After Lan Jie’er returned from the Xu family, this time, she truly heeded her elder sister’s advice. She quietly stayed in her own courtyard to “recover from her illness,” hoping that the tendons and bones beneath her battered flesh could still be nursed back together.
The story books she had secretly hidden away were burned to ashes in a single fire.
She also stopped dressing herself in ornate, flower-like finery. She had the maids fetch plain-colored fabrics and made herself several sets of simple, unadorned garments — cultivating her outward conduct while cultivating her inner heart.
Though everyone knew she had committed a grave error, the Old Madam’s heart was soft. Seeing such a drastic change in her temperament, she worried that Lan Jie’er might do something foolish, and often came to keep her company.
Lan Jie’er saw through her grandmother’s concern and said, “Grandmother need not worry. It is only right that this granddaughter reflects carefully, having brought such calamity upon the Earl’s household.”
Only then did the Old Madam feel somewhat at ease.
Before long, word came from the Situ General’s household that the concubine whom Situ Wuyi had taken had given birth — to a pair of daughters. This infuriated his principal wife, Madam Chen, whose carefully laid plans had once again been thrown into disarray. This time, Madam Chen not only continued to keep a close watch on her husband but also set her sights on the son born of an outside woman, Situ the Second. She selected a niece from Duke Guo’s household — a girl of meek and pliable temperament — and demanded that Situ the Second take her as his wife.
Situ the Second naturally refused, declaring that he had already stated at the chrysanthemum-viewing banquet that he had formed an attachment to Miss Lan, and that he would marry no one but her.
The “mother and son” quarreled furiously with no resolution.
So long as Situ the Second refused, there was nothing Madam Chen could do by forcing the matter.
A few days passed, and by whatever means Situ Yang had employed, he managed to persuade his father. Situ Wuyi made the final decision — he would send someone on his son’s behalf to formally propose a match with the Jingchuan Earl’s household.
……
The celebrated matchmaker engaged by the General’s household had already called upon the door to discuss the marriage, and was now awaiting a definitive reply from the Earl’s household.
It ought to have been a joyous occasion, yet the Pei family was full of worry and gloom. The Old Madam wiped away her tears and said, “If Lan’er marries into that household and encounters such a mother-in-law, I shudder to think how much she will be made to suffer.”
Old Master Pei said in reply, “Although Situ the Second is something of a ruffian, he is a man who values loyalty and sentiment. It was he who did Lan’er a great service in that matter — he preserved the reputation of the Earl’s household. At a time like this, how could we possibly say no?”
“I understand that — I am not so muddled as to fail to grasp it,” said the Old Madam. “I am simply worried that Lan’er’s days ahead will be bitter ones.”
Lin Shi also had her concerns, saying, “Who could have foreseen that the little Concubine Chen would bear twins, and both girls at that? Knowing the General’s wife and her overbearing temperament, I am afraid she will only reach her hand in further.”
She thought of how Lan Jie’er had once been so fond of refined poetry and literary prose, and that she was now to marry a man like Situ the Second who could barely read — she could not help but sigh at the caprices of fate.
Lin Shi then said, “Since she is to be married regardless, we had best think about how to break the news to Lan’er.”
At that moment, a calm voice came from beyond the door: “I will marry.”
It was Lan Jie’er. No one knew when she had arrived. She then added, “I am willing to marry Situ Yang.”
After offering her greetings, Lan Jie’er said to Pei Bingyuan and Lin Shi, “There is no perfect solution in this world. Your daughter has her own fortune to rely upon. Father and Mother need not worry on my behalf any further… Your daughter has only one request: before the General’s household sends the betrothal gifts, I wish to meet with Situ Yang once more.”
……
In the reception room.
When Lan Jie’er saw Situ Yang step through the door, she gave a start and rose to her feet, clasping her hands tightly together. Not daring to look directly at him, she said softly, “Young Master Situ…”
Situ Yang remembered how spirited and dashing Lan Jie’er had been at the Six Arts competition — yet here she was now, as skittish as a little rabbit. He found himself slowing his steps without thinking, and restrained himself from chattering on as he usually did. “No need for ‘Young Master.’ You may call me A-Yang, or Second Brother.”
Then he asked, “And how should I address you?”
“You may call me by my childhood name — Youyou.”
“Youyou, Youyou.” Situ the Second smiled with delight. “That is a lovely name.”
Lan Jie’er steered the conversation to the matter at hand and said earnestly, “The reason I invited you here today is that there are certain things I wish to make clear to you, so that you do not act on impulse — proposing and marrying in haste, only to have regrets later.”
“Go ahead.”
“I am grateful to you for preserving my reputation and the reputation of the Pei family. However… I am a person with no shortage of faults, and I am most likely not the person you have imagined me to be. While there is still time, if you wish to take back your word, that would be perfectly all right…”
“If I were to take back my word, what would become of Youyou?” Situ Yang interrupted her and asked.
Lan Jie’er replied calmly, “I could go to the Jingyu Convent and become a nun.”
“I would never let you become a nun. And if you did, I would go and become a monk, and come to the convent to find you every single day.” Situ Yang burst out laughing. “What else?”
Lan Jie’er continued, “Do you know that on the night you were drunk — when I had a servant keep watch over you — it was not out of any goodness or charitable impulse? It was because I could see you were someone of status, and I feared that if something went wrong outside the Pei family’s theater, it might implicate the Pei family.”
“That is enough.”
Lan Jie’er had not expected such a short and forthright reply from Situ Yang.
She went on, “Do you also know that, as far as you and I are concerned, we are complete strangers to one another — I cannot say that I… have any affection for you.”
This time, Situ Yang did pause — but very quickly, he brushed past it and said, “I am an outside-born son who came from the countryside. My words and conduct are rough and coarse, I have no drive to better myself, and my name is notoriously ill-regarded throughout the capital. If others simply do not despise me, that is already a great fortune. I understand — I understand.”
“The last question — and the most important one,” said Lan Jie’er. “Though I do not know how you managed to retrieve that handkerchief… the fact remains that that handkerchief was thrown out by my own hand, of my own volition. I suspect you are well aware of this.”
Her implication was clear — I may have been deceived, but I did conduct myself improperly and without self-restraint.
For a great man seeking a wife, is this not the most important consideration of all?
“Oh, oh — I see what you mean now.” Situ the Second put on a look of sudden realization, then smoothly redirected: “Youyou must feel that since I snatched that handkerchief, it does not properly count. You ought to give me a new one today, fair and square.” He deliberately sidestepped the meaning behind Lan Jie’er’s words.
With that, he extended his hand toward her.
It was a broad hand with well-defined knuckles — a little rough.
Lan Jie’er was taken aback. This response was something she had never once imagined. Only then did she dare to meet Situ the Second’s gaze for a brief moment — then lowered her head, drew a plain white silk handkerchief from inside her garment, and laid it gently in his palm.
“The previous one?”
“I burned it when I got home.”
……
Situ Yang left Lan Jie’er’s courtyard, but instead of returning to the General’s household, he turned toward Pei Shaohuai’s courtyard.
At that moment, Pei Shaohuai was working on his studies, writing with great concentration.
Even from a distance, one could hear Situ Yang hollering from outside: “Huai’er, Huai’er!” — tremendously excited, like a large white goose that had just waddled up onto the bank and was craning its neck to honk.
Once inside, Situ Yang again made himself completely at home, just as he had done the last time. After drinking a mouthful of tea, he said, “Let us see if you dare go about addressing me by generation from now on. Not only can you no longer call me great-nephew, you shall have to address me as Brother-in-Law. Come then — give it a try.”
Pei Shaohuai continued writing, dividing his attention effortlessly, and said, “Brother-in-law.”
Then he asked, “It is only a form of address. Does it really warrant such unbridled joy?”
“What would you know.” Situ Yang reclined on the chaise longue, feet propped up, basking in self-satisfaction, then added, “Come to think of it, I have you to thank for calling me to the theater that night… As a token of my gratitude, come with me to Hexiang Tower this evening.”
“What for?”
“What else do you go to Hexiang Tower for? To drink and be merry, of course.”
Pei Shaohuai rolled his eyes, turned to face Situ Yang, and said, “I am only eight years old. How could I possibly drink wine?”
“Eight is not so young,” said Situ Yang, looking rather pleased with himself. “When I was your age, I could already down several pots. [1]”
“I am not going.” Pei Shaohuai flatly refused and returned to his writing.
Situ Yang rummaged about Pei Shaohuai’s room, picking this up and peering at that — yet even this failed to disturb Pei Shaohuai. After roughly half an hour, Pei Shaohuai finished his studies, put away his brush and ink, and was surprised to find that Situ Yang was still there. Out of curiosity, he asked, “Brother-in-law, how did you manage to get General Situ to agree to the proposal?”
“That vicious woman actually wanted me to marry her niece — as if I don’t know exactly what she’s scheming. Not a chance.” Situ Yang let out a light spit of contempt, then explained, “The very next day I told my father: if you go to the Earl’s household to propose on my behalf, then after the wedding, I will agree to sit the military examinations.”
Pei Shaohuai looked Situ Yang over — that tall, solidly built frame of his — and had to admit that he had indeed inherited some of the Situ family’s martial prowess. If he could achieve even modest success in the military examinations and then take up his father’s mantle, it might not be such a bad path forward.
It all depended on whether he had the resolve to see it through.
A thought suddenly occurred to Pei Shaohuai, and he said, “The military examinations require a written strategy examination first.” Since that too required writing policy essays, it was admittedly far simpler than the civil examinations — but the problem was… Situ the Second’s store of learning was woefully thin.
“One step at a time. First things first — bring my wife home.” Situ Yang said with a touch of disdain. “I only promised to sit the military examinations. I never said I would definitely pass them.”
……
……
Situ Yang was already past twenty years of age — he could wait no longer. And so, with the marriage between the two families settled, the wedding preparations were quickly set in motion.
On the day of the grand wedding, inside Lan Jie’er’s boudoir.
The Old Madam, Lin Shi, and Lian Jie’er all gathered together to comb her hair for her. The Old Madam wept inconsolably, extremely reluctant to let her go. She held Lan Jie’er’s hand the entire time, and only released it when the wedding procession arrived to fetch the bride.
Lian Jie’er’s eyes were red as she gave her younger sister a final word of counsel: “Being born a woman is simply harder in this world. What is gained is difficult to come by, what is lost is easily gone. May you cherish yourself well in the days ahead.”
The chamber curtain fell. Lan Jie’er was left alone in the room, waiting to be sent forth in the bridal procession.
Six years had passed. Pei Shaohuai took up the duty of seeing off a bride once more — escorting his second elder sister to the General’s household to become another man’s wife.
Scenes from when he had escorted his eldest sister came flooding back to him. Comparing that day to this, he now understood what entirely different emotions had filled his two sisters’ hearts as they departed.
When he had escorted his eldest sister, the moment Pei Shaohuai stepped inside the room, she had immediately extended her hand for him to support her out the door — not a moment’s hesitation.
But now —
“Second Sister, I have come.”
Lan Jie’er did not immediately extend her hand. Instead, she cast one last lingering gaze around the boudoir she had lived in for more than ten years, then looked out through the window, and for a long while did not put on the red bridal veil. It was impossible to say whether it was reluctance to leave, or hesitation born of fear at the unknown life ahead.
“Second Sister.”
Lan Jie’er’s gaze was filled with a distant sorrow, and tears ran down her face — it was simply that she could not bear to leave. She had lived frivolously and recklessly for more than ten years, and only now, on the eve of her marriage, did she realize how deep her attachment to this home ran. How utterly she could not bear to part from it.
How laughable.
Pei Shaohuai offered her comfort: “Brother-in-law, in order to marry you, agreed to his father’s condition that he would sit for the military examinations. His feelings for you are genuine and sincere.” This was something Pei Shaohuai felt there was no need to conceal.
Lan Jie’er shook herself back to her senses, listening to Pei Shaohuai’s words, and then thought again of everything Situ Yang had said to her. Her heart felt a little more settled. At last, she lowered the red bridal veil and extended her hand.
Pei Shaohuai took hold of his second sister’s hand, and slowly led her — step by step — out of her little courtyard, and out of the Earl’s household.
……
……
With Lan Jie’er having married out, the great joy passed, and the Earl’s household returned to its usual calm.
The days flowed on, quietly and unhurriedly, and over the course of that year, Pei Shaohuai finally finished memorizing the Four Books; he had also memorized a good portion of the Five Classics. He followed his teacher’s instructions and diligently committed the texts to memory first, laying a proper foundation. Master Duan had said that every person has their own path, and their own thresholds to cross. Walking steadily, without hollow steps — this was what mattered.
Ying Jie’er had long since grown dissatisfied with the small medicine garden within their courtyard. She regularly brought home various medicinal herbs from apothecaries, smelling each one and recording her observations, cross-referencing medical texts to commit to memory the properties and effects of all manner of herbs. It was a pity, however, that being a woman, if she wished to study medicine, she would always find herself at odds with the expectations of the world. The Earl’s household had accommodated her wishes, but finding a good teacher for her proved difficult.
Jin Ge’er, who in the original story had been a reserved and quiet-natured child, now spent every day following closely at his elder brother’s heels, and had instead become quite the little chatterbox — open and cheerful in temperament. His academic progress was so rapid that even Master Duan could not help but marvel.
That said, Master Duan frequently reined in Jin Ge’er’s pace, telling him to slow down — even leaving time to go out and about, to see and experience the world, so that what he had learned might be understood with greater clarity.
Between Lin Shi and Concubine Shen, the division of responsibilities had grown increasingly defined: Lin Shi oversaw the major affairs of the household, while Concubine Shen handled the smaller matters, ensuring that nothing — large or small — went unattended throughout the entire estate.
Word came from the General’s household that Lan Jie’er was several months along in her pregnancy and was resting quietly. Situ Yang, true to his word, had been sent by his father to train in martial arts. Both the Old Madam and Lin Shi quietly arranged to send a number of maids and nannies in to watch over Lan Jie’er — terrified that with Situ Yang away, his mother Madam Chen might resort to underhanded schemes.
……
Pei Shaohuai turned nine years old. By that point, Pei Bingyuan had been enrolled at the Imperial Academy for three full years and was now entering his final year.
Pei Bingyuan’s scholarship was not lacking in itself — it was simply that in the provincial examinations, he had always fallen just a little short of the mark. And so, over those three years, he had progressed from the Broad Learning Hall, to the Hall of Sincere Conduct, and then to the Hall of Exemplary Conduct. At every stage, through more than a hundred examinations each, he had passed without difficulty.
This year, he needed only to accumulate eight more credits to graduate from the Imperial Academy and take up an official post.
On the fifteenth, Pei Bingyuan returned home for his day of rest.
Old Master Pei asked with concern, “You have only a few more months before you may leave the Imperial Academy. Has the court’s list of official appointments been issued? Do you have any assurance of securing a post in the capital?”
Although it was only a small eighth-rank post, finding a good one — and remaining in the capital — would still require navigating certain channels.
The old master continued, “Lord Xu has wide connections and many avenues. Should we not speak to him and have him advise you on the matter?” He hesitated for a moment, then added, “On your uncle’s side — we are all family, after all. Perhaps…”
“Father need not trouble himself over this.” The moment Pei Bingyuan heard the word “uncle,” he cut his father off, then said, “The list of appointments was issued a few days ago. I have already made my selection and need only wait until after my next rest day to submit it.”
Ever since the incident where his pair of sons had been made to feel unwelcome at the Lord of the Ministry’s household, Pei Bingyuan had been extremely reluctant to bring up that household.
Hearing this, both the Old Madam and Lin Shi looked over with curiosity and asked, “What position is it?”
“A post of the seventh rank, lower grade.”
Everyone was first delighted — but after a moment, their expressions dimmed again. It should have been an eighth-rank post, yet this one was already a seventh rank. If it were a good position, how could it have been so easily obtained?