Qian Liniang, bringing her son with her, settled into the marquis’s household. The Sun family, far from objecting, welcomed it—they had her belongings packed and sent over that very evening. Sun Bai even came in person to help her settle, and in private instructed her to draw closer to her younger sister.
But the reason Qian Jiaoniang had her stay at the marquis’s estate was to get her away from Sun Bai. Ever since she heard that Sun Bai wanted her second sister to bring Yanluo back as a concubine, she became certain that a man like Sun Bai—who fancied every woman he saw—could not be a good husband. Whether Qian Liniang truly loved Sun Bai or was merely muddle-headed and taken in by his coaxing, Qian Jiaoniang could already picture her future if she stayed: spending a lifetime caught in jealous rivalries among women. Even if she loved Sun Bai, her whole life would still be consumed by those petty struggles. What good was that kind of life?
Xing Muzheng, sooner or later, would take equal wives and concubines—that was something beyond her power to stop. But even if she could not escape that fate herself, she still hoped her second sister could live peacefully for a lifetime—no jealousy, no scheming. That would be the best life possible.
She knew full well that Liniang might not see through it just yet. Once a woman married, she saw her husband as the heavens above; now that she had been raised to the rank of equal wife, she thought herself already fortunate enough. So Qian Jiaoniang could only do her utmost to look after her at the marquis’s estate, to show her through steady, everyday life that even apart from the Sun family, she could live well.
Indeed, everything Liniang ate and used at the marquis’s was better than in the Sun household. Everyone addressed her respectfully as “Second Mistress.” There was no Madam Xiong to impose rules, no favored concubines to needle her. She spent her days with her child, eating, drinking, and living at ease.
After some days, the sun came out bright and the weather was clear. Xing Muzheng kept his word and told Jiaoniang he would take her to the southern lakeside for an outing. Jiaoniang brought Liniang along, as well as Zhou Cuilian, Granny Zhou, and the beauties from the old residence—an entire retinue setting out in grand style toward the south.
Just as Xing Muzheng had said, Jade Lake shimmered with rippling light. Willows trailed gracefully along the banks, stone bridges and pavilions dotted the landscape, painted boats rested quietly on the water, and faint strains of pipa drifted from afar—a sight of endless beauty. Many young ladies had come with family to fly kites; some idlers sat fishing by the banks.
Qian Jiaoniang had never been to such a fine place before. The moment she stepped from the carriage, her eyes lit up at once.
The womenfolk alighting behind her all began to chatter and exclaim in delight, making the lakeside still livelier. Clearly the party was from a wealthy household, and they drew much attention. Many young men escorting their sisters cast envious glances toward the lone gentleman among this flock of beauties. More still recognized the Dingxi Marquis and his lady; curiosity and awe spread, and though the marquis’s people did not drive the crowd away, the common folk unconsciously yielded them a large open space.
Xing Muzheng felt his household was too dominated by women. He had thought to take Jiaoniang out for a private excursion, but now found himself with an entire company in tow. He couldn’t help thinking that those little brats in his barracks were useless, none of them yet having married off the idle women of the old residence.
Still, seeing them gather round Jiaoniang with their kites, all smiling together, she didn’t look stifled. So he let it be, and allowed Jiaoniang and the beauties to fly kites, while he himself brought out a fishing rod. Finding a clear spot, he sat on a small stool, cast a long line, and began to fish.
But fishing was a quiet occupation. Now and again Jiaoniang’s laughter would float over, scratching at his heart like an itch. He turned his head toward her—she had just set a butterfly-shaped kite into the sky. Her cheeks were pink, her eyes bright as she gazed upward, laughing aloud as she trotted with the string in hand. That innocent look was just like a girl of sixteen or seventeen.
Xing Muzheng’s lips lifted without his knowing it. He watched her intently, so much so that he didn’t even notice when his fishing rod bent with a catch.
Not far off, a man in a bamboo hat was also fishing. He saw it, and called softly out of kindness: “Brother, brother!”
Xing Muzheng followed the voice to look at the man, who pointed at his rod to show the fish was on the line. Xing Muzheng said a calm “thank you,” and turned his gaze right back to Jiaoniang.
The man in the hat: “…”
The fish on the hook had its fill and swam away. Only after a while did Xing Muzheng slowly reel his line back in.
The man understood then: this angler’s heart was not on the fish, but on the beauty.
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