HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 20

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 20

Even Qingyuan was greatly startled, not expecting him to blurt out such words. After her initial shock, Baoxian could only suppress her giggles. Qingyuan felt both angry and embarrassed, hitting her with a reddened face while muttering, “What nonsense is this person talking about!”

Baoxian was genuinely happy for her, gently squeezing her hand and saying, “Congratulations, Miss.”

Congratulations? What was there to celebrate? If Qingru had received such favor today, in the blink of an eye it would have spread throughout the entire Xie household. But Qingyuan was different—because of her mother’s misfortune in love, she didn’t believe in such unconditional love.

The word “love” was so easily spoken, merely requiring one’s mouth to open, the sound similar to a sigh, but without cause and effect, it carried no weight. She had only met this young marquis twice, and when Qingru and Madam Hu were determined to win him over, she had instinctively played along just once. In truth, at the core, opposing Madam Hu and her daughter was her ultimate goal. As for Li Congxin, if he weren’t so experienced in matters of love, he might have been someone worth relying on.

However, it wasn’t enough to discuss marriage. His impulsive outburst was perhaps born of frustration or spite. The more unattainable something is, the more one dwells on it. Given his status, he must have been popular among women before. Now, unable to get what he wanted, many obsessive thoughts had emerged. Qingyuan saw through it clearly—if she were willing to commit to the relationship, it would be nothing more than a tremendous ordeal, and as long as he remained unwavering for two years, the matter would be settled.

But what would happen after that? Setting aside whether the two of them could live peacefully together, having a covetous elder sister-in-law was no trivial matter! As time passed, what was missed might seem sweeter. She wasn’t a fool; naturally, she wouldn’t blindly push herself to the edge of a cliff because of his words.

Li Congxin grew somewhat anxious. Seeing that she neither turned around nor answered, he called out “Sister” through the latticed window again, “I’ve been thinking about this for several days. It’s not just an impulsive statement.”

Qingyuan gradually slowed her steps and finally stopped, turning back with a smile, “My marriage is not mine to decide. You shouldn’t say such things to me. While it might not harm you to cause such a scene, it would bring real damage to Qingyuan. Please show some restraint, Young Master.”

After saying this, she didn’t linger any longer, leading Baoxian through the moon gate toward the private school.

Li Congxin stood at the latticed window, momentarily dejected. Behind him, Zhenglun patted his shoulder and raised his chin toward the direction Qingyuan had left, “Brother Chunzhi, have you decided to propose to my Fourth Sister?”

Li Congxin turned around with the determination of someone who had swallowed an iron weight, “Men should marry when of age, as should women. Now that the time has come, if I’ve found someone suitable, why not settle it? Is that wrong?”

Zhenglun could hardly understand his thinking, habitually twirling his thin beard and tilting his head, examining him as if he were a stranger.

Speaking of today’s wealthy young masters, especially these precious heirs to marquis households, which of them hadn’t experienced several women? Generally, by sixteen, even if you didn’t want it, your mother would arrange someone for your room. As a man, this was a necessary skill to learn—if not as important as reading and writing, at least it was the most crucial study besides those pursuits. As for this young marquis, he had the advantage of his background, moving like a fish in the water among Shengzhou’s noble ladies’ circles, causing countless young ladies from prestigious families to shed tears for him. His smoothness lay in never actively pursuing anyone, never making promises to anyone, leaving the young ladies unable to pin anything on him in the end—who told them to be so wishful? Li Congxin remained untouched by any attachment, still a pure young master, his only flaw being that he was too perfect, too likable.

Zhenglun shook his head and sighed: “Is it because you were rebuffed by Qingyuan that you’re determined to propose to her out of unwillingness to accept defeat?”

He thought about it seriously—there was such a reason, but more importantly, it came from pure admiration.

“That day at the Spring Festival banquet, when I first saw her… Zhenglun, tell me honestly, is there any girl more beautiful than her in all of Hengtang?” He didn’t need an answer and continued with his sentiments, “Perhaps she’s not the most beautiful, but she’s certainly the one I think about most. That day, the ball seemed to have eyes, not hitting anyone else but her—what fate this must be! I’ve been thinking about her these days, and it’s somewhat laughable when I think about it carefully. Rather than being so lovesick, wouldn’t it be more straightforward to simply marry her?”

Zhenglun, as a man, could well understand his feelings. While it would be wonderful for lovers to end up together, the gulf between them was too wide and deep, likely impossible to cross under normal circumstances.

“You know about my Fourth Sister’s background, don’t you?” Zhenglun said straightforwardly, “Her mother poisoned Concubine Xia and was driven out of the household. With such a mother, your marquis’s household won’t accept her. I advise you to give up this idea, don’t create discord with your family over this.”

But the young marquis’s eyes remained determined as he smiled, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

The Xie brothers had known him since childhood and knew that the Danyang Marchioness had only this one precious son, raised like a living dragon until today, always getting whatever he wanted. With luck, he might have some say in his marriage, but given the importance of the matter, they couldn’t make any guarantees. However, knowing Li Congxin’s temperament, once he made up his mind about something, he would pursue it—that much was reliable. After returning home, he discussed it with his mother, though the outcome was unknown, but the Observer’s wife came to visit the Old Madam the next day.

Since Madam Hu had previously entrusted her with the matter, upon hearing that Madam Tao had arrived, she knew she must have brought some news. She waited in her courtyard, waiting for the Old Madam to send someone to summon her. Qingru was useless, pacing restlessly before her eyes.

She shifted her gaze, supporting her forehead as she said, “Like a headless fly, what are you running around for? It’s your marriage fate, it won’t run away to heaven, what are you anxious about?”

Qingru finally sat down sheepishly, rubbing her handkerchief while softly retorting, “How long have I been anxious… I’m anxious, but isn’t mother anxious too!”

Anxiety was useless—if matters could be settled by anxiety alone, there would be no lovelorn men and women in the world. Madam Hu frowned and put down her account book, turning to look out the window. Two old women carrying baskets crossed the courtyard, and maids stood with lowered heads in the corridor. This spring day was so quiet that time seemed to have frozen.

Madam Hu finally became somewhat impatient. After waiting half a day without any news, she worried there might be some complications. She called out to Cailian, “Go to Huifang Garden and see what exactly the Observer’s wife has been discussing with the Old Madam.”

Cailian complied and quickly headed to the Old Madam’s courtyard. The weather was getting warmer, and bamboo blinds had been hung under the horizontal windows of the main room, the densely arranged bamboo strips blocking the view from inside. Each principal servant was clever and capable, including Cailian, who slipped into the adjacent flower hall before anyone could spot her. The Old Madam’s maid Xiazhi was holding scissors to trim the jade tree’s leaves, and upon seeing her enter, started to ask what she was doing there, but the latter half of her question was muffled by Cailian’s palm.

Pointing to next door, her intention was clear—she was there to eavesdrop. Constrained by the fact that she was from the Madam’s quarters, Xiazhi couldn’t say much. Later, when she pressed her ear against the long window, Xiazhi couldn’t bear to watch, gave her a sideways glance, and left the flower hall.

The flower hall and the Old Madam’s leisure room were originally one large room, only separated by a partition, so conversations from that side could be heard clearly on this side. Cailian heard the Observer’s wife saying with regret: “I think the Fourth Miss is quite excellent. With such looks and character, if only she had been born to the Madam, who knows what great achievements she might have had! But alas, things in this world can never be perfect. The person is impeccable, but the problem lies with Concubine Jin. If not for this matter, forget the Danyang Marquis’s household, even entering the palace as an imperial consort would have been possible!”

The Old Madam, however, was somewhat indignant, “I said it before at the Spring Festival banquet, I don’t aspire for Qingyuan to marry into high official families, so what’s this talk now? Although the Danyang Marquis’s family is related to the imperial family, my Xie family has served the court for generations. Such bullying is too much.”

Seeing the Old Madam’s anger, the Observer’s wife quickly tries to appease her, “Please calm down first. The Marquis’s household didn’t want others to know, that’s why they asked me to come. The Marchioness is my clan sister, and you are my godmother. If there are any misunderstandings, it’s better to have family members mediate than to have others pass messages indirectly. Let me explain, Old Madam. This was Chunzhi’s idea—he knelt before his mother, repeatedly begging her to propose to the Xie family. A few days ago, when the Madam mentioned the Second Miss’s matter to me, I also mentioned it to the Marchioness, who thought he was referring to the Second Miss and felt it was quite suitable. But who knew, when clarified, he was talking about the Fourth Miss—this makes things difficult.”

Cailian’s heart leaped as she listened, thinking to herself, goodness, the Danyang Marquis’s son had directly told his family he wanted to marry the Fourth Miss. Hadn’t all of Second Miss’s efforts been in vain?

Merely listening at the wall wasn’t enough, so she crouched down and moved to the window sill where she could see people. The gap under the carved panel perfectly aligned with the Old Madam’s reception area. She saw the Old Madam sitting with a stern face, hands on her legs, saying: “What exactly is the Marchioness’s meaning? No need to beat around the bush. I know about Fourth Miss’s acquaintance with the Marquis’s son. Since ancient times, fair maidens have attracted noble men. Chunzhi asking his mother to propose to Fourth Miss is his own business—what does it have to do with our Fourth Miss?”

When the Old Madam became defensive, she was formidable. The Observer’s wife smiled and said, “Godmother speaks truly. One daughter being sought by many families is natural and proper. Not just young master Chunzhi, even I am fond of Fourth Miss upon seeing her. However, the Marchioness has her difficulties. She has only raised this one child in the Li family, investing all her life’s effort in him. Which parent doesn’t hope for their children’s success and dignity? When Chunzhi returned with this proposal, his mother couldn’t sleep all night, and early the next morning came to my residence, asking me to mediate between both sides.” She paused, took the teapot from the maid’s hands, personally poured a bowl of tea for the Old Madam, and continued, “Godmother, I have something to say, though I’m not sure if I should.”

The Observer’s wife had nearly married Xie Shu years ago, but through twists of fate, they each married others. However, the two families maintained close relations, and the Old Madam had taken her as an adopted daughter, intending to maintain a long-term relationship. Since they had always been close, there was no need to hold back words, so she said, “Speak.”

The Observer’s wife considered her words carefully and said, “I lost my mother early and regard you as my mother, so I’ll speak frankly to you. Regarding relationships, the Marchioness is a distant relative to me, so naturally, my heart lies more with you, Godmother. Listen to me—since the young marquis has reported to his mother, there’s no question of him acting on his own. Perhaps feelings have developed between the two young people, and they’re seeking a long-term solution. Speaking of family status, in all of Shengzhou, none is higher than the Danyang Marquis’s household. What more could a young lady ask for than entering such a marquis’s household? However, great houses have their intricate workings. Everyone inside appears splendid, all imperial relatives, but if our Miss enters and isn’t properly regarded, becoming the subject of gossip behind her back, what’s the point! Godmother, please advise Fourth Miss—no matter how reluctant, it’s better to cut off these feelings with wisdom. Chunzhi is very passionate now, but if we cool things down on our side, time will pass and the matter will fade. If we pursue this and the Marquis learns of it, won’t it be awkward when her brother meets them in official circles?”

The Old Madam listened for a long while. Her words made sense, but between the lines was the suggestion that it takes two hands to clap. Wasn’t it so? At the last family banquet, there was the incident of the Danyang Marquis’s son sending pastries. Hand on heart, could Fourth Miss truly be completely blameless? Originally, bringing her back was meant to unite the family, but this is what happened—truly, a troublemaking mother could not bear a peaceful daughter.

After seeing off the Observer’s wife with pleasantries, the Old Madam could no longer contain the anger in her chest. She slammed the kang table and stood up, saying, “Go, summon Fourth Miss to me. I have questions for her!”

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