Being part of the same family, sharing both glory and shame, though Qing Yuan had left Huifang Garden, her mind still dwelled on the reason for the Master’s hurried manner.
This grand mansion was like a well—outside the hanging flower gate lay men’s world, while inside, the women lived their peaceful days. If family affairs were smooth, one could ignore the outside world, but since that day when she had overheard the conversation between the Old Madame and the Master, she had maintained her vigilance.
The Xie family’s ancestors had achieved brilliant military merit—without catastrophic misfortune, this great tree would not easily be shaken. But the capital’s situation changed in an instant, as did the Emperor’s thoughts in the palace. Who knew what the next moment would bring? A family’s hundred years of glory could be destroyed in the snap of a finger. That day, listening to the Master speak, his words were full of hidden worry. Though Qing Yuan said nothing, she couldn’t help but calculate—if something were to happen to the Xie family, she had now acknowledged her ancestors and was firmly tied to the same rope, with no way to retreat.
While the Master was still present, the truth couldn’t be discovered; they had to wait until he left before secretly making inquiries. Chun Tai had been gone for quite some time without returning. Qing Yuan stood under the eaves looking at the moon in the sky—tonight’s moonlight was hazy, with many clouds, and the less-than-full moon hid behind them, disappearing for long stretches.
Bao Xian brought in an incense burner, lit a plate of agarwood incense, and placed it on the inner altar. When the incense had just begun burning, the scent wasn’t yet discernible. She fanned it with her hand, and after distinguishing the fragrance, turned to tell Qing Yuan: “Young Miss, First Young Miss just had Xin Yu deliver a box of incense, saying it was given to her by the eldest son of the Founding Count’s family. First Young Miss found the incense good and shared a box with us. Young Miss, please come sit inside—be careful of the night chill.”
Hearing this, Qing Yuan retreated into the room and sniffed carefully: “It truly is rich—the market price must not be cheap.”
Bao Xian covered the incense burner’s lid, and faint smoke slowly rose through the openwork cloud patterns. Pulling at her sleeve, she said: “The Founding Count’s family is after all a noble house—how many fine things don’t they have! First Young Miss’s horizons have broadened now, different from before. Today she must have heard about the commotion in Huifang Garden and, not being able to come personally, sent Xin Yu to offer comfort. I thanked her on Young Miss’s behalf—when Young Miss is in better spirits, you can thank First Young Miss personally.”
Qing Yuan sat beside the crescent table, gently moving her round fan. “In this family, only First Sister is good to me. It’s a pity she’ll be married off soon.”
Bao Xian said with a smile: “If only there were more sisters like First Young Miss, how wonderful that would be!” After glancing outside, she continued, “Just now Xin Yu told me that Madame is also being harsh with Concubine Mei’s household. Concubine Mei complained to the Master about this and also brought up old accounts of how the Second Young Master and Third Young Master’s educational expenses weren’t as good as the Eldest Young Master’s. Now everyone in Liuhua Court knows about it.”
Hearing this, Qing Yuan gave a faint smile. “Among those by the Master’s side, Concubine Mei is the most practical—both her sons have established their own families, unlike Madame who still has Second Young Miss and endless worries ahead.”
Bao Xian chatted and joked with her about the household’s past affairs: “They say Concubine Mei was promoted from being a personal maid and has never been favored in Madame’s presence. Earlier, Madame wouldn’t even assign her a courtyard—Concubine Mei served in her room for three years, and only after having Young Master Lun was she sent to Liuhua Court. Madame thinks she can control Concubine Mei, but Concubine Mei might not truly submit to her. Things are peaceful now, and Concubine Mei doesn’t interfere in matters, but if one day trouble starts, or if it affects her two sons, Concubine Mei might not be so easily bullied.”
Bao Xian spoke with intent, and Qing Yuan listened with purpose—each had their calculations, and each understood without saying.
At this moment, Chun Tai returned, hurriedly entering to say: “I inquired with Yue Quan for a while. She was attending to the Old Madame when the Master arrived. They say the capital issued an edict—the Master retains his position as Military Commissioner of Jiannan temporarily but has been additionally appointed as Prefecture Governor of Youzhou, ordered to take up the post immediately.”
Qing Yuan sat there stunned. Though she didn’t understand matters of officialdom, her grandfather in the Chen family had once served as Secretary, and she had heard some things from him.
A Prefecture Governor was fifth rank, compared to the second rank Military Commissioner—a drop of three ranks, the kind of decline that officials understood best. For a high official to be transferred, there must be some pretext, and so the Prefecture Governor had become a nominal position specifically for military officials’ transfers. Though the Master retained his Military Commissioner title, he had to go to Youzhou as Prefecture Governor—for the Xie family, this was probably an unprecedented great crisis.
“What did the Old Madame say?”
Chun Tai replied: “The Old Madame didn’t speak for a long while, then after quite some time asked if the court had thoughts of supervising the Xie family.”
Qing Yuan asked urgently: “Then how did the Master answer?”
Chun Tai said: “The Master kowtowed to the Old Madame, and she sent everyone away. Yue Jian and Yue Quan stood guard at the door and vaguely heard a few sentences. The Master said His Majesty originally wanted to strip his military power and have him escorted to the capital, but later, unable to resist the pleas of several generals in the capital, issued transfer orders instead. The Master is skilled in warfare and has long held prestige among the Tibetans—as long as the Master agrees to go on campaign, there’s hope the court’s restrictions will be lifted.”
Hearing this, Qing Yuan felt somewhat relieved. After all, she didn’t understand official matters—since there was room for change, it meant things hadn’t deteriorated to that extent.
The Master departed that night. From Hengtang to the capital, the journey was less than half the distance to Jiannan—by fast horse, it would take about five or six days to arrive. The next day’s morning and evening greetings were invariable as thunder—everyone went to Huifang Garden as usual to wish the Old Madame good morning, but today was somewhat different from usual. After the masters and madames of the East and West Houses paid their respects, they didn’t withdraw from the main room, and by the time Qing Yuan’s generation entered, the room was already packed full.
The Old Madame’s instructions, like an emperor issuing edicts, carried their dignity of balancing the court. She didn’t describe the Master’s dismissal too severely—for instance, “very bad” became “not so good.” Leaning against her pillow, she said slowly: “Our Xie family originally rose from Youzhou—it was only when the Old Master’s generation was appointed Governor of Sheng Prefecture that we moved to Hengtang. Though people have been maintaining the old mansion in Youzhou these years, without long-term residence, it has lost its vitality.” She turned her gaze to those children born in Hengtang. “You all have never seen our old mansion in Youzhou—that house is even more magnificent than this one, after all with eighty years of foundation. Thinking about it truly makes one reluctant to part with it. I’m thinking, now that the Master is temporarily transferred back to Youzhou, shouldn’t we take this opportunity to clean it up and move back to the old mansion? Though we’ve put down roots in Hengtang these years, and though Hengtang is good, it’s still a small, remote place. This autumn, three young masters will take the military examination—the examination requires going to the capital anyway, so we might as well move the entire family back to the old mansion. Those broken connections can be renewed, which would benefit the children’s futures. I kept you here today intending to discuss this matter with you. I’m old now and increasingly powerless—I should hear your thoughts so we can all make plans.”
The Old Madame’s sudden suggestion was well understood by the people of the main house, but it shocked those from the East and West Houses.
Madame Jiang and Second Master Xie Xun looked at each other in dismay. “Old Madame wanting to return to the old mansion is natural, but we’ve lived in Hengtang for twenty years, with all our property established here. Moving back to Youzhou now, with such a large estate and so many people—isn’t long-distance travel difficult!” Madame Jiang said awkwardly, “Moreover, we’ve already divided the family long ago, and our second branch has no officials—whether we return to Youzhou… doesn’t matter much.”
The Old Madame hadn’t considered the second branch anyway, and only asked the couple Xie Min and Lady Pei, “What are your thoughts?”
Xie Min and Lady Pei were always clever, knowing the importance of supporting the main branch. Though the Elder Master had encountered some difficulties now, even a lean camel is larger than a horse—how could Hengtang compare to the capital?
Lady Pei smiled and said: “We will follow the Old Madame wholeheartedly. Even though the family has been divided, we must still show filial piety to Mother—how could we indulge in comfort while being separated from Mother? Moreover, our Ping’er is just at the age of studying, and in a couple of years, he’ll take the imperial examinations. Going to the capital can save some detours—perhaps find a way to enter the Imperial Academy directly, then the boy will have great fortune ahead.”
The Old Madame was very satisfied hearing this. After all, in such weathering times, having the family together provided more strength. The two from the third branch had always been clever, unlike the second branch who would be first to come for good things but couldn’t be found when trouble arose. In any case, if they didn’t go it would be fine. The Old Madame said: “Since it’s decided, I’ll send people ahead to make arrangements. The house is maintained yearly, and the furniture and woodwork are all ready—we just need to bring our personal belongings.”
Now Second Master and Second Madame felt something was seriously wrong—if the third branch hadn’t planned to go, that would have been fine, but with the third branch going, wouldn’t that mean they would occupy their share of the old house?
Madame Jiang hemmed and hawed, then said sheepishly: “When Old Madame first mentioned moving, my mind was in complete chaos, but now that I’ve calmed down, I think the same as Third Sister. Not to mention anything else, Old Madame is advanced in years—we as children must serve nearby. Old Madame can set a date—we don’t have much to pack up anyway, since everything is ready in the old mansion. Whatever is missing or lacking, we can acquire once we’re there.”
Madame Jiang’s face bloomed with smiles, presenting an image of family unity. The Old Madame glanced at her and then turned her gaze away. “It’s just these few days anyway—we’ll stay there for a while, and whenever we want to return, we can move back to Hengtang without issue.”
Everyone agreed. Madame Jiang smiled as she left, but once outside her face fell to her waistband, muttering: “The Elder Master must have gotten into big trouble this time—what good could come from following them back to Youzhou now! Thanks to the third branch, rushing to share glory and shame—if the Elder Master falls, when it comes time for execution and property confiscation, there’ll be plenty of time then!”
Xie Xun deeply despised his wife’s crow-like mouth: “Can’t you say something nice? Hoping for their execution and property confiscation—what good does that do you…”
This couple went south, bickering as they walked away.
Qing Yuan walked half a step slower, feeling somewhat lost—not about the family’s relocation, but about her grandparents in the Chen family. In Hengtang, being close by, she would have had a chance to visit them in the future. If she went to Youzhou, with such a long distance and their advanced age, she might never be able to see them again in this life.
Just as she was feeling dejected, a little maid ran up from behind, saying Fourth Young Miss should wait—”The Old Madame requests Young Miss to come speak with her.”
Qing Yuan hesitated, then asked with a smile: “Am I requested alone, or all four young misses?”
The little maid said: “Young Miss alone is requested.” After speaking, she turned and went back.
Qing Yuan stood briefly, then returned to the Old Madame’s main room with Bao Xian. Entering, she saw the Old Madame still sitting on the southern kang, one hand resting on the kang table, face turned away, appearing dejected in the morning light.
“Grandmother.” Qing Yuan called out, standing in the center of the room and waiting for the Old Madame to speak.
Only then did Old Madame Xie turn back, a gentle smile returning to her face as she beckoned: “Don’t stand so far away, come to Grandmother.”
This deliberate closeness at such a time didn’t give Qing Yuan any feeling of being pleasantly surprised. She cautiously stepped forward and curtsied: “Grandmother called for your granddaughter—what instructions do you have?”
The Old Madame took her hand and pulled her to sit beside her, saying wistfully: “Your father came to see me yesterday—something went wrong in the capital, and they’re likely to strip his military power and demote his position. He went to the capital at midnight yesterday, and we can no longer stay in Hengtang.”
Qing Yuan didn’t quite understand why they had to move the entire family back to Youzhou. Seeing those deer-like large eyes staring straight at her, the Old Madame sighed deeply and said: “You’re young and don’t know the reasons inside. Your father’s official position being demoted from Military Commissioner to Prefecture Governor, given the Xie family’s past merits, already indicates he’s being punished. The Palace Guard received secret orders to supervise the family’s move back to Youzhou—Youzhou is one step away from the capital, convenient for the court’s restraint and supervision.”
Qing Yuan was stunned, feeling as if the world had turned upside down overnight. She parted her lips, wanting to ask something, but after a long hesitation still couldn’t speak it.
The Old Madame knew her doubts and nodded: “We are now the family of an accused official, to be secretly monitored. But His Majesty, remembering past merits, still preserves the Xie family’s face—when we get to Youzhou, our daily life will continue as usual, just that our movements won’t be as free as before.” After explaining the dangers, it was time for formal grandmother-granddaughter bonding. The Old Madame said gently, “It’s several hundred li from Hengtang to Youzhou—they all have mothers to protect them, only you, poor child, are alone. Travel with Grandmother on this journey—by my side, you’ll have someone to look after you.”
When the Old Madame said these words, her expression was completely different from yesterday. Qing Yuan understood in her heart that there was no kindness without reason in this world—it seemed that she, the granddaughter picked up halfway, and had reached the time to play her role.