“The Madam is truly becoming more shameless in her actions,” Baoxian said while supporting Qingyuan’s arm. After a pause, she glanced at her mistress and continued, “After all this time, it’s clear that the Eldest Young Lady is far superior to those other two young ladies. What could be the Madam’s intention with such scheming?”

Qingyuan walked back along the bluestone path, letting out a gentle sigh. She had witnessed the entire development of Qinghe’s relationship with Li Guanling. From their cautious and warm first meeting at the Spring Festival banquet to Li Guanling’s words, “There’s no need to attend the Spring Festival banquet anymore,” all of which made her genuinely happy for Qinghe. The arranged marriage had seemed almost certain to proceed without incident until the Xie family encountered such major upheaval and was ordered to relocate back to Youzhou. While it was natural for the Founding Marquis’s mansion to be cautious, as long as Li Guanling’s heart remained unchanged, what did it matter if the bride had to travel a thousand li?

But now Madam Hu had changed her mind again. Openly, she claimed she couldn’t bear to have her eldest daughter marry so far away, but privately, there was likely suspicion involved. Qingyuan slowly fanned herself with her round fan and said, “The Madam naturally has her concerns. The estate at Hengtang is substantial – they can’t return there, yet it’s not easy to sell. If the Eldest Sister ends up close by, wouldn’t that benefit Concubine Lian’s household?”

Baoxian was momentarily speechless, then after some thought said, “I only considered that the Madam was wary of the Eldest Young Lady marrying above her station. I hadn’t thought about these underlying interests.”

Qingyuan smiled slightly. “Rather than no one getting to eat it, in a couple of years when the Master’s official career is secure, they could just keep the residence as a villa and convert all the other farms and shops into money. That’s why the Eldest Sister can’t marry – if she does, she’ll inevitably be entrusted with managing the property. If she manages it for too long and embezzles something, the Xie family’s arm would be broken inside their sleeve – they could hardly go argue with the Founding Marquis’s mansion, could they?”

After hearing this, Baoxian looked up at the Fourth Young Lady and asked, “Just how many tricks do you have up your sleeve, Young Lady?”

“Just one,” Qingyuan replied resignedly. “If I were to return home and my grandmother and father could be as accommodating as the Chen family’s grandparents, I wouldn’t even bother having this one. But now I have no choice – if I don’t think things through carefully, I’m afraid I’ll be schemed to death without even knowing it.”

Baoxian understood her difficulties and nodded dejectedly.

“Then regarding the Eldest Young Lady… will you just watch as the Madam ruins her prospects?”

Qingyuan fell silent, pondering before responding: “I can’t speak carelessly about this. While I certainly know Eldest Sister’s feelings, I can’t be sure that Concubine Lian doesn’t also want to break off the engagement. If words get passed around and something slips out, I’ll end up with a reputation for stirring up trouble. As a young lady in the inner chambers, I can’t afford to invite such controversy.”

She always maintained such a clear-headed demeanor – sometimes too clear-headed, making her seem detached. In truth, she too wished to act passionately just once, but there were always too many concerns. She had to carefully weigh each step she took because while others had fallback options when things went wrong, she had no one behind her.

Baoxian had no objections to the young lady’s decision. In these grand households, everyone typically minded their own business. If roles were reversed, the Eldest Young Lady might not necessarily have given the young lady such a warning.

When they returned to Danyue Pavilion, Chuntai busily prepared fresh water for her to wash up. Qingyuan sat at the table and, noticing a box of pastries, asked where they came from.

Chuntai replied, “The Eldest Young Lady sent them over with Xinyu. She said they’re famous rose shortbread from Youzhou and asked you to try them.”

Qingyuan picked one up and saw that the pastries were exquisitely made, with patterns of magpies perching on branches on top. She smiled and said, “The Eldest Young Lady is too thoughtful. How could I possibly finish such a large box?” As she spoke, she had Chuntai bring a plate and arrange six pieces on it, then put the remaining ones back in the box. She turned to instruct Xiaoji, “Take this half box back to the Eldest Young Lady. Thank her personally for me, and make sure to hand it directly to her.”

Xiaoji acknowledged and, braving the hot sun, carried the food box back to Hanxiang Hall. At the moon gate, she saw Xinyu supervising young maids washing their hair from afar. She went over, curtsied, and said, “Sister Xinyu, our Fourth Young Lady asked me to thank the Eldest Young Lady. She says she can’t finish so many, so she’s returning half a box to the Eldest Young Lady.”

Xinyu found this strange but didn’t say much. She accepted the box and said, “You can go back now, the Eldest Young Lady is resting.”

Xiaoji said, “Our Young Lady instructed that it must be handed directly to the Eldest Young Lady.”

Xinyu found this increasingly odd but repeatedly said she understood. After Xiaoji left the courtyard, she returned to the room.

Qinghe wasn’t asleep and propped herself up to ask, “What is it?”

Xinyu smiled and said, “I don’t know what’s got into the Fourth Young Lady. She usually loves pastries, but today her appetite seems small.” As she spoke, she opened the lid.

The other six rose shortbread pieces were arranged neatly, but the topmost piece had been broken apart. The pair of magpies that had originally stood on the same branch were now placed facing away from each other, separated by distance…

Xinyu looked at Qinghe in shock. “What does the Fourth Young Lady mean by this?”

Qinghe’s face turned deathly pale, and she hurriedly got up to go to Concubine Lian’s quarters.

That evening, Concubine Lian carried a freshly stewed bird’s nest soup to Xie Shu’s study.

Concubine Lian wasn’t yet forty and was still in her prime years of beauty. Xie Shu had once devoted time to each of his consorts, and because of their past affection, he was still warm and talkative when he saw her.

Concubine Lian was skilled at massage. Standing behind Xie Shu as she worked, her delicate hands applied just the right pressure as she spoke softly, “My Lord has been working too hard lately. Though I can’t be of much help, I’ve been very worried.”

Xie Shu made a sound of acknowledgment and said, “Don’t worry. Now that Shen Run has received the memorial, he won’t withhold it. When His Majesty sees it, he’ll naturally understand my intentions. If I’m not mistaken, there should be an imperial summons in the next few days.”

Concubine Lian made a sound of agreement but seemed dejected and said nothing more.

Her silence made Xie Shu curious. He touched her hands and asked, “Do you have something to say?”

“No…” Concubine Lian said quietly. “I just don’t know when my Lord will return. I’m afraid that in your absence if something happens in the household, my daughter and I will have no one to rely on.”

This seemed strange to Xie Shu, who turned his head to ask, “What could happen in the household? You and your daughter are proper mistresses – who would dare give you trouble?”

Now was the time for Concubine Lian to display her crying skills. With tears in her eyes, she nestled pitifully by Xie Shu’s leg, looking up as she said, “My Lord, I’ve only given birth to Qinghe in this lifetime. She’s also your eldest daughter – do you love her or not?”

Xie Shu said of course, “Qinghe is my flesh and blood, how could I not love her?”

“But now someone wants to scheme against Qinghe, to break off her engagement with the Founding Marquis’s family. My Lord, our family hasn’t fallen into decline – if they spoke of withdrawing due to difficulties, that would be one thing, but now when everything is fine, to ruin one’s prospects, what sense does that make? Qinghe is a pure and innocent young lady – today promised to one, tomorrow promised to another. Not just for Qinghe’s sake, but it wouldn’t reflect well on you either, my Lord.” Concubine Lian spoke, then lowered her head and mumbled, “My Lord needn’t ask who this person is, you know in your heart. When the Founding Marquis’s family initially wanted to form a marriage alliance, the Madam had intended it for the Second Young Lady, but unexpectedly they chose the Eldest Young Lady instead. She’s harbored resentment about this until today. She’s the principal wife who controls the children’s marriages – I have no say in the matter, so I’m just afraid something will happen while my Lord is away from the mansion. I’ve come specially to beg my Lord – you absolutely must not agree to break off the engagement. My Lord, for the sake of our past affection, please think of Qinghe.”

After hearing this, Xie Shu became quite angry. “Where did these idle rumors come from? Even if the Madam is being foolish, the Old Madam sees things clearly – what are you so afraid of?”

Concubine Lian naturally wouldn’t say that she had discerned the situation from the returned shortbread. Such a matter was too far-fetched – without evidence, wouldn’t mentioning it invite my Lord’s reproach? So she insisted the news came from Huifang Garden. My Lord would certainly not go verify with the Old Madam, and if the Old Madam blamed them for prying into the affairs of the main household, Xie Shu couldn’t afford to take that fall either.

“Does my Lord know how the Madam secretly hoards wealth and treats us harshly behind your back?” Concubine Lian gave a bitter smile. “Just the other day, six or seven of those wine urns were contributed by me and Liuhua Court. Where did our money come from? All saved from daily necessities! She forced us to contribute – if we didn’t, she would touch our daughter’s betrothal gifts and our daughters-in-law’s dowries… My Lord, you’re in the dark, completely in the dark. If you don’t manage this soon, this family will eventually be squeezed to death by her, Hu Wenzhuo.”

At this, Xie Shu’s face hardened. He had always stayed out of inner household affairs – today one woman suffered grievances, tomorrow another suffered grievances, right and wrong couldn’t be distinguished with just a few words. Whenever someone came to complain about mistreatment, immediately another person would appear as the villain. They were all his people, and he didn’t want to listen because he could neither understand these family matters nor act as anyone’s mediator.

Concubine Lian’s crying gave him a headache, and whatever tender feelings he had earlier had completely dissipated. He said gruffly, “Enough, I have my plans for this matter. You may go now.”

When Concubine Lian left the study, she didn’t regret failing to curry favor with my Lord. When she was younger, she sought love and affection, but now that she was older, she only looked out for her children. Originally she couldn’t find an opportunity to vent this foul air, but today she used Qinghe’s matter to pour out the dark mud in her heart, letting my Lord see Madam Hu’s true face – that could be counted as a gain.

The next day, just as Xie Shu had predicted, His Majesty’s verbal summons indeed arrived at the gate. The whole family was overjoyed – previously their mouths had been sealed, not allowing them to speak, but now it was fine. His Majesty was letting them speak, giving them the chance to explain in person and regain their lost honor.

He went to Huifang Garden to bid farewell to the Old Madam. “Mother can now rest assured. The Xie family has served the court for generations; we cannot have a mishap in my generation. When I enter the capital this time, I will certainly explain clearly to His Majesty. As long as I can earn merit to offset the crime, even if I die in battle this time, I can ensure the family’s peace.”

This was quite taboo. The Old Madam spat, “This is a good thing, why speak of such inauspicious matters! Since Commander Shen is willing to help, you now have someone to rely on in the Forbidden City – just go boldly.”

Xie Shu acknowledged this, and before leaving, glanced at Madam Hu, then bowed again to the Old Madam, “During this time we’ve weathered great storms, the family must be united. As the ancient saying goes, ’embrace simplicity and maintain constancy’ – keeping everything as it is would be the greatest support for me.”

The Old Madam was a clever person. With just this one sentence, she immediately understood, and privately also disapproved of Madam Hu’s selfish schemes, promptly responding, “With me here, I can still manage these people.”

Madam Hu heard this and knew that although my Lord hadn’t pointed it out directly, he was referring to Qinghe’s marriage to the Founding Marquis’s eldest son. How had this news reached Hanxiang Hall? At the time, apart from Qingyuan, no one else was present, and she was close to Qinghe – it must have been her who reported the news, without doubt.

Madam Hu was filled with anger but had to suppress it for now. The whole family watched as my Lord rode off towards the capital before returning to the inner residence.

As everyone was about to disperse, Madam Hu finally called out to Qingyuan, “Fourth Miss, wait a moment, I have a few words to say to you.”

After the uninvolved people had all left, Qingyuan felt somewhat helpless. She had known early on that once she got involved in this matter, it would be difficult to stay uninvolved. But there was no need to be afraid – she and Madam Hu’s mother and daughter had too many old and new grudges, it would be impossible to clear them away anyway. So she responded with a smile: “Please instruct me, Madam.”

Madam Hu was skilled at superficial work. Her expression remained normal as she said softly to the Old Madam, “Our family has never had such things happen before – words spoken in the main house immediately being passed outside. Fourth Miss has only been back for half a year and might not understand some rules yet, so it’s better to tell her.”

The Old Madam was troubled in her heart and impatient to act as such a judge, so she propped up her head and closed her eyes.

Having been rebuffed, Madam Hu’s face showed some discomfort. After composing herself, she said to Qingyuan, “The words I spoke with the Old Madam yesterday – it was you who passed them to your Eldest Sister, wasn’t it? I know your sisters are close, but some things shouldn’t be said. Nothing else matters, but if family members develop suspicions, that would be your fault.”

After listening, Qingyuan bowed slightly and said, “Madam’s instruction is correct, but yesterday after I left Huifang Garden, I didn’t see Eldest Sister or Concubine Lian. Eldest Sister did send me a box of pastries first, and since I couldn’t eat so many, I returned half a box to her, but I sent Xiaoji to Hanxiang Hall. Xiaoji is most honest and never gossips, as Madam should know.” She then smiled and continued, “Could it be that Madam spoke about it with someone in your room? Madam spoke without intention, but someone with intention spread it? I am a girl in the inner chambers, originally not involved in such trivial matters. I’ve noted Madam’s teachings, but for matters that don’t concern me, please forgive me if I cannot accept the responsibility.”

Her response was well-reasoned, leaving Madam Hu unable to find fault. Xiaoji was originally her informant – any movement in Danyue Pavilion would be reported immediately. Since Xiaoji was sent to Hanxiang Hall, naturally it would stand up to questioning.

In her heart, she knew it was no one but her, yet this thread could not be grasped no matter what, which was enough to make one anxious. Madam Hu pressed her lips together – when she was angry, her lips habitually pressed down at the corners, quite different from her usually kind and gentle appearance.

Seeing that the argument would yield no results, Old Madam Xie mediated, “It wasn’t anything important to begin with, just mentioned in idle chat, not to be taken seriously. Somehow it was mistakenly passed to your lord’s ears, causing him to specially remind us. He has shown consideration for the children’s matters, that’s enough. Let’s not mention this matter again – children have their fortune, we can manage for a time, but can we manage for a lifetime?”

Madam Hu had always been dominant in the Xie family, having her way in everything. Now having been refuted twice in succession, she felt both wronged and disheartened. Sighing, she concluded, “I won’t manage it anymore either. In any case, I’ve fulfilled my duty as the principal mother. Whatever happens in the future, good or bad, cannot be blamed on me.”

When Qingyuan and Baoxian left Huifang Garden, they walked in silence, though the smile at the corners of Qingyuan’s lips was slightly deeper than usual.

She had stepped onto the battlefield, always fighting alone. Her strength wasn’t great enough yet; she needed to borrow force to counterforce to wear down Madam Hu’s sharp edge. Regarding the news on Qinghe’s side, wanting to help Qinghe was one aspect, but the other aspect was to instigate a war between Concubine Lian and Madam Hu. Since returning to the Xie family, she had finally understood one principle: watching the fire from across the river was much less taxing than personally joining the battle.

—

The setting sun shone through the window lattice, casting diamond-shaped light across the floor. The window sills to the south were completely open, without a breath of wind.

Two eunuchs came carrying thick registers, bowed at the threshold, and announced loudly inward: “Commander, the gate records from all parts of the palace have been compiled. Please review them.”

As usual, there was no response from within. The two eunuchs adjusted their clothes and stepped in. The vast wooden palace hall was supported by row after row of columns, with a depth of nearly ten zhang without walls, occasionally visible were the patrol guards walking past with their swords. At the deepest part of the hall, a seven-wheeled fan was spinning merrily, while the person behind the desk took advantage of the last ray of light before sunset to slowly peruse previous volumes.

The eunuch operating the fan lowered his voice to call out, “Commander, people from the Eunuch Bureau have arrived.”

The person behind the desk didn’t even lift an eyelid, casually waving the scroll in hand, “Set them down.”

The two eunuchs acknowledged and carefully came forward, stacking the registers at the corner of the desk. This was the Palace Front Court’s quarterly inspection, to be personally verified by the Commander.

A hand with distinct joints reached out, and took one volume to look through while asking, “Has the Jiannan Circuit Military Commissioner entered the palace?”

The eunuchs replied affirmatively, “His Majesty just summoned him a quarter hour ago. The audience hasn’t finished yet.”

The person behind the desk slightly pulled at the corner of their lips, “A quarter-hour… it’s about time.”

About time for what – the words weren’t finished. The two eunuchs secretly exchanged glances, suddenly hearing footsteps approaching from outside. Looking back, they saw a runner had arrived, who clasped his hands and reported: “Commander, Commissioner Xie has left Gongchen Gate and is hurriedly heading to the Palace Front Court.”