Marrying The Imperial Elder Chapter 56

He still had court the following day, so Fu Changxi had no intention of spending the night at the Western Hills Villa. After seeing Zhen Tingyun off, he also set out for the Royal Residence.

Sitting alone inside his carriage with no one else around, he quietly took out the shoes she had made and examined them carefully, even comparing them against his own feet.

After a moment’s hesitation, and reassured that no one was watching, he lifted the hem of his robe and changed into the new shoes right there in the carriage.

Whether it was merely psychological or not, the soles felt remarkably soft and comfortable. The size was perfect, fitting him exactly.

So Fu Changxi wore the new shoes all the way back to the Residence.

By coincidence, he had only just returned and settled into his study, intending to review another stack of official memorials, when word came that his nephew Rong Ziming had arrived.

Ordinarily he would have refused to see him.

But he happened to be in an unusually good mood today. After thinking it over, he agreed to let his nephew in.

To that end, Fu Changxi even rose from behind his desk and moved to a chair in the outer sitting room.

With the writing desk no longer in front of him, no one would notice the new shoes on his feet.

…Or so he thought.

The moment Rong Ziming stepped into the study, his eyes landed on the shoes. “Uncle, your shoes…”

Fu Changxi looked up at him. Although he said nothing, his expression softened noticeably. Perhaps this nephew of his, spoiled as he had been by the Grand Princess Hui, really did have a discerning eye after all.

Then Rong Ziming finished his sentence. “…aren’t the toes a little crooked?”

Fu Changxi: “…”

Silence instantly filled the study. It was so quiet that even a dropped pin would have been audible.

The air itself seemed to turn several degrees colder, enough to make goosebumps rise.

Rong Ziming instinctively shrank his neck and wisely decided not to say another unnecessary word.

After a long moment, Fu Changxi finally spoke, his face expressionless. “What brings you here?”

His nephew spent his days idling about, eating, drinking, and amusing himself. He rarely came calling, and whenever he did, it was never for anything good. That was one reason Fu Changxi had originally refused to see him.

Rong Ziming had always been quick-witted. Seeing that his uncle, although cold-faced, was at least willing to speak, he immediately poured a cup of hot tea himself and respectfully presented it with both hands. Smiling brightly, his eyes curved into crescents. “My mother always tells me to show more filial respect to Uncle. I happened to have some free time today, heard you were at home, and boldly came to trouble you.”

He was extraordinarily handsome. His peach-blossom eyes, crimson lips, and delicately refined features gave him an almost ethereal beauty. Though already seventeen, there was still a trace of baby fat in his cheeks, lending him an air of lingering youth that made him look almost androgynous.

As the son of the Grand Princess and as Duke Rong Shizi, he had been pampered from childhood. He possessed a certain spoiled delicacy. He resembled a housecat that had been exquisitely cared for, its fur glossy and sleek, forever lounging lazily, precious and proud. Even when it scratched someone with its claws, it was almost playful rather than malicious.

Because of that, whenever he lowered his pride and deliberately acted sweet or ingratiating, people found it very difficult not to like him.

Fu Changxi was, after all, much older. Seeing his nephew behaving this way, he couldn’t bring himself to stay angry. Accepting the teacup, he took a sip before asking, “So what is it, really?”

Rong Ziming didn’t dare lie. In a small voice, he admitted, “My mother is forcing me to consider marriage. I refused, so I thought I’d come stay with you for a few days and enjoy a little peace and quiet.”

The reason he had chosen to hide at Fu Changxi’s residence was simple enough.

Fu Changxi himself still wasn’t married.

Grand Princess Hui had long worried over her younger brother’s unmarried state. Perhaps because of that very example, she had started arranging marriage prospects for her own son at an early stage.

Rong Ziming, however, adored flowers, beautiful scenery, beautiful women, and above all, the carefree, flirtatious freedom of his present life. Naturally, he had no desire to marry and settle down so soon.

Mother and son had argued fiercely over it.

One side insisted: “Isn’t Uncle still unmarried?”

The other immediately retorted: “Do you have his ability? Or anything close to it?”

Unable to win against his mother, Rong Ziming had fled to his Residence.

After all, if the Grand Princess came looking for him, his middle-aged, still-unmarried uncle would be standing right in front as the perfect shield.

Fu Changxi was in the middle of drinking his tea. Hearing his nephew’s explanation, he frowned in distaste, waved a dismissive hand, and scolded, “Honestly, not a single one of you ever gives me any peace. All you know is how to fool around all day. Get out. Stop cluttering up my sight.”

These days, a few harsh words from an elder were practically a sign of affection. Rong Ziming knew from those words alone that his uncle had agreed to let him stay at his Residence.

Overjoyed, he hurriedly bowed. “Thank you, Uncle.”

Then he cheerfully took his leave.

Watching his nephew’s retreating figure, Fu Changxi couldn’t help frowning again.

Thank goodness I only considered him for a moment…Heavens, if I’d actually married my student to someone like Rong Ziming…

The thought was so horrifying that Fu Changxi nearly dropped the teacup in his hand.

Unaware that he had just been thoroughly disparaged by his uncle, Rong Ziming happily went off to have his belongings moved over. He intended to spend the night at the Residence.

Tang He happened to know Rong Ziming well enough, so he came over to lend a hand while casually striking up a conversation. “In a few days it’ll be the Qixi Festival. Did Shizi make any plans?”

Rong Ziming adored romantic escapades. At the question, he blinked, the corners of his peach-blossom eyes lifting flirtatiously. “Oh? You’re interested in that too?”

Tang He merely smiled. “His Highness and I spent so many years in Beijiang that we haven’t celebrated Qixi in the capital for quite some time. So I thought I’d ask an expert like Your Lordship.”

The flattery pleased Rong Ziming immensely. A smile spread across his handsome face, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. Already exquisitely beautiful, he now positively sparkled with youthful confidence.

Without the slightest reserve, he threw an arm over Tang He’s shoulders as though they were old friends. “Then you’ve definitely asked the right person! Tell me first, what kind of beauty do you like?”

After pretending to think for a moment, Tang He said, “I’ve heard that both of the womens’ academies in the capital hold festivities during Qixi.”

Rong Ziming froze. He lowered his gaze to study Tang He with newfound respect.

Who would’ve thought? Tang He has rather refined tastes.

Then again…

The young ladies attending those academies really were in a class of their own.

Tang He’s reminder also jogged his own memory. “That’s right! I’d almost forgotten about that.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully before grinning. “If I’m free that day, how about I take you over to enjoy the festivities?”

Tang He merely smiled instead of agreeing. He smoothly steered the conversation elsewhere while thinking to himself:

Absolutely not. You’re His Highness’s nephew. You might survive tugging on the tiger’s whiskers. If I tried anything reckless, I’d lose my head.

Thinking about it that way, Tang He actually felt a small pang of guilt over plotting to use Rong Ziming as part of his matchmaking scheme.

Afterward, he became even more attentive and considerate toward the young shizi.

Rong Ziming, for his part, liked Tang He very much.

He was capable, pleasant to talk to, and surprisingly knowledgeable about all sorts of romantic affairs.

By the time their conversation ended, Rong Ziming had become genuinely interested in visiting the womens’ academies during Qixi.

He even began wondering whether he ought to invite a few more friends to come along.

***

Zhen Tingyun officially entered the academy on the thirtieth day of the sixth lunar month.

Father Zhen had originally intended to escort her himself, but court business kept him occupied. Madam Pei’s facial injuries had not yet fully healed, and she did not wish to go out, so she entrusted the task to Zhen Yiyun instead.

Thus, while most girls arrived accompanied by their parents, Zhen Tingyun arrived with Grandmother Zhen, Zhen Yiyun, and, tagging along, little Zhen Hengzhe.

Truthfully, having Zhen Yiyun accompany her was already enough to give Zhen Tingyun a headache. She certainly hadn’t wanted to bring Zhen Hengzhe as well. But the boy had stubbornly insisted.

Perhaps because he believed he had sided with his Second Sister during the dispute over the recommendation certificate, he had grown much closer to Zhen Tingyun ever since. Upon hearing that she would be boarding at the academy, he immediately clamored to come see her off.

And Grandmother Zhen, who had never been able to resist her precious grandson, found everything he said perfectly reasonable.

Before Zhen Tingyun could object, Grandmother Zhen had already agreed.

So while everyone else arrived accompanied by parents, relatives, or at worst a retinue of servants and stewards… Zhen Tingyun showed up with an elderly grandmother, an elder sister, and a little brother in tow.

It looked less like moving into school than relocating the entire family.

She found it thoroughly mortifying.

Of course, Zhen Yiyun looked no happier about it.

Her expression remained cool and detached. Her naturally graceful, beautiful features now seemed dusted with frost, giving her the striking air of an icy beauty that attracted no small amount of attention.

After completing the enrollment formalities, Zhen Tingyun led her oddly assorted entourage, carrying her luggage toward the quarters where she would be living.

A neat row of dormitories stood before them, with small washing rooms lining both sides of the covered corridor.

Everything was clean and orderly.

Since Zhen Hengzhe was a boy, even though he was still young, he was not allowed inside. He obediently remained outside waiting, much to Grandmother Zhen’s distress.

Following the room number on the token the academy had issued her, Zhen Tingyun found her room and pushed open the door. 

It wasn’t particularly large, but neither was it cramped. Inside were four beds, four wardrobes, a long table in the center, and four chairs. There was little else.

Although Grandmother Zhen had known the boarding accommodations wouldn’t be luxurious, she still couldn’t help exclaiming, “You have to share a room with other people? Such a tiny room, won’t four girls be terribly cramped?”

She had always been frugal, but she doted on her granddaughter.

After thinking it over, she gritted her teeth and proposed, “How about we spend a little money and have them arrange a room just for you?”

Zhen Yiyun, however, already knew how things worked.

She answered calmly, “Grandmother probably doesn’t know this, but the academy does indeed have private rooms. They’re even nicer than the ones in our own house.”

She paused before adding, “But those rooms aren’t something you can simply buy with money.”

To have a room of one’s own required either influence or status. Otherwise, why would the academy make such special arrangements?

After all, most students who boarded at the academy came from poor families. To them, having a clean and orderly place to live was already more than satisfactory.

The other boarders tended to be girls who had traveled from distant provinces to study.

Among them might well be the daughters or granddaughters of powerful regional governors or other high-ranking officials whose families were stationed far from the capital. Since their parents were not in the city, they simply boarded at the academy instead.

With a few discreet favors and proper connections, arranging a private room for such girls was naturally no difficult matter.

For someone like Zhen Tingyun, whose family lived in the capital, whose household was comfortably off, yet who had still chosen to board at the academy, she was practically one of a kind.

After hearing Zhen Yiyun’s explanation, Grandmother Zhen felt thoroughly dissatisfied. Ignoring her eldest granddaughter’s faintly sarcastic tone, she tugged at Zhen Tingyun’s sleeve and suggested, “Why don’t you speak to Madam Chu? Isn’t she one of the teachers here? Surely she’d have some say in a matter like this.”

“It’s not necessary,” Zhen Tingyun replied casually. “I can live anywhere. I actually think this place is quite nice. With other people around, if there’s something I don’t understand, I’ll have someone to ask.”

Grandmother Zhen was about to argue further when Zhen Tingyun had already picked up a washbasin and gone to fetch water to wipe down the bed and table.

Since none of the beds had names assigned to them, Zhen Tingyun followed the simple rule of first come, first served and chose the bed beside the window.

It had fresh air from the window and was far enough from the door that people wouldn’t constantly be passing by.

It was one of the two best beds in the room.

Knowing full well how stubborn her granddaughter could be, Grandmother Zhen grumbled a few complaints but ultimately rolled up her sleeves and began helping with the cleaning.

Standing off to one side, Zhen Yiyun surveyed the room with an indifferent expression.

Inwardly, she sneered.

Someone who willingly chooses to make life harder for herself… Zhen Tingyun really is a rare breed.

Having seen where Zhen Tingyun would be living from now on, Zhen Yiyun no longer had any desire to remain in such a place, much less help unpack.

Lifting her chin slightly, she said in her usual cool yet gentle voice, “I’m a little worried about Heng Ge’er waiting outside by himself. Why don’t I go check on him?”

Grandmother Zhen was indeed concerned about her grandson.

Besides, looking at her eldest granddaughter, she doubted the girl would be much help anyway. With a wave of her hand, she dismissed her.

Thus Zhen Yiyun lifted her chin, turned gracefully, and walked away with light, elegant steps, leaving behind not even a speck of dust.

Grandmother Zhen comforted Zhen Tingyun. “With her around, she’d only make things more unpleasant.”

Zhen Tingyun sincerely nodded. “I know, Grandmother.”

So grandmother and granddaughter quietly continued tidying the room together.

By the time everything had been arranged, Zhen Tingyun stood and prepared to escort her family back outside.

“It’s getting late,” she said. “Everything here is settled now. You should hurry home with Elder Sister and Little Brother. Otherwise Mother will worry too.”

Madam Pei had abandoned Zhen Tingyun shortly after her birth. It had been Grandmother Zhen who raised her little by little. Because of that, the old woman had never truly been separated from her youngest granddaughter.

At first she hadn’t felt much. But now, sitting inside the carriage and looking at the girl standing beside it, realizing they wouldn’t see each other for many days, her heart tightened with a bittersweet ache.

She simply couldn’t bear it.

Her weathered, bark-like hands gripped her granddaughter’s slender fair wrist tightly. “Why don’t we just have you stay at home instead? Grandmother will pay for another carriage!”

Seeing the tears shimmering in her grandmother’s eyes, Zhen Tingyun also felt reluctant to part. But her mind was already made up. “Everything’s already been decided. We can’t suddenly change it now.” Then she reminded her once more, “And don’t forget what I told you before, Grandmother. Otherwise, I won’t be able to study here without worrying.”

Grandmother Zhen nodded through her tears, agreeing to every request.

The grandmother and granddaughter lingered over their farewell several times before finally being persuaded to separate by Zhen Yiyun and Zhen Hengzhe.

Zhen Tingyun remained where she was, watching the Zhen family’s carriage disappear into the distance.

Only then did she turn and head back to her room.

She had actually arrived rather early that morning.

Only now, after seeing her family off and returning, did she discover that her roommates had arrived.

In fact, two groups had come at once.

The room wasn’t particularly large to begin with.

Both new students had arrived with family members, so with everyone standing inside, the already modest room felt positively crowded.

It was immediately obvious, however, that the two groups came from entirely different backgrounds.

On the left stood a richly dressed matron adorned with gold jewelry and jade ornaments.

Holding her daughter’s hand, she stood directing several servants as they made the bed and wiped down the furniture, her instructions flowing one after another without pause. As luck would have it, they had chosen the bed directly opposite Zhen Tingyun’s.

Judging by the woman’s appearance, Zhen Tingyun guessed the family were newly wealthy, rich, certainly, but still in the process of acquiring refinement and social polish.

On the right was another mother and daughter.

Their clothes were extremely plain, so worn from repeated washing that they had nearly faded white. The daughter sat quietly on one of the beds, watching as her mother spread out the bedding.

After taking in the scene, Zhen Tingyun walked over and smiled politely at the girl. “Um… you’re sitting on my bed.”

The girl was delicate and fair, though rather thin.

Hearing this, her face immediately flushed crimson.

She hurriedly sprang to her feet. “I’m sorry! My… my own bed is still being made, and I haven’t even wiped off my chair yet. Yours was already cleaned, and no one was here, so I just sat down for a moment…”

Zhen Tingyun waved dismissively and pulled over her own chair. “You can sit here instead. I’ve already wiped this one too.”

She wasn’t trying to make things difficult.

She simply wasn’t very comfortable with other people sitting on her bed.

The girl blushed even more and repeatedly waved her hands. “No, no, I’ll stand.”

Then, in a small voice, she introduced herself. “My name is Qian Manyue. Manyue as in, ‘Tonight the pearl shines brightly, blooming beneath the full moon.’ May I ask for your name, Sister?”

“My surname is Zhen,” Zhen Tingyun replied naturally. “Zhen Tingyun.”

Seeing Qian Manyue’s mother sweating profusely as she struggled with the bedding, Zhen Tingyun hesitated before asking, “Would you like me to help?”

Qian Manyue’s mother immediately looked up and hurriedly shook her head, her own face reddening. “No, no! I’m almost finished.”

Looking embarrassed, she added, “You girls just sit and chat. I’ll be done in no time.”

Qian Manyue quickly said, “Mother, let me help you.”

As the mother and daughter busied themselves together, Zhen Tingyun returned to sit on the edge of her own bed.

With nothing to do for the moment, she began wondering whether she should take out a book to read.

At that moment, the girl across from her, who had secretly been observing the whole exchange, suddenly let out a soft laugh.

Seeing Zhen Tingyun sitting there alone with nothing to occupy her, she walked over smiling and greeted her warmly. “Hello. I’m Du Qingqing.”

Compared to Qian Manyue, Du Qingqing and her mother were dressed in luxurious silks and adorned with gold hairpins, looking every bit the wealthy ladies.

Du Qingqing had a round face. Though she wasn’t exactly plump, she was noticeably fuller-cheeked than girls her age. Dressed in a bright scarlet gown woven with gold threads, she smiled with a face as round and radiant as the full moon, giving off an especially cheerful, festive air.

Zhen Tingyun introduced herself once more. “My name is Zhen Tingyun.”

With that, the three girls had formally exchanged names.

Du Qingqing then shared a piece of news she had just learned. “It looks like there’ll only be the three of us in this room. I heard one girl’s family ran into some trouble, so she won’t be coming. Her bed will stay empty.”

That was actually good news.

The room already felt cramped with four occupants; one fewer person meant a bit more space.

Du Qingqing added, “If you’ve got extra belongings, you can just put them on that empty bed. No one’s using it anyway.”

Zhen Tingyun shook her head. “I’ve already unpacked everything.”

Du Qingqing nodded.

Just then, the Du family’s servants finished tidying.

Since Du Qingqing had brought an enormous amount of luggage, Madam Du ordered the servants to stuff everything they could into the wardrobes.

Even the empty wardrobe belonging to the absent roommate was pressed into service.

After filling both wardrobes, they still had belongings left over, so the remainder was piled onto the unused bed.

Only then were they finally done.

The Qian family’s possessions, on the other hand, were few.

Once the bedding had been laid out, the chair wiped clean, and their belongings tucked into the wardrobe, they were finished.

Seeing that it was getting late, neither Madam Qian nor Madam Du could linger any longer.

Each pulled her daughter aside to offer a few final reminders before leaving.

Left alone, the three roommates decided to go to the dining hall together for supper.

On the way, they also stopped to inspect the communal washrooms.

Looking around, Du Qingqing patted her chest with relief. “The washrooms are bigger than I expected. Luckily there aren’t that many boarding students. There are only eleven girls staying in these three rooms…”

Halfway through speaking, however, she realized that eleven girls sharing just two washrooms was still rather crowded.

Qian Manyue softly comforted her. “I think they’re quite nice. Especially because they’re so clean.”

After a brief pause, she added shyly, “There are six people in my family, and the washroom at home isn’t even this big…”

Hearing that, Du Qingqing looked at her with sympathy.

Qian Manyue’s face flushed once again. Lowering her head, she nervously twisted the hem of her clothes between her slender white fingers.

Seeing the awkwardness, Zhen Tingyun smoothly changed the subject. “I wonder if there are still any good dishes left in the dining hall at this hour.”

That immediately reminded Du Qingqing of another tidbit she’d heard. “I heard the academy raises a lot of pigs. The pork served in the dining hall comes from them.”

Zhen Tingyun had also heard Madam Chu mention the pigs.

Still, she doubted the academy could possibly raise enough to provide pork every single day.

More likely, as Madam Chu had explained, they simply raised a few pigs on leftover food from the dining hall throughout the year, then slaughtered several at the end-of-year examinations to distribute among the students.

But seeing that Du Qingqing was eager to show off what she knew, Zhen Tingyun didn’t point out the mistake.

Instead, she smiled. “Then I’ll definitely have to try one of the pork dishes.”

The three girls chatted and laughed as they walked toward the dining hall.

Since boarding fees had already been paid upon enrollment, meals in the academy dining hall were free.

When Qian Manyue saw that meat dishes were still available, she hurried over to the serving counter and piled bowl after bowl onto her tray until it was practically overflowing.

Zhen Tingyun gently reminded her, “If you take that much and can’t finish it, it’ll just be thrown away. That would be such a waste.”

Qian Manyue blushed yet again. “My family hardly ever eats meat. Whenever we do, it all goes to my younger brothers. I usually only get a little broth.”

Looking at the generous portions before her, she lowered her head. “I… I just couldn’t help myself.”

Seeing her blush over something so ordinary, Du Qingqing laughed. “If you want to eat it, then eat it. What’s there to be embarrassed about?”

That only made Qian Manyue blush harder.

Since her complexion was so fair, once she lowered her head even her ears and neck turned bright red.

Zhen Tingyun smiled along with them but said nothing.

Privately, however, she had already formed some impressions of her two roommates.

Someone who appeared clever wasn’t necessarily as clever as they looked.

And someone who appeared simple wasn’t necessarily foolish.

It seemed that even living at the women’s academy would probably not be as peaceful and carefree as she had imagined.

Still…

At least Zhen Yiyun wasn’t here.

That alone was enough to make the place feel much more pleasant.