HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 29

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 29

More preparations, more leading of brothers – this was hinting at the need to accumulate enough silver, which someone would eventually come to collect. Xie Shu emerged from the Commander’s mansion and stood on the steps. It was almost the sixth month, and the sun beat down mercilessly on his body. Looking up, he saw the golden halo alternately expand infinitely large and contract to the size of a pupil, causing sudden dizziness.

The attendant beside him hurried forward to offer support. “The weather is hot, Master. Be careful not to get heatstroke. Let’s head back.”

Xie Shu waved his hand dismissively. Waves of heat rose in the air, making one’s mind hazy. He loosened his collar while walking quickly toward his carriage. After boarding and settling in, he instructed the driver to return home. Then, leaning against the carriage wall, he closed his eyes and focused on steadying his breath.

The Old Madam carefully inquired about what had transpired, finally letting out a long sigh. “I said before, there must have been some grudge for Shen Run to create so many difficulties. Now that you need his help and have gone to him, he naturally won’t miss the chance to whip you with his words. Don’t take it to heart – how can everything in life go as one wishes? When the path narrows, just turn sideways to pass through. As long as you don’t end up with a bruised face, you’ve maintained your dignity.”

Xie Shu replied, “Son doesn’t mind those things, but I expect Shen Run will make excessive demands. How much of our family wealth can fill that hole?”

“That can’t be helped. Having reached this point, why worry about spending money? As long as he can handle it, we’ll sell everything we have to satisfy him if we must. If we hesitate now, by the time His Majesty truly decrees Fu Chunshan to lead troops to attack Shi Bao City, it will be too late.” She turned to Madam Hu, “Quickly make preparations. No bank notes – we need physical silver, packed into large wine urns. I know the old customs of doing business in Youzhou – bribes don’t go through banks. This way, there’s no trail.”

Although Madam Hu was generally worldly and experienced, this was the first time her family had encountered such a predicament. Hearing the Old Madam’s instructions, she was stunned for a moment. When she came to her senses, she quickly agreed and hurried out to make arrangements.

The flat cart brought in more than ten black wine urns. Looking at them, Madam Hu felt a chill in her heart – how much silver would they need to fill these? Each would hold at least 500 taels. All this money would come from the family funds, and what were those funds sourced from? They relied entirely on the Master’s salary, income from official fields and estates, and the seasonal imperial rewards for their noble titles. Now they had to spend such large sums – it was unavoidable, but if it all came from her public accounts, someone would eventually criticize her management of the household, and she would bear this secret loss!

Madam Hu stood under the eaves, her face frozen like ice, her features cold, her gaze as focused as a blade. Grandma Sun understood her mistress’s mind and carefully offered suggestions: “Everyone in this household lives in luxury, all having borne children for the Master. Who should worry, and who should stand idly by? In my opinion, Madam should invite the two concubines to discuss this. Let each household share some of the burden, so they understand the difficulties of managing the household. Why should Madam’s public accounts alone bear this strain while they remain plump and comfortable? Especially that one in Liuhua Chamber – her two sons are married, and when the Fourth Miss came of age, she had the means to compete with Madam. Now that the Master faces trouble, does she plan to stand aside?”

Mentioning this made Madam Hu gnash her teeth in hatred, feeling Grandma Sun spoke truly. When the household was peaceful, she couldn’t touch them, but now that trouble had come, it would be a waste not to make them stretch their muscles.

But then again, she said, “The one in Hanxiang Chamber relies on having been officially elevated and always cries poverty. We might not be able to squeeze any oil from her.”

Grandma Sun covered her mouth and laughed, “Madam forgets – the First Miss just got engaged, and all the betrothal gifts from the Marquis’s family are in her chambers!”

“Ah—” Madam Hu suddenly brightened, turning to instruct Cailian, “Go personally and invite both concubines to my chambers. I have urgent matters to discuss with them.”

Cailian quickly agreed and went to deliver the message to the concubines.

Before long, both concubines entered Madam Hu’s courtyard. Madam Hu had tea served and sighed repeatedly, appearing hesitant to speak. Concubine Lian glanced at Concubine Mei, knowing the Madam had ill intentions, and smiled, “What’s troubling Madam? Just speak freely. All this sighing only makes us anxious.”

Madam Hu seized the opportunity: “It’s difficult to speak of… Today the Master went to the Commander’s mansion. Though he met with him, there’s still much to handle, requiring money to buy peace. The Old Madam just gave orders, and more than ten large wine urns were delivered outside, all arranged in the courtyard. Now we need to fill these urns with silver, but the Old Madam doesn’t manage the accounts – how would she know our balance? This year we’ve had the Third Son’s wedding and the Old Madam’s birthday celebration, money flowing like water. Looking at those urns, I truly don’t know what to do, so I’ve invited you both to discuss and find a way to get through this difficulty.”

It was clearly about extracting silver from people – that was obvious. The two concubines exchanged glances, and Concubine Lian spoke first: “Madam knows my situation. I’m not favored by the Master, receiving only two taels monthly for expenses. I must carefully consider even buying a plate of scrambled eggs with Chinese toon sprouts. Where would I have any surplus?”

Madam Hu had expected this response and glanced at her: “You’re too modest. Whether it’s the Old Madam, the Master, or myself – who doesn’t hold you in regard? You must know the Master’s current situation. Remember, when the skin is gone, where will the fur attach? If the Master truly loses his official position… if you won’t think of yourself, at least think of the First Miss.”

These words left Concubine Lian speechless, while Concubine Mei remained silent, head lowered over her teacup, playing dumb.

“The Master’s career affects not only our wealth and status but also the future of our sons and daughters,” Madam Hu sneered when they didn’t respond. “Now several children are preparing for the military examinations – how many advantages would they have with the Master as Regional Commander! If you all just watch while I can’t manage this, we’ll end up short several urns. If the Commander isn’t satisfied and thinks we’re being stingy, he might create more trouble for the Master. Think about it – who would benefit then!”

Grandma Sun chimed in timely with a placating smile: “We must be of one mind now. After we get through this difficulty, there’s still a long future ahead.”

Madam Hu continued: “My thought is that each household should contribute something as a supplement. We won’t take your money for nothing – after the autumn harvest from the estates, your money will be returned to you. Even if one’s natal family encounters difficulties, one can’t ignore them. The Xie family is our foundation – if this family falls apart, forget about wealth and prospects, we might not even keep our lives.”

This mistress of the household excelled at combining threats with coaxing. Having lived under the same roof for so many years, who didn’t know her nature? She appeared as a Bodhisattva in public but was a demon in private. Once she set her sights on you, it was like being caught in a spider spirit’s web – no matter how you struggled, there was no escape from her grasp.

Talk of returning money after autumn harvest was merely empty words – there would always be ways to brush them off. Concubine Lian tried to deflect, “In all my years in the Xie family, my income has been very limited…”

“Then move some of Qinghe’s portion – help the Master through this difficulty first,” Madam Hu directly blocked her attempt, then turned her gaze to Concubine Mei. “As for you, you’re even easier to deal with. Both your daughters-in-law brought dowries when they married. Go gather some funds – it shouldn’t be difficult.”

Both concubines had bellies full of grievances but couldn’t voice them. Leaving Madam Hu’s courtyard, Concubine Lian spat while walking: “How dare she suggest touching the young lady’s betrothal money – what kind of principal wife acts like this!”

“This woman, all harmony on the surface, but her heart is blacker than coal,” Concubine Mei said through gritted teeth. “To scheme after the daughters-in-law’s dowries – if I listened to her, how could I face anyone in the future?”

The two concubines, who normally didn’t get along, walked the same path one behind the other, each cursing separately. At the intersection, they parted ways, returning to their respective courtyards.

Granny Tao, who did rough work and moved frequently among the servants’ quarters, had access to news. She returned to tell Fourth Miss, “Both the one from Hanxiang Chamber and the one from Liuhua Chamber are grinding their teeth in hatred of Madam. How could Madam force them to use First Miss’s betrothal money and Second and Third Young Mistresses’ dowries as supplements?”

Qingyuan, sitting in a goose-neck chair reading, heard her words and said: “It’s just Madam’s tactics to silence the concubines. She knows they won’t touch that money – in the end, they’ll use their allowances.”

Baoxian was watering flowers nearby, the water dampening the leaves to a verdant green. “After Madam’s performance, the two concubines must resent her even more.”

Qingyuan smiled slightly. Dissatisfaction needed to accumulate bit by bit until it reached an unbearable point before causing chaos. Madam Hu always emphasized propriety, and for those two concubines who were secondary wives, propriety was an unaffordable luxury. Now that she was extorting their money, touching their vital interests, if there was any more unfairness in the future, there would eventually be an explosive confrontation.

The affairs outside Danyue Pavilion were mere entertainment to her; she was more concerned about the results of the Master’s activities. “Has the Commander yielded?”

Granny Tao had only heard rough details and dared not be definitive. She held back, saying: “The kitchen has gotten busy, saying there will be a banquet tonight. Madam had the gatekeepers buy more than ten large wine urns. I heard from Woman Shang they’re to be filled with silver – seems things are half settled.”

Qingyuan nodded. The Commander’s willingness to visit meant he wouldn’t leave empty-handed. Though using wine urns to hold silver was a thin disguise, it was better than using boxes. She felt relieved at this point. She sincerely hoped the Master would survive this crisis – if silver could resolve it, they wouldn’t need to use people as sacrifices. She saw right through the Old Madam’s thoughts – if things became truly desperate, they would inevitably use her as a sacrifice. Throughout history, how many girls have married to protect their natal families? The Old Madam was certain of one thing: a married-out daughter couldn’t be without her natal family’s support, so even if they mistreated her, they didn’t fear her cutting ties completely.

“If this succeeds, Miss will have contributed greatly,” Baoxian said softly. “Perhaps they’ll remember Miss’s goodness and let her have some peaceful days.”

Chuntai, with her stubborn temperament like a young bull, blurted out: “The credit belongs to the Marquis of Danyang’s Third Young Master. Without his register, we couldn’t have connected with the Commander’s mansion. Now they must all see who occupies the Third Young Master’s thoughts. Once he enters Youzhou and the Master’s position is secured, let’s see what excuse the Old Madam can give then.”

Those around her all hoped she would have a good marriage. In terms of status and position, the Marquis of Danyang’s legitimate son was the best choice, and he was willing to help in times of crisis – such deep affection and righteousness. Qingyuan was also grateful to him. Although she had previously disliked his presumptuous actions that implicated her, this incident revealed his sincere intentions, and she was no longer as firmly opposed to him as before. However, the biggest problem between them remained unchanged – gratitude was one thing, marriage another, and they couldn’t be mixed.

In Youzhou’s summer weather, the afternoons became very stuffy. Willow branches swayed by the pond, sunlight filtering through the slender leaves and branches, each leaf rimmed with a golden edge.

Qingyuan grew lazy in this season. Having read halfway through her book, her eyelids grew heavy, and she moved to the cloud daybed in the inner room for a short rest. After sleeping briefly, she heard Xiazhi’s voice outside, murmuring something indistinct.

A message from the Old Madam instantly dispersed Qingyuan’s drowsiness. She propped herself up to see Xiazhi heading back to the courtyard gate, then sat up to wait for Chuntai to report.

The pearl curtain at the door stirred, and Chuntai peeked in. Seeing her awake, she said: “Did Miss hear? The Old Madam wants to turn tonight’s banquet into a family feast. She’s invited several of the Shen family’s old friends and their wives, holding it in front of Yichun Garden. The young ladies should prepare themselves and go over when it’s time.”

Qingyuan sighed after hearing this, thinking privately about how meticulous the Old Madam’s thoughts were. Inviting the Shen family’s old friends to mediate meant any grudges could be resolved amid pleasant conversation. Moreover, Youzhou wasn’t Hengtang – many eyes were watching the Xie family’s movements. Inviting just the Commander and his brothers might not silence the gossip, but with more people, the situation would smooth over. Furthermore, in the circle of noble ladies, connections couldn’t be severed. While men maneuvered in official circles, women wove a vast social network behind the scenes – invisible but tightly connected. Building good relations today would facilitate bridge-building tomorrow.

Since there was no avoiding it, someone of her background might not attract deep affection but could avoid many troubles. Even if the Old Madam intended to use her to fill a hole, others would have to consider her status. This time, she sincerely felt that Qingru could be the centerpiece of this family feast; if she maintained a low profile, she should be able to emerge unscathed.

So she had Chuntai help her change into a plain cyan-colored jacket and use ordinary hairpins to bind her hair. When the sun had descended somewhat, she headed to the reception garden in front.

Youzhou’s old mansion was indeed more magnificent in layout than Hengtang’s. The continuous wooden corridors and the row of open partition doors in the main hall retained a sense of transparency and grandeur even in the sunset’s afterglow.

The seats were divided east and west, following the usual rules for hosting banquets. Male and female guests were separated, divided by an ornate small courtyard, eating separately but within sight of each other. As the time approached, guests arrived successively, with female guests being led to the painted tower in the west, and male guests heading east.

The circle of officials and nobles wasn’t as large as imagined – even if people weren’t very familiar at first, after chatting briefly, they would quickly discover mutual friends and relatives. Qingyuan and Qinghe sat in an inconspicuous corner, wearing accommodating smiles, and listening to their casual conversation. The wife of a Censorate official showed great interest in Qingru, eagerly inquiring about the Second Miss’s age and whether she was betrothed.

“Ah, she must have a good marriage in the future, to not waste such talent and beauty. Commander Shen isn’t married yet, though he is a few years older…”

Qinghe glanced outside and whispered to Qingyuan, “Hasn’t the real Buddha arrived yet?”

Qingyuan also glanced out, “Doesn’t seem so.”

“Someone whom even the Master must humble himself to please – could he tolerate Second Sister’s temperament?” Qinghe said, “I rather hope she could be matched with such a person. Since she can’t be taught at home, let someone else discipline her. When her human brain is beaten into a dog’s brain, that will be entertaining.”

Qingyuan just smiled and listened, not responding to her words. Then she heard the Old Madam call, “Fourth Girl, go see how the preparations for the feast next door are coming along. If everyone has arrived on the other side, tell the kitchen to serve the dishes.”

Qingyuan responded with an “Ah” and stood to leave.

It was about the same time as a few days ago, with the sun hanging low, and servants hanging lanterns at the four corners of the courtyard. She had just taken a few steps out when she saw the household manager leading several people up to the opposite corridor. She slowed her pace and turned to look – in front was Shen Run, wearing a dark casual outfit that highlighted his startling fairness.

He was also looking at her, his deep eyes narrowing slightly, his gaze dark as if hiding demons.

Having met him before, Qingyuan wasn’t awkward like other young ladies. She smiled openly – even though this man looked dangerous, she smiled brilliantly. Then she gave a slight bow, curtsying to him.

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