Marrying The Imperial Elder Chapter 32

Because the Regent and his entourage were surrounded by attendants and guards, they entered the palace very early.

Zhen Yiyun and the other young ladies had only managed to stand at the window of a restaurant and catch a distant glimpse of them.

If magnificent clothing and precious jewels enhanced a woman’s beauty, then power and authority made a man radiate brilliance.

Given the Regent’s current status, and recalling all the heroic exploits he had accomplished on the northern frontier, watching him ride proudly past on horseback today was enough to leave countless young women utterly captivated.

Even these girls, only just old enough to understand such feelings, stood by the restaurant window, watching through the crowds. Their hearts pounded wildly, and they were completely entranced, wishing only that they had been born in the same era as such a man.

Unfortunately, the Regent’s procession came quickly and departed just as fast.

The girls were all left somewhat dazed. After exchanging a few reluctant comments and laughter, they each boarded their family’s carriage and returned home.

Only Zhen Yiyun was different.

Since she had given her carriage to Zhen Tingyun, she had no choice but to ride home in Pei Mingzhu’s carriage.

Naturally, she offered Pei Mingzhu a subtle explanation.

She said that she and Zhen Tingyun had originally come together in the same carriage, but Zhen Tingyun had later driven off alone and never returned to pick her up, forcing her to ride back with the Pei family’s carriage.

After hearing this, Pei Mingzhu couldn’t help saying, “Your younger sister is really…”

Being a well-bred young lady, although she thought poorly of Zhen Tingyun, she also felt it improper to gossip behind someone’s back. So halfway through her sentence, she covered her mouth and stopped herself, never actually saying anything insulting.

Outside the family, Zhen Yiyun always played the role of the kind elder sister.

Having already planted the seed of doubt, she naturally maintained her generous appearance and gently defended her younger sister. “Perhaps we all left early, and she was delayed somewhere on the road.”

Pei Mingzhu looked at her with an expression of complete exasperation. “Older Sister Yiyun, you’re just too kind. I think your second sister is quite calculating. If you keep giving in to her like this, she’ll only push her luck further and further…”

Zhen Yiyun merely sighed. “My second sister did grow up in the countryside. There are still many things she doesn’t understand. As her elder sister, I ought to be more tolerant.”

Pei Mingzhu sighed again. She herself had grown up as the pampered darling of her family. Though somewhat spoiled, she certainly wasn’t weak, nor was she the sort of person to swallow grievances in silence.

So every sigh from Zhen Yiyun only made Pei Mingzhu feel even more frustrated on her behalf.

“Even so, you can’t always let her have her way! Sister Yiyun, your temperament… honestly…”

After chatting with her cousin, Zhen Yiyun returned to her own courtyard in an excellent mood, her steps light.

At the same time, she couldn’t help feeling curious.

Zhen Tingyun came from the countryside. Even after arriving in the capital, she hardly knows anyone. In a place that’s completely unfamiliar to her… where exactly did she go today?

With that thought, Zhen Yiyun deliberately paid extra attention, instructing her servants to keep watch.

When Zhen Tingyun finally returned from outside, Zhen Yiyun personally went to the courtyard gate for a look.

The two sisters “just happened” to run into each other.

With her sharp eyes, Zhen Yiyun immediately noticed the purple jade xiao protruding halfway from Zhen Tingyun’s hand.

She almost suspected her own eyesight. A purple jade xiao of that quality, judging from the color of the jade alone, was an immeasurably valuable treasure. How could a country girl like Zhen Tingyun possibly have obtained something like that?

With that question lingering in her mind, Zhen Yiyun naturally couldn’t help thinking further.

As soon as Zhen Tingyun returned to her room, Zhen Yiyun immediately sent someone to question the coachman who had driven the carriage that day about where Zhen Tingyun had gone.

When she learned that Zhen Tingyun had gone to a private villa on Western Hill, and that it belonged to someone else, Zhen Yiyun’s face became extraordinarily ugly. She gripped the handkerchief in her hands so tightly that her knuckles turned pale.

She thought bitterly:

Could it be that Zhen Tingyun has really attached herself to some powerful noble? Is the heroine’s plot armor really that incredible? She’s only been in the capital a few days, and she’s already managed to seduce someone?

Jealousy and resentment filled Zhen Yiyun’s heart.

Only after a long while did she calm herself enough to bite her lip and ask her maid Mingyu, “Did… did the coachman say whether he saw who Second Sister was talking to today?”

Mingyu shook her head. “The coachman said he never saw the person’s face. He only caught a distant glimpse when the man escorted Second Miss out. Judging by his build, he didn’t seem to be a young man. He was probably a tall man in his twenties or thirties.”

“A man?” Something stirred in Zhen Yiyun’s eyes. 

A villa on Western Hill.

An exceptionally valuable purple jade xiao.

A man in his twenties or thirties.

…

As these clues came together, an absurd thought gradually formed in her mind.

Could it be that Zhen Tingyun…

Once the thought arose, she could no longer suppress it.

After dismissing her maid, she sat alone in her room for a long time, thinking it over again and again. The more she thought, the hotter her chest felt, and her heart pounded wildly. She felt as though she had uncovered someone else’s shameful secret. For a time, she didn’t know whether she should reveal it or keep silent.

In the end, she made up her mind. “I… I’m doing this for her own good. I can’t let her ruin the Zhen family’s reputation. I have to tell Mother.” Having made her decision, Zhen Yiyun wasted no time and immediately headed toward the main courtyard.

Coincidentally, because the Regent had entered the capital that day, Father Zhen had been tied up with additional official duties. After leaving the yamen, he had stayed behind socializing with his colleagues and had yet to return home.

Thus, only Madam Pei was in the main room.

The lamps had already been lit. Madam Pei sat alone before a table, examining this month’s account books. She was troubled by the family’s ever-increasing expenses. Their sources of income remained few, and only now did she truly appreciate the saying that one only realizes how little money one has when it’s time to spend it.

Seeing her eldest daughter arrive, a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on Madam Pei’s face.

She beckoned her over. “Come, sit down. I was just saying that you sisters left so early this morning, it was about time you came back.”

Pulling her daughter down beside her, she gently stroked her smooth cheek and asked warmly, “How was the city today? Was it lively? Did you get to see the Regent?”

Zhen Yiyun nodded. She quietly rehearsed her words in her mind before speaking with unusual seriousness. “Mother… I have something to tell you.”

Seeing how solemn she looked, Madam Pei was briefly surprised before smiling. “Go on, then. Why are you hesitating like this?”

Zhen Yiyun grasped her mother’s sleeve and lowered her voice even further. “It’s… it’s about Second Sister. Mother, please listen first. Whatever you do, don’t get angry or upset.”

Just hearing that much made Madam Pei’s expression darken. “Speak.”

So Zhen Yiyun began from the very beginning. “Today we originally went out to gather with Third Cousin and the others. Halfway there, Second Sister said that she’d only recently arrived in the capital and rarely had the chance to go out, so she wanted to take advantage of the excitement to wander around the city. Seeing how earnest she was, and since she had servants accompanying her, and it was indeed a rare opportunity, I agreed. I even left the family’s carriage for her to use. But she never came back. I had to ride home in Third Cousin’s carriage. Because of that, I became worried, so I specifically had people keep watch for Second Sister…”

Madam Pei frowned slightly, displeasure evident on her face. “You should have reported something like this to me immediately.”

Zhen Yiyun could only apologize. “It was my oversight.”

“Continue.” Madam Pei’s voice was low.

Zhen Yiyun then recounted everything in detail.

She described seeing the purple jade xiao in Zhen Tingyun’s possession, questioning the coachman afterward, and everything the coachman had told her. Only after finishing did she take a deep breath and slowly say, “If Mother doesn’t believe me, you may summon the coachman first and question him yourself. Only after confirming everything will you know that I haven’t falsely accused Second Sister.”

Madam Pei was not someone who believed accusations lightly. Moreover, Zhen Yiyun’s previous false accusation was still fresh in everyone’s memory. So she immediately ordered a folding screen to be brought in and had the coachman summoned for questioning.

The coachman faithfully repeated everything. His testimony was exactly the same as what he had earlier told Zhen Yiyun.

After hearing him out, Madam Pei’s face became even darker. Even so, she forcibly restrained her temper. She rewarded the coachman with silver, the payment also serving as an unspoken warning to keep his mouth shut. The coachman had long worked for the Pei family and knew perfectly well what should and should not be said. He accepted the reward and quietly withdrew.

Madam Pei remained seated in silence.

No one knew what she was thinking.

Her expression was as dark as storm clouds.

Zhen Yiyun sat beside her. Gradually, tears welled up in her eyes. Her slender white fingers twisted the handkerchief she held as she wiped away her tears and sobbed, “I was only afraid Mother would be angry… that’s why I hesitated over whether to tell you…”

Madam Pei remained silent, her face cold as still water.

Zhen Yiyun cried even harder. Tears streamed endlessly down her face, her voice choking with emotion. “Second Sister is still young and ignorant. She hasn’t experienced much of the world. She must have been deceived by someone… But someone who owns a villa on Western Hill, and who’s a man in his twenties or thirties……which one of them doesn’t already have a wife and children? Second Sister is still so young. If she really has been secretly exchanging gifts and affections with such a man…”

“…then she’s truly being foolish.”

Amid Zhen Yiyun’s tearful sobbing, Madam Pei finally exhaled slowly and spoke. “Someone, go to the second courtyard and invite Second Miss here.”

Madam Pei’s beautiful face was utterly expressionless. Her brows were heavy with suppressed anger, her entire demeanor radiating a chilling coldness. She resembled the frozen surface of a winter lake, beneath which no one could see the surging waves and dangerous currents hidden below.

Sneaking a glance at her mother, Zhen Yiyun felt a flicker of fear herself. But she quickly relaxed.

Mother is genuinely furious this time. Zhen Tingyun probably won’t escape unscathed now.

It was precisely because of this that, the moment Zhen Tingyun stepped into the room, Madam Pei could no longer suppress the anger burning in her chest. In a sharp, stern voice, she ordered, “You wretched girl! Kneel at once!”

Yet even in the face of Madam Pei’s icy expression and harsh rebuke, Zhen Tingyun was not truly afraid. After all, proper preparation meant that even if Mount Tai collapsed before your eyes, your expression would not change.

Not to mention the dream she’d had before coming to the capital, long ago, Zhen Tingyun had already stopped placing high expectations on the parents and siblings in this family. And when Madam Pei had deliberately sent two burly, fierce-looking old women to fetch her, she had already guessed something was wrong. Otherwise, she would never have secretly instructed Pinglan to invite Old Lady Zhen to serve as backup.

Now that she entered the room and saw Zhen Yiyun sitting beside Madam Pei, how could she fail to understand what had happened?

So when Madam Pei shouted, “You wretched girl! Kneel this instant!” Zhen Tingyun’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. Even her brows didn’t twitch. Gathering her skirts, she obediently knelt. Then she raised her head slightly and looked directly at Madam Pei. “May I ask what wrong your daughter has committed, to make Mother so furious?”

She genuinely had no idea what kind of poison Zhen Yiyun had whispered into Madam Pei’s ear this time.

The room was brightly lit. The candlelight illuminated every detail of Zhen Tingyun’s face. She knelt with her back perfectly straight. Her small face was fair and delicate, her apricot eyes clear and bright. When she looked at someone, her gaze was calm, like the still waters of an autumn lake, open, honest, and transparent.

As Old Madam Pei had once said, Zhen Tingyun looked remarkably like Madam Pei in her youth.

Yet as Madam Pei gazed at this familiar and unfamiliar face, and saw not the slightest trace of remorse upon it, the fire in her heart only burned hotter. She was furious that her young, ignorant daughter had been dazzled by wealth and splendor and deceived by someone. She was even angrier that the girl showed not the slightest shame or regret. Most of all, she regretted leaving her daughter with Old Lady Zhen for over ten years.

Sure enough, that old woman had ruined the child.

If this matter became public, and the Zhen family gained the reputation of having a daughter who secretly exchanged tokens of affection with a man and became some powerful nobleman’s concubine…

What face would she, as the girl’s mother, have left?

And how could Father Zhen continue to face his colleagues at court?

The flames of anger raged higher and higher. Madam Pei felt something lodged in her throat. Her head spun. Even her words lost their usual restraint. “You disgraceful child! Secretly exchanging gifts and affections with a man! After doing something so shameful, you still have the nerve to ask me what you’ve done wrong?”

Still kneeling on the floor, Zhen Tingyun listened calmly.

She quickly caught the key phrase.

Secretly exchanging gifts and affections?

In an instant, everything clicked into place.

She immediately interrupted Madam Pei before the latter could continue. “Ordinarily, when Mother instructs me, as your daughter I ought to bow my head and quietly accept your teaching without saying another word. But this accusation of secretly exchanging gifts and affections is no small matter. Since I have never done such a thing, I dare not falsely admit to it.”

The moment she finished speaking, the room fell silent. The only sound was the candlewick crackling softly as a tiny spark burst from the flame.

Madam Pei unconsciously fell silent. She simply stared at her kneeling daughter and listened as she continued.

“I know that because I was raised in the countryside by Grandmother, I lacked proper guidance and am unfamiliar with many rules and customs. I have disappointed Father and Mother. But I can read and write. I have often listened to Grandmother’s teachings about filial piety and righteousness. So I naturally understand propriety, honor, integrity, and shame. I would never commit some disgraceful act that would bring shame upon our family or disappoint my elders. As for this so-called ‘secret exchange of affection,’ it is nothing more than a complete fabrication.”

Kneeling properly on the floor, Zhen Tingyun lowered her head slightly. Her jade-white face remained perfectly calm.  Slowly and steadily, she continued. Her voice was crisp and clear. Every word rang with the firmness of metal striking stone. For some reason, it carried an undeniable power that inspired belief. “Today I merely went to a villa to seek instruction from my teacher. Because I have made considerable progress in my xiao playing, my teacher was very pleased and rewarded me with a purple jade xiao. It was a gift from an elder. Naturally, I could not refuse it, so I accepted. I can honestly say that my conscience is perfectly clear. My every word and action observed proper etiquette. This was absolutely not the kind of improper relationship Mother imagines.”

Madam Pei continued staring at her. Seeing how sincere Zhen Tingyun appeared, although she still harbored doubts, she finally felt some of the tension in her heart ease. What she had feared most was that this daughter had truly gone astray, chasing wealth and status by attaching herself to powerful men and bringing disgrace upon the family.

Listening to Zhen Tingyun now, it didn’t quite seem to be that. Still…

Just as Madam Pei was deep in thought, Zhen Yiyun lifted her tear-filled eyes and softly interjected, “Second Sister… those who own villas on Western Hill are almost all influential nobles and high-ranking officials. How could someone like that possibly have the leisure to teach others? …Could it be that you’ve been deceived?”

That was precisely what Madam Pei herself had been wondering. Anyone who owned a villa on Western Hill had to be either extremely wealthy or extraordinarily powerful.

How could such a person possibly know Zhen Tingyun? And why would someone of that status have the time to become a little girl’s teacher?

So despite Zhen Tingyun’s explanation, Madam Pei still wasn’t entirely convinced. Even so, she ignored Zhen Yiyun’s interruption. Instead, she fixed her gaze upon Zhen Tingyun and slowly asked, “You say he is your teacher?”

“Yes.”

Zhen Tingyun answered without hesitation. Then she added, “I don’t consider myself a fool. If I truly intended to meet a man in secret and exchange private tokens of affection, I would naturally have concealed it from everyone. Why would I deliberately ride in our family’s carriage? Why would I bring Pinglan and Qiusi with me?”

“Before going to Western Hill, I even specifically stopped to buy pastries in town as a small gift to show filial respect to my teacher. If I truly had improper intentions…”

“…why would I create all these unnecessary complications for myself?”

After a pause, she continued, “Mother may send Qiusi to my room and have her bring the wooden box containing the purple jade xiao. Beneath the flute are the music scores my teacher wrote for me, along with his notes on riding and archery. Furthermore, Pinglan and Qiusi accompanied me the entire time. If Mother does not believe my words, you may question the two of them as well.”

Everything Zhen Tingyun said was logical and supported by evidence. Madam Pei’s expression softened somewhat. She turned and issued several orders, instructing someone to summon Qiusi, have her bring the box containing the purple jade xiao, and question her as well.

However, that would naturally take some time.

Deep down, Madam Pei still found it difficult to believe that a young girl who had only been in the capital for a few days could somehow have become acquainted with a powerful noble and accepted him as her teacher. So she cautiously probed further. “If he truly is your teacher, then surely you’ve learned his name and background. Why don’t you tell me everything in detail first? That way, I can prepare some gifts and personally thank your teacher for taking the trouble to instruct you.”

Zhen Tingyun lowered her head and said earnestly, “Your daughter is still shallow in learning. Although my teacher intends to accept me as a disciple, he still wishes to observe and evaluate me further. Therefore, we have not yet performed a formal disciple-taking ceremony.”

“Since you haven’t even held the formal ceremony, how can you call yourselves master and disciple?” Zhen Yiyun exclaimed in surprise. “Besides, you’re an unmarried man and an unmarried woman, alone together in the same room. If something were to happen…”

“You black-hearted girl! How old are you, yet you dare sit there making irresponsible accusations, spewing filthy slander and defaming your own younger sister! Have you no shame at all?”

A loud, forceful scolding suddenly rang out from outside the door. Someone immediately pushed open the door and strode inside. Old Madam Zhen brushed aside the maids and old servants blocking her path. After berating Zhen Yiyun, she turned toward Madam Pei with a frosty expression and rebuked her coldly. “Madam Pei, is this how you teach your daughter?!”

Never before had Zhen Yiyun heard such harsh words directed at her. Her tear-filled little face flushed crimson, and she was so embarrassed she could barely remain seated.

Madam Pei had already recovered her composure. She hurriedly rose from her seat, pulled her eldest daughter to her feet as well, stepped forward to pay her respects, and asked, “Mother, what brings you here?”

Old Madam Zhen sneered. “If I hadn’t come, wouldn’t Ting Jie’er have been bullied to death by all of you?”

Madam Pei stepped forward, helped Old Madam Zhen to the seat of honor, and said, “Mother, those words are too severe for your daughter-in-law to bear. I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood. I merely called her over to ask her a few questions as her mother. How could that be considered bullying?”

“Ask her a few questions? Is this how you question someone? You and Yiyun sit comfortably while Ting Jie’er kneels on the floor to answer?” After taking her seat, Old Madam Zhen looked at her still-kneeling young granddaughter with obvious heartache. “It’s freezing outside, and the floor is cold. She’s just a young girl. What if she catches a chill from kneeling there? She’s your own flesh and blood! As her mother, how can you not feel the slightest bit sorry for her? Or is she not your daughter after all?”

“When she was only a few months old, you abandoned her without a second thought. I worked so hard to raise her, and now that she’s finally grown up, you still can’t stand the sight of her. Every day it’s either scolding her or making her kneel… I think you’ve come to dislike even us grandmother and granddaughter together. Why don’t I have a carriage prepared and take Ting Jie’er back to the countryside? Then your whole family can finally enjoy some peace.”

Growing angrier as she spoke, Old Madam Zhen rose and reached out to pull Zhen Tingyun to her feet. “Enough. Second Girl, you needn’t kneel anymore. Though you have a filial heart, others may not cherish you as you cherish them. You’d be better off leaving with me instead of staying here as an eyesore.”

As Old Madam Zhen helped Zhen Tingyun up, Madam Pei could no longer remain standing. She immediately dropped to her knees as well, lowered her head, and said shamefully, “Mother, your words leave your daughter-in-law utterly ashamed. I have nowhere to hide my face.”

Seeing her mother kneel, Zhen Yiyun had no choice but to kneel too. She kowtowed and pleaded, “Grandmother, please calm your anger.”

As the daughter at the center of the matter, Zhen Tingyun could hardly stand by and watch. Besides, she knew Old Madam Zhen was merely speaking in anger. Grandmother and granddaughter had only just made it to the capital after so much hardship, and Old Madam Zhen dearly missed her son and grandson. There was no way she would truly pack up and leave immediately.

So Zhen Tingyun gently persuaded her. “Grandmother, it’s truly all a misunderstanding. Mother and I have already talked everything through.”

After helping Old Madam Zhen sit down again, Zhen Tingyun went to help Madam Pei to her feet as well. “Grandmother only spoke harshly in the heat of the moment. She certainly didn’t mean to blame Mother. Mother, you’ve always been broad-minded. Please don’t take those words to heart. Now that everyone is here, we can calmly discuss everything and clear up the misunderstanding.”

Zhen Tingyun helped Old Madam Zhen up, then helped Madam Pei but deliberately left Zhen Yiyun kneeling where she was.

Still kneeling on the floor, Zhen Yiyun was extremely embarrassed. Her fingers clutched the goose-yellow hem of her skirt so tightly that her knuckles turned bluish-white, and all the color drained from her face.

Fortunately, Madam Pei still remembered to pity her daughter. She glanced over and said, “Yiyun, you may get up as well.”

Only then did Zhen Yiyun lower her head in acknowledgment and rise. Old Madam Zhen immediately mocked her. “Oh my, a daughter you raised yourself truly is the one you cherish most. She only knelt for a little while, and you couldn’t bear it, you hurried to let her stand. But why didn’t you spare even a little pity for Ting Jie’er?”

Each of Old Madam Zhen’s cutting remarks struck deeper than the last. Madam Pei was nearly unable to endure them. Her face turned pale as she answered, “Mother, you’re overthinking things. They’re both my daughters. As their mother, I love them equally.”

Supporting Madam Pei’s arm, Zhen Tingyun could feel how stiff it had become. She knew that if Old Madam Zhen continued, Madam Pei would likely become angry out of humiliation.

So she quickly changed the subject with a smile. “Grandmother, Mother and I were just discussing my teacher.” Then she softly said to Madam Pei, “My teacher is actually someone Grandmother has met before. If Mother is still worried, you can ask Grandmother about him.”

From the corner of her eye, Madam Pei noticed Pinglan standing in the distance and guessed that Zhen Tingyun had secretly sent someone to fetch Old Madam Zhen. She felt somewhat annoyed. Still, things had already reached this point. There was little point pursuing that matter now. What mattered most was getting to the truth.

By now, she already believed eighty or ninety percent of Zhen Tingyun’s explanation, so she smiled and said, “Since he’s someone your grandmother has met, then I have no reason to worry. There’s no need to ask further.”

Just then, someone announced from outside that Qiusi had arrived with the items.