Just as Xing Muzheng predicted, on the first day those idle beauties were sent to the polo field, they all came back covered in dust, weeping and wilted, like farmers just out of the fields, utterly drained. Qian Jiaoniang heard that a few even fainted on the spot.
The next day many reported illness. Qian Jiaoniang remained unmoved, calling in a physician—and gave a stern warning in advance: anyone found feigning illness would be punished under military law. Terrified, the group quickly claimed their “minor illnesses” were nothing. Only two were genuinely ill; Qian Jiaoniang didn’t press them, had medicine prescribed, and told them to rest properly at home.
Ah Da, though unsure of her intentions, was actually delighted. He had long been unable to see Yuluo, and now he could see her every day—more than that, even fuss over her well-being. And more surprisingly, they discovered two women among the group who had martial skills yet pretended otherwise. Upon investigation, they turned out to be spies. Ah Da secretly arrested them and reported to Xing Muzheng, who then told Qian Jiaoniang.
Qian Jiaoniang was only a little surprised. “And who sent those spies?”
“There’s one who was already dead before even speaking, and one sent by the Third Prince.”
“The Third Prince? Does he have a grudge against the Marquis?”
Xing Muzheng said, “No grudge.”
“Then why would he send a venomous beauty your way?”
Xing Muzheng smiled and lifted her chin. “You’re learning—now even a venomous beauty can be useful.”
Qian Jiaoniang swatted his hand away, embarrassed. “Behave yourself.”
The two were currently in the main courtyard, practicing polo. Xing Muzheng had set up a simple goal, and having returned earlier, he was teaching Qian Jiaoniang hand by hand how to hold the mallet and swing. They weren’t alone—Xing Pingchun, Wang Yong, and a group of servants stood nearby.
“What’s there to be afraid of? No one’s watching,” Xing Muzheng murmured beside her, a half-smile on his lips.
Qian Jiaoniang, unwilling to let him get any bolder, cleared her throat and steered the conversation back. “Shouldn’t the Third Prince be trying to win over the Marquis? He wouldn’t just send someone over to probe for weakness, right?”
Xing Muzheng placed a polo ball on the ground. “Perhaps he has that in mind as well. The Third Prince is naturally suspicious. If he doesn’t want to win me over, he wants to eliminate me. Now the Eldest Prince has contracted syphilis, the Second Prince is too low in rank—most likely the next crown prince will be him.”
“The Eldest Prince has syphilis? When did that happen?” Qian Jiaoniang asked in shock.
Xing Muzheng’s hand paused on the mallet. “Just in the past couple of days,” he muttered vaguely. “I heard he called in two courtesans to accompany him. One of them was infected, and he caught it too. The court issued an edict and stripped him of the crown prince position.”
Qian Jiaoniang thought for a moment, then waved her hand sharply. The polo ball flew straight through the goal net.
Far from the emperor, high in the mountains, the Eldest Prince’s misfortune was just karmic retribution. Qian Jiaoniang didn’t bother worrying about men’s affairs. Her priority was marrying off all the beauties in the courtyard; otherwise, all day long she’d be feeding so many idle people, and it was aggravating to watch.
Even though she herself was a woman, Qian Jiaoniang had to admit—when women gathered together, it was never easy. One would faint at a single standing, another would immediately complain of harassment or insult—never a moment of peace. She summoned Zhou Cuilian to help manage the group. Since their conversation the day of the fake hanging, Zhou Cuilian no longer spoke of becoming a nun. She stayed busy, volunteering as a cook in the kitchen, still a bit flustered when called by Qian Jiaoniang. The first day back, she was even more bewildered than before. With a sour face, she said: “I already said I talk too much, but now these fairy-like women chatter nonstop too.”
Qian Jiaoniang stifled a smile and said seriously that she had a heavy responsibility, so she had to endure it.
For several days, Zhou Cuilian accompanied her both morning and evening. The beauties trained half a day like little soldiers and also helped with work on the polo field. Slowly, their cries and complaints decreased. When they came to pay respects, they no longer cried or nagged. Instead, they reported on the polo field’s progress: today the soil was turned, tomorrow a platform needed to be built. The house was still lively, but Qian Jiaoniang listened with genuine interest, no longer annoyed. The beauties, slightly tanned from the sun, had a spark in their eyes.
Qian Jiaoniang heard from Suier that Zhou Cuilian’s contribution was immense. She was diligent and careful, spoke logically, and cared for others; everyone listened to her. Zhou Cuilian became much more cheerful in front of Qian Jiaoniang, speaking more and more. Even Grandmother Zhou could finally smile at her granddaughter, her heart lifted.
Spring had arrived. With the daily proximity, young men and women who were unmarried naturally felt their hearts stir. Qian Jiaoniang, however, didn’t want the first to kneel before her requesting a match to be the white-clad woman who faked hanging herself. The woman, named Li Tao’er, was a personal slave sent to Xing Muzheng by Magistrate Ming Hu. She declared her affection for Li Shugen and asked Qian Jiaoniang to act on her behalf.
Saying Qian Jiaoniang was unsurprised would be fake. “You mean Li Shugen? The one whose face was half burned?”
“Exactly,” Li Tao’er nodded earnestly.
“But didn’t you initially say you couldn’t like someone ugly? Li Shugen is truly… ugly.”
Li Tao’er blushed. “Please, Madam, don’t mention those ugly things. I already know my mistake. As you said, my vision was short-sighted; I judged only by appearance.”
“Oh?” Qian Jiaoniang raised a brow and smiled. “Then how did you come to like him?”
Li Tao’er lowered her head, shyly pressing her lips. “I… I thought… Li Shugen has the air of a gentleman, and he’s witty.”
Qian Jiaoniang studied her peach-blossom-like face; the affection in her eyes was genuine. She was pleased, but reminded her: “Good. In that case, I’ll have someone ask Li Shugen for his thoughts.”
Li Tao’er hurriedly said, “Madam need not ask—he already agreed.”
Qian Jiaoniang grinned widely. “Ah, so you asked first.”
Li Tao’er, sensing the teasing, covered her reddened face.
Qian Jiaoniang, amused, deliberately said: “Then why didn’t he propose himself, but you had to tell me first? Is he lacking courage?”
Li Tao’er quickly defended her lover: “He originally said he would inform the Marquis, but I insisted on telling Madam first, so he wouldn’t propose prematurely.”
Qian Jiaoniang stood, clapping and laughing: “That’s right. Bold in faking a hanging, bold in proposing—and this time, boldness followed the right path!”
Li Tao’er, shy and slightly embarrassed, bowed gracefully.
Qian Jiaoniang helped her up. “Stand up, stand up. Such a joyous matter doesn’t require bowing; I naturally agree! We’ll pick a good day and send you from the Marquis’ residence to be married!”
Li Tao’er looked up, eyes sparkling. “Li Tao’er thanks Madam for your magnanimity, granting me new life. I once thought becoming the Marquis’ concubine was my destiny, but now, leaving the house, I see the mountains and rivers are vast. I never expected such a marriage. Madam, you are like my reborn parents—this favor I will remember all my life!”
A few days later, Li Tao’er rode away in a splendid bridal sedan. When Li Shugen came to fetch her, he smiled so widely he could not close his mouth. He kowtowed to Xing Muzheng and Qian Jiaoniang. Qian Jiaoniang said to him: “Treat your bride well. A woman bears children and manages the household—it’s no easy task. If you mistreat her, I won’t forgive you.”
Li Shugen and the others had all heard from the dark guards about what Qian Jiaoniang had said in Li Tao’er’s courtyard, and their respect for her had almost become the same as for Xing Muzheng.
Li Shugen said: “Don’t worry, Madam! I used to think I’d end up a bachelor my whole life, never imagined I’d actually marry such a beautiful wife! If I ever bully her again, then I’m not even human!”
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