Two families intending to form a marriage alliance, meeting at this Spring Banquet – Duchess Ji had facilitated another match, truly accumulating boundless merit. When families of equal status found each other agreeable, how many troubles were avoided? With the Duchess’s kind intention to help, she naturally arranged a quiet space where several noble families could sit together, drinking tea and chatting while waiting for the Founding Marquis’s eldest son to appear, to see if the young pair would take to each other.
Qingyuan had originally shrunk to the back, but her deliberate attempts to avoid attention hadn’t diminished the noble ladies’ interest in discussing her. So many eyes glanced her way, intentionally or not, with whispered comments and fleeting looks – even without hearing the words, she knew what they were discussing. Qingyuan was still young, and inevitably felt awkward in such a situation. Old Madam Xie naturally noticed this but said nothing, not even turning her head, just setting down her teacup and firmly replacing its lid.
The translucent tent was like a pot of water, with idle gossip as the small fire beneath. The heat was gentle, raising clusters of bubbles along the walls – not quite boiling, but lively nonetheless. Everyone present was of high status, and whispering wasn’t quite proper, so Duchess Ji simply spoke openly, studying Qingyuan closely before addressing the Old Madam: “Earlier, Old Madam mentioned this was Fourth Miss. I knew the Regional Commander’s family had three daughters, but this one…”
Even the most noble women couldn’t resist the urge to probe into private matters, and Duchess Ji was no exception. This conveniently allowed Old Madam Xie to speak plainly.
“This is the Xie family’s youngest daughter, who was living elsewhere before. The household received news of her this year and brought her back.” Old Madam Xie spoke without reservation. Hengtang wasn’t particularly large or small – any whisper of news from one family would spread throughout the city in the blink of an eye. Everyone present knew the details of Qingyuan’s background. Because the deceased concubine wasn’t considered a proper secondary wife, the Xie family could handle it privately, but who didn’t know that it was a case of two concubines fighting for favor, with one poisoning the other to death?
But Old Madam Xie didn’t care – who doesn’t talk about others behind their backs, and who isn’t talked about? Great noble families had far worse scandals, but time washed them clean, and attention soon turned to others’ affairs.
The Old Madam wore a vague smile, “The grudges of the previous generation have nothing to do with her. She’s been back in the household for some time now, and I’ve observed – she’s a proper child. Though our Xie family isn’t particularly distinguished, we value family bonds. How could we let our flesh and blood drift outside? I often tell those around me, that we’ve done our duty as humans, and the rest depends on her fate. If her fortune runs deep, marrying a high official would be her blessing; if not so deep, even staying in the Xie family for life – we can certainly provide for her.”
These words carried an air of refusing to bow to others – even if it meant supporting an unmarried daughter for life, the Xie family would accept it. Outsiders might think the Old Madam valued relationships and showed the dignity of a family head, but Qingyuan knew how much hypocrisy lay within. If not for pacifying the household, the Xie family wouldn’t have remembered her, and when the Chen elders refused to let her go, how they forced their way in, using threats and near abduction.
However, the Old Madam was right about one thing – she didn’t expect any of these noble ladies to take to her, so she remained composed, avoiding any appearance of affected modesty.
The ladies present had initially intended to draw out this newly returned granddaughter and see how Old Madam Xie would handle it. But she proved remarkably forthright, showing no signs of timidity or compromise, leaving them puzzled – the Old Madam seemed completely unconcerned about this granddaughter’s future as if some high official truly waited for them somewhere.
Looking at the girl herself, though young, her beauty was extraordinary – no wonder Old Madam Xie was so confident. This caused families with sons to grow anxious – how many shortcuts might a beautiful girl not take? If a foolish son or grandson became enchanted and insisted on marrying a girl of such background, it would disturb the household’s peace.
Everyone harbored their thoughts, making vague responses while lifting their teacups. Only the Prefect’s elderly wife, who had been friends with Old Madam Xie since her youth, spoke kindly to Qingyuan, saying the young miss had faced difficulties and should visit their home with her sisters when there was time.
Just then, the Founding Marquis’s eldest son arrived, and all eyes turned to him. Qingyuan glanced at him – he was of medium build and appearance, with regular features. Though not strikingly handsome, he had the refined air of a scholar.
For a family of such status, producing a proper graduate who wasn’t ill-favored was already rare. Earlier, Qingru had eagerly hoped the Founding Marquis’s eldest son wouldn’t be satisfactory, to ease her regret at missing the opportunity, but what one fears most often comes to pass. She was secretly annoyed, and seeing Qinghe’s shy demeanor made it even more irritating, causing her to smirk silently with one corner of her mouth.
Qingyuan stood behind the Old Madam. As the youngest of the sisters, she could still play innocent for a few years, just smiling appropriately. The Founding Marquis’s son, knowing his family was arranging a marriage for him, naturally felt awkward meeting face-to-face. His mother had him greet Old Madam Xie, which he did with clasped hands, but when introduced to the sisters, he grew nervous.
The four young ladies stood in a row, their varied dress hems trailing – he barely dared raise his eyes to look. After this confused greeting, the young ladies stepped back slightly, lowering their heads and curtsying in return. Only then did he glimpse the eldest Miss Xie’s appearance – though not supremely beautiful, she was gracefully pretty. That one glance was enough.
The elders, being experienced, didn’t need to ask if things were satisfactory – expressions alone told the result. Since the children were to be married, they should have some interaction beforehand. The Founding Marquis’s wife smiled and asked Qinghe, “Does eldest miss enjoy cuju and ball games?”
Qinghe lowered her head and replied, “We sisters often play at home.”
The Founding Marquis’s wife smiled even more broadly, “Perfect! Let Guanlin take you to watch outside – perhaps you’ll see some young ladies you know.”
Qinghe felt somewhat embarrassed and hesitantly looked to her grandmother for approval. Old Madam Xie was pleased with the development and nodded, “Go ahead – it’s rare to come out, you should look around.”
However, it wouldn’t be proper for a young lady to follow a man alone – Qinghe needed to bring a sister as company. Qingru might try to steal attention, and Qingrong’s sarcastic nature could cause trouble, so after consideration, only Qingyuan remained. She took her hand and said, “Fourth sister, come with me!”
Qingyuan, being only fourteen, appeared somewhat naive to others. She blinked her large eyes, also waiting for her grandmother’s permission, and only followed Qinghe out of the blue tent after Old Madam Xie approved.
Outside, spring sunshine blazed brilliantly. Looking around, the peach groves were layered so thickly they seemed almost overwhelming. When the wind blew, it brought a nose full of fragrance. Qingyuan held Qinghe’s arm, softly exclaiming, “How beautiful the scenery is here!”
Qinghe was very gentle and kind at this moment, responding with a murmur, “Duchess Ji has maintained this place for decades.”
Li Guanlin, hearing the sisters’ soft conversation, smiled and said, “This was originally where local officials held the Deer-Crying Banquet for successful examination candidates. After that ceremony was abolished, Duchess Ji bought the place and had people plant vast peach groves around it – it took seven or eight years to achieve this spectacular view. Is this Fourth Miss’s first visit?”
Qingyuan smiled and nodded.
Most people knew her background, but men, unlike women, didn’t have such circuitous thoughts – Li Guanlin was no exception. He clasped his hands behind his back and said, “I’ve come two years in a row, though unwillingly – my mother insisted… But it’s better now, I won’t need to come anymore.” Even the dullest man would be inspired when it came to marriage. After speaking, he considered his words carefully, feeling he’d made himself quite clear – surely the young lady would understand, and he wouldn’t be left with the impression of being a bookworm!
The cuju field was just ahead, where players ran with abandon while spectators watched from various distances, sitting or standing, all quite animated. Looking around and seeing no spare seats, he excused himself to find some for them. Qingyuan and Qinghe exchanged smiles, with Qingyuan saying, “Congratulations, eldest sister – Young Master Li is quite interested in you.”
Qinghe blushed, protesting, “That’s not true.”
Qingyuan smiled and said, “How is it not? He just said he won’t need to come anymore – isn’t he telling eldest sister that having found someone suitable, he won’t need to come here year after year looking?”
Qinghe naturally understood his meaning. Truth be told, before attending the banquet, she had worried too. Li Guanlin was the Founding Marquis’s eldest legitimate son – he should have been matched with a legitimate daughter like Qingru. She couldn’t understand why this marriage proposal had fallen to her. She had worried repeatedly that he might truly have some defect – perhaps extremely ugly, or of poor character, or truly simple-minded as Qingrong had suggested… Now seeing him, the young man was proper and decent, without the arrogance typical of a marquis’s son. Just his gesture of personally finding seats for the sisters showed he would be considerate in the future.
Because her happiest moments were when Qingyuan accompanied her, sharing in her joy, Qinghe no longer disliked her as before. Compared to Qingru and Qingrong, this fourth sister had more admirable qualities. She truly was still a child, with such pure thoughts, discovering deeper meaning in Li Guanlin’s words, continuing thoughtfully: “Those who still attend the Spring Banquet after marriage likely have other intentions. Those who are glad to no longer attend before marriage surely won’t take concubines in the future!”
A husband not taking concubines was almost every woman’s wish. Especially for them, born of concubines, understanding the difficulties concubines faced and what people would do to survive at any cost. So preventing a husband from taking concubines was as important as not becoming someone else’s concubine. Whether Qingyuan’s analysis was correct or not, it was at least pleasing to Qinghe’s ears.
As the sisters whispered together, unexpectedly, a cuju ball flew out of bounds toward them, striking Qingyuan’s shoulder before she could dodge it.
The fashionable cuju balls of the time were made of eight leather panels sewn together and stuffed with rice bran. Though not particularly heavy, when kicked, they carried considerable force. She let out a cry of pain, rubbing her shoulder as Qinghe started in alarm, quickly asking, “Are you alright?”
She shook her head, seeing the ball had landed at her feet, and looked around to see which reckless person had kicked with such poor aim!
Along the ball’s path, people had naturally divided into two groups, and at the end of the human wall, a young man hurried over. He wore an ivory-colored robe with cloud patterns in silk damask, its collar, and cuffs trimmed with red silk. That faint line of crimson against his fair complexion gave him the refined air of a noble youth from the capital.