Spring of the Blade - Chapter 89
Chapter 89
The snow continued until the fourth watch this morning before finally ceasing.
When the thick cotton curtain at the door was lifted, the biting, cold air outside rushed in to meet the warmth of the coal brazier, causing one to choke on a sharp, icy breath.
The chickens kept in the kitchen shed raised their voices, and soon, roosters from across the entire ward and the whole of Youzhou began to crow, their overlapping cries echoing over the city. Furnaces were lit in the courtyards; the scent of kindling wood mixed with burning coal briquettes created a vast, smoky, and bustling human world.
Some were washing rice, some were sharpening knives, and some were brushing their teeth and rinsing their mouths, their throats irritated to the point of retching. Old Woman Cui stood by the furnace waiting for the water in the copper pot to heat up so she could carry it to the main chamber to serve the Second Mistress with her morning grooming. It was truly too cold, so she leaned as close to the furnace mouth as she could. The smell from the coal briquettes was a bit acrid, but it was better than freezing.
"Is that Mother Zhou?" a young maid called out lively as she caught sight of a figure at the gate.
Mother Zhou hummed an acknowledgment, "I’m looking for Mother Cui."
Old Woman Cui straightened up and smiled, "Coming over to our courtyard so early in the morning, is there some important matter to attend to?"
Mother Zhou merely replied, "I just came to see you." As she spoke, she instructed the maid nearby, "You watch the fire for Mother Cui."
Old Woman Cui didn't know what she was up to and was just about to ask when Mother Zhou lowered her voice, "Follow me. The mistress of the East Mansion has instructions for you."
Hearing this, Old Woman Cui hurriedly wiped her hands on her apron and followed Mother Zhou with quick steps. Beside the long wooden corridor that separated the two mansions, the trees had lost all their leaves. As the wind blew through, there was no shelter, and the chill poured directly into their collars.
Old Woman Cui tucked her hands into her sleeves and hunched her shoulders, following Mother Zhou all the way into the courtyard of the East Mansion. This was the courtyard decorated for the eldest master’s new marriage, and it was vastly different from elsewhere; the festive atmosphere was still vibrant. Stepping in felt like entering a cozy nest.
Old Woman Cui couldn't help but feel sad. Their West Mansion had once been like this—the master and mistress lived in harmony, and their young mistress was someone who knew how to enjoy life; wherever she was, there was always warmth and laughter. But now, after the fallout with the son-in-law, the mansion seemed unusually cold and desolate. Even they, the servants, were performing their duties with heavy hearts.
She had heard that the new mistress was a formidable woman who had quickly brought the overbearing matrons of the East Mansion to heel. Although she was the Second Mistress’s personal maid, she was still under the authority of the household head. Thus, Old Woman Cui stood before the steps, trembling with fear, smoothing her hair and adjusting her clothes, waiting for orders with her hands hanging at her sides.
The bamboo blind under the eaves of the main house was half-lowered and half-rolled; one could see the shadows of maids moving back and forth from underneath. Old Woman Cui peeked through the gap, and when someone suddenly called out, "Mother," it made her shiver with fright.
She hurriedly answered and saw a smartly dressed lead maid walk to the door, hiding her hands in her sleeves, and say, "Mother, come in."
Mother Zhou winked at her. Old Woman Cui hurriedly smoothed her apron and entered the main house. She saw a young lady sitting in the seat of honor, dressed in a golden-embroidered, silk-lined fox-fur jacket, with a magnolia-blue patterned silk skirt beneath. She held a pumpkin-shaped gilded hand-warmer, and the snow-white fox fur collar framed her pale face—an exquisite look that made her seem like a beauty made of porcelain.
Mother Zhou smiled and reported, "Mistress, Old Woman Cui is here."
The mistress raised her eyes, her expression soft, and she said gently, "Mother, I have called you here today because there is something I would like to entrust to you."
Old Woman Cui said fearfully that she dared not, "Mistress, please give your orders; this servant will obey without question."
The mistress was not old, but the steady, unhurried poise in her voice was something most people could not imitate. She spoke in a relaxed tone, "I am returning to my maiden home today. I originally wanted to speak with your mistress, but she is not free. During this period, your West Mansion has not been peaceful, and the Master and I are both worried. Since you are the Second Mistress’s personal maid, you must be loyal to her, so I have requested your presence early. While I am away from the mansion, I must ask you to remain by the Second Mistress’s side at all times. If anyone visits the Second Mistress using any pretext, I ask you to tell me exactly what the visitor says upon my return."
Old Woman Cui was known to be an honest person. She had followed them from Yunzhong and, upon arriving at the capital of Youzhou, did not hold a position half a grade higher than the old servants of this mansion. However, her devotion to the Second Mistress was beyond doubt. It was just that the Second Mistress had a stubborn temperament, and sometimes, even when they advised her, she didn't take it to heart, leaving those serving her truly helpless.
Now that the mistress wanted to intervene, it couldn't be better. Old Woman Cui hurriedly said, "Mistress, please rest assured. Leave this to this servant. To be honest with you, our mistress is too soft-hearted. Those petty people always say bad things about our Second Master, and we servants feel suffocated just listening to it. As the saying goes, 'It is better to tear down ten temples than to destroy one marriage.' I don't know what benefit these people get from instigating our mistress to cause such scenes."
It was evident that the servants were also highly dissatisfied with Haoxue. Those with a sense of right and wrong could detect her true intentions; only Fangchun was lost in the fog.
The woman in the seat nodded, "Then I leave everything to you, Mother. Once your mistress regains her senses, she will surely be grateful to you."
Old Woman Cui nodded in agreement. Upon returning to the West Mansion, she kept a sharp eye out according to the mistress’s instructions. The morning was peaceful; the Second Master had gone out to inspect the Lulong Army, and the Second Mistress was lying on the couch reading a book alone. She had thought no one would visit today, but just before the hour of Si (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM), it was not Ninth Miss Yao who came, but the Cousin-Aunt Mistress who had arrived in person.
This Cousin-Aunt was surnamed Wang, and since the Second Mistress had been cared for by her since she was a child, in the Second Mistress's eyes, she was like a mother to her.
Hearing that her cousin-aunt had arrived, Fangchun hurriedly scrambled up to greet her, saying, "On such a cold day, why did Auntie come?" At the same time, she ordered people to add coal, get a hand-warmer, and serve hot tea to warm her aunt up.
Mistress Wang smiled and looked her over, "I have long wanted to come and see you, but the household is large and there are matters every day, so it was delayed until now. You don't look very well; did you not sleep soundly last night?"
Fangchun forced a smile, "I’ve had many dreams lately; I rarely get a good night’s sleep." She took a teacup from a maid’s tray and handed it to Mistress Wang herself.
Mistress Wang said, "Previously, you handled everything in the mansion. Now that your new sister-in-law has entered, she should be sharing the burden with you. Why have you become more restless instead? I came to see you for this very reason; after all, you live in the same mansion, and I don't know how you and your sister-in-law are getting along. She had such a grand entrance, and the Sage personally issued an edict to grant her a second-rank title. I’m only worried for you... if things end up badly, you’ll be the one bullied."
Fangchun was sincere toward Qingyuan and knew that Qingyuan had always meant well for her, so she said, "Aunt, don't worry. I know her character best; she is not that kind of person..."
"You child..." Mistress Wang shook her head, "She just entered the mansion; we’ve barely begun! Can you tell what a person is like without going through three winters and four summers? There is a long way to go, and truly devoted sisters-in-law are rare in this world." She laughed again, "If you are truly harmonious, then that is for the best, but if others bully you, and you are an honest person, I fear it will be hard for you to stand your ground in this house."
Fangchun listened, her heart feeling even heavier, a sense of having insult added to injury.
There were always people in her ear whispering about how sinister the human heart was, how difficult it was to live in a high-ranking household, and how worthless women were in the eyes of men. As time went on, it made one weary of the world. Ever since she lost her child, she felt more and more like she had been walled in—she could hear people talking outside, but no one could hear her cries.
But one's maiden family always wanted what was best for her. She sat there listlessly, her head lowered, "I entered this house two years earlier than her, Aunt; please don't worry."
Mistress Wang saw she was indifferent and said no more. She took a sip of tea and turned to look around, "Is the son-in-law not here?"
Fangchun said, "He has gone out on official business and won't be back for a while. It’s rare for you to visit us, Aunt; stay and have a simple meal here. I will order people to prepare it now."
Mistress Wang said there was no rush, "Eating isn't the most important thing. I heard from Haoxue yesterday that your spirits were low, so I rushed over today to see you." She sighed while speaking, "Poor child, your mother passed away early, and there is no one close by your side—how could I not be worried! A few days ago, Haoxue came back to tell me that you are determined to separate. Separation is a major matter; it cannot be thrown around casually. Are you truly determined?"
Fangchun remembered her promise to Qingyuan and said dejectedly, "We’ll see; my head has been a mess lately, and I don't want to talk about it."
Mistress Wang said, "You really should ponder it carefully." She smiled, but that smile slowly solidified into ice on the corners of her lips.
Not everyone in the world maintains the same heart; some help sincerely out of pity when facing the weak, but years later, when that inconspicuous child succeeds and achieves more than their own children, the mood changes. Resentment, unwillingness, even feeling deceived or betrayed—after all, a drop in their sense of superiority is an unpleasant thing.
Letting her separate and returning her to her original state—actually, even if Fangchun returned to Yunzhong, it wouldn't be too difficult; after all, her father still doted on her, and her stepmother didn't dare say much. But for some reason, the matter that had seemed set in stone was now not being mentioned at all. Haoxue had come back to consult with her, saying that if things dragged on like this, a change would surely occur. It would be better to try another method; at most, it would take more effort, but they would eventually achieve the desired result.
Mistress Wang set down her teacup, "You originally talked about separation, but I am strongly opposed to it. How difficult it is to marry; returning to your maiden home halfway would inevitably make people point fingers at you. After careful consideration, the rift between you and the son-in-law lies in the child. You’ve been married for nearly three years; it was hard enough to conceive, and then you lost it. No wonder the son-in-law left you to go back to his post the next day. The Shen family’s lineage is not robust. He may not say it, but who knows what he’s thinking? If one day he brings a woman from outside and brings back a child to acknowledge the ancestors, you will be the one crying." She then took her hand and said earnestly, "Girl, we are the closest of kin. Your mother is gone, so I must worry about you in all things. Regarding the change I mentioned, do you have any good countermeasures?"
Fangchun was stunned by her words. She had never imagined that Shen Che would have a woman outside, or even raise a son outside. She felt fear, and countless hands grew from the deepest part of her heart, gripping her lifeline tightly. She asked in panic, "Aunt, what do you say I should do?"
Mistress Wang looked at her and sighed deeply, "I thought you had your own plans; who knew you hadn't considered this at all! In this day and age, where is there a man who doesn't take a concubine? You’ve been married for three years without producing an heir. It’s just that the old lady of the Shen family is no longer around. If there were a mother-in-law watching from above, she would have added people to the son-in-law’s room long ago. In my opinion, instead of him bringing back some disreputable person from outside, it would be better for you to choose someone you know well. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a joke about a favorite concubine destroying the wife, wasting all your heart's efforts."
Fangchun’s brain was numb, "Take a concubine... someone I know well..."
Mistress Wang saw her chance, "A girl from a humble family is naturally for a concubine, but if it is a proper young lady from a prestigious family, as long as she is reasonable and can be of one heart with you, you shouldn't treat her badly. Giving her the status of a 'plain wife' (ping-qi) will do." After saying this, her tone shifted, and she smiled, "Although it is called a 'plain wife,' her status is still not as high as yours. You don't have to be afraid; it’s just a favor granted so she doesn't have to perform the rites of a concubine. At the root of it, she is still beneath you."
Regardless of what the Second Mistress intended, Old Woman Cui, standing on the side, had heard enough. This cousin-aunt was only a hair’s breadth away from handing the candidate right into the Second Mistress’s mouth. A young lady from a prestigious family, someone she knew well, someone who would be of one heart with her—who else could this be but their Ninth Miss?
Old Woman Cui curled her lips in disgust. Truly malicious—what kind of relative on the mother’s side was this! If the Second Mistress agreed to this, she would be digging a pit to bury herself alive.
As for Fangchun, it was not that she couldn't understand her aunt’s intentions, but when she had first married, Shen Che had promised her that he would never take a concubine for as long as he lived. How could she take the initiative to put a woman into her husband’s bed? Her feelings for Shen Che had never diminished. She threw tantrums only to vent her own depression and dissatisfaction. Once she thought of someone else being by Shen Che’s side, her heart felt like it was being sliced by knives; it was truly more painful than death.
Furthermore, a girl as pure and innocent as Haoxue—how could she wrong her by making her share a husband! Her cousin-aunt probably thought that Haoxue could keep her company and give her someone to consult when facing difficulties, but this was all her aunt’s idea. Haoxue herself must surely be unwilling; after all, she was so repulsed by Shen Che.
Fangchun could only push it off, saying she needed to think about it further, vaguely brushing it aside so she wouldn't leave her elder in an awkward spot. Old Woman Cui exhaled, thinking, "Thank goodness, our young mistress isn't that muddled yet."
Mistress Wang did not go into detail afterward. She knew Fangchun’s personality: say she is conservative, yet she was very bold; say she is headstrong, yet she was like a doll made of dough, lacking her own resolve at critical moments.
"Think over my words; your aunt would never harm you." Mistress Wang gave this instruction before leaving, "And don't discuss this with the East Mansion. Human hearts are hidden behind faces; who knows what kind of intentions they harbor."
The maid sent Mistress Wang out of the mansion, and Old Woman Cui went straight to Fangchun, speaking from the heart, "Young Mistress, Miss Haoxue wants to be with our son-in-law. Did you see that?"
Fangchun hesitated, then shook her head, "This is her mother’s idea; she may not even know it herself."
Old Woman Cui could only sigh, feeling anxious in her heart. She went to theεθ±ι¨ (hanging-flower gate) of the East Mansion and waited until nightfall, when the Eldest Master and the Mistress finally returned.
Qingyuan walked along the corridor, laughing and chatting with Shen Run. Recalling the instructions from Mistress Jiang earlier, Qingyuan said, "It was hard for the Second Aunt; she knew I was returning to my maiden home today and specially rushed to the Chen Mansion. In the martial arts examination this year, all three of the Xie family’s young masters gained titles. How could she not be anxious? She had told me earlier that she wanted to seek a position for the two brothers, but those two sons of hers are not industrious and I fear they cannot be cultivated. If I promote them a little and do my duty, that will be enough."
Shen Run pondered and said, "Those three from the Xie family are considered authentic martial examination candidates and have been appointed as lieutenants in the army. Since Mistress Xie has entrusted this to me, it shouldn't be too far off the mark. The Palace Command’s cavalry office is short two team leaders; let them go to the armory to manage military equipment. If they do a good job, I will find them two positions among the imperial guards."
Qingyuan was not entirely reassured, "Is managing military equipment important? I’m afraid if they make a mistake, it will implicate you."
Shen Run smiled, "It is not an important duty. Besides, there are people below them to verify things."
Qingyuan nodded. Just as she stepped off the stairs, she heard Hongmian say, "Mistress, Mother Cui is here."
She said "Oh," and added, "Have her wait in the side hall for a moment." She accompanied Shen Run back to the room as usual.
Once it was dark, Shen Run would look for the bed. Pulling her somewhat coquettishly, he said, "Wife, you must take care of your health. There are too many trivial matters in the mansion; leave them to those below. If you attend to every single thing yourself, you will exhaust yourself."
Qingyuan smiled at him, her brows slightly furrowed, "Commander, wouldn't I be even more exhausted in this room?"
He was stunned, "Don't you enjoy this kind of exhaustion?"
Qingyuan thought about it carefully, her face reddened again, and she said coyly, "Actually, I do enjoy it. I’m just afraid you’ll exhaust your body."
How could she know that before marrying her, he had spent an entire month taking supplements? The deer antler and deer blood were not consumed in vain. However, it was embarrassing to say so; after all, who didn't have a few secrets?
"Can we leave matters for tomorrow? Let that old woman come tomorrow morning."
She pushed him to sit on the bed and smiled, saying it was impossible, "Since she waited until this late, it must be an important matter. You go and wash up; wait for me on the bed after you are clean, and I will come back once I have finished my business." After saying this, she kissed him on the forehead, broke free, and headed outside.