After staying two more days in Zhangzhou, on the fifth day of the lunar new year, Xing Muzheng set off back to Yuzhou with Qian Jiaoniang, Xing Pingchun, and others. Ding Zhang left a manager and a dozen subordinates behind in Zhangzhou to manage affairs, while Xing Muzheng led the rest to return ahead with the main group.
There were still two or three days of travel, so they took their time along the way and returned to Yuzhou on the 14th, just in time for the Lantern Festival on the 15th.
Yuzhou city was Xing Muzheng’s fiefdom, so the lord’s return was special. The governor of Yuzhou, Xie Zhang, led the townsfolk to line the roads, kneeling and respectfully greeting with fluttering flags, congratulating Dingxi Marquis on all going well. Granny Zhou and Zhou Cuilian peeked from behind the curtains, both shocked.
Qian Jiaoniang and Xing Pingchun also saw this scene for the first time, though mother and son had toured Yongan before and had some worldly experience. But Xing Muzheng did not go straight to the mansion; he led them north out of Yuzhou. Qian Jiaoniang was puzzled, but Xing Muzheng kept it a secret.
They stopped before a large red lacquered gate. Qian Jiaoniang recognized the two stone lions at the gate and looked up to see a plaque clearly inscribed “Dingxi Marquis Mansion.”
Qian Jiaoniang thought she was not yet too old to forget the way. The only explanation was that Xing Muzheng had taken the opportunity to move the mansion.
“That side was fine too. Why move here?” Qian Jiaoniang asked.
Xing Muzheng said, “This side is better. I’ve wanted to change for a long time.”
Qian Jiaoniang didn’t believe him. If he had planned it long ago, why bother Feng Yuyan with major renovations to the rear garden? She thought perhaps it was because that place held unpleasant memories.
“What about the old house?”
Xing Muzheng said, “Let’s just put it aside for now. If anyone wants it, we’ll sell it.”
Qian Jiaoniang was satisfied with his practical approach. After all, the household was only a few people; how many rooms could they really need? Too many rooms would just be a waste.
After moving into the new mansion, before she had a chance to roam and enjoy the scenery, a large group of beautifully dressed women blocked her path inside the house, kneeling in a dark sea of them to pay their respects.
When she asked why, it turned out they were all the concubines and private slaves gifted to Xing Muzheng along the journey. They had been sent back to Yuzhou first, and Ding Zhang dared not decide on his own, so they were well fed and tended to while waiting for the masters’ return to decide their fate. Qian Jiaoniang knew of these people but not how many. Looking at the variety of beautiful faces, she sighed and felt a headache, but in the end gave a self-mocking smile and shook her head.
Xing Muzheng came back from the front hall after seeing Xie Zhang and other officials return, and was stunned to see this scene. The beauties all bowed again gracefully upon seeing their master and softly greeted him. The mixed fragrances filled the air, causing Xing Muzheng to sneeze.
He waved them off casually, ignoring the many beauties, and walked straight inside to have Qian Jiaoniang handle them. But unexpectedly, Qian Jiaoniang was quicker—before he could, she was behind the curtain, saying, “Your lord has arrived. If you have anything to say, say it to him.”
Xing Muzheng raised an eyebrow slightly. Though the beauties wanted to be close, none dared approach him; all looked at him with expressions either dignified, gentle, or coquettish. He said, “Return to your rooms. The Madam will make arrangements for you.”
After speaking, Xing Muzheng closed the curtain and went into the inner chamber.
Before Qian Jiaoniang could put down Big Sis in her arms, Xing Muzheng had already entered. He called the servants like Hongjuan forward, grabbed the one-eyed dog by the neck, and drove it out. After the miscellaneous people left, he loosened his cloak and asked, “Are those the ones I took back this time? That many?”
Qian Jiaoniang smiled faintly and poured herself some tea, “Isn’t it so? Your lord is very lucky.”
Xing Muzheng glanced at her, “What luck do I have with those people? Didn’t I ask you to play matchmaker, to arrange red threads for the brothers in the camp?”
Qian Jiaoniang said, “With so many beauties, I feel tremors in my heart just looking at them. Which ones does your lord want? You say first, so I know, and then I can make plans for the rest.”
Xing Muzheng paused in untying his belt, “I’m not keeping a single one—go find me a robe, a loose one. This one’s suffocating me.”
“Your lord has probably gotten fat,” Qian Jiaoniang said as she turned to leave, but Xing Muzheng called after her, “Where are you going?”
“To get your clothes, of course.”
“Aren’t they there?” Xing Muzheng pointed to several neatly folded robes on the bedside table.
Qian Jiaoniang went over and saw there really were several of his robes there. She muttered, “Why are your clothes in my room?”
“What do you mean your room? This is my room too.”
Qian Jiaoniang froze halfway bending to pick the clothes up, then turned in surprise, “You want to live with me in the same room now that you’re back?”
Her surprised expression made Xing Muzheng squint, “Why not? Isn’t it natural for husband and wife to share a room?”
“That’s for small families,” Qian Jiaoniang snapped back, taking the clothes and smiling, “You’re a big family. Isn’t it inconvenient? What if you have several wives and concubines later? Are you going to sleep with three people in one bed at night?”
Xing Muzheng took off his outer robe and spread his long arms, clearly indicating for her to serve him. Qian Jiaoniang tugged her lips, then good-naturedly opened her hands and handed him the clothes to wear.
“Inconvenient? Who’s inconvenienced?” Xing Muzheng narrowed his eyes at her while dressing. “You don’t want your man sleeping next to you—what wild thoughts are you having?”
Qian Jiaoniang looked up and glared at him. What was that? Blaming her back?
“Why glare at me? Listen carefully: if you dare secretly have anything to do with Wang Tieniu, or suddenly another Li Tieniu or Zhao Tieniu pops up, I’ll…” What was supposed to be a threat to break her legs Xing Muzheng changed mid-sentence, “I’ll tear them apart!”
Wang Tieniu was a thorn in Xing Muzheng’s heart. He had heard Qian Jiaoniang privately say she liked Wang Tieniu and even pitied him. He worried that if he let her go, she might go back to Wang Tieniu and rekindle old feelings. What began as a joke made Xing Muzheng angrier and angrier. He grabbed Qian Jiaoniang roughly and growled, “Are you listening carefully?”
Qian Jiaoniang had already felt uneasy seeing that group of delicate beauties outside, and now this man was still spouting baseless nonsense. She couldn’t be bothered with him, so she pushed him aside and went to pick up her sash. Xing Muzheng saw her avoiding his question—wasn’t that a guilty conscience? His heart felt as though someone had fiercely clenched it, the stab sinking deeper into his flesh. He yanked her back in one pull. “Your husband is asking you a question—why won’t you answer?”
Qian Jiaoniang was suddenly jerked back so hard she nearly twisted her waist. Annoyed, she said, “What kind of question did you even ask? How am I supposed to answer?”
“Doesn’t matter what I ask. Whatever I say, you have to answer me!”
Wasn’t this exactly like some spoiled brat throwing a tantrum and rolling on the ground? Even Chou’er wasn’t this unreasonable! Qian Jiaoniang thought: You’ve already married a equal wife, still want to take concubines, planning to bring back a whole crowd of beauties, and now you’re clinging to the matter of Brother Tieniu—aren’t you just making trouble on purpose?
“Mother, Mother, come look at my new room!”
Xing Pingchun came running in, brimming with excitement. The husband and wife, who had been glaring wide-eyed at each other, immediately turned their gazes aside when they saw him.
Xing Pingchun keenly sensed something odd in the air. He looked left at his father—face stiff. Looked right at his mother—face stiff. He carefully asked, “Is… something the matter?”
“No!” the two of them said in unison, their voices fierce, startling Xing Pingchun into a jump.
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