Madam Shi saw that Master Yan was already somewhat displeased, so she sat down and picked up her teacup.

“In-law, the reason I’ve come today is actually to propose a marriage arrangement.”

“Why propose marriage without using a matchmaker?” Master Yan frowned.

A respectable marriage match required a matchmaker to come first, and only after the woman’s family gave their consent would the next steps proceed. To come without a matchmaker, sending only a member of the man’s family, was a sign of disrespect.

“We’re already in-laws — what do we need a matchmaker for? When it comes to our children’s marriages, isn’t it simply a matter of our word?” Madam Shi smiled.

Master Yan asked, “Who is Madam Shi proposing this marriage for?”

“My second son, Shi Guang.”

“Didn’t Shi Guang just marry our Fifth Miss?” Master Yan was bewildered and at the same time somewhat furious. What kind of situation was this — the primary wife had barely crossed the threshold, and already they were out looking for a concubine? Where would that leave the primary wife’s dignity?

“I won’t hide it from you, in-law. Shi Guang has always had deep feelings for Yan Qing. I’ve come this time specifically to seek her hand for him.”

“Absolutely not.” Master Yan suddenly rose to his feet, his face flushing red. “Sisters sharing one husband — I can’t believe you even thought of such a thing.”

“Sisters serving one husband together is hardly a great matter. The Grand Commander’s own father married a pair of sisters at the same time, and those two sisters worked in perfect harmony to support the old master. It even became celebrated as a fine tale.”

“Yan Qing cannot become a concubine.” Master Yan would not yield in the slightest. “There is no room for discussion on this matter.”

“Is that so?” Madam Shi calmly took a sip of tea, her gaze sharp as a blade. “Master Yan had better not forget — the evidence of your Yan Family’s dealings with the enemy is still in my hands.”

Master Yan said angrily, “I already agreed to give you my Fifth Miss in marriage. You also promised you would return the evidence to me. Now you wish to go back on your word — this is the conduct of a treacherous and petty person.”

“Call me whatever you like. I am, after all, just a woman, and no gentleman either. Everything I do, I do for my son.”

“For your son’s sake, you would sacrifice my daughter. Madam Shi, you are far too selfish.”

“Whether you call me selfish or faithless, my conditions are right here before you.” Madam Shi was unmoved by Master Yan’s reproach. “Your Sixth Miss had her engagement broken off — her reputation has long since been ruined. Even if she manages to find a husband, it would only be some ordinary merchant or clerk’s household. Becoming a concubine to Shi Guang may be a lesser position, but it is more distinguished than being a primary wife in those families. Master Yan truly doesn’t recognize goodwill when it’s shown. I am clearly doing your Sixth Miss a favor.”

“I will never agree to this.” Master Yan’s stance was firm.

“In-law, some things should not be said too hastily.” Madam Shi slowly rose to her feet. “Won’t you think of your Yan Family?”

She swept a glance around the room. “Look at all this splendor and grandeur. Can you truly bear to see your entire family displaced and wandering in destitution?”

Master Yan was so angry he could not speak, his face slowly turning an iron shade of blue.

“I’ll give you three days. After three days, whether what arrives at your door is a betrothal gift or the Grand Commander’s wrath — that depends on your decision, in-law.” Madam Shi smiled. “Think it over carefully. I’ll take my leave now.”

Master Yan did not see Madam Shi out. He stood in the parlor for a while, then sank listlessly into his chair, burying his face in his hands, and fell utterly silent.

“That’s what happened.” In Yan Qing’s courtyard, A-Xi recounted every word of the conversation between Master Yan and Madam Shi without omission.

When Yan Qing had excused herself earlier, she had specifically called A-Xi aside and asked her to eavesdrop on the conversation between Master Yan and Madam Shi.

“Thank you, Miss A-Xi.” Yan Qing had Jing Zhi bring over a small box containing a pair of gold earrings. “Miss A-Xi has truly done me a great service. This is a small token of my gratitude — please accept it.”

A-Xi declined twice before finally taking the box. “Thank you, Sixth Miss.”

After A-Xi left, both Jing Zhi and Murong grew anxious.

“Miss, Madam Shi has simply gone too far — she actually wants you to marry Second Young Master Shi as a concubine.”

“Indeed, Second Young Master Shi already has one concubine and yet he is still not satisfied.”

“Regardless of how many concubines he has, how could Miss possibly become someone’s lesser wife?”

Yan Qing waved her hand. “The problem right now is that Madam Shi holds evidence that could harm the Yan Family. If the Grand Commander were to learn that Father sold the white medicine to the southwestern warlords, you both know what crime that would be. Even if the Grand Commander showed leniency and didn’t throw our entire family into prison, the Yan Family would have no place to stand in Shun Cheng.”

“Then what are we to do?”

At this moment, Yan Qing recalled what Shi Ting had once told her — that no matter what happened, she need only trust him.

Looking at the situation now, she had already encountered the worst possible circumstances. Master Yan would be forced once again to make a choice between her and the Yan Family — and that was far too cruel to ask of him.

If Master Yan ultimately decided to protect the family, she would have to marry Shi Guang as a concubine — which was equally cruel to her.

“Wait and observe.” Though Yan Qing felt a turbulent surge of emotions within her, many feelings crashing together all at once — and for a brief moment she was lost — she ultimately managed to calm herself, for she had chosen to trust Shi Ting.

“Miss, what time do you think it is to still be waiting? Madam Shi only gave three days. Even if we wanted to do something, three days may not be enough.”

“Miss, why not tell Director Shi? He will surely find a way,” Murong suggested.

“Yes, let’s find Director Shi.” Jing Zhi seemed to clutch at this like a lifeline, and turned to head out the door.

“There’s no need.” Yan Qing spoke and stopped her. “I said — wait and observe.”

Murong and Jing Zhi exchanged a glance. Even though their hearts were burning with urgency, without their young mistress’s order, they dared not act on their own.

“The osmanthus in the east courtyard must have bloomed by now, hasn’t it?”

At a time like this, Yan Qing could still calmly inquire about when the osmanthus was in bloom — this made Jing Zhi even more anxious, though she still answered dutifully, “It has. It’s at its most abundant right now.”

“Get a basket. We’ll go pick osmanthus flowers.” Yan Qing said serenely. “Father loves osmanthus and lotus root. We’ll make some and bring it to him shortly.”

Master Yan sat in silence before the lunch spread on the table, not uttering a word.

Today was supposed to be the day Fifth Miss returned home after her wedding, but neither she nor her husband had come. The banquet the Yan Family had prepared was enjoyed only by the household members themselves.

“My lord, why aren’t you eating?” Madam Yan asked with concern. “Fifth Miss is simply feeling unwell and unable to return for the visit — please don’t worry too much.”

“You all go ahead.” Master Yan set down the chopsticks he hadn’t touched and returned them to their rest. “I’ll go out for a walk.”

After Master Yan left, those around the table looked at one another, until Madam Yan said, “Let’s eat,” and everyone finally picked up their chopsticks.

“What’s wrong with Father?” Yan Yan asked quietly of Yan Qing beside her.

Yan Qing gazed at Master Yan’s somewhat haggard retreating figure and silently sighed.

After leaving the house, Master Yan got into his family’s automobile and, after driving around for a while, arrived at a pharmacy on Changsheng Street — the largest of the Yan Family’s pharmacies, the one through which all the other pharmacies’ medicines were distributed.

Master Yan had barely stepped out of the car when someone was already waiting by the vehicle. He recognized the man as being from the Military Police Bureau — someone who was usually at Shi Ting’s side.

“Master Yan, our Director invites you for a cup of tea.” Zheng Yun spoke courteously.

Master Yan was taken aback. “Director Shi?”

“He is in the tea house across the street. Please follow me, Master Yan.”

Master Yan didn’t think too much of it and followed briskly behind Zheng Yun.

The second floor of the tea house was a private room section, decorated in a rich classical style, and from below one could faintly hear someone singing.

Zheng Yun pushed open the door to one of the private rooms and said, “Master Yan, please enter.”

After Master Yan stepped inside, Zheng Yun pulled the door closed and stood watch outside.

“Uncle Yan.” Shi Ting rose to greet him as he entered. “Forgive my presumptuousness in having you summoned — I apologize for the intrusion.”

Once Master Yan was seated at the table, Shi Ting poured him a cup of tea.

“Director Shi, was there something you wished to see me about?” Master Yan’s spirits were low, and he truly had no heart for idle conversation.

Shi Ting set down the teapot. “Is Uncle Yan troubled by the matter of the white medicine?”

“You — how did you know?” Master Yan was startled and nearly knocked over his teacup.

“Uncle Yan purchased a large quantity of white medicine from Yun Dian and sold it to the merchant Zhao Ziming. What he did not anticipate was that Zhao Ziming turned around and supplied it to the southwestern warlords. Although the medicine was not directly sold by Uncle Yan himself, it cannot be ruled out that Uncle Yan conspired with Zhao Ziming. If charges were to be laid, this could constitute the crime of colluding with the enemy.”

Master Yan trembled all over. “Director — Director Shi, so you have known all along.”

“Uncle Yan need not be afraid. If I intended to cause you trouble, our meeting place today would not be this tea house.”

Though Shi Ting said this, Master Yan was still very worried, fearing that he might use the matter for coercion, just as Madam Shi had done.

The matter of changing the marriage arrangement had already caused him to feel he had failed Yan Qing. If it happened again, he would truly have no face left to see her. And when he eventually reached the afterlife, he would have no face to meet her mother, Wen Wan.

“Ah.” Master Yan let out a heavy sigh. “Director Shi, just tell me plainly what you intend to do.”

Shi Ting took a sip of tea. “Uncle Yan, what evidence does Madam Shi use to threaten you?”

“It is likely the transaction records between me and Zhao Ziming.”

“Has Uncle Yan ever seen this evidence?”

Master Yan shook his head. “Madam Shi had promised me that as long as I altered the marriage arrangement, she would not trouble me further, and that all evidence would be destroyed.”

“She did not hand the evidence over to you?”

Master Yan seemed to find the matter somewhat difficult to speak of, and after a long pause finally let out a sigh. “It was my own naivety. I believed that as long as I followed her instructions and altered the marriage arrangement, she would keep her word. Little did I know she would go back on her promise — not only did she refuse to return the evidence, she intensified her threats. I can see it clearly now: she intends to hold onto that evidence and use the Yan Family as her puppet, compelling us to do her bidding no matter what she wishes. The fault is mine entirely for being foolish enough not to investigate that Zhao Ziming’s background thoroughly. In the end I was deceived and brought harm upon Qing Qing.”

Shi Ting pushed a paper bag that had been set aside toward Master Yan. “Uncle Yan, don’t be too quick to grieve and blame yourself. Take a look — what’s inside this?”

—