Wei Ling had a restless night. The next morning, he practiced sword techniques in the courtyard until he broke a light sweat, which helped clear his mind. As he wiped his brow with a towel handed to him by a servant, he noticed the sun had risen high. Wei Ling inquired about court matters, “I heard the Emperor appointed the Du Du as the Xuanda Governor-General last night?”
A nearby guard replied, “The imperial edict has been issued. The Du Du left for Shanxi overnight. It seems the Emperor was greatly angered by the spy incident. However… now that the Du Du oversees military affairs in Xuanda and Shanxi, won’t he be in charge of your Xuanfu command as well?”
“That’s not an issue,” Wei Ling mused. “During the recent Yining incident, he spoke up, which prevented the Emperor from pursuing the matter further. I’m grateful to him for that. If he manages to uncover the spy by the time of Yining’s wedding, we should invite him to drink celebratory wine. After all, Yining considers him her godfather.”
“You’re right, Your Grace. However, I think Zeng Yingkun, the Datong Commander who has guarded Datong for ten years, has a very insular group of subordinates. The Du Du might struggle to find the spy…”
Wei Ling laughed heartily, “How dare Zeng Yingkun play tricks in front of Lu Jiaxue? When Lu Jiaxue was establishing his military career on the battlefield, Zeng was probably still playing in the mud at some remote garrison!” He patted the guard’s shoulder, thinking these young men were like fearless calves unaware of tigers. They hadn’t witnessed Lu Jiaxue leading thousands of troops against the Tartars, striking fear into all four corners.
As he was about to enter his chambers to change clothes, the steward approached with a calling card, “Your Grace, there’s a visitor outside. He claims to be surnamed Lin, holds the position of Gongbu Gishizhong, and says he’s our young lady’s cousin. I found it strange… I don’t recall our young lady having a cousin surnamed Lin. Please take a look at his card.”
Wei Ling took the card, remembering that Yining’s stepmother was surnamed Lin. Perhaps this was indeed a relative paying a visit.
“Did he mention the purpose of his visit?” Wei Ling asked.
The steward replied, “He said he has something to give you… His attire suggests he’s not an ordinary person.”
Given the status of the Ying Guogong Manor, there were often poor relatives seeking favors, so caution was necessary. Wei Ling couldn’t meet just anyone. However, recalling that Yining had a good relationship with her stepmother, he decided to receive the visitor.
Wei Ling nodded, “Take him to the front hall and treat him well. I’ll change and be there shortly.”
As the steward went to welcome the guest, Wei Ling freshened up and changed into a casual round-collared, right-lapelled robe before heading to the front hall.
Lin Mao wore a dark red Hangzhou silk robe with a jade pendant at his waist, appearing cheerful and festive. With his tall frame and narrow phoenix eyes, he indeed looked like a talented young man. He was standing outside the front hall, admiring the crabapple blossoms while waiting. Two large geese with bound wings were placed nearby. Upon seeing the Ying Guogong approach, Lin Mao strode forward and bowed, “Greetings, Your Grace!”
Wei Ling invited him to sit, and servants brought out fine Da Hong Pao tea. Wei Ling smiled and asked, “I remember Yining’s stepmother, Lady Lin. Are you her nephew?”
Lin Mao cupped his hands and replied, “Indeed, I am from the Lin family of Yangzhou. I’ve been in the capital but failed to pay my respects to Your Grace earlier. Please forgive my negligence!”
Wei Ling laughed, “There’s no need for such formalities, Young Master Lin! Since you’re Yining’s cousin, we’re family. Visit more often, and we’ll become familiar. Yining has no siblings except for a younger brother, so I’d be happy for her to have more brothers.”
After they chatted for a while, the steward came to inform Wei Ling that it was time for the meal. Wei Ling turned to Lin Mao and said, “It’s almost noon. Why don’t I have the kitchen prepare some dishes, and we can enjoy a few drinks together?”
Lin Mao’s eyes brightened, “If Your Grace invites me to drink, I must certainly have a few cups.”
Wei Ling instructed a servant to tell the kitchen to prepare dishes like peanuts and braised pig ears to accompany the wine. He also sent someone to inform Yining in the East Garden that her cousin was visiting.
As the food and wine were served, Lin Mao poured wine for Wei Ling, “I’ve heard that Your Grace has a reputation for being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. I’m also fond of wine in Yangzhou and can identify different types by smell alone. I once won fifty taels of silver from a wine shop owner because of this skill.” He lifted the wine pot and sniffed, “It’s Qiulu Bai. Your Grace’s cellars truly have the best!”
Wei Ling was surprised that Lin Mao could identify the wine so accurately. He immediately had the steward bring out several other types of wine, which Lin Mao correctly identified one by one.
Wei Ling’s gaze towards Lin Mao became more appreciative, “Drinking is harmful to the body, so I’ve abstained for several years. Had I known I’d meet a young friend like you, I might have delayed my abstinence by a few years!”
“It’s not too late for you to drink with me now,” Lin Mao said, refilling Wei Ling’s cup. They clinked glasses.
Wei Ling sighed contentedly, “Drinking is enjoyable.” As the alcohol warmed his body, his worries seemed to disappear, rekindling the desire for wine he had suppressed for years. He poured more wine for Lin Mao, saying, “Drink more, Young Master Lin. This Qiulu Bai is bestowed by the Emperor and can’t be bought outside.”
Lin Mao, remembering the real purpose of his visit, knew he couldn’t drink too much. “Your Grace, I have a matter to discuss with you…”
“Go ahead and speak!” Wei Ling said with a smile, assuming Lin Mao wanted to discuss official matters. He raised his cup again, unconcerned.
Lin Mao continued, “Your Grace, I’ve come today to propose marriage. I wish to take Yining as my wife.”
Wei Ling was caught off guard and nearly spat out his wine. He quickly set down his cup and looked at Lin Mao in shock, “What… what did you say?”
“I’ve known Yining since childhood. We’re in love, and I’ve long intended to marry her. However, she was too young then, so I decided to wait until I achieved an official position before proposing,” Lin Mao said earnestly. “When we were children at the Luo family home, Yining and I were together day and night. She was very fond of me. Your Grace can ask Yining if you don’t believe me.”
The alcohol-induced haziness quickly dissipated from Wei Ling’s mind. He asked, “Are you telling the truth?”
“How could I jest about such an important matter as marriage? If Your Grace agrees, I’ll immediately return home and have my mother prepare the betrothal gifts. I’ll bring Yining to our home in a grand procession. My family has a good reputation, my parents are kind, and although we don’t have high-ranking officials in the family, we’re well-known in Yangzhou. Yining will want for nothing and live a life of luxury.” Lin Mao stood up, his smile fading slightly and his tone becoming more serious, “I came in person to show Your Grace my sincerity. I’ve even brought a pair of geese as a token of my intentions.”
He had wanted to visit the Ying Guogong Manor for a long time but had to wait for the right moment due to the family’s recent troubles. Now that Wei Ling had returned victorious from battle, he finally found the opportunity to come.
He had long ago said he would marry Yining. Although she was no longer the fluffy puppy-like child she once was, he still found her intriguing and couldn’t wait to bring her home.
This time, Wei Ling’s gaze as he appraised Lin Mao was that of a father scrutinizing a potential son-in-law, devoid of the earlier friendliness.
It seemed too convenient that someone would offer a solution just as he was worrying about the matter.
“Since you say you’ve come to propose, I must ask you some serious questions,” Wei Ling said gravely. He then proceeded to inquire about several aspects of Lin Mao’s background.
“How many brothers do you have?” Wei Ling first asked about the family size. Upon hearing that Lin Mao was the fourth of six brothers, he felt somewhat displeased.
Wei Ling then asked, “Do your parents hold any official positions? What ranks?”
Lin Mao answered all the questions, finally adding, “My family’s status cannot compare to the illustrious Ying Guogong Manor, but we are quite well-off. I am sincere in my intentions and have long wished to marry Yining. After our marriage, I would never take concubines like others might. You won’t find another suitor as sincere as me.”
Wei Ling sighed. Under normal circumstances, he would have refused outright. However, with Yining’s marriage becoming an urgent matter and Lin Mao claiming they were in love, he had to consider it. Moreover, Lin Mao was a Gongbu Gishizhong from the Lin family of Yangzhou, which seemed a better match than the recently successful Jinshi, the second young master He. After some thought, Wei Ling said, “I need to consider this matter. You… should go home and wait for now.”
Understanding that a father would naturally be cautious about his daughter’s marriage, Lin Mao drained his cup and smiled, “Then I’ll come to visit you again another day.”
Lin Mao left the pair of geese he had brought as a gift. Wei Ling, seeing the geese restlessly looking around, had them sent to the kitchen to be cared for. He then asked the steward, “Didn’t I tell you to call Yining?”
The steward replied, “The young lady hasn’t finished planting her flower seedlings. She said she’d come over once she was done.”
Wei Ling told him not to call her and decided to go to the East Garden himself to find Yining. Seeing his daughter contentedly busy planting new seedlings in the greenhouse, he hesitated before asking, “Yining, are you… in love with your cousin Lin, whom you grew up with?”
Yining nearly snapped the seedling in her hand upon hearing this.
Where did this come from?
She shook her head vigorously, her face flushing red with laughter, “Where did you hear that? I wouldn’t dare to be in love with him. Our cousin Mao is the most unpredictable person! He’s always coming up with wild ideas. When I was little, he gave me quite a hard time.” Yining then told Wei Ling about how Lin Mao had once set fire to someone’s shop in Yangzhou and beaten up a shopkeeper while collecting rent.
“Although Cousin Mao is clever, he doesn’t like studying. His mother was so worried that she sent him to the Luo family for my mother to manage. But he ended up following Cousin Ming to the capital to become an official. When the Emperor was still the Crown Prince, he spent some time by his side and somehow managed to charm his way into an official position…”
It seemed he truly was an unpredictable character.
Wei Ling gazed at his daughter’s face, rosy from the sunlight, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead. Her skin gleamed translucently white in the sun, more beautiful than the finest white silk… Her wrists were exquisitely delicate, with a small, round protruding bone that made one want to grasp them tightly. How could an ordinary person protect her properly?
If she stayed in the Ying Guogong Manor, he could protect her. But what would happen after she married?
After a moment of silence, Wei Ling went to the West Courtyard to consult with the Old Madame Wei.
Old Madame Wei was talking with Lady Xu about inviting Xu’s mother-in-law, Wei Ying’s mother Lady Liu, to stay for a few days to help. Just then, Mama Song announced that her son had arrived.
Lady Xu took Wei Jia out to play, and Wei Ling sat down, sipping some tea to sober up before explaining the situation with Lin Mao in detail to Old Madame Wei.
After pondering for a while, Old Madame Wei felt it wasn’t quite suitable: “Although he’s a Gongbu Gishizhong and handsome, if Yining marries him, she’ll eventually have to follow him back to Yangzhou. The journey is long and arduous, making visits difficult. Moreover, with six brothers in the family, there are bound to be conflicts among the sisters-in-law. We’d be too far away to help if problems arise.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Wei Ling mused. “But if we can’t find a more suitable match, he might be an option. He does seem genuinely sincere about marrying Yining.”
Old Madame Wei nodded, “Then let’s not rush to decide. We should observe for a while longer.”
Wei Ling felt a heavy burden in his heart, unsure of how to proceed.
big brother where are you?