Even Ji Qing, slow as he was, realized something was amiss. The following day, Shen Yu personally visited with young Honger, using the excuse that “Honger missed his Aunt Cheng.”
Ji Cheng spent some time with Honger, and after Shen Yu left, Ji Qing could no longer contain himself. “What exactly are the intentions of the Shen family’s eldest son? Is he hoping to strengthen our family ties through marriage?”
Ji Cheng’s usual “not worthy” excuse wouldn’t work with Ji Qing, so she simply said, “Second Madam won’t agree. Father, don’t let your imagination run wild.”
“How is this letting my imagination run wild? I find the eldest son’s attitude very sincere. What are your thoughts on this? Didn’t you say before that you wanted to find a match in the capital? Don’t you think the eldest son is quite suitable? Are you concerned about Honger?” Ji Qing probed.
Unable to express her complex feelings to Ji Qing and cornered by her father’s persistent questioning, Ji Cheng could only say, “Father, what do you think the Shen family is? How could it be so easy to marry into their household?”
“Why couldn’t you marry into their family? How did your aunt manage to do so?” Ji Qing countered.
Times had changed, and Shen Yu couldn’t exactly go on a hunger strike for her now, could he? Ji Cheng replied, “If the eldest son truly intends to marry me, why hasn’t he sent a matchmaker to propose? What does he mean by bringing Honger here himself? Does he want people to say I’ve been intimate with him before marriage?”
Ji Qing realized she had a point. In Jin territory, if young men and women took a liking to each other, they might sneak off into the reeds or sorghum fields, then inform their families afterward to seal the deal. But in the capital, such things were unthinkable. Shen Yu’s direct approach was indeed inappropriate.
However, just as a mother-in-law grows fonder of her son-in-law over time, even a father-in-law was becoming increasingly fond of this potential son-in-law. Ji Qing couldn’t bear to let such a big fish like Shen Yu slip away. The next time he saw Shen Yu, he tactfully hinted at Ji Cheng’s thoughts.
Shen Yu breathed a huge sigh of relief. A young lady’s mind was indeed as difficult to fathom as a needle at the bottom of the sea. He was fortunate to have established this connection through Ji Qing. Shen Yu himself would never have guessed that Ji Cheng’s refusal was for such a reason. Had she mentioned it earlier, he wouldn’t have had to spend so many days drinking with Ji Qing until his face turned red.
Nevertheless, Shen Yu was in high spirits now. He had thought Ji Cheng’s rejection was due to something about him personally, which had left him somewhat discouraged. Now that he knew it was merely out of propriety, it made Shen Yu think even more highly of Ji Cheng. For a merchant’s daughter to be so proper was quite impressive. If anything, he had been too hasty with her.
Shen Yu’s unusual behavior these past days hadn’t escaped the notice of his mother, Madam Huang. She had intended to speak with Shen Yu after Shen Cui’s wedding, but with Shen Yu constantly accompanying Ji Qing, rumors had started to spread. Even the Old Madam had begun to inquire about it. Madam Huang couldn’t sit idle any longer. One evening, after seeing off their guests, she summoned Shen Yu to her chambers for a talk.
Mother and son normally had no need to beat around the bush, but with her son grown up and naturally reticent, Madam Huang wasn’t sure how to broach the subject with Shen Yu. She first inquired about his health, then about Honger’s situation. Finally, Madam Huang said, “The house has become increasingly quiet. Azhuan and Acui have both married off. The Old Madam constantly laments how lonely it is. If only for the sake of filial piety, you should take a wife. Have more children, fill the house with their laughter. The Old Madam won’t feel so lonely then, and I’ll have something to look forward to every day.”
“Mother speaks wisely,” Shen Yu replied. Indeed, with two consecutive marriages, the house had noticeably quieted down. Once Arong married off as well, there would truly be no sound left in the house. This was why even someone like Shen Yu couldn’t help but be moved to consider marriage. Ji Cheng had probably come at just the right time.
“There are so many young ladies visiting our house now. Have you taken a liking to any of them?” Madam Huang asked.
Shen Yu responded, “I’ve been entertaining guests at the front, rarely venturing to the women’s quarters. Even if I’ve seen them, it’s only been in passing. I can’t possibly know them well. Besides, what’s most important is that Honger likes her. Whoever is good to Honger is the one.”
Hearing this, Madam Huang understood everything. She wondered what spell Ji Cheng had cast on Honger; the child who was distant with everyone else was uniquely fond of her.
“What does a child know? He can be easily swayed by a few kind words. I think we should choose from families we’ve long been close to. We know their backgrounds, their family values are good, their manners are proper. A new daughter-in-law from such a family could manage our household affairs well and properly guide Honger,” Madam Huang suggested.
Shen Yu said, “When I married Zhou shi, it was all arranged by Father and Mother. This time, I’d like to make my own decision.”
Madam Huang nearly fell over in anger. “You’re not so young anymore. How can you be so willful? Do you think marrying is something to be taken lightly? One foolish woman can ruin three generations. Look at your Third Aunt. What has your Third Uncle accomplished since marrying her? He was so fond of her at first, but now? Hasn’t he grown indifferent to everything? Ayu, you’ve never been so irrational before. Has that vixen Ji Cheng bewitched you?”
Shen Yu’s face darkened. “Cousin Cheng is staying in our house. Surely you know her character well enough? When has she ever behaved like a vixen? This has nothing to do with her. She doesn’t even know about it. I simply feel it’s time I took a wife, and she’s of suitable age and gets along well with Honger. That’s all. If Mother doesn’t like her, why sully her reputation?”
Madam Huang trembled with anger. If he was already protecting her before marriage, what would happen after?
“Very well, since you know I don’t like her, do you still intend to marry her?” Madam Huang stood her ground.
Shen Yu was truly inept at dealing with women, even his own mother. If only Shen Che were here; with his silver tongue, he might have been able to smooth things over with Mother.
“Mother, you know that the Shen family is in a delicate position. On the surface, we may seem to be in full bloom, but has the Emperor ever truly trusted us? Princess An He’s misfortune has ruined Elder Uncle’s career, leaving him as merely an idle Duke. This is already a sign of suspicion. If it weren’t for the constant unrest in the Western Regions, where Father’s military presence is indispensable, the Emperor would have long since stripped him of his military authority. If I were to marry a daughter from another great clan now, how could the Emperor be at ease?” Shen Yu explained.
Madam Huang’s head began to ache at these excuses. She knew Shen Yu was speaking the truth, but accepting a merchant’s daughter as her daughter-in-law was extremely difficult. She couldn’t bear to think of the ridicule they might face.
But Shen Yu couldn’t understand these intricate concerns of his mother.
“I’m just a woman, I don’t concern myself with such matters. All I know is that if a mother doesn’t choose well, she ends up with a daughter like Shen Cui. We can’t afford another such scandal in our family. Besides, when Acui got into trouble, Ji Cheng was living and eating with her. How could she not have kept her in check? Is that how an elder sister should behave?” Madam Huang raised her voice.
Shen Yu replied, “She’s only a cousin. You know Third Aunt’s character. She couldn’t even control Acui herself. How could you expect Cousin Cheng to do so?”
“You’ve truly lost your mind!” Madam Huang exclaimed angrily.
Seeing his mother trembling with rage, Shen Yu knew he couldn’t continue the conversation without making things worse. He stood up and said, “Mother, please calm down. It’s all your son’s lack of filial piety. I’ll come to pay my respects another day.”
With that, Shen Yu turned and left. Madam Huang, furious, smashed teacups in her room and cried, “Is this the son I raised? More like a debt collector from a past life!” The maids in the room were so frightened they dared not even breathe, fearing they might incur her wrath.
Madam Huang sat on her couch for a long while before she calmed down. She thought to herself that this matter couldn’t be left as it was. Knowing Shen Yu’s character, once he made up his mind, he wouldn’t change it. So, Madam Huang hurriedly got up and went to the Old Madam’s chambers.
The Old Madam, seeing Madam Huang enter, asked, “Why have you come at this hour?”
“There’s something I need to discuss with Mother,” Madam Huang replied.
The Old Madam gave Yunjin and the others a look, and all the maids withdrew. She then asked Madam Huang, “What’s happened? You look terrible.”
Madam Huang said, “Ayu came to my room today and said he wants to marry Ji Cheng as his second wife.”
The Old Madam was shocked. She had originally thought Shen Che might have taken a liking to Ji Cheng, but now Shen Yu had suddenly appeared in the picture. “Are you sure? Did Ayu say this himself?”
Madam Huang nodded, “I don’t know what kind of love potion Ji Cheng has given him, but he argued with me until his face turned red, as if he were bewitched. Doesn’t he realize his own status? How could he marry a merchant’s daughter?”
The Old Madam thought for a moment and asked, “Has anything happened between Cheng girl and Ayu?”
“No, nothing like that,” Madam Huang replied. She had placed spies in Shen Yu’s quarters, and even Ruixue reported to her regularly. If there had been any impropriety between Ji Cheng and Shen Yu, she would have been the first to know.
“So you’re saying it’s the eldest who has taken a liking to Cheng girl?” the Old Madam asked.
Madam Huang nodded.
“Cheng girl is exceptionally beautiful, so it’s no wonder Ayu and the others would be fond of her. But if you disapprove of her background, you should just talk it over with Ayu. He’s a filial son. Surely he wouldn’t truly go against your wishes?” the Old Madam consoled Madam Huang.
“Mother, you don’t understand. Once Ayu sets his mind on something, who can stop him? I’m afraid if I try to prevent it, I’ll only end up alienating him,” Madam Huang said.
The Old Madam sighed. Everything in her family was fine, except for the marriages of her two grandsons, which were a constant worry. They both had strong opinions and kept putting off marriage. Shen Che was even worse; the last time she had merely mentioned marriage, he had simply run off and hadn’t returned home for a whole month.
“Ayu and the others are grown now. Children can’t be controlled forever. I see that Cheng girl is of good character and appearance, unlike your Third Sister-in-law. If Ayu truly likes her, why must you go against his wishes? He’s not one to act without discretion. In a family like ours, we don’t really need to worry about those superficial things when choosing a daughter-in-law.”
Madam Huang thought to herself that the Old Madam was too easygoing. In her old age, she was only thinking about holding her great-grandchildren. But even if they weren’t too particular about background, they couldn’t marry a merchant’s daughter. It would be too embarrassing.
The Old Madam had always known about Madam Huang’s high standards. That’s why she had been so picky that she hadn’t seriously arranged a marriage for Shen Yu until now. “Children have their own fortunes. But since you don’t like her, I’ll have a word with Ayu and see if he can give up on the idea.”
This was exactly what Madam Huang had been waiting to hear. Seeing that the Old Madam had agreed, she was finally willing to leave.