9
With Ming Tan’s grand performance concluded, all that remained was to await favorable news.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ming Tingyuan stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Lady Pei hurriedly chased after him and, with clear reasoning, managed to dissuade him from rushing straight to the Duke of Lingguo’s residence in his fury.
Recalling the letter’s mention that the two brothers had been brought back to the capital and were available for immediate confrontation, Lady Pei ordered preparations of gifts and a carriage, intending to accompany Ming Tingyuan on a visit to the Mansion of the Duke of Chang first.
This visit to the Duke of Changguo’s residence serves two purposes: first, naturally, to meet the two brothers and learn the full story face-to-face; second, since Bai Jingyuan, the Duke of Changguo, is Ming Tan’s maternal uncle, and this engagement was arranged by his late sister, Lady Bai, discussing the matter of breaking off the betrothal with him beforehand would better demonstrate the bond between the two households.
–
The Jing’an Marquis’s household’s intention to break off the engagement remained entirely unknown to the Duke’s mansion. However, upon hearing that the Marquis had returned home, Lady Li of the Duke’s household realized that no secret remains hidden forever; if they wished to preserve this marriage alliance, matters within their own residence could no longer be delayed.
Early in the morning, without so much as a word to anyone, she ordered her servants to pack her belongings and prepare the carriage, intending to send someone away from the capital.
“Since things have come to this, Zhuer, it is not that your aunt does not care for you. Your cousin and I have indeed considered many solutions, but…” Lady Li looked at the woman who had wept her way into her room and now lay collapsed on the floor, speaking with compassion, “For now, take Mingge’er and go live in Lizhou for a while. Once Miss Ming enters the household and develops affection with her husband, you can then speak to her about you and Mingge’er. Naturally, there will be room for discussion.”
“Once they develop affection, how could Miss Ming ever agree to take a concubine?” The woman called “Zhuer” wept incessantly. “With his beloved wife in his arms, how could my cousin possibly remember Zhuer then!”
“How could that be!” Liang Zixuan hastily rose to his feet.
Lady Li cast him a glance, signaling him to fall silent, then turned back to Zhuer and said gently, “Mingge’er is your cousin’s eldest son, and you are his birth mother; how could he possibly forget you? This arrangement is entirely for the sake of your cousin’s future. Your cousin’s prospects are Mingge’er’s prospects. Is such a simple truth still beyond your understanding?”
Hearing this, Zhu’er wiped away her tears and looked at Lady Li with shimmering eyes.
“Enough. Everything in Lizhou has been properly arranged. Rest easy here. When the time comes, your cousin will surely bring you and your mother back to the capital in grand style.”
Zhu’er wished to plead further, but Lady Li lowered her gaze, lifted her teacup, making it clear that she had nothing more to say and would discuss the matter no longer.
The servant woman waiting nearby stepped forward, seized Zhu’er by both arms, and half-dragging, half-escorting her, led her out.
“Cousin! Cousin…”
Zhu’er looked back at Liang Zixuan with reluctance, calling out to him again and again.
Liang Zixuan felt a pang of pity; after all, they had shared many days and nights of deep affection and intimacy. Once Zhu’er had left the courtyard, he could not help but plead, “Mother, is there truly no room for reconsideration in this matter? As for my cousin, she…”
“Is this not the consequence of your own wrongdoing!” Lady Li slammed her teacup down heavily and snapped coldly, “You too, get back and sober up! Do not stand before me and offend my eyes!”
Liang Zixuan appeared as a graceful and noble young gentleman in public, yet at home he dared not contradict his mother even half a word. Merely upon hearing her raise her voice twice, he would hastily bow and hurriedly depart.
Watching Liang Zixuan’s retreating figure, Lady Li closed her eyes, overwhelmed by a splitting headache.
Among the women of the inner quarters, she was already renowned for her decisive and efficient methods.
Before the imperial banquet began that day, she had still been pondering how to successfully bring Ming Atan into their household as a bride. Yet upon leaving the palace, spotting from afar that Ming Tan did not board the carriage of the Jing’an Marquis’s residence but instead departed hand-in-hand with Bai Minmin, a swift plan immediately formed in her mind.
She sent someone to follow from a distance, then returned to the residence and explained in detail to Liang Zixuan just how crucial this marriage alliance was, and how precarious their current situation had become.
When informed that Ming Tan and Bai Minmin had left the Listening to Rain Pavilion and headed to Nanyu River Street, she immediately devised a scheme to stage a dramatic rescue from drowning.
Had her plan succeeded, it would have been a perfect solution: the marriage arrangement would remain intact, and she could have used the incident as leverage to keep Zhu’er and her son. But alas, her son proved more of a hindrance than a help; not only did he fail to carry out the scheme smoothly, but she now also had to bear the blame for his falling into the water.
With this plan foiled and the Marquis of Jing’an returning so swiftly, what else could she do? She had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure: make Zhu’er and her son disappear!
Her heart remained heavy until noon, when a servant came to report, “Madam, the young lady from your sister’s family and the little master have already left the city.”
The stone hanging in Lady Li’s heart finally dropped. Exhausted, she waved her hand to dismiss the servant, longing for some peace and quiet.
–
The journey from the capital to Lizhou is neither particularly far nor especially close. A swift horse with constant urging can make it in two days, while a carriage, moving more slowly, requires about seven.
Bumped and wearied by the road, watching the bustling splendor of the capital fade into the distance, the servants had begun treating her with obvious neglect ever since leaving the city gates, fueling Zhu’er’s growing resentment.
“Miss, let us rest here for the night. The road ahead is difficult; if we press on further, we will hardly find an inn before dark.”
Zhu’er lifted the carriage curtain, took a glance, and frowned. “This place is so dilapidated; how can we rest here?”
Exhausted after a long day, the servants had no patience left to deal with this cousin whose child was destined never to be admitted into the household; they replied curtly, “If you won’t rest, then make your own way.”
“You!”
The servant stretched his waist, completely ignoring her, and walked into the inn on his own. The wet nurse also stepped down from the other carriage, carrying the sleeping child inside.
Zhu’er had no choice but to alight from the carriage.
Following her to the inn, she tried to approach and check on her child, but the wet nurse deliberately stepped aside to block her. “Miss, my lady has repeatedly instructed me to take good care of the young master. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself; please get some rest early.”
“Min-ge’er is my child! What do you mean by this!” Zhu’er exclaimed.
Just like the other servants before, the wet nurse carried the child inside to rest, paying her no further attention.
A vague premonition washed over Zhu’er, and her heart instantly turned half cold.
She slumped straight down as if all strength had left her, staring blankly at the table for a long while. Only when the steam from the meal had nearly dissipated did she belatedly pick up her chopsticks.
But suddenly, a strange man’s warning came from the table behind: “It’s been drugged; don’t eat it.”
Zhu’er froze, instinctively about to turn her head.
The man spoke again: “Don’t look back; someone is watching.”
Hearing both “it’s been drugged” and “someone is watching,” Zhu’er’s heart immediately raced with panic, her mind turning into a muddled mess, unsure whether to trust the words of this stranger behind her.
Just then, she spotted a stray cat prowling beneath the table in search of food. Seizing the opportunity, she pretended her chopsticks had slipped and flicked the dish onto the floor.
The stray cat meowed a few times, lazily approached, first licked the food, then picked through it before chewing and swallowing what remained on the ground. Yet after quite some time, the cat showed no unusual reaction.
“You lied to me?” Zhu’er’s voice trembled, filled with uncertainty.
The person explained, “Ruanjin San only renders one utterly weak and unable to escape; it is not lethal.”
Zhu’er rallied her spirits and stared at the wild cat for a while. It remained crouched in place, slowly swaying its tail; indeed, it hadn’t moved much since, but such behavior is typical of cats and proves nothing.
Wait… Suddenly alert, she demanded, “What did you say? Why should I flee?”
“Once we return to Lizhou, you will be married off as a second wife to the steward of the Zhuang estate. Would you not wish to escape, Miss? Or do you perhaps believe you can still await the day of your triumphant return to the capital?”
Upon hearing these words, Zhu’er felt as though struck by lightning.
The attitudes of those around her after leaving the capital had indeed filled her with ominous foreboding, but marrying a steward as his second wife… No, it couldn’t be! How could this possibly happen? Moreover, she still had Min-ge’er; he was her cousin’s eldest son. Her aunt and cousin could never treat her this way!
The person behind her continued, “The Duchess of Lingguo owns a dowry estate in the western suburbs of Lizhou. The estate’s steward is over forty years old; his first wife passed away some years ago, and he has not remarried since. He currently keeps four concubines and has five sons. These past few days, lanterns have been hung and wedding notices posted at the steward’s residence. Once you arrive, lady, the three bows of the marriage ceremony can immediately be performed.”
“As for the young master, blood ties cannot be severed. Should opportunity arise in the future, he will surely be able to return to his ancestral lineage. However, he will no longer have any connection whatsoever with you, lady. Upon your departure, mother and son shall be separated; it is likely you shall never see each other again in this lifetime.”
These words sounded utterly absurd. Yet her intuition told her they were true, every single word of them.
At that moment, the sound of a teacup being set down on the table came from behind. The man spoke in a low, steady voice: “Miss, if you wish to return to the capital and forge a future for yourself, I can help you.”
–
Night had fallen, bringing a slight chill. Outside the Shangjing capital, darkness reigned, yet within the city walls, lanterns glowed brightly, casting a scene of bustling splendor. Changyu Street, entirely occupied by the Prince Dingbei’s residence, was perhaps one of the few places in the city marked by solemnity and quietude.
Inside the main chamber of the study, Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran were playing Go by candlelight. The flame flickered suddenly as a shadow entered with the wind, bowing low to report: “Your Highness, the young lady from the Liang family and the child have been brought back to the capital and settled safely.”
Jiang Xu uttered a soft “Mm” and raised his hand slightly.
The shadowy figure understood the hint and withdrew silently.
Shu Jingran placed three black stones on the board, covering his sleeve as he picked up another piece, and murmured to himself, “I’ve been wondering why you intervened that night. Allowing the Liang heir to rescue Miss Ming ensured this marriage would be sealed—a not unfavorable outcome. Now… I finally understand.”
The Great Xian Dynasty had stood for centuries, its noble families deeply entrenched and increasingly powerful; the Emperor had long intended to prune them back.
Some time ago, the Emperor moved against the most arrogant and unrestrained among them—the Marquis of Cheng’en, who dared to tamper with the salt mines. It seems only a matter of time before the Duke of Lingguo’s household and the Marquis of Jing’an’s household meet the same fate.
If these two families were to form a marriage alliance, settling accounts together would save considerable effort. His Majesty also seems inclined toward this idea. However, you appear unwilling to see the Ming and Liang families united. Why?
“Have you not already figured it out?” Jiang Xu placed a stone on the board, then slowly raised his eyes.
“…”
“I have only deduced that your intervention to save someone that day stemmed solely from your desire to prevent the union between the Ming and Liang families, nothing more.”
“So that actually required thought?”
Jiang Xu lowered his gaze and let out a soft, derisive chuckle. He was just short of directly questioning whether Shu Er Gongzi’s literary talents truly deserved the young ladies waiting in the alleys for him to pass the spring imperial examinations with high honors and parade triumphantly on horseback.
Shu Jingran cleared his throat, feeling slightly awkward.
After all, he had not yet entered the political arena, and many matters remained unclear to him. Jiang Xu did not press him further; instead, he cast down his eyes at the chessboard and remarked, “Haste makes waste. Moreover, pruning the aristocratic families was never my intention.”
The main hall was very quiet, with only the faint crackling of candle flames occasionally audible.
Shu Jingran savored Jiang Xu’s words, detecting a deeper meaning within them.
The first half was easy to understand. Wiping out two families in one sweep was somewhat hasty. In recent years, the Empress Dowager had devoted herself to vegetarianism and Buddhist chanting, appearing relatively harmless; yet her faction remained deeply entrenched, posing an undeniable threat ever since His Majesty ascended the throne. Acting too aggressively would inevitably leave room for them to rally support. Dividing and conquering them separately was, by comparison, a far more secure strategy.
But as for the latter half, Shu Jingran paused.
He still could not fathom the nature of the relationship between Jiang Xu and the reigning emperor.
Over the years, the Emperor has been exceptionally generous toward Jiang Xu. In contrast, Jiang Xu has always remained distant from the current sovereign, even to the point of coldness. Often, his demeanor leaves people wondering whether he truly stands on the Emperor’s side.
The phrase “not my intention” also left Shu Jingran uncertain: did it mean “though not my intention, I will still lend a hand,” or “since it is not my intention, I shall oppose you”?
As if aware of his thoughts, Jiang Xu remarked, “Ming Tingyuan’s talent for deploying troops and generals is truly rare; let us keep him a while longer.”
Then he placed the final black stone, declaring, “You have lost.”
Shu Jingran snapped back to reality. At some point, the white stones, once slightly ahead, had been pressed into a desperate position by the black stones, trapped with no room left for maneuvering.
However, he had no intention of playing chess tonight. Pushing aside the go bowls, he pressed on: “If you wish to keep Ming Tingyuan around by ruining his daughter’s engagement, what other marriage alliance do you plan to arrange for her? Ming Tingyan controls the Yangxi Circuit and cannot be underestimated. Once this engagement is broken, surely many will find the temptation too great to resist.”
Jiang Xu did not answer; he simply gazed at him quietly.
“…?”
Shu Jingran took quite a while to realize something was amiss.
He had always been as gentle and refined on the outside as he was within, handling every situation with composure and propriety, knowing exactly when to advance and when to retreat. Yet now, perhaps finding the whole matter absurd, he fell silent for a long moment before letting out a disbelieving laugh: “Jiang Qizhi, what do you mean by this? Me, get married?”
“The marriage of Zhang Huaiyu has already been arranged by the Empress. As for Lu Ting, he is too deeply devoted.”
“Then am I somehow a heartless man?” Shu Jingran still found it amusing.
Jiang Xu narrowed his eyes. “If you won’t marry her, are you expecting this prince to do so instead?”
Shu Jingran replied, “That might not be such a bad idea either.”
Unwilling to discuss the matter further, Jiang Xu dismissed his guest without even lifting his eyelids.