HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 55

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 55

The sixth day of the first month was auspicious, perfect for opening the palace gates to welcome young ladies from all corners of the empire.

Shen Run frequently had duties in the inner palace. As a close minister to the Emperor, his father had once tutored the Emperor when he was still Prince Han. Later, during the Crown Prince succession case, his father was implicated. When he and his brother were exiled, Prince Han’s days weren’t easy either. Once, when Prince Han passed through Liangzhou, he briefly met with Shen Run. The once-refined youth had joined the military ranks and now appeared dark and robust, like a leopard. Prince Han was suddenly overcome with emotion, patted his shoulder, and left without a word. When they met again, Prince Han had become Emperor. The Emperor promoted the brothers to Imperial Attendants, bringing about their meteoric rise. He again patted Shen Run’s shoulder, saying, “If your family had sisters, I would have made them Noble Consorts.”

The Shen family had no daughters, so others became Noble Consorts instead. The Emperor wasn’t particularly lustful, caring more about continuing the imperial line. For a country and its emperor, imperial succession was paramount – even if nine out of ten heirs were incompetent, at least one might prove capable. The Emperor also advised him to marry soon, saying that if no woman in the capital would marry him, he could issue an imperial decree for an arranged marriage.

Forced marriage wasn’t necessary, Shen Run replied with a smile, saying there was no rush. “The lady I fancy is waiting for another’s proposal. Once that engagement falls through, I can marry her.”

The Emperor was puzzled. “Why must you wait for an engagement to fail before your turn?”

He explained helplessly, “Because they met her first and treated her with genuine affection. Although that young fool is both stupid and reckless, she’s still willing to give him a chance. I’m already this age, waiting a few more months won’t hurt.”

The Emperor was curious about the person who could make Commander Shen invest much time. “This rival must be quite significant.”

Shen Run smiled subtly. “Just one of Your Majesty’s distant relatives.”

The Emperor had too many distant relatives to bother asking further, but he still kept Shen Run’s marriage in mind. “When the lady agrees to marry you, if you need a matchmaker, definitely tell me.”

Shen Run agreed. The Emperor was always in good spirits when selecting consorts.

The sun blazed fiercely, reflecting off the broad white marble imperial street. A middle-rank eunuch saw him leaving the residential palace and hurried forward with an umbrella. From the inner palace to the Court of Imperial Guards, one had to cross a long terrace. As he walked along it casually, he glanced down and saw a junior eunuch leading two lines of female officials.

The maidens awaiting selection were called Liangren before formally entering the palace. They would later undergo beauty and talent selections before receiving jade tokens as candidates. He usually didn’t pay attention to such matters, but remembering Qing Yuan had asked about participating in the selection, he worried she might be among them. So he stood at the white jade railing, carefully examining each one.

Suddenly, a man in magnificent clothes appeared above, his gold-embroidered sleeves reflecting countless dancing points of light in the sun. Young and handsome, with an air of wealth and glory, he caused the sheltered young ladies to stare in amazement before shyly raising their fans to hide their faces.

Shen Run thought of Qing Yuan, who first came to the Commander’s mansion to plead a case. That day she carried no fan, and just stood in a slanting patch of sunset light, waiting to be received with frank eyes. She was neither shy nor timid – indeed, compared to those ordinary girls, he preferred such forthright, stunning, capable young women.

The nearby middle-rank eunuch noticed his searching gaze and whispered, “Is the Commander looking for someone? Asking the Department of Internal Affairs would clarify things.”

Since he wasn’t busy anyway, making a trip wouldn’t hurt. He leisurely entered Xuanyou Gate, turned a corner, and headed to the Department of Internal Affairs. The inner courtyard was bustling with eunuch officials coming and going, all clasping hands in greeting when they saw him.

A minor supervisor spotted him and hurried over to welcome him, smiling, “What wind brings the Commander here? Does His Majesty have orders? Please, Commander, come inside.”

The Court of Imperial Guards’ official uniform was the most prestigious in court and common society. Decorated with dragon patterns on brocade silk, with seven items hanging at the waist, his sword clinked as he walked, producing clear sounds of jade ornaments.

The Department of Internal Affairs and the Court of Imperial Guards were connected in many ways, so the department officials didn’t dare treat him casually. As Shen Run walked, he asked, “Is Supervisor Liu in?”

Before he finished speaking, someone hurried out from the inner hall, adjusted his black official hat, and smiled, “What brings the Commander to visit? Please sit…” He stepped back to instruct a eunuch, “Quickly prepare some tea!”

Shen Run said, “No need for formalities. I was just passing by and came to see Supervisor Liu. Are you busy?”

The Internal Affairs Supervisor said yes. “Those Liangren just entered the palace today. They’re all pampered young ladies from good families – some complain about the heat, some cry to go home. The junior eunuchs below keep reporting in, they’re nearly crying themselves.”

Shen Run laughed, “It’s too hot – with their makeup running, I fear thirty percent more will fail the beauty selection.”

The Supervisor agreed repeatedly, “Indeed! Originally those young ladies mainly registered for the talent selection to save face, but now barely any can participate in the beauty selection.” He slowed down, glancing meaningfully at Shen Run. “Commander’s visit surely isn’t just to chat with me? Perhaps you have a relative participating in the selection?”

Shen Run said no. “I came to see this year’s quality. Does Military Commissioner Xie Shu’s family have any ladies participating?”

The Supervisor responded, “Yes, they have two ladies, both quite good-looking…” He watched Shen Run’s expression while speaking. “Does the Commander have any instructions?”

Hearing there were two, Shen Run felt anxious. “They have four daughters – which two came?”

The Supervisor said, “The second and third daughters. Commander and Commissioner Xie’s family…”

Having confirmed this, he relaxed. The second and third daughters were under Madame Hu’s authority and didn’t get along with Qing Yuan. If he had the Supervisor strike their names now, falling from ground level wouldn’t be much – better to wait until they climbed high, then make them fall spectacularly. He smiled faintly, “I have some dealings with Commissioner Xie and know his second daughter isn’t very clever – she’ll certainly fail the talent selection. But regarding beauty, she seems to have some merit. Supervisor Liu, helped them pass the first two rounds of selection. If they truly can’t manage after that, then eliminate them – this would fulfill our collegial obligations.”

The Internal Affairs Supervisor immediately understood. If they were truly close, why mention the second daughter’s lack of intelligence? Commander Shen’s meaning was that they must be eliminated, but could be filtered out before jade tokens were issued. He kept this instruction in mind – with Commander Shen’s word, no one’s connections would help them.

The Supervisor smiled in agreement. “I heard earlier from my wife that Commissioner Xie’s family has a fourth daughter whose character and appearance are truly first-rate. It’s just unfortunate about her birth status. There are also rumors outside that her mother poisoned another of the Commissioner’s concubines back then. That’s why she couldn’t participate in this selection – truly a pity.”

When Shen Run heard Qing Yuan mention, his private feelings made his expression soften considerably. He smiled, “Regarding inner household matters, Supervisor Liu, you and I both know there’s plenty of intrigue and false accusations, perhaps even more complex than in common society. In a murder case, instead of execution, they merely expelled her – that already doesn’t make sense. I’ve had a couple of encounters with their fourth daughter myself. She’s just a child – can’t speak of character or beauty, but she seems pure and quite likable. Since the daughter isn’t that kind of vicious person, the mother can’t be too far wrong either. It’s just that when three people repeat a lie it becomes truth, ruining reputations and affecting such a good girl.”

Supervisor Liu nodded repeatedly. Shen Run exchanged a few more pleasantries, then leisurely walked out of the Department of Internal Affairs.

From here to the Court of Imperial Guards wasn’t far – it was just past Gongchen Gate. The middle-rank eunuch came forward again with the umbrella, but he waved him away, dismissing him to walk alone along the corridor.

The tall palace walls on both sides narrowed the sky into a long strip. The zenith was an especially deep blue, like the deepest waters of Heaven’s Pool, as if it might pour down at any moment.

He thought of Qing Yuan again… It was somewhat amusing – although she wouldn’t acknowledge it, their repeated encounters had made him view her in an increasingly different light. Such a young lady, fighting alone without great power, yet she made him consider marriage and gave him a sense of belonging – that was its kind of capability.

He replayed their several encounters in his mind, unconsciously entering the Court of Imperial Guards office. As soon as he entered, the officer in charge of criminal cases came forward to report that new clues had emerged in the case of the attack on Fourth Miss Xie. Though it came through intermediaries, they had roughly traced the ultimate source – it was Wei Commander Liang Yi of the Xilong Guards.

“Liang Yi of the Xilong Guards…” he pondered. “Finally measured up to her father’s standard. Send two men to make a trip to the Xilong Guards camp, and have tea with this Wei Commander. No need to say anything – after a couple of days, invite him to visit our office.”

After all, compared to immediate death, the torment before dying was most excruciating. Keeping silent gave people a chance – if they figured it out and voluntarily confessed, they could avoid physical suffering.

The officer acknowledged loudly, excited: “This subordinate has been wanting to stretch his muscles these days, I’ll go personally.”

Seems there was a personal grudge. Shen Run smiled and raised a finger in approval.

Shen Che happened to come in, set down his sword, gulped down two mouthfuls of tea, and said, “Why not just arrest him directly instead of all this maneuvering?”

Shen Run opened the case files on the desk and said with lowered eyes, “To summon a sixth-rank official without cause, we need to explain the details. Wouldn’t solving the case too quickly benefit the mastermind?”

Shen Che understood and smiled, “Brother is preparing to collect dowry for his future sister-in-law, isn’t he?”

The brothers had an unspoken understanding about this. The Xie family was too stingy to handle major affairs properly, only becoming generous when caught by the tail. Madame Hu’s debt could be remembered and slowly collected. Shen Run had his plans – if things were resolved too smoothly and Qing Yuan had no worries, what if she ran off with Li Congxin?

However, Li Congxin alone wasn’t worth worrying about. Though the young man was sincere, he had too little experience of life’s storms and wasn’t a match for the clever Fourth Miss. Just as he was contemplating this, feeling confident of victory, he suddenly heard Shen Che call out to him, saying he had good news to tell his brother.

Shen Run lifted his eyelids to glance at him. “What news?”

Shen Che was so excited his eyes shone, his voice somewhat choked as he tried to control himself, saying softly, “Fangchun just sent word that she’s with child.”

Shen Run was startled. “That’s wonderful news indeed.”

Since the Shen family’s misfortune, their numbers have dwindled. A new addition, whether boy or girl, was cause for great joy.

Shen Che and Fangchun had been married for over two years but showed no signs of pregnancy. Fangchun had seen imperial physicians and taken various medicines, but to little effect. Today they finally received good news, and Shen Che trembled for a while before rushing in to report. Shen Run was naturally overjoyed too, and after thinking said, “Hand over your duties and go see your wife.” Then suddenly feeling something amiss, he stood up and gathered the files on his desk, saying to himself, “I should go back too, to offer congratulations in person.”

Shen Che laughed, thinking privately that it wasn’t just about offering congratulations – there was another purpose. Fangchun was close friends with the Xie family’s Fourth Miss, and such good news should naturally be told to the Fourth Miss. When Fourth Miss heard, she would certainly come to offer congratulations, and wouldn’t they just happen to meet then?

“Brother sure loves going to Youzhou these days,” Shen Che teased. “I understand this state of mind – when I first married, I wanted to go home every day too.”

Shen Run didn’t respond to him. He handed over his duties to the Deputy Commander waiting in the front hall, then called out to his herald officer: “Yan Fu, prepare fast horses.”

At the Xie mansion, they were waiting for news of the palace selection. Clear Ru and Clear Rong’s journey was like the boys taking imperial examinations – they had attendants, and people waiting at the palace gates. Once news came from the palace, everything else could be ignored – they would immediately mount horses and rush back to Youzhou with the news.

Everyone in the mansion was waiting. Madame Hu maintained her composure but glanced at the courtyard entrance several times. The Old Madame wasn’t particularly pleased and didn’t hope for those two girls to pass the selection, so she listlessly held her scissors, just trimming a pot of camellia.

Qing Yuan and Clear He stayed to keep the company as they had no choice – they couldn’t ignore their sisters’ important matters, so they passed the time by selecting flower patterns by the latticed window. Today Clear He wore a bamboo-colored matched-front outer garment, while Qing Yuan wore a lotus-root colored jacket and skirt. Those light, soft colors showed an uncontentious attitude – the clamor of the mortal world couldn’t disturb them. They occasionally whispered in each other’s ears and exchanged smiles. Looking at them, one felt that nothing was too important, everything had its way of coming and going, making people completely at ease.

The long summer day rolled by in endless waiting. Who knows what they found amusing, but they covered their mouths and doubled over with laughter. The Old Madame saw this and shook her head with a smile: “These two sisters!”

Madame Hu’s gaze moved away coldly, not caring whether they were concerned about Clear Ru’s prospects. She waited quietly by herself, and when Madam Qiu brought deer pear juice, she only took one sip before setting it down.

Suddenly they heard the gate servant women calling out. Her attendant Granny Sun came along the corridor, walking and announcing good news – both young ladies had passed the initial selection.

Those sitting in the room stood up, watching Granny Sun enter through the curtain, smiling and paying respects. “The boy who went with the young ladies has returned, saying Second Miss was assigned to the beauty selection, Third Miss to the talent selection, and their names have been recorded. Tomorrow the Department of Internal Affairs will review first, and if they pass the second selection, the young ladies can return. The third selection is on the sixteenth – once they pass the third selection, they’ll wait for their formal conferment to enter the palace.”

A great weight lifted from Madame Hu’s heart. After consideration, she asked, “Did everyone pass the first selection?”

Granny Sun smiled, “How could they? The Censorate Chief’s daughter was eliminated – they said she had a mole the size of a sesame seed on her temple, ruining her appearance.”

This pleased Madame Hu even more – if the palace wasn’t taking everyone, it showed they were being selective. Those eunuchs who were used to seeing palace beauties naturally had high standards, even the first selection wasn’t easy to pass. Clear Ru had proven capable after all.

Qing Yuan tugged at Clear He’s clothes, and the sisters came forward together to offer congratulations. “Congratulations to Madame.”

Madame Hu maintained her diplomatic manner, smiling as she said, “I don’t care whether they pass the selection or not, as long as everything goes safely that’s enough.”

The Old Madame had nothing much to say, only asking, “Did you instruct them to be careful? The two girls have never spent a night away from home before.”

Madame Hu said, “Mother, don’t worry. Since they’re spending the night in the palace, there’s nothing to worry about.”

The Old Madame nodded, but before she finished nodding, Xia Zhi entered through the curtain and called out to Fourth Miss, “The Commander’s wife has sent someone to invite Miss to their mansion. They say Madam Dong has received happy news and is alone at home not knowing what to do, asking Miss to come discuss matters.”

Qing Yuan responded, “I understand.” Then she turned to await the Old Madame’s instructions.

The Old Madame had originally said this Commander’s wife was a hen that couldn’t lay eggs, bound to lose her position sooner or later, but unexpectedly she had suddenly become pregnant. Fortunately, Qing Yuan had the young marquis proposing marriage – if she were to enter the Shen family, she would have the Commander’s protection and needn’t worry about the Commander’s position anymore. So she said, “This is good news, you should go offer congratulations. Quickly have someone prepare a bird’s nest as a gift – it’s most beneficial for those newly pregnant, good for the child too.”

Qing Yuan agreed, but looking at the time outside, she seemed somewhat troubled. “It’s getting late, I’m afraid I’ll return quite late.”

The Old Madame said it didn’t matter. “Take a few more people with you, nothing can go wrong in the city. Have the garden guard keep a door for you, just go ahead.”

Qing Yuan bowed to accept the instruction, went back to change clothes, and then hurried off to the Commander’s mansion.

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