The two sisters clung to each other in the courtyard, weeping bitterly. After much effort, Li Qing’s wife and Hongjuan managed to calm them and guided the two into the house to talk.
Having been separated for more than ten years, they were naturally somewhat estranged, but after a good cry, they felt much closer. Qian Liniang recounted many things that had happened after Jiaoniang left home: how their eldest sister married Zheng Er from the village, how he later went to town to learn carpentry, and the eldest sister followed him. Qian Baogui had grown up strong and sturdy. She also said that after Jiaoniang left, she herself had cried in dreams many times, waking to find her pillow soaked through. She confessed she had wanted to go looking for her, but once she left the village gates, she didn’t know which way to go.
They cried for a while, laughed for a while, and even recalled childhood memories—how the two of them once carried buckets of water on a pole, singing songs all the way. Humming now, they could still remember some of the words.
Qian Jiaoniang kept Qian Liniang for lunch, the kitchen already having prepared good wine and fine dishes. Qian Liniang asked, “The Dingxi Marquis… is he at home today? Will he eat outside?”
Qian Jiaoniang replied, “The Marquis had business outside; he won’t return until tonight. Second Sister needn’t worry.”
Qian Liniang nodded. The Dingxi Marquis, Xing Muzheng—people spoke of him as if he were half a deity. And now he was her brother-in-law! She still felt as though she were dreaming. “I heard there’s a young master in the household—is he your son?”
“That’s Chou’er, full name Xing Pingchun. He’s ten years old now.”
“My! Already so big!” Qian Liniang paused. “Then… does the Marquis have other children?”
“No, only Chou’er.”
Qian Liniang’s eyes widened. “Sister, you truly are blessed!” No wonder a common-born woman like her could firmly hold the position of Marchioness. Truly, a woman’s status rests on the worth of her son.
Qian Jiaoniang only smiled. “He ought to meet his aunt today, but he’s set his heart on studying mechanisms and strange arts. He left for another place to seek a master this morning. When he returns, I’ll have him meet you.”
“That’s wonderful!” Qian Liniang said, delighted.
Jiaoniang asked, “And you, Second Sister—do you have children?”
At this, Qian Liniang’s eyebrows danced with joy. “I do! A son! He’s nearly two years old now. I had thought to bring him to see you, but feared he would disturb you. That child—so mischievous, but also so very lovable!”
Qian Jiaoniang was somewhat puzzled. Qian Liniang had said she was married to the young master of the Sun family at seventeen—so how was her child only two years old? She asked casually, and Qian Liniang stammered out a vague reply. Jiaoniang guessed she had her difficulties and did not press further, only telling her to bring the boy tomorrow.
***
By the time Xing Muzheng returned to the manor, Qian Liniang had already gone. He lifted Qian Jiaoniang’s chin, narrowing his eyes at her swollen, red-rimmed ones. She lowered her gaze, turning her face aside, and heard him give a short laugh, calling her weak.
“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to meet her? Then why are you weeping after you did? Look at those two big peaches on your cheeks.”
Men really didn’t know how to speak. Qian Jiaoniang slapped his hand away.
Over dinner, Xing Muzheng asked, “Your second sister is married? What does her husband’s family do?”
“Her husband’s family name is Sun. Her father-in-law is an old squire; their ancestors once held office, so they own some land. Her husband, Sun Bai, works as a registrar in the prefect’s office. They even have a child together, nearly two years old.”
Xing Muzheng nodded thoughtfully. In truth, he had already found out the night before. When someone suddenly appeared claiming to be Jiaoniang’s sister, he naturally had to investigate. She was indeed Jiaoniang’s elder sister, but the results were less than ideal: Sun Liniang was not Sun Bai’s wife, but merely his third concubine. Only this very morning had the Sun family elevated her to the status of equal wife.
If not for their fear of offending the Marquis’s household, they would never have done so—it had been planned between Sun Liniang and them all along.
Jiaoniang could look coldly upon other households with many wives and concubines, but in her own marriage, she could not tolerate even a grain of sand in her eye. She might joke about finding beauties for him or asking whether he wanted concubines, but had he ever agreed, she likely would not have let him near her again that very night. Clearly, Qian Liniang had not yet told Jiaoniang the truth.
Yet seeing his wife smiling, Xing Muzheng did not wish to bring it up. Best if Qian Liniang had no choice in the matter—if he learned otherwise, he would show her what means he had.
After the meal, Ding Zhang brought in a letter. “Master, Madam, someone sent this from outside—said it was for Madam.”
“For me?” Jiaoniang was surprised. “From whom?” The only person she exchanged letters with was Qingya, and hers and Dongsheng’s were always sent by trusted hands; Ding Zhang would never phrase it this way.
“I don’t know. There’s no name on it. The gatekeeper said a child delivered it, only saying it was for Madam, then ran off.”
Jiaoniang reached out to take it, but Xing Muzheng stopped her. She looked at him in confusion, and he said calmly, “A letter of unknown origin could conceal poison. Let me have it examined.”
Her life might not be worth much, but there was no telling if someone might use a letter to harm Xing Muzheng. The poison incident had already caused great suffering back then—it was better to be cautious. And after all, it was only a letter addressed to her; nothing shameful in letting him see it first. Jiaoniang nodded. Xing Muzheng waved for the steward to deliver it to Ah Da. Hearing his words, Ding Zhang was so frightened he thought his fingers itched already; he quickly wrapped the letter in a handkerchief and carried it out.
Just halfway down the path, he was called by a young servant to Lord Xing Muzheng’s study. Xing Muzheng was already waiting inside, stretching out his hand for the letter. Ding Zhang, still muddle-headed, presented it with both hands. Xing Muzheng snatched it away, tore the envelope open cleanly, and unhesitatingly shook out the letter inside to read. Ding Zhang stole a glance upward: Xing Muzheng’s face showed no expression. With a cold snort, he moved the paper toward the candle flame, set it ablaze, and tossed it onto the inkstone.
“Go out. From now on, don’t ever deliver such things to Madam. Give them all to me.”
“Th-this… yes.”
“And don’t let Madam know of this either. I will speak to her myself.”
Ding Zhang accepted the order and withdrew. Left alone, Xing Muzheng burned the envelope as well, watching the flame with a gaze so deep it was unfathomable.
The next day, Xing Muzheng summoned Li Qingquan, ordering him to thoroughly investigate this mysterious letter that had come from Yongan to Yuzhou. Li Qingquan was puzzled. He said: “My lord, why not take the letter and confront Madam with it directly?”
Xing Muzheng glared at him. “Confront her with what? This is plainly someone’s scheme to sow discord between husband and wife. If I were to question her, that would be falling right into their trap.”
“As for sowing discord… we can’t say for sure yet. What if such a person really does exist?”
“There is no such person.” Xing Muzheng’s tone was like iron. “Go secretly investigate any outsiders who have arrived in the past two days from Yongan. Report back at once if there is any sign.”
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 10+ chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
