Four Delicate Offenders – CH 022

Chapter 22. I Have Always Despised Such Pretentious And Affected Things.

Jiang Heng, in his current situation, had no other choice. The last time he was at the Duke of Shu’s family, he clearly stated that Si Si would marry from their family and that he would prepare a dowry for her and send it there. Now that she had climbed into a prominent family, they were changing their minds and saying they wanted to bring her back. He hesitated, feeling he had no face to go and then back out.

If Liu-niang were willing to go, it would not be a bad idea. Women were not as decisive as men; having more people involved would give them more room to maneuver. The whole affair had escalated to this point because of this. If she had gone through with the proper procedures, humbled herself, apologized, and regained her dignity, Lady Ming’s resentment would have dissipated, and perhaps the situation would have been resolved.

Alas, after thinking about it, he only had this one legitimate daughter. If she were not carried out in a grand sedan chair from the Marquis’s residence, it would be disrespectful to his colleagues at court. And then there was the Duke of Wei, a fellow official. He would always be deferential; would he address him as father-in-law or continue calling her Marquis Jiang?

To resolve this dilemma, it was best to bring her back before the wedding. Therefore, he immediately ordered carriages to be prepared, and they set off for the capital early the next morning.

In the carriage, Liu-niang also had her own calculations. Her previous attempt to steal a chicken had backfired, potentially jeopardizing her children’s future prospects. It was still not too late to remedy the situation. Another matter: next year, the Emperor would change the date of his court sessions, and before the end of the year, those who wished to establish their own residences in the capital must purchase property there. Then, living in the same city, if Yunpan and Lady Ming were unwilling to go, she would ultimately remain a concubine, and her slave registration documents would still be in their hands. She would have to bow her head sooner or later. It was better to swallow her pride and go now; if she could resolve past grievances, she could gain the Duke of Wei’s support, which would also benefit Xuepan and Yupan.

However, the journey to the capital was scorching hot. The ice chest in the carriage had melted halfway through, so they had to use fans to keep cool. They finally entered the city around the hour of Shen ^{(3-5 PM)}. When they arrived at the gates of the Duke of Shu’s residence, the sun was setting, its rays barely falling on the low wall on the east side of the courtyard.

Jiang Heng sent a servant forward to present his visiting card, requesting permission from the Duke of Shu and his wife. After a short wait, someone came out to report. The chief clerk clasped his hands and said, “The Duke is away on a business trip today and is not at home. Marquis Jiang, please come again tomorrow.”

The Duke’s temper was as fiery as Lady Ming’s; both of them attacking at once would be overwhelming. Perhaps Lady Ming alone would be easier to deal with.

Jiang Heng then said, “No, if the Duke is away, Madam is fine too.”

Hearing this, the chief clerk had no choice but to step aside and gestured with his hands, “In that case, Marquis Jiang, please sit in the cool hall for a while. I will go and inform her.”

Jiang Heng thanked him and led Liu-niang inside, followed by a maid to the east hall. Liu-niang sat down, seemingly somewhat reserved. Jiang Heng noticed this and felt a pang of pity. It was commendable that she was so considerate, coming even though she would likely be treated coldly. Now, whether he faced danger or not, he would be at a disadvantage. If Lady Ming was going to make things difficult, he would have no choice but to let it go.

Lady Ming, residing in the inner courtyard, had already heard the report from outside that Jiang Heng had brought a woman with him. She thought to herself that he was at his wits’ end, using that woman as a scapegoat. She found it amusing, thinking, “Liu-niang thinks she’s favored, but she’s not so kind. A man like Jiang Heng can only share wealth, not hardship. Bringing her here today is just to let me vent my anger.”

Nanny Yao, standing to the side, asked, “Should we inform the Young Lady?”

Lady Ming said that there was no need. “Why bother with such a fallen family? Let her stay in her chambers and do not disturb their peace of mind.” As she spoke, she stood up, smoothing her jacket, and said, “I will go meet him.”

Coming up the wooden corridor, she saw two people sitting in the cool hall. Jiang Heng turned his head away, not giving Liu-niang any further instructions.

At her sister’s funeral, Lady Ming had been with Liu-niang twice. At that time, dressed in mourning clothes, her face was plain and unassuming; she did not seem particularly beautiful then. Today, she wore casual clothes: a parrot-green wide-sleeved robe with a pale white dress underneath. She sat casually in a round-backed chair; though over thirty, she still possessed a certain charm.

Lady Ming chuckled, thinking to herself, “Truly a plaything for men who use their looks. No matter how much she’s praised, she cannot shake off that frivolous and vulgar harlot at her core.”

Following the wooden corridor, the maidservant standing at the door announced loudly that Madam had arrived. The two in the cool hall stood up. Jiang Heng bowed deeply. “Elder Sister.”

Then, Liu-niang also gave a curtsy. Her delicate features were full of fragility, appealing to men but rather jarring to other women.

Lady Ming ignored him and took her seat at the head of the table, smiling. “Marquis Jiang, you must have heard that Si Si is getting married and came especially to add to her dowry, right?” As she spoke, she looked around. “Where’s the chest? It’s not here!”

Jiang Heng, hearing her intentionally sarcastic words, said with embarrassment, “Elder Sister, I’ve come to take Si Si home. I did not think things through long enough beforehand. I thought it would take another year or two before we discussed marriage, but I did not expect this engagement to be settled so quickly. These past two days, I’ve thought it over repeatedly. Since she’s getting married, she should stay at home. Putting everything else aside, I just want something auspicious.”

“Fine,” Lady Ming scoffed without hesitation, “It’s not that you did not think things through; you clearly miscalculated the child’s future. You were so certain, fully convinced that after being rejected by the Duke of Dongchang’s family, she’d be left dependent on others, with no hope of advancement, destined to wander aimlessly. But then things took a dramatic turn. The Empress Dowager actually became the matchmaker, and now you are panicked. You are afraid of losing a good marriage, and even more afraid that the Duke of Wei will hold you down in the future. That’s why you rushed to our residence to bring Si Si back. Am I right?”

Even a blind man could see through this inside story, but to say it aloud would seem like deliberate obstruction.

Jiang Heng stammered, “Elder Sister, you misunderstand. What father in this world would be willing to abandon his own daughter…”

“Yes, there is. Is Marquis Jiang not an example?” Lady Ming said coldly, “What did you say last time? That Si Si stay in my Duke’s Mansion, and her dowry be prepared and sent here after her engagement, and even her wedding day will be at my residence… Those words are still ringing in my ears, and Marquis Jiang has already forgotten?”

Seeing Jiang Heng completely defenseless, Liu-niang had no choice but to interject, “Madam…”

“Hold on… You dare interrupt me!”

A sharp shout cut off Liu-niang’s words. Lady Ming raised her hand and pointed at Liu-niang’s door. “What kind of thing is she, daring to speak in front of me? Did she not learn manners when the primary wife was alive? Now that the primary wife is gone, she has come to my residence to act like a human, looking down on me for being a good person to listen to gossip. Do not be so foolish!”

Liu-niang’s face paled. Although she was not of high rank, she had gained some influence in the Marquis’s residence over the years due to Jiang Heng’s favor. To be pointed at and insulted like this was incredibly humiliating. But since today’s purpose was to bring Yunpan back, some humiliation was inevitable. She had already decided beforehand that, as a woman, her reputation was not that important. As long as she achieved her goal, what did a few scoldings matter?

So she lowered her stance and said in a pitiful voice, “Madam, please do not be angry. I am of lowly birth, and I have dared to come today to apologize and admit my mistake. I was foolish to have listened to the maid…”

Lady Ming spat, “What a waste of eyes! Are they for looks? If you treated her well, how come you cannot even recognize her? You’ve sent people around the courtyard and conspired with an inside man to fabricate stories. Only the Marquis would believe you. Trying to fool me? You are still too naive. A prostitute like you, unfit for public service, I’d kick you out. Even the mud beneath is more precious than gold. She’s only been in charge of the Marquis’s Mansion for two days, and she probably does not even know her own name anymore! She really thinks she’s the mistress of the house, daring to speak to me like that! Alright, I do not have time for this nonsense. Get out of the mansion before I order her to leave; otherwise, if things get out of hand, it will not look good for anyone.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Liu-niang knelt with a thud, crying, “Madam, I was truly wrong. Due to my momentary negligence, my husband and his family have been separated. I am guilty beyond reproach. Madam, the Young Lady is gone, and the Marquis misses her dearly. Now, only you can comfort his heart. Madam is a compassionate person; please have mercy and let the Young Lady go back with my father.”

Acting subservient and obsequious was Liu-niang’s usual tactic. Kneeling, slapping herself—she executed it with a tragic air, yet also with a beauty that evoked a man’s pity.

However, this tactic worked on Jiang Heng, but Lady Ming watched as if watching a play, scoffing, “Do not flatter me. I am not only not compassionate, but I am also quite ruthless.” As she spoke, she circled around, clicking her tongue, “What a pitiful, coquettish act! But I am not a man; I have no heart for tenderness. Do not try to trap me. It’s not that I am forcing the Young Lady to stay in the mansion; it’s that Marquis Jiang personally abandoned his eldest daughter, and now he’s coming back for her. What kind of place is my Duke’s Mansion?”

Lady Ming was unyielding, so she resorted to her usual shameless behavior, repeatedly kowtowing and saying, “Please, Madam, let the Young Lady go back. I will be reborn as a cow or a horse in my next life to repay your great kindness…”

This kind of humble, slanderous behavior was truly tiresome. Lady Ming’s anger flared, and she turned to Jiang Heng, saying, “Marquis Jiang, keep your maids in check; do not let them embarrass themselves at my doorstep.”

Jiang Heng was caught in a dilemma, realizing that such methods would not work on Lady Ming, so he reached out to help Liu-niang up.

Liu-niang was engrossed in her performance and, despite pulling her hand away, continued kowtowing, weeping as she did so, “Madam, please have mercy! You have children, too!”

She would not listen to reason, so she had no one to blame but herself. Lady Ming, however, calmed down, turned, and sat down in the armchair, coldly saying, “Keep kowtowing! Keep kowtowing until I tell you to stop, then you will die right here! You must have used this tactic to force the Marchioness to let you in, right? Today, you came to my door, knowing I am a duchess with an imperial title, and could not back down, so you are putting on this dissolute act in my residence, trying to coerce me. Too bad you’ve used the wrong method. I am known throughout the capital for my shrewishness. Anyone who dares to act like a rogue in front of me will be beaten to a pulp!” With that, she shouted, “Guards!”

The several maids and servants standing there all stiffened and took half a step forward.

Lady Ming glared at Liu-niang, gritting her teeth, and said, “Tie up this wretched woman who will not die even if you beat her back, and throw her outside. If she dares to struggle, take her to the authorities. Since Marquis Jiang will not discipline her, someone else will. Do not think that just because she gave birth to a son and two daughters, her slave status and official documents cannot touch her. A lowly concubine causing trouble in the Duke’s Mansion and committing a crime can still be exiled!”

The maids and servants, following her orders, indeed eagerly rushed forward to seize her. They were all experts in the inner quarters. One of them grabbed Liu-niang’s hair, but Jiang Heng hurriedly stopped him.

He shielded Liu-niang, whose hair was disheveled, with one hand, and said to Lady Ming, “Elder Sister, why be so aggressive?”

Lady Ming sneered, “Aggressive? If it were not for the fact that you’re Si Si’s biological father and inherited the title from my Ming family, I would have already sent people to kill this fool. Let me tell you, forget about bringing Si Si back. My sister’s child, born with so much hardship, will never be sent to the Jiang family to be degraded!”

It seemed there was no room for negotiation. Jiang Heng helped Liu-niang up and said fiercely, “I am leaving.”

It was truly lamentable that a Marquis was harmed so badly by a concubine.

Lady Ming watched him walk out the gate, then called out, “If you are dissatisfied, go ahead and file a complaint with the Emperor. Jiang Heng, have you forgotten how you climbed to your current position? If you continue to associate with this wicked woman, you will be utterly disgraced and have many regrets!”

The two finally stepped out of the gate, boarded their carriage, and drove away. Lady Ming turned to Nanny Yao and sneered, “What tricks does this Liu-niang have? She relies entirely on feigning weakness and relentless pestering. This time, the man is even more heartbroken. Even if she does not get Si Si back, it’s not a loss.”

Nanny Yao smiled, tucking her hands behind her back. “Coming from the streets, they use every trick in the book to curry favor with a powerful person. It’s nothing special. It’s all thanks to that Marquis Jiang. Madam, everyone heard it. This woman is planning to bring the young lady back so she can help support the three children she gave birth to.”

Lady Ming scoffed, “What a joke! She hopes to become the principal wife and have the benefits of having a son and daughters, but she does not realize it’s a dead end. Even if Jiang Heng elevates her to a principal wife, those noblewomen of Youzhou will still look down on her. If she were smart, she would serve the Lady well, please her, and have those three children registered under the principal wife’s name. Then the Lady will arrange their marriages, and they can find decent families.”

Unfortunately, kept women did not understand these principles. They only believed that everything they own, whether people or things, must be completely in their own hands to truly belong to them. Jiang Heng’s coming to demand for his daughter today must be her doing. If it were not for her own dignity, Lady Ming would have really intended to give her a good beating to vent her anger for her sister. She despised such affected and pretentious things more than anything. If such a strange concubine had appeared in her own household, would she have tolerated it until today? She would have beaten her to death eight hundred years ago on some pretext!

Just then, as she entered the inner courtyard, she saw Yunpan standing on the path and called out, “Aunt, has my father arrived?”

Lady Ming reached out to take her hand, saying, “He came with that woman. That woman put on a grand show in front of me, crying, kneeling, and kowtowing. He wanted to take you back, but I sent him away.” She paused, then asked, “Si Si, do you blame your aunt for taking it upon herself to send him away?”

Yunpan shook her head. “I want to thank my aunt for protecting me and preventing me from going back to that house. If it were not for that marriage, he would not have thought to bring me back. If I had gone back to that house, Liu-niang and my two younger sisters would have come knocking on our door countless times, judging by their behavior. It will only tarnish my reputation.”

Lady Ming smiled and said, “Good child, you understand, so your aunt is relieved. The worst thing in life is an unstable stance; even with iron hands, you cannot hold someone who’s constantly wavering. After this experience, he will not have any more designs on you. Just focus on preparing for your marriage.”

She then added, “Oh, I just remembered, tomorrow is Madam Zai’s birthday, and she’s hosting a banquet for guests. Come with me. Those attending are all well-known noblewomen and ladies from the capital. This is your first time showing your face; do not aim to stand out, just be safe. The news will reach the ears of Old Lady Hu of the Duke of Wei’s family and the Princess of Liang. Whether it’s good or bad will affect your future prospects, so you must be careful.”

Yunpan agreed. Whether in Youzhou or the capital, living in this circle was the same; you had to learn to be tactful. Fortunately, she did not have any bad habits; she just lived a simple and ordinary life. No one particularly liked her, and no one particularly disliked her either. That was good enough.

Lady Ming, however, was delighted. She sighed, “I’ve never brought my own child to a banquet before. People always ask about Meifen, and I do not know how to answer them.”

Now, things were much better. She had a presentable child, fulfilling her desire to show off her child. Previously, she had been furious with Jiang Heng and that woman, which had made her unhappy, but the thought of tomorrow’s banquet made their ridiculous behavior seem insignificant.