Qian Jiaoniang had not yet finished her confinement when the New Year arrived. Since outwardly Xing Muzheng was said to be “gravely ill,” the Marquis of Yuzhou’s household did not hold grand festivities. But in Yongan, the Dingxi Marquis’ household was lively beyond compare.
Originally, Xing Pingchun had requested leave to return to Yuzhou, but Emperor Yongtai, valuing studies above all, did not approve. When Xing Pingchun went to plead in tears, Emperor Yongtai said: “This is for your own good. You’ve been so unruly this year—if you return to Yuzhou, you’ll surely earn yourself a good beating. I cannot bear to hand you back to Official Xing like this. Wait until your studies have borne fruit, then come to me again for leave.”
Thus Xing Pingchun could only remain in Yongan for the New Year. It was the first time he spent it apart from Qian Jiaoniang. He was both sorrowful and joyful—sorrowful to be alone away from home, joyful that his little brother was finally born. He wished he could sprout wings like a bird and fly back to Yuzhou, to see what his “little soldier” looked like, and also to smack his bottom, since he had nearly cost their mother her life in childbirth. But he decided that once he spanked him, he’d forgive him—after all, he was his little soldier, his own brother.
Xing Pingchun was so delighted to have a brother that on New Year’s Day he threw a grand banquet at the Marquis’ residence, inviting all his usual playmates. Every great family had one or two wastrels, all of them fond of merriment, and so the halls swarmed with guests. Xing Pingchun even hired musicians for entertainment, and the place rang with lively cheer. Adding a unique twist, he had written on the invitations that each guest must bring something related to “snow.”
So some wore robes embroidered with drifting snow, some pinned snowflake ornaments in their hair, and some gifted paintings of snowy scenes—every single item was snow-themed. When Young Master Xu asked him why, Xing Pingchun merely smiled and said it was amusing.
In Yongan City, no one yet knew Xing Pingchun had a younger brother. Qian Jiaoniang hadn’t even told Qingya, and Emperor Yongtai was unaware as well.
While others celebrated the New Year, Xing Pingchun toasted the birth of his little brother far away.
He longed to return home, and Qian Jiaoniang and Xing Muzheng also wished their eldest son could come back soon. But things rarely went as one wished. The treasure-seeking party returned, but brought no treasure. The place marked on the map turned out to be the tomb of a Grand Preceptor, containing no world-shaking wealth. Yet within, Mister Lu uncovered a secret—the entire tomb itself was a second map, pointing those who reached it toward the true treasure.
Thus, following Xing Muzheng’s instructions, the expedition party returned to Yuzhou for the New Year, planning to set out again once the holiday was over.
From Xing Muzheng’s mouth, Qian Jiaoniang heard a surprising delight: Ah Da had asked Xing Muzheng for permission to marry Zhao Yaoqian. Qian Jiaoniang, who was nearly moldy from lying abed, shot upright the moment she heard the news.
“Well, well! What’s this now? Didn’t he already get the treasure map? Why does he still want to marry Miss Zhao?”
Xing Muzheng knew Qian Jiaoniang would ask, so he had pressed Ah Da for more details beforehand, and now could answer her: “Ah Da only said that after journeying with Miss Zhao on the treasure hunt, with time, affection grew. Miss Zhao also agreed.”
“What else?” Qian Jiaoniang asked. Miss Zhao had once set her heart on Xing Muzheng—how could she suddenly change her mind?
“What else?” Xing Muzheng looked puzzled.
As expected, wanting to hear flowery sentiments from a man was near impossible. Qian Jiaoniang touched her forehead and sighed.
That afternoon Zhao Yaoqian came to visit Qian Jiaoniang. Half a year apart, she had clearly tanned from the winds and sun outside, but in exchange she had gained a touch of heroism. Qian Jiaoniang asked if Ah Da’s proposal of marriage was true. Zhao Yaoqian blushed and nodded. Observing her expression, Qian Jiaoniang saw no sign of coercion—so it must be her own willing choice.
Qian Jiaoniang asked for details, and Zhao Yaoqian, without coyness, told her everything as it was.
It turned out Ah Da had spoken true. Throughout the journey, Ah Da had indeed taken great care of Zhao Yaoqian, swaying her heart. Later, when the two of them triggered a trap in the tomb, Ah Da risked his life to save her from the fangs of a venomous snake, and Zhao Yaoqian, bold and unhesitant, sucked the poison from his wound. In that tomb’s darkness, feelings blossomed. On the return journey, Ah Da confessed his heart, and by then Zhao Yaoqian already understood that what she felt for Xing Muzheng was nothing more than unattainable admiration—while for Ah Da, it was the desire to share a lifetime. And so she gave her nod in reply.
Qian Jiaoniang carefully asked: “Ah Da once saved you before—why didn’t you feel moved then?”
Zhao Yaoqian said: “Does Madam mean when Ah Da and the others pretended to abduct me?”
Qian Jiaoniang was startled. “You knew about that?”
Zhao Yaoqian answered calmly, “Ah Da confessed it all to me.”
“You… aren’t angry?”
Zhao Yaoqian shook her head with a wry smile. “If I had learned the truth back then, I would have been driven to despair. But strangely, when Ah Da laid it bare to me, I felt very calm. On this journey I saw much, heard much, and my heart grew larger. Now I see clearly that I brought no small trouble upon the Marquis’ household—especially placing Madam in a difficult position. For that, Yaoqian offers you her apology.” She rose and gave a solemn bow.
Qian Jiaoniang quickly motioned for Suier to help Zhao Yaoqian up. “Why should Miss Zhao say such a thing? You offered the treasure map to the Marquis; you are naturally an honored guest of this house. There is no talk of trouble.”
Zhao Yaoqian said: “Madam, this trip also opened my eyes to the ways of the Xing family army. Were it not for Madam’s shield, Lord Xing would never have tolerated me for years, still feeding and housing me well. ‘An innocent man’s guilt lies in his treasure.’ Since I carried the treasure map, so long as I held it, I could never know peace. But I could not see through this, and instead clung stubbornly, using the map as leverage to meddle in the harmony between you and Lord Xing. Only after Ah Da and I grew close did I realize that between true lovers there is no room for a third. Before, I foolishly thought if Lord Xing would only take me as concubine, just granting me a share, I would be content and would not cause Madam distress. Now, whenever I think of such shameful notions, I can only burn with embarrassment!”
Zhao Yaoqian lowered her head in shame. Qian Jiaoniang sighed with a gentle smile. “Miss Zhao, you need not be like this. To admire someone is no sin—you only followed your heart. And the bond of husband and wife can only be broken by the two themselves, not by others. If the Marquis truly had a wandering heart, then besides you there would be others—princesses, courtesans, serving girls. I should thank you, in fact, for letting me see the Marquis’ true heart. All of this is past now. Ah Da is a good man—go and live a good life with him.”
Zhao Yaoqian gratefully bowed. “Yes, thank you, Madam.”
***
After the New Year, Ah Da married Zhao Yaoqian with gongs and drums, while Qian Jiaoniang still had to sit out half a month more of confinement. Doctor Bai had said that after her difficult labor, she must rest in bed longer. Xing Muzheng took his words as imperial decree, forbidding Qian Jiaoniang to leave the bed.
But Qian Jiaoniang was never one to sit idle. Staying obediently in bed for over a month already had her restless to no end. She could do nothing—accounts, Xing Muzheng said, would tax her mind and were not allowed; embroidery, he said, would strain her eyes, not allowed; reading, still worse—both mind and eyes strained, also not allowed. In short, everything was forbidden.
Her only joy was seeking a little amusement in their younger son, Ni Xue. But Xing Muzheng would not allow her to hold him either, since Doctor Bai had said she must not lift heavy things.
Qian Jiaoniang was suffocating with boredom. Just as her “sentence” was about to end, it was extended again. How could she accept it? Xing Muzheng used every method he could think of, coaxing and pleading until at last she reluctantly stayed in bed. Fearing this little ancestor would grow displeased, he even found new storybooks and read aloud to her daily, so that she was somewhat pacified.
One day Xing Muzheng had matters to attend to in the study. Qin Momo came in with Xing Pingrui, sat by the bed, and let Qian Jiaoniang use a rattle-drum to amuse him. Pingrui was very different from Pingchun as an infant. Pingchun had been a child who loved to laugh—whenever Qian Jiaoniang teased him, he would certainly smile. The second young master was not the same; his mother had to exhaust every trick before she could coax out a single toothless grin.
Qian Jiaoniang couldn’t help worrying. “Momo, since I have no milk for him, could it be that this child is not close to me? It’s so rare for him to smile at me.”
Qin Momo laughed. “Madam, be at ease. Young Master Rui simply takes after the Marquis in steadiness. For him to smile at you at all is already something. The maids usually struggle to get even that.”
At this, Qian Jiaoniang only furrowed her brows more. “What good is it, for him to inherit such a sullen temperament?”
Qin Momo chuckled. “The child is still young, Madam needn’t fret. Once he’s older, with proper guidance, he will be fine. In fact, this old servant thinks it’s Madam who ought to give some thought to yourself and the Marquis first.”
Qian Jiaoniang raised her head, puzzled. “What should I be thinking of?”
Qin Momo hesitated slightly. Qian Jiaoniang said, “Momo, just speak plainly.”
At that, Qin Momo had the attendants dismissed, then spoke sincerely to Qian Jiaoniang: “Madam, I was sent to you by Lady Qingya. I always plan with your best interest at heart.”
Qian Jiaoniang nodded. “I know.”
“This old servant did not wish to mention it, but I privately asked Doctor Bai. They said your body will need a year or two to fully recover, and in that time… you must refrain from marital relations.”
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