Though nothing was explicitly stated, the general implication was that she had entangled herself with two men—something a proper, respectable young lady would never do. The warning came disguised as advice. Madam Hu’s laughter carried a particularly vengeful edge, as she realized things might be taking a dire turn. Everything in the palace was connected to the Palace Command, and if Shen Run truly developed feelings for Qing Yuan, it would inevitably affect Qing Ru. She feared Shen Run might create obstacles.
Concubine Mei, still harboring resentment towards Madam Hu over the previous incident of kneeling in the ancestral hall, didn’t bother to contradict her. Instead, she smiled at Qing Yuan and said, “Fourth Young Lady, you’re an unmarried maiden, sought after by hundreds of families—you’re the pride of our Xie family. It would only be truly shameful if we raised a daughter whom no one wanted to court. Regarding the Young Marquis’s previous proposal, though you agreed to consider the message from Hengtang, you never said you would marry none but him. If someone handsome and well-established has now captured your heart, what’s wrong with that? Don’t be shy—just graciously accept it.”
Qing Yuan understood the barb in Concubine Lian’s words—she was mocking the Second Young Lady for being overlooked twice. The Founding Count’s family had preferred the eldest daughter over this legitimate daughter, and when she tried to connect with the Danyang Marquis’s family, the Young Marquis showed no interest in her—wasn’t that the very definition of being unwanted?
Concubine Lian chimed in with support, saying with a smile, “You and your eldest sister are so close. I always thought it would be nice if you both married back to Hengtang, so you could look after each other. Now this Commander Shen has appeared—if it weren’t for him earlier when the master encountered trouble, he might still be stuck as the Prefecture Governor of Youzhou, or worse, demoted and sent who knows where. As they say, having connections in court makes official life easier. Since our master serves in the provinces, having a son-in-law who’s an official in the capital would certainly be advantageous. Don’t you agree, Old Madam?”
The Old Madam looked at the two large boxes of rouge but said nothing beyond frowning, “Buying so much at once… it would take three years to use it all…”
The Old Madam’s non-committal response suggested she was waiting to see how things would develop. Comparing the two families, she naturally preferred the Shen family. Though Shen Run had previously extorted quite a sum from the Xie family, wasn’t that just the way relationships sometimes started? Once they became in-laws, what else was there to say? At least the money would stay in the family, so to speak. A position with real power was different from an empty title—the Palace Command was genuinely lucrative. If they truly established this connection, it would provide an easier path for the family’s sons to seek official positions without spending money.
Lady Pei, always shrewd, stood firmly with Madam Hu but avoided confrontation. She made her point briefly: “Everything else is fine, but Commander Shen’s methods are a bit too dark.” She smiled after speaking, glancing at Madam Hu.
The dozen large wine urns had been taken away just like that, and thinking of the gleaming silver that had been inside made the concubines’ hearts ache. But after the pain subsided, they knew exactly who deserved their hatred. That ten thousand taels should have come from the family’s public funds, but Madam Hu had forced them to contribute several portions—such was the way of the primary mistress. If they were to hate anyone, naturally it would be Lady Hu.
Concubine Mei sneered, “Someone with no connection to us has no reason to help us for nothing.”
“If she accepts this time, the Fourth Young Lady shouldn’t accept next time,” Concubine Lian smiled at Lady Pei. “Third Madam, think about it—with this marriage connection, arranging positions for your Seventh Young Master won’t be a worry anymore.”
At this, Lady Pei just smiled and said nothing more.
Qing Yuan was still troubled by the two boxes of rouge, understanding that Shen Run had deliberately sent them to the Old Madam’s quarters, intentionally letting her know. His advantages over Li Congxin were far too numerous, and with this move, whether or not the Danyang Marquis’s family agreed to the marriage, the Old Madam would be prepared to refuse them.
But she didn’t like him doing this—ultimately, he was still relying on his authority to put her in a difficult position. This matter had become gossip among the concubines and aunts, and would inevitably spread outside. She had to lie, saying with a smile, “The Madam and aunts have misunderstood. Yesterday when I went to see the Commander’s wife, we were discussing what’s fashionable in the capital now, and she mentioned that palace ladies all use this rouge… I just casually mentioned wanting to buy a few boxes to give to the sisters and elders in the family.”
Unfortunately, no one believed this. Madam Jiang smiled perfunctorily, “We all know that Commander Shen escorted you to the gate yesterday.”
Qing Yuan could only continue to deflect, “The Commander’s wife had told the Commander about her pregnancy, so naturally he returned with him. He happened to meet me and said there were developments in the previous case, with some urgent points he wanted to ask me about. After the questioning, it was getting late, and since he had business outside, he simply escorted me part of the way.”
Everything could be explained, but too many coincidences made the explanations seem weak.
A young lady naturally tries to hide such things, and while everyone else is smiling, Madam Hu can’t laugh. She knew trouble was coming—Qing Yuan’s current joy would soon become Qing Ru’s nightmare. This fourth girl was probably sent by Jin Chunqing to collect a debt: she competed with Qing Ru for the Young Marquis, and when Qing Ru couldn’t win against her, at least entering the palace seemed acceptable. But now she had entangled herself with Shen Run. Shen Run had significant power and influence in the Forbidden City, and if he listened to Qing Yuan’s instigation and deliberately made things difficult for Qing Ru, what then?
Madam Hu’s temples throbbed—her migraines had been getting worse daily since Qing Yuan returned to the Xie family. It started as a thread-thin line of pain, gradually expanding to occupy half her head. If she let this girl continue to be a thorn in her side, she might end up losing her life to her.
Cailian said, “Madam’s headaches had improved last year, but now they’re acting up again… We still have the previous prescription in the box. I’ll get a few more doses made up the same way, and Madam can try taking them for a few days.”
Madam Hu closed her eyes wearily, “Unless this root cause is eliminated, this ailment will never heal in this lifetime.”
Nanny Sun beside her understood her meaning, but was hesitant due to the previous incident. She lowered her voice and said, “The Fourth Young Lady just mentioned that there seems to be progress in the case, though we don’t know if it’s true or false. Regardless, let’s be patient for a few days. Once we have news about our Second Young Lady, we can plan our next move.”
Madam Hu sighed, touching her forehead as she said, “If I had known the fourth girl would get involved with Shen Run, it would have been better to just send the third girl to the palace. Now we’re in a difficult position—withdrawing halfway would be unsatisfying, but not withdrawing might lead to disaster. It’s truly troublesome.”
Nanny Sun said, “Since the registry has been submitted, withdrawing without illness or calamity would inevitably lead to outside speculation. Madam should focus on ensuring the Second Young Lady’s selection—that’s what’s important. Even if Shen Run has extensive influence, he can’t control the Imperial Consorts’ decisions. Madam is a titled lady—when you pay respects to the Empress, she will surely show some consideration. Now that the master is achieving merit abroad, once Stone Fort City is taken, how could the Emperor not reward the Xie family and promote the Second Young Lady’s position?”
Madam Hu thought for a moment and slowly nodded, “You speak truly. If Shen Run goes too far, I’ll expose all his corruption. Whether in Youzhou or the capital, many secretly hate him. Once someone takes the lead, others will join in bringing him down—why rush?”
“Indeed, our master conducts himself with integrity, only differing from His Majesty in political views. Yet Shen Run creates obstacles everywhere and extorted ten thousand taels from us. He thinks this money was easy to take, not fearing it might burn his hands. If we truly become enemies, what good would that do him?” Nanny Sun smiled after speaking, then continued soothingly, “Madam, calm yourself. Let the Fourth Young Lady enjoy herself for a few days. A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years. Besides, we won’t need ten years—eight or ten days should suffice.”
Madam Hu smiled coldly. In this anxious capital, right under the Son of Heaven, there were many officials above the second rank. Shen Run was merely a Commander, yet he acted so arrogantly—he was truly too presumptuous. Of course, unless necessary, openly opposing him wouldn’t be wise. The root of all this lay with the fourth girl. If that girl was ruined, would Shen Run, Li Congxin, or anyone else still care about her?
The character for ‘endurance’ has a knife above it—no form of endurance comes without pain. Yet one must endure; only after this phase passes, when everyone has dropped their guard, can you leisurely execute your plans with sufficient time and space.
Qing Ru and Qing Rong had both returned. The second selection was far more rigorous than the first—though more than half of the hundred-plus candidates had been eliminated, the sisters had passed through without incident, now awaiting only the final selection. Madam Hu thought that even if they didn’t succeed in the third selection, it would be enough. The palace selection process was a gilding process—simply making it to the final selection would put them above most young ladies in the capital region. This would be a huge advantage for future marriage prospects. Not just the Danyang Marquis’s family, but even princes’ and dukes’ households would be within reach.
After passing the selection, the sisters went to pay their respects to the Old Madam. The Old Madam remained indifferent, sitting on her couch saying, “Since you have this fortune, it’s a good thing. You must each cherish your blessings. The palace rules are strict—every word and action must be careful. If you make mistakes, unlike at home where people are lenient, outside they’re strict, with no room for personal favors.”
Qing Ru and Qing Rong responded, “Please rest assured, Grandmother. Your granddaughters have broadened their horizons in the palace and understand the importance of being cautious in speech and action.”
Qing Yuan listened with a smile, noting that these two sisters hadn’t grasped the true key to survival. Mere caution in speech and action wasn’t enough—one must understand there are always greater powers above and better people beyond. Only by truly comprehending this principle could one survive long.
Madam Hu, proud of her daughters passing the selection, smiled at the Old Madam and said, “Mother speaks of the palace’s strict rules, and I think the same. Though we educate our children at home, it’s not as rigorous as the palace. Now that Second Girl and Third Girl have passed the second selection, with the third selection approaching, we must take it seriously. I’ve arranged for an instructor from the Palace Etiquette Bureau to properly train the girls these few days, so they won’t be flustered when they enter the Inner Palace.”
The Old Madam raised her eyelids to look at Madam Hu, “You’re still determined to send both girls to the palace?”
Madam Hu naturally heard the displeasure in the Old Madam’s words, but she couldn’t care about that now, only deflecting, “Having passed the selection, we can’t sound the retreat gong now… can we?”
The Old Madam frowned, “Why not? Call in a physician, prescribe some medicine to bring out a rash—see if they’ll still let them enter the palace then!” After speaking urgently, she sighed deeply, “You all only see the current glory, not knowing the difficulties within. One’s ambitions shouldn’t be too high. As they say, the higher you climb, the harder you fall. I fear the children will suffer, being sent to a place where they’ll never see anyone…”
Madam Hu caught the Old Madam’s words, smiling, “I know Mother is reluctant to part with the two children, but since they have this path forward, cutting off their prospects wouldn’t be right.”
In the end, when there was nothing more to say, Madam Hu proceeded with her plans. She invited an instructor from the Palace Etiquette Bureau to teach proper conduct and designated a small courtyard as Qing Ru and Qing Rong’s training ground. Sometimes when Qing Yuan and Qing He passed by, they would peek inside—the two sisters were balancing bowls on their heads in the courtyard. Catching sight of them, their eyes showed contempt as if they weren’t balancing mere bowls but Imperial Consorts’ phoenix crowns.
Qing Yuan and Qing He walked away laughing, with Qing He saying, “They’re going to enter the palace now, we’ll have to kowtow to them in the future.”
Qing Yuan said, “As we should—their elevation brings glory to us sisters as well.”
But Qing He shook her head vigorously, “I’d rather not have this glory—it’s good enough if they don’t bring us misfortune.”
Qing Yuan just smiled. Everyone knew the truth about such matters—it seemed only Madam Hu believed Qing Ru could become a palace consort, so determined that she wouldn’t listen even to the Old Madam.
For a mother wholly hoping for her daughter’s advancement, one must fulfill her maternal affection. As the day of the final selection approached, that morning during the dawn greetings, Madam Hu said to the Old Madam, “Tomorrow is the thirteenth, Emperor Baocheng’s birthday. Since moving back from Youzhou, our family hasn’t gone to burn incense. Old Madam, considering Second Girl and Third Girl’s selection, First Girl and Fourth Girl’s unsettled marriages, and the boys’ upcoming military examinations… perhaps Old Madam could lead us to Huguo Temple? We could also pray for the children’s fortune under Old Madam’s blessed influence.”
Emperor Baocheng protected fortune—the Old Madam considered that with so many family members, each had their wishes, and agreed.
Madam Hu was pleased and instructed Nanny Sun, “Send someone to the temple to ask the priests to prepare side rooms, so Old Madam will have a place to rest.”
Nanny Sun responded, “I don’t trust the servants with this—I’ll arrange it myself. Madam need not worry.”
Qing Yuan observed this and felt a vague sense of foreboding. On the way back, she told Bao Xian, “The young masters are all at school and can’t go—tomorrow it will be all women. Huguo Temple is too crowded, we must be extra careful.”
Bao Xian looked at her puzzled, “Has Young Lady noticed something?”
Qing Yuan smiled, “Nothing much… Just now in Huifang Garden, I noticed Nanny Sun was limping, probably injured accidentally. She’s Madam’s closest servant, with her properties outside the mansion. Though a servant to the masters, she’s half a master to other servants. What important matter requires her attention?”
With her hint, Bao Xian immediately understood, “Madam must be planning something unfavorable.”
Qing Yuan nodded and walked back to Danyue Pavilion while the sun wasn’t too high.
Entering through the moon gate, a straight bluestone path led to the main house. Above the moon gate was a narrow wraparound corridor like an eyebrow, and because it provided shade, people preferred to walk the extra steps. Halfway along, she saw a maid carrying a lacquered basin to the water room, her round face reddened by the sun, squinting as if her eyes were stuck shut by the sunlight.
Qing Yuan stopped and called out to Xiao Xi.
Xiao Xi responded brightly like a sprung mechanism, “Awaiting Young Lady’s instructions.”
“Tomorrow Old Madam will lead the family to burn incense at Huguo Temple. Prepare incense and candles for me. Bring the hand-copied Diamond Sutra that Old Madam said she wanted to use for merit.” Qing Yuan instructed item by item, then added after thinking, “Nanny Tao has come down with heat exhaustion—let her rest for two days. You’ll come along tomorrow instead.”
Her tone was casual, and Xiao Xi suspected nothing, bowing and saying, “I’ll prepare everything according to the Young Lady’s instructions.”
Qing Yuan nodded and walked toward the end of the corridor, fanning herself with her round fan.