Madam Pei listened to Madam Qi’s confident words and recalled her husband’s advice. She smiled and said, “Of course, you needn’t fear him. The Li family was merely of merchant origin. It wasn’t until Li Yuan’s generation that they luckily obtained an official position. Even now, he’s only a fourth-rank Zhangshi in a Prince’s household.”
Her words were meant to be interpreted inversely. Though a Zhangshi in a Prince’s household only managed internal affairs and couldn’t compare to the impressive third-rank Minister Liu Chengcai, he was Prince Ning’s most trusted confidant. If Prince Ning had no chance of ascending to the throne, it wouldn’t matter. However, Prince Ning’s status was extraordinary, always favored by the Emperor. For Li Yuan, of humble origins, to secure such a position – could one call him foolish or underestimate him? Certainly not.
Madam Qi merely smiled faintly. “Do you know why brides from the Five Clans are so sought after? Why did the court issue an edict forbidding the Five Clans’ descendants from arranging their marriages?”
Madam Pei replied, “Of course I know.”
The current dynasty inherited the Five Clans and Seven Families from the previous era, representing the most prestigious noble houses. They were the Wu clan of Qinghe, the Bai clan of Fanyang, the Wang clan of Xingyang, the Qin clan of Taiyuan, the Xiao clan of Longxi, the Wu clan of Boling, and the Xiao clan of Zhaojun. Through intermarriage with the imperial family and among themselves, they formed a powerful and influential group. Although their political influence had waned in the current dynasty, they still held significant social status. Officials, nobles, and even the imperial family considered it an honor to marry into the Five Clans. Examples of their prevalence were everywhere – the Empress was from the Wang clan of Xingyang, Prince Ning’s wife from the Qin clan of Taiyuan, and the wife of Chouzhou Marquis’s heir, Pan Rong, from the Bai clan of Fanyang, among countless others.
For men, marrying a woman from the Five Clans was even more prestigious than marrying a princess. The Five Clans, aware of their value, rarely married outside their circle, making them even more desirable. To break this pattern, the court issued an edict prohibiting them from arranging their marriages. This allowed many rising noble families and powerful ministers to finally achieve their ambitions.
Madam Qi smirked, “Since you understand, you should realize that families like ours, while not as illustrious as the Five Clans, are far superior to those of merchant origin. Moreover, your brother-in-law is a pillar of the state. Even if that noble person were to ascend in the future, would he trouble us over such a trivial matter? Especially since it’s not Li Yuan’s close relative, but a distant one. If he were to meddle in such affairs, he’d be overwhelmed.” Though her words were bold, she secretly thought to warn Liu Chang not to make an enemy of Li Xing.
“What if the Li family is determined to support the He family?” Madam Pei understood this reasoning well, but she also knew another truth – why did everyone strive to marry into the Five Clans? The pursuit of profit was universal; people sought fame and greater power. Just as the Liu family agreed to marry He Mudan to protect their wealth and status. She fully agreed with her husband’s practical view: since very few could marry into the Five Clans, it was better to find a reliable alternative. The Li family’s future prosperity was assured!
Madam Qi was stumped by her question. After a while, she replied unhappily, “If he’s unreasonable and interferes in our family affairs, we have no reason to be polite!”
Madam Pei’s heart sank slightly. “So how are you considering Zishu’s matter? Princess Qinghua is not someone to be trifled with…”
At the mention of Princess Qinghua, Madam Qi immediately stood up, fuming, “There’s one thing I hate most in life: being pressured into doing something I don’t like! There must be a way!”
Seeing her anger, Madam Pei changed her original intention. With such a temper, it would be better for her husband to speak with his sister tomorrow. She changed the subject, “Where are my brother-in-law and Zishu?”
Madam Qi grumbled, “Zishu got drunk, and his father is looking after him. Do you need to see them?”
Madam Pei smiled and shook her head, “If I had business with them, wouldn’t I speak directly to you?”
Madam Qi glared, “Don’t try to fool me. I know you too well. What brings you here at this hour? Out with it!”
Madam Pei deflected, “Isn’t it just to discuss the dancing horses and the Li family matter?”
Madam Qi sneered, “You’re so concerned about the Li family. Don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to that young man?”
Madam Pei exclaimed in surprise, “You jest. Where did that come from?”
“If not, then after the last banquet, who did you think was good?” Seeing Madam Pei’s silence, Madam Qi snorted, “Didn’t I tell you that boy isn’t worth relying on?”
“Sister, you’re overthinking,” Madam Pei replied calmly.
Meanwhile, Liu Chengcai entered Liu Chang’s courtyard. He found Liu Chang sleeping soundly on a soft couch by the window, surrounded by a group of beautifully dressed concubines vying for his attention. Biwu, Yuer, Xiansu, and even the pregnant Yutong were all there. Two were fanning him, providing a cool breeze, one was massaging his legs, and another was wiping his sweat with a handkerchief. He looked utterly content!
Remembering his recent embarrassment, Liu Chengcai couldn’t help but feel envious and resentful! He shooed away the women, lifted a basin of water from a low table, and poured it over Liu Chang’s head.
Liu Chang had been having a pleasant dream. In it, he had beaten Li Xing thoroughly and was tormenting He Mudan, who begged for mercy, but he showed none. Just as he was enjoying himself, Princess Qinghua suddenly kicked him into a lake. The cold shock left him breathless. He sat up in panic, realizing his head, face, and body were dripping wet. Furious, he was about to curse whoever had done this to him when he saw Liu Chengcai’s enlarged face suddenly appear before him.
He gave Liu Chengcai a cold glance, lay back down, and stared at the carved beams and spinning silver incense balls above. With a hoarse voice, he asked, “What do you want now?”
Seeing his lifeless demeanor, Liu Chengcai became angry. He kicked Liu Chang hard and scolded, “Who are you putting on this act for? You brought this upon yourself!”
Liu Chang let out a cold laugh but didn’t respond.
Knowing his son’s temper would only worsen if pushed, Liu Chengcai stopped scolding. He found a clean place to sit and said, “Your mother says you wanted to fight someone with knives today? You’ve outdone yourself! It’s not enough to provoke a princess, now you want to offend Prince Ning’s household?”
Liu Chang snorted, “She’s the one looking for trouble. How is that my fault? As for Prince Ning’s household, his father and son are no better than the prince’s dogs. What’s there to fear?” He knew all about being diplomatic and accommodating, but the hatred of having his wife stolen was unforgivable!
Liu Chengcai was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed, “You’re relying on the princess being unwilling to harm you, aren’t you?” He recalled how Princess Qinghua had once desperately wanted to marry Liu Chang but couldn’t. Even after marrying someone else, she still pined for him and despised her late husband’s weak personality. It seemed she had a particular fondness for Liu Chang’s type. Thinking of this, his mood improved.
Liu Chang neither confirmed nor denied this.
Liu Chengcai stood up and paced the room with his hands behind his back. He said gravely, “She may be deeply in love with you now and unwilling to harm you. But after all, she’s not like us. If you truly disappoint her and she comes to hate you, you’ll suffer for it! Don’t concern yourself with this matter anymore. Let me handle it. Starting tomorrow, you’re not allowed to wander about. Stay at home obediently and resume your studies. In a while, I’ll find you an official position. It’s time you made something of yourself instead of wasting your days like this.”
Liu Chang was stunned, then his face contorted with anger. “Don’t even think about it!” He got up from the couch and turned to leave. The old man had sold him out once before, and now he was trying to do it again.
Liu Chengcai laughed coldly and shouted, “Guards! Take good care of the young master. Without my word, he’s not to leave.” With that, he left, sweeping his sleeves. Several household guards politely blocked Liu Chang in the courtyard.
The next day, which happened to be a rest day, Liu Chengcai and Madam Qi had just finished breakfast when they heard that Qi Changlin had arrived. Liu Chengcai, noting the early hour, muttered to himself, addressing Madam Qi, who hadn’t spoken a kind word to him since the previous night, “Coming and going from dawn to dusk, what’s he up to?”
Hearing him speak as if complaining about her family being a nuisance, Madam Qi became furious. She slammed her gilded silver cup on the table and said coldly, “If you don’t want to see him, then don’t!”
Liu Chengcai pursed his lips, ignoring her, and went out to meet Qi Changlin. After exchanging pleasantries, Qi Changlin explained his purpose: he had come as a mediator for the He family.
Liu Chengcai first drank a large cup of Mengding Shihua tea before slowly saying, “So, this is Prince Ning’s wish? I remember he’s not one to meddle in trivial affairs. How did he come to involve himself in such a small matter? Did Li Yuan ask for his help?”
Qi Changlin, less cautious with his brother-in-law than Madam Pei was with Madam Qi, simply smiled and said, “Who knows? Whether it’s the son or the father speaking, it’s all the same family, isn’t it?”
Liu Chengcai scoffed, “These two dancing horses carry quite some weight!” Although Prince Ning had only mentioned it briefly without making any demands, the implication was clear. Moreover, sending his wife’s brother to persuade him was a thoughtful gesture. Princess Qinghua would eventually make her move, so it was better to accept Prince Ning’s favor now. He turned and smiled, “I understand, but the He family must show sincerity as well.”
Qi Changlin smiled, “Of course. This matter can’t be dragged out any longer; it’s hindering my nephew’s career. I’ll send someone to speak with them, and they’ll come over right away.”
Liu Chengcai nodded slightly and said in an admonishing tone, “I hear you’ve been getting quite close to Prince Ning’s household lately. Is that so?”
Qi Changlin denied it, “It’s just some official business, that’s all.”
Liu Chengcai put his hand on Qi Changlin’s shoulder and said meaningfully, “The situation is still unclear. Don’t be too hasty.”
Qi Changlin nodded. But surely it was also appropriate not to be directly opposed?
Before noon, the three men of the He family entered the Liu family’s gate together.