“At last, one thing is finally done.”
With the matter of the newly appointed jinshi coming to an end, Chen Shao could finally breathe a little easier – though only a little.
“Court affairs are still troubling you?” Madam Chen asked with concern as she brought him a cup of tea.
Gao Lingjun had been driven out, yet the political entanglements that had once existed because of him had not diminished – in fact, they had only deepened.
Those were the deliberate doings of the men who had once served under Gao Lingjun, but it was also something Chen Shao had long foreseen.
There had been no good news from the disaster relief or the uprisings among the people; the Emperor’s temper grew worse by the day, and his disagreements with Chen Shao over state affairs grew ever sharper – along with more and more bouts of inexplicable anger.
“Right now, you hold the greatest power in court – so naturally, all of the Emperor’s anger is directed at you,” Madam Chen sighed.
“Even so, the Gao family must not be allowed back into court,” Chen Shao said without the slightest hesitation. “This is only temporary. Once the main trunk is cut down, the remaining branches and leaves can be trimmed slowly – things will fall into order eventually.”
He smiled faintly as he said this.
“It’s just like the Northwest – hasn’t that been straightened out as well?”
“You’ve worked hard, my lord,” Madam Chen said with a tender smile.
At the mention of the Northwest, her thoughts turned to that girl.
Though she seemed to have nothing to do with the matter, in the Northwest’s military and political affairs her presence was everywhere – she had pushed Jiang Wenyuan to reorganize personnel, invented the Divine Arm Bow and stone shot, enabling the Northwestern army to win repeated victories and stabilize its command.
In that sense, she had indeed rendered great merit to the Northwest.
“Shi’ba-niang is to be married on the twenty-sixth. I’ve already sent a wedding invitation to Lady Cheng as well,” said Madam Chen.
Ah yes – there was also their daughter’s marriage to think about, another matter demanding care and attention.
“Shi’ba-niang said that after the wedding, she and her husband won’t be returning to Lu-zhou right away?” Chen Shao recalled something and asked.
Madam Chen nodded.
“The lessons at Prince Ping’s residence are still ongoing,” she said with a smile. Having a daughter worthy of praise was every mother’s pride. “Now even Her Grace the Imperial Consort, who manages the palace’s inner affairs, has said that the princesses in the palace should begin their education as well – so she’s asked her to teach them together.”
Chen Shao shook his head.
“Once a girl is married, she should be at home – assisting her husband, teaching her children, and showing respect to her in-laws. How can it be proper for her to stay in the capital like this?” he said.
“It’s not that she won’t go back,” Madam Chen replied. “She’s only staying here for a while. Once she’s with child, of course she’ll leave. Besides,” she added softly, “I can’t quite bear to have her go so far away. Once she’s gone, we won’t see her for years.”
Chen Shao frowned slightly, lost in thought.
“What is it?” Madam Chen asked.
He just couldn’t shake the feeling that Shi’ba-niang had changed somehow…
“She’s about to be married – she’s no longer a little girl. How could she still be the same?” Madam Chen said with a smile.
Chen Shao also smiled faintly.
“The three hundred poems – if one were to sum them up in a single phrase: ‘thoughts without deceit.’” He spoke slowly. “In this world, the hardest thing of all… is to keep one’s thoughts pure.”
In the blink of an eye, the twenty-sixth day of the third month arrived, and the Chen household was adorned in red and green, bustling with wedding joy.
Outside in the outer courtyard, lively noise and laughter filled the air; inside, the inner quarters were peaceful and serene.
“Shi’ba-niang, have a look at your makeup.”
The joyful matrons fussed around Chen Shi’ba-niang, turning her toward the bronze mirror.
In the mirror, the young lady’s carefully adorned face was as beautiful as a blooming flower.
Chen Shi’ba-niang smiled faintly.
“…The immortal’s disciple, Lady Cheng, has arrived…”
“…Quick, go and see…”
The whispers from outside drifted in, and Chen Shi’ba-niang turned her head.
So – she’s come.
“…That Lady Cheng is a year younger than Shi’ba-niang, isn’t she? It’s about time she married too…”
“…I wonder what sort of family she’ll end up with…”
“…With the Empress Dowager’s favor involved, that’s hard to say…”
The soft murmurs and half-suppressed laughter went on and on, and Chen Shi’ba-niang felt only a wave of irritation.
These women – there was nothing in their minds or eyes but talk of marriage.
Did they not understand how little such things must mean to her?
To have swayed the court, dismissed ministers, achieved remarkable feats one after another; to have drawn even the Empress Dowager’s caution and the Emperor’s praise, while princes and nobles all vied to befriend her – her gaze was set upon a far greater world.
Chen Shi’ba-niang rose to her feet as the women around her joked and sang wedding songs, helping her into her bridal robes. Through the window, she looked outside.
At the end of March, spring light was lush and full; in the courtyard, the trees cast swaying shadows, flowers bloomed in abundance, and women, girls, and children sat or stood everywhere.
Amid the sea of faces, she spotted her at a glance – the girl standing beneath a flowering tree, behind two matrons and several young ladies. Her clothes were not particularly bright or fine, yet she was still the most striking figure in the crowd.
What she can do, I can do as well.
If she could be invited by Duke Jin’an to watch over Prince Qing, then she herself could be invited by the Imperial Consort to instruct the princesses. She might not compare to that lady, but she too could do what she wished to do. So long as she worked hard and applied herself, she too could achieve something of her own.
A burst of commotion came from outside.
“The Emperor has bestowed a wedding decree and gifts!”
At this news, the whole room erupted in joy – few marriages were honored with an imperial bestowal.
“Shi’ba-niang, congratulations indeed!” the joyful matrons said, bowing and offering their blessings one after another.
Chen Shi’ba-niang only smiled faintly.
That was because her father was Chen Shao.
She lowered her head as the women placed the heavy bridal crown upon her and draped the bright red veil over her face, shutting out her sight and turning the lively sounds around her into something distant, half-real, half-unreal.
Dusk was falling. The groom arrived to take his bride, leading her toward the carriage.
Those who had come to send the bride off were beginning to disperse as well.
Second Madam Cheng was chatting and exchanging pleasantries with the other ladies, taking the opportunity to introduce her three daughters to them one by one. When she turned around, however, Cheng Jiao-niang was nowhere to be seen.
“Si-niang, keep an eye on your sisters,” she instructed hurriedly, glancing around. At last she spotted Cheng Jiao-niang under the corridor, just as she was lifting her foot to leave.
“Jiao Jiao!” she called, hurrying after her and reaching out to grab her arm.
“Madam,” Ban Qin quickly stepped forward and gently brushed the woman’s hand aside.
“Where are you going?” Second Madam Cheng asked anxiously.
Since Chen Dan-niang, as part of the bride’s kin, was joining the bridal procession, Cheng Jiao-niang was taking her leave.
“Go home,” said Second Madam Cheng again, reaching out with a smile. “You’ve been staying at your uncle’s house for so long – it’s time you returned home.”
“Madam–” Ban Qin hurriedly stepped forward to pull her arm away once more.
They were already the focus of many eyes, and at this sudden tug and scuffle, countless glances – both open and covert – turned their way.
Just as Cheng Jiao-niang was about to speak, someone stepped in from the side and brusquely knocked Second Madam Cheng’s hand away.
“It’s time to leave – what are you dawdling for?”
Zhou Liu-lang snapped impatiently, glaring at Second Madam Cheng.
“Stay away from me.”
What was this fellow doing in the women’s quarters?
Second Madam Cheng instinctively took a step back. This rough young man had once publicly cursed her as an unworthy stepmother – if he were to make another scene here, shamelessly and without restraint, he might be punished afterward, but her own reputation would be utterly ruined.
Zhou Liu-lang strode off with long, forceful steps, while Cheng Jiao-niang turned and offered Second Madam Cheng a polite bow.
“…Who was that man? How could he speak so rudely to an elder?” someone whispered.
“An elder? Don’t be ridiculous – that’s the Zhou family’s Sixth Young Master. What kind of elder is that Madam Cheng to him?”
“Even if she’s just a stepmother, shouldn’t Madam Cheng’s daughter have stepped in to defend her? Isn’t that rather disrespectful?”
“Disrespectful? Not at all. That’s the Zhou family. Back then, because of Madam Cheng and her mother, the Zhou and Cheng households fought bitterly for years – they’re old enemies who can’t bear the sight of each other…”
“…One side’s her uncle’s family, the other her father’s – what can a daughter possibly do between the two?”
Murmurs and whispers rose all around, yet none of them were aimed in blame at her lady. Ban Qin let out a quiet sigh of relief. She glanced first at Second Madam Cheng, whose face was caught between embarrassment, anger, and helpless retreat, then at Zhou Liu-lang, striding ahead with his head held high and steps swinging.
“…Only the Zhou family can act on Miss’s behalf; only the Zhou family can bear the blame in her stead. They can do whatever they please – but Miss cannot…”
The maid’s words echoed in her ears as Ban Qin looked at Zhou Liu-lang ahead of them, who now seemed a little impatient, turning to glance back as if to hurry them along.
In the dimming light of dusk, she found herself truly looking at this young man again for the first time in years – and for a fleeting moment, it felt as if she were back on that day long ago.
That day, the youth had stood tall and unyielding in the Cheng household, proud and fierce in bearing.
“If I can’t stand up for my cousin, I’m not worthy of being called a man!”
Cheng Jiao-niang, who had taken a few steps ahead, turned back to glance at him. Ban Qin came to her senses and quickly hurried after her.
“Zhou Liu-lang!”
Just as they stepped out the gate, someone called out. Zhou Liu-lang looked up and saw Qin Shi’san-lang, dressed in bright, elegant clothes, gazing down at him from horseback.
“You’re dressed up like a groom yourself – what’s the occasion?” Zhou Liu-lang said with a grin as he strode forward.
“I took the same imperial exam as the groom, so I was invited to join the wedding procession,” Qin Shi’san-lang replied with a smile. He swung down from his horse and gave Cheng Jiao-niang a friendly smile.
Cheng Jiao-niang returned the gesture with a polite bow.
“Are you free tomorrow?” Qin Shi’san-lang asked. “The cherry blossoms at the Wuli Monastery outside the city are in full bloom – shall we go see them?”
Before Cheng Jiao-niang could answer, Zhou Liu-lang stepped forward, blocking Qin Shi’san-lang’s line of sight.
“I’m busy,” he said, glaring.
“You can go be busy – I wasn’t asking you,” Qin Shi’san-lang replied with a grin, tilting his head to peer past Zhou Liu-lang’s shoulder at Cheng Jiao-niang. “You don’t already have other plans, do you?”
Cheng Jiao-niang smiled and shook her head.
“No.”
“Then may I have the pleasure of your company?” Qin Shi’san-lang asked with a cheerful smile.
“You may,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied.
Zhou Liu-lang reached out and straightened Qin Shi’san-lang’s head with a shove.
“What exactly are you doing here?” he demanded.
“I’m here to escort the bride – can’t you see?” Qin Shi’san-lang replied.
Zhou Liu-lang gave a snort and lifted his chin.
“Well, I really can’t see it, because everyone in the bridal procession is already leaving -while you’re still standing here doing nothing,” he said.
Music struck up, firecrackers crackled, and the carriages and horses began to move. Laughter and cheers filled the crowded street.
Mounting his horse in haste, Qin Shi’san-lang caught up with the procession, turning once to flash them a grin before disappearing into the distance.
“They’ve gone,” Zhou Liu-lang said, turning back – only to see Cheng Jiao-niang gazing after the distant bridal procession, lost in thought.
Her expression wasn’t as blank as usual; instead, there was a faint trace of wistfulness.
She was eighteen this year – one year younger than Chen Shi’ba-niang. Though customs had grown more liberal, for a girl to marry at nineteen was already considered rather late.
And as for her – no one had yet come to propose, nor was anyone likely to for quite some time.
“What’s there to look at?” Zhou Liu-lang muttered gruffly.
“The wedding dress is beautiful,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied.
It was beautiful – just as the wedding dresses from three hundred years ago had been. Or rather, wedding dresses were beautiful in every age.
Cheng Jiao-niang watched the procession fade into the distance, smiled faintly, and lowered her gaze.
Wedding dress…
Zhou Liu-lang couldn’t help but take a step back toward her.
“It’s not beautiful at all,” he said loudly, tugging at her sleeve. “Come on, let’s go.”
Cheng Jiao-niang lifted her head, smiled at him, and without a word, followed in step.
“This is outrageous!”
As soon as she stepped down from the carriage and entered the gate, Second Madam Cheng could no longer hold back her anger.
“Madam, please calm down. That’s just how the Zhou family is – best not to pay them any mind…” one of the maids hurried to console her.
“How the Zhou family is?” Second Madam Cheng gave a cold laugh. “Would they dare behave that way if she hadn’t indulged them? Do you take me for a fool? Since she’s shown no feeling, then she can’t blame me for showing no mercy…”
“Aunt.”
A voice suddenly spoke up.
Startled, Second Madam Cheng turned and saw Cheng Si-lang stepping out from beside the gate.
“Si-lang! Are you going out?” she asked.
Cheng Si-lang nodded.
“Some classmates invited me to gather for a bit,” he said, glancing at Second Madam Cheng, hesitating as if wanting to say more.
“It’s good to get together – have a nice time,” Second Madam Cheng said with a smile. “Go to Immortal’s Abode, our family’s own place. That way you won’t have to spend a coin.”
Cheng Si-lang’s expression turned awkward for a moment.
“Aunt,” he said after gritting his teeth, “my sister is actually a very good person. As long as you treat her kindly, she’ll treat you with even greater kindness.”
At once, Second Madam Cheng’s face darkened.
“Si-lang, are you saying we’ve treated her poorly?” she demanded. “That’s a terrible accusation to make against us!”
“Whether you’ve treated her well or not – you know it in your own hearts,” Cheng Si-lang said, bowing his head in a perfunctory salute. Before Second Madam Cheng could respond, he lifted his foot and strode past her, walking away quickly.
“That little brat! Now that he’s a jinshi, he thinks he’s above the heavens – he doesn’t even respect his elders anymore!”
Second Madam Cheng’s furious voice followed from behind, but Cheng Si-lang paid her no heed. He walked straight out of the house, exhaled deeply once he reached the street, and thought – yes, he had passed the jinshi exam, and that gave him courage. If they dared to trouble his sister again, he would speak up for her.
“Young Master, Sister Ban Qin has already reserved a room for you at Immortal’s Abode,” the servant boy said happily.
His young master had passed the jinshi examination, which meant he himself had earned great credit; Ban Qin had even rewarded him generously, and he’d been so delighted he hadn’t slept properly for days.
Cheng Si-lang nodded and lifted his foot to step forward – when suddenly, a figure darted out from the side.
Both he and the servant started in fright and were about to cry out when the figure dropped to her knees with a thud.
“Fourth Young Master! I beg you, please help my lady!”
It was a girl’s voice, choked with tears, as she kowtowed again and again on the ground.
