Qing Yuan went around the screen and paid her respects to the Old Madam and Madam. The Old Madam looked up at her and said, “Oh, Fourth Girl is back. Have you finished all matters concerning your aunt?”
Qing Yuan replied, “Yes, everything is done. I’ve come specifically to report to Grandmother.”
The Old Madam nodded, “Sit down, we’re discussing matters. You probably don’t know yet, but someone came from the palace yesterday, saying that this year the Empress is overseeing a grand selection. Daughters from families of officials ranked ninth grade or above may be sent to participate in the palace selection.”
Qing Yuan smiled and looked toward Qing He, “Elder Sister is already betrothed, so she doesn’t need to participate, right?”
Qing He looked relieved and responded, “The palace decree states that only those who aren’t betrothed are eligible.” As she spoke, she looked toward Qing Ru and Qing Rong, “In our family, only Second Sister and Third Sister qualify.”
Qing Ru now constantly competed with Qing Yuan. Whatever Qing Yuan had was good, and whatever Qing Yuan didn’t want was surely inferior.
She cast a contemptuous glance at Qing Yuan, “Our family has four daughters in total. While Elder Sister is betrothed, aren’t the rest of us still unmarried? Why only me and Third Sister? Why can’t Fourth Sister be included?”
Hearing Qing Ru’s words, Madam Hu slightly furrowed her brows. The fault lay in protecting this pampered daughter too well – when it came to wit, Second Girl couldn’t compare even slightly to Fourth Girl. She now compared everything with Fourth Girl, hating her to the bone. Yesterday, when she had probed Second Girl’s thoughts, she had been unwilling to say much, still thinking about Brother Chun Zhi. This child was indeed stubborn, and as her mother, how could she not know her disposition? So she hadn’t said much, waiting to hear the Old Madam’s thoughts today before making a decision.
Qing Yuan naturally knew why she couldn’t participate in the selection. Since the Old Madam and others found it awkward to say, she explained to Qing Ru herself, “Because my mother bore the burden of crime. Everyone in the household knows my mother poisoned Concubine Xia. Whether it’s the palace’s beauty selection or talent selection, they all investigate one’s background. I wouldn’t even pass the first round.”
Hearing her speak so frankly about her background, Qing Ru was surprised and felt even more contempt. As for Qing Rong, her gaze cut like a sharp knife as she sneered, “Fourth Sister is truly unfortunate to be affected by Concubine Jin’s actions.”
Qing Yuan didn’t care about their mockery and ridicule, just smiled slightly and fell silent.
The Old Madam rested one hand on the kang table, considering deeply before saying, “In my opinion, it would be best if none of them entered the palace. Though there’s gold and silver to wear in the palace, the rules are strict and movement isn’t free.”
These were just the surface reasons. Diving deeper, there were more unspeakable causes. If choosing among these four girls, the only one who could bring glory to the Xie family was Qing Yuan. If she couldn’t go, it would be better if the others didn’t either.
The palace was a place that devoured people whole. Among their old family friends, there had been some who entered the palace as talented ladies or beauties. The first few years were glamorous, but as time passed, they didn’t even know if these women were dead or alive. A young lady would be thrown in there, disappearing without a trace, and that would be the end.
No news meant they hadn’t gained the Emperor’s favor, hadn’t risen in rank, let alone given birth to princes or princesses. Surviving in such a place required great wisdom, and looking at the present situation, only Qing Yuan possessed such wisdom – the rest were too ordinary. Especially Second Girl, a spoiled child who didn’t know the heights of heaven or the depths of the earth. With her firecracker temperament that couldn’t bend, if she was manipulated by others, forget bringing glory to the Xie family – it would be good enough if she didn’t bring disaster.
The Old Madam, having lived many years, saw far ahead, but Madam Hu didn’t see it this way. An opportunity for prestige was right before their eyes – why not seize it? As a mother, she had to consider her children’s futures. Among the four girls in the family, the eldest was betrothed to a founding earl’s family, the fourth looked set to marry into the Danyang Marquis’s family. As the legitimate daughter, what higher marriage could Qing Ru make to surpass them? After much thought, this was the only path – even if it meant bribing people, they had to get her into the palace. If worried about her being lonely, Qing Rong could go with her. Having sisters together might not increase their chances of success, but at least they’d have each other for support.
Though these were her thoughts, she couldn’t say them directly. Madam Hu spoke diplomatically, “Since the palace has sent someone to convey the oral decree, we probably can’t brush this aside. Moreover, the Empress is overseeing this, and she’s such a meticulous person. If she inquires about it, it would be difficult to explain ourselves then.”
The Old Madam nodded dejectedly, muttering, “I don’t want the children to enter that bottomless pit – it would be difficult even to see them in the future. You needn’t concern yourselves with this matter. I’ll find a way to handle it, saying that the eldest is betrothed, the fourth wishes to pursue religious cultivation, and both the second and third have poor health… We’ve had dealings with the Chief Eunuch before, arranging this shouldn’t be difficult.”
Hearing this, Madam Hu secretly noted it in her heart while verbally agreeing, “Since Mother has decided, I’ll send someone to handle it right away. Mother need not worry.”
But the Old Madam said, “Better let my attendant, Elder Nanny Xu, go. She has some family connection with the Chief Eunuch’s household, which will make the conversation easier.”
Madam Hu agreed, holding back further words. They had dinner as usual in Hui Fang Garden. Afterward, she took Qing Ru back, dismissed all the servants, and pointed to the rosewood chair, telling her to sit.
Qing Ru didn’t know what her mother wanted to say and looked at her questioningly in the lamplight. Madam Hu lowered her eyes and said, “You heard Grandmother’s words earlier. Our Old Madam has grown old and lost all fighting spirit. She plans to let such a good opportunity slip away by reporting vacancies.”
Qing Ru was even more puzzled, “Mother means… to not follow Grandmother’s arrangements?”
Madam Hu fell silent before nodding, “We cannot follow on this matter. Tomorrow I’ll think of a way to pave the path for you and Third Sister. You both must participate in the selection. With your father fighting at the frontier now, your chances are better than others.”
Qing Ru refused, standing up abruptly, “I won’t go! Once you enter the palace, you can’t leave. Mother, are you tired of me and want to send me away?”
Having anticipated this reaction, Madam Hu frowned, “You don’t want to enter the palace because you’re still thinking of your Brother Chun Zhi? Your Brother Chun Zhi has proposed to Fourth Sister, stating it clearly in plain words. What more can you hope for? If you’re thinking he might break things off with Fourth Sister and propose to you, I advise you to give up that thought early. Would you not find it disgusting to take someone else’s leftovers? Let me ask you, don’t you want to see Fourth Sister kneel before you? Don’t you want to push her face in the mud? She surpasses you in everything – if I were you, I’d fight not for the steamed bun but for pride. That’s the authority of being the legitimate daughter.”
Hearing her mother’s words, though somewhat shaken, Qing Ru couldn’t yet turn this corner in her mind. She stubbornly said, “Fourth Sister is clever as a monkey, and even she doesn’t want to enter the palace. Why should I participate in the selection?”
Madam Hu said coldly, “You think she doesn’t want to enter the palace? She’s merely constrained by her status. Without my word, she’ll forever be the daughter of a lowly concubine – how could she qualify for selection? She hates us in her heart, you know this. If she succeeded, one imperial decree could cost us our lives. She doesn’t want to enter the palace? Only a fool like you would believe that!”
Qing Ru fell silent, sitting back in the chair. The purple sandalwood seat was spacious, unlike winter’s complexity, cold and crisp. She began to consider: if Qing Yuan truly had such an opportunity, how would she choose? Could the position of a young marquis’s wife compare to being a palace consort?
“You are born of the principal wife – you must have some achievement to show for it.” Seeing her delayed response, Madam Hu frowned in the lamplight. “I won’t even speak of bringing glory to the Xie family or securing advantages for your brother. Let me just ask you: seeing Fourth Sister’s current success, doesn’t it make you angry? That excellent plan last time was ultimately foiled by her, and she even turned misfortune into a blessing, prompting the young marquis to propose. Do you know why?”
Qing Ru stood dazed, shaking her head.
Madam Hu shifted her gaze toward the courtyard outside. Night had fallen, and lanterns hung beneath the eaves. A clivia lily bloomed quietly in that rippling light, its orange-red petals against green leaves spreading both delicately and defiantly.
Madam Hu sighed, “The Danyang Marquis’s mansion isn’t in Youzhou. By rights, they should first inform their parents before proposing to a young lady. But the young marquis has reversed this order for two reasons: first, he heard Fourth Girl’s complaints about how we mistreat her, how difficult life is as a concubine’s daughter, and he felt sympathy. Second, someone is competing with him, making him anxious – that Shen Run has intentions toward Fourth Girl. Haven’t you noticed?”
Qing Ru was shocked, “How did he get involved with Fourth Sister again? What is Fourth Sister that she’s suddenly become so desirable?”
Madam Hu gave a contemptuous laugh, “Those born to concubines naturally have ways to enchant men. So right now we must guard against not only Fourth Girl but also Li Congxin and Shen Run. Think about it – if they’re won over by her, what good will come to you? While you can’t forget your Brother Chun Zhi in your heart and words, who knows how much he hates you in secret! Only by entering the palace and becoming a consort can you still break them apart when they marry. If you want Fourth Girl dead, it would take just one word. Why not become someone above others instead of entangling yourself with them? Though everyone in this mansion appears respectful, who knows how they oppose us behind our backs? Have you forgotten how Second Brother and his wife pressured you last time?”
Mentioning this immediately filled Qing Ru with anger. Although Concubine Mei was ultimately punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall, they remained defiant at heart. The most satisfying thing in the world was to see your enemies crying and groveling before you like pigs and dogs. To achieve this, entering the palace seemed the most direct path.
“But… I can’t bear to leave home, or to leave Mother,” she said plaintively. “In that place, you’re trapped there for life. No matter how glorious it is, others can’t see it.”
Madam Hu gazed at her lovingly, beckoning her over and embracing her, comforting her as she had when she was small, gently patting her back: “Even if you participate in the selection, you won’t be immediately trapped in the palace unable to leave. There are several rounds of selection, and only those who enter the Inner Palace await conferment, whether as Beauty or Talented Lady, all have their ranks. By then, your battlefield won’t be the inner quarters but the imperial palace, your value rising immeasurably. Looking back then, Fourth Girl will be nothing but an ant, perhaps barely worth your notice.”
After hearing all this, Qing Ru finally made up her mind. She would make those who defied her kneel before her and beg forgiveness. Since they always said she relied on her status as the legitimate daughter, she would truly rely on it this time, letting them know that a rat’s offspring could never become a dragon or phoenix no matter how high they flew. From now on, they should accept their fate and behave properly before the Madam – that was the way to survive.
While Madam Hu and their daughter reached an agreement, the Old Madam remained unaware. She had sent Granny Sun to meet with the Chief Eunuch, and the matter wasn’t difficult to arrange – the Chief Eunuch readily agreed, saying that with so many candidates this year, it wouldn’t matter if the Commissioner’s daughters didn’t participate.
When Granny Sun returned with the Chief Eunuch’s message, the Old Madam finally felt relieved, nodding: “This is for the best. The granddaughters are all my closest flesh and blood. I want them all to marry good families and be able to visit frequently. When I think of any of them, or if they have a headache or fever, they can send word and come see me. But if they enter the palace, seeing them once would be harder than ascending to heaven.”
They thought everything would remain undisturbed, everything could stay the same, but who knew that after a few days, an imperial decree would arrive at the gate, requesting the Commissioner’s Second and Third Young Ladies to enter the palace for selection on the sixth day?
The Old Madam was bewildered, not understanding where things had gone wrong – how had their prior arrangement suddenly changed? Madam Hu was naturally extremely pleased, her eyes rippling with a hint of a smile as she said softly to the Old Madam, “Since the decree has arrived, there’s nothing to be done. Let’s start preparations – we don’t even know if they’ll be selected.”
The Old Madam’s face was full of anger as she lowered her head and remained silent for a long while. Everyone around barely dared to breathe, the main room as still as frozen water, with everyone carefully exchanging glances. Qing He looked at Qing Yuan, then secretly gestured for her to observe Madam Hu. Qing Yuan understood everything in her heart, just smiled slightly, and stood quietly to the side, watching how events would unfold.
The Old Madam’s sigh shook heaven and earth as if expelling all the stagnant air from her lungs. She shook her head disappointedly, “Those without foresight must have immediate worries. You’re all young, thinking only that entering the palace is good, not knowing that the forbidden palace is like a tiger’s open mouth – few survive between its teeth. Generally, palace ladies might not see His Majesty once a year, ultimately growing old alone in the deep palace. Anyone who truly cares for their children would want to send them into the palace! I took pains to entreat the Chief Eunuch, only for it all to be wasted effort. Indeed, this old woman has aged too much to make decisions for the family anymore. So be it – I don’t expect the children to bring glory to our name, I only hope that if misfortune strikes, it won’t implicate the entire family.”
Once things were settled, they were very difficult to change. After saying these words, the Old Madam waved her hand, dismissing everyone.
Qing He and Qing Yuan left the garden together, the sisters walking slowly along the quiet path. Qing He said, “Grandmother is truly angry this time. Though she can’t openly scold Madam, her words were full of indirect reproach.”
In this family, only the mistress of the house could quietly defy the Old Madam’s wishes. After the Old Madam had expressed her position last time, Qing Yuan secretly had people watch Qi Lan Yuan. Just after the Old Madam sent Granny Sun to find the Chief Eunuch, Madam Hu had sent her confidant to visit the Vice Minister of the Imperial Household Department. With both sides exerting effort, it came down to whose methods were more sophisticated, and Madam had gained the upper hand in the end, leaving the Old Madam no choice but to let things be.
“Grandmother has her reasons for not wanting Second Sister to enter the palace. Madam doesn’t understand, and Grandmother can’t well explain,” Qing Yuan said teasingly, linking arms with Qing He. “Anyway, Elder Sister is betrothed – even if Second Sister causes trouble, it won’t affect you. One day you’ll bring your aunt to Hengtang, completely cutting ties with your maternal family, and that will be that.”
Qing He teased her, “No wonder you agreed to the young marquis that day – so this was your thinking.”
Qing Yuan blushed, “He helped greatly, and I saw his sincerity – I couldn’t be so heartless. He can try once, and even if it doesn’t work out, he’ll have no regrets, and I’ll have done right by him.”
Qing He said, “That’s true, but getting the Marchioness’s approval might be very difficult. After all, things weren’t pleasant before, and everyone harbors resentment – this marriage won’t be easy to arrange. But if you really could marry the young marquis, we sisters would have company in Hengtang in the future, and you’d be close to the Chen family – wouldn’t that be wonderful!”
Qing Yuan had indeed dreamed of such things – returning, returning to the Chen family, she dreamed of it constantly.
But she couldn’t say it aloud – that bit of longing for her grandparents would sound like a treasonous betrayal to most ears in the Xie family. She could only respond vaguely, “The autumn examination is in two months – shouldn’t Brother-in-law be coming to Youzhou?”
Qing He blushed at the mention of Li Guanling but didn’t affect airs before Qing Yuan, saying with a smile, “I received another letter from him the other day, saying he’d set out at the beginning of next month. The family has prepared all the ceremonial gifts and chosen an auspicious date – we’ll marry after spring begins next year.”
Qing Yuan exclaimed, “Truly reliable, as expected of a scholar!” She held Qing He’s hand and said, “Let me congratulate Elder Sister first. Among all our sisters, including our cousins from both branches, Elder Sister is the most fortunate – what a great blessing!”
Qing He smiled with narrowed eyes, the kind of smile born from a secure and worry-free betrothal. Qing Yuan watched her, and though it didn’t concern herself directly, she could feel a touch of that warming contentment.
In this family, only Qing He could share her joys and sorrows.