Spring of the Blade - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Qinghe found her generosity incredible, but she could not speak plainly, so she beat around the bush. "Fourth Sister, days pass by so quickly. In the blink of an eye, you’ve been back for two months. There aren't many days left for us sisters to spend together; eventually, each of us must find our own way... Are you not angry about today's events?"

Qingyuan smiled and shook her head. "This matter has nothing to do with me originally, so what is there to be angry about? In one's life, there are so many encounters; how can one demand a specific outcome for every single thing? Back when I was at the Chen family, my grandmother was a very learned old lady. Once, I accompanied her to a temple to pray. The temple was far away, located over high mountains and across long waters, and we had to travel a stretch by boat. When the boat reached the center of the lake, I accidentally dropped a cup into the water. Watching it sink bit by bit to the bottom, I cried for a while because of it. But Grandmother said that as long as it wasn't shattered, if it fell, let it fall. Someday, someone will surely retrieve it. By then, it will still be intact, and they will keep it well."

After listening to this, Qinghe remained silent for a long while before letting out a long sigh. "That old Madam Chen is a truly insightful person."

"That is why there is no need to make oneself suffer while living," Qingyuan said, squinting at the drifting clouds on the horizon. The sunlight fell upon her eyes, making them glisten as if filled with a pool of clear spring water. She turned her head and smiled at Qinghe again. "If something cannot be kept, it is better to let others have it. Besides, that young Marquis of Danyang and I have only exchanged four or five sentences in total."

Qinghe’s estimation of her rose significantly because of this, and upon returning, she sighed to her mother, "A person’s horizons and insights truly change with their circumstances. I used to think that with the status of the Xie family, we people would never be outdone, but now it seems that is not the case at all..."

Although Qingyuan had comforted Qinghe, she could not diminish the regrets of those around her. Baoxian kept her head down and did not speak for a long time. Qingyuan tried every method to amuse her, and in the end, she managed a forced smile. "I am just feeling aggrieved on your behalf, Young Miss."

Qingyuan was stunned. It was strange that everyone was taking up the cudgels for her, as if the heir to the Marquis of Danyang truly belonged to her. Or perhaps what they resented even more was the Old Madam’s judgment—if the Second Miss is a granddaughter, is the Fourth Miss not also a granddaughter? The heir of Danyang was 'not good enough' for the Fourth Miss, yet the moment they turned around, they were arranging a match for the Second Miss.

Chuntai was a sharp-witted person. While taking apart an old garment, she couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "I just can't accept this. How can there be such a logic in this world? Both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh. Even if the Old Madam dislikes the concubines, the Young Miss is still the Master’s own flesh and blood... Anyone else would be fine, but it has to be the Second Miss... How many times has our Danyue Pavilion suffered from their schemes, both openly and in the shadows? Is the Old Madam truly unaware of all this?"

This hit the root of the matter, and everyone fell silent. Outside, the wind picked up, causing the parrot stand under the eaves to sway with a flutter-flutter sound of bird wings.

Do not be anxious, Qingyuan thought secretly. Everything must be taken one step at a time. Nanny Tao sent word again that because of that letter, Madam Hu had conducted a thorough investigation. However, because she could not do it openly, she had only sent people to visit various places. Two days passed without finding Qingmei or her family, but another letter arrived, saying the Madam need not trouble herself with the search; if it was inconvenient, they would come to the mansion themselves tomorrow. With no other choice, Madam Hu had to pay for peace, letting Nanny Sun bundle up fifty taels of silver and place it under the garden wall designated in the letter. As it happened, a coal-transporting caravan passed by that day, and before Nanny Sun could see clearly, the bundle had vanished. The money was spent without even a sound, and when Nanny Sun returned to report, it made the Madam grit her teeth with rage.

Perhaps because she was feeling disgruntled and needed 'good fortune' to offset the bad, Madam Hu became even more proactive in trying to facilitate Qingru’s marriage, urging the Old Madam to invite the Governor's wife to the mansion for a banquet. It was unclear what considerations the Old Madam had—perhaps she wanted Qingyuan to lose all hope—but she summoned the sisters and arranged for them to peel almonds in the flower hall next door. Separated by only a wall—a wall inlaid with latticed windows—they could hear everything said on the other side. The Old Madam euphemistically explained her intentions to the Governor’s wife, not saying that Qingru had set her sights on him, but rather that the elders felt it was a very suitable match. "People say one guest shouldn't trouble two hosts. Regarding the marriages of our family's children, both cases have relied on you, Madam. Might as well entrust this third child to you as well."

Because they were familiar with each other, the Governor's wife didn't hold back, laughing, "If the Old Madam trusts me, then given our friendship, there is nothing more to be said..." She hesitated for a moment and asked, "Is this match for the Second Miss?"

Madam Hu confirmed, "Madam, do you think these two children are a match?"

Whoever it was, they wouldn't say that one's child was unworthy of another. The Governor's wife smiled and replied, "What more is there to say? A talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven. It’s just... it is quite a coincidence. The day the founding Earl’s family brought the betrothal gifts, the young Marquis accompanied them. On the way back, he intentionally or unintentionally asked me about the young ladies of your noble mansion—but it wasn't the Second Miss; it was the Fourth Miss."

As soon as these words were out, not only were the Old Xie Madam and Madam Hu frozen, but the flower hall next door also exploded.

Qingru stared coldly at Qingyuan; if eyes could shoot blades, she would have hacked Qingyuan into pieces a thousand times over.

Qingyuan was completely dazed. Although everyone had been linking her with Li Congxin, she herself hadn't taken it to heart. Thus, suddenly hearing the Governor’s wife say this, she really couldn't collect her thoughts. Qingru hated her with such depth that her teeth felt miles long, but Qingyuan felt wronged and waved her hands. "Second Sister, this matter has nothing to do with me."

Qingru scoffed, "Fourth Sister, why bother to dodge it? If your mother were alive, she would be beside herself with joy. Quietly and secretly, you’ve even found your own husband."

Qingyuan was helpless and ceased her defense. Qinghe smiled and turned her head, telling Xinyu to pour hot water into the basin where the almonds were soaking.

On the other side, the Old Madam pondered for a long time before saying, "They are all my granddaughters; I would never mean to favor one over the other. It is just that now is not the time for the Fourth girl to discuss marriage. Firstly, she is still young, and secondly... because of her mother’s status, I fear she would be bullied in another’s home. To tell you the truth, I have also planned for her. In the future, I will find someone with a decent family background—they don't need to be incredibly wealthy or noble, just enough to respect and love her. She has suffered since childhood; if she were to be wronged in her marriage again, wouldn't she be miserable for her whole life? Every family marrying off a daughter hopes to find a powerful and wealthy son-in-law, but I, for our Fourth girl, do not think that way at all. In my opinion, as long as the son-in-law has ambition and talent, even a poor family would be acceptable."

These words left the Governor's wife with no room to respond, and the smile that had been on Qingyuan's face in the flower hall was now completely gone.

So, she was only fit to marry into a poor family and spend her life with some impoverished scholar. The Old Xie Madam spoke grand, virtuous-sounding words, yet she never considered that if a poor family also turned out to be wicked, would it be better to be a slighted young mistress in a noble house, or a domestic servant in a poor one?

She placed the peeled almonds back into the bowl, stood up, and said, "I am not feeling very well. You three sisters continue; I will head back first." Having said that, she did not linger and walked straight out of the Huifang Garden.

On the way back, whether it was due to the wind choking her or something else, her nasal passages filled with a bitter soreness. She had to walk faster; if she didn't, the tears would spill out.

"Young Miss..." Baoxian saw her walking in such a rush and didn't know how to comfort her. The Old Madam was truly heartless; that long, flowery speech was clearly intended to drive a dagger into the Fourth Miss’s heart. Although the Fourth Miss usually had her own opinions, she was, after all, just a fourteen-year-old child. How impenetrable must one be to endure such intentional belittlement from one’s own grandmother?

Chuntai came out to greet her, calling "Young Miss," but she didn't respond, lifting her skirt to step onto the terrace. Chuntai was puzzled, and as she was about to speak again, Baoxian shook her head at her.

"I am going inside to sleep for a while. Unless something major happens, do not call me." She tried her best to control herself, keeping her voice very low.

Baoxian agreed, "Young Miss, please get some rest," as she closed the screen doors for her.

Chuntai didn't understand the situation and kept signaling to Baoxian. Baoxian sighed, pulled her under the crabapple tree in the courtyard, and told her the sequence of events. Chuntai was stunned for a long time and sighed, "We used to feel resentful, wondering why we weren't born into wealthy families instead of having to do this labor of serving others. Now it seems, we have our own advantages—without those sickening, heavy-hearted worries, we might just live a few years longer."

Both felt hollow, and after a while, they moved their needlework under the flower trellis to work. From time to time, they would raise their eyes to glance at the door. The bedroom remained quiet; the shadows of the day shifted from the windows of the main room to the eastern corridor. The Young Miss’s nap was deep and long; when she woke up, she would likely understand many things clearly!

As night was about to fall, a young maid ran into the courtyard, gasping for breath, calling for Sister Chuntai. Because the commotion was too loud, it drew a scolding from Chuntai, "You cursed thing, is there a ghost chasing you? What are you shouting about!"

The young maid, having been scolded, looked a bit timid and twisted her fingers, saying, "The Master’s government boat has arrived at Nanpu. In another ten miles, he will be home. The Old Madam told me to inform the young ladies to go to the front hall and wait. I came here to bring the message to the Fourth Miss."

Seeing that she couldn't scold her anymore, Chuntai gave a gruff acknowledgement and sent her away.

Just as she was about to go to the Fourth Miss’s bedroom to knock, the two screen doors opened by themselves. The person inside came out, already groomed and dressed. Standing under the eaves, she asked, "How much further is it?"

Chuntai replied, "Ten more miles. With a fast horse and a quick whip, it will be half an hour."

Baoxian happened to arrive as well. She handed the tools for making incense seals to a maid nearby to take inside, and while carefully observing her complexion, asked, "Young Miss, are you feeling better now?"

Qingyuan smiled slightly, letting them know they needn't worry. Earlier, she had collapsed on the bed and cried her fill, and after growing tired from crying, she had fallen asleep. Thinking back now, she felt that perhaps she had been confused for a moment, to feel sorrow for her own situation. In fact, a family like the Xie family was not somewhere one could depend on. Deep down, she had still harbored a longing for familial affection, but after today, she would not have it anymore.

"There is still half an hour. It wouldn't be good to arrive late; let’s go over early." She beckoned to the maid Xiaoxi to bring a lantern, and then proceeded toward the front with Baoxian. The moon tonight looked like a soggy biscuit soaked in water, its edges desolate. The drifting clouds moved quickly, mindlessly covering and then pulling away. Qingyuan looked up at the sky and murmured, "It is going to rain tomorrow."

A crowd had already gathered in the front hall. Both Zhengze and Zhengjun were there, occupying their respective sides with the young wives from their households. Qingyuan paid her respects one by one; although they responded, they all wore cold expressions. Before long, Aunt Lian and Qinghe also arrived. Qinghe was now engaged; as a young lady-to-be, her status was different from the others. She no longer needed to read their faces or intentionally try to please them, so she sat with Qingyuan and asked, "Fourth Sister, are you feeling better?"

Qingyuan nodded with a smile, but just as she was about to speak, the Old Madam led Madam Hu and the others to arrive. She stood up alongside Qinghe and bowed to the Old Madam.

The Old Xie Madam had no mind for anything else at the moment, having sent people to check at the front gate three times in a short span. The whole family waited anxiously until, finally, a servant leaped and bounded in. He bowed and reported that the Master’s carriage and horses had already entered the gate.

Before he finished speaking, several soldiers entered the main gate, guarding both sides of the straight path like nails. The Old Madam hurried to lead the crowd to the corridor to welcome him. In the brightly lit hall, the Eldest Master of the Xie family, Xie Shu, entered from the door. He was wearing an official's round-collared, wide-sleeved casual robe and was not wearing a cap. Arriving before the steps, he lifted his robes and knelt before the Old Xie Madam, prostrating himself on the ground. "Your son has been away from home for two years, and even when Mother was ill, I could not serve you your medicine. Your son is filled with shame; I am unworthy of being a son.”