On the journey home, Minglan did not say a single word. She felt as though her whole body had sunk into a swamp — no direction felt right, every move was wrong, she could be blamed from any side. Her chest burned with a scalding heat, while her hands and feet were cold as ice. Her mind was a complete blank — a draining, empty fatigue. As she sat there lost in thought, Minglan’s eyes blurred and tears fell without warning. Sheng Lao sat beside her, watching her quietly, a look of tender compassion in her gaze, and reached out to gently stroke the girl’s hair.
Minglan felt an unbearable, overwhelming sense of grievance. Her choking gradually turned into soft, quiet weeping. Her small shoulders pressed against her grandmother’s side, trembling slightly, as she buried the sound of her crying into the old lady’s sleeve — the sleeve fragrant with sandalwood and incense smoke.
“My Minglan, Grandmother understands your heart.” The old lady held Minglan and spoke slowly. “But when it comes to marriage, all one can seek is mutual willingness. A melon forced from the vine is never sweet. The things of everyday life cannot simply be reasoned through with logic.”
To wish for a heart that beats as one, and to grow old together without parting — how many young women tucked in their inner chambers had dreamed of such a life, spent their days painting their brows and perfecting their looks, hoping for a harmonious and loving marriage with their husband. Yet how many women had truly gotten their wish? In the end, most shared a respectful but distant partnership, and only few ever found true spiritual connection. Her granddaughter, who was clever most of the time, had grown fixated on this one thing — had been swept off course by He Hong’s promises, had driven herself into a corner. She could only hope the child would eventually come to understand on her own.
Sheng Lao couldn’t help but let out a quiet, inward sigh.
That night the wind was strong and the rain heavy. Minglan lay on her side in bed, eyes open, staring at the stream of green-tinged water flowing past the suspended window outside. She imagined the water trickling along the windowsill and sinking slowly into the earth. Gradually the rain stopped, and a plump, round moon crept out quietly from the ink-black sky, thrusting its round pale face forward. Through the misty, water-laden air, it cast a strange and shimmering light — like scattered crystal dust. Minglan lay there wide-eyed throughout. She did not sleep at all that night.
The next morning, Minglan rose very early. Dark red rings circled her eyes. She walked straight to the old lady’s room and knelt before her.
“These days, your granddaughter has done many foolish things. Not only has she caused Grandmother to worry on her behalf — she has also brought embarrassment and lost face. It is all your granddaughter’s unfilial behavior. Please, Grandmother, discipline me as you see fit.” Minglan bowed her head and touched her forehead respectfully to the floor. Her face, usually fresh and lovely as a flower in bloom, was a sheet of pale white. “Marriage is something that ought to be considered and decided by the elders. From now on, Minglan will leave everything entirely to Grandmother’s judgment, and will not say even half a word more!”
The old lady sat on the arhat bed, the silver-grey brocade embroidered cloud-and-jade-trimmed forehead cloth gleaming with a muted sheen. She looked steadily at Minglan, countless thoughts passing through her gaze. After a long while, the old lady let out a heavy sigh, “Enough — get up.”
Minglan braced herself on her knees and slowly rose. The old lady drew her to sit beside her, and patted the back of her hand gently, speaking to her in a gentle, lingering tone, “Young girls all have to go through this kind of confusion once. To be dizzy with it, to be stubborn in it, to make a scene in it, to weep through it — and then the fog clears, and one comes back to one’s senses. You are a sensible child. If you can find someone genuine who truly has a heart for you, that is already a tremendous blessing. Don’t hold onto obsessions — they will only harm yourself.”
Minglan nodded through her tears. Just as they were speaking, Cuiping suddenly came running in, and reported in a low voice, “Young Master He is here.”
Grandmother and granddaughter exchanged a startled look. What brought him here so early?
For this visit, Sheng Lao treated He Hong entirely as an ordinary old acquaintance’s young relative — she changed into more formal clothing, had the maids bring out tea and refreshments, and Minglan withdrew into the inner room without even showing her face.
But the moment the two of them set eyes on He Hong, grandmother and granddaughter both gave a simultaneous start of shock, from inside and outside the room. He Hong’s eyes were ringed in deep, dark black on both sides. On his left cheek, what appeared to be the marks of fingernails had left a deep scrape that stretched from below the eye all the way to the ear. His right cheek was a mass of purple-blue bruise. His lips were split. Around one wrist, thick white bandaging was wrapped.
“Young man, what on earth happened to you?” Sheng Lao exclaimed.
He Hong lowered his head and glanced around the room, clearly noting that Minglan was absent, and his expression momentarily fell. He brought his fists together and answered with respectful courtesy, “It is all because He Hong was foolish and without merit — bringing trouble to the old madam and to Ming…” Sheng Lao gave a heavy, pointed cough. He Hong swallowed his sorrow and immediately corrected himself. “It is all because He Hong has been without virtue — bringing trouble to the old madam. Last night, He Hong went to Uncle’s home and made everything clear. He has expressed his willingness to ask his mother to take Cousin as an adopted daughter, and to invite the family elders and relatives to witness the ceremony, so that from now on they will be as true brother and sister — He Hong swears he will never confuse what is proper!”
Sheng Lao understood. He Hong must have gone to the Cao family’s home in the middle of the night to lay everything on the table — and as a result was thoroughly beaten up by Cao Uncle, Cao Yima, and quite possibly the Cao brothers as well. At the thought of this, Sheng Lao felt inwardly amused. Adopted sister? Now that was a clever idea!
Sheng Lao looked at He Hong’s swollen and bruised face, and finally felt a little better inside. But there were still some questions to be resolved. “Will your mother agree?”
He Hong raised his battered, swollen face — like a pig’s head — and made a strained attempt at a smile in the old lady’s direction. The movement pulled at the cut on his lip, and he couldn’t help but hiss with a sharp intake of cold breath. Then he gave a somewhat oblique reply, “Last night, my mother saw the state of me and was… considerably… distressed.”
There was something quite layered in those words. From inside the inner room, Minglan understood immediately — this fellow had used himself as a prop to win his mother’s sympathy. Sheng Lao’s eyes flickered with a knowing look, and she asked with careful deliberateness, “I’m afraid the matter… is not yet fully resolved, is it?”
Weeping, making a scene, threatening drastic measures — the third and most extreme move had not yet been played.
He Hong lowered his head slowly, then raised it again with firm resolve. He spoke with earnest sincerity, “When I was young, my mother wished me to study for the imperial examinations. I refused, and followed my own inclination — I chose medicine. Old madam, please trust He Hong just this once. He Hong is not a man without conviction, to be pulled and shaped by whoever holds him. He Hong knows right from wrong, and will absolutely not dare to disappoint the old madam and your granddaughter’s trust!”
These words moved Sheng Lao’s heart. She looked again at the earnest, resolute light in He Hong’s eyes — and then at the shocking, conspicuous wounds marking his face. The old lady deliberated for a moment, then smiled gently, “It is not a matter of trust or not — it’s simply that old people tend to think too much. As for young He Hong, his character is something I have observed over many years, and naturally I have confidence in it. If Heaven wills it, that would be the best outcome. Even the moon cannot always be full — that too is Heaven’s will. One cannot simply hold one’s breath and push through every day forever. Fate in marriage is determined by Heaven — young He Hong need not force things.”
These words were spoken with great warmth, great friendliness, and great feeling — and yet they had not actually promised anything at all. From the inner room, Minglan silently admired the old lady’s command of language. What she meant was: Young Master He, your intentions are good and your plan sounds lovely, but the future is uncertain — so keep working at it. When you’ve finally turned your cousin into your adopted sister, then come back and we’ll talk. That said, a girl’s youth is precious and fleeting, and in the meantime we need to keep our own options open — so you had better move quickly.
He Hong was not without understanding. He also knew that the matter with the Cao family had indeed caused a great deal of legitimate anger, and could not be glossed over with a word or two. If there were no clear resolution, the Sheng family was not going to move forward with this match — and even his own grandmother had grown exasperated and washed her hands of the affair. He Hong’s expression dimmed further as he said a great many more pleasing words, but the old lady deflected every one with gentle, easy grace — her face perfectly warm and amiable, her words weaving in and out in loops and circles, and yet she simply would not relent. Nor did she show the slightest inclination to let Minglan come out to meet him.
After a few more exchanges, He Hong said farewell with a heavy heart.
After he left, Minglan slowly came out from inside. Her manner was composed and steady. The old lady let the smile drop from her face, sank back wearily against the arched pillow of the arhat bed, and said quietly, “He Hong has a genuine heart.”
Minglan walked slowly to the old lady’s side, picked up a mallet lying nearby, and began gently tapping on her grandmother’s legs. She replied, “Anyone with feeling has a genuine heart.”
“Oh?” The old lady looked at Minglan’s placid, still expression with some interest. “So this time you have no more desire to fight for it?”
Minglan’s hand paused a beat, then she shook her head with a rueful smile, “Your granddaughter has already fought for what she could. As Grandmother said — marriage ought to be mutual and willing. Something held by force never turns out well. Your granddaughter’s marriage is still in Grandmother’s hands — let it be as it is meant to be. The Sheng family has raised me and cared for me — even if I cannot bring glory to the family name, I ought at least not to bring it shame.”
The old lady looked at Minglan’s pale yet steadfast face, her heart aching a little. She said with warmth, “Good child — I’m glad you understand. You are still young — let us look a little longer. We have done all we could by He Hong with full righteousness: counseled as we should, spoken as we should. If he proves himself, then he is a man of integrity and worth — and we could allow this match. If not…” The old lady paused a moment, then said with iron certainty, “The Spring Examination is nearly upon us. The capital is full of young men of talent and promise. Our family is not the sort to go chasing prestige and power. When the time comes, Grandmother will find you a good-natured, honest young man — that is no small thing either.”
Minglan knew the old lady had her eye on Li Yu now, but this time, she dared not drop even the faintest hint of it. Thinking on it now, she truly regretted having introduced Minglan to He Hong so early.
Minglan’s eyes held no more tears. Against her snow-white skin, the corners of her lips curved upward in a pale pink smile, revealing two charming, playful dimples — sweet enough to melt straight into the heart, “Yes! Grandmother is right. As long as he is genuine and honest, to live a simple, peaceful life together is also something good.”
Growing up is a painful process. Maturity is a choice made out of necessity. If one had the option, which girl would not prefer to live her whole life as a bright and proud princess? No one is made of wood or stone — and what woman doesn’t hope for a happy marriage? There is no need to put on a false display of indifference and claim not to care.
But life is like a blade — cut after cut it hacks away at a girl’s pure and guileless heart, rounding off the edges, wearing down the spirit, until she becomes a woman with a blurred and indistinct face, surrounded by jade and pearls, draped in brocade and silk — organizing the daily lives of her husband’s concubines, arranging the marriages of the children born to his other women, running a household inside and out, and in the end being set up high on the pedestal of the family’s dignity, becoming just another interchangeable symbol among countless others.
She had no wish to become this kind of virtuous symbol. Every girl had once dreamed of a love that would last a lifetime — just two people, no one else. Perhaps this was the source of her fixation on He Hong. She ought to let it go now. Fields and paths, mountain springs, fishing, good food, and books — a life without the forever-and-always of a man’s devotion. Save more private money, raise the children well — she could live very well on her own.
…
In late September, Minglan underwent her coming-of-age ceremony. Not many guests came. The He family’s old madam did as promised, bringing a beautiful hairpin of fine gold inlaid with jade, and personally pinning up Minglan’s hair for her. Given this gesture, if anyone were to bring up the connection between the two families in the future, there was a graceful way to let it pass.
Hualan sent over a pair of precious white jade golden phoenix hairpins strung with pearls. Molan sent a painting and a piece of calligraphy. Even Pingning Junzhu, with whom they had not had much contact for some time, sent along a good quantity of fine brocade and southern pearls as a gift. Rulan was exceptionally generous and dug out her most carefully stored gold, going to Cuibao Zhai to have a solid-weight gold dragon-head necklace made — enough to make Wang Shi’s eyes go green with envy.
Minglan took advantage of a moment when no one was watching to pull Rulan aside by the sleeve and whisper, “Fifth Sister, there’s no need to bribe me — your younger sister won’t breathe a word.”
Rulan shot her a look, and also whispered back, “Jing gege told me to send it. He said I’m the older sister, and older sisters should care for their younger siblings. I also set aside some good fabric for Elder Brother Changdong — enough for two or three new sets of clothing!”
Seeing Rulan’s expression of virtuous, benevolent elder-sisterly grace, Minglan immediately revised her opinion of the young gentleman surnamed Yan considerably upward. Even Zhang Sheng had turned over a new leaf?!
After that, the days passed in a gentle, unhurried rhythm. Li Yu came to the Sheng Mansion on average once every five days to “seek academic guidance,” and each visit required the consumption of at least half a plate of the old lady’s refreshments before he would consent to leave. His pair of eyes had nearly developed the power to see through solid objects — he had practically bored two holes in that folding screen from staring.
In all honesty, apart from taking rather too long each time to steal glances at Minglan, Li Yu truly was not a person one could find fault with. He stayed buried at Changwu’s home every day in serious study, rarely went out for social engagements, and when he did, he was perfectly proper in his behavior. Most importantly — all five of his female cousins on the older side were already married, and the two younger ones had not yet grown their adult teeth.
Wang Shi was busy evaluating candidates from well-off families. Hai Shi was discovered to be with child, and spent her days holding a jar of sour plums through her morning sickness. Quange’er had started toddling, and loved to shuffle circles around Minglan with a grin, mouth wide open and drooling.
News continued to trickle in from the He family. In the span of barely twenty-odd days, Cao Yima attempted to take her own life once, He family Auntie fainted twice, Cousin Jinxiu fell severely ill once, and Cao Uncle and the Cao brothers even came to make a scene at the gate — whereupon the He family’s old madam lost her temper completely. She not only had the servants drive them all out, but immediately cut off all financial support to the Cao family and barred them from ever setting foot in the He household again.
By the end of October, Cao Yima came weeping and pleading to the He family’s gate, tears and mucus streaming freely, full of apology and begging forgiveness, admitting all manner of wrongdoing. The He family’s old madam, not wishing to be entirely merciless, gave them some silver — but still refused to allow Cao Yima to see He family Auntie, who lay ill in bed.
The He family’s old madam had carried out in practice exactly what Minglan had wanted to do but could not.
Just as the golden autumn days were at their most refreshing, the Shuntian Prefecture issued a proclamation: the Northern Expedition’s great army had returned in triumph, having dealt a crushing blow to several main forces of the Jie enemy tribe, killing untold numbers of enemy soldiers, razing their encampments, and also slaying two of the Jie’s princes and a Left Worthy King. Vast numbers of warhorses and military supplies had been seized, and in the pursuit that followed, tens of thousands more enemy soldiers had been killed or wounded!
Word had it that National Uncle Shen Congxing, determined to give his imperial brother-in-law face, had made a point of traveling day and night without rest to arrive in the capital before the anniversary of the Late Emperor’s passing, presenting the severed head of the Jie barbarian’s chief general and numerous other captured items as offerings of commemoration!
On the twenty-seventh day of October, the capital’s city gates were thrown wide open. The imperial garrison soldiers stood in fresh and gleaming armor, carrying red-tasseled spears and leather whips and iron chains, posted one at every step, five at every post, with a broad official road cleared for the procession. The Emperor himself led the imperial guard out to receive the returning army, with eighteen formations of ceremonial honor guards arrayed in full display. The common people of the capital came out in throngs to line the road, cheering and welcoming. The capital was not far from the northern frontier — the people had lived under the constant threat of nomadic raids all their lives. To them, a general who had beaten back the Jie barbarians carried far greater glory than one who had simply suppressed a domestic rebellion.
At the appointed hour, ceremonial cannon fire rang out in the distance. The great Northern Expedition army entered the city. Old General Gan led at the head, with Generals Shen and Gu flanking him to the left and right. In the city, firecrackers thundered without ceasing, and rows of colorful banners several zhang high were planted densely along the streets, rippling in the wind. The citizens craned their necks and cheered. All the way along the route, wherever the troops passed, shouts of admiration and applause broke out.
That evening, the Emperor hosted a banquet in the imperial hall, bestowing upon the triumphant commanders official ranks and noble titles.
Among those honored: Old General Gan was elevated to the post of Minister of War. Shen Congxing was granted the title of Wei Bei Hou — Marquis Who Subdues the North — elevated by one full rank, with the title hereditary and non-revocable, and promoted to the position of Commissioner-in-Chief of the Central Military Command. Gu Tingye was promoted to the position of Commissioner-in-Chief of the Left Military Command. Both were of the second rank. These two men were also granted imperially bestowed residences, along with countless other rewards. The military officers and soldiers below were each rewarded according to their rank and merit, and for a time, the entire capital was awash with celebration.