HomeA Cup of LoveYi Ou Chun - Chapter 89

Yi Ou Chun – Chapter 89

The snow finally stopped around the fourth watch of this morning.

When the thick cotton curtains at the door were lifted, the biting cold air that met the warmth from the charcoal brazier inside made one catch their breath sharply.

The chickens kept in the kitchen began to crow, and soon all the roosters across the entire ward and throughout Youzhou started their morning calls, their echoing waves of sound reverberating above the city. The courtyard furnaces were lit, and the scent of kindling wood shavings mixed with burning coal briquettes, composing a vast world of mortal smoke and fire.

Some were washing rice, others sharpening knives, and some were ruling and brushing their teeth until they irritated their throats, coughing almost to the point of retching. Old Woman Cui stood beside the stove waiting for the water in the copper pot to heat up so she could bring it to the main house for Second Madam’s morning ablutions. The weather was unbearably cold, and she stood as close to the stove mouth as possible – though the coal fumes were somewhat choking, it was better than freezing.

“Mama Zhou is here?” a young maid called out cheerfully upon seeing a figure at the door.

Mama Zhou responded with an “ah” and said, “I’m looking for Mother Cui.”

Old Woman Cui straightened up with a smile, “Coming to our courtyard so early – do you have some urgent matters to instruct?”

Mama Zhou only replied, “I came to see you,” while directing a nearby maid, “You watch the fire for Mother Cui.”

Old Woman Cui didn’t know what she had up her sleeve and was about to ask when Mama Zhou lowered her voice, “Come with me, the Eastern Residence’s Lady has instructions for you.”

Upon hearing this, Old Woman Cui hurriedly wiped her hands on her apron and followed Mama Zhou with quick steps. By the wooden corridor separating the two residences, the trees had lost all their leaves and branches, and when the wind blew through, with nothing to block it, the cold air rushed straight down their collars.

Old Woman Cui crossed her arms inside her sleeves and hunched her neck, following Mama Zhou into the Eastern Residence’s gate. This was the courtyard newly decorated for the First Master’s wedding, quite different from other places – the festive atmosphere was still warm and vibrant, and stepping in felt like entering a cozy nest.

Old Woman, Cui couldn’t help feeling melancholic. Their Western Residence used to be like this too, with the master and mistress getting along well, and their young lady knowing how to enjoy life – wherever she was would be full of liveliness. But now that she and the young master were estranged, the household seemed especially desolate, and even the servants were working with suppressed frustration.

She’d heard the newly married lady was formidable, quickly subduing those domineering old servants in the Eastern Residence. Though she was the Second Madam’s maid, she was still under the authority of the household manager, so Old Woman Cui stood nervously at the steps awaiting orders, smoothing her hair and straightening her clothes.

The bamboo blinds under the main house’s eaves were half-raised and half-rolled, and from below one could see the shadows of maids coming and going. As Old Woman Cui stole a glance, she suddenly heard someone call out “Mother,” startling her with a shiver.

She hurriedly responded, seeing an elegantly dressed senior maid come to the door and gesture with tucked hands, “Please come in, Mother.”

Mama Zhou gave her an encouraging look, and Old Woman Cui quickly smoothed her clothes before entering. She saw a young lady sitting in the main seat, wearing a gold-threaded satin fox-fur-lined jacket and beneath it a magnolia-blue auspicious brocade skirt. She held a gold-plated pumpkin-shaped hand warmer, the snow-white fox fur collar framing her snow-white face – her delicate appearance was like that of a porcelain beauty.

Mama Zhou smiled and reported upward, “My Lady, Mother Cui has arrived.”

The First Lady raised her eyes, her expression gentle as she said softly, “Mother, I called you here today because there’s a matter I’d like to entrust to you.”

Old Woman Cui responded anxiously that she dared not, “My Lady need only instruct, this servant wouldn’t dare disobey.”

Though this lady was young, the steady, unhurried nature of her speech was something ordinary people couldn’t emulate. She spoke melodiously, “I’m returning to my maiden home today, and though I wanted to speak with your mistress, there wasn’t time. Things have been unsettled in your Western Residence lately, and both the master and I are worried. Since you are Second Madam’s maid and surely loyal to her, I called you here early, and while I’m away from the residence, I ask that you stay by Second Madam’s side without leaving. If anyone comes to visit Second Madam under any pretext, when I return, please tell me everything they said, word for word.”

Old Woman Cui was known for her honesty – a personal maid who had come from Yunzhong, and upon arriving in Youzhou at the Emperor’s feet, her status was no higher than the old servants of this household. But her wholehearted devotion to Second Madam was beyond question, though Second Madam’s stubborn nature meant that sometimes even when they tried to advise her, she wouldn’t take it to heart, leaving the servants quite helpless.

Now that the First Lady wanted to intervene, it couldn’t be better. Old Woman Cui quickly agreed, “Please set your mind at ease, My Lady, leave this matter to this servant. To be honest with My Lady, our mistress is too easily swayed. Those villains are always speaking ill of our Second Master, and even we servants find it heartbreaking to hear. As the saying goes, ‘Better to demolish ten temples than destroy one marriage.’ Who knows what benefit they see in instigating our mistress to make such trouble.”

It was clear the servants were also greatly dissatisfied with Hao Xue, and those with righteous hearts could detect her intentions – only Fang Chun, being in the midst of it, remained blind.

The person in the seat nodded, “Then I’ll entrust everything to you, Mother. When your mistress comes to her senses in the future, she will surely be grateful to you.”

Old Woman Cui responded repeatedly in agreement, and upon returning to the Western Residence, she kept watch according to the lady’s instructions. The morning passed peacefully – Second Master had gone to inspect the Lulong Army, and Second Madam was lounging alone on the couch reading. Just when they thought no one would come today, around the hour of Si, though Miss Ninth Yao hadn’t come, the Maternal Aunt unexpectedly arrived.

This Maternal Aunt was surnamed Wang, and Second Madam had been under her care since childhood – in Second Madam’s eyes, she was like half a mother.

Hearing that her Maternal Aunt had come, Fang Chun hurriedly got up to welcome her, saying, “In such cold weather, why did Aunt come out?” While instructing people to add charcoal bring hand warmers, and serve hot tea to warm her aunt.

Madam Wang smiled as she looked her over, “I’ve been wanting to come see you, but with so many people at home, there’s something every day, and it got delayed until today. I see your complexion isn’t very good – did you not sleep well last night?”

Fang Chun forced a smile, “I’ve been having many dreams lately, rarely sleeping soundly.” She took a teacup from the maid’s tray and personally handed it to Madam Wang.

Madam Wang said, “Previously you managed everything in the household, and now that your new sister-in-law has arrived, she should share your burdens, but instead you’re not sleeping well? I came to see you, particularly about this – after all, living in the same household, I wonder how your sisters-in-law are getting along. She entered with such grandeur, with His Majesty personally issuing an edict conferring a second-rank title – I’m just worried that you… if things turn sour, you might be bullied.”

Fang Chun was quite sincere about Qing Yuan and knew that Qing Yuan had always been good to her, so she said, “Don’t worry, Aunt, I know her character best, she’s not that kind of person…”

“Oh, you…” Madam Wang shook her head, “She’s just arrived – how can you tell anything yet! You can’t know someone without going through three winters and four summers. There’s still plenty of time ahead, and truly harmonious sisters-in-law are rare in this world.” She then smiled, “If you do get along well, that would be best, but if she takes advantage of you – you’re such an honest person, I fear you won’t be able to establish yourself in this household.”

Fang Chun took these words to heart, feeling even more heavy-hearted, truly adding frost to the snow.

When people constantly whisper in your ear about how treacherous the world is, how difficult life is in noble households, and how little men value women, after time, it makes one weary of the world. Since losing the child, she felt increasingly like she’d been walled in – she could hear people talking outside, but no one could hear her screams.

But one’s maiden family always has one’s best interests at heart. She sat there listlessly, head lowered, saying, “I entered the household more than two years before her, Aunt, don’t worry.”

Seeing her dismissiveness, Madam Wang said no more about it, took a sip of tea, and looked around, “Is your husband not here?”

Fang Chun replied, “He went out on official business and won’t be back for a while. Aunt, since you rarely visit our home, stay for a simple meal – I’ll have them prepare it now.”

Madam Wang said there was no hurry, “Eating isn’t urgent. Yesterday I heard from Hao Xue that your spirits were low, so I came to see you today.” She sighed as she spoke, “Poor child, your mother passed away so early, and you have no one close to confide in – how could I not worry! A few days ago Hao Xue came back and told me you were determined to divorce. Divorce is a serious matter, not something to be spoken of lightly – have you made up your mind?”

Fang Chun remembered her promise to Qing Yuan and replied dejectedly, “We’ll see. My mind is too chaotic these days, I don’t want to talk about it.”

Madam Wang made a sound of acknowledgment, “Yes, it should be carefully considered.” She was smiling, but that smile slowly froze at the corners of her lips.

Not everyone in the world maintains a constant benevolent heart, helping the weak out of compassion. But when years later that unremarkable child rises above others, achieving more than any of one’s flesh and blood, then attitudes change. Resentment, unwillingness, even feelings of being fooled and betrayed – after all, a diminished sense of superiority is an unpleasant thing.

Letting her divorce, reducing her to her original state – even if Fang Chun returned to Yunzhong, she wouldn’t live too badly, as her father still doted on her, and that stepmother wouldn’t dare say much. But for some reason, what was previously a settled matter was now unmentionable. Hao Xue had come back to discuss with her that if they delayed like this, changes would likely occur – it better to try another method, though it might take more effort, they could still achieve the desired result.

Madam Wang set down her teacup and said, “You originally spoke of divorce, and honestly, I was extremely against it – getting married isn’t easy, and returning to your maiden home halfway would inevitably invite criticism. Lately, I’ve been thinking carefully – the problem between you and your husband stems from the child issue. You’ve been married almost three years, finally got pregnant once but lost it, no wonder your husband returned to his duties the very next day. The Shen family’s offspring aren’t flourishing – though he doesn’t say it, who knows what he’s thinking. If one day he brings home an outside woman with a child to acknowledge ancestry, you’ll surely have cause to cry.” She took Fang Chun’s hand and continued earnestly, “My girl, we are the closest of kin, and with your mother gone, I must think of everything for you. Like the changes I just mentioned – do you have any good strategies to deal with them?”

Fang Chun was stunned by her words. She had never imagined Shen Che might have women outside, let alone raise sons. She felt terrified, countless hands growing wildly from the deepest part of her heart, tightly gripping her lifeline. She asked anxiously, “Aunt, what should I do?”

Madam Wang looked at her and sighed deeply, “I thought you had some plans, but you haven’t even considered it! These days, what man doesn’t take concubines? You’ve been married three years without issue – it’s just fortunate the Shen family’s old madam isn’t around anymore. If a mother-in-law were watching, they probably would have already added someone to your husband’s household. In my opinion, rather than letting him bring in some questionable person from outside, you’d be better off choosing someone you know well. That way, you won’t end up with the joke of a favored concubine displacing the wife, wasting all your efforts.”

Fang Chun’s mind went blank, “Take a concubine… someone we know well…”

Madam Wang pressed her point, “For girls from humble families, they’d be concubines, but for proper young ladies from good families, as long as they’re cultured and of one mind with you, we can’t slight them – giving them the position of equal wife would do.” She then changed her tone with a smile, “Though called an equal wife, their status still wouldn’t match yours. Don’t worry – it’s just granting favor by not making them perform concubine rituals, but at the root, they’d still be beneath you.”

Though unclear what Second Madam was thinking, Old Woman Cui understood – this Maternal Aunt might as well have put the candidate’s name in Second Madam’s mouth. A young lady from a good family, someone well-known, of one mind with her – who else could she mean but their Ninth Miss?

Old Woman Cui pursed her lips in disgust – truly condemnable intentions, what kind of maiden family relative was this! If Second Madam agreed to this, she’d truly be digging her own grave to be buried alive in.

As for Fang Chun, it wasn’t that she couldn’t understand her aunt’s meaning, but when they married, Shen Che had promised her he would never take concubines – how could she actively push someone into her husband’s bed? Her feelings for Shen Che had never diminished; her anger was just venting her frustration and dissatisfaction. Once she imagined Shen Che with someone else, her heart felt like it was being twisted by knives, truly worse than death.

Moreover, how could she wrong someone as pure as Hao Xue by making her share a husband? Maternal Aunt probably thought Hao Xue could keep her company and give her someone to confide in during difficult times, but this was all Maternal Aunt’s idea – Hao Xue herself certainly wouldn’t be willing, given how much she despised Shen Che.

Fang Chun could only say she needed to think about it more, vaguely deflecting – she couldn’t let an elder lose face. Old Woman Cui let out a long breath, thinking thankfully their young lady wasn’t that confused yet.

Madam Wang didn’t elaborate further after that. She knew Fang Chun’s nature – call her traditional, yet she could be quite bold; call her strong-willed, yet she was like a dough figurine, without her judgment at crucial moments.

“Think over what I’ve said,” Madam Wang instructed before leaving, “Your aunt wouldn’t harm you. Don’t discuss this with the Eastern Residence – you can’t see into people’s hearts, who knows what their intentions are.”

No sooner had the maid seen Madam Wang out of the residence than Old Woman Cui anxiously said, “Miss, Miss Hao Xue wants to be with our master – did you notice?”

Fang Chun responded slowly, still shaking her head, “This is her mother’s intention, she might not know.”

Old Woman Cui could only sigh, her heart anxious. She went to wait at the Eastern Residence’s carved gate, and it wasn’t until nearly nightfall that the First Master and Lady returned.

Qing Yuan was walking along the corridor with Shen Run, chatting and laughing. Remembering Madam Jiang’s earlier request, Qing Yuan said, “Second Aunt made a special effort, seeing that I would be returning home today, she particularly rushed to the Chen residence. This year in the military examinations, all three Xie masters earned their degrees – how could she not be anxious? She had mentioned to me before about seeking positions for her two sons, but since those sons aren’t very promising, I’m afraid they can’t be cultivated much – just give them a slight promotion to show goodwill.”

Shen Run pondered, “Those three Xie men did properly earn their military degrees, and having become military officers since Xie Xun’s wife has asked me, we can’t place them too poorly. The Court of Imperial Entertainments’ Cavalry Office has two escort positions vacant – let them manage military equipment in the storehouse. If they do well, we can seek positions for them among the imperial guards.”

Qing Yuan was somewhat worried, “Isn’t managing military equipment important? I’m afraid if they make mistakes it will affect you.”

Shen Run smiled, “It’s not a crucial position, and there are subordinates to verify everything.”

Qing Yuan nodded, and just as she stepped down from the stairs, Hong Mian said, “My Lady, Mother Cui is here.”

She made a sound of acknowledgment, “Let her wait in the side hall first.” She still accompanied Shen Run back to their room as usual.

Shen Run would look for his bed as soon as it got dark, and somewhat coquettishly pulled at her, saying, “My lady, you must take care of yourself – there are too many miscellaneous matters in the household, let the servants handle them. Don’t exhaust yourself by personally managing everything.”

Qing Yuan raised her eyebrows and smiled at him, “Commander, aren’t I more exhausted in this room?”

He was startled, “You don’t like this kind of exhaustion?”

Qing Yuan thought carefully, her face reddening again, and said coyly, “Actually, I do like it, I just worry about wearing you out.”

How could she know that before marrying her, he had taken tonics for a full month – those deer antlers and deer blood weren’t consumed for nothing? But he was too embarrassed to say so – after all, who doesn’t have some secrets?

“Can’t we leave the matters until tomorrow? Let that old woman come back in the morning.”

She pushed him to sit on the bed, smiling as she said no, “Since she’s waited until so late, it must be important. You wash up first and wait clean in bed for me – I’ll come back after handling this.” She kissed his forehead before finally freeing herself to go out.

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