HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 17

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 17

Everyone knew about Second Madam’s mouth—nothing worthwhile ever came out of it. When Madam Hu visited the Prefecture Magistrate’s residence, her heart was heavy with worry. The next day, when she went to extend another invitation, the Magistrate’s wife declined again, using the excuse of needing to offer incense at the Great Buddha Temple. This was deeply troubling and greatly distressed Madam Hu. Usually, due to her husband’s high position and authority, the Magistrate’s wife had always shown some degree of deference, never refusing repeated invitations. This sudden coldness required careful consideration—was it because of Qingru’s improper behavior that day, or had Madam Jiang visited and deliberately sabotaged their relationship?

Madam Hu kept these concerns to herself. When the east and west households came to pay respects to the Old Madam, she waited until she and her sister-in-law withdrew to the side room for casual conversation before probing indirectly, “I hear your son Yuan is planning to purchase an examination degree. How is that proceeding?”

Madam Jiang’s son was so worthless even dogs would shake their heads at him. He was neither scholarly nor martial, though if the imperial examinations tested knowledge of courtesans and their slim waists, he’d surely place first. Earlier, Madam Jiang hadn’t given up hope, thinking she could guide him onto the right path. Who knew he’d vomit at the sight of books? After two failed attempts, she realized this boy truly wasn’t cut out for studying. Rather than waste money, she might as well save it for his funeral. Everyone knew Yuan refused to study—for Madam Hu to joke about buying him a degree, did she take them for fools? Even a cow knows pain when struck from across the mountain.

So she gave a derisive laugh, “Let’s forget about Zhengyuan. Let him waste away—I won’t spend my money enabling him.”

Madam Hu thought to herself that at least there was some self-awareness there. After a vague smile, she continued, “Yesterday I wanted to invite you over to discuss Old Madam’s birthday celebration next month, but you weren’t home. What bad timing!”

Madam Jiang knew she was fishing for information and smiled, “Elder Sister-in-law is so busy! Young Master Jun’s wedding in a few days, then Old Madam’s birthday next month—everything’s happening at once.” She sighed, “As parents, how can we not wish the best for our children? Though Fourth Son isn’t my birth child, he still calls me a mother. I should learn from my Elder Sister-in-law and treat them all equally. Yesterday I was visiting the Magistrate’s wife because she’s arranged two excellent marriage proposals. If our De’er is fortunate enough to make a good match, I can finally face his deceased mother.”

Madam Hu listened to this rambling speech with inner derision, thinking she took herself for a proper matchmaker, trying to arrange everyone’s marriages. But since she wanted to draw her out, she had to be patient, “Did the Magistrate’s wife agree?”

Madam Jiang’s face showed regret, “Though she promised to keep us in mind, I fear she won’t take it seriously… However, she did mention Second Miss.”

Madam Hu’s tea-drinking motion paused briefly, but she quickly affected an unconcerned manner, casually responding, “Oh? What about Second Miss?”

Madam Jiang said, “Naturally about her temperament and conduct. I told the Magistrate’s wife she was being silly—how could there be anything negative to say about our family? I thoroughly praised our Second Miss, saying that in all of Shengzhou, you couldn’t find a young lady with better character and beauty than in our family. First Miss is engaged to a founding earl’s family, and Second Miss is the legitimate daughter—who knows how much more precious her match will be? If her marriage ends up beneath First Miss’s, I won’t stand for it!”

Madam Hu eyed her suspiciously, forcing a smile, “Then thank you for your kind words.”

Madam Jiang smiled outwardly while inwardly spitting—kind words my foot! This special visit to the Magistrate’s wife, using Fourth Son’s crude marriage prospects as an excuse—she knew exactly what their family was like! Those noble ladies looked down on them; she’d willingly face one humiliation to ruin Qingru’s beautiful dream.

After much circumlocution, what she sought was simply the opening to say “Ah, our Second Miss…” Once that door opened, there was much to tell. At such a young age, she’d gone through several sets of serving maids—the moment something displeased her, she’d raise those eyes of hers and beat them. The servants scattered like mice seeing a cat when they saw her—though she’d certainly know how to run a household. Moreover, she didn’t know propriety. Though brothers might be close, they were still men, and now they were all grown—all that pulling and tugging showed no sense of boundaries. Though the family tolerated it, what would outsiders think? And most embarrassingly, Second Miss was raised too preciously—at twelve years old, she still had her wet nurse wipe her bottom after using the toilet. Isn’t that ridiculous?

As someone in the know, Second Madam turned her pockets inside out, exposing every bit of dirty laundry. The Magistrate’s wife listened, neither laughing nor sighing, just mumbling, “Ah… have some tea… have some tea…”

Harming others doesn’t necessarily benefit oneself—sometimes it’s just for satisfaction. Not just noble families scheme against each other; even common sisters-in-law rarely get along. Entering the same household is like entering the same battlefield, comparing husbands and children, comparing clothes and prospects—no one is willing to fall behind. Madam Hu was too smug, always playing the role of a compassionate Buddha while being the most calculating and vicious. Now her eldest son was established with a family, certain to pass the military examinations this year—only Second Miss remained a concern. If Second Miss couldn’t secure a prestigious match, Madam Hu would lose her bragging rights. Everyone has one or two things in life that don’t go their way—if someone gets everything they want, how much virtue must they have accumulated in their previous life? Madam Hu certainly didn’t seem like someone who accumulated virtue!

The visit to the Magistrate’s residence was all benefit and no harm. See how Madam Hu wanted to get close to the Magistrate’s wife, but she actively avoided her. The Magistrate’s wife was clever—though they needed to curry favor with the Military Commissioner’s family, the Danyang Marquis’s family had deeper roots. It wouldn’t do to recommend Miss Xie to the Marquis’s household only to have trouble later, making it awkward for both sides.

Madam Jiang felt thoroughly satisfied. She added a few more agreeable words, asking First Madam to keep her concubine-born son in mind as well. After lingering briefly, she took her leave and returned to her residence.

Madam Hu paced to the doorway and sighed, “She’s like a crow, always bringing bad news, never good. I fear she has ill intentions and will ruin Qingru’s prospects.”

Cailian said, “Don’t worry, Madam. I’ll go make some inquiries and find out the Magistrate’s wife’s schedule—we can arrange an ‘accidental’ meeting.”

Madam Hu slowly shook her head, “If this path is blocked, we’ll find another. I recall Inspector Tao Chengqi’s wife became Old Madam’s goddaughter—she’s related to the Danyang Marquis’s wife. Better to ask for her help than the Magistrate’s wife.”

Cailian thought for a moment and said, “The Inspector’s wife… wasn’t she almost married to Master years ago…”

Madam Hu looked embarrassed and scolded, “That’s ancient history! Now we all have sons and daughters—why dig up that old story!”

Cailian repeatedly agreed, smiling awkwardly, “This servant spoke out of turn, please don’t be angry, Madam. We can choose a day to send a visiting card, and when you meet her in person, she’s sure to agree.”

This matter remained unresolved, and Qingru was throwing tantrums about it, making Madam Hu quite anxious. Better to seize the moment than wait for the perfect day—she reported to Old Madam and, using the excuse that Old Madam missed her goddaughter, visited the Inspector’s residence. During casual conversation, she deliberately mentioned children’s marriages, then the noble families of Shengzhou, naturally leading to the Danyang Marquis’s eldest son. The Inspector’s wife was warmhearted and immediately offered to make the match. Madam Hu smiled modestly, saying, “It all depends on fate.”

Of course, fate could be encouraged. A few days later, Third Young Master Zhengkun’s wedding provided another good opportunity. Li Congxin was friends with the Xie brothers, so he naturally came to drink the wedding wine. With Zhengze’s intentional matchmaking, they found an opportunity to formally introduce Qingru to him.

Li Congxin had quite a reputation for romance outside, but he always maintained both passion and propriety when dealing with young ladies from respectable families. After all, Hengtang’s upper circle was only so big—if one crossed the line, their reputation would be genuinely ruined. Unless planning to make their way in the outside world, one had to carefully maintain boundaries. So he politely bowed to Qingru, addressing her as “Second Miss.”

Zhengze feigned surprise, “You call Qingyuan Fourth Sister, but Qingru Second Miss? We’re all one family—why make such distinctions?”

Li Congxin smiled but didn’t object. Looking around and not seeing Qingyuan, he asked about her whereabouts.

“She’s unwell today,” Qingru answered, secretly grateful that the girl’s illness came at an opportune time, allowing others to have a chance. Indeed, people need time to get to know each other. In just half a day, she found this noble young master both easy-going and witty. Naturally, she changed how she addressed him from Third Young Master to Brother Chunzhi.

While drums and pipes played and guests filled the front courtyard, Qingyuan fed fish and read books in Danyue Pavilion, passing the time.

Time seemed to move especially slowly here. Below the flower hall was a small canal about three feet wide. The water was fresh—rainwater collected there during wet weather, flowing gently on clear days. A few petals from the crabapple flowers fell into the water, their pink shadows delicate as shell caps, bobbing and sinking with the current. She could lean on the railing alone watching this for half a day.

Chuntai brought in a plate of delicate pressed flower pastries, placing them before Qingyuan, saying, “Miss didn’t go, so I brought back a basket of dewdrop cakes for you to try… There are many guests today, why did Miss prefer to pretend illness? I just saw Second Miss talking with the Danyang Marquis’s son—by avoiding him, Miss has given her an advantage.”

Qingyuan was busy eating pastries and didn’t respond.

There was reason for not going. They weren’t at the point of needing to see each other every time, and being too obvious would only make people tired of it. If his frequent visits to the Xie family were truly for her sake, then missing this meeting would surely lead to future developments. She deliberately made space for Qingru—after all, it wouldn’t look good for two sisters to focus on the same family. If the Third Young Master showed interest in Qingru, it would help her understand his character, and she would lose nothing, no longer needing to think of him.

Beside her, Baoqin understood her intentions but didn’t point them out, just smiled slightly.

Two days later, a message arrived at noon. The front hall was being set for lunch when Qingyuan received and read it while seated at the table. Chuntai was arranging dishes one by one from Xiaohui’s hands, smiling as she asked, “Is it a letter from the Chen family’s second son?”

Qingyuan shook her head, casually setting the letter aside, puzzled: “This Danyang Marquis’s son is quite interesting—he says tomorrow they’re bathing the Golden Buddha at the Great Buddha Temple and invites me to go see.”

Baoqin glanced lightly at Xiaohui, returning the food box lid to her, deliberately asking Qingyuan, “Then will Miss go or not?”

A light blush rose on Qingyuan’s cheeks as she said bashfully, “I still need to report to Grandmother and Mother—what reason could I give!”

“What reason does one need to visit a temple and worship Buddha? Miss can tell Old Madam that you’ve been feeling unwell lately and want to burn some incense to dispel bad luck. How could Old Madam not agree?”

Qingyuan listened, thought carefully, and said with a smile, “This method could work.”

As they continued discussing in low voices, Xiaohui withdrew from the front hall with the food box. Qingyuan watched her walk away with narrowed eyes before carefully folding the letter and putting it back in its envelope. She had unclear feelings in her heart—this Li Congxin was somewhat hard to read. She had expected him to send someone to inquire after her well-being, or find a way to see her while paying respects to Old Madam, but hadn’t expected him to write a letter. This letter came with deep meaning—either this person was purely naive about worldly affairs, or he was an experienced hand at romance.

Baoqin also noticed something unusual. After Xiaohui had gone far away, she said to Qingyuan, “Miss should think this through carefully.”

Qingyuan nodded, using her chopsticks to pick up a honey-carved fruit and place it in a small celadon dish.

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