Marrying The Imperial Elder Chapter 48

Sure enough, once the physician arrived, he merely examined Old Lady Zhen’s complexion and felt her pulse before quickly writing out a prescription.

Doctors in the capital had seen all kinds of patients.

Although he could tell that Old Lady Zhen’s illness was more than half an act, he spoke with tact. “It will soon be the seventh month, and the weather is becoming quite hot. The old madam is advanced in years, and the summer heat has stirred up a little excess internal fire. A few doses of herbal medicine to cool the body and restore her balance will do her good.”

After looking over the prescription, Zhen Tingyun naturally had to maintain the appearance of a devoted daughter in front of everyone.

She therefore asked about her own mother, Madam Pei.

The physician answered succinctly. “Madam is suffering from stagnation of liver fire. I’ve prescribed some herbs to clear the heat. After taking them for a few days, she should recover.”

Zhen Tingyun lowered her eyelashes, her eyes glistening as she put on an expression of sorrowful concern. “Alas… if I didn’t have to stay here to attend to Grandmother, I would certainly be by Mother’s bedside nursing her.”

It also served as an explanation for why she wasn’t with Madam Pei. Physicians who frequently visited the inner quarters of noble households inevitably became privy to many family secrets. They usually knew what should and shouldn’t be repeated. Even so, Zhen Tingyun felt it best to explain herself first, just in case.

Whether the physician believed her or not, nothing showed on his face. Stroking his beard, he nodded gently. “Attending to the old madam here is filial devotion as well.”

Thus Zhen Tingyun continued playing the role of the dutiful daughter, sighing with concern until she finally saw the physician off.

The moment he left, Old Lady Zhen rewarded her with another eye roll.

Since her own illness was an act, she naturally assumed Madam Pei’s was as well. And, in true double-standard fashion, although she herself was lying in bed pretending to be sick, she looked down on Madam Pei for doing the same. “Your mother is always like this. Nothing’s wrong with her most of the time, but the moment something happens, she suddenly comes down with headaches and fevers. Does she really think no one can tell she’s faking it? Probably only your thick-headed father would believe her!”

In truth, part of the reason Old Lady Zhen had disliked Madam Pei all those years ago was precisely because of her temperament.

Back then, after finally enduring years as a daughter-in-law and becoming the mother-in-law herself, Old Lady Zhen had eagerly anticipated establishing her authority over the new bride and laying down household rules.

Madam Pei, however, would meekly endure everything with an aggrieved expression, only to turn around and complain tearfully to Father Zhen. Before long, mother and son would be quarreling.

Whenever Old Lady Zhen became even slightly harsh, Madam Pei refused to simply bear it. She would either faint or fall ill, always looking pitiful beyond measure.

To make matters worse, Old Master Pei was not only Father Zhen’s father-in-law but also the teacher who had educated him. Out of respect for the old man, Old Lady Zhen never dared truly mistreat Madam Pei.

Even after two years of marriage without a child, she never suggested that Father Zhen take a concubine. She merely grumbled while swallowing her dissatisfaction and waiting.

At long last, Madam Pei gave birth.

Unfortunately, the first child was a daughter.

Old Lady Zhen, who favored sons over daughters, became even more displeased. In short, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had never seen eye to eye.

Only now, after so many years had passed and Old Lady Zhen had grown elderly, had the two reached an unspoken understanding that maintained the appearance of a harmonious household.

Even so, after what had happened to Zhen Tingyun, old grievances mixed with new ones, leaving each woman even less able to tolerate the other.

Zhen Tingyun, however, didn’t believe Madam Pei was pretending.

Judging from her grandmother’s description of the quarrel between her parents, it wasn’t impossible that Madam Pei had genuinely made herself ill from anger.

Still, aloud she only comforted her grandmother. “Well, you’re pretending too, aren’t you? At least you haven’t lost to her.”

Old Lady Zhen was left speechless.

Since Zhen Tingyun had returned from the academy without having eaten supper, and after asking whether her grandmother had eaten, the two of them decided to put aside their disagreement for the moment. They had the servants bring in dinner and ate together first.

They were only halfway through the meal when a servant came to report that Father Zhen had arrived.

Old Lady Zhen curled her lip and whispered, “I’d wager he had dinner with your biased mother first before coming over.”

Despite her words, she was genuinely happy that her son had come.

Still determined to outdo Madam Pei, she resolved to continue her performance to the end. She remained lying weakly in bed, looking every bit the invalid who had been so angered she couldn’t even rise.

Zhen Tingyun rather wanted to point something out: Madam Pei at least looked pale and frail. As for you, Grandmother… unless someone was blind, how could they possibly fail to notice you were pretending?

As it turned out, Father Zhen really was that blind.

Entering the room and seeing his elderly mother lying on the couch, shame and guilt immediately filled his face. “It is this son’s unfilial conduct. Mother, I beg you not to grieve so deeply. If your anger has made you ill, then the fault is entirely mine.”

Seeing her son’s expression, Old Lady Zhen’s heart softened at once but remembering her granddaughter’s grievances, she steeled herself and turned her head away. “You needn’t say such things to me. Both girls are your own flesh and blood. If your wife chooses to favor one over the other, this old woman shouldn’t interfere. In my opinion, we’d be better off packing our things at once. I’ll take Ting Jie’er back to the countryside, and everyone can be done with it. The four of you have always been one happy family anyway. Without the two of us, things will only be better.”

Father Zhen found those words unbearable. “Mother, if you say such things, then this son deserves death a thousand times over.”

As he spoke, he knelt beside her bed. Her only son had always been the person Old Lady Zhen cherished most.

Unable to keep up her cold façade any longer, she reached out and pulled him to his feet. Still, she couldn’t let the matter of her granddaughter rest. “I’m already an old woman. Even if I dropped dead this very moment, I’d have lived a full life. What does it matter? The one I pity is our Second Girl. She suffered with me in the countryside since childhood. Now that she’s finally returned to the capital, her mother favors someone else and her father doesn’t stand up for her. What will become of her in the future?”

Father Zhen had already been feeling sorry for his daughter. Hearing those words, emotion welled up inside him. “Mother, that’s hardly fair to say. Tingyun is the daughter of both Madam Pei and me. As her parents, we love her dearly. How could we possibly ignore her?”

Old Lady Zhen glared at him. Grinding her teeth, she demanded, “On the eve of an examination, a mother takes her own daughter’s examination permit and gives it to her niece. Tell me, what kind of real mother does such a thing?”

Father Zhen hurriedly replied, “Madam Pei behaved improperly in this matter. I’ve already spoken to her.” After a brief pause, he added somewhat guiltily, “She knows she was wrong. She even asked me to come apologize on her behalf.”

Father Zhen had always been the sort to smooth conflicts over.

Naturally, he spent the next while apologizing to Old Lady Zhen on Madam Pei’s behalf, patiently trying to soothe her temper. Only when he saw that his mother had grown tired did he finally rise to leave.

As his daughter, Zhen Tingyun naturally accompanied him to see him out.

Unexpectedly, when they reached the doorway, Father Zhen suddenly stopped.

It was already evening. The setting sun lingered reluctantly upon the horizon, casting streams of crimson-gold light across the earth. The sky blazed with magnificent clouds like a sea of fire, too splendid to paint, too majestic to describe.

Standing at the entrance to the courtyard, Father Zhen paused and turned back to look at his daughter.

There was an old verse: “Graceful and slender at barely thirteen, like cardamom buds in early spring.”

His own daughter had only recently celebrated her fourteenth birthday. Standing in the fading light, the last rays of the sun rested upon her jet-black hair, tinting it with a faint veil of gold. She was beginning to grow into a young woman’s height, yet beneath the fluttering folds of her dress, one could still see the delicate frailty of a girl. 

Like a wisp of smoke at dusk, light, delicate, so insubstantial that the slightest breeze could scatter it away.

…

Thinking of the hardships his daughter had endured in the past, and of the grievances she had suffered since coming to the capital, Father Zhen felt his guilt deepen. A complicated emotion flickered in his eyes, and even his voice grew softer. “Looking back now, I’ve made many mistakes, as a son, and as a father.”

At his words, Zhen Tingyun lowered her gaze slightly, her eyes falling upon her pale blue embroidered shoes.

A pair of pale yellow butterflies had been stitched onto them, but they were now speckled with mud, and the butterflies no longer looked as bright and beautiful as they once had.

Much like Father Zhen’s slightly hoarse voice. “When your mother had just finished her confinement after giving birth to your elder sister, she brought the child to the capital to find me. At the time, she looked utterly exhausted, almost sick with melancholy. We had married young and loved each other deeply, so seeing her in that state filled me with sorrow. I bitterly regretted leaving her behind by herself. Then your maternal grandfather’s family also came to persuade me, saying, ‘If one cannot govern one’s own household, how can one govern the state?’ Since your mother and grandmother couldn’t get along, the unrest within our family would inevitably affect my career as an official. So… I tacitly agreed to leave your grandmother in the countryside while taking your mother with me on my official postings. Even afterward, when she never suggested bringing you to live with us, I simply let matters be. I didn’t insist. At the time, I even thought that leaving you with your grandmother would comfort her somewhat and ease her loneliness.”

“Back then, I only thought about how your mother and grandmother had always been at odds. If I forced them to live together, I feared it would only breed deeper resentment and conflict. I believed that if they spent some years apart, then when they met again, both would be more mature. Their emotions would have settled, they would let go of old grievances, and perhaps they could finally get along.”

He gave a bitter smile. “Looking back now… those were only excuses. I was too young then. I thought only of myself. I wanted peace and quiet, and in doing so I made a grave mistake. My mother spent more than ten years separated from her son, unable to enjoy the filial devotion she deserved, left only to worry over me. And you…” He paused. “You had both a father and a mother, yet you grew up almost as though you had neither. That was my first mistake.”

“The second was that I devoted myself entirely to my official career. At home my wife and children appeared happy, and although I thought about you and your grandmother, I did so only in a limited way. I wrote letters often enough, and I frequently reminded your mother to send things back to you, but I never truly kept you in my heart. Otherwise, I would never have allowed my daughter to endure so much suffering.”

“Tingyun…” He let out a long sigh, as though hoping to empty all the heaviness from his chest with that single breath. “I have wronged you.”

For Father Zhen to speak this far already revealed the sincerity of his heart. Zhen Tingyun felt an ache rise in her own chest.

After a long silence, she answered softly, “Father… you weren’t really wrong.”

In truth, from Father Zhen’s perspective, those decisions had not been unreasonable.

Everything has its priorities.

So do people.

He had merely chosen the course that benefited him most.

Most people love themselves more than they love others. Only saints and Buddhas possess boundless selfless compassion.

Now, however, Father Zhen could speak so openly about the past, admit his mistakes, and offer her a quiet apology. Even Zhen Tingyun couldn’t help being moved.

Looking up at him, she composed herself and spoke solemnly. “Please don’t worry, Father. I’ve never blamed either you or Mother for any of this.”

But Father Zhen didn’t seem reassured. His expression remained heavy, clearly unconvinced.

Without changing her expression, Zhen Tingyun’s delicate brows lifted slightly before her features gradually softened. “Do you remember,” she asked gently, “when I was little, you wrote to Grandmother about Elder Sister?”

She began reciting the letter from memory. “I still remember Yiyun as a little girl, spoiled, lively, forever unable to sit still. I had no choice but to hold her upon my knee and teach her poetry one line at a time. A child’s innocence knows no restraint; her little words constantly made me laugh, though they also exasperated me. Fortunately, she has now grown sensible. She can sit quietly at her desk and practice her calligraphy earnestly every day, never slacking, whether in the bitter cold of winter or the scorching heat of summer. It is truly commendable. If only she had been born a son, then my line would have a worthy successor, and I would have no regrets in this life.”

She recited every sentence of that old letter.

Perhaps Father Zhen himself had long forgotten writing it.

She never had.

When she reached the end, her eyes had reddened slightly, though her voice remained bright and steady. “I remember thinking then… if Father likes children who study so diligently like Elder Sister, then I have to work even harder.”

As Father Zhen listened, his own eyes gradually reddened. Unable to bear it, he quietly turned his face away. “When I was little,” she continued, “I always thought that one day I’d become someone my parents could be proud of, just like Elder Sister. I wanted Father and Mother to write letters boasting about me to others.”

She blinked away her tears. “Looking back now, perhaps that dream was childish… but it wasn’t wrong.”

A radiant smile bloomed across her face, making her bright eyes shine even more brilliantly. “Father, I’m the one who should thank you. You never neglected Elder Sister’s education, nor Little Brother’s. You always encouraged them to study hard and strive to improve themselves. Because of that, I simply followed their example. I didn’t waste my own time. I worked hard too. And that’s how I became who I am today.”

Father Zhen felt as though something sharp had pierced his heart. The pain was both sharp and unbearably tender. He nearly burst into tears before his daughter.

For any father, perhaps the greatest sorrow is realizing he was absent through every moment of his child’s growing years, 

Only to have that child stand before him as an adult and earnestly say,

“When I was little, I always wanted to make you proud.”

“I’m the one who should thank you.”

Father Zhen found himself unable to meet his daughter’s clear, unclouded gaze. Abruptly, he closed his eyes. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

Zhen Tingyun remained standing at the courtyard gate, silently watching him leave. She watched until his figure gradually disappeared into the gathering dusk. Only then did she draw a slow, deep breath and gradually suppress the bitterness welling in her heart.

Everything she had just said had been sincere.

They were words she had wanted to say for a very long time but the reason she had chosen to say them today was simple: Tomorrow was the day the Womens’ Academy would post the examination results.

Although Madam Pei was still confined to bed, her attitude toward Zhen Tingyun could not have been clearer.

And so Zhen Tingyun had no intention of going to her mother’s room simply to invite another cold reception.

Winning someone’s affection was difficult enough.

Changing the heart of someone who already disliked you was harder still.

Life was difficult enough as it was.

Why should she make it even harder for herself?

However, there was still the estate that Madam Pei had promised her, the shop the Pei family had offered in exchange for the examination permit… and even the matter of boarding at the Womens’ Academy required the approval of her elders.

So Zhen Tingyun decided to avoid dealing with Madam Pei directly and instead approach Father Zhen first.

Emotionally, Father Zhen might favor his beloved wife and eldest daughter more, but this time it was Tingyun who had been wronged. He was burdened with guilt and naturally wanted to make amends.

With all the groundwork she had laid, there would now be room to negotiate the estate, the shop, and permission to live at the academy.

***

The next day, the entire Zhen household was unusually quiet.

Both mistresses of the house, Old Lady Zhen and Madam Pei, were “ill.” At a time like this, anyone foolish enough to stir up trouble would likely be made an example of immediately.

As a result, everyone kept their heads down, behaving as cautiously and respectfully as possible.

Since Old Lady Zhen was also “sick,” Madam Pei, despite being ill herself, could hardly pretend not to know. She therefore sent Zhen Yiyun to pay a visit on her behalf.

Because both elders were indisposed, Zhen Yiyun had changed into a dress of subdued colors. Her glossy black hair was adorned only with a few silver hairpins, making her look as gentle and serene as pear blossoms after a spring rain.

Unfortunately, Old Lady Zhen had never cared for her to begin with. Knowing she had come on Madam Pei’s behalf only made her dislike her more, so after a few perfunctory words she dismissed her.

Zhen Yiyun was not one to accept being brushed aside so easily.

Before leaving, she put on the appearance of a loving elder sister and gently took Zhen Tingyun’s hand. “This evening the Womens’ Academy will post the examination results. Mother has been worried about Cousin Mingzhu’s performance and originally intended to send someone to check the rankings. But then she remembered what happened to you, Second Sister, and decided against it.”

She smiled sweetly, her bright eyes and white teeth making her seem the picture of affection. “If you ask me, Mother worries too much. You’ve always been broad-minded. Surely you’ve already let such a small matter go. After all, Mingzhu is still your cousin. You two played together when you were little. There couldn’t possibly be any lasting resentment between cousins.”

She squeezed Zhen Tingyun’s hand even more intimately. “Perhaps you’re worrying about Cousin Mingzhu’s results too. Isn’t that right, Second Sister?”

Had Zhen Tingyun truly been unable to take the entrance examination because of the stolen permit, hearing these words now would probably have made her want to leap forward and tear that hypocritical smile right off Zhen Yiyun’s face.

But she had already taken the entrance examination at the Capital Women’s Academy the day before and felt rather confident about her performance.

So she merely smiled in return. “Elder Sister is right. Someone certainly ought to go check the rankings. If there’s any news, please remember to send someone to let me know.”

Although Yuhua Women’s Academy and the Capital Women’s Academy held separate entrance examinations, they posted their results together.

The purpose was to compare the performances of students from both schools.

Only the very best among them would earn the title of overall first place.

If Zhen Tingyun’s memory served her correctly, this year’s top scorer would be Zhou Qingyun, who had earned six A grades.

As for herself, she should have no trouble gaining admission to the academy.

So if Madam Pei and Zhen Yiyun sent someone to check the results, wouldn’t that simply mean one more person bringing her good news?

What reason was there to object?

At the thought, the smile on Zhen Tingyun’s face deepened.

Seeing that smile, however, Zhen Yiyun was stunned. She stared at her younger sister with equal parts shock and suspicion.

Why was she reacting like this? How could this possibly be her reaction?

Zhen Tingyun, as though completely unaware, calmly escorted her out.

Even after leaving Old Lady Zhen’s courtyard, Zhen Yiyun remained distracted.

She simply couldn’t understand it. Why would Zhen Tingyun react this way? Surely she hadn’t gone mad from anger?

Ever since arriving in the capital, Zhen Tingyun had done nothing but bury herself in books. Everyone knew she had devoted herself wholeheartedly to getting into the Womens’ Academy.

Then, just before the examination, this had happened.

Whether she would have passed or not, she ought to have been furious.

Bringing up the examination and Pei Mingzhu now wasn’t simply meant to disgust her, it was also because Zhen Yiyun knew her temper. She had expected Zhen Tingyun to lose control.

Once that happened, she could run straight back to the main courtyard, complain to Madam Pei, embellish the story a little, and make Madam Pei dislike Zhen Tingyun even more.

Who would have thought…

Zhen Tingyun had seemingly become an entirely different person.

Things hadn’t gone according to plan, leaving Zhen Yiyun increasingly irritated.

Only after returning to the main courtyard did she finally convince herself of an explanation.

I’ve been overthinking this. There’s no way she doesn’t care. She must have been pretending just to fool me.

The moment she reached that conclusion, her eyes darted thoughtfully, and a new idea immediately came to mind.

Smiling, she entered the room to greet Madam Pei. Sitting beside the bed, she carefully tucked in the corner of the quilt before speaking gently. “Mother, please don’t be angry anymore. I think Second Sister has finally come to her senses. When she heard you’d fallen ill because of her, she kept saying she wanted to come apologize to you.”

This time, Madam Pei truly was ill. Wrapped in an embroidered silk quilt, she leaned against a soft blue cushion decorated with twin lotus blossoms. She had always taken meticulous care of her appearance, and her skin was delicate. Although Father Zhen hadn’t struck her hard the previous day, the slap had still left a mark.

Even after applying medicine, one cheek remained faintly swollen and flushed, making her look even more worn and haggard.

For that very reason, she genuinely found herself unable to like her younger daughter anymore.

Over all these years, she and Father Zhen had shared a loving marriage. They had scarcely ever argued. Yet because of this younger daughter, they had quarreled again and again.

Yesterday, Father Zhen had even raised his hand against her. That had never happened before.

People often directed their anger toward those they perceived as weaker.

Although Madam Pei had been angry with her husband, their long years of affection meant her resentment toward him had softened after they spoke again. Instead, she unconsciously transferred all her anger and grievance onto Zhen Tingyun.

She knew it was unfair to blame the child but she couldn’t help disliking her.

So when she heard her eldest daughter’s words, Madam Pei merely let out a cold laugh. “Apologize? I think she’s simply afraid I won’t die of anger and wants to come finish the job.”

Zhen Yiyun quickly replied, “Oh, Mother, don’t say that. Second Sister truly has changed her mind. Before I left, she specifically told me that if Cousin Mingzhu’s name appeared on the results list, I must be sure to send someone to tell her the good news.”

Hearing this, Madam Pei paused. After a moment, she said, “You’ve always been too straightforward. How can you tell whether the things she says are sincere or merely for show?”

“Mother…” Zhen Yiyun drew out the word in a coquettish tone. “If Cousin Mingzhu makes the list, that would be wonderful. It would prove that Second Sister’s examination permit wasn’t sacrificed in vain. Besides, it’s only proper to let Second Sister know. We’re family, after all. We shouldn’t really become strangers to one another.”

Madam Pei patted her eldest daughter’s hand and sighed. “Very well. My dear child, you’re being thoughtful. We’ll do as you say.”

Previously, she had thought Zhen Yiyun’s constant hostility toward Zhen Tingyun showed a rather narrow mind. But now, hearing her speak up for sisterly harmony, Madam Pei couldn’t help softening.

Perhaps her eldest daughter had finally come around after all.

Even though Madam Pei had begun to dislike her younger daughter, seeing her eldest behave so generously filled her with satisfaction.

As expected of the daughter I raised myself, she thought. Gentle by nature, considerate of others, she surpasses that unfilial girl a hundredfold.

Because of Zhen Yiyun’s suggestion, Madam Pei also began paying close attention to the academy results. She specifically instructed the servants to keep watch at the notice boards and report back immediately if there was good news.

By evening, Zhen Yiyun personally brought in a bowl of medicine, intending to serve it to her mother.

Just then, an elderly maidservant came hurrying into the room, breathless. “Madam! Madam! The results have been posted!”

At once, delight spread across Zhen Yiyun’s face. Holding the steaming bowl of medicine, she turned to Madam Pei with a smile. “Mother, I knew Cousin Mingzhu was clever. Although she encountered some difficulties before the examination, good fortune is always hard won. Now that she’s overcome that obstacle, everything else will naturally go smoothly.”

After all, Pei Mingzhu was Madam Pei’s own niece.

And if she had been admitted to the academy, it would also help prove that Madam Pei’s earlier decision hadn’t been wrong.

Madam Pei likewise felt greatly relieved.

The tension left her delicate brows, and she smiled. “You silver tongue.” She laughed lightly. “Don’t waste your flattery on me. Save it for your aunt. I’m sure she’ll reward you handsomely.”

Zhen Yiyun raised an elegant eyebrow, her eyes sparkling. “So Mother won’t reward me?”

Madam Pei chuckled, already about to order the servants to bring out some silver as a reward.

But just as mother and daughter were sharing a laugh, the maidservant frantically shook her head. Panting for breath, she cried out, “Madam! Eldest Miss! The one who made the list… wasn’t Miss Pei!”

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