Spring of the Blade - Chapter 32
Chapter 32
In truth, being able to step out of the family home was a joyous affair. The carriage meandered leisurely through the marketplace. Midway, she called for a stop, reached out from the window, and bought three bowls of iced sugar water to enjoy—one for herself, one for Baoxian, and one to share with the servant boy driving the carriage. Away from the confinement of the manor gates, there were no stifling rules or rigid doctrines. Though the roadside snacks were simple and lacked the sliced melon and nut toppings one might have at home—consisting merely of a bowl of ice with two ladles of sugar syrup—it was delicious, and she felt immensely happy.
With the small curtains on the window rolled up, she observed the scenery outside. Unlike that previous trip, when she had been burdened by heavy responsibilities and a worried heart, today she felt quite light. Daytime in Youzhou was different from the night; pedestrians had changed into loose, flowing garments. When the wind blew, their clothes danced, and when the air was still, the people themselves moved about.
Ahead stood an ornate bridge, its banks lined with swaying willows; crossing it meant reaching the Commander’s mansion. Today, the carriage didn't need to skulk and hide in narrow alleys as it had before; it drove straight to the front gate. Once it came to a halt, Baoxian stepped down first to set up the oil-paper umbrella. Qingyuan stepped off onto the mounting block and looked up. The residence of the Regional Commander was imposing and deep. Even though this was her second visit, she still felt a sense of immense oppression.
The guard at the gate still remembered her. Seeing her approach, he cupped his hands and bowed.
Qingyuan wore a bright, smiling face as she said, "I must trouble you to report for me. Xie Qingyuan, on the orders of my grandmother, has come to pay a visit to the Deputy Commander's wife."
A young lady who met everyone with a smile at any time and place was rarely met with annoyance. The guard replied, "Please wait a moment, Miss," and strode into the mansion. The discipline of the Palace Guard was strict; the guards at the Commander’s mansion, like those at the Imperial Palace, stood with solemn dignity in full armor, their movements accompanied by a rhythmic, metallic clatter.
Qingyuan stood peacefully under the porch. Just then, a small cabbage butterfly flew in from somewhere—its body snow-white with black-veined wings—fluttering up and down. Though it was tiny and frail, not even half the size of her palm, in the leisurely atmosphere of the day, it seemed to stir up a gale, and one could even hear the sound of its wings flapping.
Qingyuan watched it with lingering affection for a while, and soon, word came from within that she was invited to enter.
She withdrew her gaze and signaled for Baoxian to follow. Perhaps because she was requesting an audience with the wife, and because Baoxian was holding a gift box, the guard at the gate did not make things difficult for them.
They followed their guide deep into the courtyard. After walking for quite a distance along intricate wooden corridors that stretched lengthwise, they passed through two moon gates before entering a different world.
The maid leading the way looked back with a smile, "This is the courtyard of the Deputy Commander and his wife. Please follow me, Miss; the Madam is waiting for you in the flower hall ahead."
Only then did Qingyuan realize that the long corridor divided the Commander’s mansion into two sections.
Shen Run was not yet married, while Shen Che had already taken a wife. It was likely due to past upheavals that the brothers had never split the household. However, for the sake of convenience, they lived in the same residence as separate families: the East Courtyard was for Shen Run’s use, while the West Courtyard belonged to Shen Che and his family.
Passing through another long, flower-lined gallery, they arrived at the place where the Deputy Commander’s wife received guests. Before coming, Qingyuan had heard some rumors about this young Madam Shen. Her background, needless to say, was not high; her maiden name was Dong, and she possessed a pleasant name: Fangchun.
In the summer flower hall, bamboo curtains were rolled up and draped with silk gauze, which fluttered enchantingly whenever a breeze passed through. Following the maid’s gesture, Qingyuan looked forward to see a figure pacing behind the gauze. Hearing footsteps approaching, the lady used a circular fan to lift the curtain and glanced outside.
She was a young, beautiful woman with delicate features; ignoring her family background, she was a perfect match for Shen Che. Perhaps because they had received the massive sum of silver from the Xie family the night before, she appeared extremely warm the moment she laid eyes on Qingyuan.
She greeted her, standing in the sliver of shade under the eaves, and said with a smile, "So, the Fourth Miss has arrived. Please, come inside."
Qingyuan was somewhat surprised. According to etiquette, she curtsied and said, "I have come presumptuously; please forgive the intrusion, Madam."
Fangchun was easygoing and didn't care for airs. She gestured for Qingyuan to enter while saying, "The Deputy Commander mentioned to me last night that there might be a distinguished guest from the Commissioner’s mansion today, and he told me to welcome you properly. It is such a hot day, and I am so sorry to trouble you to make the journey, Fourth Miss!"
Whether one could get along with another did not require enduring three winters and four summers; sometimes, a few words or a look at a person’s demeanor was enough to tell. Qingyuan felt this young Madam Shen was very kind. Her gaze was sincere when she looked at others, and her smile was bright, suggesting she was a person of broad mind and cheerful disposition.
Qingyuan let out a sigh of relief. She had little experience in social etiquette; at the few banquets held at home, the noble ladies always seemed to wear the same face—mostly magnanimous in public, but sharp-tongued in private. Before entering the Shen mansion, she had worried that since the Old Madam had ordered her to probe for information, the other party might remain tight-lipped, making it difficult to find out anything. Seeing this Deputy Commander’s wife, who did not seem difficult to get along with, she felt fortunate but dared not let her guard down. She turned to look at Baoxian, who understood and placed the gift box on the yellow pear-wood table inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
"This is a small gesture from my grandmother. She had originally intended to invite you, Madam, to the mansion to relax yesterday, but never expected that you would be unwell; my grandmother has been keeping it in her heart. Because there were too many people yesterday, she could not come, so today I have come on her orders to inquire after your health. These are some tonics to calm the mind and nourish the spirit. Although I am sure your mansion lacks for nothing, it is a token of my grandmother’s sincerity, and I hope you will kindly accept it."
She spoke each word with grace and poise, which was pleasant to the ears.
When Shen Che returned home last night, he had only laughed when mentioning his brother, insisting that there would be a distinguished guest today. Fangchun had been puzzled then, wondering who it might be. Seeing such a young and beautiful girl today, she was not only pleased but also vaguely understood the implication, making her all the more attentive.
She ordered her servants to put the gifts away and smiled, "I have troubled your grandmother. I succumbed to the cold while seeking relief from the heat the other day, and I spent a day in bed with a headache; I am only feeling better today. Please take word back to your grandmother, Fourth Miss, and thank her for me. Once I have fully recovered, I will come to the Commissioner’s mansion to pay my respects."
These were the standard social niceties of noble ladies. After exchanging courtesies and sitting down across from each other, they gradually became more familiar.
"How old are you this year, Fourth Miss?" Fangchun asked. "I have a younger sister back home who is sixteen this year; seeing you reminds me of her."
Qingyuan gave a shy smile, "I am fifteen; I just celebrated my coming-of-age ceremony last month."
Fangchun said "Oh," and continued, "Then you are a year younger than my sister; no wonder you look so fresh and delicate." As she spoke, she took her hand and added, "My home is in Yunzhong. I haven't been back since I married. Although life in Youzhou is good, the Deputy Commander is busy with his duties, and the Palace Guard has rotations, so he only returns once every half month. Being home alone is dreadfully boring, and I have longed for someone to come and keep me company. I am truly happy that you came today, Fourth Miss. Since we hit it off at first sight, why don't we treat each other like sisters from now on? You come visit me often, and when I have the leisure, I will come to see you, alright?"
To be so intimate at the very first meeting was somewhat unusual, and Qingyuan was secretly at a loss, but she could not reject the goodwill. She smiled and said, "You honor me, Madam; I would not dare disobey. Our entire family has only just moved back to Youzhou. Although we had an old family estate here, our generation has never been to Youzhou before, and I don't know a single soul here. Now that you say this, I am truly flattered. Whenever you need someone to pass the time, just send someone to let me know. While I may be clumsy with my words, I am certainly capable of listening to you talk."
"Oh my, what a truly clever young lady," Fangchun thought, feeling even more fond of her.
Of course, this affection still held a touch of self-interest; getting on good terms now would make future interactions easier.
"Youzhou is at the feet of the Emperor, teeming with nobility. In terms of pedigree, naturally, everyone is a cut above the rest, but the more it is like this, the harder it is to get along," Fangchun said with a bitter smile. "Since we are from a small place, others may not look kindly upon us. Even if one gains status through a husband, while people might give us face and call me 'Deputy Commander’s Wife,' they are lazy to actually associate with me in their hearts. That is why I rarely go out and don't make any friends; I just spend my days admiring flowers and doing embroidery to pass the time."
These words were spoken from the heart. Last night, when those noble ladies mentioned her, they had covered their mouths and snickered, calling her a "frail and sickly thing." Qingyuan knew that the inner circle of Youzhou’s elites was far harder to integrate into than that of Shengzhou. Since this Deputy Commander’s wife was straightforward and spoke without reservation, Qingyuan thought of herself; when those noble ladies walked out of the Xie mansion, they likely discussed the Fourth Miss’s background as well. If she had been narrow-minded in the half-year since she returned, she would have worried herself to death long ago.
However, she couldn't simply agree with her, lest she inadvertently lead the conversation into something awkward. She replied, "I also love needlework. Different places have different trends for patterns—we in the South love embroidering winding branches, while Youzhou prefers the lantern brocade pattern. Next time, I will bring some Southern patterns for you to see, and I would also love for you to teach me a few embroidery techniques from Yunzhong."
Fangchun immediately agreed, "I brought a whole chest of them when I came to Youzhou; I will pick out a few pretty ones for you later." She added, "Since we are now friends, let’s stop with the 'Madam' this and 'Madam' that. My name is Fangchun, and since I am a few years your senior, I will be so bold as to be your older sister for the time being, alright?"
Qingyuan smiled and nodded. She stood up and curtsied again, "Sister Fangchun."
Fangchun also stood up and returned the salute, laughing, "Let’s keep it this way for two days... May fortune follow you, little sister."
Just like that, she had made a friend. Regardless of whether it was the one the Xie family was desperately trying to climb to, Qingyuan felt it was something worth being happy about. Looking back at Baoxian, who stood quietly behind her, she also seemed delighted. A girl in a deep mansion, no matter how clever, is always a prisoner; this Deputy Commander’s wife was her first real friend. Fresh social interactions brought new breakthroughs; her world would no longer be limited to the Xie family, and having stepped out of that deep mansion, she had found someone she could talk to.
Since they were getting along so well, Fangchun got straight to the point, "I know why you came today. It is about your father’s matter, isn't it?"
Qingyuan nodded, "I ask for your guidance, sister."
Fangchun said, "It is not my place to inquire about matters in the officialdom, and I truly cannot reveal any bottom line to you. But I know that the Commander is a man who keeps his word; you can rest assured that this matter will be resolved."
That sentence was enough. Qingyuan nodded and glanced outside, "Is the Commander here today?"
An inexplicable smile appeared on Fangchun’s face, "Why? Are you looking for the Commander?"
Qingyuan hesitated. She couldn't let anyone know about the jade pendant, so she gave a vague, evasive answer, "Family matters are always worrisome, after all. Knowing the Commander's whereabouts would help put my mind at ease."
"He and the Deputy Commander returned to Shangjing. The Palace Guard has too many trivial matters, and everything requires his attention. This leave was short, and they were supposed to return to Shangjing yesterday, but they were delayed by the banquet at your mansion, so they had to hurry back early this morning."
Qingyuan said "Oh," and asked, "When will he return to Youzhou?"
Fangchun replied, "That is hard to say. He is the Commander-in-Chief and doesn't need to be anchored to his post at all times. If there is any matter worth his return, it takes less than an hour for a fast horse to travel from Shangjing to Youzhou; he can come back whenever he wishes."
It seemed there was no way to return the item today. Qingyuan felt a moment of melancholy. She chatted with Fangchun for a few more moments before taking her leave.
"What should I do?" she thought, sitting in the carriage, cradling the beast-faced pendant in her hands with a helpless expression.
Baoxian said, "Just keep it for now. The person will always return one day; returning it then will be the same."
But what worried Qingyuan was not that; she only feared that the longer the delay, the more awkward it would be when the time came to return it.
"That Deputy Commander’s wife..." Baoxian said, "Doesn't Miss find her a bit strange?"
Qingyuan hummed, "In what way?"
"In any case, she is a noblewoman of status, yet she was so warm with you. If it wasn't truly because you hit it off, then there must be some other reason behind it." Baoxian smiled, "Miss is so clever, I don't believe you didn't think of it."
As for Qingyuan, she wished such friendship was born of true sincerity—but where in the world is there sincerity without a reason! When people interact, mutual benefit is the premise; if there is no benefit, it surely cannot last. She had a vague premonition in her heart, but due to decorum, she couldn't speak it out loud, so she only smiled and glossed over it.
Baoxian looked at her with a soft gaze and called out gently, "Miss, the Deputy Commander’s wife likely heard something from the Deputy Commander."
Qingyuan leaned against the carriage screen, let out a vague "hmm," and lowered her head to wrap up the jade pendant, tucking it back into her sleeve.
Returning to the Xie mansion, she went straight to Huifang Garden to see the Old Madam. She relayed the Deputy Commander’s wife’s words, and finally said, "Grandmother, you can set your mind at ease. The Commander and the Deputy Commander have returned to Shangjing, and Father’s petition has been taken with them. Delivering it to the Emperor is merely a trivial matter for them; they would not intentionally make things difficult for us. Besides, Father has performed great military exploits in the past and is well-acquainted with the terrain beyond the passes; why would the Saint choose to look far for someone else and appoint others instead?"
The Old Madam nodded, "This is all we can do for now; we shall just have to wait. You have worked hard these past two days, running back and forth for your father’s sake. I have said before that among the four daughters, you are the most like your father. In the future, when you sisters marry off, perhaps you will be the only one who can support the family."
Hearing this, Qingyuan couldn't help but sneer in her heart. The Old Madam had previously said that the Fourth Girl was only fit to marry into a poor family, find a husband who hadn't made his mark yet, and spend her life bowing and scraping to climb the social ladder. Now, her tune had changed; she wanted her to support the family. To put it bluntly, regardless of whether it was as a legitimate wife or a concubine, as long as she could whisper in a man's ear, that was all that mattered.
She suppressed her feelings and replied smoothly, "Among the three sisters, only the eldest sister is betrothed. The second sister and third sister are both here; their future prospects are boundless. As for me, I am fine just staying here to serve you, Grandmother, and Father."
The Old Madam sighed, "Speaking of your eldest sister’s marriage, I truly don't know how it will turn out. With thousands of miles between us, we are beyond each other's reach. If we were still in Hengtang, we could have discussed it with the Prefect’s wife, picked an auspicious day, and set the date. Now, we are nowhere near that step, and the connection with the matchmaker has been severed. If things continue like this, I fear it will delay your eldest sister. She is miserable all day long, and it pains me to watch."
Regarding Qinghe’s marriage, they were indeed in an awkward position. The Kaiguo Earl’s mansion was also observing to see if the Xie family would survive this crisis unscathed or if they would fall and never be able to recover.
Just as they were speaking in the inner room, Madam Hu unexpectedly entered from outside. She paid her respects to the Old Madam and stood to one side, saying, "I was just about to discuss this with you, Mother. Regarding the eldest girl’s marriage, I think it is better to call it off. Things are not like they were years ago; the woman’s side cannot break an engagement and wait for the man’s side to decide our fate. Everyone knows our situation. We cannot go back to Hengtang. Since this marriage is still hanging on, are we really willing to let the child be married thousands of miles away? In my opinion, it would be better to find a practical match here in Youzhou so that the family can look after her. Otherwise, a girl living alone in someone else’s home, having to watch others' expressions just to eat—wouldn't that be letting her be bullied to death!"
Madam Hu, again hiding behind the pretense of "even though the child wasn't born to me, I treat her the same as Qingru," persuaded the Old Madam to break the engagement. A concubine-born daughter marrying into a prominent family was not a good thing for the legitimate daughter. She had never approved of this marriage but had lacked the means to stop it. Now that reality was staring them in the face, wasn't it only right and proper to overturn this impasse and start anew?
Qingyuan smiled, bowed, and quietly retreated from the main chamber.