Spring of the Blade - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

The members of the Xie family looked at one another in dismay. Now they understood clearly: once within the borders of Youzhou, they were truly under the strict surveillance of the imperial court. The Master’s ongoing predicament remained unresolved; even if he were willing to settle for a humble position like an Inspector, it was not an option. In a torrent, one either advances or retreats; the court would not let him hold this empty title for long.

The Old Madam had prepared herself before coming, yet she had not expected that people from the Palace Command would be waiting openly at their front gate. What did they mean by "settling" the noble family? They had hands and feet of their own, and this was their ancestral home—what did they need settling for? Reflecting on their current circumstances and comparing them to their days of immense prestige, it was truly a case of a tiger falling to the plains—a difference as vast as heaven and earth.

The Second Master was a man without backbone. In such a situation, as the eldest man in the family, it should have been his duty to handle these pawns of the court. Yet, he was like mud that could not be plastered onto a wall; if he were in a brothel or a gambling den bragging, he would be right at home, but upon seeing armored, sword-wielding warriors, his teeth chattered in fear, and the image of a towering, indomitable man vanished entirely.

Thus, everything still fell to the Old Madam to navigate. She smiled and said, "It was a bother for the Marshal. Please, Officer, convey my words to the Marshal: our family has just arrived in Youzhou, and we are covered in the dust of the road, having had no time to refresh ourselves. Once we have everything settled, we shall surely host a grand banquet to thank the Marshal. At that time, we hope both the Marshal and you, Officer, will grace us with your presence."

The Palace Command was accustomed to grand scenes; they were even responsible for the Emperor’s security processions. Such talk of a banquet was, to them, mere social pleasantry, not even worth listening to. However, the Xie family matriarch was, after all, a title-holder personally bestowed by the imperial court; they had to give her some face. The welcoming officer’s expression softened slightly, and he cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Old Madam. When I see the Marshal, I will certainly relay your words."

Truth be told, the Old Madam was desperate to see the new Commander-in-Chief. Officials in Youzhou could not enter the capital to report for duty without a summons; if no one mediated from within, the Master would likely be nailed to Youzhou forever. Although he had arrived ahead of them and might have been active, any relationship he tried to build through the back door would ultimately have to be summarized by the Palace Command. Given the present situation, the link to the Commander had not yet been established; had it been, they would not have sent so many guards to count their heads.

The Old Madam steadied herself and asked, as if inadvertently, "Is the Marshal currently in Youzhou?"

The officer turned to watch his men register the Xie family members, replying casually, "The Marshal is usually stationed in the capital, returning to Youzhou only on holidays. If the Old Madam wishes to host a banquet, I fear you will have to wait for some time. The Marshal is busy with official business and is not free for now."

The Old Madam let out an "oh" and pondered in her heart, then reached out to beckon Qingyuan. "Fourth Girl, come here. Let us go inside."

Qingyuan had been shrinking back behind the others. With the Old Madam calling her name, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer with a soft "Yes."

In truth, even the Second Master was intimidated by such a scene, and she was naturally nervous as well. These formidable warriors were unlike the refined, romantic noble sons of Hengtang; they held real power and were fierce. If things went wrong, blood could be spilled in a flash—they were truly terrifying.

As the Old Madam beckoned her, the eyes of all the guards shifted to her. She steadied herself and stepped forward to support the Old Madam, her head originally lowered in silence, when she heard the officer ask curiously, "As far as I am aware, the Governor's residence has only three daughters. Who is this?"

The Old Madam replied, "This is our Fourth Girl. She was fostered at a relative's estate for a time and was only brought back now that she is older. As the whole family is moving to Youzhou, she has come along with us."

Qingyuan was born with beauty—a beauty that was clean and distinct, unlike her other sisters, whose appearances were always somewhat ambiguous, as if they were afraid of offending someone. The Old Madam had seen countless people and knew what kind of appearance truly won hearts. Some girls were beautiful but lacked a certain roundness and reasonableness. Qingyuan, however, was not that way; her beauty was composed and secure—not narrow-minded, never prone to mistakes. Even at sixty, when wrinkles covered her face, she would still be a beautiful old lady.

Generally, men liked that kind of look, especially warriors. Having spent so long in the harshness of war, the sudden appearance of a gentle, soft girl to adorn their days of steel and horses made them willing to return home more often. Not even speaking of the Commander, Shen Run, even this officer before them looked at Qingyuan with eyes different from those he used for others. The Old Madam was satisfied; she let out a long breath and placed her hand gently on the back of Qingyuan’s hand, leading her inside. She introduced each room to her in detail: "This is the room where your grandfather and I lived when we were married... that is the courtyard for the old concubines..."

Qingru, seeing how highly the Old Madam regarded Qingyuan, felt a bitter taste in her heart. She leaned against her mother and whispered, "What has come over Grandmother? A simple change of location, and she has changed her personality. What is Qingyuan worth? Right now, she acts as if she has caught a living phoenix. Why raise her up so high? Is she not afraid the girl won't be able to bear it?"

Madam Hu pulled a faint smile to her lips. After all, she was just a child and could not see the deep meaning within. As Qingru kept grumbling, she pressed her hand and said, "Now is not the time for you to push yourself to the front. The Old Madam has her own deep reasons for lifting her up. This is Youzhou, not Hengtang. With your temper, you cannot flatter those prickly thorns; it is better to play it safe and hide your sharpness."

Qingru hesitated. Thinking for a moment, she took her mother’s arm and whispered, "What exactly is Grandmother planning? Is she going to use Qingyuan as a stepping stone?"

Madam Hu looked at Qingru with a smile. "She once said herself: if there is no salt, brine will do. Naturally, it would be best if she could marry a high official, but if not..." As she spoke, she lifted her chin toward the officer. "Even with a rank like his, if they truly begged for it, the Old Madam might not refuse."

Qingru gasped, feeling it was simply unbelievable. On second thought, in their own home, she was still considered the daughter of a Regional Governor, but if that skin were pulled away, everyone knew what she was really worth! And what of the officer? At least he was a man of the Palace Command. These people were not low-born, and if they held an official post in the yamen, it was more than enough to be a match for a daughter born of a concubine.

In a while, everyone was assigned their rooms. Just as before, the residence was divided into east and west wings, with the Master and his family living in the center. Because the younger generation had all grown up in Hengtang and had never visited the old mansion, to avoid them being unable to find their own courtyards, they continued to use the names of the courtyards from Hengtang. They removed the original plaques and hung new ones; Qingyuan’s was still the "Pavilion of the Faint Moon."

Although the name was the same, the layout and arrangement of the courtyard were quite different. The architecture in the south was elegant, with small bridges and running water right outside the door, while the architecture in Youzhou was grander and deeper. In the cold, spacious room, an Eight Immortals table stood in the center, covered with blue-green silk—a decoration they had never used in Hengtang, having a sort of vulgar, crowded hustle. Qingyuan and her servants looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh; they decisively cleared it away and replaced it with a matching set of fine porcelain tea sets, placing a plum vase with a slender neck in its place.

A room ultimately depends on the people who live in it. Because it had been unoccupied for so long, there was a moldy smell when the doors were opened. Later, after opening the windows and burning incense, it was much better.

"Tomorrow we will change the new window gauze and hang two curtains under the eaves; once the light filters through, the room will be much brighter." Chuntai was drinking tea but still had to manage the work of the old maids and young servants. Seeing a young girl place a potted Rattan Pine in a sunny spot, she hurriedly chased after her to give instructions, "What kind of tree is this, to leave it in the blazing sun? Hurry, move it to a shaded area..."

Qingyuan held her melon-shaped teacup, squinting at the scenery outside. Baoxian whispered from the side, "Youzhou is not like Shengzhou. Miss, you will need to be more careful from now on."

Qingyuan understood what she meant. Youzhou had too many prominent figures, and given the Master’s current predicament, there were many people he needed to flatter and fawn over. The Old Madam had previously been eager to suppress her in peaceful times, but now she was pulling her to the front—there was certainly a motive.

She sighed. A young girl fears nothing more than her marriage being manipulated. If the Old Madam and the Madam made an issue of it, she would inevitably be the one sacrificed to fill the gaps. Before, she could use her young age as an excuse, but now that she had come of age, if she really let them dictate her fate, it would be lucky to be a main wife; if she were to be a second wife or a concubine, her life would be forfeit.

With a hardened heart, she stood up, walked to the dressing table, opened her plum-blossom makeup box, and took out the gilded paper.

Baoxian hesitated. "Miss, do you intend to find the person listed here?"

Qingyuan nodded slowly. "The Old Madam letting me take the lead today—it doesn't look good to me. From ancient times, marriage has emphasized status. As long as the Master holds the position of Regional Governor, I am the daughter of a high official. Even if the Old Madam looks down on me, she wouldn't easily lower her own status or destroy her own prospects. But if the Master collapses completely, I am the easiest of all the sisters to dispose of. Not to mention the Palace Command officials; anyone who can speak a word to the Commander will likely be treated as someone to bribe with my marriage."

Baoxian felt her scalp prickle. "Is Miss not of the Xie family’s flesh and blood? To have one's own grandmother be so indifferent!" She was indignant, then melancholy, and finally helpless. She sighed, "It is good that you are insightful, Miss. Seeing it clearly early on gives you a sense of what to expect. Only if the Master remains safe can Miss escape this disaster. The roster from the son of the Marquis of Danyang happens to be useful."

Qingyuan lowered her head, her gaze falling on the small text: Shen Che, Chief Commandant of the Palace Command.

Although she could not make sense of the official hierarchy and did not understand the complex relationships among the nobles in the capital, she had heard enough on the road as the others analyzed the situation in the capital and Youzhou, especially the situation of the Palace Command. This Chief Commandant, Shen Che, was the own brother of the Commander, Shen Run.

Earlier, when the Old Madam had asked the officer about Shen Run’s whereabouts, he had been vague and gave no concrete answer. The Xie family was currently under suspicion; even if they hosted a banquet, no one would come. Aside from fulfilling their guard duty, who from the Palace Command would risk privately interacting with them? Therefore, to see Shen Run, the only shortcut was through Shen Che. Given the situation in the capital, even if one were armed with gold and silver, one could not find someone who would dare accept a bribe. After the court's major purge, connections were far more valuable than gold. Originally, a person of the deep inner chambers like her could never have socialized with government officials. She had Li Congxin to thank for that. Had it not been for his thoughtfulness, she would now be at a total loss, trapped in an embarrassing situation where she was at the mercy of others.

With no one to rely on, she asked her heart—she had no desire to interfere in the Master’s business, but her fate was unfortunately constrained. If she just watched, who knew when a marriage proposal might arrive? Before she could react, she would be gifted away as a favor.

Looking at the sky outside, the sunlight was slanting in, inch by inch. Before long, the Master would be home. Hiding in her own courtyard was not a long-term solution. She had to take the initiative to step out and hear what they were discussing. So, she changed her clothes, reapplied her makeup, and, while the afterglow still lingered, hurried to the Old Madam’s courtyard.

Inside the courtyard gate, Yujian was busy directing maids to move a large fish tank. Seeing Qingyuan arrive, she smiled and called out, "Fourth Miss."

Qingyuan nodded. "Has the Master returned?"

Yujian turned to peer inside. "Just a moment before you, Miss. The Madam, both concubines, and the other young masters and ladies are all there. Fourth Miss, do go in."

Qingyuan smiled. It was true—they were a family, and whatever they discussed, they did it as a family; no one had come to call for her. Or perhaps they were discussing her—one never knew. At this moment, she felt like meat on a chopping block, and the tragedy was that the ones preparing to wield the knife were her own kin. Even without any love, they were still her kin!

Baoxian knew her heart was troubled and softly called out, "Miss." "Don't forget what the Chen family’s Old Madam said: don't take everything to heart. See what happens, go in and listen first."

Since she was not without a fallback and still held a way out in her own hands, Qingyuan’s courage grew. Lifting her skirts to step onto the stairs, she vaguely heard Lian Yiniang’s voice speaking anxiously: "...everything else is fine, I only worry about Qinghe’s marriage. Moving the whole family to Youzhou in such a rush—I don't know what the Earl of Founding the Nation thinks. If only it could have been two or three months later! Once Qinghe was married, my heart would be at peace. Now, it is beyond my reach. If the engagement is called off, it will be a blemish on Qinghe’s reputation."

Qinghe, though silent, was wiping away tears with a handkerchief. Madam Hu looked at her with disdain, frowning. "When we arrived at the house earlier, everyone saw the scene outside. Do not speak of 'if only it were two or three months later' again. If it could have been later, why would the Palace Command be here to count our heads? Since Qinghe’s marriage was settled, the Earl’s family is not a pack of scoundrels; as long as they intend to marry, even if it were thousands of miles away, the bride would still go! Once a date is set, we will send someone to deliver the bride; it is not difficult. The family is in a moment of crisis, the Master’s career is not going well, and instead of everyone working together to overcome these difficulties, you are thinking about how to marry off a daughter." She sneered as she spoke, and there was no need to voice the rest—they could figure it out for themselves!

The mistress of the house was, after all, no ordinary person. Her few words rendered Lian Yiniang speechless. Qinghe’s face flushed red, and her tears fell even more violently.

Qingyuan approached the door and entered, paying her respects to the Old Madam, the Master, and the Madam seated within. The others looked at her blankly, as if she were semi-transparent; unless there was no other choice, no one saw her.

Xie Shu rested his chin on his knees, sighing incessantly. "For the past half-month, I have tried every method. Of my old colleagues, not a single one can help. After the chaos of Prince Yi, so many nobles were implicated; the Palace Command officers knocked on every door, causing children to cry and women to weep in the dead of night—everyone talks of it and changes color. My memorial must be submitted, but it must first pass the Palace Command. Without the Commander speaking up, who would dare touch this hot potato?"

The Old Madam was also quite worried. "This Palace Command is an office that does not accept bribes. I entrusted your uncle to mediate, but there has been no news. We have been away from Youzhou for too long; we don't even have a single person who dares to make the connection. This cannot go on. The Youzhou Inspector cannot enter the capital without a summons. Today we can still sit together as a family and talk, but what about tomorrow?"

Xie Shu remained silent for a long time before gritting his teeth. "Mother, do not worry. This time, I will cast aside my pride; no matter what, I must see Shen Run. Whether he wants gold or silver, it is all up to him."

The Old Madam said, "Think carefully. In that matter involving his father earlier, did you offend him in any way?"

"Certainly not," Xie Shu said. "At that time, I was just appointed as the Regional Governor of Jiannan, busy drilling troops and horses, not having a moment to spare. How could I have meddled in the affairs of the capital?"

The whole family began to worry again. Since there was no past feud or conflict, it shouldn't be that difficult to build a relationship.

The Old Madam’s gaze fell upon the stick of incense that was about to burn out. Its thin fire flickered, like the uncertain future of the Xie family.

"In the end, we must find a way to connect. We are isolated and weak, and all these major noble families in Youzhou have hidden ties. We alone are without support behind us. I fear we will suffer a great loss in the future..."

Qingyuan had been listening for a while, and it seemed to be heading increasingly in the direction she feared. At this moment, she had to speak up.

"Grandmother," she said in a clear, soft voice. "Your granddaughter has something she wishes to report to you.”