As it turned out, word of Rong Lin Women’s Academy accepting female students had been circulating as early as the previous year.

At the time, Xie Sheng had still been planning to send Xie Youran into the women’s academy to improve her character, so she would not be looked down upon by the scholarly Wang family.

But later, Heaven did not follow human wishes. Before Xie Youran could even get married, she was already with child, and the dream of gaining a veneer of prestige from the women’s academy went up in smoke.

Some days ago, while the Zhou family were all eating together, Xie Youran mentioned the matter in passing, and it took root in the heart of her mother-in-law Zhao Shi.

She thought this women’s academy was quite suitable for her own daughter Zhou Xiuling. Zhao Shi’s greatest heartache at present was her daughter’s marriage prospects.

Unfortunately, on several occasions at those gatherings of madams, she had brought up the subject, and absolutely no one had taken the bait.

After all, the earlier farce the Zhou family had made was simply too large. With a family ethos like that, the son being so dissolute and unrestrained, who could say what the Zhou family’s daughter was like?

Zhao Shi gradually grew more anxious, and when she heard Xie Youran mention Rong Lin Women’s Academy, her eyes lit up at once: If it were truly as Xie Youran described — that having attended such an academy would add considerable invisible worth to a girl’s marriage prospects — the weight of that advantage would be immense.

So Zhao Shi had Xie Youran think of a way to see whether Zhou Xiuling could also enter the women’s academy, so she could find a good family from the scholarly gentry in the capital when the time came.

Xie Youran had never had much regard for this sister-in-law. But seeing Zhao Shi actually ask her for help with a rare show of pleasantness, she found it deeply satisfying.

She had always wanted to demonstrate her usefulness in the Zhou household. Enrolling in a women’s academy — what was so difficult about that? She would simply give her own spot to her sister-in-law.

Seeing her agree, Zhou Sui’an was also very pleased. He had heard from colleagues in the Ministry of Finance that the women’s academy was attended by daughters of prominent families, even including the granddaughter of Duke Yong Ning. If his sister could attend, wouldn’t it also reflect well on him?

But although Xie Youran had agreed with ease, when she actually tried to arrange things, she was at something of a loss.

It turned out that even just gaining admission to sit the entrance examination was not something open to everyone. Anyone wishing to attend the women’s academy first had to submit a guarantor’s letter of recommendation.

Xie Youran could not reach her father, so she had Zhou Sui’an write one in his capacity as a sixth-rank ministry official. But after submitting it, there was no response — by the time the women’s academy examination was over, no reply had come.

Only then did Xie Youran realize that the sixth-rank Ministry of Finance official she was so proud of carried absolutely no weight whatsoever with the son of the Libationer of the Imperial Academy.

But she had already made the boast, and had to find a way to make good on it. Xie Youran thought of her brother-in-law, and so, bulging with child, went to her sister’s home. With rare soft words of reformation, she coaxed and pleaded until, with great difficulty, she persuaded her sister to convince the Sixth Imperial Prince to write a letter of recommendation for Zhou Xiuling’s enrollment.

The trouble was that the examination period had already passed by the time all this was arranged. So Xie Youran had Zhou Sui’an buy some gift boxes to bring along, hoping to present them in person to Qi Jingtang and see if he would admit Zhou Xiuling out of consideration for the Sixth Imperial Prince’s personal letter.

Today, the whole Zhou family had dressed up smartly and come to the academy to present gifts — only to unexpectedly run into Chu Linlang standing at the gate.

Xie Youran remembered perfectly the time at the Fourth Imperial Prince’s gate when Chu Linlang’s carriage had sent a face full of dust flying in her direction.

Old grudges and new resentments combined made Xie Youran’s tongue particularly vicious: “Not even a dog that comes begging for food gets in just anywhere — it still depends on whether the scoundrel creature deserves to sit at such a household’s gate. A woman who can’t read or write, and she dares to stand at Rong Lin Women’s Academy’s door?”

Zhou Sui’an looked at Chu Linlang with a helpless expression. This kind of scene — old acquaintances meeting under new circumstances — was not one he wanted to witness.

He guessed that Chu Linlang had come here with Situ Sheng on some errand. As for Situ Sheng — with a whole courtyard full of servants, why was he always sending Chu Linlang, such a frail woman, to do things that required showing her face in public?

Zhou Sui’an thought to himself that the next time he saw Situ Sheng, he really ought to have a word with him — he must stop making Chu Linlang do these kinds of public-facing tasks…

But if it also let Linlang see what broad connections his new wife brought — through how many doors of great households she could walk — it would be worthwhile. She would finally understand what great sacrifice he had made in the past by insisting on keeping the useless Chu Linlang in the Zhou household.

So hearing Xie Youran’s so ungracious mockery, Zhou Sui’an only turned his face away and said nothing.

Zhao Shi nearby was also wearing an expression of contempt. She deliberately pulled her reluctant daughter to her side, and said to Xie Youran: “All right, we came today to seek enrollment for Xiuling — we have important business to attend to. Let’s hurry on inside.”

With that, Zhao Shi pulled Zhou Xiuling and made to walk through the gate.

But before they could cross the threshold, they were stopped by the academy’s gatekeeper: “Please wait, all of you. Those who are not students of this academy are not permitted to enter without authorization. If you wish to find someone, I can pass on the message for you.”

Zhao Shi raised her chin with considerable pride: “My daughter has been recommended for study here by the Sixth Imperial Prince. We have brought the Sixth Imperial Prince’s written testament. We wish to see Teacher Qi Jingtang.”

Hearing this, the gatekeeper remained unmoved, and replied with a bow: “What a pity. The women’s academy’s entrance examination concluded three days ago. If you have come to enroll your daughter for study, you have arrived too late. Why not do it this way: when the women’s academy holds its next enrollment, come earlier.”

“You…” Zhao Shi’s face flushed red with anger. She was so confident in her possession of the Sixth Imperial Prince’s card that she was too proud to wrangle with a servant.

Seeing her mother-in-law’s dignity rebuffed, Xie Youran’s face went tight: “A mere doorman dares to turn away guests? We won’t argue with you. Go quickly and announce us — tell your master to come out!”

But this academy was a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Even this polite and courteous gatekeeper had the bearing of bamboo and pine — unaffected by honor or disgrace.

Having been so insulted by Xie Youran, he only smiled faintly and pointed at a plaque hanging nearby: “As madam says — how would I, a mere doorman, dare to turn away guests? This is the academy’s standing rule of years past. Please read it for yourself.”

Zhou Sui’an looked over. Sure enough, a placard was hanging there with a clear inscription: “No exceptions for late arrivals. Applicants are kindly asked to wait for the next term.”

This was truly the academy’s longstanding rule, and the women’s academy followed the men’s academy’s practice in this regard.

Every year there were people like the Zhou family — who had missed the deadline or failed the examination and tried to use connections to get through the back door. There were even those with more prestigious recommendations than the Sixth Imperial Prince.

Qi Jingtang found these kinds of personal appeals and connection-mongering tedious, and simply had the gatekeeper intercept all such visitors. He would not even show his face, let alone permit them entry. He also had the placard hung prominently to decline visitors, sparing himself any awkwardness.

The capital’s great and powerful households that had tried to arrange entry this way all knew what Qi Gong’s son was like, and ordinarily did not come to put themselves in this embarrassing position.

Unfortunately, the Zhou family were all outsiders from another region, and on top of that, Xie Youran was the sort who knew no fear. She had no knowledge of these ins and outs, and had simply shown up at the door, only to be met with a flat rejection.

But Xie Youran was not convinced. She pointed at Chu Linlang, who was standing to the side watching the spectacle: “This isn’t the inner palace. I clearly saw her coming out from inside — how can she get in and we can’t?”

The gatekeeper glanced at Chu Linlang, and with a smile replied: “The academy’s rule is that those without an invitation may not enter — common outsiders are not permitted inside. She is a student enrolled in the women’s academy for this term, which is naturally why she may enter.”

With these words spoken, the color drained from Xie Youran’s face. She stared at Chu Linlang in disbelief.

Even Zhou Sui’an could not believe it. He walked up to Chu Linlang and cried out: “Are you joking? You can barely read — how did you get into Rong Lin Women’s Academy?”

Beside him, the usually good-natured Xia He could bear it no longer.

Their senior young lady had endured all kinds of rotten treatment and idle words while she was a daughter-in-law in the Zhou household — that was one thing. But now that they had severed ties, there was no reason she should still have to suffer their verbal insults.

Without waiting for Chu Linlang to speak, Xia He coldly said to Zhou Sui’an: “Your wife put it well: when a dog comes begging for food, it must check whether it’s a lowly creature worthy of squatting at such a household’s gate. Our senior young lady has just come out of class and is very tired. Please step aside, sir — our young lady needs to go back and rest.”

With that, Xia He stepped forward without ceremony. Zhou Sui’an was caught off guard and staggered back down the steps.

Chu Linlang was truly too lazy to exchange words with these people. Fortunately, Xia He was at this moment as though possessed by the spirit of Dongxue — her tongue sharp enough to cut — and so Chu Linlang followed behind Xia He, intending to turn the corner and walk back to the house on her own.

However, upon catching sight of Zhou Xiuling’s distressed and embarrassed little face, Chu Linlang could not help but quietly advise Zhou Sui’an: “Inside the academy are all gathered children of noble and distinguished families — many ears and many mouths. It is just a matter of discussing enrollment. There is no need to make such a big scene…”

She had not even finished speaking when Xie Youran charged over: “I don’t need your fake kindness showing off here! We have the Sixth Imperial Prince’s recommendation!”

All right — Chu Linlang’s quota of goodwill for today was very nearly used up. She looked at the teary-eyed Zhou Xiuling and shook her head helplessly, indicating she had done her best. Then she led her maid away.

Behind her, Xie Youran was still arguing with the gatekeeper without backing down, shouting about how even illiterate merchants’ daughters could get in, so why could the Sixth Imperial Prince’s young aunt by marriage’s relation not — and today she absolutely had to see Qi teacher, to see what kind of absurd rules this women’s academy had…

When Chu Linlang turned the street corner to look back, everyone else was fine. Only Zhou Xiuling, that girl, had a face so flushed with shame it seemed it might bleed. She had buried her head down hard.

Xie Youran was not very skilled at understanding others. This kind of tearing open one’s face to argue and shout — she hadn’t noticed at all how it was affecting her sister-in-law’s timid nature.

From what Chu Linlang knew of her, after this episode, Zhou Xiuling would probably not want to go outside for a month — let alone attend any women’s academy.

Thinking this, Chu Linlang let out a quiet sigh. Even if Linlang had some sympathy for Xiuling, there was nothing she could do. She was no longer that household’s daughter-in-law, after all.

She could only hope Zhou Sui’an had sense enough to understand the clear picture — that once he grasped the academy’s rules, he would quickly drag that shrew away. That way, Xiuling could at least lose a little less face.

As for what happened later that day, Xia He did ask the gatekeeper. He said the pregnant woman with the large belly had made quite a relentless scene, refusing to back down.

As luck would have it, Qi Jingtang happened to be playing chess in the inner hall with a longtime good friend. Being disturbed to this degree, he sent someone to inquire.

The reply was that it was the new wife of Ministry official Zhou Sui’an who was causing the commotion. Censor Wang felt revolted all over again.

He had just learned that this Xie Youran — who had almost become his daughter-in-law — not only had questionable virtue, but also had a nature this arrogant and domineering. She had not even the smallest trace of a conduct befitting a woman of an official’s household. Having been raised away from her parents in the countryside, her upbringing had truly been neglected.

As Censor Wang privately congratulated himself that his family had avoided a calamity, his disgust with this Xie Shi only intensified. He at once sent a small attendant to reprimand Zhou Sui’an, and it was only this that frightened the visitors away.

The next day, Censor Wang still felt the disgusting feeling hadn’t subsided. He wrote a memorial and harshly impeached Zhou Sui’an, condemning him for keeping a poorly governed household, indulging his pregnant wife in disturbing the peace of an academy, and moreover wielding the Sixth Imperial Prince’s name to act with unbridled arrogance — bringing shame to the Imperial Prince.

Who among the hundred officials would dare casually provoke those steel-jawed men of the Censorate? If a weakness was caught and these censors bit down on it, one would not die but would certainly lose a layer of skin.

So Zhou Sui’an was summoned before his superior in the Ministry and publicly upbraided before his colleagues, who declared that his actions had dragged the superior official’s reputation through the mud.

At the previous year-end official performance review, Zhou Sui’an had earned no more than an evaluation of “no merit and no fault.” But now that this incident had occurred, any hope of promotion this year was gone for Zhou Sui’an.

Not only this — Zhou Sui’an was also summoned to the Sixth Prince’s residence, where the Sixth Imperial Prince gave him another severe dressing-down.

The Sixth Imperial Prince was a man of extreme caution in all things. He had thought it was merely a small favor — helping a woman get into an academy. He had never imagined Xie Youran could stir up such a huge mess.

The Sixth Imperial Prince made it plain: if he could not control his wife, he had better go back to Jizhou quickly, lest he cause further trouble for the Prince before the Emperor.

Zhou Sui’an received dressing-downs from all sides, and to make matters worse, his superior recently told him that his house had been one another official didn’t want, and had only been assigned to him as a fallback. Based on his rank, he didn’t actually qualify to live in the large residence on Muyu Stone Lane.

Now that Zhou Sui’an’s reputation had run into problems and his colleagues were watching closely, to avoid further complications it was better to follow the proper procedures — move quickly and vacate the property.

Things having come to this, how could Zhou Sui’an dare disobey? In two days’ time he moved out of the Muyu Stone Lane residence and into the older house in Jicui Lane that should have been his all along.

Such a stark downgrade — how could Zhao Shi bear it?

And since it was all Xie Youran’s fault that the son had been impeached by the Censorate, the moment they arrived at the old house with its furniture not yet properly arranged, the shouts of “harbinger of misfortune” rang out without end.

Xie Youran was not the sort to be scolded without fighting back. In no time, the sharp cries and screaming were unceasing.

The house was too small — there was no escape even hiding in the study.

Zhou Sui’an’s recent salary had all gone to supporting the household, and he was rather strapped even for the cost of a cup of tea when he went out.

He might as well tuck a book under his arm and squat down on the threshold of the back gate to find some peace and quiet.

He had been to this house before. At that time, it had still been Situ Sheng’s residence — and the place where Linlang had found shelter after the divorce.

Moving into this house, traces of the former wife, Chu Linlang, were everywhere. For instance, the habit of pasting paper cut-flower decorations on window paper was something Chu Linlang had always loved to do.

Zhou Sui’an remembered how in those days, when they were newlyweds and the family was poor, Chu Linlang had personally arranged the bridal chamber. The small room had been clean and bright.

She had then pasted onto the plain window paper the pressed dried flowers she had made using hair-clasp paper.

“Husband, look — though we have no precious clear mica window panes, we still have flowers blooming on our windows. The shadows they cast inside are just as lovely.” With a burst of bright laughter, Chu Linlang’s vivid and beautiful face had reflected the floral shadows cast by sunlight, a sight that had sent a ripple of soft feeling through one’s heart…

Now the paper cut-flowers at the window remained as they were, but the courtyard no longer held the sight of that woman’s smiling face. What there was instead was nothing but incessant angry shouting, grating on one’s eardrums.

Zhou Xiuling, also unable to bear her mother’s and sister-in-law’s screaming match, brought Yuan’er and came to the backyard, sitting down beside Zhou Sui’an.

She gazed at the narrow street before them, let out a long, quiet sigh, and murmured: “Elder brother, you didn’t want such a good sister-in-law, and this is what you traded her for?”

Beside her, Yuan’er was not as restrained as her mistress. She whispered: “A hen that lays eggs, that’s what. She can give birth and she can squawk.”

Yuan’er was quite the mimic. She reproduced Zhao Shi’s scolding from behind closed doors with perfect fidelity.

On any other day, Zhou Sui’an would certainly have reprimanded Yuan’er for disrespecting her stepmother. How could she speak like that?

But today he had been so deafened by his mother’s “hen” that the three of them — two adults and one child — sat on the back doorstep in silence, no longer saying anything, hoping the two hens inside the courtyard would tire themselves out and grant them some peace and quiet at last…

The commotion on Jicui Lane could not carry all the way to the far-off Hening Lane.

The day after the academy let out, the women’s hall had no class. Chu Linlang rose early, dressed neatly, and prepared to go out. Xia He had been having stomach trouble these past few days and needed to rest at home.

So she took her maid Dongxue, ate a bowl of noodles at a noodle stall across from the lane, and then took a carriage to the shipyard to inspect the boats she had ordered.

These cargo boats had originally been commissioned by a merchant planning to do business in the north. But unfortunately, when he made the journey, he encountered river pirates in the north.

Not only were his money and goods plundered, but the merchant himself had been kidnapped and killed. Now the boats were finished, and the dead merchant’s family felt they were unlucky and wanted nothing to do with them.

Chu Linlang had conveniently picked up this ready-made deal. Dongxue felt these boats were somewhat ill-omened and advised Chu Niangzi against taking them.

But Chu Niangzi, who was ordinarily so superstitious, when faced with such a bargain turned a blind eye to all the gods and spirits.

Xia Qingyun had come specially, as per his agreement with Chu Niangzi, to help inspect the boats.

But when he saw Chu Niangzi dressed in vivid crimson, her appearance quite striking, Xia Qingyun’s eyes seemed to go straight. He could not tear them away for quite some time.

After confirming everything was satisfactory, Chu Linlang paid the deposit and purchased the three boats.

In a couple of days, Xia Qingyun would be leaving. He had taken Chu Linlang’s advice and was no longer going north to join in that excitement, but instead planned to head to the northwest.

But the senior young lady who had originally agreed to go into business with him had, this very day, changed her mind again, saying she still wanted to stay at the junior Attendant’s house to help Situ, my lord.

Apparently that official’s official prospects were not going smoothly recently, and the senior young lady felt it would be unfeeling and unjust to leave at a time like this.

This left Xia Qingyun as deflated as a punctured bladder, and even his speech lacked spirit. He felt that if he did not say something now, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

Chu Linlang had no idea of this, and spoke with great spirit, talking to Xia Qingyun about business matters.

These three boats would also be operated jointly with Xia Qingyun. Chu Linlang would not even need to provide boat workers or crew members, and for the profit from hauling cargo on these three boats, Xia Qingyun said he would not take a commission.

Hearing him say this, Chu Linlang indicated that accounts must be kept straight.

Business is business. Xia Qingyun was not her indentured business partner. His caravan and crew had all been assembled by him on his own. How could he not take a commission and wages?

Xia Qingyun, hearing this, grew somewhat agitated. He looked straight at Chu Linlang: “Senior young lady, must you calculate everything so precisely between us?”

He had half a mind to say: if she were willing, never mind a few workers — he himself would willingly work as her beast of burden for a lifetime… or be her husband.

Thinking this, Xia Qingyun gathered his courage, looked at Chu Linlang’s clear and clean face, gritted his teeth, and spoke: “Senior young lady, you… how do you find me?”

Chu Linlang’s mind was entirely on business matters. Upon hearing this, she looked Xia Qingyun over with complete seriousness, then said: “Truly sturdy! Looking at those arms of yours, you don’t fear wind and waves. Just looking at you puts one at ease!”

These words, in fact a compliment, made Xia Qingyun’s dark face flush with a hint of dark red. But they also added a few more sparks of courage. He pressed on: “Senior young lady, I see that Situ, my lord, is not an easy or accommodating person. Why do you need to work as his servant? I… a few years back, back in my hometown by the river mouth down south, I bought a small house and had two plots of land set aside… why not just come with me? As long as you are willing to… to marry me, even if Chu, your father, comes, he can’t take you away!”

Chu Linlang was entirely unprepared. Hearing this, she nearly spat out the tea she had just sipped.

These past few days she had run into what kind of rotten peach blossom luck that men one after another were competing to buy her land and set up a household?

Linlang could only cover her mouth with her handkerchief and make a strenuous effort to swallow the tea back down.

And once Xia Qingyun began, the words came much more easily: “I may not have read books or be able to write poetry and essays, but I don’t have so many twists and turns in my head either. If you marry me, I’ll definitely treat you well and give you a life with no worries about food or clothing!”

Chu Linlang had some of a headache, but quickly thought of what to say. Rather than answering, she asked a question: “Xia brother, how many siblings do you have in your family?”

Xia Qingyun assumed the senior young lady’s heart had been moved and she was asking about his family situation. Overjoyed, he immediately replied: “My mother gave birth to three. My elder sister is already married. My younger sister serves in your presence. I am the only son…”

Hearing this, Chu Linlang nodded: “So you are the only son in the Xia family. Your parents are counting entirely on you to carry on the family line. If you were to take a woman like me as your wife, would your parents agree?”

At the time when Yuan’er was brought in, Xia Qingyun had come to visit his sister Xia He and had been one of those who knew the full story.

Chu Linlang was not afraid of revealing Yuan’er’s origins, and said directly: “I used to always think my time to have children just hadn’t come yet. But now that Zhou Sui’an’s wives and concubines have both conceived, the problem lies with me. Xia Qingyun — do you truly want to take a woman who cannot bear children as your wife?”

This was something Xia Qingyun had truly never considered. So when Chu Linlang bluntly pierced through this point, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

But in that brief moment of dazed silence, Chu Linlang already knew how to gently decline him.

“Taking a wife and having children is the natural order of things. Your parents once nearly sold your second sister to an old lame man for the sake of saving up your betrothal money — that shows how great their expectations of you are. If I were to marry you, leaving everything else aside, just your parents alone would cause a sky-overturning commotion. And wouldn’t that make it impossible for you to have peace at home?”

Xia Qingyun was argued into red-faced silence. He knew his own father’s character — he valued the continuation of the family line above all else.

If he were to bring home a wife who could not bear children, his father would absolutely kick up an enormous fuss.

Thinking this, Xia Qingyun’s eyes even reddened, and his whole person sank into a despairing pain.

He wanted to say he would never let Chu Linlang suffer a single grievance. But he had no confidence to say words like that, which even he himself did not believe.

Chu Linlang did not let the big Xia brother wallow alone in an awkward situation he could not get out of.

She poured Xia Qingyun a cup of tea and said with warmth and ease: “I have long since put the idea of getting married out of my mind. With you taking care of things outside, the rest of my life has security to lean on. They say that between husband and wife, no matter how deep the feeling, it fades over time. But in my heart, you are a brother closer to me than blood kin. Why would I give up this good brother and become some kind of a married couple? I’m still counting on you to find me a virtuous and capable sister-in-law later on, and have a few nieces and nephews for me!”

Having said this, she changed the subject with Xia Qingyun, scattering the awkward atmosphere of the rejected proposal.

In the end, Xia Qingyun could only bow his head in shame and look at Chu Linlang’s eyes with gravity: “Senior young lady, you are right. I was being presumptuous for the moment — I had no ability to give you a good life, yet I said these things. But just wait for me a few years, until I…”

At this, Xia Qingyun could say no more. He couldn’t exactly say: wait for my old man to kick the bucket in a few years, and then he wouldn’t be able to block him from marrying Chu Linlang, could he?

That would be far too unfilial, and hopeless besides. What he could do now was manage the senior young lady’s boats well and do the business she had entrusted him with.

Thinking this, he felt a wave of sorrow, and not wanting to talk further, clasped his hands and turned to leave.

Chu Linlang watched Xia Qingyun’s retreating figure, and quietly let out a breath of relief.

But when she turned around, she saw a tall man standing right behind her.

It turned out Situ Sheng had just returned from inspecting the official allotment fields in several nearby villages and townships, and had happened to take a boat back along the waterway.

When he disembarked just now, he had looked over and seen Chu Linlang and the dark young man sitting together, drinking tea.