When Qian Meiniang learned that their parents had been “sent” back to their hometown, she and her husband discussed at length and decided to leave the marquis’ residence to go after them. She felt pained for her third sister, but also feared that their presence in the household would only irritate Xing Muzheng further. As for their parents—Qian Meiniang’s heart had gone cold. That stab her mother gave Jiaoniang was as if driven into her own heart. They, the dutiful daughters, were nothing more than tools to be discarded at will in their parents’ eyes. Yet no matter the anger, they were still parents, still bound by flesh and bone. As the eldest daughter, she had no choice but to clean up this mess. The golden nanmu bed was not yet finished, so Carpenter Zheng planned to send Qian Meiniang back first before returning to complete it.
But just as they were preparing to take their leave, Xing Muzheng came to them first. “Eldest Sister, Brother-in-law—why rush home? Has the marquis’ household failed to treat you well?”
Qian Meiniang, already feeling guilty and ashamed, flusteredly waved her hands at his words. “Marquis, how could you say such a thing! It’s only that we’ve stayed too long already, troubling you and Jiaoniang with our presence!”
Xing Muzheng said, “This matter has nothing to do with the two of you. Eldest Sister, I have a shameless request—since Jiaoniang has been injured, her spirits have been heavy. I hope Eldest Sister might remain a while longer, to comfort and guide her.”
Qian Meiniang’s face filled with shame. “But it was precisely because of the disgrace of my family’s affairs that Third Sister was hurt—how can I still have the face to comfort her?”
Xing Muzheng said seriously: “Eldest Sister’s heart toward Jiaoniang is true and sincere. Both I and Jiaoniang know it well. She has endured much suffering over the years, and in her heart, she longs for family reunion. Now that she has been betrayed again and again, if Eldest Sister were to leave as well, she would only be all the more saddened.”
In truth, Xing Muzheng did not like too many people around Jiaoniang; the more people at her side, the less she looked at him. But her words—that nothing could be kept—had made him ache. If it could cheer her, then letting her keep some genuine hearts at her side was no matter.
“This…” Qian Meinang was torn, raising her eyes toward Carpenter Zheng. Carpenter Zheng too felt hesitant. To tell the truth, yesterday’s episode with Mother Qian had utterly chilled him. Third sister was now the Marchioness of the Marquis estate, yet even so, her own mother dared act so madly—what would happen when they returned home? If he were to speak his true thoughts, he did not wish for Meinang to maintain ties with her maiden family. For the sake of such a beastly son, the parents had truly tried to take the life of their own daughter. What parents like that were worthy of filial devotion? And now that Qian Baogui was dead, who knew whether they would not go even further into madness. With Meinang’s soft heart, she would inevitably be tormented.
Xing Muzheng had already seen through what was in their hearts, and said: “I have already sent men to escort the Qian couple, together with Qian Baogui’s coffin, back to the village. I have also ordered the village head to keep a close eye on them. For the rest of their lives, the Qian couple will not be able to take a single step beyond the village. Eldest Sister is now of the Zheng family; you need not involve yourself with the Qians anymore. Since Brother-in-law is a carpenter by trade, I indeed have much work here for him. Why not bring the whole Zheng family to settle in Yuzhou? Then Eldest Sister and Jiaoniang may look after each other as well.”
It was rare for Xing Muzheng to say so many words at once, but each one struck directly at the hearts of Meinang and her husband. The carpentry business in town had been slow of late, and they had worried about it. Now Xing Muzheng was saying he wished to entrust work to Carpenter Zheng—clearly he meant to prepare a livelihood for him. What was more, to stay in Yuzhou meant they could see Jiaoniang often, and with the Dingxi Marquis’s household as backing, her husband’s family would fare much better. Qian Meinang was indeed very moved. After much thought together, she and Carpenter Zheng resolved to follow their hearts. They brought Zheng’s parents to Yuzhou, politely declined Jiaoniang’s offer to live in the Marquis estate, and instead rented a small courtyard house, where the whole family moved in together.
Summer passed to winter solstice, spring gave way to autumn—two years had gone by in the blink of an eye.
Carpenter Zheng had long since finished that golden nanmu bed. After Xing Muzheng had “used” it, he was extremely satisfied, and secretly pressed a red packet into his hand. With that money, Carpenter Zheng bought a fine timber back from Xing Muzheng, and made an identical bed for his own home. That bed held its own hidden wonders—whenever the two sisters spoke of it, they did so through gritted teeth, but their faces were flushed.
Thanks to Zheng’s skill, he became the overseer of the workshop Xing Muzheng had established, under the Ministry of War. He was out every day, doing things Meinang never asked after—only that his monthly salary was generous. With this, they bought a slightly larger courtyard, and even took on two old women and two maidservants to keep it in order. Ordinarily, Qian Meinang would never have spent so freely. But then the physician suddenly diagnosed her with happy news—she was with child. Carpenter Zheng, overjoyed, insisted on hiring people to care for her despite her protests.
The elder Zheng couple were overjoyed too. Ever since Meinang had married in, she had never conceived. Back in the Qian family days, overwork had damaged her body, and being poor, they had never thought to nurse her health, making conception difficult. Yet even so, her in-laws had never shown her a harsh face, nor had they ever asked their son to cast her aside and take another wife. Meinang felt deeply grateful, though also guilty.
When Jiaoniang learned of this, she asked Doctor Bai—who had long been caring for her own health—to examine Meinang as well. The doctor prescribed medicines, and after more than a year, a few months ago Meinang finally conceived. The whole family rejoiced beyond measure.
It was the Flower Goddess Festival once again. Jiaoniang was well-practiced now, leading everyone in solemn rites to honor the deity. In the afternoon came the Banquet in the Flower Grove, which would last until the moon rose. With Jiaoniang’s support, the festival had won official recognition and was growing ever better. This year, she personally oversaw everything. Nearly all of Yuzhou’s unmarried young men and women attended.
The beauties of the old residence had in these two years married off in large numbers—most to soldiers in the camp, a few to sons of the city. Yan Jin had at last wed Shanzha. Those yet unmarried were in no rush, for now they worked under Jiaoniang, earning their keep and living free. Compared to the days of bowing and scraping to serve some master, these were like days of immortals. Of course, there were always the vain—seeing that the road through Xing Muzheng was closed, they schemed to sell themselves as concubines to great households of Yuzhou. Jiaoniang let them go as they pleased. Yuluo even volunteered herself to become concubine to a traveling censor who had passed through Yuzhou and visited Xing Muzheng. When Yanluo found out, she was furious, and for the first time in her life struck Yuluo across the face, hating her for not knowing her blessings.
