Spring of the Blade - Chapter 63
Chapter 63
This young Marquis was truly a sincere person! In just over a month, he had ridden hard to and fro between Youzhou and Hengtang—a full two-thousand-li journey... If the fortunate girl had been Qingru, how wonderful that would have been! Unfortunately, his heart was fixed solely on Qingyuan. As Madam Hu looked at him, she saw the results of a month without rest: in this sweltering heat, his face had been tanned to a dark bronze. Yet, his eyes were bright, shining like stars as he gazed at Qingyuan. Madam Hu knew then that reality and her expectations had diverged once more. The young Marquis had likely achieved his heart’s desire this time; he arrived filled with the hope of victory, believing that as long as the Xie family gave their consent, he would be able to fulfill his wish.
Indeed, he bowed solemnly to the Old Madam and her, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect. "Old Madam, Madam, Chunzhi has returned as promised to report back to you both. My father and mother have given their consent to this marriage. I have come today to speak with my elders and the Fourth Miss, and tomorrow I shall order men to prepare the betrothal gifts to formally propose to the Fourth Miss."
The members of the Xie family were all a bit stunned, never having expected him to actually succeed in this matter. The Old Madam watched with wide eyes as the handwritten letters from the Marquis and Marchioness of Danyang were presented before her. She unfolded them and read: the entire text was filled with regret for their earlier rashness and a desire to bring the two children together. They wrote that Chunzhi had finally outgrown his immature temperament and it was time for him to establish a home, and having heard that the Fourth Miss was talented and intelligent, she would surely be able to help Chunzhi achieve great success in the future.
The Old Madam read it intensely, word by word, attempting to find a trace of reluctance between the lines, but there was none. The Marquis and his wife seemed truly sincere this time; the magnitude of their transformation was truly puzzling.
Lady Jiang, in the East Mansion, now felt she could finally hold her head high in front of Madam Hu; sometimes, to turn the tables, one doesn't need to climb up oneself—one only needs to wait for the other to fall. She cast a light, teasing glance at Madam Hu. "Oh my, what to do? The Fourth Miss really cannot refuse such a sincere offer this time. I truly did not expect that our family would do things in reverse—it seems the youngest will be the first to be married off."
Li Congxin smiled. His complexion, darkened by the wind and sun, made his teeth appear especially white. "That may not be the case. Someone entrusted me to deliver a message; he is carrying a grand gift prepared by his family, but his pace is not as fast as mine. If I arrived first, I was to report to the Old Madam on his behalf: Lanshan will arrive at your residence within a few days to set the wedding date."
This was excellent news. The thousand-li distance had not been able to dampen the determination of the Earl’s son, and everyone offered their congratulations to the Eldest Miss. Qinghe lowered her head, her face flushing, the sweetness in her heart overflowing from her eyes and brows.
However, the greater joy, of course, belonged to the Fourth Miss. At last, her bitterness had come to an end, and she could smoothly marry into the Danyang Marquis estate. The young Marquis appeared to be someone she could rely on; being able to persuade his parents despite such immense pressure showed that after she moved in, he would certainly be able to protect her well.
Qingyuan still smiled, for other than smiling, she did not know what expression to wear to face this. It was originally a very good thing—he had this sincerity, and given her background and current situation, what else could she ask for? Yet, the human heart is never satisfied. Beyond feeling secure, she began to pick and choose; it was truly not right of her.
Li Congxin looked toward her with the same bright gaze and bright smile. She understood everything in her heart. Watching him arrive, glorious and pure as the moon, she could only imagine the efforts he must have made before his parents in Hengtang. If this was truly the outcome, she ought to settle her heart and pay heed to keeping her word.
The Old Madam was still hesitant. "I have read your house's letters and can see that the Marquis and Marchioness also desire this union, but... Youzhou is so far from Hengtang, and both granddaughters are..." She sighed midway through her sentence. "I truly find it hard to let them go."
Li Congxin raised his eyes, his heart jumping slightly, and he hurried to comfort her: "Old Madam, do not be saddened. I am currently serving in the capital and will likely remain in the metropolitan area in the future. Whenever you wish to see the Fourth Miss, you can have her return at any time."
What more could be said? The Old Madam had been rendered exhausted by the recent turn of events. Originally, Qingyuan’s marriage had been swinging between the Danyang Marquis estate and the Commander’s Command, but on the night they returned from Huguo Temple, Shen Run had acted with such arrogant disregard for others to protect Qingyuan that she had pondered the implications: if she truly gained such a son-in-law, even if Qingyuan were to rule her husband’s house, he would certainly indulge her.
Lady Jiang pulled her sleeves close and asked Qingyuan, "What is the Fourth Miss’s intention?"
Qingyuan said calmly, "I follow Grandmother’s arrangements in all things."
The Old Madam let out a breath and nodded slowly. "Since that is so..."
At this moment, Madam Hu cut off the Old Madam’s words. "If you ask me, there is no need to be in such a hurry. The Master is fighting at the border and hasn't written a single letter back, so we don't know how he fares. It is better to wait a while regarding the children’s marriages. After all, the Master is the head of the household; we must listen to his opinion. What do you think, Mother?"
What could the Old Madam say? She simply chose not to speak. The incident with Qingru had drained all her resolve. When she looked at the sky, it seemed gray; when she looked at the ground, it too was gray. Qingyuan no longer needed her to worry—this was true. Li Congxin, Shen Run, whoever it was, it didn't matter! These past two days, she had thought about it carefully. Since Qingyuan returned, the troubles in the house had been endless. People said she would "stabilize the house," but the house was almost being shaken to pieces—what was there to stabilize! And this First Madam... she was truly beyond words. For a mistress of the house to be so intolerant was also partly her own fault for having indulged her too much in the past. Now, the Xie family’s backbone was almost being broken by the criticism of others. She hid in the deep chambers, afraid to listen to the gossip outside, for she feared that if she heard it, she would vomit blood. Although she still gave perfunctory excuses to the outside world, claiming it was only a maid who had encountered some dishonorable affair, she was merely deceiving herself. The Second Girl could no longer even enter the imperial selection, and those noblewomen who loved to gossip were not fools...
If Qingyuan married well, it could, at least to some extent, help the Xie family regain a bit of face. The Old Madam looked at Madam Hu, then at Li Congxin, feeling caught in a dilemma. She had to take a middle path and stall for one more day. "Chunzhi, you only arrived in Youzhou today, didn't you? It has been a tiring journey, and you have worked hard. Go back and rest for the night. Wait until tomorrow... once you are well-rested and have recovered your strength, we can discuss it again."
The Old Madam’s meaning was clear. Li Congxin had been on the road for days and did not know what had happened to the Xie family. If Qingru’s affair had tainted Qingyuan, leading him to believe that marrying into the Xie family required further consideration, then she would let it follow the will of heaven. Even if Qingyuan was left with nothing, there was still Shen Run to pick up the pieces. Regardless, he had his heart set on the Fourth Girl and knew the truth of the situation; there was no need to waste further breath.
Li Congxin did not quite understand the Xie family’s attitude. He had traveled back and forth between two places, and it had been agreed upon that as long as the Marquis estate agreed, the Xie family would not obstruct them. What was happening now? Madam Hu not agreeing was one thing—she had always been at odds with Qingyuan—but for even the Old Madam to go back on her word was truly puzzling.
Puzzling as it was, it was not the time to be overly pressing. Although he felt a bit aggrieved, he still maintained his courtesy, bowing. "Thank you for your consideration, Old Madam. I will come to visit again tomorrow."
He looked toward Qingyuan again, his gaze filled with reluctance. The Old Madam saw this and said to Qingyuan, "Fourth Girl, you should see the young Marquis out!"
Qingyuan agreed and obediently accompanied Li Congxin as they exited the main hall. The sunlight outside was still dazzling as they walked along the long, covered corridor. Through the octagonal latticed windows, a cool breeze blew from the shade of the trees in the neighboring garden. Li Congxin finally stopped his feet, turned back, and asked Qingyuan, "Fourth Miss, have you been well during this time?"
The girl he was always worried about was wearing a madder-blue ruqun (blouse and skirt). That color, between green and blue, highlighted her soft, delicate complexion. Her lips always carried a slight smile. "Well, and yet not well. Third Young Master, some things have happened at the Xie residence recently, perhaps damaging to the Xie family’s reputation. Grandmother just now did not explain it to you, but I must ask you to consider carefully, to weigh the pros and cons, lest this implicate your Marquis estate."
Li Congxin was puzzled. "I have been on the road for days; I truly do not know what has happened. Does this matter have to do with you?"
Qingyuan did not answer, only saying, "It is not convenient for me to say more. You will know once you return."
She moved her steps to continue walking slowly, her soft skirt brushing occasionally against his legs—a fleeting touch he had no time to ponder. He looked at her profile; she was slightly bowing her head, and a yellow jade bead on her earring was pulled by an extremely thin silver thread, swaying like a teardrop against her clean white neck. He was captivated and said softly, "Fourth Miss, the Xie family is the Xie family, and you are you. I do not care about all of that."
She heard this and gave a shy smile. "I, however, did not expect that the Marquis and his wife would actually agree to it."
He felt a bit embarrassed and said vaguely, "My mother only has me as her sole child. If I insist on doing something, they will eventually agree to it."
He spoke simply, as if achieving it only required a single sentence, but she did not know just how much effort he had expended to make his mother nod. Kneeling was inevitable; he had knelt in the courtyard for an entire night, and in the morning, he had also endured a whipping. For someone raised in luxury, it could be considered a bitter hardship.
His grandmother had protected him, stomping her feet and scolding her son and daughter-in-law: "We only have this one legitimate son in our family; our entire future depends on him. If you force him to his death, see how I will fight you to the end!"
The Marquis had always been a strict father, clutching the whip in his hand tightly. "Mother does not know what kind of background that Xie Fourth Miss has! Her mother poisoned someone and was driven out of the house by Xie Shu!"
The Old Madam chuckled. "If she poisoned someone, why drive her out like that? Why didn't you have her pay with her life? The girl was raised in someone else's house for fourteen years, and they only took her back once she came of age. What a clever scheme you’ve played. I have asked clearly—Xie Shu gobbled up another's property and devoured all their fields, and in the end, he just chased the girl away. It is shameful that you still use this as a point of argument!"
His mother, seeing her son beaten, felt both heartache and resentment that he was not striving for better. Regardless of how many grievances the Xie Fourth Miss had behind her, her reputation outside was set in stone. Even if she was a good girl, it was inevitable that people would mock her.
"Chunzhi, listen to your mother. There are so many good girls in the world you can marry; why must it be her? If you really like her, bring her back as a concubine, that is fine, but for her to be the legitimate mistress of the house is absolutely impossible. The family of the Duke of Cheng sent someone to make a match a few days ago. Their eldest daughter is of an age comparable to yours, and being the daughter of the first wife, her character and appearance are excellent. If you want to marry, I will order people to go to their house to offer the betrothal gifts right now... Why must you be like this? Is it worth it for such a girl?"
He was left dazed by his kneeling, his waist and abdomen almost without feeling, yet he stubbornly insisted, "I will marry no one but the Fourth Miss."
The Marquis’s whip fell again. "If you insist on marrying her, you are no longer a descendant of my Li family!"
Hearing this, he undid his hair bun and pulled out the short dagger at his waist, intending to cut it. "I will shear my hair and become a monk; that should satisfy Father’s wishes."
Then, the entire residence was in an uproar. The Marquis’s only legitimate son wanted to become a monk. The Old Madam wept, the Marchioness wept, and even the Marquis’s several concubines wept along with them. The Marchioness finally gave in, saying, "That is enough. I have only raised this one child in my life. Whatever this wicked creature wants to do, I will no longer interfere."
Thus, although he suffered physically, he had not failed Qingyuan. Yet, having returned with good news, who would have thought he would receive such a cold reception?
"Fourth Miss..." He looked at her with some sorrow. "My feelings for you are sincere, and I have come to see you in accordance with the command of my parents as promised. I do not know what your intentions are now. If you are still willing to give me a chance, I could ask for nothing more. But if your heart is already spoken for... let this matter be, and I will not blame you."
Qingyuan could not help but feel melancholy. That was all well and good to say, but could he truly not blame her? He had done nothing wrong, and he should not have wasted his efforts because of her lack of resolve.
Fortunately, she had never yielded in front of Shen Run. The entanglement of the three people would eventually have to come to an end. Qingyuan said softly, "Regarding what I said just now, Third Young Master, please reflect on it carefully when you return. There is no rush for the marriage. If the Madam does not agree on this side, I fear there will be a lot of friction to endure."
Li Congxin frowned. "Regardless, I have made up my mind. As long as the Fourth Miss does not reject me, even if I have to wait until I am eighty, I will surely marry you."
Qingyuan laughed in surprise. This was the youthful zeal of a young man, a perseverance nurtured by a life of abundance. Who among those who had been tempered by suffering would be so single-minded! She slowly let go of her worries. With Shen Run’s official position and family background, he would always be able to find someone better; he knew how to make trade-offs better than Li Congxin and understood better how to abandon things at the right time.
"Go back and get a good night's sleep." She saw him to the door. "As for what comes after, we can discuss it in detail with the Old Madam tomorrow."
He nodded, and the servant accompanying him came up to attend to him. He lingered a moment but left in the end. As he was about to board the carriage, he turned back to look at her. She stood under the eaves, waving a round fan at him. The vermilion-lacquered door behind her framed her elegant figure; if it could be captured, it would be enough to admire for a lifetime.
The carriage pulled away and gradually moved into the distance. Only then did Baoxian approach. "The Old Madam has given an order. She said that once you have seen the Third Young Master off, you are to go back to speak with her."
It was nothing more than this matter. Qingyuan said, "Let’s go," and continued toward Huifang Garden. Upon entering the main room, she found that the earlier crowd had already dispersed, leaving only the Old Madam sitting on the bamboo bed by the window, slowly counting the prayer beads in her hand.
"Grandmother." She stood to the side and called out softly.
The Old Madam’s drooping eyelids lifted slightly. "Sit down."
Qingyuan said yes and sat down in the lower seat, waiting for the Old Madam to speak. The Old Madam remained silent, and only after a long while did she say, "Today is the imperial selection in the forbidden palace; I wonder how the Third Girl is doing... Both of you sisters have suffered, losing your mothers at such a tender age. If the blessings missed in childhood are made up for in the future, that would be for the best. Regarding this marriage with the Danyang Marquis family, I originally did not think highly of it. The Marquis’s wife is too arrogant; I fear you would suffer grievances if you went there. The young Marquis came today and seemed sincere, but I dare not agree, fearing I would not be able to answer to Commander Shen. Regarding you and Commander Shen, what is the situation? If it is truly with him... then we might as well turn the young Marquis away."
As the Old Madam spoke, she watched Qingyuan’s reaction. Her expression was indifferent. She paused before saying, "Grandmother, is it because you saw the Madam’s strong opposition that you are coming to say these words to your granddaughter?"
The Old Madam choked for a moment. "Naturally, that is not it..."
Qingyuan lowered her eyes and spoke slowly: "Grandmother is the most discerning person in the world. From the time I was attacked at Bihua Temple to the time the Second Sister was insulted, I have not said it, but Grandmother knows in her heart what this is about. I have a question I have always wanted to ask Grandmother: do you truly believe that dignity is more important than human life? Concubine Xia was not poisoned by my mother at all—it was the Madam’s scheme to kill two birds with one stone. Grandmother, your eyes are keen, how could you not see it? Yet, for the sake of peace in the household, you smoothed it over. My mother and Concubine Xia died in vain, while the Madam is perfectly fine, enjoying all the wealth of the world. Where in this world is there justice! Now the Madam has eaten the bitter fruit of her own actions and ruined the Second Sister as well. Grandmother is still blindly indulging her—are you waiting until she ruins the several older brothers in the future before you intend to punish her?"
The Old Madam was left speechless by her words. These words were not wrong, but to deal with a mistress of the house was not such an easy task! The Master was not at home, and the entire Youzhou was watching every move of the Xie family. If the Madam were to cause further trouble at this time, the Xie family would never be able to hold their heads high again. Moreover, the Madam had Zhengze. Even if she didn't consider the Madam, she had to consider Zhengze’s face. The martial arts exam was coming up in a while; if the foundation were shaken at this time, it would not be a good thing for any of the three young masters. Thus, the matter had to be covered up; even if it stank and rotted, it had to be covered up.
The Old Madam sighed: "You are too young and do not look far ahead. When you have a family of your own in the future and have children and grandchildren, you will understand my difficulties. Fourth Girl, in this world, things are not always clear-cut in every detail. As one grows older, one understands how to weigh the pros and cons."
Qingyuan sneered: "Watching the Madam ruin your own granddaughter, can you even accept that?"
The Old Madam’s expression was numb. "The mistake has already been made. What I can do is to let the Xie family maintain its original state until your father returns."
When her father returned, the ending would still be the same. The hypocrisy and numbness of the Xie family filled her with despair. If she stayed any longer, she feared she would become such a person herself.
"Since I have given my word to the Third Young Master, I must keep it." She stood up and said, "As for Commander Shen, I will give him an explanation myself. I ask Grandmother to allow me to make a trip to the capital, and while I am there, I can also inquire after the Third Sister’s news."
The Old Madam lowered her eyelids and nodded. The child had grown up and had her own plans; she was no longer someone you could control at will. In the past, she could consider things going as she wished; now, in her old age, encountering small setbacks, as long as she could muddle through them, she would not care about the rest.