Four Delicate Offenders – CH 003

Chapter 3. Second Young Master Li.

Jiang Heng knew in his heart what his hasty marriage plans were. However, children must eventually grow up and marry. Si Si was sixteen this year. In most noble families, even the most reluctant daughter would have to be married. He was simply following the county princess’s arrangements to complete her marriage; it was not entirely heartless.

However, he could not help feeling some guilt. For the past ten years or so, he had favored Liu-niang, neglecting his wife and eldest daughter. Now, with his daughter’s impending wedding, he hoped she would not harbor any resentment.

“Between parents and children, the saying goes, ‘A tent of a thousand miles erected, there is no feast that never ended.’ A daughter’s marriage, a son’s journey to distant lands for fame and fortune—these are all partings in life. Your father hopes you understand this.” Jiang Heng slowly stroked his wine cup, paused, and continued, “You are my eldest daughter. Your father hopes you will live a prosperous and wealthy life. Live well in the Duke’s Mansion. If you miss home, you can come back to visit. Although your mother is gone, your father is still here. Even if we’ve argued over trivial matters, father and daughter never hold grudges overnight. Your father still cares about you.”

Yunpan remained calm, replying, “Father, you flatter me. The Founding Marquis’s Mansion is my mother’s home. Even if I go to the ends of the earth, I will remember to return.”

In truth, they did not really want her to return. Upon hearing this, Liu-niang’s face darkened. Xuepan was more direct, speaking in a sarcastic tone, “The Duke’s Mansion is such a high-ranking family; their rules must be even stricter than ours. Eldest Sister has in-laws to serve, and she also has to worry about her own affairs in her courtyard. I am afraid she’ll never be free.”

Yunpan was not annoyed. She turned to look at her. “The Duke’s Mansion does indeed have strict rules. I read in the Yan Family Instructions that there’s a very insightful saying—’Do not marry into a powerful family.’ Sister, remember that, not for anything else, but so you can come home anytime in the future.”

Her words were subtly barbed, and Xuepan immediately looked embarrassed, inwardly furious, hating that she had never won in terms of assertiveness.

Some people were born with an air of superiority. You felt inexplicably inferior in their presence, and you could not even refute a casual remark they made. Jiang Yunpan was such a person.

Yunpan did not take her half-sister seriously and spoke seriously to Jiang Heng, “Father, do not worry. The Duke’s Mansion is also in Youzhou, so coming back is not difficult. Since the engagement was already made and the wedding date is set, I have nothing to say. Just follow the custom.”

In short, the family banquet ended harmoniously.

After the meal, Qin-Dan helped her back to the courtyard. Walking along the corridor, she said, “There are still twenty days left. We need to hurry up and make preparations. Actually, if one place is not comfortable, changing to another might bring more satisfaction. The Duke’s Mansion is a legitimate imperial relative. Although their rank has declined over the generations, there are not many families like theirs in Youzhou.”

Perhaps. She did not have much aspiration for marriage anyway, but at this age, it was appropriate to do things appropriate for her age. She could not disobey her parents’ wishes, but fortunately, the law was lenient towards women these days; if things really did not go well, she could still get a divorce.

She dreamt of her mother that night, still the same as before, her hair tied up, sitting demurely by the window, instructing her on etiquette.

A porcelain lotus cup was held between her fingers, meant to be placed on a sky-blue lotus leaf tray, but no matter how she placed it, it made a clattering sound, making her sweat profusely with anxiety.

Her mother smiled; the spring sunshine spread out like a soft curtain. Her mother, like a beautifully crafted shadow puppet on the curtain, raised a hand and said, “Haste makes waste. Placing it too quickly will inevitably make a sound. If you are slower, try again.”

Yunpan followed her instructions, and this time she was finally able to place the cup back on the tray quietly. Her mother smiled. “It’s about being slow. Slow is steady. The essence of a noble lady lies in that word ‘slow.'”

Slow… that word rolled on her tongue in her mind. Half-asleep, she heard the patter of rain outside. She opened her eyes and looked out the window. The banana trees, freshly watered, shone with a vibrant green.

Seeing her sit up through the curtain, Mu-Xiang and Chen-Xiang came to help her with her hair and clothes. When Qin-Dan entered carrying a tray, Yunpan was standing at the table examining the inksticks she had just made. Her wide-sleeved top, painted in a wisteria-colored hue, had thin gauze trim around the collar, which loosely draped behind her. Her head was bowed, revealing her snow-white neck, so delicate and vibrant, like a tender budding daffodil.

“Miss said yesterday she wanted to drink Seven Treasures Ginger Porridge. I had the kitchen make some. Please come and try it,” Qin-Dan said, placing a cup on the small table and inviting Yunpan to sit.

Yunpan came over, scooped up a spoonful, and savored it carefully. Seeing Qin-Dan’s expectant eyes, she smiled and said, “This is exactly the taste! It’s exactly the same as what I had at the night market last year.”

The happiness of a young girl was inherently simple. When her mother was alive, she had gone to the market a few times, but after mourning at home, she had avoided those bustling places for over a year.

Qin-Dan, two years older than her, watched her slowly finish her porridge, smiling kindly like an old woman. After she put down her spoon, Qin-Dan handed her a spittoon to help her rinse her mouth. Just as everything was settled, a servant came in to announce that a guest had arrived, specifically to pay a visit to the young lady.

“Pay a visit to me?” Yunpan asked, somewhat surprised, standing up. “Who is this guest?”

The servant stopped in the corridor and said, “Reporting to Miss, it’s the young master of the Duke of Dongchang’s Mansion. The steward invited him to the front courtyard’s flower hall for tea and sent me in to convey his message.”

The young master of the Duke of Dongchang’s Mansion—that must be the Second Young Master, Li Fang. Yunpan and Qin-Dan exchanged glances. Qin-Dan also seemed somewhat bewildered, but since the person had come, she had to see him. So, she tidied herself up, put on her sash, and went to the front flower hall.

The two, already engaged, no longer needed a screen to meet. The buildings in Youzhou were mostly connected by corridors. Those sitting in the flower hall heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see the eldest daughter of the Founding Marquis, accompanied by her maid, already on the wooden corridor diagonally opposite.

As for appearance, Jiang Yunpan was exceptionally beautiful. The only daughter of the Princess of Yuyang, her features possessed a refined elegance. Her beauty was not immediately apparent; it was a unique charm that was stunning at first glance but intriguing upon closer inspection. Outside, the rain poured down, and her eyes seemed to hold a misty haze. Approaching him, she gave a graceful curtsy, showing no shyness or restraint despite their special relationship.

Li Fang snapped out of his reverie and bowed to her. “I apologize for this intrusion, Young Lady.”

Yunpan also scrutinized him. This man was engaged to her, but they had only met once before, without exchanging a word. However, all she had heard was praise for him. Good or bad words, one could only listen to what others said and disregard them. When she saw him again, she still thought he was nothing special, just a young man of noble birth with a promising career.

Yunpan gestured, “Second Young Master, you are too kind. Please sit down and speak.” She turned and sat on the other side of the flower hall, then ordered tea to be served before asking, “Second Young Master, you must have something important to discuss with me today?”

Li Fang said yes, then hesitated slightly before saying, “During the young lady’s mourning period, it was inconvenient for me to visit. Now that her mourning period is over, I have taken the liberty of coming to make a request.”

A request without any prior relationship—clearly not something good.

Yunpan said, “Second Young Master, you flatter me. Did your household know you were coming?”

He shook his head. “It was my own idea; my family was unaware.”

Yunpan said, “Alright, please speak, Young Master.”

It seemed to take immense courage to speak these words. He clenched his hands resting on his knees before saying, “Yesterday, the two families agreed on the wedding date. Young Lady, you should have heard about it. I wonder if you have any thoughts on this marriage?”

This was a strange question. The formalities of marriage were mostly completed; only the wedding ceremony remained. Asking about her thoughts now clearly indicated that something had gone wrong on his end, and he hoped the other side would also be dissatisfied so that both sides would break up, minimizing the damage.

Yunpan actually considered it seriously, but finally shook her head. “This marriage is arranged by my parents; I have no say in it. Since you are here today, Second Young Master, you must have your own reasons. Please state them so I can truthfully report to my father.”

She was a perceptive person; before he even explained his purpose, she had already keenly sensed it. Talking to someone like him was effortless; if it were not for the unforeseen circumstances, marrying such a woman would be a blessing.

Li Fang glanced at the maid beside her, initially intending to ask her to dismiss everyone, but then he reconsidered. He figured this matter would become public knowledge sooner or later, so there was no point in hiding it. He said in one breath, “Please forgive me, Young Lady, but this marriage… I am afraid it cannot proceed. I am deeply in love with the granddaughter of Grand Secretary Yan of the Zizheng Hall, but unfortunately, after our engagement, this relationship became a tragic one. I have considered severing ties, but sometimes one has no choice… I have thought it over and over again, and to avoid future regrets, it is best to tell you the truth.”

He revealed everything, which shocked Qin-Dan, who was beside Yunpan. She looked at Yunpan in alarm. “Miss…”

The granddaughter of a Grand Secretary of the Zizheng Hall—her family was of high status. No wonder the Duke’s Mansion had been delaying in rescheduling; the Duke and his wife must be in a difficult position. The matter was finally settled recently, intended to force Li Fang to make a clean break. After all, the Yan family was no ordinary family, and their wealthy granddaughter would not stoop to become a concubine in the Duke’s Mansion.

However, encountering such a situation was rather ridiculous; the Yan family’s young lady was far more troublesome than Liu Yanqiao. Yunpan lowered her head in thought for a moment, then asked Li Fang again, “What are your plans, Second Young Master? Both our families are quite prominent in Youzhou. If we break off the engagement, I am afraid it will cause gossip.”

Li Fang had anticipated her reaction before coming, expecting her to be unable to bear the humiliation and to fly into a rage. He had not expected her to be so calm. She was only worried about how things would turn out, and her words implied a desire to appease him, so he felt relieved and said frankly, “Your reputation is more important than mine, so please ask the Marquis’s Mansion to annul the engagement. It’s always been my fault, and if you remarry in the future, it will not damage your reputation.”

This made it sound as if he was actually granting her wish, which was quite ironic.

Yunpan was not particularly interested in the marriage to begin with, and she did not regret breaking it off. It was just a pity that her father’s plans had been disrupted, and he’d have to find another way to get rid of her.

Right now, dealing with this Second Young Master Li was the priority. She shifted slightly and carefully chose her words, saying, “Actually, Second Young Master should have explained this matter to my father. I am a young lady from a humble family and cannot make such a decision. Since you have come to tell me today, I will naturally report to my father. How to handle it then will depend on his decision.”

Unexpectedly, Li Fang’s expression turned slightly arrogant. “I will not mince words,” he said. “My mother arranged this marriage because the County Princess came from a prestigious family, and the Marquis’s household had a strict tradition. Later, the County Princess passed away, and your household’s maids and concubines assumed the duties of a lady-in-waiting, while the Marquis Jiang handled household affairs… which seems inadequate. Therefore, I simply came to pay my respects to you, Young Lady.” He rose and bowed deeply to her. “I have failed you, Young Lady, and if you ever need my help in the future, I will go through fire and water to repay your great kindness.”

Yunpan was somewhat displeased this time and said coldly, “Because Second Young Master has fallen for someone else, he came to ask me to annul the engagement. Our household affairs are none of your concern, Young Master. I do not know how my father will handle the rest, but I have a request for you. If you can fulfill it, we can discuss annulment later.”

Li Fang realized his rudeness and felt somewhat embarrassed. He cupped his hands and said, “Please speak, Young Lady.”

“If you were to get engaged again, it cannot be before me.” Yunpan stood up, tilting her head to look him over. “I wonder if you can do that?”

Li Fang had not expected her to make such a request and hesitated for a moment. “This…”

“What? Is the young lady of the Yan family not willing to wait?” Not willing to wait? That made things even more complicated. Yunpan smiled. “This is not only to protect my reputation but also to protect the dignity of both of you. Please consider it carefully, Young Master.”

Indeed, this request was not unreasonable, and after some thought, Li Fang agreed.

After he left, Qin-Dan looked at Yunpan with a sorrowful expression and murmured, “My young lady has suffered so much. How could she have encountered such a thing…”

Yunpan was also somewhat unhappy, but not regretful. People’s hearts could change at any moment. Before the engagement, her mother had sent people to carefully investigate, and everyone said that the second son of the Li family was a virtuous and upright young man. She never expected him to turn out like this a year later.

She suddenly understood her dream from last night. Perhaps her mother had also sensed something was amiss with Li Fang, which was why she told her to “slow down.” It was always better to see things clearly before marriage than to divorce afterward.

She was not one to dwell on things. Without this marriage, she felt a sense of relief and happily said, “The Flourishing Flower Banquet is in a few days. You should prepare. The scenery outside the city is beautiful now. We rarely get to go out, so let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest.”