Hong Tai’s eldest daughter-in-law escorted Qian Jiaoniang to Jingxin Pavilion. They entered the side hall first. The eldest daughter-in-law, having heard the instructions from the person sent by her father-in-law, asked Qian Jiaoniang whether she wanted a screen for separation. Qian Jiaoniang smiled and said, “I’m just a commoner, not some high-born lady. No need! The rest of you, stay here with the young madam. Suier, go make a bowl of tea and bring it in to me later.”
Suier accepted the order. Qingya glanced at Qian Jiaoniang, who nodded to her, then turned and left.
Leaving the corridor and entering the main hall through the front door, Qian Jiaoniang quietly took a deep breath. She lifted her head, straightened her back, and stepped over the threshold. The three gentlemen inside, who were drinking tea, all rose to greet her. Hang Zhi and Hong Tai were seated in the main seats, Ma Dongchang in the first seat to the right, so Qian Jiaoniang took the first seat to the left. As soon as Ma Dongchang sat down, he began making exaggerated eye signals at Qian Jiaoniang.
Puzzled, Qian Jiaoniang asked, “Master Ma, did you get sand in your eyes?”
Ma Dongchang’s half-squint froze in place. Seeing Hang Zhi looking at him with meaningful eyes, he hurriedly rubbed hard at his eyes. “Yes, haha, haha!”
“Then does Master Ma need someone to blow them for you?” Qian Jiaoniang asked with concern.
“No, no need.” Ma Dongchang turned to exchange a glance with Hong Tai and sighed inwardly—this woman was hopeless.
Hang Zhi studied Qian Jiaoniang without showing it, somewhat puzzled. The last time he saw Madam Xing defending her husband so fiercely, she seemed a devoted wife. Even for an ordinary couple, hearing that one’s husband was being held under soft confinement in the palace should bring fear and worry. Yet three days had passed, and Madam Xing was still glowing with health, not the slightest sign of haggardness.
“Madam Xing,” Hang Zhi asked, “have you been eating well these past few days?”
“Thank you for your concern, Lord Hang, I’ve been eating very well!” Qian Jiaoniang replied proudly. “The chef here at Lord Hong’s is amazing—at lunch I even had three bowls of rice!”
Hang Zhi: “…”
Hong Tai and Ma Dongchang: “…”
Hong Tai could testify that she was telling the truth—she had indeed eaten three bowls at noon, and had even marveled about it when telling her maid.
Hang Zhi forced a smile. The husband was detained, yet the wife could eat three bowls of rice. “That’s good, then. I was worried Madam Xing might be so anxious over Lord Xing’s affairs that you’d lose your appetite. It seems I was overthinking.”
“I’m not anxious,” Qian Jiaoniang said cheerfully. “The marquis told me not to worry.”
“He told you not to worry, and you simply don’t?” So this madam was actually… simple-minded?
Qian Jiaoniang nodded seriously. “That’s right. As the saying goes, at home one obeys the father, when married one obeys the husband. Whatever my husband says, of course I follow.”
And that’s something to “follow”? She’s just not taking it seriously! Ma Dongchang fumed silently in his heart.
“Madam’s heart is broad; this official is ashamed in comparison.”
Broad heart? More like a lack of brains! Hong Tai thought sourly.
Qian Jiaoniang beamed with pride. “The marquis praises me like that too.”
The three men present were all momentarily speechless. Praise? Was that really praise? They could all imagine the expression Xing Muzheng had when “praising” her.
Ma Dongchang genuinely worried whether Xing Muzheng had been bewitched. Why else would he insist on keeping such a rice-loving, clueless wife?
Just then, Suier came in carrying a bowl of tea, but was stopped at the door by the butler. Qian Jiaoniang told the butler to let her in. Suier lowered her gaze and walked in demurely, deliberately imitating Qingya’s bearing as instructed. Qian Jiaoniang noticed that Hang Zhi only glanced at her once before shifting his gaze back to herself. She lowered her eyes to avoid his.
Until Suier left, Hang Zhi didn’t look at her again. Qian Jiaoniang took a sip of tea, a glimmer flashing in her eyes.
Hang Zhi continued, “Madam, to be frank, I fear Marquis Dingxi may have deceived you. The longer he remains in the palace, the greater the danger to his life.”
“Oh dear, is that true?!” Qian Jiaoniang exclaimed in shock. “My lord, what crime has the marquis committed?”
“This… in fact, that is precisely why I invited you here today. I truly do not know how Marquis Xing has angered His Majesty. Did he perhaps say anything to you?”
Qian Jiaoniang said with difficulty, “The marquis never talks to me about court matters. I’m afraid I can’t help.”
“Other than court matters, did the marquis say anything strange? Or has he seemed preoccupied lately, muttering to himself at night?” Hang Zhi coaxed.
“This…”
“Madam, only if I know the truth can I enter the palace to plead with the royal family and help the marquis out of his plight,” Hang Zhi pressed, his tone heavy. “Your husband’s safety lies entirely in your hands.”
Qian Jiaoniang drew in a sharp breath and made a show of taking out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. “Oh, Heaven! Why is my fate so bitter?”
