Four Delicate Offenders – CH 024

Chapter 24. Spring Breeze Withering The Begonia Blooms.

The Duke of Shu’s mansion began preparations, entirely following the style of Meifen’s. Because the Empress Dowager was again the matchmaker, several more items had to be added to show respect, making the arrangements quite extensive.

Meifen, seemingly detached from worldly affairs, was quite willing to arrange things for Yunpan, selecting jewelry, clothes, and maids and servants for her dowry, even strictly controlling which shop to use for rouge and eyebrow powder.

Yunpan sat at the table, tying her sleeves with her wristbands, tilting her head as she meticulously carved her walnut ornament. When she had a moment to spare, Meifen glanced at her and saw her selecting among several pieces of blue-green ink. Meifen smiled and said, “Sister, you do not go out much; do you know where the best blue-green ink comes from?”

Meifen replied, “Although I do not go out, I use quite a lot of good things. I know immediately which ink is best for coloring.” Then, seeing Yunpan using a fine silk knife to outline a zither and then tying the strings with gold thread, Meifen frowned and said, “Just do it to appease them. Why are you so serious? Working late into the night, you will ruin your eyes, and you will not be able to study in the future.”

Yunpan smiled and said, “Since I promised, I have to do my best to make it presentable. Otherwise, even if they accept it and just throw it away, it will be so embarrassing to have someone appreciate my kindness for nothing.”

Her thinking was different from Meifen’s. If it were Meifen, she’d probably feel so ashamed that she’d lost something she’d given away and would not care whether the person appreciated it or not.

Meifen moved closer and sat down next to Yunpan, listlessly fiddling with the cleaned walnut shells. “One, two, three, four, five… are there five more to go?”

Yunpan hummed in agreement. “Each one has to be different, so they can exchange them and enjoy them. They will find something new each time and know I put thought into them, and they were not just made randomly.”

Meifen sighed. “I do not want to go out and make friends with those people. There are too many formalities; I cannot keep up.” She paused, then thought for a moment, “Last time, my uncle and Liu-niang were chased away. I wonder if there will be any trouble at the wedding banquet.”

Yunpan closed a walnut with a window cut in it. This one was different from the ordinary ones. She fastened it with a gold thread loop, asked Qin-Dan to bring a small brocade box, carefully placed the walnut inside, and then instructed, “Send this to the Duke of Wei’s residence and ask the gatekeeper to give it to the Princess.”

The Duke of Wei had a younger sister named Li Huicun, fifteen years old this year, who was granted the title of Princess Kaiyang. She happened to be away from the capital for the last family banquet at the Prime Minister’s residence, supposedly visiting her uncle’s house. Almost every noble lady in the capital received a Qiankun Walnut made by her. If her sister-in-law were missed out, it would cause some resentment. Even if one did not like such little trinkets, leaving them unused was still better than not receiving them at all.

As for her father and Liu-niang, Yunpan was not worried. “They will have to maintain appearances and will not do anything too outrageous. After all, there are three others in the family to plan for their future.”

Meifen sighed, resting her chin on her hand. “Why are there always those troublemakers in the world, and yet we cannot do anything about them?”

Yunpan smiled. “Let’s talk about it later. Once the marriage is settled, I will take care of managing that household.”

There were certain things a young woman who had not married could not do. Because she had a strong conviction that marriage was not necessarily a bad thing, being a wife made things much easier than remaining unmarried.

Meifen, though timid herself, loved hearing exciting stories and pressed on, “Tell me what you have to say!”

Yunpanli twirled her tweezers, smiling as she lowered her head, placing a finished incense burner on the small table inside the walnut box, saying dismissively, “I have not thought of anything yet. I will tell you first, Sister, when I’ve figured it out.”

***

Meanwhile, Liu-niang’s ears burned; she rubbed them repeatedly, sitting absentmindedly in her armchair.

Thinking of the past few days, her heart burned with hatred. When she visited Yueqing’s home, she almost punched her. She thought that as the mistress of a noble household and the sister of the County Princess, sisters from the same family could not possibly have such different personalities, but it turned out that was not the case.

That Yueqing was nothing short of a shrew. No wonder the Duke of Shu’s family was rumored to have strict discipline; this was how they raised their children. She was always threatening to tie people up. Liu-niang was not even a member of the Xiang family; who gave her the right to discipline her? She blamed herself for being so foolish, offering herself up to be humiliated. If only she had thought things through, she would not have ended up in such a sorry state.

As for Jiang Heng, he was truly helpless after suffering such a loss that he could not speak up. In terms of official rank, he was not as high as Xiang Junjie; in terms of power, he was only a seventh-rank nobleman, unlike Xiang Junjie, who had led troops in his early years and had connections with almost every recognizable military officer in the capital. He could use neither influence nor military force. What could he do? Even if he was bullied, he had no way to seek justice.

One was seething with resentment in her bedroom, the other troubled in his study, when Xuepan’s words jolted them awake: “Why bother arguing with them? The Duke of Shu’s mansion is waiting for my elder sister to add to their glory. The Duke of Wei might not want to mistake his father-in-law. If things escalate, he’s a duke of considerable standing; the Way of Yao and Shun is simply filial piety and brotherly love. Marrying a wife who does not acknowledge her own father will not improve the Duke of Wei’s reputation.”

Upon hearing this, Liu-niang suddenly had an idea. She got up and had the maid prepare fragrant drinks, then walked east along the wooden corridor to Jiang Heng’s study.

Jiang Heng was writing, but his mind was in turmoil, so he did not want anyone to go in. Hearing footsteps, he slightly lifted his eyelids. He had been sitting facing the door, but now he turned halfway around. This single action alone showed that he harbored resentment towards Liu-niang.

Liu-niang, fully aware of his thoughts, reluctantly proceeded, softly saying, “My Lord, the weather is hot. I’ve ordered some boiled water to cool you down.”

Jiang Heng remained silent, turning slightly to bring the scrolls inside to the sunlight.

The disregarded Liu-niang frowned and said, “I know you are still blaming me. It was my fault for volunteering to go to the Duke of Shu’s mansion and invite trouble, causing you to lose face. But I did it for you! Who would have thought the Duchess of Shu would be so unreasonable? I apologized, I kowtowed, but she still will not let us bring our young lady back, not even allow us to see her. Her not returning to Youzhou is not necessarily the young lady’s wish; it’s the Duchess of Shu’s deliberate interference.”

After saying all this, Jiang Heng remained motionless, as if in meditation. Feeling awkward, Liu-niang gripped her teacup and said, “My Lord, do not be angry with me. Think about how to speak to the young lady. After all, the bond between father and daughter is unbreakable, but the Duke of Shu’s mansion is like an impenetrable fortress…” She placed the teacup in front of him, tentatively adding, “Our request is simply to get the Duke of Wei to acknowledge us in marriage. If you ask me, why do we not go directly to the Duke of Wei and say everything we need to say? If he thinks the same way they do, then we might as well consider it as if we never had our young lady.”

This, however, was yet another matter that put them on the brink of disaster. “If things do not work out with the Duke of Shu’s mansion, would confronting the Duke of Wei be any better?” Jiang Heng cast a skeptical glance at her. “The Duke of Wei is a man of great importance, holding positions in both Xizhou and the Imperial Guard. He would not listen to my family matters.”

Liu-niang retorted, “Why not? Our young lady was matched by the Empress Dowager. The Duke of Wei’s family is a renowned and respected family. In what way are they inferior? We are bypassing the main party and instead going after that broken drum of the Duke of Shu’s mansion!”

Thinking about it, it made sense. Having served in the same court for years, the Duke of Wei had always been a gentle and courteous gentleman. Although he had not long hoped to be related to him by marriage, now that the marriage was a done deal, there was nothing to fear.

That glimmer of hope rekindled between Jiang Heng’s brows. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief; Liu-niang had shown a determined resolve to take the plunge.

Regardless, the first priority was to appease Yunpan, superficially reconcile, and then maintain regular contact. Liu-niang had seen the Duke of Wei from afar when he returned to Youzhou for disaster relief; he was truly a man of striking beauty and bearing. Yunpan, that girl, might not be destined for good fortune. With so many hardships and illnesses in life, she might one day die like her mother, leaving behind a good marriage for nothing. Let Yupan or Xuepan ride the wave of success, and then, with herself in charge of the founding Marquis’s Mansion and her own daughter becoming a duchess, how many people in the world would dare mention her former status as a wine seller!

Therefore, she had to encourage Jiang Heng to go; this was the last resort. If it failed, she would have to find her own way.

Jiang Heng began to ponder, “The Duke of Wei has been away from the capital for several days. I heard he will be back in the next couple of days. I want to see what he really thinks of his father-in-law. If this matter is not resolved now, will my position in court not be awkward after they get married? I should at least receive a grand ceremony from him, so people will know that I am the father-in-law of Li Chenjian.”

Having made up his mind, he packed his things and, taking advantage of the slanting sunlight to avoid the scorching sun, rode back to the capital.

Now that the curfew was no longer in effect, the night markets of the capital were as bright as day. Upon entering the city gates, a wave of aromas of wine and rouge filled the air. Lanterns hung from the restaurants lining both sides of the streets, and every twenty steps along the riverbanks, a brightly lit lantern illuminated the scene. The sounds of stringed instruments, singing, and the laughter of men and women mingled together, filling the air. This hot summer night was like various spices roasting on a red clay stove, piecing together the capital’s first-class prosperity and elegance. Horses were not allowed on the Imperial Street, so Jiang Heng, holding the reins and accompanied by his servant, weaved through the bustling crowd.

It was nearly midnight, and some guests had made excuses to leave the banquet. After walking for a while, he suddenly heard someone call out, “Marquis Jiang.” Jiang Heng turned around and saw the Duke of Chen and several of his court colleagues emerging from the Liang residence garden. Duke of Chen, around thirty years old, had already grown a beard. Despite being a member of the imperial family, his military bearing was undeniable. He bowed respectfully to Jiang Heng, saying, “Marquis Jiang, you look travel-worn. Have you just arrived at the capital?”

Jiang Heng returned the bow with feigned nonchalance, smiling, “In this sweltering heat, traveling during the day is unbearable. It’s much cooler to return at night.” He glanced at the magnificent restaurant. “Whose invitations are you all having tonight? Why are you leaving so early?”

Duke Chen replied, “Marquis Jiang knows the person who hosted the banquet; it’s none other than your son-in-law.” He smiled. “Jifu just returned to the capital from Xizhou today and hosted this banquet for everyone. I have to train the troops early this morning, so I must leave first… Hey, Marquis Jiang, you’ve traveled half the night; will you not come in and rest?”

Jiang Heng, hearing that the banquet was hosted by the Duke of Wei, was inclined to go in and meet him. Especially since the banquet was so lively and the people so friendly, it was easy to talk. However, mindful of Xiang Junjie’s presence, which might create awkwardness, he hesitated and said, “I happen to have something to discuss with the Duke of Shu. Is he here?”

The Duke of Chen replied that he was not. “Today is a gathering of the Imperial Guards and the Palace Guards. Only people from those two departments were invited; no invitation was sent to the Duke of Shu.” In truth, the Duke of Chen knew the inside story, but to save face for Jiang Heng, he did not say much. So, he turned and personally led him into the private room.

Jiang Heng’s arrival was sudden, and the others were unaware. Upon entering, he saw a stylishly dressed man sitting at the table, pouring wine and urging the commanders to drink.

The Duke of Wei, leaning against a low table, a jade cup in hand, was casually conversing with his colleagues. Square lamps lit in the four corners of the room, illuminating his slightly languid features and the refined elegance in his eyes.

The Duke of Chen greeted him with a smile, “Jifu, look who’s here.” He then gestured to Jiang Heng, “I happened to meet Marquis Jiang on my way out. He’s traveling at night and must be tired, so I invited him into the room for a drink.”

The Duke of Wei, a man of propriety, quickly rose and bowed. “I did not know Marquis Jiang had arrived; I have not had a chance to greet him.” He gestured to the wine server at the door, and someone immediately brought a cool mat. He then gestured to Jiang Heng with his sleeve, “Marquis Jiang, please sit.”

Although the officials present did not serve in the same place, most were acquaintances. They greeted each other warmly. Zhao Chongyun, the Defense Commissioner of Youzhou and a friend of the Duke of Wei, joked, “He was just saying he’d invite a few courtesans to compose poetry, but Jifu insisted he did not want any. Why? He said he’s getting married! We are all laughing our heads off. Thinking about it now, it’s a good thing no one came; otherwise, if Marquis Jiang caught him red-handed, would that not be embarrassing?”

Everyone burst into another round of laughter. In this day and age, what man remained chaste? Though they did not say it aloud, their exchange of knowing glances was quite lively. They secretly thought that Marquis Jiang himself had a favored concubine; even if he came to catch his son-in-law in the act, with himself not being upright and his concubine acting as the mistress, what face did he have to discipline his son-in-law?

Jiang Heng reluctantly engaged in some polite banter with them, his heart set on the Duke of Wei alone. The father-in-law and son-in-law sat close together. The Duke of Wei treated him with respect, personally refilling his cup. They chatted briefly about the current reconstruction of Youzhou. After a few rounds of drinks, Jiang Heng finally found an opportunity to sigh, “To be honest, I have not seen Si Si for many days.”

Regarding this topic, the prospective son-in-law did not dare to interrupt. The Duke of Wei pondered for a moment and said, “The other day I visited the Duke of Shu’s residence and met the young lady. The Duchess of Shu took very good care of her. Marquis Jiang can be released.”

This was not a question of whether she was well cared for; it was a question of someone about to be married but not acknowledging her ancestral roots.

Jiang Heng fell silent, not wanting to reveal the cold treatment he had received at the Xiang family that day, so he said indirectly, “The Duchess of Shu naturally loves Si Si, but now that you are getting married, the family’s wedding banquet must be held. Si Si is at the Duke of Shu’s residence, but it’s difficult for me to manage things here. I originally wanted to bring Si Si back, but because of the misunderstanding last time, the Duchess of Shu has complained a lot about me and will not let me see Si Si… Even if the father and daughter have some disagreements, they can talk it out and let it go. It’s better not to become estranged; otherwise, it will not sound good to others.”

The Duke of Wei lowered his eyes, remaining silent for a long while before speaking gently, “I understand Marquis Jiang’s meaning, but this matter is not up to me; everything depends on the Young Lady. I am a grown man, constantly on the move, while she remains secluded in her chambers. It’s not easy for me to see her.” He paused, then added, “How about this, Marquis Jiang? Please wait a couple of days. I will find an opportunity to see the Young Lady and then give you my answer.”

Fortunately, fortunately… Fortunately, this son-in-law was polite, unlike a woman who acted haphazardly. Jiang Hengli finally had hope. After all, a man must navigate the officialdom, and for his future comfort, the Duke of Wei would find a way to resolve this problem.

“Indeed, everything is entrusted to the Duke.” He spoke with certainty, as if it were an official handover at court.

The Duke of Wei agreed and, as usual, poured him wine, interacting with his colleagues.

Jiang Heng was extremely satisfied with this promising son-in-law. He thought men should deal with men; going to the Duke of Shu’s mansion to plead with the Duchess was the most foolish decision he’d ever made. Luckily, Yanqiao was quick-witted and thought of going directly to the Duke of Wei. Would it not be a hundred times better for the young couple to discuss things amongst themselves than to deal with that shrew Yueqing?

The banquet lasted until after the hour of Chou^{(1-3 AM)}, and the wine had worn off. Then, the head chef sang a song called “Flowers Outside the Wall,” striking red ivory clappers. The lyrics, “Spring breeze withering the begonia blooms, flies over the wall to the neighbor’s rooms,” seemed to capture a certain sentiment, revealing a touch of melancholy within Jiang Heng.

The lights along the Imperial Street gradually grew more vibrant. A group of people, reeking of wine, emerged from the porch. A servant waiting outside hurriedly draped a cloak over the Duke of Wei, whispering, “It’s late, Young Master; do not catch a cold.”

Although the Duke of Wei now held a title, and the former Prince of Liang’s residence had been converted into the Duke’s residence, his grandmother and mother still managed the household. Those who served him still addressed him as “Young Master.” Under the bright moonlight, the Young Master, indeed like the fragrance of orchids and osmanthus on him, possessed a refined and elegant air. He humbly saw Jiang Heng off first before turning to board his carriage.

The horses’ hooves tapped on the fragrant brick pavement, and a white gauze lantern hung from the carriage shaft, swaying slightly.

The servant supporting the carriage heard the person inside cough softly twice and hurriedly asked, “Would the Young Master like some hot water?”

The person inside declined and, after a moment, lifted the curtain of the window and called out to Bi-Xie, “Deliver a visiting card to the Duke of Shu’s residence tomorrow, saying that I will be paying a visit to Young Lady Yun this afternoon. See if that is convenient for her.”

Bi-Xie acknowledged the order and then inquired curiously, “Does the Young Master really think that the Duchess of Shu will agree to let Young Lady Yun return to the Founding Marquis’s residence?”

The person inside the carriage said calmly, “Since Marquis Jiang has come to my door, I cannot refuse. Let’s wait and see what she thinks. If she does not want to go back, we will think of a compromise.”