Four Delicate Offenders – CH 025

Chapter 25. Her Courtesy Name Is Si Si; Sounds Very Lively, Right?

He was always so cautious in his actions. Having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for many years, it had become a habit that even when visiting his fiancée, he would first send a visiting card and inquire whether she had some free time.

The night before, he hosted a banquet for his colleagues, arriving late at night without informing his grandmother and mother. The next morning, during his greetings, he recounted his encounter with Jiang Heng. A hint of disdain appeared on his mother’s face.

“This Marquis Jiang is quite strange,” she said. “He previously tolerated his concubine’s misbehavior, but now that the marriage is arranged, he’s rushing to bring her back. He was turned away at the Duke of Shu’s mansion, which is why he specifically came to find you. His attitude is rather unpleasant.”

She set down her celadon cup, took the handkerchief offered by the maid, and wiped her mouth. “Seriously,” she continued, “if the palace had issued the order, I would have approved of this marriage. If Princess Yuyang were still alive, it would be one thing, but now that she has passed away, what is Jiang Heng’s background? Just some nameless official passing through Cangzhou!”

It was her own position that made her husband so dissatisfied with this marriage, especially since the marriage decree came from the Empress Dowager.

“An old rival, she will not get away with this easily! Back when the late Emperor was alive, the Empress was not particularly favored; it was actually two other concubines and me who were more favored. Wei Mei and Consort Zheng, one without a child and the other with a daughter, both volunteered to guard the imperial tombs. As for me, my son was enfeoffed as Prince of Liang but failed to inherit the throne. After the late Emperor’s death, I moved out of the palace to live with my children and grandchildren.”

“For someone as competitive as me, the desire for victory or defeat lasts until death. After losing the battle for the throne, I was initially somewhat at peace, but then the Empress extended her influence into the inner quarters. The reasons were obvious, yet she resisted, which only fueled my anger.”

“It’s inevitable for elders to grumble, but I understand clearly that no matter who I marry, I cannot escape this arrangement. I need to accept it; only then can I get through life.”

He smiled, offered some comforting words, and then left the garden. Walking along the wooden corridor, he had not gone far when he encountered Huicun.

Huicun was his younger sister, born of the same mother. She had just come of age this year and was betrothed to General Geng Fangzhi of the Left Guard. She was only waiting for her brother’s wedding so she could prepare for the ceremony. Although the engagement was arranged, she still had the temperament of a child. Spoiled by the Princess, she was as pure as water. Upon seeing him, she would call out, “Brother!” and rush forward, showing him something, “Guess what this is?”

He looked down and saw “a walnut with a window.” But behind that window, something was vaguely visible; he could not quite place what kind of treasure it was.

Huicun blinked her bright eyes and laughed, “My sister-in-law gave this to me. She asked to deliver it to the door yesterday. When I returned from my uncle’s house, my mother ordered it to be taken to my room.”

She opened the walnut, revealing a thatched hut, white snow, and red plum blossoms. Even the pond in front of the hut was frozen, covered with a thin layer of snowflakes. It was a microcosm, more harmonious and beautiful than reality, as if living there would ensure a carefree life forever.

“Brother, is it not interesting and fun?” Huicun held it carefully, sincerely praising, “I never expected my sister-in-law to be so skillful. It will definitely be a lot of fun; we will have so much fun from now on. Even my mother says it’s well done.”

He listened for a moment, then asked, “Which sister-in-law?”

Huicun said, “Which sister-in-law? Of course, it’s my brother’s wife.”

Brother’s wife? He then realized she meant Jiang Yunpan. These walnuts were indeed very well made; the plaster coating was harmonious, and the color was vibrant, giving a sense of flourishing. It seemed Huicun really liked this sister-in-law; even before the marriage, she was already full of anticipation.

“Young Master,” Bi-Xie entered at this moment, standing at the fork in the steps and reporting upwards, “the carriage is ready, just waiting for you to leave.”

He was pleased and stepped down from the corridor, asking if the visiting card had been delivered to the Duke of Shu’s residence.

Bi-Xie said yes, “I’ve already sent Chang-Song to deliver it. When Chang-Song returns, we will know if the Young Lady has some free time.”

He nodded, looking at the white snow and red plum blossom in the walnut room, which he found quite charming. A young lady’s life in her boudoir, while seemingly leisurely, could probably be quite busy if there were any amusement options!

He boarded the carriage and headed to the Imperial Guard Office; he had court today, and official business still needed to be handled. The two places were quite far apart; he arrived at the yamen in about two incense sticks’ time. Bi-Xie rolled up the bamboo curtain, moved a footstool, and alighted from the carriage. Entering the hall, he saw the Duke of Chen sitting there. He forced a smile. “Brother, are you finished with the troops’ training?”

Duke of Chen hummed in response, “It’s hot. We had to muster the troops at dawn. The sooner we finish training, the sooner we can return.” Glancing at the water clock on the table, he laughed, “You are really late. I’ve been waiting for you for ages.”

He remained unhurried, sitting there washing his hands, leisurely grinding tea powder. Seeing the Duke of Chen standing, he looked up and smiled, “Brother, please sit down. I need to brew some good Green Mist tea; I will make some for you to try.”

He was always like this, his demeanor perfectly in tune with the leisurely elegance of officialdom. Duke of Chen, helpless, could only sit down on the other side, watching him take out a narrow-mouthed rabbit-hair teacup, add tea powder, and pour in water. The white whisk sifted the tea, and the thick, pea-green liquor gradually rose into a milky mist, billowing like clouds, and the aroma of tea wafted out.

Duke of Chen looked down, his mind elsewhere, and murmured, “The government intends to reform the Imperial Guards of the capital. Previously, the Imperial Guards and the Palace Guards practically controlled the entire capital region and the Imperial City’s guards. Now the situation is ambiguous. The Imperial Guards have been divided into the Cavalry Commandery and the Infantry Commandery, and we’ve created a Palace Guard Commandery as well. More departments mean more power, and military power is being eroded again and again. Who knows when it will be us who suffer the consequences?”

The Duke of Wei did not seem anxious. After seven infusions, he placed the cup before the Duke of Chen. The milky mist surged, like floating waves of snow. He gestured, “Brother, have some tea.”

The Duke of Chen picked up the Jianzhan cup, took a small sip, and savored the rich flavor on his tongue, a touch of hazy melancholy in his voice. He sighed, “Good tea.”

The man opposite him relaxed his brows, rolled up his sleeves, and said seriously, “The new official policy aims to decentralize power. Now, many new faces have appeared in the yamens, all transferred from elsewhere to hold lower ranks. What I mean is, the current atmosphere is tense, but the situation may not be bad for you or me. There are only three of us direct descendants of the Li family; holding significant power is a major taboo. The Imperial Guard and the Palace Guard have been divided, and the Heavenly Army has not made a move yet. Third Brother is even more anxious than we are. Eldest Brother, be more optimistic. The worst that can happen to the other officers is nothing compared to the fact that a third of the Heavenly Army has been divided and incorporated into the Pinglu Army. Our changes are nothing compared to that.”

Duke of Chen felt reassured by his words. The man was indeed right. Officials should be wary of everyone. They were somewhat better off in the capital because it was easier to manage them, but the Duke of Chu, Li Yujian, far away in Fengzhou, should be even more cautious.

The three cousins ​​did not present a power struggle. Li Yujian’s father, the Prince of Yong, was known for his aggressive nature, and Li Yujian, like his father, was brave but arrogant, having engaged in a long-standing power struggle with the Duke of Chen. Li Chenjian, the youngest, had always followed his elder brother. Even now, despite his title and official position, he still obeyed his elder brother’s orders. Therefore, of the three brothers, only Li Chenjian was closest to the Duke of Chen.

Yes, everything could not be rushed. They were even more anxious than the others. With the power of the two departments divided, they were still leisurely sitting here drinking tea; if word got out, it might temporarily calm the Emperor’s restless heart.

Since official matters did not need much discussion, they talked about private matters. Duke of Chen recalled that he had left after escorting Jiang Heng to the elegant pavilion the previous night, and he had no idea what they had discussed afterwards. So he pressed Li Chenjian for an answer. “When Marquis Jiang came, did he say anything to you? I mentioned to him that you were the one who arranged the banquet, and he seemed quite eager to meet you. I suppose it was about that marriage again?”

Li Chenjian nodded. “Today, I am going to Duke of Shu’s residence to pay a visit and hear what Young Lady Jiang has to say.”

The Duke of Chen laughed. “The six rites have all been completed; we are just waiting for the wedding ceremony. You are still calling her ‘Young Lady’?”

He was a little embarrassed and said shyly, “My calling her ‘Young Lady,’ what else could I call her? Oh,” he said, “Yes, her courtesy name is Si Si. It sounds very lively, does it not?”

The Duke of Chen almost could not help but laugh at him. This man, who had never seen a strong woman before, was truly full of longing and love for his future wife.

Alas, such affection was truly rare. He, too, was once wholeheartedly devoted to his wife, but she was the most prim and proper of the refined ladies, powerful and influential in public, but for daily life, she was rather dull. As time passed, the affection gradually faded, and in the end, only admiration and respect remained for his legal wife.

Speaking of lively spirits, a story came to mind. The Duke of Chen laughed and said, “I heard your wife is now a prominent figure in the capital. The other day, when I returned, I saw Jingcun setting up a walnut hut, saying it was a gift from the daughter of the Founding Marquis to all the noble ladies. Jingcun was overjoyed, saying that she was very grateful to her brother for marrying such a good wife, and that after your wedding next month, she would like to stay at your residence for a couple of days to make walnut huts with her sister-in-law.”

Li Chenjian chuckled, “That’s good. Keeping company in their chambers makes life much more interesting.”

But Duke of Chen teased him, “You say that now, but when your future wife is truly entangled with them, I am afraid you will be resentful and jealous of your sisters.”

The two brothers chatted about these things, and the happiest times were when politics was involved.

The Duke of Chen sat for a while before getting up to take his leave. He saw him to the door, and as he turned back, Chang-Song ran in, panting, “Young Master, the visiting card has been delivered. The Young Lady says she awaits your arrival.”

He nodded and said yes, then went back to the yamen to handle official business. He was very busy all morning, and by the time everything was arranged, it was already noon.

He ate a quick meal at the yamen, then had his servant prepare a carriage to go to the Duke of Shu’s residence. The summer heat was intense; he wanted to go early, finish his business, and avoid disturbing the Young Lady’s afternoon nap.

Actually, seeing her several times would have been appropriate. When he was engaged to the eldest daughter of the Duchess of Shu, he vaguely remembered her having only visited once, on the day of the betrothal ceremony. For the next two or three years, he was serving as the Military Commissioner in Xizhou and seemed to have found no reason to visit. However, this marriage involved more family matters. When he met with the Duchess of Shu, he first explained the situation and repeatedly said that he had been presumptuous to come to their residence on such a hot day.

“Such a bright and clear day; he would be a perfect match as a son-in-law or nephew-in-law,” Lady Ming laughed. “What are you saying? It was my good-natured brother-in-law who came to you; otherwise, we would not have needed your mediation.”

She led him to the inner courtyard, where a wooden oak corridor connected the front and back courtyards. At the junction, a very elegant pavilion stood, separated by a sliding door with straight lattice windows and bamboo curtains, creating a tea room—perfect for receiving guests and conversing.

He walked up the wooden corridor and saw a figure standing before the pavilion in the distance. She wore a high-waisted ruqun with a frosty-colored sash that fluttered gently in the breeze, always serene and composed. Upon reaching her, however, a hint of timidity appeared, and she steadily bowed, greeting him, “Duke of Wei.”

He returned the bow, saying, “I apologize for disturbing your peace, My Lady.”

Yunpan gave a slight bow. “You are too kind, Your Grace. Please come inside.” She stepped aside and helped Lady Ming inside.

Lady Ming, always quick to understand, would not dare to wink at her at this moment. She smiled and declined, “I have some trivial matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company.” As she spoke, she winked at the attendant Qin-Dan, who immediately understood and quickly helped Lady Ming out of the tea room.

Now only the two of them remained. Both felt more at ease, exchanged a glance, and then looked away.

Fortunately, Yunpan remained composed and did not lose face. She calmly invited the Duke of Wei to sit, poured him a cup of fruit tea that had been prepared beforehand, and presented it to him with both hands, saying, “Your Grace, please have some tea.”

He nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

The two sat facing each other, an awkward silence hanging between them.

Finally, Li Chenjian spoke first, carefully considering his words: “I’ve come to visit you today, My Lady, because I saw your father last night. He mentioned the wedding banquet, saying it would be held in Youzhou. However, since you have not returned to the Founding Marquis’s residence, holding a banquet there would be without justification. Therefore, he entrusted me to inquire about your opinion.”

In the end, they were targeting him. Yunpan had long anticipated that Liu-niang would not sit idly by and wait for her fate and would definitely encourage her father to make one last desperate attempt.

Those sordid matters, even after being dealt with, had to be brought to the forefront; it was truly disgraceful.

Yunpan also resented her father’s indecisiveness. Since she would be living with this man in the future, she did not mince words. After weighing her options, she said, “Your family has already conducted the six rites at the Duke of Shu’s residence, and has no connection with the Founding Marquis’s family. Therefore, the wedding banquet should not be held in Youzhou. My affairs must not be kept secret from the Duke. When I was refused entry, I could have easily returned home, but instead, I went through such a long detour to my aunt’s place. Did I not harbor resentment? Half a month ago, my uncle gave him a good scolding before the court, which brought my father to our door. But he made his intentions clear: he wanted me not to return, and he asked my aunt to make all the decisions for me. Now he wants to take me away—what kind of logic is that?”

She spoke hastily, her anger rising like a mountain, and the slight pursing of her lips revealed her grievance.

Realizing she had somewhat lost her composure, she quickly straightened her face and calmed herself: “My mother passed away last year, as you, sir, have surely heard. The household is now entirely managed by a concubine. If I were to return, she would be unable to intervene, and I dare not even imagine what kind of foolish things she would do. Marriage is a major life event, and I do not wish to let outsiders handle it for me. If I were to be impolite, I would not be able to explain it to you, Your Grace. Therefore, please convey to my father that I do not intend to marry at the Marquis’s residence. Firstly, my father is burdened with official duties, and I cannot bear to add to his burdens. Secondly, Youzhou is only a hundred li from the capital, and the weather is extremely hot. Traveling between the two places would be exhausting and costly.”

This clearly stated her thoughts and stance. The Duke of Wei, upon hearing this, said, “I understand what you mean, My Lady. I will relay the message about Marquis Jiang; you must be troubled. Let’s discuss this later. Marquis Jiang is still your father, and he’s alive. If the marriage completely bypasses him, he might lose face. You can choose not to return to that home, but you can’t let it go unchecked. If Marquis Jiang is completely corrupted by that woman, it will inevitably tarnish your reputation in the future. It will be too late to deal with it then.”

Yunpan listened quietly to his explanation. She felt she needed someone like him to offer timely reminders when she acted impulsively.

It was indeed a difficult situation; the blood ties between father and daughter could not be severed so easily. The Founding Marquis’s Mansion had become a laughingstock in both places. If it was not dealt with properly and allowed to rot, it would eventually be ruined by Liu-niang.

She could indeed be ruthless. If she completely severed ties with her father, it would be difficult to interfere in the Marquis’s affairs again. That place was built with great difficulty by her mother. She must at least preserve it; if it fell into disgrace, all her hard work would have been in vain.

“It was my oversight; please forgive my foolishness, Your Grace,” the woman said, lowering her head. “You are right. My father’s kindness in raising me is invaluable. If we really bypassed him, it wouldn’t sound good to outsiders.”

A person who could accept good advice was always intelligent and broad-minded. He smiled slightly. “Then what’s your plan, My Lady?”

Yunpan thought for a moment: “With that concubine in the Marquis’s mansion, it’s inconvenient for me to go back. Please allow me to ask my aunt and uncle’s opinion. If they agree, please ask my father to come here to see me off on the wedding day.”

This was indeed a win-win idea, excluding the concubine and her half-siblings from the Marquis’s household while preserving Jiang Heng’s dignity.

This was the first time both parties had formally resolved a matter, allowing for smooth communication and discussion, creating a sense of equal footing. Each held their own understanding, then spoke frankly, correcting errors and logically refining their arguments. Such a beginning was considered good for a marriage with a known future.

Sitting quietly, drinking together, a gentle breeze wafted into the tea room despite the afternoon heat in the capital.

On the low table sat a rough ceramic vase, holding two lotus flowers, one tall and one short, their buds trembling slightly in the breeze.