Marrying The Imperial Elder Chapter 29

Meanwhile, in the main hall, Old Madam Pei was chatting with Madam Pei and the others. The women of the family sat together in harmony and good spirits.

At the same time, Zhen Yiyun was leading Zhen Tingyun toward the Zhenfang Pavilion that Old Madam Pei had mentioned, following several maidservants along the way.

Zhenfang Pavilion was a waterside pavilion built in the middle of a pond in the Pei family’s rear garden. A crescent-shaped stone bridge connected it to the shore, while winding covered corridors stretched away on both sides.

Standing within the pavilion and looking around, one would find water on all four sides. Beneath clear skies, green waves shimmered gently. It was truly an excellent place for enjoying the scenery.

However, it was still the first month of the year. The thin layer of ice covering the lake had only recently melted, and the nearby hillsides showed little sign of greenery. Only the pond water remained crystal clear, allowing one to see fish swimming beneath the surface.

Perhaps the mud at the bottom had settled throughout the cold winter, giving rise to pools of deep jade-green water. Because of the chilly weather and the cool winds by the pond, the Pei family feared these delicate young ladies might catch a chill. They had specially hung Shu brocade screens around the pavilion and ordered several maidservants to tend warming braziers, brewing tea and heating wine nearby. 

From time to time, the fragrance of tea or wine drifted through the breeze. Maidservants in willow-yellow jackets and green skirts carried trays across the stone bridge. When a warm gust brushed past them, their green skirts fluttered in the wind, creating a scene that felt almost intoxicating.

As for the young ladies seated in the pavilion, some drank hot tea, some enjoyed warmed wine, and all sampled pastries while chatting and laughing together. Not one of them seemed to feel the cold.

Zhen Yiyun led Zhen Tingyun across the stone bridge at an unhurried pace. Sure enough, they found Pei Mingzhu, the third young lady of the Pei family, seated in the pavilion, laughing and chatting with numerous noble young ladies.

Zhen Yiyun gathered herself slightly and quietly pointed out the girls present to Zhen Tingyun, introducing them in a low voice: “Eldest Cousin is already married, so she didn’t come today… This is Second Cousin, this is Third Cousin, and this is Fourth Cousin. And over there is the young county princess from Yan Wang’s Manor, the second young lady of Zhongsun Marquis’s Manor…”

As she was speaking, the people in the pavilion also noticed Zhen Yiyun and Zhen Tingyun.

Most of them were already accustomed to spending time with Zhen Yiyun. Seeing her arrive with her younger sister, they naturally smiled. One young lady seated in the center even raised her hand and waved to them.

Zhen Tingyun raised her eyes and immediately knew that the girl waving to them was today’s birthday celebrant and the center of attention, Pei Mingzhu.

Pei Mingzhu resembled Eldest Madam Pei quite closely. She had a round oval face, plump and fair cheeks, as tender and fresh as newly peeled lychees. Her brows were delicately shaped, her eyes slender, and her features naturally amiable. Coupled with her lively and cheerful personality, when she spoke, her voice sounded like jade beads falling onto a tray, clear, crisp, and youthful. She was truly likable.

Since it was her birthday, she had naturally dressed with particular care. She wore a yellow silk jacket beneath a rose-purple sleeveless overcoat trimmed with golden-and-silver squirrel fur, paired with an apricot-red skirt. Her hair was arranged in cloud-shaped coils, adorned with a gold filigree ruby-inlaid dangling hairpin. Moon-shaped earrings hung by her ears, a gleaming red-gold coiled-dragon necklace encircled her neck, and even her embroidered shoes were decorated with pearls the size of lotus seeds.

Resplendent in silks and jewels, she was certainly dazzling.

Yet even dressed so magnificently, Pei Mingzhu was still outshone by the young lady seated beside her.

This young woman was somewhat older than Pei Mingzhu. Her dark hair billowed like clouds, her skin was white as snow, and her frame elegant as carved jade. She was strikingly beautiful. In particular, her luxurious attire lent her an air of nobility that did not rely on intimidation but nonetheless naturally commanded attention. Seen from afar, she was like a peony overwhelming all other flowers in bloom, surpassing not only Pei Mingzhu but every other young lady present.

However, despite her beauty, there was an unmistakable trace of pride and arrogance between her brows. As cold as ice and snow, she clearly was not someone easy to get along with.

This was the young county princess from Yan Wang’s Manor whom Zhen Yiyun had mentioned earlier. If the birthday girl of today’s gathering was Third Miss Pei, Pei Mingzhu, then the person of highest status present was undoubtedly this young county princess.

Emperor Xiaozong had fathered four sons and two daughters, but only three sons and one daughter survived to adulthood. Thus, the late emperor had only two brothers: Yan Wang and Su Wang. Su Wang remained stationed on the frontier, unmarried and childless to this day. Yan Wang, meanwhile, despite spending much of his time refining elixirs and cultivating Daoist practices, had somehow found time to have a son and a daughter with Yan Wangfei.

The late emperor himself had only one son. Though he did not think highly of his elder brother Yan Wang, he treated this nephew and niece exceedingly well. Especially this county princess of Yan Wang’s Manor, she was, after all, the only girl of the imperial generation. Both the late emperor and Empress Zheng cherished her greatly and had even once considered granting her the title of princess. It was said that Yan Wangfei, being humble and prudent, personally brought her daughter into the palace to decline the honor, and only then was the matter dropped.

Still, although she lacked the title of princess, she was hardly treated any differently from one. Naturally, she had every reason to be proud and aloof.

Zhen Tingyun merely glanced at her before withdrawing her gaze. She dared not stare too much or speak carelessly. Inwardly, however, she could not help complaining:

Why does this little county princess seem just a tiny bit like Yuanhui? Especially when she’s sitting there with a cold face and saying nothing… Could it be that all beautiful people really do end up looking alike?

While her thoughts wandered, she and Zhen Yiyun had already crossed the stone bridge and entered Zhenfang Pavilion.

Pei Mingzhu rose from her seat and personally came forward to greet them. Tilting her head as she looked them over, she smiled, her voice especially bright and clear. “Sister Yiyun, you’ve finally arrived! We were just saying that you’ve come late today, so you absolutely deserve a penalty drink!”

As she spoke, her lively eyes rolled playfully before settling on Zhen Tingyun’s face. Smiling, she reached out to take Zhen Tingyun’s hand in a natural and intimate manner. “This must be Younger Sister Tingyun, right? Your reputation truly doesn’t do you justice. Grandmother and Mother talk about you every single day. I’ve finally gotten to meet you today.”

Strictly speaking, Pei Mingzhu and Zhen Tingyun were the same age. However, Pei Mingzhu was born in the first month of the year, while Zhen Tingyun was born in the fourth month, making her three months younger. Therefore, Pei Mingzhu naturally had the right to call her “younger sister.”

Though her name meant “Bright Pearl,” Pei Mingzhu truly was the treasured pearl of the Pei family.

Her grandfather was the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue and an Assistant Grand Secretary. Her mother was the legitimate daughter of Zhongsun Marquis’s household. Her father, only slightly past thirty, was already a Langzhong in the Ministry of Justice, with a brilliant future ahead of him. Her elder brother, Pei Rusong, was the most outstanding son of the younger Pei generation. At only seventeen, he had already passed the provincial examinations and earned the title of juren. His literary reputation was widespread, and all that remained was for him to claim top honors in next year’s metropolitan examination.

If the young county princess was someone Zhen Tingyun could not possibly aspire to associate with at present, then Pei Mingzhu, this third cousin, was someone Zhen Yiyun absolutely could not afford to offend.

Therefore, when Pei Mingzhu openly extended goodwill, Zhen Tingyun naturally responded warmly as well. After exchanging a few words with her, she went around greeting the other young ladies, exchanging names and paying her respects to each in turn.

Thanks to Zhen Yiyun’s earlier introductions, and because Zhen Tingyun herself remained composed and steady, she made no mistakes.

In truth, everyone present had been invited to Pei Mingzhu’s birthday banquet, so they naturally knew something about the Pei and Zhen families. They had also heard certain stories about Zhen Tingyun and were rather curious about this younger daughter of the Zhen family who had only recently been brought back from the countryside.

Now that they saw her in person, though none showed it outwardly, they were secretly astonished.

This girl bore none of the rustic country-girl appearance they had imagined. Instead, her skin was fairer than snow, her face as lovely as a lotus blossom, with willow-leaf brows and cherry-red lips. She was exquisitely beautiful and bright.

If Zhen Yiyun possessed a refined and ethereal beauty, slender and graceful like a magnolia flower just beginning to bloom on a branch, inspiring tenderness and affection, then Second Miss Zhen possessed a fresh and vivid beauty, like the first ray of spring sunlight falling upon blossoming branches in the third month, instantly brightening one’s eyes and filling the heart with delight.

People often said that judging by appearance was a mistake akin to judging Zi Yu solely by his looks. Yet in truth, the first thing most people noticed was appearance.

These noble young ladies first examined Zhen Tingyun’s face, then observed her bearing, conduct, and speech. The doubts and disdain they had harbored unconsciously faded away. Instead, they began asking warmly about this younger sister of Zhen Yiyun’s.

After everyone had exchanged greetings, Zhen Yiyun and Zhen Tingyun finally took their seats.

In front of so many people, Zhen Yiyun naturally played the role of the perfect elder sister. She began explaining on Zhen Tingyun’s behalf: “When my father was assigned to an official post away from home, our grandmother could not bear to leave her native land. Our family therefore had no choice but to leave Second Sister by Grandmother’s side to fulfill her filial duties. Only now has our family finally been reunited…”

Although there had actually been many reasons behind Madam Pei’s decision to leave Zhen Tingyun behind, the entire Zhen family now maintained a united story: that she had remained with her grandmother out of filial devotion. It spared the family unnecessary complications and also earned Zhen Tingyun a reputation for virtue and filial piety, a story beneficial to everyone involved.

The others knew there were undoubtedly many hidden details, but there was no reason to expose someone’s family matters in public. They merely said: “We’ve often heard you speak of her before. Today we’ve finally gotten to meet her.”

Smiling, Zhen Yiyun took Zhen Tingyun’s hand and, intentionally or not, exposed the jade bracelet that Old Madam Pei had given her. As if showing it off, she said: “My little sister is especially lovable. I’ve asked Grandmother for this bracelet before, but she always refused. Yet the moment she saw Second Sister today, she liked her beyond measure and immediately gave it to her.”

Because Zhen Tingyun’s wrist was slender and fair as jade, white as frost and snow, the jade bracelet resting upon it appeared all the more striking. Its rich emerald-green color was translucent and lustrous, contrasting beautifully against her pale skin. It was dazzling to the eye and naturally attracted attention.

Seeing the bracelet, the three Pei sisters felt somewhat displeased.

That bracelet had truly been one of Old Madam Pei’s treasured possessions. As her granddaughters, they had all asked for it before, yet none of them had received it. Who would have thought that in the end it would fall into the hands of a country girl like Zhen Tingyun?

It was not a major matter, but they could not help feeling vaguely unhappy, as though they had somehow been outdone by a girl from the countryside. Yet as members of the host family, it would have looked petty to show their dissatisfaction. They could only smile and act pleased along with everyone else.

The more they thought about it, the more annoyed they became.

Seeing that she had stirred up enough jealousy, Zhen Yiyun wisely stopped there and changed the subject with a smile. “By the way, what are we doing for entertainment today?”

Pei Mingzhu blinked and teased: “You hadn’t arrived yet, so what fun could there be? We were only talking about you. Next month will be your coming-of-age ceremony. You must remember to send invitations to all of us.”

“Of course. As long as you don’t find me troublesome, I intend to invite everyone.” Zhen Yiyun was already familiar with these young ladies and spoke comfortably with them. Only when addressing the young county princess did she become slightly more formal. Straightening her posture, she said sincerely: “If the county princess would honor us with your presence, our humble home would be greatly blessed, and my entire family would be deeply honored.”

Hearing this, the young county princess revealed a faint smile and replied with reserved dignity: “Mm. I’ll see whether I have time when the day comes.”

Everyone else politely joined in with smiles.

Clapping her hands, Pei Mingzhu said: “Now that everyone’s here, let’s have the wine brought out and play a drinking game together…”

Before she could finish, Zhen Yiyun interjected: “How about we play something else? My second sister only recently came from the countryside. She’s merely read a few books at home and probably isn’t very familiar with that sort of thing.”

Pei Mingzhu paused and instinctively looked at Zhen Tingyun. The others also turned their eyes toward her, their gazes carrying a certain meaning.

Had someone thin-skinned been subjected to so many eyes at once, she might have blushed immediately.

Zhen Tingyun’s expression did not change. Internally, however, she sneered.

Zhen Yiyun really hasn’t learned her lesson, has she?

Still, Zhen Tingyun genuinely had little talent when it came to poetry and literary games. After thinking for a moment, she offered a suggestion: “Today is Third Cousin Sister’s birthday, so we ought to enjoy ourselves. Why don’t we have someone pick a flower branch? Then a maid can beat a drum while we pass the flower around. Whoever is holding the flower when the drum stops must tell a joke and make everyone laugh. Let Third Cousin and the county princess serve as judges. If the joke isn’t funny, the person must drink a cup of wine as punishment.”

“That’s actually a good idea.” Pei Mingzhu quickly agreed and then looked to the county princess for her opinion. 

The county princess nodded slightly.

Thus, Pei Mingzhu ordered someone to pick a flower branch. Holding it herself, she also had a screen brought in, while a maid stood behind it to beat the drum.

Soon, the drumming began, and the flower branch was passed around the group starting with Pei Mingzhu.

Whether by coincidence or not, when the drumming stopped, the flower ended up in Zhen Tingyun’s hands.

Everyone exchanged glances, waiting expectantly for her joke.

Zhen Tingyun did not refuse. After a moment’s thought, she said: “I happen to know a joke. I’ll tell it and hopefully make everyone laugh.”

Then she began: “Once upon a time, there was a family with two sisters…”

As soon as she said that, everyone laughed, their eyes drifting between Zhen Yiyun and Zhen Tingyun. After all, wasn’t the Zhen family exactly a family with two sisters?

Only Zhen Yiyun secretly grew annoyed. Worried that Zhen Tingyun intended to use the joke to mock her, she quietly watched her.

Pretending not to notice, Zhen Tingyun continued: “One day, the younger sister gave the elder sister a riddle: There is a person who is neither my sister nor my brother, yet is my parents’ child. Who is she? The elder sister thought for a long time but couldn’t figure it out and finally shook her head. The younger sister laughed and said sister, you’re so silly! Isn’t that person me?’”

Hearing Zhen Tingyun casually say, in front of everyone, ‘Sister, you’re so silly,’ Zhen Yiyun’s grip on her skirt tightened, but she forced herself to remain silent.

Zhen Tingyun continued: “The elder sister also found it amusing. So later she copied the riddle and asked a friend. There is a person who is neither my sister nor my brother, yet is my parents’ child. Who is she? The friend admitted she didn’t know. So the elder sister laughed and said, You’re so silly! Isn’t that person my younger sister?’”

Most of those present were quick-witted. They immediately realized that the joke’s elder sister was foolishly showing off her cleverness without understanding the answer herself, and they burst into laughter.

Only Zhen Yiyun, having a guilty conscience, kept suspecting that the joke was secretly aimed at her.

Zhen Tingyun completely ignored her. Instead, she turned to Pei Mingzhu and the county princess and blinked. “Does that count as passing?”

Unable to hold back, Pei Mingzhu laughed. “It counts, it counts! Pass the flower along.”

Soon, the drumming behind the screen started again. This time the flower landed in the hands of Second Miss Pei. She told a joke, but everyone declared it unfunny and made her drink a cup of wine as punishment. Then the flower went around the circle again. Somehow, it ended up in Zhen Tingyun’s hands once more.

Afraid that her younger sister might say something troublesome again, Zhen Yiyun forced a smile. “You’re not all teasing my second sister on purpose, are you? How is it that after passing around so many times, it always ends up with her?”

Zhen Tingyun did not mind in the least. “It’s Third Cousin Sister’s birthday after all. As her younger cousin, telling a few extra jokes is nothing. Sister needn’t worry about it.”

Since even the person involved had said so herself, Zhen Yiyun could hardly object. With everyone else cheering her on, she could only allow Zhen Tingyun to tell another joke.

This time, however, Zhen Tingyun had no intention of using her words to needle anyone.

She knew that all the girls present were refined young ladies from noble households. Even jokes ought to be somewhat elegant.

Unfortunately, having grown up in the countryside and not having read many books, she could only think of a joke she had once heard from Fu Changxi. So she repeated it for the group: “Long ago, there was an old man who loved testing people with riddles and couplets. One day he came up with the upper line: A line of migrating swallows flies southward…’”

Among those present were quite a few talented young ladies, known for their quick wit and literary ability. Upon hearing the couplet, they immediately began pondering it in their hearts, wondering what sort of matching second line they themselves would compose.

The young county princess seated beside Pei Mingzhu merely raised an eyebrow.

Zhen Tingyun continued: “By sheer coincidence, the old man happened to encounter a fool that day. The fellow casually came up with the matching line: Two roast ducks walk north.’”

The moment everyone heard it, they collapsed into laughter.

Smiling herself, Zhen Tingyun went on: “The old man was both angry and amused when he heard it. He scolded: ‘Which idiot came up with that second line? It’s complete nonsense!’ But the fool was very pleased with himself and asked: ‘How is it wrong? Yours is steamed goose, mine is roast duck. They’re both cooked, both edible. Doesn’t that make the two lines perfectly matched?’”

When everyone heard the comparison of “steamed goose” and “roast duck,” they truly could not stop laughing. Some laughed so hard they clutched their stomachs and cried out repeatedly.

Only the young county princess remained expressionless. Instead, she pressed her lips together slightly and asked: “Where did you hear that joke?”

Zhen Tingyun’s laughter paused. Sensing that something was amiss, she cautiously asked: “Does the county princess think there’s something wrong with the joke?”

“Not at all.” The county princess still wore her indifferent expression, but there was clearly something hidden in her eyes. Her tone carried a deeper meaning. “It’s just that I’ve heard it before.”

Zhen Tingyun relaxed a little. Someone nearby immediately chimed in: “Perhaps it’s simply become widespread and eventually made its way to Sister Zhen.”

The county princess arched a brow. “This was a joke that Imperial Uncle Su told at a palace banquet when he was young. My mother happened to attend that banquet and remembered it well. She’s told it to me several times over the years. So I’m rather curious. Where exactly did Miss Zhen learn it?”

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone paused.

Although Su Wang had left the capital to take up his fief while still young and was little more than a name to these young ladies, ever since the late emperor had appointed this younger brother as Regent, his reputation had become known throughout the capital. Naturally, many stories about Su Wang’s past had spread through the city.

It was said that Su Wang’s mother, Imperial Noble Consort Wu, had been a beauty of unparalleled elegance. Emperor Xiaozong had fallen in love with her at first sight and welcomed her into the palace with the rank of Imperial Noble Consort.

After entering the palace, she enjoyed such favor that she scarcely had a moment free from attending the emperor. Spring outings were spent together, nights were spent exclusively in her company, and all the other palace consorts paled in comparison.

She eventually bore Emperor Xiaozong a daughter and a son.

Unfortunately, her eldest daughter, Eldest Princess Ningguo, was married off to the northern tribes in a political alliance and died young. Imperial Noble Consort Wu fell ill from grief over her daughter and likewise passed away prematurely.

Emperor Xiaozong, unable to bear being reminded of his beloved consort, could scarcely stand to look at his young son. He had the boy raised by Empress Wang instead and, while still in his teens, bestowed upon him the title of Su Wang and sent him away to his fief.

Of course, another version of the story claimed that Su Wang himself deeply hated the northern tribes because of what had happened to his elder sister. Supposedly, he had personally requested a territory bordering the northern frontier and insisted on going there.

In any case, people generally agreed on several things.

Su Wang resembled his mother greatly. Even in his youth, his appearance had been astonishingly beautiful, enough to be called jade-like.

After leaving for his fief, he trained in the military and revealed himself to be a rare military genius. Year after year he drove the northern tribes farther back, becoming a veritable iron wall protecting the frontier.

The only strange thing was that, for reasons unknown, Su Wang remained unmarried to this day. He had neither wife nor children and still lived alone.

…

A prince of the imperial blood who was young, handsome, exceptionally capable, powerful, and still unmarried,  Naturally, the young ladies of noble families could not help harboring countless romantic fantasies about him.

Now, upon hearing that Zhen Tingyun’s joke had originally been told by Su Wang himself many years ago at a palace banquet, everyone was astonished. All eyes turned toward Zhen Tingyun, waiting for her answer.

Zhen Tingyun: “…”

It was only a joke. People told jokes, laughed, and moved on. Who in the world would be so bored as to investigate a joke’s origin?

How was she supposed to know where Yuanhui had learned Su Wang’s joke?

Unfortunately, the county princess was staring at her intently, and everyone else looked equally curious.

What had begun as a casual joke suddenly became a headache. Left with no choice, Zhen Tingyun hastily invented an explanation, half true and half false. “I heard it from a traveling merchant on the journey back to the capital. Thinking about it now, that merchant seemed to have come from the north. Perhaps he’d traveled through the northern frontier and heard stories about the Regent there…”

As she spoke, she straightforwardly poured herself a cup of wine. Raising the cup, she apologized to everyone. “This time I didn’t tell the story well. I’ll punish myself with a cup of wine.”

Seeing this, no one found it appropriate to continue pressing the matter.

As for the county princess, it was impossible to tell whether she believed the explanation or not. She merely raised an eyebrow and said lightly: “If you put it that way, aren’t you implying that Imperial Uncle Su told it poorly back then?”

Zhen Tingyun: “…”

So was she supposed to drink the wine or not?

The county princess did not seem intent on making things difficult. Looking down at the wine cup in her hand, she casually changed the topic. “You may not know this, but Imperial Uncle Su will enter the capital tomorrow.”

The girls present had already been extremely curious about Su Wang. Hearing this news from the county princess, they were immediately both shocked and delighted. No one paid any more attention to Zhen Tingyun. Questions erupted one after another as everyone stared eagerly at the county princess.

Only Zhen Tingyun found it all terribly boring.

I was blocked on the road by Su Wang’s procession for several days. Did I say anything about it? No! I still pushed the joke’s origin onto some traveling merchant… People in the capital are so boring.

The county princess smiled modestly. Looking at all these girls who knew nothing, she could not help feeling a slight sense of superiority. Only then did she leisurely explain: “Actually, Imperial Uncle Su arrived some time ago. But he was personally appointed Regent by the late emperor. He obviously can’t simply ride straight into the city. So these past days, the palace and the Grand Secretariat have been discussing the arrangements for an official ceremonial reception outside the capital.”

“Oh! I wonder if we’ll be able to catch a glimpse of him then.” Pei Mingzhu could not help feeling excited. Then she pouted slightly. “Grandfather never mentioned any of this.”

Since the palace and the Grand Secretariat were arranging the reception, and Old Master Pei served in the Grand Secretariat, he should have known long ago.

Second Miss Pei was already engaged. She had originally been meant to marry the previous year, but the national mourning period had delayed the wedding. As such, she was not nearly as dreamy or excited as the younger girls and remained characteristically composed. “This concerns affairs of state. Why would Grandfather discuss such matters with little girls like us? It’s only because the county princess holds such an exalted status that she was able to learn about it ahead of everyone else.”

The county princess nodded slightly, then explained to everyone, “Actually, we only found out in advance because the Empress Dowager is planning to hold a banquet at the palace that day to entertain Imperial Uncle Su. My royal mother and the rest of us will all be attending.”

At once, everyone began questioning her again in overlapping voices, chattering excitedly as they arranged a time and discussed whether they could go out together to the streets and watch the excitement when the time came.

Standing off to the side, Zhen Tingyun nearly wanted to sigh.

How boring. How completely lacking in substance. I’d rather stay home practicing calligraphy or playing the xiao.

Wasn’t that Third Miss Pei also planning to take the Women’s Academy examination? How did she still have the leisure to think about going out to see some Regent?

The more she listened, the less interested she became. In the end, she simply pulled out yesterday’s mathematics problem and went through it again in her mind as a way to pass the time.

Naturally, Zhen Yiyun also noticed Zhen Tingyun’s absent-mindedness and secretly laughed to herself.

With a temperament like Zhen Tingyun’s, she neither knows how to flatter people nor how to socialize and converse. Even if I didn’t trip her up myself, she probably wouldn’t be able to enter the social circles of the capital’s noble young ladies anyway…

Thinking this, Zhen Yiyun felt a trace of pride. The corners of her lips curved upward slightly, and her voice grew lighter and more cheerful as she spoke, witty remarks flowing one after another.

For a time, the atmosphere among the girls was filled with laughter and merriment.

Author’s Note:

Fu Changxi: Never in my wildest dreams did I think that a joke I casually told back then would be remembered for more than ten years. Then after losing my memory, I told it again and got caught cheating…