Spring of the Blade - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Shen, the Commander of the Palace Command, had likely never seen a girl so oblivious to danger. Could it be that his reputation wasn't bad enough, or that the cold reception he showed her the day before hadn't been sufficient? Upon seeing him, she didn't show the slightest fear or attempt to avoid him; instead, she even smiled after performing the formal salute. This smile left him feeling somewhat perplexed. Even though he walked past her with a cold face, he could not help but cast an extra glance at her.

Baoxian, walking beside Qingyuan, waited until the footsteps on the wooden corridor across the way had faded into the distance before she dared to lift her head. The Xie family was currently under the absolute control of the Palace Command; everyone entering or leaving had to undergo questioning by the guards on duty. Because of this, the entire household harbored a deep dread of those men in brocade robes and golden armor.

"Is that the Commander?" Baoxian asked, stealing another look at the receding figures. Those tall, sturdy men, even without their armor, exerted an immense sense of pressure. The group had arrived with a whirlwind of energy and quickly vanished into the eastern banquet hall. Perhaps because the rigidity of a warrior was ingrained in their very bones, the men of Youzhou were nothing like the refined young noblemen of the south, lacking that delicate, tender sentimentality and the grace of a cool breeze under a bright moon. They were like the sharpest blades in the world: capable of cutting through gold and jade, slicing through even the finest hair without hesitation.

Qingyuan nodded, agreeing that it was him. As she walked, she felt a sense of relief. "I was worried earlier that he wouldn't come. If he hadn't been willing to grace us with his presence, Father's situation would have become increasingly precarious. It is good now; although that Commander is not an easy man to deal with, just seeing him show up means a great weight has been lifted from my heart."

Indeed, it was the first time a young lady from a sheltered boudoir had put forth such a great effort; naturally, she hoped it wouldn't all be in vain. Baoxian smiled. "Oh, I truly didn't expect Commander Shen to be so young."

Qingyuan gave a soft affirmative. "He may be young, but he has experienced more storms than those who have lived twice as long. If one speaks of my hardships, it is only a matter of the last half-year, but his hardships have spanned ten full years." She shook her head. "It is not easy to have reached where he is today. His current cold arrogance—who is to say it isn't born from having suffered enough of the world's fickleness? If the Xie family had extended a helping hand back then, we wouldn't be here today, using every means possible to curry favor with him."

The mistress and her maid whispered to each other as they made their way toward the kitchen.

She had no way of knowing how things were going on the eastern side, but she had carefully questioned the staff at the gate. They told her that the guests invited by her father had all arrived, and the tables in the side hall were already prepared. Dame Jiang asked the Fourth Young Lady, "Has the Old Madam given orders as to when the banquet should begin?"

Qingyuan looked outside; the sky was gradually darkening. Sounds of hearty laughter drifted from the eastern flower hall, suggesting that the guests were being well-entertained on both sides. She looked back and said, "Let us begin." She sent a young servant off with orders: "Tell the master that the dishes are all prepared and the banquet can commence."

The boy agreed and skipped away at a trot. Qingyuan checked everything one last time to ensure it was all in order before returning to the western hall to report to the Old Madam.

The ladies on this side were exchanging lively greetings. The Old Madam smiled and said, "It has been nearly twenty years since we moved to Hengtang, and we have neglected our old friends and relatives in Youzhou; that was truly inexcusable. Now that we have returned, we must visit each other often. As for our master, let him busy himself with his duties, but we shall stay here. I am getting on in years, and they say that falling leaves return to their roots. I was content with life in the south while at Hengtang, but only after returning to Youzhou did I realize that one's ancestral home is best after all. The water and soil here nourish the people, and the local dialect sounds dearer; it is even better than in the south." She stood up as she spoke, gesturing. "I have prepared a light banquet. The cooks were brought over from the south, and I specifically had them prepare southern dishes. I invite you ladies to taste them."

The noblewomen moved gracefully into the small, adjoining flower hall. The windows were open on all four sides, making it particularly cool in the early summer night. Through the intricate, turtle-patterned wooden lattice, one could see the gentle sliver of the moon hanging in the sky.

Outside the windows, green bamboo rustled; inside, the ladies drank wine and chatted. The wife of the Advisor of Communications loved to inquire about matters in the south, smiling as she said, "When I was a girl, I stayed in the south for a while with my husband. The mountains and rivers there are picturesque, even more delicate than they are here. When the pleasure boats passed on the river, the girls washing silk would sing Jiangnan folk songs. Oh, I truly loved that accent; it could sing its way right into one's heart."

The wife of the Training Commissioner fanned herself and said, "My cousin was once utterly unwilling when she was told she would be married off to Shengzhou, but now she has taken root there..." She turned to Madam Hu. "Perhaps the Old Matriarch and you, Madam, know her. She married the Marquis of Danyang and has a pampered son; in terms of age, he is about the same as the young master of your household."

As soon as Qingru heard anything related to Li Congxin, she was instantly energized. Madam Hu, however, remained indifferent; after the Marchioness had sent the wife of the Surveillance Commissioner to pay a visit and draw a line, she had basically abandoned any thought of a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Danyang’s estate.

Nevertheless, she remained polite on the surface. "Hengtang is a small place, unlike Youzhou under the shadow of the Emperor. The Marquis of Danyang’s estate is royalty by marriage; they are extremely glorious in Shengzhou. The young Marquis and my three sons were schoolmates and interact frequently."

The Training Commissioner's wife nodded. "I haven't had news of her in a long time. Chunzhi didn't come to my estate often when he was in Youzhou. I wonder if he is betrothed yet?"

Qingru, unwilling to give up hope, furtively tugged on Madam Hu’s sleeve under the table. Madam Hu ignored her, saying only, "Young men these days are rarely willing to be betrothed so early. I haven't heard anything about the young Marquis’s marriage; I imagine the Marchioness has such high standards that she wouldn't easily look upon a girl of humble birth."

Madam Hu spoke with the attitude of an observer, intending for Qingyuan to hear her words. She cast a sidelong glance at Qingyuan afterward to remind her: even if Li Congxin had given her the list of officials, it didn't mean anything. Her birth was her original sin; even if the young Marquis favored her, the Marquis’s estate was not a place she could enter. If Qingru could not succeed, she shouldn't even dream of it.

But Qingyuan acted as if she hadn't heard, smiling as she served food to Qinghe. "Big Sister, try this; the kitchen’s skills have become even more refined than before."

This feeling of striking a blow into empty air made people feel increasingly uncomfortable. Sometimes, she really wondered if this girl was truly oblivious to everything; that young Marquis must have had his mind clouded by lard to be so obsessed with her.

The Xie Old Madam was naturally more concerned with the main objective of today’s banquet. After sharing a round of wine with the noblewomen, she probed indirectly. "Commander Shen must be twenty-six this year, correct? Although he suffered some hardships in his early years, now that he has been restored to his position, why is he still living alone?"

The Censor’s wife said, "It is likely because there are no elders in his family to make decisions. Both parents have passed away, and it has not been easy for the two brothers. The Commander's current wife was met when he was in Yunzhong; her family has no deep foundation—she is merely the daughter of a military advisor of the eighth rank. The Commander is a man of love and righteousness; after entering the Palace Command, he did not forget their old bond and took her in as his wife. If this had happened ten years ago, with the standing of the younger Madam Shen, she would never have caught the eye of the Shen family!"

The Old Madam smiled and nodded. "This is what is called 'a hero asks not whence he comes.' It is also the fortune of that younger Madam Shen. We sent an invitation today, originally hoping to strike up an acquaintance so we could come and go frequently, but unfortunately, he said he was not feeling well and could not attend the banquet."

"She must be a delicate, sickly creature," everyone said with a vague smile, before steering the conversation away to casual chatter. It was evident that a marriage where the woman’s family was too influential for the man’s was always prone to gossip; the more prominent the Shen brothers became, the more easily the women around them invited criticism.

Madam Jiang was straightforward in any situation. Knowing the Old Madam had reservations and was dancing around the subject, she decided to be blunt. She laughed, "You ladies are old acquaintances with the Shen family; why don't you act as matchmakers for the Commander?"

The noblewomen all laughed sheepishly. The Training Commissioner’s wife said, "A twenty-six-year-old official of the second rank—how many are there in history? With such a high rank, being a matchmaker is not an easy task! Besides, the Commander himself has no such inclination, so it is not appropriate for others to interfere at will." The unspoken part was obvious: a man who had walked through blades and seas of fire was not like those raised in the usual nests of luxury. Every daughter of a great house had been raised in a pot of honey; to end up in the hands of a blood-stained, ruthless man was like pinning a flower to the tip of a blade—if it went wrong, it meant a threat to her life. If the social standing matched, one feared the spoiled young lady could not endure the hardship; if the social standing was too low, it did not match the Commander’s status. Thus, this kind of match-making was the hardest to undertake; it was better for everyone to keep their mouths shut.

Madam Jiang, intending to embarrass Madam Hu, looked at Qingru and popped out an abrupt sentence: "Our three young ladies are all unmarried. In my opinion, the Second Young Lady’s looks and background are a perfect match for the Commander."

After she finished speaking, everyone was stunned. Madam Hu hated this loose-lipped woman for chewing the rag, and the noblewomen felt the Xie family’s ambitions were truly too grand. They could barely save themselves; they had only invited these people as guests today in an attempt to cling to the Commander. They didn't even know if the flattery had hit the mark, yet they were already eager to have someone take in a junior as a son-in-law. It seemed the Xie family wanted to take all the good things in the world for themselves!

Qingyuan was eating her steamed bread slowly when she noticed the sudden silence at the table and finally looked up. Every bright face wore a different expression. The Old Madam seemed somewhat displeased, but Qingyuan found it rather amusing. Although the Second Madam was undisciplined in her speech, she had voiced what they all held in their hearts. Why be annoyed at her talkativeness now? If the noblewomen had swarmed to agree, the Second Madam would likely have transformed into a great contributor to the family!

To leave such an awkward situation unaddressed would be truly unsightly. The Old Madam knew in her heart that the hope of getting this group of ladies to act as matchmakers was completely gone; she would have to look for another way. She smiled and said, "Our Second Madam is always most concerned for her nieces. Whenever she encounters a good family of suitable age, the first thing she thinks of is the children of her own family. Commander Shen holds such a high position and power; how could we dare to climb so high... Ay, dear ladies, do not stand on ceremony. Quickly, taste this flower-patterned beef intestine. Among all our household’s dishes, this is what the cook does best. When King Jingde traveled to Jiangnan, he stayed at our estate, and he had to have this dish at every meal. If we ever forgot to prepare it, he would put on a long face and get angry."

People began laughing and talking again, but the Second Madam felt it was terribly unlucky; she sat there, neither able to laugh nor to be angry, and eventually stopped saying a word altogether.

The female guests did not spend as long at their banquet as the men did; after a few cups of wine, the tables were cleared and replaced with fruit platters. At this point, everyone could move about. The Xie family’s old estate had quite a history. After the whole family moved back to Youzhou, it had been renovated once. The outer walls, the wooden painted pavilions, and the covered walkways were all repainted, and with the rocks and trees that had stood for seventy or eighty years, there was a strange feeling of new and old merging together.

Madam Hu accompanied the noblewomen to admire the moon and enjoy the cool air in the garden. The Old Madam, only now finding a moment of leisure, was preoccupied, wondering how the conversation on the opposite side had gone.

Qingyuan stayed by her side without leaving, but young children were prone to wandering thoughts. Her gaze was drawn by the intermittent glow of fireflies atop the trees, and she stared upward.

The Old Madam sighed. "I wonder if the Commander agreed."

Qingyuan withdrew her gaze. "Grandmother, set your heart at ease. Since the Commander was willing to pay a visit, and with the mediation of several other officials, there is an eight-in-ten chance there will be a turning point."

The Old Madam nodded, still uneasy. She leaned over and whispered, "Go quietly by yourself to the side courtyard and see if those wine jars are all prepared. Have someone move them onto the carriage, tie them securely, and cover them tightly with oilcloth. Make sure nothing goes wrong on the road; it would be a disaster if someone else were to catch a glimpse of them."

Now that things concerned the Commander’s residence, the Old Madam liked to assign these tasks to her. She hadn't managed these affairs from the start, and being dispatched mid-way to make arrangements, she could only give a muddled assent and withdraw from the western flower hall.

The distance from the reception garden to the small courtyard in the back was a bowshot away. Lanterns hung at both ends of the blue brick corridor. The lights on the opposite side could be seen in the distance, but the middle of the path was pitch black. Qingyuan had someone fetch a small lamp—a fist-sized ball of light that was just enough to illuminate the path beneath her feet without attracting too much attention.

The days are long in early summer, and since a banquet had already been held, it was quite late by the time it concluded. As the night deepened, the darkness grew thick like ink. She hurried forward, not expecting someone to suddenly grab her hand. With a twist and a push, he pinned her against the wall.

Qingyuan was startled, and just as she was about to ask who it was, a wave of wine fragrance rushed toward her. The small lamp in her hand was knocked away, landing with a soft clatter beside her feet.

"Where is the Fourth Young Lady going?" he asked, drawing out his words with a lazy, intoxicating quality.

Qingyuan had been panic-stricken, and hearing his voice made her blood run even colder. "Commander? Why have you come here?"

He did not answer her; instead, he pressed firmly on her shoulders, leaving her unable to move.

Qingyuan knew he was heavily intoxicated. Though perhaps not completely drunk, the alcohol had surely gone to his head—he was at least seven or eight parts gone.

"Commander, this is the inner courtyard. You have gone the wrong way." She tried to steady her breathing and pointed back the way she came. "There... if you follow the corridor that way, once you pass through the side gate, you will be in the banquet courtyard."

He still did not answer. The lamp at their feet had gone out. Qingyuan opened her eyes wide, and only after adapting to the darkness did she see him cloaked in the cold moonlight. His tall silhouette looked like a mountain, slowly leaning in, settling into an ambiguous posture, and inhaling the fragrance from her neck.

She was so frightened her heart twisted in pain. Having grown up to this age, she had never been treated so rudely. In the pitch-black night, with no third person present, if this were publicized, what would become of her reputation as a young lady? Yet, if she didn't speak up, she would be forced to swallow the bitter loss. She was forced to soften her tone to negotiate. "If the Commander doesn't know the way, I will escort you back to the flower hall."

As a result, he chuckled. "The Fourth Young Lady seems very afraid of Shen Run."

He spoke right beside her ear, his low whispers like feathers tickling her heart. Qingyuan’s heart pounded like a drum. She barely managed to steady herself. "I am not afraid of the Commander; I am doing this to protect your prestigious reputation. In a field of melons or under a plum tree, misunderstandings are easy to come by."

"Afraid of misunderstandings..." he mumbled, his speech slurred. He fumbled at his waist and, with a great effort, tore off the jade pendant hanging there and shoved it into her hand. "Take this."

Qingyuan was speechless. Hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Commander, why are you giving this to me?"

He didn't answer and went to fumble at the other side, but after tearing at it for half a day, he couldn't get it off. He swayed unsteadily and said, "No more, just this."

Qingyuan thought he was truly very drunk—taking the wrong path and giving away his things randomly. But even if he was drunk, she couldn't treat him like a mere drunkard. The thing in her hand felt like a pendant; no matter what, she could not accept such an intimate object. She tried to shove it back into his hand. "Commander, you dropped your things; please put them away properly."

He paused, seemingly understanding. "Not enough?" He said as he went back to fumbling at his own waist again.

Worried that he would stuff everything on his person into her hands, she hurriedly said it was enough. Holding that hot potato, she stood there like a bronze bird embroidered onto a cage.

He was satisfied, drew back slightly, and gave a low laugh. He patted her on the shoulder as if treating a subordinate, then swayed toward the direction of the flower hall.

The odd encounter felt like a dream. If not for the heavy weight still in her hand, she would have treated it as a dream. Qingyuan kicked the small lamp that had fallen to the ground with her toe, sighing as she picked it up. Lanterns hung high in the side courtyard, but their light did not reach where she stood. She had to grope along the wall as she walked, regretting that she had followed the Old Madam’s wishes. If Baoxian had been with her, what just happened would never have occurred.

Fortunately, no one knew, she thought to herself. Suffering an offense and not speaking of it was the helpless act of a girl trying to preserve her clear reputation. But what should she do about this thing...

Finally reaching the gate of the side courtyard, she opened her hand to look. Resting in her palm was a jade pendant with an openwork beast face—the taotie pattern was fierce and greedy, its pair of glowing eyes staring at her as if it meant to devour her alive.