HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 66

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 66

However, as its name suggested, the East Bank Night Banquet was primarily a night feast. Donggao was an area of mountains and marshes, with herb fields and Yanwu Lake. The lake was originally just a natural pond, but when it was later incorporated into Princess Weiyang’s fief during the previous dynasty, the princess, seeing the exceptional beauty of the landscape, ordered extensive development. Later, Yanwu Lake joined with the mountains, connecting to the Guanghan Canal, and fragrant herbs were planted along both shores. Thus, the East Bank Night Banquet was also called the Herbal Bank Night Banquet.

Yet while the romantic scenery remained the same, Princess Weiyang had long since been buried with her jade and fragrance. In the current dynasty, this scenic location had become Prince Keqin’s official field. Even if it couldn’t produce grain, it was still an enviable place that everyone admired.

When sisters Qinghe and Qingyuan arrived, it was just when the lanterns were being lit. The Censor’s young lady was close friends with Qinghe, and the two began chatting incessantly as soon as they met. While Qingyuan was looking around, someone unexpectedly patted her shoulder from behind. She turned to see Fangchun smiling playfully, “Seeing you nowadays is as difficult as climbing to heaven!”

Qingyuan naturally showed her closeness, taking her arm and saying: “There have been many affairs at home lately, leaving no time to visit you.” As she spoke, she glanced at Fangchun’s belly – the loose dress revealed nothing. Being a young lady, she couldn’t ask directly, so she said, “How are you?”

Hearing this, Fangchun ran her hand over her stomach, revealing a slight curve beneath her dress, and whispered: “Only four months, still small. I’m doing well. I heard you’re doing well too – engaged to the Danyang Marquis’s eldest son?”

Qingyuan didn’t like discussing this and gave a vague response before asking her again, “Didn’t you dislike attending banquets? Coming out to the wilderness at night – aren’t you being careless with your health?”

Fangchun smiled and said: “I’m not here alone. Lord Du came too – he’s sworn brothers with Prince Keqin, and every year the Prince and his wife invite us to the night banquet. I originally said I wouldn’t come, but worried they’d be unhappy. My pregnancy isn’t very far along yet, so there’s no reason to slight them. Besides, with you here, what do I have to fear? You’ll look after me.”

Qingyuan had no choice – this person couldn’t be relied upon even after becoming a mother, still so childish. She really couldn’t be left unsupervised, so Qingyuan had to be even more careful in looking after her.

Just as they finished talking, the boatmen on the painted boats moored at the shore called out, saying it was time for the ladies to board.

Qingyuan helped Fangchun over. Fortunately, the painted boat was large and stable, sitting deep in the water with the gunwale close to the water’s surface, making it not difficult to board. The deck was already crowded with female guests. Qingyuan didn’t know many of them, so she just nodded slightly and helped Fangchun into the cabin.

Behind her, someone asked, “Who is that?”

Another answered: “Don’t you know? She’s the fourth miss of Inspector Xie’s family…”

Then came a drawn-out “Oh,” followed by: “I heard she just got engaged to the Danyang Marquis’s family?” Then there was whispering and muttering.

Fangchun turned to look at her, and she smiled: “In their eyes, I must be like some kind of monster. Such a bad background, yet matched with such a good marriage – I must be a fox spirit with special abilities.”

Fangchun let out a derisive laugh, “You’re not one to care about others gossiping behind your back, so never mind what they say. Though I do think it’s a pity you didn’t end up with the Commander. It’s rare to find someone you get along with so well – I had hoped we’d become sisters-in-law.”

Qingyuan didn’t respond, only smiled and turned to look at the scenery outside.

The landscape of Donggao was truly an elegant place – neither too grand nor too delicate, but constructed just right. Boating at the lake at the foot of the mountain, one leisurely round trip would take about two hours. The water surface itself was truly vast – sailing out from the long water corridor, painted boats dotted the lake surface here and there. Sometimes when two boats crossed paths, refined young gentlemen and charming ladies would only catch a fleeting glimpse of each other as they passed. The pavilions on the distant shore, the lanterns and colored silk decorating the upturned eaves of the painted boats, the moon in the sky was the moon among clouds, and the people before one’s eyes might be destined encounters – a side profile or a back view could spark countless flights of fancy.

Faintly, southern tunes and loud laughter could be heard – unlike the boats carrying ladies where string and bamboo music dominated, the male guests were more boisterous. Since they had boarded from two different piers, Qingyuan hadn’t seen Li Congxin and didn’t know which painted boat he was on or who he was with.

Seeing her gazing outside lost in thought, Fangchun nudged her with her shoulder, “Who are you looking for? The Commander? He didn’t come today – the Prince’s wife has arranged a marriage for him, and they’ll be performing the ceremonies soon.”

Qingyuan was stunned for a moment but quickly recovered, saying lightly, “I wasn’t looking for him… why would I look for him!”

“Then you must be looking for the young marquis?” Fangchun nodded slowly, “Actually, Chunzhi is quite good – his looks and family background are impeccable. It’s just that his mother is difficult to get along with, having a pair of status-conscious eyes… but in these times, who isn’t status-conscious? With your wisdom and bearing, you needn’t worry about establishing yourself in the marquis’s household. But when I think about you marrying far away, I feel somewhat reluctant to part.”

Qingyuan knew that Fangchun’s invitation to this night banquet might well have been Shen Run’s idea. She could have declined, but due to Qinghe’s earnest request to see Li Guanling, she couldn’t refuse. Their betrothed couple had many things to say, and many feelings to express, and she couldn’t slight her elder sister’s wishes. If she didn’t come, Qinghe naturally couldn’t come alone, so she had no choice but to accompany her. As for Fangchun’s hints, she let them pass without feeling the need to explain, only smiling good-naturedly at her, “In the future, whether you come to visit Jiangnan or I return to Youzhou to visit family, we’ll surely have chances to meet again. As girls, we can’t stay at home forever. While it’s good to marry nearby, marrying far away isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

Seeing no room for negotiation in her words, Fangchun said no more and turned to look outside along her line of sight, murmuring: “Those young gentlemen’s painted boats are livelier than ours. Since it’s your first time here, further ahead there’s the Herbal Bank night market, which sells all sorts of curious little items.”

Ladies from noble households rarely had the chance to visit night markets, so Qingyuan felt somewhat yearning upon hearing this. Leaning out to look, she could vaguely see lights on both shores ahead. As the boat entered a narrower channel, it gradually drew very close to the boat ahead, and the faint singing and conversation from that boat became increasingly clear.

Men’s world was always different from young ladies’ – while ladies spoke in whispers, men were more demonstrative, with song and dance for entertainment, needing to project their voices clearly for all to hear.

A burst of laughter erupted – some happy matter must have been discussed. The ladies on the women’s boat listened intently, and when they found it amusing, they too covered their mouths and laughed. As for the men, apart from official careers, they could only discuss topics like romantic encounters. Someone laughed and teased: “Young ladies nowadays aren’t like before. Take that fellow Liu Tang – his family arranged his marriage to the Remonstrance Official’s daughter, but three months into the marriage he still wasn’t satisfied, setting his eyes on a courtesan from North Tile District, wanting to bring her home as a concubine. When his wife found out, she locked the doors and beat him while sitting on top of him – beat him black and blue, so badly he didn’t dare leave the house for half a month.”

“He truly is outrageous – wanting to take a concubine just three months into marriage. If not him, who deserves beating?”

Qingyuan heard that voice, clear and resonant like striking gold or jade – it was clearly Li Congxin, and she couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

Someone else clicked their tongue, “In my opinion, keep the courtesan outside – that kind of background simply can’t be brought into the family. For concubines, at least choose someone from a good family. It’s presentable when a man has two concubines, that can be justified.” Then changing the topic, “Among us all, only Chunzhi is engaged. I hear Inspector Xie’s daughter is both beautiful and talented – when she starts managing you in the future, you might fare worse than Liu Tang.”

Li Congxin replied lightly: “How many in the world could match Madam Liu’s methods? My Fourth Sister has always been sensible and reasonable – everything can be discussed and negotiated.”

At this, everyone started teasing, “Liu Tang was too hasty – three months is rather improper. Tell us, when do you plan to take concubines?”

The mockery grew louder, “He surely wouldn’t dare! Those past romantic debts must now be repaid. He traveled thousands of li in a month, back and forth, wore out two horses just to get engaged to Inspector Xie’s daughter – do you think he’d dare speak of taking concubines?”

Whether out of masculine pride or his true thoughts, Qingyuan heard him declare boldly: “I’ve just had my wish granted, and you’re already encouraging this? Even if I were to take concubines in the future, she’s someone who understands propriety – she’ll naturally consider face, and won’t be like Liu Tang’s wife, earning the name of a jealous woman and becoming talk for our drinking tables.”

Ah, is that so… Qingyuan frowned and smiled. In his eyes, she should just be reasonable. Like when the hat of “understanding propriety” was placed on her head, she had to agree whether she wanted to or not.

All the ladies on the painted boat looked at her. Fangchun also felt awkward and tried to smooth things over with a laugh: “Oh, how can you take drinking table talk seriously? My Lord Du is the same way, always talking about taking concubines, but when given the chance, he pretends to be deaf and dumb, not daring to agree.”

Qingyuan just smiled, but this smile carried a hint of helplessness.

“He’s the only legitimate son of the marquis’s household…” she said to Fangchun, seeming to explain and comfort herself at the same time.

But aren’t women’s hearts all the same? Who doesn’t hope for their husband’s undivided devotion? Even if one becomes the principal wife among wives and concubines, you still have to guard against concubines causing trouble and prevent your husband from being foolish and favoring concubines over wives.

Taking concubines was common in every household, but it chilled her heart that even before their marriage, the person she would depend on for life already assumed she would be magnanimous. She wasn’t that magnanimous – she had her little temper, her little moods, but one phrase about “understanding propriety” completely stripped away her rights. She was supposed to be as steady as a Buddha, granting all her husband’s requests.

On the way back, she leaned on Qinghe’s shoulder, remaining silent throughout.

Qinghe asked softly: “What’s wrong?”

There were several painted boats on Yanwu Lake, and Qinghe had later been pulled away by the Censor’s daughter, not hearing Li Congxin’s grand discourse. Qingyuan didn’t want to say anything, also doubting if she was being too petty – after all, nowadays no official or noble person didn’t take concubines; taking concubines was a way to display status…

So she made a sound and said it was nothing, “Did Big Sister see Brother-in-law?”

Qinghe’s face reddened, her neck also growing hot, and she said softly: “I saw him. He’s going to the capital in a few days, preparing for next month’s autumn imperial examinations.”

Qingyuan fell silent again, then lifted her face to ask: “Big Sister, has Brother-in-law ever mentioned taking concubines?”

Qinghe was surprised, “We’re not even married yet, how could he think about taking concubines? Even if he would, that should only be discussed if I fail to bear children.”

They were both born of concubines, and neither particularly liked the idea of their husbands taking concubines. A concubine represented a long tragedy, this kind of suffering would continue, continue for a lifetime, never-ending until death.

Seeing her lost in thought, Qinghe seemed to understand something and asked hesitantly: “Surely the young marquis didn’t tell you he wants to take concubines?”

Qingyuan said no. This matter was still up for discussion – she’d rather believe he was just saving face, boasting in front of his friends. She wouldn’t condemn him completely, not giving him a chance to explain himself.

Meanwhile, when Shen Che returned to the residence, he went to his brother’s study to report.

Only one lamp was lit in the study, its dim flame illuminating the person seated behind the desk, his face as dark as the King of Hell.

He swallowed and said, “The matter is done. Fourth Miss heard everything, and she’s probably feeling terrible right now.” As he spoke, he sighed, “I feel guilty. After so many years of friendship with Chunzhi, in the end, I betrayed him. I’ve wronged him.”

Shen Run gave him a cold glance, playing with the taotie jade pendant in his hand, and said flatly: “Reviving the Shen family isn’t just my task – it requires the sincere cooperation of us brothers. Besides, no one forced those words from him – they were his true thoughts, how is that wronging him? I was taking a gamble – if he had said before everyone that he would only have her for life, I would have given up. But unfortunately, he didn’t – who can he blame? I said long ago, that someone used to dallying in romance, lacking decisive determination, will surely become a pushover in the future, and there will be times when he wrongs Fourth Miss. These few words were just the beginning – to completely break them apart, we need stronger medicine.”

Shen Che looked at his brother in alarm, “The Palace Guard Command’s methods can’t be used on Chunzhi!”

Shen Run smiled slightly, noting that Shen Che still valued friendship. Li Congxin wasn’t some great villain either, so naturally he would have to handle things carefully.

“Don’t worry, I’m not as dirty as you think, and I won’t make him suffer – I’ll just make sure he gets what he deserves.” He placed the taotie pendant on the gold-flecked paper before him, one finger pointing at the taotie’s nose, and said, “Did you know that Xie Shu’s attack on Stone Fort City isn’t going well?”

Shen Che said he knew, “Six thousand elite troops in battle, fighting to the death.”

Shen Run sneered, “It was a losing battle, to begin with, a death mission. Six thousand men forced their way across the Medicine Water River, and several thousand died. They’ve besieged Stone Fort City for two months, corpses piled into mountains, but still haven’t taken it. A few days ago, a death order came down, setting a deadline for capture. But the city rained arrows and rolling stones, and Xie’s army suffered heavy losses. His Majesty was furious – if they can’t take it, Xie Shu’s head might not be safe.”

Shen Che was shocked, “Has the palace issued orders yet?”

Shen Run said no, “But it should be soon – within these ten days or so.”

“What if they still can’t take it?” Shen Che said, “After Xie Shu is beheaded, Fourth Miss will observe three years of mourning, and the Danyang Marquis’s household will naturally break off the engagement – it would be perfectly logical. But three years – can brother wait that long? This line is being played out too far!”

Shen Run looked up at him, “There’s a reason you’re still a fifth-rank commander. Is it worth sacrificing so many lives just to make Li Congxin break off the engagement?” His fingertip moved from the taotie’s nose to its fangs, “The Xie family’s Old Madam will have to come to beg me again this time, and if she’s begging me, Fourth Miss will have to make an appearance…” He lowered his head, pulling at the corner of his mouth in a smile, “Empty words alone – how can one keep asking favors? Some benefits must be offered to buy cooperation. As for me, if the conditions are right, the Palace Guard Command’s wing army stationed in Jiannan could be lent to Xie Shu.”

The Palace Guard’s elite forces couldn’t be moved arbitrarily except in emergencies. Xie Shu led sixty thousand men to battle, most of them garrison troops who fought with broadswords and blood, and though they trained regularly, that perfunctory stretching and kicking relied purely on brute force in actual battle, with no tactical finesse to speak of. The Palace Guard was different – few but elite, any one of them could scale walls and walk on roofs with ease. Stone Fort City was easy to defend but hard to attack, actually defended by only about six hundred men, yet they had caused wave after wave of deaths among Xie’s forces. It seemed the old general was past his prime and couldn’t succeed without help.

Shen Che understood, “Brother, this siege you’re resolving is rather major – privately moving stationed troops, if it succeeds that’s fine, but if it fails it could bring disaster upon yourself.”

Shen Run sighed, rubbing his temples: “Of course, I’ll first get His Majesty’s tacit approval…” Then he waved his hand dismissively, “Your wife is pregnant – why are you the foolish one? Go back quickly, staying in my sight makes me want to demote you to guard the palace gates.”

Shen Che didn’t dare linger and hurried away. Walking a distance, he looked back to see the Commander with his legs propped on the desk, half-reclining in his round chair, one hand held high dangling that jade pendant, swaying it back and forth as he gazed at it for a long time. Finally, pleased with what he saw, he placed the jade pendant over his eyes. If one guessed correctly, at that moment he was probably sighing that heaven was helping him!

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