Spring of the Blade - Chapter 88
Chapter 88
The situation was temporarily stabilized. After Shen Che and his wife returned home, Shen Run asked Qingyuan, "How do you intend to handle this?"
He asked in a tone of admiration, knowing his wife was capable of anything and possessed excellent methods for managing matters within the household.
Qingyuan did not tell him. She sat before the vanity, taking off her earrings, and smiled, "It is enough for you to concern yourself with your official duties; you need not worry about affairs at home. I just spoke with Fangchun and can tell that she is still reluctant to part with the Second Brother. Her wanting to separate is not necessarily what she truly desires in her heart. People sometimes just love to paint themselves into a corner; once this phase passes, she will naturally be fine." She paused and asked, "What about the Second Brother? You mentioned it to him once; has he sensed that anything is amiss?"
Shen Run was speechless regarding his younger brother’s denseness. He sighed and said, "He has only ever had Fangchun in his life and has never dealt with other women. When I asked, he was late to realize and said that Miss Yao does indeed seem to have those intentions. He even tried to advise Fangchun to see less of her, but unfortunately, Fangchun wouldn't listen and was bent on defending her maiden family. These past two days, she has been so angry that she refuses to speak to him. That muddled girl Fangchun—she isn't good at anything else, but she’s certainly skilled at causing a ruckus in the bridal chamber."
Qingyuan chuckled, "How can you speak of her like that? It is not entirely her fault that she has become this way." She fell silent suddenly, staring straight at him, leaving him flustered and torn between laughing and crying.
"Wife..." He rubbed his hands together and, without waiting for her to ask, confessed, "After I returned to the capital, I was promoted step by step, and there were many people trying to curry favor or pull strings. In the first few years, I followed others to drink and consort with courtesans, but later, I found it increasingly meaningless and have long since turned over a new leaf. You are a woman of great wisdom; you wouldn't hold my past against me, would you? Dealing with people in official circles is just a matter of going through the motions. I have kept myself clean and have never trifled with women."
Qingyuan sighed, not bothering to weigh whether his words were true or false. In the ups and downs of an official career, no one could remain high-minded for their entire life; sometimes one had to go along with the crowd. At his rank, how many could remain completely untainted? To harp on one thing would only make her another Fangchun, and that was the greatest taboo in marriage. Before she left her maiden home, her grandmother had nagged and instructed her repeatedly that no matter how good a person was, they could not withstand being torn apart and scrutinized in detail. One must be clear when necessary, and play the fool when appropriate. Once this was mastered, one could live a peaceful life, sparing the household from endless chaos.
She turned from the stool and placed her hands properly on her knees, "Rest assured, I am not a person who likes to dig up old accounts. I don't care how you were in the past; just live your life with me in good faith from now on."
He looked very relieved, and in his joy, he hugged her tightly, "Wife, lend me a taste of the rouge on your lips." Then came the lingering kisses, overwhelming and suffocating.
Qingyuan managed to save her mouth from the tiger’s jaws and whispered softly, "Don't be foolish; if you bite me, how can I enter the palace tomorrow to express our gratitude?"
So, he shifted his focus, seeking out areas covered by her clothes, kissing her until a wave of numbness spread, leaving her disoriented.
This man claimed to be self-disciplined, but his techniques truly contradicted his words. Of course, he might have been born clever; clever people were good at researching, and clever people often learned things without a teacher. Qingyuan felt she wasn't doing badly either; she was learning a skill, and her comprehension speed exceeded his imagination. He would soon be sighing again, lamenting what a good wife he had married and what a treasure he had found. The pleasures between husband and wife exerted a marvelous effect, and just catching a glimpse of the other would make their entire bodies burn.
They did not get enough sleep, and they had to rise early the next morning to head to the capital. At the wedding banquet, the Sage had played a stabilizing role; without that imperial edict, while things might not have ended badly, it would have been impossible to maintain appearances inside and out.
Sitting in the carriage, Qingyuan felt nervous, repeatedly adjusting the gold-threaded hair ornaments on her head. Shen Run rarely saw her like this, so he said softly, "Don't be afraid. The Empress is very kind; she knows the background of our family and will not intentionally make things difficult for you."
Qingyuan murmured, "The Empress, as the mother of the world, must be the most gentle person in existence. I am just a bit reserved; after all, it is my first time meeting such a great figure."
Shen Run joked, "I am also a great figure, and you sleep in my arms every day! Does sleeping in the same bed with me not help you build up any courage?"
"That’s different!" She pouted, turning to let him see her face, "Look, is my rouge alright? Should I add more? And my lip tint..." She stopped herself, hurriedly covering her mouth, "Forget it, I don't need you to look."
But she could not escape; before they stepped out of the carriage, she had to reapply everything.
The groom was in high spirits, and in the ice and snow, he stepped down in his crimson robes to greet her. Qingyuan pushed open the carved door and saw him with deep, warm eyes, smiling as he reached out a hand to her. She felt a warmth in her heart and placed her hand in his palm; he gave a gentle pull, and she descended to his side.
Squinting toward the great palace gates, the deep archway revealed only the towering gatehouse in the wind and snow and the Forbidden Guards in golden armor. Qingyuan turned and asked him, "Are you not entering the Changqiu Palace with me?"
He raised a hand to wipe a smudge of lip tint from the corner of her mouth and said warmly, "The Sage is in the Luqin Hall; I must go to pay my respects to him. Only female relatives may enter the inner palace; you must go in alone to kowtow to the Empress." He looked up and saw attendants with fly-whisks emerging from the palace gate to receive them. They bowed to him as they approached, and he smiled, "Wife, just go ahead. The Grand Changqiu is a friend of mine; he will teach you what to do once you are inside."
The young eunuch on the side agreed and asked the wife of the Military Governor to set her mind at ease. Qingyuan exhaled lightly, said no more, and turned to follow them toward the palace gate.
She had previously been to the Palace Command, but that was outside the Gongchen Gate; although it was inside the imperial city, it was different from the true Forbidden City. She walked slowly along the straight, enclosed path, looking up to see tiers of palace roofs extending into the distance. Without a guide, she would surely be lost in these palace grounds. The division between the outer court and the inner court was a wide street. After passing the Left Yintai Gate, the Changqiu Gate was right in front.
From afar, she saw someone waiting at the gate; surely that was the Grand Changqiu. The Grand Changqiu was the minister of the Empress, responsible for the Empress’s office, usually filled by a trusted eunuch. Because Shen Run had long been in charge of the security of the Imperial City and was on good terms with most palace officials, the Grand Changqiu treated her with extraordinary courtesy. Seeing her arrive, he eagerly stepped forward, bowed with his hands hidden in his sleeves, and said, "Congratulations, Madam, on your grand occasion. The day before yesterday, I could not offer my congratulations in person due to official business; I hope you will forgive me."
Qingyuan hurriedly returned the bow, "Thank you, Noble Attendant. You sent someone with a gift even though you could not be there yourself; it was too extravagant. My husband just said that he was tied up on the day of the banquet and was unable to attend to you properly. He will surely hold another banquet in the capital to entertain his close friends, and at that time, I hope you will honor us with your presence."
The Grand Changqiu nodded with a smile, stepped aside, and gestured, "Her Majesty the Empress is waiting for you; please, Madam."
Qingyuan looked toward the towering palace and calmed her heart. Shen Run had taught her some court etiquette at home, and now that she had entered the Forbidden City, she did not feel entirely lost. However, the person inside was the most prestigious in the world; she feared making a mistake and embarrassing Shen Run, so she took every step with extreme caution.
The decoration within Changqiu Palace was magnificent. She dared not look around, but everything was reflected in the polished floors. The Empress sat regally above, flanked by female officials. Qingyuan held her breath, stepped forward, and knelt on the brocade mat, "Your humble servant, the wife of Shen, bows to greet Her Majesty, wishing you eternal peace and well-being."
The Empress had a lovely voice, soft and gentle, like a spring breeze on one's face. She said there was no need for such formalities and ordered a female official to help her up.
A lacquered, gold-trimmed circular chair was immediately brought over. The Empress granted her a seat and said pleasantly, "The Military Governor and you just had your grand wedding the day before yesterday; there was really no need to rush into the palace. It has been snowing for two days, and the roads are difficult; it must have been hard for you to travel so far in this icy weather."
Qingyuan stood up and said, "I am deeply grateful for the kindness of the Sage and Your Majesty. As a person of humble station, I am unworthy of such care from the Sage and Your Majesty, so I felt I ought to come to the palace immediately to express my gratitude."
Seeing her respectful and polite demeanor, and that she was young and personable, the Empress found herself liking her. When the Empress summons the wife of a subject, there are usually many rules to follow; after the three kowtows and nine prostrations, they could speak more casually. She ordered a female official to bring a hand warmer for her to hold, dismissed the others, leaving only two court attendants to serve nearby, and smiled, "I often say to the Sage, why has Shouya not married at his age? The Sage tried to betroth him several times, but he refused. So, it was because he already had someone in his heart. Today, seeing you, I feel a sense of affinity. Do come and sit in the Forbidden City often. Although we are sovereign and subject, the Sage and Shouya are close friends, so you need not be so formal."
Only then did Qingyuan feel a bit relaxed. Despite the Empress’s noble status, her words were soft and tender, perhaps because once one reaches the pinnacle of status, one becomes increasingly composed and indifferent.
She pursed her lips in a smile and bowed slightly in her chair, "This is the grace of the Sage and Your Majesty; it is because of your constant cultivation that we have today’s glory."
Glory is not easily won; there was much blood and many tears involved, which she would not go into now. The Empress was very beautiful. She had followed the Sage when he was still a prince, and they had gone through many hardships to achieve their current status. Because the friendship between Shen Run and the Sage was extraordinary, the Empress treated Qingyuan with more intimacy than others. They spoke of many things, and the more they spoke, the more they felt like confidants.
"The Sage came to discuss with me the day before yesterday how to write this edict. Originally, the appointment of an official is one thing, and the title for his wife is another. After thinking it over carefully, we decided it would be better to combine them into one scroll. Now that you have completely cut ties with the Xie family, can they still harass you?"
Qingyuan shook her head, "The decree has been issued from the Forbidden City, stating everything clearly; what else is there to harass?"
The Empress sighed, "The Xie family was once a prominent clan, with ancestors who established great military merits during the founding of the dynasty. It is a pity that this generation has fallen to such a state. The family is clearly not what it used to be; it is good that you have removed yourself from it."
Qingyuan murmured, "These disgraceful family matters have tainted your ears; I am truly ashamed."
The Empress smiled, then exclaimed, "Oh, the Xie family has a girl who is a 'Talent' [Cairen] and is currently serving in my palace. Is she a sister of yours?"
Qingyuan said, "She is my Third Sister." She understood now: the Xie family had failed to receive favor, and Qingrong’s qualification to be selected for the Shenglong Palace had been completely stripped away. Being relegated to Changqiu Palace as a mere 'Talent' without the Sage’s favor, she would spend her whole life just like those court attendants—nothing more than a female official.
She felt a bit melancholic. Because of the entanglement between their mothers, Qingrong had always been hostile toward her, and her feelings toward Qingrong were complex—half disgust, half guilt. Now that Qingrong was in Changqiu Palace and she was here to express her gratitude, it was not the time to say much, so she paused, changed the subject, and began discussing other matters with the Empress.
However, she had come prepared today. Once she felt more comfortable with the Empress, she spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, I have two matters for which I would like to seek your counsel."
The Empress nodded, "Speak."
She straightened her posture and chose her words carefully, "My husband served in the Shu region and Yunzhong in his early years. Both regions are in dire need of military supplies, which has always weighed on his mind. As the New Year approaches, we discussed taking some of our private funds to reward the soldiers in your name—be it for winter clothing and quilts, or adding a few taels of silver to help them support their families—so that those soldiers might also have a good New Year. Furthermore, in the capital, there are many homeless orphans and elderly people with no children, for whom the cold winter is too unbearable. I would like to donate to build a 'Home for the Lonely,' to provide clothing and food, so the lonely and the young have a place to return to. In this way, not only is it a virtuous act by my husband and me, but it also serves as a political achievement for the Sage’s benevolence toward the people. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"
Hearing this, the Empress viewed this young lady of noble title with even more admiration.
In fact, for the few years Shen Run had been in office, reports of his abuse of power for personal gain had already reached the Emperor, but because the Sage valued old relationships, he did not pursue them, allowing the Shen brothers to be promoted to their current positions. Yet, no matter how deep the personal friendship, it was difficult to handle when the entire court impeached them. If the Sage were not given a reason to argue against the ministers, the Shen family would likely end up convicted of crimes. Fortunately, Shen Run had married such a wife—someone who, at such a young age, knew how to anticipate danger in times of peace and prepare accordingly. This was not merely pleasing the Emperor, but a means of self-protection for the future.
The Empress took Qingyuan’s hand and sighed, "How fortunate Shouya is to have such a virtuous wife! Everything you just said is excellent, and the Sage and I have no reason to refuse. Since you intend to do this, start as soon as possible. There is no need for too much fanfare, lest it be misinterpreted by people with ulterior motives, which would be counterproductive."
Qingyuan was overjoyed. She stood up and bowed, saying, "I will obey your懿旨 [imperial decree]. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." The heavy pressure that had existed in her heart was only now relieved. Before marrying Shen Run, she knew that being in a high position was like standing on the edge of an abyss. The only thing she could do was try her best to compensate. Like filling in the ruts in the road with bricks and tiles in advance, only then would the journey not be bumpy, and only then would they be safe in their comings and goings.
The Empress was a very kind person and offered her some suggestions, which she noted down one by one before taking her leave from Changqiu Palace. At this moment, she was eager to see Shen Run and share this news. She walked hurriedly, and it was quite a coincidence that as she stepped out of the palace gate, she ran into Qingrong.
Qingrong’s face was now increasingly pale. They collided head-on, both stunned for a moment. Only when Qingyuan called out "Third Sister" did she come back to her senses.
A person's long-standing temperament is not easily changed, and deep-seated prejudices are difficult to uproot. Her tone of reply remained sarcastic, "Fourth Sister... Oh, now I should call you Madam Shen."
Qingyuan did not hold it against her, only asking, "Are you doing well in the palace, Third Sister?"
Qingrong’s brows furrowed tightly, "Fourth Sister, it is enough that you are doing well yourself; why do you need to ask about me!"
Qingyuan was rebuffed by her, so much so that even the eunuch on the side felt that Talent Xie was unreasonable. Just as he was about to smooth things over, Qingyuan turned to him and smiled, "Noble Attendant, I have two words for my sister; please wait for me for a moment."
The eunuch understood what she meant and smiled, "Then I will wait for you ahead, Madam." After saying this, he went on ahead.
Only then did Qingyuan look at Qingrong and speak calmly, "Third Sister, this palace is not a place for idle chat, so I will be brief. Back in the Xie family, I did not have the chance to tell you, but now that we have both broken free, I assume you can hear me out. Regarding your mother’s death, I know you harbor resentment in your heart, believing that my mother was the one who poisoned her, and consequently, you hate me to the bone. But have you ever thought that the true culprit might be someone else? I have secretly investigated and probed into this matter. I dare not say that the Mistress was the true culprit, but this matter must have something to do with her. You were raised by her since you were small; you know her character better than I do. All these years, have you truly not suspected anything at all? Or would you rather believe that my mother harmed you mother and daughter so that you have someone to hate, which sustains you in continuing to live peacefully under the Mistress’s command?"
Qingrong’s face suddenly turned white, "What are you talking about..."
"Whether I am talking nonsense or not, you know in your heart." Seeing her like this, Qingyuan actually felt at ease. She smiled again, "Take care of yourself in the palace, Sister. If you lack anything, send word to me, and I will bring it to you next time I enter the palace." After saying this, she did not linger and passed her by, heading toward the end of the path.
Shen Run was already waiting for her at the Left Yintai Gate. Seeing her walk toward him, he smiled from afar.
"Did everything go well?" he asked, as he folded her hands into his palms to blow warm air on them.
Qingyuan smiled and said all was well, "How long have you been waiting here?"
Shen Run said, "About a quarter of an hour."
Men do not speak like women; there is much to discuss regarding household affairs. He had met the Sage to express his gratitude and was sent away after just a few words, telling him to quickly go and accompany his new wife—the Sage was still very considerate in this regard. He was truly worried about her and had started to miss her not long after they separated. Only when he saw her was his heart finally settled.
Originally, he had thought that if it was still snowing, they would not return to Youzhou tonight, but tomorrow was the third day after the wedding for the return visit to the maiden home, so there was no choice but to rush back immediately. Upon entering the house, the first thing Qingyuan did was ask Mother Zhou, "Did we have any guests today?"
Mother Zhou cast a glance in the direction of the West Mansion, "Miss Yao came."
Qingyuan took off her warm sleeves and handed them to Hongmian, "Where is the Second Master?"
Mother Zhou said, "The Second Master accepted an invitation from General Xu and has gone to a banquet."
Qingyuan said "Oh," sat down calmly before the vanity, took down her hair, and smiled at Baoxian in the mirror, "Perhaps there will be a distinguished guest tomorrow as well; just wait and see.”