Spring of the Blade - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Old Madam Xie hurriedly had Zhengze and the others help the Master stand up. Mother and son had not seen each other for two years, and she needed to look him over carefully.

Xie Shu had previously served as the Regional Inspector of Jiannan Circuit, and later as a Jiedushi (Military Governor), commanding troops when garrisoned and acting as commander-in-chief when on campaigns. These past few years, the borderlands had been anything but peaceful. The Tibetans had launched repeated incursions, and two years prior, after repelling the Tibetan elite who had seized Shibao City, he had been constantly occupied with building defensive works around the Jishi Mountains. Military commanders in the field lived on wind and dew, which was naturally not as comfortable as being pampered at home. The Old Madam felt a bit of sadness, sighing melancholically, "You have grown old. No matter how busy military affairs are, you must take care of your health."

Xie Shu personally supported the Old Madam as they walked toward the hall, laughing, "The borderlands are full of wind and sand. I have to inspect the troops five or six times a day. No sooner do I step out of the camp tent than my helmet is filled with sand. It’s not that I don't want to take care of myself, but the situation out there is so arduous that I can't spare the effort."

The Old Madam nodded, saying helplessly, "Our ancestors for generations were military men. Your father did well enough in Youzhou back then, but you were stationed in the Jiannan Circuit. It is said that a man’s loyalty is to the country and he shouldn't mind suffering a little, but looking at you now, it’s nothing else—it’s just that you’ve aged quite quickly." She finished by scrutinizing his temples and clicking her tongue, "You’ve even got grey hair."

"It seems the Old Madam hasn't looked at her son properly in years," Xie Shu joked. "I had grey hair before I even left the border pass; did Mother only just notice today?"

The Master’s words held a hint of melancholy—the tone of a son who hadn't received enough love, acting spoiled before his aging mother. Seeing the atmosphere lighten, everyone laughed along.

Once the older generation had finished their reunion, it was time for the husband and wife to reconnect. Madam Hu, accompanied by the two concubines, bowed to Xie Shu and said, "Master, you have suffered these past two years while away."

In any great household, there was only ever the legitimate wife on formal occasions, never the concubines. Xie Shu looked at Madam Hu and smiled, "You have served Mother on my behalf and taught the children well. It is Nanqin who has truly worked hard." Naturally, his eyes only held Madam Hu; he didn't spare so much as a glance for the two concubines.

The concubines were already accustomed to this treatment, and they proceeded to weep and wipe their eyes, crying with a mixture of bitterness and agitation. Because the marriages of the children from both of their quarters had been settled, making things easier to account for before the Master, they felt their spines were stiffer than in the past.

Next, it was the turn of the children. Zhengze led his brothers and sisters up to bow. Xie Shu did not have much distance between himself and his children, and they were willing to be close to him. They called out "Father" in a jumble, some bowing deeply, others offering well-wishes—truly a scene of a benevolent father and filial children.

Qingyuan remained standing at the very edge; by seniority, she was the last and the least conspicuous. The Old Madam informed the Master of the marriage arrangements for Zhengjun and Qinghe, saying with no small amount of relief, "Both matches were brokered by Governor Liu’s wife. Third son is betrothed to the Fifth Miss of the Transport Commissioner’s family, and Eldest daughter is matched with the eldest son of the founding Earl’s family. These are all excellent matches. With the protection of our ancestors, the descendants have all found their own paths. When I go down below in the future, I will be able to answer to your father." After saying this, as if suddenly remembering, she raised a hand to beckon Qingyuan over, nudged her toward the Master, and said, "This is the Fourth girl I mentioned in my letter. Things were handled wrongly before, and the child has been drifting outside until today. Let’s not speak of past affairs. From now on, the family is complete; let us live our lives well."

It was truly strange that a biological father and daughter needed an introduction to see each other. This was not the first time Qingyuan had seen this Military Governor, but it was the first time Xie Shu had seen her. Perhaps Qingyuan looked much like her mother; Xie Shu was momentarily stunned, a sense of sorrow appearing in his eyes. When Aunt Jin first entered the house, she was such a clear, beautiful girl who had captured his entire attention. Later, others came, his energy was divided, and he didn't know how it had spiraled into the state it became.

But the child was his own flesh and blood. Xie Shu looked at Qingyuan, let out a deep sigh, and remained silent for a long time before asking, "Have you been able to adjust since you returned?"

Qingyuan said she had, "Everyone in the family has been very considerate of me; there is nothing I cannot adjust to."

She had always been this temperament; even if she harbored heaven-high resentment in her heart, not a trace of it could be seen on her face. The Old Madam had once told her maid, Yuejian, that this girl could hold her temper; if there was no change in three or five years, she might achieve something in the future.

Xie Shu never inquired about inner household affairs. In truth, not to mention her saying everything was good, even if she had complained of hardships, he would have just listened and let it be; there would have been no follow-up. Since Qingyuan did not add to his troubles, he found peace of mind, nodded, and said, "Having grown up outside until this age, I fear there are many rules to learn upon returning. Consult your sisters more; cultivating your character is what matters."

Qingyuan replied with a "yes" and retreated. The first conversation between father and daughter concluded.

The hour was late, and the Master had traveled a long distance; he needed to rest early. Later, everyone dispersed. Xie Shu escorted the Old Madam back to the Huifang Garden and then followed Madam Hu to her courtyard. Long separated, husband and wife had many things to say. As Madam Hu helped him change his clothes, she whispered, "Master, did you return this time due to an imperial decree of grace, or..."

Only then did a look of sorrow appear on Xie Shu’s face. He turned and sat by the table, clenching his fists. "In front of Mother earlier, I didn't dare say much, fearing it would cause her worry. This trip home, while ostensibly to visit family, is in fact a suspension from office for investigation."

Madam Hu was startled, asking in panic, "Why are you being investigated? Master, you have worked conscientiously for the court. When the Old Master passed away earlier and you requested to resign, the court did not even agree. It has only been two years, and your military achievements are still there. Where could things have gone wrong for them to investigate you?"

Xie Shu only sighed. "I have a disagreement in policy with the Saint (the Emperor)."

Madam Hu nearly dropped her jaw. "You... disagree in policy with the Saint?" Where was this coming from? For a subject to disagree with the Emperor was almost unimaginable.

Xie Shu had always been stubborn. Having mingled in officialdom for so many years, he had not learned flexibility; as long as he believed something was right, he would argue to the end. Madam Hu had been his wife for many years and knew he always had principles in official business, but to truly argue with the Emperor was not a good thing.

However, she could not pour oil on the fire. She softened her tone. "Master, don't worry. Tell me, what is the reason? I can help you deliberate."

Xie Shu let out a long sigh and thumped the table. "The battle from a few years ago was meant to capture Shibao City. After our army dealt heavy blows to the Tibetans, we controlled them in the Jishi Mountains and built over fifty barriers of various sizes, connecting the northwest defense into a single line. But Shibao City was never recovered. The current situation is that the northwest defensive line has been formed, and Shibao City is no longer a place of military necessity. Furthermore, the enemy’s main army is entrenched there; to fight it now would be nothing but a suicide mission. Unfortunately, my advice was not accepted by the Emperor. If I do not fight for Shibao City, I fear the Saint will fight me next."

Madam Hu was momentarily stunned. After sitting down and collecting her thoughts for a long time, she said, "In your eyes, those soldiers are brothers-in-arms who share life and death. In the eyes of the court, how are their lives any different from pebbles thrown away? Ultimately, human life in this world is graded; to preserve the family’s prosperity, I think it would be better for you to concede a few points."

Xie Shu fell silent. In truth, he was somewhat regretful. After a long while, he said, "My memorials cannot reach before the Throne; it is useless to be anxious now. Fortunately, they have not yet relieved me of my duties, otherwise, it would be hard to explain to Mother, and the marriages of our children would be dragged down with it."

The husband and wife had lost all the joy of their long-awaited reunion, each filled with worry, holding their heads in despair.

"Do you have any reliable colleagues in the court?" Madam Hu said. "Or perhaps find a way to ask someone to facilitate things. Having been away from the post for so long, if a change occurs in the blink of an eye, taking precautions is the best strategy."

This gave Xie Shu an even greater headache. "It is not like before. After the Rebellion of Prince Yi, the Saint groomed his own confidants and cast the capital into an impregnable iron barrel. These people are different from the high officials in Shengzhou; each holds real power. Asking them for favors—that is no easy task!"

Madam Hu pondered for a moment and proposed a foolproof method. "Empty talk cannot build connections; you must spend some money. Since you are already here, you might as well find those close to the Emperor, those who can speak directly to the Saint."

Xie Shu began to screen them one by one. "If we are talking about the most prominent among the new favorites, it is none other than the people of the Palace Guard. The Palace Guard manages the security of the Imperial City, and everything within the Forbidden City is arranged and handled by them... Shen Run!" He called the name softly, his fingers tapping on the table. "He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guard and is currently very influential in the capital. It’s just that we are officials stationed in the provinces; we are not connected to the officials in the capital. Besides, Shen Run has a notorious reputation; forming ties with him..." He paused, shook his head, and smiled. "I fear that would be offering oneself up to be fed to a tiger—the matter won't be settled, and not even the bone fragments will be left."

Madam Hu was also originally from a military family; deep down, she had the spirit to be ruthless. In her view, either don't act, or if you do, strike at the vital point. She had vaguely heard of the new Palace Guard Commander. "Is he the Shen Zhibai, the Assistant Minister who was involved in the succession struggle and was executed in the marketplace?"

Xie Shu nodded. "Shen Zhibai’s crimes implicated his entire household, and Shen Run and his brother suffered a great deal. The more people like that are, the more ruthless they become after their restoration; I fear he is not easy to deal with."

"Can money not work? He must spend money to restore his family’s standing. Where in the world is there a person who dislikes money?"

Xie Shu smiled; ultimately, a woman’s insight was still limited. "Money and power always arise together. From the day he became Commander, he has had inexhaustible golden mountains. How much silver can we have to fill that hole?"

So, after discussing back and forth, they remained at a dead end. Madam Hu calculated how much property the family had, and Xie Shu reviewed all the powerful figures in the capital from beginning to end. Neither of them slept well that night, lying down, whispering back and forth until dawn.

The next day, they hosted a banquet for relatives and friends; people from both the East and West mansions came. Madam Hu had dark circles under her eyes that required thick powder to cover, which drew a round of teasing from Madam Jiang. "The Eldest Sister-in-law’s makeup is quite exquisite today. It must be that the Eldest Master has returned, and the Eldest Sister-in-law is working even harder."

Madam Jiang’s origins were not considered high among the sisters-in-law, and she often liked to tell vulgar, clichéd jokes, thinking herself witty. Madam Hu looked down on her somewhat, and replied, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "You are a woman with grandchildren; be more careful at least, lest the juniors hear and laugh. I notice you don't wear much makeup; it must be that since the Second Master is often not at home, your complexion is quite good."

The Second Master could be called the paradigm of "if the upper beam is crooked, the lower ones will be askew." He was addicted to all five vices—eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, and opium—and spent his days in the brothels. How could Madam Jiang manage him!

Madam Hu usually did not bicker with her, but once she decided to fight back, she had the means to leave a bruise with a single sentence. Madam Jiang was momentarily embarrassed, used the excuse that her fan had fallen, and said she needed to go back to get it, leaving the garden with her maid. Walking in the narrow alley, she spat fiercely and cursed, "That bitch, putting on airs with me! Why did the Eldest Master have to come back at this time? As if nobody knows what he’s up to! Our second branch is born of a concubine; we originally had no face. When the family property was divided, we were driven out like beggars. Because the Old Madam made the decision, we couldn't bicker, but now she has gained influence. The full moon wanes, and a full cup overflows. The first branch has enjoyed glory for all these years; now it is their turn to run into bad luck. In the future, when they are raided, exiled, the men turned into slaves and the women into prostitutes, we shall see! I don't believe it—just wait and watch!"

Madam Jiang was the type of person who, when she hated, didn't care about the consequences and would curse back eighteen generations of ancestors. Having vented her anger, she didn't care about anything else. She thought the alley was empty, containing only her and her servant, but unknown to her, there were ears behind the wall. Two people walked out of the small side gate: Qingyuan with her personal maid.

"Second Aunt, what is the matter? Who has provoked Second Aunt’s anger?" she asked with a smile, her round face full of innocence and childishness.