Perfect Match – CH 057

Chapter 57

At the Yang Mansion, Spring Blossom Banquet.

Yang Youyun sat alone on a quiet stone bench, drinking a whole bowl of tea before finally suppressing the nausea in her stomach.

The head maid and the old nanny were looking for her, so she hid even deeper among the flowers and trees until a young maid with a red birthmark above her eye peeked out. “They are gone!”

Yang Youyun breathed a sigh of relief and called to the young maid with the birthmark.

“Hongye, you just said that Aunt Teng came alone today, without Aunt Teng’s daughter-in-law?”

Hongye nodded repeatedly, saying she had inquired carefully and that Old Madam Lin had indeed come alone. “Our Second Madam and Second Young Lady have a grudge against Madam Teng, and it seems she was not invited at all.”

Hearing this, Yang Youyun could not help but recall the time at the Zheng family’s banquet. Among all the dignitaries from Xi’an Prefecture, not a single one interacted with her. She hid alone in the deserted bushes; if it were not for Cousin Teng’s persistent searching, no one would have known where she was.

And now her own mother was constantly speaking ill of her to others, and this time she had not even invited them—what was going on?

Yang Youyun thought for a moment, then called to Hongye, “Someone sent some things to the Prince’s Mansion earlier, but they have not been put into storage yet. Go and fetch them and deliver them to the Teng family.”

As she spoke, she sighed softly, “I do not know if they will even accept them.”

Just then, footsteps approached. Yang Youyun stood up, but after only a few steps, a wave of nausea rose in her throat, accompanied by a chilling breeze wafting from the bushes, making her shiver.

She covered her mouth and nose and quickly ran in the other direction.

Zhang Zhenhui happened to be passing by when she saw her running past, retching repeatedly.

Zhang Zhenhui’s wet nurse, surnamed Dong, was older and had raised many children herself. Seeing Yang Youyun’s condition, she exclaimed, “It seems that Young Lady Yang finally has good news!”

Zhang Zhenhui only glanced at Yang Youyun’s departing figure before looking away.

She did not say anything, and Nanny Dong did not say anything more either, only mentioning that she had just seen Old Madam Lin.

She lowered her voice slightly beside Zhang Zhenhui.

“This old servant thinks Old Madam Lin is as kind as before, even more so than before.”

Seeing that the young lady only smiled slightly, Nanny Dong continued.

“Although there are many noble families in the capital, in terms of the young man’s prospects, the relationship with the mother-in-law, and the family’s wealth, the Teng family is still the most practical; only their foundation is shallower, and their reputation is lower. But there’s no such thing as a perfect marriage; one must sacrifice either face or substance. These days, everyone values ​​face, so it’s not a bad thing for us to go against the grain and seek something more substantial.”

Zhang Zhenhui did not follow up on this, only watching Old Madam Lin walk away along the flower-lined path on the other side, and softly asked a question.

“Did Old Madam Lin come alone?”

“Of course,” said the wet nurse, “The Teng family cannot possibly bring their contracted wife here to see us, can they?”

She lowered her voice further. “I’ve inquired. They say the wife has been with the family for over half a year, but she rarely shows herself. It’s like they are not married at all; few people know her, and few pay attention to her. The Teng family knows their limits; they will pay her off and send her away. Who will remember her?”

She gave her mistress a look to reassure her. Zhang Zhenhui smiled gently, saying nothing, and simply told the wet nurse to turn onto another path.

In a hexagonal pavilion beside this path sat a richly dressed woman, surrounded by maids and flattering ladies, filling the small pavilion to capacity.

The elegantly dressed woman at the head of the table was the concubine of the Prince of Yanshan, a member of the Qin vassal state. She was the mother of Zhu Tingguang, the Prince’s third son and a general, and thus Yang Youyun’s mother-in-law and a relative by marriage.

The Prince of Yanshan’s eldest son died young, his second son was disgraced, and although his third son, Zhu Tingguang, was born to the concubine, he was not without a chance of inheriting the title.

Now that Consort Qian was attending a banquet at the Yang family’s mansion, many people naturally wanted to curry favor with her. However, while many wanted to establish connections with the Prince’s household, few could offer Consort Qian any real assistance.

Zhang Zhenhui and her wet nurse walked nearby, separated from the people in the hexagonal pavilion by a flowering tree. They had barely overheard some conversation when they heard the concubine’s impatience.

“It’s all the same old stuff about Guanzhong. The prince cannot even leave his fiefdom; how come he does not hear about what’s happening outside?”

The group consisted mostly of locals from Shaanxi. Those who had traveled outside had done so three to five years ago; it was nothing unusual for them.

Seeing that no one could say anything more, Consort Qian, feeling stifled in the windless pavilion, rose.

The others understood her meaning and decided not to follow her any further.

Consort Qian opened her folding fan and fanned herself as she walked, muttering, “The people the Yang family invited are still lacking; not as good as the Huang family’s flower banquet.”

However, her relationship with the Yang family was only through marriage. Her son, Zhu Tingguang’s, first wife had died in premature labor, along with her unborn child. Rumors circulated in Xi’an that Zhu Tingguang, drunk, had shoved his wife, causing her death. This prevented her from arranging a marriage for her son with someone of higher social standing. To quell the rumors, she had no choice but to form a marriage alliance with the Yang family.

Thinking of this, she muttered to Yang Youyun, “Two years have passed, and this withered belly shows no sign of pregnancy. It’s not even as good as the one who died first…”

Before she could finish speaking, she turned her head and saw a simply dressed girl standing on the side path. Although her clothes were plain, her appearance was gentle and dignified. Coincidentally, it was Yang Youyun’s cousin, the fourth young lady of the Yongchang Marquis’s Mansion.

Consort Qian’s words were one thing to say privately, but now, in the Yang residence, and especially in front of Yang Youyun’s cousin, they were somewhat awkward. However, what she said was true. Consort Qian’s expression remained unchanged, but she glanced at Fourth Young Lady Zhang, then suddenly seemed to remember something.

“I heard Fourth Young Lady just arrived from the capital. How is everything there?”

The Fourth Young Lady Zhang, seemingly oblivious to Consort Qian’s earlier words, naturally and politely bowed to her.

“Although many things are happening in the capital, it’s generally peaceful.”

Consort Qian nodded and asked, “I heard your uncle was transferred to the Five Armies Commandery to assist that Prince. I wonder how things are going?”

The Chief Eunuch Hong Jin wielded half the power of the court and was the most important person in the capital. For Zhu Tingguang to inherit the title, going through the Imperial Clan Court would not be easy, but if he could get through to Hong Jin, things would be much simpler.

Unfortunately, they were far away in Shaanxi, and their relationship with Chief Eunuch Hong Jin was simply too distant. Consort Qian inquired further and heard Fourth Young Lady Zhang say, “My uncle’s new post is going smoothly, but the family’s clan lands are causing some trouble, which worries him… His Highness is doing well, of course, but I heard in the capital that His Highness’s niece’s husband is not doing well. He’s fallen ill, and they’ve consulted the imperial physicians for three months, but it seems to be ineffective. It’s pitiful that His Highness only has one niece; it’s always worrying if she loses her husband at such a young age.”

She spoke slowly and deliberately, recounting this seemingly minor matter to Consort Qian.

Consort Qian’s ears perked up. In the current court, who would not want to be associated with the Chief Eunuch? But establishing such a connection was no easy feat. Besides Hong Jin’s adopted sons, only his own nephews and nieces remained.

Consort Qian quickly asked, “How is His Highness’s niece’s husband?”

*

In Teng Mansion, Liumingxuan courtyard.

The old teacher’s lesson was not over yet, and Deng Ruyun was already waiting at the school gate. As soon as the teacher left, Teng Xiao eagerly ran out of her seat. Linglang, looking like a little adult, was tidying up her writing materials. Teng Xiao called to her, “Linglang, come to my Chengfeng Garden later. Aunt Xiao has something good to show you.”

Deng Ruyun stepped forward, and Teng Xiao, seeing her, said, “Sister-in-law, come to my place too. Anyway, Second Brother and Mother are not home. We can roast lamb legs at Chengfeng Garden.”

Deng Ruyun found it amusing that she was full of energy whenever she was not out or at school.

Just as she was about to say something, someone arrived from the outer courtyard, saying that the wife of the Zhenguo General had delivered something.

It was Yang Youyun who sent the gifts. She gave Teng Xiao two intricately carved boxes with hidden compartments, which Teng Xiao immediately liked. “My eldest cousin is so kind, much better than my second cousin!”

She was praising one while simultaneously belittling the other; if Old Madam Lin heard this, she’d surely be scolded.

But Yang Youyun also sent something to Deng Ruyun: two boxes of medicinal herbs from Sichuan.

Besides that, there was even a set of twelve zodiac animal clay dolls. These were clearly not for Deng Ruyun and Teng Xiao’s age. The gatekeeper said, “They are for our little cousin.”

The Teng family did not have any little cousins. Before Deng Ruyun could react, Teng Xiao laughed.

“They are for Linglang! When I saw my eldest cousin last time, I mentioned to her that my sister-in-law’s little niece is incredibly adorable; I just want to steal her and keep her in my Chengfeng Garden.”

Teng Xiao had only mentioned it briefly, but she had not expected Yang Youyun to remember.

Deng Ruyun was quite surprised. In truth, she and Yang Youyun had only met a few times. As for her attitude towards Second Madam Yang, it was hardly respectful. Unexpectedly, Yang Youyun had sent gifts to both her and Linglang.

Was it an apology on behalf of her mother and the Yang family for not inviting her to the flower banquet?

Deng Ruyun recalled the gentle and kind manner of the eldest young lady of the Yang family she had met earlier.

What virtue or ability did Second Madam Yang possess to have given birth to such a daughter?

But Deng Ruyun and Linglang’s identities were actually unrelated to the eldest young lady of the Yang family.

Unfortunately, this eldest young lady of the Yang family did not know that her own cousin from the Marquis’s Mansion was the future Madam of the Teng family, the relative she needed to maintain contact with.

The Yang family had not invited her to the flower banquet, naturally, because Fourth Young Lady Zhang had already returned to Xi’an. How could someone of her awkward and cumbersome status appear before the main figures?

Upon returning to Liumingxuan, Deng Ruyun had Xiuniang deliver the gifts to Old Madam Lin’s storeroom. She should not have accepted these gifts; she simply returned to her room. The room was empty.

From the moment she first stepped in until her last departure, not long had passed.

The room always carried the scent of medicine she brought with her. She opened the window to let the fragrance out, not wanting to think about anything, and simply sat down at the desk.

The bookshelves were now mostly filled with medical books and pharmacopoeias. Deng Ruyun glanced at them, then immediately looked away, opening the ledgers of Yuyun Hall.

Regardless, she had opened this pharmacy of hers in Xi’an Prefecture.

After leaving, Yuyun Hall would be the pillar supporting her family.

At this moment, Deng Ruyun only wanted to focus her attention on Yuyun Hall.

She flipped through the ledgers, calculating the densely packed transactions of raw and processed herbs, meticulously tracking each expense and income.

She was simply moving the beads; her original small abacus was gone, and she was now using a large abacus she’d acquired in exchange for it. This rather awkward, large abacus made it easy for her to accidentally move a bead incorrectly.

A misplaced bead disrupted her train of thought; she could not even remember which entry she was on.

She stood helplessly before the abacus, this moment seeming familiar, as if it had just happened recently.

That day, someone had asked her a question that had confused her accounts. She was displeased and angrily moved the beads back to their original positions.

He, seeing that he had disturbed her, quickly apologized and offered to help her calculate.

She initially said she did not need it, but he insisted, taking over her small abacus and demanding that she give him the numbers so he could calculate them.

She refused, so he asked her, “If Yunniang will not let me calculate, who do you want to help you?”

She had no choice but to let him be. She still had to do her accounting, and she could only assume he was just teasing her.

But that day, this incompetent accountant, while calculating the accounts, inexplicably moved his hand away from the abacus, brushing against her face.

She turned her head away, but he lowered his head and brought his lips close to hers.

The scent of ink mingled with their intertwined breaths. His warm, large hand cradled her head, and she saw him slowly close his eyes, seemingly lost in reverie.

His nose touched hers, and his soft, warm lips gently pressed against the corner of her mouth… …

In the empty room, a gust of wind rushed in through the windows and doors, rustling the accounts she was working on.

Deng Ruyun suddenly snapped back to reality, a dampness welling up in her nostrils.

The wind chilled her fingers; she abruptly stood up and snapped the wind-blown account books shut. She put the account books and abacus into the cabinet and, without daring to linger, quickly left the room.

… …

After the Yang family’s flower banquet, the weather grew warmer.

Teng Yue first went to cover for General Wu’s family, and then news came from the court about the reorganization of military farms, especially those in various regions.

Teng Yue’s official position in the Shaanxi Military Command was precisely in charge of military farm affairs, and for several days in a row, he had not been able to return home.

Everything at the Teng Mansion remained the same, but the messenger sent out by Consort Qian to gather information on the Yanshan Prince’s Mansion returned on horseback with a message.

Upon receiving the news, Consort Qian immediately summoned her son.

“…If the Chief Eunuch’s niece’s husband really does not make it through the month, do you think it would be difficult for you to inherit the title if we could use this to establish a connection with Hong Jin?”

Zhu Tingguang looked up upon hearing this news. “My second brother is above me, holding the eldest son’s position. Even if his reputation is terrible, the Imperial Clan Court will side with him. But if the Chief Eunuch is willing to side with me, it will be different.”

Consort Qian, remembering where the news came from, spoke first, “The Yongchang Marquis’s estate has a hundred acres of land that we’ve merged with. I heard the Yongchang Marquis is troubled by these scattered and disorganized clan lands. We should merge some more land with them, connecting these scattered plots into a larger area, which would also establish some goodwill with the Zhang family.”

Zhu Tingguang nodded, saying it was a small matter. “The important thing right now is how to establish a connection with the Chief Eunuch’s niece’s widowhood.”

The mother and son both frowned and pondered, but after much thought, it seemed there was nothing they could do. Finally, Consort Qian grew increasingly irritated. “I should have known better than to rush you into marrying that Yang family girl. Not only can she not produce a single child, but she’s also wasting your time. If your wife remains without child and Hong Jin’s niece is widowed while you are, is there a more suitable match?”

If Zhu Tingguang became Hong Jin’s niece’s husband, let alone the title of Prince of Yanshan, even the title of Prince Qin, above him, would not be out of reach.

That night, Zhu Tingguang drank heavily, returning to his courtyard with Yang Youyun reeking of alcohol, his legs unsteady.

Seeing his displeased expression, the maids and servants all vanished.

Even the head maid and the old nanny, who usually advised Yang Youyun, avoided him, leaving only Hongye by Yang Youyun’s side, nervously whispering in her ear.

“Her health is not what it used to be, General. You’ve had too much to drink, so please keep your distance.”

But before she could finish speaking, Zhu Tingguang suddenly called out.

“Yang, come and serve me tea!”

Hearing this, Yang Youyun could no longer avoid him. She could only lower her head, brew a bowl of tea, and bring it to him.

However, the tea was too hot. Zhu Tingguang, heavily intoxicated, picked it up and drank it, but before he could even bring it to his lips, he was scalded and knocked it to the ground.

The sound of the porcelain bowl shattering and hot tea spilling suddenly rang out in the quiet room.

Yang Youyun was startled. Her face paled. She was about to turn around to call someone to clean up when Zhu Tingguang abruptly stood up.

A slap landed squarely on her face.

“You wretched bitch, blocking my luck is not enough; you want to scald me to death?!”

His slap, reeking of alcohol, landed squarely on Yang Youyun’s face.

Caught completely off guard, Yang Youyun felt her ears ringing, her vision blurring, and a metallic taste filling her mouth before she was suddenly knocked to the ground.

She crashed into the flower stand behind her, causing a flowerpot to fall and hit her squarely in the stomach.

Zhu Tingguang had not expected to use so much force in that slap.

Before, when he slapped her, her face would only swell for a couple of days; this time, she was down on the ground.

He was about to ask, “Are you faking it?” when he noticed blood seeping from under her skirt.

Hongye also saw the blood, screamed, and rushed forward, only to find Yang Youyun unconscious, the blood under her skirt increasing.

“Madam… Miss, Miss, this is… a miscarriage?!”

… …

When Consort Qian arrived, the room reeked of blood.

Zhu Tingguang was finally mostly sober. He had not expected his slap to cause such a serious injury.

The household physician, who was always on duty, took her pulse. Zhu Tingguang asked, “Was she really pregnant before?”

The physician sighed and nodded, then said, “She was about two months pregnant, but now…” The physician shook his head again, “Gone.”

Consort Qian’s vision blurred. “How could this happen?”

She then asked, “What about after that? How long will she need to recuperate before she can conceive again?”

At this question, the physician’s face grew even more grim, and the stench of blood in the room intensified.

He said, “Madam has lost a lot of blood in this miscarriage. Even if the bleeding is stopped as soon as possible, her body will be severely weakened. It will take at least three to five years before she can conceive again, but who knows, perhaps in the future…”

These words caused Consort Qian and her son, Zhu Tingguang, to exchange surprised glances.

The physician only said, “It’s hard to say what will happen in the future. The fact that Madam is bleeding so much is not a good sign; we must stop the bleeding as soon as possible!”

He wrote out a prescription, sent someone to fetch the medicine, and added, “It would be best to find a physician skilled in treating women’s illnesses. This matter cannot be delayed; if it is, her life may be in danger.”

The physician urged her repeatedly, and Consort Qian was about to go and fetch someone, but Zhu Tingguang suddenly grabbed his mother and pulled her to a drafty spot under the corridor.

The wind howled there, making Consort Qian’s scalp tingle. “What are you doing again? Why are you not going to find someone?”

But before her words could be carried away by the wind, she heard her son suddenly whisper.

“Mother, if we do not save her, will Yang Youyun die?”

Consort Qian was startled. “What do you mean?!”

She asked, seeing her son’s eyes narrow, a dark shadow appear beneath them, and his voice grow lower and more sinister.

“What I mean is, let’s not touch Yang Youyun; let her fend for herself. If she’s blessed by heaven, she will naturally recover and stop the bleeding, but if she’s not destined for that, why not let her go? Once she’s gone, I might be able to marry Hong Jin’s niece.”

After saying this, Consort Qian took a deep breath.

*

At the Teng Mansion.

Teng Yue finally had some free time to go home.

Upon entering, he asked the gatekeeper, “Is Madam home?”

The gatekeeper replied, “Yes, Madam did not go out today.”

Hearing this, the man’s lips curled into a smile. Without even lingering in the outer courtyard, he headed straight for Liumingxuan.

However, upon arriving at Liumingxuan and striding into the courtyard and rooms, he could not find his wife anywhere.

Just as Teng Yue was about to ask someone, a servant arrived from Canglang Pavilion, saying that his mother had requested his presence.

Teng Yue initially thought his wife was at Canglang Pavilion, but upon arriving, he found she was not there either. He felt a sudden unease and could not help but ask his mother, “Is Yunniang not at home? Why have I not seen her?”

This question had even reached the ears of Old Madam Lin.

Old Madam Lin frowned slightly as she glanced at her son, but still answered him.

“She should have gone to the school to pick up Linglang. What brings you so urgently for Yunniang?”

Teng Yue had no particular reason; he was just a little anxious because he had not seen her since returning home.

Hearing that she was at the school, he breathed a slight sigh of relief, a relaxed smile appearing on his face. “Mother, you called me here. What’s the matter?”

Old Madam Lin was not in a hurry. She first asked him a few questions about his situation these past few days, and upon hearing about the clearing of the military garrison, she mentioned it briefly.

“I heard it’s the work of the Chief Eunuch. You are in charge of the military farms in Shaanxi, so try to make things convenient for him. Clearing out the military farms would not be a bad thing; otherwise, they will all be taken over, leaving the military households hungry.”

Teng Yue snorted softly. “That’s indeed a good thing, but whether Hong Jin is doing this for the sake of all the military households or just to give these occupied military farms another owner is hard to say.”

Madam Lin frowned even more. “In any case, we should not go against that Chief Eunuch.”

Teng Yue remained silent, changing the subject. “Mother, is this all you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Of course not,” Madam Lin finally said. “In a few days, will you accompany me to the Great Ci’en Temple?”

Teng Yue raised an eyebrow. “Mother, you want to climb the Dayan Pagoda? But I am so busy, I can not even find the time to come home, let alone climb a pagoda to worship Buddha.”

He did not want to go but said, “Can Yunniang and Ah Xiao not accompany you?”

Old Madam Lin glanced at him and shook her head. “I am going to the Great Ci’en Temple to light an eternal lamp for your maternal grandfather. In a few days, it will be the fifth anniversary of his death. I’ve dreamt of him these past two nights, and I heard him thinking of you. Are you really not going to come with me to pay your respects to your grandfather?”

The Teng family was only saved from ruin thanks to Teng Yue’s maternal grandfather’s support.

Teng Yue fell silent upon hearing this and could only nod.

“Alright then.”

“What about Yunniang and Ah Xiao?”

Old Madam Lin waved her hand, saying it was alright. “Your aunt from the Yang family insists on coming with me. She and Yunniang are not meant to be; I do not want them to meet and cause trouble for both sides. As for your sister, let’s see what she decides.”

Teng Yue naturally knew about the relationship between his aunt from the Yang family and Deng Ruyun. He did not say anything more, only asking his mother when she would be going to the Great Ci’en Temple, before leaving Canglang Pavilion.

However, when he reached the entrance of Canglang Pavilion, he saw Qingxuan and asked her a question.

“At the Yang family’s flower banquet the other day, did the Yang family not invite Madam to the banquet?”

Qingxuan’s face was slightly embarrassed. “Yes.”

Teng Yue pursed his lips. “What about invitations from other families? Does Madam not attend many of those either?”

Qingxuan nodded hesitantly.

Teng Yue did not ask any more questions; his face darkened completely.

He first went to the school, but finding it deserted, he quickly returned to Liumingxuan.

*

At Liumingxuan.

Deng Ruyun was talking to Linglang in the corridor.

“Study for another two or three days, then tell your teacher you’ve learned all the characters in this book, and you will not need to go anymore, alright?”

The light in little Linglang’s eyes dimmed considerably.

“Auntie, does that mean I cannot come to school anymore?”

Deng Ruyun could not explain much to her.

Teng Xiao really liked Linglang too much; if things continued like this, leaving would only bring more trouble.

She suggested finding Linglang a teacher at home, “She still needs to study, just in a different place.”

But when she said this, the light in Linglang’s eyes dimmed even further, the little one lowered her head, and her voice became a little hoarse.

“But Aunt Xiao will miss me, and Linglang will miss her too.”

Her small, slightly hoarse voice broke Deng Ruyun’s heart. She could only kneel down in front of Linglang and pull her closer.

“But this is someone else’s house.”

She said, then suddenly added, “In this world, all good things must come to an end.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the little one in her arms twitched her nose and buried her head in Deng Ruyun’s shoulder.

For some reason, her eyes also welled up with tears.

But then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside the door, and Xiuniang exclaimed from the doorway.

“The General is back!”

Deng Ruyun turned to look at the door, her gaze meeting his intense eyes.