Duke Yanguo’s mansion was extremely large. After the old duke passed away, Gu Juhan inherited the title. The family was prosperous with many uncles and brothers, all living within the same compound. Even with so many people in the household, the courtyard where Gu Juhan and Shen Xiling lived as a couple was still extremely spacious. Because the Gu family was a military household, though they were a wealthy family, they still lacked finesse in matters of garden design and decoration. Moreover, Great Wei’s customs were rough and crude, nowhere near as refined as the aristocratic families of Jiangzuo.
When Shen Xiling entered the household five years ago, Gu Juhan’s courtyard was quite simple. After she arrived, fearing she might be bored, Gu Juhan entrusted the garden renovation to her. Shen Xiling then cleared an extremely large plot of land and built a garden called Hope Garden, arranging pavilions, waterside pavilions, plants, and fish according to Jiangzuo customs. Over five years of continuous additions and improvements, it had taken quite impressive shape and now had some reputation in Shangjing City.
Her favorite place was a pond in the garden with a pavilion beside it. Lotus plants grew in the water, surrounded by green bamboo—it was an extremely secluded, quiet, and elegant little world.
At this time of year the lotus flowers had not yet bloomed, making the small pond seem somewhat lonely, but the fish in the pond were lively, adding much vitality to the place. When Shen Xiling and Gu Juhan reached the small pavilion, she took a small ceramic jar of fish food from a maid’s hands and leaned against the railing to feed the fish.
Feeding fish was about finding pleasure—when the food was scattered, the fish would cluster and compete for it, forming a brilliant red mass in the pond, which was where the joy lay. However, the fish in Hope Garden’s pond were too fortunate, being fed daily by the household servants until they were full, so when the master and mistress came to feed them now, they weren’t very interested.
After feeding for a while and seeing the fish’s lackluster enthusiasm, Shen Xiling also lost interest. Gu Juhan glanced at her and couldn’t help but laugh: “Such a childish temper—are you actually getting angry at the fish?”
Shen Xiling pursed her lips, handed the fish food back to the maids beside her, sat down on a seat by the pavilion railing, and fell silent.
Gu Juhan smiled and shook his head, also had someone take away his jar of fish food, dismissed the attendants, then sat beside Shen Xiling and said: “Are you really unhappy? At worst, I’ll have them not feed the fish tomorrow, and you can come feed them tomorrow instead, alright?”
This made Shen Xiling laugh: “I’m not that petty. You clearly know I’m not upset about this.”
Gu Juhan also smiled, thinking to himself that this was the first time she had smiled in half a month.
Shen Xiling turned sideways, half-lying against the railing to watch the gentle ripples in the pond, and said softly: “Wenruo, do you think he might actually… deliberately not want to see me?”
“How could that be?” Gu Juhan answered quickly. “He caught a cold. Don’t overthink it.”
Shen Xiling forced a smile.
Gu Juhan most couldn’t bear to see her like this—melancholy and dejected, as if about to cry. Though she was beautiful and looked beautiful no matter what, and this current sorrowful appearance was even more beautiful, he actually preferred when she was more lively and joyful.
He said: “There will be other opportunities. Don’t lose heart.”
Shen Xiling leaned listlessly against the railing and said: “He’s an envoy, I’m an official’s wife. How could it be so easy? Stop trying to comfort me.”
“When have I ever deceived you?” Gu Juhan reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Have you forgotten that the Buddha Bathing Festival is coming soon?”
Shen Xiling’s eyes brightened slightly.
Buddhism and Taoism flourished in Jiangzuo’s Great Liang, and in recent years Northern Wei had also been influenced by this, holding grand Buddha Bathing Festivals every year on the eighth day of the fourth month. During this time, Buddhist temples often held sutra recitation ceremonies, using various fragrances mixed with water to wash the statue of Prince Shakyamuni’s birth, and devout men and women would often perform acts of charity on this day. Any famous monastery in Shangjing would hold Buddha bathing ceremonies on the eighth day of the fourth month. The Jade Buddha Temple in the capital was built with imperial donations, and His Majesty personally attended every Buddha Bathing Festival.
If His Majesty went, surely Great Liang’s princess would also go; if the princess went, then Qi Ying…
Shen Xiling’s eyes brightened even more.
“Finally happy?” Gu Juhan teased her.
Shen Xiling’s eyes curved with her smile as she pursed her lips. After a while, she sat up straight and began counting days on her fingers—this count revealed a full twenty-one days.
Her face fell again.
Gu Juhan laughed and consoled her: “The time is a bit long, but having something is much better than having nothing, isn’t it?”
Shen Xiling nodded, then heard him say: “If you really find the days hard to bear, find something to do. I heard that in a few days, Madam Zhong from the Censor-in-Chief’s household is hosting a tea gathering. Why don’t you go to lift your spirits?”
“I won’t go,” Shen Xiling shook her head. “She’s close friends with Lady Pingjing. I won’t go there to be humiliated.”
Gu Juhan frowned: “Did she make things difficult for you today?”
“Not really,” Shen Xiling smiled. “It’s just the usual talk. I’m used to hearing it—you know me, I’m very open-minded about these things.”
Gu Juhan looked at her for a moment, then smiled along with her.
Shen Xiling raised an eyebrow and leaned back against the railing, turning her head to say casually: “Actually, they humiliate me simply because they themselves wanted to marry you back then but couldn’t; now they want their relatives to marry you, but that hasn’t worked out either. They like you, so they’re jealous of me.”
Gu Juhan ruffled her hair and said with a laugh: “How does that sound like it’s my fault?”
Shen Xiling’s eyes curved as she sighed: “What a pity they don’t know that you and I aren’t truly husband and wife—they’ve wasted so many good matches for you.”
Gu Juhan glanced at her but didn’t speak.
She sat up straight again, looked at him, and said: “Actually, Xue Yuan is quite good—she’s pretty, has a decent temperament, and best of all, she’s sincere toward you. You could really consider her.”
After a moment of silence, Gu Juhan asked: “Why bring this up suddenly?”
Shen Xiling pondered for a moment, then decided to speak honestly: “Today the Empress called me over and said we should have a child. But you know our situation. I was thinking you really should have a proper wife, and in a couple of years have an adorable child. I…”
“You what?” Gu Juhan asked.
Shen Xiling sighed: “Actually, whether it’s Xue Yuan or not doesn’t matter. I’m just afraid I’m delaying your proper marriage—it’s fine for me, but you can’t be delayed your whole life like this.”
Gu Juhan leaned back against the pavilion railing, appearing relaxed and at ease, but his words were not light.
He said: “You know my situation better than anyone. Not to mention that swords have no eyes on the battlefield—just the struggles in court could cost me my life. Why should I drag another unrelated woman into this?”
Shen Xiling looked at him, feeling equally helpless.
Currently in Great Wei’s court, though Duke Yanguo appeared to have unparalleled glory and power over the realm, in reality, beneath these turbulent undercurrents, one careless step could lead to disaster. Emperor Wei was weak and doted on the Zou clan. Imperial Uncle Zou Qian had thus enjoyed smooth official advancement. Since being appointed chancellor eight years ago, he had formed cliques in court, eliminated dissidents, promoted nephews, and abused power—the chaos of maternal relatives had long planted the seeds of disaster in Great Wei.
The Gu family was loyal to the imperial house, and the old Duke Yanguo had not gotten along with the Zou clan. This generation under Gu Juhan was even more so. In recent years, with frequent warfare between Wei and Liang, the Gu family had been heavily relied upon. Without this, the Zou clan would probably have already drawn swords.
Currently, His Majesty had three sons and four daughters. The eldest son, Gao Jing, was twenty-seven this year and was Zou Shi’s legitimate child. The other two princes were nine and three years old respectively, and their maternal families were all of low status, making it difficult for them to compete with Gao Jing. If Gao Jing successfully ascended the throne, then the Gu family…
Shen Xiling sighed again.
Gu Juhan turned his head to look at her, smiled, and said: “So Xiling, let’s not speak of these things again in the future.”
Shen Xiling hesitated, thought for a long time, then nodded.
Gu Juhan looked up at the moonlight, stood up, and said to her: “It’s getting late, and I still have some matters to handle. Shall we go back?”
Shen Xiling was reluctant to return to her room early, lest she brood over her troubles alone in the quiet chamber. She shook her head and said: “You go back first. I’ll sit here a while longer.”
Gu Jihan said “alright,” then instructed her: “Then you should also return early. The evening wind is cool—don’t catch cold and fall ill.”
She nodded in agreement and also told him not to work too late and delay his rest. She heard him say: “I’ll sleep in the study tonight. I ate plenty at dinner at Yilou, so you don’t need to have anyone send me a late-night snack.”
Shen Xiling said fine, watched him leave the small pavilion after instructing her maids to look after her, then he departed.
After he left, Shen Xiling’s head maids Lian Zi and Wan Zhu both entered the pavilion to drape clothes over her and serve tea. These two maids had followed her for many years—Gu Juhan had personally assigned them to serve her when she first married into the duke’s mansion, and they were close to her.
Wan Zhu served her tea and said with a laugh: “These fat fish in the pond live such comfortable lives. If I have a next life, I’d be willing to be reborn as a fish in Madam’s pond.”
Shen Xiling smiled at her, then heard Lian Zi also laugh and say to her: “That’s all you aspire to.”
“What aspirations should a maid have?” Wan Zhu pouted. “People without aspirations are happier—those with aspirations are prone to worry.”
Shen Xiling smiled and took a sip of tea, pulling tighter the outer robe Lian Zi had draped over her. Lian Zi could see that Madam was in poor spirits today and gave Wan Zhu a look telling her not to chatter. These two maids usually served at Shen Xiling’s side and knew she had been unable to eat or sleep properly for half a month. After returning from the polo grounds this morning, she had been even more dejected, and even though the General had personally coaxed her all day, it still had no effect.
After hesitating for a moment, Lian Zi tentatively asked: “Is Madam unhappy today because that Lord Qi from Great Liang didn’t come to play polo?”
Shen Xiling neither confirmed nor denied this. Wan Zhu laughed: “I didn’t expect our madam to be unable to avoid convention either, wanting to see that Lord Qi just like those other ladies.”
Hearing this, Shen Xiling smiled and raised an eyebrow, saying: “That lord comes from Jiangzuo’s premier family and is now a renowned minister influencing the chaotic world. Legend says he’s also extremely handsome—what, doesn’t Zhu’er want to take a look?”
When she raised her eyebrow, that beautiful face showed a trace of charm, and the red beauty mark between her brows became particularly alluring. Wan Zhu couldn’t help but blush upon seeing this and stammered: “Naturally Zhu’er would want to see such a person—but no matter how good he is, could he be better than our general? The General also comes from a prestigious family, is also a renowned minister influencing the chaotic world, is also extremely handsome, and treats Madam well too. Isn’t he much better than that Liang person?”
As she spoke, Lian Zi kept pulling her sleeve, but Wan Zhu’s tongue was quite nimble, and before she could be stopped, she had rattled off this entire speech. Hearing this, Shen Xiling showed an indescribable expression and said: “Yes, much better than him.”
Lian Zi looked at Madam’s expression, unable to gauge her thoughts for a moment, so she just gently began massaging her shoulders. Wan Zhu was also perceptive—seeing this, she squatted down to massage Madam’s legs and said: “Actually, if Madam wants to catch a glimpse of that envoy, it’s not really difficult. Since he’s in our Shangjing City, he must go out sometimes. We could inquire around—the maids and servants in the mansion are well-informed. They’re sure to know where that envoy is going. Once we find out, we could just take a distant look along the road. Wouldn’t that be perfectly satisfying?”
Hearing this, Lian Zi glared at her again and said: “Keep egging her on. If the General finds out, he’ll have your mouth torn off.”
Wan Zhu was startled and, upon careful reflection, realized her previous words and actions amounted to encouraging Madam to secretly meet with an outside man. No matter how well the General treated Madam, how could he tolerate such a thing? Moreover, that envoy was from Liang and had caused the General much trouble on the battlefield!
Wan Zhu repeatedly apologized, but suddenly heard Shen Xiling ask: “Could his whereabouts really be discovered?”
Wan Zhu was stunned and answered bewilderedly: “Should… should be possible.”
“Mm.” Shen Xiling made a sound of acknowledgment, glanced at Zhu’er, but said nothing.
Wan Zhu was confused, not understanding what Madam meant, so she looked up at Lian Zi, who was pursing her lips and giving her a meaningful look.
After a long silence, Lian Zi asked: “Did Madam hear the General say where he would sleep tonight?”
Shen Xiling watched a fish tail flash past in the small pond, creating some ripples on the lake surface, and answered casually: “He’s busy. He’ll sleep in the study tonight.”
Lian Zi acknowledged this, and Wan Zhu said: “Why doesn’t Madam try to persuade the General? The General has been sleeping in the study for over half a month now…”
Shen Xiling didn’t respond. Wan Zhu pouted and didn’t dare say more, then heard Lian Zi ask with a smile: “Then Madam, should I still have the kitchen stew some soup to send to the General tonight?”
Shen Xiling said: “He said he ate well today and doesn’t want a late-night snack.”
Lian Zi covered her mouth and laughed: “Whether the General eats or not is one thing, but whether we send it is another. Why don’t we stew some and send it anyway?”
Shen Xiling thought that between her and Gu Juhan, there was really no need for such pretenses, but since the maids didn’t know the truth and were wholeheartedly thinking of her interests, she couldn’t very well say it wasn’t necessary, so she nodded.
While massaging Shen Xiling’s legs, Wan Zhu said with a smile: “Madam is skilled at cooking, and the things you make suit the General’s taste. Actually, if Madam could personally prepare a soup, you’d definitely make the General extremely happy.”
Shen Xiling’s eyes curved as she reached out to tap Wan Zhu’s nose, laughing: “Do you think the General is as gluttonous as you?”
Wan Zhu wrinkled her nose happily and said: “The General may not be gluttonous for food, but he’s greedy for you, Madam.”
After she finished speaking, the maids all laughed together.
Shen Xiling smiled and shook her head without responding.