My Cold-Hearted Wife Chapter 52

Capital City, Marquis of Jinghai’s Household.

At the exact hour of Chen (7-9AM), First Madam Mo and Second Madam Rong arrived punctually at Anping Hall to pay their respects. By this time, Lady Liu, the wife of the Marquis of Jinghai, had already risen. She had married into the Xie family at sixteen, given birth to her eldest son Xie Xuanying two years later, and was now only thirty-five.

Since she did not need to go out, she was not formally dressed, wearing only a honey-hued gold-woven satin jacket with a front-opening collar and a purple flower-patterned broad-paneled skirt with sheepskin and gold trim.

Hearing that the two sisters-in-law had come, she gave a slight nod. “Let them in.”

A deft maid fastened a pair of red-gold lantern earrings on her and smiled sweetly in flattery. “First Madam and Second Madam are truly filial – through summer and winter alike, they have never once been late.”

A faint smile surfaced at the corners of Lady Liu’s lips. “Indeed. My two daughters-in-law have always been filial.”

She bit down hard on the last two words, with a touch of mockery.

She was a second wife. Since ancient times, stepwives have had a hard lot, and a stepwife who has borne a son has an even harder one. Yet this household, for all its brocade and blossoms, was a place where each kept to their own camp – bustling to no end.

But Lady Liu had grown accustomed to it.

She studied herself for a moment, and only after seeing that the reflection in the mirror was properly attired did she begin the daily morning and evening greetings.

“Greetings to Mother.” The two daughters-in-law rose gracefully, curtsied, and inquired after her health, their bearing respectful and dignified, beyond any fault.

Lady Liu said blandly, “Sit.”

The two sisters-in-law took their seats, but it was Second Madam Rong who spoke first. “Third Brother’s rooms have already been swept and cleaned, all the furnishings have been replaced, and the autumn clothes were sent over yesterday. Do you have any other instructions?”

Lady Liu quietly sized up her second daughter-in-law.

The Xie family had four sons and three daughters in all – a thriving household. The eldest was Xie Weimo, born of a concubine; the second, Xie Chengrong, was the legitimate son left by the first wife.

After Second Madam Rong entered the household, the Marquis of Jinghai gave the order that the second daughter-in-law should help Lady Liu manage the household.

Since the head of the family had spoken, Lady Liu naturally could not openly oppose it, so she too assigned her some miscellaneous household duties, euphemistically calling it “getting familiar with household affairs.” Second Madam Rong showed no discontent; no matter how small the task, she diligently carried it out and respectfully reported back, winning unanimous praise from everyone in the Xie household.

Everyone believed that although the Second Young Master had not been granted the title of heir apparent, it was only a matter of time.

A few days earlier, Xie Xuanying had sent a letter saying he would soon return to the capital. Lady Liu handed this matter to Second Madam Rong, and she handled it beautifully indeed.

Lady Liu could find no fault, nor did she wish to. She took a sip of tea and praised with a smile. “With you handling matters, what do I have to worry about?”

Second Madam Rong gave a slight bow, modest yet maintaining her dignity. “It is only my duty. Mother overpraises me.”

First Madam Mo stood by watching, saying not a word.

Lady Liu had no intention of talking much with them; after a couple of idle remarks, she dismissed them.

The head maid brought fresh tea and reported, “Madam, the courtyard has all been arranged. Inside and out have been swept clean, not a speck of dust to be seen. The bed curtains use new gauze – bright and finely woven. I checked – it is pasted without a single gap. The sleeping curtains have all been changed to the usual ones. The kitchen has also been informed – today they will make several dishes the Third Young Master loves. Hot water was prepared at dawn.”

After all, he was her own son – how could Lady Liu play the hands-off manager? She had long since arranged for the head maid to keep watch. Even so, she still had to add, “The autumn weather is dry – send a few more bottles of floral dew as well.”

“Yes.”

“Has someone been sent to wait outside the city gates?”

“They were sent early on.”

Only after asking in detail and confirming that everything was prepared did Lady Liu breathe a sigh of relief. “I wonder how far he has come. With each spell of autumn rain comes a spell of cold – it would not do for him to catch a chill.”

The maid merely smiled. “Madam, do not fret. The Third Young Master has attendants about him – how could their master catch cold?”

Only then did Lady Liu feel slightly reassured.

Meanwhile, Second Madam Rong returned to the eastern side courtyard and took breakfast with her husband.

“Third Brother will be back soon.” Second Young Master Xie said, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips. “There’ll be more excitement to watch in this household.”

Second Madam Rong served her husband food and, hearing this, smiled. “Delayed half a year – Mother must be terribly anxious.”

“She’s set on finding a good match for Third Brother, but having missed the Xu family’s daughter, finding another who’s perfect in every way won’t be so easy.” Second Young Master Xie spoke slowly. “Those of lower birth, she disdains; those of higher birth, he cannot marry.”

Second Madam Rong could not help but smile, clearly also enjoying the spectacle.

Second Young Master Xie ate a couple of bites and asked again, “She didn’t make things difficult for you today, did she?”

“Mother has always been kind and gentle,” said Second Madam Rong. “When has she ever made things difficult for me?”

“Hmph.” Second Young Master Xie gave a light snort. “Not difficult, no – she just wants to fob you off with trivial little matters, so as to hold you down until Third Brother’s wife comes in and takes over the household.”

Second Madam Rong said, “I’m happy to have the leisure.”

“Don’t worry.” Second Young Master Xie glanced at his wife. This was the wife his mother, before her death, had gone to great lengths to arrange for him – not only from a prestigious family, but well-bred, with a temperament and character beyond reproach. He was truly satisfied. He took her hand. “Your monthly cycle is late?”

Second Madam Rong nodded slightly and exchanged a glance with him.

Husband and wife smiled in mutual understanding.

Sooner or later, control of the household would fall into their hands. Once the third generation was born, their claim to the heir apparent’s title would be all the more secure.

After the midday rest, Lady Liu grew anxious, repeatedly urging, “He said he’d arrive today – why isn’t he here yet?”

Seeing this, the head maidservant quickly sent someone to inquire up front. Fifteen minutes later, word came back. “The Third Young Master has already entered the city. He says he will first escort Master Zizhen home, then go to the palace, and ask you not to wait for him.”

Only upon learning that he had already reached the capital did Lady Liu feel at ease. Xie Xuanying was growing older and could no longer stay overnight in the palace, so he would surely make it home today.

After pondering a moment, she said to the head maid, “Call Dangui here.”

“Yes.”

Soon, the head maid brought in a fifteen-year-old girl. She had a slender figure and a delicate, lovely face, wearing a white silver-striped blouse and a crabapple-red threaded skirt. Her fair neck was like a swan’s – slender and fragile.

Seeing her, Lady Liu could not help but give a soft sigh.

Truthfully, households with strict family rules did not favor the practice of keeping bedchamber maids. Everyone married at fifteen or sixteen – why prepare a girl so early? If it ruined one’s health, or produced a bastard son, it was nothing but trouble.

That the Marquis of Jinghai had a bastard eldest son was also out of necessity. When he had followed the old Marquis on campaign, the old lady had feared the worst and specially arranged for him to leave behind an heir.

Lady Liu was set on finding a first-rate match for Xie Xuanying, and she had her own calculations – her son was excellent in every way. Had he been the legitimate son of the first wife, there would be no worries at all. As it was, he lacked the title of heir apparent, and families with exceedingly high standards might hesitate.

But she was confident: as long as there was no one by her son’s side, and with his looks and character, a match like him was rare as a lantern found in broad daylight. Families who truly cherished their daughters would surely be willing to marry their pearls of palm to him.

Yet… the marriage had fallen through.

Although His Majesty had already sent people to seek a consort for Princess Rong’an, could a princess’s marriage be accomplished in a matter of months? At the soonest it would be next year; if delayed further, it might be the year after.

The year after next, Xie Xuanying would be nineteen.

Unmarried at nineteen – even in the capital that was considered late. One could not leave him without a woman in his chambers forever. Better to have someone prepared at home than to have the boy corrupted outside, frequenting disreputable places – that would be truly terrible.

But however clear the reasoning, having to personally sabotage her own plans still left Lady Liu feeling stifled.

She said nothing, and Dangui did not dare raise her head, kneeling trembling in the hall.

Lady Liu’s thoughts turned a hundred ways before settling on this girl again.

This was a second-class maid by her side, who ordinarily did only needlework. Her looks were not bad, her temperament gentle, and she did not care for rivalry – neither coquettish nor overly clever, not the sort to easily lead a man astray.

She had observed her for half a year and had the capable old maids train her. Only then could she just barely set her mind at ease.

Alas – there was no other way.

Lady Liu rubbed her brow and said blandly, “Today you will go serve at Shuanglu Court.”

“Yes.” Dangui’s cheeks flushed red, but she did not dare raise her head, kowtowing properly in assent.

Lady Liu cautioned her. “Serve him well.”

Dangui trembled. “I will do my utmost.”

“Go.” Lady Liu took up her tea, preferring not to see it.

It was not until the lanterns were lit that Xie Xuanying entered the gates of the Marquis household.

“Greetings to Mother.” Returning from a long journey, travel-worn, he knelt directly and performed the grand salute. “It is my fault to have worried you.”

“Get up quickly.” Lady Liu hurried to help her son to his feet, sizing him up from head to toe. However she looked at him, she felt he had grown gaunt, thinner, worn out. “Was the journey rushed? Have you eaten supper?”

Xie Xuanying said, “His Majesty kept me for a meal. I have already eaten.”

“In the palace…” how could one eat well there? Lady Liu swallowed the rest of the sentence and said instead, “Have a little more. There is chicken soup kept hot on the stove – it was simmering from this morning.”

Xie Xuanying agreed.

Only then was Lady Liu satisfied. She wanted to say more, but someone came from the front to summon him. “The Marquis calls the Third Young Master to the study.”

“So late already…” Lady Liu frowned, her tone displeased.

But Xie Xuanying said, “Father must want to ask about matters at court.”

“Go quickly then.” Lady Liu released her son. “No need to come by later – rest early.”

“Yes.”

Xie Xuanying returned to the front courtyard and spoke with the Marquis of Jinghai in the study.

The Marquis asked, “Have you been to the palace?”

“Yes.”

“Did you beg His Majesty’s pardon?” the Marquis asked solemnly.

Xie Xuanying said, “Yes. I stated my presumption and asked His Majesty to punish me. His Majesty was magnanimous and did not reproach me.”

Today he had escorted Yan Hongzhi home, and without even returning home had gone straight to the palace – precisely because of the matter of borrowing troops at Yancheng. Though the issue was not grave and there were extenuating circumstances, military authority was the most sensitive topic of all, and one must be careful beyond careful.

Facts proved he had done right.

Upon entering the Hall of Light, he had immediately knelt to beg pardon.

The Emperor laughed at him for making a mountain out of a molehill, yet said, “I was already aware of this matter. The situation arose suddenly – had you not gone to the garrison to seek reinforcements, what else could you have done?”

Those few words were enough to prove that the whole sequence of events was entirely within his grasp.

Xie Xuanying said with a grave expression, “Even if there was cause, I overstepped first and ought to receive punishment.”

“What great matter is this?” All the Emperor wanted was the attitude; who cared about such a minor misuse of public authority? Had he not seen eunuchs using tribute ships for private gain and merely turned a blind eye? How could he truly take offense? He waved his hand vigorously. “You’ve knelt already – enough, enough. Rise.”

Only after kowtowing in thanks for the sovereign’s grace did Xie Xuanying rise.

“It is true that overstepping deserves punishment, but merit deserves reward as well.” The Emperor said with a smile, “By rights, for the chief merit, I ought to promote you a rank.”

Xie Xuanying said, “My merit is insignificant. It was thanks to the officers and men of the garrison fighting with all their strength…”

“What I heard was not like that at all.” The Emperor’s lips held a smile. “Just over thirty men, and you were able to rout several hundred bandits – and you yourself killed seven or eight with your own blade. This reminds me of Marquis Xie.”

The “Marquis Xie” in the Emperor’s mouth was naturally not Xie Xuanying’s father, but his grandfather, Xie Yun.

“Of the several hundred, nearly two hundred were coastal fishermen from Linhai, forced to follow the bandits. They later saw the error of their ways and did not engage in battle.” Xie Xuanying did not dare take credit, and reported truthfully.

“Whether by coercion or enticement, it was your skill. No need to be overly modest.” The Emperor encouraged him, then asked with concern, “Were you wounded?”

He shook his head.

A further layer of surprise entered the Emperor’s eyes, along with deeper deliberation. But he said nothing, only, “The hour is late today. Go home. Rest for a couple of days, and I will speak with you again.”

Xie Xuanying briefly explained what had happened, and only then did the Marquis of Jinghai’s expression slightly ease.

He looked at this son of his. Like the Emperor, there was a vague, elusive something hidden in his eyes, yet he did not speak of it either, only asking, “Have you already paid your respects to your mother?”

“Yes.”

“Then rest early.” The Marquis of Jinghai suddenly recalled something and smiled in reassurance. “As for your marriage, I have my own plans. There is no need to worry.”

Xie Xuanying was startled, and suddenly fell silent.