Four Delicate Offenders – CH 001

Chapter 1. Si Si

In late spring, fine bamboo blinds were installed under the eaves, hanging in staggered rows, and when they caught the light, they vaguely revealed two or three branches of green bamboo stretching out from the opposite side.

Before the open window stood a gilded crane-shaped incense burner, from which wisps of blue smoke rose, light and thin as silk threads, yet taut and straight, seemingly reaching for the heavens.

Suddenly, a strange gust of wind blew in out of nowhere, scattering the smoke and stirring the autumn-scented tassels beneath the blinds. Qin-Dan looked up and saw a maidservant who had just entered at the door standing before the steps, hands tucked under her clothes, announcing, “Master has returned.”

Qin-Dan nodded, turning to look inside. She saw a graceful young woman standing before a flat-topped table made of cypress wood, weighing camphor for ink making with a scale. She wore a light silk half-sleeved garment with a lark-embroidered sash tied at her chest. Her face was slightly turned to the side, her features as bright as the moon, displaying a delicate, youthful beauty.

Qin-Dan stepped forward, moving aside the wooden box filled with pine soot, and said, “Master sent word this morning that he has important matters to discuss with you, Young Lady. What is it?”

The ink maker put down the scale, and a maidservant quickly brought a silver basin for her to wash her hands and then helped her to sit down. She turned to look at the incense burner by the window. “Change it to fragrant herbs; that’s Mother’s favorite scent.”

Scent evoked memories. Whenever she missed her mother, she would have that incense lit, close her eyes, and she could still feel the joy of running wildly into her mother’s courtyard.

Qin-Dan obeyed, turning to signal the maidservant tending the incense. The burner lid opened and closed, and soon the room was filled with a new fragrance.

When Jiang Heng entered, he paused slightly, a wistful look on his face. But only for a moment; then he put on a fatherly smile, called out “Si Si,” and sat down in the armchair by the south window.

Si Si was her childhood nickname. A dozen years ago, it was fashionable to use double characters, and since she was born in the year and month of the snake, she had this familiar, affectionate name. She also had a formal name, Yunpan. Her mother said she was the moon in the sky, destined to reside by the clouds; only such a name could express a mother’s gratitude for the precious gift bestowed upon her by heaven.

Unfortunately, this painstaking effort later became a convenient arrangement for the family’s order of birth. The Jiang family subsequently produced names like Xuepan and Yupan, seemingly far removed from each other, yet representing the father’s affirmation and love for his concubine-born daughters.

Yunpan personally served tea to her father, smiling, “Father has been very busy with official duties lately; I have not seen you for several days.”

In truth, the title of Founding Marquis and concurrently Prefect of Youzhou Military Prefecture was not as important as its official rank suggested. When Yunpan’s mother married Jiang Heng against all odds, he was merely a sixth-rank official. His subsequent rise in rank and promotions were all thanks to his wife. Yunpan’s mother was the daughter of the Grand Princess of Pingyao, an exceptional honor bestowed upon her, and she retained the title of County Princess until her death.

Speaking of being busy, Jiang Heng was also very busy. He was busy dealing with his concubines, busy being a good husband and father to others. Mother’s stubbornness only earned her three years of affection. In the fourth year, a kept woman arrived at the house, and Father threatened to commit suicide with his new lover.

Perhaps securing a concubine’s place from the County Princess was difficult, so Father became more subdued and stopped bringing concubines home. This only hurt the County Princess more. She held Yunpan and wept, “What can I do? I feel like an outsider, while they are the loving couple. But three years ago, your father also tried to kill himself for me…”

Yunpan was young then and did not understand the despair of being betrayed. Seeing her mother cry, she hated her father and Liu Yanqiao.

Mother fell ill from then on; her health never improved. In the first month of the year, she caught a severe cold and, after three months, passed away. Finally, no one in the household could control Liu-niang. Liu-niang dominated the household, and now the only remaining problem was the issue of legitimacy.

Sure enough, Jiang Heng put down his Jianzhan cup, rubbed his hands, and said tactfully, “I know you are very saddened by your mother’s passing. Now that the mourning period is over, you should try to find some peace. Household affairs are numerous, and Liu-niang has been handling everything for the past year, but this is not a long-term solution, especially since the relationship is not officially recognized…”

Yunpan lowered her eyes and asked, “Father, are you planning to remarry?” This surprised Jiang Heng.

To be so eager to remarry so soon after the mourning period for his wife—would that not make him a laughingstock?! Jiang Heng looked embarrassed and shook his head, saying no. But some things were difficult to say to his wife’s only daughter. After hesitating for a long time, he finally said, “Father’s idea is that we should make Liu-niang our official wife, which would save a lot of trouble.”

To his surprise, Yunpan slowly frowned. “Elevating a concubine to wife is probably inappropriate. The ‘Household and Marriage Ordinance’ clearly states that concubines are of low status, and those who elevate them to official wives are sentenced to a year and a half of penal servitude. Father, are you even willing to give up your title and honors for this?”

Jiang Heng choked on her words, feeling somewhat ashamed. After a brief pause, he revealed his plan, stroking his knees. “It’s not that there’s no other way. We can send her back first and remarry. After all, we are not the only ones doing this…”

Yunpan felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if she were soaking in brine, her eyes stinging with tears.

She wanted to smash the cup, jump up, and yell a string of curses, but Jiang Heng was extremely stubborn, and a direct confrontation would be useless. She had no choice but to suppress her temper and advise, “Such things do happen, but officials do not investigate unless the people report them. Father, do not you have colleagues in the officialdom with differing political views? What if someone with ulterior motives exposes this? How will you face them then?”

Jiang Heng became agitated and, like a trapped beast, said, “If the Emperor can bestow the title of Empress upon a concubine, why cannot I?”

Yunpan looked at her father, who, even at forty, was still impulsive and headstrong, and said indifferently, “Father, do you compare yourself to the Emperor?”

These were outrageous words, tantamount to utter destruction if they got out. Jiang Heng stared dumbfounded at his legitimate daughter, a surge of anger and shame welling up inside him. He pointed at her, offering a jumbled jab, unable to utter a single word.

Yunpan knew this day would come sooner or later. While her mother was alive, they dared not be open about it, but now that her mother was gone, Liu-niang was eager to climb into the position of wife. Her rebuttal might destroy any remaining father-daughter connection, but the only thing she could do was preserve her mother’s reputation.

“Sharp-tongued! Mean-hearted!” That was her father’s assessment of her.

The head of the household flew into a rage, throwing out all the maids who had fallen silent in the room. Through the wall, Qin-Dan overheard the master’s rebuke of his daughter: “Is this how your mother taught you? Listen to what you are saying! Not a single word of it sounds like something a daughter should say!”

Yunpan’s face flushed and paled in turn, her hands and feet turning icy cold. To save face for her father, she could not retort with some of her words, so she simply asked him, “Father, why did you not let Mother go when she wanted a divorce? If you had divorced her first and then brought Concubine Liu into the household, we would not be in this predicament today.”

Ultimately, he could not bear to give up his fame and fortune. If he divorced the County Princess, the bestowed title and official position would be taken back; how could he possibly value a mere sixth-rank official post? So he pleaded, citing the fact that his parents-in-law had passed away, and then used his daughter as a pawn in his persuasion, ultimately keeping the County Princess in the household. Now that the County Princess was gone, everything had a new possibility. In truth, the reason he came to inform Yunpan was simply to prevent his daughter from reporting him.

The father and daughter were on the verge of exploding, and the situation was spiraling out of control. Just then, Liu-niang rushed in, grabbing Jiang Heng’s sleeve and kneeling, pleading, “My Lord… My Lord… all the blame lies with me. I was fortunate enough to enter the household to serve you and the Lady, thanks to your misplaced favor, and I dare not ask for anything more. Now, you are mindful of our past relationship, yet you have hurt the young lady’s feelings. The young lady’s grief over her mother’s death has not yet subsided, and you are making such a request of her now? Is that not putting me in an unjust position, making it impossible for me to live!”

Jiang Heng, upon hearing her words, immediately lost his temper, turned away, and strode out.

Liu-niang then turned to comfort Yunpan, saying kindly, “Please calm down, Miss. Do not let me cause trouble for your father. You’ve seen my heart all these years. The day I entered the mansion, I swore before the Lady that I would never harbor any improper thoughts, only seeking a place to settle down and make a living. I had no idea your father was discussing these matters with you today. If I had known, I would not have let myself end up in such a shameful state. If a concubine is elevated to the status of principal wife, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children will be blurred, and your situation will inevitably become awkward. Do you think I do not understand this? Put yourself in my shoes; if the moral order of an official’s family is disrupted, the master will also be looked down upon by others. I am only interested in living a good life in the Jiang family; how could I possibly want to harm the head of the household?”

She spoke with sincerity, seemingly having considered everything thoroughly. If it were someone else, they might have truly been fooled by her. Yunpan, however, was not easily swayed. She knew perfectly well what was going on, but to maintain appearances, she softened her tone, saying, “I am doing this for Father’s reputation. If the head of the family loses face, everyone in the Marquis’s Mansion will be looked down upon. Before, when the mistress was alive, everything was peaceful. Now, with the mourning period just over, this has happened. People will not say Father was inconsiderate; they will only gossip about the concubine, causing her to suffer an unjust accusation.”

Her words were both a plea for reconciliation and a warning. Concubine Liu, always clever, naturally understood the implied meaning and nodded repeatedly, “Thank you for protecting my reputation, Miss. Although I am a lowly woman confined to the inner quarters, I know what’s important. The Second and Third Young Ladies will be betrothed in the future. If I implicate them, it will be my fault.”

No further words were needed; the eldest daughter of the Jiang family could not be appeased with just a few words. After exchanging a few more pleasantries and inviting the young lady to rest well, Liu-niang withdrew from Pixiu Courtyard and returned to Xiaocong Pavilion. Upon entering, she saw Jiang Heng sitting on the couch with a long face. She immediately offered a warm smile and gently comforted him, “The young lady is the legitimate daughter of the County Princess, and naturally has a bit more pride than others. Master, you need not bother with her.”

These words struck a nerve with Jiang Heng. He glared at her and raised his voice. “I am her father! How dare she be so insolent in front of me?”

Liu-niang took the teacup brought by the maid and placed it on the small table. She sat down beside him, then rubbed her handkerchief and whispered, “Actually, what she said makes some sense. We cannot let someone like me ruin all the hard work the master has put into this over the years.”

Her understanding was remarkable, and Jiang Heng sighed helplessly, saying, “You, when others block your path, you still speak up for them.”

Just then, someone outside the brocade curtain spoke up: “Since you know that Auntie is a soft-hearted person, Father should be even more considerate of Auntie.”

Jiang Heng looked up and saw Xuepan walking in, dressed in a green dress with a jade hairpin. Her small face and almond-shaped eyes, with their captivating charm, reminded him of Yanqiao in her youth.

Liu-niang smiled and playfully scolded her, “How could you know what’s going on outside? Your father is busy with official duties every day, so do not trouble him at home.”

Xuepan clicked her tongue. “Father, look at Auntie. She’s never fought or grabbed anything her whole life, enduring countless losses. Everyone in the mansion praises her virtue! When Madam was alive, she was subservient and suffered countless grievances. Now that Madam is gone, it’s Auntie who has managed this vast household. Even setting aside Auntie’s hard work and contributions, just for the sake of bearing children for Father, she should be honored and given a proper title.”

Jiang Heng, too, longed to give Liu-niang an explanation. Although Liu-niang had sold wine in the market in her early years, and her background was somewhat humble, she was not a prostitute. Whenever he passed her stall, she would always offer him her homemade plum wine, saying it could not compare to the fine wines of Pan Tower or the fine wines of Liangzhai Garden but was merely a token of her affection. Back then, seeing her gentle and captivating beauty, her expressive eyes, and the alluring charm and allure of her every move, he was far more captivated with her than any princess or noblewoman. He was completely immersed in her gentle embrace.

The mistress of the household was dignified and composed, able to withstand any pressure, while her beautiful concubine offered tender affection within the inner quarters—a life every man would yearn for. To be honest, Liu-niang served her mistress with utmost devotion, willing to put in effort for her man. Even that kneeling gesture just now was the most beautiful form, carefully crafted and refined. For that dedication alone, even with the madam gone, it was time for her to finally find happiness.

Unfortunately, Yunpan’s interference left Jiang Heng, who had boasted so confidently in front of Liu-niang, in an awkward position. For the first time, he found this eldest daughter troublesome, practically a second Princess Yuyang.

Liu-niang, however, was understanding and knew his predicament. She simply told Xuepan to stop talking, saying, “Your sister is, after all, of noble birth.”

Xuepan rolled her eyes angrily. “No matter how noble she is, she’s still Father’s daughter! In my opinion, you should marry her off quickly. A married daughter should not interfere in her maternal family’s affairs. When Father favors his concubines, she will not be able to interfere.”

This caused Jiang Heng to fall into a long silence. Liu-niang glanced at his expression and, seeing his noncommittal attitude, smiled and said, “Master, do not listen to a child’s nonsense…”

Jiang Heng waved his hand. “When her mother was alive, she was betrothed to the son of the Duke of Dongchang. Last year, when her mother passed away, the Duke and his wife personally came to offer their condolences. At that time, they discussed the marriage of the two children, but we had to wait another year. Now that the mourning period is over, it’s time…” As he spoke, he stroked his beard, rose, and slowly walked out of Xiaocong Pavilion.

Author’s Note:
Mourning Period: In olden times, mourning was observed for a year, the duration of which was called the “Zhang Qi” (杖期). Jiang Heng, as a county princess’s husband, observed the full mourning period (Qi Shuai Zhang Qi 齐衰杖期). Because her father is alive but her mother had died, the children’s mourning cannot exceed that of their father; therefore, Yunpan also observed the full mourning period.