Spring of the Blade - Chapter 93

Chapter 93

Zhengze was pacing back and forth in the parlor, rubbing his hands together. He would peer outside one moment and look at Qinghe the next. "Eldest Sister, do you think Fourth Sister will see us?"

Qinghe’s face was wooden, her very eyes devoid of expression. She replied coldly, "I cannot say for certain whether she will see us. Even if she doesn't, she would have her reasons; regardless, we have no right to resent her."

Last time, the Old Madame and the Madame had brought people to make a scene at the wedding banquet. They had foolishly believed that holding the household registration books was the ultimate leverage, only to be hit by an imperial decree that slapped the face of the Xie family in front of everyone. Now, in Youzhou, the Xie family was the punchline of every conversation. The capital and its surrounding areas were home to many noble families; all had their minor troubles, but none had ever suffered such a disgrace to their dignity as the Xie family.

Looking at this household, one had to wonder what had happened this year. So many things had occurred, each one a calamity, it was no wonder the master fell ill. His stagnant official career was one thing, but the more pressing issue was Qingru. Who knew what the Madame had told him? Regardless, after hearing her words, the master had beaten his chest and stomped his feet in the main chamber, crying out that his family was cursed. There was little doubt that the Madame had embellished the story, and because the master believed her, he allowed the Old Madame to lead people to stir up trouble at the Shen residence. Neither of them had expected the Emperor himself to intervene. The Xie family had suffered a total defeat this time—a defeat so crushing they would never be able to lift their heads again. After all, the master was the one who had to support the family’s name. Feeling too ashamed to face the world, and besieged by both anger and frustration, he had fallen ill and could not recover.

Yet, at a time like this, he was missing his fourth daughter, which left people feeling somewhat bewildered. The Old Madame had given the order for her and Zhengze to make this trip, seemingly still harboring intentions of reconciliation. But did the master not hold a grudge against Qingyuan? There would never be anything kind said about her in the Madame’s mouth; she would surely insist that Qingyuan had harmed Qingru. If Qingyuan returned, what if the master did something to her?

Qinghe felt anxious. She was due to be married off in the second month and hoped for peace and quiet until then. At first, she hadn't wanted to come, but when the Old Madame finally sighed and said, "Let your father resolve this knot in his heart; perhaps he will slowly improve. Look at the current state of affairs—if the worst should happen to your father, it won't just be our family facing ruin; even you might be implicated." The meaning was clear: if the master were to pass away, she would have to observe three years of mourning. Could she still expect to get married then? So, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and make this trip, ultimately driven by selfish motives.

As for Zhengze, he was like an ant on a hot pan. He had always been at odds with the fourth girl, and because of the incident with Qingru, they had been on hostile terms; it was awkward for him to see Qingyuan. Yet, he had no choice. The Old Madame had no face to come, and the Madame was even less likely to show up. In the whole family, there was no one left but him and Qinghe. He was like a duck driven onto a perch—come he must.

Just as they were suffering in this turmoil, footsteps were heard in the corridor. First came a few nannies and maids, and then Qingyuan appeared. She was now the wife of the Regional Commander, and her court title, bestowed by imperial decree as a Lady of the Commandery, was the same as the Old Madame and Madame’s. Looking at her imposing demeanor, she was indeed different from the smiling girl of the past.

Fortunately, she didn't put on airs. When she saw them, she was still polite, gesturing for them to sit. "It is so late; what brings you two to visit me?"

Sigh. She didn't even call them "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" anymore, simply referring to them as "the two of you." It was clear she was intent on drawing a line between herself and the Xie family.

Qinghe looked at Zhengze with a sense of dejection. "Big Brother, you speak."

Zhengze, pushed into a corner with no other option, steeled himself and called out, "Fourth Sister." "We are, after all, of the same blood. Even if there were unpleasantness before, you are a person of great magnanimity; please do not take it to heart. The Old Madame is getting on in years and inevitably listened to the instigation of petty people, leading to foolish actions. She has regretted it so much since returning that she doesn't know what to do..." As he spoke, he noticed the indifference on Qingyuan’s face and realized that such shallow reconciliation efforts would not change her view of their home. He decided to stop beating around the bush and said directly, "Fourth Sister, I will tell you the truth: Father is ill, and quite seriously so. Last night he was delirious, which terrified the Old Madame. Even while wandering in his mind, Father was calling for his fourth daughter, which shows he truly has you on his mind. We came this time for Father’s sake; even knowing you don't like it, we had to make this trip. I only hope that, for the sake of your shared blood, Fourth Sister can return to see Father."

"Return?" Qingyuan smiled, her dark eyes looking at Zhengze. "The entire Xie household likely hates me to their very bones. If I were to go back, I fear I would be torn to pieces."

Zhengze choked. "Fourth Sister, don't say that. You are all flesh and blood; how could there be such deep hatred! Now that you are a titled lady, who would dare to be disrespectful? With a single decree from the imperial court, no one would be able to bear the consequences. What are you afraid of?"

Unfortunately, Qingyuan still shook her head. "I have no further ties with the Xie family. Without a beginning or an end, to simply deliver myself to be treated with contempt is truly unnecessary."

Qinghe was silent for a long time, but finally opened her mouth. "Fourth Sister, some things must be spoken to be understood. Father wants to see you, and you avoid him. There are so many misunderstandings between a father and daughter—if they are not brought to light, no one will ever know the truth. The Old Madame is certainly foolish, but you aren't going back for her sake; you can ignore her completely. Just go see Father. I suspect he has things he wishes to tell you. I am rambling again, talking about nonsense like blood ties and family affection... It is true that you have no connection to the Xie family now; everyone in Youzhou knows this. Go take a look—think of it as an act of kindness, a final benevolence for a man who is nearing the end of his life."

Hearing her speak this way, Qingyuan felt a surge of misery in her heart. In the past, she had never thought about life and death, feeling they were too far away—perhaps something she would only encounter in a decade or eight years. She had not expected it to suddenly strike before her eyes, catching her unprepared.

Seeing the flicker of movement on her face, Qinghe added, "You lost your mother at a young age, and now your father is also in mortal danger. If he were to pass away, you would truly become someone with nowhere to call home, Sister!"

This was very true. Trees had roots, water had sources, and people had origins. No matter how reluctant she was, Xie Shu was her origin—a fact that could not be denied no matter what. Once, she had hoped he would be like an ordinary father, showing her genuine love. She had always been someone who cherished the past; back then, when he returned to Hengtang from beyond the frontier, the Old Madame had held a feast for father and daughter to dine together, and he had scooped two spoonfuls of white dragon soup for her—a gesture she remembered to this day.

"Fourth Sister..." Zhengze looked at her, his heart in turmoil. Things had been said to this point; if she still refused, what else could be done!

Qinghe looked at her expectantly. "With Father’s illness, the house is on the verge of collapsing. Don't be afraid that someone will do you harm..." As she spoke, she glanced at Zhengze. "Even if someone had such an intention, Big Brother would not allow it. Brother, tell her!"

Zhengze hurriedly agreed. He saw things very clearly regarding this matter: the Xie family had already reached this point, and if they continued to cause trouble, it would certainly lead to the punishment of the entire household. This family didn't just consist of the Madame and Qingru; it also held his own wife, concubines, and children. If all of them were to be buried because of the recklessness of his mother and sister, he would never accept it.

Qingyuan smoothed her skirt, not giving an immediate answer. "Allow me to think about it. It is getting late; you should head back first."

She wasn't as resolute as before, which was at least a good sign. Zhengze and Qinghe exchanged looks and said, "We will wait at home for Fourth Sister."

Qingyuan instructed Nanny Fu, "Send the Young Master and the Eldest Miss off for me."

Nanny Fu replied with an "Understood," stepped forward, and gestured for them to follow, and the siblings left with hesitation.

After they left, Qingyuan remained silent, returning to her bedroom and sitting on the bed in a daze. Baoxian tidied up the vanity, and seeing her still sitting there, she stepped forward and called, "My Lady." "Do whatever your heart tells you to do. If the Master were here, he would surely say the same: everything should be based on what you want; you need not force yourself."

Qingyuan leaned against the pillow and nodded. "Going back is fulfilling the duty of a daughter, even if that duty was never much to begin with. If I don't go back, others cannot criticize me; I am a person of the Shen family now. The imperial decree has drawn a clear line between me and the Xie family—who would dare dispute that!"

Baoxian smiled. "Then what are you troubled by?"

Qingyuan propped up her cheek. "I am concerned about Chuntai and Nanny Tao. I don't know how they are doing; they have likely been relegated to chores again! And Eldest Sister's words—Father only listens to the Madame’s one-sided story, and I fear his prejudice against me runs deep. If something were to happen, wouldn't I be hated until the day I die?"

"Is the Lady planning to go back?" Baoxian asked. "That is fine. Go back and see how Madam Hu is doing. You should at least make her cough up that box of your jewelry."

Qingyuan couldn't help but laugh; it turned out she wasn't the only small-minded one. Baoxian was still holding a grudge about that box of jewelry, while she was concerned about Madam Hu. Digging up those old accounts might not be useful, but it could ensure that she didn't live quite as comfortably. People should always pay the price for what they have done.

Over at the Xie mansion, they couldn't help but hope. Since she hadn't said "no" completely, perhaps she would return.

Qinghe watched from the sidelines. Now, everyone had their own hidden agenda. After the Old Madame gave the order for her and Zhengze to come forward, she remained silent. Madam Hu was clearly unwilling for Qingyuan to return, feeling restless, her prayer beads moving rapidly, though who knew what she was calculating. As for the wives of the household, every one of them stretched their necks to look toward the gate. Zhengze and his three brothers had entered government service through the military examinations, but their ranks were not high—merely captains in the army. If the master were to have an accident, they wouldn't even have anyone to support them; their future official careers would surely not be great. It was still the East Mansion’s Madam Jiang who was shrewd; she had quietly clung to the Fourth Miss and never let go, and her two good-for-nothing sons had actually managed to enter the Palace Guard. Look at that—they didn't even need to take the military exams; others had helped them plot a bright future. The three Xie brothers had spent these years studying and practicing martial arts, yet they hadn't achieved anything as practical as those who spent their days cockfighting and dog racing.

When it came down to it, they blamed the Old Madame and the Madame. It was their intolerance that had pushed away the daughter who had returned. Now, they only hoped that the Fourth Miss would not dwell on past grievances and, if the master should have a turn for the worse, would be willing to lend a helping hand in the future.

"Send someone to watch at the corner of the lane. As soon as you see a carriage or sedan chair, come in and report it immediately." After Qiu Shi instructed the servants, she turned back and saw Madam Hu frowning. She ignored her and continued speaking her mind to the Old Madame. "Grandmother, if the Fourth Miss returns this time, let us treat her with courtesy! The Fourth Miss has a temperament that responds to softness rather than hardness; as long as we say a few kind words, she is not impossible to negotiate with."

Qingru, standing to the side, turned her face away and gave a scoff. "Flatterer!"

Qiu Shi looked back at her. She wanted to snap at her, but out of respect for the elders present, she didn't dare be impudent. She sneered, "Why is the Second Miss still here? Given the situation, it would be appropriate for you to avoid this!"

As they were speaking, they suddenly heard an announcement at the gate that the Fourth Grand-Miss had returned. Those waiting in the main chamber were instantly energized and stood up quickly.

However, as she was now the wife of the Regional Commander, she was no longer like before, arriving with only a maid and a fan. Now, before she even arrived, her entourage preceded her. The guards from the Shen residence stood like stakes outside the hanging flower gate. Inside the hanging flower gate was the world of the womenfolk; male outsiders could not enter easily, but this aura alone was enough to awe the Xie family, making them afraid to act rashly.

Times had changed. The Old Xie Madame felt a profound sense of lamentation as she stood before the gate, watching the youngest granddaughter approach the main chamber. Clad in embroidered brocade and wearing a fox-fur-trimmed feather satin cloak, she suddenly felt as though she didn't recognize her. In truth, meeting again was very awkward; after all, she had gone to cause a scene on the day of her wedding, so upon meeting, she felt embarrassed and wondered how to start the conversation.

It was Qingyuan who first offered the greeting, stepping back to curtsy and calling out "Old Madame."

The Old Xie Madame was stunned. She truly was unwilling to acknowledge the family connection anymore. Hearing her call her "Old Madame" so abruptly, she couldn't help but feel a pang of dejection.

It was impossible for the atmosphere to be like the past. Several wives stepped forward, warmly trying to attend to her. "The weather is cold; come in and warm up quickly."

Qingyuan wore a smile, but it was distant. She only said there was no need to be busy. "I am here to visit the Commander. There is much to do at home, and I will be leaving after a glance."

Hearing her use the official title to refer to the master, everyone felt awkward. Qinghe hurriedly came forward to take her hand and said to the Old Madame, "Grandmother, let me take Fourth Sister to see Father. Whatever you have to say, we can talk about it later."

The Old Xie Madame nodded dejectedly, though she finally parted her lips to say, "Fourth girl, that you could come today brings comfort to our whole family. If there were things Grandmother did wrongly in the past, I hope you do not take them to heart. After all..." She paused, unable to continue, sighed long and deep, and said to Qinghe, "Take your Fourth Sister over."

Qingyuan followed Qinghe into the garden. As they walked, Qinghe said, "Since Father fell ill, he moved to his old study to recuperate. It seems he doesn't want to associate with anyone; now, he only keeps two small servants and two nannies to attend to him daily."

Qingyuan understood. After twenty years of struggling in the officialdom, to have his reputation destroyed in the end—when he looked back at the past, he likely felt that nothing was worth it.

"When you see Father later, you should offer some words of comfort as well." Qinghe squeezed her hand gently and whispered, "When those terrible things happened at home, Father was beyond the frontier. Although, even if he had been here, it might not have made much difference, but one must remember that 'ignorance is no sin'."

Qingyuan nodded slightly. "Rest assured, since I have come, I have my own reasons." She added, "I heard that your husband has been appointed as a compiler in the Jiying Hall; I haven't had a chance to congratulate you."

Qinghe gave a shy smile. "It is always because of his background; after all, he comes from a Duke’s mansion and had the blessing of his ancestors' rank, so he was granted a sixth-rank position upon entering service."

Qingyuan laughed. "That is very good. Now that I have found my own footing, I also hope for my sister to do well. The second month is almost here; is everything prepared?"

Qinghe said, "It is just what my mother and I have arranged ourselves. If the Old Madame adds a little more, it will be enough to make a decent appearance." As she spoke, she led Qingyuan into the master's Qingxi Studio.

It was currently the depth of winter, and everything was withered. The pomegranate tree in the courtyard had shed all its leaves, but a few shriveled fruits still hung from the branches. An empty birdcage hung from the eaves of the study; the bird that had been kept there had likely died, and the empty cage remained, looking somewhat heartbreaking.

Qinghe entered the room first and called out to her father at the bedside, "Father, look—who has come to see you?"

This was the first time Qingyuan had seen the master lying in bed. Xie Shu had commanded the battlefield for many years; seeing the awe-inspiring warrior in this state, there was a tragic sorrow to a hero at the end of his path. Hearing Qinghe call him, he opened his eyes and looked over. Seeing Qingyuan, his emotions were a mix of complexity, and he sighed as he called out, "Fourth girl."

Qinghe retreated outside the threshold to allow them to speak. Qingyuan sat on the stool by the bed. Addressing a man suffering from a lingering illness, her tone softened. "Are you feeling better?"

Xie Shu nodded. "Slightly better than yesterday..." After that, the father and daughter stood in silence, as if strangled by an invisible hand, neither knowing where to begin.

After sitting blankly for a long time, Qingyuan stood up. "Since I have come to see the Commander, I have fulfilled my intentions. Please take care of your health, Commander. Once spring arrives, you will slowly improve."

Hearing her use this title to address him, Xie Shu’s eyes filled with disappointment. On second thought, an imperial decree had completely severed her connection to the Xie family, and it didn't seem wrong for her to use an official title.

But in the end, they were connected by blood; how could it not be a source of regret to have it chopped off so cruelly? He lay back on the pillow without a word, lifted his hand, removed the object hanging around his neck, and reached out to hand it to her.