Where the Mask Ends - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

When Lady Shou’an woke up, she heard from Nanny Liu that the four youngsters had gone hunting in the mountains.

With Huo Jue and Wei Rao, who both knew martial arts, accompanying them, Lady Shou’an was not worried.

Sure enough, before long, the four children returned, laden with their spoils.

"You went deep into the mountains?" Seeing the wild boar, Lady Shou’an’s expression shifted slightly. She cast a displeased look at Wei Rao, the one most likely to have egged her cousins on. Wild boars preferred living in the deep mountains, and with the mountains covered in snow, for Wei Rao to have ventured in there was reckless. Lady Shou’an’s indulgence of the younger generation had conditions—their safety had to be guaranteed.

Wei Rao explained in time: "We didn't go deep. We were just lingering near the foot of the mountain. This boar was driven down by Second Master Qi and his party; I just took advantage of the situation."

Huo Jue and the others had not seen Lu Zhuo, and Wei Rao omitted Lu Zhuo’s name as well.

The Duke of England’s mansion was far too prominent. If she mentioned Lu Zhuo, her Aunt Wang and cousin Zhou Huizhen would certainly indulge in wild fantasies, and Wei Rao couldn't be bothered to listen to that.

"Second Master Qi, is that the dashing and spirited imperial guard who followed the Emperor here last year?"

Wang’s gaze shifted as she stared at Wei Rao, trying to pry for more information.

Wei Rao nodded. Fearing her aunt would ask more, she smiled at Lady Shou’an: "Grandmother, I’m going to go change my clothes first!"

With that, Wei Rao led Bitao back to her small courtyard.

Wang felt a burning in her heart as she cast her gaze toward the distant Mount Yunwu. Once the snow melted, the apricot and cherry blossoms and other wildflowers would bloom in a riot of color. The noble young masters of the capital would surely come to Mount Yunwu for spring outings and hunting. If she brought her daughter to roam the mountains then, and they happened to encounter a young, promising noble like Second Master Qi, perhaps she could secure a good marriage.

Although the reputation of the Zhou women had been tarnished by the younger Lady Zhou, her eldest daughter, Huizhen, had a face that could launch ships and was no less beautiful than Wei Rao. She would certainly be able to hook a man’s heart.

Wang’s petty schemes were written all over her face. Lady Shou’an saw it with a single glance. When she saw the same expression on her granddaughter Zhou Huizhen, the scalp atop Lady Shou’an’s head suddenly began to tighten.

Tonight’s dinner was roasted wild boar. Around the campfire in the snow, three generations of the family gathered together, laughing and talking as they ate with great relish.

The younger ones hadn't seen each other in a long time and had plenty to talk about, so Lady Shou’an returned to her room early.

Nanny Liu served her as she prepared to rest.

When Lady Shou’an was still in the palace, Nanny Liu had been a young palace maid by her side; now, she was already over forty.

"Sigh, I’m getting old, and I feel powerless in everything I do. Help me ponder what kind of son-in-law I should choose for Huizhen." Lady Shou’an called Nanny Liu to sit by the bed and spoke from the heart.

Zhou Huizhen was sixteen. She had reached the age for marriage discussions two years ago. She was also a child Nanny Liu had watched grow up, so naturally, she had quietly considered this matter herself.

"The eldest miss is exceptionally beautiful. It would be entirely inappropriate for her to marry into a powerless and penniless farming family. Those prestigious nobles have their eyes on the heavens and probably wouldn't deign to look at our eldest miss. In this old servant’s opinion, it would be best to pick a young master among the sixth or seventh-rank capital officials who is capable of managing his own household and truly dotes on the eldest miss. It would be best if there were no mother-in-law or sisters-in-law in the house, to spare the eldest miss from hearing gossip after she marries."

Lady Shou’an lay on her side, lost in thought for a moment, feeling uneasy about any kind of man her granddaughter might marry.

As long as she was alive and possessed the Emperor’s favor, the people in the capital dared not trample on the women of the Zhou family openly. But she was already sixty—how much longer could she live, and how much longer could she protect the younger generation?

The candidates Nanny Liu mentioned were better suited for her younger granddaughter, Zhou Huizhu. Huizhu was intelligent, kind, and possessed a graceful, dignified beauty; she was not prone to causing trouble and was not overly ambitious. Her eldest granddaughter, Zhou Huizhen, was completely different. She was conceited about her beauty and only wanted to marry into a high-ranking household. Even if the elders chose a son of a low-ranking official for her, Huizhen would not be satisfied, and even if she married him, she would find it hard to live harmoniously with her husband.

Of all the children in the family, Lady Shou’an worried most about Zhou Huizhen.

She was also puzzled. Both granddaughters were raised the same way; why did Zhou Huizhen follow Wang’s way of thinking entirely?

To find a grandson-in-law who was both from a prestigious family and would treat her well—where was she, an old lady, supposed to find such a man?

"Old Madam, Miss Rao is also of age. Do you have any thoughts on her?" Nanny Liu asked curiously.

Thinking of Wei Rao, Lady Shou’an turned her worry into a smile: "That girl is just like me; she loves money more than romantic love. As long as she has money in her hands, she doesn't care whether she has a husband or if her husband treats her well. Besides, she still has Old Madam Wei above her; Old Madam Wei would never treat her unfairly in marriage."

Wei Rao, Zhou Huizhu, and Huo Lin didn't require much of her worry. It was only Zhou Huizhen, who was neither here nor there, like a hot potato.

The eldest Lady Zhou and Huo Jingchang’s couple lived in the Idle Villa for two nights before they had to leave.

The family business of the wealthiest merchant in Jincheng was not something that could be built and maintained easily. The couple often traveled across the country. The eldest Lady Zhou joked that she would only be truly idle when Huo Jue married and had a son who could take over the business. When that time came, she would build herself a grand garden and enjoy life just like Lady Shou’an.

"Set off early. Don't just focus on making money—take care of yourselves," Lady Shou’an advised her eldest daughter and son-in-law separately.

The eldest Lady Zhou climbed into the carriage with a smile.

Huo Jingchang bowed to Lady Shou’an, gave a few more words of advice to Huo Jue and Huo Lin, and then followed her into the carriage.

"With sister and brother-in-law gone, who knows when we will meet again." Wang stood beside her mother-in-law, shedding a couple of hypocritical tears.

Lady Shou’an felt goosebumps rising from her daughter-in-law’s crying.

"Grandmother, Father wants to open a branch in the capital and has ordered me to oversee the matter. I will go to the capital to take a look these next few days and will come back to accompany you when I have time." Huo Jue had already had the horses prepared and was leaving the Idle Villa today as well.

Lady Shou’an beamed: "Go on. We are always at ease when you are in charge of matters."

Wang rolled her eyes and leaned forward to ask Wei Rao: "Rao’er, would you like to take the same road back with your cousin? You can have company to talk to on the way."

The weather was warming up, and the snow on the ground would be melted away in two days at most. Wang was worried that Wei Rao would stay in the Idle Villa for over a month like in previous springs. Wei Rao’s face was such that wherever she went, she became the most eye-catching person. Wang was counting on taking her eldest daughter into the mountains to scout for a good match during the peak spring travel season; if Wei Rao was there, she would surely outshine her eldest daughter.

Before Wei Rao could speak, Lady Shou’an glared at her daughter-in-law: "Rao’er has only stayed for two nights, and you’re already wishing for her to leave? Hmph, you might be willing to let her go, but I am not. Unless Rao’er stays for a full month, even if she wanted to go back herself, I would not let her leave."

Lady Shou’an usually didn't bicker with Wang, but Wang had bullied people too much; Lady Shou’an would not give her face.

Leaving the blushing Wang behind, Lady Shou’an called her two granddaughters and two maternal granddaughters to her side to go tour the gardens.

Wang clutched her handkerchief, her face so red it looked like it was about to drip blood.

Huo Jue could only act as if he hadn't seen anything, mounted his horse, and took his two young servants toward the official road.

Besides managing his own branch, he also had to help his cousin scout for a shop suitable for opening a restaurant.

The sun was bright, the spring breeze was gentle, and the accumulated snow melted quietly. The ground was wet for a day, but soon it became dry and firm.

The common people were busy with spring plowing, while the idle and wealthy young masters, young ladies, and noble madams went out in droves to enjoy the spring scenery. Mount Yunwu became the best destination.

When Wang walked to the entrance of the Idle Villa, she could see an endless stream of carriages on the official road. The young ladies sat in carriages, while the young masters preferred riding horses. Wang had good eyesight, and even from two miles away, she could see a few handsome, imposing young masters.

Wang could no longer sit still and went to consult her mother-in-law, wanting to take the girls up the mountain to enjoy the flowers.

Lady Shou’an sat in a pavilion by the lotus pond—a perfect spot for viewing the garden. Beside the pond were winter jasmines, and in the distance were peach, apricot, and plum blossoms everywhere. Wei Rao and the four girls were flying kites; the red and green kites flew high in the azure blue sky, making Lady Shou’an feel as if she had grown a few years younger, and she was in a fantastic mood.

"With so many flowers at home, why bother going up the mountain?" She asked her daughter-in-law absent-mindedly.

Wang said awkwardly: "No matter how good the garden is, one gets tired of looking at it every day. Besides, this is the first time Linlin has come to the capital since growing up. As her aunt, I just want to take her to see more of the local mountain scenery."

It seemed they were going regardless.

Lady Shou’an signaled to Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu called the two young maids serving tea and left the pavilion together.

Wang looked at her mother-in-law in confusion.

Lady Shou’an pointed to the stone stool beside her, telling her daughter-in-law to sit.

The stone stool was covered with a silk cushion with exquisite embroidery. Wang felt restless in her heart, always feeling that her mother-in-law was going to lecture her.

Wang was actually quite afraid of this mother-in-law. She lowered her head, clutching her handkerchief nervously with both hands.

Looking at this young wife’s appearance, Lady Shou’an found it hard to say anything too harsh. However, Lady Shou’an couldn't understand—when her daughter-in-law had first married into the family, she was clearly a contented, charming, and cute girl. Lady Shou’an still remembered the brilliance in her eyes the first time she ate a lychee rewarded by the palace. How had her daughter-in-law become so uncontented after living a life of wealth and comfort for so long?

"I understand what you mean; you intend to pick a son from a high-ranking household to be your son-in-law for Huizhen, right?" Lady Shou’an said directly to the point.

Wang glanced at her mother-in-law, whose moods were hard to fathom, and accepted it by default.

Lady Shou’an asked her: "Do you still remember when you first married in? At one moment you were afraid that we, as a mother and her children, would look down on your family for being shabby, and at another, you were afraid that you would make a joke of yourself by failing in rules and etiquette. The Zhou family back then was to you just like the noble families in the capital are to Huizhen now, and the gap in family status will only be greater. If Huizhen truly marries into one of those families, are you not afraid that she will be nitpicked at every turn?"

Wang stammered: "Huizhen’s etiquette was learned from Nanny Liu; she is better than most young ladies from official families. As long as she keeps to her duties and doesn't leave any room for criticism, what can others possibly nitpick about?"

Lady Shou’an: "Then how can you be certain that Huizhen can marry into such a family? Even if those young masters like her looks, their mothers will not pick a daughter-in-law by only looking at her face."

Wang gripped her hands and argued strongly: "If the man’s side sincerely wants to marry Huizhen, he will certainly be able to cajole the elders in his family. Mother, we must always take the first step. Only then will we know if it works or not. Huizhen is so beautiful; it would be too much of a waste for her to marry into an ordinary family. I am her mother and my heart aches for her, and you are her own grandmother—doesn't your heart ache for her?"

The eldest Lady Zhou remarried and married the wealthiest merchant in Jincheng; the younger Lady Zhou remarried and entered the palace to become a consort for Emperor Yuanjia. They both had the same beauty, yet her Huizhen was a first-time bride—why should she be wronged and marry down?

Wang simply was not reconciled to it.

Lady Shou’an had not yet reached the point where her heart ached; now, she only felt a headache.

"Enough. If you want to go, then go. If you can truly meet the young master you speak of and fulfill your and Huizhen’s wishes, that is your good fortune. Even if life after marriage is not good, at worst she can divorce and return home, and I will arrange a proper marriage for her again." Lady Shou’an suddenly opened her mind. Let Wang toss and turn as she pleased; if the first marriage was not fulfilling, then she could marry a second time, or even not marry at all. In any case, the Zhou family had no rule about staying with one husband to the bitter end.

Upon hearing this, Wang almost threw a dagger-like glance at her mother-in-law!

Her own grandmother, could she not say something auspicious?