HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 14

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 14

Old Madam Xie quickly had Zhengze and the others help Master up. Mother and son hadn’t seen each other for two years, and she needed to properly examine her son.

Xie Shu had originally served as the Inspector of Jiannan Circuit, later promoted to Military Commissioner, commanding troops while stationed and leading campaigns when deployed. These past few years, the frontier regions weren’t peaceful, with Tibet causing repeated disturbances. Two years ago, after repelling the Tibetan elite forces that had occupied Stone Fort City, he had been continuously building defensive fortifications in the Jishi Mountain area. A military commander living rough in the field naturally couldn’t maintain the same level of care as when at home. Old Madam felt some heartache and said wistfully, “You’ve aged too. No matter how busy military affairs are, you must take better care of yourself.”

Xie Shu personally helped Old Madam walk to the hall while smiling and saying, “The frontier is full of wind and sand. I have to inspect five or six times a day. As soon as my front footsteps out of the tent, my helmet is filled with sand. It’s not that I don’t want to take care, but conditions are harsh out there, and I can’t attend to such things.”

Old Madam nodded and said helplessly, “For generations, our ancestors have been military commanders. When your father was in Youzhou it was still manageable, but you were posted to Jiannan Circuit. They say men should serve the country loyally without minding hardships, but now it seems the main issue is aging faster.” She finished by examining his temples and clicking her tongue, “You’ve even grown white hair.”

“This shows Old Madam hasn’t looked at her son in previous years,” Xie Shu joked, “I had white hair before I left for the frontier, but mother only notices today?”

There was a hint of melancholy in Master’s words, with the tone of an unloved son acting coy before his elderly mother. Seeing the atmosphere lighten, everyone joined in the laughter.

After the older generation’s reunion came the time for husband and wife to reunite. Madam Hu led the two concubines in bowing to Xie Shu, saying, “Master has had a difficult two years away.”

In any great household, only the principal wife appears on formal occasions, never the concubines. Xie Shu looked at Madam Hu and said with a smile, “Madam has represented Nanqin in caring for the mother and educating the children. It is Nanqin who should be called hardworking.” His eyes naturally only saw Madam Hu, not sparing even a glance for the two concubines.

The concubines were already used to such treatment, still wiping tears and crying bitterly yet passionately. Also, since both houses’ children had marriage arrangements settled, they felt more confident reporting to Master, feeling their backbones were somewhat straighter than before.

Next came the children’s turn. Zhengze led his siblings forward to pay respects. Xie Shu had no particular barriers with his children, and they were willing to be close to him, calling out “Father” in a jumble of voices, some making deep bows, others giving blessings—a touching scene of paternal kindness and filial piety.

Qingyuan still stood at the very edge, being last in seniority and least noticeable. Old Madam informed Master about Zhengjun and Qinghe’s marriages, her words are full of satisfaction: “Both matches were arranged by the Prefecture Governor’s wife as matchmaker. The third Son is matched with the Fifth Miss of the Transport Commissioner’s family and the Eldest Sister with the Founding Count’s eldest son. These are excellent marriages. Thanks to the ancestors’ blessings, each of the younger generations has found good fortune. When I go to meet your father in the future, I can give a good account.” After speaking, as if suddenly remembering, she raised her hand to beckon Qingyuan over, pushing her slightly toward Master’s seat saying, “This is Fourth Miss whom I mentioned in my letter. Due to unfortunate circumstances, the child was lost outside until today. Let’s not speak of past matters. From now on, the family is complete, let’s live our days well.”

Strange indeed that blood-related father-and-daughter meetings required an introduction. This wasn’t Qingyuan’s first time seeing this Military Commissioner, but it was Xie Shu’s first time seeing her. Perhaps Qingyuan looked very much like her mother—Xie Shu was stunned for a moment, seeming to show grief in his eyes. When Concubine Jin had first entered the household, she had been such a pure and lovely person, occupying all his attention. Later others came, and his attention was divided. Somehow, things had ended up this way.

But the child was still his flesh and blood. Xie Shu looked at Qingyuan, heaved a deep sigh, and after a long silence finally asked, “Have you adjusted well since returning?”

Qingyuan replied, “Everyone in the family has taken good care of me. There’s nothing I haven’t adjusted to.”

She had always been like this—no matter how great the resentment in her heart, not a trace showed on her face. Old Madam had once told Yuejian beside her that this girl could keep her composure well. If there were no changes in three to five years, she might achieve something significant in the future.

Xie Shu typically didn’t inquire about domestic affairs. Whether she said everything was good or complained that things weren’t good, he would just listen and let it pass without further comment. Qingyuan didn’t give him trouble, and he was content with that. He nodded and said, “Growing up outside until now, there must be many rules to learn after returning home. Learn well from your sisters—self-cultivation is important.”

Qingyuan responded with a “yes” and retreated. Thus ended the first conversation between father and daughter.

It was getting late, and Master was tired from his long journey, so he should rest early. Everyone dispersed, with Xie Shu escorting Old Madam back to Huifang Garden before following Madam Hu to her courtyard. Husband and wife reuniting after a long separation naturally had much to discuss. While changing clothes for him, Madam Hu asked softly, “Master’s return this time, is it by imperial grace, or…?”

Only now did Xie Shu’s face show worry. He sat down by the table, clenching his fist, and said, “I didn’t dare say much in front of mother earlier, fearing it would worry her. This return home, though officially for visiting family, is actually for suspension and investigation.”

Madam Hu was shocked and said anxiously, “How could there be an investigation? Master has served the court diligently, and when you requested to resign after Old Master’s death, the court wouldn’t allow it. Just two years have passed, and your military achievements are forgotten? What exactly went wrong for the higher-ups to investigate you?”

Xie Shu kept sighing, “I have policy disagreements with His Majesty.”

Madam Hu nearly dropped her jaw in shock. “You… have policy disagreements with His Majesty?” This was completely unexpected—a subject having policy disagreements with the emperor was almost unimaginable.

Xie Shu had always been stubborn by nature, and despite years in officialdom, he had never learned to be diplomatic. If he believed something was right, he would argue for it to the end. Madam Hu, having been his wife for many years, knew he always had principles in official matters, but arguing with the emperor was certainly not a good thing.

But she couldn’t add fuel to the fire, so she softened her tone and said, “Don’t worry, Master. Tell me what happened, so I can help you think it through.”

Xie Shu heaved a long sigh and struck the table, saying, “The battle a few years ago was originally to capture Stone Fort City. After our forces severely damaged the Tibetans, we contained them at Jishi Mountain and built over fifty major and minor defensive fortifications, connecting the northwestern defense into a single line. But we never managed to recapture Stone Fort City. The current situation is that while the northwestern defense line is formed, Stone Fort City is no longer a strategically crucial location, and it’s occupied by a large foreign army—fighting for it now would only be a suicide mission. Unfortunately, His Majesty didn’t accept my advice. Because I won’t attack Stone Fort City, I fear His Majesty will soon attack me.”

Madam Hu was stunned for a moment. After sitting down and collecting her thoughts, she said, “In Master’s eyes, those soldiers are brothers who share life and death, but in the court’s eyes, how are their lives different from thrown stones? After all, human life has its hierarchies in this world. To preserve the family’s prosperity, Master should compromise somewhat.”

Xie Shu fell silent, feeling some regret. After a while, he said, “My memorial won’t reach the emperor’s desk. There’s no use worrying now. Fortunately, they haven’t removed me from office yet, otherwise, it would be hard to face Old Madam, and it would affect the children’s marriages.”

The couple had lost all joy of reunion, each worried and holding their heads in distress.

“Does Master have any close colleagues at court?” Madam Hu asked. “Perhaps we could find ways to have someone mediate. Being away from the office too long can bring sudden changes—preparing for rain before it comes is the best strategy.”

This made Xie Shu’s headache even worse. “Things aren’t like before. After Prince Yi’s rebellion, His Majesty rebuilt his circle of trusted officials, making the capital as tight as an iron bucket. Those people are different from the nobles in Shengzhou—each holds real power. Trying to appeal to them isn’t an easy matter!”

Madam Hu pondered and suggested a time-tested solution, “Empty words won’t build relationships—we need to use some silver. Since we’re taking this step, we might as well approach those close to the emperor, those who can speak directly with His Majesty.”

Xie Shu began screening candidates one by one. “Among the new nobles, the most prominent are those in the Palace Command. They manage imperial city security, handling all matters within the forbidden city… Shen Run!” He called out softly, drumming his fingers on the table. “He’s the Commander of the Palace Command, currently at the height of his power in the capital. But we provincial officials have no connection with capital officials, and Shen Run has a notorious reputation. Trying to build a relationship with him…” He paused and shook his head, smiling, “We might just be feeding ourselves to a tiger—failing to accomplish anything while not even leaving bone fragments behind.”

Madam Hu, coming from a military family herself, had a ruthless spirit in her bones. In her view, if you’re going to act, you should strike at the vital point. She had heard vaguely of the new Palace Command Commander, “Isn’t his father Shen Zhibai, the Assistant Chancellor who was executed in the market for involvement in the crown prince succession dispute?”

Xie Shu nodded, “Shen Zhibai’s crimes condemned his entire family. Shen Run and his brothers suffered greatly. Such people become even more ruthless after being restored to power, fearing they won’t be taken seriously.”

“Would money not work? He needs funds to restore his family’s position—who in the world dislikes having too much money?”

Xie Shu smiled, thinking women’s insight was still limited. “Money and power have always gone hand in hand. Since the day he became Commander, he’s had endless mountains of gold and silver. How much money could we have to fill that pit?”

So after all their discussion, they were still at a loss. Madam Hu calculated how much family wealth they had, while Xie Shu reviewed the capital’s power players from top to bottom. The couple didn’t sleep well that night, lying in bed whispering until dawn.

The next day, they hosted a feast for relatives and friends, with people from both east and west mansions attending. Madam Hu needed thick powder to cover the dark circles under her eyes, prompting Madam Jiang to tease: “Elder Sister-in-law’s makeup is quite elaborate today. Must be because the Master has returned, making Elder Sister-in-law even more tired.”

Madam Jiang’s background ranked low among the sisters-in-law, and she often liked to make vulgar jokes, thinking herself witty. Madam Hu looked down on her somewhat and said half-jokingly, half-seriously, “Now that we have granddaughters, we should be more careful, lest the younger generation laugh at us. I see you hardly wear any makeup—surely it’s because Second Master is rarely home, yet your complexion looks quite good.”

Second Master was truly a model of corruption, indulging in all five vices—drinking, gambling, visiting brothels, and more. He spent his days in pleasure houses—how could Madam Jiang control him?

Madam Hu usually didn’t bother with her, but once she struck back, she could leave a bruise with a single sentence. Madam Jiang was momentarily embarrassed and made an excuse about dropping her fan, saying she needed to go back to fetch it, taking her maid out of the garden. Walking in the corridor, she spat viciously and cursed, “This worthless thing, putting on airs with me. What’s the big deal about Master returning now—who doesn’t know what’s going on? Our Second House was raised by a concubine, we never had face to begin with. When the family divided, we were driven out like beggars. Only because Old Madam made the decision we couldn’t complain, and now she’s gotten power. The full moon wanes, and full waters overflow—their First House has had its glory for these years, now it’s time for their bad luck. Later there’ll be confiscation of property, exile, men becoming slaves, and women prostitutes. Just wait and see!”

Madam Jiang was the type who, when angry, cursed without considering consequences, damning eighteen generations of ancestors if it made her feel better. She thought the corridor was empty except for her servants, but there were ears behind the wall. Two people emerged from the corner gate—it was Qingyuan with her maid.

“What’s wrong, Second Aunt? Did someone make Second Aunt angry?” she asked with a smile, her round face full of innocence and childlike spirit.

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