HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 68

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 68

Going to ask for favors now was inappropriate. Shen Run was about to be engaged to the young lady of the Mu family – what would people say if she went rushing to his door?

Qingyuan shook her head, “All three of my brothers have attended feasts at the Shen family and spoken with the Commander and his brothers. They can certainly make the request. Earlier, I could seek an audience using the Young Lord’s influence, but now I cannot – we must avoid suspicion. Grandmother, let my brothers go first to try. If that doesn’t work, we can think of other ways.”

Zhenglun was somewhat anxious, rubbing his head as he said, “It’s not that we’re unwilling to go, it’s just that the Commander is difficult to deal with.” He muttered under his breath, “If we had known this would happen, how much better it would have been if Fourth Sister had promised herself to the Commander. If something happened with Father, he could have helped us out first, rather than now having to frantically seek help everywhere, racking our brains.”

Hearing this, Qingyuan truly had no words for such reasoning. The Xie family seemed to always be like this – their stance could change with circumstances at any moment. As long as there was a need, anything could be justified both ways.

The Old Madame pressed her forehead and sighed, “Really… when everything in the family is going smoothly, you don’t notice anything, but once trouble comes, you realize the benefit of having real power in hand.”

Seeing the Old Madame’s difficulty, Zhenglun frowned at Qingyuan, “Fourth Sister, you’re also a member of the Xie family – this isn’t the time to stand aside! Chunzhi isn’t a petty person. If I, as your brother, personally escort you there, even if he has any thoughts, I can shield you.”

Qingyuan raised her head, her eyes coldly looking at Zhenglun, “Second Brother can shut Chunzhi’s mouth, but what about me? How can a young lady who doesn’t know self-respect be worthy of others? Second Brother can escort me to see Shen Run, but can you marry into the Marquis’s household in my place?”

This stopped Zhenglun in his tracks. Red-faced and thick-necked, he pointed at Qingyuan, “You…”

“Enough.” The Old Madame had to mediate, “Your sister’s words make sense. She’s now passed the minor engagement with the Young Lord and is considered to belong to another family. We can’t just think of ourselves; we must also consider the Marquis Manor’s dignity. Which noble family would want their daughter-in-law to be seen running around?”

Zhenglun stamped his foot in anger, “Grandmother seems to have forgotten – if something happens to Father, whether Fourth Sister can even marry into the Marquis’s family is still uncertain!”

Everyone had their insistence, and even when the Eldest Young Master and Third Young Master rushed over upon hearing the news, and the women of the family anxiously gathered in the main hall, Qingyuan never wavered from her position.

Madame Hu had indeed become like frost-bitten eggplant lately. Even in this heat, she wore a headband, her face waxy yellow, as she gripped the armrest of her chair and instructed Zhengze, “Aren’t you acquainted with the Chief Secretary of the Grand Mentor’s mansion? Go find him first to clarify the news. Also, the Deputy Commanders of the Imperial Guard and Tiger Warriors who served under your father – ask them to help inquire. If the palace issues orders for reinforcements, please ask them to be accommodating.”

Zhengze agreed and hurried out into the night. Madame Hu then turned to Zhenglun, “Second Son, since your Fourth Sister won’t agree, you’re a man – what are you afraid of? Make a trip to the Palace Command. Commander Shen won’t eat you alive. At this critical moment, with our eyebrows burning, everyone’s still trying to avoid responsibility – it seems none of you care about your father’s life. The Xie family’s reputation ultimately depends on the Master’s support; relying on your younger generation is eight hundred years too early! All of you standing aside, watching the excitement – when the nest falls, no egg remains intact. I’d like to see which of you can escape then!”

Madame Hu was, after all, the principal wife of the household; at this crucial moment, they had to rely on her decisions. Although she berated the younger generation with harsh words, no one dared to challenge her. Zhenglun went as told, and Zhengjun, seeing himself as the only one left, quickly said, “I have two friends in the Imperial Dragon Guard, I’ll go find them now.” He left right after Zhenglun.

Madame Hu’s gaze shifted, sweeping across Qingyuan’s face as she said with a cold smile, “This trip of Second Brother’s – I fear he won’t even see Commander Shen’s face. Fourth Girl, you have a deep friendship with him. I expect in the end, you’ll have to make the trip to resolve this situation.”

Qingyuan maintained her usual unhurried manner, keeping her hands tucked in as she said, “If I went, wouldn’t that invite gossip? Though I’m not born of you, Madame, I still call you mother. Are you willing to ruin my reputation?” Seeing Madame Hu’s expression darken, she didn’t engage with her further, turning instead to the Old Madame to say, “Grandmother, in my opinion, let Second Brother first test the Commander’s attitude. This matter seems ten times more dangerous than the last time – in the end, it would be better for Grandmother to personally intervene.”

The Old Madame sat stiffly, gathering her thoughts for a moment before slowly calming down, muttering to herself, “Though dangerous, it’s not like last time when we only had the Palace Command as an option. We can try various channels, and if nothing else works, there are still my natal family’s nephews – they’re all of age now, with stable official careers…”

Since the Old Madame had her calculations, no one else had anything to say. They returned to their respective courtyards and retired for the night with anxious hearts.

The next day, before dawn had fully broken, they gathered again in the main hall. Zhengze brought back news that the Emperor intended to punish, but had only mentioned it to his close attendants. Shen Run currently headed the Palace Command, but earlier he had served as an Imperial Attendant alongside Shen Che before the Emperor and still retained that title. After several twists and turns, the matter seemed to be returning to the old path.

As for Zhenglun, just as Madame Hu had predicted, he hadn’t even seen Shen Run’s shadow. The guard at the Palace Command dismissed him with one sentence, saying the Commander had entered the palace, blocking him at the gate without allowing him to step one foot into the office!

So the family once again looked expectantly at Qingyuan, but she kept her eyes down, unmoved. She understood clearly – Shen Run had always been calculating, everything was under his control. He was just waiting, waiting for her to be forced to seek him out again. Then her earnest promise to keep faith with Li Congxin would become a joke; she couldn’t win this battle of pride.

Moreover, he was now about to be engaged, and she couldn’t bring herself to face going to find him again. Fortunately, the rumors were still confined to the palace, with no imperial edict of punishment issued yet. But that Stone Fort, precipitous on three sides, was easy to defend but difficult to attack – if they still couldn’t capture it, Xie Shu would sooner or later lose his head as a warning to others.

The Xie family was in quiet chaos – though appearing calm on the surface, underneath it was like the mud at the bottom of an old lotus pond being stirred up. After all, when one suffers, all suffer. Qingyuan was also somewhat anxious, and the Old Madame still counted on her to take action – as if her inaction made her the family’s sinner.

“What is the Third Young Master doing at this time?” Baoxian said helplessly, “After the minor engagement, he’s practically half a son-in-law. Doesn’t he know Young Miss’s situation?”

Previously, Qingyuan had been alone and could act without many considerations, but now that she had a marriage agreement, it wasn’t appropriate for her to appear in public. She had been counting on Li Congxin to help her out of this predicament. He had extensive connections – even if he didn’t trouble Shen Che, he had many friends in important positions in the capital. One way or another, there should be some hope in mobilizing them.

However, she waited in Danyue Pavilion for an entire day, and Li Congxin’s side remained as steady as Mount Tai. Standing under the eaves looking at the moon, which hung like a gossamer thread at the edge of the sky, she sighed, “He probably hasn’t received the news. I’ll go find him early tomorrow morning.”

The Danyang Marquis’s Manor had a separate residence in Youzhou. She knew where the mansion was, though she had never been there. The next day, after paying her morning respects to the Old Madame, she set out. The Xie family’s morning greeting time was always very early, so when the carriage arrived at the front of the Marquis’s residence, the sun was barely rising.

Li Congxin usually wasn’t very strict in managing the servants, so at this hour the main gate was half-open, with only a drowsy servant leaning against the doorframe. Qingyuan descended from the carriage and sent Old Woman Tao to announce her arrival, saying the Commissioner’s Fourth Young Lady had come. Though the servant had never seen her before, he knew that the Xie Fourth Young Lady was engaged to his young master, so he didn’t dare be negligent. He hurriedly bowed and welcomed her in, smiling as he said, “Our Young Master was drinking with his superiors yesterday and hasn’t risen yet. Fourth Young Lady, please wait in the garden while I go announce you.”

Just then, Ziwu, Li Congxin’s servant, came up and spat at the gate servant, “Have you lost your mind? The Third Master hasn’t risen, and you’d have the Fourth Young Lady wait in the garden? Quick, show her to the flower hall!” He kept making eye signals as he spoke.

Qingyuan noticed this and smiled, saying, “It’s no matter, we’re not strangers after all.” She walked past Ziwu toward his courtyard.

Ziwu anxiously followed behind – the gatekeeper didn’t know the situation in the inner courtyard and had just led her in like this. The Fourth Young Lady was clever; what if she noticed something! He followed with a worried heart, quickening his pace to catch up. Fortunately, the Third Master had heard the announcement and come out – the young lady surely wouldn’t barge straight into a man’s room. The Third Master smiled, “Fourth Sister, why have you come so early in the morning?”

Ziwu let out a long breath, glancing at the Fourth Young Lady, who always maintained her gentle manner as she said softly, “I have something to discuss with Brother…”

But before she could finish speaking, a coquettish voice came from his bedroom behind him, “Darling, where are my clothes!”

Li Congxin’s face changed immediately, stammering, “Fourth Sister, it’s not… I… I was drinking with the Minister of Rites yesterday, at that banquet… I had a few extra cups…”

Qingyuan’s expression gradually turned cold, feeling a fire burning in her chest that almost made her sick. But she couldn’t lose her composure – no matter how awkward or embarrassing, she couldn’t lose her dignity. So she forced a smile and said, “Ah, I’ve come at a bad time. I see the Third Young Master has a guest.”

A thunderous sound went through Li Congxin’s mind when he heard her call him “Third Young Master” again – intending to draw a line between them – and he knew this time things had gone wrong. He hadn’t meant for this to happen; it was just that during social occasions, amid the singing, dancing, and wine, cup after cup went down until he lost control of himself. He regretted it – since seeing her at the spring banquet, she had been his only thought, and he truly hadn’t touched another woman in these months. He had wanted to remain pure, but last night after several cups of wine, this woman had gotten into his carriage and his bed.

Earlier, when he heard the servant announcing in the courtyard, he had panicked, desperately instructing the woman to stay quiet, but in the end, it had all been for nothing. He suddenly realized he had fallen into a trap – someone had set this up to put him in an indefensible position.

“Fourth Sister…” he was flustered, trying to explain, “It’s not what you think, there’s a misunderstanding, let me explain…”

She pulled her arm from his grasp, “We haven’t even had our formal engagement yet, Third Young Master still has choices. But doing this…” she frowned with a smile, “is truly improper. If planning to marry, even chambermaids should be avoided, let alone outsiders! I came at the wrong time today, getting such a cold reception, I don’t even know what to say… I’ll send someone to return the betrothal gifts, and let’s end things here.”

Her words cut like a knife through his heart, filled with both regret and urgency as he tried to grab her, “Fourth Sister… Qingyuan…”

Old Woman Tao stepped in to block him, saying coldly, “Young Lord, please show some restraint. Things have come to this, so let it go. Our Young Lady knows your family wasn’t entirely in favor of this marriage, and it was only because of you that she boldly agreed. Now, before even getting married, you’ve betrayed our Young Lady – how could she dare entrust her life to you?”

Li Congxin was overwhelmed with shame, almost crying as he called out “Fourth Sister,” but she didn’t even look back as she went straight to the gate.

Sitting in the carriage, tears welled in her eyes as Qingyuan lowered her head, dabbing them with her handkerchief.

Baoxian felt indignant on her behalf, saying angrily, “Truly, a leopard can’t change its spots. What a shame, Young Miss, to have wasted such care.”

She should be sad – she had thought such a refined gentleman, even if previously frivolous, would have his day of reform, but she had taken too much for granted. She didn’t regret going through all this trouble; all beauty comes from distance – she had never gotten close to him before, only seeing the surface. This was who he had always been. She had given him a chance, and she hadn’t betrayed his sincerity. Now that the path ended here, she could at least say she had done right by him.

As her tears slowly cooled, she sighed, “The family is in chaos right now, but we’ll prepare to return the gifts ourselves.”

Reporting to the Old Madame was necessary, however. She entered the garden and explained everything in detail. The Old Madame relaxed, “This way neither side is delayed, that’s good…”

Still, what had begun as such a grand joy ended so dismally and was truly lamentable.

Just as Qingyuan finished reporting to the Old Madame, word came from outside that the Young Lord was requesting an audience.

The Old Madame looked at Qingyuan, awaiting her decision. Qingyuan’s brows drooped as she said, “I won’t see him. Grandmother, please send him away.”

She retreated to Danyue Pavilion, and the Old Madame had no choice but to have the Young Lord shown to the main hall. That once proud and spirited young noble now entered in a disheveled state, making a formal bow as he said, “Grandmother, I have made a grave mistake this time, and Fourth Sister cannot forgive me. Please intercede on my behalf… I made such great efforts for this marriage – if it ends here, I would be failing Fourth Sister, failing my parents, and failing myself.”

The Old Madame sighed with lowered eyelids: “Young Lord, men’s dalliances at social occasions do happen, you need not blame yourself so. But young ladies differ from one another – others might not mind, but our Fourth Girl has always been deep-thinking, there’s nothing to be done about that. She just came to tell me, and from her tone, I fear there’s no room for negotiation. Since things are thus, forced melons aren’t sweet – you’d better make other plans.” She shook her head with infinite regret, “She truly wanted to follow you, but you see… fated to meet but not to join, it can’t be forced. Go back now, we won’t speak of the reason for breaking the engagement to others, you can rest assured of that.”

When the bride’s family refuses to marry, what need is there to announce anything – anyone with eyes could see it must be because the Young Lord’s philandering habits had surfaced again. Li Congxin stood dazed in the main hall for a long while, but it was all futile. Finally, with a long sigh, he left with a hanging head and a dispirited heart.

Yuejian, fanning the Old Madame from the side, felt sorry for the Fourth Young Lady, “It was such a good match originally.”

The Old Madame pressed her lips together in silence – with the Master’s life hanging in the balance, it was better that this marriage ended.

Just then, the gate attendant came in to report that the messenger they had sent out had brought word that Commander Shen had returned to his mansion. The Old Madame gathered her spirits, muttering, “I must go personally – I know Shen Run is waiting for me now.”

The Xie family’s carved carriage crossed the city and arrived at the Shen mansion’s main gate, which stood wide open with servants streaming in and out, carrying items wrapped in red silk. The Old Madame paused briefly – seeing this scale of preparations, she knew Shen Run had begun preparing for his marriage arrangements with the Mu family.

Ah, coming at this time was truly awkward, but the Master’s current situation left no room for retreat. Without an imperial edict, only those close to the situation knew about it, limiting their ability to act; once the Emperor issued an edict, the storm would arrive in an instant, leaving no time to seek help through connections. So after much consideration, Shen Run remained their only option. Qingyuan would certainly not come now, and if conditions were to be discussed, only she, the old lady, could make the move personally.

The Shen household’s steward welcomed her warmly, “Old Madame, are you here to see someone, or do you have instructions?”

The Old Madame replied with an “Oh” and said, “Please trouble the steward to announce me – I am from Commissioner Xie’s family, seeking an audience with Commander Shen.”

The steward was surprised, “So it’s the Old Madame from Commissioner Xie’s family, forgive my poor eyesight.” As he spoke, he led her inside, “Old Madame, please wait in the flower hall, I will have someone report to the master immediately.”

The ordered servant quickly headed toward the garden. The Shen family was very attentive to guests – the steward had tea served, personally presenting it to the Old Madame.

The Old Madame expressed her thanks, casually inquiring, “It seems your household is preparing for a joyous occasion? I heard the betrothal is to be these days?”

The steward smiled with crossed sleeves, “Indeed it is. Our Commander is busy with official duties and doesn’t have time for the complete six rites, so after discussing with the Chief Minister’s family, we’ll handle everything at once. We’ve chosen an auspicious date – the wedding will be next month. Since the Commander and Commissioner Xie serve in court together, we will certainly send an invitation. We hope the Old Madame will honor us with her presence.”

The Old Madame felt increasingly heavy-hearted but could only maintain her smile, repeatedly saying “good.”

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