finished eating their fill, the screens were removed and the numerous girls, as old as sixteen and as young as six, had eyes that swept over the table, settling upon the unknown faces seated there. A few of the older girls suddenly became shy, their powdered cheeks failing to hide the slight blush rising in their cheeks and their sight cast down at the table or coyly continuing to stare through long lashes. The youngest girls had no such reserve, their eyes wide open as they examined the strangers. The one known as Carmen acted as a younger child, despite being one of the older ones, however her expression held intense interest as her eyes remained fully upon the taller youth opposite them. The women seated between them sent warning glances to each and every girl. Not all noticed.
Beside the general sat an elder woman, her hair heavy with silver and decorated with pearls. The lines of her face did not detract from her face and it could be seen that while she may not have been a great beauty in her youth, she would have been someone who seemed sharp and intelligent. Thus her age actually enhanced this appearance, while also adding a mature elegance and poise that she possibly lacked in her past. She wore silks of navy blue, embroidered with cranes and clouds and a soft fur draped over her shoulders. With a slight cough, her throat was cleared and as if warned by some sort of signal, all of the girls stopped staring and all turned their attention to the woman.
She nodded with approval at her granddaughters, before turning her attention to the grandson she had not seen in several moons. ”Sun,” her expression was stern and there was not really much affection in her eyes, but her tone was still soft. ”Your grandfather has advised me that you have made some advancements within the Ascending Mountain Institute.”
”Yes, grandmother,” Sun replied, but didn't embellish.
”That is good news,” she said, agreeably. ”However, do not get complacent. You must continue to work hard and bring honour to your father and grandfather and ultimately, this family.”
”Yes, grandmother.”
The woman gave a curt nod, yet her lips did not curve in the slightest. In all honesty, she wasn't fond of this grandchild. In both build and personality, he was much too like his mother and that woman was not one that she had chosen for his father to wed. This matter had caused a rift between mother and her son, who up until this point, had been obedient and agreeable. She had wanted him to marry her cousin's daughter and her son had defied her and brought home Sun's mother to wed.
The older woman had then widened the rift in her ire, marrying to him a Concubine who in the end only bore him daughters. This impulsive action of hers, she did regret. Especially when her second daughter-in-law finally gave birth to Mond, who grew into a strong and handsome youth much like his father had been. Bearing a second son had cemented her daughter-in-law's place in her son's heart and home, but this child reminded his grandmother too much of the past. Not only that, he was once the apple of his grandfather's eye making him even more displeasing to her own, thus when he gradually formed into a disappointment, she had turned a blind eye to the bullying in her own backyard.