The entire field headquarters was as tense as a gambling den where enormous bets had been placed and the cup concealing the dice was about to be lifted!
Yu Miaomiao’s collapse finally got the air moving again.
Huajie at last found something she could do. She rushed forward and half-embraced Yu Miaomiao, crying, “Mother! Mother!” as she pressed on the philtrum beneath Yu Miaomiao’s nose. Zhù San crouched to one side with complicated emotions. Huajie called out, “Sanlang.”
Zhù San let out a sigh. Back when she hadn’t known who Sheng Ying’s niece was, she’d had little goodwill toward this family. Now that “that niece” had taken concrete shape as Huajie, Zhù San still felt sympathy for the girl who had been exchanged away — but she couldn’t deny that she genuinely did not want Huajie to suffer either.
Huajie said softly, “Help me. Let’s take Mother home.”
Zhù San said, “Not acknowledging the kinship?”
Huajie shuddered as if startled, then said, “Let’s go home first.”
Sheng Ying was the most anxious of all. He lurched a step forward but was intercepted by Chen Meng. Chen Meng was comparatively calm — he still harbored doubts about this “cousin’s” identity. He said to Sheng Ying in a low voice, “Uncle, don’t frighten her.”
While the two of them were speaking, Zheng Xi’s heart had already arrived at sixty or seventy percent certainty that Huajie was the one. Over these past few days he had seen several people who claimed to be “Xu Youfang’s daughter,” and Huajie’s reactions were unlike any of theirs. This also put Zheng Xi in a difficult position. Zhù San was this young woman’s husband, and he wanted to take Zhù San into his service. Because of Zhù San’s deflections, Zheng Xi had not pressed the matter of taking her on as an attendant or household retainer; but bringing her on as a minor official subordinate to charge into the fray — that was a foregone conclusion.
Now she was about to become Sheng Ying’s niece-in-law.
Zheng Xi hesitated greatly. He was reluctant to let go of Zhù San, but keeping Sheng Ying’s niece-in-law and the Feng Family’s son-in-law locked away to serve as a minor functionary was obviously inappropriate. To employ her? She was already someone else’s in-law. Grooming the son of a spirit-medium charlatan and a young peddler — Zheng Xi had confidence in that. But grooming someone else’s son-in-law?
The thought swept through in an instant. Zhù San and Huajie had already propped up Yu Miaomiao between them. Mr. Huang was quicker than anyone else to step in front of them and say, “Sanlang, whether this is true or not, just walking off like this is no way to handle things! The blade finds you whether you advance or retreat. If it is true, everyone will be pleased. If it is not, you can all live at ease — isn’t that right?”
He really knew how to persuade people. Zhù San said, “I understand that reasoning too. But the human heart doesn’t always follow reason. Will you allow them a moment to collect themselves?” She half-turned, directing this last question at Zheng Xi and Sheng Ying.
Zheng Xi also needed a little time to sort through the implications of all this once more. He said to Sheng Ying, “Let the child catch her breath. You have longed for this child for twenty years, but during those twenty years the child had family of her own — she never knew you existed.”
Sheng Ying was anxious. Watching Huajie keep her head lowered, focused entirely on supporting Yu Miaomiao, he found Yu Miaomiao somewhat irksome. Looking at Zhù San — well, the appearance wasn’t disagreeable, but she was neither a scholarly gentleman nor otherwise distinguished, still too young — he was not especially pleased. Zheng Xi had to step forward and grip his wrist with a slight application of force, saying, “I give my word. No one is running anywhere. Someone, escort them home.”
Sheng Ying asked, “Child, where do you live?”
The location was somewhat awkward — a rented room in an alley near the Chen residence. Chen Meng’s eyes took on a suspicious look. Jin Liang rubbed his hands together: “What a true stroke of fate — what a coincidence!”
Zhù San said earnestly, “Well… it’s the place next to that haunted house. The rent is cheap.”
The one embarrassed now was Chen Meng, embarrassment mixed with a touch of irritation. Jin Liang quickly said, “Gan Da, come on, let’s both see them home. Let’s get a carriage.”
Once the two women had been settled into the carriage, Gan Ze said, “Sanlang, come — take this chance to practice driving.” Jin Liang rode alongside on horseback the whole way back, while Mr. Huang was kept behind for questioning.
After the niece departed, Sheng Ying’s mind cleared considerably. Together with Zheng Xi, he questioned Mr. Huang about how all this had come to pass.
Mr. Huang said, “This student has an old acquaintance with them. That woman who fainted is the same one who came to the prefectural office before. Her nephew, Yu Ping, serves in a county below, and was arrested by the Imperial Commissioner Zhong. She brought her daughter-in-law and son-in-law to seek help through connections. Yesterday, she and her daughter-in-law were seized by the husband’s clan…”
This case was something Zheng Xi understood from having presided over it himself. Sheng Ying and Chen Meng had “thought nothing of it at the time” and now found themselves unable to follow. Zheng Xi had no choice but to explain personally: Huajie’s maternal uncle had sent her to the Zhu family as a child bride, and then her husband died. With no children and fearing that the family would be swallowed up and their line extinguished, they had taken in Zhù San as a live-in son-in-law.
Sheng Ying listened with sparks flying from his eyes, furious and full of regret: “What?!” His niece had suffered so greatly! And then came a rush of lingering fear — if any single step along the way had gone wrong, his niece would have been dragged back by the Zhu family. They could have applied their clan discipline however they wished, whether recklessly marrying her off to some dissolute scoundrel in the clan, or selling her to some filthy human trafficker. By the time he found her again, there was no telling what state the child would be in.
He and Zheng Xi were different. Zheng Xi had been born into wealth and grew up surrounded by wealth. Sheng Ying had experienced exile and witnessed the realities of the world — the more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became.
Zheng Xi asked Mr. Huang to continue. Seeing his expression, Mr. Huang no longer dared to add embellishments or flourishes, and said only that he had gone to visit an old acquaintance and had wanted to do a good turn along the way: “Right there among that stack of documents was this case. This student didn’t dare say with certainty that it was true, but looking at Yu Shi’s reaction, it seems it probably is. Whether Zhù San knows — that’s harder to say.”
Sheng Ying said, “Then what are we waiting for? We verify the identifying marks and be done with it!”
Zheng Xi said, “And after the verification? If it turns out to be nothing, fine. But if it is true — how do you plan to arrange things?”
Sheng Ying said, “Don’t worry, this much I can handle properly. Even if her mother-in-law is reluctant, she should have come to by now. This matter cannot be left hanging here — we still have to return to the capital to report.”
Chen Meng said, “Uncle, your nephew’s wife has already come along. Why not have her go and invite that young woman over to sit at my home for a while? You said it isn’t far, right? No need to make a great fuss bringing her to the field headquarters — just at my place, as if neighbors dropping by for a visit.” For various reasons, this man of considerable shrewdness and deep cunning had married a straightforward wife of modest origins. Though she was straightforward, handling this sort of thing was perfectly easy for her.
Sheng Ying said, “Good! I’ll go with you — just wait there for word. Seventh Brother, I’ll head over first.”
Zheng Xi said, “Oh very well, I’ll go along with you. I’m afraid the two of you will only muddle things through excessive concern.”
The party arrived at the Chen residence. Chen Meng asked Zheng Xi and Sheng Ying to sit in the front hall drinking tea, and he himself asked his wife to go to where Zhù San was renting. He thought for a moment, then added, “If the identifying marks match up, bring that young gentleman-in-law back at once to speak with us.”
Chen Da Niangzi, having received her husband’s instructions, took her maidservants, got into a carriage, and was soon at Zhù San’s door.
……
Things were lively over at Zhù San’s.
Zhang Xiangu and her husband were single-mindedly bent on parting ways with the Yu Miaomiao mother-daughter-in-law pair. Huajie was still in mourning, which made things easier for now — but once she was out of mourning, how would they consummate the marriage? Yu Miaomiao was a widow who had lost her son. She would want a daughter-in-law to produce children through the “borrowed seed” arrangement, and if no grandson came, wouldn’t she go mad?
Zhang Xiangu scolded, “It’s all because of you — you forced the Third to step into this situation one step at a time! And you pushed them to come to the capital!”
Zhū Shenhan said, “But you told the Imperial Commissioner — that a daughter was born.”
“And if I’d deceived the Imperial Commissioner, would we still have our lives? You heartless creature — tell me, who did we do all this for?”
Zhū Shenhan fell silent.
After a short while, Zhù San and the others returned. Zhang Xiangu, accustomed by now to these large groups of arrivals, asked Zhù San who was sitting up on the carriage footboard: “Ancestral spirit, what good deed have you done now?”
Zhù San jumped down from the carriage and said, “Wait a moment and you’ll know.” She knew that Huajie’s shoes and socks would have to come off — whether true or not, the cup was about to be lifted. She felt it was true.
Jin Liang leaped off his horse and said to Zhang Xiangu, “Good news. Whatever happens, it’s good news.”
Huajie half-pulled Yu Miaomiao’s upper body out through the carriage curtain. Yu Miaomiao’s eyes were still closed. Zhang Xiangu was greatly startled: “What happened?” She quickly rushed forward to help.
The two women helped Yu Miaomiao back into the room. Zhù San followed inside, closed the door behind her with a turn of her hand, and leaned against it. She asked Huajie, “Elder Sister, what are you thinking?”
Zhang Xiangu was quick-tongued and stood with her arms folded, glaring at Zhù San: “What happened? Am I still your own mother or not? When it gets to your turn you still won’t speak!”
Huajie said, “Don’t scold him. This is about me. They say I’m the person they’ve been looking for.”
Zhù San said to Zhang Xiangu, “Vice Commissioner Sheng Ying’s niece.”
Zhang Xiangu was overjoyed: “That’s wonderful!” Yes — wonderful. That way Huajie was no longer Zhù San’s responsibility. The road was wide and they could each go their own way. With a maternal family like that, they would certainly arrange a wealthy and distinguished marriage for Huajie. Zhù San could be free!
Huajie’s eyes were red-rimmed. She glanced again at Yu Miaomiao, who lay rigid on the bed, motionless.
Zhang Xiangu said with regret, “Oh… fate…” Yu Da Niangzi — what a formidable woman she had been in her day, how capable, masterful at managing everything inside and out. What terrible turns of fortune must have brought her to this state? Surely one couldn’t expect Huajie to remarry and produce a grandson for Yu Miaomiao? The new husband’s family would have their own wishes — why should they go along with that?
Zhang Xiangu herself saw no way around it, and probed tentatively, “You couldn’t begrudge the woman a bowl of food, surely? That unscrupulous Yu Ping is no one to count on. Oh, you really are the one.”
Zhù San said, “The identifying marks haven’t been verified yet.”
Zhang Xiangu said, “Hurry up and verify then. Dozing off won’t replace dying.”
“Mother!”
Zhang Xiangu said with a forced smile, “What can you do? Drag it out? Can you overpower a thigh with an arm? Da Niangzi, Da Niangzi! Get up! Don’t be like this! Listen to me — you’ve always been a woman who has her own ideas. There must be a road before the mountain. If you lie down defeated now, then there really will be no future. I’ll tell you how it is — your mother-in-law is right there — Da Niangzi, Da Niangzi! Get up!”
Tears flowed from the corner of Yu Miaomiao’s eyes. She had been awake for some time, but genuinely did not know what to do. Precisely because she was a capable woman, she understood all too well that she could not overpower Sheng Ying.
She thought to herself: if only I were a foolish woman, knowing nothing — I could have made a proper scene and caused a fuss. Even if I were beaten to death for offending them, at least I would have had that moment of release. But this — being cut by a dull blade through thick flesh, suffocated to death slowly.
Zhù San asked Huajie, “And you, Elder Sister?” Looking at the two women, she knew the incense-burn identifying marks were real.
Huajie hesitated, then said, “What if I just don’t…”
Yu Miaomiao sprang upright from the bed: “Go! Go then! You can’t overpower a thigh with an arm! Our mother-and-daughter fate has been bitter, but if you can climb out of this sea of suffering, that’s as good as living for me too.”
The two embraced and wept bitterly.
Zhang Xiangu stood to one side, at a loss for what to do.
Just then Chen Da Niangzi arrived.
She too was a proper young woman, who spoke and carried herself with great propriety. She first paid her respects to Yu Miaomiao, addressing her as “Niangzi,” and then said to Zhù San, “There are matters that women speak of among themselves that are better without men present. Although she is your wife, please grant me a brief moment.”
Zhù San was unwilling to leave, and Zhang Xiangu stayed along with her. Chen Da Niangzi said to Huajie, “Suspicion breeds phantoms. This matter arose because of us, and if there is no explanation, it will remain a knot in your hearts and make daily life difficult — isn’t that so? I have come today so that we may all clear our doubts. If we are wrong, we will offer our apologies, pour tea, and bow in acknowledgment. But on the chance that it proves true — wouldn’t you want to know your true origins?”
Deep in her heart, Huajie did want to know. She had initially said she would not verify it because she still remembered the parents who had raised her, and because she felt affection for Yu Miaomiao. But now Chen Da Niangzi’s words had moved her.
Yu Miaomiao said, “Verify it, verify it — let heaven decide!”
Once they agreed, Chen Da Niangzi no longer tried to send Zhù San out of the room. The shoes and socks were removed, and there — sure enough — were three incense-burn scars. They were not in a perfect triangle but were slightly askew. Chen Da Niangzi said softly, “It is her.” Tears fell as she spoke, and she held the dazed Huajie and wept for a while before a maidservant managed to calm her.
Chen Da Niangzi wiped away her tears and said to Huajie, “Dear little sister, we have finally found you. The whole family has missed you so much. Back then…”
Huajie said nothing. Zhang Xiangu wanted to step forward and offer comfort, but Zhù San was quick-eyed and swift-handed and held her back. Chen Da Niangzi then bowed again to Yu Miaomiao, “Thank you for taking care of our little sister through all these years. Rest assured — we know something of your situation and will not leave you without provision.”
Only last of all was Zhù San invited to “have a conversation.”
Zhang Xiangu had never expected to witness such a genuine scene of recognition, only to find her own family swept up in it: “Wait — what does any of this have to do with our child?”
Chen Da Niangzi smiled and said, “What a thing to say — if not him, who else would be worthy of the conversation?” A wife’s affairs — naturally needed to be discussed with the husband?
Zhù San said, “All right, I’ll go. Let me first say a word to Elder Sister.”
Without trying to conceal anything, she brought Huajie and Yu Miaomiao together and whispered, “What are you thinking? Tell me — so I have some idea of where things stand.”
Yu Miaomiao had fully surrendered to heaven’s will. Huajie hesitated and said, “I want to meet them.”
“All right. And after you’ve met them? My abilities are limited. If Elder Sister has made up her mind, I can try to do something. But if you go back and forth, I truly won’t have the means.”
Huajie said, “I… I really haven’t decided yet.”
“Understood.”
……——
Zhù San followed Chen Da Niangzi into the Chen residence. Chen Da Niangzi rode in the carriage while Zhù San walked alongside it on foot — she didn’t mind. Once inside the Chen residence, Chen Da Niangzi’s carriage headed straight inward, and a servant came to lead Zhù San. Zhù San still had some memory of this house and knew they had taken her on a slight detour. Of course — Chen Da Niangzi needed time to make her report.
By the time she arrived at the front hall, Sheng Ying and Chen Meng were already staring at her directly, with critical and appraising expressions. Looking at the main seat, Zheng Xi’s expression was subtle and complex.
Zhù San paid her respects to Sheng Ying and Zheng Xi. Chen Meng thought to himself: what coarseness — what kind of etiquette is this?
Sheng Ying hesitated: how to place her?
Just moments ago, they had learned of Zhù San’s origins — Zhū Shenhan’s child. Although Zheng Xi had said she was a dutiful child who had come to save her father, she was uneducated, with no livelihood or clear background. Even a poor farmer would be better? Sheng Ying wavered over whether to nudge Zhù San into “voluntarily” relinquishing the marriage with his niece.
Zheng Xi invited Zhù San to rise and sit down. Sheng Ying was somewhat surprised but did not contradict it. Seeing that Zhù San showed no flustered nervousness, Sheng Ying’s heart was slightly reassured. His third elder sister had suffered such hardship all her life — now that her daughter had at last been found, he could not let the matter of a son-in-law cause his third sister grief again.
He asked Zhù San, “I understand you have a marriage contract with Guanqun?”
Zhù San looked at Zheng Xi, then at Sheng Ying, and said, “More or less.”
“Ah…”
Chen Meng spoke on his uncle’s behalf: “You must know why we’ve had you come today — it is to discuss this very matter.”
“Please speak.”
Sheng Ying said, “What are your own thoughts?”
Zhù San said, “Elder Sister already believes it, but I still have doubts.”
Sheng Ying said, “What doubts?”
Zhù San said, “First — even if the identifying marks match, an infant was branded with incense scars on her feet and then switched out in infancy, or the original child died on the road and another was brought to impersonate her. How would you distinguish between the two? Second — following the same logic, even with documentation showing she is Xu Youfang’s daughter, how do you prove she is the very child who was brought in as the replacement? I would suggest patience — are there other identifying marks? Please describe them further. Are there any personal effects?”
Sheng Ying said, “When you put it that way, I find myself unable to answer you. Xu Youfang risked extraordinary danger to smuggle out a condemned official’s daughter, then went through the trouble of obtaining another child to impersonate her — all for the possibility that someday the child might be found again? This was not a case of stealing a dragon to replace a phoenix in order to live well. The Feng family’s entire household was confiscated.”
“Ah…” Zhù San thought — that is a fair point. “Elder Sister wants to meet her family…”
Sheng Ying abruptly stood up: “Is that so?”
Zhù San said, “I haven’t finished yet. There are several matters we need to be clear about first. I know that saying these things may not accomplish much, but I must say them. Elder Sister was originally Da Niangzi’s daughter-in-law. When her husband died and there were no children, and the village people wanted to swallow up the family and extinguish the line — that is why they took me in as a live-in son-in-law.”
“I know.”
“Then you should know that besides Elder Sister, there is a widow who has no way to live. Let me explain from the beginning: my family moved to that village later and owns not a single plot of land. When my brother died, he couldn’t even be buried alongside the other villagers — we had to find a patch of wasteland in the mountains to bury him. We were people who were mistreated. My father also got tangled in a legal case. My mother then entered into a written contract with my foster mother — nothing more than huddling together for survival. Now my father’s case has managed to clear, we’ve caught our breath somewhat. Elder Sister now has powerful backing, which leaves my foster mother alone and without support. That is not the way of people with hearts. She must be properly provided for.”
Sheng Ying’s assessment of Zhù San rose a degree, and he said, “That goes without saying!”
“When the contract was made, I said what I said then, and I say the same now: if Elder Sister should encounter a worthy person in the future, I will not stand in her way. She is still in mourning now. That document was nothing more than a means to protect both households’ lives. I will not cling to it, seeking to attach myself to some powerful relative. Nor do I intend to drag Elder Sister along to live a hard life with me.”
Sheng Ying and Chen Meng felt a surge of gladness in their hearts, and a hint of a smile involuntarily appeared. Sheng Ying then felt this reaction was inappropriate, and said with gravity, “What kind of talk is this? Do you take us for an unreasonable household?”
Zhù San said, “I am speaking of my own thinking. When I took on Elder Sister’s situation, I had to see it through properly. Your household and I, I’m afraid, cannot easily get along. As for Elder Sister — if it should turn out she is not your relative after all, I would trouble you to send her back to me. She cannot simply be cast out onto the street.”
Sheng Ying frowned, “There is no mistake. The name, origins, and identifying marks all correspond. Rest assured — I will not treat you poorly. At the very least I will arrange a good wife for you and set you up with property.”
Zhù San shook her head: “Elder Sister was never a wife I purchased with money. I have no right to sell her back to her family in exchange for compensation — that would make me no better than a kidnapper.”
A flash of shame passed through Sheng Ying, followed by a flicker of irritation, as he realized he was less upright than the son of a spirit-medium suspect. He cleared his throat and said, “Thanking you for your sense of responsibility is only proper.”
Zhù San said further, “I do what I do — why should I need anyone’s thanks? To come back to the matter: my foster mother needs a grandson who can sweep the graves and perform the rites. This is something I cannot provide her with, as I haven’t even gotten my own affairs in order yet. All I can do is attend to her in old age and see her to her final rest as one would one’s own parents. If she faces other difficulties I have no power to resolve, you must not leave her to manage alone.”
Sheng Ying said, “You need not worry about that. Her old age as well — we will take care of it all. She watched over Guanqun all these years, and it should be us who do this. It is no concern of yours.”
Zhù San said, “Your plans should be spoken to my foster mother directly — not arranged around her. She was once the mistress of a household, a capable woman who managed everything. Even if not as wealthy as your family, she is no beggar.”
Sheng Ying, gradually and without realizing it, had developed a certain appreciation for Zhù San — clever yet unpretentious, even possessing a dash of easy, unencumbered spirit.
Sheng Ying asked, “Have you ever studied?”
“Not formally. I know a few characters.”
Sheng Ying expressed regret, then said, “I will sponsor your studies. I cannot let you lose a wife for nothing — that would not be right either. I will provide you with land and write you a letter of introduction. You take my letter and go find my senior fellow student, study earnestly — that is the proper path.”
Zhù San said, “Studying is certainly a good thing, but I’ll accept the sentiment and decline the offer. I have other plans.”
Sheng Ying asked, “What plans?”
Zhù San lifted her chin toward Zheng Xi.
Zheng Xi had been observing Zhù San the whole time, but had not expected this young person to redirect the fire onto himself. He was unperturbed, and asked calmly, “What’s this? Rather than reading good books, you’ve latched onto me?”
Zhù San said, “Was it not you who latched onto me first?” The tone was not nearly as formal as what she had used with Sheng Ying — it even carried a note of playfulness.
Zheng Xi pointed at her, laughed, and said to Sheng Ying, “I had originally seen her as a dutiful child who was clever and willing to work hard, and had wanted to bring her to the capital. Who knew that for all her sharp appearance of intelligence, she doesn’t understand that studying for the examinations is far better than serving under me.”
Zhù San said, “Elder Sister is not a piece of property — I cannot trade her for something. As for studying — if I decide I want to, I’ll find my own way to do it. In your service, I’ll earn my keep through my own ability.”
Zheng Xi said, “Ignorant of how vast heaven and earth are!” But inwardly he was enormously pleased!
Zhù San said to Sheng Ying, “The rest is a matter for you all. If there is nothing more, I’ll head back.”
Zheng Xi said, “Go then! We move out in two days. Have your luggage ready. Come to me tomorrow — find Jin Liang and have him bring you.”
“I’ll need to bring my father and mother along.”
Zheng Xi laughed and scolded her, “You’re here in someone else’s house, haggling with me? Get out of here! I’ve spoiled you!”
Zhù San did not argue back. She cupped her hands in a farewell gesture and left.
Zheng Xi rose and said, “Since the matter has now come to light, I should head back as well. Shall we set out the day after tomorrow? You’ll need some time to pack your bags.”
Sheng Ying, eager to see his niece, smiled and said, “Good! Truly, many thanks to Seventh Brother this time.” He then probed tentatively about Zhù San.
Zheng Xi said, “Each matter on its own. I see her as a very decisive person.” With that, he let out a sigh and strolled away.
Chen Meng and Sheng Ying saw him out, and immediately arranged for Chen Da Niangzi to go and bring Huajie alone back for a proper conversation.
Sheng Ying suddenly said, “Don’t mention what was discussed just now to her.”
“Uncle?”
Sheng Ying said, “You are not an incompetent man — why do you turn lazy once your uncle is present? Think carefully. We had in mind to dissolve the marriage out of fear that this person’s origins were too lowly and disgraceful, and that her attachment to Zhu Shi was for financial gain. Even at the risk of being called ungrateful and snobbish, I could not let your younger sister suffer through her remaining years again. Now look at her — is she that kind of person?
Moreover, anyone who catches Zheng Seventh’s eye must have genuine strengths. She first did not lose her head and rush in to acknowledge kinship — instead she said the marriage contract should not be taken seriously. That alone marks someone who knows their own mind. If she can truly be cultivated into someone of standing, why look far afield for another fine husband for your sister? A girl who changes husbands repeatedly is unseemly.
These days even a son-in-law of excellent birth is not necessarily one with feeling and principle. This young person appears now to be someone who can endure hardship alongside others. In two days we head to the capital. Watch closely on the road. If there are no other serious flaws, keep her. Low in status — that can be remedied through cultivation. If the path of a civil scholar-official is closed, there are other branches in officialdom. The marriage contract? I never said it must be dissolved…”
Chen Meng thought of his own father, and nodded in agreement: “Yes.”
Sheng Ying said, “If she shows major failings — after all, she already said herself that the marriage contract was only a stopgap. In that case, a generous gift of thanks, as she is at least someone who knows when to be discreet.”
“Yes. Uncle’s thinking is always thorough.”
……
Zhù San returned home. Jin Liang and the others had not yet left. Gan Ze said offhandedly, “You came back safely — then I’ll head back. How did it go?”
Zhù San said, “Elder Sister wants to meet her family.”
“Of course she does! Who wouldn’t? I’m asking about you — did you pass the uncle’s examination?” Gan Ze said, making exaggerated expressions.
Zhù San gave a smile: “Look at that ridiculous face of yours! ‘The uncle’ — better not go around calling people relatives randomly.”
“But how could they! They’ve only just had their names cleared a few days ago, and already…”
Zhù San said, “That was my own idea.”
Jin Liang also told Zhù San she was a foolish creature, making trouble for herself, acting like a penniless pedantic man feigning highmindedness out of false pride. He then appealed to Zhang Xiangu and Zhū Shenhan to talk some sense into her. He had no idea that this couple were more than happy for their daughter not to become the Vice Imperial Commissioner’s niece-in-law!
Jin Liang said, “Your family is really something…”
Zhù San said, “Aren’t you all heading back? The Imperial Commissioner has already gone. He told me plainly to come to the field headquarters tomorrow. If you have things to say, say them tomorrow.”
Yu Miaomiao was still next door, and these people had loud voices — it wasn’t suitable.
Once Jin Liang and the others left, Zhang Xiangu and Zhū Shenhan both crowded over to ask whether the marriage contract was truly ended. Zhù San said, “Well, judging by his manner, he looks down on someone like me. So I said I wasn’t going to cling to Huajie, and wasn’t asking them for any compensation either — only that they take good care of my foster mother.”
Zhang Xiangu said happily, “That’s fine! Right, let’s eat — I’ll go put the chicken on to stew.”
“I’m going to check on my foster mother.”
“Go.”
Huajie had been taken by the people from the Chen residence to catch up and talk. The room had only Yu Miaomiao in it, a solitary figure. Zhù San came in, and even then Yu Miaomiao did not open her eyes, sitting there wooden and vacant. Zhù San softly told her about meeting Sheng Ying, telling Yu Miaomiao she had discussed things with him: “I’ll still care for you in your old age. And if I am unable to manage, they have promised to see to you.”
Yu Miaomiao said, “You are a good child. It’s only a pity for you and Huajie. It’s good that you didn’t press hard to hold on to this marriage — but leaving Huajie like that is…”
She trailed off. “Never mind, never mind… Good child, do me a favor.”
“Just say the word.”
“That matter we wanted to have Mr. Huang take care of — help me see it done properly.”
“I will.”
Yu Miaomiao gave a dull smile: “I had thought to say: someday I will not spare that old dog Zhu Fourth. But you know what, child — her maternal uncle will not spare him either!”
The two chatted quietly for a while, and then Huajie returned — with a whole procession of servants behind her, carrying loads and bringing all manner of household items.
The chicken in Zhang Xiangu’s pot still hadn’t finished cooking! She exclaimed in surprise, “Goodness, you’re back already?”
Chen Da Niangzi had accompanied her back, saying, “Little sister was not comfortable staying with us. I must trouble you to look after her here.”
Zhang Xiangu agreed readily. Chen Da Niangzi then had her servants arrange and spruce up Huajie’s room, and also left behind two large food boxes. She even proposed leaving a maidservant to attend to Huajie, but Huajie declined: “I am not… quite accustomed to it. Thank you.”
Chen Da Niangzi could only say, “If there is anything, just send word to the residence — whatever food or items you need, let me know. Also, we will be heading to the capital soon, so you will want to be prepared.”
Huajie answered obediently, “Yes.” She watched Chen Da Niangzi and her entourage turn the corner at the alley’s end, then lifted her skirts and ran inside!
Once inside the room, she said to Yu Miaomiao, “Mother, let’s stay together.”
Yu Miaomiao said, “I can’t walk any farther. My home is here. You go with your uncle — go back, see your birth mother, go live the life you are meant to live.”
Huajie kept shaking her head. “Sanlang, help me persuade her.”
Zhù San looked at her expression and saw that something was wrong. Huajie was always gentle and quiet, but she was by no means a fool without a backbone. What was making her look this frightened?
Zhù San handed her a cup of hot tea: “Drink some tea. Tell me slowly.”
Huajie took a few sips and settled somewhat. She said, “Sanlang, I am terribly frightened.”
“Why?”
Huajie let out a long breath and said, “They said a servant’s daughter was exchanged for me. All my life I could say my fate was bitter, my bonds with everyone short-lived — and yet I had parents to raise me. My uncle was not unkind to me. Though they left early, they entrusted me to Mother, and Mother treated me as she would her own daughter. Later, when my husband died, I met you. Everyone I have encountered has been kind! And yet I cannot help but wonder about the other daughter. The one who was substituted for me — is she now suffering in my place? The family of a convicted official, reduced to the mean class, in the prime of her youth and beauty — nothing but beatings and violation. That is my fault. Compared to her, what do I have to complain of?”
Yu Miaomiao, who had been sitting in a daze listening, suddenly said, “It is all fate. Do not be afraid. Your fate was bitter before, and from now on it will be good.”
Huajie shook her head: “That’s not it! I asked my uncle and my cousin, and they only glossed over it, saying the girl has not been found yet. That… my own birth mother has already returned to her family home. Then why has that daughter not come back? They spoke of it so lightly, so lightly!”
Yu Miaomiao said, “That girl was only a servant’s daughter. Of course they don’t care. You are different — you are their own kin.”
Huajie said through her tears, “We are the same. We are all the same. Are we not both from Si A’Weng’s clan? Mother, Sanlang — let us not separate. All right? I want to see my birth mother, but I am truly frightened, truly frightened…”
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