Spring of the Blade - Chapter 66

Chapter 66

The Night Banquet at Donggao, as the name implies, was primarily a nocturnal affair. Donggao was a region of hills and marshes, home to both Zhitian (the "Fields of Magic Fungi") and Yanwu Lake. Originally, the lake was nothing more than a small, natural pond, but later, when Donggao was incorporated into the fief of the former dynasty's Princess Weiyang, she found the mountain and river scenery to be extraordinary and ordered massive development. Eventually, Yanwu Lake was connected to the mountains and linked to the Guanghan Canal; since sweet-scented grasses were planted along both banks, the Donggao Night Banquet was also known as the "Henggao Night Banquet."

However, while the moon and the wind remained the same, Princess Weiyang had long since passed away, her beauty buried in the earth. By the present era, this beautiful land had become the official landholding of Prince Keqin. Even if it could not produce grain, it remained a much-coveted, enviable destination.

By the time the sisters Qinghe and Qingyuan arrived, the lamps had just been lit. The daughter of the Censor was on good terms with Qinghe, and the two began holding hands and chatting the moment they met. Qingyuan was busy looking around when someone suddenly patted her on the shoulder. She turned around to see Fangchun giggling, "Getting to see you these days is as difficult as ascending to heaven."

Qingyuan naturally showed her affection, taking her hand and saying, "There has been much to do at home lately; I haven't been free to visit you." As she spoke, she glanced at Fangchun’s stomach, though wearing a loose ru-qun skirt, nothing could be seen. Since they were young girls, she couldn't ask too directly, so she said, "Are you doing well?"

Upon hearing this, Fangchun smoothed her hand over her belly, creating a slightly convex arc beneath the fabric, and whispered, "Only four months, it’s still small. I am doing very well. I heard you are doing well, too—you’ve been promised to the heir of the Danyang Marquis?"

Qingyuan did not care to discuss this, so she gave a vague, perfunctory reply before asking, "Didn't you say you don't like attending banquets? Why run out to the wilderness in the middle of the night? Shouldn't you be more careful with your body?"

Fangchun laughed, "I am not alone; the Commander is here too. He and Prince Keqin are sworn brothers; the Prince and his consort invite us to this night banquet every year. I originally said I wouldn't come, but I feared they would be unhappy. Since I’m not far along yet, there’s no reason for them to blame me for being ungracious. Besides, with you here, what am I afraid of? You will look after me."

Qingyuan had no choice. Even after becoming a mother, Fangchun was still unreliable and childlike—she truly couldn't be left alone—so Qingyuan had to be even more careful in tending to her.

Just as they finished speaking, a boatman on a painted pleasure boat docked at the shore beckoned for the ladies to board, saying the time was nearly upon them.

Qingyuan helped Fangchun over. Fortunately, the boat was large and stable with a deep draft, and the gunwale was close to the water's surface, making it easy to step aboard. A number of female guests had already gathered on the deck. Qingyuan did not recognize many of them, so she simply nodded slightly and helped Fangchun into the cabin.

Someone behind them whispered, "Who is that?"

Another replied, "You don't recognize her? That is the Fourth Miss of the Xie Jiedushi’s family..."

Then came an "Oh," followed by a long, drawn-out tone: "Is it true she just got engaged to the Danyang Marquis’s family?" This was followed by muttering and whispering as they walked away.

Fangchun turned to look at her, and Qingyuan smiled, "In their eyes, I must be a monster, right? Such a poor background, yet I secured such a good marriage—I must be a temptress with tricks up my sleeve."

Fangchun gave a sharp laugh, "You are not the type of person to care about others whispering behind your back, so let them talk. However, I still think it’s a pity you weren't promised to the Commander. It’s rare to meet someone you get along with so well; I was hoping you would be my sister-in-law."

Qingyuan did not respond, simply smiling as she turned her head to look at the scenery outside.

The mountains and rivers of Donggao were truly a beautiful, elegant place—not overly magnificent, nor overly delicate, but constructed just right. Boating at the foot of the mountains and on the lake, a slow, leisurely round trip took about an hour. Yet, as a body of water, it was quite expansive. As they cruised out from the long water corridor, painted boats drifted in twos and threes across the lake. Occasionally, when two boats passed, elegant young gentlemen and charming young ladies would catch a glimpse of each other, though it was only for the briefest of moments as they brushed past. The pavilions on the distant shore, the lanterns and colored silks hanging from the eaves of the boats, the moon in the sky, and the moon reflected in the clouds—the people before one's eyes might be destined partners, and a single side profile or a retreating back could spark countless daydreams.

Faint sounds of Jiangnan folk tunes and hearty laughter drifted over. Unlike the boats of the female guests, which were filled mostly with the sounds of strings and flutes, those carrying the male guests were clearly having a more unrestrained time. Because they had boarded at two different docks, Qingyuan had not seen Li Congxin, nor did she know which boat he was on or who he was with.

Seeing her staring blankly outside, Fangchun nudged her with her shoulder, "Who are you looking for? Are you looking for the Commander? He didn't come today; the Prince’s consort arranged a marriage for him, and he will be exchanging betrothal gifts soon."

Qingyuan was startled for a moment, but quickly gathered her wits, saying calmly, "I am not looking for him... why would I look for him!"

"Then you are looking for the Young Marquis?" Fangchun nodded slowly. "Actually, Chunzhi is a fine person; his looks and family background are impeccable. It is only his mother who is difficult to deal with—she has a pair of snobbish eyes... But in these times, who isn't a bit snobbish? With your intelligence and breadth of mind, I don't doubt you can hold your own in the Marquis's estate. But when I think of you marrying so far away, I feel reluctant to let you go."

Qingyuan knew that the reason Fangchun invited her to this banquet was likely related to Shen Run. She could have chosen not to come, but she was hindered by Qinghe’s entreaties and her own desire to see Li Guanling. As an engaged couple, they had many things to discuss and many heart-to-hearts to share; she could not disregard her eldest sister’s face. If she did not come, Qinghe could not attend alone, so she was forced to keep her company. As for Fangchun’s insinuations, she let them pass; there was no need for debate. She just smiled gently at Fangchun, "In the future, whether you visit Jiangnan or I return to Youzhou to visit my relatives, there will always be a chance to see each other again. As girls, we cannot stay at home forever. It is good to marry close to home, but marrying far away is not necessarily a bad thing."

Seeing that she would not be swayed, Fangchun did not say anything more. She turned to look out in the direction Qingyuan was gazing, murmuring, "The young masters’ boats are livelier than ours. This is your first time here; further ahead is the Henggao night market, which specializes in selling all sorts of strange and curious little trinkets."

Ladies of the boudoir rarely had the opportunity to visit night markets, so Qingyuan felt a sense of longing upon hearing this. She leaned out to look and vaguely saw lights on the banks ahead. As the boat entered a narrower river channel, it gradually moved very close to a ship in front. The soft singing and laughter on that boat became increasingly distinct.

The world of men was always different from that of women. The soft whispers of ladies were like gentle murmurings, while men were more boisterous—with songs and dances for entertainment, they had to speak with loud voices so everyone could hear clearly.

A burst of laughter erupted; they were discussing something joyous. The ladies on the boat pricked up their ears to listen closely, and when they found it amusing, they covered their mouths and giggled. As for the men, aside from their official careers, they could only talk about romantic encounters. Someone chuckled, teasing, "Girls nowadays are not like those of the past. Look at that fellow Liu Tang: his family arranged for him to marry the daughter of an Imperial Censor, but three months into his marriage, he still wouldn't give up his ways and set his sights on a top courtesan from the Northern Wazi, wanting to bring her home as a concubine. In the end, his wife found out, locked the door, rode him down, and beat him until his face was black and blue. He didn't dare leave his house for half a month."

"That fellow is a scoundrel. He wanted to take a concubine three months after his wedding—if she didn't beat him, who would she beat?"

Qingyuan heard that voice, as clear and sharp as the striking of gold and jade; it was clearly Li Congxin. She couldn't help but smile to herself.

Someone else tutted, "If it were me, I’d just keep a courtesan outside; you simply cannot bring that sort of background home. If you want a concubine, she should at least be from a respectable family. Even if it’s brought out into the open, for a man to have two concubines is perfectly acceptable." He changed the subject, "Among all of us, only Chunzhi is engaged. I heard the Jiedushi’s daughter is both talented and beautiful. In the future, when she keeps you on a tight leash, I fear you won't even be as lucky as Liu Tang."

Li Congxin’s tone was light and breezy: "How many people in this world have the methods of Madam Liu? My Fourth Sister has always been sensible and well-versed in etiquette; everything can be discussed and negotiated."

Then everyone began to jeer, "Liu Tang was just too impatient, three months is indeed a bit out of line. But tell us, when do you plan to take a concubine?"

The teasing grew even louder: "He surely wouldn't dare! The romantic debts he owed in the past must be repaid now. Just to secure the Jiedushi’s daughter, he traveled a thousand li in a single month—his horses were run to the point of collapse. Do you think he would dare talk about taking a concubine?"

Whether out of masculine pride or his true thoughts, Qingyuan heard him say loudly, "I have only just gotten my wish, and you are already stirring me up? Even if I truly wanted to take a concubine in the future, she is a sensible person who would naturally care about face. She would never win the reputation of a 'jealous wife' like Liu Tang’s wife and become gossip for our drinking table."

Ah, is that so... Qingyuan frowned and laughed. In his eyes, she was simply expected to be sensible. For example, once the label of "sensible" was placed upon her, she would have to agree to everything, whether she wanted to or not.

All the ladies on the boat looked toward her, and Fangchun felt a bit awkward, trying to defuse the situation with a laugh: "Aiyou, how can you take words spoken at a drinking table seriously? My husband is the same; he talks about taking concubines all the time, but if you really let him go, he’d play deaf and dumb and wouldn't dare follow through."

Qingyuan only smiled, but that smile inevitably carried a hint of helplessness.

"He is the only legitimate son in the Marquis’s estate..." she whispered to Fangchun, sounding as much like an explanation as it did a self-consolation.

But were women's hearts not all the same? Who would not hope for their husband to be devoted to them alone? If the household were filled with concubines, what did it matter if one was the mistress of the house? One had to guard against restless concubines and guard against a foolish husband who would favor a concubine over his wife.

In truth, concubinage was something that existed in every household. It was just that, as she hadn't even crossed the threshold yet, the person she was to rely on for the rest of her life already assumed she would be broad-minded—this chilled her heart a little. She was not that broad-minded; she had her own small temper and liked to act spoiled, too. But that single phrase "sensible" stripped her of her rights entirely, as if she were expected to sit as still as a Bodhisattva, granting every request of her husband.

On the way back, she leaned against Qinghe’s shoulder and remained silent the entire time.

Qinghe asked softly, "What is wrong with you?"

There were several pleasure boats on Yanwu Lake, and Qinghe had been pulled away by the Censor’s daughter to join them earlier; she hadn't heard Li Congxin’s grand theories. Qingyuan did not know what to say, and she wondered if she was being too narrow-minded. After all, nowadays, there wasn't a single high official or noble who didn't take concubines; taking concubines was a way to show off one's status...

So she gave a soft "hmm" and said it was nothing, "Eldest Sister, did you see the brother-in-law?"

Qinghe’s face turned red, her neck heating up as well. She said in a low voice, "I saw him. He is heading to the capital in two days to prepare for next month’s Autumn Examination."

Qingyuan was silent for a moment longer, then lifted her face and asked, "Eldest Sister, has the brother-in-law mentioned taking a concubine?"

Qinghe was startled, "We aren't even married yet; why think about taking a concubine? Even if it were to be discussed, it should only be considered if I am unable to bear children."

They were both born of concubines, and neither of them particularly liked the idea of their husbands taking concubines. A concubine was the start of a long tragedy; this kind of misery would continue, dragging on for a lifetime, never-ending and relentless.

Seeing her sister’s mind drifting, Qinghe seemed to realize something and asked tentatively, "Surely the Young Marquis didn't tell you he wants to take a concubine?"

Qingyuan said no. After all, the matter was still up for discussion. She preferred to believe he was just being vain and talking big in front of his friends, rather than striking him down with one blow and denying him the chance to defend himself.

Back at the residence, Shen Che returned to his brother’s study to report.

Only one lamp was lit in the study, and the dim candlelight illuminated the person sitting behind the desk, whose face was as gloomy as a Yama king.

He swallowed his saliva, "The job is done. The Fourth Miss heard everything; she is likely feeling terrible right now." As he spoke, he sighed, "I have truly committed a sin. After so many years of friendship with Chunzhi, I ended up stabbing him in the back. I have let him down."

Shen Run cast a cold glance at him, fiddling with the Taotie plaque in his hand, and said calmly, "Revitalizing the Shen family is not a task for me alone; it requires our brothers to work sincerely together. Besides, no one forced him to say those words; they were what he thought in his heart. Was he wronged? I was gambling. If he had said in front of everyone that he would have only her for the rest of his life, I would have stopped competing. Unfortunately, he did not. Who can he blame for that? I said it long ago: an old hand who is accustomed to drifting through fields of flowers lacks the resolve for decisive action. He will inevitably be a soft-hearted pushover in the future, and there will be times when he lets the Fourth Miss down. Those few sentences today were just the beginning. To truly break them apart, we need to use a stronger medicine."

Shen Che looked at this brother in a state of panic, "The methods of the Dianqian Office cannot be used on Chunzhi!"

Shen Run smiled, realizing that Shen Che still valued friendship and that Li Congxin was not an evil person; he would naturally be careful about how he handled things.

"Rest assured, I am not as filthy as you think, nor will I harm him. I will simply ensure he gets what he deserves." He placed the Taotie plaque on the gilded paper in front of him, pointing a finger at the tip of the Taotie’s nose, "Xie Shu is having a very difficult time attacking Shibu City, did you know that?"

Shen Che said he knew, "Sixty thousand elite troops are fighting there—it’s a life-or-death struggle."

Shen Run sneered, "It was a losing proposition from the start, a war of attrition. Sixty thousand men forced their way across the Yaoshui River, and thousands died. They have been attacking Shibu City for two months, and the corpses are piled like mountains, yet they still haven't taken it. Two days ago, a death order was issued to take the city by a deadline, but the city showered them with arrows and boulders. The Xie army has suffered heavy losses. The Emperor is furious—if they cannot take it, Xie Shu’s head will likely not be on his shoulders for much longer."

Shen Che was shocked, "Did the palace issue an order?"

Shen Run said no, "But I imagine it is coming soon; it’s a matter of the next ten days or so."

"What if they still cannot take it?" Shen Che said, "Once Xie Shu is executed, the Fourth Miss will be in mourning for three years, and the Danyang Marquis’s estate will naturally call off the marriage; it would be a matter of course. However, can you wait for three years, brother? This trap is far too long!"

Shen Run looked up at him, "It is not without reason that you are still a fifth-rank official even now. Is it worth sacrificing so many lives just to make Li Congxin call off the engagement?" His fingertip moved from the Taotie’s nose to its fangs, "The Xie family’s Old Madam will inevitably come to beg me again. If she begs me, the Fourth Miss will have to be the one to do it..." He bowed his head, the corner of his lips curling into a smile, "With empty words, how could she have the face to keep asking for favors? She must provide some benefits to bribe me. As for me, if the conditions are right, the Winged Army of the Dianqian Office stationed in Jiannan Province could be lent to Xie Shu."

The elite troops of the Dianqian Office could not be mobilized at will unless there was a crisis. Xie Shu had led sixty thousand men to war, but most of those sixty thousand were garrison troops wielding heavy blades in bloody combat. While they trained regularly, that kind of perfunctory physical exercise was useless in real hand-to-hand combat between two armies; there was no finesse. The Dianqian Office troops were different: few in number but elite. Point at any one of them, and scaling walls and leaping over roofs was child's play. Shibu City was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and although there were only six hundred men defending it, they had already slaughtered wave after wave of Xie Shu’s men. It seemed the old general was truly old; without help, it would be impossible to succeed.

Shen Che realized the implication, "Brother, the relief you are offering this time is quite substantial. Mobilizing garrison troops without permission—if you succeed, it’s fine, but if you don't, you will be setting yourself on fire."

Shen Run sighed, resting his forehead on his hand: "Of course I must communicate with the Emperor first..." After he waved his hands dismissively, "Your wife is pregnant; why are you the one acting foolishly? Get out of here. Seeing you standing there makes me want to demote you and send you to guard the palace gates."

Upon hearing this, Shen Che did not dare linger and scurried away. When he walked a distance and looked back, the Commander had his legs draped over the desk, leaning halfway back in his chair. He was dangling that piece of jade high in the air, watching it swing back and forth for a long time. Finally, satisfied with what he saw, he placed the jade pendant over his eyes. If his guess was correct, his brother was likely thinking: Heaven is helping me!