“Go to the gate and find out exactly who delivered this letter,” Madam Hu hastily instructed. “Where is the messenger now? Find a way to locate this person – I have questions to ask.”
Cailian acknowledged and left with her orders.
Qingru couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Her mother was usually so composed, remaining calm even when major events occurred before her eyes. What kind of urgent matter could this be, to throw her into such disarray in an instant? She carefully probed: “Mother, what’s wrong? Who is the letter from?”
Madam Hu didn’t want to explain in detail to her, instead turning to call for Granny Sun. Granny Sun was her maid who had served her since her maiden home – her most trusted confidante. As soon as Granny Sun arrived, she dismissed Qingru: “The scriptures I asked you to copy yesterday – surely you haven’t finished? We’ll need them in two days when we go to the Great Buddha Temple to fulfill our vows. Don’t delay – go now.”
Qingru couldn’t say anything more. She curtseyed and withdrew to the outer room, but hesitated in her steps, not immediately leaving. She vaguely heard her mother cursing: “Truly, human greed knows no bounds! How much was given earlier – whatever business wouldn’t be enough to make a living? Now after more than ten years, they come asking again. If I’d known it would be like this, I should have been ruthless back then and ended it once and for all…”
It was just a letter, yet Madam Hu’s courtyard was thrown into a flurry of activity. The trusted old mama arrived, and people sent to investigate had left through the second gate. Granny Tao, who had been hiding behind the rockery, returned to Danyue Pavilion and reported everything she had seen and heard to Qingyuan, firmly concluding: “It must be the Madam, without a doubt.”
Qingyuan sat there – earlier while waiting for news she had been very anxious, but now she could settle down. Even if one dies, better to die knowing who to hate. The letter to Madam Hu hadn’t written much, merely pleading that the family was now unable to make ends meet, asking the madam to consider past labors and lend some money as capital, promising to be eternally grateful for her great kindness. In this world, few people would dare directly ask the Provincial Governor’s wife for money – naturally, they must hold some leverage to dare make such a request. If Madam Hu had nothing to hide, she could simply ignore this letter, but now she was flustered – with two joyous occasions in the family one after another, and the master returning home soon, if she didn’t deal with these petty debts cleanly beforehand, once things erupted, it would be hard to contain.
Qingyuan let out a long breath, “Did anyone from the Madam’s courtyard go to Concubine Mei’s place?”
Granny Tao said no, “I watched from behind the rockery until dark, and didn’t see any of the Madam’s people go to Liuhua Court.”
Then there was no need to waste effort probing Concubine Mei’s side for now. If the two were in cahoots, how could Madam Hu be content to weather the storm alone? She would surely immediately summon her conspirator to strategize together. Qingyuan considered carefully before saying: “Now that the play has reached this point, we might as well see it through properly. Take the silver – consider it payment for the hard work of Granny’s son and the others below. Just tell them to be very careful, and guard against the Madam becoming desperate and taking extreme measures.”
Granny Tao acknowledged, “They’ll handle the rest themselves… Does Young Lady want to use this opportunity to bring down the Madam?”
Several pairs of eyes stared at her anxiously for a moment. Qingyuan knew they were worried, and smiled calmly: “So many years have passed – even if it all came to light now, no one would take charge of the matter. Just two concubines – who would care about their lives! But debts must be paid to their rightful creditors. I know what I’m doing, and my mother had hope.”
Granny Tao repeatedly agreed, “Young Lady should rest easy. A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years. To be honest with Young Lady, I was just worried you wouldn’t be able to stay calm. The Madam is such a formidable person – Young Lady is young, how could you be her match!”
Indeed, at Madam Hu’s age, she had eaten more salt than Qingyuan had eaten rice. If things erupted, she would have plenty of ways to handle it. With just this bit of evidence now, it would be like eggs hitting stone – openly making an enemy wouldn’t be good. In the future, any slight disturbance would give people a reason to cause trouble for Danyue Pavilion. Wouldn’t that be disadvantageous?
She nodded slightly, stroking her knee as she murmured: “In great households, strife between wives and concubines is common, and deaths are common too. Those heartless women are certainly detestable, but aren’t the men who instigate trouble and then stand aside equally hateful? My mother’s fate was poor, and so was Concubine Xia’s fate – meeting a master like ours, allowing such vicious methods to eliminate rivals in the backcourt, truly exhausting all possible cruelties. But I don’t understand – why couldn’t the Madam tolerate my mother and Concubine Xia? By rights, Concubine Mei bore two sons in succession – she should have been most wary of Concubine Mei.”
Granny Tao said Young Lady didn’t know: “Concubine Mei was originally the master’s maid. Which of today’s gentlemen doesn’t keep a couple in their rooms before marriage? Our master originally had three or four. After the Madam entered the household, she dispatched three of them, keeping only Concubine Mei – firstly because Concubine Mei knew how to behave, dealing with her well, and secondly, because she wanted to maintain a reputation for kindness, keeping one as a facade to prevent people talking behind her back. Who knew Concubine Mei’s womb would be so capable – after having two young masters, she became thoroughly difficult to deal with, so they had to let her be? Later concubines who gained too much favor sometimes couldn’t help being proud, and when the Madam couldn’t stand it, naturally she wouldn’t tolerate them.”
Qingyuan sighed, “Speaking of pitiful cases, Qingrong is more pitiful than me. Though I lost my mother, I still had the Chen family grandparents’ love, raising me like a treasure until now. As for Qingrong – taken in by the Madam, her situation naturally can’t compare with Qingru’s. Her mother died at the Madam’s hands, yet she must still be grateful to the Madam, fawning on Qingru everywhere, practicing sharp words, never showing mercy even when unreasonable.”
“That Young Lady can understand Third Young Lady’s difficulties now shows Young Lady’s mind is more open than theirs,” Baoxian said sincerely, without a hint of flattery. “Outside they all say the Xie family is a nest of wealth and status, but who knows what darkness lies beneath the lamp? Young Lady was better off growing up in the Chen family than eating at the Xie family’s table and watching people’s faces. Though it’s difficult now, if you grit your teeth and endure for three to five years, there will eventually be a day when you emerge.”
Qingyuan smiled slightly, “Three to five years later, who knows what things will be like.”
“In my opinion, it won’t take three to five years,” Chuntai said. “That Danyang Marquis’s eldest son is very good. Why did he come rushing to our house today if not for Young Lady!”
Qingyuan laughed, “For me? You think too highly of me. He and the Duke’s young master are close friends, and he’s also a classmate of our eldest young master – isn’t coming to the Xie house once perfectly ordinary?” Knowing the maids would never finish once they started on this topic, she turned to instruct Granny Tao: “Go handle things as I said earlier, don’t let the Madam see the true Buddha. After tomorrow, everyone is careful – when they come to their senses, they’re bound to keep watch on Danyue Pavilion.”
Granny Tao acknowledged and left the garden while the various places were being locked up.
Outside, kitchen maids brought the evening meal. Chuntai laid it out under the front flower gallery. Baoxian came forward to tie on her eating apron, smiling as she said: “I reckon that girl Chuntai wasn’t wrong – Young Lady should still pay some attention.”
Qingyuan was a young lady – focusing solely on which family’s young master might be worth entrusting herself to would be too early and too rash. But thinking it over carefully, what they said wasn’t wrong – the Xie family wasn’t a place to stay long term. The Old Madam kept talking about raising her as an old maid – was this proper thinking for a grandmother? Going to such lengths to get her back from the Chen family – was it just to properly ruin her life?
In any case, she couldn’t rush now – everything had to be handled gradually. That letter would go on to serve its purpose. Qingyuan remained as composed as usual, but at Madam Hu’s end, things were not so peaceful.
That unrest was noticed even by the two sisters-in-law. Madam Pei said: “Elder Sister-in-law must be too busy lately – your complexion isn’t very good.”
Madam Jiang just teased: “The master is about to return – Elder Sister-in-law probably can’t sleep properly.”
Qingyuan stood briefly to the side before turning to follow her three sisters into the Old Madam’s main room.
The granddaughters were gradually growing up, all reaching the age for marriage arrangements. The Old Madam only now treated them as independent people, willing to chat with them about family matters: “In families with many daughters, the first marriage is always the hardest to arrange. Once the first is settled, they support each other one by one, and the sisters’ marriages aren’t worried about anymore. The other day the Duke’s household came to make the engagement – I’m not worried about Qinghe anymore. At least she’s matched with a household of suitable status, and can help look out for her younger sisters in the future.” After speaking, she considered for a moment before continuing: “Yesterday the Madam came to see me, mentioning the Danyang Marquis’s eldest son… Looking at the Elder Madam’s meaning, she wants to arrange a match for Qingru.”
As soon as the Old Madam finished speaking, Qingru’s face turned blood red. Since the Old Madam didn’t avoid others, she acted demurely, twisting her clothes as she complained coyly: “Mother is too hasty… how could she not ask my opinion…”
Qinghe contemptuously twisted her mouth corner, turning to look at Qingyuan’s expression.
The Old Madam also deliberately glanced toward Qingyuan, sighing as she said: “The Madam has always been very determined. Seeing how set she is, I can’t very well refuse her face. But I’ve said before – this marriage connection with the Danyang Marquis’s family isn’t easy to make. The proper Marchioness only bore this one son, so they’ll certainly be picky everywhere. Their rice isn’t easy to eat, but the Madam just won’t listen. That young Marquis – I’ve only seen him once or twice, so I really can’t say what his character is like… you sisters watch with clear eyes – what do you think?”
This was probing Qingyuan’s thoughts. Originally there was no need to be so cautious of her, but having just said days ago that it would be too much of a mismatch, and now immediately approving it for Qingru – it was indeed awkward to explain to Qingyuan.
As for Qingyuan, though she appeared simple, she wasn’t a fool. The Old Madam’s favoritism was unconcealed – after all, what was a mere concubine-born daughter compared to a legitimate daughter! Never mind the difference between having a mother or not – even if her mother were alive, she wouldn’t have any say in such matters.
Qinghe responded slowly: “I only met the Danyang Marquis’s young master once – I can’t say if he’s good or bad… Fourth Sister, what do you think?”
Qingyuan smiled: “I also only saw him once at the Spring Banquet – I shouldn’t presume to judge others. But speaking of compatibility, he and Second Sister would indeed make an excellent match.”
Only then did Qingru feel relieved. Seeing that she dared not say otherwise, she became even more pleased – even her highly raised chin seemed to display “you know your place.”
The Old Madam had expected Qingyuan to back down. This was fine really – with her status, even if she had something with the Danyang Marquis’s eldest son, it would be hard to end well. The Madam wanted to make a connection through Qingru – at least their backgrounds matched. The Old Madam had her considerations: children’s marriages ultimately served the family’s glory – nothing surpassed the dignity of a surname. Qinghe as a concubine’s daughter married into the Duke’s family; Qingru as the legitimate daughter naturally had to aim one level higher.
“In that case, next time we see the Magistrate’s wife, we’ll ask her to speak for both sides,” the Old Madam’s words still left room for retreat. “But the Danyang Marquis’s family is famously difficult – if it works out that’s good, if not, there’s nothing to regret.”
Everyone listened to Grandmother’s instructions before filing out. Qingru still wouldn’t let it go, chasing after Qingyuan: “You must hate me in your heart! Originally thought you had a chance to climb a high branch, didn’t expect me to cut in halfway.”
Qingyuan laughed internally – nothing was settled yet, and talk of cutting in was far too early. Qingru was used to being domineering but didn’t have much brain – showing off her power so arrogantly in front of her, as if certain the Danyang Marquis’s family would accept her.
Of course, internal complaints aside, Qingyuan’s face still smiled naturally: “Second Sister, don’t misunderstand – what I said to Grandmother earlier was completely true. We are close sisters – if Second Sister can marry into the Danyang Marquis’s family, it would bring me glory too.”
Qingru snorted, “Stop trying to get close to me. Let me tell you something real – I’m not afraid you’ll be angry. In looks and talent, you’re not lacking, but unfortunately, your previous life’s virtue wasn’t enough, so you were born in a concubine’s belly. If you want to blame someone, blame your mother!” After delivering these heart-stabbing words, she walked away proudly.
Using legitimate versus concubine birth to measure worth would offend more than just Qingyuan. Qinghe watched her retreating figure and gritted her teeth: “Amitabha Buddha, I’m waiting to see her karmic retribution – that day will surely come!”
But Qingyuan didn’t take it to heart at all, smiling as she said: “I dyed a piece of figured cloth yesterday, in colors never seen before. Please come look, Big Sister – if you like it, I’ll give it to you to make a skirt.”