Hedong Pei Xia?
Yujiao froze. Never in her dreams had she expected to meet that betrothed fiance, promised to her before birth, in such circumstances.
He was robed in white, pure and noble, like a cloud in the sky.
She was in ragged clothes, disheveled hair and dirt-stained face, like mud on the ground.
The phrase “as far apart as cloud and mud” became vivid in that moment, so vivid that her whole being shrank with shame, wishing she could cover her face and flee.
Meanwhile, Madam Li and Madam Xu, upon learning his identity and hearing him say “bring my wife home”, clearly acknowledging the betrothal, were overjoyed.
“To add flowers to brocade is easy; to send charcoal in the snow is rare.”
Madam Li’s expression softened with emotion as she took a faltering step forward: “Truly worthy of being a descendant of Pei Gong. For you to be so upright and true to your word, entrusting Yuniang to you, I can be at ease.”
As she spoke, she noticed her usually well-mannered, decorous daughter standing with her head bowed in silence, and reminded her: “Yuniang, why are you saying nothing? Quickly pay your respects to Pei langjun.”
Yujiao’s lashes trembled. After a moment’s hesitation, she bent her knees and raised her hands in a customary peer-to-peer salute: “Yujiao greets Pei-lang.”
Pei Xia lowered his eyes. The young lady before him, aside from those first two glances, had buried her head like a quail the instant she realized his identity, unwilling to lift it again.
Given her pitiful state, she must be too shy to face anyone.
“Miss Shen, no need for such formality. If you do not mind, you may simply call me Shouzhen.”
Pei Xia’s courtesy name was Shouzhen.
Before Yujiao could respond, Madam Li eagerly interjected: “Good, good. From now on, call him Shouzhen. And Shouzhen, there’s no need to call her Miss Shen either, it sounds too distant. At home, we call her Yuniang. When her grandparents were alive, they called her Jiaojiao’er. From now on we are one family, you may call her whatever feels natural.”
Madam Li’s warmth was met with Pei Xia’s calm composure.
Watching from the side, Yujiao felt both ashamed and pained. Since childhood, her mother had taught her that a woman must be reserved and proper. Yet now, afraid of missing this last lifeline, she hurried to cling to the Pei family, discarding all reserve.
If even her mother could set aside her dignity, why should she still act coy and bashful?
Taking a deep breath, she raised her eyes and called softly: “Shouzhen… Brother Shouzhen…”
Pei Xia had come of age the previous year, five years her senior; it was appropriate for her to address him as “Brother.”
Only then did Pei Xia truly see the face of his betrothed.
Her black hair was messy, her fair cheeks smeared with dust and grime, her whole appearance gray and shabby. Yet those dark eyes fixed upon him shimmered like rippling water, delicate and stirring pity.
“Yuniang.” He raised his sleeve and returned her salute.
Still not daring to look at him much, Yujiao lowered her lashes and murmured softly: “You… you said just now you’ve come to take me back to Hedong, is that true?”
“Of course.”
Pei Xia’s voice was steady: “Our betrothal was arranged by our elders, a promise worth a thousand gold. If the Pei clan were to break faith and betray its word, how could we stand in this world?”
Yujiao pressed her lips together. The certainty she had held earlier, that the Pei clan would never send anyone, now seemed narrow-minded in his presence.
Perhaps, he truly was one of the rare gentlemen in the world.
With this thought, Yujiao lowered her gaze, composed herself, and once again saluted Pei Xia: “Brother Shouzhen, for you to keep your word and honor the betrothal, I am deeply grateful. Only… before I return with you, may I beg you to find some way to obtain medicine for my father and brother’s injuries…”
She turned her head toward the prison cart, her voice catching: “Otherwise I fear… they may not survive until we reach the borders of Chang’an.”
Pei Xia saw her bow with utmost respect, her every movement measured and proper, flawless in its dignity.
Such filial devotion, such bearing, bestowing upon her the position of the Pei clan’s principal wife could hardly be considered a disgrace.
“Rest assured,” he said. “Since you are my wife, your father and brother are my father and brother.”
Pei Xia turned his eyes, his cold and disdainful gaze sweeping over the trembling petty leader. His tone was steady: “I will see to it they come to no harm, and that they arrive in Lingnan safe and sound.”
Yujiao was moved at his words.
Beside her, Madam Li and Madam Xu’s eyes shimmered with tears. The women of the family, including the little girl of three years, once more bowed deeply toward Pei Xia: “Young Master Pei’s great kindness, the Shen family will remember forever!”
—
Though Pei Xia had never entered officialdom, the Hedong Pei clan’s reputation had long been illustrious, with countless members serving in court.
Just a few words of reprimand from him made that petty leader cower and nod, his sycophantic expression as though he would gladly kneel to wipe the dust from Pei Xia’s boots.
Pei Xia, too, knew the art of ruling men, one must balance grace with authority.
He crippled the mangy yamen runner’s hand as a warning to the rest, and then bestowed a measure of pearls upon the petty leader, enough for the Shen family to have medicine, food, and clothing throughout their journey.
Seeing all arranged properly, Yujiao felt somewhat at ease. With tears in her eyes, she bid a reluctant farewell to her kin, then donned a veiled hat and departed with Pei Xia.
The two first returned to Chang’an. Aside from Yujiao’s servile status, which was removed so that she regained a free and clean standing, they then set out for Hedong.
Yujiao knew well: in this world, a daughter before marriage belongs to her father; once married, she belongs to her husband. With her maiden family no longer able to support her, if she wished to live well, if she wished her family to live well, from this day forward she could only rely on the Pei-lang beside her,
Before parting, her mother had also exhorted her: “Madam Pei is the legitimate daughter of the Wang clan of Langya, noble-born and proud of heart. She will surely oppose Shouzhen marrying you. Should she speak words of humiliation, you must not contend for momentary pride, you must endure. As long as you keep the greater picture in mind, comport yourself with virtue, and show yourself as a worthy wife, Shouzhen, being the gentleman he is, will find a way to wed you properly. If you can marry into the Pei household, remember to live in harmony with Shouzhen, avoid arrogance and impatience, and be gentle and virtuous… As long as you are a proper wife, Shouzhen will never treat you unfairly. And if Heaven blesses you with a son of the main line for the Pei clan, then you will be firmly established, and may even speak with Shouzhen about redressing your father’s unjust case…”
Parental love for their children thinks far into the future. Madam Li’s words rang in her ears, and Yujiao kept them close in her heart.
When they returned to the Pei household in Hedong and she paid respects to the elders, she presented herself exactly as her mother had counseled, obedient and proper.
She did not know how Pei Xia persuaded Madam Pei, but in the end, she did indeed bow to the Pei ancestors and entered through the gates of the Pei clan, becoming Pei Xia’s wife by proper marriage rites.
Even if the ceremony was simple, she was content,
For with such a position, how could she dare hope for a grand dowry parade, eight-bearer sedan chair, and phoenix coronet with scarlet robes? The Pei clan had already given her dignity.
On the wedding night, the red candles burned high.
Yujiao, clad in scarlet bridal robes, sat properly on the marriage bed, holding a gauzy round fan embroidered with golden twin lotuses.
When she heard the man outside the folding screen dismiss the attendants, her fingers unconsciously tightened on the fan’s handle.
Soon, the man himself, also dressed in scarlet wedding robes, approached her.
After standing for two breaths, he raised his sleeve and bowed, his usually even voice sounding slowly: “May my Niangzi put aside the fan.”
Yujiao lowered her lashes and obediently set down the fan, then rose gracefully to return the salute: “This Qie wishes her lord good health.”
“Please rise, Yuniang.”
The man before her extended a hand, and through the sleeve, supported her wrist: “Today has been hard on you.”
The warmth of his touch seared through her skin, setting her cheeks aflame.
He was a true gentleman. Their dealings had always been respectful and restrained, earlier, when he helped her onto the horse, it had been only a brief lift, and he had immediately withdrawn his hand.
Rarely had he ever, like now… held on without letting go.
“Langjun* has been toiling outside, entertaining guests. That is the true hardship.” She stared at the red hem of her gown, not daring to move.
*husband/master
Only when his long fingers finally released her wrist did she feel able to breathe again.
Pei Xia turned and brought back the nuptial wine. Seeing her still standing, he asked: “Not seated?”
Yujiao gave a soft “ah,” and lifted her eyes.
Only then did she truly see him as he was today.
The face was still that handsome face. But instead of his usual light-colored robes, he now wore deep scarlet wedding attire embroidered with cloud patterns, a black leather belt at his waist, hung with sachet, jade pendant, and purple tassels. His dark hair was bound high, crowned with a black gauze coronet adorned with flowers. This bright and splendid garb set off his pale, jade-like features, adding a brilliance she had never seen before.
Such a Pei Xia was indeed a peerless gentleman, unmatched in the world.
For a moment, Yujiao stared in a daze, her mind gone blank, her heartbeat pounding like a drum.
This was the husband she would spend her life with…
From the depths of her heart there suddenly arose a strange and inexpressible feeling she had never known.
“Yuniang?”
Pei Xia’s call pulled her back. He sat beside her on the bed and handed her a golden cup engraved with pomegranates and vines: “Drink this nuptial wine, and from this day forth, we are husband and wife.”
Yujiao’s cheeks flushed pink. She accepted the cup shyly: “Yes.”
Their cups clinked, and together they drained the wine.
Pei Xia took the empty cup from her, set it back on the table, then turned again to find Yujiao still looking at him.
His brows drew together slightly as he stepped closer: “Still want more?”
Yujiao blinked, flustered, her face crimson: “N-no… no more…”
Pei Xia gave a quiet hum. Seeing her face so delicately flushed, whether from wine or perhaps because he recalled those two pages of Arts of the Bedchamber he had leafed through the night before, his throat suddenly grew dry.
After a silent pause of two breaths, he sat down by the bed and held the hand Yujiao had resting on her knee.
Feeling her slight tremor, he lifted his eyelids: “Very nervous?”
Yujiao bit her lip.
After all, it was her first time; of course she was nervous.
But she remembered well her mother’s teachings, to serve him properly, to live in harmony with him as husband and wife, and to conceive a child as soon as possible.
Suppressing the burning shame that flared across her cheeks, she lowered her gaze, softening her voice: “I beg… langjun’s tenderness.”
As the words fell, the hand holding hers seemed to tighten a little.
A moment later, the great red bridal canopy embroidered with “a hundred sons, a thousand grandsons” slowly descended. Pei Xia embraced her and lay down inside, his thin lips brushing her ear: “If it hurts, remember to say.”
…
From the gilt beast-head incense burner, a few faint threads of lingering fragrance spread through the room. Outside, rain pelted the banana leaves with a crackling sound, shattering a heavy dream.
It’s raining? How could it suddenly be raining?
The rain grew clearer and clearer, stirring Shen Yujiao into restlessness. Her eyes flew open.
From dream to reality, it was but the blink of an eye.
The bedchamber was still the same, yet the red candles and bridal canopy were gone. In their place hung a fresh green gauze curtain. The incense in the burner had changed too, from precious agarwood and sandal to the pear-blossom scent she usually used.
Now it was the early summer of the nineteenth year of Yuan Shou. She had already been married into the Pei clan of Hedong for half a year.
“Madam, you are awake.” The voice of her maid Bai Ping came gently through the green embroidered gauze.
Shen Yujiao pressed her forehead as she sat up from the couch, her voice after sleep carrying a trace of lazy huskiness: “What time is it now?”
“Nearly the hour of Shen.”
Bai Ping bent low and respectfully asked: “Would Madam like to rise?”
“Yes.” The person within the curtain answered. A slender, pale hand lifted the green gauze, revealing half the face of a beauty, hair slightly in disarray.
Even after serving at her side for half a year, Bai Ping was still momentarily dazed each time she caught sight of that naturally lovely face.
Madam was not the kind of dazzling beauty who stunned at first glance. Her features, taken one by one, were only delicate and fine, but when combined, they carried a charm like spring breeze on the face. One could not help but look again, and then again, each time finding her more pleasing, until without realizing it, one’s very soul was ensnared.
With such a face, she also possessed the most dignified and refined bearing, like the Guanyin upon a high altar, with a sanctity that made one hesitate to profane.
By rights, with this temperament so like that of her husband, the two ought to be a pair of kindred spirits.
Yet fate had it otherwise, her family met disaster, and this noble daughter of a great house entered the Pei clan in disgrace.
Even her dowry had to be purchased by her husband with his own private funds, to save face for her.
What kind of welcome could such a bride expect?
Even the common folk outside, upon hearing of the marriage, shook their heads and sighed: “Such a fine gentleman of the Pei clan, yet to be matched with a criminal’s daughter. Truly, his name has proven prophetic, Pei Xia, Pei Xia, a flawless jade marred with a blemish.”
The “jade” was Pei Xia; the “blemish” was Shen Yujiao.
She was his imperfection, and in the eyes of the Pei clan, nothing more than a nominal “clan wife,” barely tolerated.
As the fine drizzle fell, before the bronze mirror, Shen Yujiao puzzled over why she suddenly dreamt of those old scenes,
Dreaming of kin could be explained as longing.
But dreaming of the bridal night… could it be she… missed Pei Xia?
Her willow brows knit lightly. Just as she was about to drive away the stray thoughts, another maid, Lu Tan, called out cheerfully from beyond the bamboo curtain: “Madam, the young master has returned!”
