HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 85

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 85

“Nonsense!” Shen Run shouted sternly, “I’m getting married the day after tomorrow, and you’re talking about divorce? What will others think? Those who don’t know the situation will assume the sisters-in-law can’t get along, that one must make way for the other—how would that make Yunya look? On such an auspicious occasion, what drama is this? Is it that girl from the Yao family stirring up trouble? If so, just say it clearly, and we’ll stop their association.”

Shen Che kept sighing, “The Yao girl and Fangchun are maternal cousins. After Fangchun’s mother passed away early, it was that maternal aunt who took care of everything for her. Fangchun is easily influenced and kindhearted—how can you expect her to bluntly drive people away? Besides, regarding our matters, how can we blame the young lady without any proof? Brother, don’t worry too much. This has nothing to do with your future wife. No matter how poorly we get along as husband and wife, we can’t seriously consider divorce at such a crucial time. I’m just heartbroken… after all I’ve done for her… yet she speaks to me of divorce…”

Shen Run sighed helplessly and patted his shoulder, “About that lost child last time—she probably hasn’t gotten over it yet. I suspect her outburst comes partly from self-blame. After two years of marriage without bearing a child, she finally conceived only to lose it and feel she’s failed you. Women’s minds work differently from ours. We men think losing one child isn’t a big deal—just try harder for another. Women worry whether they can conceive again, and if not, they think they should free you early rather than hold you back.”

After hearing this explanation, Shen Che had a sudden revelation and immediately looked at his brother with admiring eyes, “Brother, your years in the judiciary haven’t been wasted—you understand people’s thoughts so well, especially women’s.”

Shen Run’s face stiffened, “What nonsense are you talking about? If your sister-in-law heard that, it would be terrible. Yunya has told me everything about the situation. Anyway, first keep Fangchun calm until after the wedding, then properly sort out the reasons. If it truly is the Yao girl wagging her tongue, it wouldn’t be difficult to pull it out and feed it to the dogs. Can’t you handle a mere sixth-rank official’s daughter?”

In Shen Run’s eyes, nothing in the world counted as a major problem except Qingyuan not following him. After chatting with him for a while, Shen Che also felt no problem couldn’t be solved.

Shen Che left with a renewed spirit. As for matters in the Western Residence, Shen Run couldn’t interfere too much. He called in the stewards to carefully review the wedding procedures one more time, re-examined and adjusted the arrangements for the Lulong Army and Palace Guard personnel on duty that day, and only when he felt everything was foolproof did he take time to try on his wedding attire.

As for Qingyuan’s instructions, he followed them to the letter. Except for the maids arranging the bridal chamber, not a single woman could be seen where he was staying, and only the two pageboys who usually attended him were allowed near.

He adjusted his jade belt repeatedly before the mirror. This wedding attire had been prepared by the Old Madam of the Chen family, complementing Qingyuan’s. With its intricate brocade and superior satin, it was even more luxurious than his Palace Guard uniform.

Hetang sighed admiringly beside him, “The Old Madam truly cares. Matron Zhou originally said our residence would prepare the wedding attire, but the Old Madam took over that task too, and what a splendid job she did!” While supporting the ceremonial pine branch on his shoulder, he continued, “Look at our master—the wedding attire makes his face appear even more snow-white. Where in the world could you find such a handsome groom!”

Shou Song raised his eyebrows, “Indeed! Though all the Palace Guard officers come from noble families, our master still outshines them all in beauty.”

This made Hetang knock him on the forehead, “The master isn’t a young lady—what do you mean ‘outshines in beauty’! I often see you holding books, but it seems all the characters have gone to a dog’s belly!”

As they roughhoused, Shen Run wasn’t strict with his attendants, and with the happy occasion approaching, he let them play around.

However, he was still worried about Shen Che’s situation, so he sent Shou Song to gather news. After lingering at the Western Residence’s gate for half a day, Shou Song returned shaking his head, “Matron Yuan said that before I went, she could hear the Second Madam crying. The two maids attending her were useless too, standing under the eaves with necks stretched out like geese, not daring to offer a single word of comfort.”

Hearing this, Shen Run could only furrow his brows. Given Fangchun’s background, her current state wasn’t hard to understand. Though her birth wasn’t high—her father being merely an eighth-rank administrative official—and her birth mother died early, her father had kept his second wife so subdued she barely dared speak. This young lady had grown up pampered like an untended sheep. Later, when she met Shen Che, she was determined to marry him, and after the Shen family’s restoration, Shen Che married her without hesitation. Since then, she had carried the title of Deputy Commander’s wife, living a life of luxury without any disturbance. With no parents-in-law or sisters-in-law in the household, what did she know of life’s hardships?

Shen Che often said she was like a child. Once at a banquet hosted by the Marquise of Guangping, she pronounced “white cloth” incorrectly in her cloud-region accent, and when people laughed, she was so embarrassed she cried for three days and never attended another banquet—which was allowed. But now to talk of divorce—to even think of such an absurd thing showed that indulging a foolish person only made them more foolish. Truly, when taking a wife, having good judgment was essential.

He had complete confidence in his bride. Qingyuan was indeed well-behaved, the type of person who could live contentedly as long as she had a peaceful place to call home. During these three days, the Old Madam had taught her much about how husband and wife should get along, what to be careful of, and when to compromise.

Finally, the Old Madam smiled and patted her knee, saying, “When we used to marry into other families, our biggest worry was getting along with our mothers-in-law. But both Shen elders have passed on, so for you young couple, as long as you respect each other, how could you not live well together? You’re a sensible child, just remember two things: first, discuss matters with your husband; second, maintain your husband’s face. No matter how well a man treats you at home, that’s private. In public, you must know how to preserve his dignity. When he has a face, you have a face. I’ve seen women who showed their power by pushing their husbands into the mud—when a man can’t hold his head high, how can others respect you? So, be a clever wife. Don’t just live, but live thoughtfully. That’s how to make a marriage last and a household prosper.”

Qingyuan said, “Yes, I’ll remember Grandmother’s teachings.” Then, like a child, she nestled close, hugging the Old Madam’s waist and saying, “Grandmother, I’ll miss you and Grandfather.”

Speaking of missing—how could she not miss them? After leaving home, she would belong to another family. Even if they could see each other often, it wouldn’t be the same as when she was an unmarried daughter.

Old Madam Chen blinked away tears and bitterness, stroking her hair as she said, “I only wish for you to be well, for harmony between husband and wife, for peace in your household. Then your grandfather and I will have nothing to worry about.”

The Old Master was in the corridor playing with birds using a grass stick. Hearing them whispering private talk, he called out in his deep voice, “It’s only a few steps from here to the Commander’s residence—just a stride away. Is there anyone in the world who could see their daughter more conveniently than us? Don’t act as if she’s marrying far away. After all, Yunya has found a good husband. If her mother knew from the underworld, she would be happy for her too.”

The Old Master’s words were very sensible and calm, and hearing them, the Old Madam felt more at ease.

They had thought that for Yunya’s wedding, he would be cheerful, but when the day came, they found him hiding alone in his study, wiping tears. The Old Madam sighed, saying this old man had become sentimental with age. Qingyuan was already dressed, just waiting for the auspicious hour when Shen Run would come to receive her. Hearing her grandmother speak this, she felt sad and went to the study to check on her grandfather.

The Old Master couldn’t wipe away his tears in time and forced a smile: “Why aren’t you waiting in your room? What are you doing coming to see me?”

Qingyuan tugged at his sleeve and said, “I grew up on Grandfather’s back. In my heart, you and Grandmother are my dearest family, now and forever. I know you’re reluctant to part with me, but looking at Shen Run, he’s someone you can trust, so please don’t worry. If he doesn’t treat me well, I’ll come back to you both. I have a maternal home to return to—I won’t let anyone bully me.”

Hearing this, the Old Master nodded with a sigh. Looking her up and down, this granddaughter who seemed like a child yesterday appeared almost unrecognizable today in her wedding finery. His heart ached as he adjusted the hairpins in her headdress, “Live well in the Shen family.”

Qingyuan agreed and helped him toward the main hall—when the wedding party arrived, she would still need to bow to him.

The front hall was filled with guests, including all the Old Master’s former business associates from his trading days. Even the fair-weather friend who had borrowed three thousand taels and never returned it came, bringing a hundred taels as a gift, hoping to maintain future connections. Though Qingyuan didn’t say it aloud, in her heart she secretly hoped, just as Shen Run had said, that if the Xie family would send even a handkerchief as dowry, she would willingly acknowledge that relationship again.

But alas, until the end, no one from the Xie family came. Amid the joyous voices and laughter, the bridegroom arrived.

Qingyuan let out a soft breath, seeing at the end of the wooden corridor a young man in blazing red approaching with grace, as handsome and dignified as the day she first met him. Commander Shen… back then she had dealt with him so cautiously, and his tone had been harsh—she would tremble whenever his gaze fell upon her… yet now this man was about to become her husband.

She could hardly believe it, her mind dizzy as she watched him come closer and closer… He greatly admired her wedding attire, his eyes sparking with amazement. Though nothing could be said, he lowered his sleeve to secretly hook her index finger.

The Old Master and Old Madam were already seated in the place of honor. As the doors opened wide, Shen Run and Qingyuan knelt on brocade cushions to bid farewell to their elders, bowing with clasped hands: “Yunya marrying Run is a blessing from Run’s previous life. From this day forward, husband and wife will be of one heart, sharing joy and sorrow. Please rest assured, Grandfather and Grandmother.”

The Old Madam both laughed and cried, repeatedly saying, “Rise… rise…”

Qingyuan raised her feather fan, hot tears rolling down behind it. Though it might ruin her makeup, she couldn’t help it—from today she would bid farewell to her maiden years. Her time in the Xie family hadn’t brought her happiness, but her fourteen years in the Chen family were what she cherished beyond measure.

Outside the residence, crowds filled the streets. She heard the surging voices and saw the layers of figures in her peripheral vision. At first, she felt somewhat sad but then noticed white snowflakes falling, landing on the intricate trim of her sleeve. Then great swathes of first snow fell like scattered salt. She quietly looked up—snow was falling everywhere, and at that moment she felt happy again, even the crisp air no longer seemed so sharp.

Boarding the carriage to head to the Commander’s residence—that would be her home from now on. During her half-year in the Xie family, she had longed desperately for her own house, for courtyards that truly belonged to her, and now finally her wish was coming true. She lowered her feather fan and looked out through her vermillion bridal veil—even the snow seemed to have red warp and weft, falling silently yet magnificently.

The sky had finally darkened, and red lanterns hung high along the entire wedding procession route. As they approached the Commander’s residence, the mansion front had become a sea of lanterns. Baoxian and her former maid Hongmian came to help her walk—a thin layer of snow had gathered on the grape-patterned brocade carpet beneath her feet, making a rustling sound as she stepped.

Holding the treasure vase, crossing the fire basin—laughter continuously rippled through the crowd. Almost all who came to congratulate Shen Run were high officials and their families. The noble ladies whispered among themselves, “My, what a grand wedding feast today” and “The bride’s wedding dress is so luxurious—surely it’s not bestowed from the palace?”

Qingyuan felt somewhat nervous, but fortunately Shen Run was not far from her. The wedding so far had been perfect, with the only regret being the absence of parents above them.

Shen Run’s parents were gone, leaving only empty seats to bow to. As the ceremonial officer was loudly announcing the heavenly prayer and servants were bringing cushions for the ritual, suddenly the crowd fell silent. Qingyuan glanced at Shen Run, and through the red gauze veil, he gave her a reassuring look.

What was bound to come finally came. Sure enough, they heard the pageboy at the entrance announcing, “The Old Madam and Lady of the Jiannandao Military Commissioner’s mansion have come to offer congratulations.”

Old Madam Xie, bitter that Qingyuan didn’t acknowledge the father-daughter relationship, had grown increasingly resentful. If Qingyuan had met with her father that day, perhaps today wouldn’t have come to this. But since she was determined in her decision, others couldn’t be blamed. Now, with nearly half the court officials present, it was time to make a scene and let everyone judge right from wrong.

The Old Madam approached step by step, her dragon-headed walking stick striking the ground with steady taps. As she walked, she said, “Commander Shen, I hear you’re marrying my Xie family’s daughter today. Without matchmakers or betrothal gifts—by what right do you hold this wedding?”

Shen Run gave a cool ceremonial bow, “This humble Shen has troubled the Old Madam to grace us with her presence—I dare not accept such honor. Since you’ve come as a guest, please be seated. Let me and my wife complete our ceremonial bows, then I shall speak with the Old Madam.”

However, having come, how could she leave matters at that? Old Madam Xie sneered, “Commander Shen only bows to your Shen family ancestors, but doesn’t know to kowtow to my Xie family? Let me ask Commander Shen, whose flesh and blood stands behind that feather fan? Is she not of my Xie family? Xie Qingyuan’s name still appears in the Xie family genealogy and household register. When Commander Shen married her, did he inform my Xie family?”

The guests burst into commotion—this would likely be the year’s biggest scandal. Everyone knew that Shen Run didn’t acknowledge his father-in-law, as he was accustomed to being domineering, and however much he defied convention, it hardly seemed strange. But what they hadn’t expected was the Xie family coming to demand justice at his door. Whatever the Xie family’s previous shortcomings, by law and custom, Shen Run and his wife were in the wrong.

The crowd was seven parts interested in watching the drama—after all, their social relationships were mostly superficial, and only a fool would miss out on such entertainment. Strangely, even the Palace Guard officials showed no reaction, and the guards and Lulong Army soldiers at the gate had let these troublemakers swagger in. On closer thought, something seemed amiss.

How could someone like Shen Run, who controlled all military defenses in the capital region, overlook such an important matter? He deliberately let the Xie family lose face, saying before all the guests: “Could it be that the Old Madam has forgotten what she did in her old age? To beg Shen Run to help Commissioner Xie, you sent the young lady to my residence at night—where in the world are there such close relatives? Old Madam, you mistreated and degraded her because my wife wasn’t raised eating your Xie family’s food, but Shen Run admired her noble character and insisted on properly marrying her. A girl abandoned by your Xie family—now that she has become useful, you want to reclaim her? The Old Madam is being too frivolous.”

Old Madam Xie’s coming today meant she was prepared for his mockery. Now she no longer hoped for Fourth Girl to acknowledge the Xie family; she merely wanted to vent her anger and make them unable to hold their heads high in Youzhou.

Old Madam Xie snorted in derision, “Commander Shen’s character is well known to all civil and military officials. How could someone so calculating overlook me, the Old Madam? I didn’t come today to argue with you, but to seek justice. Since she’s a person of the Xie family, her marriage must be decided by the Xie family. No matter how grand Commander Shen’s wedding feast is, it’s useless. If you truly want to marry a Xie family daughter, please come kowtow at our Xie residence, then come take her.”

As she spoke, the Old Madam moved to seize Qingyuan, relying on her age and status as an ennobled Commandery Lady to assume Shen Run wouldn’t dare touch her. But the maids and matrons around Qingyuan were no pushovers—they blocked her with many hands while continuously urging, “Old Madam, please maintain your dignity.”

Madam Hu felt secretly delighted—disrupting this wedding feast would somewhat satisfy her anger. Thinking of Qingru, now half-alive and half-dead, while Qingyuan married gloriously into the Commander’s mansion and would soon hold a second-rank title—it was truly against heaven’s justice. Let the Old Madam make trouble—the bigger the scene, the better. If only she could get her hands on that cheap hussy Qingyuan, she had ways to make her beg for life without getting it, and beg for death without finding it.

But as fortune would have it, just as the situation was becoming uncontrollable, three eunuchs in official robes arrived at the gate carrying jade scroll holders containing imperial edicts. Seeing the chaos inside, they cleared their throats loudly—their distinctive voices proving even more effective than a judge’s gavel.

“Silence!” The lead eunuch lowered his eyes with an expression of complete disdain for everyone present and announced in a raised voice, “His Majesty has a decree! Let Palace Guard Commander Shen Run and Lady Chen receive the imperial edict!”

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