Marrying The Imperial Elder Chapter 43

Normally, when Madam Pei favored Zhen Yiyun a little, giving her more clothes or jewelry, Father Zhen would grumble a few words but leave it alone. After all, she was the mistress of the household, and he didn’t want to undermine her authority.

But the women’s academy examination was an entirely different matter. It could not be compared to clothes or ornaments.

This time, he truly couldn’t endure it any longer.

“How could you do something like this?” he demanded. “Our daughter has been studying diligently day and night for weeks, waiting for tomorrow’s examination. And without saying a single word to her, you gave away her examination permit?”

Seeing how furious her husband was, Madam Pei began to regret her actions. Softly, she defended herself. “My sister-in-law rarely asks me for anything. If I had refused her, I’m afraid she would have been unhappy. I thought while she can’t influence affairs at court, offending her would still be troublesome. After all, we’ve only just returned to the capital. It wouldn’t do to become estranged from my own family.”

Indeed, Father Zhen’s transfer back to the capital had been made possible in no small part through the Pei family’s assistance. It truly wasn’t wise to fall out with them.

But the moment the words left her mouth, Madam Pei realized she had misspoken. 

As expected, her husband became even angrier. “Fine! Fine! I know the Pei family is a distinguished scholarly clan. My own family is nothing more than humble commoners. I was fortunate enough that my teacher took a liking to me, accepted me as his disciple, and even gave me his daughter in marriage so I suppose I ought to know my place. The daughters of the Zhen family can never compare to the daughters of the Pei family. If we don’t obediently hand over our own examination permit, then we’re simply ungrateful for your family’s favor and the Pei family will cut ties with us, is that what you’re saying?”

“How can you say such things?!” Her eyes reddened as tears streamed down her face.

Wiping them away, she spoke softly, “When you speak of a prestigious scholarly family… do you think my father was born a Grand Secretary? Wasn’t he just like you once? He spent more than a decade studying by lamplight, working tirelessly every single day before finally passing the imperial examinations. Only then was he able to serve the emperor above and benefit the people below. He never allowed himself to slacken for even a moment. Only through all those years did he earn the experience, reputation, and standing he enjoys today. So why belittle yourself like this? Why speak of yourself with such contempt?”

Father Zhen clenched his jaw and turned his face away, refusing to look at her.

Madam Pei lowered her head. The kingfisher-feather butterfly hairpin in her coiffure trembled with each sob, its delicate wings and antennae quivering softly with a faint rustling sound.

Dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief, she sobbed quietly, yet every word she spoke was perfectly clear. “Besides, after all these years, don’t you know how my father and brothers have treated you? My father may have been your teacher, your father-in-law, and your elder by title, but in truth he treated you like his own son. When he returned home all those years ago and met you for the first time, he took a liking to you immediately. He hadn’t accepted a disciple in years, yet he made an exception just for you, taking you as his final disciple. He taught you to read and write, coached you in essays and the imperial examinations. In fact, he devoted even more attention to you than he did to my own two brothers.”

“And my eldest brother, do you remember when you took the provincial examination? You fell seriously ill as soon as it was over. It was my brother who looked after you every step of the way and escorted you safely home. It happened during the lingering autumn heat. He nearly peeled the skin off his own back from the blazing sun because of you. By the time he got home, he was utterly exhausted and fell ill himself, far more seriously than you. He lay bedridden with fever for many days. Did anyone in my family, even my sister-in-law, ever complain about you because of that? On the contrary, they all said that you and my brother were as close as real brothers. Since you’d traveled together, it was only natural that you should look after one another and support each other.”

“And when I insisted on marrying you, Mother worried that the Zhen family lacked status and that my mother-in-law would be difficult to get along with. It was Father who overruled everyone. He said he had recognized your talent long ago and believed there could be no better match. My two brothers agreed without hesitation. Even later, when I suffered so terribly giving birth to Tingyun and gritted my teeth while carrying Yiyun to the capital… The whole family was furious. Mother cried when she saw me. My two brothers’ eyes turned red. Even Father, who was always so reserved, couldn’t hide his emotions. But not one of them ever spoke a single ill word about you. They all told me that you were a good man, that if you had been home then, you would never have allowed me to suffer such grievances.”

She looked at her husband through tear-filled eyes, her voice sorrowful, every word as sharp as a blade. “Zhen Dongping… tell me yourself. Has the Pei family ever treated you unfairly?”

Father Zhen had lost his father as a child.

To him, Old Master Pei had been not only the teacher who shaped his life but also the father-in-law who had become the father he never had.

Listening to his wife recount those old memories, his own eyes reddened. He regretted the angry words he’d spoken only moments ago. Whatever else might be true, Old Master Pei had treated him with nothing but kindness. His two brothers-in-law had never once wronged him either.

Seeing that her husband had softened somewhat, Madam Pei gradually stopped crying and continued in a choked voice, “I know I handled this poorly but I truly thought Tingyun’s foundation was weak. I was afraid tomorrow’s examination would be difficult for her. Wouldn’t it be better for her to study one more year and pass with confidence next year? And besides, my sister-in-law didn’t take the permit for free. She gave us a shop in exchange. We can simply count it as part of Tingyun’s future dowry…”

“What do you mean, ‘I thought’?” Father Zhen interrupted sharply. “As her mother, when it comes to your daughter’s future, do you rely only on what you think? Couldn’t you have listened more? Observed more? Put a little more heart into it?”

He had already been moved by her earlier words, but hearing her continue to justify herself reignited his anger. Drawing a deep breath to steady himself, he spoke slowly and deliberately. “When you left Tingyun behind in our hometown, I understood that you had no choice. I’ve always believed I wronged you in that matter, so I’ve never blamed you for it. Even afterward, when you never once suggested bringing Tingyun or Mother to the capital, I went along with your wishes. I never argued. But now, after we’ve finally brought Mother and Tingyun here… Have you shown either of them even a little genuine care?”

“Since Mother came to the capital, you haven’t acted like a daughter-in-law at all. Forget serving her according to custom, even the daily morning and evening visits have been abandoned. At most, you occasionally accompany me with the children to chat with her for a while. I understood your history with Mother. I knew the two of you could never truly get along, so I never criticized you but Mother sits alone in her courtyard every day, with nothing to do, lonely and bored. Did you ever notice? It was Tingyun who noticed. She was the one who voluntarily suggested taking her grandmother to our country estate for a change of scenery and even hearing that was enough to make you pull a long face.”

Arguments between husband and wife often drift into old grievances.

As he continued speaking, Father Zhen became more emotional. “I’ve always considered your difficulties. I’ve always protected your dignity and never pressed you over matters concerning Mother but have you ever considered my position? Have you ever thought about me? Did it ever occur to you to help me fulfill even a little of my duty as a son?”

Madam Pei’s face flushed under the force of his words. After a long silence, she finally bit out, “We were talking about Tingyun. Why are you bringing Mother into this?”

Father Zhen laughed in anger. “Fine. Very well. Then let’s not talk about Mother. Let’s talk about Tingyun.”

“You have your grievances with Mother. If you choose to repay resentment with fairness, that’s your own affair but what about Tingyun? She’s our daughter. Because of the decisions we adults made, she’s suffered all these years. How is it that you don’t feel even the slightest pity for her?”

Madam Pei flushed crimson. Biting her lip, she answered, “How could I not pity her? I was thinking about her future. I was trying to plan for what’s best for her. She spent all these years in the countryside and has already fallen behind. That’s why I wanted to prepare a larger dowry for her, so arranging a good marriage later would be easier. And the shop my sister-in-law offered…”

Before she could finish, Father Zhen cut her off coldly. “What is one shop worth? If Tingyun passes the academy examination this time, continues her studies, broadens her horizons, and improves herself, that is what truly matters.That is the finest dowry she could possibly have.”

Seeing that his wife still wanted to argue, he let out a cold laugh and continued, “I’ve been saying all along that you haven’t truly paid attention to your daughter. If you had, how could you not know how much she’s improved? You think all this studying day and night is merely last-minute cramming. What you don’t know is that she’s disciplined herself relentlessly. She practices calligraphy morning and evening. Her handwriting has improved enormously. She practices the xiao every single day. Her playing has already begun to show the refinement of genuine mastery and that’s only her calligraphy and music…”

He paused before sighing. “To be fair, I once thought as you do. I worried she was pushing herself too hard and becoming too eager for quick success. There’s an old saying: ‘Haste makes waste; chasing small gains ruins great undertakings.’ I often advised her to relax a little and not wear herself out. But seeing how diligently she worked, whenever I had time, I made a point of looking over her lessons.”

A complicated expression crossed his face. After another sigh, he looked directly at his wife. “Yuanjun… And you? As her mother, have you truly given your daughter your heart? Have you ever carefully looked through her schoolwork? Have you truly seen the effort she’s poured into her studies these past months? Have you ever tried to understand what your daughter actually wants?”

Madam Pei paused, suddenly unable to find any words.

She remembered visiting Zhen Tingyun’s room shortly after the girl first arrived in the capital and seeing her practicing calligraphy.

Back then, Tingyun’s handwriting had indeed been quite good. Madam Pei had even wondered to herself whether the girl truly practiced so diligently or was merely putting on a show.

Now that she thought about it, aside from that one occasion, she had never again paid any attention to her daughter’s studies.

Seeing the look on her face, Father Zhen immediately understood what she was thinking and sighed once more. “You keep insisting that our daughter probably wouldn’t have passed this examination anyway. But you’ve never looked at her schoolwork, never cared about how hard she’s worked, never tried to understand what she was thinking so how could you make such a sweeping judgment? How could you even presume to make that decision on her behalf?”

Madam Pei’s face had gone completely pale. For the first time, she truly didn’t know what to say.

Father Zhen no longer had the heart to continue arguing. After all, he still loved his wife. His anger had begun to cool, and he couldn’t bear to scold her any further. With a flick of his sleeve, he simply turned and walked out.

Madam Pei remained sitting there in silence, her face pale.

Not long afterward, several maids quietly entered the room and carefully packed up Father Zhen’s bedding to move it to the study.

He was still too angry to share a room with her, yet equally unwilling to continue quarreling. Rather than keep fighting, he chose simply to sleep elsewhere, a silent but unmistakable expression of his anger.

Madam Pei sat cold-faced to one side, watching them gather his things without saying a word.

Only her thoughts were in complete turmoil.

…Had I really been wrong?

***

Zhen Tingyun, meanwhile, knew nothing of the fierce argument between her parents.

Her mother’s words had cut too deeply. After leaving the main courtyard, she held back her tears and went straight to her grandmother. It was a habit she had developed in childhood. Whenever she felt wronged, she would instinctively seek comfort from her grandmother.

Old Lady Zhen hadn’t seen her youngest granddaughter like this in many years. Her heart ached. Gathering Tingyun into her arms, she asked anxiously, “My poor child, what happened? Did that black-hearted elder sister of yours bully you again?”

Seeing Tingyun merely press her lips together without answering, the old lady assumed her granddaughter must have suffered some great grievance.

Holding the slender girl close, she gently stroked her back. “Don’t be afraid. If anything’s happened, just tell Grandmother. I’ll stand up for you.”

At those words, Tingyun, who had been biting her lip in silence, nearly burst into tears.

She remembered the dream she’d had before coming to the capital. In that dream, Grandmother had said exactly the same thing. Even though the relationship between her grandmother and Madam Pei had already been terribly strained, her grandmother had always insisted on defending her.

They argued again and again, and each argument only made matters worse. Instead of helping, it only deepened Father Zhen’s dissatisfaction, driving an ever greater wedge between mother and son.

Recalling those scenes from her dream, Tingyun’s heart tightened. She buried her face in her grandmother’s warm embrace and whispered, “It’s nothing. I was just thinking tomorrow is the examination… I’m a little scared.”

Whatever happened, she could not allow her grandmother to quarrel with her parents because of her again.

And regardless of everything else…

She was going to take that examination.

She had worked far too hard for far too long.

If she ended up missing tomorrow’s test because of what Madam Pei had done, she’d be furious with herself for the rest of her life.

Old Lady Zhen eyed her suspiciously. “Really?”

Zhen Tingyun looked up at her grandmother and blinked, forcing her tears back before managing a faint smile. “When have I ever lied to you, Grandmother?”

Only then did the old lady relax. “You silly child. What’s there to be afraid of when it comes to an examination…”

Halfway through the sentence, she suddenly stopped. A mischievous thought occurred to her. “You aren’t trying to pull the same trick you used as a child, are you? Coming here looking pitiful just so you can sleep in my bed tonight?”

Despite the grief and indignation filling her heart, Zhen Tingyun almost couldn’t hold back a laugh. Her grandmother’s teasing eased much of the heaviness weighing on her. Smiling now, she admitted, “I knew I couldn’t fool you.”

Old Lady Zhen had always loved how clingy her granddaughter could be.

And remembering that Tingyun had an important examination the next day, she finally pretended to hesitate before saying, “Fine. You can stay here tonight.”

Zhen Tingyun obediently nodded.

In truth, she had originally planned to go out that evening. But looking at the lateness of the hour, and then at her grandmother beside her, she gave up the idea.

She didn’t want to alarm the old lady or create another conflict between her grandmother and Madam Pei.

It would be better to leave early the next morning and quietly settle the matter herself.

With her grandmother by her side, although Zhen Tingyun spent much of the night thinking, she still managed a reasonably good sleep.

Madam Pei, on the other hand, lay awake alone. She didn’t sleep a wink the entire night.

Fortunately, Zhen Yiyun was there to keep her company.

Since it was the entrance examination for the women’s academy, Yiyun didn’t have classes that day. The previous night, she’d vaguely heard that something had happened between her parents. Both curious and uneasy, she had slept poorly herself.

Early the next morning, she went to pay her respects to her mother and discreetly ask what had happened.

After hearing about the argument between her parents, Yiyun found herself agreeing with her mother’s reasoning.

She gently comforted Madam Pei, easing some of her anxiety.

Just then, while the mother and daughter were talking affectionately together, a servant came to report, “Second Miss left early this morning. She led her horse out herself and rode away.”

Unease immediately rose in Madam Pei’s heart.

She asked several more questions. “Did Second Miss say where she was going?”

The servant hesitated. “No, Madam. She wouldn’t allow anyone to accompany her. She simply led out her horse and left.”

Madam Pei sighed. “That girl…”

Inside, Zhen Yiyun was secretly delighted. Outwardly, however, she spoke with gentle concern. “Today is the academy entrance examination. After everything that happened, Second Sister must be feeling terrible. Perhaps going out for a while will do her some good.”

Madam Pei patted her elder daughter’s hand and sighed again. “You’re right.”

After a pause, she added with genuine feeling, “You’ve always been so sensible.”

Yiyun felt even more pleased with herself.

***

In reality, although Zhen Tingyun had been angry and heartbroken the night before, she had not wasted that anger. She had carefully thought through every possible solution.

At first, Zhen Tingyun had thought of seeking out Yuanhui.

He was clearly someone whom the Regent trusted, so for him, passing along a message would likely be a trivial matter. Moreover, Tingyun still possessed the purple jade pendant Yuanhui had given her. Whether she went personally to his villa or sent someone there carrying the jade pendant, it would have been easy enough to get word to him.

But…

Yuanhui had already taught her so much and helped her in so many ways. She simply couldn’t bring herself to trouble him over a mess her own family had created.

After thinking it over again and again, she could think of only one solution: Go to Madam Chu.

As an instructor at the Capital Women’s Academy, Madam Chu ought to have the authority to recommend a student to sit for the entrance examination. That was why, at first light, Tingyun had saddled her horse and ridden out, heading straight for the address Madam Chu had given her before.

If Madam Chu wasn’t at home, then she would go directly to the Women’s Academy instead.

Today was the entrance examination, after all. As one of the academy’s instructors, Madam Chu would surely be there helping oversee the proceedings.

Fortunately, although Tingyun’s luck had been miserable enough to leave her with a mother like Madam Pei, she still had a tiny measure of good fortune. When she rode up to the Chu residence, she happened to catch Madam Chu just as she was about to leave.

Tingyun couldn’t help feeling relieved.

Thank goodness I hurried. A moment later, and I’d have had to chase her all the way to the academy.

Madam Chu, however, was quite surprised. Seeing Tingyun arrive alone on horseback, she looked her up and down before asking in astonishment, “Today is the Women’s Academy entrance examination. Judging by your age, I assume you’re taking it as well. So why have you come here instead?”

For a moment, Tingyun didn’t know how to answer.

Should she explain that her own mother had traded away her examination permit in exchange for a shop?

Or should she simply dismount and beg Madam Chu to recommend her so she could still sit the examination?

…

Countless words crowded to her lips, yet none seemed appropriate. Her grip tightened slightly on the reins. Then she swung gracefully down from her horse, walked up to Madam Chu, and gave a solemn bow. “When we first met at the inn, you heard me play the xiao and wished to accept me as your disciple. Unfortunately, I failed to recognize a worthy teacher and let the opportunity slip away. I wonder… would you still be willing to accept me as your student?”

Madam Chu arched an eyebrow, genuine interest flickering across her eyes.

Recalling that today was the academy’s entrance examination, she quickly guessed what had happened. Truthfully, she had already taken a liking to this young woman. They had crossed paths twice before. Accepting her as a disciple now and lending her a helping hand would not be difficult at all.

But seeing the girl’s outward composure barely concealing her anxiety, Madam Chu merely smiled. “My views on taking disciples differ from most people’s. I believe such matters depend upon fate. When we first met at the inn, your heart was heavy with sorrow, and you poured those feelings into your music. It happened to stir old memories within me, and I wished to accept you as my student. But you refused. Later, we met again. Although you didn’t know who I was, you still invited me to your estate. I admired your character. That was why I revealed my identity, thinking that if you brought up becoming my disciple again, I would agree. But you were still young, too thin-skinned to ask.”

She smiled gently. “Today is the third time we’ve met.” Her voice remained calm, every word distinct. “As the saying goes: nothing happens more than three times. This is the final thread of fate between us.” She paused deliberately before finishing the sentence. “Only…” 

Then she stopped speaking altogether. Instead, she simply gazed steadily at Tingyun, as though waiting for her to understand. Suppressing the nervousness in her heart, Tingyun bit her lip and looked back at Madam Chu.

Madam Chu’s expression remained warm and smiling.

Carefully considering what she had just said, Tingyun suddenly understood. She reached into her robes and withdrew the purple jade xiao. Bowing respectfully, she said softly, “Our acquaintance began through the sound of the xiao. Now that I wish to become your disciple, let my music speak in my place.”

The smile on Madam Chu’s face deepened. “Well said.”

Receiving that praise, Tingyun finally breathed a sigh of relief. She raised the jade xiao, took a deep breath and began to play.

Yuanhui had once told her, “Music is the voice of the heart.”

Now, she wished to pour her own heart into the melody.

The xiao’s notes flowed forth like a confession. At first, they resembled a clear mountain spring, murmuring gently over smooth stones, fresh, pure, graceful, endlessly flowing. Then the waters quickened. The melody became a rushing stream, then a mighty river, waves surging forward in powerful succession, fierce and unstoppable. Finally, the great river reached the sea. The boundless waves dissolved into the profound silence of the deep ocean. The music softened, sinking lower, as though hidden currents flowed beneath still waters, gentle yet capable of tremendous force, while never losing the clear, graceful purity with which it had begun.

As Madam Chu listened, she slowly closed her eyes.

A subtle change came over her expression. When the final note faded, the morning sun had already risen, illuminating half the sky. The milky-white mist of dawn gradually dispersed. It seemed as though the whole world was awakening beneath the gentle morning light.

Madam Chu opened her eyes and looked at Tingyun. Her gaze carried an indescribably complicated emotion.

There was tenderness in it.

Acceptance.

And also… a quiet sorrow, as though grieving for the hardships the girl had endured.

Before Tingyun could speak again, Madam Chu nodded decisively. “I was just on my way to the Capital Women’s Academy. Since you’ve already brought your horse, come with me in my carriage.”

Zhen Tingyun had only just emerged from the lingering emotions of her own music when she heard those words. She stared in stunned delight. “I… I haven’t prepared a formal gift for becoming your disciple.”

The previous night’s plan had been her final desperate gamble. She had come determined to try, but inwardly she had possessed very little confidence. Naturally, she hadn’t prepared the customary gifts for formally entering a master’s tutelage. 

Of course, there was also a trace of cautious probing in her words.

Madam Chu had spoken as she had, but she still hadn’t explicitly said she would accept her as a disciple. 

Madam Chu looked at her, smiling as though she had seen straight through the girl’s little test. Her voice remained composed and serene. “It doesn’t matter. The piece you just played is already more than enough. If you feel uneasy and think such a ceremony is too simple, that it fails to express the respect and devotion you owe your teacher, then you may make it up to me in the future.”

After a brief pause, Madam Chu looked up at the sky and said evenly, “All right, enough talking. Hurry and get into the carriage.”

“If we wait any longer, neither you nor I will make it to the entrance examination.”