The moment Sheng Hong returned home, Wang Shi hurried to pull him into the room and whispered to him at length. Sheng Hong, as an official, had always kept his ears sharp and eyes keen about court affairs and understood Gu Tingye’s value far more directly than the women of the inner household. He thought briefly about the pros and cons, and the very next day went out to inquire into Gu Tingye’s character, using the same standards he had applied when investigating Yuan Shao years before.

After several days of such inquiry, Sheng Hong told Wang Shi: he agreed to the match.

After several days of anxiety and dread, Rulan received her verdict. She smashed half the contents of her room, her screaming enough to wake any fish that had settled in for hibernation. She threw herself into a wild fit with her hair streaming loose, frightening the maidservants of the room half to death. Wang Shi came to deliver a few words of discipline, and Rulan met them with bright red eyes and a retort: “If you want to marry him so much, you go marry him yourself!”

Wang Shi trembled with fury and demanded to know why she refused to enter the Gu household — but Rulan had not lost her head entirely. Had she told the truth, Liu Jing would have been the first to suffer. Racking her brains, Rulan screamed back: “…Has Mother lost her mind — I share a generational seniority with that Gu Tingye! I have called the man ‘Second Uncle’!”

Xiao Xijuan, crouched on the floor quietly gathering up broken porcelain fragments, smiled bitterly to herself. These past few days she had been desperately pressing the Sixth Young Miss for a solution. The Sixth Young Miss had never dared stand in the master’s way when his enthusiasm was running high, and in the end, when pushed to the wall, she had produced only this rotten suggestion.

Wang Shi erupted in fury, pointing at Rulan and shouting: “What generational seniority?! It was nothing but following others’ careless habits at the time. The great noble families of the capital are full of roundabout family connections — don’t say such nonsense again, or I will tell your father to come and deal with you!” She was furious at the Princess of Pingning — she had not gotten so much as a bite of the lamb and had come away smelling of it entirely, and had nearly turned a son-in-law into a peer.

Wang Shi may have used empty threats on her daughter many times before, but this time she was as good as her word. That very evening, when Sheng Hong returned home, she had him summon Rulan and gave her a thorough dressing down.

Among all his daughters, Sheng Hong had never much liked the headstrong and willful Rulan, and had not spared her punishment from childhood. Rulan had never learned to sweet-talk and flatter her father, so she had always been most afraid of him. Sheng Hong stared her down with a cold face and a few harsh words, and Rulan was already in tears.

“What did all those years of books teach you? You don’t know the first thing about filial obedience or a woman’s proper conduct? Since when has a young woman of a decent family ever had a say in matters of marriage? Do you know the meaning of the word ‘shame’?! I could perish of embarrassment for you!” These words were truly harsh. Rulan covered her face and left weeping, and Wang Shi barely held her own tenderness in check.

The head of the Sheng family’s endorsement of the match was quickly conveyed through Wang Shi — Hualan — Yuan Shao, along that winding chain, to Gu Tingye. Gu Tingye moved efficiently. Within a few days, accompanied by Yuan Shao, he paid a personal call at the door. The Old Madam feigned illness and declined to come out. Wang Shi, in her eagerness, received him alone. Minglan did not witness the specifics of this first meeting between prospective mother-in-law and son-in-law, but judging by the results, Wang Shi had been quite pleased. She stood before Rulan and from start to finish, with great enthusiasm, praised Gu Tingye’s bearing, his person, his appearance, his character, over and over, praising him so lavishly she might as well have called him a flower, and Minglan got goosebumps listening to it all.

Rulan sat with her head down, saying nothing, maintaining a vacant expression as though she had heard nothing. Minglan sitting nearby found herself greatly puzzled — Wang Shi’s torrent of praise sounded less like commending a living person and more like the enthusiastic eulogy at a hero’s memorial service. She slipped a few steps away to where Hualan was standing and said quietly: “Sharp eye — you’ve already found so many virtues in a single meeting?”

Hualan did her best to suppress the twitch at the corner of her mouth and the faint guilt: “Would the match your brother-in-law made be wrong? General Gu is a fine choice.” In truth, though Gu Tingye had made a great effort to be modest, the killing edge particular to a man of arms had shown through unmistakably. Wang Shi, in her awkwardness, had barely managed to exchange a few words — Yuan Shao said that the mother-in-law had in fact shown considerable courage.

Hualan noticed Rulan’s stubborn expression and was genuinely perplexed. She quietly asked Minglan: “What on earth is wrong with this girl? Making such a fuss over the marriage arrangements for no apparent reason — as though she had some enormous old grudge against Gu Er-lang.”

Minglan’s heart lurched, and she hastily deflected: “Fifth Elder Sister just has a stronger temper than most. She was scolded hard by Father earlier and probably hasn’t come around yet. You and Mother might want to do a bit more persuading.”

But Hualan shook her head and leaned close to murmur in Minglan’s ear: “There won’t be time for much more persuading. General Gu told your brother-in-law that his elder brother is visibly failing in health, and as a younger brother he could not very well celebrate a wedding while his elder brother still draws breath. So it would be best if things could be concluded sooner. Please help do some persuading — get Fifth Sister to come around quickly.”

Listening to Hualan’s eager tone and then glancing over at Wang Shi, who was working hard to persuade Rulan with words practically frothing at the lips, Minglan felt deeply sorry for Brother Jing. But come to think of it… perhaps first loves were made to be shattered and mourned.

Within a few days, the news that Gu Tingye and the Sheng family would be joined in marriage gradually spread — it was not clear from which of the three households — Sheng, Gu, or Yuan — the news had leaked. Fortunately the Old Madam had cautiously reminded Sheng Hong and Wang Shi that before the formal betrothal gifts had been sent and the engagement confirmed, they must absolutely never reveal which daughter was to be given. Wang Shi had not thought much of this advice at first, but she quickly came to recognize that the Old Madam was indeed far-sighted.

The first to react to the rumor of a Gu-Sheng union was Gu Furen of the Marquess of Ningyuan’s household. She at once set about finding a daughter-in-law for Gu Tingye herself. Whether or not Gu Tingye was born of Lady Qin, she was entitled by propriety to have some say in a stepson’s marriage — especially given that the old Marquess had already passed away. If the Sheng family’s match did not have her approval, it would be tantamount to a marriage conducted without parental knowledge, which would be against the proper rites.

Wang Shi was running about in circles with worry. Hualan reassured her: “Mother, do not worry — Gu Er-lang has prepared for this.”

On the twelfth day of the eleventh month, Empress Sheng’an recovered from a mild illness. The Emperor, overjoyed, arranged a simple family banquet to celebrate. During the meal, the Empress, pointing to the newly-betrothed National Uncle Shen Congxing, laughed and said: “Your sister has gone to no small effort for your sake — it can finally be said that she has found you a good match.” At her side, Empress Shen followed this by smiling: “My brother is easy to please. I only wonder how things are going with General Gu’s marriage negotiations.”

At the lower table, Gu Tingye smiled and said nothing. Shen Congxing, seated nearby, rose, clasped his hands toward those present, and said with a smile: “I dare say no one here knows this — my elder brother barely spent a proper day in a classroom his whole life, and heaven knows how many characters he can read. Yet now he wishes to marry himself a scholar’s daughter!”

The atmosphere at the banquet was relaxed and merry. The Emperor, seemingly moved to inquire further, prompted Gu Tingye, who then answered that it was the daughter of Left Vice Censor Sheng Hong. The Emperor smiled: “That is a well-chosen match. Sheng Hong has long borne a good reputation, diligent and careful — a fine pairing for you.”

Empress Shen’s newly-appointed younger brother-in-law, the young Major General Zheng of the Left Imperial Guard, was most youthfully carefree, and after a few cups of wine began clamoring to tease: “Your Majesty, the man comes from a scholarly family — they are all men of books! Who knows if they’ll want a rough soldier!”

The whole banquet party burst into laughter.

When the news spread outside the palace walls, the Marquess of Ningyuan’s household went completely silent. Wang Shi let out a long, deep breath of relief. The Old Madam, upon hearing this, was quiet for a long moment before saying only: “Quickly, have Rulan change her mind.”

Minglan understood what she meant. If this had been the calculated result of Gu Tingye’s careful scheming, then the man was formidable in his deliberateness, and one had to be awed. If it had been the deliberate work of the Emperor and the others, then this man was clearly one who had deeply won the Emperor’s trust, and important responsibilities lay ahead for him. In either case, it only strengthened Sheng Hong’s resolve to form this alliance.

Sheng Hong was not the paper-tiger father from a drama serial, who shouts until his veins bulge and his voice gives out but always forgives his ungrateful daughter in the end. He was a typical ancient feudal scholar-official: he spoke of moral virtue and the classics, he thought in terms of official career and family prosperity. Although he was somewhat more lenient with his children than the most strictly orthodox type, he still adhered firmly to the hierarchical rules of clan, propriety, and sovereign and subject. In his household he held absolute authority.

From that angle, ancient scholar-officials rarely loved their daughters unconditionally, and they typically had more than one daughter. As long as a daughter did not ruin her reputation for womanly virtue, she was expected to wait obediently for her marriage to be arranged. In her day, Hualan, much favored and valued, had not dared voice an opinion on her marriage match. Molan had once been Sheng Hong’s most cherished daughter, but from the moment she schemed selfishly for her own ends and nearly destroyed the Sheng family’s reputation, Sheng Hong showed her nothing but cold indifference — Minglan could see clearly from his gaze the disappointment and contempt.

When faced with reality, many things prove fragile. Rulan did not have the courage to resist family and propriety — just as Bao-gege, no matter how much he loved Lin Meimei and how much he was doted on by Grandmother Jia, never once dared stand before Jia Zheng and Wang Shi and state plainly his own choice. And ever since Molan’s disgrace, Hai Shi’s vigilance had multiplied severalfold — the moment she saw Rulan’s reluctance over the marriage, she locked down the Sheng household inside and out as tightly as Guantanamo. The Western Chamber had to put its performances on indefinite hold.

Rulan cried her eyes out for a few days, then gradually calmed her conduct. Only her mood remained low. Wang Shi and Hualan went at her in relays, extolling Gu Tingye’s countless virtues, and demanded that Minglan add her voice to the effort in a show of family solidarity. Minglan did know one great advantage of Gu Tingye’s but did not dare say it. After struggling for half a day with a flushed face, she finally managed to produce: “Fifth Elder Sister, just think — if you only married some ordinary husband, wouldn’t Fourth Elder Sister be one rank above you?!”

At those words, the light returned all at once to Rulan’s previously lifeless eyes. From birth, she and Molan had been bound together in deep and bitter rivalry — if it meant making Molan eat her words, she would willingly march to the front line and bring her own packed provisions.

Wang Shi and Hualan took inspiration from this, and immediately changed tactics. After each sentence praising Gu Tingye, they would work energetically to describe how glorious Rulan would appear before Molan after marrying into the Gu household. It worked rather well. Rulan gradually resigned herself to her fate. It was not as though they were pushing her into a pit — they were merely asking her to marry a high-quality second-hand gentleman. And besides, Brother Jing might not be entirely original merchandise either.

Since Minglan had performed with such distinction in the work of persuading Rulan, she received commendation from her superiors and was released early to return to the Shou’an Hall to keep the Old Madam company. The Old Madam rewarded her by permitting her to go and see He Hong off. Since that visit from the He Old Madam, He Hong had come twice more, but Minglan had not appeared. He had simply sat before the Old Madam like a repentant prisoner with lowered head, full of apology. The Old Madam, seeing that his attitude in acknowledging his fault was commendable, had gradually softened a little — she had not yet yielded, but her manner had grown warmer and kinder.

Minglan walked along a narrow lane that ran straight from the Shou’an Hall to the second inner gate. Broken pebbles paved this side path, which saw little traffic, and He Hong walked in step with her. At such moments, Minglan always thought the Old Madam’s mind was rather endearing.

The Old Madam had been born into the Yongyi Marquess’s household, and having seen enough of the womanizing ways of men with noble titles, had come to loathe it deeply. So she had married a top-ranking examination scholar instead — only to find that scholars were no better. Shortly after their wedding, her husband had come home with a pretty concubine in tow, explaining sheepishly that it was a gift from a superior that would have been awkward to refuse, and hoping that his wife would be gracious enough to look after the concubine for him. After the failure of that marriage, the Old Madam had lost faith in the moral caliber of officials as well, and had turned instead to those who occupied the unconventional fringes of respectable occupations — such as, for example, He Hong.

“…Minglan… Minglan…”

She came back to herself then. He Hong was looking at her shyly, calling her name softly again and again. Minglan steadied herself and smiled: “Yes? Please go ahead.”

He Hong’s eyes dimmed all at once. He lowered his head, and after a long while said slowly: “Minglan must be angry with me — otherwise she would not speak this way.”

Needless to say! But Minglan said aloud: “Brother Hong, whatever are you talking about? That is not the case at all.”

He Hong suddenly stopped walking. His eyes met hers with intense feeling. His throat moved several times as though he were overwhelmed with emotion, yet it was a long time before he could speak: “Minglan! I know you are angry with me — but please hear me out!”

Minglan also stopped, waiting quietly. He Hong drew a breath and, gathering his courage, said: “…I will not pretend I am entirely clear-headed about all of it. But I do at least know whom I wish to marry. I may have treated my cousin as I would a dear younger sister, and there has never been any romantic feeling between us — yet things have come to this, and I cannot stand by and watch her die. So I can only wrong you. But I beg you, Minglan, to believe me — for the He household, this cousin is nothing more than a roof over her head. She will be clothed and fed and want for nothing. But that… and only that!”

He Hong spoke emotionally and incoherently of all the helplessness behind his decision to accept Cao Jinxiu, and also hinted, in restrained terms, at many promises he would make to be faithful to his future wife. Minglan listened throughout in quiet silence, neither moved to tenderness nor moved to scoffing derision. He Hong watched her expression, gradually growing more dejected: “Minglan — you still will not believe me.”

Minglan gave a light laugh and shook her head: “Believing or not believing is not a matter of what you say, but of what you do.”

“I will certainly do as I say!” He Hong’s face colored, and tiny beads of sweat appeared at the tip of his nose.

“For instance…” Minglan paid him no attention, turned around, and began walking slowly again, speaking to herself: “You are playing chess with your wife, and the cousin suddenly complains of a headache, sore feet, or a stomachache, and asks you to come and check on her.”

He Hong smiled, some tension leaving him. He followed behind: “My humble skills are shallow — I would naturally call another physician. If there is medicine to be taken, she will take medicine; if there is an ailment to be treated, it will be treated.”

“If the cousin falls ill every couple of days, it would not do to call a physician every time — if you would just go to have a look, that would be enough.”

“If it is a chronic condition, the household will always have medicinal herbs prepared. A bowl of medicine boiled up and sent over will suffice.”

“If the cousin plays her flute or plucks her strings, composing mournful verses — every note heard, every sound felt — crying in a way that is most pitiable, and insisting that you go to comfort her.”

“Playing music is an elegant pursuit, but it must be done in moderation — one must not disturb others’ peace. If she deliberately disturbs others, that is willful troublemaking. As for being pitiable — my cousin has been pitiable since the day her father was sent into exile. Those years when I was not by her side, she got through them on her own all the same.”

Minglan halted abruptly and stared at him coldly: “Stop playing the fool. You know what I am talking about.”

He Hong also stopped and stood facing her, his tawny face full of unease: “Minglan — I know what it is you reproach me for. The day I went to see my cousin, she had wasted away to nothing but bones, held together by a single breath, waiting for me. She could not even speak — she could only look at me with her eyes, begging. I am a weak and useless person. I could not harden my heart. So I agreed. But at that moment, I made it completely plain to her as well — I would give her a way to live, but nothing more than that. Once she entered the household, any thought of romantic feeling or tender care — she was not to expect it. And if there were any more attempts to die or seek death, I would from that point on have not a shred of guilt or regret!”

Minglan heard him out, remaining silent. He Hong drew a deep breath, his broad chest heaving: “Minglan — if she had simply died like that, she would have become a knot, lodged in my heart for life, making me always remember her! I… I do not wish to always be remembering her. My heart should hold only my wife!”

Minglan slowly lifted her face. Against the light, He Hong’s young and handsome face was all sincerity and anxiety. A small, soft corner of her heart yielded somewhat: “But after all, you live beneath the same roof — you could hardly bring yourself to be utterly blind to her, I imagine.”

He Hong spoke earnestly and steadily: “Minglan, I know what you are worried about. But I have eyes, and I cannot be deceived. Fourth Great Uncle Zhang is a wandering physician nowadays. In his time, he attended the Duke of Lingguo’s household for more than ten years — from the old Duke’s dozen or so concubines to all the messy affairs among the grandchildren. What tricks of the inner household are there that a physician could fail to see through?”

Minglan raised an eyebrow with an expression that was neither agreement nor disagreement: “So you already knew? And here I thought you were simply moved by Cousin Cao’s fragility.”

He Hong gave an embarrassed little laugh, shrugging helplessly: “Men are not all fools and blindlings — unless one’s heart has already grown crooked, what is there that one cannot see clearly? Besides, I trust your character. You will take good care of Sister Jinxiu.”

Minglan looked at him for a long while before slowly breaking into a smile: “You are right… perhaps so.” No matter what, there was still Cao Jinxiu wedged between them — she did exist, after all.

Was He Hong to be believed? She did not know. Could he live up to today’s promises? She did not know that either.

She knew only that He Hong, in doing this much, had already given everything that was in his power to give. When all was said and done, he was only an ordinary man of ancient times. Marriage was only a beginning, and this beginning was neither good nor bad — what mattered most was the road that followed.

The winter morning sun was warm and soft, like cotton wool pressed gently against the skin. The bare treetops overhead trembled lightly in the brisk wind. Minglan and He Hong moved slowly along the pebbled lane, the light clear and bright, the day pleasant, the rocks still and beautiful, everything around them calm and unhurried. The Cao family had already left the capital. Rulan had already submitted to her fate. The Old Madam had essentially made up her mind. It seemed as though everything would proceed slowly along its predetermined course.

But much later, when Minglan thought back to this day, she suddenly realized: this had been the last time she ever met with He Hong.

…