Yan Qing had just finished preparing the meal when Little Nuo’er came running over, led by a maidservant.
Ever since Little Nuo’er had fallen into the water and been rescued by Yan Qing, the little child had grown attached to her, and would find any excuse to come running to her courtyard.
Little Nuo’er’s maidservant followed her every step of the way, terrified of making a mistake. The maidservant who had been responsible for watching Little Nuo’er during the last incident was said to have been sent back to her hometown; others claimed she had been sold to a brothel. In a grand household like this, servants who had signed indenture contracts had fates as fragile as blades of grass, entirely at the mercy of their masters.
“Grandfather.” Little Nuo’er first ran into the arms of Old Master Yan and acted coquettishly for a moment, then tugged at Yan Qing’s hand. “Sixth Auntie, has Big Tiger learned the words I taught it?”
Yan Qing flicked her nose. “Look who’s talking — was it you who taught it to say ‘dropping a load’?”
Little Nuo’er giggled. “It learned it?”
“Dropping a load.”
“Dropping a load.”
Big Tiger hopped around on its perch, muttering the words, the smug creature always knowing exactly when to put on a performance.
Everyone burst into laughter.
~
Three days later, Yan Qing received a letter from Shi Ting.
In the letter, Shi Ting said that the merchant surnamed Zhao was a local businessman from Shun Cheng — law-abiding and ordinary, with nothing suspicious about him.
Yan Qing knew how sensitive medicinal herbs were during wartime. They were essential supplies for all armies. In battle, firearms led the charge, while food provisions and medicine secured the rear — only when both the front and back were covered could victory be achieved.
This Zhao merchant who had suddenly appeared and purchased large quantities of medicinal herbs gave Yan Qing cause for concern. If he truly intended them for a chain of pharmacies, that was fine — but if he used them for other purposes…
Yan Qing let out a soft sigh. Old Master Yan had spent many years in business and had developed some skill at reading people, and Shi Ting had also confirmed that the Zhao merchant showed no signs of wrongdoing. She slowly let the worry that had been hanging over her heart settle.
Meanwhile, in Shi Ting’s office, he was carefully reviewing several documents.
“Seventh Brother, why didn’t you tell Miss Yan that this Zhao Ziming is suspicious?” Zheng Yun asked, puzzled.
On the surface, this Zhao Ziming appeared to be a legitimate businessman, but that was not the case. Zheng Yun had gone through considerable effort to uncover his background, and had expected Shi Ting to immediately inform Yan Qing so she could be on guard. He had not expected Shi Ting to suppress the information.
Shi Ting said, “Who do you think would be most opposed to the marriage between Yan Qing and Shi Guang?”
“Madam Shi, I’d imagine,” Zheng Yun replied. “She has high ambitions for her son — she certainly won’t be content letting the Second Young Master marry Sixth Miss.”
Shi Ting set down the document in his hand. “Shi Yuan came back recently.”
“What does Elder Sister have to do with any of this?”
“Don’t forget — Shi Yuan married into Mountain City.” Mountain City was the center of the southwestern warlords’ power, and Shi Yuan’s husband’s family were the wealthiest merchants in Mountain City.
Zheng Yun looked bewildered. Even after following Shi Ting for so long, he still could not always predict his thinking.
“This time, I want to stake everything on a single move.” Shi Ting turned to gaze out the window, his eyes distant. “Whether we succeed or fail — it all comes down to this.”
~
On the first day of September, the sky was high and clear, yet the hot air still lingered overhead, reluctant to leave.
September was the season of harvest, when fruits were at their most fresh and delicious. The grapes of the Grape Valley ripened at this time of year, and early that morning, someone had sent over grapes freshly picked, their skins still carrying dewdrops that had not yet dried.
Grape Valley grapes were renowned for being large and sweet, but because they were low in yield and expensive, only the privileged few could afford them.
“Miss, guess who sent these grapes?” Jing Zhi said with an air of mystery.
Yan Qing plucked a grape and popped it into her mouth. “Isn’t it Father?”
“It was Director Shi.” Jing Zhi blinked. “Dihuai just brought them back. They were apparently picked this very morning. This batch of grapes is exclusively reserved for the Marshal’s Mansion — you can’t buy them no matter how much money you have.”
The grape burst with a rush of juice in her mouth. Yan Qing felt it was sweeter than any grape she had ever tasted.
“Director Shi is so thoughtful — he always thinks to send the best things to you, Miss.”
Yan Qing plucked another grape, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. The sweetness seemed to reach all the way into her heart.
“Miss, something’s wrong.” Murong’s frantic voice came from outside.
Murong was rarely this flustered. Whatever could change the pitch of her voice was surely no small matter.
“Miss, I just heard some news.” Murong said urgently. “The Marshal’s Mansion has had someone consult the calendar and is preparing for the marriage between you and Second Young Master Shi.”
Yan Qing startled. The grape in her hand fell with a small plop into the fruit dish.
She had not expected the marriage to come so soon.
“There hasn’t been any news about this until now — how did it suddenly jump straight to setting a date?” Jing Zhi grew anxious. “And besides, Miss is still in school.”
“The Marshal has suddenly fallen ill and has been bedridden for a week. Medicine has been given, and many renowned physicians have been consulted, but nothing has helped. Old Madam Shi is a devout Buddhist, so she went to a temple and sought out a high monk. The monk said that there is an evil spirit causing trouble in the Shi household, weighing down on the Marshal and keeping him ill. The only remedy is to hold a joyous occasion to dispel the ill fortune — and the only joyous occasion the Shi family can hold is the marriage between you and Second Young Master Shi.”
Everything had happened so suddenly that Yan Qing could not quite process it all. She had always intended to think through things carefully and at length, but now she found herself at a complete loss.
“Miss, don’t panic yet. The date hasn’t been set, and even once it is, the Six Rites still have to be observed — and they are quite elaborate, especially for a grand family.” Jing Zhi’s eyes lit up. “Miss, shall we go tell Director Shi and ask him to think of a way?”
Yan Qing said, “Ask him to find a way to sabotage his own second brother’s wedding?”
Even if he was willing, she would not put him in such an unjust and disloyal position. Shi Guang was already wary of him — how could she make him actively create enemies for himself?
“Then what should we do?” Jing Zhi said anxiously, stamping her foot.
Yan Qing let out a heavy sigh. “Let me think.”
~
News of the Shi family consulting the calendar to prepare for the marriage spread throughout the entire Yan household in no time.
Yan Yan and Si Yitai were in their room practicing calligraphy when a servant mentioned the matter. Yan Yan happily set down her brush. “Wonderful — Sixth Sister is finally getting married! I need to think about what to give her as a gift. Mother, help me come up with something.”
Si Yitai, whose family name was Li Zhen, patted her on the head. “Out of this entire household, you are probably the only one who is genuinely happy for her.”
“Getting married is a good thing — why aren’t the others happy?”
“You’re still young, you don’t understand all the twists and turns involved.” Li Zhen ground the ink. “Your Sixth Sister is already favored in the Yan household, and now she’s marrying the most promising young master in the Marshal’s Mansion — in the future, she’ll be someone the prominent families of Shun Cheng all scramble to curry favor with.”
Yan Yan understood only vaguely.
Li Zhen said, “You have the closest relationship with her of anyone in the household. When she gets married, make sure you put your best foot forward. Once she becomes the Second Young Madam of the Shi family, she’ll have wide connections and high standing — arranging a good match for you will be nothing to her.”
“Mother, I’m still young — why are you already thinking about marrying me off?”
“What woman doesn’t hope to marry into a good family? Don’t end up like your mother, only able to be someone’s concubine.”
“Isn’t Third Yitai also a concubine? Father treated her even better than he treated the First Madam — it’s just a pity she died so young.”
“How many women in this world are like Third Yitai?” Li Zhen sighed lightly. “Stop practicing calligraphy. Go over to your Sixth Sister’s place and keep her company — you need to learn how to speak well and make a good impression.”
Yan Yan pouted. “Hmph, I won’t do it. I’ll talk to Sixth Sister however I like — I’m not about to go fawning over anyone.”
Li Zhen jabbed Yan Yan in the forehead in exasperation.
However, Li Zhen had been wrong about one thing. There was one other person in the Yan household who was overjoyed about Yan Qing’s marriage — and that was Yan Qin.
Yan Qin was desperate for Yan Qing to hurry up and marry Shi Guang, so she could no longer keep involving herself with Shi Ting.
She was just about to head happily to see Madam Yan when the maidservant outside Madam Yan’s door stopped her. “Fifth Miss, the Madam and the Master are speaking inside, and have instructed that no one is to enter.”
“Am I no one?” Yan Qin raged. “Who gave you the nerve? Step aside at once.”
“Fifth Miss, please don’t make things difficult for me. The Madam and the Master have given the order multiple times — they are discussing something very important.”
“Get out of my way.” Yan Qin raised her hand to strike the maidservant, but Madam Yan’s voice came from within: “Yan Qin, go.”
Yan Qin complained, “Mother, what are you and Father keeping from me? Why can’t I know about it?”
Madam Yan’s tone sharpened. “Go back at once.”
Yan Qin did not dare disobey Madam Yan and reluctantly left.
After Yan Qin had gone, Madam Yan returned to her seat and poured a cup of water for Old Master Yan, who sat across from her sighing heavily.
“Husband, this matter is not without room for negotiation. Madam Shi has offered terms — as long as you agree to her conditions, she will not make trouble for us.”
Old Master Yan’s expression darkened, and he remained silent.
“Husband, if this matter is not suppressed, it will be a grave crime. When the Marshal holds us to account, the entire Yan family will be implicated, and all the years of effort you’ve put in will be destroyed in an instant. Husband, you must weigh carefully which matters more.”
At that moment, a servant outside the door announced through the door: “Master, Mr. Fang has arrived.”
“Let him in.” Old Master Yan’s voice was stern.
Shortly, a gentleman entered — he had a salt-and-pepper beard, wore round-framed spectacles, was dressed in a long robe of blue silk, and wore a black satin skullcap. He walked in with his head lowered, not daring to look at Old Master Yan, and when he drew close, he dropped to his knees with a thud.
Old Master Yan looked at him furiously. “Fang Younian — I had you investigate this Zhao Ziming, and you swore up and down that he was above suspicion. Now that everything has come to light, are you prepared to take responsibility?”
Fang Younian kowtowed in terrified apology, again and again. “Master, I investigated him multiple times with great care and truly found nothing amiss. Who could have known he concealed himself so deeply and managed to deceive both of us?”
“You have followed me for many years and have never made an error. It was precisely because I trusted you that I entrusted something so important to you — and yet you handled it so carelessly and brought the Yan family to this dangerous situation. Who is to bear the responsibility?”
Fang Younian trembled on the floor, not daring to utter a single word.
Madam Yan urged, “Husband, what is done is done. Even if you tear Fang Younian apart, it won’t change anything. It would be better to think carefully now about the conditions Madam Shi has put forward — as long as this hasn’t reached the Marshal’s ears yet, there is still room to resolve it.”
—