July was the most scorching season of the year in Jianghuai. Even living in Jian Garden on the northern peak of Shugang, the oppressive heat was still unbearable. Wang Jun wore a half-sleeved green jacket with front closure and a red-dyed underskirt, sitting lazily in the pavilion before the pond, watching the upright green lotuses extending above the water’s surface, completely motionless without a breath of wind.
Her jade-smooth forehead seeped fine beads of sweat. Her tender face flushed crimson from the heat. The hot weather also made one’s heart restless and irritable. A book rested on her lap, but she hadn’t absorbed much of it for quite some time.
Seeing the maid Xiang Yun sneaking furtively toward her, Wang Jun waved her over and asked, “There was commotion at the front of the estate for a while—has Father returned?”
“The lord and Military Administrator Yin have returned to the estate, but they look worried and troubled. Perhaps they hit a wall before Prince Xin’s Highness in Chuzhou?” said the maid Xiang Yun.
“The situation has deteriorated to this extent—what walls could there be left to hit?” Wang Jun said dismissively. She had Xiang Yun help her tidy up the scattered books on the low table, then she prepared to run to the front study Ling Yun Pavilion where her father handled official business.
The maid Xiang Yun stopped her, saying:
“I just saw Madam Xu eagerly rushing over, crouching at the wall to eavesdrop. Then Madam Xu couldn’t wait to catch the lord to speak on behalf of the Xu family, trying to arrange a marriage between you and Young Master Xu. But she didn’t expect that with the lord’s bad temper upon returning this time, she got a thorough scolding. The lord usually spoils Madam Xu to the heavens—I’ve never seen him lose his temper with her like this. It seems the Chuzhou trip really didn’t go well. You’re so disheveled—better not go over there and get scolded by the lord too.”
“Father scolded my concubine mother?” Wang Jun asked in surprise.
Xiang Yun said ramblingly, “Yes! Who knows how much she wants to drive you away so she can manage the inner household herself. She praised the Xu family’s young master—who killed his first wife—as if he were a celestial immortal, even saying that becoming Young Master Xu’s second wife would be a blessing you cultivated over eight lifetimes. Well, after getting thoroughly scolded, she ran out with tears in her eyes and stood by Mirror Heart Lake for a while. I actually thought she couldn’t bear the humiliation and would jump in, but unexpectedly she just wiped her tears and ordered the kitchen to prepare white fungus and lotus seed soup for the lord and Military Administrator Yin. Her thoughts are truly meticulous—if you ask me, you really need to be careful of her.”
“What else did you overhear?” Wang Jun asked hesitantly.
“How would I dare eavesdrop for long? Before Madam Xu ran out, I already slipped away. If I hadn’t wanted to see whether she’d jump in the lake, I would have come to tip you off earlier,” Xiang Yun said.
“…” Wang Jun straightened her skirts and had Xiang Yun accompany her to Ling Yun Pavilion. Just reaching the courtyard gate, she saw Madam Xu—whom her father had taken as a concubine in Chuzhou years ago—approaching with two maids carrying two bowls of white fungus soup. She curtsied, “Jun greets Concubine Mother.”
Madam Xu was just over thirty, in the prime of her beauty. She wore a half-sleeved jacket and skirt, exposing snow-white jade arms. Her appearance was rarely beautiful and alluring. Standing at the courtyard gate, her pair of jet-black beautiful eyes surveyed Wang Jun:
“Why are you running around in such a fluster, Miss Jun? Your temples are all disheveled, and your skirt hem even has grass stems stuck to it. I don’t know what you do all day—oh yes, about that Young Master Xu I mentioned to you, have you seriously considered it? Some words may not be proper for a concubine mother to say, but your mother passed away early with no one to worry about your lifelong matters. Concubine Mother truly has your best interests at heart. Though the Xu family has declined somewhat now, Young Master Xu’s great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather both served as Grand Secretaries and Ministers in the previous dynasty. Their fields and estates stretch beyond sight—you could say they’re a first-rate aristocratic family in Yangzhou. Young Master Xu is the legitimate eldest son. Your father greatly praises both his character and abilities. He admires your literary talent and doesn’t mind your age or that you were rejected in marriage. He’s had people come several times to propose the match. Your father spoils you and indulges your temperament, but you should think more about your father too. You can’t look down on becoming a second wife…”
“Hearing Concubine Mother praise this Young Master Xu so much, Jun actually thought Concubine Mother had developed feelings for him—but alas, Father is so fond of you, Concubine Mother, he definitely wouldn’t bear to marry you off to him,” Wang Jun said with a beaming smile.
“What kind of talk is that—what do you mean I developed feelings? Your sharp little tongue really can stab people,” Madam Xu said. She could neither be angry nor annoyed, and could only indignantly rush into the courtyard first with her maids.
Wang Jun followed behind into the study and saw her father and Yin Peng sitting there talking. A pile of official documents lay spread on the desk—all official business accumulated over these days awaiting disposition.
Seeing her enter, her father’s gaze returned to the documents before him, while Yin Peng uncomfortably turned his head to look out the window. Wang Jun’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she asked, “What vexing matter did Father encounter meeting His Highness this time? Why do you look so gloomy right upon returning? Or is there something about Jun that troubles Father endlessly…”
Wang Wenqian waved his hand, indicating that all the maids and servants attending in the study should withdraw. Seeing his concubine Madam Xu lingering and refusing to leave, he let her be. He pondered how to phrase things, saying somewhat guiltily:
“My main purpose going to Chuzhou this time was to discuss coordinating defense with Tangyi to resist Chuzhou’s enemy forces. But during the banquet, I heard someone mention it and suddenly realized so much time has passed since Han Daoxun died under punishment. Han Daoxun’s remains were transported back to Xuzhou for burial in the fourth month of Yanyou’s seventeenth year. This month, Marquis Qianyang Han Qian’s mourning period is considered complete. Your concubine mother just brought up your marriage matter, and I recalled that when Yin Peng accompanied Ruan Yan to Fanchang to discuss enfeoffment matters with His Majesty, they mentioned the marriage agreement between you and Han Qian. At that time, Han Qian withdrew to Xuzhou in the name of observing mourning and not discussing marriage, but he didn’t say he refused. This matter still hangs suspended—we must at least inquire with that side before we can discuss betrothing you to another family…”
“What? The Wang family’s face hasn’t been completely lost yet—Wang Jun marrying another family still requires that upstart’s approval?” Madam Xu asked in extreme astonishment, her voice becoming involuntarily shrill.
“Is this His Highness’s intention?” Wang Jun asked.
Wang Wenqian knew some things didn’t need to be said explicitly for Jun to understand everything. He nodded somewhat awkwardly.
“What is His Highness’s intention—to use Wang Jun as a bargaining chip again this time?”
Having followed Wang Wenqian these years, Madam Xu’s vision and insight exceeded that of ordinary women. Hearing Wang Jun point this out, she naturally could immediately think of many things. She stared even more astonished at Wang Wenqian’s old face and asked.
“Han Daoxun’s death back then wasn’t entirely unrelated to you—this is something many people know in their hearts, and Han Qian couldn’t possibly not know. Han Qian constantly invokes filial piety—how could you possibly expect he would marry Wang Jun? Aren’t you afraid of pressing your warm face to a cold behind again this time? Even if you don’t care that the Wang family’s face is completely lost, you should think about Wang Jun! Regardless of His Highness’s intentions, you should refuse on Wang Jun’s behalf! You’ve achieved merit through hard work before His Highness these years—I don’t believe His Highness can tie you up and force you to sell your daughter again…”
“This matter doesn’t need to be openly discussed immediately,” Wang Wenqian somewhat angrily scolded his concubine in humiliation, saying in exasperation, “Now that Yangzhou and Tangyi have much contact, having someone casually mention this matter won’t be particularly conspicuous. If Marquis Qianyang has absolutely no such intention, this matter won’t be brought up again and won’t stir up even half a ripple. Why are you talking nonsense?”
“Who will negotiate? How can you guarantee others will keep their mouths shut? How could it not stir up even half a ripple? Didn’t you say Ruan Yan is waiting to watch your good show? Won’t they really spread rumors to embarrass you?” Madam Xu asked.
Relying on being favored, Madam Xu also had a sharp tongue. Wang Wenqian was so angry the veins on his forehead throbbed, but he had to admit his concubine’s words made sense. Without confidence in his heart, he was helpless even when she threw a fit.
“Father doesn’t seem to have thought of asking your daughter’s thoughts?” Wang Jun stood before the desk and glanced at the dense shade outside the window, asking wistfully.
“Exactly—why didn’t you think about what Wang Jun thinks? If this matter doesn’t work out and word spreads, what then! The marriage with the Xu family will also be completely ruined,” Madam Xu said, thinking Wang Jun asked this out of resentment and presuming to chime in supportively.
Wang Wenqian suppressed the impulse to drive his concubine out, looked at his daughter, and said guiltily, “If you truly don’t wish it, I’ll write to His Highness immediately to refuse this matter.”
“Your daughter owes Father for giving her life and raising her, and cannot help Father like a son by charging into battle. Perhaps I only have this little use at present,” Wang Jun said wistfully. “But if Father wants your daughter to agree to this matter, you must agree to one condition of your daughter’s…”
“What condition? Speak it,” Wang Wenqian said.
“As for probing Marquis Qianyang’s intentions—your daughter wants to personally make a trip to Tangyi to meet Marquis Qianyang…” Wang Jun said.
“Ah…” Wang Wenqian was slightly stunned, not expecting Wang Jun to propose this condition.
Yin Peng, who had been standing to the side without making a sound, became somewhat unsettled. Madam Xu first cried out in shock at Wang Jun, “What kind of behavior is this? The Wang family really doesn’t want any face left at all! Where is the principle of running to someone’s door yourself to propose marriage? If this matter doesn’t work out, what can you do when you return except live out your remaining days alone in a convent?”
“If this matter doesn’t work out and Wang Jun returns to live alone in a convent to gain peace and quiet for this life, that’s not a hardship,” Wang Jun said. “If Father won’t agree to your daughter’s condition, then write to His Highness saying your daughter refuses with all her heart, and ask him to select another virtuous woman to seek reconciliation with Marquis Qianyang…”