Spring of the Blade - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Actually, everyone knew that the Second Madam’s mouth was practically incapable of uttering ivory—or anything of value.

Because she had gone to the Governor’s residence, Madam Hu had been on pins and needles. When she finally waited until the next day to extend another invitation, the Governor’s wife used the excuse of going to the Great Buddha Temple to offer incense and declined once more. This was a bad sign, and Madam Hu was worried sick. In the past, because the Master held a high-ranking position with great power, the Governor’s wife had always shown a degree of deference; there had never been a time when she would reject an invitation repeatedly. For her to suddenly turn so cold required serious deliberation: was it truly because of Qingru’s loss of composure in public that day, or had Madam Jiang gone to her door and said something with the intention of ruining their plans?

Madam Hu muttered to herself but kept it to herself. When the day came for the families of the East and West Mansions to pay their respects to the Old Madam, she retreated to the side room with her sister-in-law for some idle chatter, finally probing obliquely, "I hear Brother Yuan is planning to purchase a Juren degree recently. How are matters progressing?"

Madam Jiang’s son was the type that even dogs would shake their heads at—neither good at literature nor martial arts. If the imperial examinations tested which brothel's courtesan had the thinnest waist, he might rank first in the top tier. Previously, Madam Jiang hadn't given up hope, thinking that if she could guide him onto the right path, perhaps he would improve. But who would have known he would vomit at the mere sight of a book? After failing the exams twice, she realized the boy truly wasn't cut out for study. Rather than aimlessly throwing silver away, she was better off saving for her funeral expenses. In the entire household, who didn't know Brother Yuan refused to study? For Madam Hu to tease her about buying a degree was like asking who she thought was a fool. If you strike at the mountain to beat the cow, the cow still knows how to feel the pain.

Thus, she scoffed, "Let Brother Yuan be. Let him drift as he pleases; I don't have the spare money to let him squander."

Madam Hu thought she at least had some self-awareness. After a vague smile, she resumed, "Yesterday I intended to invite you over to discuss the Old Madam’s birthday next month, but I arrived only to find an empty nest. You were nowhere to be found."

Madam Jiang knew she was fishing for information, so she smiled. "Eldest Sister-in-law is such a busy person. Brother Jun is to be married in a few days, and next month is the Old Madam’s birthday; truly, everything has piled up at once." Having said this, she sighed. "As parents, how can we not hope for our children to fare well? Although Brother Si (Qingyuan) was not born of my womb, she at least calls me 'Mother,' so I must emulate you, Eldest Sister-in-law, and hold the bowl level. Yesterday, when I wasn't around, I was calling upon the Governor’s wife. She had brokered two fine matches for our household. If our Brother De has the fortune, I hope he can also secure a good marriage, so that I may be worthy of his late biological mother."

Madam Hu listened to her rambling, saltless and flavorless talk, and could only scoff inwardly. She truly used others as a private matchmaker, trying to set up matches for just anyone. Because she wanted to pry information out of her, she had to patiently play along. "Did the Governor’s wife agree?"

Madam Jiang’s face was full of regret. "Although she promised to keep an eye out for us, I fear she doesn't truly take it to heart... However, the Governor’s wife did mention the Second Miss."

Madam Hu’s teacup paused slightly, but she quickly adopted an indifferent air, saying "Oh" as if in passing. "And what did she ask about the Second girl?"

Madam Jiang replied, "Naturally, her temperament and character. I said that the Governor’s wife is truly interesting; to inquire about someone within a household, could there ever be any word of her being anything but excellent? I truly praised our Second Miss thoroughly. If you look for character and appearance throughout Shengzhou, you won't find anyone more complete than our family’s. The Eldest Miss is betrothed to the founding Earl’s family. The Second Miss is a legitimate daughter; who knows how much more precious she must be? If her future match were to be lower than the Eldest Miss’, I would not be content."

Madam Hu scrutinized her suspiciously, forced a smile, and said, "Then many thanks for your kind words."

Madam Jiang smiled on the surface, while internally spitting, Be damned with your kindness! Her visit to the Governor’s wife this time—the marriage of the fourth-branch’s unruly chicken was merely a pretext. Did she not know what her own family was like? Those noble ladies looked down on them entirely. She had braved the humiliation of being ignored just to stir the pot and shatter Qingru’s beautiful dreams.

After twisting and turning through the conversation, the ultimate goal was nothing more than an opening for, "Ah, as for that Second Miss..." Once that box was opened, it was a long story. At her young age, the maids serving her had been changed several times. If anything was slightly unsatisfactory, she would glare with wide eyes and curse. The maids in the house treated her like mice seeing a cat. It wouldn't be a worry for her to manage a household in the future. Furthermore, she didn't know how to maintain decorum. Even if brothers are close, they are men; now that they are all grown, there should be no such familiar, lingering contact. Although the family tolerated it, what would outsiders think if they saw it? To say something even more shameless—the Second Miss was raised too delicately; even at twelve, she would still call for her wet nurse to wipe her bottom after using the latrine. Isn't that hilarious!

As someone in the know, the Second Madam poured out every last secret. After listening, the Governor’s wife didn't know whether to laugh or sigh, stammering, "Uh, have some tea... have some tea..."

One doesn't necessarily need to benefit oneself to harm another; it's enough to feel satisfied. It is not common for even small households to be harmonious, let alone rich families teeming with intrigue. Entering a family is like stepping onto a battlefield, comparing husbands, comparing children, comparing food and clothing, and comparing one's late years—no one is willing to fall behind. Madam Hu was too smug; usually, she feigned the heart of a Bodhisattva, but in truth, her mind was the most devious. Now that her eldest son had established his household and was certain to rank on the military examination list this year, only the Second girl was left to worry about. If the Second girl couldn't find a high perch, Madam Hu would have nothing to boast about in the future. A person only gets one life; how can one expect everything to be satisfactory? To have every advantage—how much virtue would one have had to accumulate in a past life? And Madam Hu didn't look like someone capable of accumulating virtue!

In any case, the trip to the Governor’s residence had a hundred benefits and no drawbacks. Sure enough, Madam Hu tried to cozy up to the Governor’s wife, but people tried their best to avoid her. The Governor’s wife was very clever; although one had to curry favor with the Military Governor’s house, the Danyang Marquis’s house had deep roots. It would be a mistake to introduce a young lady like the Xie Second Miss into the Marquis’s residence; if there were trouble in the future, it would be impossible to answer to either side.

Madam Jiang felt completely satisfied. She offered a few more pleasantries, asking the Eldest Madam to keep an eye out for her son born of a concubine, lingered for a while, and then took her leave to return to her own residence.

Madam Hu paced to the door and sighed, "She is like a crow; she only brings reports of misfortune and never good news. I fear she does not harbor good intentions and has ruined Qingru’s future."

Cailian said, "Madam, do not worry. I will go out and inquire further, determine the Governor’s wife’s whereabouts, and we shall arrange a 'chance encounter'."

Madam Hu shook her head slowly. "Since that path is impassable, we shall try another. I recall that the wife of the Surveillance Commissioner, Tao Chengqi, recognized the Old Madam as a foster mother years ago. She is related to the Marchioness of Danyang. It would be better to entrust it to her than to the Governor’s wife."

Cailian pondered and said, "That wife of the Surveillance Commissioner—didn't she almost marry the Master in the early years..."

Madam Hu felt a bit awkward and scolded, "That was eight hundred years ago! Now that everyone has their own children, why flip through those old almanacs again!"

Cailian agreed repeatedly, laughing awkwardly, "It is this slave who spoke out of turn. Madam, do not be angry. We shall pick a day to send a formal invitation, and if you speak with her face-to-face, you needn't worry about her not agreeing."

This matter remained unresolved, and because Qingru was throwing tantrums over it, Madam Hu was extremely anxious. There is no day like the present; she reported to the Old Madam and, under the guise of the Old Madam visiting her foster daughter, paid a visit to the Surveillance Commissioner’s home. In the midst of idle conversation, she mentioned their children’s marriages, and then, intentionally or unintentionally, brought up the nobility of Shengzhou, naturally steering the topic to the heir of the Marquis of Danyang. The Surveillance Commissioner’s wife was warm-hearted and immediately offered to facilitate the introduction. Madam Hu smiled subtly, "It all depends on fate."

Of course, things like fate can always be manufactured. A few days later, the wedding of the Third Young Master, Zhengjun, provided a perfect opportunity. Li Congxin had friendships with the Xie brothers and naturally had to come to drink at the wedding. Moreover, Zhengze intentionally wanted to facilitate it, found a chance, and formally introduced Qingru to him.

Li Congxin had a reputation for being somewhat dashing and romantic, but in his dealings with ladies of respectable families, he was always both affectionate and respectful. After all, the high-society circle in Hengtang was only so big; if one crossed the line, one’s reputation would truly stink. Unless one intended to venture outside to seek one’s fortune, one had to carefully gauge the boundaries. Thus, he bowed politely to Qingru and addressed her as "Second Miss."

Zhengze feigned surprise, "You call Qingyuan 'Fourth Sister,' but call Qingru 'Second Miss.' In our family, are you trying to distinguish between those who are close and those who are distant?"

Li Congxin smiled, but did not object. He looked around but did not see Qingyuan, so he asked why she was not present.

"She is feeling unwell today," Qingru answered, secretly rejoicing that the girl had taken ill at the right time, allowing someone else a chance to stand in the spotlight. It really is true that people need to spend more time together. In just half a day, she felt more and more that this noble young gentleman was both easy-going and humorous. She naturally transitioned her address for him from "Third Young Master" to "Brother Chunzhi."

While the front courtyard was filled with the sounds of drums, music, and guests, Qingyuan was in the Danyue Pavilion (Pavilion of Pale Moon), feeding fish and reading to pass the time.

Time here seemed to move particularly slowly. Below the flower hall was a small canal about three feet wide. The water was alive, and the rainwater accumulated on rainy days flowed there, while on sunny days it flowed slowly on its own. A few petals of the begonia fell into the water, and their pink, delicate shadows, thin as fingernails, drifted and floated with the water. She laid on the railing by herself and watched, able to watch for half a day.

Chuntai came in carrying a small plate of exquisite pressed-flower pastries, set it before Qingyuan, and said, "Miss, since you did not go, I requested a basket of 'Rain-Dew Dumplings' for you to taste... There are so many guests today; why would you rather feign illness? I saw the Second Miss talking with the young Marquis of Danyang just now. Your avoidance has only benefited her."

Qingyuan was busy eating the pastries and did not speak.

There was a reason for not going. It hadn't yet reached the point where she must see that Third Master at every turn; standing right in front of everyone’s eyes would only provoke annoyance. If his frequent visits to the Xie family were truly aimed at her, then if she didn't show up today, there would be a follow-up another day. She had intentionally cleared the space for Qingru; after all, it would not look good for two sisters to stare at the same person. If that Third Young Master took an interest in Qingru, it would also help her understand his character, and since she would have lost nothing, there would be no need to dwell on it.

Baoxian, standing at the side, understood her intention and did not point it out, merely pressing her lips and smiling.

Two days later, at midday, a letter was delivered to the gate. At the time, the front hall was being set up for a meal; Qingyuan received it and sat at the table to read. Chuntai took a bowl of dishes from Xiaoxi and laid them out one by one, asking with a smile, "Is it a letter from the two elders of the Chen family?"

Qingyuan shook her head and tossed the letter to the side, puzzled. "This young Marquis of Danyang is quite interesting. He says that tomorrow at the Great Buddha Temple, they are bathing the Golden Buddha, and he asks me to go and see it with him."

Baoxian glanced at Xiaoxi, handed the lid of the food box back to her, and intentionally asked Qingyuan, "Miss, are you going or not?"

A light blush appeared on Qingyuan’s cheeks, and she said shyly, "I must report this to Grandmother and Madam. What excuse should I use to tell them!"

"Going to the temple to pray to Buddha—why would you need an excuse? Just tell the Old Madam that you have been feeling a bit unwell lately, and that you wish to burn incense at the temple to dispel bad luck. Would the Old Madam refuse?"

After hearing this, Qingyuan considered it carefully and smiled, "This method is indeed feasible."

As they continued to whisper, Xiaoxi took the food box and exited the front hall. Qingyuan squinted as she watched her walk away, then methodically folded the letter and tucked it into its envelope. She had an indescribable feeling in her heart. This Li Congxin was someone hard to fathom. She had thought he would entrust someone to check on her, or find a way to visit the Old Madam to catch a glimpse of her, but she had not expected him to write a letter. The arrival of this letter was deeply significant. If this man was not simply so naive as to be ignorant of the world, then he was an experienced player in the game of romance.

Baoxian also noticed something unusual. Once Xiaoxi was far away, she said to Qingyuan, "Miss, you must think carefully."

Qingyuan nodded, picked up her chopsticks, picked up a honey-carved fruit, and placed it on a small celadon plate.